Christian's Mailing Address

If you are sending a package, only use the U.S. Postal Service, either by regular Air Mail or Priority Mail. Any other way will cause Christian to pay a very large duty.

Elder Chrisian Leslie Warner
Thailand Bangkok Mission
50/829-832 Muang Thong Thani
Chaengwatana Road, T. Ban Mai
A Pakkret
Nonthaburi 11120
Thailand


Bang Bua Thong, Bangkok, Thailand
Christian has received his 1st assignment - Northern Thailand on the Laos border. Christian has moved from Nong Khai to Samut Prakan (area of Bangkok), moved to Thonburi (still in Bangkok), moved cross town to Sinakarin. Transferred to Bang Bua Thong (currently evacuated due to flooding). Will be living in Lampang until floods are gone.

Monday, December 27, 2010

December 27th Letter

So it sounds like all is good at home. Everyone had such a good Christmas, that is nice to know. It sounds like your gifts are nice and entertaining, especially Maren’s gift to you. I thought you guys would be pretty surprised, but it is way cool huh. That one isn't even going to know I exist for the first year of its life. I say “it”, because they aren't going to find out what “it” is – WEIRD huh! Anyway there isn't a whole lot to talk about when it comes to Christmas here. We had that Christmas program I was telling you about. It was awful, I thought it was going to be good, but I was wrong. It didn't even make sense. Oh well it is Thailand, it isn't necessary. Other than that we didn't really do anything else. I got a peppermint milkshake though. I feel like those are pretty rare, but it was a nice taste of the Christmas season. I am pretty glad that I am all the way over here. Not to be rude or anything but I wasn't homesick at all.

We had a baptism on Sunday. It was ok, it is really kind of sad how they do things in this branch. When they sing songs or have speakers, they never prepare in advance. So they always just call them up on the spot. This means all the speakers just ramble about nothing, because they have no time to prepair. So in this เเวว's baptism, the speakers and songs and everything had nothing to do with baptism. It wasn't special at all. And then the guy who was baptizing her, put his hand behind her neck, instead of her back, so when she went under he couldn't pull her back up – way sad!!


Ok Tim Tam Slam directions:

1. Freeze Tim Tams (until frozen)
2. Poor milk/hot chocolate into a small bowl or mug.
3. Take the Tim Tams out of the freezer
4. Bite both ends of the Tim Tam. (they are shaped like a rectangle, so bite at both short ends. but take really thin bites)
5. Put one end of the Tim Tam in the milk and the other end in your mouth.
6. Suck (like a straw, milk should be going into your mouth)
7. Eat the Tim Tam (should be really delicious because there will be milk on the inside as well.)
8. จบ (finished, if desired, repeat)

So yeah... I don't have a whole lot to say because we talked a lot on Thursday. But thank you all so much for talking to me this week. I am sure my email next week will be more action packed – maybe. I love you. have a good week.

P.S. thanks for the pictures, they are exactly what I wanted.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

December 20th Letter

Mom and Dad,

So there has been a change, this is the number you have to call to get a hold of me, 011-66-8*-***-****. It is our cell phone, I'm not sure about the whole calling us thing, you can give it a try. We may actually have to change the day when you will call because we are going to have a Baptism on Saturday morning, so now Saturday doesn't work at all. So you may actually have to call me on my 24th which would be your 23rd. This may also be a problem because we are having switch offs with the zone leaders at some point this week, it might be that day. You may have to call after Christmas, I don't know yet. There is just so much going on this week! We are going to do the whole pay phone thing to tell you. I'm not sure how this is going to work out because my companion’s family is all separated so he is going to have like 15 phone calls. I think I might want to get mine out of the way first. But nothing is sure yet.

Not only do we have a baptism on Christmas we also have one on the 26th and 27th. 3 people total, I'm way excited. The two that are getting baptized on Christmas are a mom and a daughter. Their names are Gade and Mai (said like "my"). These two are the coolest in the world. They are the mother and daughter who finished the Book of Mormon already. I have been pushing for a date with them for a while now, and finally we were like, just pray about next month, and come back and tell us a date. When we went to see what she thought, her answer was the 25th of this month – So cool! I want Maren to meet these two so badly! These two remind me of the Gilmore girls, no lie. The mother is kind of ditzy and the daughter is always making fun of her. They always say the word cute! When we talk about the prophet or temples or anything she is always calling them cute. There was this one time when this old 70 year old man was helping us teach them, and when she prayed to close the lesson she asked god to help keep the old cute guy safe. It was so funny. But it is so sad, because my companion can’t understand everything yet, so when she says this stuff, I start to laugh but everyone else is serious so I look like a total idiot. But it is ok.

