Carrying my bike over a bridge.

Dearest Family,

There has been this wonderful theme of goals and visions in my life as of late and I just really hope I'm learning all that I'm supposed to! I have a vision, goals, and plans for pretty much everything and it's really motivating. Life is good. 

This week has been amazing. I love Pak Kret. I love these people here. 

I love General Conference, I wish it was every day. I love my companion. I love being able to learn for myself what the Lord wants and needs me to become. I love that the messages we heard at general conference are so fitting to each of us unique to our personal needs. I love the simplicity of the Lord's way. I loved the messages from The Relief Society broadcast about keeping our covenants. I was really missing watching that with you mom. Those messages reminded me of your strong testimony and example of selfless service. I really liked the talk by Edward Dube too about looking forward. Dad, it reminded me of you when he was talking about not looking back. I just imagined you making this great gospel connection to The Lord of the Rings and not turning your back on that big fiery creature at that one bridge. I'm so imperfect, but I'm so grateful for repentance and the atonement that allows me to make changes and become better. Where I'm going is much more important that where I've been. There's so much good work to be done. All of my questions were answered in unexpected ways and I'm excited to apply what I've learned in my life. I just felt so much hope! Our loving Heavenly Father is completely aware of us, we must trust in Him and continually press forward with faith.

Island of Kho Kret

Helen, a Filipino sister had a stroke this week on Tuesday didn't tell anyone or do anything about it until Thursday! When we went to visit her, her face was really droopy and her blood pressure was way out of control. Saturday, a member from the branch helped her finally get to the doctor. We felt really helpless just being at the church watching conference having no car or way of helping her but it was good that the members were able to take care of her. We went over to her house after the Relief Society session with Sister Jackson and Sister McDermott to check on her. Sister Jackson brought her violin and we sang I Am A Child of God. The moment we started singing the spirit filled the room. It was so powerful, I felt so strongly the love that our Heavenly Father has for us, especially Helen. She is the one that hasn't been to church in over 25 years and has been really hard on herself about falling away. After we sang she expressed her gratitude and the love that she felt from her Heavenly Father, even when she didn't think she deserved it. That was another beautiful message from conference that God's love is always there for us no matter if we deserve it or not. I can't put to words how special this experience was, I'm so grateful for the beautiful spirit that Hymns bring.

Our investigators Boat and Libi and are doing so well!!! They have had to make some big changes. Besides giving up all the Buddhist and cultural things, they've given up tea and drinking and smoking. The transformation is incredible. I'm so impressed by their faith and strength. Friday we were trying to find members to help give them blessings. We kept asking for help with Bituphon (sorry I'm being way lazy I have no idea how to spell it) and everyone just kept saying they couldn't do that - that no one couldactually. We were very confused. I thought it sounded kinda fancy so I said it different and Brother North and Brother Num agreed to helping hay phon thanaa burohid (priesthood blessing). Come to find out Bituphon is a Patriarchal blessing...haha oops Brother North finally just had to pull his out and explained it all. The blessings were beautiful, the spirit was so strong. I'm grateful for Priesthood power.

I love you all so much! Thank you for your love and support! You're in my prayers. Have a wonderful week!

Sri Lankan Family

Love, 

Sister Sahagun

Through rain and all the work must go forward!

Dearest Family,

WE'RE STAKE WORTHY!!!! Great things are happening here in the Bangkok North District. We'll probably officially be a stake in February. I love ปากเกร็ด so much. This week Sister Tilley and I made a glorious map of our area complete with the most helpful key of all the important places houses just everything to know in our area. We also did a deep clean of the area book. I just love my area so much and I am hoping that everyone else is trying to keep their areas as organized as this. I love these people here it's too big to fit in my heart. Our lil branch still needs so much help. It's pretty rollercoastery, every week feels like a new branch. Also, we're serving in two branches and it's hard to find a balance between the two. We did a lot of Filipino LA work this week. The English branch is so strong, but they're still a ton of work to do. This week we're going to try to focus more on the Thai branch.

This week we had 4 visitors from Australia attend our Thai branch. One of the Sisters served her mission at Temple square, she was the sweetest thing and insisted that we take some pictures. It was an absolute blessing to meet them all. They were just so kind and happy. 

Donut was baptized  Saturday and confirmed on Sunday!!!! We lifted her up into the chair of cheers. I am so happy for her! She shared the sweetest testimony of Prayer. She's going to be a great example for her family. The morning of her baptism was a lil crazy, long story short Sister Tilley and I prepared some back up talks. I was so grateful though to have that opportunity to think back to my baptism and put into simple terms the importance of baptism and the sacredness of the covenants we make with our loving Heavenly Father. Yesterday in Sunday school we were talking about coming unto Christ. What does Christ mean when He says Come Follow Me? What are we doing each day to come closer to Christ? As we learn more of our Savior Jesus Christ his life and how he lived, we are able to study our own lives and make the changes necessary to become more like Him and follow in His way.

Filipino Family

Speaking of Sunday school yesterday...Dad, our Branch President was teaching the investigator class and mid lesson says that we'll be watching one of the bible videos from the church. He pulled out his phone and just projected it onto the whiteboard. FROM HIS PHONE! That's a thing? Was that a thing before I left the world or is technology really just making these leaps and bounds? Anyway that was just really cool and I thought you'd appreciate that.

I loved Jessica's talk last week!!! AND my favorite part was just hearing your voice. I miss you girlie. Did you figure anything out about Oakcrest? You would LOVE it. I really hope you and your friends can go. Tyler is growing like the weeds outside our apartment it's just unreal. Is cross county over? How was it? What's keeping you busy now? You're probably just writing me a really long letter.

Mom, how is your 2nd/3rd split? I've met so many teachers here and they all just keep reminding me how hard it is! I believe them. I am having some great experiences teaching English to rambunctious children. I love teaching the Plan of Salvation. It's my favorite when the people we teach just light up when we tell them that they can be with their families forever. I love teaching people about prayer, our direct line of communication with God. It's so sad how many people don't understand that God is our loving Heavenly Father. So many people are just confused. They think that Jesus is God like Buddha is God, that He was just a good person. The hardest thing is helping people believe and know that they really can change. 

You all got to watch conference already! We've been talking about conference it feels like forever. I always tell everyone about our tradition of Costco muffins and just the happiest part of being together. I'll get to watch it this weekend at the church with the members. I CAN'T WAIT!!

I am so grateful to be serving here at this time. This truly is the work of Salvation. I Know that My Redeemer Lives. That's why I'm here. The Atonement is so real, I know that as we are continually obedient we will immediately be blessed. One of those immediate blessings is the companionship of the spirit. I know that we are never alone. Continue being the wonderful family that you are, trust in the Lord, and I know He will bless you.

Have a wonderful week!

Love, 

Sis. Bin, Sis. Bing, and Rak Dee

Sister Sahagun