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 เฮลโล Hello!

This was a pretty uneventful week as far as missionary work goes. We had been feeling very tired at the beginning of the week and we started to have a few covid symptoms pop up. Turns out, we have it! So I have been stuck in our apartment all week long. Not too many stories to share from this week, so how about a spiritual thought? Great!

THE BOOK OF JUDGES IS CRAZY

With all of the extra time I've had on my hands, I can finally make some more progress into the Old Testament! Specifically the Book of Judges. This book is INSANE. Want a few highlights? Ehud stabs Eglon with a cubit-long knife, but Eglon is so unbelievably fat that he absorbs the entire thing and sucks it into his stomach. Abimelech got bonked by a rock a woman threw at him and told his servant to stab him so people can't say a woman killed him. Jepthah's daughter went with her friends up and down a mountain for 2 months complaining and crying about her virginity. Samson killed a lion, ate honey from out of it, lost a bet because his wife cried, killed a thousand guys with the jawbone of a donkey, lied 3 times about his weakness and eventually just said, "eh, fine, why not get destroyed?" and he got his eyes wrecked and thrown into prison, and finally, he knocked over some pillars in a prison which sent it all crumbling down and destroying all 3000 people in there with him. Sheeeeesh.

These are all crazy stories, but the thing is, they were all unavoidable. Well, except for Ehud. But the thing is, crazy, uncontrollable things will come into our lives. Doesn't matter who you are. Whether it's our own fault, or something that's just fallen upon us, there's one thing we can do: call on God! Trials and difficulties come to everyone, but the people who come through these experiences stronger than before are the people who hold onto their testimony. The grace of the Savior is an ENABLING power. It's the enabling power that we all have access to through our faith. So, if any of you are experiencing unexpected struggles, don't stress too much. The Savior already payed the price for that, and he can help you out if you'll help yourself a little by praying for strength. That's what brought Jericho's walls down. That's what led the Israelites out of slavery. That's what can save you from your own life's battles.

LAST THINGS LAST

- Does anyone have any good ideas for ways I can fill the time for another week inside?

- Ramen is not that good when it becomes your main meal.

- Fans of my New York Times bestseller (pending), "A Back Tattoo for Mr. Goo" should get excited, because I am currently working on another book, "Pepper the Leper".

- Roses are red, violets are blue, covid is gross, but I love you!

เอ็ลเดอร์ นอนอยู่เสมอ (Elder always slept)

Elder Barrett