"I knew it!"

Monday of last week, we were waiting on pins and needles to get "the call" to see who was transferring.  It came when we were at Family Home Evening at a member's house.  It was a little weird because it came from the Zone Leaders when usually it comes from the District Leader, and the Elder that told us was acting weird.  As expected, Elder Pyne and I were told we were moving.  (Expected because it made the most logical sense because we had been there the longest).  But we were still skeptical.  It felt weird for some reason, and especially since Elder Christiansen hadn't heard anything about it yet either (and his companion was apparently moving and they still didn't know?)  But then it turns out that Elder Christiansen's phone died for an hour.  The exact hour the Zone Leaders called to tell him the news.  So after we found out that it wasn't a joke, we decided to just accept it, despite the weird feelings we were all getting about it.

I pack my stuff up, don't really say any goodbyes, and I just felt weird about it all.  It was like I was too okay with leaving that it was an eerie feeling.  Sister Gift was like "Sister Norrell, you can cry for one day in your new area and then you have to forget and just keep going on!".  I felt like a heartless person because I didn't actually feel like crying at all. 

Thursday comes (Transfers Day), and we are all just really nervous.  People kept asking me where I thought I was going to go and I had no earthly idea whatsoever.  I couldn't even make a guess!  It was soo good to see everyone, though.  The mission is still doing great and I love the missionaries more than ever!  A ton of our leadership "died" aka, they finished their missions, so a lot of transfers was really interesting seeing who of the younger groups were stepping up to fill up the empty positions.  One of the most surprising is that Elder Arne is training and becoming District Leader on transfer 4!  (I am scared to see what happens when all the Sister Leadership dies in the upcoming 2 transfers!)

I was so nervous.  SO NERVOUS the entire transfers meeting!  I have never been that way before.  And I knew why as soon as they announced my new area.  Actually it turned out to be my old area.  I was staying in Bangkhae.  I was so shocked yet the whole time I was just like "I knew it!!!!!"  It didn't even occur to me that I probably made my new companion feel really weird when I had this really confused look on my face, and then I became immediately stressed and relieved all at the same time!  Stressed because I had a new companion!  Meaning that my old companion, who didn't pack ANYTHING had to move that night! 

Sister Sawangwong had a impression that she was going to Khon Khean, and that is exactly where she went.  Thursday morning before leaving for transfers, I was considering leaving something important behind because I felt like I was going to come back.  (Somehow in my mind that would register as something like testing my own faith?  I didn't do it just to be safe.  But I did leave my Peanut Butter there on accident, so it is a good thing I came back!  So after it being a complete mad house trying to get home, get her packed, keeping our stuff out of the way, and just trying to wrap our heads around everything that was happening, we finally sent Sister Sawangwong and her new companion off to their new area, and we were left with 4 really heavy suitcases full of our stuff.

I actually joked with Sister Sawangwong about her packing just in case.  And then I told her that if I came back I refused to unpack again, since transfers are only 6 weeks long now instead of 9.  So that is exactly what I have done.  Sister Ellis (my new companion) makes fun of me for it.  Especially when I bring out a bag of clothes and search through it relentlessly for the shirt that I want to wear.  I am just not taking my chances!

So this is transfer 3 for me in Bangkhae.  Going on 5-6 months!  Not unheard of...but I just never thought it would be me!  I have seen plenty of missionaries go to transfers not thinking they were moving, and then surprise!  I am just grateful that we were only an hour taxi ride away instead of a  6 hour bus ride!

Overall, I am grateful that I am back in Bangkhae.  I love it so much.  Saying goodbye felt too okay to be okay, and coming back I knew that I was still supposed to be here.  It is weird.  I felt like I left and came back a different person.  It is almost like I am actually in a different area!  Of course all the members were surprised yesterday about seeing me again.  After asking why I didn't move, their next comment was about how long I have been here.  Yep, the most seasoned in the area of all our 8 missionaries. 

That's right.  We have EIGHT missionaries in our area!  President is moving out the troops with the intent of making Bangkhae a ward.  It is going to happen and I am so glad that I still get to be here to be a part of it!

Sister Ellis is so great, and she is going to be a great force of help in this area!  Already we have seen great changes being brought to pass in the 4 days we have been here.  

Well,  it's all over but the work!  I am still in Bangkhae and I am loving it more than ever!
But who knows, next week I could be somewhere new! ;)  I don't really understand the way these things work.  Last minute revelation to President Senior on the day of transfers...it happens!  But I guess I don't have to understand it, because I trust him enough as God's servant to have faith to go and do whatever I am called to go and do!

Long email, not a lot to report.  I will have more next week!  Promise!
Love,
Sister Norrell

Families can be together forever!

Hello all!

