gangsta primates pics

Gangsta primates

Elder Decker
เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
Thailand Bangkok Mission

Monkeys

Hi. Another great week down in the ancient city of Ayutthaya. It's been a fast transfer with transfers coming next week but it's been good. Last Monday we visited some more temples. Went to the old Portuguese Settlement. It was pretty cool. They were Christians but there's Buddhist stuff all over so I thought it was pretty funny.

Tuesday I went on a switch off in Lopburi with Elder Whitaker who has 6 months left in his mission. He's way funny and a convert to the church. Lopburi is known for monkeys all over so I was excited. Except monkeys are evil gangstas. I wouldn't think 2 foot animals could be so scary. It's like a gang. If you have food in your hand they will steal it. To get passed them, you give them inviting cards so they won't steal anything. And if they bite you, you have to go get rabies shots in Bangkok for 5 weeks. Not as cool as I thought. But they're scared of stuffed crocodiles. It's pretty funny.  

Visited a lot of Less Actives this week trying to get them to church for Branch Conference. A lot committed and didn't show up, very lame. But what can you do. We got a whole bunch of people at church and Brother Ess, our investigator, had the opportunity to get a personal lesson in Priesthood from the Stake President, his counselor, Stake Clerk, a couple High Councilors, Branch President, the First Counselor, and the Elder's Quorum President . It was way cool. They threw lesson right out the window. 

We finally found Brother Go. He's in jail. Brother Mong and his wife and his cute little 6 month year old kid, came to church today. He's way cool. He doesn't like big groups of people but he used to go to church and he was missing it. He said he doesn't want to go to the person he is when he doesn't go to church. He's way awesome Investigator.

Which brings me to little thought I want to share today. I came across these scriptures in John 6: 66-69 and it's when a lot of Christ's disciples decided that his words were too hard and they just couldn't follow his teachings anymore. 

66 ¶ From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

It's such a powerful couple of verses. They know that Jesus is the Christ. They have a strong testimony of him and his teachings. There is no where else to go when you find the truth and the light. There is honestly no where else to go. They knew he was the Christ not because he was there in flesh and bones, but because they had a testimony of him. They prayed and listened to His words. They followed His teachings. They did the things which strengthened their testimonies of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The ones that had true testimonies of the Savior Jesus Christ were the ones that continued to follow them. If we decide to fall away from the church where will we go? Not towards Eternal Happiness and Salvation. The Gospel is true and there is no where else I'd go. This church has the words of eternal life and happiness. This is the true church of God restored through Joseph Smith and we have the words of eternal life that have been restored once more again on this earth. I know that Jesus Christ, my Savior, leads this church today. I've never been happier in my life than I have out here in Thailand. I love you all and miss everybody!!!


Elder Decker
เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
Thailand Bangkok Mission

Pic's of 1. My backyard. 2. Portuguese Skeletons. 3. Statue in a Tree. 4. Flooding in Ayutthaya. 5. graveyard

more pics from 50 Baht

More pictures of temples and ruins

Elder Decker
เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
Thailand Bangkok Mission

50 Baht

Sawasdi Crap. Another awesome week. Last P-Day we went P-daying with some members from Asoke. We visited some Temples. They made me pay 50 Baht because I am white but it's only 10 for Thai people. I almost got them to think I was Thai but my Thai isn't good enough yet. Next time. 

Tuesday we went to the military base again and we rode around in a hummer. It was pretty dope. Did some service for a member that doesn't come to church anymore because they have no friends but the church in Ayutthaya is mostly older ladies haha. Moved some cabinets for him. Broke my back. Wednesday we visited the old branch president who is very salty man. Thursday I went on a switch of with the ZL's in Don Muang and invited all day. We also taught English to two people that day. 

Friday we had Zone Conference. It was pretty good. I didn't bring my notes so I don't really remember but I learned I need to use activities more to help my investigators out with getting comfortable with the members. We played some minute to win it games after and ate ice cream. 

Saturday, we met this couple who the wife is from Norway and the husband is from Thailand and they have a half thai half white kid who is like 3. The wife wants her husband to become Christian. She's Baptist. They'll both be baptized but he's very Buddhist. It'll be way fun. I've noticed there's a lot of Buddhist temples here in Ayutthaya. 

Sunday we had Brother Bom and Sister Fluke at church.

There was a Baptism after church for the branch President's daughter so it was good for them to see. They're both way cool. 

