June 28, 2016

Elder Jesse Bundy and Elder Daybell have an exciting and busy week teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and working with the awesome Udorn Thailand Zone missionaries! 

Elder Jesse Bundy and Elder Daybell with the Udorn District missionaries sight-seeing on p-day.  They are on the Thailand side, but the river behind them marks the Thailand/Laos border.  The other side of that river is the country of Laos.

"Hey everyone!  This might be a short e-mail because I don't have very much time today, but I sent a ton of pictures......so, hopefully you'll forgive the lack of writing.  We got up way early this morning to come to Nong Kai.......I can look out the window right now and see the country of Laos!  Crazy, right?  We just stopped along our way to e-mail home, but we are on a tight schedule to get everything in today."

President Tiger and Jess.  He is the first counselor in the Mission Presidency and a great friend.

"I have had an AMAZING week!  Daybell and I re-doubled our efforts and really worked hard this past week.......it payed off and I had A BLAST!  Even though our good friend Charlie, the marathon runner from Kenya didn't get baptized this week, he along with several other investigators should hopefully be baptized next week!

Jesse with his good friend and member, Brother Jaruen.

Any prayers for these good people and continued prayers for us would be greatly appreciated..... That being said, this past week, we were blessed to teach 27 investigator lessons and added 17 new investigators to our teaching pool!"  

Elder Daybell, a new investigator and Jesse.

"After having that rough week two weeks ago, we knew we had to do something different than what we were doing.......something wasn't working.  The great successes we have had this week were mostly due to our turning our efforts to working more with the members in our area."  

Elder Jesse Bundy with missionaries in Udorn searching for new investigators to teach! hahaha

"We requested all of them to prepare 4 names of less active members, friends and/or families that they would be willing to make teaching appointments with for us to teach.  

Our investigator, Sister Mae with her member Grandma, Sister Jaom who gave us the referral!

"Every single day, we just experienced MIRACLE after MIRACLE!  I hope you don't get tired of hearing about how much I am loving my mission!!!"    

Jesse with Brother O, a member of the District Presidency, who helps us out A TON!  We are truly so grateful for this guy!

"To top it off, the conference I told you about last week was yesterday.  Elder Daybell and I planned everything......the meals, transportation for everyone, as well as schedules for everyone.   During the conference, Elder Daybell and I gave a 45 minute presentation.  We told them about asking the members to come up with teaching appointments.  Then we had our zone come up with activities we could use to show individual members how to share the gospel and how to get those referrals.....and, what we as a mission can do to build better trust with local members.  We roll played and I shared a couple of awesome scriptures.  I incorporated a child's book I found about a month ago called, 'Koala Does His Best' that worked perfectly with my message.....It all tied in really well with the AP's and President Johnson's message."  

Elder Jesse Bundy and Elder Daybell after finishing the training conference.

"When it was over, the Assistants and President Johnson told us we did a great job....it was a great relief, because we felt it was WAY solid.......it was just nice to get that kind of feedback from President Johnson......and, I have to admit, I really enjoyed it."

Jesse preparing to have fun, fun, FUN on p-day!

"We are on a tight schedule and I don't have much time left....but I am sending a ton of pictures!  Like I said, we have stopped along the way to our fun p-day activities to e-mail home.  So far, we have gone to a glass skywalk thing...those are all the pictures I'm sending where you can see Laos across the river......"

Jesse taking a few quiet moments to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

A beautiful view of the river that separates Thailand and Laos.

Elder Daybell and Jesse on the glass skywalk in Nong Kai.  Laos is pictured behind them.

Jesse's FAVORITE Thai dish, Khaosoi.....he says it's DELICIOUS!  He has really missed it since he has not had it since he was a 'greenie' missionary in Plok because it is a northern Thai dish.

Jesse in some random cave they toured......he wrote, "look at the imprint of that spider in stone!!! I HATE SPIDERS!!!  The ONLY part of my mission I could do without!!!!"

"I can't believe it's REUNION TIME again!  Man....time is flying by!  Tell everyone I miss 'em that I am LOVING my mission!  This was just some random cave we visited....lolol!  The next pictures are just random pictures I took yesterday and today.....hahaha"

Me in front of a restaurant.....hahaha!

And, 'my obsession continues with machines that look GOOD and go fast!  Hahaha'

Some day......'are you look'n at me?' hahaha

This tiger stands guard in front of a prison.....

This picture was taken at a temple....I have no idea what the bells they are carrying mean?

Yep......I can still do it! Hahaha.....

