Thailand is colder than I remember...

...and why does everyone speak english?

เฮลโล Hello!

So... I'm back! After taking a bus from Ubon to Bangkok, flying from Bangkok to Tokyo, from Tokyo to Denver, and then to Salt Lake City, I'm back home in Springville. Did I carry my package of American cereal my parents sent me through the entire trip? That's a really specific question, but yes. I did. It is really weird being back here. It kinda feels like I finished my mission, even though I'm still a missionary. But now I get to do whatever I can from a different spot!

PLEASE JUST TRY IT

I've been trying to bring some things I learned from Thailand back home with me. I showed my family the aloha pizza from pizza company and that was a big winner. I'm still working on getting them converted to eating with a fork and spoon, but they'll come around I'm sure.

CAN I RUN IN A SNUGGIE?

Utah is cold, y'all. Very very cold. Having spent the last month of my mission indoors, my rice cheeks got a little bigger. So I decided it would be a good use of time to go running. What have I learned after going on a couple of runs back in Springville? Utah is freezing cold. 30 degrees is significantly less than 105. Trying to breathe the cold Utah air is like trying to breathe in space. Impossible.

WORKING HARD OR HARDLY WORKING?😂😭

One of my biggest questions about this 2 week home quarantine was how I would spend my time. I have about 2 1/2 hours set aside every day for studies but that leaves a lot of time open in my schedule. So what have I done?

 - played chess over Facetime

 - read Calvin and Hobbes

 - played lots of board and card games, only losing when I chose to

 - practiced sitting cross-legged. Still working on that one.

 - played a lot of guitar. Good news: I can play St Patrick's Day by John Mayer! Bad News: St Patrick's Day was 2 weeks ago.

 - sang some hymns in Thai while my sister played piano. Including the Thai national anthem.

 - added sriracha on everything I've eaten.

It's been an interesting week.

Quick spiritual thought! This scripture is a little hidden because it's in Omni, one of the bite-sized books in the middle of the Book of Mormon, but I think it's very applicable to the current situation we all kinda go thrown into. Omni 1:26 says, "And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved." This verse really speaks for itself, but my challenge for everyone reading my email this week (that means you. Don't pretend like you arent being watched through your front camera. There's no backing out now.) is to find Christ! If you haven't reached out in a while, it's time! In a time like this when everything is a little nuts, there's always comfort and peace to be found in your Savior. And He is always happy to offer it. He is there for you, say a sincere prayer tonight. 

LAST THINGS LAST

- it is very difficult to not listen to my Spotify now that I'm back home. Here's my profile: sharkwaffles27 go listen to my "peaches" playlist for me.

- I might try to learn to play piano this week. If any masters have tips for me, I'm more than happy to hear any advice.

- I woke up this morning thinking about good tweet ideas. The grind does not stop.

- whether you've read all of my emails all the way through, only read a couple, or just read the first few words and scroll through to see if it's worth it, love ya. Thanks for having my back through this first little bit!

เอ็ลเดอร์ ผลไม้ฝรั่งที่อเมริกา (Elder fruit guava in America)

Elder Barrett

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane...

สวัสดีครับ Sawatdee kap!

Hey hey everybody! I have a riddle for you: what has two thumbs, a very limited Thai vocabulary, and is coming back home from Thailand? Wow, you're good at riddles. It's me! I head back in just a couple hours, so look out Utah.

LAY DOWN ANOTHER TRACK

We made another music video!! We spent one of our last days up on top of our building. We made a music video of I am a Child of God on top of our building. We filmed it at sunset. It was way cool and totally worth getting locked up there for a second haha. Hopefully we'll have it all edited up soon.

พระเยซูคริสต์ทรงรักเราทุกคน (Jesus Christ loves us all)

I'm really grateful to have had this chance to serve in Thailand. These people are so amazing and their happiness is contagious. I never baptized anyone, but I'm just glad to have been planting seeds. Hopefully what I've done so far will help people continue to come to their Heavenly Father. And I'm just so happy to have been given this opportunity. I've come to be more familiar with my Savior. I've felt of his love and I know what I've been doing out here is the Lord's work. I know we are God's children and there is a plan in place for every one of us. I know that Jesus Christ loves you. Individually. He knows us and all that we have to do is get to know him.

