Dear family and friends,
Happy New Year! It is 2026! This is the year we leave Thailand and head back to the USA! But there will be another 50 letters before that happens!
It was work as usual for us here in Thailand this week, but our work is fun so it doesn't usually feel like work. We love the missionaries, members, and people of Thailand and feel so blessed to be serving here.
We hope you enjoyed the holidays and are looking forward to a terrific new year.
With love,
Elder and Sister Brady (Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, John and Shelly and so on)
On to the photos from this past week:
Saturday we drove down to Rayong as we do many weekends. There is a beautiful Wat (Buddhist Temple) that we drive by and I have wanted to stop and explore the grounds for the past year.
Stunning.
Elder Brady stands at attention in front of the dormitory.
Beautiful bonsai tree.
More gorgeous carvings
Sister Brady!
So pretty.
Elder Brady walking to the gate.
The river in Rayong at sunset.
So beautiful.
The fishing boats.
As we drove back to our hotel, we came across this beautiful display of lights.
These lights were welcoming in the New Year!
Happy New Year!
Sunday afternoon - a baptism in Rayong. Elder Brady takes a photo of Elders Westcott, Sevilla, Borden and Allred all standing with Brother who would be baptized.
Sister Brady and Aujima and crab say good afternoon!
Two crabs and a shell!
Waiting for the baptism to start. Please note poor Elder Allred sitting in the sand. He was not feeling well. He just arrived a week ago (30 plus hours of travel), and then 2 days after he arrived the Rayong Elders had 2 12 hour van rides to and from our Christmas Zone Conference. He was sick and tired!
The baptism was so special.
Time to be confirmed a member of the Church.
Rayong branch is always so supportive and loves to go to baptisms!
And after the baptism, our Rayong Elders went to the hospital where they all got to spend the night. Elder Westcott the only one feeling well took this picture! Elders Allred, Sevilla, and Borden felt better after a couple of days . . . and then Elder Westcott got sick.
You will be happy to know they all feel well now!
Throw back to the Christmas Zone Conference.
Monday, Sister Jenkins and Sister Pathoumma showed up at the office on their Pday and asked us what we were doing. We said - hanging out with you! We went to the market to grab a bite, but forgot to take a picture. They took this sweet picture of Elder and Sister Brady walking down Asoke! Thanks sisters! It was fun to hang out with you! :)
Tuesday - we had a bunch of doctor's appointments - not pictured. All is well, just old people follow up stuff :) So, lets move on to Wednesday where we had a ladies lunch! What a great way to end 2025 with these lovely senior office missionaries. Sisters Howard, Brady, Meeker, and Stepp having some Pepper Lunch! It was a great meal and even greater company!
On our way to the Post Office, we ran in to Sister Bills from the West Mission! She is from McMinnville Oregon and knows some of our shirt tail relatives there (the Hansons). In case you wanted to know, the Post Office was closed. The New Year is a big deal here and a lot of things are closed the whole week!
My mom took a picture of this from Oregon!
It was 9am on New Year's eve for her and midnight in Thailand!
Yay! Thailand in the news!
In the meantime, Elder Howard was on the roof of the building next door - about 44 floors up - (the condo we almost moved to) where he watched some amazing fireworks! He didn't have to go down to the river and fight the crowds. He had a view to envy and was kind enough to share some photos!
We missed the show because 1- we don't have the same view on the 5th floor and 2 - we were fast asleep at midnight! Hahaha!
Thursday - Happy New Year! No rest for the Senior Missionaries! We could have taken a day off, but why would we when we get to go visit the missionaries!
Elder and Sister Brady on the subway on their way to do a house inspection!
These 4 Elders live in one condo.
Elders Richards, Propromma, Vang, and Bun all did a great job cleaning!
The malls here are so cool! I loved these little cat statues.
I needed to use the restroom before we took our hour and 20 minute train ride home.
This one had a circus theme.
Because, why not?
Thursday afternoon, we stopped at the hospital for a PT appointment for my sore neck -
don't worry - it's just old age. Elder Brady walking home along the Klong.
Another throwback to Khon Kaen (last week's Christmas Zone Conference).
Friday - I paused during my exercise this morning to take a cool pictures of the stairwell I walk in.
30 minutes - 50 floors! Getting my steps in!
Elder and Sister Brady on the train to another house inspection talking to our son Kevin in Pocatello! Isn't technology amazing!? We talked real quietly to not bother the other train riders who were all talking loudly on their phones! Hahaha!
We made it to the Sisters condo. Well actually, we had to walk down that long road behind us to get to their place. This condo is nearly 2 hours away on public transportation. We take an underground subway, 2 overhead trains, and then walked 1.2 miles. On the way home we took a grab (taxi). And that took less than a half hour and only cost about a dollar more!
The sisters did a great job cleaning! We expected nothing less! Sisters Polsan and Brooks!
We love our missionaries!
Time to celebrate with some yummy pizza! This was New York style pizza! The owner is from NYC!
We were hungry and it hit the spot!
I don't know how well you can see this last picture, but I love these challenges given by our mission leaders and our young missionaries at the Christmas Zone Conference. These are some great ideas for New Year's Resolutions! I just had to share them.
And with that I bid you goodbye, for now! And we wish you a very Happy New Year!
Thanks for reading!
We love you!
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