The Weather Isn't Frightful, But Delightful!

     While many of you are in frightful weather, somehow the weather here in Thailand is very delightful. The last few weeks it's been like Florida/California weather! I'm dreading hot season in a few months though.

     We went to visit Brother Mnoon, the mortician, and while we were waiting outside of the front desk window, Elder Cecil noticed a small calendar with a racy photo of a woman on it. He pulled out one of his small Jesus pamphlets, and put a paper clip over the photo. Genius.

Shoutout to my awesome mom who sent me awesome bike lights.

     Elder Cecil and I got to do a switch-off with the Elders in Burriram for a day. It was really fun, and Burriram was a lot bigger than Surin. Elder O (he has a long last name) was my companion for the day, and we got to visit a few people. We visited one member, who lived in poor living conditions. But when I walked into her small house (it was more like a basement), I looked on the wall and it was covered in church photos: Biblical and Book of Mormon paintings, photos of temples, and other works of art. It was
amazing, and in the center of all that was a large
photo of Christ. Amazing. They also played basketball with Elder Cecil and me. We recruited some Thai teenagers to play with us. It was fun. 

     Last Sunday we woke up to having two sparrows in our house. That was an adventure.

     Last Sunday, us four elders and the Larsons went and visited a few church members who aren't able to attend church. We sang a few Christmas songs and church hymns to them, and it was amazing to see them light up. 

     That basically sums up the week! Also, the Larsons sent me photos they have taken of me riding elephants.

     I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas. I don't remember much of what I got for Christmas in the past, but I do remember the great feelings of Christmas. One of the Christmas memories I am most fond of was when I was a kid in Utah, and when my family would drive to our grandparent's house for Christmas eve. It was always quiet and peaceful out, the snow falling, and Christmas lights glowing at nearly every house. I miss that. 

     Remember Christ and his sacrifice for us. As I have been here on this mission, my appreciation for Christ and how he sacrificed his life for us means a lot more to me. I hope you can have a greater appreciation for that as well.

     Have yourself a Merry Christmas,

     Yours truly,

     Elder Brinkerhoff