A week of ups and downs...

Hello Family and Friends,
We began our week with Family Home Evening (FHE) on the deck just below the swimming pool. It was a bit windy at the pool. For the past couple of weeks the USNS Mercy Ship has been offering medical help to the people throughout Cambodia. The ship was anchored in Sihanoukville Port. Several of our Senior couples were able to be a part of this important service. Because of this we had four senior couples out of seven at FHE. Our small group was able to learn a little more about each other. Dale used the evening to educate our guests to the Perpetual Education Fund Program. Each Senior couple serves in at least two branches (congregations). Our PEF students live all over Cambodia. We rely on the Senior couples to assist us in speaking to the students in their assigned branches. Dale and I are able to assist the students in Phnom Penh fill out their loan applications and create their payment requisitions. Our Senior couples in the Provinces do the tasks we would do if the student lived in the city. There is no real mail service. This makes help from the Senior couples critical. Family Home Evening went well.  Everyone said that they learned new information and were glad they came.

Tuesday pieces of one of Dale's molars broke off. On Wednesday we ended up spending about three hours at ROOMCHANG Dental and Aesthetic Hospital where Dale had a root canal and awaits a crown this coming Tuesday. This is probably the best dentist group in Cambodia. It is a large dental facility.There are at least 10 floors specializing in different aspects of dental care. Dale's x-ray, root canal and crown cost $215 cash. Dale had same day service including setting up the appointment that morning. He does need to return this week to have his permanent crown put on. For $500 cash Dale could have chosen a different type of crown. All work would have been completed in one visit. When we first arrived at the dental office we walked up marble stairs. At the top we were greeted by a doorman. We reported to the receptionist desk and were directed to the elevator. We went up to the 7th floor. As we got off the elevator there was a shoe rack. We removed our street shoes and put on white plastic crocks. We were offered water or could have had coffee while we waited. The view from the 7th floor was amazing. It was cool to view life beyond the gated homes. There are tennis courts and grassy areas hidden from view to those walking along the street. Because this was Dale's first visit as a patient he was given a ROOMCHANG T-Shirt. It is made of really nice fabric. Dale has been wearing it around the apartment ever since. Roomchang is a flower that grows abundantly in Cambodia.

This week Dale was notified that his mothers heart is weak. Hospice will soon be helping the family with her care. She is at home at Rock Cove Assisted Living in Stevenson, Washington where she has lived for at least the last 8 years. After falling about a month ago and being admitted to a care facility our family was concerned that she would not be able to return to Rock Cove. We are happy she is home. She is happy to be where her family and friends can visit with her. She is an amazing woman.When Dale received the news that mom was failing he called to speak with her. Even as life on earth is short and her heart and lungs are weak she mustered up enough air to play a short tune on her harmonica. She was amazingly peppy as she conversed with us.

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mom has great faith in her knowledge of life after death. She has been separated from her sweetheart, Hans for fourteen years. She is 93 years old. She has prepared well for being reunited with him. She looks forward to that reunion in the near future. She knows she will be able to be reunited with her parents, siblings and friends. Mom does not fear death. She knows death is another step in life. Her attitude concerning death has given comfort to all of us as we anticipate saying good bye. We will miss her we will mourn her passing. Her death will close another chapter in our own lives. We each should rejoice in every healthy day we have. One day we each will experience what mom is experiencing. We are grateful for medicines that can help mom be comfortable.We each labored to come to earth and there will be labor in leaving. The Lord was with us when we came to earth, He is with us as we live our daily lives and He will be with us in death. He is with mom now in her labor.
We are never alone.... if we ever think we are alone all we need do is step outside, look around and allow our senses to recognize His creations. They testify that He is, that He is near and that He loves us and blesses us.

A short update concerning Doug Harada. He is making progress with physical therapy. We continue to pray for him and request that you do also.

Career Work Shop

Sister Meier, Elder Meier, Sister Loy, Elder Oleson, Elder Mickelson

As always Dale did a wonderful job with the Career Work Shop. Sister Loy is from Cambodia and will return to Siem Reap. She is planning on getting her receptionist job back that she had prior to serving her mission. Elder Oleson and Elder Mickelson are prepared to begin their second year at BYU.  Elder Mickelson  is home and recovering from jet lag. Elder Oleson will be touring Cambodia with his family.  Since Dale interviewed many people through his career he was able to give these young people a sense of what they can expect when they go for their own interviews. They interviewed once with Dale and have experienced those initial jitters. They have lived through their first interview. Hopefully they will be more confident and at ease when they go for their first real job interview. "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear."  These young people are great leaders and we all will be in good hands under their direction.

We walk by here every day. There is usually not a pile of dirt. Like all kids if  there is something new in the neighborhood they will find it. These kids are having a blast demolishing this pile of earth. We couldn't resist snapping a picture and they were happy to accommodate us. 

Most tuk tuks have advertising on the back of their vehicles. I thought this was so cute. It is now a permanent part of our blog.

This little girl is in a makeshift hammock in the back of her mothers garbage collecting cart. Her mom has rigged up some shade with an umbrella. It is amazing how clever these people are. They love their children and want the best for them. They want them to be safe and comfortable. They do the best with what they have. This little girl's mom needs to work... she also has childcare responsibilities. She has come up with a solution which works for them. 

We finally got a picture of this form of transportation. These guys usually only have one passenger. An exception might be a mother with a small child. I have been told that riding in these is very relaxing.  

The above picture shows some of the members in the Kean Svay Branch. Today was Branch Conference. There were at least 100 people in attendance. After conference the members served sub sandwiches.Our tuk tuk driver was given a sandwich. He was so excited. He said to me, "This is my lucky day!" So little means so much to the people in Cambodia.

Here is a khmae funny of the week. The picture below is on a brand new building that is being completed. It is across the street and a few buildings down from the South District Building where our office is. For the next twelve months we will have the pleasure of viewing this every day.

Time to Go! 

Let us each face this new week with a...