The other person that is getting baptized is a friend of a girl that was baptized right before I came to this area, she is way cool too. When I first came she said that she was about 50 percent sure that there was a God, and now she has the greatest testimony. When we asked her to get baptized on the 26th she sat there for a second in silence and then was like absolutely. Way cool.

Other than those things everything is about the same here. The last few days have been very cold. I think it is because the winds are coming up off the ocean so it has been pretty chilly. I like it, except, when I shower in the morning, I almost freeze to death. The heaters in our showers aren't the best.

Anyway I think that is everything. I hope you guys have a good week. I will give you a call sometime this week and let you know when to call.

I love you guys.

Love,
Elder Warner

Monday, December 13, 2010

December 13 Letter

Hello family! And Merry Christmas – Almost!

This week was very fun. It was the Bangkok Thailand Stake's Christmas program. And because we had tons of investigators that wanted to go, we had the opportunity to go also – it was so sweet. It was a play that was all in Thai, but the singing was all in English. This way they could sing a wider variety of songs, it was amazing. I took a couple videos of it, but I’m not sure how good they ended up being. I am absolutely shocked how many people in this Stake speak English – EVERYONE! It is amazing. I don't think there is one person in the Stake that isn't bilingual. The program was a very fun time. Way better than any of the programs I’ve ever been to in America. Sad HUH!? But I knew that this year was going to be a little different when I heard it was Joseph and Maly.

Other than the program this week was pretty normal (Just teaching and inviting and what not). We did have that family get baptized, I absolutely love them, they are an amazing family. I taught them a little bit. Not really any of the lessons, but we went and taught them a bunch of times before they got baptized and I got to share with them my favorite scriptures and what not. It was a way good time. I know they are going to be so good for the church here. From the time they started learning to the time they got baptized was only 6 weeks. They were prepared beforehand. They are just proof that God prepares people without them even knowing it.

We have another baptism planned on the 26. But I will tell you more about her on a later date. I'm sure we will have lots of time to talk about that.

So today was pretty cool. We went to this place called ประตูน้ำ "Pratu Nam" It is just a market place you can go shopping and what not. We just went and looked around though. But we went around and priced out suits. It is so cheap. I was thinking about buying a suit while I am in Samut Prakaan because I may be moved out of Bangkok and never return, and they are so cheap here. I was also thinking that I might get two suits here - let me know what you think. But I talked this one guy down to making me 2 suits for 10000 baht, which is 350 dollars, but one is a completely cashmere suit and the other silk, so that is about the price. Everybody I looked at could get me a suit for less then 5000 baht but most weren't as nice of a quality as his. They will even customize the lining for me and write my name on the inside. It was pretty cool to be waited on hand and foot.

My companion today had to go have an interview with President Smith. He has really been struggling here in the country. He is really homesick and he really disliked his trainer, so he was just about ready to go home at the end of last moves. But I think he is doing a lot better now. He seems to be having a much more fun time, which is good. I always figure if you aren't having fun you are doing something wrong. Missionary work isn't necessarily supposed to be Un-fun. You just have to learn to love to do missionary work. I think it is hard for everybody at first but you eventually fall into the grove of things. Anyway, we had to go to the office to do it, so I got my packages today from Judd and Jessie and from Aunt Leslee. It was so awesome. I haven't opened Judd’s and Jessie’s yet but Les sent me all of my favorite candy! I can't wait to dig in.

Ok so about the phone call. I was thinking about having you call on Christmas Eve - I know not good but let me tell you why. My Christmas night which is your Christmas morning, I have a Christmas party for the branch that we get to go to, and your Christmas night which is my 26th morning, I have church. So the only time I think would work is my Christmas morning which is your Christmas Eve. Let me know what you think. I will give you exact times and all next week and I will also talk to my companion about calling home the night before and planning it all out, that sounds like a good Idea, but you guys think about it to and tell me what you think.

Our phone number is ***-***-**** I don't know what the country code is and what not so you will have to figure that all out.

Anyway, I love you all. Have a good week.

Ps. I sent my memory card home with 1000 pictures on it; you should get it this week. Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

December 6th Letter

Hello mom and dad,

Ok, this week was so so so much better then last week. First of all I learned the area. I think it is the fastest anybody has ever learned an area so big but I got it done. This city is outrageous. I have a constant headache because of all the smog. It is worse the Salt Lake if that tells you anything, but I still really like it. It is fun to be in a little bit bigger area. There are always people to talk to; however, everyone is always in a rush. I'm not used to contacting people while they are in a hurry, everybody in Nong Khai is always so relaxed. So this will be a learning experience, expanding my knowledge of missionary work.

