OH dearest family,
I LOVE YOU!!!
Christmas was just superb this year. Thanks again for the wonderful package. I really loved it all, and will everyday until I eat all the oatmeal and snacks. I especially loved the Andes mints. While unlike before, where I just ate them becasue they reminded me of Fawther, I really loved the mint part of it. Mint doesn't exsist here in these parts of the world. (so that Mint & Chip ice cream from Thrifty's looked DELICIOUS). So thanks. My new pj bottoms now keep me covered every night. ( I was going to say Warm... but....it's thailand....so...it's not like i'm cold or anything. Even though the kohn thai's are ALL wearing big winter coats and scarves and hats and such.) And the mini- Book of Mormon. YES... best present ever. I can't wait to mark that up and take it around so conveniently in my "lumber pack".
I especially loved looking at the pics that Riley sent. You are all so cute. I like the colors you picked to wear from this years picture. It warmed my already warm little heart right up. The house looks great by the way. And it was funny that it took me a little while to figure out which kid was which. They're all soo grown up! Speaking of pictures, I just uploaded a few since I happened to have my camera with me, But more pictures are to come.
I don't really know what to say this week because I just talked to you (which is infinitely faster than typing...so it means you just got about 12 weeks worth of letters in the time we talked). I can't believe it's already 2553...that went by REALLY fast... No but really... 2010 already. DANG, GINA! I'm still waiting for Y2K and having to eat all the food storage under Ray and Kathy's bed.. Wow.
Well... I think that's all for today. I LOVE YOU ALL. I hope you all have fun this new years. Be safe. Sell lots of programs.
Farewell to Michigan.
Love,
Sister O'Neil
P.S. Has anyone ever gotten a post card from me in the mail? Somehow I don't trust Thai's with postcards... normal yes... but postcards?
Brenda... Sammy's soo big! merry Christmas Bean!
Katie Shaw: Don't go to Chicago
Kellie Caliente- umm.. .I love you. Just wanted to say it.
Tara/Laura- I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU.... I need to know what's going on. ASAP
Everyone else.. Yes... i love you too.
Goals for 2010 for everyone: Write at least one letter to Me, you're favorite Sister Missionary. I appreciate all of you who do write and this isn't a plea for more mail.. in the sense that one on sends me any. It's just I would love to have one hand written letter from my favorite people in my life, and there's never going to be a better time to do it than this YEAR while i'm on my mission. So ready? Go..! I promise you blessings. It's my right as a missionary. ;)
Dec 27, 2009
Dec 23, 2009
Merry Christmas!!
Hello dearest Family (and friends)!!!
Well... the big day has arrived! Today is Christmas in Thailand....for missionaries. Yes, Technically it's still two days away, but we are celebrating today seeing as it is P-day and we have a big ward activity to go to tonight. Christmas for me came a week early this year...Why? Do you ask...well...Last week was moved meeting...and I, of course moved again. But I was lucky enought to be called to move to heaven...aka "Chaing Mai" There are certain places that all missionaries in Thailand want to go, and apparently this is i... (There's only one other spot that they call the Celestial kingdom, but there are no sisters there... So this is just the second level of the celestial kingdom). So, after moves meeting was over we just sat around the church until we had to go to the train station, to sit around some more until the train came, and then we sat around some more. OK.. Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE trains. Ok...well... even if you didn't...you do now. I love riding on trains... and I've always wanted to go on a train and you know, sleep in a sleeper car or something to the effect of Harry Potter.. So needless to say, I was excited. The train wasn't exactly like that though. We had beds, but it was like the Hogwarts Express, Thai-land version. (Aka, squatter toilets and such) I still loved it though. 12 glorious hours of seeing Thailand. The REAL deep Thailand. (yes please!)
So yes. I'm now serving in a great place called Chaing Mai (way up north). And, since I'm running out of time, I will just tell you all about it when you call me in a couple days. And yes, YOU have to call me...
Ok.. I better go now. I LOVE YOU ALL. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Talk to you soon!
Love, Sister O'Neil
Oh! I almost forgot... As of next Monday (the 28) P-day is changing to Monday!!!
Well... the big day has arrived! Today is Christmas in Thailand....for missionaries. Yes, Technically it's still two days away, but we are celebrating today seeing as it is P-day and we have a big ward activity to go to tonight. Christmas for me came a week early this year...Why? Do you ask...well...Last week was moved meeting...and I, of course moved again. But I was lucky enought to be called to move to heaven...aka "Chaing Mai" There are certain places that all missionaries in Thailand want to go, and apparently this is i... (There's only one other spot that they call the Celestial kingdom, but there are no sisters there... So this is just the second level of the celestial kingdom). So, after moves meeting was over we just sat around the church until we had to go to the train station, to sit around some more until the train came, and then we sat around some more. OK.. Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE trains. Ok...well... even if you didn't...you do now. I love riding on trains... and I've always wanted to go on a train and you know, sleep in a sleeper car or something to the effect of Harry Potter.. So needless to say, I was excited. The train wasn't exactly like that though. We had beds, but it was like the Hogwarts Express, Thai-land version. (Aka, squatter toilets and such) I still loved it though. 12 glorious hours of seeing Thailand. The REAL deep Thailand. (yes please!)
