Week 98 - Ayutthaya T14.W9

Dear family and friends;

I have had a crazy week and am excited to tell you about it, but all of it has been included in the longest letter I've sent President. It includes all the things I've done except the cheese member lesson I had with Sister Nuen (former missionary here from Cambodia), Elder Wilamas and our new investigator who is Cambodian.We also were at the grocery store and I tried to talk to this girl in the check-out line. She wouldn't even talk back! She just smiled awkwardly and turned back. Elder Watkins asked if she liked Oreos and she still didn't say anything. We just looked at each other and he's like, "Does she even speak Thai?" So I asked her straight up: "Do you even speak Thai?" (Which is pretty offensive here but I ask it to people who pretend to ignore me and it get's their attention...hehe...) She turned around and gave me that same confused face. So I asked her, "Well are you Laotian?" which is even MORE offencive to most Thais. But her eyes got big and she shyly nodded her head quickly with an embarrassed smile. So I just started speaking Lao/Isaan to her and we had an awkard conversation about her coming into the country the day before, being with her family and having to go. ตลกดี...

So here's the letter. Unedited, uncut ;) PS:  Please pray for the miracles to keep coming and for those we're working with, including Tik and Nuch, Taa and her two kids: Pim and Non, and Tum in Ang Thong.

Dear President,

This week was great as we continued to see miracles. A Melchizedek Priesthood holder from Buriram just waltzed into church yesterday. THAT is a miracle! A mom of a violin-playing member Sister Ja who just came back active recently was at church yesterday (we had a feeling to invite her mom to a baptism and she's been to activities ever since). Our members have been really noticing the growth here too and are catching the fire by really welcoming our new members and investigators. My prayers have been desperate (and quite outstanding in the sense of seemingly impossible) to have LOVE flood back into this branch where it was so ardently absent in the recent past. Those prayers (combined with that of my mother I'm sure) were realized in a small part as I looked around the room after Chruch yesterday to see everyone talking and smiling - just people enjoying the company of each other. We had 61 at church, 11 of which were investigators - we ALMOST have our goal for 70, a goal that seemed impossible to reach when I came in at 39 people in October. We also have a goal for 6 baptisms this week, which will take our 17 Miracles goal up to 11 as well. Please keep a spot in your prayers for your first area, President, as this goal is grand and almost too good to be true.

We have seen miracles as we focus on the Book of Mormon. I read the Book of Mormon over the phone to one of our investigators, Sister Taa, in the van on the way down back from Lopburi and it really helped her. By the way, I was in Lopburi last week for more reasons than just to see the monkeys. I also interviewed Elder Wilamas' investigator, Sister Noi from Khon Kaen. She's a golden member referral from a Sister Rabiab. I spoke Isaan with her and her family before the interview with and they thought I was Thai until I couldn't spell some of their names on the baptismal form haha...  Anyway, after reading from Enos on that bumpy car ride and liking every necessary verse to her life, I told her through the Spirit that she is going through all these hard times and having all these questions because one day SHE will be a great teacher of this gospel one day and a great leader. She's just a little เด็กดื้อ (stubborn little kid) sometimes and won't trust herself or some of the answers she receives. So after the Zone Training that Ayutthaya and Lopburi received, Elder Wilamas and I snuck in a lesson with this woman before he left (shhhh... don't tell my ZLs lol). Elder Wilamas and I taught her with two other great fellow-shippers who have had similar problems. The whole lesson was in Isaan and the Lord opened my ears and I understood almost everything. He taught with power and authority that I have seen but few times in my mission and told her that her being baptized with be the means of leading many hundreds or even thousands to be baptized. She mentioned that she fears she will have no support if she ever has to go back to her native province of Amnat Charoen, to which Elder Wilamas said that she will be a pioneer in her native land (meant a lot coming from an Ubon native). It is the only province without a church in that quarter of the land and she will open it, he said, echoing my promise I gave to her about being a teacher and a leader. But last night she called just as Elder Watkins and I were talking about her. She said she doesn't want to think of all the forces that tell her no, but knows that this is the best way and that she she wants to follow Christ. We have hope she will be baptized this week as she has been getting answer after answer.

