Mark in Ireland

Mark has been traveling quite a bit.  The week before we went to Thailand he was in Guadalajara Mexico then we were in Thailand for three weeks.  almost as soon as we got back from Thailand we went to Hilton head Island to celebrate Thanksgiving with my parents. Then the very next week Mark had to fly out to Ireland where he would be gone yet another week. Mark was gone for an entire month minus a few days.

Unfortunate for Betsy the timing was not good with her surgery.  He was there for her surgery, but had to fly out the next  day and was gone the whole week.

Betsy missed him immensely - she had a hard time getting around, but she loves and supports Mark in his job and knows sometimes things just work out this way.

It was a great week to rely on the Lord for extra strength and to use creative thinking to problem solve unique problems related to crutches and not being able to carry anything.

Week 78 - Thanksgiving

Guys it's finally Christmas celebrating time!!! I'm so excited! I love the Christmas season on the mission, it is truly the best because we get to celebrate Christmas with an emphasis on CHRIST. Which is the real reason we celebrate Christmas! Also I think people are just a little nicer during Christmas time:)

Okay so great things happening this week:

We met this guy, he's 17 named Cameron and he has been going to seminary for a semester now and has some great LDS friends and so he told his parents that all he wants for Christmas this year is to be baptized...that's all he wants. And so his parents who aren't members and are pretty anti-Mormon actually agreed to let him finally. So already this week we are starting to have Christmas miracles!! Gary! Gary is so awesome like literally he is so prepared! He is still on date for the 16th and he said if they schedule him to work that day he will just quit his job. Wow the faith! I'm so excited for him! Alejandro came to church again all by himself, literally the best 9 year old I know! He is now on date for the 16th because his catholic mom wants to make sure he understands everything.

I went on two exchanges this week which was pretty fun. I've learned a lot this transfer as I've gone out with these sisters. A lot of them are struggling in the mission and so it's been cool to help them keep going and seeing their purpose here.

It was thanksgiving this week and that was just a blast. We went to the Bischoff’s family for thanksgiving and I just love that family! I have never eaten so much pie in my life. My fav was the pecan pie…so good!

We passed out a ton of Light the World cards this week. It's the Christmas initiative this year and it's about serving others and becoming more like Christ. To serve others in 25 ways over 25 days leading up to Christmas, pretty cool! I am just so grateful for my savior Jesus Christ who has literally given me everything, and everyday I have the chance to give him something back by serving the people here. It's the most joyful feeling.

Sister Lowe

1-3. Thanksgiving

4. Christmas lights for our door!!!

5. #LightTheWorld

Betsy has knee Surgery

On Monday, November 27, 2017 Betsy had to have surgery on her left knee for a meniscus tear.  Unfortunately, Betsy's doctor was very late to her surgery - 4 hours!!!!  Then she did the operation in 8 minutes - what???  We found out that there was a lot of arthritis and patella condomalaisia. They shaved the arthritis from behind the knee cap.  Little did we know at that time it was going to take so long to heal.

Then, Mark left for Ireland the very next day!!!  Betsy had to sleep on the couch for a week; Jasper was her little buddy.  Betsy was on crutches so it was super hard to manage the stairs, etc.  

It was a long week.  There were good days and bad moments.  After 10 days Betsy went back for a follow up appointment.  They were able to remove the strips - they assigned me to PT.  They also approved my trip to ski in Utah.

Before

After

Marissa's Testimony at Thanksgiving

HAPPY (late) THANKSGIVING!
# 1 The person I am thankful for most is my Savior Jesus Christ. He is everything to me. My goal each day is to become more like him. And although I have so many flaws and imperfections, I stand all amazed by the love He offers me. 

 # 2 I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon in my life. It truly is another testament of Jesus Christ in every page I turn and every word I read. It answers so many of my questions and brings me so much joy and peace.

# 3 I am so so so grateful to to be a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and especially to be here in the Logan Utah Mission. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ has been the best choice I have ever made and has changed me for the better. Christ truly has changed my heart.
"My joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God." Alma 26:11-12

Knee Surgery

On Monday, November 27, 2017 Betsy had to have knee surgery done on her left knee for a torn meniscus that was actually torn in two places. Betty had to be there by 11 AM. However her doctor didn’t show up till 4 PM for the surgery.  When Dr. Grossfeld got  Betsy into surgery, after Betsy had waited four hours for her to show up, Dr. Grossfeld found arthritis behind the kneecap and also in the knee joint itself. She shaved off the unstable arthritis.

