Transfer to Bangkok!

Jenn is now in Bangkok - Mall Visit

Look very closely = do you see "wings"!!  Bug Snack at the Mall? We can only guess! 

Jenn with other Sister's serving in Bangkok

One Year Birthday

Jenn has been out a YEAR now!

Remember how little Jenn is... well look how much littler her companion is!

The OLDERST Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in THAILAND!

RAIN BREAK -- trying to stay out of the rain!

Bring tears to a Mother's eyes...

Saved this picture for last -- isn't this amazing.  Take a good look at the Sister on the right. Sis Navynuon!  Now - go to the SLC Temple Square and find her!!  She is from Ubon, Thailand and called on a mission to Temple Square!  Sis Nuon is in the middle - Jenn's companion. The locals call her "Beyonce"!  And then there's my favorite Sister Missionary -  Jenn....  this picture makes me cry every time I look. Hope you see what I see in this picture. This is true happiness - the happiness you only find loving and serving the Lord - in what ever capacity you can. Yes - you too can experience this type of happiness -- drink in it, then go ask the Savior what change you can make to have this happiness! It's that simple -- let that desire burn in you and watch the miracles, open to you! Its sure to make you have the same smile as these sisters!

Half her mission over...

Anybody hungry for BUGS!! 

Sis Campos, May and Sis Knutson

May's Baptism Day!

Sis Knutson is experiencing so many wonderful things. From being transformed herself to seeing others accept the Savior and having a mighty transformation themselves.  "The need to change has to be GREATER then the ease of staying the same".  The question was put out years ago -- Who changes more the missionary or the convert?  Her new area is night and day from Chaing Mai yet has its own beauty.  The locals don't understand why she doesn't use an Umbrella!  Jenn has 8 months left and is loving every day!

Eating in Ubon

Bring it on!  

Relief Society - Making Salads!

Hot outside -- eat drink Cold Food

New Pictures - New Companions 4 Sister's in one Apartment - Can you spell Party

Sis. Jenn Panda! Is that you Sis Sorge?

Elder Panda!

Sis. Knutson - Avid Biker - She calls it 'playing frogger'. And parents aren't to worry!

Let's go to the FAIR! 

Beautiful Sisters - oh and umbrellas too.

Her Favorite - I swear she'll come home with one!

hello family! my heart is full today and i was very aware of your prayers this week... i really has felt like a whole another mission this past transfer and a lot of growing has been had. and still needs to happen. haha. its very different needless to say. this week, us missionaries started a mutual program in the ward. im pretty sure its the first one in thailand? the chiang mai branch wants to be the example for thailand so we figured we'd get them started with  a mutual program. they cant say mutual so its "mutuan" haha. we played water balloon waterballoon volleyball (you'd be proud mom) and got them pumped up for Duty to God and Personal Progress. and of coourse rootbeer floatss (also foreign to them). the youth are awesome here and LOVED it, hopefully theyll start bringing their friends. and im so grateful for all the leaders setting up youth activities growing up. seriously thank you ALLL, so much more work than i thought haha. sunday was so fun, i translated in Primary. there is a white family from florida that just moved in and their son is a twin of baby scotty. no joke. for some reason i felt like i needed the CTR rings grandma sent me, and guess what the lesson was about?? choosing the right! the kids loved them. its super humbling to not understand a 5 year thai boy hahah. some days i feel like i uunderstand most things, than the next day im asking my companion to repeat everything. always praying. LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLL 

6 Months Out!

McDonald's Delivers in Chaing Mai! 6 Months out on my mission celebration with a Blizzard!

Check out the scooter, backpack and McDonald's jacket in this hot weather!

On the train to Bangkok to renew visas == HOT !

Baptism's! Miracles happening! 

