Monday, March 17, 2025

Letter 8 - Happy 2 Month Mission Anniversary!

 Dear family and friends, 

Happy 2 month mission anniversary to us! We started on January 13th and here it was March 13th last Thursday! Time is flying by. 

In other news, it finally happened. This week was exactly like the last.

Haha but seriously it was . . . so I don't want to bore you with the mundane details like: got up, went for my stair-walk (up to 42 floors now), showered, ate breakfast, worked in the office, took a lunch break, worked in the office, wrapped up the day, ate dinner, did chores, studied the language, did some gospel study, read, watched a YouTube short or two (it's the only TV we have), go to bed. REPEAT! And that's it folks! 

As much as everyday is sort of the same, the days are also sort of different! We have different projects and needs that come up in the office. I am compiling some documents for the mission history and it is so fun to gather and read the amazing miracles and stories that the missionaries share with each other. I will have to include some in the blog one of these days. It is amazing how the missionaries find people to teach and these people are seeking and excited to learn about and accept Jesus Christ into their lives. I am currently working on the "miracle book," the "baptism book," and "missionary farewell devotionals." I am inspired everyday as I read about their stories and experiences. 

John has been busy opening and closing some of the apartments that the missionaries live in. And everyday messages flood in from missionaries needing help with their apartments and bikes. The missionaries have to ride their bikes everywhere (except the ones living in the city of Bangkok). John and I both thought it was funny (and sad) that one set of Elders who needs a new bike has been riding around on a bike with no seat! How long has that been going on we wondered! And where did that seat go??

Highlights this week included: 

A trip to the temple (it's a long 2 minute commute from our office or apartment - take your pick).

Pizza for dinner (John loves pizza!! And it has been over 2 months since he has had any! We found a place where you can buy one get one free - that is several meals for John and he is so happy!).

A trip to the "Thursday morning university market" (I purchased fruits and veggies and some dates for my oatmeal).

A trip to "the lunch market" twice (this is a very very hot market that has several booths to get yummy foods. It is sort of like a food court. There are so many options here. But we now have a few favorites. This is inside a building so there is shade and giant fans to cool us, but the booths are cooking their food and so the heat from ovens combined with the heat in the 90s outside has me feeling the sweat dripping down my back. This market has clothing and other items for purchase too - it's huge).

A couple of BYU basketball games (John loves his BYU basketball and football. One of the hardest thing on the mission is that he has not been able to figure out a way to watch them on our TV - the VPN is not working for us. Fortunately, Elder Belnap has invited him over for a few games. Saturday the game was live at 6am. The Thursday night game started around midnight here. The Belnaps stayed up and watched it. John opted for sleep and listened to it in the morning. That has been the other way he can enjoy the games - listening to them on his phone. He just has to avoid looking at the score or running into another one of the Senior Missionaries that greet him with "how about that game!?" After which, he silently cries . . . ).

Our weekly trip to Rayong (Saturday, after we got to our hotel, we took a walk to a Wat in Rayong that had a reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf. From there, we roamed the roads until we found a little roadside restaurant and had some fried rice, followed by a haircut for John, and then back to the hotel for a dip in the pool. Sunday we went to our little branch for church. And then took the long drive back home - our home away from home - Bangkok)!

And that marks another week in Thailand. Pictures to follow!

We love and miss you all!

John and Shelly (mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, and so on!)

Saturday in Rayong - Reclining Buddha
Wat Pa Pradu in Rayong.



More of Wat Pa Pradu.
Beautiful plumeria tree shaped into a Bonsai tree! 
Walking home from the Wat.
I love the flowers on the balcony!
Delicious fried rice!
A plate for John too!
Time for a swim after that walk - the pool at our hotel in Rayong.

Keeping cool in the shade!
John goes shirt shopping at the "night market" in Rayong.
I want this shirt. I might have to go back to buy it!
Sisters at church!
The drive home (an elephant statue across the freeway)!
John drives the van home (on the wrong side of the car!)!
Another reclining Buddha spotted on our drive home. 
We drive under these fancy arches (with pictures of the Thailand King).
Earlier in the week, John and Shelly at the Post Office. 
On our walk to lunch.
Water taxi in the distance.
We are across the street from the temple here getting a yummy frozen drink. I got a coconut slushy/shake from real coconuts! John got an Oreo drink from real Oreos!! We forgot to take a picture so obviously, we have to go back this week! Haha! 

2 comments:

  1. Cool pics! It always looks like you’re on a vacation, but I know you’re both working hard in the mission office.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does look like a vacation, doesn't it?! But we do some work around here too! :) Thanks for reading the blog!

      Delete

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