Apr 12: SONGKRAN!

Ahhh I wish I could email a bunch today because SO much stuff happened over this past week... BUT today and the next three days is SONGKRAN... A three day long country wide water fight.... It should be good. So this week's email will be short.. And I won't be replying to any emails... :( Just know that I read the emails and loved them and can't wait to hear from everyone next week! This email is going to be crazy.. Hahaha let's go.

Okay the happenings:

Monday- Khuu's with Nittaya.. Took my first real nap on the mission. I couldn't fall asleep the next two days.. haha mistake!

Tuesday- Taught the advanced English class today by reading out of the English hymn book. I never realized how poetic and beautiful hymns are... And how English is in general. Had a way sweet MLC training.

Wednesday- 3 new investigators came to the church after seeing me inviting at Central. SWEET. And they are all so cool too. All 18. Would be very surprized if not bapt'd this month.

Thursday: Had a death party for Elder Proctor and Sister Embley with the Udon members. 

Friday MIRACLE: Do you remember the new investigator from Laos? Sister Ni? Yes.. She called us at about 8:30 in the evening and said... Hey I want to be Christian....... WHAT! Okay :) 

Saturday: Fasted with the entire mission in thanks for a temple. What a special special experience. Especially because while fasting we got to watch conference! 

CONFERENCE WAS SO AMAZING.

I loved Redlund's talk. I loved Ringwood's.. Oh my word. I loved so many and wish I could talk about them all but.. It is Songkran time. 

 

I just learned that they put baby powder in the water to make it COLDER. 

Something I forget to say every time I email... Here in Udon when ever we are riding our bikes at night.. or in the evening.. There are always ELEPHANTS out roaming.... I have ridden along side an elephant. What on earth!

Oh yeah! I almost forgot.. This week is TRANSFERS aaaannnnd....

I am STAYING! Everyone is leaving except me and Nittaya. 

Stay tuned. 

Love,

Sister Coates 

Apr 6: T E M P L E

Oh my word. 

I can't even express you how I feel right now. Happy just doesn't cut it.

Last night.. at 12:00 am I woke up to our phone ringing... It was Sumittra and Sister Embley who had left a few hours prior on a bus to Bangkok for mission training... 

Sumittra asks: "Are you awake?"

Me: "Uh...." 

She says, through tears: "Sister Coates, President Monson just announced Thailand is going to have a temple."

OH. MY. GOODNESS. 

We cried together over the phone. She said: "Sister Coates, I am going to be able to reach my goal! Now I can go to temple with me family.".... Oh it was the sweetest moment.. I could literally feel the hearts of all the people around the world rejoicing.. Thailand has waited so long for this moment. So many people have worked so hard. So many missionaries.. So many faithful members. Tears on pillows. Inviting cards. Scriptures read. Prayers. 

And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost ; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles , signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith . 

And it was all done with faith. 

A temple in Thailand. This is BIG deal. This is a miracle. 

Miracle in the bible dictionary:

"Miracles...Proof that Jesus is the Christ... Miracles were and are a response to faith and it's best encouragement. They were never wrought without prayer, felt and faith... Miracles.. as being visible tokens of an invisible power. They are powers or mighty works, because they are the acts of One who is almighty; they are simply works, or the Messiah's presence among men: they are Wonders, Marvels, because of the effect produced on those who saw them..... Miracles are part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If miracles cease it is because faith has ceased."

Faith has not ceased here in Thailand or in the hearts all around the world who are routing for Thailand. The Messiah is here! He lives. 

What a beautiful Easter miracle. 

Oh family. These people have wanted this for so long... Wards and Stakes plan temple trips to Hong Kong (the closest neighboring temple) YEARS in advance. They don't have to do that anymore.. The members in Myanmar and Laos! In Cambodia! All these places.. All these people. The temple is the most wonderful place in the world and now they get to go. And not just once every 2 years.. They can go every month. They could go every week! Every day!

So many members called us this morning.... They are so excited. Pure joy. Pure joy. Nittaya this morning said... "Wow is this a dream"... It is so amazing. 

