29 April 2013

So what happened this week...

We had sports day today and I got to see Sister Sahagun and some other familiar faces! It was so fun. President came. I was sitting on the side not playing dodgeball with a bunch of others, and President Senior was like, Sister Mullen, why aren't you playing. I said, I have glasses. He was like, well so do I. Then I said, and pneomonia. Haha.

PS It was not a regular game of dodgeball. They were playing with hard volleyballs, NOT the light soft red bouncy balls. And they were throwing them at a million mph. Don't Ever.

So Sister Yeo is doing so good with her diet goals. I had one of her crackers...

OH MY GOODNESS! It smells like rabbit food... looks like cardboard/ hamster shavings stuck together, and tastes nothing like the graham cracker I was trying to imagine it becoming. 

I meant to ask you for some fun games or activities for teaching English class? I love it, but I can't look up any activities and ideas on the internet. So if you have any??? Haha, I taught Emotions, lesson 8 this last Tuesday, and it was SO fun because I got to act out the emotions and everyone would laugh. 

We had my first baptism!!! She is 15, we got her dad to sign her permission slip. It was a crazy experience. I am so so so happy for her, but I felt so bad for the dad, he looked so sad. But it is so amazing. I am going to make it a goal to go to so many more baptisms in the future. I just never thought about it. When people are choosing to follow Christ and be baptized, they are also changing the loves of their children, and generations to follow. It's SO much more than the salvation of one, but everyone after them as well.

Her baptism... Felt so bad. The brother that was baptizing her was two hours late!!! But it was ok. It all ended well.

Sickness is getting there. I am still working and doing everything, but I am getting really tired and drowsy from the medicine. So I use my dinner hour to sleep sometimes. haha

Anyways, I am SO excited because Mother's Day is coming up!!! I don't know our plans yet, but maybe try to be online next week, and we can figure out a good time! We have four daters!!! We have a goal of 3 baptisms for May... and FIVE for June! But it's crazy, ever since we made that big goal, people have just been popping up. These two sisters that have come to English classes for maybe a month or two just came up after class and said they want to learn about the other stuff we teach! And the lady that I talked to on the Songtow, she came to English!!! And she is interested in the Gospel!!! We are thrilled.

Anyways, the biggest thing right now I feel I am doing right is loving. Loving everyone. Just making EVERYONE feel good, even investigators that may not seem to have a desire. Looking at everyone as my brother and sister just helps so much more. And it makes me happier than if I were to just go up to someone randomly, it doesn't mean anything. Everyone is special. Everyone is chosen. I feel less stress when I have absolutely NOTHING against someone.

I don't know how to say it. I know it sounds SOOOOO cheesy. But seriously, they say to pray for Christ-like charity everyday, and it is SO important to have. Really. You won't go anywhere unless you have that compassion and sympathy for others.

Speaking of sympathy. Jasmine... remember when we would want to open up a Dog place for all of the sad sick dogs here in Thailand??? Or maybe it was just me. I can't remember. But I have had SUCH a hard time, just passing up a sad sick dog here in Thailand! :( Seriously though. It's hard to stay focused on the work. I just have to keep saying to myself, All Dogs Go To Heaven.

May 18th. An Apostle of the Lord is coming.

That's right. We will get to shake his hand.

Preparing. Anxious. AHHHHH! I AM TOTALLY GOING TO BE BAWLING!

Seriously. Feeling the Spirit in lessons all the time, has not stopped or controlled the tears. I never want to talk, because I will just get choked up, or cry so they can't understand me. Seriously, I'm embarassed for myself. Ok, and I know I am saying seriously a lot.

But seriously. So Blessed.

Love, Sister Mullen

This is where she stayed while first arriving at the mission home in Bangkok.

All the mess she is taking for pneumonia.

Her first Thai meal was khaaw man Kai. (Chicken and rice )

23 April 2013

These are pictures posted by Arthorn Kodchaprom. Thai New Year was April 13th.  The funnest holiday of the year!

