Lost in Thailand?

Fun story. Yesterday, on our way back from inviting at Mall Bunkhapi, I took a nap on the bus. Yes, you got it. I awoke to being the last person on the bus. Not only this, but the bus was pulling into (for ease of communication, I suppose we could call it the) "bus headquarters." It wasn't even a bus stop as it was literally past the last stop! This all happening due to a terrible miscommunication between my companion and I which resulted in me resuming my nap and missing our stop. A miscommunication made in English. Fortunately, my abilities in Thai has improved a little. I borrowed a lady's phone and called the number on the back of our inviting cards, informed an Elder of the situation and asked him to alert my companion that I was in good health and to meet me at the church. After which, I called down a taxi and returned to church! On the way, I had a good discussion with the taxi driver. I learned that he had two sons, one being 24 and the other 15. He was 47 years old and loved to sing! I didn't ask him to sing. I didn't want to put the both of us in an uncomfortable position..Anyways, he was not interested in the great message as he was Buddhist, but I gave him an inviting card with the information of when and where church is. I practically took him to church already as that is where he dropped me off so we will see what happens going further. Probably nothing will come of it, but his conversion would be an exciting story! If anything, this experience allowed me to plant a small seed. I hope that at the very least, he has had a good first impression of missionaries.

This is probably one of my favorite experiences on the mission. It was neat to find out that I really am improving in the language! Kind of having to play the role of senior companion in finding my way back home! What was particularly surprising to me was my lack of fear for I knew in whom I have trusted. It was so much fun! (Not promoting that you separate from your companion to gain experience for the fun of it.)

I heard that I will have an Elder from home joining me in the Field soon! Elder McCown! I have been informed that he will be entering the MTC in March so I might just get to see him in April or May! As expressed by some others, it would be an amazing experience to get to serve together as it wouldn't be too surprising for me to begin training from next transfer. Do I feel ready for that? Honestly, no.

I have been beginning to experience what is surely true conversion. Should you have asked me as to whether I have been committed and converted to this gospel before my mission, I would have argued that I was. 100% Fully, to the core, every atom of my body infused to the gospel! I was wrong. I have underestimated what is required of you to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I have much to learn and am so excited for this beautiful journey. I know in whom I trust, and am willing to give everything up to follow him. I know that He lives, and by and through him we find the greatest joy. This being the only joy that can satisfy our souls.

Merry Christmas from Thailand

Are you familiar with that feeling after a nice good run where it feels like your whole body is covered in a layer of moisture; clothes sticking to your skin? That is how we celebrate Christmas here in Thailand. No running required. You are simply graced with the feeling of having done a full body workout 24/7. It feels like missionary work and I love it.

Christmas here has been absolutely spectacular. The day I'm writing this is in all honesty Monday, the day after Christmas but it's alright. International times tables can be difficult to work with.

I've been trying my best to write things of significant matters that are to the point in these weekly emails. Not so much a story of day to day activities but something closer to events or moments throughout the week that has had spiritual significance. In Nephi's words, things that are of my soul. In this sense, my journal is an invaluably prized possession for me, as it is a record of many moments in my life where I have been changed, hopefully to never be the same again.

Elder Holland gave an address in Thailand some years ago, saying that a missionary cannot go back to who he once was. He must grow beyond the man he has become after the mission, never reverting back to the child he left behind. I might have tweaked a few words here and there, but the general message is still the same. In part of this reason, I keep a record of such experiences that change me, that I might remain changed and grow always. Too frequently I took things of a sacred nature too lightly. I am beginning to understand the depth of conviction Elder Holland has as to the importance of missionary work. The importance to stand tall, do all that you can do, and be all that you can be. I have much to improve.

It has been lovely to see and hear about the affairs of my family back home. D&C 100 has been proving to fruition. The Lord seems to has blessing my family greatly. I miss and love them so much, but every other family deserves to be with their's for all of eternity, so a small sacrifice from my part is very little to give back. It doesn't feel like a sacrifice at all by the way I have been receiving an abundance of blessings.

Merry Christmas from Bunkapi, Thailand!!! This picture, is another very cool story. Perhaps for next time.

**Thank you seminary teachers. I am forever in the debt of the influence you have been on me.
****Thank you also to my awesome MTC teachers/instructors. I have learned so much through your examples and testimonies.

Until next week,
Elder Miyagi

White Christmas!

Helloooo.

Merry almost Christmas!

Yesterday, we had three baptisms as two of our investigators got baptized and 1 of Elder Libey's (Same district in MTC and current district) got baptized. They are so awesome!

