President Senior

"We were visited by President Senior this week. He came up to meet with the District President and wanted to talk to me and Elder Black as well. He took us into a room with Sister Senior and talked about how we were doing. Then he asked us what it was we did to be able to achieve a balanced Zone. We told him that most of it was the faith of the missionaries and that we knew it was possible down to the last minute because it was revelation. We knew that God had already provided a way for it to happen. If we just kept up our faith and worked hard, then we knew we could do it. This is big news because this Zone has not done as well in the past. Big stuff! Then President Senior looked at us and asked, "Where do you think I should send everyone?" He wanted us to tell him what we think needs to happen in the mission. It was really weird. haha  Then we went with him to pick up some wooden elephants and get some ice cream. It was super cool to spend the day with President and Sister Senior."

"I was able to meet Matt's cousin. I forgot to get a picture with him, but I'll be meeting with him again on Tuesday. I think he is more interested in English right now, but hopefully he will come to the gospel. I think he really liked it, but he came and left before I had a chance to talk to him. I hope on Tuesday, I can help the family to understand the reasons we believe as we do. I really want to help them come to the gospel, but they will need help from family as well."

Chiang Mai Chapel

"We had a lot of success getting people to church this week. I got a family, a 20 year old, a 30 year old, and Matt's cousin, all from my contacting. However, I had to give them over to the other Elders so they could be balanced. It is fine because it is all the district's investigators, but I still want at least one. We are going to continually see the 20 year old. He wants to be a better person and thinks that the church's teachings can help him, but he is not willing to change religions. We will have to work with him a lot more."

Don Mueang Chapel

Asoke Chapel

"The transfer meetings are held at the Don Mueang church building. The parents who come to pick up their missionaries join in on the last transfer meeting. President Senior may ask you to say something to the missionaries. The Asoke church building is the mission house ward and closest to the office building. I'll send you pictures of the transfer meeting."

"I don't have much to talk about. I am really sick today and don't know why, but it is hard for me to think about what happened this week. haha I'll be better by tomorrow for sure."

Elder Jacob Smith 

Balanced Zone

"This has been a really successful week for our Zone. The entire Zone was balanced! This is the second time. It happened in Don Mueang as well. President Senior was surprised and super excited to hear about it. We were in constant prayer for this to happen and never lost faith even to the last minute."

 

"I was able to meet with Aunt Wan and Uncle Jeff, or should I call him Uncle Art. haha  I also found out that mom's Thai name is "mem", which is funny as well. We got to spend a couple hours with them and they took Elder Black and I out to eat. I realize that my family are such Thai people; always taking pictures and making little jokes. It is really funny. They won't be able to talk about me anymore because I can understand them now. We are going to start teaching Aunt Wan's sister's family. We will try to meet with them next Tuesday. They are really cool people and I'm hoping that they will be interested in coming unto Christ."

"On Monday, I got my feet eaten by fish! It is a certain type of massage and it tickled a lot. haha  I also went on switch-offs with the APs last Thursday. The APs are both Thai and have past girlfriends in our ward. haha I was with Elder Kris and we were friends before, so it was a totally great switch-off. When we got to the church to have BOM class, there were all these past girlfriends who came all dressed up to see them. haha  Elder Tannawat almost got hugged by one of his RCs that likes him and it was really funny. He said that he learned a lot from the switch-off, so apparently I hope it was something good. I also hope they don't make me an AP because they travel a lot more and get no sleep. I just want to die here in Chiang Mai."

"Thank you for all the family pictures. I made my family history book and it looks really good. It is helping the RCs to want to do theirs as well. Thank you for all your help. I love you so much!"

Elder Jacob Smith

Handsome Elder

"Hey Family, thank you for the pictures. We have really been focusing on family history and families in general. We have been asked to fill out a personal family booklet to use in our teaching of families, but I need pictures and cool stories of what our ancestors have done for our family. It really helps a lot in teaching and it shows a great example of the importance of families."