Elder Wilamas and I have also really been seeing success outside Ayutthaya in unusual amounts; both of companionships in the province of Ang Thong and he and Elder Wheeler in Suphaan Buri. We are both finding families in these places that are ready. I'm not doing this for adventure or expansion; I feel the Spirit has lead me to do this work and led him to do his in his companionship. I see the day is near for Zone leaders Ayutthaya to look after Elders Nontaburi (Pakret and Bangbuathong), Elders Lopburi, Elders Ang Thong, and Elders Suphaan Buri. Elder Wilamas feels that the people of Saraburi are hard-hearted and not ready yet, so we'll see about that.

The last order of business is our district. Elder Sowards is doing great (even let us have a baptism this Friday!) and Sister Sowards' song will be beautiful on the 14th at Changwattana (which I'm conductng the piece and helping other members practice their own pieces they're doing). Elder Watkins and I are happy and unified as usual and sadly feel we may be separated at the end of this transfer. We're preparing for anything but excited for the growth that the Lord will create here. Elder Smith (being Senior for the first time) and Elder Winsor have had some "frustrations" you could call it, but the Lord led me to quote some Hamlet to the both of them individually and talk to them about how I had to adjust to being a better person as I was a district leader over Sisters in Ol' Kalasin (it's like Elder Smith's "Back in '82" phrase he always says that make me die of laughter). They are doing better as we all "learn heaven" together here in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. 

That seems to be all the news for now besides some political jazz that might be touring through the city. We'll keep you posted on this NEXT week because after we weekly planned, this next week seems even CRAZIER than this one!

With all my love,

Elder Gibbons

Week 97 - Ayutthaya T14.W8 "I BELIEVE IN MIR'CLES!"

Dear Family and friends,

This week has been CRAZZZY. Basically the Spirit of the Lord has POUNDED down on the mission, our District, and in my life. For starters, We have been trying to achieve a "Bovember" month; or a Baptizing-November where every companionship has a baptism this month. It was totally up to our faith and Elder Watkins and I secured Sister Bah and Sister Nupe before, so we were set. But the other Elders had all their investigators fall through. Se I prayed with them and helped them see if there was a way. 

I remember back almost a year ago in December when Sister Mild was baptized out of complete faith on a Monday on the last day of the year, making the 51st baptism of the mission (a pretty good high for the number of people baptized here on average). It took patience, perseverance, and  prayer like I never had before, but we achieved, through God, what we before deemed impossible and she is still active I hear, going to church in Asoke. 

I recounted this tale to them to which they had a spark of faith and we thought of who could POSSIBLY qualify for the times at church... And as it did in Samut Prakaan,  it came down to a single candidate: Brother Five. Yep, his name is 5. 

So the Elders prayed and felt he could be baptized on the 30th, and went for it. Everything turned against their favor: his mother, Sister Phon, said there was no way; Five himself was indifferent. But the greatest challenge was our Branch President gave a hardened and a rather aggressive NO. But Elder Winsor kept up his faith, and so did I. They just kept teaching him with an eye of Faith, not looking at the other many distractions. Prayer after prayer after prayer was said. I eventually just decided to interview the kid and worry about the red tape later, so that's what I did. He was super shy but I had one of the best interviews with him as the Spirit really did teach us both that night. I called President Sowards (the Senior Missionary who is hear with his wife who is the Branch President) and told him I think it will be on Saturday for the better. He agreed without ANY hesitation. I immediately called President Senior and told him of the good news, as we had been working together for this to happen. Sister Phon spoke at the baptism and was so grateful to finally have a priesthood holder in the home. President and Sister Phon said it was truly a miracle. That makes three of our 17 Miracles. :)

Speaking of 17 Miracles, I got to watch it [the movie] with a great Thanksgiving feast with the Elders from Lopbrui (the province north of us where the great King of Korat, even His Highness Elder Wilamas is now serving). I translated for him, told him Bailey was my neighbor and he even translated some of the movie for ME in Isaan which almost made me fall out of my chair laughing. Having him so close is a miracle in and of itself. 

THEN the making Miracles four and five in our 17 Miracle caused more drama than you could fit into a whole series of High School Musicals. Basically after wading through the past of yellings at previous Elders and hard feelings even before I got into the area, getting severely chastised by an Englishman's rage, facing a series of interviews across seas, fastings, prayings, sticking a real sock in my mouth at one point, and many more minute details including dealing with the fact that the other Elders saw a cigarette in David's mouth the DAY BEFORE THE BAPTISM (which could be a whole other Email explaining how he lit it for his friend and DIDN'T actually smoke), Sister Mote and brother Boon were Baptized by Brother David Shaw - the X-Military husband of Sister Mote who was re-activated to be able to bring his family into the church. After the Baptism (for which we sang "Battle Hymn of the Republic" on David's request), I helped him get redressed and we talked. There was so much that had to go into this day that I started tearing up for this man for which I now have so much love for. This family with forever be a part of my life, and I with them. The Lord blessed me with super-human patience and abilities to both discern and handle problems. It was a great miracle and we're super blessed. Hence, four and five in our 17 Miracles. We still have 55 at church, but Tuk and Nuch came! Two girls we're trying to set up with our boy Bro Nong who's taking us to some palace today so I gtg [got-to-go] pretty soon. 

