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.
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!
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