"I can't wait to see Uncle Jeff and Aunt Wan. I'll try to get a hold of her sister to tell them that they are coming. I hope that they will feel the power of love and family so that they will come to the gospel as well."

"It has been really nice weather here. I love it! The trip to the village was fun. We were able to see some cool things but it is mostly a touristy place. They just wanted us to buy things. I did get some cool looking Thai pants and a shirt. We went way up to the top of a mountain and the view was spectacular. The people loved the fact that we could speak Thai and would try to give us their daughters who would flirt a lot. haha"

"This week we had the opportunity to go to Kampaengphet. It is a really small area that has been open for about a year. They have maybe 30 people to church and are growing pretty well. There are 4 Elders serving there and they are doing really well. I told them that they needed to testify more and be quicker to let people know why they are there and I think it will really help them to grow the branch. They hold their meetings in a little town house place with no air conditioning and it is right across the street from a construction site. They have to leave the door open for air and it is so loud from all the noise. I suggested that they talk to someone to move the meeting house so that the spirit can be felt. They are going to do that."

"We also had a wedding in Chiang Mai. It was a cool experience. Last Sunday the bride came to me to ask if I had a suit that her fiance could borrow for the wedding. I said sure and let him use my new suit. She was so happy. She is a member who lives way up in the mountain and will come down every once in awhile when she can. The wedding was like a baptismal service. haha They had speakers and talked about the gospel of Christ. Then they kissed on the cheek. The groom was wearing my suit and everyone was complementing him about how handsome he looked all day. The next day was Sunday and the groom got up to bare his testimony. He said that he had been nervous about the future and had many questions about the gospel and tithing. When he came to church on his wedding day and saw all the saints helping with everything, free of charge, he said that it was a testimony to him of the truth of the gospel and tithing. He was then ready at that moment to be married. He then looked at me and said thank you to the handsome Elder with supplying me with some of his good looks. haha  It was funny because I was translating for him. Afterwards, he came to me and told me he was going to give me one of his traditional native shirt/vest, so I am really happy. I am also happy that I feel I may have somehow helped with his conversion. The wedding was way cool!"

"We also had a baptism. It was a mom and her son. They are so awesome. We met them on the street and they came in and loved the families in the ward and were baptized. The kid is 12 and getting ready to receive the priesthood. The mom has made some really good friends, so I think they will stay and grow in the gospel for sure. It was a great week!"

Elder Jacob Smith

Focusing on the Family

"This was a fun and pretty successful week. We traveled down to Bangkok for leadership training which was a super long trip. It was kind of nice seeing other Elders from my MTC group there. We were then able to go back to P-lok. Elder Calderon is serving there and I was able to do switch offs with him. It is his last transfer and it was fun to be able to serve with him this last time. He is a really good teacher. I was also able to see some members again. They want to take us sight seeing when you come to pick me up. Coming home from P-lok was terrible because we rode an old bus that was way small and we were on it for 6 hours! We then trained everyone else in the areas close to Chiang Mai, like Chiang Rai and Lampang. I like being companions with Elder Black. He is really knowledgable and knows a lot about the scriptures. We call ourselves Blacksmith. haha"

"We only had two days in our own area this week. We spent three days traveling, one day in Bangkok and one day in P-lok. Literally I am pooped from traveling. However, we have some new changes that we need to do. We now have to get two referrals and two part-member family lessons each week. It is a little tougher but possible. The training was all about focusing on families and the temple."

