tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54519422031328473222024-03-13T10:00:00.623-07:00The Sowards in ThailandUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-44608206022684137042014-10-15T14:51:00.003-07:002014-10-15T15:02:26.133-07:00Post Mission Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
by Joan<br />
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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3NMqCgnS5H8e2QMbtxbl1s84RC_rzhtS5e0q0CaBO-cJrWYoForeHXjqzxGH4DM_RAaf4qY61QymCNreF8k2_jNyxXiDHMk9KYQPnGPu580fMajq9ZoqTjAOtd7RKGRcX-9kcM2L0p4/s1600/10616200_795301887187736_20717927546794016_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3NMqCgnS5H8e2QMbtxbl1s84RC_rzhtS5e0q0CaBO-cJrWYoForeHXjqzxGH4DM_RAaf4qY61QymCNreF8k2_jNyxXiDHMk9KYQPnGPu580fMajq9ZoqTjAOtd7RKGRcX-9kcM2L0p4/s1600/10616200_795301887187736_20717927546794016_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder and Sister Seppi came to the branch<br />
and explained the PEF fund</td></tr>
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So to somewhat complete our blog I am posting random pictures of happening near the end.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBCxtT639KtCKmLXvPqWKveF-ncblkaDlrXK-8I0wUCuIpD3Y2mxdtUt3Madg1Qpo-K08TJl3IIqjysXIq8cCnvYvR_AO1yM6TWq51HTUCx5fE4XwknL4qBLyinUOejP0mBWDsBbvzJ0/s1600/10703508_1551524148401943_4645963433624959647_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBCxtT639KtCKmLXvPqWKveF-ncblkaDlrXK-8I0wUCuIpD3Y2mxdtUt3Madg1Qpo-K08TJl3IIqjysXIq8cCnvYvR_AO1yM6TWq51HTUCx5fE4XwknL4qBLyinUOejP0mBWDsBbvzJ0/s1600/10703508_1551524148401943_4645963433624959647_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The youth gave us a farewell party, doing<br />
a review of some of the activities we have held: the<br />
Armor of God, Singing in the Rain, and Pioneer Day.</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjePhrt2IMEc59APFnzuS12YWAUcljSh8UhCHJD774-sV5D2QnOrz7aTjNP3GKCcl5X4kKbSClj_shuUKM8IuLZlf6GiN00ujyaUGUUqWTy7GJlc6dHIFbLWwBx2G0Cip2Kd4JCwsagM/s1600/10636038_1551524175068607_7608023119855460508_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjePhrt2IMEc59APFnzuS12YWAUcljSh8UhCHJD774-sV5D2QnOrz7aTjNP3GKCcl5X4kKbSClj_shuUKM8IuLZlf6GiN00ujyaUGUUqWTy7GJlc6dHIFbLWwBx2G0Cip2Kd4JCwsagM/s1600/10636038_1551524175068607_7608023119855460508_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Shaw honored us by playing the bagpipes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAU-2civdty1P0m2mRhGX3pFUGS_wvVcW9uqTHyrmZbvHLKQEMz7TQ-lWMdnzWv4Fe68g-A-tezhqJDZR_so-l4KOpezyyN-vtPNkDZY93-OJ7dXH4F8JlwOUQAb4KSPIMsbfHwDYrzdU/s1600/10583961_1544442985776726_6376416339978774293_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAU-2civdty1P0m2mRhGX3pFUGS_wvVcW9uqTHyrmZbvHLKQEMz7TQ-lWMdnzWv4Fe68g-A-tezhqJDZR_so-l4KOpezyyN-vtPNkDZY93-OJ7dXH4F8JlwOUQAb4KSPIMsbfHwDYrzdU/s1600/10583961_1544442985776726_6376416339978774293_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The youth swimming party we missed. We heard<br />
it was a wonderful time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiC74XsAwwtwPeqrx8l2v_3yOD531U0FoRtw606ZMInlJMR9XIp_ruRcTebhvq5aC0alV-0IifDK8Xz4dgldszXJDsg_GyC40yM28W78NDi3Dc3_JHT9_Afi26eM9ZBNh0MDl5wLgVt8/s1600/1528672_836281686405346_7488913359638595645_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiC74XsAwwtwPeqrx8l2v_3yOD531U0FoRtw606ZMInlJMR9XIp_ruRcTebhvq5aC0alV-0IifDK8Xz4dgldszXJDsg_GyC40yM28W78NDi3Dc3_JHT9_Afi26eM9ZBNh0MDl5wLgVt8/s1600/1528672_836281686405346_7488913359638595645_n-1.jpg" height="468" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tearful last Sunday at Ayutthaya Branch. Look at their<br />
beautiful faces. These hold to their belief in Jesus Christ<br />
amidst a non-believing culture. We love these people!<br />
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPRQdcbhxTOX9DUF4B84AunIzF-DKO0HV21O-hbMNNWUDDMzD4g6GLTblI5lz-vAf3s184poOuxpM2U-jXpnHvqADs96Jr7TSBe9Clwc0rNzIbpWEWZkoB51hz-H_fxEP2GihBT8JhwI/s1600/IMG_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPRQdcbhxTOX9DUF4B84AunIzF-DKO0HV21O-hbMNNWUDDMzD4g6GLTblI5lz-vAf3s184poOuxpM2U-jXpnHvqADs96Jr7TSBe9Clwc0rNzIbpWEWZkoB51hz-H_fxEP2GihBT8JhwI/s1600/IMG_2012.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Sowards with the group that came at<br />
4AM to see us off at the airport--<br />
including the giant. His name is<br />
Mangkorakarn.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-40299301858853798712014-10-06T22:46:00.002-07:002014-10-06T22:48:52.742-07:00We Are Home!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUE6ot3bhB4ILaEqrHPXEMp3opNCEtIq2UGbSD4LiqI-ulcr8HiPFlj9WhxDBRXG8kSj_wywCP4NxpGbQmF8gaKobJvIPdY6a_1MAR-J796KFPPHij6Lrdvzt3CwBe91ByqKyQWJWTCw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUE6ot3bhB4ILaEqrHPXEMp3opNCEtIq2UGbSD4LiqI-ulcr8HiPFlj9WhxDBRXG8kSj_wywCP4NxpGbQmF8gaKobJvIPdY6a_1MAR-J796KFPPHij6Lrdvzt3CwBe91ByqKyQWJWTCw/s1600/photo.JPG" height="260" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped off in Honolulu to visit the temple and the Polynesian Cultural Center.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPqe-6xBGpDBp2op5Dcio56pkeJT9Y8dKPVxKrguM9vkgsFGHumFsHncZ85DFWBix-siOzO0Eeb2NwfXNTjxtDvDUl6xIqWu_P3sW09lObldilrgbAA1pxFi6xaeN5kudnsXdMQ0Bg7g/s1600/photo%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPqe-6xBGpDBp2op5Dcio56pkeJT9Y8dKPVxKrguM9vkgsFGHumFsHncZ85DFWBix-siOzO0Eeb2NwfXNTjxtDvDUl6xIqWu_P3sW09lObldilrgbAA1pxFi6xaeN5kudnsXdMQ0Bg7g/s1600/photo%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hawaiian Temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOQfkmq7oZcm1qOrWWS1KMsrp94-ZIRzFFs8bBX7cWTlZFqG14-Zr_Lj_SYq-ZgubgtNhfs-p-lqpoOFeyqhu1vE72R4Pk5AI7FIFwaH47p_rs8QCrOt2FBxMuSjbGIiRbN9FCn-owAk/s1600/10678683_10154703965460249_2847168543573500741_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOQfkmq7oZcm1qOrWWS1KMsrp94-ZIRzFFs8bBX7cWTlZFqG14-Zr_Lj_SYq-ZgubgtNhfs-p-lqpoOFeyqhu1vE72R4Pk5AI7FIFwaH47p_rs8QCrOt2FBxMuSjbGIiRbN9FCn-owAk/s1600/10678683_10154703965460249_2847168543573500741_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Honolulu Airport we ran into Sister Yim who has returned from her mission in Thailand.<br />
It was good to see her again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWXofXqHTA3HH65WS5kr7c1oWMpCfOEc-03_iNSgIjlH20yZMIy0iVlM1kEV2cLHvkFFwMLDTXhXLAyVvBBiH3Rgz09ce9QU68TUJyXyfJKo7kNwF0qFTfyHb4Lk6iuiqvbvmNMzNo20/s1600/1524784_10154596044000214_6627397559671386529_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWXofXqHTA3HH65WS5kr7c1oWMpCfOEc-03_iNSgIjlH20yZMIy0iVlM1kEV2cLHvkFFwMLDTXhXLAyVvBBiH3Rgz09ce9QU68TUJyXyfJKo7kNwF0qFTfyHb4Lk6iuiqvbvmNMzNo20/s1600/1524784_10154596044000214_6627397559671386529_n-1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy reunion with our family at Sky Harbor Airport.<br />
(Tasanee and Cory and family will join us this week.)</td></tr>
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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!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-10359003922342695432014-09-28T08:22:00.001-07:002014-09-28T08:24:04.692-07:00Krungsri Hotel, the Best Desserts in Ayutthaya, Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Food is plentiful in Ayutthaya. Street vendors sell an extreme variety of Thai dishes--anything you are craving.<br />
<br />
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!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLvttJhUt0ygkDkuGYXVMaN0Q034130OYbOYuWAC6MOKC18mntSAOFYoH0g_7vg540-6u4epc6WhqPXkhNYe96paQqwcMj4cEgAKQ9NOOua_HvihGpLdGi4kB5EGJ_4JmUoJF_EYvGMA/s1600/IMG_2507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLvttJhUt0ygkDkuGYXVMaN0Q034130OYbOYuWAC6MOKC18mntSAOFYoH0g_7vg540-6u4epc6WhqPXkhNYe96paQqwcMj4cEgAKQ9NOOua_HvihGpLdGi4kB5EGJ_4JmUoJF_EYvGMA/s1600/IMG_2507.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Chiiwin and staff at Kringsri River Hotel</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFejAWB4V7uksCTUk05bXBtgbXS-XpwM4tZsxvri6EAX5zc5aAm4Wb-D4H4587dKgEhYldG3u-e1iF6DPvMzQG0e54NBKFG_NRlsourTK7WWZAFn4xBkpS7ybZ-R-UBV6MoWTP05P0Eg/s1600/IMG_1967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFejAWB4V7uksCTUk05bXBtgbXS-XpwM4tZsxvri6EAX5zc5aAm4Wb-D4H4587dKgEhYldG3u-e1iF6DPvMzQG0e54NBKFG_NRlsourTK7WWZAFn4xBkpS7ybZ-R-UBV6MoWTP05P0Eg/s1600/IMG_1967.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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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.</div>
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Don't forget dessert. And say hello to Chef Chiiwin for us.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-65614817643106277202014-09-22T21:43:00.001-07:002014-09-28T08:23:08.489-07:00Our Last Week is Proving Eventful<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladies of the branch who came to Ganjanee's for<br />
the farewell party</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of Ayutthaya Branch youth</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother Five upcoming rock star</td></tr>
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<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">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. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdO9FgGXYSX5E-ntpWMOo8xzFgmozSztymwsphgQO56Xzl7_vyUgZ5mXJGqB6ItYokwf0mDv8isIHwijBTZwMOMnFaa3WVIT5lSjalxogAEuH64vdaska6I89eBSyNN9pfrEKFSC3WSo/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdO9FgGXYSX5E-ntpWMOo8xzFgmozSztymwsphgQO56Xzl7_vyUgZ5mXJGqB6ItYokwf0mDv8isIHwijBTZwMOMnFaa3WVIT5lSjalxogAEuH64vdaska6I89eBSyNN9pfrEKFSC3WSo/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders Larsen, Heiner, Kandun</td></tr>
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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. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Music theory students</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">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.<br />
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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.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sister Ganjanee</span></td></tr>
