Week 18

Hello everyone!

Wow.  What a week this has been. I think I have never laughed, prayed, cried, sang, pooped, studied, or prayed as hard as I ever have before.  Without quoting Dickens too much, it really was the worst and eventually best of times.  I'm going to try to jam-pack this email with as much stuff a can, so buckle up.

Tuesday in a nutshell, I taught gospel lessons during English class with a member who's known for taking up most of your teaching time by doing it for you.  It being my first time and expecting this would happen, one of our great APs, Elder Goodmenson, and I practiced for it, but to no avail.  Not only would he speak through everything, he would go back over the things and re-explain in his way what I had literally just explained.  I was fuming.  I "had not the Spirit" so I shouldn't teach, I thought.  But then in that moment of complete frusturation, I thought back to the time my first District Leader, Elder Mondragon, talked about "being Jesus' advocate" (as opposed to being Devil's advocate).  That means that instead of doubting, fearing or fighting one's self by asking 'Why me?', one who plays Jesus' advocate says 'Why NOT me?' and from there continues to simply ask himself (by asking simply) the hard questions.

For example, take listening to heavy metal [music] like my DL said he did all the time.  After reading his Book of Mormon, he thought about it.  Instead of finding excuses to listen to that music, he allowed Jesus' advocate to ask himself: "Why shouldn't I listen to this?"  "Well, it drives the spirit away," he responded.  After some time of pondering, Jesus' advocate simply asked: "So is listening to that music worth not having the Spirit with you?"  After a moment's hesitation, he had to make a decision.  But his decesion wasn't about 'Should I listen to heavy metal anymore?', but it was 'Do I want the Holy Spirit in my life or not?'  He answered simply, "No, it's not. So, I won't."  Then that thought led me to the words of his companion, my friend Elder Adams from the MTC.  "WHY is one of the greatest questions you can ask yourself," he said.  So I asked Jesus' advocate, "Why? Why am I here in this chruch with this member right now?  What does the Lord want me to do or learn from because I am presently in this situation?"  After asking that, I stopped thinking for how much of my time he was wasting.  I became humble.  I became teachable.  Then the Lord was able to show me HIS way out.  So, I brought him aside and we eventually worked out a compromise where he would explain everything and I would say a 1-1/2 minute comment about the gospel.  I learned that day that it's not about what you teach that brings in the Spirit; it's how you bring in the Spirit through the ways you teach.  After the three lessons that followed, we walked out of that room with our arm over the other's shoulder, even laughing a bit.  I love that fat, smelly Thai man with all my heart and I know it's because of the love I have in Christ.  Also, WE GOT SISTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was a cool experience to go back to transfer mtg, see my Nong's [new missionaries] expressions of confussion and awe at everything said - "Was I like that too just six weeks ago?"  Jesus' advocate whispered, "Yes."  And I almost told him to shut up.  But we met Sister Roper and her Khon Thai companion (who was also a new missionary), helped them move in, and then met our branch president, "Prataan Tuwit".  I wish I could describe our first meeting.  We took our two taxis we came in and drove to the nearby Wats (or Buddhist temples).  We had our first corelation meeting in the shade of a Buddhist temple, surrounded by stray dogs and the sound of blaring symbols and nasaly woodwind instruments.  Welcome to Thailand!  So after that, we all worked our butts off (that's where the praying crying, singing, studying came in), I got a little ท้องเสีย (that's where the pooping came in), and we had an awesome activity on Saturday where we cleaned the church together.  The following two days are summarized in my President's letter:

"Dear President,
This week was the harvest we have been waiting and praying for this whole transfer. The fruits of our labors blossomed this week as we get new sister missionaries, and as we have been working side by side with ป. ทวิช [he could be talking about his Branch President].  On Saturday, after we all cleaned the church as a branch, about 20+ people all went to the most delicious outside buffet.  There, the siters got very well acquainted with the members and we built stronger relationships that we couldn't have built any other way.  Then on Sunday at chruch, that same spirit glowed in the chapel and gave a light I haven't seen in a long time as a result of the Lord's Spirit bursting through ดอนเมือง [?] at last.  The blessings that came this weekend exploded like the popping of a champagne bottle - investagators that I've never met came Saturday to clean and eat together; the well-missed Elder and Sister Khanakham gave powerful
witnesses of Christ's love in their home ward before they head out to L.A.; our new sister missionaries brought hope from their testimonies; members who haven't been to church in months came to church, even our former branch president who has went bitterly inactive and was thinking about going back to Buddhism told ป. ทวิช [thinking this IS Prataan Tuwit, the current Branch President] he would never leave church again; two new investagators just showed up - one was the sister of อุ๋มอิ๋ม (our investagator [Oomiim] who is getting baptized in less than a fortnight) whom we taught after receiveing a phone call that she was there because she wanted to be a different person seeing something new in her sister that she wanted for herself and her two little children.  In short, yesterday was nothing less than a miracle. 

