15 July 2013

Rachel

Yeah, seeing family can be a bit hectic... (*oops! did I say that out loud???) haha just kidding. Just always remembering charity and love to even those that make it hard.

Mahasarakham is great! We are striving each week to meet our goals and are just looking for people to teach right now. So a LOT of just going up to people and testifying of Christ. The gratitude and excitement of having Sisters here has not died down. I just hope that we do the work that they have been expecting this whole time.  But I feel it is getting easier and easier to see God's hand in this work. We talk to someone everyday that I just know, God has been preparing their heart and even if they don't call us back, they were touched by Christ and THAT is what will continue to work in them.

Ok, some funny moments. After our district meeting we all went to the kitchen and there was a bird in the church. so the Elder Attasit took a garbage can lid and tried to guide it out the window or door. The bird finally took flight, was going a little crazy and started making its way towards the door. We were like, cheering so happy. And it was like a foot too high and BOOM! it hit the wall instead and fell to the ground!

Oh my goodness you best believe I was laughing. crying. i didn't know what to feel.

Isan food, you know i love this stuff. but something did not agree with me this week. NO I didn't have diahrea or however you spell it. dont forget. sisters dont do that. 

no but i threw up. i never thought i would have to use that peptobismol but i did and im great now

So that's all for this week. Usually I would leave you with something that I have learned this week, but I will leave you with something I am still learning and trying to apply: Trust in the Lord.

This whole training business has caused me a lot to reflect on every little thing that I am doing here in Mahasarakham and that can make someone sad. It doesn't mean that you stop trying... But I am trying to learn that with an honest and righteous effort, God will magnify my contribution, whatever I have to give. Someone didnt just give me this calling, Heavenly Father did, and if he puts all this trust in me, how does that not give me confidence? Whatever we are going through, don't worry. If we have chosen Him, He will help us. And that alone, allows for success.

Sister Mullen

8 July 2013

Rachel

I'm so happy I got to see your reaction to finding out where I was moving too. When Sister Yeo found out, I was SO dramatic in telling her, ok DONT tell me. She gets all quiet, her eyes are a little watering from the excitement, and she just smiles and says, "Im going to be Grandma" Hahahaha! oh my goodness I was dying. (As my trainer she is like my mom. so if I train, its her grandchild.) So yes, there were no changes made after you found out. I am in Mahasarakham! It is wonderful! On Tuesday we were making jello for English Showcase that night, and we got the call. FOUR missionaries from Bangkapi were moving! So only one of the six of us were staying in Bangkapi. It was crazy. Especially since we told everyone, yeah Sister Yeo is finishing her mission in Bangkapi but I will stay forever. I had accepted training already and thought it only possible if I stay in Bangkapi. On our way to transfers was when the AP called that morning he said, "Congratulations. you have been chosen to train one of the new missionaries." It was crazy. Moving to a new place AND training after training?! But it's been great. SEVEN other Sisters in my group are training!!! Its so wonderful and I can already guess the wonderful things that are going to come from this change!

The Elders are a great help. We came by bus for 6 hours and arrived around 1ish am. There were no taxis there so the Elders got on their bike to go look for one while we watched our stuff. They came back with a man driving a truck. We, of course, are not allowed to be in the car with him, so we put on the Elders' helmets and rode our bikes, following them in the man's truck. Haha it's been fun. and Oh my goodness the members are wonderful! When we woke up that morning, Sister Nok knocked on our door. She said, do you have any food for breakfast? She came back with monkuts, pineapple, and a knife! SO Sweet, and after she left two more members called and asked if we needed any help, if we needed a car to go buy things. I haven't had a moment to think of my problems or inadequacies being here training and opening an area, because everyone is a Christ-like member.

We met a lady who worked as the house maid. I showed her your Mahasarakham picture and she screamed! She remembered you!!! I will have to take a picture for you.

