Thailand Week 66: Bangnaa

Blessings are constantly raining.

I got to shake hands with an Apostle, Elder Cook! Let me just say that the most powerful part of the meetings we had with him was when he shared his testimony... He Knows.

Upon one of the meetings that we had with President Johnson (Zone Conference), we have learned that the Brethren are deeply concerned for President Thomas S. Monson. He's getting old. He can't attended to all the meetings as usual. We may pray for him to have energy and good health, but we need to understand that death is a part of life. The Brethren has changed their prayers from "help him have good health" to "help him feel at peace and let him know that we love him". It really inspired me myself to evaluate my personal prayers, and make the necessary changes. I love Thomas S. Monson. I'm so thankful that God has allowed us to have a seer, revelator, and prophet to lead us in these latter days.

There has been a lot happening these past several days... เช่น...

The Bangna Church! It's finally open! It's amazing. It's so beautiful. It's such a blessing. Since Saturday, the day we had the church dedication... we had several activities that allows people to come in and check out the place. It's amazing to see everyone that walks into that building has been able to feel the sacredness of the place. On Sunday, we had the most amount of people come to church ever since I came to Bangna. 95 people. It was a really busy Sunday, but everyone was working together and we had such a spiritual day. Members are excited to do missionary work, in hope to prepare for the next Thailand Stake... the Bangna stake. :) On Monday, we had Zone Conference! It's amazing that we are given this time to come together and edify ourselves. One thing that I loved was how simplicity plays a huge role in allowing the Holy Ghost to testify. Even as we did role plays, the influences of the Holy Ghost were so great that it kept giving me chills. :) On Tuesday, we were able to have our first English Class at the new church. For our spiritual thought at the end of the lesson, we had a church tour... In doing so, we have many people wanting to come back to church on Sundays. It really builds my testimony of the sacredness of the church.

I love being a missionary. While I have been here, I have been able to build my testimony of God's love for His children. He has all these tools for us. He has given us His son, Jesus Christ to help us satisfy the law of justice with his merciful hand so that we can return to Him in everlasting happiness. He has sent prophets to lead us through revelation to guide His Church and all of His children. He has given us scriptures so that we can better receive revelation in our personal lives. I know that God lives. I know that He loves us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you allllll!!! 😙

- Elder Santeco

This is Elder Miyagi... Recognize him? He's from the Christmas Video... Hahhaha. He's awesome.

This is Elder Brown. He was born in Korat just like me! But now is in Myanmar. :) 

Sunday treats. Sister Pin with her mom's delicious brownies.

Sister Kwan's last dinner with us... She'll be going to Udorn to visit her mom... (this was on Monday night... just in case if you were thinking about why sister Kwan was wearing the same dress).. Hahah. :)

Our MTC district picture 😍... Elder Earl left already... but we had him on the phone. Hahaha

I bought new shoes (It hurts. hahahha. It'll take a while to break in) . Saw some glasses. Had the district take a picture together. #Unity

When it comes to food. I get my game face on. Hey mom, we will have some หมูกระทะ in Hawaii... :D Hahahha

Other things that happened last week...

1. I lost my phone in a taxi the previous week's Sunday. But the Taxi driver returned it that evening. He was very cautioned on who to give it to. :) 

2. On the way to Zone Conference, I left my scriptures in the Taxi. He came back and returned to us. 

3. On the way back home from Zone Conference, I accidentally swallowed a cough drop. It was a painful experience. But it went away after a while. Haha

I should be more careful. But I'm so happy that Thai people are so nice and that God is so merciful. :)

GOT TO GO! LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Thailand Week 65: Bangnaa

I'M SO EXCITED!

Today we have the wonderful opportunity to meet up with Elder Cook! I am so excited!!! Going along with this fabulous week, we will be moving back to our church here in Bangna. It's so beautiful. I'm so thankful for all contribution of the workers, members, President Johnson, and everyone else that made this happen. WHOOOHOO!!! 

Missionary work has been going great! 

I was able to meet up with a referral from the Temple Square! This is the first time I've ever gotten a referral from Temple Square. Her name is Sister Bow. She's amazing. She found peace and happiness in the ability to repent and forgive, which opened her heart into learning more about the restored gospel. 