Thanks President for all your help, and this was how I saw the hand of the Lord this week."

Miracles happen in Thailand.  The Lord loves his children.  He loves you because he served you more than anyone else through his Atonement.  If you don't believe me for whatever reason, I'm not going to judge you, but I'll share with you that I am here in this country typing on this computer dirnking this bottle of เป๊ปซ๊ (Pepsi) because of ป. ทวิช.  Because of นิว.  Because of my fat, smelly Thai brother who calls himself อู๋ (Ooo).  Because of Brother Art.  Because I was supposed to help อุ๋มอิ๋ม (Oomiim) embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ so she could lead her sister to the Love of God that she has never before felt.  I am here because of them.  I wake up every morning because of these people.  I eat food with these people FOR these people.  I try my
hardest to go to bed on time because of these people. 

But I CAN because of you.  Your prayers make weeks like this happen and gave me the strength to crawl off the comfort of my little mattress that is laying on the floor and get to work.  It's also because of you I'm tearing myself off this computer because I have stuff to do for these people.  Again I thank you, praise you, and send my prayers with you.  The Spirit is not fake.  It's real, and invites all to come unto Christ and be perfected in him by studying His word, His love and His life.

2 min left before my computer logs me out.  I love you all!  Thanks again, until next time.

- Elder Gibbons

PS: So I'm going to follow up and thank you for joining me in memorizing the Book of Mormon scripture masteries with me before General Conference.
1 Nephi 3:7 was awesome - in both languages!  So I hope you'll "liken" the next one!  1 Ne 19:23.  Good luck!

Week 17

Dear family and friends,

Hello again from SE Asia! I really hope all is well with everyone in the states (or wherever else, but here you are - so Eden, and Uncle Dave: I hope you're doing wee to even though you both could probable be here too). [Mom's note: I used to edit his English a bit, but I've decided to leave it alone unless it doesn't make ANY sense.  You can tell that he is trying really hard with the Thai language, because his English has taken a big dive!!]  Talking with family again was such a blessing, and I am more inspired than ever to work! Seeing all their smiling faces reminded (but not in a distracting way) of all of you whom I used to be much geographically closer to.

Today, I just wanted to talk about a few things, namely my experience working with ward members, studying the scriptures, and about a challenge that I'm currently undertaking which I will invite all who are reading to join me in (to turn back or forever hold your peace...or...something like that).

For this week, I will share some of my president's letter:

"Dear President,

This week we've been working much more closely with the branch. Back home in Utah, I didn't really get to see how all of the intricate parts in action. From working so closely with the branch, it's really cool to see how the arms and legs of the Church actually work together (I know now why my mom was gone to so many meetings as RS president now, ha ha)! It feels like every missionary wants to know the "secret to missionary work" and I've found it. No, it's not "work" because that's a given. The true secret to success in the mission field is to see everything through the eyes of the branch; be the bishop's or branch president's best friend and ally. I'm so glad I learned that NOW working with the excellent ป. ทวิช. Although he is one of the most faithful members of the Church I've ever seen, he really needs us right now more than ever before. Thank you President for sending me here to save him and this branch, and for sending two more sisters - who will be welcomed here as little less that angels for sure."

Well, this week has been different, but much better once we feel like were much closer to the ward, namely our branch president, ประทาน ทวิช Prataan Tuwit). Not only is he one of the few people in Thailand who can sing fantastically, he his trying to hold up this branch that has a total of three available priesthood holders to help the 30+ sisters here. Working with him has been one of the greatest blessings in my life and I'll never forget what it means to lift where you stand. I feel your prayers every minute of every day, and I cannot begin to thank you for the blessing I've received at your hand. Now I ask that in your prayers at night before you pray for me, I would ask you if you could please pray for him [Prataan Tuwit] to have strength to complete each day in his calling and that our branch ดอนเมือง (Don Maung) will grow enough to receive those prepared to come into the fold of the Good Shepherd.  Thank you for your support; I know that he could use it too.

