"Sister Hughes, I have a dilemma...I really need to feed the ducklings."

Me, Ree and Sister Woodbury

One of the highlights of this past week was getting a phone call from Elder Wheeler. He was totally desperate. I answered the phone and he goes, "SISTER HUGHES. I have a dilemma. See, there's a loaf of bread in the missionary closet (at the church) and there are ducks outside. Lots of little ducklings. Is this your bread? Because I really need to feed the ducklings." At this point I heard ducklings over the phone. I told him it wasn't my bread and sorry, I didn't know whose it was. But that he could probably use it.

I found out a few hours later that there were no ducklings. It was Elder Wood in the background making duck noises. Elder Wheeler was just really hungry and wanted to eat the bread.

And such is my life in Chiang Mai, Thailand. A life full of working really hard and of occasional pranking and of wearing sweaters all day long (IN THAILAND). It's a pretty good life.  :  )

This week I don't have much to report, since I just talked to you a few days ago. But I will share some of the highlights from this week because there are some pretty good ones.

On Christmas and the day after Christmas, some of the members took us to go Christmas caroling at some less active members' homes. It was really fun, sitting in a truck all together and singing Christmas music and getting to know them. That's what Christmas is really all about—it's about family and it's about Christ and it's about sharing the things that are the most precious to us. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my Christmas in Thailand. 

My favorite part was being on back roads, where the air was perfectly clear. It's nothing like Bangkok out here. You can see the stars at night. I can't remember the last time I saw the stars. It was before the MTC, though. It's the most wonderful feeling in the whole world. I've decided that the North of Thailand is like the West Coast. It's more laid back, more relaxed, cleaner, and it just feels like home up here. The North is my place. I feel more at home up here than I ever did in Bangkok, even though I left my heart in Saphaan Suung. I miss that place and my people! 

Also, a wonderful side note. Les got baptized yesterday. The Sisters who whitewashed into Saphaan Suung called me on Saturday but I didn't answer because we were teaching a lesson. I second guessed myself and thought, "What if they need something? Maybe I should take it really quick..." But I didn't. I wish I had! It was Les calling to tell me he had passed his baptismal interview. I was so sad that I didn't answer :( But it's okay because he got baptized. Elder Delagarza baptized him. I was told that he talked about me and Sister Zaugg in his testimony at his baptism.

Another wonderful moment was sitting in the back of a rot dang (a red song taew) with a group of Australian women. We told them about the church and then a bit about what we were doing in Chiang Mai and somehow we all ended up singing “500 Miles” by the Proclaimers together at the top of our lungs. This is what missions are made of. :) 

This week we also interacted with a very crazy old woman who bowed to me multiple times so that was interesting. 

A final thought before I attach some photos. I have been thinking a lot about Christ this week. I mean, we are supposed to remember Him always, right? But this week, He seemed to be on the forefront of my thoughts, a lot more than usual. And you know what? I am so grateful for Him. I was thinking about how one day I will be able to sit down with Him and just talk to Him. What would I want to ask Him? What would He ask me? How in the world would I ever be able to thank Him for all He has done for me, for my family, for everyone who has ever lived? 

I'm still working on my answers to those questions. I'll leave you to mull them over, too. It's wonderful to think about. 

I love you all to the moon and back times 698485 gagillion,

Sister Hughes

with Pang, Ree's daughter

Elder Delagarza, Les, Les’ uncle.

Thailand. The North is my place!

Dinner / Christmas Caroling 

Caroling and our transportation.

Thai flag Christmas lights.

Post-its were a popular (and great) Christmas gift.

So on Christmas I bought some sweaters . . . but I also thought it would be a good idea to buy myself some new crocs
that didn't have holes in the bottom of them. So here they are! The new and sparkly crocs : )
But literally. They're sparkly.