Week 90 - Kalasin - FINAL ROUND?? T13.W9 Conference and Coasters

Hello Family and Friends,  

I hope everyone had a "Merry Little Conference" complete with snow for the Gibbons/Schlappi family as of late. 

A few happy birthdays to two of my best friends in the whole wide world: Max Webb (Oct 11th) and of course, my great mother's (Oct 18th). They will be 21 and 35 respectively. Please give them your regards too.

There was great things shared and revealed to me this weekend. There were many themes that were present, but I wish to echo the words of Joseph Smith, that "after all has been said, our most important duty is to preach the gospel." And we got a deadline too, didn't we? Next Merry Little Christmas! I hope this Christmas will be extra special as you will focus your prayers toward spreading the gospel - the TRUE Christmas cheer. How great will it be that by this Christmas we can sit around the tree and share our experiences of how we SHARED Christmas with others in response to this conference! It will be much more meaningful knowing we spread the message of Jesus farther beyond the walls of our home. I also noticed that we must pay attention with our homes more than ever, as joy and happiness are truly achieve with there's love at home. Even if there's not much love in your home, you, too, can pray to make a difference by this this Christmas just within your home. After all we are taught that "no success can compensate for failure in the home." When we pray earnestly for Charity (Moroni 7:48) and take up Christ as our leader, failure in the home won't be an option. I express my joy and with you blessings as you apply conference and spread the love of Jesus Christ to those around you this year.

Now about my ministry here, just when I thought that weeks couldn't get crazier, found out Bun wasn't married to Pat, that he said she was quitting investigating the church and the he himself was going to a different church. Then we would call Bun who would share with us scriptures and then said that Pat is just super sensitive (even more than ME, Angie!!) and we offended him and he said some not super nice things... Bun really calmed us as she said that he just gets in weird mood but settles down. Pray for us to go back into that situation tomorrow.

As for Rough and Gaeo - Gaeo asked about the 10 Commandments and if she can be Buddhist and Christian together - and because it was a phone lesson (cuz she can't meet us in person), and I was not helping Elder at all, she and Elder didn't really understand each other about that question/concern. So, Gaeo just asked if was could just so see her at work instead - the God blesses His New Missionaries in mysterious ways! So we went there to her work with our Elder's Quorum President (whose name is Bro Bon and was actually a missionary in this mission when I first came in). She said she'd follow the 10 Commandments - that that was what Elder Oaks really hit on in the only session she made it to! The Lord truly does work in mysterious ways.

More on transfers, a possible new area this week, etc. Next week!

May he continue to bless us all in sharing His Good News is my prayer.

With Love, 

Elder Gibbons

 

Week 89 - Kalasin T13.W8 Marriage Council

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been crazy and fun and ended with a great lesson. TO be brief:

I ate Goey today (spicy, mashed up raw meet with herbs). ;) Saeb!! ("delicious" here in the Isaan)

Bun went to Bangkok for two weeks after she showed us to TEN people whom she introduced the Gospel to!!! She's so awesome and coming back to the house after sending her off from the bus stop, tears rolled down my face. We'll be working with her more over the phone, but I might not be here as transfers are fast approaching. Gaeo and Rough weren't at church this week, but are progressing as they see the blessings that come as they pray every morning as a family now. We also met a GREAT new couple, Lek and Tong, who are photographers and wedding studio designers and who have an autistic son named Zoom, and are SUPER great! Please remember these great couples in your prayers...

Speaking of couples, I now speak to and audience that I don't usually focus toward. I would like to thank all those people in my life who have set a good example concerning marriage. Whether married now or divorced now, it doesn't matter because I love you and know that the Lord does like 8,000,000,000x more, and that your example to press forward no mater the past before is astounding, in light of an instance I had this week. I look up to each of you because I have not yet got to that step in my life; but being with someone 24/7 can give one a good guess. 