Jenn hit her 6th Month mark! She celebrated with a McDonald McFlurry - they deliver!  She also had to take a grueling train ride to Bangkok (7 hours away) to renew visas. This looks like a picture we have of when she got her wisdom teeth out -- must be that painful of a trip. She said Bangkok is MUCH hotter then Chiang Mai, and not near as many tourist, so the people in Bangkok we're very fascinated by her.  I guess... with that look on her face!!!  Ha! Don't you just love it!!  She will probably be transferred soon, so taking in as much as she can with beautiful Chiang Mai and grateful for every moment she is there. The part she loves the most is how the people are embracing the new knowledge of our Savior. And, the gift of the Holy Ghost. The sacrifices these beautiful people make to have the Savior's restored gospel in there lives is amazing to her.  No one has 'days' off' in this country - they work 7 days a week - so to take time off for Church is a huge sacrifice, in so many levels.  So many have so little, yet radiate so much joy and gratitude. 

Pictures - Beautiful Sisters!

Knock Knock...  Who's there...?

Amazing Outfits!

More fun -- Dancing Sisters!

Letters Updated

Feb 8th, 2012  

family family family! sorry the email is coming so late, I kinda got sick and making time to email was rough. im pretty sure it was some sort of heat exhaustion?? fasting+inviting all day in the hot sun will get cha haha. but no worries, all is well! and we found a great family out of it:) im definitely feeling the hot season beginning to start.... not sure im ready for this hahh soo sweaty. its so funny thai people are terrified of the sun  so they wear huge coats and face mask things to hide from it. being tan whatsoever is really ugly i guess?

 this week has been awesome though, lots of personal growth and realizing some major internal "roots". for example; we came to the realization that im really good at helping my companion reach her goals and our companionship goals, but i forget to focus on mine. or even make enough time to think about myself in that sense. this has explained so much. like my whole life actually ha. major "ah-ha" moments happening here. i love missionary work because its not focused on you personally at all, but it is SO important to be constantly striving and accomplishing goals so we can be better instruments in hleping the people here come unto Christ. this week will be rough because sister sorge really wants to focus on me.. wish me luck.

ive really seen the Atonement in action personally this week, many "breaking me down" moments and letting the Savior build me back up.  I was reading in Mosiah 24:12-15 (READ IT EVERYONE!) and it hit my heart so strongly. " And I will ease the burdens which are put on your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them on your back... I the Lord God do visit my people in their afflictions" How true this is, i literally felt this peace come over me and boost to keep on going. Im so grateful for the scriptures, God is literally talks to us what makes me even more happy?? When my investigators come to the same realization!!!!!!! back flips. Wow and her daughter (they remind me of the Gilmore Girls, but thai and way cooler) understand this! Once the investigator understands personal revelation through prayer, scripture study, and church attendance we missionaries have nothing to worry about. they see how PERSONAL the gospel is and will do anything to feel of the Holy Ghost. ive never seen anyone so excited to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. so amazing. we actually moved up their baptismal date because they want to get in the water so badly. AND moved up Dom and Bang's baptism (another mother daughter powerhouse)!! we were teaching them and i felt like alright if i left right now id be fine, these people are so prepared. and its even cooler because we get to find more and more everyday. i feel so little in this noble work, but i know the Lord us everyday. 

mom i wear the crocs everyday..people love rubber shoes here. Can’t imagie wearing anything else. 

love you alllll!
love, sister knutson

FAMILY!  Jan 29^th, 2012
Soo I’m in the last transfer with my trainer and the work is on fire!! She is leaving in 4 weeks and I cant believe it. Its awesome cuz she has an entire mission under her belt full of experiences and knowledge, and now living with sister supansa who is also going home in a few months.  My 6 month mark is happening in a few weeks? WHAK. That freaks me out, so much is happening and NEEDS to happen. Hence the "we are sprinting." its awesome what we can get done in just a day, our prayers are getting answered and our goals are getting reached. we have been talking about that and seeing all the miracles happen and it comes back to consecrating yourself to the Lord and doing HIS work HIS work. its been a roller coaster that’s for sure but im happy im learning these things now, not at the end of my mission. I’m still in awe at how little we are in the work. God is willing to send us the amazing blessings if we just ask! and work hard and have faith (duhsies). we found 2 families this week that are way prepared. im so blessed to be meet so many "golden investigators." its so fun living with 3 other sisters, President Smith says he wants me "crossed trained" with a thai. hahah so cool, i love her. is this real life? thank you for your prayers, i feel them errryday. 
love, sister Knutson

