the week of baptism! and more miracles

This week was another great one to be in Thailand! And even if I say that in every email, just know that I mean it 100% everytime!

Last Monday, Elder Bunker and I had the opportunity to go and visit the international school that he went to as a kid here in Thailand, and it was pretty fun. We met with some of his old teachers, and talked to some old coaches and stuff. We also had a chance to workout in their gym, which was waay nice since I haven't been able to do cleans and snatches here in Thailand yet. Platforms are hard to come by here...

Tuesday, we had a pretty normal day. We invited on the streets some, and then had a great lesson with a potential investigator. English that night was way fun. We don't usually teach the basic level, usually it's the advanced class that we teach, but this day it was basic, and it was way fun! We taught them the song 5 little monkeys jumping on a bed, and it was waay fun. I am humbled everytime we teach by how sincere these people are at learning English, and how they take notes and strive to improve their language.

Wednesday, we had a really fun lesson with this crazy guy. He's a taxi driver we met last week, and so we went back and followed up with him on that. Turns out he's not so much interested in the church as he has an obsession with being Christian, so our first lesson was also a drop lesson. He had this girl that he's been in love with for years, and we're pretty sure he was stalking her too, and he asked us to go to her house and invite her to learn, and what could we say? So of course we did that, and now he thinks we're just the best people ever. It was a fun lesson, reciting the First Vision while he smoked a doobie that he had made under the table while we taught, thinking we couldn't see what he was doing... It was pretty funny

Thursday, we had mission tour. So we all met at the stake center for Northern Bangkok, and we were well taught. Elder Evans from the area seventy presidency came down, and talked to us. He called us to repentance for real. And taught some really good stuff as well. First off we talked about 1 Tim 4:12 and told us that in order to be effective missionaries, and representatives of Jesus Christ, we first need to show that by our examples. We need to show others the kind of people we are before we can even begin teaching them. After that, he totally changed the way the mission here worked. Traditionally, the TBM has done most of their baptizing through street contacting. Now, however that will all change. We are required to work with members alot more now, and we focus more on receiving referrals, instead of inviting off the street, because it is far more effective in missionary work. It's good stuff and I could go on for longer, but that was the important bit. We've been going through some big changes the past couple of days. But it's good stuff. 

Friday, we actually had a way good day. We had a pretty normal day, just with a couple lessons in the morning, and studies as well. After that, we had correlation and sports night at the church. The thing that was waaay good about today was the amount of referrals we got. We sat down and talked to every member we could tonight, and asked at the end of every lesson we taught if people had anyone interested that we could teach as well, and we had like 10 new potential investigators by the end of the day!! That was way cool. Obey the counsel of your leaders!!

Saturday, we had another good day. It started off pretty normal, studies and such, and at 2:00 we had a baptism!! This girl, named ใบเฟิร์น, is abosultly golden! She's wayt smart, and devleiped a strong testimony rpetty quickly. We only met her 2 weeks ago. It was pretty cool. She's going to be a really good member. After that we met our RC, Brother Dean at KFC, had dinner together, and then went to Swensen's and he paid for us. It was really good stuff, and he has some friends that we could definitely share the gospel with, so I am excited.

Sunday, was pretty normal, but real good stuff as well. I love Sundays! Sacrament meeting was way good. Being able to take the sacrament is definitely a highlight of my week. After church, we taught some lessons, and got more referrals, and had some good conversations with members here. I LOVE THAILAND! It's so good, and the work here is great stuff.

Spiritual thought for this week comes from the Savior's teachings in 3 Ne 13.

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;

29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and hisrighteousness, and all these things shall be added untoyou.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof.

I testify that the Savior lives, and loves us. I know that he knows what we need, and is standing ready, and willing to help us in every aspect of our lives, whatever that may be. He has helped me grow in ways that I did not expect, and I know he can do the same for you too.

Elder Ellsworth - เอ็ลเดอร์ เอ็ลสเวิร์ธ

for perfect love casteth out all fear

เพราะความรักที่บริบูรณ์ย่อมขับความกลัวออกไปสิ้น

Thailand Bangkok Mission

​pics! baptism, Brother Dean, and ISB