This week as been great and not so great as I apply and don't "apply my heart to understanding" as Abinadi said. Last week was hard because I kind of had to accept that I have not been the best of missionary as I could be. Elder Martin and I have really been trying to focus on investigators - meaning, getting out of my head and studying Dtaan and King King, Rah, Gob and Nii, Brother X and Sister Bun. Last letter I also made mention how my companion was "a Jerk." My dad asked me to clarify, so I wrote him this:
"I feel like Elder Martin is
training me again, which is really hard on my pride, but it is good that I'm
growing. I don't have the youth of a new missionary, so I sometimes get sloppy
here and there and he keeps me in line. He's a jerk because he doesn't let me
be less that my best self, and doesn't baby and pamper me, but he loves the
people more than himself and WAY more than me, haha! So it's a good kind of
jerk and I wish I could stay here longer with him as I have been learning so
much with/from him."
I have learned to put the people
here first, and I love the people more and more. Like Sister Dtaan: a 65 year
old grandma whose husband died not a year ago and is raising her granddaughter
by sewing clothes. Each job she does is ฿50,
or roughly $1.50. At yet, she made dinner for us twice and I was almost in
tears, knowing that she couldn't afford this hospitality. She is also fighting หมาก Maak, or a chewing substance that
turns a combination or herbs into a blood-red juice that dribbles down many old
lady's mouths out here in the Isaan. PLEASE send your prayers out here for her
as I love her so much. I love her and she reminds me a bit of my Grandma Holker
in a way, so I've been thinking of my Grandmas lately.
Also, Brother Gob has been in my
prayer. Lately. I entered in his wife's baptismal record (นี Nii) and son's (โอเว่น Oven) and I have fallen in love
with this family. Brother Gob wants this for his family, but has just not come
to church or accepted a baptismal date, until one day he said a prayer that he
wants all his family to be members. He wants it but will just not come to
church! He works SUPER hard and when not at his job, he's in his rice field.
When not at his rice fields, he's at home with his adorable kids. He's just
this shy, but jolly man who is so great. In the pic: neighbor kid behind him,
then Mickey on his lap, Sister Liew, Brother Oven, Sister AAH (have no idea how
to write that) and Nii.
Last for today, is Brother Manad - a
retired soldier that one of my best mission friends, Elder Staten, taught and
help convert. When I was with Elder Staten, I heard all about him until I
thought he was one of my own investigators. He is so great and I love him so
much for his integrity and faith. His wife Sister Hoy, is so sweet and funny.
Sister Oom (the younger girl) was just baptized and I'm teaching Sister Ling
(older sister) how to play guitar again, after Elder Tzanis - another one of my
great mission friends who helped us greatly in the office while he served as a
ZL - taught before he went in with the first group in Laos.
Now I can say thank you again for
all your support and love, as I am learning help people better their life’s
through the grace "of Christ which strengthens me" as Paul explained.
The grace of Christ is sufficient for all who with accept him. It is by grace
we are saved. But is it by grace that we are CHANGED? I have learned that the
Atonement of Christ isn't just for getting to heaven, but LEARNING heaven and
how to show gratitude to Christ by keeping His commandments.
Well, I love you all, and I ask you
to please help these people overcome their fears and addictions so that can
experience the joy that you do. Or at least so that I can have more joy -
because MY joy is full when I see these people embrace Christ's atonement. But
it's not about me. It's about Him and His investigators.
Love,
Elder Gibbons
P.S...And thank you about the Christmas situation - it has been on my mind a
little since I was so close being January
25th [his release date]. However, with this new transfer schedule [every 9 weeks now], everyone heard
rumors that people would get sent home earlier or later. I want you to know
that I prayed at that time and got my answer: I'll be leaving a month later on February 21, 2014.
I'll be home on February
23, 2014. Pretty crazy, huh? Time has gone by so fast...
 |
| Sister Nuch นุช (not present, but getting baptized soon) and Jib จิ๊บ, two of our English students gave me a super sweet basket of goodies my last day in Asoke. Also, Brother Yute, was one of my favorite members and one of my great friends in Asoke. |
 |
| Brother Gob made a Thai - Isaan delicacy: crickets. As you can see, the plate is almost empty. Let's just say the plate was full when he fried 'em up with some sticky rice... One of MY favorite delicacies. ;) |
 |
| Inviting scenery |
 |
Sister Madsen making her own
ส้มต่ำ
Som-tam (westerners call it papaya salad) at a place our great branch president
helps out.
|
 |
| Super funny - Mom, something Gramdpa would call "Too damn helpful" as we were helping this lady who wanted happiness. That is until I hit her in the face with one of the reeds... Yeah, I didn't see it happen (because they're pretty long), but we just kept going at it even after she went into her house. Awkward and funny. Story of my life. Or maybe the story of my life is just the first part... |
 |
| "A FEMUR BONE???" [from the movie "The Burbs"]
(Please forward this to Uncle Brian,
as he would appreciate my observation)
|
