DEC 15, 2014: AND WE TRY

hahaha So right now I feel like I am in the middle of a war zone/hunger games... because the owner of the internet shop is playing his game on like full blast surround sound!! So if this email is a little intense.... You'll know why! Haha.. Actually I sit here and listen to the "Because of Him" and "Share the gift" videos over and over again so I can block out the noise. The power of music is incredible. And those two videos are WONDERFUL!

This email is going to be a little short this week and probably lame... But just know.. That God is real. And that He is helping me. The emails I receive every week are so inspired and cherished.. Thank you. The next time I email will be on Christmas (Christmas Eve for you)... So not next Monday but the following Thursday (Not Sunday night.. But Wednesday... Hahaha I can't be too careful it is SO important to me to see all of you!!)

Monday-Wednesday: Were my last days with the wonderful Sister Jackson! Boy oh boy do I miss her! This is some of what we did with the final days:

-Went to the B2S which is way similar to Barnes & Noble... They have TONS of pens and cute notebooks... People here are obsessed with pens. It's pretty great. Sister Jackson bought Harry Potter in Thai!! And I bought notebooks.. Can't get enough of those!

-(this part is confidential :) as in don't let any other missionaries know :P) Sister Jackson and I were invited to HANDEL'S MESSIAH with PRESIDENT & SISTER SENIOR!! Yeah. That happened. And it was way special. They only invited 3 companionship. Sister J and I both freeeeaked out when we heard the news. It was such a special treat. President Senior took us all out to dinner and spoiled us rotten there. All the sisters including sister Senior started off our meal with smoothies. So cute. <3 It was really cool to see Handel's Messiah live... We stayed for the majority of it too! It was cool to see such big group of people of all different beliefs come together to listen to music about Jesus Christ... Right in the middle of a Buddhist nation.

-We packed together! Haha it was way fun! We always have so much fun no matter what we do! It was weird to see all of her things inside of suitcases.

-Thursday came and it was time to say goodbye! It was not fun! ha... But I was so excited for her to go home to her loved ones and was so grateful to have met her and learned so much from her! There is no doubt I will be friends with that girl for the rest of my life. Bah! I can't even write this email without getting emotional! I wish I could just show you in a movie all the fun times we had and all the things I learned from her. Ah... So many things I learned from her! I learned how to be a missionary. I learned how teach simply. I learned how to love others sincerely and simply.. Ahh.. So many things. You all will be hearing about her for a very long time!  :)

Also Thursday. :) I got a new companion! Her name is Sister Brown! She is way way cool. She is from Troutsdale, Oregon! She came to Thailand 2 groups ahead of me! She is way good. We are going to learn a lot together this transfer. :)

Friday.... Weird weird day. We taught at some English camp that the bishop in our ward set up for us? Yea... The school instructors had the missionaries "teach" English... By standing in front of the whole school "singing" and "dancing" along to a youtube video "i said a boooom chicka a boom" OH MY WORD WHAT THE HECK?? It was so weird. What was cool though is we were able to share a spiritual thought and invite everyone to the big Christmas activity!

Saturday: The Christmas Activity. Whoa. I kne the members here had been working really hard for months... But I didn't realize just how hard. It was seriously SO amazing what they did... The inside of the church was turned into a full on walk through museum... With scaffolding and black fabric... So that had you not seen that you had walked into a church you would have never been able to guess where you were. There were 100's of people there. Hundreds. And so many investigators... Wow. It was insane. Way overwhelming. But good! Lots of new investigators. Some that just came up to us and said... I want to be baptized... Hmm. What? okay.

Sunday: I was seriously so stressed today! haha... It wasn't until after teaching a sweet lady named Taste that I was able to feel calm. I have learn and am continuing learn... That it doesn't really matter if we aren't able to have random conversations yet in Thai... What matters is being able to teach the gospel.. To share what we know.. And of the utmost importance... To have the spirit. The spirit was there in that lesson... And I was so grateful... We were able to understand just what we needed to. And we taught her.. And she is going to be baptized in 2 Sundays. And I just can't thank God enough for helping me and sending the spirit. All He he asks us to do is try... And he'll make up the difference.

This scripture... Is kinda how I feel... Except I am not way powerful at speaking either... But I tried. I tried to speak from my heart... And the spirit did the rest.

