Dearest Family,

Side pony-tail, bike helmet fashion :)

I love being a missionary. This week we had lots of rain and Sister Tilley and I have mild colds, but we're fine. One morning while Sister Tilley was resting I hit the ward list and called the 20 something Cambodian families that are supposed to be attending the International branch. Not really sure where they all went, but I only got a hold of two families. Then I just called a bunch of numbers for lost sheep records. I've never made so many phone calls in my life. The first person I called wan't the person on the record. It was sad, but the worst part was that after we established he wasn't the person I wanted to talk to he just hung up. I just felt bad that I din't really share a message with him or even tell him who I was. So I decided that everyone I called I would just teach them regardless of who it was. That's just what we're supposed to do right? Right! Well I got a potential investigator out of this change and it just made all those phone calls so much better. I called a few wrong numbers and had several mis-dials but it was all good because everyone is invited to know this beautiful message! I was so happy and felt really productive. 

So temples. I think I talk about this all the time. It's just really important okay? So we had this awesome district training about what we can do to help

this district become a stake and then how that will help Thailand have a temple. The focus was tithing. You know the scripture in 3 Nehi 24:10 "...open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Where are the windows of heaven? The temple is the house of God, heaven on earth, and we will receive those blessings when we pay our tithing. It all just clicked. It seems really simple, but my testimony of tithing has grown so much. 

We taught this couple from Vietnam, they are incredible. They don't speak any Thai so we had Brother Philips from the International branch translate for us. He served his mission Vietnamese speaking. พอดี่ such a tender mercy that he's here and can help them. They have great faith and want to be baptized, but they can't until they have refugee status. It doesn't seem fair and I wish I could do something to help speed up the process of things but I know that Heavenly Father is aware of them and their situation and they will be baptized in the Lord's timing.

Hard moment of the week: We found out that our investigator Donut that is getting baptized this Saturday actually lives in the other branch boundaries. We found out on Sunday (always feels like the busiest day, especially when we're going to two branches that overlap and trying to fulfill our responsibilities everywhere) anywho I just felt like a bad missionary. I know it's not a huge deal, but there is an order to how things are done and I just want to do things the right way. So we'll be working that out this week, we'll just talk to the other branch president and it will be fine. Easy fix.

My favorite thing that happened this week was actually our district meeting. We talked about how the Book of Mormon should be our main source of teaching. I need to be better at that. We actually improved a lot after that meeting and started of all of our lessons with a story in the scriptures that our investigators could relate to and apply to the lesson. Then we talked about how as a representative of Jesus Christ, how much to we actually teach or talk about Him? How often do we teach the Word of Wisdom and not mention Christ? It shouldn't be that way, but somehow we forget! It just really made me want to leave behind a powerful "so what" statement about how each lesson relates back to Christ. He is the focus and the reason I am out serving a mission. So this week I'm focusing on bear testimony of him always!

I love you dearly! Have a wonderful week! 

Love, 

We saw two elephants go by while eating dinner. This is the second one!

Sister Sahagun

Dearest Family,

You have a billion questions this week! It's kind of exciting. President Senior served his mission in Japan. He's really inspiring and is doing great things to help Thailand have a temple here.

Plan to have a Stake in Thailand

He's just really incredible. This last weekend at District Conference he shared the first part of his talk in Thai, it was awesome. Sister Senior is a sweetheart and makes me feel loved. They're from Arizona and have 4 grown boys. The international branch consists of a lot of Americans that work for the government or big gas companies, Filipinos that are also here for work, and lots of refugees from all over. There are people from Africa, Sri Lanka, and other Asian countries. It's so fun to serve in both branches! They recently made a meal calendar and we've been getting fed almost every night! It's too much! We need more time to teach our Thai investigators! 

I love this area so much. Transfers are every 9 weeks now so the next one is October 17, and I'll most likely be moved. I'll have been here for 6 months! It sounds like forever but it's gone by so fast. I'm just really comfortable here I could stay forever. That's probably a good indication that some change is in order. No growth in the comfort zone. I'm going to have to go somewhere else and learn some new things. My Thai is good? I don't know how to answer that question. Thai people hear you say สวัสดีค่ะ (sawaadeekhaa) and they are just overly complimentary and tell you that you are speak so clearly and that you're just amazing. So I must be doing alright. Our investigators are progressing, so they're understanding something we say. Nope actually that's just the spirit. Anywho, I love Thai. I think I'm pretty good.

