Karsten's Adventures in the Kingdom of Thailand: Week 11 Buriram

Dear Family and Friends,

Elder Polu and I did as much as we could this week with only a few days to work. It was hard but we got some things done that needed to get done.

This week it rained pretty hard! On Monday Elder Polu and I made some homemade rolls at a recent converts house. It was really fun. We made them for a family that needed the rolls more than we did. The recent convert that we were with took them to the family for a FHE. She said that the family enjoyed the homemade rolls. I got a few and I tell you what homemade rolls are better than store bought rolls by far! It means so much more to you when someone will eat what you have made. We went to a different FHE and on the way there it started to rain. I thought, "Oh this is a little sprinkle, it should stop in a min." It didnt stop. It actually rained and then down poured!! I got all drenched! When Elder Polu and I got to FHE the host said I will give you some different pants to change into. By the time I got there I told Elder Polu we might as well go swimming! Well at least my shoes are water proof ha!

This last week as well as this week Elder Polu and I have given many blessings to our members and their family who arent members. It is always great and a great opportunity to give a blessing. I always have to talk to the person before the blessing how what I am about to do is not from me. It is the priesthood and it is from Heavenly Father. He can heal you through me. I am grateful for all the opportunities to give blessings to Gods children. It gives Him and chance to say whatever He wants to His children. We gave one to a lady who is a amazing lady. She hasnt been able to come to church because of a accident but we were able to give a blessing to the lady of healing. We have give some blessings who werent able to speak to us at all. One person was a lady of a different religion who was I guess you could say a leader. Or someone who works at their temples here. It was a members mother. I know that every blessing that we give is through the authority of the priesthood. The priesthood is the power to act in Gods name. I know whoever we place our hands on can be healed. I try to image what Christ would do if He were here to give a blessing. I am a representative of Christ, I need to do the things Christ did and would do.

This is funny! I have been trying to get Elder Polu to go running with me every morning. He comes sometimes. One night he told me, hey we are going running in the morning and I said yeah we are. 5:30 a.m. rolls around. Hey are you ready? No, I cant! Go with out me! It gave me a good laugh. He is doing great! Us running in the morning is doing us well. Why? Because us playing basketball is reaching more people than we know. We have met many people on the streets because we go once a week to play basketball. I know we may not be doing a lot but we are planting little seeds right now. We share all that we can. It is a great way to spread the gospel in a different way. The other day Elder Polu and I asked if we could help a man unload his truck full of food that he was going to sell. He said yeah. We helped unload all the food and then left. He came running to us as we walked away with some fresh, very much needed, water! He expressed his thanks and we told him if he ever needs our help to call us. A recent convert called us as well. He said I need you to come to my house really quick. We get there and he said okay we will hoe weeds in the garden. It was a sweaty hour later that we finished. I looked at Elder Polu drenched from head to toe and said job well done. I was so happy to serve the people this way. Makes me happy! I dont get a lot of service projects here, so I need to take what I get. Mosiah 2:17, we must serve, it is a commandment. My father taught me my first lessons of service who he got from his father.

We had a switchoff this past week. I was with my district leader. He wanted to try and find some less actives. I said lets do it. We had about 5 or 6 less actives and their address's. We biked around for about a good 2 hours. We found some houses but not a lot of luck. Some people moved and others we have no idea. We did have success with one person. We found some people that new this member. They told us where this person worked. So my district leader and I went to find the person. When I walked up to the member, I looked at the member, the member looked at me and then back down to what the member was doing. I said the members name.

The member said no, stood up and walked briskly away. I was like, well we found the member. I dont know why the member didnt want to talk to us. Anyways we talked to some other members who worked really close. We asked if they new the member, who was less active, and they said yes. I looked at them and asked,"Why didnt you ever tell us there was a less active right here?" They were like it never crossed my mind. All I could think was if you know of any less actives that we or missionaries can help please tell us. I want to help all the less actives with whatever they need help with. Finding less actives is hard but with help from the members and good record keeping you can do it.

Today all missionaries gathered together to hear and be taught by an Apostle of the Lord. Elder Jefferey R Holland came to our mission today. As the missionaries gathered we sent up for a picture first thing with Elder Holland. Following we were able to shake his hand and talk to him for about 5 seconds. It would have taken a long time for a one minute conversation. Today is my birthday and I tell you what, shaking a hand of an Apostle is a great birthday present! We were on how we need to be converted. We need to be that one convert that comes from our time as missionaries. He told us that the Restoration happened through a 14 year old boy and how he was very mature. He explained to us how we need to be even more mature as 18 and 19 year old missionaries. He said I dont care if you are sad, mad, if it rains, if its hot, a lot is expected of us. We are here to safe one soul, ours. He said, "DONT YOU MISS IT!" So many times he raised his voice to proclaim that what we needed to do was serious and not something to mess around with. We have 18-24 months to change what we need to change. The mission will shape us, form us, mold us and refine us. It will help us get rid of the things that we dont need. Help us get what we want. He explained how he cant understand how a missionary who goes less active after the mission can throw away all that they did on their missions. All the studying, testifying, witnessing, praying, reading, what happened? Do not go and return in vain. He explained how we will lose a few sheep but we better not lose one Shepard! He told us to change if we need to change, repent if we need to repent and stay loyal to the principles we have learned here on our missions. One of the last things he said was how we are Gods investigators. God as invested a lot in us. We may say why wont anyone listen to us(investigators)? We need to say, Are we listening to God? When was the last time we did? He explained how Christ came to talk to the Nephites 3 times in 3rd Nephi. One time is not enough! I think next time I email I will explain more about trying at least 3 times.

It was amazing to see and hear a Apostle of the Lord! Elder Holland bore powerful testimony as well! You can feel it! Many times I felt like he was looking right at me! I was a amazing chance to learn from an Apostle!

I testify that Elder Jeffery R Holland is called of God! He is a special witness of the work of the Lord. I know that all that I have written today is true. So many amazing experiences and so little time! I have come to love my Savior more and more! I know Him more and more!

I love you all!

Elder Hinckley