 1 And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.

I am also very thankful for the ward members here... They take such good care of the missionaries... They make us feel so loved and important. Sister Wan.. The nicest person alive made us dinner last night and we all sat at the church and sang songs together... And it was just nice to be calm for just a minute. That calm spirit to me was confirmation to me from Heavenly Father... Saying thank you for trying.

Mom I got all 3 of your packages and cried. :) Thank you. You are wonderful I love you.

I am so excited to see all of you!! I hope you are all able to feel the Christmas spirit!! Soak up everything okay? <3

Love you,

Sister Coates

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS - DEC 7, 2014

Alright. Are you ready?

1st of December. When did that happen? 

MONDAY: Pday.. Again Pday's... Sister J aand I like to take things easy.. :) Today we got pedicures.. for 100฿ which is like.... $3.50..... This country.

TUESDAY: Zone Christmas Conference. Wow we were spoiled today. All the missionaries in Bangkok came together and...

-Sang Christmas carols in front of a mall... So many people stopped to listen and to video :) It was fun :)

-Went to the most high class restaurant EVER.. Huge buffet.... I cried a little.. The pictures of all the missionaries on the stairs! That's the buffet place.. I ate had SO much sushi.. SO much sticky rice & mangos... SO much homemade icecream... And Bread... oh bread i love you...

-Went back to the church where we had an awesome devo with the Seniors. 

-I sang a solo in front of 100+ people... ? Yeah that happened.

-We were completely spoiled. They gave a a Christmas CD (WITH JOSH GROBAN ON IT OMG), so many good talks (including Character of Christ by David A. Bednar... > That's the talk that I raved and raved about in the MTC). Etc.

-They shared with us their family Christmas tradition from Matthew 25:35-40-

35For I was an hungred , and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger , and ye took me in: 

36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison , and ye came unto me. 

37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 

38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 

39Or when saw we thee sick , or in prison, and came unto thee? 

40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren , ye have done it unto me. 

They challenged us this Christmas year to find someone hungry.. And feed them... Someone thirsty, sick, or in prison... And go unto them. And I want to pass along the invite. Give back to the Savior this year by giving to someone else..... So far....

I have given water to... A homeless man who was begging for water.

I have took in a stranger by saying hello.. inviting them to church... Being nice.

What have you done!? :)

WEDNESDAY: Investigator didn't show up that morning even after we had changed ALL of our plans for her.... It was supposed to happen though. Miracle: On the way home.. We bumped into a LA (less active) who Sis J and I have been literally been searching for our ENTIRE transfer. God is good.

thursday: OH MAN ARE YOU READY??? Okay... Today two really crazy cool miracles happened..... It was a a switch offs day. So I went to Bangkapi and was companions with Sister Mamea (oh i love her!). Okay so get this.. It was the end of the day.. We had just eaten dinner and were grabbing an icecream cone from McD's when I see that as a topping for the icecream- they have Boba (those weird popping jellies they have at Red Mango..) So i go.. "Sis. M have you ever had Boba?"; Sis M- "Yeah"; Me- "They have them at the place i used to work Red Mango."; Sis M-"Oh no way you worked there? They have one of those in this mall." me- "OHHASDHFAJSDKFHASJDFHASDM,MMMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYAREEEEEEYOUUUUUUSERRRRIOUSSSSS???"

YOU GUYS. THEY HAD. A RED MANGO. IN THAT MALL.

YOU GUYS. THAY HAVE RED MANGO IN THAILAND. 

Needless to say. i FREAKED OUT.... Wow I was so happy... Wow... This sounds SOOOO silly but..... That was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father. That Red Mango was built for me. I'll attach some pics.... You will see pure joy... on my face.. 

Okay the other miracle :D--->

Sister Mamea and I were making our way back to the apartment... We were talking and laughing... still inviting.... Not too many people out because I was dark out. I look forward for a second... And see a guy and the thought that pops into my mind is... I am going to get that guy's number... So we keep walking and talking... And when he comes closer.... I say "phii kha! Sonjay khaw bood may kha?" >Excuse me sir... Are you interested in coming to church?..... He was interested. And I did get his number... I walked away thinking. Hmm.. He was special....... And then after that... I didn't think to much of it.. other than oh that was really cool.. I had that thought pop in my head... And I really believed I would get his number.. So it happened. Okay so now skip forward to Sunday. I am back in Saphan Suung. We had our usual sunday night conference call with the sisters in our zone... Sister Alley and Mamea say... Sister Coates.. We had one investigator in church today. It was Nam Leab. <---- The one. Had the thought about... The special one. Gold. Way cool miracle there. :) He's going to be baptized.

