Doi Suthep
Thanks so much for everything that you do! You're awesome! That picture with the flowers, was at the Chiang Mai zoo haha..... Thailand is very pretty though. Hopefully you can see it sometime soon.
I love that story that you shared about the atonement, movie, and Mary Poppins song. I wish more people could realize how much they need the atonement in their lives! We're working on it, but everyone has their agency to choose.
We ended up dropping some of the investigators sadly, because they don't respond to us, nor come to church which is frustrating. However, it's everyones choice... I just want to see what we can do better in our lessons to help more investigators stick more. Any ideas?
So here's what's been going on the past week and spirituality wise:
I can't express how much I love Lolee. It literally feels like she's running this marathon, and I'm running alongside her and trying to help her reach that goal. We both want that same goal for her! I seriously can't express it in good enough detail how much we want this. Lately, she's fallen in her marathon and she's smoking again. For some reason she's feeling depressed again, and is getting help again. She's taking EST today. She said we can come visit her in the hospital though. I want to surprise her with something big, like balloons, cookies, etc. I think I may take your advice and see if some of the members in the branch can go check up on her. I wish I could always be there for her, but sadly I can't.
I finally witnessed my first baptism, with Bombay. He's such a stinkin' cute kid. He's 9 years old, and reminds me of Russell from Up. It was definitely a glad moment. There were four other baptisms that day, and it truly was an amazing sight to witness. I couldn't help but think of how beautiful they all were in white. Sometimes when we're out contacting, I try to think of some of these people in white, and see them in having a call within the church. I know that not everyone we contact is going to be converted, YET. But we can at least be the ones who start by planting that seed.
I've also been reading the book of Mormon, and I'm finding so much more about God, Jesus, Satan, and trials and such. It's amazing to see that pride cycle within the book of Mormon. To see how wicked the people can become, by just a small influence. But it's amazing to see how merciful God is to each and everyone of us. Everytime I see a scripture about mercy in the scriptures, I've noticed that it always says how God's arm is extended out towards us. It's true though. Everytime we think we do something wrong and we're not worthy of God's love, His arm is still extended out towards us. It reminds me of a quote that President Uchtdorf said. "Man is nothing compared to God. Yet, we are everything to God." Or something along those lines.
I've also been finding a lot of scriptures about trials. We really just need to be patient with ourselves, turn to God and have faith that He'll provide for us. Also sometimes He gives us trials, as a type of 'pop quiz'. He just wants to make sure that when the tough gets going, is our faith going to wither, or be steadfast in God? Some of the scriptures that I've enjoyed lately are Mosiah 23:21-22, and Jacob 4:7-8.
The members here are amazing and never cease to amaze me with their testimonies, and their courage for standing up for their beliefs. They have such faith in doing what's right, and are willing to make changes for the Lord.
Sister Hughes and I are doing well. We've gotten along, but the past week we had a companionship inventory and shared about some of our true feelngs. (Not the awkward ones that you share at long-planning haha). It was good, and I feel like we came closer together after it! She's so funny, and just makes life fun and an adventure! It's awesome!
Also for FHE last week, we got to have dinner at Sister Yiim's house. She's only 21, her brother is 19, and they're both serving missions! She's going to San Diego, and he is going to Saint George Utah! Cool! Anyways, for FHE it was just us, and a whole bunch of members that are around my age. It felt like I was back home with my friends. Crazy huh? We made dinner too, by frying chicken and cutting up watermelon. It felt like we were having an adventure with Peter Pan, Wendy, and the Lost boys. It was fun!
I hope all is well!
I love you!
Sister Woodbury
BAPTISM!
UMM . . . YUM????? (2nd line on the menu)
