Week 76 - Kalasin: T12.W0

Sabai di BAAAW? 

Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts. I love ya all and wish you well. The Office I will miss, but it's fun getting back on a bike and getting a little more smelly than usual. I'm sitting next to Elder Martin on my left and none other that Sister Madsen and Sister Greenwood on my right.  Elder Martin, is half-Indian and works like a banchie. He super cool and just wants to do the work of the Lord. The biggest struggle we have is just that - after driving around Bangkok for 3 months, it's been an adventure getting back on the saddle (or the bicycle seat because I'm using a girl one until mine is fixed).  Sister Madsen and I are super good friends as Sister Wiganda trained her while I was in the office. In short, we (Elder Wilamas and I) were good friends with the Srinakharin sisters, so when I heard from President's mouth she will be opening-training, I was overcome with joy and it's been a blast ever since. Speaking of which, we had French toast last night -

Speaking of France, congrats Kenz [his sister who is going to France this week to stay with Liahona and her family] and Liahona [friend from France who was recently called to serve a mission on Temple Square]! There is a Thai sister from the office that will be serving in Temple Square very soon - maybe she'll train Liahona! And after Kenzi learns French, she'll probably get called to Paris with Ashelle [friend on a mission in Paris]!

Ok, back to French toast.  We (our district) ate French toast together and had a blast. But I now respect the advice from my leaders. In Mahasarakham, Elder Benjamin, a Thai AP whom I love, told me of the importance of taking the quiet advise from your branch and ward leaders. As I moved into his area in Asoke, I tried to do just that. So when we came here and the branch president told me not to eat the fried omelet that was made that afternoon, I resisted and ate it after French toast that night anyway. This morning, I paid the price in the bathroom - spewing French toast and rotten omelets out from both ends. Wow, that was graphic, but true... But if I would have listened to him, I would've been spared a very uncomfortable morning. 

I testify of the power of the priesthood and it's healing power - both physically (as I made it to this internet cafe today) and spiritually as we can be warned and protected by obedience. 

Love you all, more about the area later, as I'm still new. Pray for us! Pray for your leaders! Love!

Elder Gibbons

Week 75 - THE OFFICE SEASON FINALE T11.W7

So we're singing The Morning Breaks and the phone rings.

President calls.

Fewer times have I ever stopped singing in mid-syllable.

Elder Wilko picks up the phone and after some talking says, "Yes, he's right here," and hands the phone to me.

"Hello President!" I say...

President and Sister Senior called me personally to thank me for my service in the office and my service, as they - like me - have seen such a wonderful change within me. They wanted to personally thank me and prepare me for my next transfer, which I will be serving in the province of Kalasin - no Dad, it's pronounced "Ga-la-seen" - and it's smackdab in the middle of the Isaan.

It's back to sticky rice, Somtam phet phet ja dai (Papaya Salad that's hot enough to burn the devil out of hell), and bicycles for me! I'm super happy to be headin back out, but also a bit melancholy, as expressed in my weekly President's letter:

"Dear President Senior,

"I want you to thank you for the phone call this morning - one of the highlights of the transfer for sure to get a personal phone call. So I'm headin to Kalisin... I'm more than excited as I pack up to get back on a bike in the อีสาน [Isaan]. I'm going to miss seeing you and Sister Senior and the Jones' around everyday [the lovely mission office couple who are some of my favorite people ever and I want to be like]. I feel like once I FINALLY get my act together and position myself just right to launch, the Lord pulls me out. I told the AP's my grand scheme that Elder Wilko and I were about to do to explode Asoke to which Elder Mateos answered me something really interesting:
'Well, just bring all that to Kalisin.'
"And, President, reactivating two families per companionship a transfer is what we're going to be doin up there for a while. Until, that is, I get another great idea and the Lord pulls me away before getting TOO dangerous.

"It's been more than a blast, and more than a honor to work here. My prayers go out to you.
"Godspeed President, see you at transfers!