"Well momma!  I have to go, but you asked about my knee....and my rash.  Sadly, the rash is still an annoyance, but I will take your advice and get the cream on it...hahaha!  I think I am allergic to the detergent I've been using, but I also cut trees in my shorts for a member last week...so who knows?  My knee is GREAT!  Thanks for the prayers......."

"I LOVE YOU!  You are the best MOM EVER!!!!  Talk to you next week.....tell Dad and everyone that I love them and have fun at the reunion!"

Elder Jesse A. Bundy

June 20, 2016

Elder Jesse Bundy wishes his Dad a Happy Father's Day, enjoys meeting and teaching new investigators, gets a 'funky' rash and prepares for Zone Conference.  

  

My Dad.....Happy Father's Day!

"Before I get started telling you about this week, Happy Father's Day Dad!  You are the best!  I have spent my whole mission trying to acquire the traits that you have shown to me my whole life.  I am truly grateful that you are my Dad and that you live how you do! You are an AMAZING example to me and I think about you very often.  Thank you for your sacrifices, hard work, the great example you are and the choices you make.  It has set me up for my life!  You have taught me not only by words, but by example and in any situation, I think 1st, 'what would Jesus do,' as you taught me to do, but a close 2nd, I think, 'what would my Dad do?'  Both of those thoughts usually end very similarly.....If I don't think before and just do it, that's usually the Jake way...hahahaha.  I quote without fail almost every day, the familiar words that you always gave me when we were confusedly doing an errand for Mom that we didn't yet quite understand or particularly want to do, but always ended up finding out later how important it was, 'it's not ours to ask why, only to do or die.'  I have also very much appreciated your great advice, Dad.  I am loving my mission....thank you."
  

I LOVE YOU DAD!  Happy Father's Day!"

I love and appreciate my Dad!  The best advice he has given me for my mission was to WORK HARD, then PLAY HARD within the rules and at the appropriate time and place.  I am LOVING my mission in great part because of the advice and example my Dad set for me.

"Now......for this past week.  I am running a little late.  We just made it to the internet place because we spent most of the morning with President Tiger.  He is the 1st counselor in the Mission Presidency.  He was kind enough to take us out to eat this morning.  Everything is going well, mostly.  We are beginning to see more investigators come in.  Church yesterday was really good.  We had a lot more members show up than usual, so that was great!  We have a couple of investigators preparing for baptism, one being a man by the name of Charlie from Kenya.  He really keeps us laughing and is way solid....."

I took this picture....here we are in this big city, then we turn down a street, go a few miles and it is like we are stepping back in time!  The countryside is really beautiful.....

"I am really enjoying my personal studies right now!  I've had kind of a rough, but good week all at the same time.....I've have been working on some of my flaws, which is difficult sometimes.  So my personal studies have been a real gift.  I started reading 'Jesus the Christ' again.  I just LOVE the idea of the good shepherd....  I mentioned Charlie, our investigator that is going to be baptized?  He is just awesome.  He really brightens my day and he is a marathon runner, so I really enjoy visiting with him.  We are also working with some recent convert's husband, Dang, who has not het heard the gospel, so that's way exciting as he is solid and progressing really well."

"I had yet another really COOL miracle moment this past week!  We were doing switch offs and I was paired with a District Leader who is a native Thai.  We were teaching a random new investigator that neither one of us knew previously.  As we visited with him, we found out that this investigator just happened to be the District Leader's relative!  He didn't know him!  Now this investigator is way interested in learning more and told us that our message is just what he needed!  I am LOVING all of these miracles I am witnessing!"

I couldn't resist taking a picture with these cool cars we passed along our way the other day!  lolol..

"Our zone conference is next week.  Elder Daybell and I will be leading it.  I'm really excited about it....and I am studying really hard for it.  But that will mean our p-day will be Tuesday instead of Monday...don't forget!  Anyway, we will be hosting the Mission President and the Assistants, then we will be responsible for a 45 minute segment.  I would really like to focus our time on faith and humility, and share some motivational stories, etc......we will see. Elder Daybell and I will get together on it...."

I'm sorry for my picture taking this week....hahaha...this is just some random, GIANT stage we passed by....I have no idea what it was going to be for......lolol!

"My knee is doing ALOT better....in fact, I haven't even thought about it, which is really, really good.  But, I did have to go back to the doctor this week.  My legs got this funky rash going up them.  The doctor told me it was some kind of allergic reaction to something.  They tested my blood, gave me some medicine and told me it should go away in a few days.  Like I said, it's been a rough, but good week at the same time.....hahaha!"

