Hey there family,

Well, it's Monday afternoon here in Thailand and it's 3876273 degrees still and will probably rain a little later. yes. So, Happy Sabbath to you. I hope you all enjoyed your day full of churching and serving and eating and such. I bet it was a great day. (Especially for you Jen-Babe).

I'm sitting here at the computer and I'm not really sure what to say. I still feel like I JUST got off the phone with you, so I'm kind a loss for words. My life is still awesome. I'm still in Thailand and still doing the best thing I've ever done....so what more can I say?

Yesterday at church was fun. A farang family came to visit so I had to translate the whole time. It was a mental marathon, especially when the Bishop talked...which he did an abnormal amount of yesterday. But it was fun. Turns out this family from Idaho, is here building a water park? But one of their sons served his mission in Arcadia... Small world. He didn't serve in our ward...sounds like mainly in the La Crescenta Stake... but anyways. I love Mormon Land.

The teaching was good this week. There's a lot of turn over in some of our investigators though...so we're working on getting this stuck on the gospel. The only thing that was strange this week was that everyone kept asking us if we were scared. As I'm sure you know, there are some crazy things going on in the city right now. You don't need to be worried about me. Some missionaries have been pulled out of the heart of the city, and President Smith knows what's up....so I'm not worried. Life goes on as usual for us.

I went to Gospel Doctrine for the first time in a year (thanks to the farang family who needed a translator). You're studying the Old Testament?! Sweet. That's the only book I need to read now. I didn't know that Joshua parted the waters of Jordan.... What else does that book say? That is one thing I'm exciting for.. Gospel Doctrine class... weird huh?

I love tuna sandwiches... with cucumber, tomato, and lime........ yummm

I gave a pass a long card to an elephant yesterday. It was just walking down the street... could've payed 20 baht to feed it.... but it was Sunday.

Ok... well.. Sorry. I really have nothing to say today. I LOVE LOVE LOVE you all. I hope that you have an amazing week . Thanks for all the updates. Mom, I'm so excited for you! Congrats on finally graduating from all that stuff!! :) You are awesome. And the best mom. Way to support us all. Dad, you're awesome too. Same same..... but different.


Farewell to Manzanar..


Love, Sister O'Neil

Well, it was really great to talk to you ALL today. I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLLLL SO MUCH. I don't think I left anything out...

so today... i'll just make a shout of to my "family" that I didn't talk to.

Katie-k-shaw lady. I love your emails. LOVE... That person sounds like "little woman" Yes please. I'm so glad those two FINALLY got the message. We told them there furture almost 2 years ago... they could have kids by now. haha. And you are a nark. I love it.

Kellie- Caliente!!! I can not believe you. However.... i am excited for the letters. yay! And if you haven't sent that package yet... thrown some "church treats' into it... They don't sell those here....and I may be running out. :) I appreciate your concern for my engrish.... It really is something that will not be the same ever again.. So... i've accepted that. hope you can do. If not...i'll just yell at you in Thai all the time.

Laura/Tara--- love you guts. Hope you're well

Cody-- stop telling everyone we talked for 3 hours.. LIAR... it was only 2. please tell your mom I said hey. Oh wait... you ready this too, Tammie... so HEY GIRL!! Hope you're doing well..

Estee.... girl... i love you.

Amy. Thanks for the letter!...now send that other one that you took a picture of and didn't send. ;)

Cami-- a boy!? YAY!

TJ... just saw an Indian man who tried to sell me peanuts..

Tre---you don't even read this... but Hey there... hope you figured out my last letter.... and that we can still be friends. :)

Everyone else... I love you... just haven't heard from you for a while or whatever or jsut forgot for now.. sorry... but this is a shout out. Hope you're doing well

LOVE,

Sister O'Neil

Well, last week when I wrote to you, I was waiting for the phone call to tell me that I was moving "for sure". 2 hours after I finished writing, they called. So I packed everything up, took a 14 hour train ride to Bangkok, a 30 min songtaw to the church, sat and listened to all the greenies try and speak Thai (oh, that felt like just yesterday for me), listened to the "Joppers" testimonies, listened to training, listened to everyone else get their new assignments, and then FINALLY... I found out where I was moving. And then I was sent home... so see you soon!


