A Day Without a Shower in Thailand is Like a Year Without a Shower in America -Auburn

Hey everyone!! How's it going? This week was crazy...as usual. 

At the beginning of this week, Sister Lam and I received a note in our gate written in broken English, telling us to go visit a member of the church from the states in the Chiang Mai Ram hospital. We had no idea who put the note in our gate, or where this hospital was, so we just headed to our usual district meeting. After district meeting, we were going to go inviting in one of the malls. On our way there, we pass none other than the Chiang Mai Ram Hospital. So,of course, we go in and hunt the girl down. She'd just had her appendix out, and seemed to be doing fine. It also turns out she wasn't a member of the church, but had a lot of Mormon friends. She was so happy to have us visit her, as she was traveling alone when it happened. It was seriously a miracle to be able to find that hospital...and to befriend her.  I hope she will find the gospel when she returns home to the US!

Tuesday night we took a bus back to Bangkok, as the Zone Leaders and Sis Lam had a meeting with Pres Senior.  We spent 9 hours on that bus, during which Sis Lam was bitten by a ton of mosquitoes. Her lip and face swelled up so much that we had to go to the hospital in Bangkok to get her a shot so she wouldn't get some crazy disease. After that, we went to the meeting and then immediately turned around and went back to the bus station. We had to go to P-Loog, one of the other areas in the zone, so that they could do training with some missionaries there. We then spent another 7 hours on this really gross bus infested with cockroaches...it also had Thai soap operas blaring on the screens. It was a really interesting experience to say the least. We got to P-Loog at like 2 am and made our way to the Sister's house to sleep. We were so tired and they didn't have any more beds, so we literally just slept on the floor. The next day they did some training... a bit of a switch off- and then we were back on the bus (another 9 hours) to Chiang Mai. We finally arrived back home to Chiang Mai at like 3 am.  The bus driver had to wake me, Sis Lam, and The Zone Leaders up, but he waited for so long that everyone was off the bus before he woke us.  Elder Black had a funny comment on the situation, saying that the bus driver was probably thinking, "Oh look what we have here, there is a Chinese girl, a white girl, a quarter Thai guy, and a half Chinese guy all in fancy clothes....possibly all dead?" hahaha...It was so funny.  Thailand is seriously always an adventure. 

The main thing I  learned from this whole experience is that, "A day without a shower in Thailand, is like a year without a shower in America." -me

Seriously though, we were all so gross, as we had slept 3 nights on buses, without showering, and had only eaten 7-11 food. Good times. It was actually pretty fun. 

Anyways, when we got back to Chiang Mai, we were unsure if we would be able to get balanced, as we had been away for most of the week, but we saw miracles and were able to get our work balanced! 

On one of the switch-offs with another sister in the zone this week, we went to the mall to invite. We invited some lady who was talking on her phone.  She put the phone down shocked, saying she had just broken an appointment with some missionaries in Bangkok because she wanted to go shopping. She saw us and said she felt the spirit, and as such agreed to meet with us right then and there, and went to church yesterday!

At church one of our daters still said she hasn't received an answer that this is all true, but she keeps coming every week because said says she feels so good at church. I know she feels that it is true, but she just isn't ready to act on it yet. However, this week she brought a friend and her friend accepted a date for baptism the second week in April!  Thrilled, her friend told us, "this is exactly what I have been looking for!"  It was so cool.  Sister Ooy didn't end up getting baptized this Sunday, as she started a new job, but we are hoping that we can meet with her this week so she can be baptized next Sunday! I really hope she has time.

On Sunday I also saw Sister Ellis one last time before she heads back to Idaho!  Her and Sis Lam taught one of our investigators together, while I went on a switchoff with a member to teach the "restoration of the gospel" to another investigator.  I was super scared as I had never taught that particular lesson alone.  I prayed that I would be able to know what to say to help our investigator. The beginning of the lesson was a little rough, but as I was able to clearly testify in Thai about how the gospel blesses families, and how each point of the restoration can help families, I knew that Heavenly Father had helped me! 

