Tuesday morning, 20 February, we placed a call to the mission president, President Michael S. Smith, who will preside here until July of this year. He is from Mesa, AZ and served here as a missionary in the early seventies, when Thailand was a very different place. Before coming here, President Smith and his wife served in Hong Kong in a Family History Support assignment there.
President Smith invited us to his office in the Pak Kret district - about 20 miles from our hotel. After a way too exciting taxi ride, we arrived safely, in spite of the fact our driver went over twice the speed limit and there were no seat belts in the cab. President Smith explained more to us about what an assignment here would entail, where we might live, that the medical facilities are more than adequate, and about the growth of the church here. He even introduced us to the liaison sister (Thai) with whom we might work very closely if we are called here. It was all very inspiring!
President Smith suggested that we take a walk to Lumpini Park (short walk from our hotel) to see the spot near the clock tower there where in 1966 President (then Elder) Hinckley dedicated the country for the preaching of the gospel. We did take that walk and felt very strongly the love the Lord has for the good people of Thailand. You can read more about that event by going to the url below.
http://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/09/the-gospel-dawning-in-thailand?lang=eng&noLang=true&path=/ensign/1995/09/the-gospel-dawning-in-thailand
In my last post, I borrowed a quote from President Smith that I have always believed. It is that "there are no accidents in the Church." Even before becoming a member, Alan has always felt a love for this country and these uplifting people. Now I have come to share his feelings for this colorful, bustling country. By several miracles we have been able to retire at this time when we still have the energy to serve. We were led to find someone to take better care of our home in our absence than we take care of it ourselves. Whether it is God's will that we serve here or elsewhere, we have had some choice spiritual experiences already that add to our testimonies that He lives and loves us. We know He has called us to serve.
I kept the following quote on our refrigerator when our eldest son, Chris, was serving his mission, and I still find strength when I read it today:
“Our missionaries are going forth to different nations . . . the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” (History of the Church 4:540)
goldenbear70's honey
Bangkok, Thailand
24 February 2012
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