This week started out rough. Sister Tilley and I were just a lil heavy hearted about a lot of things that were out of our control. Then on Monday night we got a phone call from this sweet 18 year old recent convert we've been visiting. She was in the hospital and asked us to read her a scripture. She knew that at that moment that is exactly what she needed to feel peace and that reading the scriptures would help her be healed. It made me think of that quote you sent me mom, and it was a really powerful experience for all of us. Kate was so grateful and we were reminded of what source we needed to turn to to find comfort and peace. I've had the best personal studies this week. I love the Book of Mormon so much. There are so many distractions and stumbling blocks in our every day lives, but when we search, ponder, and pray as we read the scriptures we really can be healed. 2 Nephi 26:23 The Lord worketh not in darkness but if we feel like we're in a dark place or lost or confused we simply need to come unto Christ and be filled with his light (v.33) I know that as we walk by faith and seek the light of Christ we will be healed and find comfort in our trials.

We had dinner with this amazing family from the international branch, and the mom had served a mission in Tennessee. They have 3 incredible daughters ages 18, 14, and 8  and all throughout dinner they told us about all the missionary moments they had during the week. It was awesome. Then the mom shared with us some experiences she had contacting as a missionary. She and her companion would stop and pray at every turn and follow the spirit as to where they should go. Usually Sister Tilley and I are just in one spot and we'll pray to know who to talk to, but we decided to try this different approach. We just started walking and as we went we were led to this boy that's been coming to English class. We talked to him about prayer and found out that his family has 3 Book of Mormons at their house! They've met with missionaries before! Then we saw this family on bikes carrying a bunch of trash bags and we wanted to help them but we got distracted talking to this other woman. As we continued to walk, we were led to the house of the family on bikes and shared a great message with them about Christ! It was incredible to be led to these prepared people. We loved walking around and not feeling so rushed.(Being on a bike will do that to you.) I know that as we seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost we will be led to what we should do.

Sunday was the happiest day! We had this Fillipino sister, Helen, come back to church that hasn't been to church in over 25 years. She was a missionary in the Philippines! She has been in Thailand for 5 years and never knew how to find the church. She was so close all this time!! Literally 10 minutes from her house! She was really emotional after sacrament meeting and just trembling as we went to introduce her to the Branch President. It's so incredible to be a part of a rescue like that when someone is seeking to come back to church. A lot of LA's that we find are not really motivated to come back and it's much more exhausting. We love them still and hope that someday we can help them have the same desire that Helen had to come back to church.

I love being a missionary. I know this is the Lord's work. Our faith is stronger than rain. As much as I'd like to think we are waterproof, we're not. I finally broke down and got a poncho. It's green. It keeps my scriptures dry and that's what's important. You can tell it's going to rain if it gets really hot. Doesn't really make sense to me but that's what the members tell us. So this is the rainy hot season and I love it.

I love you most! Have a great week!

Sister Sahagun

Rain and shine....

we ride our bikes and...

Share the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of Thailand!

Dearest Family,

Have you ever had a drink in a bag? I have. Actually it was 3 bags. One plastic bag full of ice and chocolate milk goodness, inside a cute brown bag, inside another plastic bag for carrying convenience. I love Thailand.

This Wednesday we went early one morning with the branch president's wife to find some lost sheep. We went to about 10 different houses, but didn't actually get to see anyone. A couple times we knew they were home, but they just didn't answer. One person had moved to Dubai and then there was one address that didn't really exist. Finding these people is hard work, but I know that it's so worth it! The last person we visited was this cute 90 year old man that is bed ridden and was just so happy to have some visitors. He's not a member, but his daughter is. It was so wonderful to share a message with him of the importance of families and that we can be together forever. On Sunday, Sister ตุ๊กเเก (the branch President's wife) gave us a bag of mango steen, the most delectable and divine fruit in all of Thailand. I love her. I'm grateful for blessings that come in all forms especially when we can eat the fruits of our labor.