Betsy was able to go home that very day but because of the stairs she slept on the couch for the duration of the process of healing her knee. Unfortunately the very next morning Mark had to leave for Ireland and he was going to be gone for a week. Betsy was on her own to fend for self while on crutches and needing constant ice packs.  

It turned out to be a much longer recovery than anyone expected. Because of the arthritis it took three months for Betsy’s knee to heal and for her to be without too much pain. She had not expected this for Christmas or for the ski trip in Utah or for taking her new job.

Thanksgiving at Hilton Head Island

Harbor Point - beautiful view

We are crazy!  After two weeks in Thailand and a 24 hour flight back to Louisville, we decided to spend Thanksgiving with my dad and Alison at Sea Pines in Hilton Head Island, SC.  It was an 11 hour drive on Wednesday!

We arrived in Sea Pines around 6:00 PM.  My parents met us at the gate and escorted us to their condo - as always!

I love going to Hilton Head Island.  It has become a tradition for me.  I love the smell of the ocean, and the gentle sea breeze that is always there.

Dad and Alison talked to Mark and me about his retirement, and also about his will and trust.  He plans to spend all of his liquid assets, but leave the tangible stuff to the kids and grand kids.  He had specific ideas of who should receive certain items.  Devon is to get DIRK - the Rover.  Jessica the baby rocking chair.  The steins are to be divided, the bed furniture has to stay in the family, etc.
He gave me a list and emailed it to me as well. He also stated he wished for himself and for Alison to be cremated and have his ashes spread out - he didn't care where.  We suggested Arizona, Toledo, or Lakeside.  He liked the idea of Lakeside.

I will keep a folder to keep a record of his wishes and desires.

Alison is losing her memory.  She remembers things from the past, but cannot remember conversation from five minutes prior.   Dad is very concerned about her health.  Dad said that if she died before he did, he would come to live with me - WHAAT!  I don't think that will happen.

The first night there we ate our traditional dinner at the Crab Shack right at Harbor Point!  My favorite!  I ordered crab!  Delicious!!!

The next day I started the day with a pleasant job, then we all toured the island and beaches in dad's rented convertible.  We also played games at the condo.  The weather did not cooperate as much as usual.

For Thanksgiving dinner we ate at a very fancy restaurant right in Harbor Town.

We left Saturday morning!  IT was a long drive back home!  It was good to be home!  Next up, Betsy's surgery on Monday!

Beautiful view

Back to Bangkok, Thailand and Ayutthaya, Thailand - Time with Sathit

And now for the moment we have all been waiting for.  Mark will be reunited with Sathit, his investigator from 33 years ago.  We we took the morning flight from Chaing Mai to Bangkok.  Took or stuff to the hotel and then took a taxi to the church building.  We found it after the taxi driver passed it.  

We walked into church a few minutes late.  I got a translator, but Mark didn't need one.  I had felt all along that Sathit might ask Mark to speak since it was Stake Conference, and Sathit was the Stake President.  Sure enough, after Sathit had spoken, she started to wrap up by saying he has been so blessed by having the gospel of Jesus Christ in his life and that he owes all of that to the two missionaries that taught him, and one is here today.  Then he invited Mark to come up to the podium and speak.  Mark spoke in Thai for several minutes.  It was so touching.

After church, the Larsen's - they were sitting behind me - said that Mark was his MTC teacher in Thai.  What a small world.

Mark with Brother and Sister Larsen

 Mark wasn't sure if sister Jiap would come - he invited her via Facebook.  SHE CAME!!!!  With her husband!

Sister Jiap and her husband with Mark and I

THE REUNION!!!
Sister Jiap (and her husband), Mark (and me), Sathit and his wife and her sister

NOW!  Reunited

Mark, me, Sathit, Sister Jiap, and President Johnson who also served his mission in Thailand when Mark was a missionary

Mark with Ken's convert

He and his family - missing a few.  He married Sissy and they had eight children.

The stud missionaries on P-day

 After church we went back to the hotel, changed and went for a walk to try to find Mark's first apartment.  While on the walk it started to rain.  Within minutes the streets were flooded because there is no where for the water to go.

We aren't sure but we think this is where his first apartment was in Thailand

The next day we went on an adventure with Sathit and his wife.  He took the day off work to do this with us.

Mark and I rode the train to meet Sathit and his wife

Rice fields

Too funny - we ran into the missionaries while they were on P-day

The king's summer palace.  Which used to be the palace

That night we had dinner with Sister Jiap, her husband, Sathit and his wife.  IT was such a great time to see Mark together, talking the language and reliving the glory of his missionary days in the country he fell in love with.

fish in the bathroom

The next day we flew back to America - Thailand we miss you.