Sorry for the lengthiness of this email, a ton happened this week! I just want to close with a quote that struck me this week by Anthony D. Perkins, "You will experience greater joy in life as you eradicate adult onset pessimism and substitute childlike optimism." I know we must choose to be happy, no matter how crazy or stressful the circumstances may be. There is fun to be had every single day, and if we pray to see miracles and the Lord's hand in our lives- we will recognize it, and with that our perspective on everything will change. 

Love,

Sis Rem 

My messy desk...Elliott will love this. 

Thailand...a place where candy bars need refrigeration. 

The Difference Between Treading Water and Actually Swimming

Hey everyone!!

First of all...I am still serving in Chiang Mai, but I got a new companion! Her name is Sister Lam and she is 23, Asian, and from California! She went to BYU before and is SOOO cool. She has the best stories too. The other funny thing is that this is her last transfer, so in mission speak I am "killing" 2 companions in a row. She is also getting me to do the T25 workouts with her morning and night...I am so sore. 

Funny moment: When we got back to Chiang Mai we were contacting and Sis Lam contacted a Chinese person...that she thought was Thai. We both laughed about how she is Chinese and can't even tell the difference... Good times. haha 

I got everyones packages! Thanks so much!! I love you guys. 

Going up to Bangkok this week for transfers, we couldn't find an overnight train so we had to take the bus!  It had massaging seats...but still sucked. 

Bangkok is crazy! Sis Ellis had a bunch of interviews, and we did a lot of shopping. We also rode this water taxi thing called "The Klong Monster". It was super ghetto and you had to hold up a tarp if you wanted to stay clear of the spray!

Transfer day was really fun! I'd forgotten that I had so many friends and people that I hadn't seen in awhile! After we went to Que-Pasa ( a pretty gross mexican food place, but in my mind it was delicious as I haven't had mexican food in 3 months) and I was able to catch up with everyone. It was so fun!  Here is what I call "The Generation Picture". Sister Ellis trained me and Sister Brown, and then Sister Brown and I both had Sister Lam as our next companion, and Sister Brown is training the other girl:

Sis Lam and I also had to take the bus back to Chiang Mai...ewwwwwww....but we have seen many miracles these past 3 days in Chiang Mai! One lady that I invited last transfer at Watarote (but forgot to get her phone number) CAME TO CHURCH.  She helped us clean the church. We then taught her, and she told us this amazing story:

When I contacted her at Watarote, she was going through a really hard time with her daughter, and she also had some other crazy situations which I will not write at this time. Anyways... she said that when she saw me holding up the card with a picture of Jesus on it, she felt something so good that she decided she must come to church!  We taught her,  and she said she knows her faith in Christ can help her through anything. She has a date to get baptized next Sunday, but she has some obstacles to overcome first...so hopefully we can help her!!

Miracles.

Anyways, this week I was thinking a lot about something Sister Ellis had said to me, to "act and the power will come." I loved that.  In my personal study I read this article that I think may have changed my mission. The main verse focuses on D & C 51:17,  "And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good." This made me think all about how I simply need not postpone happiness, but must act as if I am going to be here forever...not waiting until some future time to start doing my best. I know that if we all do this, we will be able to see more opportunities in our lives. This is the difference between "treading water, and actually swimming." 

I love you all!

Sis Rem

Don't Just Chill, Work For Your Goals

Hey everyone! 

First of all I am going to apologize in advance, this email may be shorter/lamer than most. Sister Ellis and I are going to Bangkok today, because she has finished her mission! Transfers are on Thursday...but it takes 12 hours to get down there and she has a lot of interviews, meetings, celebrations, and whatnot. 

SO the next time I email...I'll have a new companion! I am a little nervous, because Sister Ellis has been so awesome, but I'm sure it'll be great!