Brother Khram was an interesting story. บ. คราม basically just showed up at church one day saying he wanted to get baptized. Turns out that he had already met with the missionaries but couldn't at the time due to him being unmarried and having a child. He has such a strong testimony and loves his kids so much.

Brother Gah, was my first investigator that I met my first official day serving in Thailand. บ. กร้อ was really quiet at first but is now super talkative and comfortable around us. He was so nervous bearing his testimony after he received baptism. บ. แอท (Brother Art), Elder Rawlinson's former investigator and now member baptized him as they are really close friends. It was an especially special moment for him as someone he taught baptized another.

Today we're going to Chinatown and Elder Libey and I are on splits as our companions had no interest in going with us. We also have to squeeze in a haircut before we head out so our emailing time today will be cut a little short.

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From left to right, Elder Rawlinson, Myself, Brother Gah, Brother Khram, Brother Chase, Brother Dewy(Peace Sign), Brother Art, Elder Tuttle, and Elder Libey. Fine bunch of people.

Smile through any manner of great tribulation. Last P-day. Really photogenic looking Crocodiles.

That's me and Zoey! See you next week everyone! Merry Christmas!

Episode 22 (Prepare, Covenant, Serve)

Ep. 21 Last week on the Thailand Bangkok Mission Diaries..

Life is pretty Sabay.. All is well.

Ep. 22

A thought in the week.

A man is better judged by his full potential than by what he has already accomplished in life. A meager few years is nothing in comparison to eternity! As we strive to remember our own divine identity and worth, let us not forget the divine identity and worth of those that persecute us. This is where one might say, it's easier said than done. I could not agree more. However, no great pursuit can be accomplished so easily.

Some random quotes from the Liahona and Ensign.

"One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes."

-Saint-Exupéry's Little Prince

"We tread a path covered with diamonds, but we can scarcely distinguish them from ordinary pebbles."

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I especially love this quote. I feel that I was as a little child, too entranced by the ordinary pebbles and not understanding the beautiful worth of diamonds. I think I am beginning to understand how I am to apply "Good, Better, and Best" into my life. Too much Netflix permission. Regrettably.

"We should not assume that just because something is unexplainable by us it is unexplainable."

-Neal A. Maxwell

"Real charity is a priceless gift that propels us to act in the Savior's place."

-J. Audrey Hammer

I had the opportunity to baptize the Sister Missionary's investigator, Brother Fluke. The hand of the Lord is truly here in Thailand.

I definitely do wish that I have prepared myself more for my mission. More so to do with my habits than anything else. A thirst to read from the Liahona and Book of Mormon! To go to church and meet with the members! To reach out to less active members and to comfort, abide, and guide. All of us have the capacity to serve. All of us should we simply desire can change lives. You might do so now by reaching out to somebody who you might think might be feeling a little down.

By serving with what sometimes feels like little talent and long grueling amounts of time, I have come to see the hand of the Lord more frequently. I have seen His perfect love for all. These past few weeks have humbled me greatly. I am so grateful to see the miracle of hearts being changed. Especially my own.

Our Success

Okay where are we at..

We have three investigators with pretty promising baptismal dates this month. It's so exciting for my companion and I! We are all extremely excited for Christmas as well! No snow in sight, but we have 90 degree whether instead of 95 so that's a plus. 

My companion and I have been showing the "Light of the World" video to our English Students and Investigators. My companion always gives me this glance and half smile whenever the part I'm in comes up. We don't say anything as we do our best not to disrupt the Spirit. What's funny is that Elder Kang from back home who was in the same video said that this was exactly what I would be doing in Thailand on the day we were shooting. I wasn't really sure, but what he said rang true. The metaphor portrayed in the film, of serving as the Savior did is one that rings especially close to my heart now that I have the opportunity to serve as a literal representative of Jesus Christ. 

An experience I recorded in my journal is that of inviting. We made a goal to receive 30 numbers/contacts. Halfway through our inviting session my companion asked how many I numbers I have been able to receive. My results were half of that of my companions. I was quietly discouraged but I continued in the work. At the end of our session, we were shy of hitting 30 contacts. But I learned afterwards that I was comparing myself to the labors of both of our efforts! Regrettably, I felt a sense of relief. But afterwards, I learned something that I would have thought I already knew. I thought I understood what it meant to not compare myself to other people. But clearly I did not in the moment of my inadequacy. I felt discouraged that I was not doing my part in bringing up the kingdom! I too quickly forgot that this is not my work but the Lord's. So long as I do my best, it is enough. For he will direct my paths. The numbers do not matter. What matters is our willingness to follow the promptings of the Spirit with the entirety of our efforts. To give our all to this great work. At the end of the day, we hit our 30 number quota. Well, thanks to my companion we exceeded it. And I later learned to rejoice in the success of my companion! As my MTC instructors said, your companion's success is your success. Should one of you fail, all of you fail.