"We had some cool miracles happen. We were able to teach a part member family and their little girls are going to get baptized. They are 11 years old and were never baptized. The father is coming along and is starting to help out at the church. He will be the turning point for the family. On Friday morning, we came to the church to do some training and we met a guy who is a member that wanted to park his car at the church while he did some things in the area. He has been a member for 20 years but less active for quite awhile. Later that night, we were at the church again having sports night and two people walked up. I went over to greet them. It was the same guy from earlier and his girlfriend who wasn't a member. I started talking to them about baptism and missionary stuff and invited them to come inside for a little church tour. We showed them the font and then testified about families. After talking to them we prayed and Elder Black gave an example prayer. Then we asked the girl to pray and she did. When we first started teaching her, she was kind of just taking it as a joke. Then as we were testifying, she started to become more interested. While she was praying, she stopped randomly after saying about three sentences. We just all sat there in the silence for quite awhile. Then we heard sobbing sniffling sounds and the boy quickly closed the prayer for her saying in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. He asked her what was wrong and she asked who was patting her head? We answered no one. Then she asked it again. Her boyfriend just smiled and said that no one touched her. She then looked at Elder Black who bore testimony of the Holy Ghost and became very interested in what he had to say. We are going to meet with her again on Tuesday and I really hope she comes with an answer that this church is true. I'm sure she will. It was a cool experience."

"Well that was my week. We are going to a Hmong village today, so that should be fun. I love you all so much!"

Elder Jacob Smith

A Sick Week

The missionaries went to climb the highest point in Thailand, Don Inthanon Mountain, on p-day. Jake still doesn't have a camera, so we are grateful to Elder Black for sharing his pictures with us. Elder Smith looks a little cold we think.

"This week was a sick week for me. I got super sick last Tuesday. I don't know what it was but it was terrible. I'm getting better now except that I'm still really stuffed up. Sorry this email was late. We went site seeing up in the mountains here in Chiang Mai. It was really fun and way super cold! I thought I was going to freeze to death. It is the highest place in Thailand, so that was really cool. We took some pictures too that I'll try to get for you. I look terrible in them because we woke up at three in the morning to go there. haha"

"Chiang Mai is super fun. I still love it here. There are tons of white people everywhere. We have to bike really far to get to a good place to invite because President Senior has forbidden us to contact white people for awhile. There have been some little issues and they don't seem to like us being here for some reason. There are two wards here, the first and second ward. Elder Black and I are in the second ward and the other Elders are in the first. However, we join together and baptize in both wards. Our Zone is doing really well. The area is baptizing but there is a more lazy feel about it. In Bangkok, everyone is moving so fast and they are too busy. Here the people are more relaxed and take their time with everything. I still contact at least two hours a day if we have time and not traveling. Elder Black and I are going down to the mission office on Tuesday for a meeting on Wednesday, so that will be fun. It will be another 12 hours there and then 12 hours back. haha"

"We did switch-offs with the Elders in Lampang. I was with Elder Taylor. He is the tallest Elder in the mission. This is his third transfer and he is doing really good. People really listen to him because he is so monstrous! haha  We rode our bikes all over the place. We were able to teach a less active RC and we were able to help her to understand the importance of why we keep the commandments. It was a really spiritual lesson. The member that helped us teach actually knew who I was and when I came to the mission. Apparently he knows some of the other Elders and Sisters in my group that talked about me. He said that I was a really great teacher. I was happy to hear that because I was kind of going through a slump. After that, we taught an investigator who Elder Taylor bore a wonderful testimony to of how she is a child of God. This lady is like 67 years old. It was a great lesson as well. Elder Taylor is a really good Elder. We then were able to get two new investigators that are twin girls. They come from a part member family and want their Dad to baptize them. He has some Word of Wisdom problems, so he is trying to become worthy. It is really cool how many families are coming into the church here in Thailand."

"That was a cool email I got from you. I'm glad that you decided to come pick me up. I'm totally fine with staying another week after the mission. That would be fantastic! I wanted the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl. That is Elder Bassett's favorite team and I started to like them as well. haha  I love and miss you all so much and will look forward to seeing you."

Elder Jacob Smith    

North to Chiang Mai

Jake's letters have been real short since he became a Zone Leader. Mostly he is in a hurry and will answer personal questions from his family and tell a little about an investigator or recent baptism. Although, it can be disappointing to not get a lot of information, we are comforted to know that he is happy, healthy and loving his mission.

