A Normal Sunday Schedule

Leave for church at 8:30 am (This week, Ray took the elders to Kumpawabi so we left at 7:45. They went to three hours of meetings there, and then Ray came back for the afternoon meetings in Udon.)
9:00-12:00 Udon Branch 2 meetings (Jeanene plays piano in Sacrament meeting; Ray usually presides since he is a counselor in the district presidency. Jeanene helps in Primary--teaching and music. Ray works with the branch presidency and other priesthood leaders.)
12:15-1:00 (or later)--baptismal service (Jeanene plays piano)
1:00-4:00 Udon Branch 1 meetings (Jeanene helps with music in primary. Ray again helps priesthood leaders.)
4:15-5:00 (or later)--baptismal service (Jeanene plays piano)
6:30 or so--We eat dinner (We don't eat between breakfast and dinner.)
7:00  The elders come to use the computer for skype interviews with missionaries in Laos.
8:00  The four young sister missionaries and the four young elders come over to make waffle batter for their dinner. We catch up on the happenings of the day and laugh a little. They are great! Nice ending to a busy day!

 

Branch Pioneer Activity

We had a branch pioneer activity in July. It was a lot of fun! Some of our members said they had learned about the pioneers before, but they didn't really understand that history of the church very well. They said that our explanation, video, and activities made it come alive for them. The next day, one of our members even bore his testimony about how gaining knowledge about the struggles the pioneers had endured was evidence of the truthfulness of the gospel for him.

Ray taught a little about the history of the church and the movement of the saints from New York, Ohio, Missouri, Nauvoo, and then west. He showed a great video he found on youtube that showed many of the hardships they endured. (If you want to watch it, look for "A Modern Day Exodus--The Mormon Trail to Utah.)

                 President Senior sitting on the floor!
Then I talked a little bit about some of my pioneer ancestors who came across the plains with the first handcart company--John Robinson and his two daughters Elizabeth (my ggg grandmother) and Sarah.

                          I love that my mouth was caught wide open! oh, well, it's what happens when you talk!
We asked how many of them had ever been cold. Most of them raised their hands. Then Ray said, "Not Thailand cold, I mean really cold--ice and snow cold." Only a couple of people raised their hands. They had worked in Korea and Japan. So, to give them the experience of cold--we had a volunteer come up and put his foot in ice water for a short time. It didn't take him long to want to pull it out! He didn't think he would want to go too far in temperatures like that!

 We told them it wasn't all pain and drudgery, but that they had fun along the trail as well. We moved the table out of the way and taught them a pioneer circle dance (which they loved)--

and had contests with pulling sticks. That produced some laughter and competition!

I had made hardtack for them to try for refreshments--Ray thought it was tasteless, but they loved it! We served other treats, but the hardtack disappeared first. (Hardtack was basically a very hard, dry cracker that would last on the trail as long as it stayed dry.)

Our apartment was filled with lots of people, learning, and laughter. We appreciated the support of our leaders: Elder Khanakham and President and Sister Senior who added much to the evening.

Almost a visitor at church

The door is often left wide open at the church. As we stepped up to go in, this big guy was just inches from crawling in onto the cool tile floor.

 

 I'm glad they don't grow this big in my flower beds and garden at home!

Familiar places with a twist

In addition to the normal double cheeseburger or Big Mac and fries, there are a few interesting options on the menu at the "Golden Arches".

you can order:

Or you can get:

or:

and recently we saw a sign for tuna pie (not my favorite).

Most of you know how we love sticky rice and mango. Well, . . . at Dairy Queen, they had a special that caught our eye!

We weren't hungry at the time, or we might have tried one of these.

Farewell taco dinner

It was transfer time again and we had to say goodbye to some of our terrific missionaries. It's a tough thing--they are very dear to us, and we will miss them. Some were headed back home--their families' gain is definitely our loss! We let those going home choose the menu; Sister Stewart chose tacos/tostadas, Elder King chose apple crisp.

The blessing had been asked and everyone was ready to dig in! There was plenty of food including plenty of cheese (which is not common fare for missionaries in Thailand.) They were excited!

                 Sister Stewart, Sister Muller, Elder Black, Elder Lodwick, Elder Pyne, Elder King, Sister Zaugg, and Sister Adams

It was Elder King's 21st birthday, so we put candles in the apple crisp and sang happy birthday to him--twice. The first time was the Brown version and the second was the Stewart family version. Quite a difference between the two, but I think he felt the love from both.

Dinner was over. Dinner for ten hungry missionaries makes a big mess!

But everyone took turns helping--

                                                                     Sister Muller       
and crashing--

Yup! Helping and crashing, and a good time was had by all!

Water Beetle, anyone?

We actually took this picture about three months ago and I forgot to post it. I think our kids have been waiting for it, so here it is!

Before we got our car, we had to take a songtaew (a pickup with benches along the bed) to Kumpawabi for me to teach piano lessons. We saw all kinds of interesting people in our travels; this woman was among them. She got on the songtaew carrying a wicker basket with a cover on it. After we had ridden a little way, we realized she had made a sale to the lady sitting across from her. The lady bought six of these for 120 baht (about $4). The woman carefully pulled them out one by one and put them in a plastic bag while protecting the basket opening so none could escape. The lady seemed very pleased with her purchase and soon got off.