I am also so grateful to all of you for your prayers, as I might have seemed a little distraught last email. Indeed, I was, because Elder Christensen has been having some struggles for a while even up to the last day of this week... During this week, I learned a lot about Charity, that it suffereth long and doesn't expect anything in return. I think that was the greatest thing I have learned this week. I have learned a lot about the atonement as I have REALLY had to be patient to help a companion who is REALLY struggling, amidst my trying to help him, in his personal work and ministry. The Zone Leaders followed up with us and Elder Yuen (who came into the mission with me and such an example of Christ-like leadership) diagnosed that we had an actual problem. They decided to come up from Roi-Et to help us the next morning (today). After that phone call last night, I went back into the room and carefully explained two things. One, we had a problem in our companionship. Two, we needed to plan for our investigators. With that, we had a very successful planning for those we loved. I was surprised that we planned so well. We both really loved each other, but we had a problem.

Today, I have learned that it is OK to admit that there is a problem and one or the both of you are not happy for any reason. If there is any within the sound of my voice today who are married or who have been, or will be soon, I encourage you that admitting there is a problem when it's there really is IS OK and is helpful. Is it embarrassing? Gosh it is! Is it uncomfortable? It is, more than you'd like it to be. But I know that the fixing of the problem and going through the natural emotions that accompany it is a process that is healing and so much more fulfilling than letting a problem wedge between you. It's weird because that's just what it is: a wedge between the two of you - NOT your love. 

Some people think that if a relationship has a problem, love has been damaged - or in some sad cases, destroyed. I want you to know that this is not the case. Love and Charity are the things that endure and are everlasting. Elder Cahoon (who came into my first district when I finished training in my first area, who's also a history/politics guy from Canada and awesome too) really helped me see how when everything else fails, Charity "suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." (Moroni 7:45)

I felt like I was taking marriage council class because I still loved him, I wanted help, but we did, indeed have a problem. Going into a room with Elder Cahoon today made me feel as if I was going into a marriage council interview. I felt awkward and nervous - like I did something wrong - that we had to get help like this. But it really was the  thing that was needed as the Lord is shaping and molding us into the people that we are to become.

I know that if there is a problem between you and the one you love, council from church leaders or professionals is not just the last resort nor is it embarrassing. It is brave and worth admonishing. Because I had a problem, was humble and received help, we are closer as friends, and you can do so as well as companionships. Sometimes I feared that I would say something that he wouldn't accept or hear, but as we placed things in the hands of those who loved us and cared for us, the Lord was able to transform us through the power of the atonement. I ask all of you who are married, or who were and are not any longer for any reason, to get on your knees and pray for His (Christ's) grace to save you this day. Pray for strength and then for Charity with ALL THE ENERGY OF YOUR HEART as I did after my "interview" with Elder Cahoon, and the Lord promises that you will be filled with that love enough to talk about your problems. 

My prayers go out to you and I am so grateful for these lessons I've been learning -  I've even been much better with my time, thanks to your prayers! May the Lord bless you as we all let the Lord fix our problems through the grace of His Atonement. It is by His grace, we are saved after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23).

In closing, President Senior helped me see this the best. I said to him concerning our challenges last email "'We can work it out' (I don't know if you're a Beatles fan??)" to which he responded the following:

I loved your letter. I would encourage you to see yourself as I see you and not dwell on weaknesses. We all have them, but we'll "get by with a little help from [our] friends", especially if one of them is the Savior. ;)

Let us get a little help from our best friend, the Savoir Jesus Christ, so when we think of our problems, we can "Let it Be" taken care of. Remember that Charity never faileth and we get it through prayer. Love you all; may the Lord be with you, as my love already is.

Elder Gibbons

 

Week 88 - Kalasin T13.W7 A Week of All Seasons

Sawatdii Family and Friends,

My Grandma Holker wrote me a wonderful email about learning in this life and going through the trials from this month's Liahona (or Ensign over there?) about being "A Saint for all seasons." This transfer has been a quick but eventful one as we are now at 9-weekers here in Thailand (which I actually LOVE). This week has been eventful but full of joys and sorrows:

Monday made an area map.

