Hello one and all, 8/24/10
Please forgive the delay, this has been a crazy week filled with trainings, meetings and changing P-days. So yes... our "day" is today, so here I am. (oh computer "raan" surprise... just discovered day old "kanom" wrappers behind my keyboard...oh thai teens...yum...) anyways, that's beside the point. Oh happy 2nd Chinese new year, too... yesterday was all full of Chinese treats and giving food to monks. (at least for Thai gentiles...not for me) (also besides the point) So yes. As I said, this week has been a little different. The church has changed the way they train missionaries, and so yesterday was our first full day of training (i knew it was coming...we heard rumors and then I read Justin's email which talked about it, so I wasn't surprised). It was great too! I kinda felt like I was back in the MTC, (which you all know i loved) It was all the the "leaders" in the mission together talking about the doctrine of Christ and ways to help our investigators understand prayer and reading more... There was just simply too much amazing information to remember or use, so I'm hoping and praying that my brain mixed with quasi-copious notes will be enough to help me recall and use everything we learned. AND that was just day ONE. Yes... we get another FULL 8-10 hours of training tomorrow. YAY! (¨ÃÔ§) I've especially loved watching "the District 2".. (first movie I'm gonna watch when I ¨º...I think only recent RM's would get that...sorry) .Along with all the fun from the meetings, we get to have fun switch offs, too. I'm loving life because I was able to be comps with sister Young again. (love my life) These three days are fun for our real companions too, because since all the trainers are at meetings all day...the greenies are all being companions. So the incredible Sister Jolley and Sister Herschi (both greenies) spent all day yesterday (and will again tomorrow) taking care of our area. It's great. I know that because it's hard, they will be please, so our areas should all be doing awesome this week! Yay for the gift of tongues! All the changes that are coming to the mission just make me realize how different my mission experience will be than my current new companion... but that's the great part about eternal progression: things just get better and better!
I know this past week included a lot more than just that... but I kinda can't remember anything...If it's more than 37 hours old and not related to investigators, I've probably forgotten it. Teaching, preaching, finding, learning, LAUGHING (as always). The usual...just different...every day. Oh, Muk's getting baptised this Sunday. That's good.
This church is true. Everything comes back to the Book of Mormon. It's true. I know it is. I can't dis-prove it, and I can't deny the feeling of truthfulness that comes from reading it. If anyone wants to know if God is real and if He cares about you, read his handy book of "Answers to ALL of life's problems" aka The Book of Mormon. You hate your life? You want more happiness? Want to know what the heck we're supposed to do with this thing called life? READ THE BOOK OF MORMON. Heavenly Father will answer your prayers. But you have to do your part first. you have to ask, and then use faith (aka...action...aka read, go to church, pray some more...)
Oh family, what more can I say? I love my life. I love yours for you when you keep the commandments.
Now I must go. A baby tiger is hanging out somewhere waiting for me to hold it..... or at least pet its mom.
Awesome.
Sister O'Neil
P.S. Sister Hulme!! (Bri) welcome...I just love you. Good luck at school! i wish you were here to sing for us as we ride through perfect.... word
Brenda...I love that you have sleep overs for your kids...
Kellie... Zebra cakes. :) She might should
TARA.... are you in Asia yet?
Laura... I had a dream and you were my Pregnant companion somewhere in America...the other Sisters didn't like us because we didn't dress all high-so like them.. Then I delivered your baby.... on a movie set? yeah....i don't know..
p.P.S..Mom... I'm glad you liked that stamps. my friend at the post office thought I was crazy for using those stamps... I'm glad you had such a great time all over the country and at Ed week...
Megan... your house looks cool...or at least sounds cool...that one picture wasn't much... just white walls... but still-- YOUR HOUSE. and your girls are just too cute to die.
Lisa... yay for girly shopping with the little one. I love you life.
