Merry Christmas

Hello!

Wow, time sure flies by around here. It is going to be Christmas on Saturday. That is pretty nuts. Not even close to feeling like it around here. Sunny and hot every day. We did have a day that was like 60 degrees or something. It was pretty crazy. Me and Elder Chapman wore our long sleeves shirts all day. I am going to die going back to the States in a year and a few months.

Monday: A swell day. Spent the day in Surin. Actually, from Sunday night until Thursday morning I was in Surin with Elder Campbell's greenie. That was fun. Unfortunately we did not get any lessons taught. It was rough.

Tuesday: We had a good District meeting from Elder Campbell. We watched some training videos that were really helpful. Ended up not teaching English because there was not anyone that came. According to Elder Mondragon (Elder Campbell's greenie) that has been happening lately. It was a fun day.

Wednesday: Still in Surin. We had planned to teach several lessons, but at the last minute they all cancelled on us. We tried to get out and teach some lessons and nothing came from it. What is great for Surin is that one of there families are getting baptized on the 24th of this month. It is so cool. Apparently they are a really cool group. They spent quite a bit of money and all the guys in the family went out and bought suits for Sundays. Way cool.

Thursday: Got back to Buriram in the morning to work in my own area. Funny story. On Wednesday, my companion totally crashed his bike. Well his bike is okay, bu he did a Superman slide across the road and really messed up the palms of his hands. Thing was he was riding downhill and with no hands...opps. That was then a 20 min bike ride to the hospital with 2 injured hands. All I can say is adrenaline rush. Oh and I was still in Surin. This happened on Wednesday. Although his left hand got the brunt of the rocks and such. His right hand was saved by the white handbook that somehow came out of his shirt and ended up in his hand. I call that divine help. It was pretty cool. The cover for the book is all messed up and it took a pretty big rock that would have gone into his hand. Oh well. Good times as a missionary. Taught a couple of lessons. One was like 5 minutes into proselyting. That was pretty cool. Really wants a Book of Mormon. Then taught our two people Deang and Own who are getting baptized on the 24th. They are pretty sweet for sure.

Friday: A good day as well. Taught a family on a return appointment. Then taught a Filipino family in English. That was pretty crazy. It is really weird having to teach in English. I have all the Thai words I want to use but then have to think of the English word instead. It was fun.

Saturday: Another okay day. We taught an Irish guy from England. Does business here and has a Thai wife as well. He was a really cool guy. Some one who I feel is ready for the gospel. He even said he prays and reads every now and then. It is quite funny. He is really scared of Buddhism so he is holding onto Christianity very hard. He told us at the end of the lesson, he could feel the Spirit coming from us and then the disappointing part. Said he was Methodist and doesn't need to change. It is okay. We planted a seed and knows who we are and what the Book of Mormon is all about. Taught our family Deang and Own again. Went over what the interview was going to be like.

Sunday: Well only one person at church. Own the 16 year old son of Deang came to church. It was good. I feel he enjoys the gospel and learning with us. But we did teach a lesson after church. Gave a book to that guy on Thursday. Pretty happy to have a book. That was the only lesson for the day. Then the Surin elders came again to interview Deang and her son.

That is all folks. Next I will be able to tell you about a baptism! :)

Love,
Elder Ackerman