Dear family and friends,
Hello again from SE Asia! I really hope all is well with everyone in the states (or wherever else, but here you are - so Eden, and Uncle Dave: I hope you're doing wee to even though you both could probable be here too). [Mom's note: I used to edit his English a bit, but I've decided to leave it alone unless it doesn't make ANY sense. You can tell that he is trying really hard with the Thai language, because his English has taken a big dive!!] Talking with family again was such a blessing, and I am more inspired than ever to work! Seeing all their smiling faces reminded (but not in a distracting way) of all of you whom I used to be much geographically closer to.
Today, I just wanted to talk about a few things, namely my experience working with ward members, studying the scriptures, and about a challenge that I'm currently undertaking which I will invite all who are reading to join me in (to turn back or forever hold your peace...or...something like that).
For this week, I will share some of my president's letter:
"Dear President,
This week we've been working much more closely with the branch. Back home in Utah, I didn't really get to see how all of the intricate parts in action. From working so closely with the branch, it's really cool to see how the arms and legs of the Church actually work together (I know now why my mom was gone to so many meetings as RS president now, ha ha)! It feels like every missionary wants to know the "secret to missionary work" and I've found it. No, it's not "work" because that's a given. The true secret to success in the mission field is to see everything through the eyes of the branch; be the bishop's or branch president's best friend and ally. I'm so glad I learned that NOW working with the excellent ป. ทวิช. Although he is one of the most faithful members of the Church I've ever seen, he really needs us right now more than ever before. Thank you President for sending me here to save him and this branch, and for sending two more sisters - who will be welcomed here as little less that angels for sure."
Well, this week has been different, but much better once we feel like were much closer to the ward, namely our branch president, ประทาน ทวิช Prataan Tuwit). Not only is he one of the few people in Thailand who can sing fantastically, he his trying to hold up this branch that has a total of three available priesthood holders to help the 30+ sisters here. Working with him has been one of the greatest blessings in my life and I'll never forget what it means to lift where you stand. I feel your prayers every minute of every day, and I cannot begin to thank you for the blessing I've received at your hand. Now I ask that in your prayers at night before you pray for me, I would ask you if you could please pray for him [Prataan Tuwit] to have strength to complete each day in his calling and that our branch ดอนเมือง (Don Maung) will grow enough to receive those prepared to come into the fold of the Good Shepherd. Thank you for your support; I know that he could use it too.
On a lighter note, we're getting sisters not only in our zone for the first time, but they will be serving in our branch! I actually need to go soon so I can clean their house so it's nice for them when they get here and open their area. We're all super excited for this transfers for that, and also that we have the largest group of Thai Thai missionaries - 11! That means four more than my "nongs" group (or younger group in the MTC)! In fact, one of the highlights of this week was when I was that I actually got to talk to Elder Sae-Daen, a new missionary from Chang Mai - were an Elder from my group is serving. As I was talking with him, I asked if he knew him and he said yes and then was taken aback because we were in the same MTC group - he said he was super impressed with my language and then gave me a compliment that I couldn't understand. So that pretty much sums my language up: I'm learning at light speeds, but still learning. It really depends on the day and how humble and teaching I am...
Which actually is another cool experience I had this week. The following is from my study journal:
"Our district leader, Elder Mondragon, said to me on our switch-off that we don't have time to judge ourselves here. We only have time to make changes and get better. And if we are humble, the enable power of the Atonement - or "Grace" as explained in this week's Liahona – can now be effective and we truly can be more than we are without him. I think when Nephi cries 'Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin!' he realizes too that there isn't time available to droop in what we've done wrong." Now is the time to prepare to meet God by allowing our hearts to "Rejoice" in our Savior, who has given us the Atonement so that we CAN become better than we could ever have dreamed of ourselves.
So my last thing - the challenge! Engage this thinking in your life by being perfected in him this week. I'm doing that by memorizing one Book of Mormon scripture mastery a week - starting with 1 Ne 3:7. I invite all to join me with memorizing all 25 scriptures before next General conference - and be perfected in Christ by treasuring up his word to be ready to listen to his word with me.
Love you all! and good luck!
