Rye Pictures 2.18.13

 Are those a bunch of knives? Yes. Samurai swords on the wall? Yep. That's Thailand for ya.

 Wow...I have such a nice bike!

 

An investigator's house. He collects bottles and old stuff and sells it for money. That's how he makes his living. True story.

  Frong decided she was ready to be a missionary. "Peace out white boy. This is totally my bike now." 

"Come on, Elder Jex. Let's roll."

 Not sure what this is or why it needs shade or why it has a mini volcano next to it but it looked interesting enough to snap a pic.

 The "Yeah-I-Love-Green" face

Just chilling...in some mud...with my best bud.

Nongkhai 2.18.13

Hello Family that I love...a lot.

This week was pretty good. We met with a lot of recent converts and less actives. We told them how they can get to the temple (there is a form that is designed to help them prepare to go when they hit their year mark). We also helped them start their family history. Which makes me wonder, Mom how do you do family history? When the members ask I always refer them to the website but what do you do when the website doesn't have what you need? Keep in mind this is Thailand and that family history centers don't exist. But where do you look? How do you find dates and all that other business?

YES: Elder Jex and I were cruising through town on our way to get some signs made for English class. This guy on a scooter waves us down. We stop. He asks where we study. We explain that we aren't students but missionaries. Then he asks if we teach English. Yes we do. Then he tells us he wants to learn. Perfect. Come learn with us, it is way fun. Then he says, "I want to learn so I can flirt with white women." Oh baby. At least he is driven by something right? Then he says he wants to buy us water. We refuse...psych. we go with him across the street to the mini mart. He buys us cokes instead. Then he gives us his address and tells us we can go visit him and if we can take some girls along too that'd be even better. He is a champ. I can't wait to visit him, we just need to find someone to take with us or else he'll be way disappointed.

Well life is pretty golden. Thailand is starting to get real hot...aka I'm sweating writing this email. It's great. I love it. Yesterday we rode out to a member's house. He lives in the boonies. It was a 40 minute ride...in the hot sun. Then we accidentally went 10 minutes too far. Basically we were on our bikes for close to an hour. Nutshell: my glutes killed.

Well I love you all a ton...even when you don't write me an email. You are still the best family in the world. Peace.

MUCHO LOVE

Elder M. Riley Creer

the only

Pictures 2.11.13

 Glamour shots by Deb

 Whoopwhoop!

Not sure why S. June and her niece are in this picture...

that sneaky mom.

 

I ride up this road almost every day...yeah my life rocks.

Nongkhai 2.11.13

Dear Family,

How are you all?!

The snow storm in Boston sounds nuts! Word on the street is that they had some snow in Chiangrai. Nongkynonks has been crazy hot this week though. No snow here. I love you too mom and I always remember. Just a suggestion. Sam, remember when we skied the Canyons backcountry with Wonnacott and you lost your ski? Remember how we searched forever and never found it? Yeah...just keep that it mind when you hit up Jupiter's Bowl :)

This week rocked! On Saturday, 4 people were baptized! The 2 girls on the left are S. Muay's daughters (she is far left in the purple dress). The other little girl is B. Aat's daughter (she is 8). The 4th person is B. Baw (sitting in the chair). It was a way sweet service and most of the branch went (about 40). Fa and Frong (the 2 daughters) asked me to baptize them. So I said yes. Then I remembered I was a rookie, aka I'd never baptized anyone. I had to find my baptismal pants, wipe the dust off them, and see if they still fit. I was lowkey nervous. That's a lie. I was way nervous! The baptismal prayer isn't too difficult in Thai but their last name was a monster! We're talking 4 syllables here people. And it was a tongue twister too (alliteration!) with multiple d's and g's. I made it part of my language study that morning to practice it. It went great though, no floating skirts or protruding toes. Baptizing B. Baw was an adventure. The font here has a staircase up instead of a staircase down (aka it's above ground), so he had to be carried up and lowered into the font by 3 or 4 men. Then they asked me to stand in the font with him and B. Turdsak (yes that is his real name) and support him as he was baptized. It was good though. Basically Saturday rocked!

Other business: zone meeting. It was pretty stellar. It was perfect for me. For a while I have been wondering how to use this form that the mission asks us to use with new converts and less actives. The whole meeting was about how to use the form. MONEY. We hit up Swensen's again as a zone. It was some tasty business.

This week I was reading in D&C 100:5-8. It is a pretty inspirational passage. I really tried to break it down though. I really love verse 7, I feel like it tells us exactly how to declare the gospel in order to have the Holy Ghost bear witness of the things we say. First, we must declare it in the name of Christ. Second, in solemnity of heart. Third, in the spirit of meekness. I wasn't sure what solemnity meant so I followed a footnote journey and learned that it basically means we aren't lighthearted. I think having solemnity of heart means we realize the importance of what we teach and also have the proper reverence as we teach it and also when we don't teach it. This study also helped me learn what I need to do to serve with my eye single to the glory of God. I don't remember where but somewhere in the scriptures I learned that we need to purify ourselves in order to serve with a single eye. So in the end, it all comes down to obedience. If we obey and are clean, we can serve with an eye single to the glory of God. Also the Spirit will bear witness of the truth of what we say. "Obedience is key," Grandpa Bradley.

