Week 4 Buriram

Dear Family and Friends

Before I begin my letter I must write regarding my father, Toby Hinckley. My father is a great guy and I love him a lot! I am very thankful for my dad and all that he has taught me over my whole life. I have to say that I wouldnt have been here if it wasnt for him and a lot of the things he taught me, along with my mom. I am grateful for my dads dad who is a convert to the church. I know that my dad learned a lot from him. If he wasnt a convert I dont know if I would be serving the Lord right now. I have a special place in my heart for my parents. If any of you know my dad he works at Minico High School as a math teacher. If any of you know me, I went to Burley High School. Can you see the difference between us. It is great that people from Minico know me, "Hey you are Mr. Hinckleys son right?" or with my dad,"Hey you are Elder (Karsten) Hinckleys dad right?". I love that my dad works at a different school. Maybe it was the fact that when sports were played we were always on the same team. Even though we went to different high schools he was there to support me cheering me one even if we played Minico a few times in basketball, I will leave it there ha. If I played a game he would wear green and support me! My dad is a great support to me and all that I have ever done! I love my dad! 

This week was a week full of miracles. I will tell you about the few that we had just this last week. We were going to around contacting for our minimal 2 hours a day. I tell you what being obedient to this rule really pays off. Being obedient in general really pays off in the end. You will receive many blessings as you do this. I told Elder Tew just last night as we got home one minute before 9 pm, hey we have to stay obedient to receive the blessings from the Lord. As we have done this I am seen miracles. 

One day we were walking around neighborhoods around our church looking for people we could teach that lived close to the church. We found this little old lady! This lady is 83 and I dont know if she can remember a whole lot but we started to teach her. We taught her about prayer and she prays great! We went by on Saturday to ask her if she could come to church Sunday. She said that she couldnt because she cant really walk. We had an idea. We asked one of the members to help us drive her there. We got up early to go talk to her. When we got to her house she said that she was praying to Heavenly Father. Wow that made me feel really good! As we asked is she would be coming she said that she couldnt. We had a car coming and we already told her that. We had her read some scriptures and at that point the car was already there. She said,"Let me go change my clothes are dirty". She came out and was dressed most beautiful Thai dress! It was pretty cool! Anyways it was a miracle to get her to church and help her feel the spirit. She loved it! 

We were also able to teach a handicapped girl. She has been coming to church for the past I think 4 months. We got everything cleared to teach her. As we taught her yesterday I kept thinking,"How much is she getting? Does she understand?". We made it really simple also. As simple as I could. I thought as we were teaching her that everyone should have the chance to learn the gospel. Everyone is a Child of God. I am grateful to teach all that come my way. This is a great learning opportunity for me. 

As well this may not be a miracle this is a real life situation that I see affects many. Elder Tew and I went into a home where there were many problems. The wife you could tell was putting on a smile for us. I could tell. The family was falling apart because of family issues. This family has a daughter out on a mission and another son preparing for a mission. The mother and the father are not getting along. I could tell when I went into the home that they didnt have much. They didnt have doors on the house and things were out of place. I felt really bad for this family. I think I know how our Father in Heaven feels sometimes. Families need to be whole! One person cannot do it alone. It takes all hands on deck to get things better. Many families are torn apart because of things in the world. Things that arent important. Elder Tew and I had the same idea.

I only know of a few simple things that will help. Contestant family prayer and scripture study. Paying your tithing in full each time you get your pay check and of course going to church each Sunday. These things are the most important. If you think something else is more important than these please reevaluate. No work is more important than going to church. No activity is more important than family scripture study and prayer. I can tell you that fasting will only increase you ability to hear the spirit of the Lord even more! When families pray and fast together they grow closer together. I have thought a lot about fasting lately. Who has a child that is 8 years out to about 13 years old? Are they fasting? Are they paying fast offerings? Should they fast? Should they pay? Yes why, they were baptized and made promises and covenants with the Lord. Now if there are special cases yes of course the fast may not be adequate. Parents are to be the example on how commandments are kept. Be that example for others as well. As you fast you will see the Lords hand in your life even more. As Henry B. Iring said in the last conference, I think he quoted from scripture. Dont look like you are fasting by the way you act or what you say. You dont need to show others that you are fasting. Be normal and act normal. I know that these things are necessary for a family to be stronger and have happiness. 

Love Elder Hinckley     

I was doing some math the other day ha. This member has so many pictures of the church on her wall! I love corn and UNC has found me again!

 

Even though I'm hot and sweaty, I still love to eat corn.

A sister in their ward likes to have as many pictures of Christ as she can get.

North Carolina has found me in Thailand.