On a lighter note, we're getting sisters not only in our zone for the first time, but they will be serving in our branch! I actually need to go soon so I can clean their house so it's nice for them when they get here and open their area. We're all super excited for this transfers for that, and also that we have the largest group of Thai Thai missionaries - 11!  That means four more than my "nongs" group (or younger group in the MTC)!  In fact, one of the highlights of this week was when I was that I actually got to talk to Elder Sae-Daen, a new missionary from Chang Mai - were an Elder from my group is serving. As I was talking with him, I asked if he knew him and he said yes and then was taken aback because we were in the same MTC group - he said he was super impressed with my language and then gave me a compliment that I couldn't understand. So that pretty much sums my language up: I'm learning at light speeds, but still learning. It really depends on the day and how humble and teaching I am...

Which actually is another cool experience I had this week. The following is from my study journal:

"Our district leader, Elder Mondragon, said to me on our switch-off that we don't have time to judge ourselves here.  We only have time to make changes and get better.  And if we are humble, the enable power of the Atonement - or "Grace" as explained in this week's Liahona – can now be effective and we truly can be more than we are without him.  I think when Nephi cries 'Awake my soul!  No longer droop in sin!' he realizes too that there isn't time available to droop in what we've done wrong."  Now is the time to prepare to meet God by allowing our hearts to "Rejoice" in our Savior, who has given us the Atonement so that we CAN become better than we could ever have dreamed of ourselves.

So my last thing - the challenge!  Engage this thinking in your life by being perfected in him this week.  I'm doing that by memorizing one Book of Mormon scripture mastery a week - starting with 1 Ne 3:7.  I invite all to join me with memorizing all 25 scriptures before next General conference - and be perfected in Christ by treasuring up his word to be ready to listen to his word with me.

Love you all! and good luck!

E. Gibbons

Week 16 - HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ME!!!

Right when we got his call!!  Matt & Shae had to leave, but the Worthington's were able to say hi before they had to leave.  What a great birthday gift for Collette!!  :)

Joseph's cousin, Kaiden, jumped into view of the camera - This is the moment Joseph saw him and he got so excited!!  He is so happy for Kaiden's mission call to Russia.  He was giving him some advice!!  Also, the first time Joseph saw our new puppy, "Kitty"!!  He loved her...just look at that face!  Who wouldn't?!  :)

You can't really see him in this shot, but it shows how we were all gathered around so he could see us on his screen.

There he is!!  :)  And there we all are in the little box in the bottom right corner. 

Showing us how he says some word in Thai!  :)  Throughout the whole conversation there were people using the computers behind him and they kept turning around to look at us.  We would wave to them every time .  :)

Joseph called us on Skype last night about 10 p.m.   He looked so happy and healthy and it was so great to see him as well as talk to him.  Since we talked to him for over two hours last night, we told him not to worry about writing a letter.  I took notes so I could share what he said with everyone on his blog.  So here are the highlights:

He LOVES Thailand!!  He loves the people and he says the language is very beautiful and poetic.  He is still working on studying it and learning it.  He says he takes taxi’s and trucks with no sides, just seats.  They never stop, you just jump on for a ride!  He says “it’s the luck of the draw” with the taxi drivers.  He loves them!!  One of his best memories was laughing with a taxi driver who couldn’t understand him, but would laugh at everything he said.  Another form of transportation are boats along the canal…those never stop either!  The King of Thailand is well-loved and respected by the people.  Every Tuesday people wear pink because it’s his favorite color!  Even some of the taxi’s and buses are pink.  He says he sees wealth and poverty.  There is a gigantic Super Mall in his area, but right next to it there are tin roof shacks built on stilts over the river and people doing their wash in the river.  Most people live in apartments with everything in the one big room.  He says people like to “squat” over there…like instead of standing or sitting, they squat…and chat on a cell phone, etc.  :)  He got to attend a Buddhist funeral too!