This weekend was District conference. Elder Wong of the seventy came, he is the funniest man. He was just really animated and had a lot of energy. Saturday night was the adult meeting and unfortunately it was a rainy night. Not very many people came to the meeting. When President Senior got up to speak, he commented on the small attendance. "I'm not sure if you're aware of what happens in Thailand when it rains..." really though, I feel like I write this every week, it all just shuts down. But what he said was great, "our faith must be stronger than rain." Rain can not be an excuse to come to church. Elder Wong committed everyone to look around and see who wasn't at the meeting and to give them a call and invite them to come to the meeting on Sunday. Even though it was a small group, It was powerful to me to see these faithful saints gathered together. The choir on Sunday sang this beautiful medley of I am a Child of God, I know that My Redeemer Lives, and Teach me to Walk in the Light in both Thai and English and it brought the most beautiful spirit to the meeting. I love these people so much. I know that God loves them and I am grateful to be able to be here to learn and grow with them as we work together to bring others to come unto Christ and invite those back that have forgotten.

I hope you all have a wonderful week! You're in my prayers!

Love, 

Sister Sahagun

Email from a member

Dear Tilley's and Sahagun's,

We are a family living in the branch that your daughters are serving in.  We wanted you to know how much we like your daughters. They are doing a fantastic job and setting a great example for many.

We had them over for dinner tonight and thought you might like to see a photo of them. Please know how proud you would be if you could see them.   I have three daughters and they have set such a great example for them.


Thank you for sharing them with us and the wonderful people of Thailand.

Best,
Diana Nelson

Dearest Family,

Thanks for your emails! Mom, you have the cutest ideas and I just hope I can be as fun and creative in my classroom. The activity with the marshmallows and spaghetti was so cute and we actually did something really similar this week in our district meeting. We all had paperclips, pins, paper, and other random things and had to build a boat but then we compared it to building a stake! It's going to happen, but only if we focus our efforts and all work together! My boat turned out great just in case you were wondering. 

The other day we were contacting at this bus stop and I noticed that this man had a way cool plant thing and I really wanted to talk to him so I just told him I liked his plant and then immediately regretted it. I had forgotten that if you tell a Thai person that you like something they just give it to you. I turned to Sister Tilley and was like "Oh, no know this man is going to give me this plant thing!" and that's exactly what happened! 

I tried to tell him no and that he should go give it to his mom, but he insisted that it was just a random thing from a meeting and he had no use for it. So then I tried to give him a pamphlet in return but he wouldn't take it! That doesn't seem fair. I wish he would have just taken it. Anyway, I was thinking about how last week we had that "rude" rejection. It was pretty mild compared to all the rejections of missionaries in other places in the world, ancient apostles, and the rejections that Christ experienced. Then I found this scripture in D&C 60:15 and that's it. I am so grateful to be here inviting others to come unto Christ, helping them know how to better use their agency and to have true and lasting happiness in their lives. Not everyone accepts the message, but we'll just wash our feet and keep going and spreading the good word.

Yesterday was the happiest fast Sunday of my whole mission! ซี (C) was baptized!!!!

She is May's best friend and started learning with us right before Sister Carter left. She was already Christian (that never happens) and had a sincere desire to learn more about Jesus Christ. It has been so incredible to see her grow and come to know her Savior more. She bore such a sweet simple testimony and shared her desire to learn even more as she continues to read in the Book of Mormon. I love her so much! I love May for bringing her friend to church with her! I love repentance and I know that the next baptism we have we'll remember to have a towel. Heavenly Father loves us so much and He helps us work out even the little things because He knows they are important to us. I know this church is true!

We had the most incredible coordination meeting with the branch mission leader for the International branch. I love agendas and organization. My favorite part was this story that he told us from his mission in Fiji. In Fiji, there's a lot of fishing yes so these fisherman go out and they look for the birds. Where there are birds, there are fish. Without the birds, you can probably still find some fish, but it's hard and takes a lot more time. It is the same with members and missionary work! Members are the birds and the fish are our friends and people who are ready to receive the gospel. Isn't that nice? So be a helpful bird.

