Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:19:55 -0700
Subject:
From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net
To: btodd@amsource.com; ruthtodd@hotmail.com; catechristison@gmail.com; jennifertpearson@gmail.com
What a week! So I finished my first week in Thailand, and its been quite an experience. It's been hard, but I'm glad. It's under adverse conditions that we grow. As weird as it sounds, I kind of look forward to hard times, (even though when they come they aren't the funnest), because I know that when the difficulties pass, there will be somthing that is so rewarding. It makes the hard times absolutely worth it!
I had my first baptism on Saturday! Can you believe it?? A man named Sxxb, his wife Oy, and their daughter Nam Wan were all baptized. It was so cool to see a family get baptized! Everyone says those are the best, because families will stick with church moreso than when a single person is baptized. It was really good to see that happen. Seeing a family baptized really built my faith that the Lord is preparing people to receive His message. Now, I have to find them. It's amazing to see the sacrifice of the people. In Thailand, Sunday is no different from other days. Eveyone works on Sunday because they need the money. But Sxxb and Oy gave it up! It's so awesome!
I have eaten some interesting things this week. Well, just one I guess. We had noodles and there was pig intestine in the soup. It was weird to eat, and not the tastiest thing by any means! But it was a good experience. The food here is really good, really spicy though out in the Easaan. There is this stuff that I should be eating soon, Somtam I think. It's papaya salad, but apparently it's brutaly spicy! I'm really excited for that!
The work here is good. There have been around 380 baptisms in our mission since January, which is great. But there is a downside. While membership has increased, attendance has decreased. Its really sad to see actually. As we teach, we have been making sure that our investigators know that the covenants made at baptism are covenants that will last for time and all eternity. It's not just something that is done for 4 or 5 years.
We spend most of our time tracting. It's hard, and not very effective. Even President Hinckley said it. There's a quote is in the 'Finding People' chapter of Preach My Gospel about working with members, I think. He says that the most effective way to do missionary work is to get member referrals! So, if you have any, and you feel that the missionaries will treat those who you have in mind well, give them out! Don't allow your friends to procrastinate the day of their repentance.
We have 5 more people with baptismal dates. A 17 year-old named Cat, and her friend B are getting baptized on Sunday! It was going to be on Saturday, but Cat wanted to change the date so her mother would attend. That's actually really great, because her mother has been very opposed to us teaching her and opposed to the church. She only let us teach her daughter because we are required to teach minors in their parents' homes. Hopefully her mom sees that there is good in the church and decides to investigate for herself!
The next three baptisms we have are scheduled for a week from Sunday- a grandma and her two grandchildren. They have all made a lot of progress but mostly the fourteen year-old. Its great! The people here are so great! They are very different from me in many ways, but they are all children of a loving Father in Heaven, just as I am.
The members are awesome too! The Branch President here is so great! He sacrifices so much to help us do missionary work. Last night he drove us an hour and-a-half to an appointment. I felt bad about it, but he was happy to help us.
The work is hard, but there is nothing that feels better than walking into our house when I'm tired. Just feeling tired feels so good! I love working hard. I have found that I always had that desire in me, but now, I'm figuring out how to turn that desire into action. I'm learning that we all need to act. This is not a gospel of being acted upon. The Lord needs for us to start and act first.
I'm still not used to people driving on the wrong side of the road here. It baffles me. And there are also these trucks that drive around with huge speakers and they play messages. I don't know what they are saying, but it's interesting. There are no noise regulations here either, so people can just turn up their music as loud as they want.
Okay, so one last thing. I've been reading the Book of Mormon and I have absolutely fallen in love with it. It's my favorite possession that I own, and I never let it out of my sight. I really mean that. It is always with me. As I was reading First Nephi Chapter 8, I came across something interesting that I want you all to think about this week. In verese 24 it talks about people who cling to the rod. Read what happens to them. Then read verse 30 about the people who continually hold to the rod. Ask yourself, 'Do I catch hold of the rod and cling to it in hard times? Then when things get easy, do I let go and wander off?" OR-
"Do I continually hold to the word of God, feasting upon the words of eternal life each and evey day? Do I look to God in everything that I do, knowing that through Him, all things are possible?" Please continually hold to the rod. I love you all so much, and I want this for you.
All is well here. The work is hard, but I love it. I love you all so very much. You're the best family anyone could ever be blessed with. Never forget how much the Lord has blessed us with.
Love, Elder Todd
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
First Letter From Thailand!! He made it!
Date: Sun, 7 Aug 2011 21:15:58 -0700
Subject: Hello from the 101!
From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net
Hey Family!
SO, I'm in Thailand safe and sound. I'm in my first Area... Roi Et! It's a city about 6 to 8 hours away from Bangkok. It's in the eastern part of the country, but not that close to Laos and Cambodia. These first few days have been quite interesting. It's so weird to be so far away from home. It's weird to think that right now, I am half a world away from you. I'm trying to figure out how to set my watch from Utah time. It's 9:50 pm in Utah on Sunday right now. It's 10:50 AM here on Monday. We are 13 hours ahead of you.
