May 15, 2012

Khrabkhrua lE? Phxn (Family and Friends),
Sawadii Khrab! Phii Sabbay dii may? How are you all? I'm doing so
great here (especially since I won't be "here" much longer)! It's been
a crazy week, lot's of stuff going on. Mom, how was Mother's Day for
the Best Mother in the World? I'm so glad you got my card, and I hope
your day was fantastic, you definitely deserve it. Tuesday night was,
once again, EPIC! We got another Apostle! D. Todd Christofferson. He
spoke on the Nature of the Godhead and how God, Christ, and the Holy
Ghost all have the same Will and support each other. He focused on 2
Nephi 31, 3 Nephi 11 and 3 Nephi 27. Then he talked about the
importance of repentance and Baptism. Basically our missionary
purpose. It was an awesome talk (I would be jealous if I were you haha
;) ). I'm hoping that we get one more tonight for our last fireside.
Come on Bednar (or Uchtdorf, or Holland, or whoever)!
I got my travel plans on Wednesday! So excited. I leave here at 4:30
p.m. on Monday, and our flight takes off for LA at 8. We have a 4 hour
lay-over there, and then take off at 1:30 a.m. for Hong Kong (I guess
it's like a 14 hour flight, ugh). An hour layover there, then on to
Bangkok! My sleep schedule is going to be so messed up. I'm already
tired enough here! Oh well. The part I'm most worried about is getting
my blood drawn there to check for diseases. SKETCHY! But I gotta do
what I gotta do I guess. So question, E. Bartling and E. Campbell want
to eat a "Last Supper" at LAX. Could I do it with them? Not anything
too pricey, just somwhere good. Let me know! Oh and I suppose you're
wondering when I'll be calling huh? I think the best time would be
when I'm at Salt Lake International, around 6ish. I can't wait to talk
to you! Not sure how long we can call, but hopefully it's for a bit.
Can you believe that I'm already going!? Crazy!
The rest of this week has been pretty busy, but relatively normal. We
got a new English District on Wednesday, and I've become pretty good
friends with a couple of them, Elder Flygare who went to Lone Peak,
and his comp Elder Andersen who went to Spanish Fork. They're good
missionaries and friends. We get another English District tomorrow,
hopefully they're just as good. On Friday we had to switch classrooms.
Apparently they want all the Asian languages in one building, so
they're moving us all (even though we were all in the same building
already, except for Japanese. Dumb). So we downgraded from a
whiteboard to a chalkboard. Good thing we're only there for a week!
The language is coming along great! I can speak better everyday! But I
think I'm in trouble once I have to talk to the native Thai, that's
what everyone says at least. Oh well, I can't wait to do it and
eventually speak fluently. The reading is coming along great, and the
writing is getting better. I've been writing down every vocab word
while I learn it, so that I can try to remember how to spell it. It's
pretty cool! My "investigators" are good. Yesterday was the last time
we would teach Golf, because Bro. Chiu won't be here on Saturday. Sad,
but we had a really good lesson on the Book of Mormon, and the Spirit
was really strong. Dom is coming along. The last time we met with him,
we met with his wife Phii Nooy (Sis. Hirschi, another Thai teacher)
and got permission to baptize him. We'll teach him one or two more
times. I'm going to miss him a lot. I really hope I can find the real
Phii Dom in Thailand and talk to him about Brol. Olsen.
I finished the Book of Mormon on Sunday! So great. That book is 100%
true, and it's helped strengthen my testimony of the gospel so much!
I'm going to read Doctrine and Covenants next. Keep reading everyone!
So mail in Thailand. It takes about three weeks for a letter to get
to/from Thailand. I'm pretty sure you just send it to the mission
home, and they send it out to the missionaries once a week. I'll let
you know if it's different. Apparently you can Dear Elder there too,
so I get letters faster that way, in case anyone is interested. I
think it costs money though, about as much as a stamp or something.
Last day for me to go to the Temple for 2 years! Sad, but I will
definitely be going the day after I get back.
On Sunday night, me, Red, Kyle, VK, and Josh Gerrard all got a group
pic in front of the big map. I'll be sending home another S.D. card
today. If possible, you should probably send back the other one this
week so I have two for Thailand.
Mom - Thanks for the package and e-mail this week! Those cookies were
definitely good. For this week, I'd say either chocolate chip, or
sugar cookies, your choice! Sad that it's the last one for 21 months.
