taryn 4.13.10

Hey family!
sorry the letter is a day late, our was changed to tues this week because of songkran. hah we got a call early this morning telling us that all missionaries had to email first thing this morning because parents had been calling the office worried about their missionaries. i guess the redshirt thing is starting to get out of hand in bangkok and lots of people have died!

holy cow songkran is the most crazy holiday ive ever seen! the official days start today until thurs, but i had people throwing water on me on sunday. it is the new year for thailand, the holiday started out by sprinkling water on people to bless them, but it has evolved into a nationwide waterfight. yesterday branch 2 had their activity. it started with us kneelng down, pouring cold, scented water in the hands of the old people, and then them putting the water on our heads and back and blessing us, and putting white paste on our faces. after that the war broke out and it was just a big water fight for every age, no one was safe, pouring huge buckets of ice water even on the ancient and the little kids! lots of ice cream, hot soup(thais are a little confused about the concept of eating soup when its cold..) and mangos and sticky rice. after that we tried to go out and proselyte, no use. everyone on the streets and in the back of trucks throwing water. at zone conference president said that this week is always a huge drop in the numbers, he started laughing at trying to explain it to the brethren. he told us to try, but said we will be using a lot of study time this week, especially at night when all the alcohol comes out. its going to be an adventure of a week!
general conference was amazing!!! every speaker was so inspired. i was sad when it was over, though i already have it on my ipod and have been listening to it. the priesthood session is awesome, i think that all missionaries should be able to go. elder rasbands talk was so cool. im excited to get the talks and be able to really study them. a lot of it was amazing parenting advice, mom and dad i couldnt stop thinking about you and how incredible you are at being parents. thank you for raising me the way you did/still are, i dont know why i was so blessed. i love you so much.
the branch president of branch 2 went to utah, what a blessing! mom and dad, they were sad that your werent able to make it over.. they have been talking about utah, byu, and temple square non stop. they got so motivated and and even more determined now to help the church grow. it is so funny to hear him explain things like food at caferio, the churches everywhere, the y, boys going around to collect fast offerings, welfare square, the houses, the programs handed out before sacrament meeting, and the ym/yw mutual activities every week. life is just so different here. he got to see how the church is run in the states and what we can do to improve. every member should have the opportunity to see utah atleast once. i am so blessed to have been able to grow up there, where so many around the world just dream of getting to visit. i didnt know utah, byu, and temple square was so exciting until i came to thailand..

we went to roi-et for switch offs. it was really fun and good to learn from other missionaries (both from thailand). it is a little smaller city than udon, with a HUGE buddha statue in the middle of the city that rises above all the buildings. i got to meet more amazing people, seeing the love of Christ working miracles. the only bummer part of the trip was the bus rides, 7 1//2 hours on a packed, stinky, humid, hot, rickety bus! bless american transportation systems! though it is always a fun adventure/story for later...
we set 2 more baptismal goals last week! we have 5 right now!!!! i really hope and pray for each of these investigators, that each one will keep growing their testimonies and get the opportunity of becoming a member and enjoy the blessings of the true church. its a hard thing sometimes coaching from the sideline, watching satan, my investigator, the Hold Ghost, and the Lord on the field, only being able to offer my testimony and the knowledge, leaving it up to the Spirit and their agency. how amazing it is when you can see the light in their eyes grow and their lives change when they start letting Christ into their lives.
well, its time to write president our weekly email (the new thing taht they just started, no more hand written presidents letters). i love and miss you all so much! thank you for your love and for always being there for me. thank you for your examples. thank you for your support. catch you next monday
love, sister young