My child is wonderful! She is just like my companion in the MTC! She has TWO of her skirts! She believes in me and that is the sweetest thing she can do because I know I'm a hot mess. We are equals and it feels great knowing that we are helping eachother. When we go out inviting with each other we admit to each other we are scared, but then we overcome it together it feels so good and rewarding. I love her so much! She is so good at Thai and READING! She is willing to do everything and Ah! I just love her.

The members here are amazing. Usually we just go out with members and hand out English fliers, but we don't have anymore here. So we have the Gospel ones. And they are ALL for it. They made appointments with us to go inviting. And we will see them go up to their own people and testify of Christ and it is such a testimony builder for me. We went out with the young women and they were so energetic and ready to go up to these people. Some are preparing to go on missions and I asked them if they wanted to serve here in Thailand and they said yes. This work and passion for the building of the church for a Temple, a House of the Lord, is so motivating for me. They want to help and be a part of this work in their own country for the people they love. It makes me wonder why am I so scared sharing this with the people that I love. 

Inviting my friends and the people that I love to learn the Gospel has always been a fear, and it still may be, but just counting 1,2,3 and just saying it... means that you have done it. and it is up to their decision now that you have given them the choice. But I dont ever want to look back and them ask why I never said anything about the thing that matters most to me.

I loved seeing you all who came to Bangkapi and I am SO happy you got to see Bishop and members! 

Sister Mullen

8 July 2013

Jasmine

Ah! you saw rachel!!! i'm so jealous. Thats so cool though. I'm glad I wasn't there and that I'm on my mission. I wouldn't have wanted to leave her! I miss kunyai and som so much! I miss everyone! Oh thats so cool. Going to that branch seems like so long ago! Thats cool that many members are still there though. I sent home a lot of pictures for you guys. I put them all on a cd and printed some. So be ready! No I am good! I bought a lot at the store this week. So sorry about the 40 bucks missing on my card. Is mommy still sending my skirts? (JUST WONDERING) Also she said she sent me shoes but I haven't gotten any yet. So I hope that you guys can figure that out so that money isn't just missing. 

So my floss thing kinda backfired. I was so excited to buy new floss that i got a cheapo kind and it was AWFUL. It cut my gums so I splurged this week and got the good kind haha. 

Anyway this week has been amazing! We had a sisters conference. I got to see all the people I came out with. I dont know who reads these emails but if somehow you could let Kristen Nielson know, There's a sister I came out with and I found out that she knows kyle and his wife! She was at their wedding and took their pictures. She's awesome and we get along really well. Her name is Sister Robinson. Hopefully I can figure out how to send that picture soon of us. Um but yeah sisters conference is just what I needed. I love being obedient but i've been beating myself up i guess haha most sisters do. But I just hate having a car because i dont feel like a missionary sometimes. haha my trainer had to help me understand that we are doing missionary work when we drive, even if it takes a while. I guess i had the impression that I needed to be sweating and have blisters all the time to be counted as an obedient missionary. But President Holm is amazing and the first thing he said was You're Perfect. And thats all i needed haha. But yeah then we had Zone Teaching the day after and our leaders challenged us to a 21 day fast. We right down things that are in our hearts that are not helping us in the work and fast for 21 days from them. I started that 3 days ago and these past 3 days have been by far the BEST days in my mission. Forgetting myself is getting easier each day. I've had hard days but the spirit won't let me stop teaching and i'm thankful for that. 

I've learned so much about the gospel through our investigators. I've learned that I can live without everything EXCEPT the gospel. I need it. I love everything about the gospel. Oh i'm in ALMA for my BOM reading now. Ah. I love it. But I know its a mountain to climb over haha. My companion Sister McHaley is reading the old testament and every morning she gets drained from it haha. Oh and my other companion sister Makin will randomly talk in accents to people. 