Good news!  I went to go see my Thai family this week!  It was one of the greatest experiences I have had as a missionary.  There were lots of people all gathered to see me, and they still don't understand everything about what we do as missionaries, but I am so thankful that I did get to go see them!

The majority of the family present were my grandma's brothers and their families.  I have met some of their kids before, but that was over 14 years ago I am sure.  At first it was really overwhelming, because there were so many people.   I don't think they even all introduced themselves - they knew I would forget I am sure.  But it was so weird!  I had no idea that so many of them were already Christian.  There were lots of people, lots of food, and lots of love.  I am so thankful that I was sent here to Thailand to not only share the Gospel with my spiritual family (we are all God's children) but also to share it with my blood relatives.  I feel so blessed and trusted by the Lord to fulfill this sacred calling.  I may not remember all of their names, but I do remember the overwhelming feeling of love and peace that I got when I was with them.  It was a reminder to me once again that family units are intended to be sealed and preserved throughout the eternities. https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation 

Since being here in Thailand, I have been feeling like meeting my family was one of the central purposes in my coming, and now it is all making sense.  I was sent here to learn Thai so that I could speak to my family and that they would have the opportunity to be a part of God's kingdom here on earth.  The Gospel is a beacon of hope and love that I pray that they felt as well when Sister Sawangwong and I were there with them.  I just had a vision of my great eternal family - it was so consuming that I just wanted to cry out of joy.  How great is the plan of our merciful, graceful, and loving Eternal Father in Heaven. 

And a lot of it comes down to Family History.  They were so willing just to tell me all about it!  I can't wait to track down everyone and get to do some names in the temple!   I really just want to go all over the world after my mission and find our family so we can all be joined together for eternity. That was what I saw when I was with my family.  I saw eternities bound together.  I know that God sent me here to Thailand for a reason!

Great things are happening in the Lord's field of labor. I really just learned that God knows all when He assigns His missionaries to their respective areas of labor.  This is probably the closest area (Bangkhae) in Thailand to my family as well.  He really does have it all planned out!  We just have to trust Him and try our hardest to follow His will so as to accomplish His great and wise purposes.  :)

Funny story:  I went on a switch off on Wednesday to Asoke.  Because they are so close to a university, these students came to "interview the furong".  So we got roped into it.  We always get asked the same questions as missionaries: "Do you like Thai culture? What are some differences between Thai and American culture."  I don't remember our answer, but it was probably something about food or Thai markets.

As Sister Sahagun and I were talking about it afterwards, we realized that it was harder to think of similarities in the culture than it was to think of differences.  In fact, we couldn't really think of any similarities... yep.  I think I will have more culture shock going home that I did coming here because I can't remember what America is like anymore...  :)

Love,

Sister Norrell

The Church is true!

This week was an exciting week for the Church in Thailand.  We were in Asoke 3 days this week:  Tuesday for missionary Zone Conference, then Friday and Saturday for Stake Conference.  We were blessed to hear from Asia Area 70's - Elder Gong and Elder Khonikam.  And the greatest news of all:   Thailand now has 2 stakes!  We have to have 4 to have a temple, but I believe that at this rate it will not take too long!  We have 1 new stake and 1 new District.  As soon as Bangkhae, Thonburi, and Asoke Branches (all 3 making up the new District) become wards, we will be ready for a third stake!  God's work really is hastening and I am so grateful that I can be here for all the excitement!

Zone Conference was great as well. This week I was really just reminded of how blessed I am to be here in Thailand as a missionary at this time.  Sometimes things just work out all too easily for it not to be of God's own plan and preparation.  But through it all, sometimes we may lose sight of the ultimate goal - it happens, but it is easy to return and repent.  All you have to do is give your whole heart again to the Lord and become dedicated to His service once again.  Sometimes it is easier said than done, but it is something that we all have to do at some point in our time. 

Scripture of the week: Doctrine and Covenants 38:14-19

 14 But now I tell it unto you, and ye are blessed, not because of your iniquity, neither your hearts of unbelief; for verily some of you are guilty before me, but I will be merciful unto your weakness.

 15 Therefore, be ye strong from henceforth; fear not, for the kingdom is yours.

 16 And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons.

 17 And I have made the earth rich, and behold it is my footstool,wherefore, again I will stand upon it.

 18 And I hold forth and deign to give unto you greater riches, even a land of promise, a land flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no curse when the Lord cometh;

19 And I will give it unto you for the land of your inheritance, if you seek it with all your hearts.

20 And this shall be my covenant with you, ye shall have it for the land of your inheritance, and for the inheritance of your children forever, while the earth shall stand, and ye shall possess it again in eternity, no more to pass away.