Aug 25, 2010
Hello Neverland, 8/15/10
Greetings from Thai-town were we recently celebrated Mothers. Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Thanks to the Queen's birthday, I get to celebrate Mothers day (and father's day for that matter) twice a year. So once again, thank you for you amazing angel like qualities and determination to raise children in the way of the gospel. It's miraculous. Mother's day we had an activity at church that was great. It was a mini break through from one of our amazing investigators (ning). She will be baptised one day... I'm just not sure when. But she is great. Actually... this whole ward is. I really just LOVE them all. The Bishop is great and everyone is just great. Great used in this context means 100 different things.. I can not express what I really want to say about them because it would just take to long...
As was this past week...too much to explain...but here's a bit of it.. This week was filled with hilarity. I just love my companion... And now I'd like to talk about her like the "child" she is (k...she is not a child... but in Thai-town, she is still new...so you know what I mean) and tell you all about the funny and cute things she does. It's been fun to watch her experience all the things that I'm used to by now, but are still new to her... for example.. this week I enjoyed watching her pedal at warp speed down this one street and then pull BOTH her feet up on the frame of the bike because of the 2 HUGE dogs who were chasing and barking at her... Then I think her bike might be a little to tall for her, because she always is almost falling every time she gets off her bike... Then one time I looked behind me, only too see her fall/ run into this lady/fence... and I quote "Oh, I'm ok. I just fell into a barbed wire fence" Which was true... she did... but luckily she was ok. Then yesterday, she was praying and this is what she said "Please help us to find those people who are not interested".... I started laughing...I knew what she was trying to say "help us find new people who are interested" but it was just too funny... that's an easy prayer to answer... we find hundreds of those a day.. check.. haha. So yes... there was that, then we met this random old farang guy who spoke thai really weird.. It didn't dawn on me how wierd it was until this Thai person walked up and was like "WHAT the? 3 farangs are all sitting around talking in Thai to each other?!" It was funny. Other highlights from the week for the blender that we bought for the house.. It was like CHRISTMAS...we make "shakes" all the time now... love me life. AND I am also now an expert on making sticky rice... and by expert I have made it 1 time now, but it was good...so yes... check. Now i just need to learn how to make Som Tam for real.
We spent part of Mothers day at the hospital keeping on our our sisters company. She was supposed to go to New Zealand on her mission, but was delayed by visa problems and then appendicitis.... so we kept her company.. She's amazing. I loved her life story. Incredible.
So yes... teaching, preaching, reading, learning, loving, failing, succeeding, laughing, were all parts of my week. I hope that you are all loving life and doing well. Safe travels.
farewell to Manzanar,
Love,
Sister O'Neil
Greetings from Thai-town were we recently celebrated Mothers. Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Thanks to the Queen's birthday, I get to celebrate Mothers day (and father's day for that matter) twice a year. So once again, thank you for you amazing angel like qualities and determination to raise children in the way of the gospel. It's miraculous. Mother's day we had an activity at church that was great. It was a mini break through from one of our amazing investigators (ning). She will be baptised one day... I'm just not sure when. But she is great. Actually... this whole ward is. I really just LOVE them all. The Bishop is great and everyone is just great. Great used in this context means 100 different things.. I can not express what I really want to say about them because it would just take to long...
As was this past week...too much to explain...but here's a bit of it.. This week was filled with hilarity. I just love my companion... And now I'd like to talk about her like the "child" she is (k...she is not a child... but in Thai-town, she is still new...so you know what I mean) and tell you all about the funny and cute things she does. It's been fun to watch her experience all the things that I'm used to by now, but are still new to her... for example.. this week I enjoyed watching her pedal at warp speed down this one street and then pull BOTH her feet up on the frame of the bike because of the 2 HUGE dogs who were chasing and barking at her... Then I think her bike might be a little to tall for her, because she always is almost falling every time she gets off her bike... Then one time I looked behind me, only too see her fall/ run into this lady/fence... and I quote "Oh, I'm ok. I just fell into a barbed wire fence" Which was true... she did... but luckily she was ok. Then yesterday, she was praying and this is what she said "Please help us to find those people who are not interested".... I started laughing...I knew what she was trying to say "help us find new people who are interested" but it was just too funny... that's an easy prayer to answer... we find hundreds of those a day.. check.. haha. So yes... there was that, then we met this random old farang guy who spoke thai really weird.. It didn't dawn on me how wierd it was until this Thai person walked up and was like "WHAT the? 3 farangs are all sitting around talking in Thai to each other?!" It was funny. Other highlights from the week for the blender that we bought for the house.. It was like CHRISTMAS...we make "shakes" all the time now... love me life. AND I am also now an expert on making sticky rice... and by expert I have made it 1 time now, but it was good...so yes... check. Now i just need to learn how to make Som Tam for real.
