The day began with me being asked to give the opening prayer in Sacrament meeting and Dale being asked to sit up front with the the Branch 1st Counselor. It was of course good and beneficial to take the sacrament and have quiet time to reflect on life and my commitment to the gospel and our Savior. After the sacrament was passed we were privileged to hear two speakers. Our first speaker was Elder Lor. He is from Sacramento, California. He spoke on the Lord's counsel, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15. After his message the Branch President's wife, Rudy, came forward to speak. She explained that she had been at her daughters school Saturday evening and received a phone call from Brother Ken, requesting her to speak in Sacrament meeting. She said she would do it, but after hanging the phone up felt overwhelmed. She was also preparing to teach the Relief Society lesson. She said she was telling her sad story to her husband and he told her that he would speak in her place. She finished her preparations for her Relief Society lesson and went to bed. She said she slept well. In the morning her husband came to her and told her that he was very ill and would not be able to go to church. She prepared a talk in the morning and when she got to the church she told Brother Ken what had happened. He told her that he had considered asking her husband to speak but the promptings were strong that she was to give a talk. She said she learned the importance of following our leaders. She gave an inspiring message on her love of the Book of Mormon. She is from the Philippines. Rudy said that after her aunt died it was her mother's job to clear out her aunt's home. They found a bunch of books. Her mother collected books. They sorted through some of them to burn and others they kept. The ones they kept they boxed up and put in their basement. They remained in storage for a couple of years. When Rudy was twelve years old, her family decided to go out. Rudy stayed home. Bored she decided to see what was in the basement. She came upon the box of books. She pulled out a book that smelt musty and old. She scanned the pages. It seemed to be an adventure book. She read the book. Shortly after this happened two young men knocked on her family's door. She learned that the adventure book she had read was scripture. She was baptized May 19, 1996. She said she has read the Book of Mormon several times since. She said when she joined the church the Philippines had one Stake. She attended a Branch. Today there are two Stakes and her Branch is now a Ward. Her Branch met in a members home. Today that Branch is a Ward that meets in a beautiful building built on a hill. Rudy spoke of the wonderful lessons taught in the Book of Mormon. The message I was supposed to hear today was this. Rudy said, "It is not the condition people are in that brings them happiness, it is how we respond to that condition." Dale and I have a new direction for the next 11 months. We will focus on responding positively when faced with adversity. It is easier said than done. Dale's mom taught us all a very important lesson when she was alive. She told us that she had two choices when she moved to Rock Cove Assisted Living. She could choose to be miserable or she could choose to be happy. She chose to be happy. The Lord would have us be happy.
Thank you to all that have been helping us on the home front while we "vacation" in Cambodia.You are our heroes. You have made it easier to serve here knowing that our home is being cared for. Our intention was not to be a burden to anyone. Well, that didn't work. We are so grateful to you for making us your "service project".
We recently received this group photo of all the Senior couples serving in Cambodia and Vietnam. So cool!
From right to left: Elder and Sister Grimnes, Elder and Sister Tuck, Elder and Sister Blinn, Elder and Sister Jones, Elder and Sister Shelly, Elder and Sister Westover, President and Sister Moon, Elder and Sister Spencer, Elder and Sister James, Elder and Sister Henderson, Elder and Sister Rhyne, Elder and Sister Meier, Elder and Sister Johnson, Elder and Sister Yeates.
This week was "business as usual" until Thursday and Friday. We had Career Workshop. We taught Sister Rytting from Utah and Elder Den from Cambodia. It was hard to say our goodbyes this time. Sister Rytting was the only missionary returning to the states so would be traveling alone. She has all her schooling behind her and will return home to find work. She hopes to also meet her eternal companion. She is 27. She is really sharp and served a fabulous mission. While in Battambang we visited some of the members in their homes with her and Elder and Sister Yeates. She is loved by the members. Elder Den was to be released also. His home is about 5 minutes from the mission home. He was nervous to be released and to return home. He is going home to a Buddhist father who was not happy that he was serving a mission. I do not know if his mother is a member. She might be because Elder Den said she cleans some of the church buildings. He is the youngest in his family. He is smart and understands the functions of the church like Home Teaching and the importance of the priesthood. He speaks, reads and comprehends English well. He attended a year of school before he left on his mission. He plans to return to school. He might apply for a PEF loan. He indicated that he felt his family could help him with school. That is the best choice. Our motto is "The best loan is no loan at all."
Tonight is a Young Single Adult Church Education Fireside. We already viewed it in English. Tonight it will be in Khmer. If you want to view it you can go to the LDS website and search for CES Firesides. The one we will see is "Israel, Israel God is Calling". Elder Jeffery R. Holland is the speaker. It is the September 2012 fireside. A great talk.
Dale helped the Rhynes set up their new Family History computer. He had just set up a new computer for one of the office staff in our building the week before. As usual all the necessary information like passwords took searching to find. Dale worked with Elder and Sister Rhynes' boss on the phone. He was instructing Dale from Taiwan. Sometimes the church tries to cut costs where costs should not be cut. This can lead to headaches and high blood pressure. Fortunately Dale had already set up a computer the week before. He was somewhat prepared to do problem solving. Unfortunately the church sent two additional computers to Battambang before they were set up. The Rhynes went to Battambang this weekend. They have a Khmer assistant. Dale worked to train him to set the computers up in Battambang. The Rhynes never called Dale so we will assume all went well. I look forward to speaking to them when they return. They always have awesome spiritual accounts to tell concerning experiences the members have as they search for information relating to their ancestors.
Living conditions in Cambodia are unbelievable. Last night we were walking home from teaching our institute class. It was about 7:30 and dark. We were passing by this one spot where a young man has set up an air compressor business. He services peoples Motos and bikes. We pass by this spot every day. Last night as we were passing I said, hello. He asked us where we were going. I said home. He replied, "This is my home". His home. He just moved in about three weeks ago. His home is a hammock hooked between a wire fence and street pole on the side walk. Next to him is his air compressor. That is it. Today when we passed by on our way to church he had added an umbrella to protect him from the hot sun and rain. He has a great location for his business, but this he also calls home. It is unbelievable. He is one of thousands in a similar situation.
I am so happy! Beginning next week the Elders serving the International Branch will offer a Khmer language training class for its members. It will be Saturday evenings directly after our Institute class. We can join with them. This is a blessing from the Lord. We had worked so hard to learn the language before we arrived here. Once we arrived the skills we did have are diminished. For me knowing more of the language will be a real spirit booster.
My Khmer of the week:
Some day I will get a photo of this and you can laugh again. As our tuk tuk passed mannequines dressed in ladies apparel I looked up and read THE BIG BELLY. I thought about that name. I wonder if it is a maternity shop. I don't know if I would want to claim purchasing my clothes at The Big Belly Store.
This coming week...this is a test...testing...testing... Hope you each have a grade A+ week.
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