Alma 32:28

Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

And I know that as we plant the seed, nourish it, and do all we can to bring ourselves closer to the love and light of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our understanding will be enlightened and it'll be a delight! I know that Christ is waiting for us, with his hand outstretched for each of us. All we have to do is grab on. I know Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and he knows you. I have felt his love. I know he is there. And I know that you can know that too.

I love you all so much. I'm so grateful for everything that has happened these last few months. Remember that God is always leading and directing our lives, no matter what is happening! I know He is always there.

เอ็ลเดอร์ คิดถึงประเทศไทย (Elder Miss Thailand)

Elder Barrett

Self-Isolation

Dear Parents and Leaders,

The Church has issued the attached policy regarding how returning missionaries will need to be quarantined.  As noted in the matrix that we sent you earlier, the Stake presidents should release the returning missionaries according to the matrix (Elders within 180 days of completion of their missions and Sisters within 90 days). All other missionaries will be temporarily reassigned.

President Hammond

Mission President

Thailand Bangkok Mission

72 Sukhumvit 21 Road (Asoke Montri)

Khlong Toei Nuea, Wattana,

Bangkok 10110 Thailand

Mobile: (66) 8-1921-1587

14 days of Quarantine Then Temporarily Reassigned

Dear Parents and Leaders,

The Church has issued the attached policy regarding when returning missionaries will be released or reassigned.  

Please look it over carefully to determine your missionary’s status.

Thanks so much for following these guidelines with faith in Christ and His chosen church leaders.

President Hammond

Mission President

Thailand Bangkok Mission

72 Sukhumvit 21 Road (Asoke Montri)

Khlong Toei Nuea, Wattana,

Bangkok 10110 Thailand

Mobile: (66) 8-1921-1587

He's coming home...

Corona Virus Changes Everything

Dear parents and loved ones of the Thailand Bangkok Mission missionaries,

At this time of great concern, we have received an announcement this morning from our church leadership. As many of you already know, all non-native missionaries in the Thailand Bangkok Mission are to return home to their respective countries. These non-native missionaries will leave Thailand over the next several days, and we will send their travel itinerary to you as soon as we get them.

We are deeply saddened that we will be losing such fine sisters and elders. You have raised them exceptionally well, and I consider myself greatly blessed to have served with them. They are the future leaders in the church, and I am so proud of them. At this time we do not know whether they will be temporarily reassigned, released or be able to come back to this mission again! More information will be coming about these and other questions in the future.

Please feel free to contact me with any concerns. 

Missionaries who are from Thailand, Myanmar and Laos will continue to serve in Thailand, which will be a great blessing to the work.

We continually pray for the Lord’s guidance in this work, and we know if we stay true to Christ and strictly follow the counsel from prophets, we will see continued miracles in Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.

Thank you for all your thoughtful notes and emails. We hope to meet all of you someday.

All of my love and appreciation, 

President Todd Hammond

Mission President

Thailand Bangkok Mission

72 Sukhumvit 21 Road (Asoke Montri)

Khlong Toei Nuea, Wattana,

Bangkok 10110 Thailand

Mobile: (66) 8-1921-1587

ส้มตำ and Baptism!

สวัสดีครับ Sawatdee kap!

Howdy howdy. I'm here in my 4th week of quarantine! The cases of corona are up pretty significantly in Thailand, but we have butt sprayers in our bathrooms, so toilet paper isn't a problem. Point for Southeast Asia. But this was a cool week, despite being stuck inside and all. We had a baptism!! He was working with the Sisters, so it wasn't นุ๋ or เงี่ยม, but hopefully soon!

PAPAYA SALAD YUMMY YUMMY

Yesterday, we went to the church and got some videos made of making ส้มตำ and chasing after it too, while we somehow compared it to the gospel. It was way fun, and it was honestly probably the best ส้มตำ I've ever made. Who knew that fermented fish sauce was so good? And shrimp paste? Haha who's hungry?

จงรับบัพติศมาเถิด (Be baptized)

We had a baptism!! It was way cool! We got the water to work, although it almost cost the building manager 3 fingers, and we held the service on Sunday!! We couldn't get the door open to see it happen, so all I could do was listen, but I could feel the spirit fill the building so quickly as soon as he was baptized. It was amazing. I love the joy from the gospel!!