"Elder Gibbons"

I'm finally getting this Asoke District Leader thing down and planning with Elder Wilko to explode this place with success planned down to mid-August. But as I shared in my President's letter which I will share to illustrate my feelings today, I am ever more grateful that The Great God of Heaven leads and directs this work always. Not only am I heading up there, but two of the eleven new SISTER missionaries are going to be OPENING up there too. This isn't the first time I opened with three new people, and I;'m just stoked to blast it away up there with my probably very new companion and our new Sister training set.

It's kind of a nice wrap-up as President Tuwit's last day was Friday [Pres. Tuwit was his Branch President and great friend from his first area] and we sang a flawless version of How Great Thou Art for his going-away luncheon. The Spirit really helped and it was a great way for ME to end here. I love you all, I LOVE "the BEAST," as President Smith referred to as the Asoke-Din Dang area in the heart of Bangkok. I've always wanted to serve here in the big city, and I sure got more that I wished for. May we all get what we wish for as we center our Desires in Christ. But watch out - because once you do, then do it well, the Lord will make you leave; he'll make you change; but he'll do it to bring us to our promised land as he did with Nephi (on multiple occasions), Alma, Mormon. Now it's my turn to move to a new land of promise, and soon it well be yours as you follow faithful in His Light.

Follow faithfully please, is my prayer, in Christ's name. Amen.

Week 74 - THE OFFICE - T11; W6

HELLO Everyone. 

I love you all and I wish you well. This week has been crazy stress-filled and exciting.

Our investigator Pim-pong took a downward spin after his baptismal interview. Wasn't answering calls, etc. We may have not handled the situation the best, but the Lord does. He sent his brother-in-law who is a RM in the form of a phone call and we worked things out. Please keep Pim-Pong and his wife, Sister May in your prayers this week as we prepare to handle the situation much more sensitively as he is "just a sensitive guy," as I told my Aunt Angie once as a little boy.

"Well, what won't kill you will make ya stronger!" Elder Wilko recounts. And this week definitely has.

I was having one of those days yesterday - you know - where nothing is ever wrong or bad, but it seems like every thing you try to do gets changed or stalled. Well, it was like that yesterday until we got home and talked to the guard out side our building where we live.  We talked to him the first time the day before, so we were going to follow up with him. He then he just came out and told us of his life and how it was so hard in his family. He doesn't know his wife is faithful, etc. "I don't know what to do. I don't know where to start," he told us.

We brought him to a quieter area and knelled down with him and prayed. He felt better and even walked us to the elevator. 

These stories and more fill my life after hard times. If any of you are having a hard time - don't know what to do or even where to start, I encourage to start where YOU started from: 

Your Heavenly Father.

Get on you knees and you'll be able to get back on your feet, I promise in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Love you all. 

Elder Gibbons

Week 73 - THE OFFICE - T11; W5

Hello Family and Friends,

Sorry that last week I didn't say much. It was really kind of a hard time for me, so I principally talked with my mom and dad - who are the best in the world for me here. So thanks for being patient and understanding.

This last week was a lot different. In preparing for Zone Conference in the office, we actually helped the President prepare for four zone conferences. It was about DESIRE and DILIGENCE. 

I'll be honest, it was hard last week as I felt the Lord was making me get through a hard piece of music so I can perform the next one with greater skill, and focus. 

I asked my great dad some advice as he, too, was in the office on his mission. He said some things that were find of funny to me, and I quote:

"All of our baptisms went through the local bishops or branch presidents.  I remember the missionaries being very involved but I think the final baptismal interviews were conducted by the bishops and stake Presidents.  Am I gathering that you and other Elders are actually doing the baptismal interviews?"

Answer to your question, dad: First, happy Fathers Day. Second, I handle all baptismal interviews in our district; Zone Leaders handle our companionship. Also about the records - we are responsible for the President's monthly report for all the baptisms that flow in from 155 missionaries from three countries. 

One can only imagine that I could be feeling some growing pains under the weight of this responsibility. 

Actually, it was something President Senior addressed in a special letter to me:

"Dear Elder Gibbons,

I am watching you change before my eyes and it is fun..."