I'm glad that you're doing well. That was an awesome story with the
dumpsters. The power of Prayer is amazing! Ok, so I think that's
enough deordorant. I still have a couple that I came with, so I should
be good. Thank you! I'm going to send suits and quilt and whatever
home the day I leave, just to make sure everything is packed I and
don't forget anything. I have $132 still. I think E. Bartling said we
need like $200 traveling cash or something (and maybe some for
dinner...). Whatever you think. Oh and did you ever get the bank thing
figured out? I hope so. I think I remember my PIN #, but you might
just want to double check and let me know, just in case. I hope the
quilt gets done! That would be awesome, thank you so much! And E.
Bartling said we were supposed to bring a pillow. Did you send me with
one? I haven't looked. Will you just double check if that's on the
list or not? Thanks! Ok, so apparently it's like $50 to send a package
to Thailand, so I was thinking, if you were planning on sending me
like birthday packages or whatever, maybe it would be smart to just
put money into my account, and I could by souveneirs or save up for a
suit or something. Let me know what you think. And thanks for the
scripture reference, love that scripture! Love ya Momma!
Dad - Thanks for the E-mail! So glad to hear from you every week now.
How are the Yanks doing? Too bad that Pettite got blasted, but no
surprised there. Hopefully he picks it up. How about the Utes? Any
word on the QB situation? I'm definitely on the Travis Wilson
bandwagon. Glad that works staying busy! Hope everything else is good!
Love ya Dad!
Brooke - Thanks for the Dear Elder again! Bummer that you were sick,
but that was so cute to hear how Linc was helping you. I miss him and
Cart! You're feeling better right? I can't wait to see Linc play golf
and t-ball. You gotta send me pics asap before I go! Keep the letters
coming! (And e-mail when I'm gone). Love ya sis!
Laur - Hope it's been a good week for ya! And hope to hear from you
soon! Love ya!
Car - Thanks for the pics in the package! Geez I didn't know you were
in the hospital like that, what the heck?! Are you feeling better?
Hope to hear from you soon too! Oh and could you send me an updated
version of the Friend Addresses? Thanks! Love ya twin!
Rest of my Fam - Hope to hear from you all (maybe before I take off?)!
And shoot me e-mails when I'm gone! Love you all!
Friends - Love ya too! Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY PREST! Hope it's a great
day! Hope to hear from you all soon! Peace out!
Well, gotta go! Love you all! Talk to ya Monday!
Love, Elder Sharp.

May 8, 2012

Oho! Sawadii Khrab! How are all my family and friends? I am doing
quite swell at the moment. It's been a solid week. Thanks to everyone
who wrote me! I love getting letters and hearing about how you're all
doing. Brooke, Lauren, and Carli, I forgot your letters in my
residence, I was going to bring them to e-mail, but I'll try and cover
evertything. Only two more weeks (from yesterday)! Did you know I
leave on the 21st? Or did you still think I leave on the 24th? May
21st, 2012, I head to Thailand. Finally! It feels like I've been here
an eternity, yet it seems like yesterday you were dropping me off.
Crazy to think that the two month mark was yesterday. I'm one twelfth
of the way done with my entire mission. That really puts in
perspective how fast two years really goes. And they say once I get
out in the field, time goes even faster. I don't know if I told you
yet, but I think my actual return date is March 20th of 2014. That's
what it says on my Ministerial Certificate at least, I don't know how
accurate that is. But now Carli can make a paper chain haha! Some of
the Phii Thais write e-mails that get sent to our Branch Presidency,
so we get to read them each week. They are having some crazy
experiences! But they all say they love it there. Something they and
my teachers have talked about are the nasty stray dogs that run around
everywhere, especially in Thailand. The people there won't kill them
because they think it messes up the Reincarnation cycle, and that if
they kill them, they'll become a dog when they die. Weird. Anyway,
Elder Creer (Phii Thai) said he's ran over the same dog twice on his
bike. Bro. Chiu said him and his comp were riding through a graveyard
once, and a pack of about 40 started chasing them. Bro. Olsen got bit
by one, and after leaving two sketchy hospitals, he finally went to
Bangkok General and had to get 5 shots! I refuse to get bit. I will
kick any dog that comes near me. President Smith says it's ok, so I
don't feel guilty.
The language is coming along great. I can say what I want pretty much,
as long as I know the vocab. So that's what I've been focusing on
mostly this week. Reading and writing are getting a lot easier too.