Tuesday didn't teach English but taught a crazy lesson on accident (I wrote about it in my Mission Presidents letter:

"Our solid trio we're working with is progressing (Rough, Gaeo, and Bun) and we're finding more and more investigators as we meet more of the families we're teaching. I taught such a lesson to one of our investigator's mother (Rough's) who can't read, write, or speak Thai. I taught the whole lesson in Isaan - which as you might know is the Lao-ed up version of Thai people out of the city speak and people in Bangkok can't understand AT ALL. I did it with the help of a member and with Elder Christensen's fervent prayers. So that was fun."

Wednesday we biked down to Kamalasai (a city 12 kilometers out of town) and taught a man there and went back. It wasn't the best lesson and I've been worried about the quality of my teaching. But it's all a learning process, right?  I love the ancient, American proverb:  "What doesn't kill ya makes you stronger."

If anyone can get me the author of that, I'd love it. But I wrote also that "I find that as I master my time management (which is probably one of the greatest struggles for me ever since the beginning) I start to get less worried about everything. I LOVED the quote by Maestro Lenard Bernstein that you shared at Zone Conference:

"To accomplish anything great you need two great things: a plan, and not quite enough time."

It's only true 108% and if ANYONE can "keep time," it's gotta be him who picked up the baton of the New York Philharmonic at the age of 25. Although I'm not taking the baton of the New York Phil, I feel my role is a great one to take on. But I think all will be well with another thing any musician knows: PRACTICE. The สี่เต่าทอง also once said in the 60s: "We can work it out!" (I don't know if you're a Beatles fan???)

I pray that we all will through "Him who is mighty to save" (2 Nephi 31)."

Thursday and Friday we've been teaching Ple (Bun) and she's been progressing. Gaeo can now pray by herself - which is WONDERFUL, and all three of them were at church again, so all your prayer have been working! To you, I owe a thousand thanks.

Saturday we want to a District Talent show for Khon Kaen, Roi-Et, Maha Sarakham (one of my  FAVORITE old areas and got to see many friends), and Korat, which of course I got to see the King of Korat himself - Elder Wilamas. He is so great and laughed hysterically when the Kalasin youth put on this WAY funny skit - but I was also laughing just at his laughing - a great  end to a week!

May we all continue practice patience as we all pick up our batons. I encourage you to laugh a little, or go spend some time with someone who makes YOU laugh. "NOW is the time for men (and women) to prepare to meet God" and thank goodness we don't have enough time to do it. So set your priorities straight NOW and love your neighbors. Put down the People magazine or the remote and pick up your scriptures first. Tell your loved ones you love them. Trust Him as you take up your baton with a limited and very special time to practice in our short seasons in this life.

I love you and will leave you until next time,

Elder Gibbons

Week 87 - Kalasin T13.W6

Thanks mom for your sweet words - I've been missing you a lot this past 2 weeks and I'm so grateful to hear your testimony and your words. 

Yesterday was a very special day indeed, with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. I thought there was something special about this day be I couldn't remember. Thank you for that. Also this week on the 17th was Constitution Day - something Sister Madsen and I rejoiced about as I told her on the trip back down from Udornthani - she, also being a former Poli-Sci major.

Which brings me to the remarkable Zone conference this week up in the province of Udornthani (or Udorn) where I got to see many of my best friends - I ran into the Lao Elders at 7-11 (the only four Lao Elders who are pretty much as solid as you can get with the exception of Elder Worthington's testimony and/or arm muscles compilation) Elder Wright and I embraced and rejoiced in each others safety like Moroni and Pahoran. Elder Wilamas had many similar experiences and he also gave me a great treat (like the one you eat) and it was great to see him up there. I also got to say "Happy Birthday: to him as the 18th of September was his 3-year anniversary of his baptism. I told President, and he made a rather tender mention of it too. I learned about conversion and miracles - and how through Faith, the Atonement, and Faith IN the Atonement produces them. 

During the lunch break, Elder Christensen and I actually experienced a miracle with แก้ว Gaeo, the almost-wife of our investigator เราะ Rough (say the word ROCK but take away the K sound and you get the correct sound of his name). We challenged her to pray for an answer if the Book of Mormon is true that last Saturday and when we called her she told us that she had a dream. She said as if we saw a man in a picture - that it was a man wearing a red robe like the one in her Book of Mormon - and he came down and then sort of came into her and her face became hers. She said that she dreamed this same thing three times and she felt warm and good. "Sister - does this mean you have got an answer that this is true?" There was a pause and she gave a quiet but reassured "ค่ะ" or "Yes." 

