Thailand, Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, and India--An International Temple

 We are an "International Temple" as temple President Khanakham has stated many times. We serve Thailand, Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, and India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and all who travel here.

We have had a very busy week! I'm finally getting (somewhat) used to doing initiatory for two hours. I've been spoiled by those half-hour sifts in Mesa. It's all a mindset, expectations.

I was assigned to sealings Wednesday afternoon and feared that listening to someone go on endlessly in Thai would make me yawn. I knew the day would drag. But no. There was never a dull moment. A couple from India, and the husband's sister, came with a stack of ancestors' names. That was fun. We did about four couple sealings before we realized that none of the ancestors had received baptism! So off they went to the baptistry. They were such nice people, so warm and loving. 

Every sealing situation after that brought its own story. 

That evening, the India couple came back to be sealed together themselves! The husband's sister attended in a gorgeous traditional Indian gown--browns, creams, and sparklies--a beautiful sight. It was a very sacred setting. I very much enjoyed helping them while they were here, and I regret not being able to say goodbye to them personally before they left.

Other members helped the the India family complete the work for their ancestors and barely got the work finished before the family had to catch a taxi to the airport.

This week, we received groups from Cambodia and Laos. One of the men from Laos had been a missionary in Ayutthaya when we served there. He was full of spunk back then. I guess 10 years and marrying a lovely wife mellows a man. It was good to see him. One sister from Laos did not read Laotian, or speak Thai or English. Communication in situations like that are a huge challenge.

Vietnamese Youth

A youth group from Viet Nam will be here a few days to do proxy baptisms. Youth always bring such enthusiasm with them.

Our neighbors and the temple president's wife often bring us food. Tonight we had mango and sticky rice. Mmmm!

Yesterday, freshly pureed fruit juice. We've found mangos, oranges, smoothies, fried rice, crackers and chips hanging in bags on our door. 

Dennis' Mos Burger

We took another trip to the mall and bought lunch. We ate at Mos Burger. Dennis' burger had a huge tomato slice, and his patty was covered in a sloppy joe type of sauce. I had a tasty teriyaki burger. And of course, we had to have a chocolate dipped, soft serve cone from Dairy Queen before getting back on the subway to go home.

Here is an Asian Barbie Doll. It isn't the norm here, but I thought she was pretty.

Let your kids play while you shop. Two-and-a-half huge tubs of Legos!

Rest assured, Hello Kitty is still alive and well in Thailand, and always will be. Ten years ago it was big, but now I think it is bigger! Yaaykua! (at least at Robinson's)