LOVING KORAT

October 15, 2012

Hey Famiglia!

Wow! This last week sure was a great one! We got to watch conference. Oh my goodness! It was fantastic!  It was full of things that I needed.

Saturday morning I was studying in Alma 5. I told Elder Wood, that I guaranteed someone would quote that chapter. Sure enough, Elder Cook got up and quoted verse 14 about the "mighty change of heart." It was quoted throughout the conference.

If we had favorite chapters in the scriptures, that would be mine. It's a good self-evaluation. We can each prayerfully read it and see where we stand in our progression in the gospel.

President Eyring's talk on Sunday morning was great too.  It answered most of the questions that I had going into conference. And Elder Holland's talk, and Elder Hales’ talk--SO good!  Well, I could go on and on about conference, but I won't. You all saw it.

This last week, the Lord blessed us greatly. We’d had a little bit of a struggle the week before contacting and teaching our investigator, Cherry. We were a little worried. We were going to teach her on Tuesday. Monday night we were holding our nightly planning session. As we talked about what we wanted to follow up on, we felt impressed to follow up on her prayer and scripture reading. The next day she was telling us how she was getting frustrated and as a result  of her difficulties, she had smoked a lot the day before. We asked her, "Are you reading your scriptures daily? Are you praying morning and night?" The answer was, no. Those are such little things, but they are so crucial for life. It's just like how little hinges can swing great doors. It’s the little things that so often make the biggest differences in our lives. Don't for get to do them!

We were also teaching Tik. He is so great! He is so prepared. He always has questions for us about who gives us authority to preach, baptize, and who chooses the prophets. He enjoyed the message of the Restoration. He promised us that he is going to do his best to be obedient to the Lord. As we were leaving his house he asked us, "When I go to church, what should I wear?" It was way cool because we didn't even talk about church that day with him!

This missionary work is all about finding those people who will receive us. 

Recently,President told me, "I would rather our missionaries have a small investigator pool that are taught great lessons leading to conversion, than to have the inverse with large investigator pools. Well done Elder." So that's what we have been focusing on. 

Here’s an update on Bob. He is making HUGE strides! It's way cool. When I first got here the missionaries had been thinking about setting him aside. He didn’t really understand a lot, and didn't grasp concepts. Well, we started teaching him FROM the scriptures. We made the scriptures the main dish of our lessons, not just side dishes that we brought in when it was convenient. It made a huge difference. He understands now. He talked about his baptismal date and how he feels ready. Elder Wood and I feel he is ready too! So, he is interviewing on Friday for baptism!! How cool is that?  Then the 27th he should be getting baptized!

It's been amazing to see the "mighty change of heart" occur within Bob. He learned about keeping the Sabbath day holy and said he'd stop working.  He committed himself to tithing, saying, "I have no problem paying it." That's what Thailand needs! Full tithe paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders = TEMPLE!! He is even serving the members at church helping with the cleanup, and lunch. SO great!

I also wanted to tell you about the family and Brother Tam. They are the less actives I talked about last week. We were teaching them and their son who is 12 and not baptized. We committed him to baptism. He said yes. Then we committed his dad to prepare to baptize his son. His dad expressed that he wasn't worthy and that he would have another member of the branch do it instead. We opened the scriptures with him and read, D& C 58:42, “Behold, he who has ^arepented of his ^bsins, the same is ^cforgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

 43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will ^aconfess them and ^bforsake them." 

This scripture really impacted him, and he had a change in his countenance. We talked with him about how he can talk to the branch president and prepare to perform this ordinance. It was such a special experience with the Spirit. For this, thanks be to God.

Well, That's about it from this end. I love you all and hope all is well! Keep the faith, smile, find joy in this glorious time to live on earth.

Love,

Elder Todd

So Happy In Korat--Elder Todd and Elder Wood

Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2012 13:44:36
Subject:
From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net

Dear Family! 

How are you? I'm sure you're all just doing great! I'm happy, and am doing well myself. Elder Wood and I are happy in Korat.

Well, I can hardly believe that another week has come and gone. This transfer is off and running which is crazy to me, but that's just the way life is isn't it?