Ok... just getting. I was sent "Home" though. Aka Bangnaa... aka my GREENIE area. I'm not gonna lie, it was quite the shocker and at first I really didn't know how to feel. Moves meetings days are always crazy anyways (it's like the one day where I didn't sleep for 2 days straight, because i was traveling from Afognak to Anchorage, playing all day/night, then flying forever to get to Arizona for the wedding, and then had to just keep going...and so I cried for stupid reasons just because I was sooo tired/excited/etc...) So... anyways.. It was hard to leave my little happiness in Chiang Mai. That will forever be my favorite part of Thailand...mainly because so far it's been the longest time in one area, and there were just so many miracles that happened while I was there, I can't even BEGIN to explain it all. And then, it was kinda hard to think about going back to my first area. It's back to feeling to opposite feelings at the same time, that makes me all confused. I'm SOOO excited to be back here in Bangnaa because now I can acutally TALK and get to know people for REAL.... but it's also so weird because it's my greenie area... and it was kinda crazy. But it's nice that I don't have to get to know a new area.... and I get to go see some old friends and really get to know them this time. Church was really fun yesterday because everyone was just like "What the?... you're back... were are your parents... they didn't come to pick you up?" and then I told them no... I still have 6 months left of my mission... I'm just back to serve here again. (it's cool to see that I actually HAVE progressed with the language.. I remember making a mental note in the head that if I could ever understand this one dad of an investigator here in this city, then I know I could understand Thai... and yesterday I talked to him for about 20 mins with no problem and we're going back on today to see the rest of his family.... Awesome)

My new comp, Sister Jacobson, is fun. She's one of the sisters I really haven't ever know except for seeing at moves meetings, so it'll be fun to get to know her more. She kinda reminds me of Megan, a lot. It's fun.

Actually... I'll tell you more about this all next week. When I talk to you (has it really been that long already again!... i just talked to you all like 5 sec again.

Here's the deal.. same as last time... just different number... 01166815566656.. the ones at the beginning are the country codes and such... 81-556-6656 is our cell phone number. You should call next Sunday night.. around 7 pm... that'll be Monday (p-day) for me.. So basically anytime Sunday night for you... cause I have all day monday.. :) ... I'll just wait and try to guess who's calling before I pick it up. (i know mom and dad will call for sure... I think anyone else family who wants to can... I guess? just coordinate with the parentals... like that time i talked to you all from the airport. :) I'm trying to make a list of things to talk to you about... or questions... so do the same and that will make sure our convos are at correct level of awesome. oh, speaking of awesome. Riles!!! I loved your letter. Thanks so much. You too Jill.. it was the perfect combo of hilarity, joy and deliciousness.. Same to you too, mom. Thanks for the package!!! I LOVE YOU ALL

I'll TALK to you all soon. .Kisses

Galatians 1 :20

Love, Hilary

P.S. happy birthday Adriana!

Death Papers

Well...

Last week when the mail came, I got a piece of mail that was shocking.... my "death papers". Yes... i can hardly believe that I only have 6 months left, and so just to slap it in my face, the President sent me a letter and said "hey.. time to step it up, You're dying soon" (not verbatim). So yeah. That was a weird day.

