Merry Christmas!

It is weird that Christmas is in 2 days?! I'm excited to skype you guys. I really want to talk to you all. It is true that stress is just a thing that we all must deal with each day but I think I need to manage my stress better. Now it's weird like I have ZERO desire of going home but I feel like I'm missing out on something because these last couple of weeks have been umm different. I feel like I'm not succeeding or quite understand what is it that I was suppose to learn this transfer.

 

Now about my companion, President Cleveland and Sister Cleveland are both aware of this and they're helping him as much as they can but it seems like he's going to be going home after this transfer :( I have tried to helped him change his mind because I really don't want him to go home. I KNOW that he will regret it because honestly, what's at home? Everything that is at home can wait until this journey is done. I mean I am tired because I'm always careful and watch him in a distance even when he sleeps.. I just don't want him to do anything idiotic. He's a really really nice kid, I really like him as a person he's a great guy to be around. But I feel like it's out of my ability to help at this point.

 

Well, I'll be skyping from the Barlow's home on Christmas day. I'll definitely need you guys to meet them because they are awesome! We'll watch ELF with them (Yes, we got it approved) and probably be spending the whole day with them. I'm excited to spend time with their children and their family. I think it'll be fun. Anyhow, I hope your christmas week is going great so far. I really don't have anything to share this week except the fact that I strongly dislike washing the car in the cold... (Yes, I used dislike instead of hate)

 

Love you guys and please tell the ward I really appreciate what they have done and sent me!

 

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

Being on Life Alert

I have to tell you guys that I have been doing a lot better. Now if you ask me if I'm stressed? I have to say that YES I am  I feel like I'm on 'life-alert'. Good thing is that my companion is starting to tell me things that come to his head. So I can prepare and make sure that he doesn't kill himself. I want to try my best and help him but sometimes the whole teenage attitude just makes me want to bang my head! So frustrating at times. But despise all the difficulties, I'm doing alright. 

This week has been alright. Nothing too exciting, seriously the last 4 weeks or well 5 weeks now we've been staying in quite a lot. My companion is sick so we can't really go out because he'll get sicker and can't visit members because they have younglings! Anyhow, I don't know what happened this week but it seems like something just clicked. I realized that I can not prohibit someone from using their agency but I can always love them and share with them and always let them know. Actually I feel better this way.

 

We're working hard with the members and started to follow with the Ward Mission Plan which is great. The members are excited and seem to be trusting us more and more. We'll see what's going to happen next! 

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

God Has A Plan

This week has been a lot of pondering and studying. The question that has been on my mind ever since I got out here came to a conclusion. That question was what am I willing to give up for this work. For awhile I thought I could totally do the work and be committed. Well that hasn't been easy as always. True, that I have had success. But there was one thing that was holding me back. But every time I ask Heavenly Father how I can improve, every time I'm on my knees begging for guidance, this issue has come to mind. So last week I literally felt a prompting of what to do.  I know that Heavenly Father hears my prayers and He loves me. He has a better plan for all of us. And for me to truly show him and in a way Pay Him back was through giving up Everything. Literally sacrificing my "life" for the space of two years. I know that His Hands are in this work. I testify of His love for each of us.

The area is picking up-ish. I mean we have 3 new investigators but I feel since I have lost 10 lbs I can move and work faster. Here's a thing we have with this girl Misti. I don't think she cares much for the Gospel. Matter of fact she doesn't even want to read the Book of Mormon but she doesn't mind us teaching her stuff. I have a feeling that she just likes us. That she actually likes me. Yesterday we had Sis. Pulham and Misti at the fireside "Why I believe" and as they were leaving I shook everyone's hand and when I got to her; I shook her hand and said "Thanks for coming!" but it was a split second awkward moment...she didn't let go of my hand. It could just be me. but boy I feel, hmm what's the word? Violated! 

Anyway we're working a lot on door knocking and my companion needs to see a psychologist because of it... I think? Well he was really depressed to the point where he's suicidal. It scared the crap out of me. I thought I messed up that bad. Anyway we're still moving forward! and doing what we can. This area is ready to be flooded but we just gotta find a way to open that gate of Baptism! That's all I got for you guys! 

Love, 
Elder Uthaichai 

Thanksgiving

Now talking about patience; that's something Heavenly Father has been trying to teach me lately I think. We tracted and tracted. Still no one seems to be serious about the Gospel. Now I believe my companion is also trying my patience. He just won't try things.. I asked him nicely to initiate the conversation and he just goes into like awkard scene. Perhaps I need to just relax and focus on him instead of getting new investigators. I don't know. Anyway during Thanksgiving, we had 3 dinners. 2 with members and 1 with stranger. Yes I was stuffed like the Turkey. Oh I forgot to say that in the morning we played some good old Turkey Bowl which was quite enjoyable. I did however, hurt my shoulder but I will tell Sis Cleveland(President Cleveland's wife). Well although Thanksgiving might sound fun my mind wandered a bit - I wanted to go snowboarding, hah!

This week has been interesting really. We found people who just say the things that missionaries would love to hear but don't keep their end of the bargain so I guess onward!

 Can you believe it that my year mark is just around the corner? Weird huh? A few Elders that I have made friends with who are going home around the same time as me. Perhaps 1 or 2 transfers sooner or later. They want to do a road trip someday so I told them I would totally do it.

Well have a wonderful week!

Love,
Elder Uthaichai