Sister Ellis has been amazing. I have really learned so much from her these past 2 transfers. I will always be grateful that she was my trainer/mom in Thailand. To sum it up quickly, she is a great example of always choosing to be happy and positive...no matter the circumstance. She doesn't postpone her happiness until something happens that makes her happy...she just chooses to be happy in each moment! I'll really miss her.  Here is a piñata that she made. 

Anyways, 

Last monday we went to this "Muga-tot" hot pot restaurant thing for FHE with our ward. The other people in my district warned me that it ALWAYS makes you sick, and to be prepared to be "out" the next morning. I was all like, "Then why are we eating it?" They replied, "Because its delicious Sister Rem."  Muga-tot is basically this raw meat, tofu, noodle, and vegetable buffet that you fry on this hot fire thing at your table. Because (naturally) I was scared of getting sick, I fried everything to a toasty burnt crisp...Everything!  Long story short, I didn't get sick.  

While I was at this place, I finally realized the reason Thai was harder than it seemed it should be!  They speak a different dilect of Thai here in Chiang Mai!!! They speak "Northern" (passa nxa).  So when I didn't understand some people, those people were speaking Northern. This definitely eased my mind concerning my language skills!  According to Sister Ellis, Bangkok is great because everyone speaks normal Thai. I've learned a few northern words though, and because people know I don't speak Northern, I guess that they speak normal Thai to me...its just the odd few that don't.  

This week Sister Ellis and I went contacting at this super fancy mall called Maya. We contacted each level, and when we got to the top there was this sweet view! I made paper airplanes out of some inviting cards and threw them off the top too...good times...I'm doing the peace sign for you Wyatt and Elliott. 

Sister Cat (our convert from last transfer), took us to see her Dad at her house this week! Her Dad and Brother are not members of the church, so we introduced ourselves and asked if we could help at all. They were really nice. Before we went over there we met Sis Cat at the grocery store in her neighbourhood, and she asked us if we "wanted to walk around and look at the grocery store." I thought this was pretty funny, but brilliant, because hot season has begun and there is A/C in there so we walked around for a few minutes... it was just like Safeway.  Haha

There was also a YSA dance activity this week. It was so funny to watch. This awesome lady in our ward was teaching all of them how to dance. She was soooo good. 

Sunday was great. We know have 2 investigators with goals of baptismal dates, they both are still praying about it though...so pray they'll get their answers! 

On Sunday, one of the people that Sister Ellis and I had contacted by saying, "gin khaw ruu yang" (have you eaten yet) , which is a perfectly normal Thai greeting I assure you, came to church, AND brought friends!  Missionary work is fun, people! 

Okay my time is almost out, so I'll leave you with something that inspired me this week that I've been thinking a lot about. It's that there are 2 types of people. Those that are letting things happen to them and just chilling, and those that are working towards becoming something...becoming more like our Savior Jesus Christ. I want to work on this! 

Love you all!!

Sister Remington 

P.S. This isnwhatbhappens when you get a girl that works in a closet to make you a dress...you look like an elf! 

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Take courage, this way's not easy, but worth it in the end.

Hey everyone!! 

First of all I got your package and letters from Hawaii this week!! The "Babies of Hawaii" calendar was a HUGE hit with my district. We all died laughing looking at the pictures. Sister Ellis also loved the card you guys sent her. 

This week was hard and good! 

Last P-day we went and got Sister Ellis's wedding dress made and went to the "fish spa". I was a little scared to do the fish spa thing for the third time, as before I left on my mission I read somewhere that you can get diseases from it.  I figured I had been safe the first 2 times, and didn't want to risk it a third time. Although I succumbed to peer pressured, and agreed to go, I put my feet in the water but kept shaking off all the fish. The owner lady saw that I was doing this and said I was killing the fish....so I had to pay a little extra....haha. 

This week at Book of Mormon class we built a ship out of tables. It actually looked really legit. We even had a mast and flag. Everyone decided that I should be Nephi, so they tied me up to the mast, and all started teasing me (everyone else was Laman/Lemuel). We were all dying laughing as I yelled super loud "glopjay conechuaray." (repent/evil people). Good times. 

