Recent Pictures Up To August 27th

I have eaten more fruit in one week with Sister Carper than I have in my whole mission.

250 doors of being rejected. We got into one house.

We surprised Sister Senior for her birthday.

Mexican food with Sister Senior and Sister Carper

President, Sister Senior, Sister Carper, Sister Knutson and Me :-).

Rejections!!!!!

This has been SUCH a hard week! OH my goodness!! First off, how's everyone doing with school? It’s so weird that it's already another semester! It's fun to hear about the updates at home and about all the things happening. 

So basically the pictures explain our week. We went inviting because we need more investigators in our pool and to move away from the Uhton ... (no idea how to spell that in English). Anyways, we knocked on 250 doors and got rejected THE WHOLE DAY. It was the saddest thing! Sister Carper and I are eating fruit and healthy business this transfer but we decided to go get ice cream because it was just a sad week. Speaking of fruit, we've had everything under the sun. Anyways, the area just needs some love. It's been about a year and the branch has only seen one baptism. When Sister Monterrosa shared that information with me, I was so shocked and when I told Sister Carper, she had the same reaction. As solution to the problem, we're going to get creative. This week we went and saw the branch president and his wife at their home. Their story is amazing! They had been members for about 30 years and they started small but they always turn it back to the Lord and acknowledge that they are so blessed. His wife was pregnant and she would ride on a bike to get to a bus station to get to work and they do they same thing to get home. So many other experiences they've had but they really are the anchors in the ward.

Our one investigator that's been progressing really well might be moving to Asoke! SOO sad when he told us! Currently, he's not making enough money to make ends meet so he went to talk to someone in Asoke about possibly selling there. I know his financial circumstance isn't the best but he's seriously in the best location right now... his backyard is the church and he reads and prays and he's been coming to church for a month. I think I might cry if he does move. To be honest, I feel like I haven't made a difference here in Bangkhae. I feel like we do all that we possible can and at the end of the day the answer is still no. Last year, the flood hit this area the hardest and so Sister Carper and I think that it's just that people haven't bounced back from that. We think about this every hour of everyday and what we need to do. 

Speaking of Sister Carper, I love her. I'm grateful that she has a hardworking attitude and wants to finish her mission strong. She's in the same group as my trainer and so she'll “die” [finish] in December. Funny story, I've actually adopted her. I'll write home and explain that one. But today for P-day, we went to Asoke to celebrate Sister Senior’s Birthday. We thought of inviting other sisters in Bangkok to come but we wanted some time to get to know her and just have some time together. We went out to a little Mexican restaurant called La Monita's by Siam and we talked about what she does, where she goes, her responsibilities and our area and brainstormed ideas on how to get the work moving. She's seriously sooo great! She said that she'll be in a district meeting this Friday in Hong Kong so we were grateful she let us take some time out of her day.  (Oh yeah because we were at the office I picked up some mail! :) Thank you for the sticky notes, pens and treats!) 

So last story. Even though we did get rejected by just about everyone this week, we had a "last door" miracle at the end of the soy it's called a .... street? Anyways, we've been praying to find a family of four to baptize by the end of the month. So we go knocking and everyone just tells us to go somewhere else. We seriously get to the last door and it's them! They mom lets us in and she is so sweet and she's just smiling and so willing to listen. It was the greatest tender mercy but we still need to pray hard for them. 

I'm sorry if this email sound grim but it's hard ... it's always hard but I love it! I've seen some really cool things happen this week and Heavenly Father knows His work and tells us what we need to be doing. I probably have a lot more to tell you but time is twiddling away. 

Randoms:

 Lolee - if you're reading this, Thank you for your letter! I hope things are well in Cali and you're still learning with the missionaries!! Love ya.

For everyone: as you can tell, there's a lot of work we need to do in BangKhae ... sorry if I don't reply or haven't replied to letters but I will (eventually). Promise.  

Member from Chiang Mai came down on Sunday!!! SO HAPPY when I saw them! :D Bam got baptized on Sunday too!!! Not going to lie I cried, but I'm glad she's made this important covenant with God. Now we just need to get her parent on the happiness trail and to the temple! 

I LOVE YOU ALL!!! 

Love always 

Sister Yeo 

Recent Pictures Up To August 19th

Us and Sister Oi and Brother Odt.

Last day with Sister Monterrosa.

"Moving away" dinner for Sister Monterrosa, Elder Jensen and Elder Sae-Dan. (oh yeah .. my Whole district moved except me and Elder Price).

Transfers.

My Chiang Mai family.

AHH forgot to tell you that our President is pretty hi-tech. He has the newest iPhone and the really skinny apple computer... everything. Best part... got the whole mission new phones!!! It a touchscreen :D I wish I took a picture of the old phone but I screamed on the phone when our district leader made that announcement a few days before transfers. I really, really, really didn't like the old phone. haha

Sister Carper and I

Trasfer #4

Thanks for the update everyone! I love reading your emails and about what’s going on at home.  Mom you're so great! I had a handful... no an armful of mail to take home and read during transfers this last week. I love it all! 

