Elder Santeco: Thailand Week 79: Udon

We stayed in Udon!

This the officially the first time that I have stayed in Udon for the entire week. Therefore, we were able focus on building up our area. On the journey to do so, we were able to find many new investigators by going around the neighborhood nearby the church. It's really cool finding faithful investigators that live far away, willing to do all they can to keep the commandments, including going to church every Sunday. But, I loved that when we stayed nearby the church, we still managed to find new investigators with amazing potential. The gospel is for everyone.

This past week, we met with Sister Apple Pie. She's a sweet 65 years old woman. She married a England guy many years ago, but the husband left her for another person. Her son is busy working in Japan, with no time to talk to her mom. Her life is pretty hard. But she's home, always helping her neighbors and caring for the others. She heard about the Mormons before. The reason being is that when the Udon church was being built, she planted trees there. She has really opened up to what God has in store for her. :)

Sister ปุ้ย and her daughters are so cool! I met Sister Buoy the two weeks ago. It was when inviting, I thought I lost Elder Lovelock... So panicking, I went biking around and asking if they saw a foreigner with a blue helmet nearby. Sister Buoy, buying some fried bananas at a nearby cart, thought that Elder Lovelock went this direction. In the end, I found Elder Lovelock who was in the same store that I was inviting at... I just didn't notice him. A week later, we started inviting down the same street... but we decided to turn into the branches of the street. At the end of the road was Sister Buoy! After talking about how we met last week... we started talking about religion. She was hesitant, didn't know if she really give her phone number to us because she wanted to learn or because she felt obligated to. This past week, we tried meeting up with her. 1st time, she cancelled the appointment. But we rescheduled for the following day. They were there at the house. All open and willing to learn! At the end of the lesson, they asked us if they could have us over again. We said yes. The next lesson they asked if they could go to church. We again said, yes. :)

Sister หวาย is an English Student that decided to come on Sunday! She has been learning English with us to prepare for when she goes to Australia. We've noticed, with that being a huge change for her... it must have been the reason why she's willing to go to church... She's changing. She loved Church. She's super smart. Super happy. During 2nd hour, we talked about the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Health... apparently, through experience... she has already been keeping this commandment. We then taught her after church. She said an amazing prayer. :)

We had an Area Seventies visit us here in Udon. Elder Khanakham is amazing. I am so thankful for the many great leaders in this Church. After church, we were able to attend a meeting/training for the all the church auxiliary leaders. I came to realize the amount of hard work that everyone is putting in to build the Kingdom of God. :)

There's been a lot going on here. And there's so much more... That's why I've FINALLY started writing in my journal again. :) Whoohoo!

Life is good. I know that I can't do the work alone... because it's not my work... it's the Lord's! I know that God is real, and He loves us! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I got a haircut. I also stopped by the hospital to try get my ears cleaned, because I felt like my hearing got worse... turns out, my ears are already cleaned. The doctors even took pictures to prove it. But my hearing probably has worsened. Hahah.

I love you all.

- Elder Santeco

Some extra photos of the trip to Laos. (2 weeks ago)

We went to Nhongkhai for last week's P-day.

District's photo on the skywalk.

The Skywalk

Vibrant Colors.

With Elder Lovelock

That Asian Pose.

It was very foggy.

Then 10 minutes later... it wasn't.

We went into a cave. It was fun.

The hardest part of the journey. We had to crawl in this little hole... Brother Ooh really impressed us. But when you're that deep into the cave, there's no turning back. Haha.

I got out. Hahah