So yes. I'm now serving in a great place called Chaing Mai (way up north). And, since I'm running out of time, I will just tell you all about it when you call me in a couple days. And yes, YOU have to call me...
Ok.. I better go now. I LOVE YOU ALL. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Talk to you soon!
Love, Sister O'Neil
Oh! I almost forgot... As of next Monday (the 28) P-day is changing to Monday!!!
Dec 15, 2009
10 short days
Well... last week when I was leaving my "three-o" in Tall Bridge, i jokingly told them I was just going to the city of monkeys to vacation for 10 days before moving again.... And, little did I know was that I literally would have a "vacation" of sorts from missionary work. Like I mentioned, last week, my sweet new comp, Sister Josephsen, was sick. I thought maybe it'd last a day or so, but.... on day 3 of sick comp watch, I wrote a bunch of letters. On day 4, I "scrapbooked" and day 5, I made of new song... and on day 6 and 7 I wrote more letters. ( I sent all 20 off today... including your Christmas present Jenny, so sorry if it's a bit late. I tried to send it off earlier, but it was the Kings birthday, so they were closed). I now know Sister Jo, from the Ho (Idaho) VERY well. We are tight like unto a dish. So as far as missionary WORK, work is.. i don't have much to report for the week... (but actually, I don't think i really write a whole lot about it ever....which doesn't make any sense... that's all i do out here... BUt i guess because it's all i do, I just assume you all know that every week is full of teaching and finding and hence use my time telling you about other ridiculous things. However, I shocked by how quickly you can fall in love with a place and the people who live there. The members here in Thailand never cease to amaze me with their kindness, charity (and humor) towards the missionaries. There is this one family (a mom and dad and two awesome kids) who I JUST LOVE already... they are hilarious. And when I found out they have only been members for 3 months, my mind blew up a little bit. I couldn't believe it. I really thought the kids were born and raised and the parents were lifelong member, too. The gospel is INCREDIBLE. To see what it did for this family in such a SHORT amount of time is just....incredible... i can't even describe it. It's a common story I've heard from my time here.. A woman would start learning about the gospel and when the missionaries taught her about eternal families she laughs and says " i don't even want to be with him now, why would I want to be with him forever?!" Then eventually the whole family would be baptized and this couple (and family) becomes inseparable! And they are alll the most humble, charitable, loving people ever. Wow... The Church is true.
So... lets see, what else? This city really does have monkeys everywhere. I haven't seen much of the city, but yesterday we went to go visit this member at her smoothie shop. I sat inside drinking a delicious shake while I watched the monkey steal my water bottle from my bike basket. I forgot my scriptures were in there too, but he didn't get away with it ( I just have monkey hand prints all over it) This city is beautiful too. Sooo mysteriously ancient and enchanting. (Oh, this is random... but today while I was printing off pictures i noticed a news report, and I thought they were talking about a dead body... but really it was just a Buddha head and feet... it was strange. I know I'm not explaining it right... but i was relieved to see it was a real decapitate head they were showing, but rather just a Buddha decapitated golden head. However, I think they would show a real head on TV or newspapers here... We've seen ALL kinds of crazy things)
In other news, I discovered the coolest man alive.. (ok.. Not discovered, I did go to his school, and he's not alive...but)... Do you all realize how COOL Brigham Young is?!? I spent this whole morning reading The Teachings of Brigham Young.. He's....wow. I''ve been thinking about that book all day. I also spent a good portion of the day just cleaning.. We're moving out.. aka... closing the area for sisters. Thailand will be going for 150 missionaries to 92 missionaries by April.. Tomorrow we lose another sister... which means were down to 19 or so... So areas will have to keep closing. Sad!
OK, well, I better go. Sounds like you're all doing great and getting ready for Christmas! yay! I love you all. Thanks for the love and support, always! I'll be writing again next Wed.
The church is TRUE.
