So, I lied. Week #41

Hello Everyone! Ok this week will be backwards from regular format. Scripture first. Mormon 9:9 says, 

"For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?"

Well I learned this first hand this week. Another fun adventure of white washing out of an area and learning at transfer meeting I was doing it. Let me start from the beginning.

So we got our transfer calls early on Monday. I was supposed to be staying in P-lok where I loved it and was so happy. It is such a great place. So we got Sister Morgan all packed up and said her goodbyes to everyone. As we said goodbyes to our investigators we told them they need not worry because even though Sister Morgan was leaving, we promised I would stay and have a new friend with me. Oops that turned into a lie.

So Wednesday evening we get on our bus for the 6 hour ride to Bangkok. We got in around one in the morning and headed to Bang Khen to stay the night. Which was my greenie area and my Ma was there. She had come back from Laos because she has now finished her mission. So we were back in our old apartment together. It was fun. Too much fun... Ha ha we stayed up the whole night catching up and talking. I hadn't seen her since we unknowingly whitewashed out of my greenie area. There was a lot to talk about. So when we realized it was 6 in the morning we just showered and got ready for the day.

So I arrive at the church for transfer meetings and all of my friends are in the training meeting. (Yay they are all training and will be boss at it!) So the meeting ends and I walk in the room to give them hugs and see how they are. The APs see me and say oh your Sister Nethercott. Will you come here and talk to us for a minute. They pull me aside and ask, "are you moving." I get a big smile on my face and say, "No I get to stay in P-lok. I love P-lok!" and they say, "Actually your moving. So your gonna have to go back and pack your stuff." My eyes nearly teared up. I just pointed at them and said, "Your lying. Tell me your lying." They just said, "Sorry." 

Leaving P-lok

This is how I learned God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is not going to allow me to have a normal transfer meeting. So the meeting starts and suddenly I am a lot more interested in the moves that are happening. Ha ha. Now I am with Sister Belnap in Bang Khae. So far its been great. Although I haven't been here very long. When I sat down next to my new comp the first thing I said is, "Sorry I didn't know I was moving so we have to take a 6 hour bus ride to go pick up my stuff." She is so great though. She didn't even need to go home and pack an overnight bag. We just went straight up to P-lok after transfers. She has only been in Bangkok because she just finished her greenie transfer. I guess it was fun for her to see more of Thailand. I made sure she got to ride a bike and eat Kow Soy (a northern Thai food) before we came back. Ha ha So this week on Wednesday, I took a 6 hour bus to Bankok, Thursday a 6 hour bus to P-lok, Friday a 6 hour train to Bangkok. So it was a long week of traveling. I wasn't actually in my area until Saturday around lunch time. But so far the area is great! I really like it. 

I guess in a sense its better to leave Pitsanolok while I still loved it. Maybe if I would've stayed my opinion would've changed. And its been fun being back in the city. Its weird, I don't really feel like I am in Thailand unless I am in Bangkok. But I haven't worked as a missionary in the city since I was a greenie. So it will be fun to see what I remember and see what new things I've learned that I can apply. I am going to miss my ma, Sister Her though (not that I have been able to see or talk to her since we were companions). She was such a good missionary! I am proud of the things she accomplished here and the differences she has made. Especially the differences she made with me and the missionary I am. And she was the first sister missionary in Laos. It has now closed again for sisters and her companion is back working here in Thailand again. She is so good!

So yes, it was a very eventful week. I can't believe it was less then a week ago I was in P-lok teaching with Sister Morgan. But I am excited for this transfer. I think a lot of good things are going to happen! 

I hope you have all had a great week. Love you!

-Sister Nethercott

 Our favorite place to eat in P-lok

 Sister Alley taking on the challenge (large pizza, slamming a pack of tim tams, liter of milk, and earthquake (8 scoops of ice cream) from Swenson's). She conquered!

 The after math of her challenge... She died. Ha ha

 Saying goodbye to my ma at transfer meeting!

 My new companion at Que Pasa.

 We had 5 people and 4 bikes in P-lok. Luckily Sister Alley had a seat on back! Fun!

 My last Kow Soy in P-lok

 the cake one of the members bought for a goodbye. :)

 The view from the train ride. Pretty!

 The church here is like a temple. I feel like I am in America at it!

The church even has sprinklers!

 A pic of the area.

 Our view from the apartment

 And our kitchen sink

Some pics of the house. Ignore the mess... We were traveling a lot. 

 More pics of the house and the area

 It seems like a really good area so far.

Completing Families! Week #40

Hello everybody! Its been another great week here in P-lok! Seriously I love it here! (hopefully I didn't just jinx myself because we are getting transfer calls today). Ha ha

I will start with yesterday. We got to be part of such a special baptism! So that first Saturday I was in this area we met Fluke. He was baptized our second Sunday here. Then we had zone training where we were given new balanced key indicators. (Key indicators tally the number of lessons, referrals, etc.) We were told we had to get at least 2 part member family lessons each week. So we decided to ask Fluke if he thought his parents would be interested. Well we started teaching his adorable dad who is just an old version of Fluke. He was just so open and willing to accept the gospel.  

Us: "Will you be at church on Sunday?" 

Him: "I will not go shopping, I will not work, I will go to church."  

He is just so cute. Anyways, last week Fluke got the priesthood and yesterday he not only used it to pass the sacrament, but he baptized his dad! I love this new focus of the mission of completing families. It is so special to get the members sharing the gospel and focusing on the temple. The other sisters told us that this baptism has inspired one of their RCs. He walked away from the baptism saying, "I want to baptize my dad."  So special!

This week we have also made headway with one of our investigators. He was a monk before and this is his first time learning anything about Christ. He is so great though. He just understands everything so well. Earlier in the week, we taught him the 10 commandments. Every time we have seen him he has been wearing his Buddhist necklace. Well the next lesson. it was off! He is so great. He also came and made us food! He loves cooking and is really good at it. Yum!

This week we watched Elder Chamberline almost conquer the challenge. The challenge is when you eat a large pizza from Pizza Company, an earthquake (8 scoops of ice cream) from Swenson's, and slam a large pack of tim tams within an hour. Well he got so close and then decided he might throw up. Ha ha the good news for me was I got his extra tim tams. :)

And that pretty much wraps up the week. Ha ha

Today during studies I cam across this scripture. 1John 4:14

"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world."

This is what I am here in Thailand doing everyday. Testifying that God our Heavenly Father sent His son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour. To take upon Himself our sins. Through Him we can overcome any trial. And only through Him are we able to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. Without the Saviour this life would have no meaning, no purpose, and absolutely no point. We need His atonement if we want to get anywhere, to progress. Through Him we are able to change and improve. Don't let yourself get in the mindset of not being able to overcome your short comings, because through Him you can.

I love you all!

-Sister Nethercott

PS. Before Brecklyn signed off, she sent us a quick note that they heard about transfers. She and Sister Alley are staying in P-lok. Sister Burbank and Sister Morgan are transferring.

Fluke preparing to baptize his father

Aren't they just adorable?!

  This is the wat we went to last p-day. So pretty!

Starting on top of the world with the ice cream. Then the pizza. Then the tim tams... And that's where it all goes down hill. Ha ha

 Cooking with our investigator. Delicious! 

 I have to say I'm a little jealous! This looks so good!!!!