(ok... sorry... I just got distracted by the Mormon Messages on www.lds.org.... i literally got chills when I watched the one called "testimony of the Book of Mormon" with Elder Holland.. The coolest part is right at the beginning in the into page when it says "Elder Holland: Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ" oh ....chills.... i just watched it again. Go watch it... you'll see what I'm talking about)

This week was incredible. I'm trying to decided if it was the most successful week of my mission so far or not. Every week is awesome... but this is one of the ÊØ´ÂÍ´´´! weeks. I started to write a story, but then I remembered I kinda already wrote it in my presidents letter... so here's a excerpt from my weekly letter to P. Smitty:

"Hello again dear faithful leader. Greetings from the North. This week was packed with fun and teaching. I really feel like we worked hard...but i didn't notice because this "work" is just way too fun. These people are incredible. Their faith and hope amazes me sometimes. Sat night, our investigator, Mai (who got baptised on Sunday) showed up at the church and her right foot looked completely broken (umm...what's going on here in Chiang Mai...seriously). Turns out she was in a car accident as she was coming to the church to meet with us. Thankfully, a member was at the church with us and was able to take her to the hospital. So after that we, (sister Neilsen..who worries about everything WAY too much), just prayed and hoped that everything would turn out ok. And it did! When I talked to Mai later that night she said it wasn't broken, but she wanted to have a cast, but then she said, "but i didn't want it because I have to be baptised tomorrow". She's incredible. So, everything turned out just fine (as it always does with God). " (verbatim)

This girl is so funny. On Wed when we were teaching her she said "I wish I were God so I could turn you into a doll". She thinks Sister Nielsen is a tiger, and I'm a doll... like barbie...because of my eyelashes. I can't even begin to describe this girl, but she is amazing. I have seen her life change dramatically because of her faith.

Oh man... every week when i write letters home i feel like this... John 16:12. But mainly I can't bear to write them all becasue it takes too long and my writing doesn't give it justice. I feel much like the Book of Mormon writers who worry that they aren't good enough becasue of the awkwardness of their hands. Well, I'm not good enough because of the awkwardness of my...well, whole life... haha.

Today I found out if I'm going to move or not. hopefully I'll know before I end today emailing... but if not...We'll all just have to wait some more to find out where I'll be for next weeks letter. Oh mom, I haven't gotten the package yet, beacuse they don't send packages all the way up to Chiang Mai... they wait for us to come down to Bangkok...so I'll get it tomorrow! So "thank you!", in
advance.

I put some more pics up...enjoy those. I really love my life. And yes, i will actually be very sad to leave this place. I LOVE it here. It's my 2nd home. So if you do come here to Thai-land... make sure you plan a trip to the heavenly North. I will miss this members. Ugh. I love them.

Ok... Well, I think that's all for today. Thank you all for you constant love and support. the church is TRUE.

Love, Hilary

Hilary News 4/19/10

Dearest Family!

Greeeeeeettings from Chaing Mai, Thailand the BEST place in the world. Today I feel like there's so much that I want to write, that I'm having trouble knowing where to start. I want to write it all at the same time, but it would end up something like "shrimp,bluebowallgotbapstisedsonkranghelosthisglasesesinsestchinatown20portentinskaijdahlÊÇÑʴչСê." so yes. That was my week. I hope you enjoyed it.

No, but really. This week was probably one of the highlights of my mission. It was so extreme of everything... ridiculousness, hotness, spiritual(ness) ...just everything. I guess I'll just go in order...'

Monday...I wrote you that day, I don't really remember what else happened that day.

Tuesday... Songkran REALLY started.. therefore making it completely a waste of our life to go invite. Because we were try to go talk to someone, they just throw a bucket of water in our face.. (true story) ...so... we all kind of called "sanctuary" at the church and studied and tried to make appointments will members and investigators at the church. We had our usual weekly district meeting and then we planed and prepared for our English activity for that night...which basically turned into us playing songkran at the church... It was ridiculous...and so funny. So we were wet all Tuesday too..