We spent part of Mothers day at the hospital keeping on our our sisters company. She was supposed to go to New Zealand on her mission, but was delayed by visa problems and then appendicitis.... so we kept her company.. She's amazing. I loved her life story. Incredible.
So yes... teaching, preaching, reading, learning, loving, failing, succeeding, laughing, were all parts of my week. I hope that you are all loving life and doing well. Safe travels.
farewell to Manzanar,
Love,
Sister O'Neil
Aug 9, 2010
8/8/10
We're all about sending photos today, aren't we?
I loved the pics of little Con, Jr. He looks just like Riley did when he was little in some of them... that was strange.
In case you haven't inferred by the subject of this email, I have updated some pictures. I haven't done it for a while, mainly because I don't take that many anymore, but today was just convenient to upload.
This week was great. Yesterday was especially fun.. I like to refer to it as "the price is right" day... We kept winning at a game show.. AKA... people just giving us stuff.. It was weird. Food, bags, cool lights for our helmets.... I just kept thinking of that scripture in Mosiah 2:41 "blessed in things both spiritually and temporally." True story. Why are we so blessed? We had interviews which included us sitting in a taxi all day (i hate taxis...i get car drunk) but the good news is we were able to fix Sister Jolley's bike. YAY for riding bikes again.
I don't know what to write, again.... I still feel like I'm writing the letter from last week time flew so fast... Like i just took a bathroom break or something...
Jenny, I loved your email. I knew you would love EFY. That's so sweet. Thank you for your testimony. I feel like everyone had a really spiritual time lately. Awesome.
This week I've really just loved the Book of Mormon more and more.. I also love that how here in Thailand, it is pretty much the ONLY thing we use to teach from.. I've never used the Bible once in our teaching here... except in Sunday school...but then it's not the missionaries who prepared the lesson. We just get confused as to how to read the bible when we're called on. The Bible is true... amen. But the Book of Mormon is the truest...amen. If you have Preach my Gospel, pull it out and read chapter 5. Then study it. Then go and STUDY the Book of Mormon. It will change your life. (mom, I've loved hearing your studying...great job)
Family. I love you more than anything in the world.
Friends. I love you.
Keep up the good work. Help the missionaries. Invite your friends to church, and activities.It's not that hard, and then it's more fun to have friends there with you too. I think that's all for today. Travel safely.
Love,
Sister O'Neil
We're all about sending photos today, aren't we?
I loved the pics of little Con, Jr. He looks just like Riley did when he was little in some of them... that was strange.
In case you haven't inferred by the subject of this email, I have updated some pictures. I haven't done it for a while, mainly because I don't take that many anymore, but today was just convenient to upload.
This week was great. Yesterday was especially fun.. I like to refer to it as "the price is right" day... We kept winning at a game show.. AKA... people just giving us stuff.. It was weird. Food, bags, cool lights for our helmets.... I just kept thinking of that scripture in Mosiah 2:41 "blessed in things both spiritually and temporally." True story. Why are we so blessed? We had interviews which included us sitting in a taxi all day (i hate taxis...i get car drunk) but the good news is we were able to fix Sister Jolley's bike. YAY for riding bikes again.
I don't know what to write, again.... I still feel like I'm writing the letter from last week time flew so fast... Like i just took a bathroom break or something...
Jenny, I loved your email. I knew you would love EFY. That's so sweet. Thank you for your testimony. I feel like everyone had a really spiritual time lately. Awesome.