I responded:

Thanks for the letter back. I'm feeling myself change as well - and so is my perspective on missionary work. The Zone Conference was amazing, but the Dan Jones day was incredible...We're supposed to do our best everyday as missionaries. But if we do our best every day is that enough? No! We are the Lord's servants and every once in a while, we need to not just do our best but do our ALL; GIVE our all. We had about 2 hours max to do "Dan Jones-ing," but we taught three people in between ordering food in Bangnaa, we rolled down our windows and talked to people as we drove our van around Bangkok, taught two more people as we were filling up gas, and at the end of the day when we had about 33 minutes left, we got Brother Yute, who's a new member and kind of shy, and taught three other member lessons to prepare him for the mission he doesn't yet know he wants to serve. And most importantly, he and we taught with power and authority form God that day (well, for the most part, but that's where practice and the added gift of discernment come into play) with greater power than I have felt in a LONG time."

Dan Jones was one of the greatest missionaries in the world. Why? Simple: he taught lots of people, boldly, through the spirit, in his style or personality. So we had a DanJonesDay where we were not allowed to hide behind our Free English Class card, and we were to teach the whole day. In the office, we did our best - or should say our all we could do, and saw much success and the hand of the Lord guided our prayers and our following actions as we zipped around Bangkok that day.

***

Speaking of success, our district had 3 baptismal interviews last night for Pim-Pong, his wife May, and Ali - a Pakistani man whom I interviewed once already. His interview was amazing. He couldn't speak English; I couldn't speak Urdu, but the Lord worked out the rest as the gift of tongues rested upon me according to my prayers. 

Pim-pong and May are so great when at first we were struggling to know what to do with them. He is so stubborn about certain things and thinks way to hard about certain things - but in the same way that I do even now. But one day, Elder Wilko and I prayed for him and we were both on time to studies and focused. We were at lunch and I got a phone call. It was Pim-pong. He said: "Elder Gibbons. You know, I've done some pondering and I know that I need to be baptized. When would be a good day to do that?" We had him and May interviewed yesterday. If all goes well, I'll be a speaker at his baptism next week. 

***

The week before has been a refiner's fire, but his week as been one of harvest, reaping the spirit and finding inside myself a new me - or perhaps a much older one whom I forgot existed long before this earth did. With that is added joy, but added zeal for the work that I have been praying so earnestly for.

On that note, I love this statement my mom sent me. She said: "Keep up the great work, don’t expect too much out of yourself…you are still learning and as long as you are on the right path, you don’t have to get there tomorrow!"  Also,the Great Geoffrey Canaan stated in a corresponding letter: "In my life the mission has continued. When we have the desire god always 'calls us to the work'."

I testify that we are children of God. We are here to help one another, to give to each other and to give for each other. If your holding back anything that you should give or do for your neighbor, I encourage you to just do it. Cain one said, "Am I my brother's keeper?" and lost his soul. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of hope. Of light. Of righteous desire that leads a man" beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise" as it done with me this week. I love you all. May God be with you. But more than that, may you be with God is my prayer in Christ's name. Amen.

Week 72 - THE OFFICE T11.W4

Dear Family and Friends,

It's another beautiful day in the land of Siam. I feel like I'm starting to get a hold of the office, but it is still a challenge to compete with. Like time with investigators, members, district, office, President... But I guess life isn't getting any easier, so these lessons are great ones to learn. But despite all these things, the Lord showers His blessings. We had about 2 lessons this week. Probably the worst "number" week I've had, but there were 6 investigators to church. The "odds" of that happening with that work number is next to none. And also Sister Waan got baptized! Saturday night we ate dinner Saturday night with Sister Dang and Sister Waan with a RM and is wife. We were talking, and   it turns out that he trained MY trainer, Elder Jensen, on his last transfer HERE in Asoke. Pretty crazy... But Sister Waan made the best Khaw Soi! And she was so funny about it. She didn't sleep before and she was so funny about it. But she was so great and it was a true blessing. President and Sister Senior were there and it was great. 

Apart from that, we had literally been filling in baptismal records day after day. But I love this work on the administrative side. It's been fun, and I've gtg. Thank you for your diligence, your faith [and] your prayers. 

