Pictures 4.29.13

  Holy Big

 Thai style

 Elder Creer style

The Jumanji house

This guy reminded me of Gandalf. "You shall not pass!"

 Let's just call this the moneyshot. Next year's Christmas card?

Bangna 4.29.13

Hello Family that I love...a lot.

Before I forget, I need vitamins.  I could go buy some, but they are expensive and from what I've seen they don't have one pill that does everything.  Let's face it, I'm a one and done kind of guy when it comes to vitamins.

This week was wicked.  Wicked in the sense of awesome and sweet, not in the sense of commandment breaking (don't worry mom).

Highlight: I conducted my first baptismal interview.

Right before the interview, E. Jensen and I raced (we were short on time) to meet this lady we met at a market.  We sat with her by her Somdam stand for about 10 minutes.  We learned that she has 2 daughters that passed away already.  We bore testimony that through baptism she can see her 2 daughters again.  She said if it was true she would be baptized.  It was a really short but powerful lesson.  Then we raced back to the church, marveling at what just happened.

Then the interview.  Boy was I nervous.  It was a marvelous (just marvelous) experience, as Grandpa would say.  I truly felt the Spirit testify to me that this woman was ready to make a covenant with God.  She, S. Mee, was introduced to the church about 8 or 9 years ago.  She had almost been baptized multiple times but didn't for whatever reason.  She actually investigated the church the same time that S. Somboonit did in Korat (S. Somboonit is the missionary that taught S. Mee and has only been a member for about 2 years).  After many years of learning, she was baptized on Sunday.  Woohoo.

After the interview, we met with an investigator who has learned for a while and knows it is true but is scared to be baptized.  As we were following up on previous commitments, she said that she wasn't scared anymore.  Yes.  We invited her to be baptized next month on the 12th.  She said yes.  I don't know what happened that made her more sure, less scared.  I'm positive that God was and is involved.  Miracles baby, miracles.

I should have listened to my mom:  We teach english every week.  To help the students have as many opportunities as possible to be at the church we began teaching piano lessons.  Last transfer, S. Farnsworth would teach and I would help a little here and there.  Then she died (aka finished her mission).  I was hoping my ลูก would be a piano all-star.  He's not.  He's a cello all-star.  So the responsibility of teaching piano fell upon me.  Yikes.  Talk about being unqualified.  So, Mom, you were right, I should have stuck with piano.  Let's just say the class is an adventure each week.

Being a district leader is interesting.  I feel like I am learning more from my district than they are from me.  I'm still trying to figure it all out.

The language is ok these days.  I understand most of what people say unless they are a teenage girl and speak at a light-speed pace.  I can also say pretty much all that I want to say but sometimes it comes out a little mumbly-jumbly (especially when I'm trying to talk about something other than the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ).

More stories about my companion:  His family is like the Sound of Music family.  Realtalk, they would go to Arizona each winter and play 90 minute music shows everyday.  You could say he is a professional cello player (All I know about the cello is Yoyo Ma and Cello! You've got a bass from School of Rock).  I'm still trying to figure out if his family ever fled across the river into Mexico after one of their shows to escape a tyrannical regime.  I'll keep you posted.

Comical Story:  We needed to eat dinner and we needed groceries.  We decided to go check out this place called Foodland which would offer both.  We jumped on our backs and were off.  We rode and rode and rode.  Then we rode some more.  We finally hit a massive road with tons of traffic.  We needed to cross it.  So we carried our bikes over a pedestrian bridge.  Then we weaved our way through traffic and finally reached the land of food.  It's disappointingly small.  Nuts.  We did some shopping, E. Jensen wanted to get all these veggies and stuff while I kept looking at the snack aisle with a longing heart.  He bought some green stuff and I bought a piece of heaven disguised as a Honey Bunches of Oats box.  Imported...the good stuff...yeah baby.  We also got a giant roll of paper towels for the house.  We pay for our goods and walk out to our bikes and realize we need to bike our loot home.  I'm starting to think, "This was a horrible idea."  The paper towels don't fit in my basket, so E. Jensen ties them to his back ghetto style.  We load up my basket with the other business and head off into the night.  After fighting our way through the traffic we flipped a U and headed home, looking like a bunch of goons.  Was it worth it?  The jury is still out.  But my breakfast these past couple days has been top notch.