This last week, was good. It was actually fairly rough teaching wise. We had more than half of our appoinments cancel each day which was, at times, very discouraging.  But we reminded ourselves that every  trial and hardship is designed for us, to help us become who the Lord wants. He wants to take us and kill our natural man and create us a new self in Him. So, as the prophet Joseph Smith said, we submit cheerfully--trusting in Him, His infinite wisdom and mercy for us. It makes me think of the final verse of the first chapter in the Book of Mormon. Nephi writes, "But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."

He will, and is delivering us from our trails. We are trying to talk to people, to everyone. The other day we were outside of the church in the parking lot, and there was this man passing by on the outside of the fence. I felt prompted to talk to him. So I did. It turns out he had investigated with the Elders before in Khon Kaen. When I asked him if we could sit down and talk with him he said he's not keeping all the commandments, and can't be baptized. We don't hear people talking to us about baptism very often. But he gave us his number and we'll be seeing him this coming week. See, tender mercies. 

In 2001, President Monson gave a talk entitled "To the Rescue." In it, he said to the brethren holding the priesthood, "Brethren, the world is in need of your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save." President Senior has been talking to us about how this is the Lord's will for the Thailand Bangkok Mission. We are to rescue the members of the church who are lost and wandering in a less active state. This last week, we had the opportunity to work on this. We began visiting the less-actives. We are working with them to bring them back.

Thailand has more than enough members for a temple, but there aren't enough of them coming to church and paying their tithing. So we are bringing them back, and doing what we can to help their family and friends come unto Christ. As we do so, we give many people a system of support and love. As a person all alone, it's so easy to just skip church for one week. Then it becomes easy to keep putting it off until we just don't go at all. But we can't let that happen.

We are working with a family like that right now. The father's name is Tam, and the mother is Taa.  They have 3 sons, Satan (weird I know), Santa, and Stamp- haha. But they just kind of stopped coming. The parents are both members. The kids aren't. Their ages are 11 and 8 and 5. So, two are eligible for baptism! As we were sitting and talking with them, just sharing a gospel message, something told me to tell him he needs to come to church. So, I boldly, but with as much love as possible, told him, "Brother, you need to come to church." It was like something had just hit him. He felt something in the words ring true. He allowed the Spirit to touch his heart. And when that happens, hearts are changed. We will need to work with him more, but his faith will increase. He'll get work off on Sunday, and become worthy to baptize his two sons. That's my prayer at least. It's possible. 

Now, in an effort to work with these less active members we haven't been doing as much tracting as before. Some might call me crazy, but I actually miss it. I miss being able to get out and to talk with people and invite those who know nothing of our Savior to come unto Him. It got to the point yesterday in fact, when I couldn't take it anymore. Our appointments all fell through and I said, "Elder Wood, we've got to change our back-up plan and go tracting."  So we did. We got in the first door we approached. But the older couple that we taught weren't super interested. They ended our lesson by telling us the classic Thai phrase, "Every religion teaches us to be good." They wouldn't open their hearts, but we were able to give our witness and leave our testimony with these people. Many of them have hearts similar to those of the Lamanites. But others have hearts that have been prepared by God. It's amazing to see the difference. 

Lastly, last week we got an e-mail from President Senior. He's amazing. I'll share a portion of it with you. 

"adversity exist all around us.  But Elders and Sisters, I have joy in our work and joy in adversity for it is evidence that we are on the right path, that we are engaged in a work that has captured the attention of the Almighty God and that He will not stay His hand in giving blessings to Thailand and our mission. 

President Hinckley further encourages:

“We have demonstrated our strength in meeting adversity. Our strength is our faith in the Almighty. No cause under the heavens can stop the work of God. Adversity may raise its ugly head. The world may be troubled with wars and rumors of wars, but this cause will go forward.

You are familiar with these great words written by the Prophet Joseph: “No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done”  (History of the Church, 4:540).

