The Trump Sounds

"Behold, I will hasten my work in it's time." D&C 88:73

Promised a Temple

On June 12, 2000, President Gordon B. Hinckley became the first president of the Church to visit Thailand where he enjoyed a "pre-birthday" celebration hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Bhichai Rattakul. The next morning, President Hinckley also met with Bangkok Governor Bhichit Rattakul and Thailand Prime Minister Chuan Leepkai who thanked the prophet for all the work that Latter-day Saint volunteers had done for Thailand, noting in particular the 100 volunteers who had taught more than 300,000 English teachers and students over the previous three years.

Bangkok was the second stop in a tour of Asia and the South Pacific to dedicate four temples in Fukuoka, Japan; Adelaide, Australia; Melbourne, Australia; and Suva, Fiji. Before leaving Bangkok, President Hinckley addressed a congregation of over 2,600 members at the Thailand Air Force Convention Center. Some members had traveled 18 hours by bus to be in attendance.

In his remarks, President Hinckley recalled his first visit to the country in 1961 when there were just a half dozen members of the Church. "We went quietly in the morning into Lumpini Park, a small group of us, including Elder Marion D. Hanks of the Seventy, and there we lifted our voices in prayer. We prayed that the Lord would smile upon this land, that He would touch it by the power of His Holy Spirit, that the way would be opened for missionaries to come here, that the faithful would accept the truth, and that the Lord would do a great and good work here." He continued, "Now it's been a long time since I was here and I have seen a miracle, a very real miracle." He told the members that they were pioneers of the Lord's work in their country and promised that if they were faithful, the time would come when a temple would be constructed in Thailand. "The Lord expects so very, very much of you. He expects you to be the best people in all of Thailand, and you ought to be because you have a knowledge of His everlasting truth."

Effie & Ollie Elephants

Before I knew I was going to be able to put in my papers, I had asked Elder Hammer what he wanted for Christmas this year. He said something small that would remind him of me.

And then he said: "I'm going to be hauling a lot of stuff home so don't send me an elephant or something."

Yep. I'm gonna do it. Before I even knew I was going to Thailand, I considered sending him a tiny little elephant in his present as a joke. But now I'm going to THAILAND! Elephants abounding! How can that NOT remind him of me???

So I bought the Effie & Ollie Elephants pattern by Heather Bailey, and I'll be making him a little tiny elephant (they really are pretty small!) for Christmas.

I think I'm funny. But hey, these are too cute NOT to sew. I'm a Family and Consumer Science major afterall.

Remember Buddha

So I remembered something Jared had said from his earliest letter in the MTC (very first one!)

I looked it up and sure enough... "Our teacher told us of a story about a missionary in the far east who sat on the belly of a Buddah statue for a picture of himself. He was arrested and subsequentially received criminal charges, and was sent home. So everytime one of us is about to do something stupid, we say "Remember Buddah!"

I was looking at all the culture awareness rules of my mission, and like, rule NUMBER ONE is to NOT SIT ON BUDDHA!! :p Basically, Jared knew from the first week of his mission where I was going! ;)

Like Father like Daughter

Sawat dee kah!

Mr. Painter in 1982

My dad took a trip around the world and just so happened to visit Thailand in 1982.

I've always wanted to be like my dad.

Dad with the Elephants

I had no idea elephants would be involved, but boy am I excited. One of my goals? Touch an elephant on my mission.

1982 in Thailand

So excited to experience this beautiful country!

Grandpa and Grandma Painter

Love,

Sister Painter

Thailand, Bangkok Mission!!

I think it's about time you guys know where I'm going on my mission.
Fair enough? :)

Dear Sister Painter,
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the.... THAILAND, BANGKOK MISSION!
I enter February 6th, 2013-- preparing to serve in the THAI language!

 

IT'S HERE!