But then I thought back on this rather unique experience. At first I was surprised.  Rough said he was surprised too. "Yeah," he said to me over the phone a few days later, "I wish I could see Jesus like Gaeo did... I've only just FELT the Holy Ghost... She must be really good or something." He's so funny... But anyway, I thought that this might be a little weird but then remembered the words of Alma: "I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day...having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?" (Alma 5:19) Well, I think she is on the right track. 

The only thing she and Rough lack is getting married and working on Sunday. But to get married requires a lot because she's Laotian. It costs money and time. We taught her the Lord's law of Tithing and they agreed to pay it - and they did this Sunday at church. But she's been growing in faith and reading the Book of Mormon I stole from the office that I gave her. ("I did it! I placed my very first Lao Book of Mormon!" - Kirby as Elder Calhoon, The Best Two Years, edited, Gibbons) 

They have so much faith. They are so ready. It's just like another two investigators the Sisters are working with - Mae (which means mom) Muay and her granddaughter Oui (oo-ee). The only thing holding them back is their marriage situation (where the children of their husband's first marriage don't want for them to get married because they fear their inheritance is in jeopardy) and keeping the Sabbath Day holy (because her husband is a really controlling man and if he says she's working, she's working, and if she's going to church, he gives the OK). Through the grace of God already, he has given her the go to be baptized and he's talking with his other children. 

If you ever feel like you need to pray for me, I thank you, but I ask you to reconsider. If ever you get together in your families and pray for the missionaries, I thank you for doing that, but I ask you to reconsider. If ever you ever pray for anyone in the mission field, I ask you to pray for their investigators. If you want to help someone in the mission field, I ask you to pray for their investigators by name. Miss your missionary? Want him to be happy and succeed? Everything hinges on the success of these people's progression for your missionary. 

I ask you as a friend, a cousin, a brother, or a son to please pray for the welfare and success of these four people. My investigators have been found, blessed, and in many cases baptized due in large part to the prayers of my mother, whom I thank from all the depth of my heart. She told me of a story that I will share with you, as quoted by Elder Ballard:

Like great parents of all ages, Lucy turned to prayer for divine help to sustain her family. During the march from Ohio to Missouri known as Zion’s Camp, Joseph and Hyrum were seriously ill with cholera, and their lives were almost taken. At one point, “Hyrum sprang to his feet and exclaimed, ‘Joseph, we shall return to our families. I have had an open vision, in which I saw mother kneeling under an apple tree; and she is even now asking God, in tears, to spare our lives. … The Spirit testifies, that her prayers … will be answered.’” (Lucy Mack Smith, History, p. 229.)

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know that he was a GREAT prophet because of his mother. I know that my mother's prayers can get my investigators through this trial if God wills it. I have been saved from serious injury and even death in Asian traffic because of the prayers of my mother and father. Now, I ask you all, if you have a minute or two in your day, to remember the Lao girl named Gaeo and her family in their challenges of marriage, finance, and Sabbath Day observance. To remember the woman the Sisters are trying to set free - from sin and from the world's pressures - in a similar fashion.

I know God is a God of miracles and miracles come when righteous people pray for righteous things. I ask for your help and know this is true. I feel like the Stripling Warriors when they said that "they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them" (Alma 56:47).

May He who loves us all deliver us all through repentance and faith through prayer is my prayer. In Christ's name I say things, amen.

 

Elder Gibbons

 

Week 86 - Kalasin; T13.W4

Sawatdii dear Family and Friends,  

Thanks sooo much for your love and support. I get Kaiden's and Kenna's letters (Elder Worthington and Sister Snell respectively), and it boosts my morale and keeps me going in many cases. They are such great examples to me and I'm honored to labor alongside them in this great work.

This IS a great work. Work. Such a word. It is a word that embodies how faith is used to create results - in any field - art, sports, and especially out in the field. 