Farewell to Manzanar,
Love, Sister โอนีล
Dec 10, 2009
Hellooooooooooo
Well, I think I'll be able to write a pretty decent letter today. I don't have a lot to read or respond to (except for Brenda...I love your random emails...Is it me?! Is it me!? lol....what the? And #3 already? Dang GINA! Please tell her congrats from me from Thilandia) I hop[e that you are all having a grand and glorious week, making preparations for (Christmas (was in thai won't copy and paste into blogger)) and such. I can't believe it's soo soon. (Did I tell you I got and advent calendar... In honor of the Sherinians/Mom) I love it, in all it's chocolate glory (with ants...sometimes)
Anyhoo...where do I begin. I guess I should tell you that I was moved. I am now in a little place called (Lapburi) (yes, I did tell you about this place last week. We came up here to play with the monkeys and sunflowers). And here's what happened: President called me on Saturday morning and was like "Sister O'Neil, I need you to do something for me." (ok...) " I need you to pack your bags and be ready to go after 2 o'clock today" ("Ok....sure thing, Pres" but in my head I'm thinking "What the?! no!!! Gift's getting baptised tomorrow!") So, I get off the phone and my comps and the Elders were both like..."What's going on" "well, I'm moving to Lapbuir in 3 hours..." "WHAT?" Yes, it was all very exciting and unexpected...However, the good news was, Pres called back 4 min later and said "oh, sorry...You'll be moving tomorrow. (*whew*) I got my dates mixed up." So Sat night was spend packing up and such. The Sunday was a very eventful day. We started it off by going to church (where the Bishop made a special announcement and told everyone I was leaving (even though 20 min after I knew, everyone started calling...it was crazy how fast news travels) and had me say goodbye/testimony. Then we had Gift's baptism. Which was amazing! In the middle of Sunday school we realized we forgot to turn on the water! So the elders rand down there and started filling it (with 3 hoses). Elder Frouriizil did the honors, and even though she was WAY under already, I guess he didn't think she was, so he pushed her down more and then we PULLED her out and she came out gasping (it was sooo cold!) It was really just a grand sight to see. YAY! I LOVE this girl. I'm sure you'll all hear all about her all the time when I get home. So after Church, we were invited to eat Lunch at one of my favorite members house.... and pretty much all of my favorite people in the ward were there too. It was such a fun lunch. Then the APs came to pick me up and then the 3 of us Road tripped it out to Lopburi. It was such a weird thing to be road tripping in THAILAND, traveling though this beautiful country side, with 2 elders, while listening to Sufjan Stevens Christmas music, and talking about random deep doctrine stuff....Probably one of my favorite moments...so simple and so fun.
So I'm in this new area, but president said I'll be moving again at moves meeting, which is a week from today...*which means P-day is next Tuesday, so If you want to write, do it before Monday around 4pm ish???)* I didn't really know my new comp since she's been out of Bangkok the whole time, and I've been in it, but I feel like I've been comps with her for a long time already. Maybe it's because we had a 13 hour chat yesterday because she was sick! She's great (Megan and my comps sister are in the same ward in Idaho...random). And I pretty much love her already. yay!
Ok....well maybe I lied about write a long letter today. I got distracted. Maybe next week. Anyhooo, I better go now. I love you all!!
The Church is true!!
Love,
Sister Hili
Anyhoo...where do I begin. I guess I should tell you that I was moved. I am now in a little place called (Lapburi) (yes, I did tell you about this place last week. We came up here to play with the monkeys and sunflowers). And here's what happened: President called me on Saturday morning and was like "Sister O'Neil, I need you to do something for me." (ok...) " I need you to pack your bags and be ready to go after 2 o'clock today" ("Ok....sure thing, Pres" but in my head I'm thinking "What the?! no!!! Gift's getting baptised tomorrow!") So, I get off the phone and my comps and the Elders were both like..."What's going on" "well, I'm moving to Lapbuir in 3 hours..." "WHAT?" Yes, it was all very exciting and unexpected...However, the good news was, Pres called back 4 min later and said "oh, sorry...You'll be moving tomorrow. (*whew*) I got my dates mixed up." So Sat night was spend packing up and such. The Sunday was a very eventful day. We started it off by going to church (where the Bishop made a special announcement and told everyone I was leaving (even though 20 min after I knew, everyone started calling...it was crazy how fast news travels) and had me say goodbye/testimony. Then we had Gift's baptism. Which was amazing! In the middle of Sunday school we realized we forgot to turn on the water! So the elders rand down there and started filling it (with 3 hoses). Elder Frouriizil did the honors, and even though she was WAY under already, I guess he didn't think she was, so he pushed her down more and then we PULLED her out and she came out gasping (it was sooo cold!) It was really just a grand sight to see. YAY! I LOVE this girl. I'm sure you'll all hear all about her all the time when I get home. So after Church, we were invited to eat Lunch at one of my favorite members house.... and pretty much all of my favorite people in the ward were there too. It was such a fun lunch. Then the APs came to pick me up and then the 3 of us Road tripped it out to Lopburi. It was such a weird thing to be road tripping in THAILAND, traveling though this beautiful country side, with 2 elders, while listening to Sufjan Stevens Christmas music, and talking about random deep doctrine stuff....Probably one of my favorite moments...so simple and so fun.