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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).<br />
<br />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.<br />
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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.<br /><br />
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.<br />
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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.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-erLumaYNQj76I70KoOi1q677lMOywZOaXLXlXZlnjmIlaci7GafYSl74S0P9l4fGVg3SCgqCab9fPWjSGzkejdFqBCpVu-XkbJyRhX7bbcmwmcLH6bQm76jAZycASOfcu9AbC8alEo/s1600/IMG_1934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-erLumaYNQj76I70KoOi1q677lMOywZOaXLXlXZlnjmIlaci7GafYSl74S0P9l4fGVg3SCgqCab9fPWjSGzkejdFqBCpVu-XkbJyRhX7bbcmwmcLH6bQm76jAZycASOfcu9AbC8alEo/s1600/IMG_1934.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unexpected visitors: Top: Bro. Su, Sister Ben, Sister<br />
Ked, Sister Saaw, Sister Baithery, Brother Nong</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">Five days left in Ayutthaya--so sad to say goodbye!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-45257736690808617182014-09-18T20:57:00.001-07:002014-09-18T21:00:49.524-07:00Our Last Transfer Meeting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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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.</div>
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Those finishing are Sisters Barton and Ng. Best wishes for your future.</div>
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Thailand Bangkok Mission's new elders and sisters. Welcome!</div>
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Elder Mayo – Paradise, CA</div>
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Elder Paxton – UT</div>
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Elder Howard—Lehi, UT</div>
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Elder Davis – Arizona</div>
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Elder Mitchell – Payson, UT</div>
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Elder Walker – Sandy, U</div>
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Elder Evans – Boutiful, UT</div>
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Elder Bush – Maine</div>
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Elder Martindale – Logan, UT</div>
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Elder Pratt – West Valley, UT</div>
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Elder Parker – Holiday, UT</div>
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Elder Taylor – SLC, UT</div>
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Elder Reid – Washington</div>
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Elder Hinckley – Idaho</div>
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Elder Chamberlain – Sandy, UT</div>
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Sister Grover – Idaho</div>
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Sister Ong – NY</div>
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Sister Hatch – Springville, UT</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-13162003899533190822014-09-16T09:15:00.001-07:002014-09-16T09:15:58.580-07:00A Visit to Chaing Mai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Shepherds in Chaing Mai</span></td></tr>
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<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">We visited a member and sang “Happy Birthday” to her. She had tears in her eyes. That was the first time anyone had ever wished or sang her happy birthday. Celebrating birthdays is gradually becoming traditional here in Thailand when before it hasn't.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFx0M7havNfiTwvpd2p2N2Kh0YA7PSANeCkOy1BICayMF-r7Px06j6fzUWTdSWL1JRdhmVBP7BqtFCh7i5N8J_OmObQN9UHjenDMhOq3t8epb3pzRlFpUYCgNy_TpATDgKBROYzvd030/s1600/IMG_1797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFx0M7havNfiTwvpd2p2N2Kh0YA7PSANeCkOy1BICayMF-r7Px06j6fzUWTdSWL1JRdhmVBP7BqtFCh7i5N8J_OmObQN9UHjenDMhOq3t8epb3pzRlFpUYCgNy_TpATDgKBROYzvd030/s1600/IMG_1797.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sowards in Samoeng</td></tr>
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We visited a mother of a sister who is serving a mission on SLC Temple Square. The Sister is originally from Ayutthaya but left from a Bangkok branch. She had emailed asking us to visit her mother and take a Book of Mormon to her mother and her step-father to read. We had a good visit and invited the mother to church. She said she may come.<br />
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The two young missionaries and I visited the mother of another sister in the branch. The mother is not a member and just had her knee replaced. She wanted a blessing. We administered to her. She then asked if we could give her younger sister, who was there, a blessing too. We explained that we usually administer to the sick. The mother said her sister had bad migraine headaches and could we administer to her. We explained that the blessing is by the power of Jesus Christ and faith in him to be healed. We administered to her too. What a special opportunity to use the priesthood to bless people’s lives.<br />
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I had challenged the young men to memorize Section 4 and I'd take them to DQ where they could have anything they wanted. All but one has memorized it and received their treat. The one is almost there. The young women felt left out, so I promised them the same. So now all the active YW have memorized it and have had a trip to DQ; we took the last two this week.<br />
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We had lunch on Friday with Anan Eldridge and his wife Rosella. They are wonderful people and always so kind. He took us to a wonderful lunch buffet at a 5-Star hotel saying he thought Joan might be tired of Thai food. We ate big time. Delicious! We love talking with them.<br />
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We usually feed the elders before transfers. Joan made German pancakes and the elders ate them up, but didn’t seem to want more than two – unusual for young elders. They confessed they had just had dinner with a member and investigator. They had planned to come hungry to our supper, but when the investigator invited the, they felt obligated. I would never had been able to eat both meals!<br />
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We went to Chiang Mai this weekend (with permission from the mission president) and stayed with Fred Shepherd. He has a very beautiful house in the mountains west of Chiang Mai. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0vIFJnxh6P2RZDDJa_PnFLMqNZyjMEib74oiDDBUihYriG0RZziYVBUSDGVECdNL7LuW-pFo8omJQue56dykPmFr7ef6yw_DTWhw_jUgs8-IUVsJ3FjSaehm_KSYq8fYnz7J2OOQGOU/s1600/IMG_1803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0vIFJnxh6P2RZDDJa_PnFLMqNZyjMEib74oiDDBUihYriG0RZziYVBUSDGVECdNL7LuW-pFo8omJQue56dykPmFr7ef6yw_DTWhw_jUgs8-IUVsJ3FjSaehm_KSYq8fYnz7J2OOQGOU/s1600/IMG_1803.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shepherd's Home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIn6pIHlaPUUNrgblsvgmDd1zyhS2Dr0VjnXiBi5M6WWxjMsYecZ-HAc0SoHKMB27JFnNc3k5QW5fHhpYu5MbTm3pJ3nOr5FlYmIU8vLcJ2_tMH2TQnPkAa_A9uVDzSZL4d5YjYlOnW8/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIn6pIHlaPUUNrgblsvgmDd1zyhS2Dr0VjnXiBi5M6WWxjMsYecZ-HAc0SoHKMB27JFnNc3k5QW5fHhpYu5MbTm3pJ3nOr5FlYmIU8vLcJ2_tMH2TQnPkAa_A9uVDzSZL4d5YjYlOnW8/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bbq bugs for sale at food market. Yum!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">We attended both Chaing Mai branches’ sacrament meetings and also witnessed 2 baptisms. I even met the daughter of one of the early converts baptized while I was there. Her father drove a 3-wheel taxi bicycle back in those days. When he joined the church his wife left him with three very young children to care for while he still had to make a living. This sister was the youngest who was not even a year old when the mother left. I had may doubts that he would stay strong in the church. The father has passed away but the children have all grown up in the church. This daughter said her father would not let her be baptized until she had a testimony of the Book of Mormon and had memorized the 13th Article of Faith. She was not baptized until she was nine. She has two children leaving on missions soon – one to San Diego and the other to Rochester NY. I am most humbled to have helped start the gospel in that city 44 years ago. <br />
<br />Monday evening back in Ayutthaya, we invited a Sister and her son to have family home evening with us. The husband is not a member but she and the son are. We had hoped her husband would come, but no. We discussed prayer and Joan shared the story about when Von was a baby, we prayed and fasted three months for Von’s tear duct to open without surgery.<br />
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The sister shared a story about having only 100 baht (less than $5) and needing food. Her husband does car upholstery and had some jobs in the works but doesn’t get paid till finished. She had prayed very hard that they would sell an old bicycle collection they had for sell. People had shown interest but no buyers. She felt really down and had wondered why her prayers were not being answered. That evening some men showed up to buy the bicycles and paid cash. She felt blessed. </span><br />
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<br />We are very blessed each day of our mission. It is a joy to be serving the Lord.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-56969946697066942822014-09-10T08:56:00.001-07:002014-09-10T08:56:10.749-07:00Singing Time at School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HLHvNNCtXBk_6MOPaDxj7XE1PKZJ-7pluOAgRkn61aeeSlEuEKWcX0EZArDMw5huWhMGYMTODHhtjYcRnRCswoY0ykecjG0a_JWpjEJC5xBWWVX0V7bS5xU5NAku5mFLaoY7IU_DPTs/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HLHvNNCtXBk_6MOPaDxj7XE1PKZJ-7pluOAgRkn61aeeSlEuEKWcX0EZArDMw5huWhMGYMTODHhtjYcRnRCswoY0ykecjG0a_JWpjEJC5xBWWVX0V7bS5xU5NAku5mFLaoY7IU_DPTs/s1600/photo.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