22 April 2013

So we went to the doctor and found out I have pnemonia! and sinusitus or something like that... have like 7 pills to take and a nasal spray thing. felt so bad it cost like 4000 baht! Asked our District Elders for a blessing, so all is well. Got my bike! It's alright, we biked for 50 minutes out to one of our daters' house!!! It was crazy hard, still sweating like crazy, but its fun.

Sister Yeo is trying to lose weight for her brother's wedding this summer and for when she goes home. I'm killing her so since I am her last companion, I have the honor of waking up at 6 every morning and go exercise with her. I told her too, that the only reason the ward members don't talk to me about my weight is because they don't love me as much as her, and that they know I'm delicate, so they only say it behind my back. haha

So our first official sunday, because it wasn't general conference... Amazing. SIX investigators came! One of our newer investigators, he just found out he has cancer and his wife is a member and he now wants to hear the message! We taught him after church yesterday and asked him to be baptized! So now we have 4 daters! and one this Saturday! Yesterday in one of our lessons too, I said the First Vision. It was rough because I started crying at the end when I tried to say Hear Ye Him. haha But it was great.

So on our way to an investigator's house yesterday, 2 dogs definitely started chasing me!!! AH! Was scared out of my mind! Out biked them though, like a boss.

This week we had a quick little chat/lesson with one of the members. Some problems at home but I shared, from JSH The part where Joseph was tempted and overcome by Satan when he was praying for the truth. And he says something like "I was destined to prove a disturber and annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me?" I just love it so much. When we have problems or challenges in life, it is God testing us, but it also means that we are strong. We are the strong ones that are building up the kingdom of God and Satan doesn't want that. When we are having challenges in our lives, it just means that we are doing something right. It means that we are just going to be made stronger if we hold out and keep trusting the Lord.

It's been hard for me to go up to people and talk. It's going to take a while I know. I made myself little motivation cards with quotes that I can just quickly read and then just have the courage to just do.

But I got my first phone number from a lady while we were traveling! It was a great feeling!

The Thai food is delicious, but I haven't really had an appetite for it. It's SO weird. I'm not tired of it, I just don't feel like it. It's so weird. But it keeps me focused on the work though, so it's good I guess.

I am wearing my Thai ctr ring everyday and hoping to have a permanent tan by the time I come back.

But yes. This almost 2 weeks being here, I can DEFINITELY see myself loving it. It's SO Hard, but so worth it.

-Sister Mullen

SO SORRY! Forgot my camera cord again! :(

16 April 2013

HELLO!!!

Ah, I don't know where to begin! Plane ride was horrible. Sickness is taking over. But we landed and it was just a MASS of missionaries and luggage. (army of missionaries? ...fasho) Miracle and God's tender mercy #1 of the day was all of our luggage fitting into the truck that we brought. Took the skytrain back to the office. 

Took FOREVER to take pictures with President Senior and Sister Senior, but once he said to the Elders, "The quicker we do this the quicker you get to take off your suit coats!" Then we were done in no time.

OH MY GOODNESS THOUGH, my half Thai is NOT kicking in. I am sweating like crazy. Doesn't matter. I can be sitting down and still be dripping. blech. How is this dignified?

What did I tell you?! First Thai meal, Fried Rice. and then like some cashew chicken stuff. So after lunch they separated us into  4 groups. We did interviews first and signed some paperwork. He asked where I wanted to go. I said anywhere... was that ok to say? I don't know if it was a trick question! Because I DEFINITELY know where I want to go. Then we went to the doctor and got some blood work taken care of. Then took a picture for our medical cards... (ya, we ALL look terrible.) Then we did the Dan Jones Activity. Just took a Book Of Mormon and our testimony to the busy people of Thailand. I went up to a lady and she was like walking backwards looking all scared of me haha. Then I placed it with this guy name, Pea. It was cool. Then we headed back to do more orientation stuff.

Then dinner was Pizza! I just want Thai food. haha Then we all headed back to the hotel which was really nice, and passed out.

