General Conference Weekend

This week has been wonderful. Conference was definitely inspired. I love Elder Ballard talk on missionary work. Perhaps it's because I'm a full-time missionary right now or something. I just love that he stressed on following up. I think as missionaries we don't do it enough because we fear that we might come off as pushy. I know that there's a fine line between pushy and persistence. Likewise as boldness. I think one thing that stood out to me is you can be as bold as you want as long as there is love.

We went to Dana's house for conference and she was so kind to have us there. I think we had about 10 - 12 people there. All of them are YSA. Oh I failed to mentioned about our Assistance Ward Mission Leader - Jason Bangeter. Dad, he is so cool. He served his mission in seattle about the same time as E. Winterhowler did.. I don't know if you remember him. Anyway, Jason has been a great help to us and he is such a great member missionary. I definitely want to be like him when I get home. I don't think he stop missionary work after his mission. He still does it daily. I guess all I'm saying is that he's a great guy. Plus he has a lot of toys back home... which makes him 2x cooler. 

Dana Rigby is another great help for us. She always try to do her best to help us in the missionary department. I don't think she has ever said "no" to us yet and I'm grateful for that. I think that when members and missionaries work together with that mutual respect. The work flows better and missionary work becomes fun. 

Honestly, I couldn't ask for a better ward to be placed in. They each have taught me something that I can really apply in my life now and for the future. Their kindness and welcoming is lovely. 

Oh during conference's break we played Apples to Apples. It was my first time so I didn't really understand what was going on at first but after a few rounds it clicked. Not bad of a game. 

We have a lot of potential in our teaching pools but we're struggling with contacting them all. It seems like all these students are always busy with school which isn't a bad thing but we just gotta keep trying.

I don't know what else to share except the fact that i'm grateful to be in the Notre Dame ward and the opportunity I have to work with all these wonderful people and families. If I have the time to write you guys about each of these people and families it might take me a whole year!

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

Quick Update

Andrea has set a baptismal date!! She is planning on getting baptized is April 19th. Funny how that worked out. I guess the Lord is in control. She had a few "doubts" and she needed to ponder and pray about it. I have to share with you that it's such a great blessing to see someone truly getting converted. Like you look into their eyes and they GET it. She's being prepared for that first ordinance. I think these little moments that we miss as we teach. The joy that Alma felt is what I'm feeling. 

The spring is coming so I'm excited for the cool air and warm sunshine. I have no complains. We're trying to find more and more people to teach. I'm actually deepening my teach pool here at St Mary's as well as around the house. So for now it's looking pretty good so far. We have a lot of great support from the ward. Sadly most of the good friends that I have developed are leaving in May for the Summer or some are leaving because they are done with school. 

I heard lots of NCAA brackets got pretty messed up because the teams that were expected to win did the opposite. I had a few hours of watching it at BW's. I promise it wasn't intentionally. Well I guess I would be lying if I didn't say that it was an add-on to the decision of going to BW's. Well it was fun for the time being. I feel like as missionaries we find the joy in the littlest thing.

Love,
Elder Uthaichai

Perfect Time to Serve A Mission

It is such a great time for me to serve my mission right now. I don't want to spoil too much but perhaps I might have found one of the many reasons I needed to be here. I love my mission and I love the missionaries around me; sisters included although, they give me a great challenge sometime. I just don't know how much I'm able to help. Anyhow, I definitely recall you turning on the TV and encouraging us to watch conference. I use that in my teaching every time I speak on prophet.

Actually, we're teaching Andrea right now and there are a lot of good news about her. One being the fact that she's getting baptized on the 19th and I will still be in this area. I was so nervous about missing that because for some odd reason her and I really connect. Ugh I want you guys to meet her so bad. She's such a wonderful soul. It amazes me that she's willing to put God before anything else in her life. Her stories are unbelievable and it's such a testimony builder. I firmly believe that everything that I had gone through was meant to prepare me for my mission. I was able to pull from my past experiences and teach from the heart.

Right now I'm pretty focused on the work. I want to share more but I just don't want this to be a drag on email. Oh we had a basketball tournament and I was able to participate. Full court basketball hahah. We won the whole thing. Notre Dame for the championship!

I miss you guys and I hope that everything is going well. Please keep praying for Andrea and Elijah. Thanks guys.

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

Picture Over Load!