But one example of work that I'd like to mention is from that of my family and their work that inspires me. The following is an excerpt from my dad's email to me this past week about the Schlappi Family Adult Retreat (S'FART):

"Wow, we had an amazing few days.  We spent the past 3 days in Fairview with all my siblings and their spouses...completely remodeling Tyler and Tilly’s house [my Aunt and Uncle]. 

This is very Gospel related so hang tight. 

"Uncle Scott took the lead and we got projects and tools and teams of workers all lined up to do dozens of major projects like repair roofs, repair floors, paint rooms, clean like crazy, and build dog sheds etc.  Well, we all showed up ready to go and really make a difference.... Fortunately, we all rallied for a great cause, got our hearts and attitudes in the right place, and went to work.  Joseph,  I have seldom seen such a miracle take place as all these people working their tails off and then pitching in wherever possible.  Your great Mom spent two days with a shovel digging around trees and building a rock wall and painting and remodeling an entire bathroom [which I must add my thanks and love her my great mother here who has ALWAYS been a great worker].  

"This was service at its finest....

"This brought us together like no beach vacation could ever attempt to do.  The fact that Tyler and Tilly allowed us to serve them was a great example of humility and willingness to allow us to show our love back to them for all they great things they have done for others.  They were so grateful as you can imagine having 4 young kids and Tilly is expecting again.... 

"I only hope that our family (with your help of course) can find ways to serve each other as the years move on.  I know that families are and need to be a great source of strength in times of need.  I know that a bit of planning and some hard work coupled with the right approach and attitude can get good people through anything.  We all felt the love of our Lord as we worked side by side."

I love this story and am sad I didn't have an opportunity to be there, but did have one here. Brother A called us one morning and asked if we could help him out - in "work clothes" so we knew it was big. His house flooded from the CRAZY rain that's been happening here lately, it being rainy season. We bailed out buckets after buckets after buckets of mucky water, killed a pair of scorpions, and really just helped him out. Super fun, as I am grateful the Lord allowed me to be in on the Schlappi service in a very small way.

As for investigators, we have been working hard and Sister Ple (Bun) came to church for the first time with her husband, X (who calls himself Pat now) whom we've been working with. Their little son, Buster, is a terror but loved church too. Raugh came and is coming next week with Gaeo his Ό (or "fan" which means crush, spouse, lover, husband, wife, boyfriend, and girlfriend), who has not yet tied the knot legally - which is keeping Raugh from getting baptized. We are in desprate need of a miracle this month for them to find the money to get married legally which takes her all over to do paperwork because she is Laotian. She is great and a new investigator. We've giving her  BoM in Lao that I stole from the office before I left... Hehe... And they live 12 kilometers away (a fun bikeride at 7:30 in the morning). That's sort of all that's happening here besides our biking 12 kilos in the opposite direction to the nearby city of Kamalasai where we found a miracle at the last door we came up to in the pouring rain. More on Dii later.

Lastly, this picture is another miracle that happened outside of Kalasin that Elder Wilamas just sent me. Here's the story...

[I think this is Beem, who was baptized, and her cousin, Sister Waan...at least that's my interpretation of the story!]

Sister Waan from Asoke couldn't meet with us on this one day when we usually could during my service in the Office. Weird, so I asked her why. She responded that she would be up by Chaengwattana - the same place I was going for zone conference a few months ago. So, I just asked her, "Well, could we stop by and have dinner?" She said sure and I went on a 3-man switch-off with the Pakkret Elders to introduce this family to them. We had a great dinner-lesson and I even took pictures. We left with a return appt, but shortly after that I left the office. This is Min's and his wife Beem's baptism photo, with Beem standing next to her beloved cousin. The Pakkret Elders kept going and this family has come to know the truth of their cousin's message for themselves. The Gospel is true and it is spreading to all the world - to all those ready to hear it. I just am so humbled to have been apart of it here.

Love you all as this WORK rolls on.

Elder Gibbons

Bro Gob (Investigator) racing his son Owen (RC) in a cookie-eating contest at FHE.  [I believe "RC" means recent convert]

 

 

Elder Martin and I doing service in the countryside. [Even though Joseph is not in the photo!]