We rented Brother Ninja a car to go to Bangkok for the Priesthood Meeting there. He's working all the time and hasn't been to church since he was confirmed a couple of months ago. He has no money and his boss didn't pay him in full so he's trying to find other work. We got him to go the Priesthood meeting and we're gonna visit his house which is way out there. But yeah the week was good.

This week I want to share a scripture in Alma 3:26-27

26 And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one.
27 For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy; therefore let it be according to the truth.

Just some scriptures I never noticed before. It was after the big war with the Lamanites and Nephites. They will all be judged according to their works. Our actions on this earth are very important. We should always be striving to be the best we can be and good examples. We can either reap eternal happiness or eternal misery. Eternal Happiness sounds a lot better than eternal misery. I would take the first one. What we need to do is obey the prophets and apostles of these days and to follow the commandments of God. This is the only way of happiness. There is no other way. I love you all and miss you all!!!!!!!! Jurgans

Pictures: Some pictures of members from Asoke and pictures of a Temple and Jaediis. The last one is Four Wheel and Ivy. Ivy is half black half thai. Four Wheel is a boss (He is 4 and has cancer but is the happiest kid and always smiling.)

Elder Decker
เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
Thailand Bangkok Mission

More pics

Testimony

Thai Mother's Day

Hi. Good week. It's starting to fly by even faster. It's so crazy. Last Saturday was Thai Mother's day. Being part of another culture has been way awesome and I've matured and learned more in this year than I have my whole life. It's such an amazing experience being a missionary.

This week we found some way cool people. We taught this catholic grandma who let us in because we're christian missionaries and she thinks that we're above her. We had to teach her that we are all equal in God's eyes and on this earth. Just cause we're missionaries doesn't make us better than anyone else. And than she taught us about Catholicism and told us to come by once a month. We almost gave her a baptismal date but her friend came in and told us she wasn't free haha. We gave her a Book of Mormon though and she reads it everyday with her friends so we're just planting the seeds right now.

We taught Bawn Jong and his family the other day about eternal families and they all accepted a date to be baptized. He's like 75 years old and he doesn't really understand us so we have to bring a Thai to Thai translator. It's pretty funny. But they're a really cool family. There's an investigator named Bom who's way cool. He came to English and was interested in learning more about the church. 

I can't remember if I told this story before but I randomly called this guy named Moong the other day and he just got finished praying when I called. He said it was very interesting. He was a former investigator, he has problems going to church because he doesn't like big groups of people. He's awesome and he makes pancakes. They're really good. He believes in God just needs to get a testimony of the restoration. 

I met this Buddhist, Islamic guy the other day and he's cool too. We taught him about the plan of salvation and after we finished he asked if we were leaving already. He wanted to learn more. IT was way cool. He almost came to church yesterday but it's really hard to find the church and he didn't find it. 

We also met this guy named Edd. He is learning to be a Law Professor and he recorded and took notes of our lesson. He said if he forgets he'll listen to it again. He also said he'll be christian if he prays and knows the church is true. 

We played some soccer with a bunch of kids at the stadium and one of our investigators named Game played with us too. It's been so good being here in Ayutthaya. Seeing a lot of miracles in finding those God has prepared for us. We just need the faith to find. So cool.

In my studies this week I found a couple of scriptures in Alma 37:36-37 

36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

On my mission, I've begun to realize how important prayer is. Through prayer, we can receive answers to all our questions. It's how we get blessings from God. It's how we get help to overcome trials and tribulations. It's how we show our gratitude for our blessings that we get from God. In these scriptures, Alma tells us to counsel the Lord in all our doings and he will direct us for good. When we ask the Lord for guidance, he will shine a light on the path. We just need to recognize this light and follow it. Sometimes it might be a dim light so we don't think it's the right way, but a lot of times spiritual promptings aren't as clear or strong and we just need to have faith and follow it. Heavenly Father is watching over His children and wants to direct them to do good, we just need to follow the promptings and we will be able to return to live with him again. 

