Thailand Week 40: Lopburi

Thanksgiving<#EVERYDAY

Thanksgiving was lovely. Brother เอิ๊ก hosted a neat dinner. :) The other members that came were ซ.ป๊อป, ซ.แก้ว, ซ.แพน, and ซ.อุ๊ via Skype. Haha. It was really fun but I didn't eat as much as I would if I was home. I hope you guys finish those leftovers!!!! :)

A LOT happened this week.

Monday: ไปเที่ยว!! We went to Bangkok, bought some fabric to make awesome ties and a pair of สบาย pants! I usually wear whatever going to bed, but I decided to have an official sleeping attire with a lovely plain pair of สบาย pants. I love it. :)

Tuesday: Met Sister Bew(ซ.บิว). She learned about Jesus Christ when she was a child and took interest in learning about Him again. So she looked up the church on Google, found our number and met up with up. The first lesson, she was glowing with an immense desire to come unto Him... it was amazing. It brought me joy seeing her great desires. She immediately accepted a date to baptize before Christmas. :) Google is amazing isn't it? More than that... The gospel is amazing.

Wednesday: Met with Sister Apple(ซ.แอปเปิ้น). She's progressing! She understands the doctrines of Christ really well, and she is willing to take that leap of faith to return to her dear Heavenly Father. :)

Thursday: Met with Sister Amp (ซ.แอม). She loved the Plan of Salvation. She seems to take a great interest because we "invite" her to know that the things that we share are true. She really does want to know if it's true and we know that she will receive her answer. :) She wants to baptize, but is currently going to school on Sundays... from 9 am - afternoon... 😯 for another 6 months. Therefore she won't be able to attend church for a wee while. But she is firm on the decision to baptize when she is able to come to church and be flexible with her schedule. :)

THANKSGIVING!!! YUM YUM YUM!!! 

Friday: We went to Bangkok again to do some of Elder Larson's paperwork. :) It was fun. That took a good amount of our time. Other than that, we were able to meet with one of my investigators (Which is now Elder Xaiyavong's investigator) Sister Sab (ซ.ซับ) She's doing great! She has a great desire. We were able to invite her to act on that desire by keeping her commitments. She was more than happy to do so. :) Then we ate some of her delicious Phad Thai.

Saturday: LA's LA's LA's! We spend all day working with LAs. It was really fun. Got the chance to do some masonry work as well! It made me think of home a wee bit. I really do love fixing up the house... :)

Sunday: Stake conference! FUN FUN FUN! Met Sister Bay! The Sister that baptize in Thonburi. Great news, Thonburi is now a WARD! Whoohohohohohoooo!!!

I LOVE THE WORK. I LOVE LIFE. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!

- Elder Santeco

DISTRICT LEADER letter to Parent

21 Nov 2016


 


Dear Brother and Sister Santeco,


The Lord has called your son, Elder Gabriel Jirapoomdaje Santeco, to serve as a District Leader of the Lopburi in the Bangkok North Zone of the Thailand Bangkok Mission. As a District Leader, he will be responsible for helping the missionaries in his district understand and live the principles described in 'Preach My Gospel' so that they are able to help people "come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end".


Elder Santeco has shown a desire to be dedicated and obedient. His leadership and example will be a blessing to the missionaries he serves. Thank you for all you have done to prepare Elder Santeco for the great trust the Lord has now place upon him.


Sister Johnson and I thank you for your son and for your continued faith and prayers in his behalf.


Sincerely,


 


President Kelly R. JohnsonThailand Bangkok Mission

TRAINER letter to Parent

16 Nov 2016


Dear Brother and Sister Santeco,


It is a pleasure to advise you that the Lord has called your son, Elder Gabriel Jirapoomdaje Santeco, to serve as the trainer of a new missionary. This is a position which reflects our sincere faith and confidence in your son. As a trainer, he will be responsible to teach and train the Gospel of obedience to the commandments and mission rules, language skills, finding and teaching skills, and in all these things to lead by example.   He will help his companion understand and live the principles described in 'Preach My Gospel' so that they are able to help people "come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end". As the first companion to a new Elder, your son will have a lasting impact on the success of his companion, which in turn has a tremendous impact on the future success of this mission.


