Happy Birthday!

So lets see.... what happened this week? Oh...well. Last time we talked, I was in Bangkok because Sister Lo had to renew her visa. (Yes...even though she's leaving tomorrow...whatever) so right after we wrote email we went to the office. Going to the office is always fun because that's where you get to see people and more importantly, GET MAIL. SO.... on that note. Thank you everyone who wrote. You can no officially receive blessings because you kept the commitment I gave to everyone about writing a hand written letter. (Everyone else...no blessings yet ;) ) Just kidding... blessings for everyone! Thank you for your continuous love and support and letters.

A BIG THANK YOU to Kell-dawg. I got your e-mail right now... and the only reason I didn't mention it before was because I hadn't received it yet. It was still in the office. (We only get packages at Moves meeting...aka every 6 weeks (or when we're in the office) so even though it's in Thailand...doesn't mean I got it yet.) But yes. I did receive your glorious package. Thank you so much! A letter has promptly been sent to you again. :) In Washington....Good FOR you.

In other celebration news: I am officially 1/2 way done! WHAT THE? There's no way. I just turned in my papers, didn't I? that day was especially cool because Sister Knudons...yes, my teacher from the MTC, just happened to show up at the Church. She's here with a small group of BYU students and they came to church and we just happened to be there, too. OH man it was fun. Especially the next day when they all came to church for Sunday and we got to talk more. It was fun practicing translating for them too. And I just realized once again how great Sister K is. I really do love her. And her Thai is still so good. If I could sound like her when I'm done here. That'd be sweet.

Oh... this is random..but I just remembered. A few weeks ago (2, 3? can't remember) the office Elders called and said that someone that knows me from America, came here to Thailand and called the office and asked if they could tell me hello from her. In there exact works "a woman, with an Mexican or Asian accent...I can't tell...from America, knows you, and came to Thailand and promised your mom that they would say hello to you, but they didn't have time to see you, so she just called and made us promise to tell you hello from them." Ok... thank you Elders. They didn't even know her name. So....whoever said hello to me, HELLO! I hope you had a great trip here in Thailand!

So....today we are just "relaxing" at home.... aka Sister Lo is packing. We leave for Bangkok tomorrow. Next time I'll write and tell you all about my new comp. (or comps...We have to have a 3 some again...and it wouldn't surprise me if it's here...haha...we'll see). Until next week, stay classy. I love you all. Thanks so much for everything. Always. The church is incredibly true and if you read the Book of Mormon everyday your life will be just grand. Amen.

Love, Sister O'Neil

Oh. P.S. Happy Birthday, Cami...I don't know if you read this....but...happy b-day!

Who's having the best week ever?

This week was awesome! Here are the 2 hightights...(is that like a high tops and tights combined? yoah...) *cough* HIGHLIGHTS:

1. We had zone conference! It was pretty much the most spiritual time I've had on my mission since the MTC period. I loved it. I love my life. We talked all about the Book Of Mormon. It's truthfulness, it's origin, it's role in missionary work, it's role in our lives, etc, etc. It was AMAZING. And so is the Book Of Mormon. You should read it. Everyday. For Every. For eternity, even. (Do you think God still reads scriptures?) Anyways. Yes. The whole day was great. We had the spiritual power house meeting in the morning, then we had fun time in the afternoon. We ate pizza (the Elders love farang food....can't we just have somtam?) and Tim Tam Slammed...(yummy...cookies..) and then played games such as Murder/Mafia (my mission President is a murder) and ping pong. And to top off the day we had a Talent show...Which was pretty sad and hilarious. I "popped" my ear....yeah...about that. I love zone Conference.