The Lord has given us the goal toward which we work. That goal is to build His kingdom, which is a mighty cause of great numbers of men and women of faith, of integrity, of love and concern for mankind, marching forward to create a better society, bringing blessings upon ourselves and upon the heads of others.” ¹⁰

As members of this “army” described by President Hinckley, may we consider the following:

1. Sharpen the swords of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The whetstone of our swords will be our acts of obedience.  Through obedience, dull blades will become sharp. Perfect obedience will give power to use the word of God in a manner that can call upon Heaven for help and bring about miracles.
2. Continue in prayer and fasting. On this coming fast day, may I invite us to unite as a mission in purpose, that our fast may call upon Heaven for the following:

a)  Look forward with one eye and one faith, having our hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another¹¹, and obedience

 among the missionaries in the TBM;

b)  Physical health of the missionaries in the TBM;

c)  Increased power and protection against the  enemy of all righteousness; and

d)  Personal inspiration to know the mind and  will of the Lord in the TBM.

I encourage a continuation of our faith and pace of the work.  Let us adopt the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith which can find applicability in our cause:

“22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on to the victory! Let your heart rejoice; and be exceedingly glad.".”¹²

So, as we united together, there was a very special spirit in the mission. I'm so grateful for the opportunity we had to fast together and join in so great a cause. Make your fast Sunday this week a great one. It's your choice in the end.

I love you all. Hold to the Rod! Always give thanks to God. 

Love,

Elder Todd

KORAT--Training again and loving it!

Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2012 

From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net

Dear Todd Family,

Isn't this just a glorious time to be living on the earth? I realized that this past week. We live in dangerous times, yes, but there is so much good in the world too. We are so incredibly blessed to live in this, the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. We live in a time where everything from the beginning has been restored-- the keys of the Priesthood, ordinances and doctrine. But even more blessed than that, we live in a time when Almighty God is revealing things that have never before been known.  He is unfolding mysteries to us. So, no matter how much it seems that the world is decaying, remember this!

This last week was great. First of all I will notify you of the transfer. Elder Schad moved, and I'm training Elder Wood. He actually has already finished the first 6 weeks of his training in Mahasarkham, but with the new 12 week program he isn't done. He got sent here to Korat, and I have been called to finish it. It's humbling, and a great responsibility. He is from St. George graduated from Dixie High. But now his family lives in Springville. He's great. He's a really humble Elder, and willing and ready to work hard and be obedient. What more could I ask for in a companion? Nothing.  It's funny, Elder Schad moved to Sri Nakarin which is in his home stake. So that was funny. 

Well, Elder Schad and I spent Tuesday doing some tracting. It was so cool.  We prayed to know where to go Monday night.  Then, the next day, we followed our plan.  The first street we went to, the first guy we talked to, let us in! It turns out he had met with the missionaries about 10-15 years ago, but had lost contact. He still had a Book of Mormon and a bunch of pamphlets from the discussion era. That was really interesting for me to see. His name is Tik.  So now, we're teaching him. We're not super sure how he will be, but I feel that he has great potential. He use to be a jockey. He has a bunch of pictures of his horse races so that's way sweet. He is married and has two kids. So, we're really hoping that we can help that whole family come into the church. 

Cherry is still doing well. She had a fever for a few days this last week, and with going down to Bangkok we couldn't see her a whole lot, but she is getting closer and closer to quitting smoking. She is fine and willing to slow it down when we tell her she needs to. We told her, today 2ละกัน. "Just two cigarettes today, then tomorrow only one."  As soon as she can quit, she can get baptized. So we're really going to help her this week. Please keep her in your prayers. 

Suthep is doing better this week. We've really been making an effort to contact him often, and to help him know that we care. When it comes down to it, it doesn't matter how many times we teach him, just that we help him feel our love for him, and the Savior's love for him. Brother Dahm is being a great buddy for him. He is so willing to help him. I'm so impressed, as always, by the willingness of members to help. They love being involved in missionary work. It really is amazing to have that spirit with us. 