This week I've really just loved the Book of Mormon more and more.. I also love that how here in Thailand, it is pretty much the ONLY thing we use to teach from.. I've never used the Bible once in our teaching here... except in Sunday school...but then it's not the missionaries who prepared the lesson. We just get confused as to how to read the bible when we're called on. The Bible is true... amen. But the Book of Mormon is the truest...amen. If you have Preach my Gospel, pull it out and read chapter 5. Then study it. Then go and STUDY the Book of Mormon. It will change your life. (mom, I've loved hearing your studying...great job)
Family. I love you more than anything in the world.
Friends. I love you.
Keep up the good work. Help the missionaries. Invite your friends to church, and activities.It's not that hard, and then it's more fun to have friends there with you too. I think that's all for today. Travel safely.
Love,
Sister O'Neil
Aug 1, 2010
8/1/10
Well, It's day 2 of August and it's already awesome. Fast Sundays are always miracle days, especially as a missionary. The Lord really does bless us if we keep the commandments and we do all that we can with diligence and faith. This week was a typical week filled with highs, lows and hilarity, and we worked hard every day and on Sunday we saw the blessings from our "work" (which...still doesn't feel like i did anything but walk around and talk to randos).
So my dear new companions BRAND NEW bike broke on her, like 3 times this week (always the same problem of the pedals falling off) so I spent some time riding her bike around with one pedal ,..it was hilarious... i don't know who to describe it correctly for you... but there was some taping of the foot to the pedal involved, (with the dumbest tape ever.... where's the duct tape when you need it?) and then it just got funnier when each side took turns falling off. So we then spent a lot of time walking around town. (in fact the first FULL day of just walking in my mission... typically we ride our bikes everyday). Through all of walking and "preaching" we found several potentials and had a great time. Yesterday (Sunday) I mentioned was an awesome day, and it was because 1. we saw many of the less active people we've been working with come back to church (YAY) 2. The ward council is really do a great job at trying to become a real PMG ward. 3. The members, I just love them all... especially Sister Daw and Brother Pruck.(they are freaking hilarious). 4. We were able to find 9 new investigators (2 couples, a family of 3, and 4 of a members kids who just started coming to church) AWESOME... Plus I just love my companion and we have way too much fun together. So all in all my life is sweet, and I'm still in Thailand doing the best thing in the world, so what more could I ask for? ( NOT FOOD, thanks Oliver! The members feed us way too much this week... or at least it felt like it) ok, that's a lie... a little something something would be nice right now... I only ate a little oatmeal this morning and now it's 11... so maybe I'll go spend 33 cents a eat some delicious pineapple. (yummmm....yes please)
Ok... this is really random... but does anyone know if I have to buy a keyboard that has thai on it already to type in thai from a comp in America? or can they already do it... I just need to buy some labels so i know what "letter" is where on the board? I just wanted to throw that out there before i forgot.
but really, how is it august... it makes me sick.
I hope everyone has a great week this week! Lots of traveling for you all.. Oh hey Chris!! CONGRATS!! you look good and now you're way smarter than I'll ever be. Yay for the MASTER MAN. And tell Dan sweet work on the manquilt. enjoy Con, Jr. Baptism. what a cute little man.. All the Thai people love all the kids, I have a picture of them on the back of my planner and they love them. all...especially Izzy.. For some reason they all think Michael is a "luug Krrxng" aka.. Half thai/farang... or he's Arabic? I don't really know... it's just interesting. Umm yes... so once again.. I love you all. Keep up the good work. Love life and the Lord and then you'll love your life even more.
Until next week!,
Love, Sister O'Neil
Well, It's day 2 of August and it's already awesome. Fast Sundays are always miracle days, especially as a missionary. The Lord really does bless us if we keep the commandments and we do all that we can with diligence and faith. This week was a typical week filled with highs, lows and hilarity, and we worked hard every day and on Sunday we saw the blessings from our "work" (which...still doesn't feel like i did anything but walk around and talk to randos).
