Tessa in Thailand: 12/15/14 - Bangnaa

This has been an INSANE week!!! I found out I was being transferred and had to pack everything up in like 30 minutes because we were leaving that night to Bangkok for Mission Leadership Conference. It was one of the hardest nights of my mission. We had an FHE/ goodbye party. Everyone whom I loved was there! (Funny side note... usually when missionaries transfer the members give them stuff but instead they gave me Kentucky Friend Chicken KFC.) They know me too well. At the end they asked me to bare my testimony which turned into a big crying fest. I couldn't hold myself together which you know I hate. I just love them all so much and am forever grateful for their love! I am going to miss them so much! They all took me to the bus station…lots of hugs and tears and I was off! It was probably one of the hardest goodbyes. While at the MLC we helped Sister Brown and Sister Lam in their area! The members in her area are super cute and loving too :) I went on a switch off (exchange) with Sister Brown which was really fun and brought back many good memories!

On Thursday we had TRANSFERS!! I was really scared but it ended up being AWESOME!! I am with Sister Morgan! She is so so cute and really fun! She is going on her second transfer and already is SO GOOD at Thai!! I love her a lot. We are going to have a fun time and baptize everyone! Our district is WAY cool too! And the sisters in our zone are all from my MTC group…Sister Mamea and Sister Brown! We are the oldest sisters in the Zone! I am serving in Bangnaa. And the weirdest thing about it all is that sister Croft, my trainer, was Sister Morgan’s trainer too! I am super excited!

We had so many good miracles this week! On our first day of contacting together as a new companionship we said a prayer that we would find people. And the first guy we invited was super willing to learn. He went to church on Sunday and has a cute family of 4! I am exited to teach him!! One of the girls who has been coming to English class showed up to church for the first time. After Church we taught her and she seemed to understand everything so well! She was amazed at how the plan of salvation all worked. On Sunday night I felt like we needed to go through the area book. There was one guy who had been meeting with the missionaries but then stopped about 6 months ago. I decided to call him. He told me that he needs help and he knows the gospel would help him. He was basically asking to be baptized so we are going to work with him this next week! There have been so many little miracles like that, I feel so blessed!!

On Saturday we had a stake Christmas party that was absolutely amazing! They totally decked out the church to do this walk through “nativity, plan of salvation” activity. I was in shock at the planning and effort they put in. I can't even describe how cool it was! It was fun to see all the missionaries from our zone! Thailand goes all out for Christmas! You wouldn't guess that because they are a Buddhist country but the Mormons in Thailand go crazy!! This Sunday after church we spent the whole day setting up for our personal ward Christmas party next week. I love it!!

This week I have been singing a lot of Christmas songs and there is just something about Christmas songs and celebrating the birth of my Savior that I love!

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky.
And stay by my cradle ‘til morning is nigh.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Savior
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

I am so grateful that Christ is MY Savior! I owe everything to him! Sometimes there are so many things that keep us from making room for Christ--pride, fear, family, friends, worldly things, etc. These days everyone is so busy. We make time for unimportant stuff but make no time or room for Christ. I hope that we can all make some time for Christ this Christmas season and forever on. It may mean giving up a bad habit or changing something about ourselves but essentially it will make both Him and us happier. Please make time for the One who has made infinite time for you! I love being a missionary and am excited for this next transfer full of adventures and miracles :) Have a good week everyone! LOVE YOU ALL!

PS I AM THE HAPPIEST HUMAN!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the packages so much. I got the ones from you and what Rachel’s friend, Kelsey, brought on her trip here from Caitlin and Rachel. I cried for joy, really I can't express how happy they made me. Thank you so much! I loved the picture frames and the soap and the PASTA RONI and the skittles and just everything! Don’t worry; I haven’t opened anything that was wrapped and am saving them for Christmas. Jessica and her family sent me a package and it was so cute! I felt so loved! I won't be on next Monday since p-day is on Thursday. Look forward to skyping on Christmas Eve!! Have a Merry Christmas!

First half of the pictures are saying goodbyes to my Sisaket family and at the train station. The second half are in my new area (Bangnaa) in Bangkok.