So, President Senior has been putting an emphasis on going to the rescue. Specifically, he wants us to rescue our brothers and our sisters who are less active. As we have done so, our mission has started baptizing more. Last month, August, our mission had a baptismal high for one month, and in September, we surpassed it. So, as we have tried to catch President's vision, we are being blessed. We have an investigator who's mom is a less active member. We're trying to help them both come unto the Savior. Last night we had a very powerful lesson with them. We asked them why they came to the church, why they learned. Then we just talked about the Savior and how our purposes in coming to the church need to be centered on HIM. After all, this is HIS church, HIS doctrine, HIS priesthood. It was one of the most powerful lessons I've been on in my mission--just talking about and testifying of the Savior. It's what Peter did in Acts II which "pricked" the people in their hearts and motivated them to be baptized. After the Lesson, the investigator, Wan (Juan ก็ได้ GoDai) called us and asked us if she can be baptized on December 9. So we set a date. I'm thankful to the Lord for these blessing here. I love where I am. 

I love you all, be safe, and be happy. Be glad that we live in such a wonderful time!

Love

Elder Todd

Happy in Korat. Biew is baptized!

Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2012 

From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net

Hey Everybody! 

How are you all doing? We're doing great here in Korat, just a little surprised at how quickly this last transfer has passed by. I can't even imagine time going faster. But it marches on. 

This week was fantastic for many different reasons. Biew got baptized! That was a great day, and she was so happy. She really has come to love the Savior and His church. As she learned of the Atonement, and it's cleansing power her desire to repent increased. Her faith that through Jesus Christ she truly can be cleansed from sin motivated her and helped her towards this day. As the Spirit of the Lord touched her heart, it was changed. She shared her testimony of this gospel. It was great. She also got a calling as a branch missionary. It's one of the things that President Senior is focusing on. President Hinkley spoke on it too--a friend in the church, spiritual nourishment, and a calling. It's great that our branch president has been on it with these three things. 

    

And here is the week's rundown. 

Keng is doing well and coming to church. But he said he's come enough that now he feels like a member. So we're going to explain to him that we are baptized for three reasons. 1. To enter into a covenant with God by which we are cleansed from sin 2. For entrance into the Celestial Kingdom, and 3. For Membership in the Lord's church. But He likes coming to church. He is interesting, we taught him the Law of Chastity, he said he doesn't have any problems which is fantastic! So he is doing well.

Then there's Cherry.  Okay. Wow.  She told us that sometimes she would smoke 120 cigarettes a day! I don''t know how that's possible. But she did. Now that number is down. We didn't get to work with her a lot this last week, but she's still looking good for her baptismal date. She's just learning that she has to be patient. It's good because membership in the church is something that is valuable. She's beginning to see that value.

Bob. I'm just more and more amazed with him. The more we read the scriptures with him, the more he changes.  The deeper we teach a principle, the better he understands it. We finally finished teaching him the Plan of Salvation. Now he believes that there is a supreme creator. He has quit smoking. It's great. He is coming to church. We're planning on extending him a baptismal commitment. 

I had a great lesson retaught to me this week. It was about the importance of love. We were teaching one investigator. Suthep. He has been learning awhile. He has some things he has to do in the repentance process. But he has, as of late, relapsed into his drinking problem. So, we just taught him with brother Dahm. We taught about how we're here for him and that we all want to help and support him. We explained that we know his soul is a precious one. He expressed his thanks and that he was willing to do this. He wants to. He has great faith. Now we just need to help him convert that faith into action!

There was this time last week when we were passing out eggasaans, I can't think of the English words, for English class. There was this guy I saw, just sitting there. His name was M. I felt like we should go talk to him. So we did, and we invited him to English class. And he came! He is interested in the church too! One thing that we are looking out for is that when he talked he used the female particle of speech "Kha" not the male one "Khrap." But we'll explain to him that the Lord has created men to be men, and women to be women. That the Lord loves us and wants us to keep his law.

We focused this week in District Meeting on "The Doctrine of Christ" which is the missionary purpose. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. We read through 2 Nephi 31, 3 Nephi 11, and 3 Nephi 27 and counted up all of the references to those doctrines and pronouns of the Savior, and the word "Doctrine." I would encourage all of you to do that activity to see how the Savior feels about these things. I know that they are of utmost importance. This is His doctrine and the purpose of missionary work. I must teach in the Lord's way, "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they may have everlasting life." (3 nephi 5:13) Those inspired words are all about others and about helping them. I try to be as Mormon. I know we can all help our brothers and sisters.

