Week 3 - handwritten letter

Sorry, I didn't get to post this before we left for Arizona, so even though he will be writing again today, I wanted to post his "intermediate letter" (email isn't his favorite way of writing...so we get some handwritten letters during the week too).

Dear family...

Now for Thai, on February 10th, 2012, I was sitting in the TALL lab (technology-assisted-language-learning) one night [and] I was practicing some phrases and all of a sudden I stepped back and realized that when I was practicing some phrases that I was not even thinking about them and it was just flowing out of my mouth!  My mouth was actually shaped differently inside when I spoke Thai and different when I spoke English.  My new teacher, Brother Day (Phii Aphiwat) has like two personalities.  When he speaks Thai he's funnier than when he speaks English!  Berkeley, my Portuguese teacher once told me that she felt like he had two different brains - one for English, and one for Portuguese.  I now see this is pretty true, and I think my "other brain" was born.  Wow I sound like a Sci-Fi alien movie, but now Thai is coming and sticking better.  My script isn't the best, but I'm determined to be able to read out of the Book of Mormon by this week - hold me up to that, please, and please pray for me to be able to do this!  I need the help, but I know I can do it "through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

Well, I'd like to say hello to Anna, Kenz, Megs, Matt, and Toady (I loved Anna's other pic of him - I do miss being my weird self around here...)

But yeah, also, I had so much on my desk that I just barely read Duke's letter from week 1 just a few days ago - and it applied WAY more than it would have otherwise!  Weird, huh?  The Lord used my laziness to bless me!  JK, hopefully that vice will clear up by then...

I hear some people at home are not happy that I haven't been "answering questions" [that would be me, his mother!!] Well...my suggestion is 1) make a list of all questions wanting answers (no more than...let's say 20/week for now), 2) Type them lik you would a math lesson, 3) Then, I'll be able to provide answers to anything you need (sometimes its hard to think of more than a few things at a time here...)  It's a three-step program that I hope will bring you hope and info.  :)

Also, I got letters from Bryce, Jason, Danielle, Max, and the sister of my friend Zoe; Phoebe Heins...Separates the wheat from the tares...good friend become better ones through writing here...Thanks for all your support because good family becomes better as well!

With love, Elder Gibbons
"suu suu!" (Fight, Fight!  Keep Going!)

Week 3

Happy Valentine's Day!! I really do love you sooooo much! Thanks for your support and the cool video [about the city of Lehi] - I'll watch it after this... But I have so much to tell you about! So basically, I'm going to tell you about my progression in the MTC, progression with Thai, and progression with myself.

 

    First of all, this gospel is wonderful. I've seen miracles happen here in my few weeks. There is quite a lot of spirit here. There are a few Elders here who haven't quite picked up on that yet - but there are much fewer of those than I expected to be here. But everyone can feel of the spirit that resides here. Spiritual power here is augmented ten fold, and I'm going to tell you of just a few things pertaining to that:

 

     For one, my alarm clock is the worst.  The light doesn't turn on, yeah well that's about it. So one night after a few weeks of being in the dark (literally) I prayed for light. That night it worked - it was dim and shaky, but it shown nonetheless when it was darker than usual that night. It hasn't worked for me since, but I think that's because I can see it through some light that occasionally pokes through my window. But that night - when I REALLY needed it, the Lord helped me. :) It was a very humbling experience - kind of like in the lunch line for Pepper Jack Turkey sandwiches when I tried to use the guacamole. The guac tub had this ice cream scooper - the kind that has the lever-gear device that pushes the ice cream out. So I awkwardly tried to use it with slippery guacamole on the handle and that lever; but the slippery handle backfired out of my hand and I felt some of the catapulted mess hit my face. So I quickly retreated to a drink station where I inspected the damage. Tears almost came to my eyes as I recalled that the Lord would protect his missionaries from all harm (D&C 84:88) including attacks from flying, staining green condiments and realized that there wasn't a drop of the fruit to be found anywhere - not even on my face where I thought I felt impact. I have always thought it weird that the peace Christ brings "Passeth all understanding." Why not passeth all sorrow or passeth all afflictions? I thought. But day by day, I realize the greatness of God and the impact of his matchless wisdom that truly does pass all mortal understanding.

 

    The peace is so real, it's hard to understand why it works. It comes at the times you need it most and expect it the least. But it comes in and through the Atonement of Christ by having faith in Him and enduring to the end.

