Karsten's Adventures in the Kingdom of Thailand: 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