serving in the land of smiles: A week in Ubon

Exchanges! Sister Sumitra, me, Sister Croft, and Sister Sararat

Dearest family family dearest.

This week we were in Ubon a lot. Hence the title, "A Week in Ubon."

Here’s the week: : )

On Monday for p-day we went bowling in Ubon. It was super fun, and lots of crazy. Somehow I won all the games that we played? I'm not even good at bowling! It was a miracle? Haha. We had FHE with Brother Somsak's family. There was so much food that Sister Croft and I untucked our shirts from our skirts and unzipped them a little bit. Best kept Sister missionary secrets, right there.

Tuesday was good. We have been finding new investigators and people who are interested in learning more about the gospel. It's wonderful!

Also, my brakes on my bike didn't work...so we got them checked out. Turns out I needed all new breaks. :/ Poor Shamu. I've been so rough on him, apparently. : ) We got mail and I got Steph Frye's wedding invitation. I cried just a little bit—remember all the late nights we spent with her mom talking about what type of pie we were looking for in an eternal companion. Steph found her pie. I am so happy for her.

Wednesday was a Wednesday. It was pouring rain pretty much all day, and we finally broke down and bought ourselves ponchos from 7-11. Sister Croft and I have refused to wear them these last two transfers because they are so hot and so inconvenient to pack around, but we figured it would help us find new investigators and keep the investigators we had if we were dry and didn't look like wet puppies.

Thursday was so awesome. Sister Cartoon's friend, Gaem, was baptized that evening. She gave up literally everything for the truth. Similar to Cartoon, she chose God. Brother Jay and I sang, "I Am a Child of God" together and I think it went well. I haven't been very sure about my singing voice since I got my tonsils out. Sister Saen, one of my favorite members, told me it made her want to cry...I'm not sure if it was a compliment or not? Haha. :) Sister Gaem is such a special girl. I am always so amazed at what people are willing to sacrifice for the Lord and for the truth. I often reflect on this verse in D&C 97 after a baptism:

8 Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me.

Friday we spent in Ubon for a Zone Training— which answered all of my questions so perfectly —and for a companion exchange. I was companions with Sister Sararat. She is from Bangkok and the sweetest. I loved teaching with her. She goes home this week. I'll miss her. We also got to see Prem, who is just full of joy and light. Her name means "gladness," so it's only natural. The Zone Leaders were telling me all about how awesome she is. She befriends every investigator and calls them to make sure they are reading in their scriptures, coming to appointments and activities, and takes such good care of them. She is the best.

Saturday was a lot of branch meetings, poor Sister Croft got a cold, and we spent a good long time contacting in the rain :) It was fun. I talked to some French men who asked me where in France I was from. I still got it! Maybe? I kept saying "Khaaa" at the ends of my sentences haha whoops. Experiences like that are so interesting. I have been able to use my French in every area of my mission so far and every time I use it, I get a little tiny glimpse of what maybe my mission might have been like had I been called to France. It also confirms to me that I was meant to be here in Thailand. I am in the right mission at the right time, 100%.

Yesterday we accidentally had two dinner appointments. I almost died from food overload. In Thailand, you eat what you are served. If you don't eat it... "it means it isn't delicious? My food isn't delicious? I am so sad, Sister!" So then you eat more. Ah, well. :) I also tried some somtam (papaya salad) that had 20 peppers in it. I almost died. I love all of the people we spent time with last night. There is so much joy and laughter in Sisaket. I love this place so much and I don't ever want to leave.

And there was the week. It has been so good. I've had a lot of time to reflect upon the importance of the scriptures in our lives. I can confidently tell the world that reading the scriptures is essential to my well-being and my relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Daily reading of the scriptures keeps us in the right path and fills our lives with light.

I love you, family! I shall let you know of transfer news next Monday!!

Love,

Sister Hughes

This is THE companionship photo of me and Sister Croft. It explains everything about everthing. We love each other : )

Fields of Thailand

P-day bowling in Ubon

Me and my sweet Toffee girl. Yes, there is a flower hanging in my hair.
The sisters all do that here in Sisaket . . . the flowers smell really good.
I love looking around at church at the flowers in eveyrone's hair.