FRIDAY: Happy Thai Father's Day! (the king's birthday) I love you Dad! Today we taught a TON of investigators... So that was really awesome. There is this one... named Noot. I absolutely love her. We met her on the street... about a week ago? She is the one that said that she could feel something when she prayed.. and kept rubbing her arms. She is going to be baptized this Sunday. :) I cannot wait. You guys.. Thailand is ready.

To celebrate WanPaa! Everyone here wears yellow and there are big gatherings to pay  tribute to the king.. So sister J and I went over to a member's house and watched it on TV! It was really interesting... They had 100's and 100's of people. That would come up and bow to a a huge picture of the king and give him a golden bush thing... Cool culture experience.

SATURDAY: Spoiler alert. Challenge revealed..... Thai is really really hard. It comes little by little which is more than I could ask for. I overheard some members talking about my language ability.. And at first, it made me feel really bad. They don't see how hard I try and how often I pray for help! But then I realized it was a miracle that I was able to understand what they were talking about in the first place! It was a humbling experience for me. My gratitude for the encouragement from my family, my companion, the members and everyone has increased so much. You have to prune a rose bush down to just sticks if you want a beautiful rose bush. I am okay with just being a stick for now. :) 

SUNDAY: One of the Elder's investigators was baptized today... A 90 year Buddhist man. God is real. Thailand is ready..... The man was so sweet. He was so afraid to be baptized backwards... So he did like a forward cannonball dive. So precious! <3 When he bore his testimony he said "I feel so good.. I am glad to be a member of.... What's the name... What do we even call ourselves anyways?? How do I even end what i'm saying!?" <-- hehehe so cute. His daughter had to come tell him what to say and help him back to his seat. :)

Oh my.... Miracles... Are everywhere. 

This is my last week with Sister Jackson. I am so sad. But so happy for her! And so grateful for her. We will be friends forever. Of that I am sure!

Being a missionary is so good.

Thailand is such a special place.

Thank you for your prayers family. Thank you little Noah, Reags, & Savannah for praying for me every night to speak Thai. Your prayers are working! :)

Hey guess what family? I'll see you in... About 2 weeks. :) Christmas morning @ 9:00 for me.. And Christmas Eve @ 7:00 for you. :) 

I love being a missionary.

Love you all.

Sister Coates

NOV 30, 2014 THIS WEEK

ARGH! I wrote everything I wanted to say on a piece of paper and then LEFT IT AT THE HOUSE! I will do my best to remember...

monday: PDAY. Our big adventure today was going to the Big C (aka Walmart minus a few ghetto points and the fact that everyone here LOVES Big C... And it has a food court... It is no where near as good as the street food...) But yes. our BIG adventure was buying glorious peanut butter at the BIG C. So fun! :) No FHE tonight because..... Hurricane Thailand hit... ohhhh boy. :P

tuesday: Today was so grateful for my district and for Brother Ronny! For our district meeting we went to lunch at this WAY classy French Cafe... Reminded me of Blue Lemon @ Home... It was so nice though.. I felt so sweaty and dirty... Because.. Well I was sweaty and dirty haha.. I am always sweaty and dirty. <3 Fun fact: My feet.. Are seriously always.. Just coated in gross street dirt. All the time. And it's not just me either.. Sis Jackson's feet are gross... Everyone's feet are just gross. <3 I love it! Brother Ronny is a RC (Recent Convert- hopefully everyone is getting used to this lingo haha)... He is SO nice. Sister Jackson and I had, had a way long day... He called us and said that when we got to the church to teach English - that he had something for us! He had bought us pasta and Lasagna!! (They are OBSESSED with Lasagna here... It's everyone's favorite hahaha)... So nice of him. He did it just out of the random kindness of his heart! Oh he is so nice.

wednesday: ORGANIZED our RC board... We have a huge wall in our study room that has hundreds of pictures of the members in our ward... If anyone were to come in our house and see this... They would probably call the police. The RC wall is so fun though.. And so helpful! I love seeing all of their faces smiling at me! 

