Week 31 - ศร๊สะเกษ! T4:W2

Hello again from the Isaan! [I didn't edit this at all, just a few spelling errors.]

The weather is superb, the air is great and we had some good things happen this week.  In my letter to President Senior, I pretty much summed up the highlights:

"Hello again on a beautiful Monday afternoon. I'm just waiting for it to start to cool down into winter, but I guess that doesn't happen here... But growth and changes do happen here as we sustained our new branch president (President Thawansak) yesterday and got to participate in Sister Nat's confirmation, as her baptism was this last Saturday, which I got to play my viola again and give an unplanned talk because the speaker didn't show up!  But it was great, and her testimony is strong.  These experiences are just among the few that have helped me grow spiritually and emotionally.  On missionary.lds.org it says I'm about 25% done with my time in the field (Which seems super short!), as I hit my 7th month mark as a missionary this week too.  People are starting to make more sense and the language is seeming to slow down."

More on those changes, President Sumeed was such a great branch president.  He kind of reminds me of Uncle Troy because his hair's a little longer, he's a little more chill and laid back, but he's so funny!  He'll just say something in his cool voice but you don't know if he's kidding or not!  He's completely opposite from his wife - Sister BOOM who has two volumes: loud and laughing.  She kinda sounds like Aunt Angie when she laughs really hard at a joke that revolves making fun of a Minnesota accent and talking about "Troode!" or "Joan Boagor!"  He teaches me southern words and she teaches me Isaan words.  There are about 3-5 different languages in Thailand and Isaan is like Americans making fun of Spanish (like "Do you hablo?" or "I gusto that ice cream mucho!") but instead of spanish, they mix in Lao!  AH!  It's intense but fun (I"m sticking to Thai for now).

And our convert Sister Nat is so funny! She's this little lady (maybe in her late 30's?) who can't read and can't hear very well either.  Members feed her testimony as they read to her from the Book of Mormon often.  When she's not getting something, she'll let you know by the way her face all screws up and squints her eyes, and then lets us know vocally.  At her baptism, she bore her testimony the went something like: "Well, I'm here and I don't really know what to do... But I really like having friends.  When I was learning I would ask Heavenly Father like 'Heavenly Father, please send me more friends because I like friends,' and he sent me a lot.  Now what do I do?"  The members helped her close her humble, heartfelt testimony which brought in the Spirit because you could see the trust she had in her Father in Heaven and in her brothers and sisters in the church.  For example she wanted President กิจจา (Git-ja) to speak and to baptize her.  Honestly, I would too.  This little man is sharper than flint.  I first saw him as he walked into church in polished cordovan shoes, tan whaled trousers, and a brown leather vest over a brown-pinstriped dress shirt.  He has tight, curly silver hair and large-rimmed black spectacles that sit above his little nose which sticks out over my a thick silver mustache.  My companion and I concluded he's a cross between Albert Einstein and Sean Connery.  His sermon on Faith at the baptism (I say sermon, for it could be accounted as nothing less) was of the best talks I've heard in this country.  He's famous out here in the Isaan and is a blessing to have in our branch.

Blessings.  That's pretty much the theme of my experience here in Siisaket (and of the rest of my 25% of my mission up to this area).  It's so fun out here, but a lot of work to be done.  I would encourage you all to read the Book of Mormon to keep in the right way (because it's so easy to slip into pride - like I did, but that's a different story and everything good and I know now how true these words I tell you are).  My last thought is something my Companion asked me and I'm still puzzling over: "What's your favorite Commandment to Keep?"  Chew on that this week and let me know your thoughts!

With rak (love)
Elder Gibbons

PS: My comp [companion] is from... here it comes! ... Minnesota!
We're getting along great - he is a Physics major from BYU and reminds me of Kaiden's comp - which makes it so much better for ME, right?!  Our first Comp study involved the concept of enetrepy and the atonement.  AWESOME!  more to come next week.  Love you SOOOOOOOO much!

