Either while you read this email, for dramatic effect, :) or... after. You need to listen to this song. https://www.lds.org/
It has been a good week. I feel like it is such a
privilege to be here as a missionary, representing the Savior here in
Thailand. My thoughts this morning are all about opposition and faith.
In my personal study today I read in Alma about a bunch of people who
believed the missionaries and then were persecuted and driven out of the
land for it! I feel like in some ways... I can see some of that
opposition to the truth right here in Sisaket. I see recent converts
being forced to stand up for what they believe in and I am grateful for
their example of courage and goodness!
Among a number of things that have happened this
past week... there was one day when we taught a lesson to an
investigator who came to church last week. He brought his wife with him
to his first lesson, and as we began, I wasn't expecting anything out
of the ordinary. After a brief introduction we asked if we could begin
with a prayer. This man's wife told us that she didn't want to have any
part in our religion. As we tried our best to explain prayer and help
this lady she continued to tell us that she was here to tell us that
they wouldn't be learning and that she wouldn't be doing any of this. I
was surprised by her angry response (not that I haven't seen an angry
response before!) She felt distressed that she was even inside of the
church and she really did not want any part in a Christian religion.
Sister Hughes and I did all that we could. We testified what we know
to be true, and then left the choice up to her.
There have been several moments when they reality of
an opposing power to that of God's have been apparent to me. I see
opposition in the tears of a recent convert who's mother is now against
her coming to church. In a teacher's unfair punishment of courageous
recently baptized youth, because they go to church! And yet I know and
am certain that there is a stronger power for good, and that we have no
need to fear. No unhallowed hand can stop this work. This morning as I
read in Alma I was glad to see the courage of righteous saints who did
not fear what anyone could do to them, who strengthened and helped their
brethren and sisters even when it wasn't easy or convenient. I'm
grateful for the courageous saints that I get to serve with here! As I
glanced through some conference talks this morning, I noticed similar
messages. Courage. Faith. Reliance on the Lord. There are so many
good things happening. And person by person everyone will learn of the
glad message! :) You guys. This week we taught 2 younger girls on Wednesday. They are 15. On Saturday
one of them gave me a call to let me know she had finished the Book of
Mormon. Amazing! :) We can always have hope and faith because we are
on the Lord's side. Things will not always be easy. That's for sure.
But we can rely on the Lord and have hope and faith! Although
contacting isn't always easy :) last night I had a good time
contacting. On Sunday
nights we go to this big long street with tons of people on it. It's
like a special market walking street. Anyway... we do what I've told
you we do! We ask people if they want to go to church, if they want to
be clean from their sins, if they want to be baptized. I discovered a
trick last night. I was so much happier, and met more people... because
I held the picture of baptism right next to my face! The people
couldn't avoid my eyes! They couldn't avoid my "Hello!" or my smile :)
I saw many heads turn and wonder. People stopped to know what it was!
I told Sister Hughes about it, and she said she'd learned that on Saturday!
She tried it after some things she'd read in the bible! :) So even
though there is a lot of opposition. This morning I feel like we have
reason to smile! Reason to have hope and faith! We know what the
outcome will be. We know that there is opposition. And yet we know
that God will never leave us. I find great comfort in binding covenants
that I have made with Him. We don't need to fear.
I love you guys so much :) You are the best family ever! :) I hope that you have a wonderful week this week.
Love,
Sister Croft
These
pictures... one of them is us at a Family Home Evening. The sister
sitting by Sister Hughes is now in the MTC. She's coming back to
Thailand to serve with us... in... a couple of weeks!
The other one is a picture I used in a spiritual
thought for facebook this week! Temples and eternal families!
Hoorrrrray!! :) I LOVE YOU guys. Sorry you're on facebook :)
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