Another day/another week...

 It was one of those weeks where life was fairly routine.

Each day I woke up about 5:30, showered, got dressed, packed our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apples, and Oreo cookies. I set the table with Magic Time cold cereal, the breakfast of choice. Dale was up by 6:30 at the latest. We took time to review the calendar, check Email,and  read from the Liahona or the scriptures. I reviewed a little Khmer language. The floor always needs sweeping so I did that. Once Dale was out of bed made it. We had prayer together, hugged each other and by 7:45 we were headed out the door. We descended the stairs to the parking garage and dropped the trash in the dumpster. As we walked the kilometer + to the office we waved and did our good morning greetings to all we passed. At the end of the day a similar pattern takes place.

We did have some significant rainstorms this week but not at the hours that we were walking. We were granted another "sewer boot" free week. The blessings just keep coming

The Church Education offices are located in the same building that our office is in. There are three people that run these offices. The Institute Director Sophornn, Pen Vibol  and their secretary Kuntheavy Seam. This week was a very special  week for Kuntheavy.  She served her mission in LasVegas, Nevada. While training at the MTC in Provo,Utah she met Matthew Walker who was called to serve in France. They became friends at the MTC.  When they returned home from their missions they began a correspondence through Email and Skype. This evolved  into a 5 year long distance courtship. Matthew saved money to travel from his home in Kentucky to Cambodia. Kuntheavy and Matthew announced their engagement at a simple ceremony on Saturday.

Kuntheavy assists us with translating for non English speaking students that come to our office or call us on the phone. She has also created flyers in Khmer for us when needed. She has taken some of our projects to the print shop. She does lots of little things that makes our life run smoother. This week we made arrangements on Thursday to treat her and Matthew to lunch. We went to the Khmer Sarin. It was the first Khmer restaurant we experienced when we arrived in Cambodia. Matthew is visiting Cambodia for a month. He has been spending his days at Kuntheavy's home. Kuntheavy and her brother live in Phnom Penh. Her mother, father, and sister live in Kampong Cham. While Kuntheavy is busy with her daily commitments, Matthew has been visiting with Kuntheavy's family who are staying with Kuntheavy while Matthew is here. Kuntheavy's mother has been making their meals. Kuntheavy really wanted us to take Matthew to a Khmer restaurant. We did as Kuntheavy requested, but we had a feeling Matthew would have appreciated some fries and a Lucky burger.

 Kuntheavy and Matthew are in our office working on Institute/Seminary graduation certificates.
Kuntheavy was using our printer because hers broke. She is ordering a new printer. We hope she gets one soon. Ink is expensive and we have been using lots of it. Plus our work is put on hold when she uses our office.

Kuntheavy and Matthew in the Tuk Tuk on the way to Khmer Sarin. The sun was very bright and this photo is a result of the reflection off of the van windshield behind them. During the 10 minute ride to the restaurant the sky darkened and opened up with a non-stop rain storm that drenched everyone in its path and flooded the roads. The Tuk Tuk ride back to the office took much longer than the usual 10 minutes. Sam OL our driver had to take detours in order keep us on high ground. It was fun to have Matthew experience the flooding in Phnom Penh.

On Saturday Kuntheavy and Matthew publicly announced their engagement to family and friends. There was a short talk focusing on the importance of marriage and most importantly eternal marriage. Matthew presented Kuntheavy with her engagement ring and then they each spoke a bit about their love for each other and their testimonies of the gospel, of  covenants and of eternal marriage. It is sad that Matthew will return to the United States and Kuntheavy will remain here. They anticipate that they will not get married for another 2 years. The process for citizens in Cambodia to leave their country is complicated. Getting permission from the government can be difficult and costly. Matthew and Kuntheavy move forward in faith believing that eventually they will be together.

In our 9-21-11 blog, "They still call me Charlie" we shared a letter from Charlie. In this letter Charlie outlined the growth of the Church in Cambodia. We were at the Service Center this week and we met Charlie. Now we have a face with a name.

Introducing to you...Charlie. If you review our 9-21-11 blog you will learn that Charlie was hoping to save enough money to get married. About 2 months ago he was married in the Hong Kong Temple.

This is Sam OL, our favorite Tuk Tuk driver. He speaks English and knows where we can buy whatever we need. We just show him what it is we want and he says, "Ya..Ya..Ya.." and off we go to make our purchase. Saturday afternoon we needed to go to the Thai Huot store to purchase popcorn. We asked if he could take us. He asked if we wanted to go to the new store. We didn't even know there was a new store. We said sure. We were taken to a brand new store... bigger and better than the old one.We purchased enough popcorn to last our mission. Sam OL also knows where all the LDS church buildings are. It is so nice to not have to explain how to get places. We will not even use a Tuk Tuk driver that does not speak English. We have had a few bad Tuk Tuk experiences. 

As far as how our calling is going. These next weeks will be very busy as renewal loans are being processed as well as new loans. We also have begun a new course of studies for our institute class, "The Power of the Word". I am looking forward to learning along with our students. This course is intended to help us have more powerful scripture study time which will lead to a closer relationship with our Savior and Heavenly Father.

Thanks for all your prayers. Dale's asthma seems to be under control. With good health our mission is moving along smoother. When sickness hits it can be discouraging. We seem to be over that crisis. Let's hope we can keep our good health.

It has been great to hear from family members and friends. Thanks for sharing what is happening back home. Once again we are so grateful for the technology that keeps us connected.

Have a great week and we will do the same.