Thailand Week 70: Udon

Change

In Thomas S. Monson's first talk as a Prophet, he shares, "I begin by mentioning one of the most inevitable aspects of our lives here upon the earth, and that is change. At one time or another we've all heard some for of the familiar adage: 'Nothing is constant as change.' "

As the time goes on... we are bound to experience change around us. But aside from the physical changes that occur around us... I have learned that greatest change that we can make in our mortal life, here and now... is ourselves.

I have learned that progress and change only can happen according to a person's personal desires and actions. People around us nor neither God the Almighty can force us to change.

God loves us so much that He gave us the freedom to choose for ourselves. Never have God has forced us to do anything. We chose to come to this earth. We chose to receive a body and go through the pains and sufferings so that we may experience joy. We have the choice to learn during this earthly life. Even after we die, we will be able to make choices.

I know that God loves us. He loves us so much that He put away His own wants, so that we can have joy in doing what we want. I know that God desires us to grow and learn, but it is our choice to do so. There is a greater joy awaiting for us as we take action to change.

I want to change. I want to be better. And I know that deep and converting change is possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored through Joseph Smith. It's such a blessing to be able to change as we apply His teachings in our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

- Elder Santeco

I love this talk as well! https://www.lds.org/blog/how-i-learned-my-worth-isnt-measured-in-checkmarks?cid=HP_TH_22-6-2017_dOCS_fBLOG_xLIDyL2-2_

As for the missionary work. We have been doing well! We currently have 12 daters! 😱 We are truly seeing God's hand in doing the Lord's work. We also had MLC last week in Bangkok. Where we are all able to learn more about how to be more effective leaders. It was really inspirational. I loved it. This past week, I went to Nhong Khai for a switch off. While there... I saw the land of Lao. Haha. This week, we will be having Zone Conference, I am excited to see all the missionaries come together to learn and grow together! I love being a missionary. Time really does fly by fast. I need to write in my journal.

LOVE YOU ALL!

Last P-day that I had with the Bangna District. (Didn't get this picture until today) This is Brother Rak. We like burgers.

This is President เสือ. He is the happiest Chinese man I have ever met. He is an amazing asset in doing the Lord's work here in this Zone.

A little bit of nature. I love green.There's Laos!

Udon District got a baptism! Yayyyyy!

Elder Dugquem preparing the baptismal font.

This is Brother Jack. The COOLEST member that I have ever met here in Udon. He's always willing to help us out AND he dresses like a local hawaiian guy. That's a plus.

Elder Dugquem is such a boss.

​Brother Jack's wife.. Sister Thukata is an amazing cook.

I found stuffing! I also found liquid smoke! hehhehehhehe

​We are helping Sister เอิง wake up for church. She has a sleeping schedule which consist of her sleeping at 4 in the morning and waking up at 3 in the afternoon. So far, she has been able to wake up for church these past two weeks. MIRACLES.

Here's a better picture. Baptism! :D Brother บ๊อป is amazing.

Thailand Week 69: Udon

Life is SO GOOD.

I am in Udon with Elder Dugquem! We are actually from the same MTC group, so it's really fun being able to unite once again and actually get to work together! He is half Thai and Filipino, but is born and raised in California. These past couple days, we did a lot of planning and working with the members. It really sets us up being able to focus on our callings and be united in achieving many things with the branch. Missionary work is so much fun. I have come to realized that the amount of time that we plan is such a small sacrifice to have an effective day, month, year, etc. I think I have a greater understanding about the importance of having goals/plans. :) Everything in missionary work has real life application! Or better yet, this is real life!

I am really excited. This transfer will be fun. :)

This past week, the Lord was so good to us. Ever since I came in on Thursday... we were EVERYWHERE. This is the most Elder Dugquem and I have ever had in a while! I love the members. I love the desire, the fire, and unity that they have here. I hope that I may be help to the branch/district during my stay here. :)

I know that Heavenly Father loves us. He has given us so much. He loves us so much that He allows us to change, grow, becoming more like Him according to our desires. He loves us so much that He allowed Jesus Christ, His Beloved son, to come to this Earth to be our Savior and Redeemer, so that we can have that joy as we change. As a Representative of Jesus Christ, I can promise that there is always hope as we look to the Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I am happy. :) LOVE YOU ALL!