Our new hoppin' ride round Kalasin (at invesigators' Dtaan and King King's house who is now 2 RCs).
 

LA's house with friend, Pepsi, Fodi, and Bay. We're working with Pepsi lately.

Dtaan and King King's baptism. The Sisters played a great role in helping her get baptized.

Week 85 - Kalasin T13.W4

Dear Family and Friends,

Thanks you again for all your prayers and support. This week has been up and down for our district. The Sisters got sick at different times, and Elder Christensen has been discouraged because of the language. He tries really hard and then just gives up. It's hard to see that even amid all this I've been much more patient than I thought I would've been. I think it's because the Lord has been helping me a lot. For example, I've had a great experience even today.  While we were reading 2 Nephi 3 in Thai together, he asked what the tone on ที่ and ท่าน were, which is "that" and "you" - two of the most frequently used words in the scriptures. I didn't say it, but I thought: "We're in SECOND Nephi and you STILL can't say these two words right that we've said over 300 times each?" 

Well, we'll come back to that as we recap this morning. I forgot to pay our power bill which you can usually do at any 7-11 (which includes 7000 different locations all over Thailand; yes, that's an actual number; they came out with a book about it too), but now it was overdue a week and we were going to get our power cut if we didn't pay (SOOO been there)... So this morning we went out, found the place out of the city a few kilometers, but then decided to get some food... then get a milk for this guy... and then ate it... and then paid and were late to studies.  By the time we were getting later and later I got more and more anxious until I got stressed - knowing this was a big week and we had a lot to do, and getting off track today could throw us off this week. But not getting to time just made me feel disappointed and like I let my companion down - I showed him that disobedience is now an option. Elder Holland talked about his perfect trainer in a training we had about setting a pattern of perfect obedience and I felt like I let Elder Christensen down, I let President down, and I let the Lord down. Then thought came into my head: "You've been a missionary for NINETEEN MONTHS and you STILL can't get to studies on time and keep my commandments on my timetable?" 

I then remembered where that thought came from - is was the previous study where I was aching that my comp couldn't remember the easy little things after doing them for what I thought was a long time. I wonder how the Lord felt as I failed to perform at the level not only expected of me, but my level of performance. I felt like a mini Enos as I poured my heard to God the whole morning long, asking for forgiveness at many different times. As I read the scriptures during the personal study I was late to, I noticed the faithfulness of Ammon and Lamoni's wife the Queen and felt a new sense and hope to improve. I felt the cleansing effect of the atonement slowly wash over me for the remainder of the morning as I continued to read. I read in Alma 19.  I pictured myself there; Ammon watches a miracle unfold before his very eyes as the King awakes to find his faithful wife by his side. He tells her of the cleansing effect of the Atonement in his life and sinks down to the floor with her in joy. Then I read when Ammon SAW it - that he SAW this happen "after the manner of his prayers" is what is says in Thai. I couldn't read on. As tears started to stream down my face in the middle of this verse, I too felt the power of bringing repentance to this people who need it - to ME who needed it today.  The Lord accepted my plea and I know that Jesus lives - because there's nothing else that could make me feel this way or of a great ancient king with his beautiful queen sink down to their palace floor - being filled with unspeakable, redemptive joy. 

Thanks for letting me share that with you. I want to also say a special congrats to little Dani [Joseph's cousin, Danika Easton] for getting baptized! "This is the way," Nephi reminds us, "and there is no other way whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God."

I encourage you to reevaluate your life and have the faith that Jesus SAVES because He does for all those who repent and believe. Please repent and have the faith you'll see results. I promise you that sooner or later, if you do it with true intent you will see a difference you can't imagine.

I hope Grandma Holker is feeling better. I hope Dad is as well. I love you all. Thanks for the support. Now my the Lord support you as you repent and come unto Him this week, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,

Elder Gibbons

Week 84 - Kalasin T13. W2 - Bold Training and Reunions at District Conference With Elders Gong and Woo

Dear friends and family,

Elder Christensen and I have felt an out pouring of the spirit this week as we have seen miracles from our special training and District Conference. During the special training, which consisted of all three Isaan Zones, we learned about being powerful teachers who answer questions instead of ask them exclusively. Elder Wilimas and I were excited to see each other and he was the king of the Lamanites in a role play as President Senior taught from Ammon's and Aaron's stories (super funny). What I got out of the meeting was to be more bold and love these people more by helping them repent through bold and simple preaching. 