Some other funny moments of this week:

This week it started to get really hot, and we all started to run out of money because it is nearing the end of the month. Because of these facts, Sister Ellis and I decided to go on a long bike ride to get some super cheap (20 baht) Somtam at an LA's restaurant. We arrive after biking for 1/2 hr...and its closed. We were so sweaty and so hungry that we decided to find some other food nearby. The only thing around us was some cold fried chicken this lady was selling on the side of the road. So we both got a piece. After eating that (and me hoping I wouldn't get food poisoning again) we were still hungry. This random dude then points us to another somtam place. For those of you who aren't familiar with somtam...it is a SUPER spicy papaya, tomato, and carrot salad with shrimp. 

Anyways, we get to the restaurant and Sis Ellis orders hers. I then order mine telling the lady not to make it spicy, and not to put any MSG or shrimp in it either. After I said that, the lady gave me a funny look and said, "It won't even taste like anything then", but she proceeds to make it. When she gives it to me, I take a bite and start to sweat/cry because it was literally so SPICY!  The lady had taken matters into her own hands and added  FIVE peppers to it, then told me it just tastes better this way.  As I was still really hungry, I took matters into my own hands, and grabbed the pitcher of water from the table and rinsed the peppers off! The lady laughed at me, other people in the restaurant laughed at me, but hey...at least I could finally eat it!  After this whole event we went inviting in the mall, and I SAW A FROZEN YOGURT PLACE. I was so stoked and obviously got some. It was the first time I had eaten it since being on my mission! What a good day. 

This week Sister Ellis and I did a lot of inviting. We invited in a park where people were doing "acro-yoga." (Which is a weird thing.) Anyways, we made lots of appointments with people that we had met inviting,  but they all broke their appointments. So my faith in inviting was kinda low. After leaving the church ( yet another person hadn't shown up)  we went inviting again. The last guy I invited said he really wanted to come to church and would bring friends. I was like, "whaaat". It was a huge miracle. On Sunday he didn't end up coming, so again I had low faith in inviting. But then in relief society I went and sat by this lady, and she turned to me and said, "Hey!!  It's you!  You invited me to come to church a month ago, but I haven't had time off work until now." I was like...."whaaat!?!?" So amazing.  We then taught her a lesson, and she is awesome. She is going to bring her kids next week. Heavenly Father was really looking out for me. 

This week we also taught our "former monk" investigator.  I think he may be a teacher in some vegetarian Buddhist religion, and is basically the nicest person ever. He comes to the appointment and gives us some food saying, "To love is to give away, just like Jesus did." He's so nice. That same day Cat (the lady that I helped teach that got baptized last transfer) said she prays for each of us missionaries individually every day. It was so cute. I can't believe how much I love her. 

Two more random things before I finish:

A film crew came and visited our Relief Society and took a video that will be shown in the Women's General Conference session in April...so make sure you look for me in it!! 

The other random thing is that the branch is having everyone do a time capsule. I am so stoked! They are going to open it in 10 years, and promised they'd send my stuff to me in Canada. 

Anyways, here's a poem I wrote this week...This is the email segment i'll call, "Auburn hasn't written a poem since she was 10, but decided to do it just for fun." 

There is a mountain not far off

But rather close at hand.

Rocks like spires twist to the sky, and 

At its base I stand.

Vast boulders seem to block the way

To the summit...a great height

One step forward and then I climb,

Climb with all my might. 

Time drags slowly onward,

As I move along the trail.

I see a storm encroaching, and I think, 

"I very well could fail."

The way's not easy, not a bit, 

And I trip and fall.

Over and over and over again 

Until I hear a call:

"Take courage. This way's not easy, 

But worth it in the end-

Stand back up, keep walking...

Go just around the bend."

My heart heavy, faith low, 

I start to wish I had not begun.

But I get up, walk forward...

And then I see the Son.

He takes my hand and helps me 

Take those final steps.