"Well yupp, this week we had transfers and I did move. I'm still a Zone Leader and now serving with Elder Black who was my pii in the MTC. He is from Oregon. It is way cool for sure! We are all the way up North in Chiang Mai! Yepp, I'm back up North. It is really cold here. I mean like every morning I wake up freezing! haha  I'm super excited to be here and to help grow the church."

"This week was not real intense other than transfers. Traveling here took 12 hours by train. I slept most of the way. I was surprised to be transferred and didn't expect it at all. They took me out and left everyone else there. There are now three ZLs in Pakkret. I didn't really get to say good-bye to anyone, but that's ok. I did get to talk to Matt a little at transfers. He is now companions with my greenie, Elder Parker. That should be fun for them. haha" 

"We had a baptism this Sunday. He is 20 years old and lives really far away. It takes him 2 hours just to come to church and he comes faithfully once a month. There are also 4 or 5 kids here getting their mission calls right now. One opened hers yesterday and she was called to the Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission! That is where she has always wanted to go. It was way awesome to see the entire ward there to support her in her calling."

"I really don't have much to say. I spent most of the week traveling and getting to know the area. I think I may die here. I came here and everything just clicked for me. There is something here for me. I don't know what it is yet but I really like it. I already like the members, branch president and RCs. I have felt a lot of joy in being here so far. I would be just fine ending my mission in this area. I really love it. I want to make this the best area of my mission where I use all the skills I developed as a missionary. I'm excited to see how it plays out."

"I'm sorry I don't have much to talk about. I hope that you will forgive me. I sent some pictures for you. That is me in my new suit. haha  Today we are cleaning the house. We share it with Elder Christensen, who was in my group and Elder Hinkley, who is related to Gordon B. Hinkley. Also, Sister Ellis, who served with me in Pakkret and Sister Remington from Canada are here too. I love you all so much!"

Elder Jacob Smith

Happy Holidays!

We had a nice visit over Skype with Jake on Christmas Eve. It is always our favorite gift of the season. He is happy, healthy and loves being a missionary in Thailand. His language is incredible and he has a difficult time translating to English. The Elders were going to spend the day making a new suit. He mentioned that he has lost 15 lbs because his diet mostly includes som dum (papaya salad). We didn't get an email from him again until New Year's Eve when we weren't expecting to. The following is the email he sent.

"Hello family, It has been a great week! We were able to have 4 people baptized this past Sunday. One guy is really cool and disappeared for awhile but came back and we were able to teach him everything. He is 40 years old and works a lot so it took awhile. However, he is amazing and has a really great testimony. The other three people baptized was a family! It was a mom and her two children. It was really awesome and they make me so very happy. The kids love the church and all the friends that they have made here. The mother loves that the gospel is so family centered and is very happy that she was able to join the church. She received an answer that God is real and loves us. What made me so happy was that they called me the day before the baptism and the kids asked me to baptize them. We already had someone asked to do it but they begged me to do it and so I was happy to. Also we found out that the mother has been doing family history for years before she even met the Elders. She has tons of people that she can do names for in the temple! So sick!!"

"We also met a guy from California. He is a Christian and says that he loves the Mormons but that we are all deceived. He wanted to talk to us more, so we made a dinner appointment with him. He tried so hard to destroy our faith and prove us wrong. Before we left, we had him commit to reading the Book of Mormon. He is a really nice guy but will still call us up to try to get us to leave Mormonism. It is a big eye opener to experience this type of situation. Everything that he said was just lacking and I could really see how the apostasy happened. His heart is hardened and he wouldn't accept to read the Book of Mormon or to even pray and ask God. Weird. I'm glad that I have a testimony that is strong and unshakable. No matter what he said against the church, I know what I know and cannot deny it."

"We didn't do anything for New Year's. We are celebrating today by going and doing nothing. haha  Also I may need a little bit more money to get my suit. haha I love you! I'm certain your holidays are going great. I'm super glad I don't have to deal with the snow though! I miss you all."

Elder Jacob Smith