So my dear new companions BRAND NEW bike broke on her, like 3 times this week (always the same problem of the pedals falling off) so I spent some time riding her bike around with one pedal ,..it was hilarious... i don't know who to describe it correctly for you... but there was some taping of the foot to the pedal involved, (with the dumbest tape ever.... where's the duct tape when you need it?) and then it just got funnier when each side took turns falling off. So we then spent a lot of time walking around town. (in fact the first FULL day of just walking in my mission... typically we ride our bikes everyday). Through all of walking and "preaching" we found several potentials and had a great time. Yesterday (Sunday) I mentioned was an awesome day, and it was because 1. we saw many of the less active people we've been working with come back to church (YAY) 2. The ward council is really do a great job at trying to become a real PMG ward. 3. The members, I just love them all... especially Sister Daw and Brother Pruck.(they are freaking hilarious). 4. We were able to find 9 new investigators (2 couples, a family of 3, and 4 of a members kids who just started coming to church) AWESOME... Plus I just love my companion and we have way too much fun together. So all in all my life is sweet, and I'm still in Thailand doing the best thing in the world, so what more could I ask for? ( NOT FOOD, thanks Oliver! The members feed us way too much this week... or at least it felt like it) ok, that's a lie... a little something something would be nice right now... I only ate a little oatmeal this morning and now it's 11... so maybe I'll go spend 33 cents a eat some delicious pineapple. (yummmm....yes please)
Ok... this is really random... but does anyone know if I have to buy a keyboard that has thai on it already to type in thai from a comp in America? or can they already do it... I just need to buy some labels so i know what "letter" is where on the board? I just wanted to throw that out there before i forgot.
but really, how is it august... it makes me sick.
I hope everyone has a great week this week! Lots of traveling for you all.. Oh hey Chris!! CONGRATS!! you look good and now you're way smarter than I'll ever be. Yay for the MASTER MAN. And tell Dan sweet work on the manquilt. enjoy Con, Jr. Baptism. what a cute little man.. All the Thai people love all the kids, I have a picture of them on the back of my planner and they love them. all...especially Izzy.. For some reason they all think Michael is a "luug Krrxng" aka.. Half thai/farang... or he's Arabic? I don't really know... it's just interesting. Umm yes... so once again.. I love you all. Keep up the good work. Love life and the Lord and then you'll love your life even more.
Until next week!,
Love, Sister O'Neil
Jul 25, 2010
Dear Family (and various other friends and Internet blog stalkers)
Greetings from Bankgapi. I'm still here in this wonderful area (as I knew i would be and just for those of you who maybe thought I didn't like it because the house is bad.... it's not actually that bad... I like cleaning.. I love the satisfaction you get when you see the before and after... yes please...but we are looking for a new house) Anyways. Last week was "moves" meeting and my dear little Hawaiian comp, Sister Akagi moved away to the boonies (Ubon) and I got a new companion. A very new companion. Her name is Sister Jolley... and we are having a jolley grand time. I love her. She's like my best friend, but I don't know that much about her yet. She's from Utah, and my favorite part is that she once worked as DisneyWorld too.. (she was Chip and Dale and other various characters) She's from Alpine, UT and she is just so fun. We make a really good team and I'm excited about this moves and the potential we have together. She is my 10th companion and I'm on "level 10" too... (aka.. It's my 10th moves.) So that's fun. Every since we've been companions I just can't seem to keep up with time.. I felt like it was going fast before... but now it's just kicked into Hyper Drive. Go GO GO... all the time and I love it.
It's interesting being a Trainer.. Really fun too. I love to see her experience Thailand for the first time and remember what it felt like to be new in this wonderful country. It's also very humbling. I don't know how to do this, and being with her just wants me to be better than I am now...and I have to be, because I'm the one showing her life as a missionary in Thailand. Lets just say I'm spending more time on my knees, and I definitely know that I'm being blessed. I love how the Lord works. The last week has probably been some the most abnormal days of my mission.... but they've all been a good introduction to life here for Sister Jolley. We went to drop off an investigator at the Stake Relief Society Activity on Sat and so that was fun for me to see a bunch of ladies from my old wards. fun.