Elder Santeco has shown a desire to be dedicated and obedient. His strength of character is a great example to the missionaries with whom he works. Thank you for all you have done to prepare him for the great trust the Lord has now placed upon him.


Sister Johnson and I thank you for your son and for your continued faith and prayers in his behalf.


Sincerely,


 


President Kelly R. JohnsonThailand Bangkok Mission

Transfer #6/Thailand Week 39: Lopburi

He knows what is BEST!

Elder Xaiyavong and I are staying in Lopburi! Yay!!! But we split up into two separate companionship and each got a new companion. My companion is Elder Larson. He is from Texas and he is the BOMB! I love him. He so eager to learn and share the gospel with everyone!!!

That night after I got transfer call, I remember thinking to myself... "What? I am going to train? I am going to be DL?" I had this feeling that I wouldn't be able to do it. That I wasn't able capable to do so. I felt really unprepared. I still don't know my scriptures as good as I wanted to. I still am not at good at Thai. It was after a long prayer, that I realize that I litterally had this feeling at the beginning of EVERY transfer. Haha. I remember thinking that I wouldn't be able to be an effective missionary with Elder Xai, a Laos missionary, because my Thai wasn't that good. But I got through it, I gave it my all. I came to realize that it's a great privilege to realize how much President Johnson trusts me and that as long as I give it my all and do my best... That's all that matters. :)

Love this scripture...

 "8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8,9

In these past 9 months, my ability to really trust in the Lord has grown to a point that I am enjoying the fact that the Lord is shaping me and molding me to be what He wants me to be. I know that I am not perfect. But it'll all work out... :)

I know that this is the true Church of God. I know that we all are a part of this amazing work of bring souls unto Him and building the Kingdom of God. Jesus is the Christ. He is our Savior and Redeemer. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I AM SOOO EXCITED FOR CHRISTMASSS!!! AHHH!!! I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! I think I'll be saying this in every email until Christmas actually comes. Haha

- Elder Santeco

Brother Wii is BAPTIZE! He is sooooo goood!!! :)

We had this lovely Festival last P-day.  :)

This is Sister อุ๊!!! SHE IS AWESOME!!! She is a miracle. She told us... "Elder, I want to get baptize. As soon as possible..." She literally meant the next day. Through a lot of work, we made it happen. She's a solid investigator and will be doing great things in the future. :)

We like to eat. HEHE

We like Soda. 

Thailand Week 38: Lopburi

Baptism

This is Sister Bay (เบ). She was an investigator that Elder Hixson and I picked up last transfer. Her number was always on the phone, but she just never had free time to meet with us. Until Elder Hixson and I decided that we were going to do all that we could to make miracles happen, that including teaching her at her place and late at night. We saw her desire, invited her to act upon it and last week Sunday(6/11/16) she got baptized!!! I am sooooo happy! :) 

Funny story... We were at her place when we got transfer calls 2 days before "moves" day and found out that I was moving to Lopburi. First thing she said was... "Whaaa? Elder San is leaving?!" Haha. I love her. She was a wee bit sad that I was moving so I told her that I would visit her the following day before I move.

BUT bleh I didn't get the chance to visit her. 😯 Anyways, when Elder Hixson and his companion Elder Tun continued to visit her... Elder Hixson told me that she asked them, "Where is Elder San?" 😖 I felt horrible that I didn't visit her that night. Hahah. But I will definately visit her one day and catch up. 😄 Ohh. I love her. She's great. :)

As for in Lopburi. We are working with many investigators! It's stressful! But honestly it's amazing! 

So when I forgot my PMG in Korat(my first area) and was PMG-less in Thonburi, I just had to buy a new PMG for when I moved into Lopburi. While I got the chance to re-mark and study, 

there is one quote that stuck out to me and helped me remember my purpose here as a missionary...

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: “We do not preach and teach in order to ‘bring people into the Church’ or to increase the membership of the Church. We do not preach and teach just to persuade people to live better lives. … We invite all to come unto Christ by repentance and baptism and confirmation in order to open the doors of the celestial kingdom to the sons and daughters of God. No one else can do this”

I know that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father. He knows each one of us and know what is best for you! As we turn our hearts to Him and trust in Him, we are able to understand that God's love for you. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, as it is evidence of God's love for the us. I know that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. I know that I doing a mighty work, by helping others return to the presence of our dear Father in Heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you guys! But more importantly, HE LOVES YOU! 