So I'm in this new area, but president said I'll be moving again at moves meeting, which is a week from today...*which means P-day is next Tuesday, so If you want to write, do it before Monday around 4pm ish???)* I didn't really know my new comp since she's been out of Bangkok the whole time, and I've been in it, but I feel like I've been comps with her for a long time already. Maybe it's because we had a 13 hour chat yesterday because she was sick! She's great (Megan and my comps sister are in the same ward in Idaho...random). And I pretty much love her already. yay!
Ok....well maybe I lied about write a long letter today. I got distracted. Maybe next week. Anyhooo, I better go now. I love you all!!
The Church is true!!
Love,
Sister Hili
Dec 8, 2009
DECEMBER???? ALREADY?
Dearest Family,
Well, I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving (it sounds like you did!) And so did I. I can not tell you how weird and fun it was to join this American family for dinner. It was amazing, (and so was their house) I honestly felt so awkward at first because it was just sooo "high-so" but then we just ate, drank and were merry. I don't know why, but I failed to mention some of the things I'm thankful for.... so here they are (in some particular order...but not really) Family, Friends, the Gospel and the joy it brings to everyone, EVERYWHERE, The Book of Mormon, Being a missionary (thanks again to everyone's support... I couldn't be here without you all) mail, the klong, making monks smile, Thailand, Thai Language, letters e-mails, Companions, Mission Presidents, etc, etc... I really could just go on forever...But then that's just taking up too much time.
Today has already been a fabulous day... We woke up and went to Lopburi to run thought the HUGE fields of sunflowers, then we looked at a dam, then we played with MONKEYS. (Yes please!)...the tiny little ones face's look like old men. Don't you worry....good pictures are coming soon.
Well shoot...I'm already out of time again... I love you all!!! Very-Very much!! I can't wait to talk to you soon... I can NOT believe it's already December 2, 2552... WOW... (and yes, we may have purchased advent calenders....sweet)
Random box: Brenda! I love you. and love those simple messages.... Your dog is TOO cute...Justin.
RBJ-sounds like everyone's doing well there. Sorry to hear about Cheryl shoulder...Get well soon. Way to go Marie...Say NO to those cards. haha. But who will make them so professional and amazing as you? Oh RBJ....I miss you all. Merry Christmas! Have fun with that gift exchange!
Laura- I love you! I did get your letters and still laugh about it every day. I LOVE YOU. Thank you... You're too cute.
Everyone else... I wish I had time to write to you all... But alas.. I do not. Just write everything you want to talk about and in 11 months, I'll talk about it all with you.
The church and this gospel is unbelievably true. I invite you all to rediscover (or discover) the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I love you life.
.....
Farewell to Manzanar.
Well, I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving (it sounds like you did!) And so did I. I can not tell you how weird and fun it was to join this American family for dinner. It was amazing, (and so was their house) I honestly felt so awkward at first because it was just sooo "high-so" but then we just ate, drank and were merry. I don't know why, but I failed to mention some of the things I'm thankful for.... so here they are (in some particular order...but not really) Family, Friends, the Gospel and the joy it brings to everyone, EVERYWHERE, The Book of Mormon, Being a missionary (thanks again to everyone's support... I couldn't be here without you all) mail, the klong, making monks smile, Thailand, Thai Language, letters e-mails, Companions, Mission Presidents, etc, etc... I really could just go on forever...But then that's just taking up too much time.
Today has already been a fabulous day... We woke up and went to Lopburi to run thought the HUGE fields of sunflowers, then we looked at a dam, then we played with MONKEYS. (Yes please!)...the tiny little ones face's look like old men. Don't you worry....good pictures are coming soon.
Well shoot...I'm already out of time again... I love you all!!! Very-Very much!! I can't wait to talk to you soon... I can NOT believe it's already December 2, 2552... WOW... (and yes, we may have purchased advent calenders....sweet)
Random box: Brenda! I love you. and love those simple messages.... Your dog is TOO cute...Justin.
RBJ-sounds like everyone's doing well there. Sorry to hear about Cheryl shoulder...Get well soon. Way to go Marie...Say NO to those cards. haha. But who will make them so professional and amazing as you? Oh RBJ....I miss you all. Merry Christmas! Have fun with that gift exchange!
Laura- I love you! I did get your letters and still laugh about it every day. I LOVE YOU. Thank you... You're too cute.
Everyone else... I wish I had time to write to you all... But alas.. I do not. Just write everything you want to talk about and in 11 months, I'll talk about it all with you.
The church and this gospel is unbelievably true. I invite you all to rediscover (or discover) the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I love you life.
.....
Farewell to Manzanar.
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