I love you all so much. I can't believe Nick is speaking Spanish, I can't wait to hear that. Tyler, give Mrs. Dowse a chance okay? Be nice. JB, I got your letter and your beautiful artwork! Thank you so much! I sent the fam some artwork of my own, I hope you enjoy that. You're all so supportive and just the best family I could ask for. Have a fabulous week!

Love, 

Sister Sahagun

Dearest Family,

You're all so busy with school! The school schedule here is way weird I have no idea what the deal is or if there is even an actual set thing. The international school is normal, but all these other Thai kids have been in school since I got here in April. I feel like everyone is just in school always everyday all day. Not exaggerating. Oh, except if there is a Buddhist holiday which sometimes feels like every other week. Most kids have school on Sunday (university kids too) and it's hard to find a way for them to come to church. A lot of the youth will wear their school uniform to church and just try to work around it. I'm grateful that there is no school on Sunday in America.

Our investigators นินู (ni noo) is just the most adorable happy 15 year old in all the land.

She's been coming to church for the past two months, has a great understanding of the gospel, and a sincere testimony. Everyone thinks she's a member already. She has a date to be baptized, but because she's 15 she has to have parent permission so that is the only thing that is holding her back. During our lesson with her this week it really hit me how much she's having to change and give up to follow Christ and be baptized. Buddhism is a huge part of the culture, everything that she has grown up doing worshiping those little spirit houses, wying every statue, going to the Wat and burning incense it's all just what you do here in Thailand. Change is hard. Yesterday at church she told us that her parents are fine with her learning with us as long but she has to give up facebook for a year. Sister Tilley and I just laughed I don't really understand the reasoning behind that but whatever it's fine. We're giving up facebook for Jesus too. It's way better this way.

We had such a good leadership training this week! "I'm just dropping my mom off at this parenting class while I go with the other kids to day care." Sister Tilley and the other greenies went out and carried on with the work while we learned how to be better leaders. President Senior is the best. We were talking about how most people here will tell you that they believe in God but they are confused about who God is. To them God is Buddha. "If I were God I wouldn't want to live in one of those little houses, but I would like a Strawberry Fanta." Strawberry Fanta is definitely the most popular pick.  Those little spirit houses are everywhere and it's just the saddest thing to ride our bikes by one and then see a perfect most beautiful ripe mango just sitting on a plate to rot. I'll have that. 

I experienced my first real sad rejection. We were given a referral of this American family that wanted to find a Christian church. We showed up and the mom was just very blunt and not inviting at all. Rude I guess is the best word. I felt so sad that we didn't really even have a chance to say anything. They just moved here and I'm sure they could use some help finding things or if they needed help speaking Thai we'd love to just serve them. It was just nothing like talking to a happy Thai person. I guess that was a lil taste of missionary work in America. 

Just when I feel like I can't imagine any more miracles happening they do. Of course there are more! This is God's work and His glory and I should never doubt. Yesterday three people walk into the church and attend the International branch. The one lady lives here and was just looking for a Christian church that is closer to her house. She had good questions about the Book of Mormon and we're so excited to teach her! Then there's this guy from Africa and his wife who is Thai and they wanted to know about every meeting or activity that was going on this week. They just wanted to be at the church as much as they could. Unfortunately there's not anything happening this week but the good news is we can meet with them as often as they'd like! These are people prepared to hear the gospel and we are so excited to teach them! We were riding our bikes to this less actives house when this man on a motorcycle flagged us down and stopped for us to catch up. At first I was a lil scared, but the first thing he asked us was if we had a Book of Mormon. What? Yes please. He's met with missionaries before and wants to learn again. 

I love being a missionary. I know this church is true. I am so grateful for the many miracles that I see in my life every day. Have a wonderful week!

