taryn 1.11.10

Hey!>
Ok to start before I forget I have two things. 1. dad was your very first bike a scorpion? I see them all over the place and just realized, I have even seen some of the huge banana seats 2. mom, I need you to go to zions bank and send me a new debit card. I left my little money bag in the taxi on sat it didn’t have too much money in it, but my cards… I am so amazed at technology. i just had to go online, get the number for zions bank, and then used skype to call some one in utah for free, to tell them to cancel my card that can magically buy things and makes money come from machines. Fascinating! >
Wednesday was zone conf, I wish we had them more often! We have them once a moves-every 6 weeks. it is such a boost spiritually and nice to get with other missionaries. This one was about the book of mormon, we were supposed to listen/read/study pres hollands talk from last conf in preparation for it. I love that talk, so powerful! President gave us each a fresh bom, hah it was like Christmas again. I never thought I would be so excited for a new little book of mormon! We are doing the same activity that pres Holland and cook did when they were on their mission (they were companions!!! Can you imagine the power?!) we are to read the bom, highlighting in red the names and pronouns of Christ. Then next time around you do the doctrines in another color, and so on up to four times. I am really going to try and accomplish it before I jop (finish my mission)! I am amazed at how often Christ is mentioned already, though sometimes it is hard to distinguish Him from God. I am excited for this! > After zone conf, we got to play games for a few hours with everyone. We played lightening outside on the court until it really did start lightening! Don’t worry, I held my ground on the court >
We have been just teaching up a storm lately, it has been good. Sister Bradfield is an awesome missionary and we stay really busy all day! Hah there is hardly a night that we are home at 9, we teach up until 930! (we are supposed to go home at 9 unless we are teaching, then it is 930..) baawanpen, the old lady that changed in front of us a few weeks ago, is knitting me a really cool bag with all different colors of string hah sorry this is so random, I am going through my planner trying to remember what happened. Friday night was fhe at the church, I was in charge of the game. We played signs, it took a little while to catch on, but once they did it was straight laughing for 30 minutes! Saturday was childrens day, a holiday for kids! I think we need to have that in the states! They have big festivals all over the place, give kids things for free, and have talent shows. >
Mom and dad, thank you for all of the years of suffering on the piano bench with me. Im the only one in the branch that can play right now! I am so grateful to you!!!!>
Hah after church, we stopped by one of our investigators houses. The parents went out to get khong (stuff-could be clothes, food, ect..) and did the thai way of babysitting: just lock your kids in the house! It is a huge area just full of apt buildings, kinda reminds me of the slums, but smaller, all of them one room apts. To lock your door here, it is just a normal lock like on lockers and there is a place on each side of the door to hook it. We just talked to the two little girls through the door, they were just happy inside playing with their little Barbie. They were fine, but so scary, what if there was a fire or something?! After that we went to a 24 year old LA that hasn’t been to church in years. Ever since ive been here (5months!!!) ive really worked on here. At first she wasn’t welcoming at all and was always “busy” but now ive gotten in here house several time and also took her to dinner last night at a members!!!! It is coming slowly but surely! One thing that I have realized on a mission is that I can never ever go inactive! It not only hurts yourself, but the ward also! It uses a lot of time and effort of the missionaries and members, though it is worth it just to get one person back. We work with a lot of LAs right now.>
Today we went to wat pragaw, it is the royal wat (church/temple) of the king. It is so intricate and incredible! We rode the boat back, I sat by 2 way way cute French girls that spoke english fairly well, I told them that theyd better watch out for a hunk named elder morgan… morg, you are going to be in france this week!!!! I am now finally sitting in ac, trying to spit out my scattered thoughts and events that happened this week, and now my brain is out. The church is true. So true. You don’t have to believe me though, just do the moroni and ask! I have to do it all the time, and Heavenly Father sends me an answer. Every time. Keep reading and praying every day! I love you so so much. I miss you more than I can express, but don’t worry, im almost halfway done!!!>
Love, sister young>
oh, ps mom, could you forward me ryans emails home, i havent gotten any for a long time..