Week 30 - ศรีสะเกษ! T3:W6 (Beginning Tnsf 4 in "Siisaket")

Hello Everyone!

Well first things first...

I'm out of the "เทพ" (Tabe)!!  I'm no longer in Bangkok (กรุงเทพ...) this next transfer but far out into the อีสาน (iisaan) baby!  The Mission is divided into three areas: 1 the middle (Bangkok and other surrounding areas all the way up to อยุธยา or Ayutayaa where "Mortal Combat was filmed) 2 the North (where many tourists go like Chaing Mai or Chaing Rai - all bordering China and Burma) or 3 the "iisaan" (which the closest equivalent is the "countryside."  It's pretty much like Upstate NY vs NYC itself. Much of the iisaan borders Lao and Cambodia.  My Province borders the famous provance of Ubon on the east, "Elephant City" in Surin on the west and Cambodia in the South)

Enough geography, (you're welcome Anna) let me get to the goods surrounding this transfer.  Starting with the second or third-to-last week of the moves, I had a feeling I was moving.  Prataan Thuwit was sad one day and told me Elder Osborne and I were moving - he could feel it too.  As the time approached, I knew I was going on a bus far away... Oh it's weird to describe, but that's how it went, and sure enough here I am in ศรีสะเกษ [Si Sa Ket]!

Tangent: Funny story - President Senior had all the people moving up on a slide show - one slide at a time. He went through the middle, the iisaan and the north but my name wasn't called... I was freaking out!  Was I being sent to Lao or something?!  No, he just forgot and it scared the tar out of me.

But mom - thanks for the letter.  I WILL miss all those people in Don Muang.  It's actually funny - I got more homesick HERE than I did in my 1st area - for my first area.  I could fill up pages and pages, but I barely have time, so I'll recap with a cool event after thanking the Best Branch President in the world.  I love that man with all my heart, and I'll miss him.  One of my best D.M. experiences was with sister "Pim".  We were confirming an appointment that Sister Oomiim was going to teach with us and she asked if she could bring her friend to the lesson.  We said of course and asked if her friend was interested in the Gospel.  "Hold on," she said.  Whispering on the other end.  "Yeah she says 'yes'."  Sister iim has so much faith and I'm so excited to have known her.  As my convert, I gave her a letter of thanks and encouragement to which she gave me a huge artwork book - from Sister Pim.  Weeks earlier Sis Roper was going through iim's phone for referrals and said what about her?  (at S. Pim) iim in her way said, "Oh yeah she needs it; she 's not the best person.  But she can repent for sure!"  She has been swallowed in by the gospel from the world.  The Gospel is changing lives over here because of the many prayers in behalf of the work here.  I must thank you most graciously all you for your help and prayers.  And Dad - your faith in our finding efforts couldn't have been more appropriate: Today we were just riding our bikes and got a phone call.  The man on the other line said straight up that he wanted to learn about Jesus Christ.  If that's not faith, I don't know what is.  Your prayers literally change lives over here.  Thank you x1,000,000!  Oh PS Dad - I saw a man on a non-pedal bike like yours, but it had a lever you pulled to make it work instead.  As he was inching his way along, the man slowly looked up and smiled at me while I passed on my pedal bike I was using with my legs.  It made me think of you, but also made me feel more grateful for my many blessings as well. 

Well, I gtg [got to go - for all us "old people"].  I wish I could tell you everything in more detail – our awesome branch, our awesome Branch President who seriously looks like Paul McCartney, the dead roach on the podium or of all the ants in the Sacrament bread, of the roaches I find every morning just before I shower, the beautiful air, the wonderful people speaking a different language than Thai, our new convert, Sister Nut who'll be baptized this week, our 9 other people with baptism dates, my new Companion who writes Thai in his journal every night and who doesn't know Journey the band, but loves late-Romantic classical music... But I gtg!