Well you all are great. I still love you! Don't forget to read your scrips. Sammy, hit up Jdawgs for me. Thailand's hot dogs are bizarre (probably because it is actually dog...). Peace.

Much Love,

Elder M. Riley Creer

The Only

Pictures 2.4.13

  My dad 2.0 died (aka finished his mission). Check out that tie. There is only one other like it in the whole world and it's located across the river from me. Custom ties=extra classy.

 Out with the old.

  In with the new.

 

I call this one "Thailand/Laos from a 5 story building." I'm thinking of entering it in some contests. Postcard material...almost.

Nongkhai 2.4.13

Dear Family!

First off, Mom I'm sorry for my irresponsible use of the ATM. I wasn't sure how much was in there so that's why it was 3 separate transactions. I guess I was just throwing money at the banks with those ATM charges...whoops. I'm sure those poor corporate execs really need it though. But I bought a Samurai sword! A REAL ONE. It is so sick. It was made in 1837 by a legendary blacksmith who was a secret samurai. Totally worth the 5,500 Baht. Psych! I used the money to pay back E. Tzanis for his travel expenses (the house fund didn't have enough dough). So now the house fund owes me some serious cash.

BIG NEWS: “By invitation, the Thailand Bangkok Mission received approval to have four young service volunteers to labor in Vientiane, Laos. These service volunteers will work with Deseret International Charities under the direction of the Senior Couples who are located in Vientiane, and will be involved in a variety of humanitarian and educational service opportunities, including clean water projects, hygiene, neo-natal education and English language instruction. The young volunteers will also support the Branch activities of the Laotian Saints in Vientiane, Laos. The Church is not yet officially recognized in Laos and this recent activity is for the purpose of providing additional educational and humanitarian service.” That was the message that Pres. Senior wanted us to send home. In a nutshell: 4 young men were sent to Laos to be "service volunteers." They will teach English mostly and help the senior couples with their various projects. But it is the first time Laos has a allowed anyone other than senior couples into the country. Super exciting. When Pres. Senior announced it the Spirit filled the room. Everyone was totally silent. It was incredible. But E. Tzanis is one of the 4! What a champ.

So I am still in Nongkhai (YES) but I have a new companion...again. His name is Elder Jex. He is from Utah. He has already finished the Book of Mormon in Thai and he is on transfers 5! I'm only in Mosiah...slacker times 10. He is great though.

The survey:

1. How has the mission been so far?

Incredibly rewarding. Watching people's lives change as they accept the restored gospel is marvelous. There have been disappointments but the joy outweighs all else.

2. Harder than I thought? Easier?

Harder. I didn't expect the disappointments. I expected rejection but not the sorrow and frustration that comes from it. Doing all you can to help a person come closer to Christ, closer to happiness and watching them turn back from the edge instead of taking the leap of faith is heartbreaking. When they don't stall though and make the leap it is all worth it.

3. Favorite Experience? Most spiritual?

Favorite: Listening to B. Rak bear testimony about the Book of Mormon. Hearing him say that he knew it was true was wonderful, joyous.

Spiritual: Setting some lofty goals. I fasted and prayed to know if they were in line with God's will. They were. I felt the Spirit tell me that the goals I was setting were what God wanted me to do. Knowing the goals you are setting are not only church-approved but God-approved gives you such confidence that He will help you achieve them.

4. (Un)tastybusiness?

Grossest thing: Pork from the pig's leg complete with skin and hair. Yeah, hair too. I forced it down. Almost wanted to force it back up too.

The greens: They are still a chore but they don't make me gag so it's easy money. How do I eat it? I put it in my mouth. I chew. I swallow. Aka I don't think about it, I just do it. Some of the food you learn to like, some of it you learn to not think about.

5. Funniest experience? Scariest?

Funniest: Watching E. Barfuss (epitome of a macho man) trying to get rid of a cockroach and screaming his head off. Best video ever.

Scariest: Chiangmai. We were just going on a casual elephant ride through the hills when a tiger charges us. It leaps into the air to tackle us off the pachyderm. I start saying
"I'm going down." I hear my brother's voice, "Clip out! clip out!" Then the guide shoots it dead mid-leap. I didn't tell you before because I thought you'd get really worried about me. That and it's also not true. Gotcha!

Legit Scariest: When B. Rod couldn't get the words right to baptize his wife. After about the 4 time I thought he was going to give up and bail. It was a sweaty 5 minutes. Worst feeling.

6. Favorite part? Least?

Favorite: The relationships we build with investigators, members and other missionaries. The bond that is forged is so unique, so strong. Love.

Least: Moving. You spend all your time building these great relationships and then have to peace out. Awful.

7. When did I know I would serve a mission?

It was never a question. I was always wanted to do it. Watching Sam serve solidified it. 那.

8. Do I know my family misses and loves me a ton?

They holler at me like they do so I guess that means they really do! Yeah, I know. Our family rocks.

Well I love you all. Peace out. Ski hard for me yeah?

Elder M. Riley Creer