I AM LIVING THE DREAM

Just a bit about the dream

I TRANSFERRED.

Serving in Rangsit! Probably one of the most amazing areas in this whole mission...

Why?

Well yesterday we had around 150+ people at church!!!!! Like a ton of investigators and less actives and recent converts and this is the most functioning ward I have ever seen. The effectiveness of this ward rivals that of my ward at BYU my freshmen year...

What else.

I'm follow up training this epic GREENIE. He's on his second transfer, but speaks Thai so clear!!!!!!! Also the new district/group of elders I am with. If you add up how long all three of them have been serving in Thailand it is still less than how long I have been in country. Bruuuhhhh...

ALSO I TRANSLATED FOR AN AREA 70 and Brother Heaton from the MTC.

Yeah, so yesterday the mission president and Asia area president came. So I translated for Elder Funk and also Bro. Heaton. And it WAS EPIC. Translating and getting to hear the things he was sharing and hahahah WOW I LOVE THAILAND.

Then me and my comp went on comp exchanges and then I taught with Elder and Sister Funk in Thai!

Also last week we went paintballing it was sorta sore..... And then today we went up to Ayuttahaya again....This is my third time, but Thailand is so legit so it doesn't even matter that I've been there multiple times.

So yeah. Quick captions for the pics.

Because this is Thailand there are tigers like everywhere. Like this 5 month baby tiger just chilling. Dude. Thailand.

And yeah, Me and Elder Aposhian. He's from Farmington Utah, and is way legit. Sang in the BYU Men's chorus. Yeah.

Quick closing thought.

BAPTISM.

One of the most spiritual experiences I have consistently has been committing people to be baptized. Seeing people listen to me as I say "Are you willing to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the proper priesthood authority of God?" Idk. Just something that sorta hit me yesterday cause we gave a few more investigators baptismal dates. Just seeing it all click in their heads like woah. This is what they need to do, this is the time to change. Stoked so much like  I can't even control my excitement cause I am so stoked and like I took more elephant pics but I have no time so yeah.

Good luck at college if youre in college. or like school too.

Love you all. Stay safe.

Go jump in the ocean for me or something.

Aloha,

Elder แอลลิส

Forward Ever. Stopping Never.

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We also got the following from Elder Ellis' Mission President this week:

"The Lord has called your son, Elder Ellis, to serve as a District Leader of the Rangsit in the Bangkok North Zone of the Thailand Bangkok Mission."

"...the Lord has called your son, Elder Ellis, to serve as the trainer of a new missionary. This is a position which reflects our sincere faith and confidence in your son."

SWITCH OFFSSS

Highlight of the week was a companion exchange with this stud. Had a sweet day working over in Bangnaa.

Highlights of the day:

• Walking through and inviting in a neighborhood, saw a guy selling these chicken hearts for the cheap price of 10 baht for 6 pieces! Oh you know we bought them. And ate them. Hardest part to get over was the crunchy intestines and tubes. Fairly chewy, sweet Thai BBQ flavor. 10/10 would not buy them again hahah. Gotta do it for the experience.
• Had an appointment with an investigator and then she didn't show up but had sent a motorcycle taxi driver to return the Book of Mormon and the pamphlets that Elder Cecil had given her a few lessons ago....
• Went down a random road and see a guy staggering around with a cigarette and some alcohol and on the other side of the small road was what looked like a kind old lady. Elder Cecil runs to talk to the lady so I go and talk to the guy. Plot twist, the guy was super nice, gave us some water and was down to meet again later where as the women gave Elder Cecil a cold shoulder. 
• Went out to go visit a part member family. They had kimchee! And watermelon! And a bunch of grass/leaves that tasted like carrots! So I ate it all. Watermelon, kimchee, and leaves because Elder Cecil is allergic to melons and the kimchee was too spicy and leaves cause leaves. He got the som tam (tam Lao! With the crab and rotten fish, super tasty!) and a lot of rice.

To summarize. Bangnaa is way legit and super fun and being a missionary in Thailand is like the best thing ever.

​Back to Samut Prakan. Transfers are this week, no one knows anything yet. But I've got a feeling I'll stay here for another 6 weeks. Which would make my total time her 6 MONTHS! Super long. One of our investigators has passed his baptismal interview. Way sweet story, he's a self-referral that had asked to meet with missionaries. Went and taught him, and here's the best part...HE FOLLOWED THROUGH ON COMMITMENTS. Every assignment to pray, he did. To read, he did. And because of his willingness he knows what we share with him to be true. Not because he trusts us missionaries but because he asked God. And got an answer. Because this is all real.

