"I was able to see Matt and get a picture with him! He is doing really well. His companion's name is Elder Jex from American Fork, UT. Matt is super lucky to have him for a companion. He was sent to Sakon Nakhon which is straight Isan country. I did get my shirts from him and I'll have to find a place to fit them because they are huge on me. I must have gotten skinnier. haha I didn't get your package though, so I may have to wait until next transfers."
"I have a new companion named Elder Quinn from Big Sandy, Montana. He has been out for a year and really understands the Thai language. He served in the international area for about 4 months, so he is still working on speaking Thai too. Sister Gope told me that I speak well and clearly, but I am still working on understanding better. Maybe we'll be able to help each other. Elder Quinn was just made District Leader and I think he will be a great companion. Sister Muller is training Sister Black, the only new sister to the mission. She is already really good at speaking and reading Thai."
"Uncle Tone and his wife were able to come to church this week! It was so cool to see them at church. I was able to sit next to them and listen to the other missionaries' testimonies. I'm not quite sure how to get them interested in the gospel, but I'm praying for them and I want you all to pray for them too. They only stayed for Sacrament meeting and then had to leave. A lot of the members befriended them and I think that they will come back next week as well."
"This week was crazy because of transfers. Monday we went to the Korat Zoo for p-day. That was also the day we found out about what was happening with transfers. The next two days were filled with visiting members and saying good-bye. Sister Pavadee was really sad to leave. Wednesday, we were at Sister Gope's house with all our stuff ready to go to the bus at 2:00 in the morning. We got to the mission office and I was able to see the Elders from Lat Phrao. It was just nice to see other Elders again. haha I was so excited to see Matt. I held up a sign I made for him when he walked in. It had his picture on it and said, "We're glad to have Elder Boonmee." haha When he was introducing himself, I stood up and held the sign and everyone laughed. Matt actually did a really good job. I was impressed! I found out where he was going and I was so jealous. We talked for a little while and then everyone had meetings to go to. I just hung around talking to some members from Lat Phrao. Brother Oat baptized someone! That was so cool and I haven't even done that yet. I got a package from the Ward that was fun. Everyone thought it was from a girl because it was a huge heart. haha We headed home on a bus again and got there about 10:00 pm."
"Our first day back we didn't really have any lessons set up, so we went contacting. It was fun because I haven't done that for awhile. Then we went to visit members like Sister Gope and Sister Duu. I have to lead the area and I'm not too sure where all the members live, but I've done this before, so no stress. Saturday, we got on a bus again to go to a member's house who lives about an hour and a half away. Then we came back to teach our investigator Brother Pone. He is super cool. He wants to get baptized really bad. He has a girlfriend who is learning from the Sisters. Hopefully, they will get married in the church, which would be fun to see. We are praying that he will be baptized next Sunday."
"Sunday, we went contacting and then stopped by Sister Jeep's house. It took us 30 minutes to get there by bike. Then we visited Brother Piiched who lives on the other side of town about an hour and a half bike ride. Let's just say that my seat really hurts right now. haha It was fun for Elder Quinn though. We also got a new referral named Brother Tong. He is really cool, but only 15 years old. He has to go to church for 3 months before he can be baptized. Maybe we can find his family and he can be baptized sooner."
"Everything is just great with the new changes. It is going to be a blast and we have already made some awesome goals to see all the RCs from last year at least once again and to get 3 baptisms for March Madness! haha Love you all!
Elder Jacob Smith