Wed... P DAY..were we actually went out into the world and played Songkran with the locals. And let me tell you..... it was sooo FUN... I don't really think I could explain it all well enough to give you an idea of what it was like... But I'm sure if you google "songkran in Chaing Mai" you'll find some good videos of what it's like. We even had a miracle. One of the Elders lost his glasses in the mote that's around the city (which is filled with nasty water..) and since we can't swim we were just like..."oh GREAT" but... one of the Elders investigators happened to be there too, and he jumped in, and came up with a pair of glasses.... woman's sun glasses.... so.. he went back down again.. And came up with another pair (a different pair of woman's sunglasses) He swam around for a while...and finally was like.. ok.. last time.. We missionaries had all given up hope by this point, so we were all surprised when he came up the last time with Elder Newman's glasses.. It was crazy! He later told us that he was getting frustrated (and grossed out) and so he prayed and said "this is the last time...then I'm giving up" SO... not only is this kid awesome, but he showed all of us missionaries what it means to have faith. Awesome.. (and He's getting baptised this Sunday)..

Thursday... was long planing and the last real day of Songkran...aka... we were at home most of the day..

Friday... I don't remember it all... it kinda jumbles into sat.
Sat. Normal... But... we had lessons and inviting and then the Counselor in the mission presidency came up and ended up taking all of the missionaries out to a buffet. It was fun.. Muu Ga Ta is delicious.... and apparently we were rubbing shoulders with some high up government official... but since we're farang... we don't know... but he came to church withe the counselor the next day.. so that was cool..

Sunday: Pure AWESOMENESS... Gung, Blue and Bow were all baptised... they are all so cute.. Hopefully I'll put pictures up soon. Basically Gung is the "elected" I can't even begin to describe how incredible we felt to see her in her white dress. So yes.. Baptism is awesome. And then we found out that our other (eternal) investigator, Mai, can get baptised...so SHE will be baptised this coming Sunday.. And that is just the icing on the cake (because i think this Sunday is going to be my last up here in the North. :(

So, this email did not give my life justice.... but just try to imagine. The church is TRUE. I LOVE MY LIFE.

Thank you all for you love and support. It was fun "chatting" with you Chris, Lisa, and DAD (wow!! Mission first..holla! Gold star to you!) and even a note from Megan. I'll write more next week! Love you

Love, Sister O'Neil

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY To Brenda!!! (thank you for the pics.. I loved them...esp Sammy) I hope you had a great day! Sorry my card will be slow..

P.P.S.. Happy Birthday to you too, sister Lo!! thanks for the email a little while back.. I think i started a letter to you somewhere.. I'll moving soon, so I'll find it. I hope you're doing well!

P.P.P.S --Kellie.. i loved your comments... I feel the same way sometimes..

April news so far

4/11/10

Hello from the wettest place in the world.. (beside the ocean...or a pool...or a tsunami) Just in case you thought new years was over...IT"S NOT! Happy Thai New Year!! It's now Officially the hottest part of the year (no joke...it was 113 degrees the other day...and probably today) but luckily Thailand has a great way of dealing with the heat: They have a MASSIVE super-soaker crazy (on the verge of insane) water fight (aka my 5th grade dreams are coming true....all i need is soda coming out of the drinking fountain and I'm set). It's 9:40 am and yes, we've already been soaked. So needless to say...this is the hardest part of the year for missionary work in Thailand.. wish us luck. We, here in Chiang Mai, have truly been blessed and will be having our own water festival... with the waters of baptism.. We're just getting everything ready for Gung, Blue and Bow's baptism this coming Sunday. Speaking of Sunday... wasn't Conference AMAZING!!!!?! I think my favorite (yet again) was Elder Hollands talk. (and you shouldn't be serving tea anyway. Oh man. All of our leaders are truly called of God and I really loved how they ALL talked about Family. If that theme wasn't apparent or clear enough, I suggest you start strengthen your families... I support everything they talk about and I can't wait to read it in a month. Yes please. Utah looked glorious. I'm really glad you were able to go and have spring break up in the motherland (Mom, Fawther and Jen-babe). And I may be a little jealous of your time spent with the kiddies. they are just too cute. I love my family. I really do love you all. Even though you think I don't because I'm always out and about... you are my true family and Eternity will be so fun (and full of ice cream.....but lets try to keep the word of wisdom, please.. haha)

