On the way home I was thinking about these people who have no screens, no air conditioning, not even a roof or running water—nothing. They were playing in the fields with the fish and kway all day. I enjoyed watching the mom of the 2 year old just playing with him everywhere he went. Whether it was throwing rocks or running out in the rice fields, she was right there loving and laughing with him. She told me that it is like that every day. I was so impressed because this mom literally has nothing but because of her children she has everything! Furthermore, she actually plays with her children and gives them so much love and attention. I want to be a mom like that—one who enjoys being with her children, one who devotes all her time and attention to raising, teaching, playing with, and most importantly loving her children. I am so grateful for the mothers I have seen in Thailand, my sisters, Caitlin and Rachel, and most influential, my Mom, for teaching and showing me the kind of mother I want to be.
On Wednesday my testimony grew hearing what happened to Maa Daws and her money situation. She said the night she got home after her baptism her daughter who had been fighting with her, called and said, "Mom, I love you, I paid all the rent for you house…you don't need to worry about it." The weird thing is that Daw never told her daughter about how worried she was about the rent payment. Wow. God really does prepare the path ahead if we just SIMPLY keep the commandments. I love seeing this amazing miracle happen over and over again.
On Thursday my companion was very sick. I feel like it’s almost worse to be the companion of the sick person than to be sick. Being productive in the Lords work for 16 hours straight without leaving the scary Thai house is SO HARD! I called 10,000 people, filled out records, studied and watched the district. When Friday came around I was SO excited to get out!!! With the sunshine on my face, the HOT October air, and preaching the good word of God, there is nothing better. Working is SO much better than lounging at home. I feel like I really get the whole meaning of "forget yourself and go to work" quote. When you work you automatically forget yourself which makes the work 10 times more enjoyable! We taught LOTS of lessons plus it was Friday night sports night...my favorite! This week we had a huge missionaries vs. members tournament...I’m afraid my competitive side kicked in, down by 2, came back for the win!!! So fun!
As we taught Brother Bow this week we read in Mosiah 24 and my heart was going to explode!! He kept laughing because after every verse I would jump in and say, "Ahhhh this is my favorite verse! The scriptures are so exciting and just make so much sense! The statement in Preach My Gospel is so true, "The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion." I know that I’m converted each time that I read it!
On Saturday it was hard as we went and visited some LAs. I would look into their eyes and I could just see how unhappy they were with their lives. We met with the old branch president who broke a commandment and his wife left him and his life completely fell apart. We finally got to meet with Chaluies granddaughter whose parents are both dead. She was baptized at age 8 and has slowly fallen away. She now sells alcohol and lives with her boyfriend. It literally broke my heart to see these two people who are amazing children of God but were so obviously unhappy. We tried our best to love them and help them feel God’s love. Once again I am reminded that there is only ONE way to true happiness and that is through following the commandments. I also realized how important family is--not just our immediate family but our ward family. There is always someone who has a heartache and just needs a friend and to feel loved. Please look around, pray for guidance to know who is in need as almost everyone has a burden and then go lift it for them, "...when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
Sister May got baptized this Sunday. She seriously was a golden investigator because she was SO prepared!!! We were just calling through a list and she agreed to meet with us without hesitation, even though she lives an hour away and is in the middle of school and boxing season. We found out she had been taught by the missionaries about 5 months ago. After they left no one got back in to contact with her and she has been praying every day since. She’s going to work miracles in this church!
I honestly love Thailand so much, it feels like home. People always say, "A mission is not necessarily the best years OF your life but the best years FOR your life." But I personally feel like they are the best for my life AND of my life! I feel so extremely blessed to be a missionary and wish it could last forever. I am trying to enjoy every second! Have a great week and remember I love you all!
- Sister Tessa Herrmann
PS They came and cut off our electricity circuit again…so we slept at the church again. This is the third time this has happened while on my mission BUT only one time was my fault!!
Here is a video of Sister Herrmann speaking Thai! Link: https://youtu.be/ffhR4JjZ6zM