*Something funny: So in Thailand eveone calls the old people Ma or Pa.. It's not weird.. just very endearing. So Tuesday we went inviting at the hospital.. Sister Sumittra starts to approach this old couple.. an old man and an old woman.. And to the MAN she says "Ma kha" <-- Trying to get HIS attention she called him MA! Haha... But it was because she really thought it was a woman.. She didn't realize that it was a man either until he said.. "khrap"..(word that the men will use at the end of sentences to be polite)... She was so embarrassed we laughed and laughed and laughed!

*April Fools (Happy Anniversary M+D!!) They don't have it here in Thailand... But we defs still played it. :) Sister Nittaya loved it! She is always playing pranks.. It was way funny to hear her explain it to her fellow khon Thais... She would say: "It's the day when Americans lie." haha <3

This week was a incredibly hot... All week long.. And was really difficult to make appointments.. So instead it became a week of service and inviting!!! So fun! Service = Happiness. Truth.

We cleaned- DEEP cleaned sister Jintana's house as a service project.. And then painted her walls light blue! Oh I have a testimony of being clean and being in clean places. They are truly places where the spirit can reside more fully.

We also went to Ma Oh-en's house (I don't know how to spell these people's names in English... Her name translated in English is Momma Fat... Yeah. For real. (: ) and we cleaned up her yard.... Wow.. There was a LOT of garbage... I am pretty sure we found some prehistoric items... These people have been living in the ba-noog for toooo long. :) They are so good though. They are still reading their scriptures together every night under the light of the single bulb. 

Another blessing. Have a new investigator named Ne! She is from Laos. And way cool. I invited her at central. She told be that she was Buddhist (no way! :P).. I told her she didn't need change religions to come check things out at the church.. :) She came to church on Sunday! And was a little mad at me because I didn't call her!! Ahh.. Which I felt terrible about.. I always call EVERY number that I get.. And I had fully intended on calling her.. But in my head I thought.. Oh no worries I just met her.. I can call her on Tuesday... Wrong. Lesson learned. I will never do that again! She is so interested though. She is meeting with us again on Tuesday and then coming to conference next week!

SPEAKING OF WHICH.

I have yet to watch conference. :( Thailand gets to watch it the week after so everything can be translated.. I will be watching it in English with the missionaries.. (hopefully we can get internet... Pray for us please... I want to watch it so bad! And so do these wonderful people!!).

I would love to hear from all of you what talks you loved and what inspirations you received.. And what you want to apply in your lives.. Conference is such an amazing time to self evaluate.. To say Lord is it I!? :) 

Oh I love being a missionary. 

I love Thailand so much.

I love my Savior so much. Because He lives we get to have places like the temple to feel of our heavenly father's love.

One last thing:

Last night after getting the call.. It took me a good 2 hours to fall back asleep. I was too excited to sleep. As I sat and thought about all those who have been waiting for this.. And about how big of a miracle this is... I could hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing the ending of "Come Come Ye Saints".. But in Thai. All is well. Tuk Yang dii. ทุกอย่างดี

You're all in my prayers.

Love,

Sister Coates

Pictures: 

The district inviting @ the hospital. So fun.

What I wrote in my journal the second after getting the news of the temple. <3

Mar 30: T-t-tahiland

Monday: Shopping.. new clothes.. Best thing ever. My clothes are all gross. 

Oh my goodness.. Family Thai is so funny.. Here are some of the adventures from this wee:\k:

Tuesday: hahahah taught Pii almost all of the lessons today.. I started teaching her about the prophet.. omg.. Hahah I said... "Thomas S. Monson is the leader of the church.. with out a body".. hahahaha The word for "body" and "income" are pretty similar.. Haha body= Raangay Income= Raayday... We all laughed.. For a long time. :)

Wednesday: Hahahaha inviting today outside the hospital I asked this sweet old lady who only had two teeth.. her 2 front teeth (i wonder what she'll ask for, for christmas..) If she was interested in coming to church (cow bood)... But she miss heard me and thought I asked her if she had any corn(cow pood)... Hahahahaha She frrrrreaked out because.. 1. she was wack.. and 2.. She didn't have any corn. Thai is so fun. 