This week was great. We worked really hard because we knew this week would be difficult...and wet. Today's not even our P-day, but because Thailand during Songkran is like BYU during a Tuesday devotional and everything shuts down, they advised us to email today. So yes... nothing's different for you.. just telling you what's up. As far as the questions about Earthquakes and redshirt riots and all... we're totally fine. Didn't know about either of them.... but sometimes we are told to watch out for riots. This week, because it's Songkran and all morals are thrown out the window, we have to be in by 6pm every night...so that'll be ....fun?

In preparation of conference we taught everyone about Prophets. It was so cool to see people faces when they found out there were LIVING prophets today. It was pretty incredible. President Monson is a great man. It is so great (and comforting) to know that we have a man, called of God, to lead and direct us. Oh man, The church is TRUE...

In other news: next week is my 1 year mark.. what the? I don't want to talk about it.

I LOVE THAILAND. I decided I'm never coming home. I'll just be here in Chaing Mai. Come visit me.

Just so you know... if I have ever known you in my life, my companions know about you too...(we're together 24/7,, ok? it's not weird) So don't be surprised if a stranger walks up to you and asks how your ( insert some part about your life) is doing? They were probably just my Comp. (Yes, TJ... my comp knows you joined the army and she knows all about "I KNOW" and how our India/Thailand trip might be awake because we're not married... haha and that you have black siblings even though you white. (and no... you can take THIS as my repentance) And now everyone knows, and some people are confused... Don't worry about it. So yes. I love you all. Thank you for your love and support (and letters/emails).

Well, i think that's all for today. I don't know what else to write. I hope you are all doing well and enjoying life and keeping the commandments (because that's TRUE happiness). I will write again next week and maybe have some pics from the madness that is my life.

Take care

The church is TRUE

Farewell to Manzanar

Love, Sister O'Neil

I hope you all had a great Easter Sunday filled with feasting on good food and good words from conference. I may be jealous. But that's ok because I'll get it both next week! yay! I love general conference, SO MUCH. In fact, last night it was WAY too hot, that i couldn't fall asleep until about 1:30am, so i re-read last conference edition of the Ensign. I can't wait for the new one. Yes!

Well, lets see.. I uploaded more pictures... and I'm kinda running out of time because ended up "chatting" with Chris and Jen a bit. And now we do our president's letters online.. so yes. Please enjoy the pictures!

Things here are great! I can now ride my bike around and NOT use crutches, YAH!!!! I love my life. The work is great. We're getting ready for a real "water" festival... aka baptisms. And Songkran...the biggest water fight in the world..coming up next next week or so.. I'll tell you all about it. or youtube it... I'm sure it'll be on there. But I'll be sure to tell you all about it. I rediscovered how much I love talking to people. I love inviting. It's really just the best thing ever. Espeically when you're inviting them to accept the best thing in the universe. And for free! So I hope you're all pumped from Conference and you try to look for a missionary opportunity everyday. It'll change your life. It's changed mine. Amen.

Ok. dear family. Sorry i didn't write much today. It's kinda crazy. But i love you all.. Until next week!

Love, Sister O'Neil

P.S... (umm.... i only have one suggestion for your trip to Thailand... make sure to plan a trip up to Chaingmai..preferrably on the weekend...) how is that anyways?

P.P.S. cody/tarlena. I LOVED the book So did everyone else. I'll watch the other thing today/

P.P.P.S. Brenda/ Adriana... Oh my goodness.. I loveyou two. That was so fun. I may have had to put a missionary censor on it though... haha. Thanks for the birthday wishes!! LOVE! and sorry about your lame co-worker Bean.. Su Su!!