TBM - Thailand Update

Hi All! We're sure loving it here in Thailand.  Church today was interesting being the only ones who don't speak Thai.  One of the Zone Leaders translated for us.  We want to learn more Thai so we can tell what's going on and communicate a little better.  We were able to sing along in Thai this time as we now have the Romanized songbook.  Singing hymns is delightful because the tempo for most of the hymns is a little slower than regular speech so it's easier to follow. It's hard to describe the happiness and joy we feel each day, just being a part of missionary work in Thailand.  President Hansen briefed me this week on the mission's upcoming plans to begin proselyting soon in Myanmar (Burma).  I read the 'Red Handbook' this week which described the growth of the Church in Thailand from the very beginning in the late 1960s.  I wondered what it would have been like for those first missionaries that came from Hong Kong and didn't speak a lick of Thai.  It's exciting to think that the book is yet to be written for Myanmar.  We may know personally the Elders that are blessed with the opportunity to be the first ones to open a new country.  This prophecy is literally being fulfilled in our day.  How blessed and fortunate we are that we can be part of it. 2  The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 65:2) I appreciated the talks in Conference that were a tribute to Joseph Smith and his divine calling.  Truly he could see our day and beyond.  We live in exciting times indeed! Now for the fun part. The pineapples here are the bomb!  I don't know why we import pineapple from Hawaii.  They grow a different variety here and it's unbelievably sweet and good.  Plus you can get a whole pineapple for about 50 cents. Saturday (P-Day) we took a two hour train ride North of Bangkok to Lopburi to see the monkeys.  I think I know why the Thai economy is in trouble.  Our train ticket was only $2.50 roundtrip! I'm going to put some pictures in to dress this up.  Besides, words cannot adequately describe what we found there. Here we are at the train station.  Do you think there might be some monkeys in Lopburi? This little guy decided he wanted Teena's water bottle more than she did! The monkeys have pretty much taken over this town.  Notice the bars and screens on all the buildings to keep the monkeys OUT! Most of them live in an ancient Buddhist Wat.  This guy is happy to see us! They like to take things from you.  After Teena lost her water bottle, she almost lost her sunglasses. They must think that Elder Thielet needs a haircut.  These monkeys are not in a cage.  They're outside.  We're in the cage feeding them! This little guy was particularly friendly to Elder Holley. What's this?  A Restoration brochure? I guess this gives new meaning to 'Preach the Gospel to every Creature'. Hope you're all well. Elder and Sister Lindorf