Thailand Week 53: Bangnaa

I am a Child of God. :D

There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that we are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven. He sent us here with a purpose to receive a body and gain experience. He knew that it was going to be hard a hard journey, so He sent His Beloved Son Jesus Christ to take upon our sins and help us become eligible to enter the Kingdom of God. The knowledge that we are children of God, is my anchor of hope. He loves us and knows what is best for us.

Ever since I moved into Bangnaa, I have been sharing scriptures with the members every other day, in hope that they would study, ponder and apply the scriptures in their daily lives.

This past tuesday, I shared...

"38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God." 3 Nephi 11:38

What does it mean to "become as a little child"?

"19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." Mosiah 3:19

It makes me happy to see families love, teach, care for their children. It made me realize that this is the reason why my family seems to have so much joy and happiness. I have come to know that here is nothing better than building our families upon the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we do so we are able to love, teach and become examples to each other... ultimately changing our nature to become more like "a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father". We become more like our Savior Jesus Christ. I love this gospel. Everyone needs it. That's why I'm here. I need to share it. I love the work. I love being a missionary. All is well.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

LOVE YOU ALL!

- Elder Santeco

We went to Samut Prakan's Alligator Farm. :) I'll send better pictures next week. Haha

Thailand Week 52: Bangnaa

Bangnaa!

I love Bangnaa. Just as everywhere else, the Bangnaa ward is amazing.

LOVE.

I have learned a lot this past year about the importance of showing our love to others around us. I have grown up in a family that focused on love, but other than my family, I did not really do much for others. I love the Gospel. The gospel helped me realize that as we focus on our Lord, Jesus Christ, we will become more like him. Through sincere repentance and forgiveness, the Atonement of Jesus Christ allows us to create a new fresh view of ourselves, God and the world. This gospel doesn't teach us to change our behavior/thoughts/actions, but our nature. We BECOME like Him. Ever since I have been reaching out more to the people of our faith, I have been more blessed with the knowledge that we all are as one. We come realize that we have the same goal. We become more efficient in being disciples of the Lord.

Christlike Characteristic for the transfer...  We learn that we must "Trust" in the Lord in all we do. Well, I want to be that person that everyone can "Trust" in just as we trust in the Lord. 😄

HEHE. I love inviting.

Scripture for the week: 

Alma 18:10

"10 Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his chariots he was more astonished, because of the faithfulness of Ammon, saying: Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them."

King Lamoni wasn't converted to the Gospel just because Ammon was a good servent, but because of the faithfulness of Ammon. What am I going to do to show my faithfulness to my Bishop, Mission President, investigators, family, the members, to God? To everyone? After I read this... I had this new desire to be even better. I want the best that I can be, not just for myself, but for others.

This past week, I also randomly decided to look read through my Journal. I found my notes from the "Character of Christ" by David A. Bednar. He shared a convert's experience ... I did not become a convert of the church because I understood the doctrines, it was really confusing! But because of the Christlike Attributes that the missionary displayed... I love this Church. I know that God lives. I know that as we turn our hearts to Him, He will guide us as well as mold us into becoming more like our Dear Father in Heaven. I love this work. There's nothing better than sharing the peace, joy that I have received from the Gospel with other people. It's precious! Although I may only have one year left, I will forever be a disciple of the Lord. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I LOVE YOU ALL! 😙

- Elder Santeco

These are the Elders.

These are the Sisters.

I'm not that good at selfies.

Elder Tun isn't that good as well.

This is Brother Gaaluu. He's awesome.

Transfer #8/Thailand Week 51: Bangnaa

I am old.

I'm hitting my year mark this year! Whoohoo!

I am now serving in Bangnaa (บางนา) with Elder Tun. He is from Burmese and is actually in my group that came to Thailand! But he flew in from the Philippine's MTC. :) He did not know any Thai nor English at the beginning of his mission, but now he's really good! I just hope that my hearing won't make him frustrated. Haha.

I love the area. As soon as I came into the area, we went straight to work! We currently don't have that many investigators, but that's okay! I love finding people... and in Bangkok, there's people EVERYWHERE!!! I love it.

I got the chance to check out the Bangnaa church which is currently under construction. The cool thing is that I got to meet the guy that is in charge of it! He actually built/renovated the church in Korat(which is also VERY beautiful). I'm hoping that I will be here long enough to use the new church when it's finished. On sundays we are using the Church in ออ่นนุข. So it's pretty fun going on the BTS, some sort of Sky Train to get around Bangkok. :)

The members here are awesome. I love them. They have such a good church program. This transfer is going to be great. :)

I know that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. I know that His teachings, the Gospel, is the absolute best thing ever! I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I know that God loves us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

- Elder Santeco

I got to go! I LOVE YOU ALL! 😄

Me and my son's last picture together before we split up...  😭

This is Elder Fukino. He is also from Hawaii. HAHAHA. He is now Elder Larson's Companion. :)

Here's some videos...:D

Several of them is of me singing! I recorded myself on the phone, played it... then sang the bass.... YEAH. HAHAH. I love singing. 

Thailand Week 50: Lopburi

LOVE.

I don't have a lot of time. 😕

I wrote a letter to President, but it didn't go through. So I had to retype it...

I was also watching the Restoration video, so that took a big chuck of time. Haha. 😆

This past week has been AMAZING. I've learn more about Repentance, Forgivness, and the Savior's Atonement that I ever had in such a long time. It's amazing. I think one that constantly has in me in awe is that everything is centered on Christ. There's absolutely nothing else that can replace the joy and peace that comes through the loving Savior's Atonement for us. I have seen the blessings in my own life, and being blessed to be a missionary, I have seen it in many other's lives. This is the Gospel of Love... and I love it. 😄 

I came across an intense scripture this past week, and I LOVE IT.

3 Nephi 11; 29,30...

" 29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

 30 Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away."

This week, I was able to have district meeting focusing on Christlike Attributes. It was amazing to see that through the Atonement of Christ, when we truly repent, we will be more like Him. At the conclusion of the meeting I gave an assignment to the Lopburi Elders to work on Christlike Attributes. As the days went by, it was amazing to see the Elders progressively glow with the Light of Christ. The coolest thing is that it's contagious! It dramatically changed the member's attitudes and inspired many of them to do the same. To repent, forgive and use the loving Savior's atonement in our daily lives. 😊 

After this week, I along with elders and the Lopburi members have been blessed with a greater sense of peace, love, and joy.

I know that this is the true Church of God. I know that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. I know that our Father in Heaven truly understands each and everyone of us. He knows of our pains and afflictions. I know that God's love is ever so great for each one of us. I know that we are not perfect, but by the grace and mercy Holy Messiah, it will be well. I love my Heavenly Father. I love my family. I love my Savior. I love the scriptures, which contains the word of God.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

- Elder Santeco🙋

We didn't take much pictures. Haha.

This cat is boss. I love her. :)