Thailand Letter
October 5, 1997
Bangkok, Thailand
Dearest Family,
Bob - VIRGINIA AND I THANK YOU MILLIONS AND MILLIONS!!! We have been sitting at the computer reading the conference talks you sent and we can't believe what you have done. We have tried to figure out the events of conference as they happen with the time difference and they announced in church yesterday that the next three Sundays they would have the tapes of the conference and we already have the talks - we feel richly blessed and appreciate you so very much!!! The ward we were in yesterday will have the tapes but the little Branch we attend probably won't have them. I know there will be more talks but the ones you sent were from my favorite speakers.
After reading the talks I think the theme of the conference must have been "fellowshipping" - is that right? President Hinckley surely does express his feelings in a way that normal people can understand them - has the press been saying he doesn't understand the doctrines of the church? Virginia was happy to read Elder Hale's talk - her sister Mary had called her to tell her he would be speaking in the Saturday afternoon session. I loved Elder Maxwell's talk and he was always a favorite with Daddy. I don't remember who said it but I loved the one that spoke of "not letting bitter things make you bitter" and "it is easier to overcome the big challenges than it is to cope with the smaller ones". I also loved Elder Packer's talk. We will read and re-read them many many times. I couldn't believe you could send all of them - did you do all that typing? I was also thrilled to hear about the smaller temples being built in places where the membership of the church is small. My heart goes out to the people here in Bangkok - they save, save and sacrifice so they can go to the Philippine Temple. Temples will help so much in the fellowshipping part too - we learned that the retention rate of baptism activity here is only 12 percent.
Bob - thank you SO MUCH for the pictures you have sent too. I LOVED the one of you on the couch and I LOVE your glasses - they make you look so dignified!!! You also look SO much like your Dad!!! I love the one of the grandchildren too and also Brett and Martha's little boy - I can't believe he is that big already. Claire - thank you so much for your letter. I tried to write last night but our power was off. We left here about 7:30 a.m. to go to the Asoke Ward to attend their meetings and then stay for the "Teacher's Seminar" and didn't get home until about 5 p.m. It was Fast Sunday so we were starved and tired. We ate and then went to bed and we both went to sleep. I awakened about 7 p.m. and was working on the computer to try to access the news numbers Bob had sent when the power went off. It came on in about 20 minutes so I tried again. Then, it went off again and after waiting for about an hour I decided to go back to bed - it was pitch black outside and raining. I don't know when Virginia got up but it was a strange night. The water also went off - I washed my face with tooth brushing water - Ha!!! We are happy to have this week free for preparation!!!
One of the couples serving with us has been transferred to a University in the northern part of Thailand. They will live on the campus and work with University students. The man is a former University Professor and he has had a difficult time dealing with elementary students - he said he hasn't been in an elementary school since 1957. They are sending two single sisters to replace them - it will be interesting to meet them and learn where they are from. They also announced yesterday that they will send people from BYU sometime to give us more training - I don't know when. Virginia and I are doing great - some of the teachers are getting discouraged.
President Goodman spoke to us yesterday - I am VERY impressed with him. He started his talk yesterday by saying "I know I am young, but I am not foolish". He speaks very fluent Thai and they tell us he is a computer whiz. The lady from the BMA was with us yesterday and I wondered how he was going to give a spiritual talk but he did very well and he kept saying "The Lord loves everyone". This lady is a very strong Buddhist.
I will have nightmares for the rest of my time here if I don't find a man from whom I bought a little table on Saturday. Virginia had gone into town and I was sweeping our front porch (?) and this man came by selling a table that is just perfect for our living room. He didn't speak one word of English and when I asked him how much he didn't answer. I have bought a little calculator so I came in the house to get it. He punched 400 on it and I said, "400 Bahts" and he shook his head, yes. I came in to get it and I only had 300 and some change. I also had a 1,000 bill but I knew he wouldn't have change. He took the 300 plus and I took the table. It is worth the 1,000 and I feel REALLY bad!!! The 300 bahts in American money would be $15.00 and it is well made with two shelves and a Formica top.
I love you all so very, very much and THANKS AGAIN BOB FOR EVERYTHING. Grandma B