Shareba came to church on Sunday! It was awesome. She brought her 2 kids. The ward was so great at welcoming her. Ernest didn't come but we talked to him. He keeps telling us he's moving but he wants to get baptized. So i'm not really sure whats happening. We found out that sister mchaley actually met him in march! he was in our records and our phone so we were super confused haha. but yeah these past 3 days have been amazing. Even with going in early on the 4th and our meetings we were able to meet all our goals and i know its because i'm trying so much harder to forget myself. Thank you everyone for the emails! I got so many this week and i love reading them. Have fun in Thailand and feel free to stop by SC so that I can get some food from you guys. THeres a thai restaurant here but its owned my an indian and a cambodian. so not really sure how that works. I love being a missionary. I've already been out a month. its craziness. I love this life. Miss you all!

-Love always 

Sister Mullen

1 July 2013

Rachel

4 DAYS LEFT OF THIS TRANSFER! I can't believe it is coming to an end... training. We should get a call tomorrow who is moving. I think they also tell if someone is training also. So we will see. We have payagoned (or predicted). I'm sure it's a sin. But I'm so anxious, we've got to... We think there will be another sister area opened. Maybe some white washes. Its going to be an exciting transfer! I have been having trouble sleeping because it feels like christmas eve or something.

I led a lot of lessons this week. It's been a challenge, but I know this is what training is for... to not be easy. But I love it so much. It's hard to see the change in yourself, but I feel like on a mission it happens so much and so fast that it's encouraging at times.

It is rainy season. done.

No but seriously. The days I wear my crocs it doesnt rain, and when I don't it rains! We even had ANOTHER movie moment where we were standing on the side of the road and a bus zooms passed us and the water splashes ALL over us.

God loves his missionaries.

Sister Yeo and I did 2 musical numbers yesterday in church. One with the Bishop. We meet with the Bishop every week as missionaries and afterwards he was like, I want to sing with you after we told him we were singing in sacrament meeting. And made like a sad face. So we were like, Ok! Hahaha it was WAY funny. He is SO amazing.

I have learned a lot about the spirit this week and just following the promptings. Like, seriously though. If you think about it, how special is it that we have Angels talking to us. We are accessing the literal powers of heaven.

There is no doubt in my mind this church is not true.

Sister Mullen

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Quick response from Dad - "you mean you have no doubt that the church IS true right?!"

Rachel's response - "bahaha...oh my goodness.yes. Hahahahahaha!"

1 July 2013

Jasmine

Hi daddio and momma!

so guess what? the strangest thing to ever happen HAPPENED. I RAN OUT OF FLOSS THIS WEEK. thats right momma. Your babygirl is NOT trying to have gum surgery when she gets home. I floss all the time. its a little ridiculous. So this week has been great. I'm going to try and make more sense this time. Well everyone thinks im 17. I dont know why. I met the ellisons! Its so nice to be related to someone. Genealogy is cool. Good job grandmama!

So I told a family that I played water polo in high school. They told a bunch of other people. They are just as surprised as you guys were haha.

Nope. No word on my visa. I'm actually not thinking about it too much. We have too many people to think about for me to do that. Haha. Which is great. Sometimes I forget that this isn't where i'm going to be my whole mission. My trainer sister mchaley has been here for 6 months. So its weird to think that I won't be here that long. I am a little scared though for when i do leave. I don't know what its going to feel like. This all feels like a dream. Like in Jacob 7. Thats exactly what I feel like.

So I've been trying to submit my will a little bit more every day. Its so hard. Its not like i'm homesick but I do think about home sometimes. It was kind of a slap in the face one day when an investigator took us out to breakfast (which was awesome) and looked at me and asked randomly if i was homesick. I guess it was stamped on my forehead that I wasn't focused. I started reading talks about it. and there is one by neal a maxwell im pretty sure and he was like
Suppose Enoch had demurred when called by the Lord? He would have gone on being a good person, serving the Lord part-time, living in a city which was a slum compared to the glorious City of Enoch; nor would Enoch be a part of that scene of glorious greeting yet to come. (See Moses 7:63.)

Suppose Peter had not left his nets “straightway”? (See Mark 1:18.) He might have become the respected president of the local Galilean fishermen’s association. But he would not have been on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus, Moses, and Elias and heard the voice of God. (See Matt. 17:4.)