2. I learned the value of reciting the Standard of Truth every day because on Sat at the walking street market..."persecutions raged" AKA...this mean-old, Middle aged white guy yelled at me for being a missionary. I heard some pretty choice words and phrases that I haven't heard for a long time. I could go on and on about everything that happened, and what I've learned from this experience...But over all... People are ignorant, quick to judge and ridiculous. I feel like I've really learning what "my purpose" as a missionary and how important, real, and significant this message truly is. And I learned that I really do love the Thai people. They would never yell at me like this American did...Living here has shed a whole new light of what it means to be American...for me (not just from this man...but it's interesting to see ourselves from a Thai/non-American point of view).

Ok...Well...(yes...that IS in fact, a favorite word of mine....apparently.) That's all for today. I love you all. Thanks for everything. Always and forever.

The Church is true!

Read the Book of Mormon. If you don't have one...find 2 guys (or girls) riding their bikes around and get one).

Farewell to Manzanar.

Love, Sister O'Neil

P.S. ...I'm in Chaing Mai... does anyone know anyhoo who lives here that we should go visit?

P.P.S....Please tell the Thai group I say hello...and ask them that question. :)

Waterfall (no...not the annoying song everyone at EFY plays...)

Greeting again from Thailand! It's now the 11th of Jan. Excellent. Thank you everyone for you emails. I love them all, as well as the senders from them. (just an note... this computer is screwy...mainly with "t"'s but occasional has some other issues....so if i's messed up....no my fault.....you can use this senence as an example...the "t" works sometimes and not others.)

This week was gRRRRRrreat.. Today was fun too. We spent this morning playing around in a National Forrest. In fact, we went to Thailand's highest spot. It was pretty. we hiked around some waterfalls, some temples up in the mountains. It was beautiful. Like I said... Thailand is beautiful. And so are the people. This week we continued to teach our invesigaors....We're got 5 with a baptismal date coming up. three of them are these cute 17-18 year olds who are going to be baptised together. Then there's this woman named "Mame" (yes....like yes, mam) She's just great. She's a girlfriend of a member and she will be baptised soon, also.

Well...I love you all. I hope you all have a good week. If you haven't written down your goals for this new year yet, do it today. We've been teaching everyone about goals this past 2 weeks and I encourage you all to do so. Make goals, and don't forget to plan, too. If you don't plan....you won't succeed.

Love and hugs,

Sister O'Neil.

...and I'm back....

Ok. I'm back on. I just had to go ride an elephant real quick. Sorry about the delay.

So, Happy New Years, again. I hope you all had a great one filled with prosperous program selling and other shenanigans. New years in Chiang Mai was pretty much the coolest thing ever. New Years Eve night we went to a members house and ate Korean Style B-B-Q on the ground in the backyard and watched fireworks and the thousands of lanterns fill the sky. ( Note: Remember how we always made those lantern things at Uncle Neals house?.... well,.... Thailand's got us beat... BY A LOT. I guess thousands of years of practice would do that). And I was actually missing rose parade events a little bit until we went to the Walking Street Market, where we walked among the MASS of people jagging English fliers. So... check, and check. New years complete.

This week continued with preaching and teaching. I love it. There's this really cute Chinese girl we're teaching right now. It's kinda strange to teach in English... but she doesn't know Thai, and we don't know Chinese...so English it is. She's here getting her Masters at Chiang Mai University. She's great. (side note: when China opens... it will be a baptizing EXPLOSION).

In other news... I went to Thailand today. The Thailand I think I imagined when I first got my call. Yes. I really did just ride an Elephant. (Things to do in Thailand list: Ride Elephants.... CHECK!) We went way up into the Mountains and hopped on a beast I promptly called Moglie. (moagly? I can't spell anymore.) It was adventurous and I loved my life....even when it spit on us.. I really love Thailand.

And I really love you all. Thanks so much for the love and support. Mom, you're so cute. I did get that letter. And I think I have every week. So no worries. I don't want you (or anyone ) to feel like I feel neglected.. (except for a few of you.... you know who you are) haha. No really. I love you all. Thanks for you prayers and emails and letters. I really do appreciate it. Ok. Well, I think that's all for now.

Love,

Sister O'Neil

Happy New Year!

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. ;)

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!!!

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