Our house is nice. I feel very blessed. My trainer is Elder Ackerman (Super fruity smoothies.. its like Jamba Juice). He has been out about a year and a half. I think he said that he goes home in March. Thats really crazy that someone is going home that soon.
When I first stepped off of the airplane I thought, "wow this is hot." But then we stepped outside of the airport and I think all of us were soaked. It was pretty gross.
We got in about midnight on Tuesday and went straight to President Smith's house and went to bed. The next day we went to the office got our passports and stuff all taken care of and had intervies with President Smith. Then we did the "Dan Jones" where we had to go out with an older missionary and place a book of Mormon. We went to the Thai version of "the projects" basically, and we knocked some doors. They got slammed in our faces. I was actually really sruprised. But then we got into a door. We talked with a man for about 30 minutes. He talked about how he wanted to quit smoking and stuff. It was awesome!
Thursday we had transfer meeting. We were assigned our companions and then we waited around Bangkok for people to get their visas. There were some issues, but everything got worked out. We then left on a bus with our whole zone and went to our areas.
The area I'm in seems to be doing well! We have a family of three getting baptized this Saturday, then two girls scheduled for next Saturday and 3 more the following Saturday! How sweet is that? It really makes me happy, except we don't have any other investigators. So, we need to find some. I know that the Lord has prepared people here. We just need to find them.
It's been hard because Elder Ackerman has had a fever the last couple of days. But hopefully things are on the up and up! We went 'inviting' in a couple of neighborhoods yesterday. We talked to 3 people, but they didn't seem too interested. Bummer right? I keep hearing that referals are the best way. We are hoping to get one tonight.
Dogs are EVERYWHERE! Its disgusting. They are some of the ugliest dogs too. And if we get bitten, we have to get a rabies shot. We take 0 chances. So please pray that I'll never get bitten. Seriously.
Thailand is much different than I thought it would be. I still don't feel like I'm in Asia. I feel more like I'm in Arizona or California (somewhere HOT). The only difference is, I'm surrounded by Asians all speaking a different language. I guess it just goes to show that people around the world are pretty similar. We're all children of God. We all have some desire for guidance or religion. Sometimes, though, we just don't know where to find it. I feel like that's a lot of what I need to help people do here in Thailand.
Church yesterday was so great! I think that it's so amazing that the sacrament has the exact same meaning, no matter what langugae it's in, and no matter what country you're in when you partake of it. (Even if it is North Carolina, Jennifer and John). The branch here had 93 people in attendance yesterday! I feel like that's a pretty good number of people. It's really great to see the work of the Lord in action now. I'm sure that in these next 21 months, I will see many peoples' lives change for the better. And it's all because of the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. What a blessing it is to have that in our lives. The atonement is perhaps the greatest resource that we have. We can use it for ANYTHING. Christ is there, outside the door waiting for us to open the door, and let Him in.
Thank you so much for all of your emails! I have the best family in the world! Please feel free to send actual letters and not just emails. They're nice because then I can keep them with me. Letters in the mail take about 10 days to get here, and then they get sent from the office to our house every Wednesday. If you ever need to send a package, they go to the mission home and we pick them up at transfer meeting.
Well, I hope all is well! Jen and John, I am glad that you made it to North Carolina safely! Eat some Carolina BBQ for me please. Cate and Dave, enjoy your new place to live! Brookie and La, get ready for a busy year! FOCUS. Study hard. I know you will because you're Todds. Dad, I hope all is well with work, and I wish you the very best. Mom, I hope yw is better now that camp is over. Enjoy your time in Cali.
I love you all more than words can express! You're always in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Todd
Subject: Hello from the 101!
From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net
Hey Family!
SO, I'm in Thailand safe and sound. I'm in my first Area... Roi Et! It's a city about 6 to 8 hours away from Bangkok. It's in the eastern part of the country, but not that close to Laos and Cambodia. These first few days have been quite interesting. It's so weird to be so far away from home. It's weird to think that right now, I am half a world away from you. I'm trying to figure out how to set my watch from Utah time. It's 9:50 pm in Utah on Sunday right now. It's 10:50 AM here on Monday. We are 13 hours ahead of you.
Our house is nice. I feel very blessed. My trainer is Elder Ackerman (Super fruity smoothies.. its like Jamba Juice). He has been out about a year and a half. I think he said that he goes home in March. Thats really crazy that someone is going home that soon.
When I first stepped off of the airplane I thought, "wow this is hot." But then we stepped outside of the airport and I think all of us were soaked. It was pretty gross.
We got in about midnight on Tuesday and went straight to President Smith's house and went to bed. The next day we went to the office got our passports and stuff all taken care of and had intervies with President Smith. Then we did the "Dan Jones" where we had to go out with an older missionary and place a book of Mormon. We went to the Thai version of "the projects" basically, and we knocked some doors. They got slammed in our faces. I was actually really sruprised. But then we got into a door. We talked with a man for about 30 minutes. He talked about how he wanted to quit smoking and stuff. It was awesome!
Thursday we had transfer meeting. We were assigned our companions and then we waited around Bangkok for people to get their visas. There were some issues, but everything got worked out. We then left on a bus with our whole zone and went to our areas.
