Priesthood Roles

You will laugh and be surprised by what I am about to say: I actually read a book. Don't ask me why I read it but I did it over the course of 2 days. I read "Priesthood and Woman" it opened my eyes. I mean I respect girls and women but I never knew it was an issue for women not being "ordained" to the priesthood. It was a great book. It taught me more about the Priesthood. I think that people just need to understand that we (male and female) have distinct roles in the Plan of Happiness. According to the book, my role as a priesthood holder is to provide and protect. Which in my opinion, I am perfectly fine with.

 

Anyhow, this week has been way fun. I taught way too many Other Lessons. It is disgusting! I either need to plan better or people just need to be more accountable, ha. We're excited about the "Meet the Mormons" movie. I hope we get to watch it but if we don't, oh well. Our district is doing really good in terms of the Standard of Excellent. However, it seems like everyone is struggling with their own "personal" challenges but what I admire about all of us is that we're able to set that aside and focus on the work when the time comes. I think I am able to do that because of Dad (Chuck). I look back and I always remember that when he's working he's working. When he's spending time with us, his focus is on us. Which is a trait that I hope to obtain one day. I only have 4 transfers left! It's so scary to think about that.

Oh sad news, one of the missionaries that went home in November passed away from a motorcycle accident. It was sad but I guess it was his time. Perhaps he shouldn't have bought a bike... just saying. 

I love you guys and I hope that everything is going well! 

love,

Elder Sam Uthaichai

Planting the Seed

Mosiah 27:29
My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.

I went down to Linton this last Friday and man I don't want to gossip so I will not mention the name(s). The DL there gave a training on the "law of consecration" yeah... I passed a note to Elder Rider and said "What is going on?!" So we asked him through a piece of paper if we could have 15 minutes so that the missionaries can get something out of it. Sometimes I wonder if these missionaries even know what on earth they're here for. But then I realized that everyone has their own trials and walking their own journey. It is frustrating but I know that the Lord is teaching me about patience, which I have developed some.
Lately, we have been struggling with finding people that are "solid". Right now we have a shallow pool of investigators. It is hard to commit these college students to meet when their schedule consumes their lives. I am simply planting seeds here at ISU. I don't mind though, because at the end of the day I know did my best. Most of our time is spent teaching the first lesson and then setting up a return appointment but 95% of the time is a no-show which really gets to me but I don't let it bother me too much because I know people have agency which sucks! Oh well what can you do right? Just do my best that's all the Lord ask of me correct?

One interesting thing that happen to us this week is that we are encourage to talk to everybody and if you remember college campuses.. it's impossible so we pick and choose who we talk to but when we talk to as many as we can without "rushing", I have realized that when we carry a meaningful conversation with a purpose of sharing that Light of Christ through bearing testimony. People are more receptive and are more willing to give us their time even if we might not see them again, I know that a seed was planted.

Could you pray for Tiffany Grimes? That would be lovely, we lost contact with her and not sure how to get in contact with her again. She was progressing really well and out of the blue, she was gone.
We had a stake conference this past Sunday, they were sustaining a new Stake President which was really interesting because the person that was called has only been in Indiana for 13 months. I didn't fall asleep! Hah.
For the past couple of days I have been preparing a talk on "How do commitments relate to conversion by the Power of the Holy Ghost?". So as I ponder on that I had a question that came to me even though it has nothing to do with the topic. My question was "Why does the Lord do certain things? or why is something happening now and not later?" I guess I'm just curious about the Lord's timing. It's not too serious but it just made me think about how loving He is and how patient He is with all of us.

Love,
Elder Uthaichai

New Investigator

My week has been a little bit slow. I mean we're still teaching a lot of new lessons and meeting new people. However, we did find someone well the Lord gave us someone that hit rock bottom that we're working with currently. We hope that it will get somewhere. We set her baptismal date for Oct 25. Her name is Tiffany. She has been through a lot emotionally and physically. Very humble girl. It is a pleasure for us to have the opportunity to work with her. 

I am serving the Lord with all I am and all I can. However, if there's one thing that I have learned is manage my plate. There will always be something of the world that bothers me but at the end of the day. I know who I am and where I will be. That's where I find peace within myself. I can't say that I have a perfect knowledge of everything but what I can, is that I know how to find peace within myself. That's what faith and hope is.

Love,
Elder Uthaichai