Love ya all - ttyl [talk to you later!]

Elder Gibbons

Photos from Don Muang

Photos sent (via Facebook) to us by his friends in the Don Muang Branch (Ploi Jiambun, Puen Jiambun, Imee Possible and Elder & Sister Taber [Senior Missionary Couple])

Game night at the Branch President's house - they said he was very funny and sneaky (they played a game like "Mafia" and he tricked everyone.)  :)

This is his second day in the area

I am just guessing this is at Oom Iim's baptism...

I LOVE this photo - notice where Joseph's hand is!!!  He is such a hugger, that it's so awkward for him to stand there and not put his arm around someone!!  :)  Love my missionary!!

I think this is when he had two companions

Photo of Domuang/PakKret/Chaengwattana District Missionaries - Elder & Sister Taber sent it to me through email.

Week 29 - Thailand! T3:W5

Hello everyone!

So it's been a week and I'm still hangin' in there, although I have been detoxing out of both ends this beautiful Mother's Day weekend.  I had a good night's sleep though, so I feel much better.

The super good part about yesterday was that yesterday was Her Majesty the Queen's 80th birthday and the whole country has been thinking of -their mothers and of Thailand's mother Herself.  I also had the super cool experience to go to District Conference and hear from our Asia Area President, Elder Kent G. Watson.  Before he spoke, he did two cool things and I'm going to ask all within the sound of my email (does that even work?) to do.  But before he started, President Senior (our new mission president) spoke. He and the translator got up to pulpit (translator because he served in Japan - the first mission president of Thailand in 20+ years to not serve in Thailand), but President Senior said all his opening remarks in Thai.  But unexpectedly, he went on.  He started talking about the love of God, how it blesses all people, and that we can share in with everyone because they need it too.  He gave his whole talk in slow, but concentrated Thai and the translator just stood there until he finished and they both sat down.

President Watson then asked President Senior to came up and share his testimony again.  This time, in Japanese.  President Senior, smiling, got up, shook his head - to which everyone chuckled.  And then with that same smile he shot out a sentence or two of Japanese faster than any Spanish speaker I've heard.  The congregation was thrilled, and Thai people don't do a very good job at hiding their excitement - there were even a few Ooos and Aaahs.  He sat down - without a translator - and the Spirit filled that room.  The Area President stood again and praised him again for his faithfulness and dedication.

And then he did something i'll never forget.  He opened his remarks by introducing Mother's Day and giving praise to Her Majesty's 80^th birthday.  He asked the congregation to join him in silence in respect for the Queen for 20 seconds.  Without hesitation, the entire congregation arose simultaneously.  The faraang (white) mom in front of me even smacked her kids to quickly stand too.  There, standing with heads bowed, we all payed respect to the Queen of the ancient land of Siam who's Husband's dynasty started before America had become a country.  That room was hallowed that day as I took part in that special event commemorating a day where we paid respect to all mothers through the highest Mother in the land.

President Watson's remarks were no more diminishing to that atmosphere.  To be brief, he focused his entire message on "what President Monson would say if he were here."  On this special Mother's Day, he delivered a powerful address about the Family Proclamation to the World.  He exhorted every present to study the proclamation and hang a copy of in up in your home (there is one now in our study room).  But he went even further and unfolded unto us the blessings of the Temple - to make all preparations necessary to go, even if might be only for once in your life (mind you the closest temple is across the ocean in Hong Kong) and to always have your temple recommend ready to go to experience the infinite blessings the come from being Temple worthy at all times.

So I challenge all of you to do the same: to have a Proclamation in your study room, in your home, somewhere you can see it, and have a temple recommend ready to go (and then GO as often as your location permits - you in Utah are so blessed because they are in more abundance than where I am).  If you're not old enough to go in, and your parents to schedule a trip where you go and maybe have a picnic nearby and then walk the grounds together.  I do miss the Temple, but I do also miss my แม่ (mom) this week.  The last challenge besides those two would to give your mother a big hug today.  If that's not possible, take a break and call her right this moment and express your love.  And still, if that's not possible, find a quiet place, get on your knees and thank your Father in Heaven for the many blessings that have come because of your own mother.  I know as you do this, you too will feelof the joy and love than ever before.