Well that is the word from the Bkk.  I love you all.  You are the best.  Katie, congrats on your job and finishing your classes.  You are pretty much the coolest sister I have.  Jeremy good luck on your tests, I'd send you my lucky orange socks but I don't think they would get there in time so I'll just keep you in my prayers.  Sam, how are the ladies?  any progressing investigators?

Dad, I love my childhood.  I look back and have awesome memories of playing catch by that giant tree in Zion's, you telling me to hit the jets as I ran down a soccer field sideline, you zooming down Dreadnaught at Hogadon as Sam and I watched in awe, and you sitting in a tiny plane strapped to a strange man about to jump out at 10,000 feet with me.  I'd say you and mom are sponsored parents.  Mom, Oatmeal is ok...as long as it has lots of sugar.

I love you.

Elder M. Riley Creer

the only

Pictures 4.22.13

 I call this look "Wet Blue." It is the next evolution of Blue Steel.

 The elder doing the crouching tiger is my zone leader...

he's from England.

 Reppin'

 This is Song Kraan. It's nuts.

 Kodak moment while waiting for the train.

What a great tie. The traffic in Bangna(sty). Yikes.

Bangna 4.22.13

Hey family.

You guys rock. True story. Life in the BKK is rolling right along, even with the daily traffic jams and fender benders. E. Jensen is doing great. Everyday it seems I learn something else about his childhood that baffles me. We were raised very differently. Very differently. He had never eaten sugared cereal until the MTC! I practically lived off that stuff from age 9 to 19! But we get along just great so don't fret.

Hand in the pocket + one earring = money: This week we had some pretty cool experiences in finding new investigators. We were getting on the BTS (skytrain) on our way back from a zone meeting and decided to chat with the other people waiting for the train. I let E. Jensen choose our target and start the conversation. He starts out in his broken (but improving) Thai and the guy responds a little in Thai, then switches to perfect English. He tells us he is already Christian. So we explain the Restoration very simply and bear testimony of the Book of Mormon. He asks if we have one in English. We don't (umm hello...we're in Thailand). We showed him the mini English copy that I carry around with me. He was way interested to read it. Then we find out he doesn't live in our area...ouch. So we told him what he needed to do to get a copy. Right before we parted, he asked, "How did you know to talk to me out of all these people?" E. Jensen may not have realized it but he was guided by the Spirit when he chose the man with his hand in his pocket and one earring.

That is crazy that Greg got called to Thailand! Maybe we'll be companions! Holler. Sam, do you know someone named S. Sahagen? She just came into country with E. Jensen. She said she worked with you, that you are hilarious, that you are a genuine hipster and that you need to wait for her (I may or may not have added that last part (aka I added it)).

This week I was studying about Faith. I learned a lot. Then I prayed and asked if what I learned was true. Heavenly Father answered. I know He hears our prayers, and answers. I learned that if we don't have miracles in our life than it is our fault. We either don't have faith or aren't recognizing (or aren't looking for) them. I read in Moroni 7:37. Read it. Then have faith. After reading that verse how could you not want to have faith? The nutshell of my study was this: Faith is like my rippling biceps, if I use it, test it, even strain it, then it grows and strengthens.

Well life is grand. My family rocks. By the way, I showed the family book you sent me to an investigator to help her understand that the gospel blesses families and helps them go to Disneyland (aka the celestial kingdom...well except for It's a Small World that is still in a telestial state) and have eternal happiness. I love you tons.

Elder M. Riley Creer

the Only

P.S. I'm glad you cats in Boston are safe.

Pictures 4.15.13

 World's Largest (Self-proclaimed?)

 Yeah they exist...#onlyinThailand

 Yes its a real croc and he's not dead. He started getting antsy when I squatted down I thought I was a goner.

This little guy saw a lady with a sprite can. So he held this cup out through the fence for her to fill up. She did. He couldn't get it back through without it spilling so he used the straw and slurped it down. When it was gone I held the cup out again expecting her to refill it but she was out of Sprite. He tossed the cup and walked away. #planetoftheapesherewecome

  What's up?

