Thailand Week 36: Lopburi

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Haha. I JUST LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Yesterday, at the end of our daily planning session, Elder Xaiyavong and I got on our knees and prayed together (we literally prayed together by continuing each other's lines... Elder Xai loved it and wants to do it everyday. LOL)... expressing our gratitude and thanks to the Lord. We then concluded that life is just beautiful. There's something about being a missionary, our personal testimonies of the gospel continues to grow as we study, pray, serve and share the gospel with everyone. It changes the perspective on everything. It brings lights to our eyes and peace to our hearts. It's amazing. I am so grateful for the great love of our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ. Let me tell you... Elder Xaiyavong and I did AWESOME this past week. Didn't really hit our goals, but there was never a dull moment!

As a missionary, it always seems that Satan works harder against us than ever to prevent us from doing the Lord's work. But as we push through trials and obstacles with all of our might, we will always eventually see results according to the Lord's timing.

Here is some pretty cool Miracles:

- Progression of our investigators. Their knowledge of the doctrines grows, their prayers becomes sincere, their desire to learn more and follow God's example progresses.

   - Brother Wii(วี)!!! He's an old happy man. What's better than that?! He doesn't have good eyesight/hearing and often seems to be unconsciously daydreaming, which posed a minor problem for us. But yesterday, when we met with him after church(5th time we met with him) and he willingly shared what he learned and liked. His prayers also improved like crazy! The first 3 lessons, his prayers started out as... "Dear Heavenly Father... in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." to a much more heartfelt prayer, expressing thanks and asking for God to help him build faith. I am so glad to see Him progressing!!!!! 

- After teaching Brother วี, we decided to do a last minute inviting before we headed home. Biked to an market that Elder Xai went many, many times before. Started our inviting session with a prayer then headed to the first food booth we saw. I started talking to the man cleaning the tables, Elder Xai then started talking to the woman sitting behind the booth. We eventually realize that their whole family was working here at the booth. It was perfect, usually markets are busy.. but we were able to chat and share a message. We shared a simple message of the Godhead, bared our testimonies and set up a return appointment. Goosebumps and hair strands stood up, no doubt the Holy Ghost was present. It was an amazing experience. They said they'll go to church next week when we didn't even need to invite them to go! 
- AND MANY MORE. Miracles. I love them.

I love this gospel. I love this work. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God! I know that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. I know that He loves us! I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I. Love. You. Guys. 

- Elder  

Uhhh. Read D&C 7! 

Made beef stew! :) 

Matching ties.

Brother Wii is taking a nap.

We made this! Out of scrap wood! Hammer, Nails and a old rusty Saw. Whew. It's a cart for a member Sister Ehh. :)

Thailand Week 35: Lopburi

Oh cool story! The other elder companionship found out that their investigator's dad is a member(And nobody knew) and hesitated into coming back to church since he can't HEAR to make friends and connections... But he SIGNS! As soon as the other companions told him that I sign, he was SOOOO EXCITED to meet with me. This week, our companion are going to meet with him and I'm going to be trying to communicate with him by ASL! :) Even though ASL is not Thai-based and are not the same... I am EXCITED!!!! :)

Whoohooo!!!

ALOHA!!!!

First off...I can't believe I going to say this, but I really do love reading! I was never so interested into reading but there's something more to it compared to watching television and movies. But of course, family movie nights is mandatory and I wouldn't want to ever miss that. Haha. I have been reading from different church sources and am currently reading Our Search for Happiness. It is awesome! I would like to share several passages. 

"Happiness is the Greatest of All Riches... When I returned home a couple of days later my wife, Barbara, met me at the airport, and we returned to our comfortable home in Salt Lake City. When she asked me how I had enjoyed my sampling of life in the fastest of all financial fast lanes, I could only sign and respond, "Honey, we may not have much money or the other things that some people think are so important. But I have a feeling that of the four men on that plane, I was the happiest and, in a way, the richest. I have blessings that money simply cannot buy. I have the satisfaction knowing that the things that are most important to me - you, our family, and my love of God - can endure forever. "

I totally agree. There's nothing greater than having happiness in life. Of course there are always trials and afflictions that are challenging our ability to remain happy and peaceful. But thankfully, though the gospel and my teacher's, friend's and families' example, I know that I can always be happy. 🤗

"... when considered from the unique perspective of eternity, fame and popularity aren't nearly as important as loving and being loved; status doesn't mean much when compared to service; and acquiring spiritual knowledge in infinitely more meaningful than acquiring an excess of wealth."

I cannot thank the North Shore community, the Kahuku First Ward, my teachers, my friends, my family enough for the example they have been to me. Thank you for helping me understand the eternal perspective of my life and realizing what are my priorities in life. I was never a popular guy, nor a wealthy guy. But I was able to make connections with others and reach out to those in need... Thanks dad for dragging me out of bed those early mornings just so that I would be able to serve others with you. You've not only touched the hearts of those that we served, but you've touched mine. 😂

Okay. I should stop before I begin bawling my eyes out. 

I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that He is our Redeemer. He loves us and wants the best for us. I know that the Church is true and that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

- Elder SanTACO

I gave him this shirt. HAHA. He loves it. 😬

- Went to Siam Park last week.

- Did some service. Elder Xai is great at cutting wood. 🤗

- Beautiful Sunset

- I like milk.🐄

- Huge fishing net. Me likey.

- RC Brother Somphon and his brother, (inventigator) Brother Ntxhee

- It was hot. So we biked with our umbrellas. :)

GOT TO GO! LOVE YOU GUYS!

Thailand Week 34: Lopburi

LOVE.

There's nothing more powerful than love.

"Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God,and be numbered with those of the first resurrection,that ye may have eternal life—" Mosiah 18:9

I would love to share my love and appreciation for the King of Thailand. We lost a great man, a man with great love and was not afraid to share that love with those around him. The King has been a great example of unselfish service as he dedicated his life and love to Thailand and it's people. His service and love will never be forgotten, and more than that, we should continue to do what he did... serve others out of love for them. Let us rejoice and remember that he would want us to be happy as well.

I am thankful for the gospel, which has taught me how I can continually become more like my Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ who has died for all of us. Because of Him, I know that we will be resurrected again in hope to live with our Father in Heaven and our families together forever.

I LOVE YOU GUYS!

- Elder Santeco

One more scripture...

"And 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

We've been emailing pretty early because I'm in a district that loves to go out and do adventures. Last week we did paintballing.... yeah. President Johnson approved it. Today, we are going to Siam Park. Haha. I am pretty sure that I am going to get fat in Lopburi.

- Played some Paintball last week.

- Ate at Gorilla Steak. That massive piece of meat for 120 บาท! 

- An investigator bought us food. It was delicious.

- I can't wait for Christmas! 

- Beautiful Lopburi

- Elder Xai rode his bike. Popped a tire. Then he rode my bike. Popped another tire. Haha

- Garden of Melons!

- Trying on some stuff.

- Elder Xai and I are cooking buddies! :)

 I'm always doing the dishes. :)

 

- Made some pork last night using the Kalbi sauce. I LOVE IT. 😵

- Pics before we came to the internet cafe. :)