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!