Devotional and Birthday

 We talk of Christ, we rejoice of Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. 2 Nephi 26:25

This has been my favorite scripture for many years. I see it in action by the Thailand saints. It seems to be the theme here--rejoicing in Christ, talking of Him. Thailand is 95% Buddhist. The Thai converts came from Buddhism. It is so ingrained into their culture--their holidays, food, decor, and architecture. The Saints here still enjoy the culture but with a Christian frame of mind.

We had a temple workers devotional on Sunday afternoon. There were over 200 in attendance! They started with taking pictures of each shift. Here's one gathering for their photo. The gentleman in the wheelchair is a sealer and has been spoken of in General Conference and featured in Church publications. After the two hour testimony meeting, a potluck was served (true to Thai tradition) with lots of Thai dishes to choose from. I had mango and sticky rice, my first since we arrived. It was "aroy mahck!" very delicious.

Soup

Every Thai who qualifies to work in the temple may. Many serve twice or three times a week. They come from afar--car, plane, train--and those who have to travel will serve once or twice a month, but they come. Such wonderful examples of sacrifice! Above is a soup that was served at the potluck. I didn't get the name of it. And a little jelly molded into a flower (below). Everything has a "Thai" taste to it that always surprises me.

Monday was my birthday. Thank your for so many well wishes. Dennis and I spent a leisurely morning (being Monday the temple is closed), then we took the subway to Rama 9, to Lotus, and bought groceries. Again, we hired a tuk-tuk home. The driver was very skillful in the heavy traffic, and it being tricky to make the turn into the back driveway of the temple. It was an adventure. The driver gave us hugs before he left. He was happy to help us.

Bangkok traffic in the rain.

Later, we went back again on the subway to HomePro and bought my birthday presents--a cushioned mattress pad (I've mentioned that the beds are really hard) and a full length mirror since our apartment only has one mirror in the bathroom.

We went to dinner at Sizzler and ate ice cream afterwards at Swensen's. Yes, both restaurants are going strong in Thailand.

Having ice cream at Swensen's for Joan's birthday.

Dinner at Sizzler

We wanted a taxi to take home our oversize load, but none could take us, so again, a tuk-tuk came to our rescue. (It's becoming the pattern.) On the way home, the driver took a wrong turn. But to my delight, we found a huge night market not far from our home! We will return some evening when we aren't serving in the temple.

Entrance to the night market.

Two noks

This is a "nok". You have to open your mouth wide with a long "ah", and say its name real fast. It is a hairy little fruit that is easy to peel, and is so delicious.

Below is an octopus, poor fellow. I watched the vendor cut him up with scissors and fry bits of him on a stick. I don't know if he is delicious, but many people think so.