Shout out: Steffo :) Happy birthday this week <3
Monday: Went to the Paradise Art Museum. Oh that made my chiwit so happy! I attached some pictures in last weeks emails... And I will attach more this week. It was hard to take pictures with a camera that has a broken display ha! But I think I got some good ones. :) So President Johnson has asked all the missionaries to go and visit the member presidencies.. as in the branch president... Rf pres etc.. And to explain our new focus on missionary work in working with less actives... He asked us to tell them about this and then teach them the restoration and ask for a referral.That night for family home evening we went over to the primary president's house, sister dang.. And taught her the restoration! At first I was had been wondering how we would transition working with LA's into the restoration... But then in the lesson Sister Beck felt inspired to include the influence of Satan as Joseph was praying... Saying that Satan knew the important and amazing things Joseph would do.. And so he tried to prevent those things from happening.. It is just that same thing with the less active members and with all members and people around the world. Satan knows of these great spirits and he will do all he can to stop us from going to church, praying and all things that bring us closer to our heavenly father. It is our duty to be a tool in heavenly father's hands to go and find these people and help them. To help them recognize heavenly father's love and plan for them.. We are excited to go and find these people.
Tuesday-Thursday: Met with OOOOO! We have been teaching our investigator named O for about a month now. She is one who one who believes in ALL things good. So a little of this and that in many religions. Her belief in ALL of these good things has brought her on the search for absolute truth because though many religions teach good all but the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are not complete. She struggled for a long time feeling that the church would force her to be baptized if she prayed to get work off on Sundays.. She struggled thinking that if she was baptized she would have to give up the other things that she felt and knew were good. Through many personal studies and pondering about her concerns.. I was reminded of David A. Bednar's talk from last October's conference, "Come and See." I read through it again and was impressed at how perfect this was for Sister O! On meeting with her again we gave her a copy of the talk and read out loud with her:
"When we invite you to attend church with us or to learn with the full-time missionaries, we are not trying to sell you a product. As members of the Church, we do not receive prizes or bonus points in a heavenly contest. We are not seeking simply to increase the numerical size of the Church. And most importantly, we are not attempting to coerce you to believe as we do. We are inviting you to hear the restored truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ so you can study, ponder, pray, and come to know for yourself if the things we are sharing with you are true.
Some of you may respond, “But I already believe in Jesus and follow His teachings,” or “I am not sure if God really exists.” Our invitations to you are not an attempt to diminish your religious tradition or life experience. Bring all that you know is true, good, and praiseworthy—and test our message. Just as Jesus beckoned two of His disciples to “come and see” (John 1:39), so we urge you to come and see if the restored gospel of Jesus Christ enlarges and enriches that which you already believe to be true."
After hearing our words she accepted our commitment to really pray to know if the things we'd taught were true (as before she would tell that she would "สวด" but would not "อ้อนวอน"- as in she would pray.. but wouldn't humble herself to ask for anything.. She wasn't really praying.) and to bring all that she knows is good and test our message. There was a good feeling as all of us left the lesson. I knew that we had followed the spirit in sharing the talk with her.
Two days later we called her to follow up. We asked her if she read the talk and prayed about it. She then told us that she did and had "พบความจริง" (found the truth)!!!!! And that she also did "สวด" and "อ้อนวอน" as well. I am so thankful to Heavenly Father that he really does hear and answer our prayers. I have learned so much from teaching this investigator. My testimony of prayer has increased and my testimony of the truthfulness and complete fullness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. There is so much good to be found all around the world but all good and all truth can only be found here. I know that, that is true!
Friday: Have been meeting with our investigator King.. The guy dressed in black. To say the least.. He is so cool. SO LEGIT! :) He loves coming and learning with us. He LOVES hymns.. And has loved praying and doing our homework assignments. On Sunday he came to church and told me that his schedule at work changed so that he was now able to come to church on sundays!! It was so cool to see him recognize that this was an answer to his prayers... And then cool to see how touched he was when I told him that sister beck and I had been praying for him too. Heavenly Father answers prayers everyone. PRAY!
Saturday: The Elder's investigator Buey was baptized FINALLY yesterday.. She had been an investigator for 4 months.. And was so ready! It was so sweet to hear her testimony. She definitely knows that the church is true..... Also.. This is something that I definitely take for granted and should probably fill everyone in on.. Because it is nothing short of a miracle.. Even if it is the normal around here. Here is Bangkhae we have baptisms every single sunday... only 1 out of the 5 sundays I have been here has there been only a single person baptism... Meaning.. This past week there was 2 people... The week before that there was 5.. The week before that.. there was 4? and so on..... THAILAND IS ON FIRE..... We have 3 people lined up for this next Sunday..... And more for the coming weeks. We are praying and doing everything in our power to see these people baptized... Please keep Bird, Gon and Yuud in your prayers... All have crazy work schedules... And 2 of which are half way through 2 weeks of quitting smoking and drinking coffee.
Sunday: 8 of our investigators were able to come to church today... miracle. Miracle. miracle.
We are preparing for Jeffrey R. Holland who will be coming THIS SATURDAY! Which will also be our P day.. and last p day until transfers the following Thursday. Crazy how time is flying.
We are working praying and working นักมาก!!!!!
And..I love being a missionary.
Love,
Sister Coates
hahahahaha :) he's great and feelin great in his new tailored suit and "tony stark" shades..... #elders
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