"We will be lacking in the 'fun' department today we have to do our chores and clean our house.  We have been really busy and need to catch those things up....hahaha.  But!  I'm getting a suit made....it is custom fit linen for $100, AND, I think I'll eat some ice cream today....lolol!"

"Well, I have to go now.....I love you Mom!  Remember that next week my p-day will be on Tuesday instead of Monday...  I'll talk to you then!"

Elder Jesse A. Bundy

June 13, 2016

Elder Jesse Bundy enjoys a busy week of teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in Udorn, visits old friends in Bangkae and attends a mission leadership conference in Bangkok.

Family Home Evening at President Tiger's house with branch members.

"This past week has been crazy busy and exciting!  Monday, we were invited to President Tiger's house for family home evening. We had really good food and a great time.  Tuesday was filled with teaching lessons to investigators, inviting and teaching English class.  Later that night, we caught a plane to Bangkok to attend our mission Leadership Conference."

Jesse with the Pilot and Stewardess on the flight to Bangkok

"On Wednesday, we spent all day in training at the Leadership Conference.  We finished by 5:00 p.m., so we had some time to swing over to Bangkae and visit my old Branch President and a few of my recent converts from that area.  It was SO cool!  It was so good to see them and say hello.  They are all doing so well....."

Me with my old crew from Bangkae!

"On Thursday, Elder Daybell and the rest of the missionaries, (including the Elders from Laos who randomly taught Elder Daybell and I the Laotian sign language just for fun), had their 'finishing their missions meeting.'  We were then able to catch our plane back home in time to visit a less active member.  It turns out that this less active member has a son who is DEAF.  His son, who was baptized when he was 8 years old, has a wife who has never heard the gospel and is also deaf.  They also have a 2 year old little girl, also deaf."  

"Mom......we experienced such a MIRACLE!  Talk about the gift of tongues.....or, hands....it was AMAZING!!!  Elder Daybell and I were able to have a full conversation with this humble family and invite them to come to church as well as ask them if they want to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  We were able to sign to them, as well as understand what they signed back to us!!  They are now our GOLDEN investigators!!  I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!  I am SO grateful to my Father in Heaven.....He has blessed me to not only pick up sign language, but Lao, Thai and Eisan!"

"You asked me about the differences in the languages.....Lao and Thai are the same exact grammar with some words being so close, kind of like Italian and Spanish.   So, I kind of just picked some of it up while I was in Sisaket and became good at it while teaching investigators.  There is also Eisan, which is the Thai dialect which is spoken near the Laotian border.  I learned Eisan while serving in Sisaket.  I am so thankful to my Father in Heaven for priesthood blessings and the gift of tongues....and/or, hands..."

"Before I forget, my knee is doing better.  Anyway, at our Leadership Conference, we talked about some of the problems and good things that are happening in our mission and what we can do better and how we can be better.  The Assistants also trained us on new programs and policies that are to be implemented in our mission.  I really enjoyed it and learned a lot.....Then on Friday, we had our own zone training with the 30 missionaries in our zone.  It turned out really good."

"Today is p-day and we are going to fix Elder Daybell's bike, go shopping for our groceries and probably take a nap.  Elder Daybell has been feeling kind of sick."

"Well......I have to go.  It's been a great week!  Tell everyone I love them and I'll talk to you next week.  It's GREAT to be a missionary!"

"I love you!"

Elder Jesse A. Bundy        

June 6, 2016

Elder Jesse Bundy is called to be a Zone Leader in Udorn Thailand with new companion Elder Daybell and attends mission leadership conference in Bangkok.

The Branch President, Elder Jesse Bundy and Elder Daybell

"Hello everyone!  It was SO awesome to see pictures of the family at Price's baptism!  Price is awesome!  Thanks for setting such a great example for the rest of the nieces and nephews and all of my investigators."

"I am so good!  I've been called to be a Zone Leader in Udorn.  It is about 6 hours northeast of Ubon and Sisaket.  It is right next to Laos.  Udorn is a really big city, but in the Eisan.  Our zone includes 6 cities, including the country of Laos.  I am SO excited to get to work with Elder Daybell!  He also likes to work hard and speaks Thai extremely well......so, I think we are going to really be able to make progress here."

"This is our Branch President and his little boy.  He is 29 years old and it is going to be AWESOME working with him."

"I am really busy trying to learn my new calling, getting to know the new area as well as trying to get to know all of the new members, etc.  I'm trying to figure out my way around here.  Contacting here has been a dream!  Udorn is a big boy city.....people EVERYWHERE, so contacting has just be an amazing experience!  I just have a feeling that Elder Daybell and I are going to just baptize like crazy here.......tell everyone to pray for us and our area!"