During language study, I read out of the Book of Mormon for at least
20 minutes, so that really helps. The past two days I've been
memorizing a few shorter scriptures in Thai. I have Alma 34:32 and
Mosiah 4:15 down. It's still hard to understand what I'm reading if I
don't look at the English translation first, but I'm working on it. I
have become the "Pirate." I feel like I'm pretty good at speaking, all
through the Lord's help!
Investigators have been great! Pragad had his interview and he passed!
Even though he was fake, it was still pretty cool to see. Now Bro.
Chiu is a new investigator, Phii Golf (pronounced Gop, but yes, named
after the sport). We had our first visit with him yesterday and taught
him how to pray. It's so nice being able to start over with someone
and actually know how to speak and teach them. Dom is coming
along...slowly. He keeps missing church because his wife gets mad at
him and makes him go to the Buddhist Wat with her. He's hilarious
though. If I go to the area where the real Dom lives in Thailand
(Udon), I am definitely looking him up. I honestly cannot wait to go
and teach people! It's going to be the most awesome thing ever! We
taught TRC again on Saturday, a guy and a girl. The goal of the lesson
was teaching them about Revelation throught the Book of Mormon, so we
picked a few stories and applied it to their lives. Elder Cox picked
Captain Moroni and the importance of preparing always (Alma 48), Elder
Bartling picked Ammon and facing your trials head on (Alma 17), and I
picked Nephi and the principles of Faith and Obedience (1 Nephi 3 and
4). It turned out really well and I think they were quite impressed
with us.
On Tuesday night, Keith R. Edwards of the 70 spoke to us. I loved his
talk. He talked about a lot of things, but the main point was "No
Wasted Motions." Everything we do as a missionary has an effect on our
investigators, so we just need to have Faith and work hard, and
miracles will come to pass. Sunday night, Mark J. Lusvardi, Director
of Public Programs at the MTC, spoke to us. His entire message was
Love. We need to have more Love for everyone, so that's what I'm
trying to do. I love you all!
Other than that, it's just been study study study. On Thursday night
we had a little extra time at the residence halls, so me, E. Bartling,
and E. Campbell did a little District Unity exercise, and shaved our
legs. Yes, we're weird. Oh well haha. I see Red, Kyle, and VK almost
every day, and Josh everyday guaranteed (jealous Lex? ;) ) They're all
doing great! We all love being on missions. We're trying to get a
group picture organized, so hopefully that happens.
The Book of Mormon is coming along great! It's alright that a lot of
you won't finish in the next two weeks, but just keep chugging along!
One of my favorite scriptures is Alma 31:5. It says hearing the Word
has a greater effect to cause people to do right than anything else. I
think that includes reading the Word as well. I know  the Book of
Mormon is true, and I can't wait to share it with the people of
Thailand.
Mom - Thanks for the package! The treats were great, especially the
Banana Bread. And thanks for the e-mail too! It sounds like the yard
is lookin' real nice, wish I could see it. And it sounds like you all
had a great time going up to Logan. That's so awesome that Lauren
graduated! It really is crazy to think that she's served a mission AND
graduated college. Time flies! Thanks for the scripture reference! I
love that one. Elder Kunkel already wrote to me about it too, and it's
become one of my favorites. I bought some new garments, and I gotta
get about 4 more pairs. My shirts will be fine, you can't tell much of
a difference. I only need two things. Brown socks, like I said. And I
also need deordorant. A mission's worth. Apparently they only sell the
roll on kind in Thailand, so I'd have to shave my armpits. Not doin'
that! (Legs are one thing, armpits are totally different). Thanks! I
love you!
Dad - It's great to hear from you! Thank you so much for the sports
updates, I've been DYING without them. I heard the Jazz are out (no
big surprise). Oh well, I guess there's next year. Ah, come on Mo!
That's a sad way to go out. He probably shouldn't play next year, walk
out with a little decency. And why can't the Yankees get any more
pitching? They're always so terrible in that area. How's CC doing? Not
going to lie, I hope Travis Wilson takes Wynn's spot. I would love to
come back and see that the Utes have a decent quarterback with
experience, and I really hope they utilize their running backs. How
did the NFL Draft go? Any interesting picks? Glad work is going well!
I don't think I remember Chase Olsen, but maybe if I saw him I'd
recognize him. Hope to hear from you again soon! Love you!