We visited Wat Nongchid school for the last time today and sang English songs with the children for an hour. Principal Noy is a member of our branch. We came three times during the last school year, so this was a review of the songs they already had learned. They are amazingly behaved, and even toward the end of the hour when they were getting squirmy (having to sit on the floor) they still sang and kept focused. I love their school uniforms. All the students in Thailand, even the universities, wear uniforms. It solves the fashion competition and modesty problems.<br />
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We sang: Row your Boat, Singing a Song is Fun To Do, Kindness Begins With Me, Sing Your Way Home, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, Rain is Falling All Around, Make New Friends, and their favorite--Once There Was A Snowman. None of them have seen snow. This picture is of the entire student body except the kindergarten. And it is the smallest school (being set out in the country) that we have visited in Thailand.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-45732450161685076192014-09-08T21:36:00.001-07:002014-10-15T15:01:43.903-07:00Visiting Korat by Elder Sowards<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">We visited Korat for the weekend and tried to find family members of a friend of ours who now lives in Utah. The phone numbers we had did not work and we could not find the addresses even with the local missionaries’ help. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">We treated the four local elders to dinner (the sisters were in Bangkok). It was my birthday dinner. We couldn’t find any great cake, so we had a small piece of carrot cake and strawberry cake – OK but not Texas Sheet cake! After the dinner we got stuck at the mall for another hour-and-a-half because we couldn't get out of the parking lot. There had been a Scrabbleboard tournament all day with thousands of participants and it seemed everyone wanted to leave at once.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWxpbC6uh3LaxFQ65mDEBDvzyvSxKMsYVoUQKrFKADvfs_uA_XVAjtBekg2Kv5zxrekbE6JDql72OUX8Sjp8GU7Fv01yWPZYI5dFgPYr_oFvIY_DktIuD407xUuuhmCE17M7Ly1yfTj4/s1600/IMG_1700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWxpbC6uh3LaxFQ65mDEBDvzyvSxKMsYVoUQKrFKADvfs_uA_XVAjtBekg2Kv5zxrekbE6JDql72OUX8Sjp8GU7Fv01yWPZYI5dFgPYr_oFvIY_DktIuD407xUuuhmCE17M7Ly1yfTj4/s1600/IMG_1700.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Plus two other filled rooms like this one at the mall</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Scrabble game tournament</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="text-align: left;">It was great to talk to the family on my birthday. Fast Sunday morning Ted, Rex and Chris & Kristy and family called to sing </span><i style="text-align: left;">Happy Birthday. </i><span style="text-align: left;">They then at</span><i style="text-align: left;">e </i><span style="text-align: left;">a great looking chocolate cake in front of us-- while we were fasting!</span></span><br />
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We attended church at the Korat Branch and it was a closure of sorts on the mission connected to my younger days of service here. I was assigned 11 months in Korat as a missionary then, probably the longest term of any missionary ever in Korat. I had many special experiences there and it was a joy to see the branch and its growth. Joan and I bore our testimonies in the Fast and Testimony meeting. To my added joy, they sang two hymns during the services that have great meaning to me from being there before. How did they know to choose those songs? Two men were baptized after the block, too. (There were 114 in attendance at the Korat branch. WOW!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSxNwgqIl5Ahfa6zRYikRok1vOGYlw8PMMVJKQ7ikHuEAC06mPEEKUtOdeZ8Qevdewjy_Cw_Al_06WWg2lYEJ7bJm9MWSJzD3IBQmH0lgCATIahI3ZVNyk-atB26dV0I5LCgMpswnymc/s1600/IMG_2375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSxNwgqIl5Ahfa6zRYikRok1vOGYlw8PMMVJKQ7ikHuEAC06mPEEKUtOdeZ8Qevdewjy_Cw_Al_06WWg2lYEJ7bJm9MWSJzD3IBQmH0lgCATIahI3ZVNyk-atB26dV0I5LCgMpswnymc/s1600/IMG_2375.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Elders Beebe, Amonthep, Crump, and Baanakorn,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">with Bro. Nok in background.</span></td></tr>
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It is a 3 hour drive to Korat. We drove over on Saturday and returned on Sunday evening. It is a very beautiful drive through the country but the drive is spoiled by crazy Thai drivers. I was stressed out after each drive.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwIQ3dyXrvWdJLBqtt1Ms1VF9_rt-2YnLbOOQ11eTeICWhIheeQnXhe_p-sbxEqizK32tvrCVsuFirbr0dVNS0Za0Ry1CTrJC5lXzkn_keZpKsEtnlLJnUHeF69S54s9sx7v9YAxfhEI/s1600/IMG_1705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwIQ3dyXrvWdJLBqtt1Ms1VF9_rt-2YnLbOOQ11eTeICWhIheeQnXhe_p-sbxEqizK32tvrCVsuFirbr0dVNS0Za0Ry1CTrJC5lXzkn_keZpKsEtnlLJnUHeF69S54s9sx7v9YAxfhEI/s1600/IMG_1705.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korat Sisters Yanisa and du Plessie</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><br />Joan taught music theory class on how to hear intervals and recognize them on the piano. The kids are really learning.<br />
<br />Monday night, a heavy rainstorm hit just a little before we start our singles' Family Home Evening. Still many members and one investigator came. For the lesson we listened (in Thai) to Elder Bednar’s talk about burdens, from April 2014 general Conference. We had felt it would be a good lesson. After we finished listening, I asked what people learned from it. One sister spoke about how she hated having to change her mother’s bed everyday. Her mother is very old and had medical problems requiring the need to change the bed each morning. The sister said this talk helped her change her attitude about this daily chore. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSXs8_zQR8NkDQ4daC9D3MejoKy4g4py-CW9NYa9R61HUFnqL_hiTfsHUR4VZ-hto2WewA57kIeK4kd6IzbmCXn3sYWWVEAFS8-pUIJyoUfEczhJ_dE6whLHX761VeO0aQJheJ73K70A/s1600/IMG_2390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSXs8_zQR8NkDQ4daC9D3MejoKy4g4py-CW9NYa9R61HUFnqL_hiTfsHUR4VZ-hto2WewA57kIeK4kd6IzbmCXn3sYWWVEAFS8-pUIJyoUfEczhJ_dE6whLHX761VeO0aQJheJ73K70A/s1600/IMG_2390.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our family home evening group. The BP is lying down on the job.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">Next the new Branch President spoke. He and his wife and daughter had come to see how the family home evenings worked. He humbly spoke about when he was made the elders quorum president after only being a member 2 months, he had thought he could not do the job. He had accepted the calling because he knew that is how we serve in the church. He said the Lord fulfilled His promise to make the burdens light in doing our callings. Now as branch president, the Lord is continuing to help him. Great learning from the talk.<br />
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For the FHE game we played wink-murder. This is a fun game but for Thais, who mostly do not know how to wink, it was a little challenging. Joan served Texas sheet cake (my birthday favorite) for dessert. It was great cake too and disappeared quickly. Joan saved a few pieces for us. This made my birthday even better. Those at FHE sang Happy Birthday to me and took lots of pictures. This is our last YSA family home evening. It has been one of our great joys while serving here in the branch. These are super members.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-size: 9pt; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6Cr_38a-6MZaLvOODwqAWHXkwHkAWWxZCUPOCFyaz63Z_p58z0okPeqKq8-p9v4cVT9EJ6J5dRFXeIqRO9WV809amyZltMY_7WgZUfC7RHjQFeGi65vNuZkM8sQllcCkgZ0KLYJrw2Y/s1600/IMG_1721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6Cr_38a-6MZaLvOODwqAWHXkwHkAWWxZCUPOCFyaz63Z_p58z0okPeqKq8-p9v4cVT9EJ6J5dRFXeIqRO9WV809amyZltMY_7WgZUfC7RHjQFeGi65vNuZkM8sQllcCkgZ0KLYJrw2Y/s1600/IMG_1721.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our latest gift, a garlic wreath</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-36694610797047400212014-09-01T08:10:00.001-07:002014-09-01T08:12:22.044-07:00Life After Being Branch President<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">This week's English Class topic was</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"> families and we sang "I am a Child of God” and "We Are A Happy Family." The Thais will sing these childrens' songs because we are the teachers and they want to learn. They even love doing "Once there was a Snowman" and "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes" with the actions. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjKrtjRJmAZSF8OExqLm7cgWL1dVjdQMxUTOoNCJ6WmNWlJnfWt0rvfvCVxiHfP99b6Z6Q2r49kVlSo7Q9geg5IOzA4sW3wKfgTj0D2dlo6qzYbacK2Ct59COw9WeXnfhRZs_TXEo9Ug/s1600/IMG_1676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjKrtjRJmAZSF8OExqLm7cgWL1dVjdQMxUTOoNCJ6WmNWlJnfWt0rvfvCVxiHfP99b6Z6Q2r49kVlSo7Q9geg5IOzA4sW3wKfgTj0D2dlo6qzYbacK2Ct59COw9WeXnfhRZs_TXEo9Ug/s1600/IMG_1676.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder and Sister Sowards standing by the Chao Phraya River</td></tr>
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Joan made biscuits for a treat after District meeting – the 6 young elders ate it up, literally.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfVImxIx49nC7aSqYxzU-l0DyfAb7Uplv8MNZ5DptekVAzp_FvVDa6slhLypKZPV4UDKJHvyJhalajvZXdi9pi3gRBA-2gt7spJNbpx2zfncAlNjf05bg2vLzrXpypqVWm6DyvZjLw-g/s1600/IMG_1672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfVImxIx49nC7aSqYxzU-l0DyfAb7Uplv8MNZ5DptekVAzp_FvVDa6slhLypKZPV4UDKJHvyJhalajvZXdi9pi3gRBA-2gt7spJNbpx2zfncAlNjf05bg2vLzrXpypqVWm6DyvZjLw-g/s1600/IMG_1672.jpg" height="142" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-cremation ceremony</td></tr>