"In my new calling, we will be going on switch offs with the district leaders we are responsible for and do trainings.  This week will be my first mission leadership conference.  We will be getting on an airplane and flying to Bangkok.   And, when it comes time to do switch offs and trainings in Laos, we will fly there as well......so that will be exciting and fun."

Elder Jesse Bundy and Elder Daybell trying out being taxi drivers.......

"I am way excited about my new area and calling!  Our actual area here in Udorn is very interesting and the people are so nice.  But unfortunately, nobody is showing up for church.  This area has not had very many baptisms, so Elder Daybell and I are pretty excited to see what we can do to get things turned around here.  He is from California and a member of BYU's ROTC.  He is hilarious, speaks Thai fluently and is a hard worker.  I think we are going to work really well together and accomplish a lot before he goes home.  He only has this next transfer before he goes home."

"Now don't panic mom and dad......but last Tuesday, President Johnson called and said that the MRI on my knee had been sent to Salt Lake.  The doctors there have concluded that in order for my knee to be back to 100%, I would have to have surgery.  President Johnson asked me what I wanted to do.  I told him that NO MATTER WHAT, I want to stay on my mission and finish out before I even think about having any kind of surgery.  So, I don't know, that kinda stinks, but I also have faith that it's going to be just fine.  They have told me that when they get the exact diagnosis, they'll tell me, but as of now, they just said it needs surgery.  If I were to opt for surgery, I would have to come home and I'M NOT DOING THAT!  I've gotten a priesthood blessing and I'm just going to have faith and keep working like there's nothing wrong.  It doesn't hurt that bad, it is just uncomfortable sometimes during the day and when I try to exercise really hard, it acts up.  I AM FINE!  I just needed to keep you informed.  Family prayers and putting my name in the temple would be really helpful....." 

"You asked about Laos......we don't go there regularly, just for switch offs and trainings.  They don't speak Thai, they speak Laotian.......did I forget to tell you that I speak Laotian pretty well? Well, I do.....so that works out really good."

"Well......I only have about 10 more minutes, so I have to go.  I love you mom!  Thanks for everything you do for me!  I'll talk to you guys next week..."

"I love you!"

Elder Jesse A. Bundy

May 30, 2016

Elder Jesse Bundy learns to play Takraw with a local college team, enjoys a busy week of teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and awaits a possible transfer call.

Elder Earl, the local college Takraw coach and Jesse at Takraw practice.

"Hello everyone!  Today is transfer day, but so far we haven't received a phone call.  I don't know what is going to happen.  We have a lot of missionaries going home and not a whole lot coming in.  I will let you know as soon as I do.  As of right now, I remain in Sisaket."

"We have had the BEST week ever in teaching the Gospel here in Sisaket.  Our best investigator, Sister Meaw is SO ready to be baptized!  She is SO humble and loves the Lord!  I think she is quite possibly the best investigator I have had on my mission!   And....our two new investigators, Jack and Josh from the Takraw team are SO AWESOME!  They're doing so well.  We also have a new dater named Waad.  I invited her father and he gave her our number.  She came to church and was SO excited about it.  And to make this week even better, we  had a couple of old investigators that kind of dropped off show up to church and the Sisters had a way solid baptism as well.  Just when I think it can't get better......it does!  We have been SO blessed here....there is always something good happening here is Sisaket as far as the work goes!"

Jesse and Elder Earl with Jack and Josh, stretching to get ready to play Takraw

"Last Wednesday, some new investigators, Jack and Josh, invited us over on our p-day.  We had NO idea what we were getting ourselves into.  Now.....every morning at 5 a.m., we practice a game called Takraw with the local college team.  It is SO much fun, but I am SO SORE!  It is so hard.  You can see videos of games on youtube if you want to see what it looks like. 

"It is kick volleyball, but the ball is this really hard like plastic/basket material.  You can't use your hands, only your feet.  My position is the flip guy called the kicker.  Strange enough, my knee is handling it better than I thought it would.....we stretch A LOT!  The flexibility required for this game is nuts!  Anyway, it is a blast and we are teaching several of the players the gospel!  They are way solid and I'm loving it!"

Elder Earl, Jack (a Takraw team mate and investigator) and Elder Jesse Bundy

Elder Earl, Josh (a Takraw team mate and investigator) and Jesse.

"Don't worry about my knee, mom.  It is giving me some trouble, but by really stretching like they showed me playing Takraw, it actually has felt better.   The mission nurse texted me to ask how I was doing and to let me know that they still have had no news on my MRI.  The mission doctor is in Hong Kong and I only know that my MRI has made it that far.  I will let you know as soon as I do."