1 Nephi 7:12

"Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him."

Also another personal favorite

Alma 41:10

"....Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness."

Just a bit more about the power of faith. It's strong stuff if we use it. IF we follow the commandments and do the things we need, we see the blessings. But as long as we continue in a path that's not so good, or that we think is good but is really bad. Nothing. You will never have the pure happiness if you're living with guilt. Anything that's hidden will come exposed one day. So yeah. Be happy. Choose the right.

Paintball time.

Aloha,

Elder แอลลิส

Forward Ever. Stopping Never.

Prayer

​Bangkok has super sweet stuff. Like laser tag.

SO for this week here in Samut Prakaannnnn.

What did we do?

huh.

Well we worked. Like it's the same grind. Guess I'll share two stories.

1-Sister Oh

We were on a bus and I was making phone calls, calling every single person that I didn't know in our phone book. Went through and called her. She picked up, didn't know who we were at first, then realized woah. It's the missionaries. So we set up an appointment and met with her. We introduce ourselves, talk and get to know her and then ask her about how praying has been going in her life. And this is were it got trippy cause she just gets the most excited face on. She goes and shares about how she was just praying and thinking about church for the first time in around a year. Right after that we had called her. And because of this experience she has gone insane on sharing the gospel and the power of prayer with her friends! STOKING.

2-The only question is...

Whether or not the Book of Mormon is true. If it is true, everything else falls into place. If it is true, Joseph Smith truly did receive revelation. If it is true, modern revelation is a thing. Seriously everything falls into place. Two quick instances of how epicly this worked this week.

2-1

We had an investigator, didn't really understand much at first but agreed to go to church, came to church, still didn't understand much, but then he said he felt good. Fast forward a few days, we are teaching him again and now it just seems like something changed. We are going through asking him questions. Then I ask him "Hey, do you feel like the Book of Mormon is true?" His answer just blows me away. "I know it is true. I prayed like you asked me and told God that if this book is true, help me understand it." He understands the Book of Mormon. Us and the members were just blown away. You could say he's progressing

2-2

Another family we were teaching we asked them to pray about the Book of Mormon. We had to follow up with them quite a bit. But then they did it. The know that the Book of Mormon is true and because of this knowledge all the commandments and teachings are of little problem to them, no matter how big or little the changes they need to make are.

1 Nephi 11:17

"And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."

When it comes to the end of the day, or when we face those tough questions. Sometimes it doesn't always make sense. But what is certain is God's love. It's not always important to have every single answer, but what we can find comfort in is that their is someone that promises to love us. Unconditionally and without bounds.

My trainer's younger brother is a missionary, and he got his visa and his headed to Provooo MTC. After that he's off to the outback of Australia!! SO sick.

His name is Elder Sayavong.

His name is Elder Sayavong.

My name is Elder Ellis (HI!).

WOAH.

We also ate dinner with the elders quorum president

These are the buses that we ride pretty often here in thailand. i dont think it'd be legal to do this in america

Have fun at school homies!

Aloha,

Elder แอลลิส

Forward Ever. Stopping Never.

How many people have made paper towel mummies?

​This pic is pretty much the highlight of my week. A sign necessary to help us understand how to properly use a paper towel dispenser. And also the consequences of mis-proper use. Oh Thailand. How many people did this before a sign actually had to be made?

Thailand. Thailand. Oh Thailand.

Well. To start off, I'm gonna talk about how life in Thailand really is. If you've lived in Thailand you know that the standard of living is....different. It rained every other day this week. Which also means that our kitchen was flooded with around 2 inches of water every day also hahahahahha. We had came home right before it started to rain and started making some dinner right before we planned and then as we are making our food. The rain came down. At first it's alright. But pretty soon our kitchen has a few waterfalls coming down. So yes, I never regret buying anything that's water proof/water resistant. But really it's actually amazing. The food, the people, the awesome swimming in our house. I love it all.

Saturday. And the Power of Planning.

Making phone calls is such a little thing that really makes all the difference. We've been having a hard time meeting with a lot of our investigators during the week, but we still keep in contact through the phone. And then we start planning epic days with a ton of investigators. And then we confirm those plans like 3 times. Then Saturday. We finish studies, meet a member and hit the pavement. Well. Actually jump in a taxi. Then start going. And teaching. And then rushing again. Literally everywhere, doing everything, committing people to CHANGE THEIR LIVES!

On the topic of changing lives.