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Last Monday, I mentioned that we attained the first day of a three-day funeral for the sister that died last Sunday. Then, on Thursday we attended the final ceremony. It consisted of people presenting monk’s robes to monks as gifted from the deceased. (A vicarious action!) Everyone then placed flowers in the casket area and people shot off firecrackers. I think that is to scare off evil spirits. It does scare off dogs. Afterwards they cremated her body. We were not there to watch that part. <br /><br />
On Saturday the youth activity was Thai boxing. No one was hurt so it was a success. Joan made Uncle Vaughn’s fudge. She concluded that he was right – you cannot double the recipe. I thought it tasted great. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">That evening we dedicated a home for a single sister. This is not something Thai members usually do so it was a special opportunity. Afterwards she fed us Thai food. Her house is very old (she was born there) and sits on the bank of the Chao Phraya River.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VeTThn9HNstSnfmhUvRDo1q8faNEX3CL8qn-xtNJ5P7bQ7QGNUYnoqAy-WZV8ClEfXahilRtC5yk-AtjHk3e88qWrW6z7lhIHs12Rmsa2OYW7OZLJ7Wl_POieyg5UsjY4nh0K35Nsm4/s1600/IMG_2360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VeTThn9HNstSnfmhUvRDo1q8faNEX3CL8qn-xtNJ5P7bQ7QGNUYnoqAy-WZV8ClEfXahilRtC5yk-AtjHk3e88qWrW6z7lhIHs12Rmsa2OYW7OZLJ7Wl_POieyg5UsjY4nh0K35Nsm4/s1600/IMG_2360.jpg" height="320" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thai boxing day</td></tr>
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S. Sowards and I both independently finished reading the B of Mormon on the same day. We had started again this year as challenged by the stake. It is a powerful testimony of Christ that is reinforced each time I read it.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">Spent several hours for several days this week training the new Branch President. He told me he is being bombarded with phone calls, mostly from a few members. (Welcome to the club.) He has a super attitude in working out problems. He makes the decisions and I only offer advice when asked. He has started working with a M. Priesthood holder who has a drinking problem. I had suggested that he give support by giving a priesthood blessing. He and the man’s father, also a M. Priesthood holder, have now done that. The man is really trying to quit this time. (He has only made token attempts before now.) We were sent copies of the recently translated Church Addiction Recovery book and I explained to the branch president how it can help. Hopefully he will share it.<br />
<br />
Joan is preparing some of the youth she has taught piano lessons to teach others piano. She taught the theory class Friday night on how to teach others, and on Saturday some of her students were teaching a primary age member to play the piano. She also played her flute, with a member she is teach to play the flute, as part of the special number in Sacrament meeting.</span><span style="font-family: Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">I don’</span><span style="font-family: Lucida Grande;">t have a calling in the branch right now but was able to be a greeter and then to sit with Joan during sacrament meeting. That hasn</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">’t happened for over a year.</span><span style="font-family: Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">The Seppi’s, a senior missionary couple, came on Sunday and took the 3rd hour of the block to teach our members about the new and improved Perpetual Education Fund. They did a great job explaining how it works and many members are interested.<br />
<br />
Sunday evening, we visited the deceased sister's 12 year-old daughter. The new branch president asked permission of the grandfather if members could bring the granddaughter to the weekly youth activity and church. He explained how the church teaches the youth good morals and making good life decisions. The grandfather consented. I think the daughter is excited to be able to come to church again. The branch president did a better job in asking the grandfather than I could have.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><br /></span><br />
Monday was our 17th month anniversary on our mission. We drove to Bangkok to find a flute music book for one of Joan’s students. We also had Family Home Evening with a wonderful family in the branch, a grandmother and her 3 grandchildren. They are great members and have been so kind to us.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdm91NEVDHB_JzigHj8P8YQtMJq2hNxrQFmW2J-W4eavIhCg4nKnQFd7518VUnfWzLNdnAQkcusiwGz86WqGMtbCUvGPnXa5-H16WYdvVme810V1GsLIo1D7VI8IEwRMbWebSIV8bsHc/s1600/IMG_1677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdm91NEVDHB_JzigHj8P8YQtMJq2hNxrQFmW2J-W4eavIhCg4nKnQFd7518VUnfWzLNdnAQkcusiwGz86WqGMtbCUvGPnXa5-H16WYdvVme810V1GsLIo1D7VI8IEwRMbWebSIV8bsHc/s1600/IMG_1677.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders Larsen and Angkham, Pres. Chenowat,<br />
Bro. Jalay, Bro. Phon with Ganjanee<br />
at her house when it was dedicated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">We will miss Ayutthaya when it is time to leave. We love the members here!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">
</span>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-74623607281622615582014-08-25T01:49:00.002-07:002014-08-25T01:49:42.654-07:00Ayutthaya Public Transportation made simple<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwXgEqSq-FwVVxaJ15KvsKUmtPKKPJzbRR28LulydqFxBtI5whU1EN4z2piihTk0gz9D2DzVhVkuKo4bGvlkA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
How to get a ride home from church. Easy.<br />
<br />
Go out to the street to the side the traffic is going that you want to go. Wait for a tuk-tuk or a motorcycle taxi to come by. Tell the driver where you want to go. Climb in/on the back and off you go. So much simpler than the US, and cheaper, too. Notice the girl waving before she leaves the screen.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-43525291033034755072014-08-22T08:26:00.000-07:002014-08-22T08:26:23.116-07:00Dragon Fruit -- Mmm<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gS8oyufLSPNZ5ImEh32vuNlfEW-dD7ZLYMjefEYAYfv4CnNeMN-wXZEdFYln343HYnswDPQkonKnVun_jGgFy6N_Y3Q0daAZVbJqcpOg5M3zU2tXsVz2HdrHsdUQs9DpjgxewgAnGDI/s1600/IMG_1649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gS8oyufLSPNZ5ImEh32vuNlfEW-dD7ZLYMjefEYAYfv4CnNeMN-wXZEdFYln343HYnswDPQkonKnVun_jGgFy6N_Y3Q0daAZVbJqcpOg5M3zU2tXsVz2HdrHsdUQs9DpjgxewgAnGDI/s1600/IMG_1649.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon fruit comes in red or white with black seeds. Here it has been cut in half. <br />The half on right side has had part of the fruit spooned out.<br /><br />Dragon fruit has a light, pleasant flavor, but</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAS4GUw1xodprdEvXOrrzyf3oBJOXCcH_Mq-3xXkP9QXS2h04o2ks7nZZ9Pt3nOFVmxEY9eZVY-XjKHfRIIAf5Tj4JRJtjopRfVgN6yg7j2STolV5VV2iNa265XT3OMeY50OLMJzsF9g/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAS4GUw1xodprdEvXOrrzyf3oBJOXCcH_Mq-3xXkP9QXS2h04o2ks7nZZ9Pt3nOFVmxEY9eZVY-XjKHfRIIAf5Tj4JRJtjopRfVgN6yg7j2STolV5VV2iNa265XT3OMeY50OLMJzsF9g/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">its looks remind me of a tropical fish--not a dragon.<br />The name here is Pitaya.<br />Another wonder of Thailand!</td></tr>
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</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-48746478487930396952014-08-19T07:25:00.000-07:002014-08-19T07:25:23.548-07:00We're Half-way Through August Already<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Time goes fast!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">by Elder Sowards</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span>
<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I took the two elders to a service project on Tuesday. We did yard work in the hot sun. A member helping with the project found a millipede and cut it’s head off so it wouldn't bite anyone. The missionaries took pictures of holding and playing with it. I am sure their mothers will be concerned when they see the pictures.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
Thursday night we attended a farewell dinner at President Senior's home for two couples finishing their missions, the Saengsuwans and the Mannings and to welcome for the Smiths who just arrived. Joan made pecan pie and I made blueberry fruit crunch.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtBbo7bJZndTnZoocfyudguoMYHzDHuByHzyCSZS4TVP1sjp3ShPFUC7jNaN9M66NyJB7AP5ePOakAneaZHiWwHAxMPc0VmB4YYehS50mfWXfis9EdwG0nW5AuItea0GnmvNXFgnbvto/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtBbo7bJZndTnZoocfyudguoMYHzDHuByHzyCSZS4TVP1sjp3ShPFUC7jNaN9M66NyJB7AP5ePOakAneaZHiWwHAxMPc0VmB4YYehS50mfWXfis9EdwG0nW5AuItea0GnmvNXFgnbvto/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farewell dinner for Mannings and Saengsuwans.<br />Welcome to the Smiths.</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