Thursday: Khuu's with Nittaya again. Tuaght the parents of sister A in Australia again. They ahve a date to be baptaized on the 5th of March.

Friday: Went to the Ba-Noooog today (boonies) today. 2 hours away... But we went withj Jintana and bro bik. Who spend a ton of time with. We are working hard to help Bro Bik get on a mission. We came back in time to see sister pii pass her baptismal interview. Taught her how to play a hgymn on the piano (thankful for M&D who paid for piano lessons... I play in church almost every sunday... Ugh nerve racking จะตาย- But So good. THankful). @ BOM we watched the new Mormon Message! I get chills ever time I love it. And we had an easter egg hunt.. With the freakiest eggs I've ever seen.

Saturday: WENT TO THE CUTEST SHOP I'VE EVER SEEN/BEEN TO IN MY LIFE. Sumittra and I decided we'd go back every day.. :P It's called "Under the Tree" They sell little cakes and smoothies and coco yens.. And it is a little cottage thing.. And they play cute 20/30's music that i adore. I thought of Anny the WHOLE time we were there. You would LOVE IT. One day we will have a store just like that okay? Okay cool. They also played that one song while I was there! : "I tried to do hand stands for you" It was a tender mercy.. I know that shop was built here in Udon just for me. :P :)

Sunday: SPOKE IN CHURCH TODAY. A few months aggo i would never have thought i could do something like that.. My word. But I did. Having sumittra as my companion hgas helped me so much . we only ever talk in thai. An she is so good at speaking siomply and cl;early. As a result I am ableto remember how she phrases things and then know  how tos ay it when i wante to.. sorry this key board is so terrible haha... she has also helped me learn how to listen and understand  from sitting and listening to her speaking..io canunderstand now what other khon thais say.. Such ablessing.. Besides the fact that she has helped me imporove myt ahi so mcuh.. I serioulsy love her.We laugh andlaughallthe time.adit isfun to teachwithherbecauseshesuports what I sayrarather tahn reteaching it.. Because the grammar  maybe wasn;t perfect .. BBut yes iun church Ispoke..,.Alongwith the other msisionaires. Mytopic waswhy  we do we do missionary work? In the first branch it went well.. 2nd branch i wasn't  really sure  actually howmany people were listening.. But then at the endofthe meeting sweet little Thon Hom the grand daughter of  sister kanun- who i adore- came up tome and asked me for all ofmyinviting cards so she could give them to all of her friends. :) Even ifshe was the onlyonetaht listened..That         would be okay.. I found the ONE today. :)

Pii and Ging were baptized !!!!! (ging finnnallly) It was good to hear their testimonies. They are both so sweet. 

Excited beyond excited to celebrate easter and flood Udon Thani withthe name of Jesus Christ! We will begoing crazy with the  Because He Lives video. Trying to gget                       100,000 views in Thailand. Easter is my favorite favorite favorite. I loveitmorethanvalentines  (oh man this keyboard isunbelievable) I love it because there is somuch lighteverywhere. Ever is coming back to life. The perfect way to celebrate and remember the savior's coming back to life as    well. He has risen. D&C 50:44

Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd , and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall

i lovebeing a missionary.

love,

sister coates

Mar 23: Bites

Monday: FHE @ Sister Jintena's house. It was way fun. It is always fun to psend time with everyone./ I gave the spritiual thouught.. (who would have thought just a few months ago.. that, that was even possible to do! Thai.... How much fun you are).. .I shared one of my favorite charpters in the BOM--> 2 Nephi 33 <-- It is the last vhapter that Nephi writes adn he knows it will be the last too.. So her writes his final words.. His "dying" advice. There are so many great things in that chapter but what I love most is that the last thing he decides to say.. Or testify... Is to "believe in Christ".. He could've said anything.. But he chose to say that. It must have been really important to him.. Believing in Christ must be pretty important. Believe.

