Six Weeks Left!

I want to thank you for all the birthday wishes! I truly had a great birthday. I can’t believe that I am 21 either. It is crazy to think about.
Sunday's baptism went great! Veasna has been learning about the gospel on and off for about a year and hasn't been able to be baptized because of work; he frequently gets called out to the khets to go work for a month or two at a time. We almost didn't get to go through with the baptism when he called us early last week and told us that his construction company called him and wanted him to go to another far away place. He told us he didn't want to go, but he didn't know what to do because he needs to find that extra bit of money to help support his parents. We told him to pray, open up the scriptures, and ponder about what he should do. Meanwhile, Elder Khan and I have been in contact with a member family that owns a little food stand/restaurant in a small amusement park in the city called Dreamland. They had told us they were looking for someone to hire and help with the work they had. We set up a time with them and called Veasna. Veasna had pretty much made his decision to quit his job because he understands the need to be baptized and wasn't going to let another opportunity pass him by either. We took him to the member's house, and they were very pleased with Veasna and he started working with them on Thursday. When we asked Veasna what his income was at his other job compared to what he would start making, he said it is the same! What a blessing that The Lord truly prepared a way for Veasna to be baptized.
The little girl in the picture was baptized on Sunday too. Her name is Sok Leng and she is the 8 year old daughter of a family of recent converts. We tried hard to get her to have her father to baptize her, but she said that Elder Kuhn is just about to go far away, I want him to do it! Ha ha, I was honored to, and it was special to be a part of her baptism. I interviewed her parents and older brother when they were baptized in April of last year. 

Wednesday Pres. Moon talked to Elder Khan and I and let us know that because 2 new missionaries were coming in from the MTC a week and a half early that Elder Khan would take one, and I would be with Elder McKinley while Elder Mao takes the other. So, from Thursday onward I have been with Elder McKinley. After lunch, I was involved in a special musical number, yes, I sang. Surprising! We sang the words to Joseph Smith’s First Prayer to the tune of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. It was really good and a wonderful experience! I sung bass, and Elder Price, Elder Lor, and Elder Nielsen were also in the quartet.

 

All in all I had a great week! I learned so many new things. I love how this life is one of progression, and that we can learn all the time. I am so grateful for the many blessings that the Lord pours out to His children, and all that He does for us. His hand is truly present in our everyday lives.

New Year

This past week I said a lot of Goodbyes, and a lot of Hellos! Leaving Kampong Thom was not as hard as I was thinking it would be, but it was still sad to say all those goodbyes. I will surely miss all the wonderful people there, the laid back atmosphere, the beautiful scenery, Sophal and the Grimnes’, and the all around fun times. But there will be lots of fun things and experiences here in the city, too!

 

As I went throughout the week saying goodbye to the members in Kampong Thom, I was definitely reminded of the worth of each soul. I have learned how to love people since I have been on my mission. I have learned the importance of remembering that each and every person that walks the earth is a son or daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves them more than we could possibly imagine. I have gained a greater understanding of the purpose of each and every one of us, and the large role that we play in the scheme of life. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, and we truly find this happiness through living the gospel; through trying our best to follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ and improving ourselves bit by bit, day by day.  

Sunday was a great day! We got to church, and I met a nice guy from Hong Kong whose name is Bernard Pang. I remember seeing some emails come in from him at the mission home, and he is over the financial things in the Asia area. Anyways, it was cool to meet him, and I translated for him in Sacrament meeting. Church went well overall, and afterwards we ate lunch and helped a member family move things to their new house. I have to say that it was a humbling experience to see that the heaviest thing they owned was their 20-22 inch Sony TV that could easily be carried by one person. No beds, just mattresses on the ground. No couches, only two or three chairs. Just mainly clothes, dishes and a few other life essential necessities.

The Lord truly loves us and wants us to be happy. I am so grateful for His atonement and that opportunity that we have to change and become better people. He certainly provided all that is necessary for us to complete His commandment in 3 Nephi 12:48, “Wherefore I would that ye should be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” If you translate it to Khmer and back into English it sounds more like, “With these things said, I want you to be perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” And so He provided the way that we can do this through His gospel, the scriptures, the Holy Ghost, and to fill the places we fall short, His Atonement. Always remember Him.