“Sister, I will miss you. You have a respectable face.” —Sister Som, Lampang

Family Home Evening at Brother Pop's house, Lampang.

This week was a hard week. I was moved from Lampang after 3 weeks and was sent back down to Bangkok to an area called Pak Kret. I loved my district so much! And my people!!! Being there was 100% a blessing and I miss it! I’m now serving with Sister Ladle and we are covering two branches—the Pak Kret branch (speaking Thai) and the Chaengwattana branch (speaking English!). But I’m excited to be back in Bangkok again, even if it is incredibly hot! Haha.

So on Monday for p-day we went elephant riding at the elephant conservation camp out in Lampang. (Sorry family, I'm not quite sure why it's called a conservation camp? Elder Cox kept calling it an elephant conversation camp and it was really funny.) Anyway, it was so great! I'm sorry I don't really have any photos of myself...I just have photos of Elder Hunt and Elder Cox, and they have pictures of me and Sister Packard. I'll just have to wait for one of them to email them to me after they go back to America, I guess! Anyway, Sister Packard sadly lost her camera on the trip...luckily she had backed up all her photos before and she had a dead battery so nothing was lost—just the camera. We got to go hike back over the elephant trails after our ride to look for it, but couldn't find it. We had a great time hiking, though, so that was good. I just wouldn't suggest hiking elephant trails in crocs, if anyone ever gets the chance :)

On Tuesday in English class, our lesson was on Friendship. We decided to teach everyone the F.U.N. song from Spongebob. It was the greatest thing in the entire world to see a group of 15 students singing and dancing to "F is for friends who do stuff together..." :) We were pretty proud of ourselves for coming up with such a good activity.

On Wednesday while we were just about to leave the house, I got a call from the Zone Leaders. Elder Suangwonsak (yes, he's Thai) said, "Sister Hughes, pack up your bags, you're moving tomorrow morning!" So I had to speedy quick put all my stuff away. Luckily we didn't have dressers or anything and we lived out of our suitcases in Lampang, so pretty much all I had to do was just zip my suitcases shut. Haha. Missionary life.

Ann had a really hard time when she found out I was leaving. We called an emergency family meeting and got ice cream at Swenson's with her. We had dinner that night at McDonald's with Sister Ann, Brother Ford, the elders, Brother Ton (who just finished his mission here about 3 weeks ago), and several investigators. One last family dinner before I left Lampang. Rip my heart out, seriously. After dinner, Sister Ann hugged me for a really long time and just sobbed on my shoulder. Ann grew up with her older sister and never really knew her parents. She kept telling me, "This is the first time someone loved me like a mom. You are the best mom and my best friend." Talk about breaking my heart into a million pieces. I couldn't handle it.

The next morning, Sister Packard and I went to the bus stop at o'dark-thirty and were met by Ann, Ford, and the elders. Later Sister Bun and Som came too to see me off and on my way. Sister Packard and I traveled to Phistanulok where she met up with Sister Sumitra (her trainee) and I met up with Sister Peterson, who was moving down to Bangkok as well. It was a very confusing situation; I will avoid explaining the whole thing so that no one gets a headache. Anyway, after 12 hours on buses, I am now in Bangkok!

I am in Pak Ket with Sister Ladle and we are covering two branches, like I mentioned before. I don't have too much to report, since I got a massive cold as soon as I got to Bangkok and I haven't really been able to do much. It was one of those colds that knocks you out for a while. We were trying to work but after I fell asleep under the table in the nursery room while Sister Ladle was on a phone call, our district leader sent us home for the rest of the day haha. Also I would like to say that I am very overwhelmed by the American-ness of the International Branch here and it was so strange to hear people speaking and praying and teaching in ENGLISH. We had dinner at a member's house last night (and let me say it was DIVINE, it was the first time I have had Ranch dressing since the MTC—almost 9 months!) and I got so tongue tied and confused when giving the spiritual thought after dinner. It was so...weird. English! It's so scary! Haha.

We also had a baptism yesterday for a girl named BookBeak. She is so cute. I met her once for about 10 minutes before her baptism, haha, so that was fun. I'm pretty sure she can't remember my name still, but that's okay! Because she told me she loves me, so that's all that really matters; that and she's happy that she got baptized :)

Also I've been riding my bike through real Bangkok traffic. None of that Saphaan Suung traffic out in the suburbs. This is the real deal. And I've been riding with tissues shoved up my nostrils. I feel like I am getting really good at it :) haha.

Anyway, that's the update for this week! Things are good and I'm back in Bangkok! I love you, family and I miss you! Happy St Patrick's Day! (There is green on my shirt, don't worry.)

Much love,

Sister Hughes

QUOTES

Elder Cox on the phone: 'Yes, this is your Captain speaking!" and "Elder Service, how may I help you?"

Sister Ladle: "Come on Sister, we're not that awkwar...oh yeah we are."