 She plopped this guy on my lap and he kissed me on the cheek! #whoatherebudwejustmet

I feel like this photo sums up E. Terry's personality. 

 Power Stance: Ancient technique

 See that fish tail? Yeah I ate that. #getonmylevel

 Out with the old.

In with the new.

Bangna 4.15.13

Dear Family that I love,

New Companion! Elder Jensen. From Draper, Utah. Fresh from the MTC. Yeah, I'm training. #ohnuts. Elder Terry moved. Comical sidenote: I knew I was training all last transfer. Elder Terry knew he was most likely moving areas. We get to transfer meeting, all the trainers and trainees have a 2 hour meeting about the training. E. Terry just sat around and chilled, waiting for the meeting to start. 5 minutes before it starts Elder Heap (one of the Assistants) goes up to E. Terry and tells him that he is training too. They forgot to call him. He was supposed to be in the training meeting too! E. Terry handled it ok though. Then after the whole transfer business is finished, E. Terry finds out he is becoming a district leader too! It was hilarious. He was in shock.

This weekend was both conference and the water festival (today is actually the last day of the water festival (after I send this I'm going to go rampage the streets of Bkk with my $10 water gun)). Conference was great. Elder Jensen and I listened to 2 sessions in English and 3 sessions in Thai (he heard it all already in the MTC so he wanted to try it in Thai). As a mission we were committed to write down questions and then listen for the answers to come in Conference. So I did. And they got answered. Holler at personal revelation.

Dad, Rak and her kids came to Sunday conference. They are doing well. The BTS guy didn't come. As for people that don't like us being in Thailand, the only people who have told me I don't belong here are old grumpy white men who are here for much less wholesome reasons. Thai people are generally impressed by the fact that we leave our family, school and all that jazz to come tell them about Christ and His restored gospel.

Training a new missionary takes me back to my greenie days. What good memories...sitting in Sacrament meeting confused out of my mind; sitting in lessons struggling to speak. So fun.

Adventures from last pday: World's Largest Crocodile Farm. Yeah Buddy. 3 hours and 200฿ later, I had touched a croc, held a chimp, and fed a baby tiger. Life complete. #crossthatmessoffmybucketlist

In getting to know my new companion, we began talking about childhoods. Thank you Momma and Poppa Smurf for raising Katie, Sam and I the way you did. I can look back on my childhood and have great memories, memories of family vacations, family adventures (Where is that dang Hollywood sign?) and family laughter. Thank you also for trusting us enough to let us make our own decisions. When thinking about being a parent, I thought of our Heavenly Father. He taught us correct principles in the pre-earth life and sent us here to choose for ourselves. You taught us the gospel and let us choose for ourselves. Thank you. I love you...more than I love eating Magnum bars on the hot streets of Bangkok (aka I love you a lot).

Well family, peace.

Elder M. Riley Creer

the only

Pictures 4.8.13

 Woohoo for immigration!

  I never thought I'd find myself in Thailand, standing in a line with a bunch of Thai police officers, on one of the sketchiest streets in Bangkok, about to parade for immigration policy awareness. Holler at your boy.

E. Terry. No comment.

 The Shane-inator. Muscle size: XL. Shirt size: XS

 Thai Mini-van. Economy class. Enough seats for the whole family.

 The Original since 2007. They have been providing Bangkok with pizza for a whole 6 years. Color me impressed.

  Filth.

Crocodile Dundee! This man was also wearing rubber knee-high boots but you can't see them in the picture.

Tourist central.

 Pancake time. What's Up!

Bangna 4.8.13

Hey Family!

How's life? How was conference? We get to watch it this Saturday and Sunday. This weekend is also the Water festival, Songkraan. It starts Friday I think and lasts until Monday, so it will be interesting to see who is willing to sacrifice temporary, water-fight fun for divine direction and prophetic counsel.

Yes, Dad we are still teaching Yoong from the BTS and Sister Rak. Neither of them came to church yesterday when they said they would so that was disappointing. But we will still do our best to help them obey and use their agency wisely.