He lives in a 3 bedroom house – one room is for changing, one is for clothes and the other is for sleeping.  They have a plastic washing machine that they have to add water to wash their clothes.  There is another for rinsing, then they hang their clothes on a line to dry.  They sleep on mattresses on the floor.  It is really hot there right now, but he said they have A/C and he even gets cold at night.  They don’t eat at home much, although he did ask me to send some cereal.  Most of the time they eat on the streets.  There are people up and down the streets selling food.  A variety of food on sticks!  And I am extremely happy that Joseph and I now share the same favorite fruit…MANGOS!!!  (Someday I hope we go back with him, just so I can have a REAL mango!!)  He said their Mission President encouraged them to drink Coca Cola because it helps with the parasite problem.  :(  I gave him some stuff to take for parasites and he told me he is taking them most days!  He LOVES all the food there!  His favorite drink is Ovaltine!!  :) He told us names of stuff I could never even begin to spell or pronounce!!  He was so cute because he would interject a Thai word to describe something all night long.  He even forgot what an English word for something was!!  He says he is struggling with the language and learning slowly, yet for us, he was throwing words out there left and right!!  

He has been teaching some investigators.  He said that most of the people they actually teach have already been prepared.  They have already stopped drinking or smoking by the time the missionaries find them and start teaching them.  I guess that is something WE can do…not only pray for our missionaries, but pray for the people – that they can be prepared for the missionaries when they knock on their doors.   They sometimes teach some English, they mostly go by member referrals and they don’t use the Bible to teach, because the translation is not the King James version and it has a lot of translational errors.  (He said we should pray that the correct translation of the Bible will become available to the people of Thailand someday!!)  They can’t even call themselves “Christians”, because the Thai people only associate Christians with the Catholics (didn’t quite understand that part!), but they go by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (obviously, cuz it’s our name…but they don’t say they’re Christian because of being confused with the Catholics.  I hope that makes sense!!)  The Book of Mormon has just been translated for the third time in Thai, perfecting the translation even more.  The people are mostly Buddhists, so he says it is “super cool to see people pray for the first time.”  They challenged one investigator for baptism next month.  Her name is UUM IIM. (ŌŌM ĬM)  :)  So we can all pray for her!!

They live in the city of Don Muang, (North suburb in Bangkok).  The church in that city is a Branch and there were 35 people there last Sunday.  They have the largest church building in the country, but a very small congregation.  He is a Home Teacher and he gets to bless the Sacrament.  Their members were heavily flooded recently and it took a toll on their membership.  He said if we want to know what the members are like over there, to read Alma 18-27.  He said they are super strong and they are just like the Lamanites when they were converted…once their hearts were changed, they never turned back!  The Branch President is one of his best friends!  

Joseph has gained 5 lbs!  The first day when they got to the Mission Home, the Mission President and his wife had a dinner for the new missionaries.  He said they all sat on the floor and ate dinner.  He told us of a childhood memory [premonition?] he had of being on his mission somewhere in the world and he had to eat fish.  (He hates fish!)  When the Mission President served fish “that looked like it was run over by a car several times”, this childhood memory came flooding back to him, but he tried the fish anyway and after praying that the Lord would “sweeten the food like He did for Nephi,” he said he didn’t mind it!!  

He misses people who can sing, listening to classical music, Banff (of all places!), and even though he says he is not homesick he does think about us a lot…just different things that remind him of one of us, or something he knows we would like.  He thinks of Mike and his “Attitude Therapy” sayings on a daily basis.  He asked about Max and Bryce and to tell you both hello!  And that he loves each one of YOU – his family and friends.  And he will do a better job trying to share his mission experiences with all of us at home.  

It was hard to say goodbye, but we know he is where he should be and it’s very obvious that HE LOVES IT there!!!  Thank you for all of your prayers for Joseph, his investigators and missionary work in general!  It is a great work and we are ALL part of the Lord’s “work and glory.”

With lots of love and appreciation…til next week!

Elder Gibbons, as related by his mom’s notes! 

Week 15

I am so sorry, but Joseph must've been busy this week...he wrote a short note saying he is excited to talk to us on Sunday and that was about all!  Wish I could report more...  :(

Week 14

Monday, April 30, 2012

Wow.  What a week. From getting the water turned off on us, teaching a lesson in French with a world-class boxing champion, and getting a new companion, I don't even know where to start.  Oh Just kidding - I do:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHWEEDIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [That is his sister, Anna!]
I've been thinking of you this whole week and I'm sad I wasn't able to see you or sing to you directly (but I did to myself, even though I felt like a weirdo when I sang Happy Birthday by myself).  Just know that I am constantly thinking and praying for you. Happy 14th :๖  (That's me making a weird fat face for you)!
I'll also graciously thank you, mom, for sending me that much-needed package!  If sent on the 20th, I think it came on the 25th or 26th!  It's faster to send here than for me to sent there, fyi.  And CONGRATS AnnAlysse!! OMGosh, I'm so excited!

