April 28,2014

MOM! DAD! SIBS!

Thank you so much!!! I loved all the pictures!! Lizzy is going to the U for PT school. I hope I'll see her this fall. Tyler and Jessica are so busy! I can't believe that JB is turning 13 and that she has a cell phone?! What happened? Craziness. I do not miss snow. I am so sorry you are experiencing such weather conditions. This is the hottest month of the year and I'm loving it. Thanks so much for working out all that school stuff...weird. Yes, my date changed. It won't really be real to me until it's that day and I'm actually going home. Thank you so much for the Easter Birthday package! Graham Crackers and Frosting!!! So much happiness in my heart! You know me all too well. I love you guys so much! I got some birthday cards in the mail about two weeks ago and I'm waiting to open them. You know it only takes about 10 days to get a letter from there to here, right? That's pretty quick snail mail. 

Fish Friday...

Hey Dad, thanks for the update on Google. And yes, JB's phone number. Those are fun facts. Really though, it's fun to read your emails from all of you. That was terrifying to read about your lil heartbeat incident. I'm glad you're okay. No coke in a bag for you! (that's a thing here in Thailand)

Transfers was crazy! The day after I emailed you we got a phone call from the AP's saying that Sister Carter was staying! We went to the transfer meeting anyway because there was a training meeting that I needed to go to. So then after the meeting we got another phone call. Transfer after the transfer. The international sisters are now in a trio. And we now have 5 sisters in our house. Our bedroom is a mulit-level tetris theme. One bunkbed, two beds, and a mattress on the floor. It's fun. I know me and Sister Cater and I are supposed to be companions right now. She's going through a lot right now and I'm grateful to be her companion.

It's been a crazy week. I am continually reminded that this is the Lord's work and not mine. There are simple things that need to be taken care of that are important. Sometimes we just have to slow down for ourselves. If you knew you had a flat tire, how long would you wait before you stopped and fixed it? Not very long. That perspective is so good especially when we're sick or it's so hot and we just need to drink some water and take a break. I'm so excited for this transfer. It's been hard and so good here.

I love being a missionary. I love the sisters in my zone. We had the most blessed miracle this week. The international sisters gave us a FAMILY to teach! They live in our apartment complex one floor below us! Lots more stories that I want to tell you sometime but can't do justice writing in an email. I'll add some pics.

I love you so much. The church is so true. I'm so happy.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Sahagun

This sweet woman is 98. She's not a member of the church, but her daughter is. We came and sang some hymns and she was so happy. She invited us to come back for her birthday in December. 

Also my banana cake from general confernece. Almost as good as a costco muffin

April 21, 2014

MOM! DAD! SIBS!

Thank you so much!!! I loved all the pictures!! Lizzy is going to the U for PT school. I hope I'll see her this fall. Tyler and Jessica are so busy! I can't believe that JB is turning 13 and that she has a cell phone?! What happened? Craziness. I do not miss snow. I am so sorry you are experiencing such weather conditions. This is the hottest month of the year and I'm loving it. Thanks so much for working out all that school stuff...weird. Yes, my date changed. It won't really be real to me until it's that day and I'm actually going home. Thank you so much for the Easter Birthday package! Graham Crackers and Frosting!!! So much happiness in my heart! You know me all too well. I love you guys so much! I got some birthday cards in the mail about two weeks ago and I'm waiting to open them. You know it only takes about 10 days to get a letter from there to here, right? That's pretty quick snail mail. 

Hey Dad, thanks for the update on Google. And yes, JB's phone number. Those are fun facts. Really though, it's fun to read your emails from all of you. That was terrifying to read about your lil heartbeat incident. I'm glad you're okay. No coke in a bag for you! (that's a thing here in Thailand)

Transfers was crazy! The day after I emailed you we got a phone call from the AP's saying that Sister Carter was staying! We went to the transfer meeting anyway because there was a training meeting that I needed to go to. So then after the meeting we got another phone call. Transfer after the transfer. The international sisters are now in a trio. And we now have 5 sisters in our house. Our bedroom is a mulit-level tetris theme. One bunkbed, two beds, and a mattress on the floor. It's fun. I know me and Sister Cater and I are supposed to be companions right now. She's going through a lot right now and I'm grateful to be her companion.

It's been a crazy week. I am continually reminded that this is the Lord's work and not mine. There are simple things that need to be taken care of that are important. Sometimes we just have to slow down for ourselves. If you knew you had a flat tire, how long would you wait before you stopped and fixed it? Not very long. That perspective is so good especially when we're sick or it's so hot and we just need to drink some water and take a break. I'm so excited for this transfer. It's been hard and so good here.

