July 22, 2012

Hello Family and Friends! Don't worry, I'm not going to send this late
again. How are you all? It feels like I was typing my last e-mail
yesterday. The weeks are really flying by here. Things are going good,
nothing to complain about. A lot happened this last week, and a lot is
going to happen this week again. Last Tuesday, me and E. Raven went
and stayed down in Kumps so that we could teach English class. We only
had 9 people, 3 adults and 6 younger kids, but they were all really
eager to learn and asked a lot of questions. It was probably the most
fun english class I've taught so far, because we had a good time, but
they were also learning a lot as well. We headed back the next morning
and got home in time to do a little studying, then we had District
meeting. We talked about teaching with the Spirit. I've read that
chapter in Preach My Gospel many times, but each time I learn
something new, and the fact that we wouldn't be able to convert
without the Spirit gets reassured. The Spirit is the real teacher.
Everyone should remember that. Whether you're a set-apart missionary
or a member missionary, you have to have the Spirit in order to make a
difference. Anyway, after district meeting, all of the Elders went to
this really good Vietnamese restaurant with an khon Thai RM. He's
going around visiting all of the places he served and then moving to
Utah to go to school. It was a good time visiting with him and all of
the other Elders. Of course, in the end they had me try to fit
something in my mouth. This time it was a giant ball of lettuce (yes,
it did fit. And don't worry, I'm getting a Dairy Queen shake out of
it). A big mouth has its advantages. Thursday, I did switchoffs with
E. Thomas (E. Maples new companion). It was a really good day. We
taught a Recent Convert lesson to Sis. Tugta about callings, service,
and missionary work. She is awesome, and way excited to receive a
calling. Then we had to run a few errands and stuff like that. That
night, we met with Taam. He's finally reading! He reads everyday, and
the following up helps a lot. I think he's coming to know that it's
true, and should be ready to be baptized on Aug. 12. Friday, we had
long-planning and did some inviting. That night, we met with Sis.
Nadin. I think I told you about her already, but she's 18, and is
going to college down here. She's originally from Nong Khai (the other
area in our zone) and her mom just got baptized up there last week.
Nadin is awesome. She reads and really studies the Book of Mormon, and
asks a lot of good questions. Do you know how hard it is to explain 2
Nephi 1:23 in Thai? Ridiculously hard. But I think (hope) she
understood it in the end from my chopped explanation. She came to
church yesterday for the first time, and I think she'll be baptized
here soon too. We set her date for the 12th of Aug. as well. The rule
changed, and investigators only have to go to church 2 times in a row
in order to be baptized, but we're gonna play it safe and take it
slow. Saturday, we headed back to Kumps. We went inviting for a while
and met this old lady who is already a Christian. We read in the intro
to the Book of Mormon and explained how the Book of Mormon is a
companion to the Bible. She was really open to it (and it felt like
she already believes it's true and that Pres. Monson is a prophet
haha). We'll follow up with her sometime this week. After that, we
went to the church and pulled weeds for a while (I thought I'd gotten
away from that). It looks a lot better. That night, we ate dinner with
a sister (her name is Pa, non-member) of a guy who is member and her
husband. We visit with them almost every time we go to Kumps, but
they've never been really interested. After we ate, we just asked if
we could share some words about Prayer. It ended up being a 40 minute
lesson and they have both committed to read and pray about the Book of
Mormon. It really felt like me and E. Raven were testifying with true
power, and they both looked so happy when we were talking. At the end,
the guy prayed and Pa said she had goosebumps afterwards. I think we
have two future members on our hands. Great day. Sunday was great as
well. We had good numbers in both Kumps and Udon. 28 and 76! So
awesome. Two twin 9-year-old girls got baptized after the meetings,
which was sweet. Sister Carper had me and E. Raven be witnesses
because for some reason, Thai people think you have to keep the
curtains closed until right before the baptism prayer starts, and then
close them again right after they come out of the water. We made sure
they stayed open, and it was much better. Everyone got to see how
happy they were. At 7 we met with Taam again and just read the Book of
Mormon and shared things we liked. It was a good lesson, and I really
feel like my reading and comprehension is coming along well. Today,
we're going down to Kumps to see the monkeys again because some of the
other Elders haven't seen them.
Our investigators are doing alright. Taam, Nadin, and Nooy are doing
the best. They came to church yesterday, and all are progressing. Nooy
moved, and she's in the sister's area now, but we might continue to
teach her. I'll let you know what happens in the next e-mail. Tik is
not doing so hot. She's NEVER free to meet (at least that's what she
says) and doesn't come to church. Basically, someone has to go and get
her, or she won't make any effort to come. She has to have the desire
to do all she can to come, or else she hasn't received true
conversion. We didn't meet with Fon this week either because she's
been sick, or she didn't answer her phone. Hopefully this week. We're
going to meet with Nong tomorrow and follow up. This week, more
switchoffs, and we're going down to Khon Kaen on Thursday for Zone
Conference. Lot's going on, and this week should fly by too.
Friends - Happy Birthday Josi! Hope it's a great day! Hope to hear
from some of you soon!
Well, gotta go. Remember to always pray to have the Spirit with you,
and do missionary work. Members are the best missionaries. The Church
is True!
Love, Elder Sharp