I just think thats funny haha. such a a hit in the head. Anyway yeah and rachel told me something last week. to just choose my feelings and thats what i needed so much. Its been easier to get out of my moods ( you guys know what im talking about. the ones where i'm a brat) haha. but its so hard to work when im tired. i was literally falling asleep in a lesson one day haha it was awful and i shouldn't laugh. but i am.

Um. our investigators are amazing. Shareba keeps reading the book of mormon on her own. and the cool thing is after she reads a verse she applies it. Thats how we taught her one day and now she does it all the time. it takes us an hour to read one chapter but it an amazing spirit. We had to drop some people this week. This one less active is kinda just lost. She is becoming a minister at her new church and i think she thought we were there for her to teach us. so it was super sad. Another guy just kept meeting with us to ask for money. so that was hard.

But earnest! ah! earnest makes me so happy. he is just the best. he literally walked up to US and started asking questions. THAT NEVER HAPPENS. people pretend they aren't home or avoid us. haha. I finally recited the first vision for the first time to him and started crying of course and then i couldn't remember what i was saying so i messed it all up. but he told me later that that was the best part. which is weird because smooth lessons always seem better. anyway. but yeah he invited himself to church and wants to learn more! its great.

NO! i love the pictures of you guys. send me more! I always joke and say my whole family is in Thailand but me. i mean its true but its just funny. Tell everyone i miss them.

I haven't really gotten any southern food. besides fat back. every one scared me like it was gonna make me throw up. but its just like that stuff mommy used to get where we would put rice in it and it was like pig fat or something.

oh someone invited us in for breakfast. haha he was hung over. it was awko.

im so jealous of you guys! keep sending me pictures. mommy thank you so much for my bag and everything. thank you for writing me! i love you guys! oh and send me your phone number just in case so in case you're in thailand and i suddenly get my visa i can know how to call you there.
love you! miss you lots!

sorry my emails are so long haha. i just have a lot to say.

24 June 2013

I can't believe that I've been out here for almost 2 weeks. Time is just flying by. Its so funny because now I think im just going to start telling the members that I'm from Thailand. I've gotten like 5 encounters this week where i can feel people just staring at me, THEN ask where I'm from and when i say California, they get an even more confused look on their face. Its hilarious but super awkward at the same time. So my companions have realized that I eat like i'm pregnant. I eat the most random meals I guess and just keep eating. I'm glad we walk a lot because I would have gained 50 pounds by now. 

Okay hopefully I remember everything that happened so i can tell you all in one email. But yeah the members here are great (and even better by that broadcast last night! AMAZING) but yeah it was kind of hard for me at first because my trainer Sister McHaley has been here for 5 months and everyone LOVES her. I love her. She reminds me of Hilary sometimes haha. But yeah she's so perkey and bubbly all the time. But I can't be like that all the time haha. So I hope the members aren't getting the wrong idea about me. Okay back to the point. anyway so members are kind of distant still from the missionaries because, missionaries in the past haven't been as motivated i guess. But we're trying to change that! The ward members are so willing to help with anything and everything though. the young women are so cute! 

This week was a bit tougher on my spiritual needs but sundays always snap me back into place, which im grateful for, so you guys dont have to think im depressed or something haha. But yeah I was struggling with the belief that I could baptize. I didn't think that I was distracted by this visa waiting thing but just this thought that i could leave soon made me less motivated to try because its not like i would see them take that amazing step in their lives. But then i relaized it doesn't matter. as long as their progressing. I have no idea if that made sense but yeah thats how i felt. 

I've also struggled with patience. haha I love the people we teach so much and it frustrates me when they dont see why they need this! ahh! this one lady is less active and she believes its true and the Book of Mormon but still wants to go to her chruch even though no one else believes in the Book of Mormon. I was trying not to have a dirty look on my face haha. I was just so confused and she kep talking in circles and I couldnt follow. The spirit told me to keep my mouth shut though because anything I would say would just be bashing with her haha. 