I love being a missionary. I love the sisters in my zone. We had the most blessed miracle this week. The international sisters gave us a FAMILY to teach! They live in our apartment complex one floor below us! Lots more stories that I want to tell you sometime but can't do justice writing in an email. I'll add some pics.

I love you so much. The church is so true. I'm so happy.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Sahagun

This sweet woman is 98. She's not a member of the church, but her daughter is. We came and sang some hymns and she was so happy. She invited us to come back for her birthday in December. 

Also my banana cake from general confernece. Almost as good as a costco muffin

Happy New Year! Bangkok Thailand-Songkran

Happy New Year from Thailand!

Dear Family,
Happy Easter!!! This was my favorite Easter ever. I love the #BecauseofHim
video on easter.mormon.org. They even have it in Thai! (If you want to try
to read Thai...)

I am no longer a stressed out worry wart #becauseofHim
My life is full of light and joy #becauseofHim
I have faith and hope in the future #becauseofHim
We are free of sin and guilt #becauseofHim
I am a missionary #becauseofHim
We can live with our families forever #because of Him
There are no endings #becauseofHim

I love thinking about the last week of the Savior's life. It was probably
the most productive week of his life. I think it's because He knew it
wasn't the end. He died on the cross, and three days later he rose! There
is no end! I have felt so much comfort, peace, and joy this week as I've
pondered this Easter story. I know that Christ was resurrected and that He
lives. That because of Him video makes his resurrection and atonement so
real. He is in everything. He is our Savior, and if we allow Him to be the
center of our lives, He will redeem us, make us better than we are, and
lift our burdens. There are no endings, only eternal beginnings. I've been
listening to Chad's Where Can I Turn for Peace for the past hour and a half
over and over. I love it so much. I love believing in Jesus Christ. Who can
understand? He only one.

This was such a good week. Songkran was a blast! 5 hours straight of the
most ginormous water fight ever. New Years, new life, water, and so much
fun. How are your New Year's resolutions? Just following up ;) wasn't that
a great talk? We call the world every day. Literally. Remember when I hated
making scary phone calls? Now I talk to people on the phone in Thai all day
long. #becauseofHim. It's good. So is following up. And because we've been
so much more diligent in following up, these are the miracles that have
come forth!:

-Pinkie promise Lin got baptized!!! (She's the girl I met by the MRT that
pinkie promised she would come to church and now she's a member!!) She
knows God lives and loves her and that repentance is real.
-Our investigator Rock is making changes in his life to be baptized! He's
living the word of wisdom! He has faith in Christ and wants to follow him!
He came to conference last weekend, and is currently trying to get Sundays
off so he doesn't have to work.
-Egg brought his wife to church! He's praying to get an answer for himself
and he's sharing what he's learned with his family!
-Nat is a less active member that we just met. He came to the Book of
Mormon class Friday night even though he had to work all night and wasn't
sure if he was going to have the energy to work. Then he came to church on
Sunday! He told us that he felt the spirit! All this came from one
invitation and following up!

I can't even tell you how happy Easter dinner was at the Senior's Dinner at
the Senior's. I love being in their home. Family, I miss you! It

We just got the moves call. Transfers are this Thursday. I'm staying.
Sister Carter is moving. I just cried. New Comp, tell you next week.
Running out of time!

Love you!

Sis. Sahagun

Sis.Carter and I

April 14, 2014

                                                                     Dear Family,

Happy Songkran! Happy Thai New Year! Happy Water fight!!! The water festival started yesterday and it goes until Tuesday. So today's P-Day activity is a giant water fight with the entire country. I'm so excited!! This time last year was my first P-Day in country and I had no idea what as going on and we didn't really get to play. This year is going to be great! Everything is closed for the Holiday. It feels so deserted, and the people that are out have buckets and water guns and splash everyone that walks by with freezing cold water. It feels great. Along with the water, people throw this powder all over your face. Sister Carter got it all over the side of her face and in her ear as we walked here from our apartment. Fun stuff!

Lao Suu sells mu bing outside the church

Conference was wonderful and glorious!! And we had two investigators come watch too! That was the happiest thing! Sorry this is old news for you, but we just watched it this weekend and I am so happy and energized by the things that I've learned. I loved Elder Eyring's talk. I really want to learn more about our family history. I'm excited to do that. My favorite talk was from Elder Bednar "Bear up their burdens with ease" It was the load... Love this scripture in Matt 11:28-30. The atonement is my theme for the month. Accept the invitation that our Savior so lovingly extends to each of us.  Rely on him! Pull together with him! His yoke is easy and his burden is light. We can receive capacity and strenght beyond our own. Carry on! Are you as comforted and hopeful as I am after hearing all this? Yes! Only through the Atonement can we do more and become more. Why do we so easily forget these things? I don't know but I'm trying to remember Him more. There was a wonderful theme of simplicity this conference. I felt an urgency to do good and to be better. Be Strong! Another theme of my life recently. I have renewed faith and hope. We can't do it alone, not supposed to do it alone.I loved the many talks about Joseph smith. I love the prophet so much and I'm grateful for his diligence and his example of seeking knowledge. I have learned for myself that these things are true and I have found so much joy helping others do the same. I want to remember what I've learned and be better. 

