District leader and new companion

Hello Everyone

Well This week was not what I was thinking it was going to be. First I will say I have not yet moved areas. That puts me four moves in Lop Buri and four moves in Sakon Nakon. Well I'll start with Monday. We went back and taught Joe and Meow( This is a different person). They are a sweet family. We went back and had their kids join in on the lesson this time. We asked Meow who is mom to explain prayer. She did wonderfully and added something that impressed me a lot. She said to her kids,"We are going to try out what they teach us AS A FAMILY because it is important to do things like this AS A FAMILY. If in the end its not right for us we at least tried it AS A FAMILY ( the Caps are added by me)". Anyway, it was really sweet. They said they were going to try to go to church this week but couldn't make it at the last minute. That's alright for now. We will teach them again next week.

Well Wednesday turned out to be a stressful day for everyone in the mission. Let me explain. So I first recieved a phone call in the morning. To my surprise it was President Smith. He told me that he had taken interest in the letters that I sent the last few weeks. I have been asking to stay in Sakon Nakon for one more moves. He told me he was willing to grant that request and that he was going to up my responsibilities by making me District leader. At this point I almost fell off my bike. Anyway I told him that I would be happy to accept the calling. He then told me that I would have to go to moves meeting for some training that was to be held Friday night. Take note of that last information.

So we learned from that call that Elder Jolley would be moving and me staying (woot woot). Well Elder Jolley and I decided to celebrate the normal way that we celebrate here which is to order two large pizzas and be filled. After that we returned home and studied. In study the Zone Leaders called and confirmed our knowledge that Elder Jolley was moving and I was staying.

After study we went to go check the bus times. It was about 5pm and that's when the last bus leaves. So we took note and started to head off to invite. As we were heading to the area that we were planning to talk to people, the Zone leaders called again and told us that plans had changed. They wanted us to leave for Udorn, where we would take a train or bus down to Bangkok, right away. We thought they were kidding at first because Elder Jolley hadn't even thought about packing yet. Much to our dismay they said that they weren't and moves meeting had been moved a day in advance. So because there were no buses leaving in that direction until the morning we had to hire a taxi AKA someone with a pick up truck who ask us for 3000 baht or about 90 dollars give or take, to go. We had no other choice so we took it.

We left Sakon after Elder Jolley packed about 7:30 and got to Udorn about 9:30 which was making really good time, at least we got something for the price. From there we hung out in the Udorn Elder's house until 3am when we hopped on our bikes and went to the bus station, where a bus that the church had paid for would pick us up and take us down to Bangkok.
It was a really nice double-decker bus that came with massage seats. Needless to say however I did not sleep very well. We stopped on the way down at some other cities to pick up other missionaries.

At about 12 we got to Pakkret were the meeting was held. Those who were renewing visas hopped on another bus, the rest of us stayed at the church and ate a good Thai meal that was provided by the members there. At night the new missionaries arrived with President and Sister Smith. And the moves meeting began. ELder Jolley got a new companion and I ashamed to admit it but I have no idea where he moved to. My new Junior companion is Elder Peacock. He is a pretty sweet guy. I'm way excited to work with him. He is from Orem, Utah.

After that I went into a training meeting and met some of the other members in my group as well, where we were trained by one of the Assistants to the President and a Zone Leader about the responsibilities and other things that the District leaders are supposed to do.

After that it was a mad dash to fit all the luggage and bikes and other things back onto the bus and hop on and return.

I'm way excited for this moves. Things have already started to move. We taught a new family the first day that we were back who are way sweet. Yesterday we had the most people come to church that I have ever seen for a long time. About 54 people showed up. And we were able to set up some new appointments with other families the next few days.

I definitely agree with that article that you sent. That is one of the things that Elder Ito, my trainer, taught me a lot. Everyone has been blessed with different talent and gifts. Then the Lord places us in the right place with the right person in the right circumstances. Then if we are following the commandments and keeping our covenants, we will do the things that the Lord has prepared us to do in this life and time.

I got the package that you sent mom. Thank you for the food as well. I love pudding! I am way impressed with the few talks that I have read in the conference talks so far. I really like Elders Packer's where he literally calls every priesthood holder. Those here are tired, lazy, fallen away, and those who are active and fulfilling their callings to step up and increase the power of the priesthood of the Lord upon the world.

You don't need to send any more deodorant for a little bit. I still have 3 sticks that I haven't used yet but thank you for the concern.

Sounds like Dad and Connor are having a good time and can understand my situation when I first got here a little bit, lol.

The rain, well it comes and goes. Sometimes it comes down way hard for all night. and sometimes hard for just a few minutes, but it always comes down hard I have noticed. So we normally try to find cover if it starts raining and we are not in a rush.

Ok my time is up

It's been a crazy week, and its only going to get better.

I love you all

Elder Brandon John Holt