E. Gibbons
Hello again from SE Asia! I really hope all is well with everyone in the states (or wherever else, but here you are - so Eden, and Uncle Dave: I hope you're doing wee to even though you both could probable be here too). [Mom's note: I used to edit his English a bit, but I've decided to leave it alone unless it doesn't make ANY sense. You can tell that he is trying really hard with the Thai language, because his English has taken a big dive!!] Talking with family again was such a blessing, and I am more inspired than ever to work! Seeing all their smiling faces reminded (but not in a distracting way) of all of you whom I used to be much geographically closer to.
Today, I just wanted to talk about a few things, namely my experience working with ward members, studying the scriptures, and about a challenge that I'm currently undertaking which I will invite all who are reading to join me in (to turn back or forever hold your peace...or...something like that).
For this week, I will share some of my president's letter:
"Dear President,
This week we've been working much more closely with the branch. Back home in Utah, I didn't really get to see how all of the intricate parts in action. From working so closely with the branch, it's really cool to see how the arms and legs of the Church actually work together (I know now why my mom was gone to so many meetings as RS president now, ha ha)! It feels like every missionary wants to know the "secret to missionary work" and I've found it. No, it's not "work" because that's a given. The true secret to success in the mission field is to see everything through the eyes of the branch; be the bishop's or branch president's best friend and ally. I'm so glad I learned that NOW working with the excellent ป. ทวิช. Although he is one of the most faithful members of the Church I've ever seen, he really needs us right now more than ever before. Thank you President for sending me here to save him and this branch, and for sending two more sisters - who will be welcomed here as little less that angels for sure."
Well, this week has been different, but much better once we feel like were much closer to the ward, namely our branch president, ประทาน ทวิช Prataan Tuwit). Not only is he one of the few people in Thailand who can sing fantastically, he his trying to hold up this branch that has a total of three available priesthood holders to help the 30+ sisters here. Working with him has been one of the greatest blessings in my life and I'll never forget what it means to lift where you stand. I feel your prayers every minute of every day, and I cannot begin to thank you for the blessing I've received at your hand. Now I ask that in your prayers at night before you pray for me, I would ask you if you could please pray for him [Prataan Tuwit] to have strength to complete each day in his calling and that our branch ดอนเมือง (Don Maung) will grow enough to receive those prepared to come into the fold of the Good Shepherd. Thank you for your support; I know that he could use it too.
On a lighter note, we're getting sisters not only in our zone for the first time, but they will be serving in our branch! I actually need to go soon so I can clean their house so it's nice for them when they get here and open their area. We're all super excited for this transfers for that, and also that we have the largest group of Thai Thai missionaries - 11! That means four more than my "nongs" group (or younger group in the MTC)! In fact, one of the highlights of this week was when I was that I actually got to talk to Elder Sae-Daen, a new missionary from Chang Mai - were an Elder from my group is serving. As I was talking with him, I asked if he knew him and he said yes and then was taken aback because we were in the same MTC group - he said he was super impressed with my language and then gave me a compliment that I couldn't understand. So that pretty much sums my language up: I'm learning at light speeds, but still learning. It really depends on the day and how humble and teaching I am...
Which actually is another cool experience I had this week. The following is from my study journal:
"Our district leader, Elder Mondragon, said to me on our switch-off that we don't have time to judge ourselves here. We only have time to make changes and get better. And if we are humble, the enable power of the Atonement - or "Grace" as explained in this week's Liahona – can now be effective and we truly can be more than we are without him. I think when Nephi cries 'Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin!' he realizes too that there isn't time available to droop in what we've done wrong." Now is the time to prepare to meet God by allowing our hearts to "Rejoice" in our Savior, who has given us the Atonement so that we CAN become better than we could ever have dreamed of ourselves.
So my last thing - the challenge! Engage this thinking in your life by being perfected in him this week. I'm doing that by memorizing one Book of Mormon scripture mastery a week - starting with 1 Ne 3:7. I invite all to join me with memorizing all 25 scriptures before next General conference - and be perfected in Christ by treasuring up his word to be ready to listen to his word with me.
Love you all! and good luck!
E. Gibbons