Sister Ma Lae and her children are going strong. A little problem came up, but I know with all my heart that they will be able to make that covenant with our Father in Heaven when the time is right. I seriously love this family. We will keep on working with them. :) 

Brother Bas is great! He called us up and told us that he's excited to go to church this week. I remember that first Sunday that he went to church, after the meeting... he was confused. Almost hesitant to go to church again. But he seems to realize that, "This just may be the true church of God". It's such a blessing to have a prophet to lead us in these latter-days. 

We meet up with Brother Tube! He is a contact that I meet up at a nearby restaurant the first transfer that I was here. He came to church last week and he was constantly interested in what the church taught. He would always share his thoughts going along with the lessons, and you could see... he would get that "ring" to the truthfulness of what we learn. He's also very excited to check out the new church this Sunday.

Brother Andy. He's rich. This Monday was a proselyting day and we decided to go out and invite. We randomly picked a number... then started biking to towards that street number, inviting everyone along the way. When we got to street number 7, we parked our bikes, said a prayer then started inviting again. First person wasn't free. Second person wasn't home (We do hardcore tracting, ringing bells all the time now. Haha) Third person was Brother Andy! We talked a bit. Got to know him. He then gave us bottled water and snacks. Afterwards, we walked to his workplace. Sat down and talked. He used to go to a Catholic Church, but he felt troubled about some teachings. So we shared a message about the Restoration. He loved it. He plans to have two of his friends learn with us next time. :) After that, he took us out for lunch. It was delicious! He's amazing. We hope that he will soon realize the blessing it is to have the restored gospel back on earth. 

There's a small quote that I think I shared before... but several days ago, I came across it again... and it just always impresses me. 

"... when Jesus Christ becomes a reality in your life.... it isn't that He somehow makes you do things that you wouldn't do otherwise. Rather, you find yourself wanting to do what He would do and respond as He would respond in an effort to bring your life into harmony with His. And an interesting thing happens whenever you attempt to place your feet in Christ's footsteps. If you really concentrate on trying tot walk the way He walked - loving, caring, serving, and obeying each step of the way - one day you'll look up and discover that His path has led you directly to the throne of God." The mission does that. It's such a blessing to be a missionary. I love life. I know that Jesus is my Savior. He is the light and the way. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

- Elder Santeco

We went bowling again. I got 131! :D I got strike. Spare. Spare. Spare. Spare. then it went down from there. hahahahhah.

We bought new studying chairs! :D

Swesons. Yum.

Elder Latimer and Elder McCown attempted the TBM challenge. They'll try again next time. :)

Smile!! A wee too much.

This is brother andy. :D

Fixing the sister's AC. Hehe

Weather forecast for today, partly sunny. - Elder San

Sister Jazz moved to North Carolina this past Monday. We had the opportunity to visit them once more before she left. :)

Elder Sunrise Tacos is out. :) LOVE YOU!

Thailand Week 64: Bangnaa

Happy Mother's Day!

"Motherrrrr knows best!" I love my mom. She's the best. Words can't explain how much I love her. The way she lives her life has been such an inspiration for me. Through her personal experiences, I have learned to trust in the Lord more and overall have grown a greater captivity to love, repent, forgive others and ourselves. I LOVE YOU MOM!

I love my family. It's such a blessing to have two loving parents, establishing peace and love within the walls of our homes according to God's plan. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is God's plan for us to have peace in this life as well as in the life to come. It has been such a blessing for my family. Just like many other families, our family had gone through many trials and obstacles. But with loving parents doing their best to build and maintain our faith in Jesus Christ has his teachings, we managed to overcome those times. Consequently building our family relationship. I love my family... It's such a blessing to also know that families can now be sealed together forever. I know that our Father in Heaven does loves His children. I know that this is the true Church of God. I know that this is the Lord's work, and I'm grateful to be a part of it.

Mosiah 2:41..." And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

I testify that these words are true. As we keep His commandments, we are blessed in both temporal and spiritual. Let us be faithful and endure. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. :)

Love, 

Elder Santeco

District Photo. :)

Elder McCown, Elder Duke, Elder Latimer, Sister Powly and Sister Courchaine

Last P-day. Went around doing whatevers. :)

Aye aye captain!!! :D

Elder's McCown's typical situation for all doors in Thailand. :)

FHE with Sister ก๊อง and Brother บุญจันทร์-YUMMMSS

Sister Yaa and Sister News... Sister News is going to Chaing mai. BYE. 😭

rain<3

pingpong.. I didn't get to play. LOL

(I bought another 30 minutes to upload the other pictures) SKYPE

Oh my goodness! Baby trey's dab!!!

WOWOWOW. :D