I caught a lizard. I wish I could send the video, but it's too big.
It squirmed out of my hands and I accidentally ripped it's tail... :(

Love,

Sister Sahagun

Beyond 5

Dearest Family,

I love hearing from you!! Thanks for all your support and the words of inspiration. Daddio, that Lord of the Rings bit was great. "All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us." When is your next fireside? I was in the Tops grocery store this week when that Carpenters song you've got a friend... winter spring summer fall came on and I was just missing you lots! 

This week has felt really long! Mostly just because a lot happened I guess. On Monday night we had chili and cornbread at a members house from the international branch. They invited us to stay for family home evening and their kids were so excited to show us what their family does. They have a three year old daughter, a two year old son, and a one year old son. As soon as the lesson ended, Wendy jumped up and said now we do ring around the rosie and duck duck goose. That's the tradition I guess, they are just adorable and it was fun to be at an American family night.

On Tuesday, Sister Tilley got pretty sick and we missed the English showcase. (Not too sad about that...) but we had a great language study that was dedicated to learning the words about our health and lack thereof. I went to great lengths to write out the forever long word for thermometer and cream  and when it came time to actually use them, I said it in Thai and the pharmacist just said oh! thermomeTER with the up tone.Yep. And cream is just cream. Sometimes it's just that easy! Not always though...I keep mixing up the words for interview and relationship. ความสัมภาษณ์ and ความสัมพันธ์. That's been a lil embarrassing.  

We had transfers on Thursday! Sister Tilley and I are still in ปากเกร็ด and we now have two more sisters serving in our branch! I'm so excited! That's a grand total of 6 missionaries in our branch! It's just going to really help each companionship focus on a smaller area and hopefully make it easier to find and work with all the less active members.

Friday night was the Beyond 5 concert. I don't even know what to tell you about it. I just find it so Ironic that the first concert I've attended is to this random boy band that no one has heard of, here in Thailand, as a missionary. President and Sister Senior were there too. Not something I expected to do as a missionary. We sang this song called Bliss -Eric Whitaker, รักนิรันดร์, this other Thai song I can't spell, Come Thou Fount, and The King's Anthem. It was quite the random selection, but I dare say it was the best part of the concert. I take it back. Brother Egg was the best part of the concert. He is a member in the ดอนเมือง branch and has the best voice ever! He has a CD coming out at the end of this month and I'm really excited to have that in my life in a year. As for Beyond 5, it was just so weird. Sister Tilley was freaking out the entire time. Totally in here element. "This is probably the closest I'll get to Justin Bieber." He's actually coming to Thailand next month. The young women in the international branch keep us updated.

Saturday we met with two less actives and the recent convert family from Sri Lanka. I love them so much! We also prepared the program for เม's baptism!! เม got baptized on Sunday!!! It was the happiest most beautiful day! During the talks I just kept thinking about that scripture D&C 18:15 how great shall be your joy if you shall bring one soul unto me...I am so grateful that I got to be apart of เม coming to know who her Savior is and helping her develop a testimony for herself that God is our loving Heavenly Father and because He loves us, he's given us a way to return to live with Him again. She's on the right path! 

Sister Tilley and I sang the song when I am Baptized. It's my favorite! I am so grateful for repentance and the opportunity we have to be clean as earth right after rain every time we sincerely repent. I am grateful for the simple words of that primary song that help remind me that Heaven'y Father's Plan really is simple and as long as we repent we can be forgiven and improve each day. I loved hearing เม bear her testimony. I've never seen her speak with that much confidence before. She talked about how it's hard to change religions, but she did it because she loves God and Jesus Christ. I'm just so happy for her!!

The talks in church were wonderful too. Both speakers talked about invitations. Everyone's received some kind of invitation before. Usually we're excited to see who it's from and what it's for. Many times you'll hear the invitation "come here" from parents. The usual response, "WHY?" well you could say "because I said so" but in relation to the gospel invitation to "come here" the answer is because God loves us, and the reason we come is because we love Him. Each of us has the responsibility to extend that gospel invitation. I love being a missionary. I love sharing this joyous message with people of eternal families, repentance, and our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Have a wonderful week! I love you most!

Love,

ซิสเตอร์ ซาเฮกัน

Sister Sahagun