THAI

This language is still coming along! I'm doing my best to get in good studies, I'm reading 6 pages every day from the Book of Mormon in Thai, watching videos of Thai members teaching lessons, and Quizlet flash cards haha. We also get to call a whole bunch of less active members and shares scriptures or just try to brighten their days in any way that we can! My Thai grandpa talked to us for 7 minutes about corona, and then as soon as we asked if we could share a scripture he was like, "oh, elders I'm eating, I'm not free, goodbye!" Thai people are hilarious haha. It's so cool to start to understand people, especially because now I know when people are talking about the tall white guys, which is often. Especially with ผู้หญิงs... which is when it gets a little scary haha.

TRANSFERS

We got transfer calls last night, and I'm staying right here in Ubon, bless up! Everyone else is staying in our house except Elder Foushee is going to Phuket, which is crazy haha. Unfortunately, Elder Scott is the best Scrabble player in the house, so I won't suddenly start winning those games, but I have a shot in Left, Center, Right.

LAST THINGS LAST

- MSR Counter: 7

- Thai word of the week: ยี่ห้อ (it means brand) pronounced yeehaw!!!

- Love y'all, stay safe, buy lots of toilet paper.

เอ็ลเดอร์ อ้วนขึ้น (Elder Fatter)

Elder Bear

- Mango sticky rice from the market by our house!

- ส้มตำ with the boys

- a fun sign we found

- editing our papaya salad videos

- baptism, heck yeah!!

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

สวัสดีครับ Sawatdee kap!

Captain's Log:

17 days into the quarantine. The Corona Virus has yet to infiltrate our home base, though we've recieved words from neighboring fleets that the Ubon Sector is no longer entirely safe. The Corona has met Ubon, but the infected has been shipped to the Bangkok Sector, giving us temporary safety from the menacing virus. We have stayed inside of our home base throughout the past week as much as possible, only venturing out to refuel and gather supplies. Having recieved orders from HQ to limit our interactions with natives, we set our blasters to "stun" and journeyed to Thai Costco and limited our conversations with the native peoples to how their day was, if they have a family, if they love Jesus, if they would like to learn more, recieving their phone numbers, and giving them pamphlets. We barely made it out alive.

Whoa, that was weird.

THE APARTMENT

We finished our Office spinoff, The Apartment. It is amazing. We found out that we're gonna be in here for at least another week or so, so hold tight, everyone. On the bright side, more time in here gives us time to make more episodes! We only got two episodes in last week, and while they may have revolutionized the entire entertainment world, we ain't finished yet. If anyone would like to watch them, shoot me an email.

WHAT UP, FAM

We've been doing a lot of family history stuff these past two weeks, and it has been way fun! My companion and I found out that we are 4th cousins, and we traced our lineage all the way back to Adam and Eve. Crazy stuff. I also found out that the greatest invention that came out the year I was born was the greatest invention of all time, the Segway.

5 STARS

Since we've been stuck inside all day, we have the opportunity to make our own food! Some has been really good! And with others, I tried really hard haha.

Pad MaMa - 3.5/5

+very good flavor

+just like MaMa used to make it

+easily shareable

-not very nutritious

-I burnt it

Yogurt with Tapioca Pearls - 4/5

+strawberry yogurt was delightful

+tapioca pearls added great texture

+granola with bananas slaps

-lactose intolerance

Pork Steaks - 4/5

+the cut of pork was excellent, hand selected by Ubons finest Elders

+well cooked

-would you like some steak with your rice?

Sister Graham's Macaroni - 1/5

-gave Sister Phunkong food poisoning

-apparently not the first time this has happened, because all of the members asked if it was Sister Graham's Macaroni that made her companion sick

Cereal - 5/5

+chocolatey goodness

+so easy, even Elder Barrett couldn't screw it up

+the perfect food, why would you eat anything else?

SKYPE MISSIONARIES

The only way that we've been able to teach and meet with our investigators and members is through technology. We got to talk to Sister หน่อย, the awesome Esan grandma who lives in the jungle. She's doing so great! She's still praying and shes read the Restoration pamphlet we gave her over and over again!!! We also got to call some investigators over the phone and I shared a scripture about faith! It was the craziest thing, as I was looking on the page, my eyes just kept going from word to word and I was reading!! It was smooth and clear it was so cool! It's so great to have moments where I can actually be speaking with Thai people and feel the spirit through sharing the gospel with others. I missed it. So we have a goal to teach two people every day!! Which doesn't sound like much, but we have yet to be able to reach that, despite our best efforts haha.

LAST THINGS LAST

-I am a terrible chess player

-I got a giant folder full of mission appropriate music. Hand me the aux, I'm gonna blast some Phineas and Ferb.

-we've started having our companion study on the roof.