Last night we had Family Home evening at the Seniors. It was soooo much fun and it made me miss you all so much. It felt exactly like our FHEs complete with President Senior asking Elder Lucas to ask someone else to say the prayer, followed by a family counsel. Then Sister Senior encouraging President Senior to just start the lesson and it was just so good to be in their home and to be reminded of you all. We had a really nice lesson about the Lord's Prayer and shared our favorites from Conference. Afterwards we played foosball at their kitchen table. There was a ping pong ball and we just had to blow it across the table. It was hillarious and so fun. I laughed so hard I cried. I'll tell you more of this wonderful water fight next week! I love being a missionary! The church is so true! Have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Sahagun

April 7, 2014

Dear Family,

Loved your emails, thanks for all the sweet updates! So it's Steve Burton like used to teach ag science at CV? Hu. That's cool. You've definitely been in my prayers this week! Always, but especially this week. I can't believe Courtney is going to have her baby so soon! Don't forget to send me pictures! Hey you may not have noticed this, but Wisit Khanakham was called to serve as the first Thai area 70! He was one of President Senior's counselors. He's awesome! We served with him quite a bit up in Udon.

Dad your email was perfect! I still haven't watched conference yet. This weekend! I'm so excited to hear the talks!! I loved how you talked about living in the moment. Lizzy emailed me this week about this too. I just want to watch conference. It sounds like a much needed theme in my life right now. Live in the moment. We have all of eternity to think about what we did in this life. Yes, and time is so short so I really need to make the most of it and enjoy the here and now and worry about tomorrow later. I started a new planner today. Where did the last 6 weeks go? Anyway, the important thing is that today we are going to teach brother Egg and talk to Sister Lek about helping us find some LAs on Thursday.

I eat squid!

I loved hearing what you both wrote while you were on your missions. I love reading through my notes in the MTC and my journal from when I first arrived in country. I've learned so much! 

I also eat Spaghetti!

I've been called Elder so much this week. I don't know why so many people are confused about this. Apparently missionary=Elder. This one lady was talking about how when she learned, she learned with boy Elders not girl Elders. Sometimes I just laugh and don't correct them because they call us Elder anyway. 

I went on a switchoff in Bangbuatong. I forgot how terrifying it is to ride a bike in Bangkok and how scandalous it is riding a bike in a skirt. We talked to tons of people. (Another way of saying that things fell through so we went contacting.) 

We are teaching this adorable old man named Sugid that is way Buddhist and wants to be baptized. His first prayer, "Heavenly Father, I'm a good person. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." He is such a good person. We taught him the commandments,said we don't worship idols and told him to take off his Buddhist necklace phraa thing I don't know what to call it in English, and the next day he showed up at church with no Buddhist necklace and hadn't had any coffee that morning either. He's so excited to be baptized. I've never met an old person so open to change as he is. 

The Baptismal font in Bangbuatong.

Then we're teaching this kid Joe. He's 19, we just met him outside the office as we were heading towards the church and he agreed to meet with us two hours later after he got off work. We taught him and committed him to quit smoking. He said he would try. He's still struggling a bit but he's super cool. He wanted to meet with us everyday so that he can prepare to be baptized. When we taught the Law of Chastity and said we can't have homosexual relationships. He said, "Don't worry. I promise to Jesus that I won't do that!" I'm so glad. He's so cool and has tons of good questions about the gospel. The other day he asked us a non gospel related question,"How much does it cost to fly from Thailand to America?" Uh...we don't know. "How did you get here?" We flew...kind of embarrassing. It's expensive. That's all I know.

Training Sisters Meeting

Wednesday was mission leadership council. I always love that meeting. We talked a lot about doing the simple things: following up, praying for and expecting miracles, and asking for referrals. Faith leads to small miracles that lead to marvelous works. It's really simple. The simplicity of the gospel brings so much peace and true happiness. We talked about the gift of the Holy Ghost and the light of Christ. I love this scripture in D&C 50:24-25..chase darkness from among you...Where there is light there can be no darkness!! 

I love this time of year so much! Conference is like Christmas. I miss being with you all and eating Costco muffins, but I'll think of you and eat a banana cake from 7 and will be almost just as good. 

