What a week! To be honest I was
actually really sick most of it so it wasn't very fun hahahaha but that is OK.
People get sick, life happens and moves on. Big thanks to Elder Smith for
keeping our investigators contacted and everything still going while I was out
of commission in my bed.... Elder, you are a stud.
CONGRATULATIONS ELIZA FOR GRADUATING
FROM HIGH SCHOOL.... (brother is in Thailand currently freaking out)
The
Work:
Our progressing investigator Brother
Boss is struggling right now. He didn't come to church yesterday, and we were
pretty bummed. We found out that he has a slight mental handicap, which we were
surprised to learn when his mother came to one of his appointments - good news...
he is totally function-able. He just speaks very little and slowly... other
good news - his mom is interested in the church, so blessings.... and actually
there is no bad news. Hahahaha so just keep him in your prayers guys. We
appreciate it. The work as a ward is good so far. We have stake conference on Sunday
so that will be way fun. Practically all of Eastern Thailand is coming
hahahahaha, and the missionaries too! It will be good to catch up with old
friends. Transfers are this Thursday, and we still don't know who is moving...
almost 100% I am staying though... I sure hope I stay. ROI ET IS THE BEST!
District photo?
Our friend Brother Toffee
The
Culture:
1. You can pay almost any housing
bill at 7-11. 7-11 is like your local snack store here in Thailand. They can be
found on almost every corner in Thailand.... quite hysterical actually
hahahahaha but fun fact, we pay our water bill and electricity there.
2. Thailand drives on the left side
of the road... so everything is flipped from American standards.
3. Coagulated pigs blood is honestly
not that bad... they put it in soups here, and it is actually quite healthy for
you.
The Funnies:
1. We decided on Saturday night to
make a campfire in our back yard.. so we bought all the necessary supplies...
and did it! We even made hotdogs and smores! Yeah it was roasting hot, but
hey.... we all were missing the campfire vibe hahahahaha.
Elder Smith...S'mores...Can life get better?
2. I have been teaching Thai members
some slang from America. So now whenever the Bishop's wife sees me she says,
"What's up boy... or .... sit down boy!".... and I say "OK Momma."
Another great example is with our Branch Mission Leader, Brother Baugh (ปอ), and I taught him, "Elder, we
ain't got no time for that"... hahahahahaah with the Thai accent it is
just way funny.
Spiritual
thought:
I felt prompted to talk about patience
today. In Preach My Gospel (the handbook we use as missionaries), one of the
chapters is called "Christlike attributes"... which encourages us to
become more like our Savior as we serve our missions. One of the attributes in
that section is patience. It says, "When you are patient, you hold up
under pressure and are able to face adversity calmly and hopefully. Patience is
related to hope and faith - you must wait for the Lord's promised blessings to
be fulfilled." (PMG 120). The spirit distinctly told me someone needed to
hear that today. So whoever that person is - please remember that God is on
your side and that sometimes he needs to step back and let us make mistakes. If
he didn't do that... he wouldn't be doing his best work as a dad. Sometimes
parents need to let their children fail... and the children never seem to
understand that, but we are encouraged as children of our Heavenly Parents that
we need to face our adversity with patience, hope, and faith - hope that
Heavenly Father can see the bigger picture and faith that Jesus Christ can help
us get through the hardest of times. That is my testimony. And although I am
just a 20 year old punk kid - I do know that our Savior is watching us with a
close and loving eye, guiding us along on this path of mortality.. watching as
we stumble, and sometimes letting us get up by ourselves. I love you all and
hope this week is full of miracles for all of you.
Love you all and God bless
you!
Love the Lord and Laugh,
เอ็ลเดอร์ สมีธ-ดริกส์
Elder Smith-Driggs
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