Week 4 BangNaa

Dear Family and Friends

This week we were teaching one of our investigators. We have met with him 2 other times and this 3rd time we really wanted to see where he was at with everything that we had taught him. We had already taught him the Restoration and the Gospel. We decided to teach him this time about the Plan of Salvation. As we taught we asked if he was understanding what we were teaching and he kept saying yeah yeah I understand. Just at the end of the lesson we asked him to pray and he said no. I asked him why he didnt want to and he told us that it wouldnt have any benefit for him. He really refused to pray. We didnt force him to pray at all, so a member offered the prayer. When we were leaving the room he pulled me to the side and told me that he didnt want to learn anymore and gave me the Book of Mormon back. I asked why he didnt want to learn. He told me that all he wanted to do was to learn English. I asked he why he accepted to learn with us if he wasnt interested. He went on explaining himself I couldnt help but think, Did you not feel anything when we taught you? I know this man felt the spirit when we taught him because I felt it. He said that we didnt understand why he didnt want to learn but I knew why. I told him,"Brother you dont want to know what I want to say, but I will say that you have your agency and you can choose." I didnt say more. There is no point in arguing with anyone, it will go nowhere. I was really sad when this man left. He just isnt ready right now. I know he knows what we taught was true. 

With another investigator one who is progressing right along has made some great progress! He was a English referral from about 5 months ago. When I got to this area I found the referral slip in my desk and decided to call all of them that where in there. From the list only 2 came up and one of them was his. I called him one night and we talked for about 30 minutes about the church. He was really interested, so I asked him if we could meet. He accepted and from that day he has progressed a lot. When teaching the Restoration to this man of another faith, his only real question is, Is Joseph Smith real? This may be a question for a lot of investigators we all have had before. He is really sincere about getting an answer from Heavenly Father. As he as read the Book of Mormon he was reading from the index, (yeah the index, I dont know why.) and found a verse from Alma that said told prolong the day of your repentance. He told us that he thinks he needs to get baptized even more now. I hope that if he knows that the Book of Mormon is true he will make the connection that Joseph Smith has to be true as well. We have been giving him all the information that we can to help him study and pray about Joseph Smith. This man has a lot of faith. He still hasnt gotten an answer from Heavenly Father but I know that one will come. I have to remember the will of the Lord and its in His time and way that things will happen. I ask you to pray for this man and help him to receive an answer. This man is bringing the fire out of me! I want him to know so bad!! I am doing all that I can for him! I know that I have to be patient at the same time though. 

When we were inviting this week something funny happened. I walked up to a lady who was sitting down washing some vegetables. I asked her,"Would you like to learn about Christianity?" She looks up at me with these eyes of, I've never seen a white person before. She looks at my companion and I and says"The bathroom?" I almost bust out in laughter ha. I will have to say that it is a lot funnier in the Thai language but she just might not have understood ha. I think she thinks that we were lost or something ha. 

This week while we were planning it started to rain. By rain I mean down pour and by pour I mean flood!! Wow! I never thought in my life that so much rain could come down from the sky at one time and flood so much! Was I wrong ha. 

Doing LA work is not easy at all! We have been working with ward members and our ward mission leader to find and help people who have left the church. We had just about a whole day that we wanted to go find less actives. I personally think that some people dont like the Elder or the Sister missionaries calling and talking to them. Some members dont answer because they see it is us calling. So we just have to go around that. We had our ward mission leader call some of these people for us. You have to understand that I dont want to point fingers at anyone or be rude to anyone. I want to help these people. Some may say if you want to help me, dont call me. Well it doesnt really work that way. I think if you saw it was Jesus Christ calling you might answer right? Well He isnt here at the moment but His representatives are here instead :) Doing work like this takes time and member help. Since coming here I have seen little progress in less active work. It needs to pick up with help from the ward members. One member expressed to me that," Oh you are working with this person? This person is my best friend!" Well have you talked to them about coming back to church or to activities? "Well, no". Do you see my point. Sometimes we dont reach our like we should. I know that we call can. I know that we all know someone we can take the missionaries to, to help. The missionaries are the problem fixers but they are the representatives of Christ, here to do His work. Can I challenge you to help the missionaries find the lost sheep? Another reason is that missionaries will move from area to area and information like this gets lost. 