We've had some really good experiences with investigators and members. Oh! I went and had dinner at my "grandparents" house here in Thailand. Sister Wichittra's parents invited us over for dinner, so it was fun to go to my Trainers real home and visit with her family. I love them. I love Sister Wichittra...(cherry). My comp now knows her too because since Cherry lives in UT now, she goes to the MTC to help do mock lessons. So that was fun for everyone. Oh, I'm the only missionary that didn't move from my area. Both elders were moved out, so I've been kinda showing everyone around...or at least explaining a lot of things. Oh man... Life is just fun.
Well.... I think that's all for today. I love you all. Thank you for everything! Have fun this next week. Be safe. ANd remember who you are.
Love,
Sister O'Neil
Alma 26:37
Greetings from Bankgapi. I'm still here in this wonderful area (as I knew i would be and just for those of you who maybe thought I didn't like it because the house is bad.... it's not actually that bad... I like cleaning.. I love the satisfaction you get when you see the before and after... yes please...but we are looking for a new house) Anyways. Last week was "moves" meeting and my dear little Hawaiian comp, Sister Akagi moved away to the boonies (Ubon) and I got a new companion. A very new companion. Her name is Sister Jolley... and we are having a jolley grand time. I love her. She's like my best friend, but I don't know that much about her yet. She's from Utah, and my favorite part is that she once worked as DisneyWorld too.. (she was Chip and Dale and other various characters) She's from Alpine, UT and she is just so fun. We make a really good team and I'm excited about this moves and the potential we have together. She is my 10th companion and I'm on "level 10" too... (aka.. It's my 10th moves.) So that's fun. Every since we've been companions I just can't seem to keep up with time.. I felt like it was going fast before... but now it's just kicked into Hyper Drive. Go GO GO... all the time and I love it.
It's interesting being a Trainer.. Really fun too. I love to see her experience Thailand for the first time and remember what it felt like to be new in this wonderful country. It's also very humbling. I don't know how to do this, and being with her just wants me to be better than I am now...and I have to be, because I'm the one showing her life as a missionary in Thailand. Lets just say I'm spending more time on my knees, and I definitely know that I'm being blessed. I love how the Lord works. The last week has probably been some the most abnormal days of my mission.... but they've all been a good introduction to life here for Sister Jolley. We went to drop off an investigator at the Stake Relief Society Activity on Sat and so that was fun for me to see a bunch of ladies from my old wards. fun.
We've had some really good experiences with investigators and members. Oh! I went and had dinner at my "grandparents" house here in Thailand. Sister Wichittra's parents invited us over for dinner, so it was fun to go to my Trainers real home and visit with her family. I love them. I love Sister Wichittra...(cherry). My comp now knows her too because since Cherry lives in UT now, she goes to the MTC to help do mock lessons. So that was fun for everyone. Oh, I'm the only missionary that didn't move from my area. Both elders were moved out, so I've been kinda showing everyone around...or at least explaining a lot of things. Oh man... Life is just fun.
Well.... I think that's all for today. I love you all. Thank you for everything! Have fun this next week. Be safe. ANd remember who you are.
Love,
Sister O'Neil
Alma 26:37
Jul 19, 2010
7/19/10
Hello there dear family,
Well, sorry I didn't email yesterday...they changed things up a bit on us this week, so "p-day" is today... but nobody seemed to notice, So i don't feel bad. And today is kinda strange too because we're actually at the office because today we have to go out with the new missionaries for an hour to help them "jump right in". So... basically I don't know what today is..... (besides Tuesday, July 20.... what the..?)
So yes.. this week was great! Missionary work as normal, but this week was filled with going on switch offs to a new area (with a greenie) getting sick.... (*cough.* that's still lingering a bit... but no biggy...being sick is just part of the work too). Then on Sunday we the a baptism of Bow. She is awesome. Her boyfriend (a Thai) found the church while studying in Australia and got baptised. Then he shared the gospel with his girlfriend (Bow) and she studying and found it to be try and so this past Sunday she was baptized! Oh, and random.. I never cease to be amazed by how small this world is:... On our last teaching appointment with Bow before her baptism, Pete (the boyfriend) called and asked to speak with me... (I was a little nervous/excited because I only heard about him, but had never talked to him). So we were talking and one of the first things he said was "oh, I know your friend Elder Kim" ok... i was like "who? I don't know an Elder Kim... is he Korean?" (i still don't know why I knew that) So i was a little confused but then thought "maybe I should check...he might be from La Canada stake.." so... just now, I looked at the handy email from the La Canada ladies (thanks again!) and sure enough... There is an Elder Kim who is serving in Australia from L.A. and apparently we "know" each other... How small is our world. An Elder from my "home"stake, is teaching a recent convert in Australia, who just happens to be the boyfriend of my (now) recent convert here in Thailand... The church is true. Amen.