We attended and Joan performed at the Family Values Award program. (Previous blog.) We also attended a fireside afterward. Caitlyn Meyer who acted in the movie "17 Miracles" was the speaker. She is a very good speaker. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3ppDAjZV3hw5NQIFZZuB9F6lGFKgd8zpWIFwyhPmiIgGKQ4bzkc7MJfUk1A_fMRCohNMxYR36C_t_7tX-wxhlt1dxwsfK-X-neXZHVI5pSkM0vHQPcxsnCga-SV8cuiqxo9_byx-tdw/s1600/IMG_1640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3ppDAjZV3hw5NQIFZZuB9F6lGFKgd8zpWIFwyhPmiIgGKQ4bzkc7MJfUk1A_fMRCohNMxYR36C_t_7tX-wxhlt1dxwsfK-X-neXZHVI5pSkM0vHQPcxsnCga-SV8cuiqxo9_byx-tdw/s1600/IMG_1640.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mannings and Sowards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Too bad most of our YSA cannot attend firesides like this because they live over an hour away and work late on Saturday to be able to make the start time. Also the firesides end late in the evening when public transportation, especially in Ayutthaya, is scarce. Sometimes we bring some of them but we can only take two and this day we had to be there earlier in the day for the awards program.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 15px;">The Mannings organized the Family Values Award program.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> They will head to Hong Kong on Tuesday for the Public Affairs training. From there they will return home to the USA, having finished their mission. They will be missed here in Thailand. And we will miss them for they have become good friends of ours.</span><br />
</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
Sunday was another long and interesting day. We had three great speakers in Sacrament meeting. I spent much of the rest of the day in interviews with members and with the branch council meeting. All of the sudden I realized it was past 4 PM and I had not eaten or drank anything since breakfast. And it wasn’t fast Sunday! We returned home after 5 PM and lunch/dinner was a peanut butter sandwich – it tasted great.</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-10701650846426327682014-08-16T23:13:00.000-07:002014-08-19T07:29:12.707-07:00Family Values Award<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA18PdbPrU8Yiam52C9arVso9xRCvobcfqA_OCYJTNJAqdCjHKbxVL6X9JFwWQ_gg6Nh2VZNH7v8fx1Gmsf3e3M9MexP51ZaUAK6GIAgaqJpcyJF2_dKKF6YhBP47rCthVox2ciAL13w/s1600/10301930_795997857099165_5074137174880236347_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA18PdbPrU8Yiam52C9arVso9xRCvobcfqA_OCYJTNJAqdCjHKbxVL6X9JFwWQ_gg6Nh2VZNH7v8fx1Gmsf3e3M9MexP51ZaUAK6GIAgaqJpcyJF2_dKKF6YhBP47rCthVox2ciAL13w/s1600/10301930_795997857099165_5074137174880236347_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three winners of the Thailand Family Values pose with<br />
President and Sister Senior</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKworcZoFFm37LECw-o8FEImgCyKHympZwJSBevOJfFIyHE4jsBpARK2_0t6LfU387PBLsVPSHcXayBUzWFIhbhmVvdRrcDB96H5hx2XLf-_D_vQRR2AsOnpQ9tBIQC7RWWERHjD0PgpQ/s1600/10441303_795997193765898_2441902459618149757_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKworcZoFFm37LECw-o8FEImgCyKHympZwJSBevOJfFIyHE4jsBpARK2_0t6LfU387PBLsVPSHcXayBUzWFIhbhmVvdRrcDB96H5hx2XLf-_D_vQRR2AsOnpQ9tBIQC7RWWERHjD0PgpQ/s1600/10441303_795997193765898_2441902459618149757_n.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The awards ceremony was well attended.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24_VDpG6Y-EdSAt_a1_Q2uDfqk17CxtPvM3Lura68KGiWUx4CcZ-52IOpv09Iqgqp9e6PLgc_fKF-HgbBRK4DKGnXa2Evqo-SKGcmrN5zKFFUjx1WaUNEG2F7CmAUGKynC_CiUH0FUhg/s1600/10526162_10152197930592651_9072621738747005054_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24_VDpG6Y-EdSAt_a1_Q2uDfqk17CxtPvM3Lura68KGiWUx4CcZ-52IOpv09Iqgqp9e6PLgc_fKF-HgbBRK4DKGnXa2Evqo-SKGcmrN5zKFFUjx1WaUNEG2F7CmAUGKynC_CiUH0FUhg/s1600/10526162_10152197930592651_9072621738747005054_n.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Winners</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBFST3ou5mGlFrln2Vp1UzUFcbLqaFHfmDKzteasN3arMMDwgwrqww4nAHdSDzO6LSL889hQA_MuWSPXOE7CCMCkU0zyQsSfkR8dPLFSZ13YxH8UgQ2H4R4p7IlduwUkjpML0WkZjSyk/s1600/10592811_795997417099209_2336823876130609775_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBFST3ou5mGlFrln2Vp1UzUFcbLqaFHfmDKzteasN3arMMDwgwrqww4nAHdSDzO6LSL889hQA_MuWSPXOE7CCMCkU0zyQsSfkR8dPLFSZ13YxH8UgQ2H4R4p7IlduwUkjpML0WkZjSyk/s1600/10592811_795997417099209_2336823876130609775_n.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Sowards was part of the program. Elder Reed on piano and<br />
Sister Grace Jackson on violin<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Family Values award is given to selected individuals who work to benefit families in Thailand, was held August 16.<br />
<br />
The winners are:<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 12.500000%, 37.600000%); font-family: 'Times New Roman,Bold'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Father Joseph Maier, </span><span style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman,Bold'; font-size: 11pt;">C.Ss.R. </span><br />
<span style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman,Bold'; font-size: 11pt;">Khun Paron Israrena</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 12.500000%, 37.600000%); font-family: 'Times New Roman,Bold'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">
Dr. Siraporn Sawasdivorn </span></div>
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Thank you to all who worked so hard to make this and excellent event.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1E67ZV27rzaWZyG8OKEeh2MTQhWTQhDi_JJzfetB5QNDBlwQv-f66Q2KqwIRsWuTxG5htqnN0tmgcera9LwnOY7s3ezWHaLBtf90K_C0zt3-cQAgWb6dVX_Eh1BLjixjFyKdt_g0Xu8/s1600/IMG_1630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1E67ZV27rzaWZyG8OKEeh2MTQhWTQhDi_JJzfetB5QNDBlwQv-f66Q2KqwIRsWuTxG5htqnN0tmgcera9LwnOY7s3ezWHaLBtf90K_C0zt3-cQAgWb6dVX_Eh1BLjixjFyKdt_g0Xu8/s1600/IMG_1630.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders Reed and Kris</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-18083929031801381992014-08-12T07:15:00.000-07:002014-08-12T07:18:22.885-07:00Welcome Elder Angkham<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><br />Ayutthaya has received a new elder, replacing Elder Kittavong. Welcome Elder Angkham, who is also from Laos. There is only one branch in Laos, but they manage to produce many missionaries who serve in Thailand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">At the transfer meeting on Thursday, one of the two elders serving in Myanmar (Burma) finished his mission. The new elder called to go is Elder Jordan Smith who served in Ayutthaya last fall. He has studied Burmese and is so excited to go. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMjwRKhimOagneuDdpClZysomWNzwc7j1WTx2naCO5TOSqf8NVbgV7PilJ_71PCrEpLZCX-shRTibV4MgVIdEGSmtt-XglORogkEAozS_YEbaam99iLF3B1kx6V4GX4yi_ZbZaasF8PI/s1600/IMG_1612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMjwRKhimOagneuDdpClZysomWNzwc7j1WTx2naCO5TOSqf8NVbgV7PilJ_71PCrEpLZCX-shRTibV4MgVIdEGSmtt-XglORogkEAozS_YEbaam99iLF3B1kx6V4GX4yi_ZbZaasF8PI/s1600/IMG_1612.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ayutthaya Elders Larsen and Angkham</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After the transfer meeting, we ate lunch with the Browns and Stockers at Que Pasa. Elder Brown served as a missionary right after Dennis. (1971) He and his wife been in-country as MLS missionaries now for about 6 months. Elder Stocker served with me overlapping about 5 months. The Stockers (also MLS, assigned to Roi-et) just arrived this week. We had a good time re-meeting each other. The restaurant was filled with young elders and sisters by the time we left. The owners must love transfer days!<br /><br />
On Sunday one of the few Americans serving on the High Council, spoke in the branch. Elder Sowards translated for him. It was easier than most translations because he had sent the main part of his talk before so Dennis prepare the words he might use. Because it is Mother’s Day (the whole weekend) many of our members who live away from home, went to see their mothers. We only had 55 at church. We are shooting for 80.<br />
<br />
We decided to show the CES broadcast with Elder Ballard last May, at our YA FHE. Hopefully, you all have heard his talk. For the rest, please go to <span style="color: blue;"><u>https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/archive/ces-devotionals/2014/01?lang=eng</u></span> and listen or read the talk "Be Still, and Know That I Am God." It applies to all of us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">Because it is a holiday weekend and it rained hard in the late afternoon only three showed up for FHE. We changed the lesson last minute, (but still go read the talk.) We had a good evening and the small group allowed us to talk more with one sister who is a new member. She is having problems with her family not accepting her joining the church--a common hurdle for many members here. The advice we and the others gave her is to live the teachings of the church and her family will see her good works. We will pray and fast for her.</span>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-35977340133635407832014-08-11T21:37:00.000-07:002014-08-11T21:40:46.208-07:00It's Mothers' Day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today (Tuesday) is the queen's birthday, so it is Mothers' Day in Thailand. We have been partying since Friday (as my earlier posts tell.) Every school had a celebration on Friday. The schools are out through Tuesday. But today is the official day, so our thoughts turn to our own mothers who have passed away, Margaret Kleinman Lisonbee and Donna Gylling Sowards, both great women in their own right.<br />
<br />
Sunday, we celebrated after church. The youth and others made felt flowers, another sister made corsages, we had cake, and singing from the youth. Other than the firecrackers set off throughout the city (firecrackers are part of every holiday) it is a peaceful, respectful celebration.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing to the mothers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Youth sing the traditional Thai Mothers' Day song</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We love these youth, and they each knew the song by heart.<br />
<br />
I have to admit I miss hearing "Mother Dear, I Love You So" and "I Often Go Walking" but I'm sure I'll hear them for many years to come.<br />
<br />
Happy birthday to the queen of Thailand. Happy Mothers' Day to all mothers around the world.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-3349967085556571982014-08-10T19:25:00.001-07:002014-08-10T19:27:21.184-07:00Branch Karaoke Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The youth did their routine to<br />