The area I'm in seems to be doing well! We have a family of three getting baptized this Saturday, then two girls scheduled for next Saturday and 3 more the following Saturday! How sweet is that? It really makes me happy, except we don't have any other investigators. So, we need to find some. I know that the Lord has prepared people here. We just need to find them.
It's been hard because Elder Ackerman has had a fever the last couple of days. But hopefully things are on the up and up! We went 'inviting' in a couple of neighborhoods yesterday. We talked to 3 people, but they didn't seem too interested. Bummer right? I keep hearing that referals are the best way. We are hoping to get one tonight.
Dogs are EVERYWHERE! Its disgusting. They are some of the ugliest dogs too. And if we get bitten, we have to get a rabies shot. We take 0 chances. So please pray that I'll never get bitten. Seriously.
Thailand is much different than I thought it would be. I still don't feel like I'm in Asia. I feel more like I'm in Arizona or California (somewhere HOT). The only difference is, I'm surrounded by Asians all speaking a different language. I guess it just goes to show that people around the world are pretty similar. We're all children of God. We all have some desire for guidance or religion. Sometimes, though, we just don't know where to find it. I feel like that's a lot of what I need to help people do here in Thailand.
Church yesterday was so great! I think that it's so amazing that the sacrament has the exact same meaning, no matter what langugae it's in, and no matter what country you're in when you partake of it. (Even if it is North Carolina, Jennifer and John). The branch here had 93 people in attendance yesterday! I feel like that's a pretty good number of people. It's really great to see the work of the Lord in action now. I'm sure that in these next 21 months, I will see many peoples' lives change for the better. And it's all because of the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. What a blessing it is to have that in our lives. The atonement is perhaps the greatest resource that we have. We can use it for ANYTHING. Christ is there, outside the door waiting for us to open the door, and let Him in.
Thank you so much for all of your emails! I have the best family in the world! Please feel free to send actual letters and not just emails. They're nice because then I can keep them with me. Letters in the mail take about 10 days to get here, and then they get sent from the office to our house every Wednesday. If you ever need to send a package, they go to the mission home and we pick them up at transfer meeting.
Well, I hope all is well! Jen and John, I am glad that you made it to North Carolina safely! Eat some Carolina BBQ for me please. Cate and Dave, enjoy your new place to live! Brookie and La, get ready for a busy year! FOCUS. Study hard. I know you will because you're Todds. Dad, I hope all is well with work, and I wish you the very best. Mom, I hope yw is better now that camp is over. Enjoy your time in Cali.
I love you all more than words can express! You're always in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Todd
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Week #10 Thailand Travel Plans!
Hey Everybody!
So can you believe it? I've been out for 10 weeks! Well the biggest piece of news this week is that we got our travel plans! We get to fly Delta, so we get two carry ons and two bags to check. Its nice. A lot of missionaries going to Asia only get 1 carry on that can't exceed 15 lbs.
But the plans! We leave August 1st, and we fly from Salt Lake to LAX, then we fly from LAX to Bangkok! It's going to be such a long flight! We leave LA at 12:40 PM on August 1st and we arrive in Bangkok at11:05 PM on August 2nd! I'm so excited to finally get there! I'm not going to lie-- I'm kind of nervous, but I'm more excited than anything else! My branch president said that we could call home, and I can only call my parents, so I'll call home at around 7:30-9:30 if you will all be there. I hope so!
This week was great! Sunday was fantastic as usual. I loved watching the Tabernacle Choir in Music and the Spoken word singing all about the Pioneers. I absolutely LOVE Come Come Ye Saints. We had a lot of people talk to us about how we are pioneers. I realized I'm kind of a pioneer because no one in our family, as far as I know, has been to mainland Asia (Like real Asia. Jeru is in the Middle East-- Sorry Jennifer and Cate).
The fireside speaker on Sunday was Stephen B. Allen. It was our fourth time hearing from him. He is awesome! He produced the "home front" commercials for the church. He showed us a bunch of them. He showed us one with Ali Schneider. I didn't know that she was in a commercial ever. It was wonderful to see her. He talked to us about not giving up, and always believing in Christ. He told us that we go to serve with honor, so we must return with honor. One thing that I really liked that he said was "Don't ever do anything stupid. It is difficult for the Lord to protect us from ourselves." It's a very true statement. The Lord can protect us, but if we use our agency and choose to do somthing stupid, its hard for Him to protect us, because no matter what. He won't take our agency away from us.
Then, instead of watching Legacy, we went to watch a talk that Elder Holland gave at the MTC in 2006. All I can say is, Wow!
It ws an amazing talk. He told us that we are apostles with a lower case a, because we don't hold the keys of the Quorum of the 12. But for these two years (or 18 months), we have the opportunity to be apostolic. We defend the name of Jesus the Christ in all things, and in all times and in all places. I don't want to miss this chance I have now to be apostolic. From the moment I wake up, from the moment I go to bed I am striving to keep the spirit with me. The leaders of the church need this from us for 24 months, all day, everyday. Elder Holland told us, "Don't you dare go out and waste those 24 months." He also said, "Allow yourself to be put in the company of Peter, James, John, Isaiah, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Alma, Amulek, Paul, Nephi and Lehi!"
