This
week has been crazy and wonderful as a Zone Leader out in the Esan! The windows
of heaven opened and I'm again comps with Elder Wilamas! We look over Roi-Et,
Khon Kaen, Korat (where Elder Wilamas has served) and Maha Sarakham and Kalasin
(both of which I have served as well). Packed full of Satan battles and other
crazy stuff, I have no time to say it all, but I will say I had a very special
Christmas. Kristmas in Khon Kaen! I wasn't even at my home in Thailand when I
woke up Christmas morning (if you can't call THAT not being home for Christmas
than I don't know...). But I had my beloved comp: Elder Wilamas, with two of
some of my best Thai friends: Elder Schad and Elder Ngaosuwan. I was the only
white guy in the house! But I made everyone get in their rooms and then got the
video on my camera ready and had them come out and see their presents around a
small tree we stole from the KK Church. I got my Phaa khao maa to wrap under
the tree and we had a great morning, opening the gifts my mom sent me. And letting
Elder Ngaosuwan and Schad open the ones she sent to our new companions (which
is each other duh), so we spread the love. [I
sent Elder Wilamas and Joseph separate packages for Christmas and I added a
gift for their companion too. Only WHO
KNEW they would be companions with each other again?!!] We also had muu ping and khao neio for breakfast
- something I might do as a Christmas tradition, so watch out!! After that we skyped
and I got to see Mom and Dad, Grandpa Schlappi and Matt and Shae with Meegs and
Anna and Kenz!! I was so happy and excited to do that. I also got to meet JJ,
Elder Wilamas' little bro and his mom, who is not a member so that was fun
hearing them yell in Lao to each other :) ;)
Other
things this week: Got yelled at by a Swedish guy, and had one of the best
dinners at my branch President's house. We had Sua Rong Hai and a bunch of
other Esan food. Had little crabs that tasted... Well, the Branch President is
also a music teacher as so I got to play Traditional Thai music with him and
Elder Wilamas, who was also the leader of his Thai orchestra in Ubon, his
hometown. President Sutaeb played the Saw, Elder Wilamas, the Klui, and I
played the Ching. Super fun.
That's
all for now folks but I love you and the Savior lives!
Elder
Gibbons