Laur - Thanks for the letter! Sounds like life is pretty boring for
you...oh wait...CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That's so awesome that you
graduated! Crazy how fast time flew. Keep me updated on job hunts and
such. Hope to hear from you again soon! Love ya sis!
Brooke - Once again, thank you for the great letter! It feels like I
know all about how and what your fam is doing. That's sooo sweet that
Linc loves golf lessons. Next Tiger Woods (minus the scandal of
course)! And I didn't know he played T-Ball! Ah I wish I could see
him. You gotta send me some pics of him and Cart. Mom wrote me about
Linc asking Dad if Cart was under his shirt. HILARIOUS! Man, I swear
that kid says the funniest things now that I'm gone. Keep the updates
coming. Love ya!
Car - What up Twin! Thanks for the letter! Glad to hear that your life
is goin' good. How's work going? Friends? Are you feeling any better?
What was the cause of the stomach pain? I heard you and Laur bore your
testimonies Sunday. Me too! Gotta keep the tradition going! Love ya!
Hope to hear from you again soon!
Rest of my family - Love you all! Hope to hear from you soon! I hope
your families are doing well!
Friends - Love you all too! Prest, Lando, how are the mission
preparations coming? Riley, Austin, and Rope. You guys all ready? I'd
love to hear from you about it. I hope to hear from all of you soon!
Well, gotta go! I love you all!
Love, Elder Sharp

May 1, 2012

Sawad dii! What up what up?! How are all of my amazing friends and
family? I am doing great here (even though I don't really want to be
HERE anymore, I want to be in Thailand haha)! But don't worry, this
place is still great, and only 20 more days! So close. Yes, it is
crazy that it is May already, and I've almost been here two months. I
hope you all are doing good. This week was very solid. I'll start from
the beginning.
Tuesday - Devotional that night was just so-so...oh wait...it was
amazing because Elder Russell M. Nelson came and spoke to us! That's
four Apostles that have spoke to us now (I'm praying for Holland or
Bednar). His talk was great. He talked about 9 points of True Doctrine
that we need to focus on as missionaries, and expounded on each of
them. By the way, did you know that every time it says DoctrineS
(plural form) in the scriptures, it always has a  negative conotation,
like the doctrines of man or the doctrines of the devil. But every
time Doctrine is singular, it's talking about the Doctrine of Christ,
because there really is only one true Doctrine. That's so sweet!
Interesting little fact for ya'll.
Anyway, here's the 9 points of True Doctrine:
1. Godhead
2. Plan of Salvation
3. Atonement of Jesus Christ
4. Dispensation, Apostasy, and Restoration
5. Prophets and Revelation
6. Priesthood and Priesthood Keys
7. Ordinances and Covenants
8. Marriage and Family
9. Commandments
Cool, huh? I love hearing Apostles speak. They truly are Prophets of God.
Wednesday -  Good day. Nothing too specific that I can remember about
it (all the days blur together). We did get a new English District and
me and E. Bartling and Sis. Itri had to give them the orientation, so
that was pretty cool. They seem like cool Elders, and I actually know
one of them, Elder Marcus Shiotani. He was a year older than me in
school, and he was a convert at age 18. It's amazing how the Gospel
can change lives and make kids want to go on missions. I don't
remember much about Thursday or Friday either, so sorry about that.
Saturday - We have classes in the morning and afternoon, so it was
nice to get those done early. We taught TRC during one of the class
sessions, and it went really well. We taught about receiving
Revelation through Prayer. We read out of the Book of Mormon, the
story of Enos, and the First Vision. I invite you to read those two
passages. It's amazing how similar they are. All we need to do to
receive an answer to prayer is have Faith, and ask with real intent,
and our Heavenly Father will answer us. Amazing, isn't it? Anyway,
along with the member that we taught, me and E. Cox and E. Bartling
took turns reading verses out of the Thai Book of Mormon. My reading
is getting so much better! I cruised through the verses in Enos, but
then I got to Joseph Smith History. Those verses are so long! Kinda
stressed me out, but I got through it. The member was really impressed
with all of us. It's crazy how fast this language is coming. Both my
teachers have complimented me on how well I'm doing, but I know it's
only through the Lord's help and the Gift of Tongues. Last week, Bro.
