Thank You 4th Ward!

It is a great day in the kingdom brothers and sisters! I am so excited to be emailing you all today. Sorry if I didn't respond to your emails last week. I was pressed for time. Let's dive in then, shall we? 

The Work: 

I am still getting used to teaching PMG lessons every day. In Lao, the way we taught was a little different. We didn't go through the lessons like 1,2,3,4,5.. instead we asked the member what they needed for that lesson and only focused on that thing. That is a hard transition to make coming back to Thailand where the teaching is not simply a conversation about religion and how Jesus can help them, but also a structured order of teaching that has a beautiful way of touching the heart. The first time I taught was absolutely awful. I am so rusty... poor Elder Cherd just tried to save the lesson, but I was all over the place. We are getting better though. I am just re-practicing like a greenie hahahahaha. It is great to be back in Thailand! 

Back to teaching about the gospel.

When district meeting gets a little chilly...Elder Cherd is prepared.

The Culture: 

Every day is filled with a go - go - go attitude. Which is nice - that fits with my personality much more than a very laid back attitude that we had in Laos. Right now I am fitting somewhere in the middle, and I really like it. 

Everything is very clean in Thailand. You can tell the 3rd world difference from the 2nd world big time. From the dust alone... 

I love Lao though. I miss it like crazy! 

We made larb!

The Funnies: 

1. I feel like I have PTSD because every time I say the name, "Jesus Christ," I whisper it. Or every time I am talking about the Gospel in Thai, I look around frantically looking for cameras and stuff. I hope that goes away. It has been pounded into me for the last 6 months that I CANNOT DO THAT... and now I am doing that 24/7.... it is a big shock! 

2. Brother Sai, Sister Lilly, Sister Thon, and Sister Buiy came all the way from Lao to visit me and come to church on Sunday!  LOVE YOU GUYS - thanks for coming to visit! I miss them so much, and it was so fun to see them. Great people! 

Thanks for visiting guys! Khoy huk phuag jao laaiiiii tea!

3. My dreams have been super vivid recently, and last night I slept talked and yelled, "You can't do that! That is just not right!!!" - like 5 times the same thing from 11 pm to 12 pm. Elder Brown was just laughing and laughing and laughing. Classic Elder Smith-Driggs. 

4. Elder Cherd and English - need I say more? The guy is a STUD! 

When Elder Lor puts your helmet on the electric pole..."DANGIT LOR" - Elder Cherd

Spiritual Thought: 

This week I was really grateful for the opportunity to go to church. What a blessing it is to have a building where we can worship God, have activites, and be with our big spiritual family. As I shared my testimony, I was hit with great gratitude for the opportunity to be at church. My dear friends in Lao are still waiting. I received some mail this week from my home ward. All of the Primary children had written me notes and drawn pictures of the church in Lao saying that they were praying I could preach the gospel and that Lao could get a church. All I could do was cry because of the love I and the Lao members get from you back home. To my dear ward who sent me all of those notes and posters - THANK YOU SO MUCH. That meant the world to me. I can feel your prayers. Thank you for going to church! I am so thankful that we can go to church in Thailand and in America. It is a real blessing. So let's treat it like a blessing. Take full advantage of church! 

LOVE YOU ALL - thanks for your prayers and your constant support. You guys ROCK! 

-- 

Love the Lord and Laugh, 

ອັບຣາຮາມ ສະມິດ-ດິກສ

Abraham Smith-Driggs  

P.S. Just got this photo from the family...can I just say I have the best looking family on the face of the planet? I mean seriously people - in Thailand you have to pay money to even look at these kind of people ;)... LOVE YOU GUYS. 

(My mom is super embarrassed I added this joking comment.)