Hello Everyone!
Wow! It's been a long week for the Don Muang three-sum. First, Mom, sorry for the delay - Elder Osborne just came out from the hospital yesterday late afternoon and we couldn't email anyone! Last Monday when we were emailing, he started to feel sick. We thought it was the same thing I had a few weeks ago that just passed in a day. [Did anyone else catch that??? Hello! He never told us about that!!] Instead, it got worse and we rushed to a hospital on Tuesday. It turned out that Elder Osborne had Dengue "Dang-ee" Fever, or in the Thai translation, "fever-blood-go out" which, as you can imagine, isn't very healthy and is dangerous. Six days later, we came out from the hospital exhausted but excited to be home in Don Muang. I learned many valuable lessons during that experience. For instance, on Sunday, our branch president, Prataan Tuwit, came and administered the Sacrament to us. I got to bless in English again! But the feeling in that room was incredible when I realized why. I was feeling so good because a scripture was literally being fulfilled: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt 18:20). I felt the Peace of Christ "which passeth all understanding" (Phillipians something) while we four were gathered together in the name of our Lord.
Another very special event was Zone Conference where President Senior's discourse on Faith helped me get through some rough times and brought much joy into my soul. I later wrote a quote he said: "Nephi didn't see a broken bow. He saw a solution." This principle of Faith actually BECAME more than a word, but a now way to see into one's life. I feel confident to say that one may measure his or her faith based on how they view setbacks in life. When a rock falls in your path do you see a stumbling stone? Sometimes I do. But that day Nephi saw no stumbling stone - he saw a STEPPING stone. It's when we 'step up' over that obstacle is what Moroni describes in Ether 12:6 about receiving a witness "after the trial of our faith," or if I may, "After we step over that stepping stone. It's an amazing experience to climb over mountains of what at first seems like stress with the Lord as our guide." Some however might be skeptical, like me sometimes. "Well, I can't SEE the Lord, so how do I know... etc. But there IS a way to know - A physical way to know: through the study of the Book of Mormon. I know that a study of this book over a period of time changes lives. It's changed others I've taught, and it's changed me. The reading of the Book of Mormon has been my "Iron rod" over every stepping stone I've ever come across. I've seen it happen this week, and I know it will happen if you but open the book and try for yourself. Don't try to climb over alone. That you read the book and have the experience of clearing mountains with the Savior is my only prayer this week.
OK, that's a lie because I've prayed way more times than once, and I thank you for all the prayers on you behalf as well. Don't forget to include Elders Osborne and Oakeson to have strength and success as well. Love you all!!
With all my love,
Elder Gibbons
Yeah, so apparently this white girl touring Thailand came to our branch [Joseph's friend, Eden Cope spent 4 months in Thailand] and she asked if anyone knew Elder Gibbons!!! Turns out a few did, brought her to the hospital where I was, and I got to talk with Eden again! She's excellent in Thai and she's awesome! It was great to see a great friend again. :) However, it is discouraged to have friends visit, so I'd like to keep this gem of an experience to ourselves! Thanks! Love you. Joj [Since Eden posted some photos on Facebook, I figured its a little difficult to keep it from people!] :)
Wow! It's been a long week for the Don Muang three-sum. First, Mom, sorry for the delay - Elder Osborne just came out from the hospital yesterday late afternoon and we couldn't email anyone! Last Monday when we were emailing, he started to feel sick. We thought it was the same thing I had a few weeks ago that just passed in a day. [Did anyone else catch that??? Hello! He never told us about that!!] Instead, it got worse and we rushed to a hospital on Tuesday. It turned out that Elder Osborne had Dengue "Dang-ee" Fever, or in the Thai translation, "fever-blood-go out" which, as you can imagine, isn't very healthy and is dangerous. Six days later, we came out from the hospital exhausted but excited to be home in Don Muang. I learned many valuable lessons during that experience. For instance, on Sunday, our branch president, Prataan Tuwit, came and administered the Sacrament to us. I got to bless in English again! But the feeling in that room was incredible when I realized why. I was feeling so good because a scripture was literally being fulfilled: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt 18:20). I felt the Peace of Christ "which passeth all understanding" (Phillipians something) while we four were gathered together in the name of our Lord.
Another very special event was Zone Conference where President Senior's discourse on Faith helped me get through some rough times and brought much joy into my soul. I later wrote a quote he said: "Nephi didn't see a broken bow. He saw a solution." This principle of Faith actually BECAME more than a word, but a now way to see into one's life. I feel confident to say that one may measure his or her faith based on how they view setbacks in life. When a rock falls in your path do you see a stumbling stone? Sometimes I do. But that day Nephi saw no stumbling stone - he saw a STEPPING stone. It's when we 'step up' over that obstacle is what Moroni describes in Ether 12:6 about receiving a witness "after the trial of our faith," or if I may, "After we step over that stepping stone. It's an amazing experience to climb over mountains of what at first seems like stress with the Lord as our guide." Some however might be skeptical, like me sometimes. "Well, I can't SEE the Lord, so how do I know... etc. But there IS a way to know - A physical way to know: through the study of the Book of Mormon. I know that a study of this book over a period of time changes lives. It's changed others I've taught, and it's changed me. The reading of the Book of Mormon has been my "Iron rod" over every stepping stone I've ever come across. I've seen it happen this week, and I know it will happen if you but open the book and try for yourself. Don't try to climb over alone. That you read the book and have the experience of clearing mountains with the Savior is my only prayer this week.
OK, that's a lie because I've prayed way more times than once, and I thank you for all the prayers on you behalf as well. Don't forget to include Elders Osborne and Oakeson to have strength and success as well. Love you all!!
With all my love,
Elder Gibbons
Yeah, so apparently this white girl touring Thailand came to our branch [Joseph's friend, Eden Cope spent 4 months in Thailand] and she asked if anyone knew Elder Gibbons!!! Turns out a few did, brought her to the hospital where I was, and I got to talk with Eden again! She's excellent in Thai and she's awesome! It was great to see a great friend again. :) However, it is discouraged to have friends visit, so I'd like to keep this gem of an experience to ourselves! Thanks! Love you. Joj [Since Eden posted some photos on Facebook, I figured its a little difficult to keep it from people!] :)
 | |
| I LOVE his smile in this one!! He looks so happy, even if he had to spend a week with his companion in the hospital. |
 | |
| Okay, I had to look twice to figure out this picture!! At first glance, you think that's Eden's arm on Elder Osbourne's knee!! But, as you look closer, her hand is by her hip. Where did her arm go????? That is so weird! :) |
 | |||
| These are the first photos we've got of Joseph in Thailand! His companion, Elder Osbourne is in the hospital bed, I'm assuming Elder Oakeson is in the back and his Branch President, Prataan Tuwit, is in the back on the left. Eden is in the front (right) and it looks like a sister missionary is behind her and a few other Branch members. :) |