Mission tour where I got to see a lot of my mission friends and my friend Elder Wilson of the 70 as well. I snuck in an interview with President on accident (hehe whoops!) and received many a great thing pertaining to the kingdom. He is pleased with our progress and I believe the Lord is as well. I also know that none of it could have happened if it were not for your prayers and fasts. I know you do because I FEEL the influence of unity. That's what our mission was shooting for: unity, making Brother Five the 100th baptism in our mission total of 109 with 65 people back to church - the equivalence of a ward here.

Miracles happen. Why? Because God is a God of Miracles and loves those who love Him enough to have faith in him. Thanks for everything. Keep up your gratitude books! I will work on mine. 

Love you all, 

Elder Gibbons

Thanksgiving in Thailand

Their cute decorated cleared-off Thanksgiving table.  :)

They sure have become great friends!!  "The King of Korat" - Elder Wilamas

Elder Wilamas and Elder Gibbons site-seeing on P-Day

A Temple somewhere near Ayutthaya??

Not sure if this is some kind of fruit shell???  It would be so nice to get descriptions with these photos!

Elder Wilamas and Elder Gibbons

Elder Gibbons and Elder Wilamas

Not sure why...but its a cute Monkey!  :)

Elder Wilamas playing some musical thing!!  Of course, Joseph would be ecstatic!! :)

Week 96 - Ayutthaya T14.W6 Two More Miracles!

Hello Family and Friends,

This week has been great with two baptisms down in our 17 Miracles! We also had 68 people at church - which was amazing seeing that we had 39 when I first came in. I feel your prayers and your thoughts.

At 5 in the morning on Sunday, we woke up to pouring rain. We knelt there in our beds and prayed for the rain to stop as we were going to have a baptism with many people who most likely wouldn't come if the rain was bad, like Sister Nupe who got baptized had to ride Brother Jamnong's three-wheeled motorcycle to come to church. It was very special to wake back up at 6:30 and see it had stopped. 

Sister Bah almost didn't come, but she did and got confirmed. I translated for that Sacrament meeting with the District President (like the Stake President) and actually cut him off on my way over to church (taught me a lesson for sure!).

I helped translate a piece we're playing for the Christmas program and even helped a girl come back to church by doing so. Ja was less-active until she came to an activity and found out I played the Viola. "I'll bring my violin to church tomorrow!" she said! That was 4 weeks ago and she’s been ever since and is now playing for the event. But there was one passage that was hard and she couldn't "shift up" or move your hand to a higher position. So I practiced with her and got a glimpse of her playing for Sister Sowards. She heard it in the high register and I saw a sneeky peek of her getting so excited. Ja caught my glance and smiled, knowing that we had accomplished that. Sister Phon also came back when I invited her to hear me sing. Now SHE has a part in the program. President Satid (the District Pres) actually acknowledged the both of them in Sacrament Meeting as coming back strong. The Work is great and it keeps coming. I love ya all and I'll leave you with a story my mom sent me about the 500 grateful things before I finish my mission I asked everyone to do. At least 50 before Thanksgiving!

“O Remember, Remember” Elder Henery B. Eyring, October 2007:

When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day. Let me tell you how that got started. I came home late from a Church assignment. It was after dark. My father-in-law, who lived near us, surprised me as I walked toward the front door of my house. He was carrying a load of pipes over his shoulder, walking very fast and dressed in his work clothes. I knew that he had been building a system to pump water from a stream below us up to our property.

He smiled, spoke softly, and then rushed past me into the darkness to go on with his work. I took a few steps toward the house, thinking of what he was doing for us, and just as I got to the door, I heard in my mind—not in my own voice—these words: “I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.”

I went inside. I didn’t go to bed. Although I was tired, I took out some paper and began to write. And as I did, I understood the message I had heard in my mind. I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family. Grandpa didn’t have to do what he was doing for us. He could have had someone else do it or not have done it at all. But he was serving us, his family, in the way covenant disciples of Jesus Christ always do. I knew that was true. And so I wrote it down, so that my children could have the memory someday when they would need it.