The smile on his face seems to say, 

"My child you did your best."

"The way was not easy,

Your spirits often low.

But you listened and heard my voice-

that led you here you know."

I gaze at glorious vistas, 

Once hidden from my view

With gratitude for the savior, 

I know my journey's through. 

I love you all! 

Have a great week!

Love,

Sis Rems 

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A Baptism, A Wedding, And A Spider In My Somtam

Hey everyone!

This week was crazy and good as usual. 

I never know where to start in these emails, so bear with me if they are always super random. I guess I'll just try to go chronologically through the week. 

Last week for P-day we went to this Hmong village waaaay up in the mountains. It was so cool.  We climbed up to this market on the mountain, bargained with people, shot crossbows, and dressed up in authentic Hmong tribe clothes! It was really cool. At some point we might go visit the long-neck tribe too. 

This week Sister Ellis and I also went on a really long bike ride looking for some Somtam to eat. (in other words: we got lost).  We finally found some and THERE WAS A SPIDER IN MINE !  Oh well....there is a saying among the missionaries here that goes like this, "If there isn't an ant in the Khaw Neo, is it even real Khaw Neo?"

This week for district meeting, Elder Christensen did the BEST lesson.  It was a scavenger hunt, representing life on earth. We started off in the church and Elder Christensen was not even there, but has left directions to look in the scriptures, and that we can "pray", aka call him, if we have any questions. So we start the hunt, and are led all around the church finding stuff behind paintings, in the oven, etc. until finally, after like an hour, we are led to this park alll the way across town! It was a really pretty park with giant trees, statues, etc...but still no Elder Christensen. We call him and ask for another clue, and he tells us we have to find someone to serve...and also he tells us not to get distracted. So we help this guy sweep some leaves and pick up sticks for a while (Dad- all the yard work I have done over the years came in very handy. haha). And then we got some ice cream (yes, we got distracted). But finally we are led to this beautiful maze in the park...and there in the middle is Elder Christensen...who had been sitting in the hot sun with his comp for 2 hours. It was kinda funny, because we then talked about what we had learned on our journey.  People talked about service, perseverance etc, but what really stuck out to me was when ELder Christensen said, "Imagine I am your Father in Heaven, imagine how excited I was when you "prayed" (called me) because I had just been waiting here for you guys, and wanted to know what you were up too." It was a cool moment for me to realize just how much our Heavenly Father wants to hear from us and wants to help us, but He can't if we don't call-  He can't if we don't pray. 

This week we also taught a former monk that I contacted in a park, and that was a cool experience. He was so happy and smiley while we were teaching him, and said he would pray to see if this is all true. One of my favorite things about teaching people is teaching them how to pray, and letting them know that they don't just have to take my word for it, but that they should pray and ask God if these things are true. I always promise that if they do this with real intent, that they will get an answer...and I know they will receive answers to their prayers, because I have. 

On Saturday one of the girls from the hill tribes got married at the church. That was a cool wedding!  She'd asked the missionaries to do a "special musical number", and asked Sister Ellis to play the song for her entrance. I was in charge of flipping the pages for Sister Ellis and also signaling her to come in to the church on the right measure of music. Man that was stressful as there were like 200 people there, but it went well! The musical number was pretty good too, though we all know how I am at singing.   Just imagine this picture: 4 elders, me, and 2 female ward members singing in front of the 200 wedding guests....IN THAI!  It was a pretty funny event - not gunna lie. It was also cool to see the wedding party in the traditional northern tribe clothes. When they got married they didn't even kiss!!! Thai people NEVER kiss in public or even sit with their husbands/boyfriends at church, because it is apparently bad manners. I am also never allowed to lift anything heavy, because they think girls can't do things like that here....a little weird, but hey I'm not complaining!

