Hey, I don't have a lot of time - this morning has been
crazy with Elder Osborne's being sick and I gotta run to a rehearsal in รังสิต...Been a CRAZY [week] and I feel like "I
cannot write but an hundredth part" of the things that have taken place.
But what I have written in my president's letter sufficeth me:
Dear President,
This week has been pretty hard, I'm not going to lie. We had more investigators cancel, not come to church or keep commitments, or just drop themselves from our teaching pool than ever before. Our electricity shut off on us, and we had to run to another Elder's house - that turned out to not have water. Yesterday evening Elder Osborne came down with a fever and we just barely left our house to shot a quick email then go back. I've never seen such a retard in the work since Songkrang. Last night during our dinner, Elder Oakeson slammed down his ice cream-covered spoon:
"Ok," he said.
"WHO has been praying for 'patience' this week?"
I couldn't hold it too long until I threw back my head and just started to laugh. I threw him my planner; the attribute I have been working on for the transfer written on the cover. It read: 'ความอดทน' [I'm guessing this word spells "patience"]
"Oh my gosh!" he exclaimed.
Oh! it's been an interesting week.
I have definitely been working on that heavenly virtue of patience lately. But like Nephi, "I know in whom I have trusted." It was really hard on Sunday. I was absolutely LIVID at Elder Osborne. Sometimes we're just different and I find it hard to get along with him from time to time. I tried to study, but instead, I stumbled upon Elder Christoffersen's talk about "Who the Lord Loveth, He Chasteneth." In that talk, I felt as if the Spirit was addressing me personally in the warm, loving tone of a parent and helping me understand that I didn't understand everything yet, nor would I be alone to figure it out all by myself. After reading half of that personalized sermon, I dropped on my knees and just prayed my guts out to change into the companion I would want for myself. I asked for forgiveness, blessings, and understanding. Eventually, I felt the peace of Christ "which passeth all understanding" start to lift the burden of hate and despair from my breast. I had fully experienced a small portion of the Atonement of Christ working within me which physically changed my state of being. I really was lost in hate and darkness with no hope of escape. But because "the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people," I was able to escape. I now have this experience as proof that God loves His children and is watching out for them, and I have a new vision of who I want to become for the rest of my life. And I know through Christ, I can accomplish the near-impossible goal to put off my natural man by becoming a saint one prayer at a time.
Thanks for letting me share this experience with you, President. I'm hangin' in there, Elder Osborne has medicine and is doing better, and I'm excited to see you again this week!
With love,
Elder Gibbons
I love you all, I feel your prayers, I'm so happy for Kaiden to get out in the field - he's helped me a lot this week and last (I've received two of his letters) and O M GOSH DANIELLE BROWNELLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [Our great family friend who received her mission call to serve in Mesa, AZ] I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH AND I'M SOOOOOO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We'll definitely talk more about your opportunity of a life time. We're actually working on getting a Temple here so that we'll be doing the work that you'll be helping with. OH holy crap I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!
Dear President,
This week has been pretty hard, I'm not going to lie. We had more investigators cancel, not come to church or keep commitments, or just drop themselves from our teaching pool than ever before. Our electricity shut off on us, and we had to run to another Elder's house - that turned out to not have water. Yesterday evening Elder Osborne came down with a fever and we just barely left our house to shot a quick email then go back. I've never seen such a retard in the work since Songkrang. Last night during our dinner, Elder Oakeson slammed down his ice cream-covered spoon:
"Ok," he said.
"WHO has been praying for 'patience' this week?"
I couldn't hold it too long until I threw back my head and just started to laugh. I threw him my planner; the attribute I have been working on for the transfer written on the cover. It read: 'ความอดทน' [I'm guessing this word spells "patience"]
"Oh my gosh!" he exclaimed.
Oh! it's been an interesting week.
I have definitely been working on that heavenly virtue of patience lately. But like Nephi, "I know in whom I have trusted." It was really hard on Sunday. I was absolutely LIVID at Elder Osborne. Sometimes we're just different and I find it hard to get along with him from time to time. I tried to study, but instead, I stumbled upon Elder Christoffersen's talk about "Who the Lord Loveth, He Chasteneth." In that talk, I felt as if the Spirit was addressing me personally in the warm, loving tone of a parent and helping me understand that I didn't understand everything yet, nor would I be alone to figure it out all by myself. After reading half of that personalized sermon, I dropped on my knees and just prayed my guts out to change into the companion I would want for myself. I asked for forgiveness, blessings, and understanding. Eventually, I felt the peace of Christ "which passeth all understanding" start to lift the burden of hate and despair from my breast. I had fully experienced a small portion of the Atonement of Christ working within me which physically changed my state of being. I really was lost in hate and darkness with no hope of escape. But because "the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people," I was able to escape. I now have this experience as proof that God loves His children and is watching out for them, and I have a new vision of who I want to become for the rest of my life. And I know through Christ, I can accomplish the near-impossible goal to put off my natural man by becoming a saint one prayer at a time.
Thanks for letting me share this experience with you, President. I'm hangin' in there, Elder Osborne has medicine and is doing better, and I'm excited to see you again this week!
With love,
Elder Gibbons
I love you all, I feel your prayers, I'm so happy for Kaiden to get out in the field - he's helped me a lot this week and last (I've received two of his letters) and O M GOSH DANIELLE BROWNELLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [Our great family friend who received her mission call to serve in Mesa, AZ] I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH AND I'M SOOOOOO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We'll definitely talk more about your opportunity of a life time. We're actually working on getting a Temple here so that we'll be doing the work that you'll be helping with. OH holy crap I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!
But really, thanks so much, I love you all. Don't ever forget to read your Book of Mormon. Mom - I love you so much- we're home teacher's for Sister Oy - (like "Ahoy! without the A-h- part), our Relief Society president. The same work is going on here, and her testimony reminded me of you! Love you more that I can say.
Thanks! Sorry this email has been crazy - welcome to Thailand!
With Love,
Elder Gibbons