Something the stake is challenging members to do is to tell their family, friends and co-workers that they are Mormon. I am Mormon. The second step to a 4 step process is to tell others that there are more Mormons. Do you co-workers or friends, neighbors know that you are Mormon? I can tell you that people or members here told tell others. I ask why and they say, I dont know. I feel that they are afraid. At times yes it can we frightful and not easy. I testify that if others know you are a Mormon they might want to investigate the church. Not all but more will. The stake president told us just tell everyone that you are Mormon. Do you think that will make a difference? If you dont think so, try it for yourself. I think to when I was in high school, I never did this. I wish I would have done it more! I challenge you all to tell others that you are Mormon and that there are more. 

D&C 84:110

Love 

Elder Hinckley

Elder Hinckley's name tag!

Elder Raleigh trying to unlock a gate.

Elder Raleigh riding in flooded streets.

So sad! our basketball court is under water, so we can't play today.

We never pass up having a snack.

Week 3 Bang Naa

Dear Friends and Family

I saw many miracles this past week in which strengthened my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and this Church. For FHE this past week we did a comparison of the Atonement with push-ups. You may already know what I will say next. One of the Elders in my district was chosen to do push-ups for each person at FHE. We had doughnuts for each person and they could eat the doughnut and the Elder would do the push ups for each person who ate a doughnut. One person didnt want to eat a doughnut but the Elder still did push ups for that person anyways. Why, because weather or not he at it he can still choose to eat it at a later point. Not everyone will eat or partake of the doughnut all at once. In this case it is Salvation through the Atonement. As the Elder did the push ups he started to get tired and wanted to stop. As I watched this Elder do 20 push ups for each person at FHE it made me more grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. At the end of the activity the Elder didnt get to eat any of the doughnuts. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the only way that we can receive Salvation. I cannot tell you how much the Atonement of Jesus Christ means to me. As I watched this Elder do push ups I wanted to let him take a break and I would continue them but I couldnt. He was the one how would do it, not me, he was the chosen one. For those that I teach I do my best to help them understand the Atonement. This is a very, the single most, important act that every happened in the history of the world. All need to know, what He did for us. Wouldnt you want to know that you had someone die for you? Christ did these things our of a willing and loving heart. His infinite love and His willing sacrifice makes if possible for all of us to overcome death and live with our families again. 

This week we had a mission tour with Elder and Sister Funk, who is in the Asia Area Presidency. The topic of mission tour was an Epistle of the Lord. I had no idea what an Epistle was. In my studies I came to understand that an epistle is a message probably declaring something or stating something. I still didnt know how to understand how I could be an Epistle of the Lord. I turned to conference. First talk Sunday morning of general conference I found my answer. President Thomas S Monson talked about the scripture 1 Timothy 4:12. The way we are epistles is by being examples. Examples of the Lord in all the attributes that scripture talks about. In word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. In another verse that I found that helps us do this is Luke 22:32 "..when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." I found that these two scriptures go together. If we are to be an example what do we need to do first? We need to be converted. I know that we have to learn and live the gospel or commandments before we are going to ask others to do the same. Conversion takes time and wont come all at once. Do you want to be a good example for others? What about your little brothers? Being an Epistle of the Lord should show others that your a message of Him and what He is. When others see you they should say that he is different. They should be able to see it if your eyes that you are an Epistle of the Lord. What does your Epistle say about you? What does it say about the Lord? I was so thankful to study this topic because it gave me a chance to see where I am at and what I need to change. 

This last week all missionaries across the country got new phones. Well we got our phone and it was working well till we got home and it quit working. We had to wait a while before we could get a new phone. We had to go a whole day without a phone and it taught me a lesson with which prayer was involved. We set up all of our appointments for the next day. We were hoping that they would come through. All we could do was pray because we had no way to contact them. As the day went on we couldnt find the less active that we wanted to find but we prayed that the Lord would prepare the way for us to serve others if we couldnt find the house. As we looked and looked we could find it but we stumbled across a members home. We told her we were in the neighborhood and wanted to say hello. We asked if we could do anything for her and she said I need you to paint some furniture for me. We said we would love to! With the real test not to get the paint on our white shirts we painted ha! We finished and went on our way to the church to teach. With 3 or the 4 appointments taught we had great success today. Without a phone today I wasnt worrying about anything or people to call. My companion said is this how they did it back in the day. I told him, yeah pretty much, isnt it fun? We both laughed. I am very grateful for phones and how they help so much. We can use the gospel library on them too, which is nice. Sometimes you just need to put the phone down and not worry about it. Go and do the Lords work. 