(Hel 5). He said not to think about what you're going to do in real life. I quote, "Your mission is the closest to REAL LIFE you can get." And after our missions, he said we shouldn't go back to being who we were. Some things should change, but a lot should stay the same. Our love for the Lord, the people, our companinon. He said we should, "Keep the fire for your mission in your life forever."
He also told us a poem that I really like.
"Come to the edge he said, no we'll fall.
Come to the edge he said, no we'll fall.
Come to the edge he said. So we came to the edge.
He pushed us. and we flew."
Elder Holland said to go where miracles happen. So much depends on so little, we must go where there is high risk. It is part of following Christ. There is so much that he said, but I don't have enough time to share it with you. I will when I get home. But one more thing he said that really sticks out in my mind is this-- When investigators or members ask the question, "Why is this so hard?" we can share the answer that Elder Holland found for himself. The answer is, that the atonement of Jesus the Christ was hard. We can't be a true disciple until we have an experience similar to that of Christs. The road to Salvation goes through Gethsemane. It carries a cross. Salvation is hard because it is not a cheap experience. Why should it be easy for us if it was not easy for Him? It CAN'T be easy.There is nothing easy about this work when push comes to shove. Just sweat and tears. We go through hard things so that we feel a portion of what Christ felt. If a mission is done right, it's hard. It's the same with life. If you live your life right, its hard. Read Helaman 5 and Mosiah 27 to read about men who did hard things, because they lived their lives right. I know that these words are true. And I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that we must learn to know Him in this life. He will always be there to pilot us over life's tempestuous seas. Turn to Him daily.
I love you all more than words can express. Be safe. Be smart. Take care
Love,
Elder Todd
So can you believe it? I've been out for 10 weeks! Well the biggest piece of news this week is that we got our travel plans! We get to fly Delta, so we get two carry ons and two bags to check. Its nice. A lot of missionaries going to Asia only get 1 carry on that can't exceed 15 lbs.
But the plans! We leave August 1st, and we fly from Salt Lake to LAX, then we fly from LAX to Bangkok! It's going to be such a long flight! We leave LA at 12:40 PM on August 1st and we arrive in Bangkok at11:05 PM on August 2nd! I'm so excited to finally get there! I'm not going to lie-- I'm kind of nervous, but I'm more excited than anything else! My branch president said that we could call home, and I can only call my parents, so I'll call home at around 7:30-9:30 if you will all be there. I hope so!
This week was great! Sunday was fantastic as usual. I loved watching the Tabernacle Choir in Music and the Spoken word singing all about the Pioneers. I absolutely LOVE Come Come Ye Saints. We had a lot of people talk to us about how we are pioneers. I realized I'm kind of a pioneer because no one in our family, as far as I know, has been to mainland Asia (Like real Asia. Jeru is in the Middle East-- Sorry Jennifer and Cate).
The fireside speaker on Sunday was Stephen B. Allen. It was our fourth time hearing from him. He is awesome! He produced the "home front" commercials for the church. He showed us a bunch of them. He showed us one with Ali Schneider. I didn't know that she was in a commercial ever. It was wonderful to see her. He talked to us about not giving up, and always believing in Christ. He told us that we go to serve with honor, so we must return with honor. One thing that I really liked that he said was "Don't ever do anything stupid. It is difficult for the Lord to protect us from ourselves." It's a very true statement. The Lord can protect us, but if we use our agency and choose to do somthing stupid, its hard for Him to protect us, because no matter what. He won't take our agency away from us.
Then, instead of watching Legacy, we went to watch a talk that Elder Holland gave at the MTC in 2006. All I can say is, Wow!
It ws an amazing talk. He told us that we are apostles with a lower case a, because we don't hold the keys of the Quorum of the 12. But for these two years (or 18 months), we have the opportunity to be apostolic. We defend the name of Jesus the Christ in all things, and in all times and in all places. I don't want to miss this chance I have now to be apostolic. From the moment I wake up, from the moment I go to bed I am striving to keep the spirit with me. The leaders of the church need this from us for 24 months, all day, everyday. Elder Holland told us, "Don't you dare go out and waste those 24 months." He also said, "Allow yourself to be put in the company of Peter, James, John, Isaiah, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Alma, Amulek, Paul, Nephi and Lehi!"
(Hel 5). He said not to think about what you're going to do in real life. I quote, "Your mission is the closest to REAL LIFE you can get." And after our missions, he said we shouldn't go back to being who we were. Some things should change, but a lot should stay the same. Our love for the Lord, the people, our companinon. He said we should, "Keep the fire for your mission in your life forever."
He also told us a poem that I really like.
"Come to the edge he said, no we'll fall.
Come to the edge he said, no we'll fall.
Come to the edge he said. So we came to the edge.
He pushed us. and we flew."