So many good things happened this week. I have a new companion her name is Sister Carper and we’re still walking around in BangKhae. She got right to work when we came back and she has such a good attitude and love for this work. She wants to help this branch grow and increase in their faith so it will be a fun transfer to look forward to. She is a hard working and so passionate about being a missionary. 

We are trying a new approach this transfer as far as working with members. It is something that I wanted to do with Sister Monterrosa but didn't quite get the chance. We are thinking of putting together a fireside for the members to help them have the faith in the work and building up the branch. Also, we want to build up the unity between members and missionaries. We are going to make visits to less actives and especially, part member families. I am excited about our goals and I know we can reach them; especially, working with the Elders and members. 

We had a pretty stressful Friday night because the Elder's investigator who was going to be baptized Saturday night had to have a second interview. It just caused confusion and stress for the ward mission leader and for all of us. I'm pretty sure the Elders just forgot that HUGE detail. I had to just pray for more charity to not be mad at them. If it were our baptism, I probably would have been WAY more upset but still was a little irked. I'm not sure if the district leader and the zone leader had some miscommunication or didn't understand that the investigators need to have passed the second interview before having a set baptismal date. 

At the end of the day, I love being a missionary. Mom, thanks for sending me the talk from Elder Bednar from the 2008 Ensign titled “Pray always.” It was Friday morning and I wasn't sure where to start studying because I have this huge long list of things that I do want to hit up one day but looking at all of it, I got overwhelmed just thinking about the area, the work, the members and a new companion. I just went brain dead. I looked to my left and saw the talk sitting there and it was such a good hour of study. I loved what he said and the 3 points he gave. 

One of our investigators’ name is ประจาก. Sorry, not sure how to spell that in English. Anyways, he is the sweetest man! He sells Roti (the stuff that dad loved to eat growing up) and every time he sees us he just has this huge smile and a question about the Book of Mormon. He came to church the last 3 weeks. We just don't have a member to teach with us so we haven't been able to teach him for a week or so. We see him everyday but we just need a member!!!! ugh  He's progressing though because he read and really ponders the scriptures. 

Um, transfers are bitter sweet. It was crazy to see all the changes and the people finishing their missions. It just reminded me of how I'll reach that day ... haha just kidding never want to leave mission life. (yet) 

Well I love you all!!! 

Always, 

Sister Yeo 

Short Email

This week's email will be short because I want to send a personal one to everyone but just for everyone in general…family and who ever reads the blog. 

PRAYERS ARE REAL!!!

This week we went on switch offs again to BangNa with Sister Wallace and Sister Skalla. In fact, we are with them right now because we are spending the night and then going to a training tomorrow morning in our zone. It's been so fun with them. Anyways, I wasn't haven't the best day during switch offs. Although I got to ride a bike and it was such a fantastic experience to be back on a bike again, the day just wasn't a cheerful one for me. I was searching deep in my heart to feel some sunshine in my soul again so I decided I would talk to Heavenly Father. I'm riding down the street, carefully paying attention to traffic and so I just spilled out everything I was feeling that day. I did it out loud too because hey, no one would hear me and if they did they wouldn't understand. Despite my lows, I just got an answer through a telephone call. My companion called me and it was such a tender mercy. LOVE IT. Missions are the best. 

I've never relied so much on my Heavenly Father for literally everything.  That was Saturday. Then Sunday (yesterday) was mother's day here in Thailand—it’s the Queen’s birthday. At church they had this activity, which we weren't sure if it was appropriate in the chapel but always respecting the culture. Anyways Thai people have SUCH respect for their parents. During one part of the presentation, the kids will kneel in front of their mothers and say thank you and hug them. I started bawling. SOO homesick. I missed you all so much. I just wanted a hug and then afterwards the members ask us, "do you miss your mom?" uh.... YEAH! I've cried so much this week. I feel like an emotional basket case but then we went and taught a few lessons and all is well in Zion. Love you all to pieces but I wouldn't want to be doing anything else but missionary work right now. I learn so much and it makes me want to be closer to the Savior, to know him better and to do His will and his work. 

So many things I could share from my mission thus far but Alma 26:16 comes to mind. Can't begin to express the feelings in my heart. 

LOVE ALWAYS, 

Sister Yeo  

Recent Pictures Up To August 13th

All of us in BangNa...before the rain storm

This is us during the rain storm in BangKhae

Recent Pictures Up To August 6th

Gospel delivery.

Waiting for an investigator...hehe.

Tim Tam slams at coordination.

For you mom :D (Dad I love you too!) It's just mother's day next week so that's why it's all decorated here

Sister Rosa and I.

Terminal 21. That places it HUGE. so hip.

The mission office.

Went to the office today. Pic with Sister Senior.

We had FHE at a member's house tonight. Sister Rosa, Me, Sister Oi.

Jep Maag!

Oh my goodness, I have so much to tell you I might send picture next week but I want to send them today too. Please know that I love you and want to know how all of you are. I read about your lives at home and I'm happy for your success and love hearing all the stories. Thank you all for your letters and words of encouragement. The office elders know me only because I'm "that one sister that gets a lot of mail." :P In fact, we went to the office today and I decided I'd help serve them so I sorted all the mail into boxes to send out to the areas. It was fun! We went to the office because Sister Skalla went to get a blessing. She is getting her tonsils removed on Wednesday. She is such an amazing missionary and we will be praying fervently for her.

