Hello
friends, Romans, country-men, lend me your ears...Oh wait, wrong play... Hello
Friends, Family, and all significant others.
Happy Father's Day! Dad, I love you so much and you emails always make me laugh and they totally recharge my week. You've been such an example of humble strength to me, and I want to thank you.
This week has been awesome. A lot of plan switching plans and running around everywhere... My President's letter pretty much sums it up:
"Dear President,
Not much has happened this week that's worthy of any particular mention, but I got to see the hand of the Lord by trusting in his timing and his Will. This week, I had the wonderful experience of singing in the Family Values Award - which really opened my eyes to just how grand of a scale the Church works on. However, practices took up time, and we also help our branch president pack and send all the Liahona's to members living in the country of Thailand (ha ha... Elder Osborne slapped the address sticker on yours, so it should be coming soon if not already there). So our goals took a hit, but I learned this week that the work of the Lord is the work of the Lord no matter what shape it was in. ประธาน ทวิช needed that help, and we were glad to give it to him. Also, ซ. อุ๋มฮิ๋ม [I think that is Oom Iim] was confirmed this week - which put the cap on my first convert's successful entering into the Church! That's always good.
Happy Father's Day! Dad, I love you so much and you emails always make me laugh and they totally recharge my week. You've been such an example of humble strength to me, and I want to thank you.
This week has been awesome. A lot of plan switching plans and running around everywhere... My President's letter pretty much sums it up:
"Dear President,
Not much has happened this week that's worthy of any particular mention, but I got to see the hand of the Lord by trusting in his timing and his Will. This week, I had the wonderful experience of singing in the Family Values Award - which really opened my eyes to just how grand of a scale the Church works on. However, practices took up time, and we also help our branch president pack and send all the Liahona's to members living in the country of Thailand (ha ha... Elder Osborne slapped the address sticker on yours, so it should be coming soon if not already there). So our goals took a hit, but I learned this week that the work of the Lord is the work of the Lord no matter what shape it was in. ประธาน ทวิช needed that help, and we were glad to give it to him. Also, ซ. อุ๋มฮิ๋ม [I think that is Oom Iim] was confirmed this week - which put the cap on my first convert's successful entering into the Church! That's always good.
Well, we're sure going to miss you and your lovely wife, President. But, you're going to have to endure at least one more of these, but just want you to know.
Thanks again, until next week,
Elder Gibbons"
So this week, I learned a lot about service. Packing Liahona's as far as the eye can see was fun, but I think I should mention the Family-Values Award event that I had the opportunity to sing in a small Missionary choir in (we sang Rak thii Baan, or Love at Home). Family-Values Award events take place in the community and recognize certain people for their exceptional service toward preserving values. Among the 50-or-so VIPs for this event were well-renowned doctors, very high-reigning generals, and even someone from the Royal Family (a great-grand daughter of His Majesty); she happens to live in my Trainer's first area and is married to Thailand's Former Ambassador to the United States. Like I mean, this was a SUPER sweet event seeing generals and royalty in a country were Princes and Princesses exist and have great respect. But the evening wasn't about them. It was about the amazing things they have done in conjunction with the Church. For example, one of the recipients bore powerful testimony on the power of families and how he couldn't know how to thank the "10 million people who give their lunch money every month" so he can have over $70,000 of dolls and equipment to train people to save newborn baby's lives. One practice doll was "twice my salary," he noted. And know, more babies will be saved with his work and my "lunch money." My mom has always taught me to pay a generous fast offering - I know know why. But I encourage all of you this Father's Day weekend to remember our Heavenly Father and remember to be gracious and generous with our love for each other - in more than just in monetary amounts.
I will definitely strive to do the same. Speaking of striving, don't forget 2 Ne 28:7-9 (I'm excited for the one after this too, but not sinning is good too)! Thank you for all your support and love! Until next Week!
Elder Gibbons