Elder Holland said to go where miracles happen. So much depends on so little, we must go where there is high risk. It is part of following Christ. There is so much that he said, but I don't have enough time to share it with you. I will when I get home. But one more thing he said that really sticks out in my mind is this-- When investigators or members ask the question, "Why is this so hard?" we can share the answer that Elder Holland found for himself. The answer is, that the atonement of Jesus the Christ was hard. We can't be a true disciple until we have an experience similar to that of Christs. The road to Salvation goes through Gethsemane. It carries a cross. Salvation is hard because it is not a cheap experience. Why should it be easy for us if it was not easy for Him? It CAN'T be easy.There is nothing easy about this work when push comes to shove. Just sweat and tears. We go through hard things so that we feel a portion of what Christ felt. If a mission is done right, it's hard. It's the same with life. If you live your life right, its hard. Read Helaman 5 and Mosiah 27 to read about men who did hard things, because they lived their lives right. I know that these words are true. And I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that we must learn to know Him in this life. He will always be there to pilot us over life's tempestuous seas. Turn to Him daily.
I love you all more than words can express. Be safe. Be smart. Take care
Love,
Elder Todd
Another Elder Todd Sighting!
This past Sunday on July 24th, Bud got to see his cousin, Kyle Darby. What a great surprise! Kyle reports that while in Provo for BYU Tennis Camp, he had the chance to visit the MTC for a Sunday meeting. While at the MTC, Kyle was in the cafeteria and scanned the room for Bud. Before Kyle could spot Bud, Elder Todd saw his cousin and beelined over to him. Must've been that summer white blond hair on Kyle that made him easy to see. Anyway, Kyle said that Bud looks great, is happy, is excited to be a missionary and seems to like it all very much. The two cousins had a short but great chat and loved running into each other! What a great cousin report for Bud's entire family. Thanks Kyle, for the wonderful update. We love both of these boys. Hold on Kyle, you'll be there for real before you know it!
Week #9 Getting ready to go!
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Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:18:31 -0600
Subject: Week 9
From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net
To: btodd@amsource.com; ruthtodd@hotmail.com
Hello Family!
How is everyone? I'm glad to hear that Nana's funeral went well on Saturday. Mom, that truly is amazing about all of the Wallins just randomly showing up at the viewing! I think that it is probably a nudge from the Lord reminding us to get more family history work done or something like that.
Well, another week gone. Not much has changed though. The fireside on Sunday was really good. One of the District presidents, President Sonne and his wife, Sister Kay Sonne spoke. They did a really good job! President Sonne talked to us about how it is difficult to focus, especially when we try to focus all of our time and energy on one thing. He talked about how a lot of the time as missionaries, we get tired. He told us a story of President Hinckley and how when he was 92, he still would go and go and go, no matter how tired he was. This was really good for me because I've been really tired lately. But now when I feel tired, I think of President Hinckley. I know that if he could do it at 92, I can for sure do it at 19. President Sonne said something else really interesting. He told us that about a stake conference he attended with President Hinckley. As President Hinckley was leaving the stake center to get into a car, he said to M. Russel Ballard, "I hope they'll do what I told them."
Isn't it kind of a sad thought that the prophet would have to speak those words? We should always be willing to follow his advice, and he should never wonder if we will obey. He should know that we will obey, and do so with a happy heart. Something else that President Sonne talked about that I liked was not fearing the people, and being bold. He said that "Boldness shows your faith that obedience brings blessings." Its true. Obedience does bring blessings, but as Russel M. Nelsons wife told us the first Tuesday I was here, "Obedience brings blessings, but EXACT obedience brings MIRACLES!"
We have also had some really good lessons from our teachers this week. Yesterday, Sister Wongwiraphab was teachig us about accountability from Preach My Gospel. It was really good. It's in the back of the famous and helpful chapter 8. There is a parallel to fishing in Preach My Gospel. It talks about two types of fishermen. They will both "go fishing" for 12 hours. But there is a difference. One will get up and drive to the lake, spend all of his time getting ready, eating breakfast and finding that perfect spot. Then he has to eat lunch and all that stuff. He has his line in the water for two hours or so. Then there is the fisherman who gets to the lake and gets his line in the water immediately. He has his line in the water all day. It's obvious who we want to be. As missionaries, we should have our line in the water from the moment we step out of our apartment. We should be constantly looking for opportunities to grow the kingdom. The missionary handbook says under Preparation Day, "Look for opportunities during the day to find people and teach." There is not a single minute that should be taken off these next two years. P-day isn't a personal day to take off from the work.