Tuesday: Went on switch off's with Sister Embley! We worked in y area.. So we taught our investigator Pii. She is the sweetest little thing. We tuaght her the Gospel of Jesus Christ.. With 2 of our RC's who are both semi inactive. Whoa It was such a cool lesson. The spirit was so strong! In the middle of the lesson after teachin baptism- we ased her if she would follow the esample of Jesus Christ and prepare herself to be baptized on April 5th. She said Yes. She wants to follow Christ. SO awesome. The spirit was incredible. And not just for her but those two RCs as well. God is good. 

Wednesday: Had interviews with the President today.. Like Jessica has told me with her President.. These interviews I imagine are similar to the ones with Heavenly Father. President Senior is so cool. He is so loving. SO wonderful. It is weird to thing that he will die soon.. (in the mission hahaha).

Thursday: ZONE CONFERENCE! Oh I wish I could've recordd the whole thing and then sent it to you! It was wonderful. President Senior tuaght us on teaching the Doctrine of Christ.. Faith Repantce Baptism, Holy Ghost.. Enduring... how the savior was the ultimate example of each of these principles. Including repentance.. Not incinuating that he sinned... Rather he turned his heart to the father.. contiually. The tahi word for repent is "glap Jay" which translates to " return heart".. When our hearts return to the savior to our heavenly father .. it is then we will feel joy. Another thing I loved that he emphasized.. was forgiveness of sins.. Does not came thorugh baptism and after baptism it doesn't come from taking the sacrament. Forgiveness of sins comes from getting down on your knees and returning our heart. And that is when we are ready to be baptized or to partake of the sacrament. That is when we can start again. 

--> Sister Senior taught on the lessons we learn from David (and goliath).. All from 1 Samuel 17. (cool thing about the seniors the y love the biblie. and use it often. so cool). She emphaziesed 9 thins that we an learn from david.. of which ALL occerred before he went to battle.. All of those things were part of his preparation.. 1. He arose early to do his duty 2. He was careful which stones he picked (tools in hand- scriptures) 3. Eliminated uneccessar things 4. David was practised and prepared (familiary with his sling shot- prepared to teach) 5. David had faith 6. David asked inspired questions. 7. committed and fearless (confindence in God) 8. He knew the weak point of his enemy 9. Bore powerful testimony ( I will smith thee that all the world may know there is a God of Israel). So cool.

-->Together they emphasized the importance of walking others through waht we teach them.. Step by step.. As these people have never before heard of or seen the things we teach.. Like the book of mormon.. And baptism.. And Jesus Christ.

--> OH MY GOODNESS

-Easter---> I am so excited.. We willl be flooding the earth with the name of Jesus Christ. Here in Thailand no one knows why on earth we celebrate Easter!! They showed us the new Mormon Message for Easter... It was beautiful. I am so excited to share it. 

WE got to see meet the mormonss!!!!!!!1

 

Friday: was the hottest day... literally the hottest day. I have never experienced such heat. Oh my word. 

Saturday: Not as hot but still hot. All appointments pit! Instead we invited with brother Beak! It was fun.

Running out of time 

oh my 

goodness

Sunday!!!: Remember Jina>?? My investigator last transfer!? She was baptized!!! Our investigator Ging was supposed to baptzed..... But again... She jerked us around.... NEXT WEEK FOR SURE. Or we will probably kill her..... WIth kindness <3 :)

I love LOVE my companion

Sister sumittra is so amazing. I a, learning so much from her

Fun fact:

 I am being eaten ALIVE here. If any part of my skin is showing while I stand still for more than 1 minutes... I am done for... My hands... I have bites all ove.r. On the tips of my fingers.. My toes.. .My heels... Writes.. elbow... what the heck!?

I love it though.. I really really do.