Don't forget to read your Book of Mormon - see ya next week!
Elder Gibbons

                           The Family; A Proclamation To The World 

Week 28

[Just a reminder that when you see something in brackets [like this], it is a note from me, his mom.  I try to explain things that may be confusing or try to give you my interpretation.  But I am finding it harder to correct these letters.  His Thai must be getting better because his English is getting worse!  And that's a GOOD thing!  :)  So, I only corrected the spelling in this letter.  I think it is better for you to read these as he wrote them.]

Hello everybody!

So it looks like Elder Osborne is out of the hospital and back to normal.  I DID eat at Sizzler's again today, so we'll see if that knocks me out again and get food poisoning again.  FuN!  Speaking of fun, its fun to catch the Olympics every once in a while at the little place we go eat by our house.  Viva America!  Thailand is not doing to bad, as I've seen a few athletes from this beautiful place participate too.

But that's enough heathen stuff for today. I feel like I should tell you that our Area was really suffering, then Elder Osborne died, [Don't be alarmed.  He didn't really die... That was just an expression!!]  and now we have seen miracles.  There is this one investigator "Sister Add" (who corrected me when I said พี่ - or like Mr/Ms who's older - instead of Sister while on the phone.  She was calling us like crazy when we were in the hospital, and I finally got to meet her with Bro Yuut (whom Anna would fall in love with he's so funny) outside a busy road (hate teaching outside) while Elder Osborne and Elder Oakeson stayed at the house and rested...

Tangent:
So I've been in a three-sum this past transfers and it's been the biggest blast of my mission.  And even when E. Osborne got sick, we still had a great time, ordered McDonalds delivery with Double Big Macs right to our room (yep, Thailand delivers!), and still worked by switching off.  And "พอดี" Phaa-dii, we were the only 3-sum in the mission who could still work with one man down that whole week.  Coincidence?  Dude, I can't even spell that word anymore...[He was right, I corrected it!]

Anyway, we met for the second time at her apt and found out she had found a Book of Mormon and had read to Alma 18!!  She was at church this Sunday, and Es. Osborne and Oakeson gave her a baptismal date later that day.  The Lord is preparing His Children to come unto Him.  However, sometimes it's harder than Sister Add's case.  Bro New, a boy who was almost baptized but his dad pulled the plug and we lost contact was starting to come back.  But he recently had some problems and was starting to slip away until we helped him fix a baptismal date again. PLEASE pray for him to have the Faith and the strength to read the Book of Mormon and feel peace again within the Fold of the Good Shepard.

May all of us continue to read the greatest book written and continue to feel the peace found only with in the fold of the Good Shepard.  I encourage everyone to strengthen your wards and branches.  Reach out to new people and old alike.  Mom - make SURE Brenda gets the after baptismal lessons!!!  Help the missionaries by doing these things.  You pray for us often, and we're grateful forever; but a missionary’s pray is for members to lift where they stand, fulfill Moroni chapter 6 by home and visiting teaching, and always be willing to be Christ's agent in all places.

I love you all, and my commitment is to go and teach one of your home or visiting teaching families this week.  Talk to your bishop and ask which new members could you help teach or befriend.  The best missionary work doesn't just happen in the field here, but in your wards, homes, and families.

I love you all and I wish you luck!

Elder Gibbons

Week 27 (for real!)

Hello Everyone!