This woman told us these beetles were very delicious and that we should buy some and try them. Ray said, "No, but thank you." Then he said that people at home would find it interesting that people ate these and would she mind if he took a picture. She said she was afraid they would get away. They were very hard to catch, and she had worked all morning searching through the flooded rice fields to get the ones she had. He assured her that if any escaped, he would pay her for them. So, she posed for our camera. After our conversation, she sold one to the man sitting across from us and then got off. We asked him how he ate them. He said that he boiled them in water spiced with garlic and hot peppers and then mashed them up to add to food as a flavoring. He ALSO said that we should try them because they were really good. Anyone interested?

cooking with friends

My friend, Nee, loves the banana bread I make and share with people, so she wanted to learn how to make it herself. She came over Saturday morning, and we whipped up a batch. Turned out beautifully!

While it was baking, she said she was going to teach me how to make beef panang curry. I was a very willing learner. Just as she was beginning the lesson, her husband and several other friends appeared at the door. It was a fun surprise! We had lots of help in the kitchen for advice and taste testing.

Displaying the final product. (Nee is on the right.)

It is a beautiful looking dish.

They were all here when the banana bread came out of the oven, so they got to taste test that, too. It was a definite thumbs up from everyone.

 

A taste of home

It isn't easy to find Mexican food around here even though there is one Mexican restaurant in town. (A city of over 400,000 people--ONE Mexican restaurant--hard to imagine, right?) (This restaurant also serves lasagne and Hungarian Goulash!) So every once in a while, we have to get serious about making our own!

Tortilla chips made from corn tortillas:

Tostadas with homemade refried beans and cheese that costs $7/pound:

And downed with one of Ray's favorites:

Thai food is delicious, BUT. . . every now and then. . .

Goodbye to friends--we wish them well!

Three of our wonderful English students left for college in July. We knew they would be leaving, but we thought it would be in August. July 1st, after English class, they announced to us that it was their last night. They began singing "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and "How Long Will I Love You". Made us cry. (I know that's hard for many of you to believe--since we are so-o-o tough!)

                                                                      Preow

 Nud

Kwan

                        We will miss them, but we wish them well in their new endeavors!

 

They made us this beautiful picture to remind us of our great times in English. Each picture or word is a great memory! (Nud said, "Oh, we forgot to put Elder Brown's tie on him!" (They've never seen him without a tie. We assured him it was just fine!)

Many of our students had already left by the time the serenading had ended, but here are the few still hanging around. We love our English class!

Training

We had a training meeting here for all priesthood and auxiliary leaders in Udon District. The  attendance was good. We were well taught and inspired by Elder Woo (from Asia Area Presidency), Elder Khanakham (the first Seventy called from Thailand), and President and Sister Senior (our mission president and his wife). They are all amazing leaders.

                                                President and Sister Senior, Elder Woo, Sister and Elder Brown

Elder Woo taught us about pressing forward with faith. He specifically encouraged us to 1) Pray, 2) accept  Responsibility--fulfill your calling, 3) Experiment upon the word (when one learns about tithing,  encourage them to pay tithing and receive the blessings promised), 4) Scripture study every day, 5) Sacrament.

Elder Khanakham instructed us further: We have so many new members of The Church in Thailand. How do we help them remain strong and faithful? He listed five things: 1) teach them to read from the scriptures everyday, 2) Pray often, 3) teach them how to hold Family Home Evening, 4) teach them to pay tithing (it helps them have faith in the future), 5) the importance of the Sacrament.

See a trend?

President Senior talked about how long it takes a pineapple to grow--two years! We need to give people opportunities to hold callings and serve others and then be patient as they gain experience and grow stronger in faith.  Sister Senior also talked about things we can do to help people become fully involved in receiving the blessings of the gospel.

Heavenly Father loves all of His children!! He wants everyone to feel His love! How blessed we are to play a small part in the work of sharing His message.

Our missionaries

We have eight young missionaries with whom we serve here in Udon: four sisters and four elders. They are amazing and hardworking!

Udon Branch One

Elder King (going home this week), Elder Pine, Sister Zaugg, and Sister Stewart (also going home this week)

 Udon Branch Two

Sister Adams, Sister Muller, Elder Black, and Elder Lodwick

We love them!

Beauty after the storm

We had one of our famous downpours the other day, and after the rain stopped, we got this:

The picture does not do it justice--it was so bright and full. We were too close to get a full view in one picture. It so lifted my spirit, I had to share!

                                                  Heavenly Father is the Master Artist!

The pineapple market

There is one section of the fresh market where they sell only pineapple. There are mounds of pineapples, and thousands (so it seems) of bees buzzing around and taking advantage of the juicy samples that are cut open to view.

We eat at least one pineapple every day in a smoothie, so we buy lots of pineapple. You would think it would be expensive, wouldn't you, but . . .

. . .we get a bag of 12 pineapples the size she is holding in her hand (just the right amount for a smoothie with fresh mango, banana, and berries), for the price of 30 Baht--that is just under one dollar. Yes, I said a total of less than $1 for 12 pineapples (about 8cents each!). Wish there were a way for me to share them with you! Sweet and delicious!