Dear Family,

This Christmas was great! I'm glad I got to talk to you all. Talking to Spencer and Crystal was a bit tricky. I asked my companion to distract the taxi driver while I talked in Thai. It was good fun. When we arrived we boarded the boat, greeted all of the missionaries, and had an enjoyable Christmas cruise/feast. After stuffing our faces full of a Thai American mix of goodness, president dodge called for the White Elephant gift exchange. I had bought a huge blanket with lions, zebras, and elephants on it's face. It was better than downy soft too. Elder Ewing brought a large classic looking harmonica, Elder Blackhurst a sturdy dart board, and Elder Miles a mini air hockey board with batteries included. Gratefully the spirit of Christmas is giving. I ended up with an annoyance making stick. It had a string and a box attached to amplify the rope scratching noise that it makes when you twist it.

The ward Christmas party was Awesome! We, once again, had a great feast followed by the singing of Christmas hymns and reading the nativity. Then Santa came. We were organized in a big circle of chairs around the sacrament room. Then the leaders on a microphone announced the coming of Santa and Started a count down. "3... 2... 1..." (nothing). There was a pause and then the overflow divider burst open as a short fat Thai Santa with, a triangle white cotton beard which had a tiny hole in it for a mouth, and sun glasses bursts in with his arms in the air and stands there glorying in his awesome Santa power. To amplify the hilarity of the moment, it was brother Gunshot who is basically the Thai version of Dwight Shrewt from The Office. He speaks English and is always conspiring in his Shrewd little way. It was funny.

Unfortunately I'm out of time already, but, the baptism this Sunday was a success and Sang and Naa are going to be confirmed this Sunday. They are great people. I've really had an opportunity to exercise faith as I've set goals on my mission so far. So many times in the scriptures the prophets tell us that with faith we can do anything that is expedient in us. I realize that with the Lord we can do anything but what exactly is it that we must do? Then I'm reminded of Lehi the son of King Noah in comparison to the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's. The People of Limhi fought to defend themselves from imminent danger. With trust in the Lord they "fought like Dragons." But the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's also put their trust in the Lord and in prayer they let themselves be killed until a miracle of God converted more than were slain. And those who were slain were surely saved in the Kingdom of God. Both people chose their path and put their Trust in the Lord. As I'm learning more about the Lord I've been able to set my path or my goals, and put my trust in the Lord. I've seen Miracles happen. A mission is sooo tough, but the Lords work is the most important. I'm slowly getting a vision of how important it is, although I doubt I'll ever be able to comprehend in this life. But I love you all and pray for you. Keep progressing, and have a Happy New Year.


Elder Lilly