Last night, Brother Miles talked to us about the restoration. He showed us pictures of city streets in Thailand. We looked at the Cities of Udon and Bangkok. He would pull up a picture and say, "That guy on the motorcycle, you'll talk to him at a stoplight about the gospel. See that shop vendor? He needs to hear the message fo the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." He would point at every person saying "Khon Thai"(Thai person). It hit me last night, that these are real people. Thailand is a real place, the gospel needs to be taught there. We read Joseph Smith History verses 1-54 as a class. It was really powerful to read it thinking of the people we had just seen. Brother Miles talked to us about being bold, and not being afraid. I know that I won't speak Thai when I get there. I won't understand most of what's going on. But Brother Miles said, be bold and talk to someone. Share the message that you have with them. He showed us the Airport in Bangkok and said something like, "Believe it or not, you'll be there in two weeks. You'll get off the plane and you'll hear the loudspeaker and you'll think, is that Chinese? What is that language." He said that it'll be hard, but he challenged us to talk to at least one person in the airport, about the message of the restoration of the Gospel. I know that these people are being prepared by the Holy Ghost, to hear this message. Some will be on different levels than others, but if I talk to them, they will remember me. Even if what they're thinking is, "Wow, I couldn't understand what he said," or, "He spoke really bad Thai," I just hope they will remember the chirch of Jesus Chrsit of Latter-day Saints.
We know that this life is a time for men to prepare to meet God. We know that we all make mistakes. But we try to become more like Christ everyday. One thing that I have discovered to help me "become like my only master" is the Christlike attribute test at the end of Chapter six of Preach My Gospel. I know that we've got a bunch of Preach My Gospel books at our house. Next family home evening, will you all take that assessment, and try to work on the attribute where you are lowest? I invite all to do so.
Well Everything is well with me! I hope that you all are safe and well. Mom, I'll send a cd with my MTC pictures home next week. Travel Plans on Thursday! I'm so excited to meet the Thai people! They are going to be wonderful!
I love you all so much! My prayers are with you!
Love ELder Todd
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:18:31 -0600
Subject: Week 9
From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net
To: btodd@amsource.com; ruthtodd@hotmail.com
Hello Family!
How is everyone? I'm glad to hear that Nana's funeral went well on Saturday. Mom, that truly is amazing about all of the Wallins just randomly showing up at the viewing! I think that it is probably a nudge from the Lord reminding us to get more family history work done or something like that.
Well, another week gone. Not much has changed though. The fireside on Sunday was really good. One of the District presidents, President Sonne and his wife, Sister Kay Sonne spoke. They did a really good job! President Sonne talked to us about how it is difficult to focus, especially when we try to focus all of our time and energy on one thing. He talked about how a lot of the time as missionaries, we get tired. He told us a story of President Hinckley and how when he was 92, he still would go and go and go, no matter how tired he was. This was really good for me because I've been really tired lately. But now when I feel tired, I think of President Hinckley. I know that if he could do it at 92, I can for sure do it at 19. President Sonne said something else really interesting. He told us that about a stake conference he attended with President Hinckley. As President Hinckley was leaving the stake center to get into a car, he said to M. Russel Ballard, "I hope they'll do what I told them."
Isn't it kind of a sad thought that the prophet would have to speak those words? We should always be willing to follow his advice, and he should never wonder if we will obey. He should know that we will obey, and do so with a happy heart. Something else that President Sonne talked about that I liked was not fearing the people, and being bold. He said that "Boldness shows your faith that obedience brings blessings." Its true. Obedience does bring blessings, but as Russel M. Nelsons wife told us the first Tuesday I was here, "Obedience brings blessings, but EXACT obedience brings MIRACLES!"
We have also had some really good lessons from our teachers this week. Yesterday, Sister Wongwiraphab was teachig us about accountability from Preach My Gospel. It was really good. It's in the back of the famous and helpful chapter 8. There is a parallel to fishing in Preach My Gospel. It talks about two types of fishermen. They will both "go fishing" for 12 hours. But there is a difference. One will get up and drive to the lake, spend all of his time getting ready, eating breakfast and finding that perfect spot. Then he has to eat lunch and all that stuff. He has his line in the water for two hours or so. Then there is the fisherman who gets to the lake and gets his line in the water immediately. He has his line in the water all day. It's obvious who we want to be. As missionaries, we should have our line in the water from the moment we step out of our apartment. We should be constantly looking for opportunities to grow the kingdom. The missionary handbook says under Preparation Day, "Look for opportunities during the day to find people and teach." There is not a single minute that should be taken off these next two years. P-day isn't a personal day to take off from the work.
Last night, Brother Miles talked to us about the restoration. He showed us pictures of city streets in Thailand. We looked at the Cities of Udon and Bangkok. He would pull up a picture and say, "That guy on the motorcycle, you'll talk to him at a stoplight about the gospel. See that shop vendor? He needs to hear the message fo the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." He would point at every person saying "Khon Thai"(Thai person). It hit me last night, that these are real people. Thailand is a real place, the gospel needs to be taught there. We read Joseph Smith History verses 1-54 as a class. It was really powerful to read it thinking of the people we had just seen. Brother Miles talked to us about being bold, and not being afraid. I know that I won't speak Thai when I get there. I won't understand most of what's going on. But Brother Miles said, be bold and talk to someone. Share the message that you have with them. He showed us the Airport in Bangkok and said something like, "Believe it or not, you'll be there in two weeks. You'll get off the plane and you'll hear the loudspeaker and you'll think, is that Chinese? What is that language." He said that it'll be hard, but he challenged us to talk to at least one person in the airport, about the message of the restoration of the Gospel. I know that these people are being prepared by the Holy Ghost, to hear this message. Some will be on different levels than others, but if I talk to them, they will remember me. Even if what they're thinking is, "Wow, I couldn't understand what he said," or, "He spoke really bad Thai," I just hope they will remember the chirch of Jesus Chrsit of Latter-day Saints.