Wow! It's been a long week for the Don Muang three-sum.  First, Mom, sorry for the delay - Elder Osborne just came out from the hospital yesterday late afternoon and we couldn't email anyone!  Last Monday when we were emailing, he started to feel sick.  We thought it was the same thing I had a few weeks ago that just passed in a day.  [Did anyone else catch that???  Hello!  He never told us about that!!]  Instead, it got worse and we rushed to a hospital on Tuesday.  It turned out that Elder Osborne had Dengue "Dang-ee" Fever, or in the Thai translation, "fever-blood-go out" which, as you can imagine, isn't very healthy and is dangerous.  Six days later, we came out from the hospital exhausted but excited to be home in Don Muang.  I learned many valuable lessons during that experience.  For instance, on Sunday, our branch president, Prataan Tuwit, came and administered the Sacrament to us.  I got to bless in English again!  But the feeling in that room was incredible when I realized why.  I was feeling so good because a scripture was literally being fulfilled: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt 18:20). I felt the Peace of Christ "which passeth all understanding" (Phillipians something) while we four were gathered together in the name of our Lord.

Another very special event was Zone Conference where President Senior's discourse on Faith helped me get through some rough times and brought much joy into my soul.  I later wrote a quote he said: "Nephi didn't see a broken bow. He saw a solution."  This principle of Faith actually BECAME more than a word, but a now way to see into one's life.  I feel confident to say that one may measure his or her faith based on how they view setbacks in life.  When a rock falls in your path do you see a stumbling stone? Sometimes I do.  But that day Nephi saw no stumbling stone - he saw a STEPPING stone.  It's when we 'step up' over that obstacle is what Moroni describes in Ether 12:6 about receiving a witness "after the trial of our faith," or if I may, "After we step over that stepping stone.  It's an amazing experience to climb over mountains of what at first seems like stress with the Lord as our guide."  Some however might be skeptical, like me sometimes.  "Well, I can't SEE the Lord, so how do I know... etc.  But there IS a way to know - A physical way to know: through the study of the Book of Mormon.  I know that a study of this book over a period of time changes lives.  It's changed others I've taught, and it's changed me.  The reading of the Book of Mormon has been my "Iron rod" over every stepping stone I've ever come across. I've seen it happen this week, and I know it will happen if you but open the book and try for yourself. Don't try to climb over alone. That you read the book and have the experience of clearing mountains with the Savior is my only prayer this week.

OK, that's a lie because I've prayed way more times than once, and I thank you for all the prayers on you behalf as well.  Don't forget to include Elders Osborne and Oakeson to have strength and success as well.  Love you all!!

With all my love,
Elder Gibbons

Yeah, so apparently this white girl touring Thailand came to our branch [Joseph's friend, Eden Cope spent 4 months in Thailand] and she asked if anyone knew Elder Gibbons!!!  Turns out a few did, brought her to the hospital where I was, and I got to talk with Eden again!  She's excellent in Thai and she's awesome!  It was great to see a great friend again. :)  However, it is discouraged to have friends visit, so I'd like to keep this gem of an experience to ourselves! Thanks! Love you. Joj  [Since Eden posted some photos on Facebook, I figured its a little difficult to keep it from people!]  :)

I LOVE his smile in this one!!  He looks so happy, even if he had to spend a week with his companion in the hospital.

Okay, I had to look twice to figure out this picture!!  At first glance, you think that's Eden's arm on Elder Osbourne's knee!!  But, as you look closer, her hand is by her hip.  Where did her arm go?????  That is so weird!  :)

These are the first photos we've got of Joseph in Thailand!  His companion, Elder Osbourne is in the hospital bed, I'm assuming Elder Oakeson is in the back and his Branch President, Prataan Tuwit, is in the back on the left.  Eden is in the front (right) and it looks like a sister missionary is behind her and a few other Branch members. :)

 

Week 27

I am sorry to say that we didn't get a letter this week.  :( 

I am a sad mom.  :(

But we are confident it is for a good reason...like maybe a transfer and he didn't get to write.   :(

Looking forward to next week... :)