-Shoutout to my Cougs being 15th in the nation.

-thanks so much for reading this far, hopefully you haven't just skipped to the end. If you did read all the way through, I love you! If you haven't, I can forgive you, but I will never forget.

เอ็ลเดอร์ ส่งความช่วยเหลือ (Elder sent help)

Elder Bear

-pictures on the roof!

-I like this mug because it basically means "Treat yo self"

-Brother รักษ์ stole my phone, but I'm looking fresh as ever.

-this movie is called "I Want to Eat Your Pancreas" what the heck, Japan.

Cabin Fever Ahhhhhh

สวัสดีครับ Cabin Fever Sawatdee Kap!

I know of a place

Where you never get harmed

A maaagical place

With maaagical charms

Indoors!

Indoors!

I-INDOOOOORS!

One week of quarantine down. Here I am. Still alive. I was lucky enough to get to go to Bangkok this last week to do some visa work. But other than that, I got a chance to be pretty familiar with my apartment haha. We did some filming, some jamming, we even played Scrabble and only got into one argument!

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

We are now responsible to make all of our own food. That means we've had a lot of chicken and rice. Don't get me wrong, it's way tasty. But sometimes a guy just wants to go out and grab a KKK burger or some หมูปิ้ง. We've gotten pretty creative, though. We've also made Japanese Curry, and banana pancakes! Yesterday we went crazy and made ourselves some cookies to break our fast. Every now and then we order Grab to bring us some pizza factory, or KFC, but y'know that's whatever haha.

ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK

We took an overnight bus from Ubon to Bangkok to do my visa work! It was way fun to meet up with my MTC group! They're all doing great and I knew that nothing had changed when the first thing Sister Aung did was dab haha. We got there at 5 AM and got out at about 11 AM. There were no buses to take us back to Ubon until late, so we went to the Pak Kret Elders' house and hung out there until we could go get on a bus. We even got to crash their district council video call (their district leader is my last companion, Elder Thorn!). We ate some Texas Chicken (Church's Chicken in the States), and partied all day haha. We took another overnight bus back home to Ubon and we got back home at 4:30 AM. We may or may not have slept in a tiny bit that morning haha.

THE APARTMENT

We were trying to think of ways to lift spirits and make people laugh across the mission, and we decided that we were going to make a spinoff of the TV show, "The Office", but make it mission based. We called it "The Apartment" and we filmed two episodes of it this week. We're planning on editing it up and sending it to our zone this week. If you're interested in seeing it too, let me know haha. 

พระคัมภีร์มอรมอน (Book of Mormon)

This week, not a whole lot happened, so I really tried to focus really hard on my studies. I've been doing Come Follow Me and reading in the Book of Mormon daily, because I really wanted to work on my testimony of the Book of Mormon and help other people gain a stronger testimony of it too. The Book of Mormon was written for US. It was translated by the gift of God and brought to us for our benefit! I've learned so much about my Savior and my Father in Heaven from reading in it. And I've learned how to have a better life. That's for real too. I've found so much comfort from its pages. I've had so many answered prayers come from the Book of Mormon. I always love to say that prayer is how we speak to our Heavenly Father, and the Book of Mormon is how he speaks to us. I listened to President Ezra Taft Benson's talk: "The Book of Mormon--Keystone of Our Religion" from the October 1986 General Conference and he mentioned some missionaries who took the Book of Mormon too lightly and it brought not only themselves, but the entire church under condemnation. Do we read the Book of Mormon as often as we should? Do we really study it or do our eyes just move across the page while we calculate the odds of the Jazz winning the finals this year? I'm starting to realize the importance of the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. It's more than just some boring churchy stuff all put together into a book. And I know that it can get boring to read a book without any pictures. But please study in the Book of Mormon this week. Try to find what is missing in your life. Try to find how your loving Heavenly Father is reaching out to you. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and as Joseph Smith once said, it is the most correct of any book on Earth, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. I know that all of this is true. I know it.

LAST THINGS LAST

-Shoutout to BYU basketball for being awesome. Y'all beat Gonzaga and are 17th in the country? Frick yeah man!

-Scrabble is way fun. We also bought knockoff Thai Monopoly that might actually be way more intense.

-I really love cola bottle gummy candy, but I love you more!

เอ็ลเดอร์ อยู่บ้านตลอดเวลา (Elder is at home all the time)

Elder Bear

Visas

Curry

Thai Memes

Battlestar Galactica