I'm really excited for TJ. He is going to love being a missionary so much! I am pretty sure it'll be a breeze for him. It makes me sad that some people struggle. I think the hardest part really is the MTC. Once you get out and get to see people's lives change it is such a blessing. In fact we had 3 baptisms on Sunday; they are the greatest family in the
world!!! Their names are Su, Wang and Baylay. (I know, very Asian names), but they seriously were ready for baptism before the Elders even met them. They were only taught for 6 weeks before baptism, how amazing is that?

We also have a lot of sweet investigators. This week we had a total of 9 at church, and we taught 18 lessons. We are so close to 20 I can feel it, but 6 of them have a baptismal date in the next two months. One has read the Book of Mormon already and her daughter started reading 4 days ago and is already through Alma. Another investigator has a goal to finish it before Christmas, and we gave her a baptismal date yesterday for the 26th of this month. They are so cool!

The branch is pretty good. A couple people are jazzed up about missionary work right now, which makes it really easy to do. It is also a much bigger branch, about 70 to 80 people going weekly (twice the size of Nong Khai). And it is run under the Stake not the Mission President which is a little different. But that is ok. It helps make sure things are being done the right way.

Today was uber cool too. We went to a thing called Safari World, it was so awesome!!! They train animals to do crazy things, like boxing monkeys. I also got picked up by the trunk of an elephant. I took a lot of videos and pictures. Again, it is way cool. I need to send this memory card home. I have over a 1000 pictures or videos. I really want you guys to see this stuff.

As for your questions, I don't know about the Christmas phone call yet. I know that you guys will probably call me on your Christmas. I will let you know the exact details maybe next week. President said (last time) that phone calls didn't have to have a time limit as long as it wasn't unreasonable, but I will talk more about that next week.

I could use some deodorant. I'm not out, but better to be full instead of running out half way through a moves. But that is all. I also want you to send me that memory card back. I think I will send you a letter with my memory card this week. That way I don't have to send a lot of pictures over the internet.

I love you all very much. I hope you are having a great week. I hope the clam chowder party is as fun as ever. Dad Happy Thai Father's Day today, and mom happy Thai Mothers Day in another 8 months

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Pictures - this weeks letter is below

Typical Christian

Elders at Conference

Is it safe for them to ride on the bumper?

Must be

He looks so tired as he sits on the bumper

Elders at conference

Is he texting?

Monday, November 29, 2010

November 29th Letter

Ok family, I will type my very fastest so that I can get everything you need in this letter.

I'm sure the anticipation is killing you but yes, I did move to Bangkok. It isn't like Nong Khai at all! I have no Idea what I am doing down here. This is the most gigantic city in the world. You really can't see an end to it because it is so big, it goes from horizon to horizon - Well sort of. Because my area, called Samut Prakan, is right next to the beach; therefore, it goes only to horizon the other horizon is water. But it is still way huge, I'm just at the very very bottom of it.

My new companions name is Elder Devries. He is from Sparks Nevada. I still have not had one from Utah. He is probably 6ft tall, he has blond hair, he likes to listen to music and watch movies, and he probably enjoys long walks on the beach and reading a good book too. (Detailed enough?) Samut Prakan is his first area. He likes it, but I think he would prefer to be in one of the smaller cities, I can't blame him. We don't really ride our bikes in this area, we stick to taxis and buses. So learning the area is quite difficult, we have both been spending the last few days trying to figure out the area. It is pretty hard.

Today right before I came to email. we went and saw an ancient city. It was so sweet; I really want to bring you all back so you can see the stuff that I have been able to see here. The art in this ancient city was really quite amazing. I am pretty sure that most of the buildings are replicas, but they are still really amazing.

As for Thanksgiving, this one was way, way, way sweet. We got invited to go eat at a member’s house up near our mission headquarters. And guess what, President Smith was invited too! So we are the only missionaries in Thailand that got to eat Thanksgiving dinner with President Smith, it was absolutely amazing. The family that made the meal is an American family and the dad works at the embassy. He was able to buy the food at the embassy store, which is all imported food from the USA. I had a real(!) Thanksgiving dinner. I mean it wasn't just like being at home, but it was the best I could do in Thailand. This week has probably been the most I've thought about home. I didn't like moving. I feel so out of place. I don't have any idea what I'm doing because out of the two of us I've been a missionary longer, so he looks to me to know what to do, and the truth is I have no idea. I have never felt so awkward in my life. I hope those feelings go away.