I love you all and want you all to know I miss you guys also sometimes. จนเราเจอ

Pictures: 1.) It's called a แมงดา or mangdaa which translates to horseshoe crab. It tastes interesting. 2.) It's a hawk at Tesco Lotus for a little exibit they were holding. 3.) some structure that makes something. It looked pretty cool

Elder Decker
เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
Thailand Bangkok Mission

Fam

Hello Family! It was just mother's day here in Thailand and it reminded me of mom and the family. Not the part about going to the Buddhist temples and worshiping the ancestors but how everyone in the family travels across the country to see their moms. It reminded me of how important family is. Families are so important in God's plan of happiness. It's been a year since I've seen all of you and want to let you all know I love you and miss you all. I have a photo album that moms gave me before I left and there's a picture in it that's my favorite one. It's the one where our whole family, when we went for Serph and Shekynah's sealing. It helps me focus on why I'm out here in Thailand. It's to help other families be together forever. I couldn't imagine spending eternities without any of you. It drives me every day at 6:30 A.M. to get out of my bed and start working and finding families that need to hear that they can live together after this life. I'm so blessed to have a family as awesome as this one. I just want to let you all know that I love each and every one of you and miss you a lot. I feel like God has blessed me extra to be able to be part of this family. I just want to end with my testimony that I know that families are ordained by God. They are the center of his plan. He loves each and every one of us. He loves us so much he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins and die for us, so that we can live again. Through Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed of our sins and live with our families forever. I know this is true and I know he loves us more than we can comprehend. I'm loving it out here and think about all of you but I'm not trunky haha. I love all of you guys! I can't wait to see you all next year!

Elder Decker
เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
Thailand Bangkok Mission

1 Year

Sawasdii Jaaw Everyone. This week went by so fast. I hit my one year mark like last Wednesday or Thursday I cant remember. It's crazy to think that one year ago, I was in the MTC. Time just flies by. I've changed so much since that first day, and do not want to go back to where I was before. That would be a waste of my time that I spent in service of God and his children. I can't deny the feelings and experiences that the Holy Ghost has testified to me since I've been a missionary. This is God's work and I'm just an instrument in his hand. It has been the best year of my life, and I'm so happy to be here in Thailand doing this marvelous work.

This week, we found some new investigators to help this Branch grow into a Ward. The Branch President here is awesome. He's always free to help us out. It's way different from my last area. We contact a lot more because there's less people here. It's way good. Last Tuesday, we went to the Military Base and taught a bunch of soldiers English. It was so cool. We got them to do the Hokey Pokey haha. The commander of the base came in and talked to us. Wednesday, a lot of people missed their appointments with us. Not very awesome. Ate dinner at an Italian Bistro- who the owner is the LA Second Counselor.
Our Branch Mission Leader keeps on going to other churches for some reason. I had to tell him we don't do that. 

Met this lady named Sister Leg. She's kinda different but like she wants to learn about God and English. She's seventh day Adventist, so it's way fun. A lot of members and investigators here live far away so we have to ask members for rides which I haven't done my whole mission. The members here are awesome. We almost got stuck in a flood so that was exciting. A lot of areas in Thailand are getting some way bad flooding we're hoping it doesn't come this way. Wards are having sacrament at Missionaries houses. I don't want anyone at my house. But yeah way exciting week. It's so hot here.

This week for personal study, I was studying for scriptures about families and in Ether 6:5-7 I cam across a story that can relate. It is as follows:

5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters,towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.
6 And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.
7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters. 

It's the story of when the Jaredites left their land and headed to the promised land in barges. They had to rely on the Lord to get their safely. When they sunk into the water, they cried unto the lord and he brought them out again. These days, there are lots of things that Satan is throwing at us to hurt the family. The family is such an important part of God's plan, that Satan is trying his hardest to destroy family values and unity by throwing temptation and unrighteous thoughts at us. If we cry unto the Lord for help, in our families, he will help us through these tough times that lay ahead. He will pull us out of the depths of the sea, into the light again. We just have to trust in the Lord. I have a saying on my Missionary Planner that says, "No cause, no force in the entire world, can stop the work of God." It was said by Thomas S. Monson. You can't stop the work of God. It's gonna keep on going no matter what Satan tries to do. God loves us and he loves his children. His work and his glory is to bring us back to live with him, so he wouldn't set us up to fail. I know God loves each and every one of us and knows the best way to help us. We just need to humble ourselves, and ask of God, to help us through the bad days and even the good days. I know this his work and I'm happy to be a part of it. I love you all! Have a good week!

Pics: Sorry I forgot to take pics. We just cleaned the house last P-Day. It's pictures of us biking and my planners for my first year.


Elder Decker
เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
Thailand Bangkok Mission