So next day, went to the transfer meeting and they had us all secluded for the longest time. We were there an hour early so they were just like, ok... just do some personal study in here until we begin the training meeting. haha

Did that and then they took us to another smaller room where all of our luggage was and ate lunch by ourselves. I was so anxious. 

Then they had us walk the LONGEST walk ever into the transfer meeting room where everyone cheered. It's really cool though... Everyone is so excited by all 35 of us coming. Then for the opening song we sang Called to Serve in Thai and they sang it at 12093486092374 miles per hour, just to scare us I'm sure. I just laughed the WHOLE time.

So now I am here. In Bangkapi. With my trainer Sister Yeo. The goodbyes were weird. Like I said, just pray for me that I don't miss my MTC family too much. Ahh, so hard. But I love it here. Love Sister Yeo. So I guess a tradition is that all the missionaries go to this restaurant after transfer meetings. Guess what... its MEXICAN! 

I totally just ordered off of the Thai menu. Yup, you guessed it. Thom Kha Kai.

We had to leave quick though because we had TWO lessons that very night! I totally cried in the second one when I bore my testimony. Whatever. haha.

So yeah. Pray for me today. It's my first day with the phone!!! AHH! I can't even do it when talking to family without you both there right by me, with it on speaker, and you telling me everything I need to say!!! Ah!!!

woops, totally forgot my camera cord. sorry. No pictures this week!

I don't know the address sorry. Is it not something that can be looked up? Sorry I don't know anything! We played songkran yesterday though! Woah. We were planning on going to Siilom because tons of people go and our trainers said it was SUPER fun. But we got a call that morning saying President did not want us going there! So we walked around a lot wearing our songkran shirts pouring water on ourselves. 

But then we decided to go towards Siam. Oh man, there was a foam pit? Idon't know they just blew a ton of soapy stuff in this huge area. Anyways, its rough. Can't talk pictures of Songkran but so fun. We have had a curfew of 6 pm the passed several days because of the excited people during this time. We were SO grateful bc we were taking a taxi home one day with was so chalaad (smart) because some guys were upsetting some women who were just walking by. It was pretty scary.

We have 4 Elders in our district here and it is so nice. One is Elder Flannary. He has been here about a month. He was one of our Phii Thais in the MTC! and Elder Delagarza was an Elder in the other district, but its so nice to see them all everyday. We just look all scared but excited when around the ward members.

The members are SO wonderful. Daddy! Somebody knows you! She said she went on a date with you once? haha Sister Toy or something like that! Think REALLY hard!

I got a new name tag but I don't know if I like it. they gave me a saraa -cc for the vowel :( so it's like Mawlen. or however you would spell it.

I will try and send a letter soon. and that will have the address on it. So I lost 19 pounds in the MTC! woah right? haha. but yeah so I'm doing ok. Talked to our medical serving Sister here. SO cute. her husband is filming an I'm a Mormon video or something for the Thailand mission. So when we first got here, he was always just running around to get in front of us to film us walking out of the airport and stuff. haha Ah, the senior missionaries are wonderful. Anyways, I talked to her and she told me to talk 3 cloves of garlic a day and then at night rub cut up garlic on my foot.

Ah! totally did it though! Hasn't worked though so pray for good health! haha

But other than that and sweating abnormally for a half Thai  I am loving it here. I think I came out with confidence from the MTC, but I have felt like it's bigger than me here. OBVIOUSLY. its god's work. I read the talk The Fourth Missionary and its changed everything. Seriously. I've got my homecoming talk all ready... READ IT.

And General Conference, oh my goodness. Everyone should have the opportunity to watch it twice. We watched it in English, just all of our district (4 elders, and us 2 sisters.) Some feel asleep. Amazingly though... I didn't EVER fall asleep. in the MTC and here. Crazy right? First time in years.

LOVED Elder Holland. just that reassurance that my best is good enough. and President Uchtdorf: "Are we becoming who we were designed to be" We are promised  His light. and President Monson and his stories, AH! best facial expressions ever!!!