Love,

Elder Gibbons

[Since this week's letter was literally a paragraph because he ended up sending me a personal message, I thought I would add the note he wrote me.  It's pretty classic Joseph!!  Also, a little clarification about his note...my favorite scripture is Helaman 5:12, and I LOVE mangos!!!]

Thanks mom. Eating a mango (ma-MUANG) and thinking of you! 

During language study I was recording myself read the scriptures in where I'm at and the place where I decided to record was Hel 5:11-12. I didn't even realize it until I was reading those powerful words. I then thought of the one who loves this scripture the most. I thought of all the things you've taught me about standing on the rock of faith, but now just hearing those stories about you and Anna and Kylie up there, I think of all the things you have SHOWN me. If you hadn't SHOWN me faith, or prayer, or what it really is like to stand on that firm foundation (rakthaan an naanon), I wouldn't have known what it is myself. 

Somedays, I fear and doubt that I'll ever be able to be a good enough example to my children, my companion, my coworkers…But I had a thought the other day. Teri Holt in one lesson explained the brilliance of Dr. Suzuki. I was looking through the book and she pointed out that Dr. Suzuki's method is interesting: for instance, in the first book, he makes the student perform three Bach minuets from easy to super hard to medium. I thought it was cool but finally understood it one day as I was in the AP's shower (I use it when they're gone) realizing how much I suck as a district leader. Few adjectives other than that describe how I feel. But out of a sudden, the theory of the three minuets popped up in my mind. I realized that it doesn't matter if I suck, because the next piece (or area I'm over) I will ace because the Lord saw fit in His mercy to give me a really bad recital to prep me for another one. Then the kicker: he wants me to get through Minuet II so I can play Minuet III well. I love Minuet II and it's fun to play. But when I was first learning, it really was impossible to play perfectly - which is what Dr. Suzuki intended: to rise to an impossible challenge to hurdle over the next one.

I don't know if this meant anything to you specifically, but know that I love you. I feel your love. EVERY day. I wish you well and pray for you often (probably not as many times that I get prayed over, but such is life... or such is Minuet II...).

In other word, keep playing on and I love you daily. :)

Your Elder Gibbons

At Sister Dang's house

At Sister Dang's baptism

I am guessing this is a random fish that is hilarious!!

 

Week 71 - The Office; T11; W3

Hello Family and Friends,

This week has been the craziest ever! I really can't really remember what I did specifically, but I am just tired! But I'm happy, so it must mean that I'm doing something right, huh? Well, I just wanted to quickly talk about Sister Waan (หวาน), our "sweet" investigator who is getting baptized tomorrow if all plays out right. First of all, congrats Ellie for getting baptized! 

We'll be eating a dinner at Sister Dang's tonight so that Sister Dang can be sister Waan's fellowshipper. 

I'm excited because she's going to be making ข้าวซอย ("Khaw-Soi") which is like a spicy, coconut-milk-based soup with a bunch of pickled veggies and a bog ol' chicken leg in the middle. I LOVED it in Sisaket, but I couldn't find it anywhere else, but she can make it becuase she's from Chiang Mai. 

She has such a humble disposition with just a little, kind-of-squeaky voice. Turns out that two people from Hong Kong want to do some filming, and Sister Waan was interviewed. Elder Wilko and I translated her questions and and she responded in her little, squeaky voice her sincere answers. She knows the Book of Mormon in true. One night after English Class, she came up to me and asked if she could tell me something. I said yes and she told me of how her work had been super stressful and she didn't know what to do with all the things that were going on in her life, including religion. So she got on her knees and really prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was true. She finished her prayer and read. She read in 2 Nephi 4, which reads:

"O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

 27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

 28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

 29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

 30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

It was then that she knew that the Book of Mormon was true. She know in the heat that this is not just ความบังเอิญ (coincidence), but really an answer from God.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him." (James 1: 5)

I know this is true. Ask, and you will receive. But sometimes, we have to wait. We must pass through trials to be humbled like Sister Waan. But I know they (the blessings, the relief, etc.) will come. Praise be to God that it will is my prayer. Thanks to all of you whose support in heavenly in very nature. I love you all. 