We know that this life is a time for men to prepare to meet God. We know that we all make mistakes. But we try to become more like Christ everyday. One thing that I have discovered to help me "become like my only master" is the Christlike attribute test at the end of Chapter six of Preach My Gospel. I know that we've got a bunch of Preach My Gospel books at our house. Next family home evening, will you all take that assessment, and try to work on the attribute where you are lowest? I invite all to do so.
Well Everything is well with me! I hope that you all are safe and well. Mom, I'll send a cd with my MTC pictures home next week. Travel Plans on Thursday! I'm so excited to meet the Thai people! They are going to be wonderful!
I love you all so much! My prayers are with you!
Love ELder Todd
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Nana's Passing
The morning after Nana's passing, we called the MTC to notify Bud about the news. The director, was so kind and said they'd call Bud in later that day and tell him. Brother Christensen told me that if Bud needed to call home, he was allowed. If, however, Bud didn't feel the need to call, they would have him write us. I never put my phone down all day. I knew how close Bud had been to Nans and I thought he might want a quick phone call home. Bryan and I both wrote him emails as well, telling him about the experience of being with Nana the last few hours of her life and reassuring him that all was well.
The phone never rang.
This afternoon, however, we received this email from Elder Todd. How wonderful for his family that HE actually seemed great, and was reassuring US. Sweet is the peace the gospel brings. Here is his tribute to his grandmother and friend, Nana:
Hey Mom and Dad,
So you're probably surprised to be hearing from me today. I got called down to the district presidency office yesterday, and one of the Presidents, President Bertasso, told me about Nana.
I was grateful that I got to hear it before I got the dear elder letters from you two. Part of me knew when I was getting called down that it was because of Nana. It's so interesting because on p-day I felt like I needed
to write her a letter telling her how much I love her. She won't get it, but I know she knows how much I love her. As I concluded my prayer on Tuesday night berfore I went to bed, I had the thought
come into my head that I am so lucky to be serving my mission while Pa is serving his mission on the other side of the veil. Now I know that Nana is there with him, and its such a blessing to
both of them. So, the reason why I have permission to email is because President Bertasso thought that it would be nice if I thought of some things to say and then to email them home so
they could be read at the funeral. It's not important to me if there isn't time, but I want to share my thoughts about Nana with you anyway.
When I think of Nana, I think of one of the sweetest, most loving people I know. I know that she was a righteous lady, and endured to the end with faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. When I read Doctrine and Covenants 138:39, I think of Nana. "And our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages and worshipped the true and living God." I know that Nana is one of these faithful daughters of a loving Father in Heaven. She always did what was right. I remember for many years she would go with Pa every Tuesday night to serve the Lord in His house. I always heard of her legacy of service, she was always willing to help. She was instrumental in my upbringing as I had the opportunity to spend time almost everyday of my youth with her. She was always an example of kindness. Alma 40:11 tells us that after this life we will return home to the God that gave us life. Verse 12 tells us that the righteous are received into a state of happiness, and that they will rest from trouble, care, and sorrow. I know that Nana and Pa are among these righteous. I find comfort in the fact that I am involved in the same work as they are. We are inviting others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through Faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, baptism, repentance, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. I am so grateful for the plan of Slavation. I know that I will see Nana again. I feel blessed to serve as she serves. I believe in Jesus Christ, and I believe Him. I know that through Him, we will all be resurrected. I know that the next time I see Nana, she will have a perfect body, free from pain, and disease. I thank my Father in Heaven for his merciful plan. I know that this gospel is true. Of this I testify in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
It doesn't matter if that is read or not, President Bertasso just wanted me to send something. I hope it helps. I think that it is a tender mercy from the Lord that as I focus this week on the second half of the plan of salvation, I have this experience.
It's harder than when Pa passed because I have to be away from you. But I know that the Lord is there to help me through. That is what the atonement of Jesus Christ is for. To give us the strength we need to bear our burdens. That's something I have learned here. The Lord won't necesserily take our burdens away from us. He will just make us stronger, that we may bear them. It is part of the growing process. I know that this is a blessing for both Nana and Pa. The Lord's hand is in it. His hand is in everything. Sometimes we just have to search for it, but I promise, if we search hard enough we will find it.
I think that I cried yesterday for the first time since at late summer honors. Part of me wishes that I would have gone and seen Nana the day that I left on my mission. But at least I will see her again. Mom and Dad, I love you both so much. You gave me an incredible foundation in the gospel. I try everyday to build upon that foundation. My testimony of this gospel is so much stronger than it was eight weeks ago. I talked to my teacher yesterday after I found out, and I told her what happened. I told her that I was grateful because now when I go to Thailand, I will be able to bear stronger testimony of the Plan of Salvation, the resurrection, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It makes me so happy that I can bring Joy into the lives of my bretheren. She, being a native Thai told me how grateful she was for my testimony, and that she was grateful that the Thai people would be able to hear from me. I feel the opposite way. I feel so lucky that I get to go teach such an amazing people. I finished Galatians this morning. Reading the New Testament has strengthened my testimony. But I realize while its amazing, there is no purer witness of the Plan of Salvation than the Book of Mormon. I love this book, and this gospel I'm thankful for a father in Heaven who loves all of His children. He truly is Merciful. I'm thankful for Jesus Christ. and His atonement and love for me.