And these are only like half of what he e-mailed home:

Our Investigator Andrea

Andrea is wonderful, she's progressing slowly and still striving to find her own testimony. We don't want to push her too fast but as for right now we're just building up our friendships with her. She's really fun to be around and she has shared a lot about herself. Her stories are unbelievable. Perhaps better than mine. It amazes me how far she come. Please pray for her as we continue to work with her.

She mentioned that after my mission if we choose to go to Disney World we can get pretty good discount from her hahaha. So Disney trip anyone? 

Love,
Elder Uthaichai

Learning About Myself

This life is to have joy and we can only control so much of our lives. I know I'm young but I have come to an understanding that the Gospel is simple. It's very personal as well. As long as we keep the covenant we made at baptism. Everything will be alright in the end. I know that with all my heart. So use the Sabbath to separate yourself from the world. Sabbath is the day where you can feel spiritually refueled. We need it as car needs gas.

One of the sisters in my district had a emotional melt down because she had so many things she wanted and needed to accomplished but she felt like she didn't have enough time and that everything was just over flowing. Anyhow, she's such a sweetheart and perfectionist really. Her name is Rachel Saunders.. Go figure. She made me think of you quite a lot anyhow, she had an emotional melt down and asked me for a blessing... Now every single time anyone asked me for a blessing I do my best to avoid it because I just don't feel like I'm "qualified" to do it. However, I have given about a handful blessings since I left MTC. I guess I'm very selective about who I give the blessing to. Anyhow, I can't recall what was mentioned but she Thanked me and took the council that the Lord gave her and she felt a lot better. So I want to let you know that whenever you feel like there's just too much to handle. Please get a blessing. It really can give you guidance and comfort. I know that for a fact. 

 I'm so thankful for the opportunity that I have to serve here. The people here are lovely and indeed there are hard days and lazy days but I know that I'm making a difference just by being here. I have learned so much about myself as well as others. I love my companion and the silent things he is teaching me.

I totally understand what a successful missionary must feel. I'd like to consider myself successful. I mean I love everyone whom I  teach. I love those whom I have said "Hi" to or just shook hands with. I mean our investigators might not understand what is going one right away but I know that they felt the Holy Ghost and that's all it matters to me. Andrea might not be baptized during my time up here but I know that she knows that God loves her. This might sound extremely awkward but I adore her and want what's best for her. I have expressed that to her and shared with her that the Gospel is something that will help her achieve her personal goals and protect her from the evil in this world.

Andrea is still pondering about baptism. She has very difficult concern because of her personal up bringing and how she feels about certain topic. For instance, homosexual. She's not gay.. but she wants others to feel okay to express their thoughts and whatever. She thought that when she becomes a member that she has to judge others and she has to conform. For the lack of a better phrase, she just had a bad experiences with members. Members being judgmental etc. Please keep praying for her and I know that she'll come around.

There's a family here -- the Hickmans and they have 3 children and the oldest boy is 4 or 5 I'm not sure. Anyhow, we had Andrea with us over there for dinner and afterward a message. I looked over and this boy was literally pulling a move on Andrea... It was the cutest thing ever. Their youngest boy is 1 and he was just snuggled up with her. Anyway I thought I should share that brief humorous story with you. 

Love,
Elder Uthaichai

A New Beginning

Honestly, this week flew by so quick, like it's not even funny. I feel like I just e-mailed you. We are teaching a handful of people and continuing to find more and more. People are very humble and loving. However, I'll share with you our main investigator:

Andrea. She is super funny! Every lesson we have with her, I have to say we laugh like silly kids. She actually came to Church last Sunday. It was kind of odd because my companion was up on the stand and so it was just her and I. It's not awkward, if you don't make it awkward, right? Anyway, she's really prepared and she's sincere. That's why we keep meeting with her. I think we met with her 3 times this last week. One cool thing about her is that she stayed up until 4am on Saturday to do homework so she could make it to church.  If that's not commitment, I don't know what is. I want to ask you guys to pray for her because she feels inadequate about joining and she doesn't want to join and then change her mind. However, she's already living the principles ever since she can remember.

Our district is doing well. I'm trying to get the whole district together so that we'll pray for each other and help each other out when an area is struggling. I don't know exactly how I'm going to do that yet, but I'll seek help from Heavenly Father for sure. 

I miss everyone, but I want you all to know that everything is going pretty well, and that I'm loving life here. The ward is great, some people are interesting, but overall it's not too bad. Thank you for all your support and guidance. 

Love,
Elder Uthaichai