Monday, July 13, 2015

The Time is Far Spent - Be Fixed in Your Purpose

Hey family! 

This week was transfers! We got the call that I am staying here in the same area, and Sister Mcknight and Sister Tauteoli are moving. I sure will miss them. I honestly feel like I will be lifelong friends with them both!!


I got a new companion! Her name is Sister Hoffman. She is from Wyoming and is almost 21. She's been in Thailand around 4 months, and her brother served his mission in Calgary, Canada!! I took her to Brammmmmssss restaurant - shout out to Truman!

This week at transfers I also collected some packages that have been in Bangkok for a couple of months I think. I got one from Emily (you rock ems), Megan (oh my goodness I died of excitement at that Reese's Peanut Butter Cup cereal), 2 from Grandma Cammy (some awesome candy and girl scout cookies that I, and everyone in my house is currently enjoying), and a package from Grandma Remington (some awesome Canadian food that we all love as well), and 2 from you Mom and Dad! Thank you so much everyone!! 

It was also really funny to travel with my new companions luggage, and ALL of those packages for 7 hours on the bus back to Mahasarakham. The bus and taxi drivers kept giving me the funniest looks like, "where did you get all of this stuff?"

Speaking of the trip back to Maha-  I am really glad we made it all in one piece, as I was the one who organized it....  Accidentally, I got us on this REALLY crappy bus with LOUD music videos that played all night long, and tons of random stops in the middle of the night to "eat food". Oops. 

Some other funny things that happened this week were:

1) Sister Mcknight and I (before transfers) were riding our bike down the street here in Mahasarakham, and all of a sudden, right next to us, there is a car on fire! The people in the car rush to get out and then the car bursts into even more flames. The Thai people all around were frantically motioning us to keep moving, to keep riding! It was crazy. 

2) I was printing some photos last p-day at the Internet cafe, when this older women comes up to me and starts "ordering" some photos from me in Thai...apparently she thought was Thai. Coincidentally, I was told by multiple ward members in the past week that I look like I am half Thai!   #Must-be-the-tan

3) For English class we needed to think of a game to end the class, so I harnessed my skills from Dad and came up with this game I called "English Musical Chairs". The other sisters and I set up chairs, and in place of music, we just started talking extremely fast in English, and when the students heard us say the "buzzword" (an english word we had chosen before) they had to sit down. It was sooo funny. 

On Sunday we had a baptism! Brother Luhan!! He gave a really nice testimony, and showed so much faith in coming to church (it takes him like 45 min and he comes at 7:30am!!)  

It was crazy organizing his baptism, as there is a drainage problem with the font, and the water wasn't working for a long time, but in the end it was great!! Miracles happened as we taught him the final lessons this past week. We drove out there and he was interviewed over the phone by our district leader, but just as  he was done interviewing, the phone had no service. The second awesome thing that happened was with his wife. She had some really neat experiences, and I was able to testify to her of just how much Christ knows her and loves her. I know the same is true for everyone reading this as well. It doesn't matter where we are, or who we are...Christ's love is the same. 

I will close this email with a thought. This week on the bus back to Maha I read this book full of "Presidents Letters" that President Senior had written over his time here in Thailand. One in particular said just what I needed to hear. It quotes the Hymn, "The Time is Far Spent"

 The time is far spent; there is little remaining
To publish glad tidings by sea and by land.
Then hasten, ye heralds; go forward proclaiming:
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven's at hand,
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven's at hand.

 Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant,
But follow the Savior, your pattern and friend.
Our little afflictions, tho painful at present,
Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end,
Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end.

What, tho, if the favor of Ahman possessing,
This world's bitter hate you are called to endure?
The angels are waiting to crown you with blessings!
Go forward, be faithful, the promise is sure.
Go forward, be faithful, the promise is sure.

 Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you;
The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.
Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you;
His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.
His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.


I loved reading this and I know that it is true. The time on my mission, now half over, is far spent and I need to make the most of every day! Sometimes missions are difficult.  Life is difficult.  Changes occur and obstacles arise, but I know that if we are "fixed in our purpose", we can make it through our trials, and come out triumphant. 

I know that prayerfully following the Gospel of Christ is the only way to achieve true happiness and contentment in this life. I know that sharing this with others is sooo important!!!

I love you all!!

Sister Remington 


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2 comments:

  1. Sis Rem, you are amazing. That song is such a good one about you. You are an awesome missionary and an inspiration to us all. Incredible!

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  2. Love reading your posts Auburn. I am often moved to tears as was the case last week when I read your post about Elliott. Spending time with your family this week has been magical.

    I have lots of fun English games I used to play with my students in Mexico. I will email you a list. I love your game idea. I will add it to my list. I hope to teach abroad again someday.

    Xoxo

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