 

I'm out of time, but I'd love to tell you more about crazy Lang experiences and fun verbs I found and how that peace was still there even after I was called by Pres. Roach to be our new Zone Leader for our branch...

 

     So thanks again, really, for everything, and I love you always, and I always feel your prayers - they are worth MUCH more than any letter that I can receive (although I still do like those too) ;)

 

Well, I'll say goodbye this week! Same time, same channel next time,

 

Elder Gibbons

 

สูๆ!! 

Suu suu! (Fight, fight!! Keep going!!)

 

Or, for Mom...

 

ดีๆ

Dii Dii!

Week 2

February 7, 2012 and a few journal excerpts from his first week…

Now, the 1^st day in 8 minutes: Dropped off (felt like leaping off the high dive) to meet Nick – I mean Elder Alvarez.  He showed me around everything, helped me get my stuff (which was A LOT) and sent me to Thai class.  I have Brother Jenkins for Thai and he is awesome!  He looks kind of like Syndrome from the Incredibles, but he’s super nice and speaks super well.  We kind of got a slap in the face with Thai which was crazy.  Then we went to orientation, and dinner where I met Elders (Chase) Reavley, (Lars) Overson, (Austin) Johnson, Joe Van Durren (from Lyceum Festival), (Jordan) Fry, (Brandon) Davies (who is half-snoring right now in my room), and probably others I’ll remember later. 

Then we got to teach 3 investigators: Daniel, Mark, and “Chicho”.  Daniel was a bit standoffish, but he felt receptive when one sister gave him a heart-felt testimony of the hardships in her life.  Then Mark, who is very religious and believed in Christ, had some questions that our group could’ve answered.  But we learned with Carlo “Chicho” Bomba who felt “fireworks” inside after we had a discussion.  That’s where I’ll end for the sake of time.  We all went to bed and now we’re gearing up for supposedly the hardest day of the MTC. [Day 2]

So it’s about 10:18 p.m. and I just got done being assigned a piano part where Elder Strong gave us a tip: Make it til Sunday – “but if you rely on the Spirit, you’ll never have a long day.”  Then the humble, quiet Elder who’s heading to Oakland, CA turned around and silently left the room.  That pretty much summed up how I felt.  I was super nervous that I was eventually going to have a bad day because I had no choice – but Elder Strong gave me the reassurance that this really IS possible – that we really CAN do this with the Spirit if we put our mind’s to inviting the spirit into our own lives.  Oh, and when I wanted to cry the most, that’s when I worked the hardest – and had the best success.

(Jan 27) Happy 256^th [Birthday] Mozart!  Disclaimer: If I could play “Eine Kleine,” I would.  But music is forbidden here…such is life, but let it be known that I tried… Ha ha, Oh Bryce [Chamberlain]!  He wrote me a great letter that’s definitely going to help me on my mission for sure.  The language is rough and I needed some encouragement for sure…

(Jan 29) It’s been two days now (felt like 2 weeks), and I can’t believe how [many] awesome, hard, humiliating, comforting experiences I’ve had.  I get about 5 letters a day and all the other Elders flip out at me, but I’m so grateful that I’ve got awesome family (including Bryce Chamberlain, Jason Eldredge, and Danielle Brownelle who are practically family) who cares for me.  

Awesome day today (Feb 6) – Elder Martin said how much I looked like my Dad – his [Rich’s] picture with Robbie and me are up on my wall, and it made me feel awesome.  :)

(Feb 7)  We got not only a few new investigators, but a new teacher – Aphiwat!  Er. I mean, Brother Day… He played his character so well that it was hard to adjust to him as a teacher (and even harder to adjust to him speaking English – I’m more comfortable with him when he speaks Thai anyway just because I’m used to his Thai voice, which IS different than his English one).  He’s now playing an investigator called Beer.  Yup.  It was super funny when Elder Creer thanked Heavenly Father for Beer during our lesson.  It was actually a really cool lesson…(except from journal: I also just realized Elder Creer and I just put together a whole lesson for someone we’ve never met, who was Catholic, and then hardly followed it at all and taught a completely re-organized lesson using the Spirit of the Lord – and in Thai!  Its’ just nothing short of a miracle that in three weeks, we could organize a gospel lesson, meet someone for the 1^st time, and then switch up or lesson as directed by the Spirit – All in the Thai language.  What wonders does the Lord work by.  I’ve been trying really hard to be a better-focused missionary.  As I have kept the rules and went forward with faith, I’ve seen blessings I would’ve never imagined!)