And then I found this cheesy Mormon Ad to go along with it.  :)

Serving with all your heart, might, mind, and strength is easier than we think - it all comes when we don't think of ourselves.  It all comes back to the principle of losing yourself and finding yourself in the process.  Remember the individual goals, but remember them and plan with the future in mind.  When we have our sights set towards God and His glory and kingdom, we have no choice but to succeed by giving our all to Him.  Part of this comes from remembering Him daily through prayer and supplication and humility.  It is remembering that even though times are hard, He is still there for us, and there is always something to learn from our experiences.  It is seeking to see His hand in our lives and thanking Him daily.  When our hearts are with God, and we come to know Him and trust Him as our Father,  it will be that much easier to give it all to Him.

God's work is moving forth and nothing can stop it!

Love,

Sister Norrell

Living in the moment

Hello outside world,

As I sat here and read the many emails I received, congratulating me and reminding me of my one year mark as a missionary this upcoming week, I felt such joy. So much that this weird water stuff started coming out of my eyes. Amidst all the other people in the internet cafe playing video games, watching movies, and just being themselves, I was crying. Not uncontrollably and not because I was even sad. I was crying tears of joy and gratitude. Gratitude for those that support me and love me, even after a full year of not seeing me. I am amazed at this opportunity that I have been given to serve God, my Savior, Jesus Christ, and God's children in Thailand. I am so thankful for the example that they set for me, and that through them, I can become who God wants me to be. Thank you for still loving me and praying for me. :)

The main thing I learned this week is that sometimes we need to live our lives one day at a time. We have a grand and over-reaching goal (eternal life with our families in the presence of God), but we in no way would be able to attain that goal if it were not for the small and seemingly insignificant choices that we make every day. There are several daily practices that I have found helpful in my mission that help me to live every day to the best of my ability.

1) Gratitude.

- No matter the circumstance, always have an attitude of gratitude. Perhaps it is not about the "things" you are grateful for, but instead just being grateful in general for the things you can't see or touch.

2) Being with people that you love.

- I have come to realize that my time in Thailand certainly will not last forever. So why not make the most of the time that I have to spend with the people that I love and will miss the most? One other important aspect to this concept: constantly be adding others to your circle of love and influence.

3) Letting yourself be happy, no matter what the circumstances.

- We are the ones that determine our own happiness - not any one else. This is your life. Why would you waste this precious time not letting yourself live up to your potential or privileges.

-https://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages#your-potential-your-privileges

I love this video because it goes to show that we came into this life having so much potential. We have the ability to do anything we want to do - so why not go out and do it. You don't want to have the regret of looking back and wishing that you had done more with the time that you were given.

4) Smiling!

- Easy. If you don't feel like smiling, do it anyways.

5) Scripture Study and Prayer

- There is no better way to start or end your day. You can even do it all throughout the day. There is no limit to how many times we can talk to or receive answers from our loving Heavenly Father.

6) Repentance

- This is the reason for it all. The whole reason we are here on earth is to become like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We cannot say that we are "enduring to the end" without actually living first. All is not done once we are baptized, or once we have gone to the temple. We will always still have things we need to improve on, so why not use your time to the best of your ability and repent daily. Try to make each new day better than yesterday.

It is hard to believe that already a full year has gone by. I know that I am still not the perfect missionary - in fact I am far from it. But I am trying my hardest to be the best I can each day. I know that there is a lot more that I need to do here in Thailand these remaining 6 months. I can't wait to see what all God has in store for me to accomplish. I think overall, I am done limiting myself. I don't want to be the one saying "I can't do this, or that", because through Christ I really can do all things. I want so much more out of life, and I expect more out of myself, and I think that is truly because I realize more and more how much God expects of me and how much He knows that I have the potential to accomplish. I don't want to spend my days thinking of what might be available to me in the future when I have things that I can enjoy right now. Live in the moment, and it will begin to become clear what God has in store for you. Don't settle for less than you have available to you!

Thanks for all the love and support!

Love,

Sister Norrell
 

P.S.  So I forgot to tell you...

Brother Nop got baptized this week! God is really pouring his blessings out upon us here in Bangkhae! Thank you for all the prayers!

(Sorry if I didn't mention him before...we only knew he was getting baptized on Monday after emailing last week. Missionary work is crazy, but I love it!)
 

Pictures: All of us in front of the Wats we went to go see last week!

News for the week!

Miracle of the week!  Brother Gan's wife (as of Tuesday last week) got baptized yesterday!  She learned every day this week, accepted it all, and then passed her interview.  Boom.  Baptism.  Miracles!  We are really excited for them! 

In the words of another Sister in our Zone who helped me teach him once:  "His life has changed so much!  He now has a wife and a TV!"  Believe that baptism really does bring blessings, folks.  :)

Love you all!  I promise to write more next week.  :)

Sister Norrell