Should we always compare ourselves to other people, we will always walk away disappointed. Reflecting on it, it's funny how I was comparing myself to an Elder who has been doing this for over a year! Pride is the beginning of irrationality. Just do better today and even more so tomorrow. Enduring to the end is a personal responsibility. I'm still learning this myself. 

*I apologize for the numerous grammatical mistakes and incoherent sentences. I don't have the time to revise it.

It's Thailand

Before I forget, the Address some of you have requested is..

1645/6 New Phetchburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathewi Bangkok 10400 Thailand.

Life has been so good here in Thailand. Some moments have been extremely challenging, but other moments have made it so worth it. 

I have had a chance to socialize with the members a little more this week. They are so kind to me. They are my favorite! Inviting has probably been one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences I have had here in Bunnkhapphi(Will never know how to spell that in English). Most will ignore you politely, and others will shrug you off within moments. Some will listen, but not be interested. But there are a few where you can just see that they recognize something different in you. That there is something special about your message. I give many personal prayers throughout our inviting sessions. That I might meet someone that needs and would be willing to accept the message. That I might be comforted. 

It was interesting to see the change of my own heart. At first, it was a prayer of comfort to overcome my own pride. To help me understand that this work was greater than myself and that I was a mere instrument in the hands of the Lord. But soon my prayers changed to that of a desire to feel comforted in the sorrow I felt not for myself, but for those that rejected His message. I felt a sorrow I have regrettably too rarely experienced. A sorrow not for myself, but for others. I feel my heart beginning to turn outwards. ​

On a particular day where inviting was particularly hard, I wondered if this was how the Savior felt when His message was rejected by many. In this I felt closer to the Savior, as I experienced the tiniest fraction of what He experienced. Through this experience, I have become especially grateful for the members at church and for the faith they bring. It helps put things into perspective as it helps me see the goal I am progressing towards to. We have two Brothers with baptismal dates coming up really soon. I pray that they might make it into the waters of baptism. Though this path of the Savior is hard and difficult at times, I know that it is the only path which leads to true and lasting happiness.

Shout out to those I have not had the chance to email back..I love you guys.

Life is so Sabay

A large swirl of emotions never ceasing to find its climatic end. Which is a good thing. 

 

 

Food is amazing. Oh it's so good. There are these food courts here that are kind of like the ones you might find in Japan. But cheaper. A meal you might buy for about 50baht. About $1.50 in USD's. Delicious. I'll send pictures next week. 

I had the opportunity to bear my testimony in Thai during sacrament meeting. That was a really neat experience. I wasn't scared. I felt confident. Hopefully the reason being I have my trust in the Lord.
 

 

My new companion is Elder Rawlinson who has been incredibly patient with me. I love him already. He is from Gilbert Arizona. Half American and Half Chinese. His Thai is excellent so I'm hoping that it will rub off on me. I have already received quite an amount of coaching. 

I've gotten out of my bubble of uneasiness on the first few days with contacting. Everyone walking is no match for me and my bicycle. We have two new promising investigators since my arrival. Perhaps one. We'll see how Brother Kang pans out. We met Brother Kang when we were out walking to a store to purchase a bicycle for myself. We just casually started talking with him, and then began talking of God, church, and religion. He agreed to meet with us for a short period just then! We took him to the church close by, taught him the first discussion introducing the Book of Mormon and Moroni's Promise. Showed him the chapel and the insides of the church. It was so neat to have such a success on the first day of street contacting! Apparently, everyday is not like this....We'll see if that really is the case. The Lord has truly prepared the hearts of the people here. I hope that I may be adequate to relay the message of our Savior according to His will. 

The effects of jetlag have been minimal on my body as I slept nearly the entire plane ride. It was so nice to be able to sleep for a change.
 

 

I am so grateful for my opportunity to serve a mission. To meet so many wonderful members and potential investigators also! So many kind hearts are here in Thailand. So willing to listen. One thing I found interesting is that the people here are so shy! So you have to be careful when talking with them. I've been making sure to smile and talk with enthusiasm. In return, they have a whole lot to say and I kind of fade into the background and let my companion do the interpreting and talking. They talk really fast here...Very humbling. Very Happy.

Until next aathid, Elder Miyagi.