I've just learned so much about the love of God. And only realized how AMAZING these trials are. They show us our weaknesses so that we have that opportunity to humble ourselves and turn to Him that created us.

I want more than anything these next several months, to allow the Lord to mold me. Because I really don't think I have ever given my whole self to Him like that. In the Fourth Missionary talk it talks about things that we give to God that are already His. Like tithing, or time, or talents. These are things that He has given to you.

But our will. That is something that can officially start the consecrating process. And by doing this... "it's the intelligent thing to do."

How much easier is it going to be on my mission if I just give Everything to Him so that I can be His, and everything I do is that godly potential He has for each of us?

Ah, It's so amazing. This plan He has is for designed for our success. I love it so much!!!

Love you family so much! Thank you for keeping in touch! I love hearing from home!

-Sister Mullen

_____________________________________________________________________________

also, forgot to say to pray that i train well.

so in the summer they are expecting 50 missionaries! and many of us greenies are killing our trainers (our trainers will be ending their missions after this transfer)

so with all of the Thai missionaries, and still experienced missionaries still in, and with how many sister missionaries there will be coming in with that group... there will be 2 or 3 of us NEWBIES training at the end of training!!!

So PRAY.

But Sister Yeo is wonderful and I am already learning so much from her. and this training program is supposed to prepare us to train at the end of training, right? So I should be good. 

Hahaha aHHHHHHHHHH!!!

no but really. its cool.

9 April 2013

Sister Mullen called us last night from LAX. She sounded very happy and excited to be going to Thailand! She even spoke some Thai for us - needless to say we were very impressed!

Her new address is:
Sister Rachel Mullen
Thailand Bangkok Mission
1645/6 New Phetchaburi Road
Makkasan, Ratchathewi
Bangkok, Thailand 10400

2 April 2013

 

Sisters need pockets!

We have to go TWO HOURS early to choir practice if we want to be in it!

Just waiting for choir!

Both Thai District Sister Missionaries!

With Sister Tansankul

With the lovely Sister Painter and Sahagun at the temple.

Sister Lethco and I on our way back from the temple!

um yeah. funniest picture of my life. on our way back from the temple! haha

This is our last week so it is Definitely bittersweet. Trying not to cry haha.

Ok... now so LAST week I had a fever for maybe 4 days?? Yeah I've been sick forever. And then a couple days ago it's been coughing attacks ALL the time and so bad that it making me throw up! But I think its getting better.  Yesterday was the last day that Sister Hirschi (one of our 3 amazing teachers) will be teaching us. She is THE most amazing missionary. She was our VERY first teacher, so she is SO special to all of our hearts. At the end, she shared with us a picture of Sister Nun ( the Thai investigator she was pretending to be as we taught her)  Ahh, I was a mess!!! Last she bore her testimony to us in Thai. And when she said Sister Ruu Waa (I know that)... She started to cry , We all started to cry. She was our first teacher to teach us those words. That taught us how to bear our testimony. It was so powerful. She said she loves the Thai people so much and that she knows they are going into good hands. Ahh, I'm crying right now so I'll stop.

Daddy, How did they spell Mullen in Thai? We got our Thai name tags. Woops. Should have taken a picture and sent it. But supposedly it's wrong. We had that Sister who is from Thailand come and read all our name tags and she said she couldn't read mine. All my district was laughing at the Half-Thai's name tag that was the ONLY wrong one haha

We are hopefully going to get another day to do laundry. Got our travel plans. Leave around 4:30 pm on Monday! So I can probably call when you are both still home. Today was our last day at the temple. Went through a session with the whole district.

Oh and Sister Sahagun DOES know Karissa! So funny! haha they were friends in like 3rd grade! haha

I will write more in a letter if I remember anything else.

Sister Mullen

this WHOLE MTC Experience has been SO wonderful. It's bittersweet. I Don't want to leave my district or my teachers but I am smiling ear to ear just thinking about finally getting to Thailand and teaching!!!