Ayutthaya

Another busy week in the temple. Members from India, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Singapore came, and many Thais. This sweet girl is Sister (pronounced, but not spelled) Twee. She chose Grace as her English name, which fits her well. She came with in a group of five from Vietnam.

2 inch bananas

Weeks ago, we had scheduled to go to Ayutthaya to attend church with the members there--friends still from 10 years ago. Things kept coming up, trying to get us not to go--our speaking in church date (June 16) turned out to be high council Sunday, and would we please move the date up? Could Joan teach Relief Society this Sunday?--just little things like that, and we kept saying no, we are going to Ayutthaya. You know how guilt twinges when you say no, but we felt we should go as planned.

Cooking in the Ayutthaya night market.

When we started our shift on Friday morning, knowing our tie to Ayutthaya, one of the shift leaders told us Sister Ganjanee had just passed away. She was a stalwart member of the Ayutthaya branch, a great missionary, and a good friend. We were only months apart in age and we'd kid each other about being sisters. After he told us, I knew why we both felt strongly to go to Ayutthaya. 

We rented a car and Baidery rode with us to Ayuttaya. Dennis drove, the steering wheel on the right, driving on the left. I prayed. Baidery navigated.

Baidery wearing a shirt I wish I had!

Sunday, a memorial service was held for Ganjanee after church, then we visited her family at her village wat that evening. She will be cremated at the wat (in her temple clothes) on Monday night. The family still wanted to have a Buddhist ceremony since all of them are Buddhist, which is common here for those who are the only members of their family. The whole day was a lovely tribute to her, and we are glad we went.

Note, Plang, Cake, and Baidery at Ayutthaya

The Ayutthaya members reminded me that back in September, I jokingly promised Ganjanee we'd come to Thailand for her funeral. They called me a prophetess.

Always a photo shoot after church. Sister Naa knelt behind us and held up the flowers. Now that's dedication. Then, everyone individually or as a family had their picture taken with us.

The Branch and a few visitors for Ganjanee's memorial service gather for a photo.

Sister Wasana and I, waiting at the wat.

We went to the wat in the evening. Three of Ganjanee's sisters and several cousins, nieces and nephews, and others were there to meet us. This beautiful shrine below is to honor the deceased, and is only a front. The casket is behind the shrine. There is a window in the top of the casket through which to view the deceased. (I wish I hadn't looked.) The body rests here until the cremation.

Traditionally, the family gives funeral attendees a snack. Even though the real funeral isn't until tomorrow, we were given packaged cakes and a boxes of juice.

Sister Ben, the branch president's wife, made this flower arrangement to honor Ganjanee from the branch. Thais are very talented in flower arranging. I think they are born knowing how.

Sister Ben

Another grammar example.

Ganjanee and Joan in Bangkok in September.
A dear friends passes. We figure she is already teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to Thais on the other side.