First Encounters

The annex and temple was filled with the energy of 40 returned missionaries from all over SE Asia at a special 3-day conference held for them here in Bangkok. Some received their endowments during their visit, meaning they had served their missions without being endowed. What a blessing for these young people to get together and share their testimonies of Jesus Christ, and attend the temple together.

Conference attendees gather for a photo in front of the Christus in the garden court between annex and the Temple. They are from India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Myanmar, and other countries of SE Asia.

You can't tell much from these two photos taken from our hotel window. The darker one was taken at 4:30 AM
and the lighter at 6:30 AM. All day long, the traffic is at a standstill. The light at Asoke turns green and it almost clears out, but then in seconds, it packs up again.

I love the free enterprise in Thailand. If you have something to sell, set up a table and sell it. This is a typical scene, mostly food along this alley to the canal where you can catch a water-bus. We stopped here to get iced chocolate and iced Ovaltine. Yum!

Motor scooters everywhere! Once the traffic stops, it is fair game for cyclers to drive between the cars to the front of the line. They drive in gutters, sidewalks, and anywhere they can squeeze through. This photo is mild to reality.

Today we did an endowment session. I asked for headphones because thought the presentation would be in Thai, but there were more non-Thai people attending so it was in English. Four people were from the Philippines, two from Malaysia receiving their own endowments, two from Russia, two were Thai, and Dennis and me. The presentation had Thai subtitles but went by so fast I'd read the first few words, and then the next line appeared. The Thai workers try their best to handle the diversity. Some live up country and can only come to serve once a month. They often forget some of their training and have to relearn it. The session was perfect enough, and still beautiful. The Spirit was there and bore witness of the importance of the work.

We haven’t found a permanent place to live yet but have several possibilities. We are hoping to know next week. We will move out of the hotel on Monday into an Airbnb a block away. Back to walking Bangkok streets! 

One of the senior full time missionary couples is assigned to work with the members in Myanmar. When we were here ten years ago, the mission sent the first four elders into Myanmar. Now there are two branches at least. The political unrest has made it hard for members.

Looking up at the temple at night.

We've met other senior couples. One couple is here for a few weeks from Russia, to help members coming for their own endowments. They have so few places they can go due to the Ukrainian war. They can come to Thailand.

We have met couples running the mission office. In July, there will be two missions in Thailand, and they both are headquartered in the annex at the Temple. We also met the Family History couple. That is a huge task since Thailand kept few records before 1940, and most people are cremated, so there aren't headstones for which to search.

We have enjoyed our time here very much, and look forward to serving in the next five months.

We are back in Thailand! April 2014

 We are back in Thailand! We hope to stay for 5 1/2 months and serve in the Bangkok temple. Only crazy people do adventures like this--leave home not really knowing how their plans will turn out, no mission call, only on a whim and a hope, and a few encouraging words. We will stay at this hotel for about five nights, an Airbnb for ten, and after that, who-knows-where.

Our layover in Taipei, Taiwan, included this
unique forest gate entrance.

After a very long trip, about 24 hours, we arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. We left Phoenix on Monday and lost Tuesday when we crossed the international dateline. After a big mixup with our Grab driver (equal to Uber in the states) that took an hour to resolve, it took us another hour to get to the hotel because--well, because Bangkok is one big traffic jam. I'm sure our driver was sorry he took our call. He spent so much of his afternoon taking us to the hotel.

We are staying at the FX hotel right by the temple, literally next door. We don't have the temple right out our window and 20 feet away, as we did for the open house, because we are on the east side of the building. The rooms on the east have a great view of the Asoke/Petchaburi intersection and high-rises, and are a foot or two feet larger than the ones on the north, which I appreciate. Right below us, our room's view is a junk heap, so we try not to look down. The room has no place to put anything, so we'll live out of our suitcases for five days.

Besides the temple, the Church built an "annex" next door. It has two stake centers, two mission offices, the Church administration offices, patron housing, MTC,
and a welcome center. It's an amazing building.

When we got to our rooms, I crashed for about two hours. Then we went downstairs for dinner. I had Tom Kaa with shrimp (coconut soup), and Dennis had Thai fried rice. I slept again until 7 AM. Today I've had no jet lag, but Anan claims it will catch up with us.

Here are the Temple front doors at night, a welcoming sight.

Below: Every car has a Buddha on the dash for blessing and safety. It's usually a little statue sitting on the dash, but I've not ever seen one like this. Considering how Thais drive, it's a wonder we don't see more accidents! They are taught very young how to maneuver tight traffic.

Below is a typical sight in this part of the crowded city. A beautiful tree's overgrown roots have destroyed the sidewalk, and
motorcycle taxi drivers in orange vests, waiting for customers. A makeshift porch cover is made from discarded banners.