On Sunday Ging got baptized!!  It was really cool to see just how excited and ready she was for it. This last week I was thinking a lot about the Lord's timing, and how some things, in comparing myself to others, hadn't been working out exactly how I thought they should. But when Ging got baptized, after 4 months of taking the lessons, and her older sister got baptized in Chang Rai on the same day...it was more evident that this is the Lord's work, and one day we will know why everything happened the way it did, but until then we just have to live by faith. I also rediscovered this scripture in Hebrews 10:

 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfullythe spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done thewill of God, ye might receive the promise.

 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

This just made me remember to never draw back. Things always work out the way they are meant too if we put our trust in God and do those things we know we should. 

I love you guys!  

I noticed this week that Thai people have an obsession with France...there are crepe stands, Eiffel Tower stuff, and French cafes everywhere!  (Remind you of anyone else ;) ) I love Thailand! 

Love,

Sister Rem

PS - oh!  I also totally forgot to say...I translated for the first time in church...in Primary and Young Womens, and man it was funny. I'd be translating something and then the teacher was on to another part by the time I finished saying it in English/ Thai...so I basically made up my own lessons...

(A less awkward district photo.)

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Don't Take Anything Personally...Seriously Don't!

Hi guys!

I am having a hard time remembering the details of what happened this week, but I did learn a lot.  The number one lesson was - DONT TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY...SERIOUSLY DON'T !!

This week, that was the resounding theme for sure, as people just said the craziest stuff to me. I won't repeat everything, but for example:  Someone told me I was fat....I had a big nose...that my hair looks waaay better curly...and the classic- why are you on a mission if this isn't even true- you could have way more fun if you weren't....etc. These were all comments by Thai people and other randoms.  At first I was like, "Ouch, what the heck, none of this is even true - where is this even coming from? Because usually they are like, "You are so pretty, I love your nose, your hair, you are so skinny...and my fav, You look like a Disney Princess." And no one is ever mean to me when inviting them to hear about the Gospel. 

But then I realized, all of these comments, bad or good...said by anyone are really not about me in the slightest. Whenever someone makes a comment it has nothing to do with you...even if it seems totally personal...but it has everything to do with their opinions, motives, and upbringing. 

I also remembered all the times when I have said thoughtless things, and how I hurt other's feelings as well. Anyways, this entire rant came down to this realization: The only opinions that should matter are Heavenly Father's, and your own, because if you let the opinions of others hurt you....well your life is going to be full of hurt, because people loveee sharing their opinions. 

This week I went on a switch off with Sister Larson...and it was way better than the one where I barfed for 3 days. This time it was in Chiang Mai so I got to lead. We went inviting all over Chiang Mai, to malls across the highway, to parks etc...and I only got slightly lost. We called all of our former investigators too....and heard the "welcome to callback service", (a funny thai english voice) a lot. We also had lessons with a bunch of RC's, which all went really well...which is an amazing miracle b/c we are both greenies. We also had an awesome lesson with Ging, and comitted her to get baptized this Sunday ! She's totally ready, and even had her permission slip signed and everything! (she's 17). The last set of Sisters her in Chaing Mai taught her too, but before now her parents have always forbidden her to get baptized. But in the last couple weeks amazing stuff happened, where her older sister started taking the lessons in Chiang Rai...and now is getting baptized the same day as her. Everyone pray it all works out! 

This week we also had some special training.  It was so cool and is really going to change this mission. In this mission we have this thing called 'balanced' where each week you are supposed to have 2 daters, 2 at church, 2 new investigators, and 10 RCLA/member lessons. But now they are adding to this 2 refferals and 2 part member family lessons. This is because last year 2000 people were baptized in Thailand, and now getting a temple here is so close!  This year President Senior said the Lord wants 4000 baptisms, in order to prepare for the temple here, and we are going to do that by teaching the gospel to all the RC's from last years families. So they set these goals for the mission:

-Next week to have everyone balanced

-March: 2 baptisms per companionship

-April-3 baptisms per companionship

-May: 4 baptisms per companionship. 

This made me really excited, as I realized that I will be able to help prepare for the temple here in Thailand.  It really is an amazing opportunity, and I know that Thailand needs me and my diligence. This will also make it more about families, and families being together forever through the temple that will come in the next couple of years.

