It's another beautiful day in the
land of Siam. I feel like I'm starting to get a hold of the office, but it is
still a challenge to compete with. Like time with investigators, members,
district, office, President... But I guess life isn't getting any easier, so
these lessons are great ones to learn. But despite all these things, the Lord
showers His blessings. We had about 2 lessons this week. Probably the worst
"number" week I've had, but there were 6 investigators to church. The
"odds" of that happening with that work number is next to none. And
also Sister Waan got baptized! Saturday night we ate dinner Saturday night with
Sister Dang and Sister Waan with a RM and is wife. We were talking, and
it turns out that he trained MY trainer, Elder Jensen, on his last transfer
HERE in Asoke. Pretty crazy... But Sister Waan made the best Khaw Soi! And she
was so funny about it. She didn't sleep before and she was so funny about it.
But she was so great and it was a true blessing. President and Sister Senior
were there and it was great.
Apart from that, we had literally
been filling in baptismal records day after day. But I love this work on the
administrative side. It's been fun, and I've gtg. Thank you for your diligence,
your faith [and] your prayers.
Love,
Elder Gibbons
[Since this week's letter was literally a paragraph because he ended up sending me a personal message, I thought I would add the note he wrote me. It's pretty classic Joseph!! Also, a little clarification about his note...my favorite scripture is Helaman 5:12, and I LOVE mangos!!!]
Thanks mom. Eating a mango
(ma-MUANG) and thinking of you!
During language study I was
recording myself read the scriptures in where I'm at and the place where I
decided to record was Hel 5:11-12. I didn't even realize it until I was reading
those powerful words. I then thought of the one who loves this scripture the
most. I thought of all the things you've taught me about standing on the rock
of faith, but now just hearing those stories about you and Anna and Kylie up
there, I think of all the things you have SHOWN me. If you hadn't SHOWN me
faith, or prayer, or what it really is like to stand on that firm foundation
(rakthaan an naanon), I wouldn't have known what it is myself.
Somedays, I fear and doubt that I'll
ever be able to be a good enough example to my children, my companion, my
coworkers…But I had a thought the other day. Teri Holt in one lesson explained
the brilliance of Dr. Suzuki. I was looking through the book and she pointed
out that Dr. Suzuki's method is interesting: for instance, in the first book,
he makes the student perform three Bach minuets from easy to super hard to
medium. I thought it was cool but finally understood it one day as I was in the
AP's shower (I use it when they're gone) realizing how much I suck as a
district leader. Few adjectives other than that describe how I feel. But out of
a sudden, the theory of the three minuets popped up in my mind. I realized that
it doesn't matter if I suck, because the next piece (or area I'm over) I will
ace because the Lord saw fit in His mercy to give me a really bad recital to
prep me for another one. Then the kicker: he wants me to get through Minuet II
so I can play Minuet III well. I love Minuet II and it's fun to play. But when
I was first learning, it really was impossible to play perfectly - which is
what Dr. Suzuki intended: to rise to an impossible challenge to hurdle over the
next one.
I don't know if this meant anything
to you specifically, but know that I love you. I feel your love. EVERY day. I
wish you well and pray for you often (probably not as many times that I get prayed
over, but such is life... or such is Minuet II...).
In other word, keep playing on and I
love you daily. :)
Your Elder Gibbons
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| At Sister Dang's house |
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| At Sister Dang's baptism |
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| I am guessing this is a random fish that is hilarious!! |
