The Lord Works In 'Funny' Ways

The temperature is not too kind lately, it's between 26-32F and the humidity doesn't help at all. I sent out those Holiday cards because I thought it would be funny and it would cheer people up. I just sent 4 of them. Anyway, my new companion is Elder Marshall from Oregon.. He'll be a more difficult one unfortunately.. I knew my mission couldn't be this easy. He just doesn't know why he's out here and he's going through some tough time right now. Now prior to the transfer I did ask Heavenly Father to help me with Patience since I figure I can always learn to be more Patience. Well guess what? I got Elder Marshall. Sometimes I just want to blow the whole house up and see what happens. Arg frustration. You just gotta love him they said, connect with them. How when he doesn't talk?! Anyway it's nothing I can't handle :)

This Thanksgiving is strange. They made preparation day that day so we'll probably be staying in since no one really signed up for anything except lunch. We'll go play turkey bowl with the ward and probably stay in. Most of the members are going out of town because 75% of the population in the ward are dental students from Utah. Go figure.

This week has been really really slow. We taught 0 lessons and we have 0 investigators.. Oh well I'm not too worried because my responsibility at this point is to train and do all that I can. Funny how the Lord works. I was homesick and wanted to go home a week prior and now I have to help someone deal with it. Life is full of surprises. I have been sick for the last 2 weeks though, my sleep has not been that great because I have these dry coughs that annoy the crap out of me... Ehh! Anyway I have 3 new Elders in the area so I guess I'll have to be a good elder now.

Well Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

Downs & Ups

This letter was after a series of short conversations between my parents and Elder Uthaichai. Elder Uthaichai had been feeling depressed, and expressed a wish to return home. This was the final letter he sent home.

11/11/2013

I can't explain to you guys right now how I feel. I feel overwhelmed, really. I WILL regret it if I go home. I know that because I hate quitting. It's something that I will never be okay with. Dad has helped me a lot and I think I'm just feeling a little under the weather in a way. I will talk to my mission president and perhaps get a blessing from him. Or even my companion. I guess I have just been feeling a little bit too much stress. I guess I really need to stop worrying about things I can't control. You always know what to do and say. I love you and I miss you!

 

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

 

 

 

This is this weeks letter. He sounds better, but prayers would still be appreciated.

 

11/18/2013

This week has been easier for me even though I have been sick. Although I couldn't do much of the typical work I was able to find peace and I was able to really enjoy my time out here. I'm not sure if it's an answer to my prayers or what but I'm going to be training another new missionary this transfer so I know that it will keep me busy and keep me strict to certain extent. I think that the Lord knew that if I keep doing the same old stuff again and again I will get bored so He's showing me that He's here. I'm not sure what this new assignment will be but I"m excited for it.  I'm not sure if President Cleveland understands that I have no idea what I'm doing and he wants me to train again?... Hmmm either he's nuts or he just see something I don't. He said "since you're good at it." It's crazy that holiday season is coming right up and that It'll be a new year.. It will be different being on a mission during the holidays but I"m ready to experience a new kind of joy!  Yesterday we got a crazy storm it was pretty cool if you ask me.

Thank you for everything!

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

 

p.s. My new comp with all the Halloween candy you sent to us:

 

 

 

Cold Weather, Commitments, and Spiritual Growth

I don't think I have ever experience this kind of Cold before, it's not temperature cold but it feels a lot colder than it should. If that makes any sense. The mission just annouce or I guess gave us warnings about the winter. They want us to be VERY careful with our cars and with the Cold. I will definitely wear a hat this winter. I have 2 shoes, one which I bought back in Kokomo and the heels are like broken already... I guess I like walking? anyway I will look into boots when the winter comes because I'm not sure how much walking I'll be doing.

Sorry for being so slow on the pictures, just haven't really been taking too many pictures lately.

Being a District Leader is just being responsible for the area I'm assigned to, I have to basically make sure that their needs are met and make sure that everything is going well. I'm not too good at bossing them around really sometimes I even struggle to correct them. I guess what I really need to do is be a better example. It's pretty tough to be strict for me. This week has been pretty slow we struggle with people keeping commitments. We get a lot of "Yeses" but no show. So we'll be studying how to commit this week. As for backpacks, we are moving away from it; I haven't used backpack for awhile now expect when I have meetings. I have military set scriptures that Elder Garrett's dad sent us so that's what I have been using. I refuse to use those purses!

I'm sorry for not having any cool stories lately because it's pretty tough to "make" a story when we don't have much going on but I can promise you that I'm not discouraged. I know what I need to do and that this is an opportunity to grow. Speaking of growing, you know what I learned this week is that how grateful I am to have my family. There are tons of children out there who are missing out on the blessings of the Gospel and it makes me sad and makes me want to try harder.

Love,
Elder Uthaichai

Photo Dump #12

The Hunt Is On

I seriously wish that I can tell you more about my week but honestly, I only taught 3 lessons... that's how slow it is. The weather here is weird! It's 40's but it's freezing! Worst than anywhere I have ever been. So I really tried to come up with cool stories but unfortunately there's not much to tell. I did however take a bunch of pictures though so I hope that will make up for the missing "stories". Elder Duve and I are still struggling with each other a tiny bit. Just don't really know how to work well just yet but it's not like an argument or anything. Our teaching skills could improve more that's all. Elder Duve is a great guy. Anyway I'm still enjoying my time here. Still looking for ways to find new investigators. So if you have any ideas please let me know.

Love
Elder Uthaichai

A Slow Start

My week has been really really slow... not a lot going on here sadly. I try to keep us busy so that we don't get "homesick" or do something stupid. It's pretty brutal out here in the city believe it or not. I feel like the missionaries out here have to rely mainly on referrals to get someone to teach. Knocking is NOT effective at all. People are either working or they're in the city shopping or what not. As for my companion he's different. I'll take pictures of the apartment soon and send them to you.

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

 

P.S. It's freaking cold here!

Online Proselyting - Message from the Mission President

"Many of you have inquired about Online Proselyting, and when our mission will have devices and tools to do that work. There are currently a few missions in the US who are testing the devices. Over the next 6 months, several more missions will utilize the devices. Final decisions will be made in the spring, and if all goes well, everyone in the US will participate in Online Proselyting. Best guess, any time between May-Dec 2014. It will include two mini iPads and one iPhone per companionship. There will be a Dashboard with Apps, Area Books, Planners, Teaching Records, Progress Records and much more that will be utilized on the devices. Stake Presidents, Bishops, WML, and Ward Councils, will have access to everything that you are doing in your area. Everything is real time access. I will be able to access your planner at any given time and know your goals and appointments for the day. There is more accountability, but more important is the ability to provide you with the resources you need to reach those goals. Missionaries and Members totally aligned! Facebook will be a key component to sharing the work as well. One of the miracles of social media, is the ability to teach your family or friends the gospel on Skype or Face Time. One example of this is a missionary in New York, who is currently teaching his non member mom in "his" home in Nevada, with local missionaries present at the lessons. This is currently happening in every mission with devices. In those missions, lessons are being taught throughout the country, and around the world. There are currently 1.6 Billion people in the world who utilize a device every day. In four years that number reaches 2.7 Billion. And you thought the IPhone was just for gaming and texting your friends, think again!"