So on Wednesday, we got our Nung Thais!! Elder Sharp in even just a few hours younger than me too! Danielle and Jordan's and my friend, Sister Jeni Itri is here with Sister Church - who's mom told me to look her up while I was eating in Provo's "Spicy Thai." They're already learning script which makes me a little jealous, but the Lord has a reason for everything.
In Fact, that was a big turning point for me here. Bro. Day told us a story where a Greenie Elder was his companion during one lesson where he was giving most the lesson until the greenie wanted to say something. He struggled at trying to convey his feelings, and you could tell he had so much love, and he touched the investigator much more than he (Bro. Day) did - even though he understand every Thai word. "I hope you come back Tri-lingual" he said. "Speaking English, Thai, and the Spirit. I was so bogged down with knowledge and pride, that I couldn't hear what the Spirit wanted me to do or say - but that Elder did because he was listening to the true comunicator. There is no such thing as a language barrier - just a lack of the Spirit," Bro. Day recounted. That really hit me, big time. Before that lesson (and even now) I had been really struggling with the language. I was beating myself down because of past 'failures' and such. But after that lesson, we taught our investigator, Beer (yep, that's his name...), one of the best lessons because this time Elder Creer and I listened, waited, and decided to include the Spirit more. I still couldn't say what I wanted to EXACTLY, but I got the point across (I even had to bring Anna into the lesson to describe a principle because of the lack of Thai that I will improve on). And although my Thai could be lacking to some people, I spoke the language of the Spirit better that I had ever before.
Another instance where the language of the Spirit spoke louder than Thai or English was where we had an emergency in our residence hall. I was getting ready Sunday morning when I heard a commotion and that Elder Engle was in trouble. Elder Engle, just by the way is one of my favorite people in the world. Top 5 funniest I've met for sure (more stories to come from that). Not only has he played the violin for 12 yrs and can say the greatest and funniest things, but he actually speaks Portuguese and helped me out during this whole time. So with that already running through my head, I run out to discover that he cannot close his mouth. Apparently, he got his mouth stuck while brushing his teeth and his jaw became locked. So I ran out as they were going to go to the health clinic. But I called out to them "Hey, do you want a blessing?" Elder Engle spun around and nodded vigorously. We went into our room right by the door and I anointed (with much awkwardness) and Elder Creer gave a very short blessing and they were off. I couldn't eat that morning hardly, but at lunch I saw him [Elder Engle] talking normally. I almost dropped my tray, but ran up to him instead. He related to me that they were rushed off the hospital and the pain got worse and worse. Finally it got so bad that he thought he was going to pass out. When darkness started to surround him, he said his jaw shut. The blessing was the factor he said. We later talked about it and we tearfully thanked each other. I really do have so much love for everyone in this district, it's amazing. Why? Because we have all been learning a third language that angels speak. When you can learn this language and 'can speak with the tongue of angels,' miracles happen.
They DO only happen when you're exactly obedient, and I'm not being that right now because I'm three minutes over, but I wanted to share that experience with you that I might persuade you of the truthfulness of these things. I love you all. Your prayers fuel me with the light I need every day. Thank you :)
Elder Gibbons