Teaching an awesome Buddhist guy. Doesn't know anything about Christianity and is just trying to find something new and possibly change his life. So we shared some commandments and talked about how to really know that God is real. Talking about praying and truly communicating with God. So he took this all very seriously and has committed for 1 month from a few days ago to cut out every single behavior that is contrary to any commandment we have taught him and to pray with all his heart. This is some serious commitment. He wants to know who our Heavenly Father is and won't stop until he learns. I love it. We love him. He's a baller.

Shots from last weeks bow fighting madness....

The Book of Mormon

It testifies of Christ. And I have seen this power working through lives of people who have no idea about Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. If you read with real intent you will learn about how much Christ loves us and loves you! This week my studies were focused around Mosiah. Specifically Mosiah 14-16. These chapters really help us and can help anyone learn a little bit more about Christ and feel closer to His love.

It's what's up.

Aloha,

Elder แอลลิส

Forward Ever. Stopping Never.

FAMILIES

WEEEHAAA!

Bro. Jack is a recently returned less active member that we have been working with. He's a boss. Literally. He's been here working in Thailand for 10 years and has a family. FAMILIES. So sweet to see Jack baptize his son Henry. He's got a pretty crazy story of being an active member in another ward here in Thailand, but then moving and losing contact with the church until he calls us. We find him, help him come back to full activity and get the priesthood and bam. Here we go!

So. Yeah. It's been another interesting week in Samut Prakaan. It's never not interesting. There's always something new and crazy going on. This week we had decided to really try and plan our days as effective as possible. The area is pretty huge and a lot of time has been spent with travelling back and forth to get to different people. So we decided to work and try to split the area up day by day. One day we stay out on this road, another on a different road. And wow. We didn't realize how much time we actually spent travelling all over. We've been up-ing the amount of people we go and find and yup. It's pretty sweet.

On the topic of fun stuff, smoking is a huge problem here in Thailand. Every single missionary in Thailand can attest to this issue. It's really gross how everyone here smokes EVERYWHERE. So we have also been working on going up to people and grabbing their cigarettes out of their mouth. Most of the time they're just too confused and look sorta sad. A few times these people were really thankful. Pretty funny to see the look on their face when you ask them "Hey can I have your cigarette?" 

Then you take it and throw it into the road.

Then a bus runs over it. 

And their faces are just like... O.0"

HAHAHA. They're just so confused, but then they realize that you're doing it out of love. So then their heart is softened and they express a desire to really quit smoking.

I hope I don't get lung problems from talking to all these people all the time....

Words of Mormon 1:8

"And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people."

Love is the motive.

Aloha,

Elder แอลลิส

Forward Ever. Stopping Never.

Sundazed

Sunday is a powerful day. One of the favorite things that I have grown to love in Thailand has been the after church pot-lucks. Sunday, the day of  rest. Also GAME DAY!

Sunday potlucks with these rocking members

So this week. It was a grind. Probably one of the most tiring and exciting weeks I have had on my whole mission. Working with all of our investigators that are progressing towards their baptismal date. It's pretty crazy how much work there is here. We've been going out and just chasing down people from house to house, constantly looking for those elect that are super prepared and ready. All this fast paced work really makes you tired. There has hardly been a night where me and Elder Cheney are able to stay up past 10:00 pm. But wow. It was a grind of teaching and trying to help people the best that we can and then just like. Bruh. By Saturday night we are just dragging. Making calls trying to get people stoked about Church on Sunday. Then Sunday comes around and you're rushing and you and your comp go and splits with some members cause you gotta double your effectiveness. Then everything is rushing like woah we got so little time, gotta move faster. Then you get to church and just wait. And relax. And somehow, every little thing just works out. All these people show up. Interviews for baptism go smoothly. People are just walking through the doors and. Finally. Yes. A day of rest. Finally seeing the labors of all week come to something.

2 Nephi 25:23-"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."

Yes. It is true through grace we will all be saved. But there's the condition right there. After we do what we can. After we give it our all. There have been so many countless times since coming to Thailand where we give it our all. And then somehow. Something more happens. God loves us so much that he helps us, helps us do so much more that we think we can do on our own. HAHAH I love this. Being in Thailand is sick. 

pic credit to Elder Cecil in the district

​Also we went back to my stomping grounds (China Town). I love it here. But you see. This is how badly we stick out. Just a tall white guy casually walking through, no big deal. Hahaha. Also try to see if you can spot me in the pic. I feel like I blend in pretty well.

OH Hey. funny story.

Well fav miracle of the week and then the funny story.