It feels good to be back in Thailand. I will get used to living in the city again. Always noisy, always crowded. The smells are unavoidable. I love the Thai people, especially the Saints. That is why we are here.

We've talked with several family members via FaceTime. The littlest grandson stared at us on the screen straight-faced for a while and finally broke out in a smile. 

He must have recognized us. My heart warmed. I miss them all.

With FaceTime, I think this is doable.

Post Mission Review

by Joan
We've been home two weeks, and my heart and thoughts often go back to Ayutthaya. We loved our members--the close knit group, their testimonies of Jesus Christ, the unity, the baptisms and recent converts. We became attached to the elders who served in Ayutthaya and the sister missionaries we occasionally served with. There's so many things I will miss.

Elder and Sister Seppi came to the branch
and explained the PEF fund

So to somewhat complete our blog I am posting random pictures of happening near the end.

The youth gave us a farewell party, doing
a review of some of the activities we have held: the
Armor of God, Singing in the Rain, and Pioneer Day.

We came in April of 2013 and left Sept 2014. What a great experience! The Thai people taught us so much and have so much love to give. The Saints have strong testimonies. It is not easy being a Christian in a Buddhist society. They must have courage to stand alone. Many do.

David Shaw honored us by playing the bagpipes.

The youth swimming party we missed. We heard
it was a wonderful time.

Our tearful last Sunday at Ayutthaya Branch. Look at their
beautiful faces. These hold to their belief in Jesus Christ
amidst a non-believing culture. We love these people!

There are programs to help the members such as the Perpetual Education Fund. What a blessing it is to those who, without it, getting an education would be out-of-reach.

Elder Sowards with the group that came at
4AM to see us off at the airport--
including the giant. His name is
Mangkorakarn.

We Are Home!

We stopped off in Honolulu to visit the temple and the Polynesian Cultural Center.

The Hawaiian Temple

In the Honolulu Airport we ran into Sister Yim who has returned from her mission in Thailand.
It was good to see her again.

Happy reunion with our family at Sky Harbor Airport.
(Tasanee and Cory and family will join us this week.)

We had a great mission in Thailand. We have great memories. We miss our friends there and wish them the best until we meet again--which we hope will be soon!

Krungsri Hotel, the Best Desserts in Ayutthaya, Thailand

Food is plentiful in Ayutthaya. Street vendors sell an extreme variety of Thai dishes--anything you are craving.

But one of our favorite places to eat in Ayutthaya is not a street vendor or street cafe. It is diner at Krungsri River Hotel. Elder Sowards claims they serve the best hamburger in Thailand. It calls his name every time we cross the bridge. The menu has a wide selection including American, Thai, Italian dishes (and probably others). The price is more than the street vendors, but is worth the extra. Besides, it has the best deserts, including the best dressed chocolate mousse (wears a cute fan and rolled cookie), the most delectable that we've found in Thailand. I admit we have returned many times to enjoy its deliciousness!

Chef Chiiwin and staff at Kringsri River Hotel

In preparation for Elder and Sister Meeker who were coming up to Ayutthaya to move our furniture back to Bangkok, we went to the Krungsri Hotel to ask that they have four chocolate mousse for us when we returned for dinner on Friday night. Usually they only keep two on display, so we wanted to order them special. Elder Sowards asked to speak with the dessert chef. The hostesses went to the kitchen to ask if he would come meet us, and he did! Chef Chiiwin told us he has worked as a dessert chef for twenty years. We complimented him on his excellent work and asked that he have the mousses ready.

So we enjoyed dinner with the Meekers--excellent food as always. But we got a great surprise when the servers brought out the mousses! Not only were they wearing their cute fans, but the chef had added edible artwork to the plate. They were not only delicious, they were more beautiful than ever.

So... when you visit Ayutthaya, think of Elder Sowards and I and how much we loved living here, and stop in at the cafe at the Krungsri River Hotel and have dinner.

Don't forget dessert. And say hello to Chef Chiiwin for us.

Our Last Week is Proving Eventful

Ladies of the branch who came to Ganjanee's for
the farewell party

Some of Ayutthaya Branch youth

Brother Five upcoming rock star

Ayutthaya has new elders: Heiner & Kandum, plus we still have E. Larsen too – yes a threesome. We were sad to see Elder AngKham leave after only one transfer here. He is now a district leader in another area. Elder Heiner is from Mesa and Elder Kandun is a Thai native from the northeast part Thailand. 

Elders Larsen, Heiner, Kandun

Joan taught her last music theory class. Hopefully the 5 youth that attended will continue to grow in their music abilities. They gave her a Hello Kitty as a going away present. 

Music theory students

At Book of Mormon reading class after theory, Elder Heiner asked who played the piano. Everyone looked up and Brother Now said 'We all do.' "Wow, that was a highlight of my mission." When we came, one 14 year-old girl played the melody line of the hymns for church. Now she is playing from the simplified hymnbook and moving on to the regular hymnal. All the youth have taken piano lessons and can read music. All the members of the branch that wanted to learn about music and the piano had the opportunity. It has been fun to see the branch go from very limited music to many being able to do or understand.