Heavenly Father has helped me so much though this week with forgetting myself. At first i was wondering why it was so hard, duh i wasn't asking for help! haha how dumb am i? But these past few days its been easier ah i love it so much. i love teaching. sort of. 

oh people here in the south say: WWJD: you go done what jesus done told you to do. haha man i could laugh at these accents all day!

Shamone Peterson got bapitzed wednesday and confirmed sunday! whooo! it was amazing she was so ready to be baptized. I love her. We prayed and fasted for her last week so that she would find a job and be able to move into a better area. Elder clifford said that when he was baptizing her he said amen and she already started falling backwards. She didn't even wait to plug her nose. it was so funny!

We had lunch with the president on...well im not sure what day it was anymore but last week sometime. and Sister Makin didn't have her tag on the whole time haah! it was hilarious. she keep putting her hair in front so he wouldn't see. 

We tried to go teach this alcoholic darren this is how the conversation went: 

"have you been reading?"

"yes.....no."

"have you been drinking?"

"no...yes." 

haha then we left and rescheduled. he forgets about us a lot. 

We teach this lady maggie. She's amazing. Her two daughters are amazing. She has to work all the time so its hard for us to keep up with her. And WILLIE! ahh willie is 65 years old and has a problem smoking. he's got a lot of health issues so we just need him to come to church one more time so he can get baptized. he's trying to stop smoking. We prayed for a miracle sunday that he would somehow be able to make it. He didn't but we were blessed with another miracle! a different investigator Carolyn came and she knew some women in relief society so it was great. we were NOT expecting her at all so it was the best feeling. oh the other day when we went and saw sister roderick. it was super weird she held us for like 5 minutes each shouting hallelujah and thanking the lord. I guess thats good, i just couldnt help but laugh haha. Sorry this is super long. I guess thats it for now.

I pray for you every night! i love you guys so much. ah im so jealous you're in thailand! send me lots of pictures and tell kunyai that i love her! so weird my whole family is in thailand and im in south carolina. ah! love you so much :)

-sister mullen #2

24 June 2013

That is SO funny that Grandma cried leaving Buddy! AH I MISS OLIVER SO MUCH! This week has been fun. We had a baptism to plan! Sister Oh is so amazing and was so ready to be baptized! Sister Yeo and I sang Nearer My God to Thee. There were actually two investigators baptized yesterday! and while they were getting dressed, a member passed one flower to everyone and at the end of the baptism, everyone came up and gave them the flower. It was AMAZING and I want that to happen at every baptism!!! It was so special.

Taught English for the first time in a few weeks because of the whole moving thing and it's been raining so not many people come so I just won't teach my intermediate class. I missed it so much!!! Seriously they think I'm funny. This WHOLE entire mission is for me and I can't seem to find a way to repay this debt I've gotten into. There is NO way that we can do service and not feel that return once we've done it. 

We went back to a lady that seemed semi interested and... lets just say she definitely was NOT interested. haha It was the awkward feeling but as we press forward God blesses us, because right after that, we got to the church and there were 3 random new people waiting for us and we got to share with them a church tour and give a sort of first lesson. 

There have been a few off things this week. It's strange when you go from a really good day to the next day and you want it to be just as good. I don't know. But I have been asking God a lot what he thinks of me. We have this activity that President Senior wants us to do. The Dan Jones-ing every day and its do-able. It is what we as missionaries do. But at our district meeting we talked about it and were just like, ok, how do we remember to talk to that person on the bus? or wherever. And I said. "No. I remember! I am just too scared to do it."

So then... ugh. I knew I would regret it...

but then I told them about my motivation cards. 

The ones that I can just pull out from my pockets and read it and I can just go and do.

They are like, church quotes. But Elder Delagarza said, "Oh, like 'you can do it!'" hahaha

it was way funny. But seriously. 

(I will finish in a bit. we didnt have time right now...)