"Singing in the Rain."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thai people love to sing--and what a fun day this was! Our members loosened up and let their personalities and talents show.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_082KAtpjbYl654bLbnIND8M3XEQBehJdSwHxmmsvSkUaBoEzEvUdEorXPb4RTKhMT2TrZ4u7S0kmhEtC4eMHZsO6HBl5muD_h0y4IPQAfryRTzo7QRDalcewKGjCeYfkWy8J7HWfIs/s1600/IMG_2289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_082KAtpjbYl654bLbnIND8M3XEQBehJdSwHxmmsvSkUaBoEzEvUdEorXPb4RTKhMT2TrZ4u7S0kmhEtC4eMHZsO6HBl5muD_h0y4IPQAfryRTzo7QRDalcewKGjCeYfkWy8J7HWfIs/s1600/IMG_2289.JPG" height="160" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The elder's quorum president had a<br />
great backup to his excellent<br />
performance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0UBsAA_cMaaIb3OKY936iRbmCAFXVnGeg0ThJneMBbN2Hv-u6XR2PjVkZ0KlDE0DquGrkCM08lbLwFtruqZIkzhh59_3FcPGv78TSuvhIJUAgg_RllfgIkbcPvUlwSlcG8H0-jpVxDk/s1600/IMG_2292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0UBsAA_cMaaIb3OKY936iRbmCAFXVnGeg0ThJneMBbN2Hv-u6XR2PjVkZ0KlDE0DquGrkCM08lbLwFtruqZIkzhh59_3FcPGv78TSuvhIJUAgg_RllfgIkbcPvUlwSlcG8H0-jpVxDk/s1600/IMG_2292.JPG" height="320" width="113" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sutaab and Boonlerd<br />
surprise us with a dance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our Karaoke day was a lot of fun. All who attended participated. There were a lot of surprises, too. All the songs were in Thai. Elder Sowards, who never sings solo in public, sang "Longer Than" in English. I joined him on the chorus.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKaB4Wbk0GcjhDQ1R62939RCbQLONnQZPFDLNoXoUsGFietnnowcMgsTU3DCsu1q1p_-6ge3S3YOgP8-_hSoi9rU7VpcqjbfuFhx-no40Mbse2RZnfpAMHRwzRVnc4TsXjHdErc-V7io/s1600/IMG_2294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKaB4Wbk0GcjhDQ1R62939RCbQLONnQZPFDLNoXoUsGFietnnowcMgsTU3DCsu1q1p_-6ge3S3YOgP8-_hSoi9rU7VpcqjbfuFhx-no40Mbse2RZnfpAMHRwzRVnc4TsXjHdErc-V7io/s1600/IMG_2294.JPG" height="200" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday School Pres. chooses a Thai favorite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMV8ALowx7IhnVK1Pt6VOX3XHsKO_0pBv8QapyUGHipgFZZwqFq-0m5_wPoEGpCmNZGmE0aGAt9MyjPvGzhXEiX5-_1Nk-_plH6mLUlEuxbEhx5tCrvgYdDBQ2P1sSofnRT5VtMC0yjGI/s1600/IMG_2312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMV8ALowx7IhnVK1Pt6VOX3XHsKO_0pBv8QapyUGHipgFZZwqFq-0m5_wPoEGpCmNZGmE0aGAt9MyjPvGzhXEiX5-_1Nk-_plH6mLUlEuxbEhx5tCrvgYdDBQ2P1sSofnRT5VtMC0yjGI/s1600/IMG_2312.JPG" height="200" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The young adults looked like Peter, Paul and Mary.<br />
The hats added a fun touch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgek5uzdecSS8FXWA-dgiPk9VjM5-i86lBx-ca-WCIEWNNw-6_sWqaOcCNDpZOj0IeXyccDGctZe1bs8wU4JinsnXUQxzl6H2ciuYJ5BazP3z_7viQPHPdzQPnYNjkMF4Ljw4IbtuQd5tA/s1600/IMG_2319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgek5uzdecSS8FXWA-dgiPk9VjM5-i86lBx-ca-WCIEWNNw-6_sWqaOcCNDpZOj0IeXyccDGctZe1bs8wU4JinsnXUQxzl6H2ciuYJ5BazP3z_7viQPHPdzQPnYNjkMF4Ljw4IbtuQd5tA/s1600/IMG_2319.JPG" height="199" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another singles group. The umbrellas added color.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqtv1PFcTdgEhrZz_oRAFM-xPqMD8IhIxc8TgPqt1nIkYo_oBQ9AN1Lzdv6dFBbGWSQW4sAqwtNbW4L4pKYJuoQPrF1YpJCS4zcLC07Igvb4jPp-ILI0uixNWncY4BRtvE2hrFNtmgcM/s1600/IMG_2320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqtv1PFcTdgEhrZz_oRAFM-xPqMD8IhIxc8TgPqt1nIkYo_oBQ9AN1Lzdv6dFBbGWSQW4sAqwtNbW4L4pKYJuoQPrF1YpJCS4zcLC07Igvb4jPp-ILI0uixNWncY4BRtvE2hrFNtmgcM/s1600/IMG_2320.JPG" height="200" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Larsen introduces Brother Shaw's song "In the Beginning." B. Shaw has a great voice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNvXM2PAxSLKegyVGk4ZZVecbCLcl38rxlwOXnGjhSG8odS-Say-I6bNAHhu2HBrihefwAhShwIBYjjy3a19nN57kARb_wio8u2vkV7ByAwTNmSOV57OjL1SvTpitWspmmVSu6Vj4Qn4/s1600/IMG_2323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNvXM2PAxSLKegyVGk4ZZVecbCLcl38rxlwOXnGjhSG8odS-Say-I6bNAHhu2HBrihefwAhShwIBYjjy3a19nN57kARb_wio8u2vkV7ByAwTNmSOV57OjL1SvTpitWspmmVSu6Vj4Qn4/s1600/IMG_2323.JPG" height="200" width="79" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Phon won<br />
best female singer award</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLx6HioDVt6rTgofz8EVkk31xiGLdbFo4EtiSPcaOsufD9txX9RxH4f-x5Mh3OGLYOtPQu02QTnuCPaOenjCTSpFdYa2KMqq3qncIlCU9yVPr9fB2xGySfR39XdEghakP-Ix93j2Iq9YA/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLx6HioDVt6rTgofz8EVkk31xiGLdbFo4EtiSPcaOsufD9txX9RxH4f-x5Mh3OGLYOtPQu02QTnuCPaOenjCTSpFdYa2KMqq3qncIlCU9yVPr9fB2xGySfR39XdEghakP-Ix93j2Iq9YA/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" height="200" width="106" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother Shaw wows us with his<br />
bagpipes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My observation is that Thai music is beloved by the general public. There doesn't seem to be the division between music types as there is in America. Everyone seems to know all the songs, and Thais love to sing.<br />
<br />
In our time here, except for hymns, I've never heard an American song sung in Thai. They have their own songs. Their language doesn't translate well to our music. It loses the tones, where in their music they incorporate the tones into the melody. They all know do-re-mi and use that instead of a-b-c-d-e-f-g. They use half-tones, too. The more modern music fits closer to our 8 tone scale, but the traditional is very distinctly their own.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VrGzCYEPdcyYPy4RI8KWAR2-cedBBRVQaUEgMRvyozt0x5_i-jrGNzEvFOA61KLk5m01hZV7oUIYK1tKnfmWnMgDrjVjcj7Wy2P8vwCQVNn7txsn0K2KaxHly6uUKaX3gA4iuKsOXZs/s1600/IMG_2332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VrGzCYEPdcyYPy4RI8KWAR2-cedBBRVQaUEgMRvyozt0x5_i-jrGNzEvFOA61KLk5m01hZV7oUIYK1tKnfmWnMgDrjVjcj7Wy2P8vwCQVNn7txsn0K2KaxHly6uUKaX3gA4iuKsOXZs/s1600/IMG_2332.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We celebrated birthdays of Sister Pat, Brother Junmong, <br />
and Brother Oom (not in picture) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24AtQ2ZWt-yP8IyE5g-b-8ipl60AcF3hip1jA3tGn0FFisAYb0wy7adRLPcx_3tkgRm8xKc1_x9OXBd60zek6sh0QiRzn9rClDFVZXM2RsOCmBv9WrfXXf5jD24B25q8W4ZTVVN0L0Kw/s1600/YW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24AtQ2ZWt-yP8IyE5g-b-8ipl60AcF3hip1jA3tGn0FFisAYb0wy7adRLPcx_3tkgRm8xKc1_x9OXBd60zek6sh0QiRzn9rClDFVZXM2RsOCmBv9WrfXXf5jD24B25q8W4ZTVVN0L0Kw/s1600/YW.JPG" height="200" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The YW sing their hearts out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-13686112068465758442014-08-09T04:21:00.001-07:002014-08-10T21:06:32.848-07:00Thailand Bangkok Mission receives new elders and sisters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Pictured with President and Sister Senior are the new sisters and elders in the Thailand, Bankok Mission (not in order as pictured)</div>
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Sisters: Herrmann - Orem, UT, Alley - Spokane, WA, Zoller - Wisconsin, Nethercott - UT, Peck -ID, Pitts - Albuquerque, NM, Brown - OR Mamea- HA, </div>
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Elders: Okimoto -HA, Hinkson –Orem, UT, Curtis – San Diego, CA, Luker – Boutiful, UT, Hilton – Highland UT, Williams -Australia</div>
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Those who are finished and heading home are Sisters Crockett, Madsen, Yim, Sararat, Steele, Sahagan, Painter, Weed, Mullen, Greenwood, McDermott, Steward, and Broeder</div>
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Elders King, Cox, Fronberg, Utley, Neud, and Wilson</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">These are the sisters we came out with from Utah, and now they are going home--earlier than us because of their language training time at the Provo MTC. We have grown to love these sisters and elders so much. They are all great missionaries and hard worker. "Well done thou good and faithful servant[s]."</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-65662193005656549442014-08-08T08:26:00.001-07:002014-08-10T18:28:54.284-07:00Thai Mothers' Day Surprise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-g3zkej237a4EaHF6hJGur1IVNVRbzYICaAHCdjc0YNkbF9V4mmxLEqM7I_53hM8NdfFIguGTtSkEaZ-qpUDqoJi5oBCuGh-rWuHNY1Xd9hyphenhyphenh1FAJx_iP0axF4bbouIHxvsa5uxfLApM/s1600/IMG_2286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-g3zkej237a4EaHF6hJGur1IVNVRbzYICaAHCdjc0YNkbF9V4mmxLEqM7I_53hM8NdfFIguGTtSkEaZ-qpUDqoJi5oBCuGh-rWuHNY1Xd9hyphenhyphenh1FAJx_iP0axF4bbouIHxvsa5uxfLApM/s1600/IMG_2286.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a>Our ward member, Oui, who invited us to her school last year for their Mothers' Day program (honoring the Queen's birthday) is now in high school, 7th grade, and invited us to come again. Her mother could not attend and she wanted me to represent her mother at her school program.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing a traditional Thai Mothers' Day song</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hugs</td></tr>
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Oui's mother warned us that the mothers would be honored. Elder Sowards thought it might be the same water ceremony we had at the church on New Years. I was happy to be with Oui, but a little apprehensive as to what might happen.<br />
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I sat through the honors program wondering and praying that whatever happened, it would all turn out well. We were the only foreigners there--and the only ones with non-black hair besides the Asians who had bleached theirs. I admit I worried about having to pose for a picture with all the mothers and have my blaring gray/white hair glowing.<br />