So yes.. things are still going good.. And because of the late p-day, and can tell you about moves that are happening tomorrow.. yesterday morning I got a phone call at 8:30 am from President Smith: "how's my So Cal sister doing today?" Then he basically told me that I was going to train.. So yay, that will be fun. Sister Akagi, my dear friend since the MTC will be moving to a new area, and I will be staying in mine with a new 'dear heart" (mom? i just felt like you when i wrote that). Actually, I'm the only missionary that will stay that same in my Area of Bankapi... everyone else will be new, so...that will be fun too. new and exciting things... i just hope that I can do a good job.... i still feel like a greenie (doesn't help that I'm wearing ALL green today, too... yes!)
Ok...i think that's it for now. I love my life. I love yours, FOR you. Pray, get answers to your prays by reading the good word, and go to church and be grand.
Until next time...
SHAKE it up!
Love,
Sister O'Neil
P.S. Parentals... the office got your letter...every things good. :)
P.P.S. friends... I salute you.
Hello there dear family,
Well, sorry I didn't email yesterday...they changed things up a bit on us this week, so "p-day" is today... but nobody seemed to notice, So i don't feel bad. And today is kinda strange too because we're actually at the office because today we have to go out with the new missionaries for an hour to help them "jump right in". So... basically I don't know what today is..... (besides Tuesday, July 20.... what the..?)
So yes.. this week was great! Missionary work as normal, but this week was filled with going on switch offs to a new area (with a greenie) getting sick.... (*cough.* that's still lingering a bit... but no biggy...being sick is just part of the work too). Then on Sunday we the a baptism of Bow. She is awesome. Her boyfriend (a Thai) found the church while studying in Australia and got baptised. Then he shared the gospel with his girlfriend (Bow) and she studying and found it to be try and so this past Sunday she was baptized! Oh, and random.. I never cease to be amazed by how small this world is:... On our last teaching appointment with Bow before her baptism, Pete (the boyfriend) called and asked to speak with me... (I was a little nervous/excited because I only heard about him, but had never talked to him). So we were talking and one of the first things he said was "oh, I know your friend Elder Kim" ok... i was like "who? I don't know an Elder Kim... is he Korean?" (i still don't know why I knew that) So i was a little confused but then thought "maybe I should check...he might be from La Canada stake.." so... just now, I looked at the handy email from the La Canada ladies (thanks again!) and sure enough... There is an Elder Kim who is serving in Australia from L.A. and apparently we "know" each other... How small is our world. An Elder from my "home"stake, is teaching a recent convert in Australia, who just happens to be the boyfriend of my (now) recent convert here in Thailand... The church is true. Amen.
So yes.. things are still going good.. And because of the late p-day, and can tell you about moves that are happening tomorrow.. yesterday morning I got a phone call at 8:30 am from President Smith: "how's my So Cal sister doing today?" Then he basically told me that I was going to train.. So yay, that will be fun. Sister Akagi, my dear friend since the MTC will be moving to a new area, and I will be staying in mine with a new 'dear heart" (mom? i just felt like you when i wrote that). Actually, I'm the only missionary that will stay that same in my Area of Bankapi... everyone else will be new, so...that will be fun too. new and exciting things... i just hope that I can do a good job.... i still feel like a greenie (doesn't help that I'm wearing ALL green today, too... yes!)
Ok...i think that's it for now. I love my life. I love yours, FOR you. Pray, get answers to your prays by reading the good word, and go to church and be grand.
Until next time...
SHAKE it up!