Anyway, I love Chiang Mai but I have truly grown to love Bang Khae and Bangkok in general. Every p-day is so fun getting together with a group of sisters. We share our stories and the BangNa sisters (Sister Skalla and Sister Wallace) had a baptism yesterday!!!! So great! 

Okay, so this week we totally got doors slammed in our faces. It happened a few weeks ago but this week I remember to tell you. Oh my, it was just like a scene in a movie. A lady opened the door, took a look at us, next she shook her head and then slammed the door. No words even escaped my mouth. I stood there with my mouth opened, words about to escape and Sister Monterrosa just looked at me and I think the look on my face just made her laugh. It was so sad but we moved on to the next doors. This had become a common occurrence. People are so "busy" here and this is salvation they are turning down. But like we say, Heavenly Father is just working with them a little bit more before we are going to be allowed in. 

Sadly, they are currently building a beer bar and coffee place in front of the church. I’m so livid when we found out. Okay, maybe not as livid but really? A beer place...now when we explain to investigators where the church is, it'll be something like, "are you familiar with the bar called The Portrait? Yeah, our church is right behind it." Goodness.

On a more positive note, about Sister AA, I don't know what to say other than she's amazing. She cleaned the church by HERSELF for 9 hours and then left treats for members and the missionaries to eat. You've seen a picture of our church right? It's HUGE and she did it by herself all day and she cleaned it thoroughly. We are going to make her something this week in appreciation for her service.

The work is so good! I love doing it everyday and serving with Sister Monterrosa everyday. We have so much fun and because members in the branch don't have a flute, we sing all day. Love it so much. We just serenade the people on songtaw  (I think I showed you a picture of one last week—it’s the red car) rides. Anyway, we only taught 35 lessons today but the one thing that I learned from Elder Thompson (my district leader in Chiang Mai) is to testify of Christ everyday. I made a goal that I will invite every person we teach to be baptized and bear testimony of the Savior everyday. I've learned so much and I've been so blessed.

This area has been a challenge for me and there are other aspects that have frustrated me a little bit but I literally feel the Savior carrying me through each and everyday. I wear his name on a badge, my name next to his and it reminds me everyday to be a reflection of the Savior. To act and bless others the way he would. So you know, everyday just being as happy as I can no matter what the weather, circumstance or having doors slammed in our faces. I pretty much LOVE being a missionary. 

Transfers are happening next week and I'm super bummed because the probability of Sister Monterrosa moving and I'll get a new companion is very high. She's been in this area for 6 months (4 moves). I really wish I'd have two more transfers with her, but Heavenly Father and other people need her awesomeness elsewhere. I'm also trying to finish the Book of Mormon in Thai by next Thursday (transfers). Right now, I'm in Alma 33. I think I can do it and it’s soooooo nice that Sister Rosa (that’s what the members here call her because they have a hard time saying her whole name) gives me encouragement and lets me read to her. Such patience! :D

Our investigators are amazing! Heavenly Father just helped lead us to them this week. We went inviting after teaching one of our progressers and a lady lets us in and after we tell her who we are and what we do she said, "I want to change religion." SO COOL! So we invited her to be baptized and she has a goal for September. Currently, she works on Sunday (which is the most common challenge with just about ALL our investigators) so we are trying to encourage her to change her work schedule so she can come to church. Right now, we have just 7 people with baptismal dates. This week, our goal is to increase that number to 10. Sister Rosa has such faith so I am positive we can do it. This area is gonna be blooming! We'll make sure of it. 

Anyways. I'm going to send some pictures but I just wanted to quickly share something I learned this morning. 

In Alma 11-15, it's the story of Alma, Almulek and Zeezrom. So in verse 21 of chapter 11 it says, "Zeezrom was a man who was expert in the devices of the devil that he might destroy that which was good." So I learned a few things here: 1) He's an expert at evil...that's intense! 2) The word choice in the scriptures and in “Peach My Gospel” always strike me; when it uses the word destroy I just think of this huge wrecking ball taking out a building or something blowing up. Then the story goes on that Alma and Almulek were taken captive and they take all sorts of nonsense from the prison guards. They were slapped across the face and they took it, why? Because they are on the Lord's errand and they haven't finished their work; but when it's time, through their faith they loosened their bands and the prison walls fell.

FAITH! Something President Senior talks to us about, a lot! Then my favorite part is in chapter 15 verses 21 - 22 it says, "Zeezrom leaped upon his feet and began to walk and this was done to the great astonishment of all the people...Alma baptized Zeezrom unto the Lord." The moral of the story, like Elder Holland said in his talk during the last conference, “no matter how far you've traveled, it is never too far if the Lord of the Vineyard says so and as long as his arms of mercy are extended. ANYONE can repent. I love having seen and seeing this right now in Thailand. The Atonement covers all and God is merciful. What a blessing it is that all of us get to repent each day. We all need to quickly and sincerely. 

Well, I LOVE YOU ALL.

Have an amazing week!

Sister Yeo