So, like I said, it's been a weird week.  First of all, I have a new trainer!  SURPRISE!  Oh, the Lord's sense of humor is hard to follow sometimes... Jk ;) To give some more detail, I'll share you this week's president letter:

"Dear President,

"My Hand of the Lord experience was a little different this time around.  It really has to do with all the switching up that took place this week.  It has been hard, but necessary to the work here in ดอนเมือง...with this switch, it's been that needed blessing I was missing.  For some reason, I needed the training of more than one trainer.  Right as Elder Osborne got here, he has been non-stop trying to plan for these investigators.  Now we are organized and ready to go...we have great plans for the area and our companionship.

"But even with the switch, I didn't think I was ready.  I was really struggling...But President, I spoke better Thai, made better phone calls, understood more and had more strength than I had ever had before in my entire mission.  I am starting to receive a witness from the trail of my faith - that Lord was there for me then, and He is directing the affairs of his work now and always.  That's my experience this week - that the Lord does what's best for everyone, and guides his servants to accomplish His will."

So during our switching around, our water was turned off and we had to stay the night at the the AP's and office Elder's house (Dad, you should see these houses - or maybe you shouldn't cuz it would cause you nightmares), where I slept right by the bed of Elder Goodmansen, our Senior AP, and we talked about some awesome things about inviting, seeing the President's vision, and just other sweet stuff.  But before all that happened, we had to get the area book all straightened up, so we drove to Asoke - the center of Bangkok - to talk with my old "Pa" about the area.  As Elder Jensen and Osborne exchanged info of each other's former areas, I went on splits with an Elder Grover to teach this lady named Annie from the Congo with a world champion boxer also from the Congo.  Yeah, so I guess they speak French there? Anyway, relying on the Lord, and Tyler - our interpreter-boxer friend, we were able to help her come closer to Christ through the scriptures.  Oh yeah. Commitment for this week - read everyday.   It's good for you.  Anyway, it was an awesome experience, much like Sport's day was seeing Elders Bennett, Gilly, Kramer, Adams (who were in the group ahead of us in the MTC), and especially Elder Engle.  In the MTC, everyone tells you, "Just make it to Sunday."  After talking to Elder Mondragon, our awesome DL, we decided to "just make it to sports day."  I still don't understand this rich language all that time nor am I understood always, but after seeing him, eating at a Mexian restaurant, and having a few Ovaltine shakes (*not to mention fresh mangos this season), I think everything will be ok and we'll be able to do this.  I say we, because I have continually felt your prayers, buses have continued to not hit me, I have still not got outrageously sick, and I am happy in this work.  I often think of Dad's little saying I've heard
time and time again - "It's ok to have a bad day, but don't let those turn into bad weeks or bad months (or transfers like a lot of missionaries)..."  Then I can't remember what else you've said, Dad, but maybe that's a good thing because elements of your attitude therapy seep into my mission right when I need them.

Really, thanks for everything, and I love you all!

กับรักเสมอ, (With love always,)
เอ็ลเดอร์ กิฺบบันส์ (Elder Gibbons)

PS: I'm just going to try to send some pictures later, and fill in the gaps later.

Week 13

It's been a great week - I'm getting more and more used to things, I'm starting to actually use the phone, and I'm loving the branch.  It's also been a crazy week, so I haven't much time.  But instead, I'll just show you a few excerpts  from my President's letter today:

"Hello President,

This week has been pretty hard, I'm not going to lie....But during this hard time, besides extending the hard baptismal commit to Sister แท๊ป, I've really tried to pray more sincerely like you asked - and I can see  the hand of the Lord more abundantly in my life...For instance, I finally wrote in my journal last night... [PS: Why I didn't write in my journal until now?  Getting into the swing of things is just like it was at the MTC - except different.  For instance, I already knew how to walk on the streets at the MTC.  Just doing
that, and many more things, has been a learning experience all on its own] and was able to see the hand of the Lord when I have strived to be more obedient to him and more diligent in prayer.  1Ne 1:20
testifies of those promised blessings of help and protection to those who serve Him; Ether 1-6, 12 has helped believe that sincere prayer WILL be the determining factor during this next week.  The branch has also helped tremendously.  The members help keep me afloat while I struggle day by day to learn this language.  However, no straight "classical music" is getting easier as I realize the "why" and become
less focused on just the "what".