Elder Gibbons

And also to someone very special:

Great Grandma, I love you too, so very much. And if I don't get to beat you in hearts in this life, I hope I can in the next. I love you and always remember your faith and bravery. I love you more than I can type or try to say. I love you and I hope I will see you again, but in case I can't my mom will send her love, which is a lot from what she has said about you ever since I can remember. I love your stories and your class. I love you Grandma, with love that will always last. Your grandson, Joseph

Week 70 - THE OFFICE: T11; W2

Dear Family and Friends,

First, so sorry for the lack of writing last week. Probably one of the busiest times of my life - not even exaggerating. These two weeks enveloped preparing for the visitation of an Apostle of the Lord, a transfer meeting, preparing people to go home, and welcoming in new missionaries. My whole district was changed except for Elder Mateos and me. 

My new companion is Elder Wilko - he's such a boss! Mainly from Utah, he is just happy to be here. He's super chill, laid back, but does his duty 105%. He has so much faith and just likes doing hard things.  He's kind of middle-aged in the mission but speaks super well - and he even speaks the northern dialect which is hard and I can't understand! While driving the office van, we make Nascar commentaries trying to be like redneck-sports commentators. Every day is just a laughing fest. Being with Thai companions back-to-back, I've forgotten how funny American humor is. It was weird for the first week communicating, and not in Thai. But his zeal and cheery attitude is has been a long awaited blessing in my life.

New Zone leaders: Elder Tzanis - one of the first missionaries in Lao who is back for the first time, and ... ELDER DAVIES!!! [Joseph went to Alta H.S. with Elder Braxton Davies, entered the MTC on the same day, and flew to Thailand together.]  It's a riot here, and I'm super excited for the work. New AP is Elder Crawley, also back from Laos for the first time. It was so funny to hear him at first, but his Thai is great again.

Speaking of great, I had many reunion opportunities and meeting opportunities. First of all, I got to meet Elder Anderson! He came into the building on Friday for the Young Single Adult meeting and when he got there, he put his palms together and sort of bowed really funky - I got to "wai" an apostle! And then he shook our hands which was probably hard for him because our (Elder Wilamas's and my) handshake probably wasn't so good. Out of practice...

But at that meeting, all the YSA in Thailand was invited. I was talking with a member and I see a young lady step out of a taxi. "No, really?" were my thoughts. When Oom-iim came into the building we both saw each other and sort of freaked out! I hadn't seen her in a year. I wondered if she would be happy to actually understand me this time when I met her. But, we ran to each other and shook hands and then we were both sort of speechless - just smiling and laughing! It was a sweet moment to feel such charity for this girl whom I helped find the pathway to eternal happiness. There was no inappropriate affectionate feelings - just the love of Christ that render two people speechless upon seeing each other still in the gospel. I didn't fall to the earth like Ammon, but it's so wonderful to know a small portion for myself what he felt that day walking back to Midoni.

That Sunday, we met in a convention center in my first area near Don Muang and Muang Thon Thani. It was magnificent to see over a thousand members all together in one place. But the reunions kept coming. I met the crew from Samut Prakaan: Sister Jern and Sister A and brother Yute. And I also met my converts and investigators: Brother Tun Tun, Sister M'am and Brother A. I met Sister Mild and her mom Sister Gaid. We were super happy to see each other as well.

Now we need to get these members to feel love for each other. Elder Anderson said that the Temple in Bangkok is not "if" but "WHEN". Then I got the impression: "Well, who's going to take care of it? By George it's going to be the Asoke members here in the heart of Bangkok where the Temple will be!!"

And that's my next task - to prepare the minds and hearts of the people to receive the Lord's Temple. But before that, they need to receive His Spirit. Please pray for us - the missionaries and the members to care for each other more. I feel like if we do, Home teaching will be done. People will be remember each other more. Growth will happen - numerically and spiritually. Thailand needs growth to hold the Temple and they and I need your prayers to "get 'er done," as Elder Wilko would say. Thank you for your faith.

Love,
Elder Gibbons