Karsten's Adventures in the Kingdom of Thailand: Week 6 Buriram

Dear Family and Friends,

Ill be really honest this past week I was really under the weather. I really did the best I could to do all the I could. I got this really bad headache on Monday and it just got worse and worse. I tried my best to push through it and just work. It was really hard but I did it.

This past week all the missionaries were able to meet the new mission president. All the missionaries in the Esan traveled together to meet him. He is a very tall man. He told us about his calling and how he got to talk to Apostles about his calling. He is a really nice man. No one really knows much about him but he told us a little about him. He said that he is from Utah, plays basketball and loves to fish. Now our mission president is a returned missionary from Thailand. He showed us some pictures of when he served here and how they contacted. When we were all done we all had the opportunity to meet him and talk to him just for a minute or two.

This week Elder Tew and I asked if we could teach the family of an investigator that we are teaching. The investigator said yeah that should be fine. In determining what we were going to teach this family we werent really quite sure what we were going to teach. It came to our minds that we would share the Family Proclamation to the World. I thought it was a great idea. We decided that we would only share and read 3 paragraphs with them. We wanted them to feel the love that Heavenly Father has for them. Along with feeling that families are important. I was happy to share this message with them. We did the best we could to invite them to come to church yesterday but they didnt come. It doesnt mean our effort was wasted. I know that they felt that families are important and in no time they will come.

Now have you ever read the Family Proclamation to the World? Or when was the last time you read it with your wife or your kids? There is a lot of good things in there that we call all apply. I know that by following what it says we will have happy families. Theres about 9 ways that we can strength our families and I believe if we follow them we will have a happy family for sure. When I was younger in my life I always heard the sisters at church talk about what they wanted their marriage to be like. I remember thinking that why is this important, I have plenty of time. Not really. Time goes faster than you think. I was thinking a while ago about what I want from my marriage. I want a family that will read and follow the Family Proclamation to the World together. I want my children to know that I support them and that we all need to support one another. I have had a long time to think about families and how they are important. Families are the reason I came on my mission. So I could help them be together forever.

Yesterday the two people who got baptized were confirmed. At the start of sacrament meeting I think we might have had just about 15-20 which is not normal at all. After about 15 more min they both came in an got the Holy Ghost. It kind of scared me a little but they came. It made me really happy. I dont want anyone just to get baptized and not get the Holy Ghost. That wouldnt be good and be of no benefit.

I also hear that President Packer died as well. I was thinking about him just a few minutes before I get a text saying that he had passed away. I know that he served well and that the Apostles will call 2 others who will fill those two spots. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lords church on the earth. I know that we have living prophet who leads and directs the church through revelation.

Transfers are this week so I will tell you all if I get transfered or not. Well have a great week.

Love Elder Hinckley