I always wondered what it was like to be a missionary close to going home. Now the feelings are very clear, yet sometimes I still can't sort out my emotions. I feel happy to get to see my family and to see what else the Lord has in store for me. I feel grateful for all the people I have met in Thailand - both those that touched my life and those that I was privileged enough to touch their lives. I feel amazed that the Lord has performed so many miracles. I feel sad that I won't be in Thailand anymore and that I won't physically be wearing my missionary badge anymore. But overall, I feel hopeful that the Work of Salvation will continue on as stone cut out without hands. I feel hopeful that the Lord will take care of those I love in Thailand. I feel hopeful that the Lord will still use me as an instrument in the Lord's hands to bless the lives of His children. I will always have my missionary badge painted on my heart. These last 18 months will always be a part of who I am.
We aren't made for endings, but just endless beginnings. We are made of the stuff of eternity.
6 And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.
-Doctrine and Covenants 16:6
Over my mission I can't even express the spectrum of emotions I have felt. Seeing the change that comes into the lives of others, however, is worth all the stress, sorrow, or tears I could ever give.
21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.
- Alma 36:21
This in itself is a testimony to me that Jesus Christ lives. He suffered so much for each of us individually, but it was because He loves us. He didn't think of Himself, but thought only of us and how much we need Him - how much we could not do it on our own. I know that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. I know that He loves us and desires us to be happy. He has prepared the way for us to have real joy - eternal joy. That is our Heavenly Father's greatest desire - for us to return to Him, well polished and thankful for the refining. Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, gave himself a sacrifice for sin so that the repentant sinner may have eternal life.
Miracles exist. They happen every day. All we have to do is have faith - not faith in ourselves or in others, but in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I promise that I will always be a faithful servant to our Lord and Savior. I will always have my missionary badge painted on my heart. The work doesn't stop, and neither should we.
For the last time from Thailand: I know this Church is true. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior. I know that God loves His children.
I love you all. See you all soon! :):)
Sister Norrell
Hello all!
This week was good and absolutely crazy. A lot of things going on - some good and others not so desirable.
We helped a member move her house and then the next day we were the ones moving houses. I got a cold, and then that same day had to bike in the rain to get home. I also got food poisoning Saturday night...that was less than fun to say the least.
But more than that, there were great things that happened this week!
We got new investigators this week!
Brother Uan - A referral from a different investigator. Actually, it was his boss. This was the appointment we were at when we got soaked with rain. Our investigator called us to see if we were free (yeah, he sets his own appointments. He calls us! When does that ever happen??) We taught them both together which was hard. It ended up where we were teaching our normal investigator while the member talked to the referral. Brother Bauk is awesome. As we taught him the Plan of Salvation, he said that he felt like it was something familiar to him and that it made him want to learn even more. The next day we met with him again (He was free so he called and again set his own appointment) and he's doing really good!
Sister Som - She is actually the first person whose number I got here in Korat. And we just recently got the chance to meet her! We taught her prayer over the phone a while ago, and she really liked it, but since then she has been out of town. When we met her she was going to the hospital for an exam (she has cancer). She told us that her family was all Christian, and that she was interested in learning. She tried to come to the church twice last week, but she got lost and her phone died. Then she got sick and had to sleep in the hospital. Teaching her was one of the best experiences I've had. It reminded me of how prepared God's children really are. We went to her house and she revealed her story. She said her family had been inviting her to become Christian for a while and she saw their lives improve after they changed. Then a couple days after she made that decision, we met her at the market. She said after that, she went home and told her husband that she was going to change religions. Her house is normally in a different city but she moved so that she could be closer to the church. Her son is also interested and I am so thankful for her. She is free on Sundays, is legally married to her husband, and has no problems with the commandments. She is absolutely perfect. She is on track to be baptized this month!
Brother Golem and Sister Bon - Yes, I think his name really is Golem. Weird, huh? He's Catholic and she is Protestant. We met their friends at the park and they were like "He's Christian" and referred us to Golem and Bon. He expressed his curiosity about the LDS Church and a desire to know if it is true. We met them Saturday and they were really focused. Apparently his curiosity stems from a Catholic Priest that told him that the LDS Church has the teachings closest to the actual teachings of Jesus Christ - that we have the truth. Yeah, that was unexpected. Golem really wants to know if it is true - as he said the closing prayer, he prayed to know the truth as soon as possible. It was an experience that reminded me of that tender experience with Brother Ford in Chiang Mai when he prayed to know the truth right then. It came for him and I have faith that it will come to him very soon.
Miracles are happening here in Korat. Prepared people are everywhere, and God's hand is always playing a part. It is up to us whether or not we will take the time to recognize Him. It is never too late to help God's children. God's plan is perfect and we can always find ways to take part in His work. Trust God and believe that there are great things to come in His work!
Love you all!
Happy late Thanksgiving too!
Sister Norrell