Anyway, I just wanted to say how thankful that I was blessed with the coolest companion at the MTC.  Elder Creer is one of the coolest people I know.  I don’t even know where to start!  In school, just for example, he was Chem Club President, a SBO, and took 7 SP tests – four of which he scored perfect 5’s.  At home and at BYU, he skis and rock climbs. While living in his native Las Vegas (although he lived in UT, MT, and NV before BYU), he was a super stalwart example for good.  What I like most about his example though is his diligence amidst distraction.  When our class/district socializes a little too much, I often cut my laughter short with a glance to my right when I see him completely submerged in his TALL book or his PMG, or whatever it is.  “I can see why four perfect AP scores were achieved,” I often think.  But I lied.  Perhaps the BEST thing about Elder Creer is his laugh.  Being so genuine, he can talk/laugh with anybody.  He’s so chill that he can get along with anyone, but he’s super focused.  He skis, he blows stuff up in chemistry club – I’ve met few Elders as awesome as my companion.  I TOTALLLY lucked out, and I thank God every day for his stalwart example of goodness.  I could go on about Elder Davies, Tatton, and Harley [roommates], but it’s time to go to bed. 

Well, thanks again for all the love, letters, packages, love, prayers, love and more prayers.  Until next week!

Saawaadii! (Khap)

Elder Gibbons

First Letter from the MTC!!

Hello family!

 

Just a disclaimer: I have a whoppin 30 min a WEEK to email, so these letters won't be as detailed and descriptive until I get a little more used to this program here and esp when I get out in the real field, so I'm sorry if this seems abrupt and short!

 

But wow. That's all I can say here. Sooo much has happened in one week! There's a saying here that "the days feel like weeks, and the weeks feel like days." This first week has felt like a month because there has been so much happening ALL THE TIME. I have been getting your letters (and Bryce's, lol) which has really helped me. Also, I've been trying to write in my journal more lately - I think sending you excerpts via copy/letter mail would be more rich and informative than me trying to scramble across a keyboard - you all know how bad I am at typing... ;)

 

Let me just tell you with the time I have left, that I LOVE IT HERE! The structure though, is a lot to get used to, I'll admit, but organizing of an army of missionaries that number about the same as the students at Alta, it takes a lot of perciseness and precission - same with organizing yourself in the gospel. I want you all to know that I love you all and that Jesus Christ is our Savior (or "phrayeesuukhrid ben phraphuuchuayhayrood khoong raw," as we like to say round here). I have learned that the spirit speaks in Thai! Our third day here, Elder Creer and I taught Phii Aphiwat - our first investagator - in Thai. It wasn't easy, but loving him was. It's amazing how much the spirit works through you to get the job done - whether you feel like you can or not. Often times, like when you call yourself a bowl of rice or ask how your "teeth" are doing instead of your "girlfriend," it feels like you're never going to get a hold on this language... But I learned more Thai in two days than I did with all those Rosetta Stone lessons. Oh well, Eden (Cope) has it and that's fine by me. But the gift of tounges is real here, and so is divine guidance. For example, I have the absolute BEST district I could ask for (more about our Elders here later), but I'll tell you that our room (hang kahng raw) is AWESOME. Elder Davies, Elder Harely (or Ender Hah-ley Dav-eed-son Vroom Vroom! as Aphiwat calls him), and my copmanion, Elder Creer are best friends to the point that we've had "Story Time" every night since we've got here about...well that's something else...

 

But yeah, my computer's logging me out, so I'll just close by saying thank you (khapkhuun khraap) for all your support and prayers - I really have felt them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I know that prayer is real (as explained in Anna's letter to me) and that it is essential to salvation.

 

ดด!!

Elder Gibbons enters the Mission Training Center!

This has been quite the week!!  We got to enjoy some good quality time with Joseph and loved every minute of it!  Joseph is the peacemaker in our family and he is always so happy and fun to be around so he will be greatly missed.  But we know he is just beginning a great service that will change his life forever.  We are happy for him and grateful for the example he has been and will be for the next two years.