Love you most,

Sister Sahagun

Dear Family,

We spent quite a bit of time this week at our third home, Bangkok Hospital. (first: the church, second: Siam condo, third: the hospital.) We're all healthy now! The bug has been identified and named as Plesiomonas Shigelloides. Sounds about as bad as it was. Poor Sister Carter got it bad. Yay for antibiotics!! We got really good at taking the bus there, and boarding and exiting the bus safely. Thai buses are crazy. (All cars in Thailand are) I guess mom had a crazy driving escapade this week. It was probably a mild Thai style driving. Anyway, when boarding and exiting the bus you must be quick and careful because the bus actually never stops. It kind of just slows down to a roll and the minute you have one foot on it speeds up and takes off at freeway speeds.

The President of BYU Hawaii came and visited us and gave a lil seminar for just the missionaries. He talked about learning, leading, and building. It was really motivating and I liked it.

On Wednesday we met two Jehovah's Witnesses and two saints, Peter and Paul. What a day. The Jehovah's Witnesses were these two sweet Asian ladies. The one lady was probably four feet tall. She stopped and looked up at me and asked if what I was carrying was the scriptures. Yes! She got so excited and so I showed her that it was the Book of Mormon. She smiled, and quickly walked away. Then the saints. We were walking through the university and these two men from Ireland invited us over. We sat down and were informed that they were having a literary discussion of a famous Irish author something James I don't know I guess he's like their Shakespeare, anyway somehow we got the conversation going about our church and they agreed to walk with us back to the church. (2 minute walk from where we were) We walked in and I immediately could tell that Paul was so uncomfortable. He liked the paintings as we walked him through the church. He asked me if I'd ever read the Book of Mormon. I could tell that he had a lot of questions, and then they all came out. And all of his opinions and things he's confused about and why the world is such a terrible place and a couple other things. We just listened. I'm so glad we listened. I hope that we gave him a better impression of our church. I didn't really do this story justice. Sorry. I'll tell you more some other time.

Our elevator makes this lovely lil chime when it arrives. Just four notes that sound like the start to Lead Kindly Light. It's nice.

We were so productive this week! Despite all our hospital visits. Oh and I went to the dentist. That was funny. They put this purple washcloth thing over my face that covered my eyes, nose, and chin but had a hole where my mouth is. It was really weird but kind of nice to not have that bright light in my eyes. 

I'm so happy here. It's great to be a missionary. I'm so grateful for prayer. We can and should ask for help. I need to ask more questions in my prayers. I know the Lord hears and answers us. Have a wonderful week!

Love, 

Sister Sahagun

The scary looking building is my apartment building

 Dear Family,

This week President and Sister Senior left for 5 days to do zone conferences and district conferences in the North and as soon as they left everyone got sick. We were going to be in a trio with this one sick sister and then the next day we were struck with some other terrible plague of fever chills and stomach problems. So then they sent that other sister somewhere else and we were out for 3 days. Not fun. Lots of phone calls were made. Still not sure what it was. Maybe a bacterial infection? Parasites? Something nasty. Not quite back to "normal", but I don't really remember what "normal" feels like anymore. 

What is this winter that keeps dragging on that everyone is talking about? I'll keep Enoch in my prayers for some rain. Poor Nick out there in the cold and snow. I've been living in this Summer wonderland for a year and I am definitely not taking it for granted. It's kind of confusing though it just feels like a forever summer but they are just now putting up signs for summer sales and summer fun whatever and I have to keep asking myself what month it is.

I'm stressed. The end is coming and I don't want to speak of it but I got my sprint to the finish letter and my release date info and all these hard questions about details I don't know and I'm supposed to sign up for school and a place to live and I just want to stay here forever!!!

Sorry that was dramatic. I'm trying to find a balance. It's all going to work out. I know that this preparation is kind of necessary, but I feel kind of out of the loop not knowing the answers and it's easier to just not think about it. That's all. 

We had a baptism yesterday! Coms was baptized along with 5 other investigators. Coms mom is a less active member that has this yummy restaurant pretty close by the church. Coms is 13 and has been praying with her mom her whole life, she just never got baptized. So we taught her all the lessons and we've been bringing her to church with us and now she's baptized and we're going to keep teaching her and prepare her to be a missionary! She's adorable. In her testimony she said that she knows that God is real and promised to keep the commandments forever. Every person after her said the same thing pretty much. It was awesome. Keep the commandments! Good theme.

Mom you asked about scripture study. I just do a million things at once. Right now I'm studying in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormom in English and in Thai in another place. I just have a question every day that I right down and try to find answers. I color code stuff. Right now I've been highlighting every time I see God or Jesus Christ or any of their names in yellow. It's everywhere. I love it. The scriptures truly testify of Christ. 

I love reading in Thai! I underline all the words I don't know and look them up and it's all making sense. Personal Study is always my favorite. 

I am so grateful for the peace this gospel brings. I hope you all have a wonderful week! Don't forget to pray! 

Love,

Sister Sahagun