"District meeting was so good!  We set some really awesome goals, discussed our area and what we can do better and how we can all work harder, then we watched a video.  In my personal studies, I've started the Book of Mormon over again and I've just really realized how important it is to love the people we teach the gospel to!  It really is true what you said, that people do not care what you know until they know how much you care....I need to work harder on that one."

               

Elder Earl and Jesse seated as honored guests at opening season Takraw game in Sisaket.

"We went to the college's opening Takraw game against Galasin.  When we got there, they honored us as guests of honor!  They escorted us to their special stage right in the middle of the stadium and served us food and stuff....hahaha!  It was AWESOME!"

Elder Earl and Elder Jesse Bundy

"This game has made me re-commit myself to getting into really good shape.  It has really helped working out with these guys and has reminded me of how much I enjoy working out and being in shape."

"Could you send me a Chinese starter guide for reading Chinese characters?  I'm studying the Book of Mormon in Chinese.....it is SO HARD!  I have to be able to talk to Price when I get home...."

Jesse wearing a trash bag trying to stay dry!

"Today, we will probably get a little rest.  Elder Earl and I have been working out with the Takraw team at 5 a.m. every morning and working all day until 10 p.m.  So, we need a little rest.  We will probably only have time to finish emailing and change our clothes. It is raining buckets right now!  It is probably flooding in some places.....it has started the rainy season again.  I SWEAR, the rain follows me!  It rains every single day and my shirts are getting absolutely wrecked!  But it's all good.."

"Well.....I have to go.  Just know, life is good here in Sisaket and I am truly LOVING my mission!  I am very grateful to be here doing this.....I love you mom and tell dad I love him!  Tell everyone I miss 'em and I love 'em!"

"Talk to you next week!"

Elder Jesse A. Bundy

May 23, 2016

Baptisms, teaching new investigators the Gospel of Jesus Christ, switch-offs with Zone Leaders in Ubon and setting new goals keep Elder Bundy busy and excited about the work in Sisaket 

Elder Jesse Bundy with the Bishop, new convert and Elder Weaver before the baptism

Missionaries with Ward members before baptisms on Sunday

"Hello everyone!!  This week has been CRAZY busy.....so, I'm afraid this will be kind of a short letter.  We had an AWESOME baptism and have another scheduled for the 29th!  The spirit was INCREDIBLE!  I am LOVING my mission!"

Brother Somgiad from the Ward - love this guy!

"I didn't get anything back from the doctor in Bangkok yet.....they haven't told me anything.  I'm guessing they will get back to me this next week.   My knee is alright....it feels like I'm okay to keep  on keepin' on.  I just feel like I need to get it fixed before I go too hard on it.  It's kind of messed with my working out, but I'm sure it will all work out fine." 

"So, this week we went to Ubon to work with the Zone Leaders.  It was great and we got a lot done.  I don't like missing days working out of Sisaket because we have so much going, but I learn a lot from the ZL's.  So it's all good.."

A beautiful sunrise in Sisaket

"Brother Dang in our Ward....he's awesome!"

This is the Beautiful river that runs right down the center of Ubon

"This week, I've really been trying to focus in on my goals for the future....school, career....I am learning to balance staying completely focused on my mission, but still take a little bit of time every day to improve myself in all areas of my life....improving my vocabulary, getting stronger physically and my nutrition.  Sometimes I do really great at it and other days I completely fail...but I'll keep after it."

 Elder Jesse Bundy having a bit of fun in an electronic store.  He wrote, "We hooked up 'Angels we Have Heard on High' into the electronics store system and did some karaoke.  It was very entertaining....hahaha."

"We have taught some really cool lessons this week with our investigator, Sister Meaw.  She committed to baptism on the 29th of this month.  She is AMAZING and is the BEST example of how important member referrals are.  She was referred to us by an awesome member in the Ward when we went to do a service project to help them with their cows.  She committed to quit drinking coffee and bore her testimony to us that she's tried several times before to quit, but never could until she prayed and asked for help!  I LOVE EXPERIENCING these amazing, cool experiences!  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true....."

Jesse posing for a GQ picture on a cool motorcycle....

"Well, I gotta go soon Mom....I'm gonna get ripped, smart, skilled and spiritual....hahaha!  But seriously!  I have such a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ!  I'm thankful for this opportunity.....it's so great that I get to teach these people that the Lord's work and glory is to help all of his children have happiness! Then we get to give them the tools to show them how...it just doesn't get any better than this."

"I love you Mom!  I love you Dad!  I'm loving' my mission.....until next week...."

Elder Jesse A. Bundy