Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:23:05 +0700
Subject: week 6 In Thailand
Hey Everyone!
So this week finished my sixth week here in Thailand!
It was a really good week by way of work! We taught a good amount of lessons, and got 6 new investigators. We also were able to give two more investigators baptismal dates.
The two people who accepted dates this week are amazing! One is a 21 year-old named Tan. He is really good. He basically gave himself a baptismal date. We committed him to baptism and he said he wasn't sure. So then we gave the soft baptismal commitment which is, "When you know these things are true, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized?" He accepted it. Then we were talking a little more about baptism and why it is so essential, he asked us, "How soon can I be baptized?" It was really cool.
I have really liked teaching him ever since our first lesson when we taught him about prayer. For his first prayer, he didn't even have to read how to do it. He gave thanks more than asking for blessings. It is so great to see people who really get the gospel. It's amazing to see how the Holy Ghost will bring these things to their remembrance. Everyone knows the church is true, they just don't remember.
The other person who set a baptismal date this week is Pawn. She is probably in her 30s-40s and she runs an internet shop. She was coming to our weekly English class and that is how we found her. She is really good too. The other day we were teaching her about the restoration. At the end of the lesson we asked her if she would pray to know that Joseph Smith truly was a prophet of God. I was shocked when she said she said, "No, i won't ask." When we asked why not she said, "I already believe that he was a prophet." It was really really cool!
But we still wanted her to get her own confirmation that it is true, so she prayed and yesterday she told us that she had received a confirmation! Its amazing to see that the Lord truly is working and preparing his children. It proves that He truly is our loving Heavenly Father, that He knows each of us individually, cares about each and every one of us, and wants us all to feel His love for us.
This week in studies I came across something that was really interesting. I was reading in Preach My Gospel chapter 5 about the Book of Mormon, studying its role in the conversion process. At the end of the chapter there is an additional study page. I was looking at that and there was a story about an investigator who was reading 3 Nephi 11 when The Father introduces the Son to the Nephites. When God says "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." The investigator stopped. He said to the missionaries the God was proud of His son. He then says that it doesn't matter what other people think, it only matters what God thinks. He then decided to be baptized, and not care what friends and neighbors think. This is applicable to missionaries and members. SO often we are afraid to open our mouths and share the gospel. We are afraid that we might offend someone, or lose a friend. But if we truly love them, we will be bold, and only care about pleasing our Creator. For without Him, we are nothing.
Saturday was a hard day. We invited all day long. We talked to so many people. And we didn't teach a single lesson. It was really hard. But i remembered what Elder Holland said about the days we are rejected, when we are spit upon, when we are made a hiss and a byword. He told us we should stand tall, because we stand shoulder to shoulder with the greatest life this world has every seen. Jesus Christ was the only pure and perfect missionary. I can't imagine how the Savior felt when He was rejected by His own people. He knew them on such a more personal basis than know the Thai people. I just can't imagine how it would be to have them reject His message.
Well, Things are good here! Were looking at another good week! Lots of lessons planned, so hopefully they all happen! The food is still amazing! The people are fantastic! We had dinner with the new branch president last night and that was great! He seems good.
I would love to hear from you all! I got a letter from the Darbys and the Fausts! That was wonderful!
I love you all! be safe, be smart, work hard. Be bold in sharing the Gospel. go out and astonish someone!
Love, Elder Todd
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