Love the Lord and Laugh

Well my dear family and friends, another week has gone. This week had a big high and a big low. That is just how missionary work goes. 

Som Tam, Bik gai tod = DELICIOUS

The Work: 

We have a new greenie here in Chiang Rai! His name is Elder Torres from California. Good guy :) Having a greenie is a lot of fun because I can actually understand my greenie experience more. Hahahahaha. As a new missionary, all the members would just laugh at me, and I would laugh back because I didnt know what they were saying. Now I just realize they were asking me questions like, "Do you speak English ok?"... and "If you can't understand, that is ok, you will get it." Hahahahaha. Elder Torres is a good sport. 

Other than that, this week has been emotionally derailing. The most stressed out and on the verge of breaking down happened this week. I confess I finally sat down last night outside of our house, leaned against the wooden door and broke down. Sometimes as a missionary, you try your hardest...your very best...your 110%...to be a worthy servant of the Lord. You push yourself and push yourself... but eventually you burn out because YOU can't do it by yourself. This week I realized I was not relying on the Lord as much as I should. The glorious thing about a mission is that all emotions are intensified. Love, anger, tranquility and frustration, happiness and sadness. Our abilty to cope when we come to the seemingly unsurmountable wall of work is when the Lord NEEDS to become involved. I know that with Him I cannot fail. 

Rainy day

The Culture: 

1. Here in Thailand, they have speaker systems all throughout the neighboorhoods so in the afternoon you can hear some sweet Thai songs while riding your bike. They also play announcements for the city from them from time to time, whether it be neighborhood activities or that an important visitor will be coming to town.

Stay happy

Random fruit...thanks

The Funnies: 

1. I fell off my bike.

2. We visited a less active member this week, and he is a martial arts specialist. So naturally Elder Howard asked him to show what he meant by "Martial Arts." You have to understand first that this guy looks like a total bum. He is chunky, about 5'8" and 21 years old. He then started calmly to manipulate Elder Howard's arm with his entire upper body until he said... "I could break your arm if I wanted to"... it was AWESOME. He didn't hurt us - don't worry - he just showed us how to hit people. It was awesome! Can't wait to try it out on Elder Thompson tonight ;) 

Spiritual thought: 

My spiritual thought comes from 'the work' section in my email this week. Sometimes it seems like we can't go any further. We feel as though what we are doing is not enough... nor will it ever be. I promise that the work we do as missionaries, if we try our best, is always enough in the Lord's eyes. I testify that he is always on our right hand and our left, guiding us through life like a shepherd leads his flocks... with LOVE. 

I love you all dearly. God bless you all.

-- 

Love the Lord and Laugh, 

เอ็ลเดอร์ สมีธ-ดริกส์

Elder Smith-Driggs