- Elder Sun🙆Taco🌮

I actually didn't take many pictures this past week. :(

But here's Burger King. Got a WHOPPER. Yumz. :)

Andddd. There was a 50th anniversary of the Church in Thailand that consisted of spiritual thoughts and music. Didn't take any pictures, but it was really cool. There were lots and lots of people. 

I was tired. Hahaha.

Stole these pictures from Elder Xiayavong. :)

Thailand Week 37: Lopburi

ALOHAAA!!!
Sorry. I still do not know the story behind the many monkey in Lopburi. I'll google it when I come home.

Whoo! We had another fannnntastic week! Elder Xaiyavong is seriously awesome. The more I work with him, the more he reminds me of myself! Hahah. Imagine that! Two of me... working side by side to share the gospel! I have never had this much fun in doing the missionary work! It's just great. We have one last FULL week before me may split up...  So... we'll definitely have another amazing week FULL of adventures!!

Coming into Lopburi with practically nothing was a bummer. But now we have such a great pool of people to work with. It's seriously amazing. Through our efforts, we were able to find investigators, less-actives, and recent members who are now steadily coming to church. We have members sharing the gospel with their friends and neighbors. AND we are always serving! I LOVE SERVICE PROJECTS!!!!!!!

Remember that family that I mentioned last week? They came to church yesterday! And one of their children came as well! It was great to see the members greet them and fellowship them. They seemed to love the lovely testimony meeting! They only stayed for the first hour, but they said that they'll stay for all 4 hours (1 hour for lunch! Haha) for sure. Later on in the evening, Elder Xai and I had the chance to visit their food cart, the parents weren't present so we talked with the children. They are so open and chill with us. They talk about anything and everything! Haha. We eventually gave them a Book of Mormon and in return one of the children told us, "At first, my dad didn't believe in God. But now, he believes in Him."... "ตอนแรกเขาไม่เชื่อ แต่ตอนนี้เขาเชื่อ" Whoooo!!! 

THERE CAN BE MIRACLES, WHEN YOU BELIEVE!!! I can't wait to watch "The Prince of Egypt" another billion times. 

Brother Wii has been great. This is Brother Wii! :D He's progressing and that just makes everyday a better day!!!! We have been meeting him on daily basis, doing short reviews and lessons. It's been very effective. He'll be baptized in his own time.  I love him. He's great.

I wanted to add some "Whoo!"ness to our Fridays... Because back at home... Aloha Fridays was the only day that I always look forward to. Soooo... Elder Xai and I started to share the "Be happy today!! Because today is Friday!" message. Or in Thai "ขอให้ท่านมีความสุขวันนี้เพราะว่าวันนี้เป็นวันศุกร์ครับ"... And amazingly it works out because the word for happiness and Friday are both pronounced the same..(I hope. Haha) 

I love the work. I love Thailand and it's culture. I love the people. I love the gospel. I love my companion. I LOVE LIFE! It's so beautiful. 

I know that I have been called to do the Lord's work to building the kingdom of God. I know that we can obtain the greatest of happiness as we learn, apply, and grow according the teachings of the Jesus Christ. 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 my Savior and Redeemer.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I LOVE YOU GUYSSSS!!!!! WHOOOHOOO!!!

- Elder Santecoooo

CHRISTMAS IS COMING UP!!!!  Whoohoo!

These buffets aren't the cleanest or nicest. But I promise! I cooked the food thoroughly...It should be fine. HAHA

I don't know if I sent this yet. But... my first week here in Lopburi... I got my hands on some Krispy Cremes.  (Thanks Brother Erk!)

- I didn't have a tie.

- Painting the cart for sister เอ๋.

We took pictures before we chopped down some bamboos for a member. :)

I got my hands on some Nikon Camera. 

Hiding my double chin.

 Hahahah.

Elder Xai told me to strike a pose... I tried.

Beautiful Sunset!!!

I found some Tapioca Starch! Hahah 17 baht! Whoo!

I don't think I got the color-dye thing down yet. Haha... I accidentally had a pen in the washer and it stained a couple of shirts. This was the worst of them. The picture doesn't do it justice. I'll bring it home. HAHA.