Elders Cox and Hunt at the elephant conservation camp. Someday I'll get photos of Sister Packard and me on an elephant. 

FHE 

Swenson's with the family real quick. 

6am at the bus station. Brother Ford, Sister Bun, Ann and Sister Som. 

Sister Ladle and me. I looked good this week. 

BookBeak is the girl next to Elder Unsworth. She's so cute! 

BookBeak  : )

“Oh, no! My skirt fell off!” —Sister Som

Me and my little family of followers riding away from Big C.

This week was an good one that is for sure. SO much good stuff happened :)

On Monday, we went to Big C to do some shopping. The elders were already there and were just about to leave when they realized they left their bike lock key at home. They borrowed our bikes to go get the key at their house...it's fine; they're both just over 6 feet and looked like they were riding midget bikes. It was by far one of the highlights of my week.

That night, the elders had a crazy miracle. They were super discouraged after a long night of contacting with no success. When they got home their phone rang. It was someone who had gotten their phone number from a pass along card and said he wanted to be baptized. Just like that. What?! Sister Packard and I were both in awe.

On Wednesday, we had Brother Ford and Sister Ann follow us literally everywhere. From 3 to 9 pm, they were with us at every appointment and every contacting opportunity. I jokingly told them that we were like a little family, and where did they want to go to dinner? After that, Ford and Ann started calling me "mom." Some things never change, I guess, no matter what country you're in or what language you're speaking. Haha.

This week we have found many new investigators. We are seeing a lot of blessings for the hard work and sweat we are giving. In weather news, it has only gotten hotter in Lampang and things don't seem to be cooling down a bit. It's fine, though, we are learning to enjoy the sweat. (Learning is the key word here...)

We had a zone training this week about talking to everyone. I got to see Sister Woodbury at the training! :) Elder Nirut, who is now our zone leader, taught us to "ไม่เลือกหน้า" (don't choose faces)—or to not pick the people we talk to—because everyone needs the gospel. I love that phrase in Thai—not judging people on their appearance. Don't choose faces. :)

On Thursday morning, Sister Packard and I had a crazy little miracle of our own. During personal study, we got a phone call from a random number. We answered it and it turned out to be a man Sister Packard had talked with but who wasn't interested. She felt impressed to write our phone number on a pass along card and give it to him, and a week later, he had changed his mind and wanted to be baptized! We couldn't stop smiling because what are the chances of this happening to one companionship in our district, let alone both of them?

This week we had another big miracle. We have an investigator named Tune. He is a single father of a 7-year-old son. He makes his living as a bus driver. He has been learning with missionaries for about 2 months now. He was baptized on Sunday, and it was easily one of the best baptisms I have ever been to. Watching Brother Tune was the best part. The whole time, he was very teary and just couldn't stop smiling. It made me so happy to see how much the gospel had changed and affected him. It amazes me every time I see it. I'm so glad I got to work with Brother Tune and help him understand there is a point to this life and he has worth and value. :)

We watched 17 Miracles again yesterday with the other half of the branch who didn't see it. Sister Som, who was watching with us, was wearing a skirt that was too small for her so she didn't zip it up all the way. Instead she held it in place with a necktie tied around her waist. (this was all hidden under her shirt, don't worry) During the movie, she took the tie off so she could be more comfortable but half way through the movie, she got up to move and her skirt fell off! She had pants on under her skirt—I don't know why—so no worries, but man it was stinkin funny. She yelled, "Oh no! My skirt fell off!!" It was very hard to be serious through the rest of the movie after that. Also last night during contacting, we went to this big market. Sister Packard decided to talk to this man who is there every week singing American country music. He dresses up like a cowboy and everything. It's so great. Anyway, I don't really know how it happened but somehow he and I were singing a country song together? Gotta keep the work exciting :)

So that was the week! For p-day today my district is going elephant riding :)

I love you all!!!!

Love,

Sister Hungry

The elders and our bikes. Seriously i can't handle it.

Brother Tune's son, Best.

Come to church in Lampang!

Tune and Best.

Brother Tune's baptism. The Branch accidentally color coordinated.

Ancient ruins by my house last pday.

Best.Ever.

March Madness

That's not rain, people, that is sweat.

Dearest Family Family Dearest,

Yet another great week out in the field. Lampang is hopping with horse buggies and entertaining people and I can't help but smile all the time here. Also, the hot season is creeping up on us, Sister Packard and I now have sweat dripping down our faces while we contact. Free facials all day every day, anyone? Haha.

I don't even know where to start for this week. So much has happened that has been epic. On Monday we had a great FHE with Sister Bun and a bunch of recent converts and less active members. I lost a game and had to dance the Gai Yang, which is the Thai equivalent of the Funky Chicken...I don't even know. It's so funny. I have videos, I'll show you one day.

