This week has been the craziest ever! I really can't really remember what I did specifically, but I am just tired! But I'm happy, so it must mean that I'm doing something right, huh? Well, I just wanted to quickly talk about Sister Waan (หวาน), our "sweet" investigator who is getting baptized tomorrow if all plays out right. First of all, congrats Ellie for getting baptized!
We'll be eating a dinner at Sister Dang's tonight so that Sister Dang can be sister Waan's fellowshipper.
I'm excited because she's going to be making ข้าวซอย ("Khaw-Soi") which is like a spicy, coconut-milk-based soup with a bunch of pickled veggies and a bog ol' chicken leg in the middle. I LOVED it in Sisaket, but I couldn't find it anywhere else, but she can make it becuase she's from Chiang Mai.
She has such a humble disposition with just a little, kind-of-squeaky voice. Turns out that two people from Hong Kong want to do some filming, and Sister Waan was interviewed. Elder Wilko and I translated her questions and and she responded in her little, squeaky voice her sincere answers. She knows the Book of Mormon in true. One night after English Class, she came up to me and asked if she could tell me something. I said yes and she told me of how her work had been super stressful and she didn't know what to do with all the things that were going on in her life, including religion. So she got on her knees and really prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was true. She finished her prayer and read. She read in 2 Nephi 4, which reads:
"O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?
27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
It was then that she knew that the Book of Mormon was true. She know in the heat that this is not just ความบังเอิญ (coincidence), but really an answer from God.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him." (James 1: 5)
I know this is true. Ask, and you will receive. But sometimes, we have to wait. We must pass through trials to be humbled like Sister Waan. But I know they (the blessings, the relief, etc.) will come. Praise be to God that it will is my prayer. Thanks to all of you whose support in heavenly in very nature. I love you all.
Elder Gibbons
And also to someone very special:
Great Grandma, I love you too, so very much. And if I don't get to beat you in hearts in this life, I hope I can in the next. I love you and always remember your faith and bravery. I love you more than I can type or try to say. I love you and I hope I will see you again, but in case I can't my mom will send her love, which is a lot from what she has said about you ever since I can remember. I love your stories and your class. I love you Grandma, with love that will always last. Your grandson, Joseph
