Sup

So our district up here is very special.. at this one church building for the past 6 weeks its been 4.5 asian missionaries (im the half) and 1.5 foreigners. Its pretty unique. And we are all very CRAZY. Just put it simply, we like to have fun, sometimes its a little too crazy haha.. but anyway... Elder Tom (my companion) moved down to Bangkok and is a zone leader already, Elder Fowles moved up to Chiang Rai (just go look at pictures.. its beautiful.. thai people call it "heaven) and Sister Natcha died (finished her mission)... so as they were all leaving (which was quite sad actually.. the 6 of us were super tight in only 6 weeks), we're looking at whose left: the 3 craziest ones of the Group! Myself, Elder Charit and Sister Supansa.. we kinda figured that we would have to get 3 new companions who are anything BUT crazy. So it is.. 3 americans too. Elder Charit's is the most normal. My companion? Hes.. different. Total utard ahaha.. Hes way nice and his Thai is excellent (people say the best in the mission... just wait, im coming up right behind him) and he is pretty into the work. So its not that we wont get along, but.. i dont have pictures today, but just wait.. when you see him you will know what i mean hahaha. Hey! Dont get mad at me i just speak the truth! Dont worry i love him.  And then Sister Supansas is also kinda like him.. just are personalities are so far apart. No worries.. Ill be with him 1 transfer.. It'll be a good learning experience for all of us for sure.

 

So lets get right into it.. I LOVE this new family.. i think i mentioned them 2 weeks ago.. the father has been an alcoholic for 15 years.. yeah.. 15! The past 9 days? Hasnt smoked or drank a sip of alcohol! Hes quit! What you have to understand is that this family is 60 kilometers away.. to refresh your memory, they are a referral from a member; the exact type of investigator ive been praying for! They have the support system from a close friend and they knew exactly what they were getting into when they were invited to come to Church. Brother Had (the member) is doing sooo good too.. He works at the same place with this family and keeps him excited and gives him support and encouragement. Now.. the most important thing is that ive met this family 3 times in the past 3 weeks.. yeah. So just try and imagine the change in this guy that i have to describe over the internet: Week 1: Whole body is shaking... eyes and face just look distressed and he can barely contain himself... his speech is slurred and his entire countenance is just crying out for help. Week 2: Little better... the quakes and shakes have gone down a little bit and he can keep himself together. Week 3, Yesterday: Smiled the entire day, participated in the class discussions, laughed... to put it simply (and in his own words) "The man 3 weeks ago did not come today..." If you're not crying yet, you should be! I am right now in this internet cafe! Try and imagine this... THREE WEEKS.. thats it! This wednesday we are so driving out there and teaching him and his entire family.. they all have a baptismal date for the 30th of April. The joy in his eyes.. everything just says "thank you." Hes a new man and he credits it all to Jesus Christ.. he understands our Saviors role and knows he couldnt have done this any other way. He grabbed me hand yesterday and looked me in the eyes and said the most heartfelt, sincere "thank you" ive ever heard and seen in my life. Whats even more incredible is that his family is not the only family we will teach when we drive 60 kilometers out there.. there are 2 other families who have seen their alcoholic neighbor quit "everything that is not of Christ" and are wondering, "what the heck?!" Brother Had brought one of those to Church yesterday too! The other family we will meet out there too. Scripture of the week: 3 Nephi 12: 14 to 16... read it.. be the light! I read this for this father (by the way his name is Promise) and he about lost it.. his prayer was amazing too. His 2 kids have been praying and reading the Book Of Mormon too.. have we ever met them? Nope. haha.. they saw their dad change and are just like, "ubuhh..." AHHH... its so epic! I cant even describe the feelings yesterday.

 

Who else? Or what else? uhnnyuh... So how was conference? Im stoked for it! Get the less actives to it! We have this one member... FAR from acti---i mean LESS active member, who agreed to go to it.. its a great opportunity for people to hear the Prophet! Duh.. Seriously, bet it was sweet wasnt it?

 

By the way i got the package.. oh yeah! Delicious.. the Sour Patch was at the very bottom underneath the beef jerky and for a moment i saw all the goodies and thought "WHAT?! THEY FORGOT SOUR PATCH!@&*#*(@^$@#Q$Y*(&" but as it turns out, nay :)  love you! Susan did you throw in the fruit by the foots? If those are actually from my parents, nevermind.. love you anyway :)   So next week dont be alarmed if we dont email on a monday (sunday for you) as we usually do.. next week is Song Gran (thai new year) and its the water party! Seriously, the entire country just drinks and plays with water for like an entire straight week.. dont even try to imagine it because all the missionaries who have experience it say its beyond imagination.. "Its too awesome!" Seriously, everyone says no work gets done at all.. like, almost impossible. So, if thats the case, they will move our P-day to the first day of Song Gran which would be a wednesday. But im not sure.. just a heads up. Its gonna be legit! Just everyone throws water and powder at each other for like 3 straight days.. Elder Harris (new zone leader) said last year he didnt get 50 feet from his house before he was straight soked. Cool eh?

 

K all i got this week... that family suffices no? Love you all.. The Word of Wisdom? Yeah, its so true.. Repentance? Its the key to happiness. Love it. Love you all, miss you (kind of.. but really? Not really).

 

Bye bye

 

Elder GUdmundsen