As for the packages I got them and I opened them. And so far I have been loving them! The peeps are almost gone, but I am trying to eat sparingly so everything lasts us a while. I didn't open Maren’s gift so I will have a gift to open on Christmas day. If it is something that might go bad I should probably know. Also, somewhere along the trip the yoohoo all got broken open so I didn't get any of that. I was so sad, but it is ok. I will get over it. Those CDs are awesome. My companion loves them too. Those are probably from Judd right? Thank everybody for me ok?

Ok so I am going to have to take out another $30.00, but let me explain. I haven't spent that other money yet, but the mission pays for all our travel. It is called house money. They, the mission, give us 10000 baht in house money. Once we spend half we are supposed to request more, but the Elder that was here before me, spent it all, and didn't request it until last Thursday. So, when I got here we had no money. I have been paying for the taxis and everything with my own money, but now I am out and we won’t get reimbursed until the 2nd. I will have to take a little more out, sorry. I will get all the money back as soon as the church reimburses me.

As for today I think this is all. I will be on for 20 more minutes so if you have any questions feel free to ask.

I love you all and miss you and appreciate you! Thank you for everything you do for me. I love you guys so much, have a good week and I will talk to you next week.

Monday, November 22, 2010

November 22nd Letter

The District (left to right: Elders Potter, Parkinson, Anderson, Warner, Nelson, and Hanni)

So, today I don't even know where to start. I think I will start by answering your question dad. I read the whole email right as I get on, but sometimes I don't know what to say back. I always think your comments are funny. I liked the Chuck Norris joke today, but I don't know exactly what to say in response.

Last week was a pretty intense week, because as you already know I went and played with monkeys, which nobody commented on by the way. Anyway as I was playing with monkey I got scratched by one of the monkeys, and monkeys were eating and licking their fingers, so I had to get Rabies shots. It was a good time, but I was surprised at how little the shots really were. Everyone has told me they were supposed to be big and painful, but no, they are small and surprisingly pain free. I also kicked a monkey and I got it on video, we were being chased by this giant monkey and I kicked it, it was sweet. When I get the video from Elder Anderson I will send it to you guys.

(While he was sending the email, I was on my email and so we corresponded for a minute. I told him about a time when I was 16 years old and getting attacked by a monkey and how I hate them. This is what he responded.) I hate monkeys and I will never play with them again, but I am glad I had the opportunity once. I love you. Have a great week. Tell mom I love her too!

And then after playing with Monkeys it was zone conference which was fun, and then district conference, that too was way sweet. We had the Area Seventy President presiding at that meeting. We had pretty much every president you could get there, Branch President, District President, Mission President and Area Seventy President. It was packed full of spiritual power. The only thing that could have made it better would have been an apostle, maybe next time.


As for your date night, that sounds like a really fun time. I really forgot how much I loved watching movies. I feel so out of the loop, I've never even heard of the movies you went to, but I did hear that Harry Potter came out. Apparently Thai people like that movie.

Oh yeah, Brother Ice told me what you said to him, I thought it was so funny. He had no clue what you were getting at, but it made me laugh. To answer your questions, we were burning the old hand books of instruction. They just came out with new translations of everything. They are more correct, so they have asked us to burn everything else. All the old copies are supposed to be destroyed. Apparently they are now apostate. But soon everyone will be burning their old Books of Mormon (Book of Mormons, I don't know). That is going to feel slightly weird. By the way the snake was not real, it was a plastic toy snake, but it looks pretty legit huh?

As for Thanksgiving – We will be celebrating it on Wednesday with the Takaras, because we will be going to Bangkok on Thursday. President Smith told me in my interview with him that this time I really am moving. So we really will be going to Bangkok. I am kind of hoping my next area will be in Bangkok, that way on Thursday night I can go eat a nice Thanksgiving dinner down there. I'll let you know how that goes.


Yes I did eat Isan food. One thing we ate is called nam tok (something). A nam tok is a dead lamb fetus. When the mother dies before she gives birth they take her lamb out and put it in a soup. It sounds gross and it is pretty gross, but I we had to try it – YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!!!

I think I got all your questions and comments covered. It was good to hear about Andy still getting interviews, they stopped writing me so at least I hear it from someone. Have a good Thanksgiving!! I love you guys.

P.s. I am going to have to take some money out of the account to fix up my bike a little bit and make buy some other necessities. I hope that is ok.