Transfer #5/Thailand Week 33: Lopburi

Transfer #5

Alohaaa!!!

I'm no longer in Thonburi! One transfer in an area is seriously not long enough. It was sad leaving Thonburi. Elder Hixson and I were making great progress in the Lord's work! But I am sure that him and his new companion will have an awesome time working in Thonburi. That being said, I am now serving in Lopburi with Elder Xaiyavong. He's from Laos and is a stud! I am super excited to work with him this transfer. We'll be doing great things!

This past week, I was able to listen to general conference! I LOVE IT!
I can't believe that I slept through so many general conferences back at home. The messages that are shared by the prophets are always amazing! I made a promise to myself that when I go home, I will watch,listen, and/or read all of the general conferences. It'll be fun.

I had many spiritual impressions while listening to the prophets, one of them was when Elder K Brett Nattress gave a talk called, "No Greater Joy Than to Know That They Know" He shared an experience that helped me gain a greater appreciation for my parent's example of living the gospel...

“Mom, why are you doing this to us? Why are you reading the Book of Mormon every morning?” I then made a statement that I am embarrassed to admit to. In fact, I can’t believe I actually said it. I told her, “Mom, I am not listening!”

Her loving response was a defining moment in my life. She said, “Son,I was at a meeting where President Marion G. Romney taught about the blessings of scripture reading. During this meeting, I received a promise that if I would read the Book of Mormon to my children every day, I would not lose them.”

"She then looked me straight in the eyes and, with absolute determination, said, “And I will not lose you!”

Her words pierced my heart. Notwithstanding my imperfections, I was worth saving! She taught me the eternal truth that I am a son of a loving Heavenly Father. I learned that no matter what the circumstance, I was worth it."

I love you mom and dad. Your examples of living the gospel and developing Christ-like attributes has been one of the greatest inspiration for me. Which has eventually motivated me to learn and come unto Christ. It is truly a joy being able to say that I know that the Book of Mormon is true and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church of God with no hesitation.

Aside from Mom and Dad, I am thankful for everyone! You've all have done something Christlike and it constantly builds my desire to be more like my Savior Jesus Christ.

I know that Jesus Christ lives! He is our Savior and Redeemer. He loves you!

- Elder Santeco

Ahhhhh.... I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON!

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." - 2 Nephi 25:26
Monkey see. Monkey eat.

Monkeys are friends. :)

Thailand Week 32: Bangkok

Because I always run out of time... I'm am now sending my pics/vids​​​​​​​​ before emailing. :D

- I remember this mall! Hahaha. It's a weird feeling knowing that I've been here before.

- Brother Dan always feeds us afterwards. :)

- Dumplings<3

- The video I couldn't attach last week. Haha

- Lots and lots of fabric. #suitandtie

A member from Korat emailed me pictures from while I was there. There's a lot!

Aloha! :)

It is truly mind-blowing to even think about how much God loves us. He lived a sinless life, died, and resurrected so that we all can receive God's blessing of obtaining an immortal body. He did all this so that we can live with our Father in Heaven. 

Mosiah 16:6-9

 "6 And now if Christ had not come into the world,speaking of things to come as though they had already come, there could have been no redemption.

 7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.

 8 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

 9 He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death."

I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is our Savior. Because of Him... I have a purpose here on earth. I know that I can return to my Father in Heaven and be with my family together forever as I continue to follow Jesus's examples. 

LOVE YOU GUYS! 😘 

I'm super excited for General Conference! Whoohoo!!

- Elder Santeco

... Today... I'm going bowling.😋

 

Thailand Week 31: Bangkok

God is good

Made a lovely breakfast this morning. :)

This past week has been very stressful. It's not the language, but it's the work itself! Whew! 😰

So I fixed บ.ปรีชา's lighting! But I forgot to take pictures. Here in Thailand, electrical wiring hardly ever run between the walls... so that made it so much easier. We then shared a short message and left him with a big smile on his face.  That joy of helping others be happy. It's irreplaceable.

Hey. So it's really interesting being with american/non-Asian elders. All the Thai peeps here would either think that I am a foreigner just as these elders or that I am their personal translator. Haha. Yeah, me as a translator... 😏 Hehe. It would be awesome to be one though! I need to take my language up to another level!

Last P-day, we had to go to the hospital to give a member's mom a blessing. When we got there, the front desk instructed us to go to the 8th floor (We walked the staircase because Elder Christiansen is scared of elevators. Workout!) As soon as we got to the floor, a bunch of workers tried to give us directions with her awesome broken English. After a while, Elder Christiansen said, "พูดไทยได้ครับ". Jaws dropped, eyes were wide open. All the workers were first in shock but then couldn't stop laughing. We laughed with them. Hahah.😂 They then gave directions in Thai and we proceeded to give a blessing. :)

There were other things.... but I'll share them when I come home. Haha. Today I'm going to cut suits! I'm getting two sets for about 4000 baht. Whooo!!! LOVE IT!!!! 😍

2 Nephi 32: 5

"5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show‍ unto you all things what ye should do."

It's somethings hard to decide what we should do in our daily lives. Thankfully we have the Holy Ghost. I know that He will always guide us through the still small voice as long as we are worthy of it's presence. 

God loves YOU!

- Elder Santacooooooooo

PS... Again. Thanks family for all the food. I LOVE EVERYTHING!... Thanks Sis Teriipaia!

Elder Hixson is a Seahawk fan. Hahah

 

Thailand Week 30: Bangkok

:D


Oh man. I love life. I L.O.V.E. it! This past week has ought to be one of the best weeks during my stay here in Thonburi. Service and teaching opportunities are just coming from all over the place! It is amazing. Now it seems like there's no time to fit everything into our schedule! But we'll make it work!

This past week we have taught the Plan of Salvation so often that it is imprinted in my mind and has strengthening my testimony of God's love for all of us. :) Along with the Plan of Salvation we have been teaching a lot about... temples!

Ahhh. I love temples! We have also been teaching about temples along with family history and eternal families.We have been extending the invitation to all of the members to prepare themselves to enter the Lord's House for these sacred ordinances. Oh the joy when they say... "I will go to the temple! แน่นอน" Oh man. I really do miss the temple. :)

Last Saturday... We helped a member moved out and into a new home! It was fun. Our bodies are still sore and aching a wee bit but there's absolutely nothing that could have replaced that member's smile. :) Some upcoming projects this week are... Fixing a member's electricity lines and fixing up a member's ceiling! Yay! Drywall work! :) Don't worry dad. I'll be careful. Oh and this time... I'll try to take pictures.

2 Nephi 27:23

"For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."

I know who Heavenly Father is. I know Jesus Christ is. I know who I am and I know my purpose. There's no changing that. :) Love yall!

- เอ้ลเดอร์ Sun-Taco "Yumzzzz" :)

Thanks for the wonderful foods and letters. I LOVE IT ALL!!! It feels like Christmas already. hahaha. Oh! AND this past Saturday, Uncle PJ and Aunty Nuj fed us a wonderful dinner too!!!! Thank you sooooo muchhhh! All of you guys!!!! I love you all with all my heart!

This is Dan. I LOVE HIM!