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After the students sang traditional songs, and were honored for achievements, male students lined about 30 chairs across the front of the gymnasium. They'd invite groups of mothers to come up and sit, then the mother's children came and knelt before them, bowed (the traditional waay). Some had three children at the school, so for them it was a group hug. The hugs lasted for a full minute. The children bowed again and the group filed back to their seats. A new group came up. There were lots of tears involved--an emotional ceremony honoring their mother.<br />
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Elder Sowards and I had not come unnoticed, and our very presence seemed to attract a lot of attention. When I stood to go up with the last group of mothers, I heard gasps, then a light wave of applause. It took all my courage to walk up and take my seat. Oui came and knelt before me, and with all the other mothers and children, we hugged. Many watched.<br />
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When our turn was over, we stood to walk back to our seats, but the leader of the assembly stopped me and asked me to sit again. I grabbed Oui hoping she would stay with me. Elder Sowards had come up to take pictures and he also was invited to take a seat by me. The students all became very quiet. We were given microphones and asked to introduce ourselves to the assembly. Elder Sowards said hello in Thai which set off more applause. He briefly said in Thai that we were from the USA and that we had 5 children. Then I said thank you for welcoming us--in English, then thank you in Thai.<br />
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What an experience. After the students filed out to go home, we went to talk to the leader. He asked if we would come back every day to teach English.<br />
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Our schedule doesn't allow for it, but teaching English is one of the fun things we do--and learning Thai culture. Happy Mothers' Day!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-85463229276943608122014-08-04T22:22:00.001-07:002014-08-04T22:22:16.761-07:00Ayutthaya is Singing in the Rain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Youth learning dance</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">At the youth activity on Saturday Joan taught a simple dance routine to Singing in The Rain, It is for the branch activity next Saturday called “Sing for your Dinner” only in this case it is sing Karaoke/perform. She had them twirling umbrellas and dancing all over the small chapel. I don’t know where the spectators will sit. But it was fun to watch the youth learn. They've never performed like this. Joan did a super job teaching with patience and enthusiasm. The leaders loved watching, too.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Friday zone meeting</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Larsen's birthday</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Sunday we had a great testimony meeting – no strange stories of ghosts or french fries. However during Sunday School one of our recently baptized mem</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">bers discovered his bike stolen. The bike was locked, too. The mission has a bike donated by an elder who finishes his mission this week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Saturday was Elder Larsen’s birthday and Sunday was Elder Kittavong’s. How often does that happen? Members brought five cakes to church Sunday to celebrate. Two, however, were ice cream. Someone put them in the refrigerator but not the freezer. They intended to move them up to the freezer soon after Sacrament meeting was over. But the cakes were forgotten in the problem of the missing bicycle. After church, they discovered the cakes had melted. The cakes were still good to eat as soup but no longer beautifully decorated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We have been one year in our house in Ayutthaya. The 1st night was very bad because of the loud (bad </span><span style="color: #444444;">rockband</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> imitation) night club nearby from 10 PM till 1 AM. We questioned if we could live in the house for a year plus. We didn’t know that that would be the worst night here. The shop with the band has gone out of business. No loud rock music since the new year.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">We have been serving for 16 months. It seems too short and yet long ago that we left. The stake presidency says they are working on a replacement for me as branch president. I think I will hold some kind of record – a foreign missionary to serve as a branch president in 3 different branches in Thailand. (Now and back in the first mission)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">We fed the young missionaries bean and egg burritos with taco sauce from Taco Bell. E. Larsen asked how we had taco sauce in Thailand. We told him we have special connections. (Our children send it.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">We will speak in the Hillside Ward on October 12 at 8:30 AM! Please plan to come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">I challenged our young men to memorize D&C Section 4 and promised them their choice of anything at DQ. We took two boys to DQ today for their reward. Three have now accomplished this. The young women felt hurt that they did not get the same offer, so I promised them a DQ trip too. We already owe three YW a Blizzard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">My goal is to reread the Book of Mormon before we leave the mission. One insight I have received this round is that, while we speak much of the faith and devotion of the people of Ammon. They had faith to not fight again. We maybe over look the faith of the Nephites who served to protect them. Alma 28:3 tells us many Nephites gave their lives protecting the people of Ammon. They were men with families. Wives lost husbands, children lost fathers. They also exercised great faith in obeying their leaders and made great sacrifices too. I can be better at making sacrifices for others.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-19329290393965003792014-07-31T07:37:00.001-07:002014-08-04T22:02:22.406-07:00Tom Sowards Visits<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">Dennis' brother Tommy came for a visit, arriving on Thursday just in time to celebrate Pioneer Day at the church offices. He brought gifts from the family, which we appreciate. We tried to turn him into a missionary while he was here by going to bed early, doing home teaching, cleaning the church house, helping to record the Chinese cemetery, helping teach our English class and youth activity.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish foot therapy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy and Dennis at the Chinese cemetery</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">On Sunday Tom enjoyed our wonderful sacrament meeting and heard the primary sing the special number – </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">The Holy Ghost</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">. He enjoyed the Thai potluck lunch after church. Real Thai food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">We took him to see the giant Buddha at the nearby watt, the ruins of Thai temples in Ayutthaya, and the outdoor markets where he sampled real Thai food and saw elephants walking the streets. He sat for 20 minutes and let fish eat the calluses of his feet, and then was treated to the best chocolate mousse in Thailand. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRwePG-T4pi8tX27cikm7l_5bH_cGHNIXshOrFz5AuPFgQD5rbVjU7UiBfPp-qDrZr7j1X-M_ABhJe_6_3-RUp2fVrzeikI6z4KHiC7TPL3K6IpWACd3iRF1fDsdcMkbdr4CjO3N-r8w/s1600/IMG_1565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRwePG-T4pi8tX27cikm7l_5bH_cGHNIXshOrFz5AuPFgQD5rbVjU7UiBfPp-qDrZr7j1X-M_ABhJe_6_3-RUp2fVrzeikI6z4KHiC7TPL3K6IpWACd3iRF1fDsdcMkbdr4CjO3N-r8w/s1600/IMG_1565.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goats returning home after a long day of entertaining tourists</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">We contributed to his game </span>repertoire<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"> by teaching him to play </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">Rummikub</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"> and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">Take Two</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;">. Ah, Tom! We will miss you.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">We ate Mexican food at Que Pasa in Bagkok. See </span><a href="http://www.quepasa-th.com/Que_Pasa/Que_Pasa.html" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank">http://www.quepasa-th.com/Que_Pasa/Que_Pasa.html</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"> </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-20082503515280583062014-07-31T07:13:00.001-07:002014-07-31T07:13:16.580-07:00Judo and a Few Surprises<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 9pt;">At English class last Tuesday, we had “Speak Like a Cowboy” night. We taught fun words including “Howdy" and “Whoa" and talked about pioneers. Joan had made a slideshow video of rodeo words that turned out fun.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><br /><br />
Saturday for our youth activity, the elders taught judo judo basics. I am so grateful we only had a few bruises afterwards. The youth enjoyed it.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmrCJvXAv7m_rnamZ2iQz5LOrwYgauI67_RhNzE6YYQGHhHyRti-XBM1ro_2THVQnIx8EPZ6bJJFuz7Nn9rnAbO_uBIrCFSxiUX4pSZAOLD3-nZoMtCkSQD7xv7gNZetsVprrxWgGpbM/s1600/IMG_2248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmrCJvXAv7m_rnamZ2iQz5LOrwYgauI67_RhNzE6YYQGHhHyRti-XBM1ro_2THVQnIx8EPZ6bJJFuz7Nn9rnAbO_uBIrCFSxiUX4pSZAOLD3-nZoMtCkSQD7xv7gNZetsVprrxWgGpbM/s1600/IMG_2248.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Elder Sowards drove the elders to Suphanburi (1 hour away) to teach an investigator at the only member’s house in that town. She was very interested. She drove herself to church on Sunday. Maybe some day we can have a branch there. There are so many large towns in Thailand that we have no members--area that are wide open for missionary work.</span><br />