Just a short miracle this last week. We taught a man the Restoration in the first lesson. The second time we met with him he told us that he felt that his life was calmed down. He said he had a cool heart. That second lesson with him was the best! You could feel the spirit! The spirit was working on him really hard! He accepted a day to get baptized which made me happy that someone is striving to come unto Christ! The gospel can and will change people. 

Just yesterday we had a baptism! I called this lady in the morning and asked if she was excited to be baptized and she said with all honesty that she was not excited. I told her that I was so excited for her!! When it got time for the baptism she said that she was so excited! I dont know that changed that but I know that she is very happy. She wants her family to be baptized as well. I know that I was only the instrument in which the Lord did His work through. Each time I see people progress, take that leap of faith and get baptized I am overjoyed!! I am so happy! She is being accepted by the ward very well! Which is a good thing. 

I know that through the Atonement we can all be saved. The gospel of Christ can and will change us if we will allow it. I testify that this is the Lords work and that He is in it. He is in charge. I just want to challenge you all to be grateful for the Atonement and to be that Epistle of the Lord in all ways. I love my time as a missionary and each week I see that my time is slipping away. I want to serve my Lord, my Savior, Jesus Christ for as long as I can. I must do all that I can. I saw a shirt this week and it read, "U will never lose again" it made me think of the Atonement right away. I have not lost and I will never lose because of my Savior.  

I love you 

Elder Hinckley

A couple of baptisms in Bangnaa.

Elder Raleigh and mine newest baptism!

A video from our Zone Conference. This Elder is doing 20 pushups for everyone that eats a doughnut, he is making a reference to the Atonement.

Week 2 Bang Naa

Dear Family and Friends,

This last week was a week full of learning from investigators as well as from the prophet and his apostles. This week Elder Raleigh and I went to a families home to visit and share a message. It was a great opportunity to do so because the family has two sons, who in the next few years will serve missions. Earlier Elder Raleigh and I were going to share something but when I got into the home I had a different impression. The family we were going to teach needed something else. We read from Luke 15, it has 3 parables given by Christ. It talks about if you have 100 sheep and one goes missing will you not leave the 99 and go and find the one? I compared that to missionary work and how they can do that with family and friends. Why wouldnt you go out and try and find the one? Doesnt that one mean anything to you? What could helping one do in the future? Then when you have found the one we shall rejoice and welcome them back! I love the 3 parables that this chapter talks about. It makes you think, what if I help that one person, what will happen? Sometimes that one may not come and other times that one person will come. We must do all that we can. The scriptures say that if we spend all our time helping one or many our joy will be the same. I challenge you to seek out that one. Is that one yourself? your neighbor? or a family member? Help that one little lost sheep who has fallen off the path come back! It is our job to do so! 

An experience I had this last week goes along with what I just wrote and what I said a few weeks about planting seeds. How you never know what happens to those little seeds. The zone leaders came on a switch off this last week and I was to switch off with them. One of the zone leaders served with Elder Christenson who was my companion in Chaing Mai. Elder Chris and I were going down to transfers a while ago and we met some people from England on the train. Do you remember this story. Anyways before we said goodbye one of the people we were talking to said she always found the missionaries to be rude and didnt want to talk to them. She thought we were nice because she said that when she goes back she will give the missionaries another chance. Well I didnt think anything of that. Elder Christ kept in touch with this girl from England by email. She felt that she could trust the missionaries because of us. She found the missionaries one day and allowed them to teach her. Can you guess what happens next? She was then baptized a member of the Christ of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! When the zone leader told me this story I was so happy! Joy filled my heart! All I could do was to thank Heavenly Father for putting us in the right place at the right time. Do you see what a train ride can do for someone else? A little seed was planted and it was harvested in the Lords time! Then he mother started taking the missionary lessons. I dont know where her mother is at with learning but can you see what an impact you can have on others. Even if it trying to go get that lost one or talking to strangers on a train. You never know what will happen. I challenge you all to live your life in a way that others will see that you are different. Just like President Thomas S Monson said," You need to stand out, you will be different." I cannot explain the happiness I felt after hearing this!! 