thursday: HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Oh today was so happy... I was so grateful to the wonderful Bruso family for inviting us over for dinner. Apparently there is a restarunt somewhere in Bangkok that makes Turkey dinner all year round... So they had everything ordered up! Turkey (was probably the best turkey i've had in my life), sweet potatoes (*tearing up right now*), mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing..... soo good.. I was so thankful for them. It was fun eating with their family. It mad eme think of my family and how grateful I am for them! I am so thankful for eternal families... At the end of the night we all went around and said something we were grateful for... Brother Bruso said something that made think.. And made me want to remember.. He said: "I think sometimes we ask for more things than we remember to be grateful for." I think about life before mission and think of all I had been given.. And how I would still want more and more.. Not really taking into consideration everything i have! Here on my mission.... My prayers are taken up in remembering ALL that I have been blessed in that day and in everyday and every second! I could not do this without God's help and I am receiving that and more everyday. Be thankful.

friday: Had the sweetest investigator today. We stopped and invited her on the street last week.. She told us today that she saw us smiling and thought we were very kind so she wanted to meet with us.. Haha what whoa!!! REMEMBER TO SMILE! While we were teaching her... We prayed.. And she kept rubbing her arms.. And told us that she could feel something.. Cool to explain that... That feeling she felt... Was the holy ghost... She said she wants to learn more about the church before she decides to be baptized.. Since she is a devout Buddhist.. but wow.. She was so prepared and... She will be baptized. No doubt.

saturday: Okay today was awesome for like 50 million reasons... I am probably going to have to go into bullet points.... Okay:

-heard like 4 Taylor Swift songs! *almost cried it was so wonderful! :P

-Taught an investigator that I had stopped and invited... Named Thaa.. He accepted the date to be baptized in 2 weeks. HE IS SO NICE. And he works out at the same gym that our RC Kwaan does- he knows her!!!! Coincidence? I think NOT! mwahaha God is so good it makes me so excited. I feel some fellow shipping coming on.

-We had stake conference in Asoke!!! It was way fun seeing all these members come together from the 3 wards. I love love love my ward. And it was way fun to see Pres. & Sis. Senior! I love them both so much. They are so awesome! President Senior can speak Thai- it's so fun to hear him speak because since he had served his mission in Japan- He speaks Thai like a Japanese hahah so cute! I can understand everything he says.. English speakers phrase and use such different phrases and vocab than Thais! I am thankful for the members who help me with my Thai. 

sunday: BIG stake conference at a hotel in Lumphini (the place where Thailand was dedicated by President Hinckley!).. Wow.. Okay let me just put this into perspective. There were 435 members who can to this meeting. Majority of which were from Saphan Suung (my area). SO awesome. They then announced the members who would be recieving the Melchizedek priesthood that day... About 13 stood. EIGHT of which were from Saphan Suung. THAT IS SUCH A BIG DEAL. Ah I love these people so much. And THEN last but most definitley not least.. They called a new Stake Presidency (today was a historical day in Thailand)... They call Brother Suuchan. WHO IS THE SWEETEST MOST WONDERFUL MEMBER FROM SAPHAN SUUNG. Oh my word. He is such a good man. And the conference was so good..... 

Pres. Suuchan didn't know that he would be called as a Stake Pres. until the morning before.... And the week before.. Him and his sweet wife invited the missionaries to dinner at their house! (not just any dinner either... TACOS)... So we were able to spend his first night with him as a new Stake President!  Wow.. That was such a special experience. So special. He is such a good good good man. He just gets it. He told us his conversion story... He told us about how he never imagined that he would have been married in the temple, an institute teacher... And now a stake president... He said None of these things would have come to be if he had not done his part. If he had not kept the commandments. He told us that the first thing he wants to do as a stake president is work on on retention. He says that next stake conference he wants to make a goal to double the amount of people in attendance. He said this is SO possible. The members just have to believe.. It is so true.. So.. True. And we don't realize that as members. We won't bring people in all at once... We need to follow the Savior's example by bring them in... One by One... In a talk we had listened to during stake conference.. David A. Bednar shared an experience of when he was the president of BYUI.. He said that there were 12000 students (or members.. can't remmeber) on campus.. And at the meeting he was in... there was only 250... He spoke to those 250.... He said that in 2 days.. Henry B. Eyring would be coming to speak to them.. And that he needed to be there on that day.. Men dressed in a white shirt, Tie, and suit coat. And the women needed to be in a dress. He told them to write down five names down... Of who they were going to go and invite to this fireside... he said to invite them in such a way... They those 5 will... go and get 4... That those 4 will go and get the 3.. and that those 3 will get 2 and the 2 will get 1.. to come. And they did. He said that the day of the fireside everyone on campus was wearing a dress and a white shirt and tie.. He said there were multiple people who showed up to the campus and then went back home to change because they didn't know what was going on... In the meeting... There were more than the 12000... And it's because the 250 invited them to come... one by one... The group of well dress students and people was such a sight that President Eyring leaned over to Elder Bednar and said... What is this? And Elder Bednar said This is all for you!