I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.

More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened.

The years have gone by. My boys are grown men. And now and then one of them will surprise me by saying, “Dad, I was reading in my copy of the journal about when …” and then he will tell me about how reading of what happened long ago helped him notice something God had done in his day.

My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies. You may not keep a journal. You may not share whatever record you keep with those you love and serve. But you and they will be blessed as you remember what the Lord has done. You remember that song we sometimes sing: “Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”²

Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children? I will do that. And then I will find a way to preserve that memory for the day that I, and those that I love, will need to remember how much God loves us and how much we need Him. I testify that He loves us and blesses us, more than most of us have yet recognized. I know that is true, and it brings me joy to remember Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love ya'll and I'll be here all week! Another thing from my dad: 

“I find when we focus on what we have instead of what we don’t have that things go better and we are happy.” 

Love Elder Gibbons

Week 95 - Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya T14.W4 Bah's Baptism and much more!

Dear Family and Friends,

I'm so grateful for all of you, as that was the topic of my talk this Sunday in Sacrament meeting. I was so excited to hear that Anna spoke about the same thing! Oh how the Lord works!! He is ALL knowing and ALL powerful and ALL loving, as Elder Wilamas [one of his favorite former companions] is sitting on the chair next to me as I email this letter. He came down with his companion and we are going to see all the ancient temples (so I haven't a lot of time because we need to go and I put most of the good details with President Senior’s letter). I'm up to number 30 or something out of 500 (out of a sudden?? Who said that?)  Anyway, it was very powerful as we are plowing out the way to achieve our 17 Miracles and 70 at church. I'm praying for it and not giving the Lord a timetable - perhaps we are having so much success with 11 investigators at church in our district and 57 at church. When I came here, it was at 35+. Thank YOU for all your prayers and keep 'em coming as we need ALL the help we can get! 

I'll close by sharing you my President's email which contains "a greater fullness" of this week:

This week was great as we had a combined training, a service project in Ang Thong Province, a balanced district, and a baptism. Sister Bah (ปอ) has truly been a miracle. When I got to the area, I heard about a less active lady who was from the Isaan and so I called her and set up an appointment right then and there. Turns out, she only likes to speak Isaan a little because she's really from here, but she was impressed that we would take the time to write down when we were seeing her in our planners during that next appointment and began to trust us more. Then gradually her [12 year old] daughter Bah began to trust us as well, until they decided to set a [baptismal] date for the 17th. At the baptism however, her mom was stuck with work and little Bah began to cry and sob that her mom wasn't there on her special day. But relentlessly, she fought through tears and decided to do it. She also asked if I would baptize her. President Senior, the moment before she went into the water was the time I felt the Spirit the strongest in my entire mission (second only to the time I prayed to get an answer the way my investigator do in Samut Prakaan). We also cast the spirit out of that woman we talked about and it worked. Thank you for the advice as I'm kind of new at that stuff. I'm very grateful for all that's happening here (as that was the subject of my talk in Sacrament meeting). Service up in Ang Thong was great, as we served at the home of the Future Branch President's house. Building a roof is hard. I'll stick with building the Kingdom cuz I know how to do that better. The Lord prepares my path as I cry out unto Him daily and in many times, hourly. 

Thanks so much, President, and we love you. 

Elder Gibbons

 

 

Here are a few photos that Elder Wilamas sent me (he always "copies" me when he sends photos to Joseph...except when he writes, he writes in Thai so I don't have any idea what event these photos are from.)  But they ARE from Thailand!!  SO beautiful!!  :)

 

 

 

 

 

Week 94 - Ayutthaya: T14.W4 "100 DAY CHALLENGE​"

Hello everyone!

This week has been one of those that feels like a month because SOOO much was packed up in it. We got to visit some monuments and temples on Monday, and a good district meeting on Desperation on Tuesday. I called Elder Davies [a friend of his from High School who entered the MTC on the same day]  - who I don't know if you know or not that he is one of our assistants with Elder Creer, my first companion in the MTC - and he gave me permission to show a sick-awesome movie that's almost as inspirational as Mike Schlappi called "How bad do you want it?" about an ancient Greek philosopher re-told by one of my brothas in da hood, man. Here's the link if you're interested: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV0Ia-9zewg>.

