Rejection is sweet!

So this week was hard.  It is always hard as a missionary, but it is even harder when Satan knows you're close to succeeding.  This week our District, 2 Bangkhae Elders, 2 Bangkhae Sisters and 2 Thonburi Elders made our District goal for number of baptisms this month.  We, in the month of March, are planning for 20 baptisms.  That is UNHEARD of in this area.  But we are going to make it happen.  But with high goal setting comes hard work and lots of temptation and trials from the Adversary.  Satan knows that we can do it and that we are going to try our hardest to get there, so he will try anything he can to distract us or keep us from meeting our goal.

We prayed so hard to have 2 people baptized this week.  We had such faith that it would happen, but ultimately they used their agency and it didn't happen this week.  But we will have this week, and even the rest of the month to make it happen.  Ultimately it came down to what other people will think.  Right now, they just aren't willing to make the sacrifice, or to step outside of their comfort zones.  One sister's father said he wouldn't talk to her anymore if she changed religions.  The other is just afraid to give up what he's known and done his entire life - and he's afraid of his family.  I just wish that I could help them see how minuscule those problems are in the grand scheme of things.  I just wish I could help them have the faith and courage it takes to stand up for what they have come to know is right.  I know it is hard, but I also have come to know more and more how much it will really bless their lives and how important, and crucial it really is not only in this life but for eternity.  This preparatory and probationary state is so short - I just wish they would use their time more wisely!

Yes, we got rejected a lot this week, but no matter what, when we have faith, good things do come.  Even if they are not what we expect, they still come.  Like the fact that a new investigator came to church on Sunday even though she didn't seem like she was going to.  Or the fact that we are just being blessed with random people showing up.  Like last night we get a phone call from a 17 year old girl, asking if we called her friend's phone.  I have no idea, we call way too many phone numbers every day, I don't remember who I called.  But she said that she lives pretty close and that she's really interested in becoming a Christian.  It was weird being called "Pii"  which means that I am older than her.  (I just call everyone that because distinguishing Thai people's ages is impossible.)  Anyways, she really wants to come to church and see how it is.  We really are excited that she is interested and we just hope that she will have time to come!  See - unexpected miracle right there.  Good things do come out of the faith we exercise.  We didn't have 2 people baptized this past week, but there's always more miracles just waiting around the corner.  When things are at their hardest, we can know that we are almost to the reward for our faithful endurance!

I don't have lots of time left, but know that I love you all!  We are going bowling...Mom, feel free to laugh.  Even in Thailand I can't escape it!  :P  But I don't think Khon Thais can bowl either, so I might be pro in comparison!  ;)

Love you!

Sister Norrell