Jan 22^nd, 2012

hello family! this has been such a fun week. lots of growth has been happening (umm story of my mission) but at the same time its been FUN. the mission opened another sister area in Chiang Mai so we now have another set of sistas! helllo party. one is a greenie (knew her at the MTC, she rocks) and her trainer is my MTC teacher's litter sister. DREAMMM!!!!! seriously, answer to prayers to be living with a native speaker who also is SO willinging to help me and is related to my dream teacher. not to mention  life of the party, its been too fun i think? ha life is soo good. today we got up at 4 and watched the sunrise on top of this mountain at a buddhist wat. is this real life? Its the same world im living in but everything is so much more beautiful with Christ at the center.  Im really the happiest i have ever been, despite the HUGGGEEE language barrier that makes most tasks quite difficult and lots of confused looks. but its doesn’t matter, it is NOT stopping the work! That is for sure. Since I’ve been here we've been really praying and focusing on people who are ready to hear our message and ITS HAPPENING!! We have taught lessons this week of people just walking into the church saying they want to learn about Jesus. um whak thought that only happening in brazil or something?  I read this talk that has changed my mission outlook and really illustrates consecration so well, something we've been working for.  I feel like im on the sidelines of the most beautiful miracles happening; seeing people's hearts change as they let Christ in. They don't have years of membership in the Church or weird ideas about Mormons, and they let Christ in as soon as they open their hearts. I’m learning so much from these beautiful people! I feel so blessed to be apart of this huge work, I love you all, more than I can say!
love, Sister Knutson
PS. i got the package!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you so much. its so perfect, wheat thins don’t exist here. Same with fruit snacks and cliff bars. Felt the love opening it, thanks mom:) also tell grandma and grandpa Rands thank you for the really cool beaded bookmark and card!

Chiang Mai Zoo Safari Jan 2012

Here we are! My favorite animal! 

What? A Baby Camel!

Baby Giraffe is BITING ME! Hello Baby Zebra!

Are you jealous Mom & Dad??

Feed the Birds with Sis. Surge

JANELL!

Coco Peanut Logs! Love it! (check out the Thai language guide - OUCH)

Merry Christmas from Thailand

No Way  Thai Harry Potter DVD

Pad Thai for a Buck! New Goals - Eat when it's meal time and not all day long!

NOT American Pad Thai!

Santa Claus at the Ward Party

Monks Everywhere!

For our Christmas Phone Call we had everyone but Scott on video Skype. It was so amazing -- we could see everyone so clear! She loves the food! She is bike riding like never before. She's had one "mishap", but talks about how crazy the drivers are - no rules on the roads, yet she is amazed how safe she feels. How sweet the people are and how giving. She is teaching Advanced English classes twice a week.  No one has "days off", and such hard workers - 7 days a week.  All their teaching is done on the floor. She has been invited into home where all they had was a bare mattress on the floor, and they still offered her water and fruit. People are so poor and live in filthy conditions, don't have food in their cupboards, not even a sink in their house, yet they are always happy.  
Her area is HUGE!  They are a 7 hour drive North of Bangkok. There are two sets of Elders, and the Sisters. The branch has about 100 people.  She's getting use to the heat, humidity, but the people there wear coats and pants all the time cause it is the "cold season". 
Oddly enough P-Days in the mission field are busier then in the MTC! (This last week we received an e-mail with all of 4-5 sentences.) 
We we're able to connect Jenn and Scott on Christmas night. Jenn via skype calling, and Scott on the phone. We laid the phone down on the computer speaker, and they just screamed, and laughed, and we're soooo glad to hear each other's voice.  Scott is struggling, and Jenn was able to encourage him. They laughed, asked so many questions of each other, but mostly just thrilled to hear each other's voice. We felt so honored to be listening to them connect and share so much. 
Jenn is so thrilled to be where she is, and so loving sharing and teaching about the Savior. They have lots of families they are teaching, and keep very busy.  
The hardest part of the whole family Skype was having to say good by. Ryan started it with a big frowny face - and soon we we're all in tears. Jenn just pour out her heart to us, and we shared sweet tender moments trying to say good by till Mother's Day.  We are so grateful for the blessing the Savior has given us, and eternal families.