There are a few highlights I would like to share with you.  The first one began several months ago as I tried to think of what I could give him as a gift that would be meaningful, inspire him and give him comfort on his mission.  My mother made beautiful picture quilts for each of us when we served a mission, so I knew I wanted to put together a quilt.  When I thought of what would inspire Joseph, I thought of the scriptures.  He has been so diligent in his study of the scriptures, so I asked him to give me his "top ten" favorite scriptures.  The idea came to me to embroider his favorite scriptures on quilt blocks, but I also thought how cool it would be if I could get his grandma's, sisters, and some of his aunts and cousins to each make one (the people who weren't so busy or had small children), then he would feel all of their love as he looked at this quilt.  Well, I actually needed 17 blocks to finish the quilt, so my husband, Mike, thought he could do one.  And I thought, if Mike could do one, so could my Dad!!  (I gave him the shortest scripture in the Bible..."Jesus Wept".)  I just have to say, I had NO IDEA the time, effort and perseverance this project would end up taking!!  I am so grateful for each person who helped to make this quilt more beautiful than I ever could have imagined!!  Most of us took about 10-20 hours to complete our scriptures, but some of my sister-in-laws took 50-100 hours!!  It makes me cry every time I think about it...AND look at their blocks on the quilt.  Joseph was so overwhelmed by the love of his family!   The night we gave it to him, we read "the quilt" for our family scripture study!  :)  Unfortunately, he loves it too much and is fearful of damaging it in any way, that he did not take it with him on his mission.  Instead, it will be hanging up in his room until he can take it with him when he gets married.  :)  I cannot express my gratitude to each one who helped, especially my beautiful mother, who has ALWAYS been there for me when I seem to be over my head in something!!!  I love you all!!

The second thing was his "farewell" and open house on Sunday.  Again, he was overwhelmed by the love and support he felt from so many people.  Thank you so much for being there for Joseph and sending him off feeling so loved.  The singles ward had record numbers in attendance that day!  :)  I also have to thank my sweet family and friends who helped me prepare the food for the open house.  My son really wanted to serve Thai food so people could get a taste of the country he will be serving in.  But what I didn't realize (my husband tried to tell me and I promised him I would listen next time!) is the preparation and time it would take to make this possible.  A SPECIAL thanks to the "chicken women" (I lovingly call them!) for cutting chicken for 6 hours on Saturday!!  Thanks to my mom Kay Holker, my mother-in-law Donna Gibbons, Trisha Gibbons, Angie Vaifanua, Danielle Brownelle, Brenda Connolly, Claudia Da Rocha, and Donna Heninger) who helped me, and Joseph - who also helped and provided the Cutco knives!!!  :)  And my sweet friend Brenda, my sister, Angie, her daughter, Jaeden and my daughter, Anna for cooking more chicken on Sunday morning (another 3-1/2 hours!!)  I don't think any of us want to look at chicken for at least a month!!

The third wonderful thing - Joseph was set apart as a missionary on Tuesday night by our Stake President, President Fenton.  He has been a family friend for many years and it was a privilege to have him give Joseph this special blessing.  Mike was unable to be there for it because he was out of town, but we got him on speaker phone so he could be there with us in spirit.  My father also got to stand in with President Fenton.  It was kind of funny because after he was set apart, Joseph asked President Fenton if he could still use his phone and he was told no...cuz he was an official missionary now!  I got to be his first companion!!  :)

Lastly, we woke up early yesterday morning and finished packing his suitcases.  As we were leaving, Anna, Joseph and I knelt in the hallway for one more prayer.  This was the first time we "lost it".  It seemed real and final this time.  He was so cute as he touched my truck and the house on his way out as he said goodbye.  We met several family members for brunch at Magleby's and got to spend some great quality time with them before going to the Provo Temple for the traditional photos.  Now they only allow you one vehicle to drop off your missionary at the MTC, so we packed my parents and his Grandma Gibbons in the van with us.  A woman volunteered to take a photo of all of us together.  She asked us where our son was going to be serving his mission and we said Thailand...and she said, so is my son!!  So, it was pretty neat to actually meet 2 missionaries that were at the temple to take pictures with their families who were also going to be serving in Thailand with Joseph!!  One was a very beautiful sister missionary...let's all pray for Joseph that he can focus!!!  We were all doing fine until my mom grabbed the camera from me and said to stand beside Joseph.  I hugged him and that's all it took!  We were both sobbing into each other's shoulders.  Then, each of the kids (Megs, Kenzi and Anna) and his grandparents did the same thing.  It was a very emotional time for all of us.