One of our investigators was interviewed for baptism this past week and she passed. As we talked to our investigator she explained that she understands the Atonement of Jesus Christ! She went on the tell us that she knows that what she did in the past, all the bad things she ever did can be made right through the Atonement of Christ. The dirtiest of dirty can be made clean. She even said that she would wait to be baptized another week because she felt as if Heavenly Father was telling her to wait. She said I am ready but I will wait for the Lords timing. I will get baptized when He wants me to. I felt so happy for this lady. I love this lady and what she taught me. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ will help us become clean from sin. Help us start over. Even if we make the same mistake over and over. If you think there is no way out, I will tell you that you are wrong. Why? There is a way out. It is through our Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ! The Atonement is for everyone! This lady said something else that was profound to me. She said," The things I have done are in the past. I will forget them and not worry about them. I will look forward with faith." She is starting to understand the Atonement. Can you see the Atonement in your everyday life? If not what needs to change? 

I finally got to watch conference this past weekend. I tell you this, time and time again I felt the spirit working on me. The spirit confirmed to me that this is the true church. I felt time and time again, from talk to talk that this is all true. It has to be! I loved conference so much and what everyone had to say. For me I write questions down that I want answers to. During conference all of my questions were answered. I know what I have to do now as far as myself. I need to take a step back, look at myself and where I am at, and then move on from there. It is not to late to improve. Go from where you are at right now and improve. At times on my mission I have felt that I am not qualified for the position I am at but then I was comforted by our 3 new apostles. They said,"The Lord called you for the work He will do THROUGH you." "The Lord will qualify those He calls." Dont think that you are not ready or qualified. The apostles have all felt that but He will guide them. The Lord will do so much work through you! He will plant so many seeds through you! He knows what you can and cannot do. He will prepare a way for all of His work to get accomplished. I know that my time as a missionary is something I will treasure forever! This time is preparing me for something more important in the future. One last thing I heard and I love was that we need to not only Endure to the End but Enjoy to the End. Make what you do fun, rewarding for others and be happy! 

Love 

Elder Hinckley

Week 1 Bang Naa

Dear Friends and Family

This last week I got moved out of Buriram and got put into a new area this week. I am very thankful for the members and the missionaries that I was able to work with in Buriram. It was a great building block for me. I learned so many things that I know I will use in my other areas. That is what is great about an area, you learn many things that you want to use in your other areas. I learned to really love the Thai people even more. To some it was really hard to say goodbye. I almost felt like my heart was getting ripped right out of me. It is okay. I did what I was supposed to do in that area with the time and companions that I had. I will make it an effort to go back and visit those that I left. One of my RC's, when I told her that I was moving she began to cry. I really didnt want to see her cry at all. It was a very special moment and I hope she will be able to go on even though I am not there. I will be able to call them each Monday so that will be fine. I got sent pretty much back to my greenie area. I am in Bang Naa. It is right next to Samut Prakaan. My new companion is Elder Raleigh. He was in the MTC with me so we already know each other. 

The Monday before I left we had a Family Home Evening with some recent converts and one of our investigators. We talked about the Word of Wisdom, which I didnt know our investigator had such a strong opinion about. Her job deals with Health, Im not really sure what it is, but it deals with food and health all over the state. She talked about how we need to eat meats (not a lot), grains, fruits and lots of vegetables. She had a way strong opinion about it which was great! I was just way impressed with her! She was even giving us things that we could do to stay healthy. I am all about staying healthy and being fit. Since the start of my mission I have not missed a day of exercise. Now I know that some of you may think that Sunday is a day of rest and that is true. Now I will just share my opinion. Monday to Saturday I work out really hard. I will run and lift weights as much as I can without hurting myself. On Sunday I stay inside and do my push ups and sit ups. Its not to much but I have found that I am less tired on Sunday to focus on what I am learning in sacrament and my other classes. I have found that as I have been working out I am less stressed and I have more energy during the day. The Word of Wisdom is something you and I should all take into consideration. By eating healthy and exercising you will be happier and healthier. By not taking drugs of any kind, alcohol, tea, coffee or smoking of any kind into your body you will find that you will be blessed for that decision. If you have health problems and you are using these things, give them up and see what a difference you will make to your body. You may not see it right away but in the long run it will pay off. I am an athlete and I know that I cannot eat or use those things that will jeopardize my ability to play hard and be effective. I promise you by taking the time to watch what you eat and exercise you will be blessed and will have less stress. 

