Happy Easter!

"This week was really fun! We went to a member's house on Monday to do some service and to play in a little Songkran. It was funny to see that no matter where in the world you are, the youth are all the same. The Young Men will just stand around watching others work until the Young Women come around. haha  It makes me laugh. Then again, I was just standing there telling them what rocks to pick up. hahahaha"

"We had the opportunity to go play Songkran in the city. We got into the back of a pick-up truck with some members and drove through the city. It was so much fun. We got soaked! Some people use really cold water. When the sister who was driving the truck would hear us scream and jump, she would stop and just watch us suffer with the freezing water! haha  There were some scary moments too, like a random guy jumped in our truck and made me stand up to take a picture with him. Then he tried to kiss me! Ahhhhhhh! I pushed him away before he could do anything, but it was creepy though. Otherwise, we had so much fun. People were drunk and doing crazy things. Old men were dancing in the middle of the street and splashing people with water. I want to keep celebrating Songkran when I get home, so watch out!! haha"

Korat Songkran

Elder Boonmee at Songkran in Sakon Nakon

"Tuesday we had to stay home or at church all day. We just had a bunch of meetings and longer studies, because no one was going to come and meet with us during Songkran. Not even members want to leave their houses, so not much happened that day."

"Wednesday was nice to get back to normal again. We went contacting for most of the day and then had a couple lessons. It was recovery day from three days of celebrating, so not too much happened, but we found some pretty good contacts."

Youth Mission Camp

"Thursday we were able to teach a kid named Doo. He is super cool. We met him at church from a member. He came into the room and sarcastically said that he wanted to be cleansed from sin. At first we thought he was kind of a punk just making fun of what we do, but as time went on he was actually reading and studying the scriptures. He would join in on our lessons and understood a lot of what we were teaching. He eventually told us that he is Christian and said that he talked to God and that made him believe in Jesus Christ. We asked him if he would pray about being baptized and he said he would. He went to a mission camp with the Young Men and Young Women and came back saying that he was ready to be baptized. I taught him everything from the Plan of Salvation, Gospel of Christ, and all the commandments in one lesson. Teaching all those lessons so fast was crazy, but I made sure that he understood the importance of the lessons. We will review them again before his baptism interview. He is way cool and calls me teacher Smith. I like that. haha  It's kind of a way to show respect, so it is cool. He is going to be baptized next Sunday. What a miracle!"

"Friday we had so many people cancel their appointments. We taught maybe 5 lessons over the phone. It was good to get a hold of all the RCs and LAs."

"Saturday, we met a lady that at first we thought was a member, but then found out that she just knew who the missionaries were. She started to tell us about the Roman Catholic church and how we are similar. She was really nice and will maybe come visit our church."

"Sunday, we had one investigator show up to church. He is 15 years old and was going to be baptized, but needed to get special permission from President Senior. He also needed to meet with the branch president. He got that interview and the branch president really likes him. We are hoping that he gets baptized next Sunday. He is way awesome and also went to the missionary camp with the youth. He even shared his testimony in Sacrament meeting in front of everyone. It was a way good sign that he is ready."

"The pictures that the members post are mine from my camera. They take my camera on Sunday and then don't give it back to me. haha  I don't know if I am going to be transferred yet, but I'll learn really soon. Well, I love all of you. I can't wait until Mother's Day! I want to talk to you in Thai. It is a lot better, I think! haha"

Elder Jacob Smith