English classes are really different here in Lampang. Like I've said before, it's a small area. We have an average of 40 at church each week and less than that at English. There is usually only one class and the Elders and Sisters teach together. This week we taught everyone how to sing "I'm a Little Teapot." Elder Hunt played the piano and Elder Cox was on the harmonica while Sister Packard and I sang. I have never had so much fun teaching English before. It was the best. After English class, we were going to teach Sister Gan and watch the Restoration but Sister Packard had the genius idea to invite everyone from English class to stay and watch with us. This turned out to be the catalyst for a huge miracle that we have been hoping for for a long time.

Sister Jane, a woman who has come to English class for months now and always invites the missionaries to come get free drinks at her little drink stand, finally told us that she wants to learn about Jesus Christ and about baptism. We went to visit her on Wednesday and she expressed her desire to learn just as we were leaving her stand. We told her we would come back on Thursday to teach her. So go back on Thursday we did! We went with Sister Anne, the adorable girl in glasses. I'll send a photo of her so you know who she is. Anyway. Her little stand was so nice and quiet and we were having such a nice lesson when suddenly someone called and ordered 30 cups of coffee that he apparently needed ASAP, it's fine, so we had to leave. She said she would call when she was done. She ended up coming to the church that evening and we finished our lesson and she was so excited about the Book of Mormon. She promised to read it every day. On Friday morning, we rode past her stand on our way to an appointment and she flagged us down. She looked at me and in broken English said, "I want change Mormon!" Later that afternoon she committed to be baptized on March 29th :) Miracles!

In Lampang, we have a little band of followers. There are 4 or 5 recent converts who love to help the missionaries with anything and everything—especially finding new investigators. How they have the courage to come out with us and flat out ask people to be baptized amazes me. I love having them come along everywhere. Sister Packard and I were talking about how we feel like they are our little siblings or something and we just herd them along with us. I love riding my bike and looking behind me to see Sister Ann or Brother Ford or Brother Sombat sweating just as much as I am while on their bikes to do the work of the Lord :)

On Friday we went to lunch with a group of recent converts and the elders. I sat next to Sister Ann's 2 year old daughter, Nam Pung (honey). She is the cutest thing and got ice cream all over her face. We also went to dinner that night at McDonald's with the same group of people hahaha. Here's what happened: Sister Packard and I live in the basement of a member's home. There are members who live on every side of us as well. Every day sister Anne will poke her head over the fence and call to us through our window. On Friday morning, she asked if we were going to Central (the mall) because there was a sale on French fries at McDonald's and she wanted to eat some and would we please let her know if we were going because she wanted to join us. After lunch with everyone, we did some contacting before meeting with Sister Jane (the woman who is getting baptized!). On our way to Jane's, we made a bathroom stop at Central, not thinking of McDonald's at all. When we got to Jane's, Sister Ann asked us where we had just come from. We said Central. She put on this pouty face and said, "You went to Central and didn't invite me?!" "Sister, we were just using the bathroom!" "Yeah, you went to Central and didn't bring me any French fries to go?!" Hahaha. We agreed to go to dinner with her at McDonald's that night. It was a good time.

This weekend, we had a mission wide fast for March Madness. We are aiming to have each companionship have 2 baptisms this month. We fasted for miracles. I had a chance to study miracles in depth this week, preparing for this fast. I loved it. And I was reminded of the wonderful miracles that make up Christ's church. Because this gospel is founded upon miracles—specifically the miracle of Christ's atonement and resurrection. It was good to look at the atonement and resurrection as what they really are. Sometimes these miracles are such standard facts in my life that I forget the magnificence of what they really are. It was refreshing and so happy to remember that miracles happen. God's hand can be seen in our lives in a very real way. Miracles are a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. :)

I was able to end my week doing a bit of translation service for the members in Lampang. They wanted to watch 17 Miracles but only had it in English. Sister Packard and I translated the whole movie for them. It was such a nice way to end our fast and to remember miracles happen now too. The story of the pie gets me every time. I can't watch that one without crying. It reminds me that God will change even tangible circumstances for us. That is how much He loves us.

And that was my week! It was so good, I am smiling all the time, and Sister Packard and I are finding lots of new investigators. Wish us luck as we dive into March Madness!!

I love you!!

OH and PS: I've got a lot of Big Sister Pride going on right now for my brother who just got into BYU. Everyone please give him a round of applause when you see him and make sure to embarrass him for me. That kid is so cool.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

A random voicemail from Sister Som.

"Hi Sisters, I'm supposed to be getting dinner with Brother Sombat right now...but I don't know where he is so I think I'm just going to go sell my duck eggs. Bye!"

:)

All of the Sisters in my mission!

I just fell off my bike; it's fine.

Me, Sister Packard and Sister Ann at Sister Jane's : )

Contacting with Anne and Ford.

Mike Wazowski?

Mango Blizzards from Dairy Queen? Yes pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee, It is so HOT.

Nam Pung!!!!!!!

We love biking in the heat!

Transfers meeting day; Ploy, Jeep and me.