Or here, we'd say สบายดีบอ?
Miracles happen. This is going to be the theme of these next three weeks. That's how long we have until next transfer meeting before moves will change to every 9 weeks instead of six. But so much happened I really cannot begin to write everything, so I'll begin by answering my sweet mother's questions:
1. Please tell us the details of this last transfer...like were you transferred to a new area (WHERE) and WHO is your companion and WHERE is he from?
I was transferred from Samut Prakan (the very bottom of Bangkok – so much it's not even counted in the City of Angels, or Bangkok) at the same time as Elder Merkley which means they closed our area - but Elder Staten and his new companion are taking Sister M'am and Sister Khwan who are progressing rapidily. However, his old companion Elder ชัด (Schad), who was my first Thai I was in the same house with and who is one of my best friends in the mission, moved as well. Coming back to that later, during transfers, I waited for my name. No Bangkok, no Isaan, and then no north? AHHH they skipped me AGAIN! So then President Senior made me stand up AGAIN and he announced my new assignment:
"Elder Gibbons will be opening a second area in Mahasarakham with Elder แซ่ด่าน." AHHHH!!! A hundred emotions flowed over me as my prayers were answered - and I now have a คนไทย companion! Oh shoot – I don't know how to be a district leader! CRAP how are we going to open an area?
Skip ahead a few days and we are so excited to serve here. Bicycles are amazing. I LOVE our district and it's SO funny. When any one of us goes off, it becomes a riot (in a really funny way which I can't really explain in any language). I've been praying my butt off (can you do that?) to have district unity and it's sure coming. Elder Sae-dan, a Northern Thai from Chaing Mai, is super funny and sarcastic, but is super faith filled and works in tandem with the spirit. His personally is very identical to Max's. Elder Webb as a Thai would probably turnout to be a lot like my companion, which is a unexpected blessing. I've lately started my spiritual fast: I'm fasting from Disobedience, Sloopyness, and English. I've put my Engligh Scriptures on the shelf so I'm not tempted to use them. I feel like Sister Snell speaking my mission language and now realize me, Elder Worthington, Sister Snell, Elder Reynolds all have native comps! haha
2. What DAY of the week is your transfer day?
It's less than a month on 11th of April - my 1 year mark in country exactly - because there are 37 new missionaries coming in! I'm so excited and want to talk more, but gtg. I love y'll and will phaw gan DUUR!
With love,
Elder Gibbons
