Mon, 31 Dec 2012
Happy new year! And what a happy one it will be!
This gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of joy, and I pray that we will all be able to find a greater measure of joy as we enter into this new chapter in life. The new year is a great time to set a vision for what we want to become by year's end. But it's not enough just to get that big picture. Once we have our vision set, it's our responsibility to set goals that will contribute to our vision, then make plans for how we will accomplish those goals.
It's been really cool for me here in Pakkret. We work very closely with the District President, President Sathit. He's been getting a lot of things from the Asia Area Presidency as the Bangkok North District plans to become a Stake this year! He's been sharing a lot of the goal setting and planning that Elder Watson, Elder Gong, and Elder Wilson have been giving him. It's all about vision, goals, and plans. I challenge you all to prayerfully set a vision for what you want to become by the end of 2013. Set goals and plan. Then post those goals somewhere you will see them. I'll do it if you will. I know that it will help us on our quest to be perfect as out Master is.
Well, this last week was a very busy one. I didn't get to stay in our area very much because I was busy with exchanges. But I learned a lot. The first exchange was Tuesday evening. I went to Asoke with Elder Banjamin. He's President Sathit's son. He's an assistant down there. That was really good. We talked a lot about charity and love and the way that we need to show it without ever compromising out fixed principles of gospel living. If we can do that, we can better love other people. It's really important. It's something that I already know, but just keeps staying on the surface. It doesen't matter how เก่ง, how skilled we are. If we don't have charity, we're nothing and our faith is vain. It's all about love.
One of the interesting things that happened in Asoke was that we taught Elder Banjamin's investigators over Skype. It was really weird, not going to lie. But she lives a ways south in a place called NakornSiThanmarad, so we used computers. It's pretty crazy to see how the gospel can be shared nowadays.
I also did exchanges in the Bang Khaen area. That's where Elder Houghton is. But I was with his companion, Elder Segura. It was good. Elder Segura was in the MTC with me. He's grown a ton! He was talking to me about how in this final stretch of his mission he really want's to do something that will leave his mark. It's good. Se la diferencia. I think that's how you say it. Be the difference. We all need to look for ways to be the difference for good in the lives of others. It's all about ministering. So many of us think of missionary work as just teaching, but it's so much more than that. It's all about doing what the Savior did. That's my focus for this new year. We find it in Matthew 20.
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Also this week, Sister Nong got baptized!! It was such a special day, and she asked me to baptize her. I'll send a picture next week. Her sister got up to speak at the baptism. Her sister talked about how she had been praying for a way to help Nong. She shared that there had been some trials between them, but the end the trials brought them together to live under the same roof. And Nong learned about the gospel and then got baptized! She was at a loss for words, but so happy! It was such a blessing to see that the Lord truly is mindful of EACH of His children.
We also had about 5 walk ins. The Lord is POURING out blessing on us. I'm so grateful.
Well, I hope you all have a wonderful week! Be safe, and faithful!
Love you all!
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