We were calling a ton of former investigators with the last few minutes of each night this week, just trying to get people STOKED. Sunday came around and plot twist, some number calls us. We just sorta assume it was someone that we forgot to save in the phone but he showed up. Drove 1 hour to get to the old church building. Calls us cause it was closed. So then proceeds to drive another 1 hour to go to the church in Srinakharin. And then he expresses how much faith he has, after being taught by the Assistants to the President. Quick back story, he was taught by the APs in Asoke, then moved and disappeared. And now he's back. Woaj

OK FUNNY STORY READ THIS ONE IF YOU DON't READ ANYTHING ELSE

So we are heading back to our area after having a meeting in Bangkok. Just chilling on the BTS (attach pic on the blog of the...train. in the sky....uh i dont remember what it's called). A few of the elders are together talking, we find a few people that were former investigators so they're talking with those people. I move a bit to a space with a little bit more room, then I notice this group taking pictures of all the tall white people speaking Thai. It's pretty funny because they think that they are so sneaky. Like making selfie poses and then really just taking videos of the other elders. So then they continue taking video and pics. So I watch them for around 15 minutes. It comes to the last stop, they get off so I ask them "Hey which person do you want a picture of?" The group just loses it cause they realize they've been caught, everyone on the car loses it also cause they've been watching it for such a long time, and then we proceed to take the phone and give a nice good solid selfie. Plot twist on our part....it was actually a video. But hey, there's now a video on someones FB of some white guys speaking Thai inviting people to church!

Never gonna not love Thailand.

Aloha,

Elder แอลลิส

Forward Ever. Stopping Never.

If this wasn't one of your childhood dreams....

​This is Bow Fight. A converted soccer field into a death match style game in which you shoot bows and (foam tipped) arrows against your opponents. Literally if this was not one of your childhood dreams. Idk.

Bow Fight, complete with paint ball barriers, and just so much craziness. Starting from the back line, you have to run to the center, grab a bow and some arrows. And then the madness begins. 2 hours of running and crouching and diving and ducking. 

Here I am, staying for another 6 weeks in Samut Prakaan. Same comp same area, but now we are more experienced with the area. Good things always coming from Samut Prakaan.

Epic story of the week: 

We were waiting for an investigator to show up for our lesson, chilling in a food court of a Tesco Lotus (The equivalent of maybe like a K-Mart/Wal-mart in Thailand) just waiting in the food court. As we are waiting and making calls, a lady comes up and gives us a strange look, so we notice her, but don't think much because this is Thailand. And we are foreigners. But then she comes closer, so we start talking to her and shares how she has a daughter interesting in switching religions and wants to know "How do you change religions?" So we get her number, set an appointment. First appointment doesn't go through, so we try again. Second time is the charm, we go and meet her at her house, thinking her daughter was the only one interested. Turns out, her and her two daughters and her son were all interested in learning about Christianity. And on top of all this, they share that they met some other white people who gave them some pamphlet about Christianity. So me being...me goes and thinks, oh well that's nice probably wasn't missionaries like us. We ask them if they can go and grab the pamphlet and bring it here. And then here's the trippy part.

OUT COMES A BOOK OF MORMON. Old translation, probably around 5+ years old. WHAT. This family has been reading from the Book of Mormon for around 5 years, but just never found the missionaries again that gave it to them. Until that one day, she had no idea what she was going to Tesco for, just sorta in there cause she had some free time. Then she saw two white guys, dressed nicely, wearing ties and slacks. And WHAT. WOAH. And then this happened. They all had told us that they wouldn't be willing to meet with us if they weren't willing to change religions.

Wow that was way long. But probably the highlight of my whole week. So totes worth it.

Just a quick thought...

I'm not as young as I think I am being a missionary. I've been serving as a missionary for just over a year already and through my service I have found some scriptures that really really motivate me and get me pumped to be a missionary. Keep in mind, these are just my personal ideas, and everyone has to go out and do what works for them but here it goes. (feeling lazy so go search up the references on your own some time)

• D&C 58:26: Be willing in doing all things, if you're not gonna do it with your heart in it, don't waste your time.
• 2 Nephi 4:26-35: Never give up. Once you understand the blessings, there's no turning back. Trust in the Lord and ask for help in all things. Work hard, and then get help from our Heavenly Father who LOVES US. Unconditionally จริงๆ.

Stoked for another 6 weeks here.

Forgot to take pics this week, so this will have to suffice.

Aloha,

Elder แอลลิส

Forward Ever. Stopping Never.