Ahh... Such a miracle story... A miracle that can happen everywhere. I know that we will reach this goal of having 950 people at the next conference. And we will and it will be because of the members.. President Suuchan kept telling us... It is all about the members. And it is true. As missionaries.. We are just here to teach. To just be tools... The members just need to invite the people they know... With a sincere heart... believing that we can and will bring people back one by one... And it will happen! I believe it and I want to challenge you all to believe it also-- ACT! Go do it. :) 

Before leaving the Suuchan's... He and his wife leaned over to me and told me that I was serving an a amazing area.. He said that I was serving in a wonderful area to begin my mission.. And that all the missionaries that are born here.. Leave Thailand speaking fluent.. Ah... Him and his family have all become very near and dear to my heart! And I don't even think they know it.

Sorry this email is very sporadic.. There is so much I wish I could tell you... There is so much I wish I could show you! This place is magic. 

More?:

-I never thought I would ever say this... Those tacos we ate last night? Were probably the most delicious thing I have ever had in my entire life.. I almost cried while I was eating them... But then didn't want to have to explain that I am a fat american at heart.... (the suuchan's lived in Utah for a while so they are fluent in english and fluent in making THE BEST FOOD EVER).

-this week sister Jackson and I ate at this place with thought was Plooy's (a restaraunt that the Elders have been raging about)... Turns out it was a bar... We ordered cashew chicken... hahaha Instead be got cashews and bones deep fried... We ate the rice, paid, and went a got somtam.. <3 

-it's way fun to see the shock on people's faces when you ask them if they are interested in going to church... 1st they stare because a falaang can speak their language and then it registers that what we are actually asking them.. :) So fun!

I love being a missionary. I really really do. 

It is SO fun. I love my companion.. November was her last full month in country and it was my first full month! So crazy. Today is her 2nd to last p day... 

This upcoming week is our Christmas party/meeting with the Seniors and all of Bangkok!!! <3 SO EXCITED!!! Stay tuned <3 

Charlie is Beautiful <3

Don't forget:

One by One

Smile

CTR

Love all of you!

Sister Coates

GO AND WATCH THIS! AND THEN SHARE IT! #heisthegift

http://www.mormon.org/christmas?cid=HPFR112814529 

With Jessica Hardcastle - Nov 23, 2014

Sister Jessica Hardcastle served in Thailand and returned for a visit and found me in her last area! She is a nurse who works with my mom and she hand delivered Christmas presents from home. She is amazing! I want to be a missionary just like her!

P-DAY TRIP TO THE ANCIENT CITY AND TIMING - NOV 24, 2014

Hello!

AHH SO MUCH STUFF HAPPENS EVERYDAY! There is literally no possible way to tell you even half of it. AHH Like last week so much happed that I completely forgot to mention that our investigator Bin was baptized! 

Thanksgiving is this week! The Bruso's invited us to go over to their house for turkey dinner!!! I AM SO STOKED!!! Yayayay :) 

I am grateful for... My family. Who I will be with for all eternity. 

I am grateful for... My awesome companion, Sister Jackson.

I am grateful for... The Book of Mormon. 

I am grateful for... Patience.

I am grateful for... Rice. 

I am grateful for... Fruit stands.

I am grateful for... My Heavenly Father.

I am grateful for... Conference talks.

I am grateful for... Angels.

I am grateful for... My savior, Jesus Christ.

Monday: Went on a bike ride through the Ancient Cities today... NBD!! Whoa seriously that was amazing and it was so beautiful there. Everytime we would pass a big group of Thai's they'd yell "hello" @ us.. Because we are "falaangs" (white people they LOVE white people HA) and they laugh and giggle when we say hello back. :) I also had my first elephant encounter! It posed for me! it was so close to it I could have put my hand out a little in front of me and touched it's trunk! AH!

Tuesday: Timing is an incredible thing. We were out inviting the world... And for some reason we stopped to buy corn from this funny corn lady... And we sat there for a second after eating..... And then both at the same time said okay lets go!... So we cross a bridge... And take our usually path to a market. We pass a bus stop, when i see a girl- not knowing that @ the same time Sis. JAckson sees this same girl too.. I ask her if she wants to go to church.. her eyes light up and looks from me to Sis. J and says "Sisters?! Baptism right!?" Right then and there SHE set up an appointment to meet with us. Yeah. That happened. She is gold. Heavenly Father's timing... Is incredible.. If we hadn't taken a second to buy CORN! of all things.. We would have missed her. 