Well, I'll let you do your President stuff.  Thanks for YOUR example, and that's all you probably want to hear.  So thanks for listening!

-Elder Gibbons"

So that's just about it for now.  I haven't had ANY TIME to read all your emails yet, so please forgive me!
So until next week,

Elder Gibbons

Week 12 - First letter from Thailand!

 สวัสดี ครับ!!
That means hello from the land of smiles! I'm just sitting next to Elder Jensen listening to some tunes in an internet Cafe in ดองเมียง (Don Muang), my area. Wow! That's really all I can say, but I'll try to relate some of my experience until now. Well, after my last email, I helped some international missionaries get assimilated into MTC culture - it was really cool to see miracles really work when I prayed to have the Spirit so strong, there wouldn't be a language barrier - two Elders later, prayer was totally answered. One was Japanese and the other, Italian. But perhaps the coolest thing about the MTC experience was how much the Lord looks after his children. The Sunday before I left, I thought tomato soup would be a nice last meal - and it was good whan I ate it for lunch that day! But before that, we had a MTC-wide Sacrament meeting for Easter where we got the opportunity listen to President Packer in the morning. Then, for the devotional that evening, I was suprised to see risers instead of a podium. So Elder Creer and I quickly found seat close to the front. Then the scary bald 6'5" security man asked us to move. But then he escorted us the the vacant MVP spot for special guests - so I got to watch the BYU Men's chorus with premium seats the day before I left. Does the Lord love those who serve him? You couldn't convince me otherwise.

But I feel like that was ๘ years ago...So we boarded the bus at 4pm, our airplane at 8pm, then flew to LA where I made my phone call home to my wonderful family (sorry it was  so late...).  The Lord also allowed me to talk to Krystal - a young woman flying to Hong Kong who was although super nice, she didn't like
LA or Hong Kong much and wasn't to happy with the hand life dealt her. I had the opportunity to talk to her as a person, bear testimony and give her a Book of Mormon and get her contact info. Some other Elders at the gate who were waiting for me did the same and I believe she read most of the plane ride to Hong Kong. This gave me a real perspective of what missionary work is all about - being in the right place and the right time to give water to thirsty souls ready to drink.

Speaking of thirsty souls, the work here is flourishing immensely. I met my first investigator, อุ๋มอิ๋ม (oom-iim) when we went to Cold Stone in "Central", a 7-story Asian supermall. But I'm getting WAY ahead of myself....

I landed in Hong Kong and realized I was in Asia when we got out to the terminal and saw the large, flowing Chinese mountains that the magical paint brush ebbs out in the opening credits of Mulan. When I realized I was listening to Bach while gazing at the Mountains of China (a long-time bucket list item now checked off), I realized then and there that the Lord really does love those who serve him.

Elder Creer and I talked to a couple from Hong Kong named Ruby and Ken half in Thai half in English, and half in sign language. I had to walk away from some guy telling us we were destroying Buddhism, but I also talked to a man going back to Laos because his mother died. Thai and Lao is roughly equal to Spanish and Portuguese and I felt like Elder Calhoon: "That's not that language they taught me in the MTC!" [From the movie "Best Two Years"]

So we flew the 2 hour flight to Bangkok and all started freaking out when the signs weren't just Chinese and English, but had a third that made us all way too excited! Billboards in all sorts of random languages popped up, people were everywhere from every place (first person I talked to in Thailand was from Vietnam, lol).

Then we met the APs, the President, and flew from the airport to the Church driving on the wrong side with little to no traffic rules guiding us. we got our pictures taken where one man side hugged me down the stairs (they are like that there). I got some blood checked in a very very small hospital where first really I talked to my Thai person. She was a little grandma and was super nice. I'll never forget her smiling face and warm smile. Nor anyone's here including Brother อู๋ (oo), a member who helps us missionaries out often and reminds me a little of Chin Pho from Mulan... ;)

Wow, I'm so scattered all over from Songkhran (the country-wide waterfight that lasts three days). I'm still wiping the 'bang' from my eyes just trying to get everything in order. I could feel your protection then than ever before. But I gtg. Love yall!

Elder Gibbons