As we piled into the van and drove to the entrance of the MTC, Joseph gave one quick call to his Dad, who was speaking in Kansas City at that very moment, so he left him a sweet, tearful message.  We pulled into the entrance and were quickly energized to see many missionaries waving and smiling - ready to greet these new missionaries entering the MTC.  Joseph's great friend, Elder Nick Alvarez, from our ward was there to meet him!  He was all smiles and so happy to welcome Joseph.  It was an amazing thing that happened, because once we pulled onto the MTC grounds, Joseph was so ready to go!!  There were no more tears, just excitement as he gave us all one more quick hug, he and Nick grabbed the suitcases, gave a wave and a smile, and walked up the hill to enter the MTC.  We KNOW Joseph is happy and ready to learn and serve.  As for Kenzi, Anna and I...we went to the Provo Creamery and had to get ice cream!!  :(  Anna and I slept in his room again last night and its a little hard because we really miss him, but whenever we think of him, we just say a prayer and sometimes write a quick letter on "dearelder.com" (cuz its free while he's in the MTC and you can do it every day!!).

We love each of you for supporting Joseph (sorry...Elder Gibbons now!) and keeping him in your prayers.  He is doing great!!!  :)

My angel mother sewing the quilt together.

                                               The finished quilt!

A little closer look...

 

 Aunt Donna's 100+ hour block!

Joseph's grandpa working on his block! :)

His Dad working on his block whenever Joseph left the house.

Everyone who worked on the quilt, except for Megan, Kenzi & Kyla

Some of the "chicken women"...and SOME of the chicken!!

                                           Eating at Magelby's
                                                

                          Cousin Ali Sorensen, Joseph and Grandma Gibbons

                                 Mike & Rocio Holker's family

                                      Terry, Jill & Luke with Joseph

                            Aunt Heather with her girls, Mary & Scarlett

                                         Cousin Whitney Holker :)

                              Kids walking up to the temple together.

Elder Bennett & Sister Missionary going to Thailand with Joseph

                                       Joseph and Mom, trying to be happy.

Joseph with Grandma & Grandpa Holker

                                    

                                         Kenzi and Joseph

                                               Then it hit her!

                                        Anna and Joseph

                                            Joseph with Megan

                                        Very sad siblings...

                                 Mom and Joseph walking to the van.

                                       The entrance is in sight!

                        Elder Nick Alvarez waiting to pick up Elder Gibbons!

                        Are those two happy faces, or WHAT?!!! :)

                              Anna's is NOT a happy face, if you could see it.

                               Waving goodbye and walking up the hill!

Joseph's Mission Farewell

I can't believe it's January already!!  It seems like a week ago when Joseph opened his mission call and he had four months to wait.  Now its just a few weeks until he leaves!  Time really has gone fast.  I hope it goes this fast while he's in Thailand!!

Here is the information for Joseph's Mission "Farewell": (This information is also posted on Facebook under Joseph's "Events")

Date: Sunday, January 22, 2012
Time: 2:50 - 4:00 p.m. (The Sacrament meeting is last.)
Location: The LDS Church across from Home Depot on 11400 South (116 East) in Sandy.  Take I-15 to the 11400 South exit and go east about a block.

The Sacrament meeting begins at 2:50. This is Joseph's Single's Ward. He will be speaking the week before in our home ward but we will not be having an open house that day. The open house will be at our home directly after the meeting on January 22nd from about 4:30-7:00 or so. 

Our address in Draper is: 641 E. Pheasant Haven Ct.  * Draper, UT 84020
Contact phone number: 801-898-1217

Joseph reports to the Missionary Training Center on January 25th and he will be serving in the Thailand Bangkok Mission for two years. :)

We hope to see you at his farewell and the open house after!
We love you all!
Tami (Joseph's mom)

Draper Temple

Joseph was able to go through the Draper Temple for the first time last night.  (December 14th)  It was a very special day because it was his Dad (Mike's) birthday.  Mike was able to be Joseph's escort through the Temple.  It was also the anniversary of his brother Robbie's passing, 15 years ago.  We were able to have several family members join us for a wonderful session: Grandma Donna Gibbons, LeRoy Gibbons, Barry & Lucie Gibbons, Marty Holker, Michael & Rocio Holker, Collette and Troy Worthington (funny story about Troy...he didn't have white pants and he thought he could rent them at our Temple.  But they don't rent clothing, so he went to the only place he knew he could find white pants...a golf store!  They had to start the session without him, but he got to meet up with us in the Celestial room.) and me, Mom!  We missed my parents, who would have been there if it wasn't for my Dad's open heart surgery, and many other family members who had other commitments.

We sure love you Joseph and are so happy that this is one step closer to your mission in less than 6 weeks!