Well I love you all! 

Be happy and choose the right!

Love,

Elder Todd

Loving Korat!

Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2012 
From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net

Hey Everyone! 

How are you? Isn't life so great! ? I am just having a great time here in Korat! This city, and more importantly the work and the members, are great!  That's one thing I've really been grateful for this week is the members. They play such a key role in the growth of the Church.  If we will not work with them, and are not on the same page with them, then we can't contribute much real growth here, if any at all.  We shouldn't just look at members as objects either. It doesn't work to say, "Okay, today we're teaching two women so we need a male member in each lesson so we'll just get any member who is free."  No, it's about praying and finding the right member who could really help that particular investigator. 

We had one experience with that this week. We were going to teach Cherry, but her friend who usually helps us teach, was sick. Elder Schad and I were in a little bit of a dilemma and we weren't sure who to take. We thought about the friend's father-in-law who is the first counselor in the Branch Presidency, but he was out of town. We knew there had to be someone right. Then I  thought of a brother named Aut. He is an older man who wants to help us teach. I thought, "There's something telling me that we should take him."  So we called him up and he went with us. As we started the lesson and followed up with Cherry on her smoking, he piped in. He shared his experience about how he was an alcoholic. He told Cherry how hard it was for him to quit, but that he did it! He told her that when the Lord helps us, we can do hard things! It's true. And she has made some amazing steps. She has gone from smoking 80, (yes that is right-- eighty cigarettes a day), to 4. And we committed her to have quit completely by the end of this next week. She is willing. SO we'll keep her in our prayers. Smoking is the only thing that we know that's keeping her from being baptized. She said she is sick of being an investigator and wants to be a member. So, we'll see how that desire drives her. But she is progressing really well!

In other news for baptismal daters, Biew, passed her interview with the Zone Leaders! They told me that she could have passed in 10 minutes.  Usually they take 30 minutes, sometimes an hour.  I know that it's nothing that any of the teaching missionaries did, but that the Lord had prepared her. I found out a little more about that preparation. She saw the Savior in a dream, and from that moment on, she KNEW she HAD to find His church. She talked with her friend who is a member, and he brought her to church. The rest, as they say, is history. Wow, I haven't heard that phrase in a while. Anyway, she accepted, kept commitments and is progressing to baptism! It's such a testimony that the Lord is preparing people for His gospel.

Then there's Keng, the guy we found tracting in the rain. Wow. Way solid! He has a date for the 6 of October. He has come to church and likes it and likes reading the Book of Mormon. I can't believe how much the Lord is working with him. It just really shows and is a testimony to me of God's love for all of His children.  It's real. Keng wants to know as well. That's what's important. 

There is some bad news with Captain Jack. He broke his promise to keep the word of wisdom. He got plastered, and got on his motorcycle and crashed. Apparently he isn't in good condition. So we're praying for him. Maybe it will be a confirmation to him that the Word of Wisdom is something that he needs to keep. It just goes to show what we learn in the 130 section of the Doctrine and Covenants.   If we want blessings, we have to keep the commandment associated with that blessing. Or we can look to the overarching theme of the Book of Mormon. The Lord says, "Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments yes shall prosper in the land and inasmuch as ye shall not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence."

One thing that I got to do this week was teach district meeting. It was great.  The Spirit really led me in what to say and do. I taught about Praying with Faith from chapter 4 of Preach My Gospel.  I also used some snippets from a talk that Jennifer sent me from Elder Pearson on Personal Prayer given at BYU Hawaii. It was a fantastic talk. I would suggest reading it. I know that the more meaningful we make our prayers, the closer and closer we can feel to God. I'm really trying to just hand the reins over to Him in my work and follow Him in everything. I want to give up my heart and kill the natural man. I don't want to be frustrated by trying to do the Lord's will but  still having a natural heart. The Savior came to kill the natural man, to root him out. He promises a new self for us when we will yield and let Him change us and our hearts. 

