10-21-18 Roi Et

Hey hey there Dad!

So this last week has been pretty tiring for sure. But lots of fun!

We just had an Elder come back from his mission this past week (meaning back to Roi-Et because he is Thai.) His name is Farm and he is way cool. Served in Australia so it is fun to be able to speak with him.

We also had a crazy Tuesday. We had a meeting called จบ'ers meeting (Jober's Meeting). President and Sister Hammond gave us a very very good overview of preparing for life after our missions. Schooling, work, and the whole bit. Lots of it. Way fun, but kind of sad. All of these missionaries about to go home. But it was fun and it was good. Except for the two night buses. I barely had any sleep for several days. We did some advanced switching off with different missionaries to get all the people down but keep as many missionaries in their areas as possible. So that was fun as well. Like a weird puzzle game except it was real life.

We also did interviews and that was way good. Also had to renew my temple recommend and that was a great experience. All mission presidents are great I feel like.

Otherwise, the rest of the week was hard work, lack of sleep and hard work! That's what life is like. Also we had to do a baptismal interview and those are always fun. There's a lot of listening to the Spirit. A lot of follow up questions. But you know when they are ready.

The Spirit will tell us all things which we should do. One thing that I learned this past week was about virtue. Not about being clean morally or anything like that, but keeping your mind disciplined. Sing a hymn, or memorize a scripture, but you can control the theater of your mind. Remember the scripture: "Look unto me in every thought. Doubt not, fear not." (ค.พ. ๖​:๓๖)

I know that as we center our lives on the Savior all of our fears will melt away. Love you lots! Talk to you soon!

-Elder Collin Decker

10-14-18 Roi Et

Hey hey there!

So this last week was way way busy. But way fun!

Last P-Day we went to the mountains and explored there. We went to a cool temple up in the mountains, and it was way big and way pretty. However, when we were walking back down, I decided to attempt at a triple heel click off some steps and... I fell. I also rolled my ankle 555. So now it's just a joke with the entire district now: "Do a triple heel click!" Needless to say I was in pain for a couple days... 555 But we then hiked to see a waterfall which was fun. Also ate lunch on a house boat thing so that was actually fun. Played Uno with our one of our favorite members: Brother ปอ. Got us back on time as well!

After that, we proselyted in the evening in of which Brother ปอ took us to go see a Less Active member who invited us to their house for a lesson basically. We ended up finding out that her family was a part member family and that she wanted to come back to church as well. Taught her sister. Way good. She is also way awesome at teaching so I look forward to working with her more.

We also had Zone Conference this week! That took a lot of planning and time to do with the Sister Training Leaders. But it ended up going well, so I was happy. We ended up training on Goal Setting and Planning, something I'm still not perfect act, but it was a good training for me and everyone else who listened I feel like. The missionaries in this Zone are way awesome. I love all of them. We had hamburgers and macaroni for lunch, with Roti and Ice cream for dessert, some chips, and a lot of soda. We also had to coordinate the interviews and pick up President at the airport. Handed out a Book of Mormon at the airport in 101 (Roi-Et) as well.

Also watched General Conference this past weekend. Way way good. I especially loved Elder Holland's talk about forgiving. Let us never hold on to grudges.

One thought I would like to leave is this:

The Spirit shall tell us all things which we should do. That is the doctrine taught in 2 Nephi 32. The Words of Christ as well as The Spirit, which are the Words of Christ in an extended thinking sort of way. The scriptures use the words "all". The Spirit doesn't just say some things, or most of the things but you're on your own for the rest, but it says all. Never forget to rely on the Spirit. It really will tell us all things that we should do if we live close to it. If we ever feel like we are lacking guidance from the Spirit, maybe a little self-reflection is necessary. Or, perhaps follow the counsel giving in the ninth section of the Doctrine and Covenants. Remember that the advice from that section says we need to come to the Lord with a solution and then ask. Only then shall we receive an answer through the Spirit.

I hope everyone is doing great, and I'll talk to you soon! Love you lots!

- เอ็ลเดอร์ เดคเคอร์

10-7-18 Roi Et

Hey hey there!

First and foremost: For the fourth time in my mission, I have not watched general conference yet. So, there's that. 

Anyways, this last week was way crazy! We had a switch off with the Sisaket Elders on Wednesday and then Thursday. Then on Thursday we sent them back and we went down to Ubon for switch offs. It was way fun! I got to play volleyball as well, so everything is well...555

Being in Roi Et is way fun though. All the members here are so nice. It's a lot of fun everyday. Also they sell fake Yugioh Cards here for way cheap so... There's that.

No matter what we are doing, nothing can be more important than the work of the Lord. We go to church to improve and be more Christlike and read and pray to do so as well. 

General Conference as well! Please everyone carefully consider the messages the Prophet and the Apostles will share with us. They really are from God. I know it. That's what I do everyday out here, with people who people who barely know Christ. I know He lives. I know that all will be well as we follow Him. 

Talk to you soon! Love you! 

9-30-18 Roi Et

Hey there Dad!

So this last week was way way way slow. 

We had to go to MLC this last week. It was way fun but we couldn't get a plane down or back so we had to take a 9 hour bus ride to Asoke for the meeting. Got there at 5 in the morning. Barely slept. Got there just in time to play basketball and then kicked off of the court. Then meetings all the way until 1 in the afternoon. Way good. The temple is coming way soon and we're way excited.