If possible, mom, could you record the service on your iphone, then load it onto the computer burn it onto a CD and send it to me? The twinnies know how to do this.
Well, I love you all so much. The church IS true. Did jen find out? Let me know.
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Todd
The phone never rang.
This afternoon, however, we received this email from Elder Todd. How wonderful for his family that HE actually seemed great, and was reassuring US. Sweet is the peace the gospel brings. Here is his tribute to his grandmother and friend, Nana:
Hey Mom and Dad,
So you're probably surprised to be hearing from me today. I got called down to the district presidency office yesterday, and one of the Presidents, President Bertasso, told me about Nana.
I was grateful that I got to hear it before I got the dear elder letters from you two. Part of me knew when I was getting called down that it was because of Nana. It's so interesting because on p-day I felt like I needed
to write her a letter telling her how much I love her. She won't get it, but I know she knows how much I love her. As I concluded my prayer on Tuesday night berfore I went to bed, I had the thought
come into my head that I am so lucky to be serving my mission while Pa is serving his mission on the other side of the veil. Now I know that Nana is there with him, and its such a blessing to
both of them. So, the reason why I have permission to email is because President Bertasso thought that it would be nice if I thought of some things to say and then to email them home so
they could be read at the funeral. It's not important to me if there isn't time, but I want to share my thoughts about Nana with you anyway.
When I think of Nana, I think of one of the sweetest, most loving people I know. I know that she was a righteous lady, and endured to the end with faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. When I read Doctrine and Covenants 138:39, I think of Nana. "And our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages and worshipped the true and living God." I know that Nana is one of these faithful daughters of a loving Father in Heaven. She always did what was right. I remember for many years she would go with Pa every Tuesday night to serve the Lord in His house. I always heard of her legacy of service, she was always willing to help. She was instrumental in my upbringing as I had the opportunity to spend time almost everyday of my youth with her. She was always an example of kindness. Alma 40:11 tells us that after this life we will return home to the God that gave us life. Verse 12 tells us that the righteous are received into a state of happiness, and that they will rest from trouble, care, and sorrow. I know that Nana and Pa are among these righteous. I find comfort in the fact that I am involved in the same work as they are. We are inviting others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through Faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, baptism, repentance, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. I am so grateful for the plan of Slavation. I know that I will see Nana again. I feel blessed to serve as she serves. I believe in Jesus Christ, and I believe Him. I know that through Him, we will all be resurrected. I know that the next time I see Nana, she will have a perfect body, free from pain, and disease. I thank my Father in Heaven for his merciful plan. I know that this gospel is true. Of this I testify in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
It doesn't matter if that is read or not, President Bertasso just wanted me to send something. I hope it helps. I think that it is a tender mercy from the Lord that as I focus this week on the second half of the plan of salvation, I have this experience.
It's harder than when Pa passed because I have to be away from you. But I know that the Lord is there to help me through. That is what the atonement of Jesus Christ is for. To give us the strength we need to bear our burdens. That's something I have learned here. The Lord won't necesserily take our burdens away from us. He will just make us stronger, that we may bear them. It is part of the growing process. I know that this is a blessing for both Nana and Pa. The Lord's hand is in it. His hand is in everything. Sometimes we just have to search for it, but I promise, if we search hard enough we will find it.
I think that I cried yesterday for the first time since at late summer honors. Part of me wishes that I would have gone and seen Nana the day that I left on my mission. But at least I will see her again. Mom and Dad, I love you both so much. You gave me an incredible foundation in the gospel. I try everyday to build upon that foundation. My testimony of this gospel is so much stronger than it was eight weeks ago. I talked to my teacher yesterday after I found out, and I told her what happened. I told her that I was grateful because now when I go to Thailand, I will be able to bear stronger testimony of the Plan of Salvation, the resurrection, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It makes me so happy that I can bring Joy into the lives of my bretheren. She, being a native Thai told me how grateful she was for my testimony, and that she was grateful that the Thai people would be able to hear from me. I feel the opposite way. I feel so lucky that I get to go teach such an amazing people. I finished Galatians this morning. Reading the New Testament has strengthened my testimony. But I realize while its amazing, there is no purer witness of the Plan of Salvation than the Book of Mormon. I love this book, and this gospel I'm thankful for a father in Heaven who loves all of His children. He truly is Merciful. I'm thankful for Jesus Christ. and His atonement and love for me.
If possible, mom, could you record the service on your iphone, then load it onto the computer burn it onto a CD and send it to me? The twinnies know how to do this.
Well, I love you all so much. The church IS true. Did jen find out? Let me know.
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Todd
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