I also got to speak in sacrament meeting yesterday. It was crazy- the Lord helped me so much, I think that it was the most fluent Thai I've ever spoken, and it's all because the Lord loosened my tongue. It happened because of the prayer of faith. I promise if you will pray with faith for the Lord to loosen you tongue, that He will let us all speak miracles and bring to pass His holy purposes. For this, thanks be to God. 

Love 
Elder Todd

FLOODING, FRIENDS, AND FAITH IN KORAT

Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012

Subject: Flood in the house.
From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net

Hey Everybody! 

Well, last night I was having this crazy dream that everything around me was flooding.  Then I woke up to a high pitched sound. I looked and saw it was my alarm clock. In water. I thought that the glass of water next to my bed had fallen. But when I went to stand up, I realized that I was standing in about an inch of water.  I went out into our living room to find that there was water in there and also in our study room! I yelled for Elder Schad telling him that our apartment was flooding! We turned on the lights and discovered that in the bathroom the, pardon my language but I don't know what else to call it, the butt sprayer was broken, and shooting water everywhere! So we turned off our water, and started the cleaning process. We used brooms to sweep the water out the front door. It was a bummer. 

The biggest thing that I lost was my journal. A lot of it got destroyed. I sent mom some picures of my wet pages. Oh, and the cell phone we have been assigned to used, yeah it's fried. So that was a bummer too. But it was a good story. There we were just up at 1 A.M. bailing water out of house. But things will work out. We're actually having a lot of problems with our house. Our fridge is also broken, we haven't had one for about a week. But things will work out. All of these problems are teaching me to be patient, and to not get frustrated or irritated with things that are going on. So I'm grateful to be learning more lessons. 

This week was a great one, as they all have been. We had Elder Khanakham from the mission presidency come up to visit. He was here from District Meeting on Wednesday until yesterday. (Sunday).  He took Elder Schad and I around to visit members so we can start working with them more. It's the only way the work will progress. We talked to one member, Brother Dahm. It means black. We asked him if he would be willing to help us teach. He said, the elders used to take him all the time, but one day they stopped. He was sad, because he wants to be the investigators "buddy." That is the exact word he used. He wants to be there for them. He said he even used to study in Preach My Gospel so he could help the Elders teach effectively! It showed to me that we can't just rely on certain members to help us,  but we should use all of the resources that the Lord has given us. We also were invited to the high council meeting by Elder Khanakham. That was interesting to see. He wanted us to role play what we do in district meeting, and in coordination meeting with the Leaders of the branch, and how they can be done effectively. Things are really picking up here. It's great!

Also we had the chance to talk with another member. Brother Amnad. He told us that more than 10 years ago, he was a missionary. I went out on a whim and asked if he served with an Elder Zwick. He said,  "Spencer Zwick? He was my trainer!"  I told him I knew the family it made him so happy! So tell the Zwicks that! 

So here's the rundown.

Biew is solid. She is getting interviewed for baptism this Wednesday. We taught her, and after bearing our testimonies about enduring to the end, she offered a closing pray, she said, "Heavenly Father, I am ready to.." she choked up and started crying, then said, "I'm going to endure to the end." It was so powerful, and we could really sense the committment from her. I feel that she really is a tender mercy that the Lord has blessed us with. 

Cherry is doing well. She came to church, so that was great! She's having trouble with smoking still. But she's really working on smoking less and less. So that's great. Her mother and step father have been helping us teach. Which is great. She has a lot of support. 

Jack Sparrow has a baptismal date for the 29. We've just got to get him to church. Then he'll be great! He's got a great friend. Brother Sawake. But Jack didn't come to church because Sawake wasn't ready when jack got to Sawakes house. But next week. He'll be there. 

Bob, he just loves science fiction. We're not sure he's all there. So were going to read with him more to explain the doctrine from an authority. So that will help him.

We did find this new investigator. It's one of the classic stories. It was the last door we knocked, and it was raining. His name is Keng. He used to go to the Christmas parties in the Bangkapi. He came to church, and liked it. He said he'll be here for sure!

Well, great things are happening! I'm so happy to be here.  For this, thanks be to God!