Then we saw my RC and Elder Duncan's RC in Bang Naa/Samut Prakaan. It was way fun and finally got to say a proper goodbye to my RC and her mom. Way good.

After that was the long bus ride of torture back home where we got a total of about 5 hours of sleep. Then worked and did weekly planning. Really hard to work this week. 

Friday we also had switch offs and I went to Mahasarakham with Elder Denny who is in the one group after me. It was a solid day but he had just got back from Asoke at 3 in the morning. We played sports and had a good day. He's great and hard working. I love the branch as well.

I stayed the night and then we had a sports day on Saturday between Roi Et and Mahasarakham where we had the hardest tug of war in my life. And also played volleyball. Way fun.

Then we had Sunday where we found a family to teach!

Anyways, not much for this week. Its way fun out here. My bike broke and lots of pillow talking. Anyways, love you lots! Just going to leave this here: 

Fear not, I am with thee Oh be not dismayed. For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen me help thee and cause thee to stand. Upheld by my righteous Omnipotent Hand. (How Firm a Foundation)

The Lord is always with us. 

Love you! Talk you soon!

9-23-18 Roi Et

Hey hey there Dad!

So I'm actually at a computer right now. With nice mechanical keyboards. You can ask Kai what that means if you don't know what I'm talking about. It's way nice, the monitors are curved and I see rainbows like everywhere which is electronic.

These last couple of days have been... difficult, to say the least. Getting used to a new area and getting used to riding my bike again. I found out that my brakes didn't work so... I had to use my feet to brake for a day. Way fun. Also packing all my stuff was really hard so I definitely need to buy one more suitcase before I go home. The mission does allow two checked suitcases so... I think I'll be fine.

We went out and visited a lot of members over the last week, starting from the last Monday which had passed. I really didn't think that I would be moving but... I did. That was a surprising phone call because we were in a lesson with one of my Recent Converts there. She told me to answer it and it was from President Hammond. Then he called me to be a Zone Leader. Then I was scared, surprised, and a little bit sad. Even though I requested it! Oh well. That just proves that the Lord's hand is in this because I feel that I gave pretty compelling reasons to stay. But, the Lord has called me, as President and the Assistants to the President expressed. So, there's that.

The hardest part about leaving Samut Prakaan was definitely leaving the family of investigators and my one RC as well. They were so good to us, and I really loved them. I just want them all to be happy, to all go to the temple and be a family together forever. But their time hasn't come quite yet, but it will, I hope. I still pray for that everyday. 

Also praying that I will have some idea of what I am doing here... and how to help lead. However, we must remember these principles:

6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.  

It's true! Small and simple and things are what we need. We need to do the small and simple things to lead to our exaltation. However, we also need to remember that no matter how small you think you are, you can bring great things to come to pass. 

I know that this work is true, and that it never ends, no matter where you are. Keep up the good fight! Love you all!

P.S. I can't type in Thai on a computer.

- Elder Collin Decker

9-19-18 Roi Et Transfers

Hey there Dad! 

So you already know the story. I'm moving to the good old 101. Also called Roi-Et. It's going to be way fun.

This last week was interesting. We did a lot of service to help out our RC's family so we think we're getting a lot closer to them. Life is good, and hard, but pretty good.

Anyways, sorry we just got a quiet minute to sit down, but I'll try to get a better one out next week.

All I want to leave is this: 

The Lord answers our prayers.

Love you! Send another next week!

9-10-18 Samut Sakhon

Hey dad just tell everyone that nothing really happened over the last 4 days so there wasn't really much to write home about.... thank you! Love you!

Hey hey there!

Sorry​ for getting back late... But here it is!

So not much happened this last week. We went out to a different province. Then it rained...​All day. So we weren't able to do very much. But we took some fun pictures! I'll try to get those up later but... You should already have some! Then it flooded there right after we left so... We were lucky!

We had District Council. That was fun. We played a game called hot seat where basically the district nails you with any question for 1 minute. It was fun.

Otherwise it was a good working week. We have a couple progressing investigators. One is getting close to getting a date but she still hasn't got an answer yet from her prayers so we're waiting on that.

We had switch offs with the Zone Leaders the other day. It was way fun but it rained.... Hard... All day. So needless to say it was a little difficult to invite... But we did. And walked through dirty street water. It was fun! We also met a really cool guy who might want to learn so it will be great for them. 

Not a ton at church... Our international model investigator is going back to Singapore... 😅 So that's sad but it will be ok 👌. 

Otherwise, not much to report! The Asia Area President will be coming to do a Mission Tour so we will be receiving training from him. 

Anyways, the only thing that I've learned this week:

"Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.

   2 For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.

   3 And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed.

   4 And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days.

   5 And they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them." (D&C 1:1-5)

Do​ we have eyes to see and ears to hear right now? Or will we wait until the judgment day?

Are we willing to see things the Lord's way, or our way? Hear the things He has prepared for us, or hear the voice of the world? Let us open our eyes, that we may see, and open our ears, to hear and see the things which the Lord would have us know and see and experience. Pray and study the scriptures and we take a big step, as well as partaking of the Sacrament. 

Love you lots! Talk to you soon!