Bangkok is pretty nuts. The other day we saw 4 accidents/mishaps. 3 of them were within 10 minutes of each other. Most of the accidents involve the scooter taxis. Because traffic is horrendous here there are a ton of scooter taxis that will take you short distances. They weave in and out of cars and drive on the wrong side of the road and do crazy business to keep up their business. They are insane. I feel like it would be a good career choice for me, we can ship the scooter over here and I'll be ready to go. Yeah Buddy. I'll be rollin in the Benjamins in no time!

Last week. Our Pday got hijacked. By a parade. For immigration awareness. It hurt the team. We did it because President Senior asked us to and he did it because it helps the church's relations with the immigration department which I guess really helps out the international ward here. The parade was really dinky too. There were no supremely decorated floats. No wheezing Shiners zipping around on their go-garts. No candy-tossing firemen. It was weird. The highlight: Seeing the famed Christy perform complete with creepy backup dancers and all. Turns out she was Miss Immigration. Yeah...she's a big deal. The Real Highlight: free food and water. Now you're talking.

Shane. Shane is this member who we visit almost every week. He is hilarious. He loves english slang. He also loves really tight shirts. He is all about working out. In Thai they say "play fitness," which doesn't translate at all. They play all sorts of things in Thailand. Play Facebook. Play read. Play walk. It's bizarre. Anyway, Shane always wears the tightest, smallest shirts he can find. It is hilarious. Not just when he is at home either. He rolled into church yesterday with a shirt that would fit a 14 year old boy. And his pants...well lets just say they were tight, real tight. He is such a funny guy though. Absolutely nuts. Since E. Terry or I will move this week we had to snap a pic with him. Classic.

Well I love you tons. Sorry the email is sort of short.

Elder M. Riley Creer

The only.

 So hot right now.

The Bkk...crazy business.

We were walking across this mess of an intersection and see this wheel fall off a huge truck. We flagged the guy down and told him he was missing a wheel. He said no worries and kept driving, leaving a ginormous tire sitting in the road. #ILoveThailand

 High in Protein... I'm bulking up baby! 24 inch biceps here I come

Bangna 4.1.13

Hey family!

 

Well the mission is great. This week we had a zone conference. It was wonderful. We learned about repentance and being healed. We learned about the small and simple things that make the difference. We also learned about making plans and back up plans and using time wisely. It was a great conference. I learned that I need to repent and change the way I teach investigators about repentance (irony?). Before I would focus on the steps. Now I focus on the why. Helping people understand why they can repent and why they need to repent is essential to conversion. Understanding that Christ is the only one that can heal us and cleanse us from sin is key in developing a testimony of Him. When people don't understand that, they don't have near as much motivation to keep the commandments. Without that knowledge, this message becomes like every other religion that "teaches people to be good" (Thai people's favorite saying when we talk about religion). Repentance is a blessing and essential...so don't forget to do it, okay pumpkin?!

 

This week we found some daters! YES. Our area hasn't had a dater since December...so we were pumped (especially E. Terry). One of them is this guy that we met on the BTS (sky train) on our way back from the suit shop on Monday. E. Terry is convinced that when you make the effort to talk to people about the gospel on Pday that you have an extra portion of the Spirit. He calls it Pday power. Anyway, we met this guy on the BTS and made an appointment for the next day to teach more. We met him then and one more day and invited him to be baptized. He is sweet and way humble. The other investigator that accepted a date is named Sister Rak. She has been learning for a while. She was concerned her son would not react well if she was baptized. I talked about our awesome family. I told her how we used to fight, Katie, Sam and I. But as we learned to live the gospel more we changed. We stopped fighting and started skiing and dancing (I didn't actually tell her we ski and dance but it sounds good). Now we are best buds! She is starting to understand that the gospel doesn't destroy families but blesses them.

 

Well family, you all are sponsored. Especially Jeremy...he has a coat with his name on it #GetOnHisLevel. I send this with bunches of love...in fact more bunches than a box of Honey Bunches of Oats.

 

Elder M. Riley Creer

the only missionary who is under 5'7" and still is the tallest in his family