Have you ever been asked to go do errands for your mom or your boss before? Have they given you a list of what is needed and when it needs to be done? Once my mom asked me to go to the store and buy some food that we would make for dinner that night. I had a list, went to the store, got the the food, went home and made dinner. We ate dinner on time and everyone was happy. What would have happened if I didnt go right away? Or if I lost the list? I would be able to make dinner and there would be some grumpy hungry kids and/or adults ha. Well have you ever thought that God your Heaven Father has sent you on an errand? What time has He given you? What does He want you to get done? Now for all of us our errands are different and we have different times, right? Well I want you all to take a minute and think what your errand is. You may be a missionary, have a calling at church or you may not have any calling. What ever your calling is what is it that Heaven Father wants you to get done? I know that we all have something to do and get done. I know that right now I am a missionary. I have two years to find, teach, baptism and reactivate. I have a lot of things that I need to do for Him so when Jesus Christ comes again all will be ready. I have this saying on my scripture case that says,"In His own time, in His own way". I have thought about that time and time again. You may think why does this person need to be taught this right now or why do we have to go visit this guy even though he doesnt accept us. Every errand of the Lord has a reason and a purpose. Things will all work out in the time of the Lord. You are on the Lords errand, do you want get it done timely or wait? Do you want to get the items on the list or just a few? I just want all of you to remember that you and I are on the Lords errand. From the newest member of the church to missionaries to bishops to the prophet. You will be blessed for running the Lords errands, I promise. 

I saw a sign the other day, it read pause. Have you ever thought to yourself that you are going a hundred miles an hour, doing this and that? Are you going to fast that you dont have time for important things in life such as family and church. How often do you just pause and take a break. I know that there are many people that work non stop. They never take a break. People here in Thailand work all day every day and it is really hard. I ask people dont you want a break? They say yeah and I tell them okay just take a day off. Oh no I cant do that. I wouldnt get any money. Is that all you are thinking about is money. Or do you have a day off, yes. Okay can we meet on your day off? No I am working. Wait you have a day off but you still work? Yes. I know that at times I am working really hard and I may not be thinking about what is really important. Did we pause to talk to our son or daughter? They may be struggling with a problem and they are trying to seek help? Did we pause to visit a sick member? Did you pause to think what the Lord would have you be doing right now? How often to you pause to say a prayer of thanks to your Heaven Father? I know that at times we are in a hurry and we dont think about pausing. What would happen if we did? At times I have just stopped while I was inviting and I just stood there and paused. I looked out and say many many things. The whole world and the hustle and bustle of life going a million miles an hour. Take a minute to pause and think. I know that we all need to hit the pause button every once in a while. 

We had a baptism just yesterday. It was a man who my companion found just a week or so ago. He was a way prepared man. He pretty much said that each time the missionaries taught him something he was like well its from God so it has to be true. He accepted everything and got baptized just yesterday! The man is a boss and you can see how much good he will do for others. We met with another lady yesterday as well, another one of our investigators. She is totally willing to follow Jesus Christ and get baptized! We plan on helping her prepare for this Sunday. She is prepared. There are prepared people out there. The Lord prepares all who will receive the gospel. Everything happens, In His own time and HIs own way. I am just his servant here to do His work. I am so grateful to do His work. 

Do His work

In His own time, in His own way

Pause

Word of Wisdom

Love the people you serve

I love you all 

Elder Hinckley

Elder Hinckley with the two convert baptisms he had in Buriram. Elder Parish was his third companion there.

The two young men that were baptized in Bang Naa.

Elder Hinckley with his new companion, Elder Raleigh and the two young men were Elder Raleigh's converts.

Elder Hinckley loves to cook French fries.

Elder Hinckley and his new companion in Bang Naa.