Elder Worthington was our guest speaker as [I] had us all read his letter about doing what it takes to be desperately reliant on the Lord. English class was booming that night as well.

Wednesday we got rejected pretty hard from a member's referral but taught some of our peeps and homeys on the phone which made up of it. Tuk and Nuch are two younger ladies (I mean like 25-30 year olds) we're teaching and they are hilarious. I feel really weird turning my attention to seek out and invite pretty girls to learn, but we're really trying to boost up our YSA [Young Single Adult] population so that Borther Nong, who's like one of the coolest members here, can find a nice young lady. It's working as we're also trying to find nice stable young men for our other single sisters.

Thursday we took the 40-45 kilometer trip out of our Province of Ayutthaya to Ang Thong and saw our other dater, Sister Nube, who's a 60 year old woman who fights with her husband who used to be Buddhist then Christian and then Buddhist again... So we're glad to help them out. But who REALLY helps us our is Brother Jam-nong. He's this crazy short man with a few teeth missing who is one of the strongest members I've met in my life. Also one of the funniest. He gets to church on a three-wheeled cart that's hard to describe. There are two wheels in front that hang under a flat bed. He then sits on a long motorcycle seat in the back; he steers by grabbing the long bar in the back of the flat bed which gives the image of what would happen if you smashed together a horse and buggy and a pod racer [from "Star Wars"].

Friday we weekly planned after I got off the phone with Elder Wilamas, who helped me a lot. I'm glad he's so close in Lopburi. 

We're also teaching Mote and Poon still, but on Sunday I wasn't compassionate enough with Sister Mote and her husband, who is a great LDS man from England, gave me a talkin' to. I needed it, but it still shook me a bit, but we're just going to kind of let her come to US now instead of making appointments. 

Sister Bah is doing great except her mom wouldn't let her go to church for the full 3 hours. She's a great lady but she needs a lot of TLC (tender loving care)... Please pray that faith in Christ with fill her soul so that little Bah will be able to be baptized next week. Excited for that, but needs FAITH - next District Meeting's topic for sure. 

I encourage you all to pray to have your faith increased too as we are coming into the last days sooner than expected. I heard that a huge typhoon hit the Philippines. Is Elder Zach Johnson OK over there?? And Elder Nick Alvarez? Storms prowling over the seas is but a small part of the things we are to face in the near, I dare say, very near future. The scriptures don't say "if" but "when."  Helaman councils his sons to "remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall" (Helaman 5:12, a favorite verse of my mother's). In my studies of the Doctrine and Covanants, I learn that prayer builds that faith to withstand the trials that await us. The Lord counseled Joseph Smith to "Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work....Behold, they have sought to destroy you; yea, even the man in whom you have trusted has sought to destroy you" (D&C 10:5-6).

But when we put our trust in the God that gave us life, then do the "hope for a better world" (Ether 12:4) flood into our lives and into our souls. May we all pray always and not faint under the pressures of this world is my prayer this week, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

P.S. From another quick email he sent me... HIS 100DAY CHALLENGE:

Mom,

I sent this to max, but I thinks I would like you to add it to the blog as a celebration for the last 100 days of My Best Two Years. I especially want McCrae and Mitch and Anna and Gramin to do this challenge with the family. Of course, I'd LOVE for you to do this with me as it will be the last activity we could do together on my mission.

Today, I have 100 days left. CRAZY!!! It's also Sister Madsen's birthday (she was of my best my "district leaders" in Kalasin), and my Dad's 34th anniversary of getting shot. A lot has happened today. But I'm going to go out with a last sha-bang - with my list of 500 things I'm grateful for. My mission President's wife was talking to one of her sons on Skype once for Christmas here and he was sad or complaining about something. Then he asked if they wanted any Christmas presents. She thought and then responded: "I want a list of 500 things you're grateful for." Surprised, he agreed. The next time they talked he had nothing but great things to say as he showed her the list in its completion. I challenge you to do it as well. If you start TODAY you'll have to get 5 a day, which is actually pretty hard for me, as ungrateful as I am. But I think it'll be something fun and worthwhile. 



Brother Nong, our BOOS member took some of these pics...Me at this last Transfer, getting picked up by Elder Watkins - who's the greatest ever.

This is Payapa Salad DEEP-FRIED! WAY to good to even begin to tell you...



This is our fantastic four: Elders Winsor, Watkins, yours truly (very truly after bing in Asia now for forever), and Elder Smith.

This is how I work out in the mornings.

The other half of our district... J