October 31, 2011

The Open House for the new meeting house was great. During the VIP Session there were 139 people that attended the presentation. In the afternoon there were over 1000 participants there. It was a wonderful day! Many members and nonmembers from the community and from far away came to see the new church building. Some of the people that attended were the Deputy Director General of the Social Development and Welfare Services, the Vice Governor of Nonthaburi, Khun Suchanee Seangsuwan, the head of the PR of the Social Development and Dr Somyot Seangsuwan and almost 20 of friends showed up. We had many business leaders, goverment officials, Lion Club and Rotary Club members who were very impressed learning about the Church’s FHE program, young men/women program, primary and Relief Society programs.

On proselyting, we are currently working with the Elders whom are teaching five investigators. Just last Sunday, Sister Nitaya Paracheap, 43 years old was baptized. We continue to work with the young missionaries to teach the gospel and we love it. We love how they utilize us. In some weeks we get to participate in their DL meetings and share with them examples that helped us in the Gospel.

We have also been going out in the evening to look for families to teach the gospel. They’re many people waiting for us. During the Open House, there was a couple that came to us. One was a business man, 57 years old and his wife. They came and talked to us and seemed very interested in learning more. We have been trying to set a date to meet him to start the missionary lessons. He said he would bring his family to listen to us and Elders. He enjoyed the program at booths on that day and was intrigued. The Spirit was there to testify that what we were sharing was something that they should listen to.

Elder Seangsuwan responsible for ensuring the meetings with the Mission Presidency happen each month. I have been making the agenda and reports for the meeting to keep track of what everybody should be doing. He has also been called to be a member of the high council and has been assigned to oversee the missionary work in the Bangkok North district. We are now planning to run the training programs to ward/branch mission leaders to work as a team with the full-time missionaries and get more involved. It will be on November 19 and we have a lot of work to do. We are also coordinating the presentations at the Services Center to ensure that the leaders understand what things need to be done for the community and people. The leaders and members of the Church should know what the function is of the Services Center.

Another task that we have been given that has kept us busy is typing many letters in Thai for the Mission President to send out to the leaders. He is instructing them how to make reports, how to do the Branch history for the Church and how to run the budget the correct way. “Rescue One By One” is another project that we have to follow up with. Each District and Branch planned an event and we now need to follow up how much they have done.

We recently heard some very exciting news! Many members would like to have an LDS Temple in Thailand. They know that only wanting is not enough. They must work and take action and work hard, as well as be full tithe payers. We have also been instructed to fellowship and work hard to keep our members active in the Church. They have given the members a plan to work towards and we are all very excited.

We love to serve the Lord in our Native country. We are very excited for General Conference and to hear the inspiring words and revelations from or Prophet. We love our family and ward family back home!

Love you all,
Elder and Sister Seangsuwan