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Elder Sowards took the branch presidency to the leadership training on Sunday. We are beginning to realize that when Thais say a meeting will go 3 to 6 PM they really mean 3:15 to 7 PM. While he was away, the wife of one of the priesthood leaders waited at our house. She and Joan had a fun time since she speaks little English and Joan only some Thai. They read scriptures (in two languages) together, made felt flowers, studied Thai and English, and discussed many things. She told Joan she wasn't married – she and her husband were baptized earlier this year and she is obviously expecting. This shocked Joan until she learned that the sister meant that they were legally registered as husband & wife but had no formal wedding event. To the Thai people there is a difference. She said the formal wedding would happen when they go to the temple.</span><br />
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We had a problem with a missionary misusing his Facebook privileges. I hope it is better now that President Senior has discussed it with him. The Internet is a two edged sword. And our elders do not have iPads yet, though they are allowed to keep a missionary profile page and post </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">uplifting messages for their investigators and new members. They are not allowed to visit friends' pages or communicate with old friends through Facebook. Big temptation.</span><br />
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Congratulations to our son-in-law Chris Stapley and </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">nephew-in-law Adam Brown for completing the bar exam this week. What a great accomplishment!</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-68799701898231365292014-07-31T06:54:00.002-07:002014-07-31T06:54:16.831-07:00Impromptu English Class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;">We were invited to a school </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;">to have our picture taken for the English Camp we did last week--or though we thought. (Schools will write up a report of our visits for the system.) As soon as we arrived, our hostess took us to another school, and upon arrival asked us to teach English for an hour. Surprise! Luckily, we had Primary song posters in the trunk of our car. We sang and went over an English handout.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;">We had a fun time. Flexibility and being prepared is always needed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCsiOXm5qNUio1nhIN7e95sDhmLbg2jtZVUnOTF7TEjR-NjuMrZcwA7A4BwWeSRLeFc-JmulG2YEE4_05kcGOSgjBnon_NjtmPqK1rfs9Dcgk2OUWZ8GOr4Say_fv8D4o-uDQjNkxLBI/s1600/IMG_1533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCsiOXm5qNUio1nhIN7e95sDhmLbg2jtZVUnOTF7TEjR-NjuMrZcwA7A4BwWeSRLeFc-JmulG2YEE4_05kcGOSgjBnon_NjtmPqK1rfs9Dcgk2OUWZ8GOr4Say_fv8D4o-uDQjNkxLBI/s1600/IMG_1533.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;">This photo doesn't show the entire 138 students who came, or how delightful they were. In each school we visit they put us in a large open room to present or teach. Even though they have desks in the classroom, the children sit on the floor during our presentations. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-79971472128650142512014-07-22T06:55:00.001-07:002014-07-22T06:55:27.920-07:00Lean Presentation at Taksin Hopital<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Elder Sowards gave a presentation on how to implement Lean to the Bangkok Taksin Hospital doctors and nurses. He taught half in English and half in Thai. The conference chairman said this was the first time an English speaker had presented there. They invited him months ago to speak at the hospital. He also introduced the church in his presentation, and extended an invitation to them to speak with the missionaries they might meet on the street. We invited them to English classes too. It all seemed well received. </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">This is the fifth LEAN presentation he has given here.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CaYV8AWaUK-Sy9aElAF3eNULfrYD_eOPNBb1EYaLUTd0ap7xJnWU0mlc72AZq6Hy4IRYGDbxKN8ycwSApEaGBtdIwPzowUW5Hrsj0kZ3PI8E1-Ro9ulmESP4-sPfBDhoBHd7WBkITQ4/s1600/dennis+at+Taksin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CaYV8AWaUK-Sy9aElAF3eNULfrYD_eOPNBb1EYaLUTd0ap7xJnWU0mlc72AZq6Hy4IRYGDbxKN8ycwSApEaGBtdIwPzowUW5Hrsj0kZ3PI8E1-Ro9ulmESP4-sPfBDhoBHd7WBkITQ4/s1600/dennis+at+Taksin.png" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Question and answer time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1ezkcCjLMlTzmcbTHNPXbR1fpl4sMDa7zjUuv8-Tzcf2CB9UB8cH2968oEhbMaXP63xSNPXTbnh3el3fO753JkB18ihjpM1VFNC_E31Guk8vBtqdzWT2CYFaOwAIBdopEwdYqgsV9eI/s1600/nurses.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1ezkcCjLMlTzmcbTHNPXbR1fpl4sMDa7zjUuv8-Tzcf2CB9UB8cH2968oEhbMaXP63xSNPXTbnh3el3fO753JkB18ihjpM1VFNC_E31Guk8vBtqdzWT2CYFaOwAIBdopEwdYqgsV9eI/s1600/nurses.png" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nurses and doctors</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-36688990882243988862014-07-20T22:21:00.001-07:002014-07-21T03:39:55.023-07:00Japanese Once Lived in Ayutthaya<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-moc-AHF9mzAqZs5DLXiXJUkiZ8YtTKmMA9xIsBjkG3jnV_52_McxNa5rhcBcc6_MYj_CQ9DtC-ab79RAOWZAeNIPJoM7ktJLy7DTRkE_KPTceP-XhsFg_jtKthMV18y_g4TsIIv8GI/s1600/IMG_1501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-moc-AHF9mzAqZs5DLXiXJUkiZ8YtTKmMA9xIsBjkG3jnV_52_McxNa5rhcBcc6_MYj_CQ9DtC-ab79RAOWZAeNIPJoM7ktJLy7DTRkE_KPTceP-XhsFg_jtKthMV18y_g4TsIIv8GI/s1600/IMG_1501.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Elder Meeker and Elder Sowards studying the map of Ayutthaya at the Japanese Settlement museum. Interesting thing about these settlers is that they were Japanese </div>
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Christians who left Japan (c1600) when the Emperor declared no Christians could live in Japan. Their population grew to 3000 before they were forced out due to a change of kingship in Thailand.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451942203132847322.post-65199117072732004632014-07-20T21:29:00.000-07:002014-07-20T21:33:32.119-07:00Pioneer Day in Ayutthaya<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our youth activity this week was "Pioneer Day."<br />
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Elder Larsen started the program by explaining Pioneer Day as celebrated in Utah. He also told a story of his great-great grandmother crossing the plains. She was cooking breakfast when some Native Americans walked into her camp. She remembered Brigham Young telling the saints to be kind to the Indians and not fight them, so she offered them breakfast. They sat down and ate. Upon leaving, they told her that before they came into camp they had planned to kill her, but because of her kindness, they changed their mind. It was a confirmation to her to always follow the prophet's counsel.<br />
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Elder and Sister Meeker stayed to be part of our activity. Sister Meeker told about the crickets that came to eat the pioneer's crops in Salt Lake valley. Her great grandmother's family was without food during that time. They prayed for food. While walking along a road, a man came up to her and gave her a bag of food. He told her the Spirit had told him to take the food and give it to the first person he saw. She was very grateful to have their prayers answered by someone who listened to the Spirit.<br />
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All members in Thailand are pioneers because they are the first, and usually the only members of the church in their family. They must be brave and endure the hardships that come from being a pioneer.<br />
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We made biscuits and our own butter out of cream as we listened to the stories. Thanks to Sister Meeker's help, they both turned out delicious.<br />
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We even danced the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=576243735817392">Virginia Reel</a>. I had worried how dancing would be accepted by our youth, but they learned quickly and seemed to enjoy it a lot. Some even said it was one of the best activities we've had.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaYRLZm9BIbY4KbLTNZMhl-VqSiXs8ZpEpBVVBMulfHYvnz0wHqCt4-d7tlAdq6gaHEkQ-kKJ-1v2wyJNA0FehAw2puOBgxRPp-f4lqUkPyf7GrAimORPfo2I3B18F7nFcWlAaw7eQdE/s1600/IMG_1498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaYRLZm9BIbY4KbLTNZMhl-VqSiXs8ZpEpBVVBMulfHYvnz0wHqCt4-d7tlAdq6gaHEkQ-kKJ-1v2wyJNA0FehAw2puOBgxRPp-f4lqUkPyf7GrAimORPfo2I3B18F7nFcWlAaw7eQdE/s1600/IMG_1498.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud of the biscuits we made</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHxDatQayO5n-4BIiU0wOFt_yRLpxOn63-DVnZM1ae9aGfZXN6rcz8drzINBjUl_R3TAldwGDoOAKdvrtwfJ5Sngfz6kUCCIxeRfEJ6VQoQEitE_IOg52Dan7JG8Jj915_rr7pGVYMgQ/s1600/IMG_1495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHxDatQayO5n-4BIiU0wOFt_yRLpxOn63-DVnZM1ae9aGfZXN6rcz8drzINBjUl_R3TAldwGDoOAKdvrtwfJ5Sngfz6kUCCIxeRfEJ6VQoQEitE_IOg52Dan7JG8Jj915_rr7pGVYMgQ/s1600/IMG_1495.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm... And the butter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkr5d9E8rojtTTcAPV6AcV5RR5t4xZsARDoo4DZEK7DTOu6-nQ_XG4TFV7BmZhRdE4qaFXnUwe_9kxAat2mQdXJR3fd7dZra_PDDR92OdX8F0BiihMOErHC6pawZlhGk0fVJGcCor1fK0/s1600/photo%5B2%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkr5d9E8rojtTTcAPV6AcV5RR5t4xZsARDoo4DZEK7DTOu6-nQ_XG4TFV7BmZhRdE4qaFXnUwe_9kxAat2mQdXJR3fd7dZra_PDDR92OdX8F0BiihMOErHC6pawZlhGk0fVJGcCor1fK0/s1600/photo%5B2%5D.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">True pioneers</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0