Wednesday: Happpppy Birthdaaaaay Annnny! :) So I am way blessed to have Sister Jackson as my companion. Seriously. I lover her and am going to be SO sad when she leaves me... in 3 weeks?? BUT because she is an STL we get to go on switch offs with other companionships.. So we both went to Bangna for the day where sister Morgan and Sister Croft were! I got to be comps with Sister Morgan again for half the day and then comps with Sister Croft for the other half! It was way awesome to see how other missionaries work.. And even more awesome to see how much I have learned..... And to see just how much Sister Jackson has taught me. I love my khuu!

Thursday: At the end of the day today.. Sister J and I were writing in our journals listening to my Ipod (which I am SO grateful for BTW... HUGE thank you to M&D for buying that bday present, HUGE thanks to Anny for loading it with music... And HUGE thank you to Kirstin who provided a good chunk of the music- PS I LOVE LOWER LIGHTS! I LOVE THEM!)-So were sitting there... when "Called to Serve" came one.. And it was being sung by a big group of Elders.. And I got chills.. :) Have I told you how much I love being a missionary? Missionary Work is hard work... But It is so good. Called. To. Serve.

Friday: Taught เกค (Gade) today! The cool girl from Tuesday. Yep. She is getting baptized. What on earth?? Thank you so much Heavenly Father! It is all because of Him. After the lesson we jumped in a taxi and spent the rest of the day on switch offs in Bangkapii! Oh so fun.. So after a few hours of inviting we went to Swensens (a LEGIT ice cream place) with Sister Alley (so SO cute- and is an Art History major!!!?? So cute. And from Washingtion) and with Sister Mamaea (OHHHH she is so cute. From Hawaii!).. Love being with the other missionaries.. It is so motivating! Ah. There is nothing we can't do! Everything and anything is possible through Christ! Moroni 7:33. Best Scripture Ever. Go look it up!

Saturday: Sister Lek invited us over for food... For a Tahi. Seafood. FEAST. That They went and caught... THAT morning... Actually it was Ky Lovell's Thai personality doppleganger that caught the feast. (every time I see that man i think of KY! ALSO There is a little boy here... His name is Fong... He is Lyncoln's Thai doppleganger... Every time I see him... My head kind of freaks out. I will take a pic one of these days and send... Seriously so crazy!). But yes the feast... Whoa... We had shrimp... I love shrimp... Squid..don't really love squid haha... Lobster... mmmm Made me think of crabbing with my washington family <3... Oysters... Prawns... And other mysterious ocean crawling creatures... Will send pics. Oh my word. Thailand is SO crazy.

Sunday: Timing Miracle. This story starts on Saturday... We hurried from inviting for an appointment at the church with an investigator. We get there and wait for a few minutes.. No investigator. We call... No answer. We wait for another few minutes just in case.. Nothing. We then decided to tidy up the church a little bit as there were some various pieces of trash here and there.. Two minutes after making this decision.. In walks a man.. Wondering about English.. We explain to him that we teach English only on Tuesday evenings.. He explains.. That he is only free on Sundays (mwahaha perfect!!). We invite him to come to church... And he says.. Hmm maybe I will come.. We both thought it was way cool that... We had decided to stay instead leave as a result of our dropped appointment... But little did we know that, that wasn't the end of the miracle!!! Sunday morning comes around.. We are welcoming people inside.. AND IN WALKS THE MAN! Not only did he bring himself but he also brought his sweet daughter! And they are both coming to church again next week! Had we not been at the church that day.. They would not have come to church that day.. Nor would they be coming to church next week. This all just blows me away! God is so good! And His timing is perfect. He is so good. This week i've learned and am still learning to trust in his timing... Timing not just when appointments are dropped or when plans fall through.. But also his timing in learning Thai. Timing in becoming a better teacher.. A better disciple.. A better missionary.  33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

Randoms:

I ate a chicken foot this week. 

Sister Jackson sleep walks... And attacked me last night hahahaha.

Thailand finally hit......... If.. You.. Know... What.. I mean... Remember that one story Ryan told us about that stake president who's arm hair stands up? And he knows he has exactly 3 minutes to... ? Hahahahahahahaha ITS TRUE! AHAHAHAH