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

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More pics of the trip to Chiang Mai awhile ago i forgot to send.

Elder Decker
เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
Thailand Bangkok Mission

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

สวัสดีครับ. It's Elder Colby again.

This last week has been way good. Transfer week was crazy. I had to take care of a bunch of Greenies and help them contact people. It was way fun. It's funny thinking that was me 10 months ago. I still can't speak Thai but people don't cringe every time i speak now so it's definitely blessings from heaven. But yeah transfers were crazy. 

In 3 days I hit my year mark. It's gone by so fast. I'm almost at the top of the mountain and it's all downhill from there. Hopefully it doesn't go too fast it's been way awesome being a missionary. 

Two Sundays ago, Sister Dam came to church on time so she got baptized. She's way awesome. Serving in Asoke was fun but it was time for me to go to another area and find some more souls to learn the truth. So I moved to a province north of Bangkok called Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya or just Ayutthaya and it's way cool. It was the old capital of Thailand a while back. There's less people but it's so cool. A lot of Buddhist Temples every where. I get to ride my bike again everywhere. The members here are so cool. Last Sunday I gave a talk in church about Missionary Work in the Family. I got notified the night before hour before 10:30 haha. It went well though no one left the room.

So this week, I studied in Mosiah 18 verses 8-10 and it says
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

These scriptures really explains what we need to do after we are baptized. We need to keep his commandments always, so that we can have his spirit to be with us. We need to comfort those who need to comfort and stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places. We need to be good examples to others wherever we may be and to share his gospel with others. It's a very important work. Sharing the Gospel with others should be natural not a weird thing. Don't be afraid to stand for your beliefs and testify that Christ lives and that his church has been restored on this earth again. I love you all and miss everyone! Have a good week!

Pictures: a member made me a keychain as my going away gift, eating dinner at a couple of Senior Missionaries houses before i left, and pictures of Sister Dam's baptism.

Elder Decker
เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
Thailand Bangkok Mission

North and Hmong Carts

Hi. This week was good. We just finished our last zone conference today which was so much fun. It's been a lot of fun going around helping missionaries become better. Being in the office has helped me understand the structure of things that the mission needs to do. The Senior Companions here have been having us over for dinner so I've been eating really good and getting fat. It's not good. Other news is that I'll be leaving the office this next week. I don't know yet where I'll be going so that will be next email. Met some more cool people this week. Always finding new investigators here in Asoke which is weird because we walk the same way every day and missionaries have been here for 50 years. It's fun finding those that are prepared to receive the truth.

This past week we had the opportunity to go to the North of Thailand to the province of Chiang Mai which is right next to Myanmar and China. It's a lot more green and cooler. Also a lot of mountains i believe they're part of the Himalayas but I could be wrong. It's way different than my other areas. They speak a different dialect of Thai so I picked up a couple of words. We spent a P-Day up there and we went to a mountain where a bunch of Hmong people live. They are called Acka I think I can't remember and we rode a little Hmong cart down the mountain which wasn't that long and was really safe. I'll attach some pictures. We also went to this Golden Temple that was really pretty. It was on a mountain. It's called Doi Suthep. It's very interesting seeing a way different culture from Merica. I'm starting to forget it and approaching my year mark soon. It doesn't feel like I've been out that long but also feels like I've been out forever. I don't know how to explain it. Thailand is the best mission and I'm blessed to be here. 

So for the little spiritual thought I've been trying to put in my emails each week, will be in John 15 verses 9-13.It says

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

These are some of my favorite verses also probably my favorite chapter in the New Testament. It's talking about following the commandments. If we follow Heavenly Father's commandments we are showing our love for him. Jesus is promising us that we will have joy when we keep his commandments. Joy is a greater feeling than happiness. It's something that you can feel by obeying God's Commandments, and feeling of his indescribable love that he has for his children. We need to love God by loving others. We are his greatest creation. Everyone has flaws and weaknesses, but through the atonement of Jesus Christ, weaknesses can become strengths and we can overcome these obstacles. I love verse 13 where it says "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." 

It's so cool. He's calling us his friends. Jesus Christ is not only our Savior and Redeemer but also our friend. It's my love for Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and my brothers and sisters here on this earth that are searching for happiness that gets me out of my bed every morning at 6:30 a.m. 

I hope you all have another superb week. I love y'all and miss you ด้วย!

Pictures: Some pictures of the trip to Chiang Mai, and in Chiang Mai there's an American Restaurant that makes Ruebens!

Elder Decker
เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
Thailand Bangkok Mission

Even more pictures

> Zone Conference in Chiang Mai Group Pic, A big spider, us in a Rod Dang, and my favorite little Burmese investigator (Brother Noy)
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> Elder Decker
> เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
> Thailand Bangkok Mission

Chiang Mai Pictures

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> More Pictures of Chiang Mai.
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> Elder Decker
> เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
> Thailand Bangkok Mission

Fwd: hi

 A couple more pictures. More Baptism photos and views from a penthouse.

Elder Decker
เอ็ลเดอร์ เดกเกอร์
Thailand Bangkok Mission