Love,

Elder Todd

District Conference in Khon Kaen

Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2012

Dear Family,
This week had an amazing ending. I am still on such a spiritual high from yesterday. 
Yesterday, we had district conference in Khon Kaen. The branches that attended were, Korat, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Mahasarakham, and Roi Et! It was such an amazing blessing to be able to see all of the people from Roi Et again, now a year later. But what was even more special than seeing the members that helped us teach and gave us referrals, was to see the people that I had the privilege of teaching. Some that I saw get baptized are doing great and still going to church. 
The first people I saw there were Sister Kimlang, the grandmother in Roi Et, and her grandsons Net and Not. It was so great to see them there and to know that they are active and strong. They still go to church every week. It was just amazing to sit there and see them. Also, Jojo was there. He is now with the young mens. He is still happy and glad to be there at church. Then, there was Brother A. I moved from Roi Et right before he got baptized, but he was there. He was the man who had long hair, a nice big mustache, and rather unkempt appearance in the beginning. But what a blessing it was when he told me that he was being ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood. Then,  being able to see him stand and be sustained in front of everyone, it was so amazing. My heart just goes out to these people so much. I love each one of them. I even ended up giving the closing prayer in the conference. It just filled my soul with joy!
I also had the opportunity to translate for President and Sister Senior and the visiting authority, from Indonesia. I can't remember his last name but it was Elder Joseph San something or other. While I was translating I had to sit on the stand, and I just felt so blessed as I looked into faces of many familiar people. If I had that much joy in an earthly reunion, I can hardly imagine the joy we will all have when we return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. 
But that was just the great cap off for a great week. So here's the rundown on our investigators.
Biew is still way solid. She is looking forward to her baptism date. She's learned everything we have to teach, so we invited her to be baptized earlier, but she said that she wants to be baptized on the 22nd. She said she prayed about it and feels that it is right. So we can't really force her to move it, nor do we want to force her to do anything. That would be a ข้อบังคับ  I don't know how to translate that, uh, but it's like unrighteous dominion I guess. But she did have a question we often encounter. In Buddhist years right now it's the year 2555.  So people always say "How can your religion be true if it started 2012 years ago." So that's always a fun one to try and explain. But we know that our religion was even before the foundations for this world were. So it's all good. 
Then our other investigator with a commitment is Dtom. She's doing well! She found out about Jesus on the Internet and the Church here is close to where she lives.  So she just walked in one day. We didn't get to teach her a lot this last week, but she seems to be doing well. Most of the restoration has been taught. But she is looking good for her date in October. 
Then out last dater is Cherry. Well, she's doing better. She was actually being taught by the sisters, but she is in our area and we are teaching her now. She used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day! Now she's down to just 18. But she's got a great testimony. Her husband is a soldier so we go into the military base to teach her. They love seeing me, an American, riding my bike through the city, and especially on the base. At first her husband didn't like the missionaries, but now he smiles and is warming up to us! So that will be good! Hopefully we can help him come unto Christ. 
Then there is Bob.  We're not sure what to do about him. We tried to teach him about the Plan of Redemption, but when we tried to tell him about the Pre-mortal life, he insisted that we were all grown from paramecium and amoeba. We're going to see if he really wants to follow this message. He's putting the brakes on a little right now, but with God, all things are possible. 
And Jack Sparrow, well, he's good! He is determined to come to church now! We talked to hium about baptism, and it's something that he wants to do. But he is not sure exactly when. So we'll be working with him more this week.
This week I exchanged with our Zone Leader, Elder Siriphan. He is from Chiang Mai, but serving in Khon Kaen right now. We found some great people. There was this area that I've been wanting to go tract for a while now, but it's kind of far away. So we went there. He said, "Elder Todd, why did you bring me so far?"  And I answered, "It's where I felt to come."  So the first door, the man opens up and says,  "Elders! What do you want?" Turns out he was a former investigator! His name is Ped! We're going to teach him tonight which should be great! So, we're following the Spirit and finding great people! 
Thanks for everything, especially all of your prayers.
I love you.
Elder Todd