April = Thai New Year = Songkran!!!

April is the hottest month of the year here and although it is living up to it's reputation of heat and humidity, I don't seem to be as bothered by it as I was the first time I served here in Thailand.  I thought maybe my body is adjusting to the climate, but then I realized it is probably due to the fact that I am in an air-conditioned building most of the day and an air-conditioned apartment the rest of the time!!! April was a busy month!! We had Zone Conference, then it was Songkran (Thai New Year) which is a big 3 day celebration with big neighborhood water fights!  If you venture out anywhere you will most likely get soaking wet, but in this heat that is a plus!! I also gave my first health presentation to the new missionaries.  I didn't think it would take as long as it did,  and the poor newly arrived missionaries could hardly keep their eyes open.  Needless to say I did some revisions after that and cut the presentation in half!! Hopefully May's presentation will be more tolerable!!!  May is going to be a busy month as well.  I have been asked to attend the Young Single Adult Conference as the nurse.  I will still be available to the missionaries but will also be available to any of the young single adults attending the 3 day conference.  Our mission president will be there along with some of the other senior couples.  After the conference I will be going on a tour of the hospitals in the eastern part of Thailand with our Area Medical Advisor and his wife, to make sure the missionaries in that part of the country have access to good medical care.  The trip will also include a visit to Laos and Myanmar.  The biggest news though is that I received permission from the Mission President and the Area Presidency to go home in August for a week for Monica's wedding! I am so grateful for the opportunity!  I won't have to miss seeing my baby girl get married!! What a tender mercy from my Father in Heaven!!  We had tranfers about a week ago and our district leader finished his mission and went home.  I learned so much from him.  One thing he taught us was: 1. Find out Heavenly Father loves you.  2.  Find out you love Him.  3. Serve Him because of it.  I truly work with some amazing people. I am loving every moment!!!

 Caught up with Elder Hinkson from my home ward at Zone Conference. He is in Myanmar!

 Zone Conference

 Celebrating Song Kran!!!

 Went with the sisters to a member's house to eat during Songkran!! Soaking wet and painted!!!

"Spirit Houses"

 Escalators in one of the many tall malls in Bangkok

 So happy to find this!!!

 Visiting a member family to check on their handicapped son.  Such a sweet family!

 Don't get your wires crossed!!! 5555

 Working at the Service Center.  Elder and Sister Ricks and Sister Ann (PEF)  and myself (MNS)

 Elder and Sister Christensen (family history) and Elder and Sister Ellsworth (humanitarian)

 The Elders and Sisters in our District

 Our District

 The "backyard" of our apartment building

 The plaza next to our apartment building.  There is a farmer's market here every Tues/Thurs.

A reminder! "Feed My Sheep!!"