I love being a missionary xoxo

Sister Coates

Mar 16: Alabama Leprechaun

In honor of St. Patrick's Day this week... The title of this email is such. If you don't what it is... You should probably go and watch it. And think of me :P 

Monday: Went bowling with the district! Wow... Haven't been bowling for.... A long long time. It was fun! I think I got my first real strike.. I might've only ever gotten strikes on wii bowling... Anywho it was good fun. We had Family Home Evening @ Sister Blah's house (yes her name is Blah- which translates to "fish"- haha which I need to apologize to Jessica hahaha before coming to Thailand she had told me in an email that a member had told her that the word for fish was blah.. And me having learned only from the alphabet/script cards had learn the sound for this letter: ป = bah blah Told her that fish is actually "bah blah" No no no... That is what the letter is called... Because it makes the "bah" sound and then to help little kids and falaangs like me remember they use an actual word at the end like "blah"... So Jessica yes.. Fish in Thai is: "blah" :)

Tuesday: Had a really cool experience.. We were able to go visit some RC's who live in the boonies. They true- through n' through Issan people. They live in a boarded up shack with a rusty tin roof. Have a hole in the ground for a bathroom..And I think..?... That they have electricity?? They have no sense.. Or knowledge of cleanliness.. Or personal hyegene.. Their sweet great grandmother has the most awful... problem? Or disease? on her toe. You can SEE her bone.. It's like... Rotting and it's horrible. And then another one of them is actually missing some toes.. no big deal. Yet.. They read in the scriptures- the BOM & the Bible. EVERY night. Under the light of a single light bulbg hanging under their little bamboo and grass canopy.. I guess they do have electricity wow! And even though they live a good 40 minutes away from the church.. They still come every week. They walk from their house to the main road to catch a song taw- which is a little pick up truck that has seats in the back. And they come in clean clothes.. White shirt and tie.. Combed hair. What amazing people they are. On the outside they may not seem like they are members of the church.. And the may not speak speak eloquently.. In fact they speak straight Issan.. Which is the equivalent of an Red Neck x 10,000 mixed with a black person from the hood. BUT they are so faithful.. They have so many trials.. They have so little yet they have everything! They smile, they laugh, they're obedient.. They choose the right because they love God. They are the Saints of Thailand.

Wednesday: Switch offs with Nittaya!!! Oh it was so fun. So fun! We did so much stuff.. But the high light was going to see the parents of one of the members- Sister A who is currently a missionary in  in Australia!! First walking into their home you could really tell that they love and miss their daughter. Sister A is a Nakwadruub! She is an artist! (just like me <3 <3 :P) Her family had taped every painting or drawing she'd ever done up against their walls. And pictures of the temples!! Even though they are not yet members!! It was clear that their daughter is having much more than a good influence in their lives.. We were able to share a scripture with them.. And then talk to them a little bit about what their daughter does everyday.. And then assure them that she is so happy... And that she prays for them everyday... It was cool being able to testify of those things.. Because I really do know just how their daughter feels! I pray for my family everyday.. I pray that you all recognize the importance of going to church.. Of taking the sacrament.. That you understand the importance of it all. That we don't just come to come.

Thursday: Today we had MLC.. This quote has been stuck in my head- Of we do what we have always done, we will get what we've always gotten. President Senior is calling for a change.. No one is quite sure yet on how we are going to change things.. But it is going to happen. He is calling for more faith. more courage. 

Friday: I don't want to write to much about today because it was awful. We went to a Thai hospital. It was awful. I am grateful for health care. For a mom who is a nurse. For hyegene. For antibiotics. Soap. Alcohol wipes... These poor people. Pray for them please.

Saturday: Had a relief society meeting today for branch 2! I played the prelude music and drew the RS logo for Gaw's mom (ma pon) who is the RS pres. Pretty cool that I get to use the things that God has given me! Grateful.

Sunday: We were supposed to have a baptism today... Sister Ging! But... She hadn't been completely honest with her mom.. Her mom came to the church and took her home... She was so mad!! Later that day Sumittra and I went to the hospital to go visit her and her family.. Turns out that her mom has been to church before and is interested in coming again and learning! On the condition that her daughter will be honest and help her around the house... :) The baptism fall through was a blessing in disguise :) Honor thy Mother and thy Father that thy days may be long upon the land... And so you don't get slapped. <3 Love you parents. More on parents: Sister A's parents came to church today!!!!! They were so excited to take a picture with the sister missionaries so that they could send it to their daughter :)

Read Mosiah 4. It's really really good.