We went to Sister Kanjanee’s retirement party in the evening after transfers. The dinner was delicious and interesting as they served us various courses of food – one at a time. They had an honoring ceremony that we took part in, giving Ganjanee our best wishes and tying a friendship string around her wrist.

Sister Ganjanee

Joan taught how to make/bake chocolate chip cookies, chocolate pops, no-bake cookies and Texas Sheet Cake to interested members.Some were interested because they like these treats. Some are hoping to sell these as treats and become more self-reliant. I helped translate as Joan taught and did the taste test – no I did not eat the cookie dough! What surprised us is that the members were excited to see the cake rinse in the oven. Most do not have or use an oven. When Joan brought out the large bag of Costco chocolate chips (that Ted sent by way of Tommy) everyone was surprised at the size of the bag and the size of the chips. They even passed a cup of chips so they could sample them. We can buy chocolate chips here but they are small and not as tasty. The class went real well and one member remarked that he liked the ending of this training better than most classes (we ate the goodies).

The farewell party on Saturday evening was at a sister’s house out in the country. We had feared it would rain like it had almost every night. It did not rain! We were there with much of her family and friends to celebrate her retirement also. The member sister sent a small bus to bring the members out, too. We had a Thai dinner followed by Karaoke. After much karaoke the branch members sang "Come Though Fount” Then they asked Joan and I to lead the youth in a Virginia Reel dance. We had no idea that was coming. Next they asked Joan and I sing “Longer Than” karaoke that we sang weeks ago at the branch party. The evening was fun and always a surprise. We didn’t ride with the members in the bus/truck they came in but we heard they sang hymns all the way back to town. Almost like caroling. One member said it was the most fun he had had in a long time.

We found out in mid-week that we were the speakers in Sacrament meeting this week, not next as had previously been assigned. This increased our preparation efforts. Joan gave most of her talk in Thai and did well. I was assigned to speak about honoring the Sabbath. I tried not to criticize anyone but to help everyone see the importance of keeping it a holy day. We were two of 6 speakers on the program, and still ended on time.

 Jackson Shaver from Mesa came to our church on Sunday. He brought yummy American chocolates. He couldn’t stay long but it was fun to see him. Joan shared one of the bags of Hershey Nuggets with the Relief Society. The sisters ate with smiles on their faces and a Mmm! rippled through the group.

Sunday night the branch clerk brought some papers for me to take to Bangkok. Several members came with him, so we invited them in for a few minutes. Next thing we are doing is taking pictures. Camera phones are wonderful – our members are even better. At the same time Sister Mod Shaw put a slideshow with music on Facebook. It has lots of fun pictures of the branch members with us. It was so special.

Unexpected visitors: Top: Bro. Su, Sister Ben, Sister
Ked, Sister Saaw, Sister Baithery, Brother Nong

Monday night we had a going away dinner at President Seniors. The Goodsons are leaving this week and we leave next week. It was very enjoyable to eat and have family home evening together with the senior missionary couples.

I have discovered that finishing a mission as a senior couple is much more involved than a young missionary. Young missionaries just pack up leaving behind worn out clothes they don’t want to wear ever again, turn in the mission phone and go visit members and investigators to say good bye. They eat a lot of goodbye meals. As a senior couple, who is not being replaced, we must close the bank account, internet and phone services, pay off water and power bills and determine what to do with everything in the house. Some stuff belongs to the owner, some is the missions and some we bought. We are not getting trunky, but must prepare as all cannot be done last minute.

Five days left in Ayutthaya--so sad to say goodbye!

Our Last Transfer Meeting

We attended our last transfer meeting--yes, our last. Elder Sowards and I love to go to the meetings and feel the enthusiasm of the young people there. We love these elders and sisters and will miss feeling of their energy. We have full confidence that the missionary work in Thailand will go forward with full commitment from these missionaries.

Those finishing are Sisters Barton and Ng. Best wishes for your future.

 Thailand Bangkok Mission's new elders and sisters. Welcome!

Elder Mayo – Paradise, CA

Elder Paxton – UT

Elder Howard—Lehi, UT

Elder Davis – Arizona

Elder Mitchell – Payson, UT

Elder Walker – Sandy, U

Elder Evans – Boutiful, UT

Elder Bush – Maine

Elder Martindale – Logan, UT

Elder Pratt – West Valley, UT

Elder Parker – Holiday, UT

Elder Taylor – SLC, UT

Elder Reid – Washington

Elder Hinckley – Idaho

Elder Chamberlain – Sandy, UT

Sister Grover – Idaho

Sister Ong – NY

Sister Hatch – Springville, UT