On the way home from the meeting on Friday, I sat next to an Englishman named Barry (yes, out here that IS as rare as you might think to talk to a white guy).  I thought about being the teacher and about answering his questions of the soul - not asking them all the time. Basically, I got to know him and Elder Holland's promise in "Listening" in PMG [Preach My Gospel] chapter 10 came to pass as I listened to him intently and then discussed about his problems in life: about his mother's death and his recent addiction to smoking. I just stated short statements of restored truths in response to his concerns and questions and felt the spirit testify through me - because he was asking according to HIS agency and interest. Now, we have an appointment to eat noodles together and talk more about quitting smoking with his girlfriend.

I think this event helped me prepare for the other unique event that occurred this week. On Sunday after the meeting, Elder [Christiansen] and I were kind of tired and not so upbeat. Great meeting, but we were just not super happy. So, again not knowing what to do, just left the house and got to work. We got out and started working and talked to many people, among whom several accepted to learn. Success started coming as I was more bold and loving (Alma 38:12). But then he had to go to the bathroom. Knowing the only restroom CLOSE to where we were was in 7-11, we headed there and someone took us up the stairs. There was a girl stacking stuff upstairs by herself. Elder [Christiansen] was doing his business, so I just opened my mouth and talked to her. Eventually, I got that she was working here since her dad died 5 years ago. Thinking of Ammon and Aaron and my recent encounter with Barry, I asked her very calmly (almost non-nonchalantly) if she knew that she could see her dad again. Her eyes got wide and said, "REALLY?" 

"Yep," was my only response. 

"Well, do I have to do anything to do that?"

Surprised at the truth of it myself and the situation, I basically said that she needs faith and repentance, but baptism is the real thing she needs. I told her that she would meet with me and my friend and would help her get baptized to see her dad again.  We're seeing her today at 4.

Super cool things have happened as I've applied these things with Elder Christensen. The other cool thing was to see everyone at District Conference (like Stake Conference for Branches) from my old Area of Maha Sarakham. I saw Sister Boo and Tim and their daughter Sen-Sen, Sister Wright who made us awesome American food, and the greatest member missionary Sister Nok whom I nicknamed "Luci" short for Lucifer (that's another funny but long story). Also I saw Elder Woo again, the recently appointed 70 Elder Wilamas and I picked up [from the airport] this April during the Elder Andersen’s visit. He actually saw me and smiled and waved - he remembered me and Elder Wilamas, who were his drivers and his first missionaries he met in Thailand! It was a fun experience. Another fun experience was TRANSLATING for him and Elder and Sister Gong for District Conference.  SUPER hard going from Thai to English if you have no preparation, but the Lord really helped me.

The Lord also helped me in the missionary meeting before conference. Elder Gong asked us to love our companions so much that if we met again after 30 years, we could talk for hours the way Sister Gong once did when they visited her old native comp in Taiwan. He talked about companions being best friends forever - which made me think of Elder Wilamas, then I realized at that moment I was translating for him. I squeezed his shoulder a bit after Elder Gong told that story. Later Elder Yuen, my ZL, told me that that story was for Elder Wilamas and me. I realized this was true as the Lord blessed me greatly that day and has blessed me with a forever best friend in the "King of Korat." 

Outpouring of blessings as we strive to be obedient.  May we all seek to see the blessings in our life as we go through our day-to-day lives.

With Love, 

Elder Gibbons

 

This is the note we received with this photo from Joseph's Mission President, President Senior:   "Elder Gong, the Asia Area President, was in Thailand for District Conference and wanted to share this picture of your missionary and companion. Elder Gibbons is a wonderful missionary and Sister Senior and I love working with him. Thank you for sharing your son with us.

President and Sister Senior"