Some of my favorite things said in this training where:

-"Remember the hope you have, for this mission, for this country."

-"We have to keep pace with the Lord."

-"If you do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

I know that it won't always be easy...but it will happen. 

Before I close, I would like to leave you all with some random info about this week and Thailand:

-Thailand is obsessed with France

-Thanks so much for the package Mom and Grandma Cammy! I love the shoes!!!!!

-I went to a flower festival...it was sweet, and people took a bunch of pictures with us...

-Thai people never kiss in public

-A giant tour group came to church yesterday...but unfortunately they were all from really far away. 

-I ate twice at this pancake place this week.

Love you guys!

Sister Remington 

 

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It's the Climb

Hey guys,

 

This week we had President and Sister Senior come and do a training with us! It was so good! They told us they wanted us to testify more when inviting, so we did! Inviting is definitley not my favorite thing, but this week Sister Ellis and I decided to go to Chiang Mai University with 2 younger Sisters (Tat and Ban, ages 17 and 18), and it was so cool. They had so much faith, and subsequently, instead of getting the 2-3 phone numbers we usually do in an hour and a half...we got 18. It really inspired me! 

This week we helped a lady in the ward move all her stuff from her old hair salon to a new one. It was really funny because all the Elders came too, and the Thai people wouldn't let me and Sister Ellis move anything!  (They would also take a break like every 20 minutes to eat.) Every time I tried to move something, I was told not too...so we kinda just sat there.  haha

This week, 4 of the lights in our house broke so I had to shower in the dark with a flashlight.  That was fun...  I also got told at church this week that it isn't Thai fashion to wear a sweater over a skirt hahaha...like not even a cardigan apparently..oops! 

Also this week, I ate a lot of bugs in my food.... 

Apparently in this mission they call it:   "The 3 stages of eating Thai food"

Stage 1:  You see bugs in the food, are super grossed out and throw it all out.

Stage 2:  You pick out the bugs, then eat the food.

Stage 3:  You eat the bugs along with the food. 

I think I am on stage 2 now- haha

Saturday we were supposed to have 2 lessons, one of which I had set up on my own...however both of them broke their appointments.  It was a little discouraging because we didn't have very many lessons this week, but then on Sunday a miracle happened. After leading the music in Relief Society (which I get asked to do each week even though I have no clue how too haha) 2 investigators walk in! One is this guy that went to church a year ago and hasn't been back until now! The other one was a girl we were teaching that we thought wasn't really interested. However, we taught them both after church, I taught the girl with Sister Tat and it was my first lesson that I lead alone...I was really scared, but somehow all my Thai and everything worked out! Prayers are answered people, because you better believe I was praying a ton!!! hahaha 

Both of our lessons went really well and the guy is going to get baptized on the 17th, and the girl recieved an answer that the church is true!

Last week for pday I convinced my district to ride their bikes up this really steep mountain, so that we could all ride down really fast. We rode like half-way up and it was so hard! We found this really cool National Park though! There were sweet waterfalls everywhere, and then the bike ride down was so fun...sooo fast!

Today we woke up at 3:30 am so that we could see the sunrise at the highest point in Thailand! Its called Doi Intenon and it was sooo cool! We also saw a sweet waterfall, and I bought some really cool woven shoes at a market! 

While hiking up to the top of the waterfall today, I was thinking about how this week had been a little discouraging for a few reasons, but that in the end tender mercies really are over all of Heavenly Father's works, and He had really helped me. The bottom of the waterfalll was so cool, and so was the view along the way. However, I was suprised that when I got to the top all there was, was a parking lot!  The view had been so much cooler along the way! This made me think about my mission and life in general, that sometimes we just want to get to the top of the mountain...thinking, that is where all the great stuff will happen...but it is not so, often as difficult as it can be to see, the most beautiful moments are along the way. 

I love you all and miss you!

Love,

Sister Remington