taryn 12.16.09

Hello~>
imsorry that i am emailing early, moves is tomorrow. im not moving! im actually pretty disappointed. it came as a surprise that i am staying because president already told me awhile ago that i was headin out, i was all geared up[ and excited. because of sister webb going home, it changed a lot of things. i am really happy that i get to stay with sister bradfield, and that i get to stay in this branch, the members are awesome and we have some good investigators. but, i am a little antsy for a change, not beingthe greeny anymore, and not being in the same place with all of my anxiety attached. i feel like im kinda on a platue. this moves is a long one too, 7 weeks. oh well, i guess it is what the lord wants, ill just have to work extra hard. >
ive been alittle homesick lately, i dont know if its because of the season or what, but 11 months seems so far away. i missyou all so so much. i just dont feel like it is going to ever be finished. hah who would have ever thought i would be homesick?! i have been turning to the words of the prophets and the scriptures, and prayer for comfort. what an awesome time for growth. i know i am going to be so happy and grateful!>
well enough about that, its christmas and i am in thailand!!> >
my stomach isnt feeling the greatest right now. haha some members in the branch took us and the elders out to eat today for pday. right when we pulled up we saw a lady playing with a cobra that was sitting on a table, not an everyday occurrence. i started videoing it and then she picked it up with her stick, held it up, and then with three huge slams to its head with a rod killed it right there!! then she hangs it up by its head, takes a knife and splits it up its middle and pulls out all the guts letting them flop into a bowl, blood slooshing out. i got it all on film! haha then we go sit down and they order. then another lady goes out back and comes walking through with a net full of frogs. for lunch we ate alligator, osterich, frog, and SNAKE! hah we ate the snake and frogs that had been alive 10minutes earlier!!!!!! the alligator was super chwey with little bones that you could pull out, but the snake was just plain nasty, as you chewed the bones and whatever else what in there crunched. haha grandma, i think im ahead in the game right now!>
my pushups every morning are paying off. yesterday for fhe, they decided to have arm wrestling matches. i almost took both elders, i held them for a minute. and then i took brother a, the strongest of the thais:) >
mom, i gave gift the faith necklace, a ctr ring, and the jesus christ page that you sent me. thank you so much!!! she loved it!! she is pretty set on coming out the end of next year to visit, i told her she could stay at our house, i hope thats ok.. she is darling!!!!>
on saturday we went to asoke, the center of bangkok for the stake christmas party. they had christmas lights and everything!!! it was fun to see other missionaries and introduce our converts to other members. >
the other night as i was riding home, i was lost in thought, thinking about how many people there are in this world. then my thoughts moved to how every single person in this world is trying to be happy. that is the ultimate purpose for everyone, but each person tries to find it in a different way. it is neat to think that we are the ones that have the key to ultimate eternal happiness. it makes my purpose here a little more important realizing this. i wish i could just proclaim this to everyone on a big loudspeaker, but its not the way of Heavenly Father. he is personal. i love the quote, "we can do no great things, only small things with great love." -mother theresa...>
this gospel really is true. i am so grateful to the Lord for his life, his sacrifice, and his love. i am so grateful for this experience to grow closer to Him. dont forget the true purpose of christ this christmas! if you take of one syllable, it it the "spirit if christ" >
thank you everyone for your love and support. ill write AND talk to you soon! i miss you all so very much!!!!! i love you more than anything in this world.>
love, ty>
families are forever