A Thai Birthday/Christmas

    

     It's been a really fun past few days here in Thailand. I got to Skype my family, which was lots of fun, and what made it even better is that it was at my Grandparent's house, and I got to talk to my extended family as well.  One of the things I was missing most about Christmas is tasting my Grandma's peanut brittle. And guess what I got in the mail from my awesome Grandma and Grandpa Brinkerhoff? That's right, peanut brittle and a ton of other candy.

     I got to run for like 18 minutes last week, and it felt amazing to be running again, but the problem is that my endurance is pretty much gone, and I was wiped out at the end. 

     There's been a mice problem at our church, and some of the members put out sticky traps. We caught two mice, and let's just say they met a horrible fate.

     One of the church members offered me a snack and I ate it, thinking it was dried banana chips. It didn't taste that good, and later I found out it was dried chicken skin. Yum. 

A Birthday in Thailand

   

I turned 19 last Friday, and I had a fun birthday. Elder Cecil and I went to visit a church member who owned a street food restaurant, and Elder Cecil told her that it was my birthday. She smiled and made us Thai snow cones for free. Another woman there, who was also a member, gave me a santa ornament and gave us a ton of cookies.  Some of the members, also gave me some gifts, like birthday sunglasses. Another member gave me a hat that said "Classy Snob." She knew what classy meant, but not what snob meant. 

     The Larsons also took us to dinner at an American themed burger joint, and my mom sent me some sweet gifts. One of which was a little lego toy. I used to get legos all the time as a kid, and I happily built it that night, remembering the good times I had building legos as a kid. My mom knows how to give the best gifts.

     

That night, the mission president gave me a birthday call. At first I thought I was in huge trouble, usually missionaries don't get phone calls from the President himself. 

Christmas in Thailand

     Despite the fact that nobody really celebrates Christmas here, it was a memorable Christmas. Lots of church members, and us missionaries went Caroling to numerous homes, every night for the last few days. It was loads of fun.

     We had a Christmas party as a church as well. For a congregation of about 40-50, they threw a really fun party. We had an awesome Nativity scene, and the people who created the nativity set are amazing artists. Afterwards, we had dinner and a talent show. We performed a song, others sang, and others danced. But my all time favorite performance was Pawbresai:  picture a really old Thai man who is about five feet tall, and talks quietly. Well, he decided to dance and sing for us. He even had an outfit picked out too, and he had sunglasses and a really sweet fedora on. He danced for a few minutes, and then we decided to be his backup dancers. Then he sang for a solid six minutes, and we kind of had to pull him off the stage. 

     We had an hour of Church, and then we got to spend Christmas at the Larsons'. I am very glad I am able to serve with them, they spoil us. We had a really good Christmas snacks, and I opened the gifts that my family sent me. We then visited numerous Church members and wished them a Merry Christmas. Later we went to their apartment and played some fun games, ate American food that Sister Larson prepared for us, and had a great time. 

     I had an awesome Christmas. Despite not many people celebrating it, it was fun to see all the church members come together. I had so much fun with them. 

The End of Surin?

     Transfers are this week, and there's a good chance that I will get transferred out. I could be on the other side of Thailand or in Bangkok, or maybe I will stay in Surin. I guess I will see what happens. 

I Love you all,

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

-Elder Brinkerhoff ​