Olsenn started this thing called "Jon Sala." It literally translates
to Salad Thief, but it means Pirate in Thai. Anyway, the person who
speaks the most Thai each day gets to be the Pirate. I have yet to
win, but I'm feeling good about tomorrow. It's not that I can't speak
Thai, it's that I love English too much haha. But I'm determined to
break the addiction.
Our investigators are coming along great! Pragad is nearly ready to be
baptized, just need to teach him a couple more commandments, and Phii
Dom is barely behind him. Dom is my favorite, because he always tries
to talk his way out of having to obey commandments by saying "God
Understands me" or "Elder Sharp understands me." I guess that's what
the REAL Dom did to Bro. Olsen in Thailand. I can't wait to get
there!!! Some of our Phii Thais sent letters and they said they're
loving it.
Sunday - Who doesn't love Sunday? It's great! I love taking the
Sacrament. It gives the spiritual boost needed to get through the
week. Elder Bartling got released as a Zone Leader. It's sad that I
won't get to work with him anymore, but a nccng Thai, Elder Cahoon,
replaced him, and I think he'll be awesome. Sunday night at the
fireside, Brother Robert P. Swenson, missionary director at the MTC
spoke on the importance of Being Happy, Having Fun (joy), and Being
Good, and how they all tie in with each other. It really renewed my
determination to Choose to Be Happy (as did that package, Mom :) )
After that, we watched another old MTC devo by Elder Bednar called
"Recognizing the Spirit." Here's the answer to the question "How do I
know if it's the Spirit, or just me?" ......Quit worrying about it! Be
a good boy, or a good girl, and the Spirit will take care of you and
guide you. I love that! That's one of the things I worry about a lot,
is it me or the Spirit? But now I won't! I love Elder Bednar, I think
he's my favorite speaker now.
Yes, I have seen Red around. I wasn't able to pick him up at the curb
because I couldn't be a host, and I didn't see him the first day. But
now I see him and VK everyday because they have about the same meal
schedule as me. VK's doing great now, Zone Leader. Red was a little
shell-shocked, just getting used to the MTC, but I talked to him at
the Temple on Sunday, and he's doing so much better now. I love seeing
friends, especially friends on missions.
How's everyone doing on their Book of Mormon Reading? Even if you
aren't going to finish in time, keep reading anyway, EVERYDAY. It will
bless your life in more ways than you can possibly know. I'm now in
the middle of 3 Nephi, when Christ is there. Favorite part of the Book
of Mormon. There is nothing better than to read about the Savior being
there in the flesh, and ministering and healing people and blessing
the little children. The Spirit gets so strong. I know my Savior
lives, that He loves me, that He died for me, that He knows how to
help me get through ANY problem in my life, no matter what it may be,
and that it's the same for everyone of you. Always remember that!
Mom - Thanks again for the package and E-mail! Those cookies were
actually exactly what I was going to ask for, the Gobstoppers have
definitely helped in class. I got the Bank paper notarized and sent
today, so it should be there tomorrow. I hope you're doing all good
after your surgery! That's sweet that you made Kate's cake, maybe you
could send a pic? I sent her a card for her b-day, I hope it got
there. It would've been a couple days late, because I accidentally
sent it without a stamp (oops!). Thanks so much for your testimony.
That strengths me so much, especially when I hear testimony from my
parents. And trust me, the Spirit has definitely emboldened me! I
don't think I need anything right now, just some advice. I did my
laundry today, and some stupid person threw a blue Sham-Wow towel in
with my whites (don't know who, never seen the towel before), so all
my garments and four white shirts are tinted blue. I think I'll have
to buy some new garments, should I just do it here? I think my shirts
will be alright (maybe), what do you think I should do?
Dad - How are you?! I hope work and everthing is going good. How are
the Yanks and Utes doing? Elder Nelson said somebody threw a perfect
game, who was it? I hope to hear from you soon!
Laur - Thanks for your letter! That definitely lifted my Spirit.
You're always so positive, and your testimony is so strong! It's so
sweet (and crazy) that you graduate so soon! That's fun that the fam
got to come up and hang out for family day.
Brooke - Thanks for the note! Hope to get your letter soon!
Car - Hope you're feeling better! Hope school and work are going good
(are you still in school?)
Rest of the Fam - Love you all! Hope you're all doing well, and hope
to hear from you soon!
Friends - Love you too! Hope to hear from you! Prest and Lando, how
are the misson preparations coming?
Anyway, love each and everyone of you! Hope you're all good! Peace out!

ความรัก,
Elder Sharp