Love,
Sister O'Neil
P.S. Parentals... the office got your letter...every things good. :)
P.P.S. friends... I salute you.
Jul 12, 2010
7/11/10
Well hello there,
I DO want to talk about what's been going on here this week:
Not a whole lot out of the ordinary.. I've been doing this for a year now, so it probably all sounds the same to you. This Sunday we're going to have a baptism *by water*... Yay for Bow. She is great. Her boyfriend/fiance found the church in Australia as he was studying there, and then shared with with Bow, who in turn has found the truth for herself. So that is just fantastic. [ she is yet another testament that member referrals are the BEST when it comes to missionary work.] (*hint hint...nudge nudge...*)
We've been working with the ward a lot this week, trying to help the visiting teaching programs going....(mom...thanks again for being amazing.. I now your calling is hard, but I know you're blessed with inspiration and help. Plus...you're an angel...so that helps. :) ) I remember when I used to think that the auxiliaries of the church weren't really important... especially little things like visiting and home teaching.. But in the past little while I've realized just how essential they are to our eternal progression. Think about it.. This country desperately wants a temple... All saints all over the world would love to have the blessings of the temple in their own country. We are all working very hard to try and see this vision come to pass... but sometimes when I see members neglecting the smallest of duties, passing them off as of little importance, I think "If we can't even be responsible for doing the SMALLEST work of the Lord (aka be friends) how can we be trusted with the covenants of the temple?. Sometimes we look to the big picture but we forgot to do the planning and goals and little steps that lead up to it. So next time you think about going to the temple, ask yourself, "Am I doing all the things that Lord has put in my care? Have I down my visiting/home teaching? Have I gone to church? Have I paid my tithing" Take care of the little things, and then you'll be ready to do the big things.
The gospel is amazing. And real. and true. Read the Book of Mormon... Today I was reading Jacob 4 and it was cool. They wrote that book for YOU. For us.. To help US know our Savior. So read it. And love it. And let it change your life.
Well... sorry I really dont' have much to say.. My life is amazing. Thank you for your love and support. I think I'll go eat some SomDam....
Love and peace,
Love, Sister O'Neil
Well hello there,
I DO want to talk about what's been going on here this week:
Not a whole lot out of the ordinary.. I've been doing this for a year now, so it probably all sounds the same to you. This Sunday we're going to have a baptism *by water*... Yay for Bow. She is great. Her boyfriend/fiance found the church in Australia as he was studying there, and then shared with with Bow, who in turn has found the truth for herself. So that is just fantastic. [ she is yet another testament that member referrals are the BEST when it comes to missionary work.] (*hint hint...nudge nudge...*)
We've been working with the ward a lot this week, trying to help the visiting teaching programs going....(mom...thanks again for being amazing.. I now your calling is hard, but I know you're blessed with inspiration and help. Plus...you're an angel...so that helps. :) ) I remember when I used to think that the auxiliaries of the church weren't really important... especially little things like visiting and home teaching.. But in the past little while I've realized just how essential they are to our eternal progression. Think about it.. This country desperately wants a temple... All saints all over the world would love to have the blessings of the temple in their own country. We are all working very hard to try and see this vision come to pass... but sometimes when I see members neglecting the smallest of duties, passing them off as of little importance, I think "If we can't even be responsible for doing the SMALLEST work of the Lord (aka be friends) how can we be trusted with the covenants of the temple?. Sometimes we look to the big picture but we forgot to do the planning and goals and little steps that lead up to it. So next time you think about going to the temple, ask yourself, "Am I doing all the things that Lord has put in my care? Have I down my visiting/home teaching? Have I gone to church? Have I paid my tithing" Take care of the little things, and then you'll be ready to do the big things.
The gospel is amazing. And real. and true. Read the Book of Mormon... Today I was reading Jacob 4 and it was cool. They wrote that book for YOU. For us.. To help US know our Savior. So read it. And love it. And let it change your life.
Well... sorry I really dont' have much to say.. My life is amazing. Thank you for your love and support. I think I'll go eat some SomDam....
Love and peace,
Love, Sister O'Neil
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