Enduring to the End

This week has been a struggle. I found myself getting frustrated very easily. I think I'm just overwhelmed with the work. There are so many people to think about and very few of them are progressing in the gospel as quickly as we have hoped for. Most of them are in great need to learn English. I love them all and want them to learn so bad but, I can't help to feel like a failure... So much is expected and it seems like nothing goes the way we plan. E. Ledesma and I are grateful for the struggles we're facing though. It is a trial that we know will teach us a lesson. 

The ward is very kind and loving but sometimes I feel like they have so many different agenda. We have a lot on our plate already. I am not the one to show weakness. I have a hard time saying "no" when they ask us to do something and sometimes that kills us. 

 This holiday season is very busy. I'm thankful that it's here though, I get to take a little break. This past Sunday, I was asked to give a talk on Parents: prime gospel teachers. I thought it was a joke. I have no children yet I was able to see it from a different set of eyes. So good job mum and dad. I used you guys as my example. I guess when I reflect back, I noticed a thing or two. Thanks for being a great gospel teacher.

 

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

Rewards

President told me last night that I will be staying here until I go home which is great for me. I mean I had some issues that I need to work at but it's nothing too bad. 

I love the area and what I love about the area is the people in it. I must say that these people are marvelous. They are so humble and they are so kind. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but with these Chin/Burmese people. The things that they're going through. I can't even imagine. Well maybe I can but still it's not the easiest thing to go through. I want to do anything I can to help. 

On Saturday I felt so ill that I thought I was going to collapse. I didn't feel well. It's because I haven't really had time to eat. Our days are sometimes too busy but I'm not going to complain about it. You take what you get. But I learned something cool. All I wanted to do on Saturday was to cancel all of my appointments and just rest. Well I couldn't do that of course but after the last lesson, I decided that I want to just lie down for a few minutes. That didn't happen.. The Lord had a different plan for me. As soon as I lay my head down, the phone rang.. People called us to go give a blessing and then help set up Christmas lights.. I am not going to lie, I wasn't happy about it on the inside and I wanted to just be selfish and say "Forget you all". However, a phrase came to my mind, "Blessings will come". That's when I knew that it was Heavenly Father reminding me of why I am here. It was so sweet. I don't think I will ever forget. It was so calming. I didn't feel any better but we had a good day. 

Sunday, was our reward. We had about 30 people come to Church. That's right 30! We hope that we can keep it going but it will take time and work. One day, there will be a Chin branch here in Indiana. I know it!

 

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

 

 

Grandpa

Our investigator, Kelly Hayes came to Church this Sunday and we hope that he will continue to progress. We're cutting close to his baptismal date but with a lot of prayer and what not. He'll be alright. The work is getting rote.. Im not complaining that I have a lot to teach but teaching English can be boring.. It's so repetitive. What else can you do right? you just do what the Lord wants you to do. I haven't figured it out yet why I'm teaching English when I can barely speak it myself. 

Last night we went to a get together for xmas devo. it was fun but I didn't really get anything out of it. Don't ask why. It was fun being aroudn 40 missionaries. There are so many new faces that I don't know and I don't know if I want to get to know them either... They call me grandpa when I'm not even that old! hahah oh what a joyful sound. 

 

Love,

Elder Uthaichai