There are so many typos in this email I am sure. Sorry! I wish I could type out my thoughts more clearly. Time is so scarce around here! 

I love you all

xoxox

Sister Coates

Mar 9

Our Kitchen

Crazy Lizard We Saw

Mar 9: Psssych!

And the verdict is..... I MOVED ACROSS THE HALL! Haha. Yayayaya Still in Udon! But will be working in branch 1 rather than branch 2. Oh I am so happy to stay in Udon!!! I am now khuu's with Sister Sumittra! Yes... A KHON THAI. Oh my word it is crazy crazy. So. Much. Thai.

The beginning of each transfers are sometimes a bit of a struggle because of changes. This beginning was rough because of 2 night sin a row with only 5 hours of pretend sleep on our 8 hour bus ride to and from Bangkok. So we were exhausted. And then exhausted even more so because everything now is in Thai... only. My brain kinda hurts!! Ohh but it is soo good. And so fun. I am so grateful for this oppotrunity. Sister Sumittra is a really good teacher, really good at cookin, taking care of others and at being sassy. :P :)I love her already. This transfer is going to be so fun!

I kinda still get to kill sister Embley too! She is now khuus with Sister Nittaya yes. TWO khon thais in the house!! Oh my heck 1. Sister nittaye is the cutest and sweetest hon thai alive. Her laugh is hilarious. 2. Way grateful that sister embley is here. Botj of us at the end of each day are So releve to speak and hear english haha! But Truly we are so grateful, having so much fun and are so excited.

Other transfer news: DO you remember Elder Hall> On my FAVORITE elders... We were both greenies together in Spahan Suung.. And jsut wayu good friends. HE WAS JUST SENT TO MYANMAR!!!! Ahh so escited for him. He will probably stay there for the rest of his mission. Along with the other 3 missionaries there!! 

Sundays. Oh i love them. bbranch 1's sacrament meeting was good.. The new missionaries went up and bore their testimonies per usual. After they sat down the branch president stood again and said oh sorry I forgot.. Sister Coates will you come and bear your testimony?... haaaa dang it! I though i had gotten out of it since I didn't technically move areas! :P I was glad for the opportunity. :) It is cool to hear my testimony grow both in surety and in Thai. I love this place.

Cool thing. One of our RC's, Sister Ging. told us that she was going to bring a friend to church this week.. SO awesome! So I sat by them in sacrament meeting.. Come to find out this girl's friend, Pii.. I have met and invited before! I invited Pii and her sister at the walking market almost 5 weeks ago. She was really interested but was never able to make it.. And now because her friend invited her she is even more interested!! I have a really good feeling she will be baptized. Which will be so good for our RC Sister Ging! Who will now come to church more often- therefore setting a good example for her non member mom! Who is interested in the church as well! And Pii's sister is interested... Oh my word heaven is still pouring blessings. Oh Members. We could not fulfill our pupose without them! I am excited for the families that are about to come in to the church. Sister Sumittra and I are going to have so much fun gettin all these people! I love all these new wonderful friends.

Fun: We rearranged our house!so now all the sisters are sleeping in the big room. So fun! Our khon thais made massaman and Tdom Khaa gai last night... Oh so good! 

Fun facts: Thailand. Is. SO. Hot.

This transfer: Rumor has it: DAVID A BEDNAR IS COMING!?!!?, SongKrahn!!(3 day water fight!!), Zone conference & general conference!!! And I have a khon Thai.. AND i'm in Udon.

Sorry for the amount of typos in this email.

I love love Udon

I love love love love all of you!

I LOVE being a missionary.

Pictures.. What we ate with Sister Gaw and her mom.... Intestines... And hearts.... Kill. Me.. Yes I ate one of those stick things. Gross. Gross. Gross. Note to self. Never let a khon thai choose the restaurant!

xoxoxo

Sister Coates