- Elder Santeco

Happy Father's Day! I love my daddy. He's the most humble, faithful, loyal, hard-working, loving, humorous papa that I have ever had. He's always sensitive to the spirit. He is always serving others. He is always looking out for us, thanks to the GPS app that we have on our phones... he's able to do that! Haha. He is a stud. He has taught me how to value our families. Regardless of the mistakes and errors that we, his children, may have made... it warms my heart to see that he still loves us. He inspires to me to grow, trust in the Lord, and to always look outwards. Ignacio B. Santeco is the best father that I could ever ask for. I love you Daddy! I am proud to be your son. :)

- Elder Santeco

Happy Father's Day to Uncle PJ and Tj! :) You are lucky to have a responsibility to be a father and be an influence in everyone's lives. You both too constantly inspire me to do better. Love you all!

Elder Latimer. Hahahhahahhaha

Last week's P-day... we went Ice skating and rode some animals around. I'm skating! :D It was scary.

It was worth the 50 baht.

This is Elder Dugquem. BEST BERRY DRINK I HAVE EVER HAD.

Elder Mckay... with the Punohou shirt that Elder Ellis left here in Udon... Elder Ellis went home last week. :)

I had the missionaries in Bangna take a lot of pictures for me. :)

Sister Izumi got baptized as well! She was an investigator that the Sister missionaries picked up from english. She is AWESOME. She was ready ever since we met her. :) She is still always bringing friends to church every week. :D

Sister Dangwa is amazingggggg... :D

Brother DangMo! :D 

Sister Ma Lae! I love this family so much! :) I will always remember them!

Don't have much pictures of myself. Sorry. I keep forgetting to take pictures.

This is Sister Nimrak. She is a boss missionary. We went with the sisters handing off our investigators to them. It was a fun day riding with แม่ ติ๋ว (Relief Society President) in her three wheeled car. Her daughter sister เตย is currently preparing to be a missionary. She's also a boss. Sister Newton just finished being a greenie and is amazing! Udon is going to be great.

Transfer #11/Thailand Week 68: Udon

Families<3

"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)

This past week... "Families" has been bouncing around my mind. One because that's what all the speakers shared at Stake Conference this past week. We touched up on a lot on dating and marriage. Another because everything that I read, whether it was in the scriptures, missionary study materials, or talks... connected with the importance of families. Overall, it helped me clear up my mind and know what has priority in my life.

Here's a small passage from a talk that I read this past week. "Having been the beneficiary of this tradition, Mary and I decided to engage in this practice with our children. When our son Larry was five years old, I asked him what he wanted to do for an occupation when he grew up. He said he wanted to become a doctor, like his Uncle Joe.17 Larry had experienced a serious operation and had acquired great respect for doctors, especially his Uncle Joe. I proceeded to tell Larry how all the worthwhile things he was doing would help prepare him to perform the work of a doctor.

Several months later, I asked him again what he would like to do when he grew up. This time he said he wanted to be an airline pilot. Changing the goal was fine, so I proceeded to explain how his various activities would help him achieve this goal. Almost as an afterthought, I said, “Larry, last time we talked you wanted to become a doctor. What has changed your mind?” He answered, “I think being a doctor would be good, but I have noticed that Uncle Joe works on Saturday mornings, and I wouldn’t want to miss Saturday morning cartoons.” ("Fear Not... In Me Your Joy Is Full" D&C 101:36, Elder Quentin L. Cook)

I have come to realize that I need to reevaluate my goals, and see what I'm doing to achieve that... for the benefit of others... especially my family. 

I know that God has restored His gospel by calling on Joseph Smith to be a prophet. I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God. The Book of Mormon is true. I know that we have a living prophet today, Thomas S. Monson, to lead and guide us in these latter-days. I know that God loves His children so very much. There's evidence of it as we study His word, understand it and apply it in our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

LOVE YOU ALL!

- Elder Santeco ☀🌮

Oh BTW. I'm moving to Udon. :) อุดรธานี!!! I hope I'll be able to pick up on the อีสาน language quickly. :)

We went to the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm again! :D

Switch off the A.P.s! Elder Lindley. He finishes his mission tomorrow. It was an honor to be his last switch off. :)

My second stick of deodorant. Is it weird that I made one stick last for 9 months? Hahaha. It's just too expensive.

Sister Cucumber passed her interview this past week. She will get baptized this Sunday! Although I may not be able to baptize her, or see her get baptized... I am so happy for them. I have great hopes for this family. :)

Just because I like kitties.

We stacked our chairs according to how many transfers we have left. :)