"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" Week #75

Hello everyone! Sorry if you were all expecting an email next week, this is going to be the last chance I have to email one out. (Next week she will be traveling to Bangkok on P-day TO COME HOME!)

This week was interesting (as always). I had to renew my visa (I know its silly because its only for 2 weeks) so I had to take another trip down to Bangkok. Sister Herrmann and I thought it would be easier if we left our companions working in the area while the 2 of us took care of our visas together. So we sent them to switch off with the sisters in Mahasarakham. I thought it would save time, but with the non existent bus schedule to Roiet, it probably kept us from our area longer. And those bus rides... I'll just leave them at interesting. Ha ha I don't think words can properly describe the bus rides I have taken since moving here to Roiet. So after being out of our area again, we had a lot of work to catch up on. Saturday was one of the best days though. We taught these investigators that showed up at English class. They are so cute. Its a dad and his daughter. After teaching them their first lesson of the restoration they took a date to be baptized. Sometimes when teaching investigators, it takes a lot of explaining and they still don't get it. This dad just got it. And his daughter is so sweet. They just seem super prepared. I swear he knew stuff before we even taught it to him.

The Lord truly is preparing His children for His gospel. He loves each and everyone of us because He is our Father. Serving a mission and serving the Thai people has really opened my eyes to the love that our Father in Heaven has for each one of us individually. He is aware of us and our circumstances. All He ever expects of us is that we do our best. That we love Him. As we do these things, the rest should fall into place. I have loved witnessing the atonement take action in the lives of so many. The change and joy that can come from the atonement is beyond my understanding. I love the part in a talk given this last conference when the speaker said, "Is this all I had to do in order to receive all this?" The atonement covers more than we know. It can change us more than we realize. The atonement is for everyone. No matter how old or young. No matter how many mistakes have been made or even if you are nearly perfect, the atonement can help you. It has such an enabling power to shape us to be more like our loving Father in Heaven. That is our ultimate goal, to be with Him. To be like Him. And to enjoy all the blessings which He has. This life is so small in the eternal scheme of things. It is worth sacrifice, hard work, and trials to receive what God has in store for us. Bringing others to this knowledge is so important. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is the most important thing we can be doing. Put Him and His gospel first. I know nothing else can bring as much happiness as really fully living the gospel can. We all know missionaries are the happiest people there are. We don't really sleep, we are on our feet working all day. we get rejected and torn down, we never do anything for ourselves. Why in the world would missionaries be the happiest people? Because they live the gospel so thoroughly and they keep God's commandments so exactly. If we align our will with God's, there is nothing but peace and joy. That is more than anything the world has to offer.

I know that God lives. I know he is our Heavenly Father and that he loves us more than we know. I know that Jesus Christ took upon Himself our sins and through him we can be clean. He understands us perfectly. I know that Joseph Smith restored Christ's true church on this earth. I know this true church is still being led by a living prophet Thomas S. Monson. As we heed his words and his council, we will never fall astray. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. As we read it, we will feel closer to our Heavenly Father and grow in knowledge and understanding of His plan for us. I know His plan for us includes living with our families for eternity in His presence. All we have to do is follow the example of His Son and our Savior Jesus Christ. As we do that, there is more blessings in store for us than we can comprehend.

I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have had to serve the Lord in His vineyard. I have learned so many things that have changed me. I am so grateful for all the blessings the Lord has given me in my life. I am grateful to all of you who have supported me in this service. I hope to see you all soon! I love you all!

-Sister Nethercott

2 Timothy 4: 7

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"

 Bus Rides

 Halloween

Dinner goodbye party at the bishops