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.

Success

It has been a great week, and things went really well. We had two baptisms this past Sunday, and that was great! The Lord is truly bringing about His great work, and changing the lives of so many of His children. I also had the privilege of baptizing an 8 year old girl of one of our recent converts in Kampong Thom.  This past Sunday was a great day at church as well; we had a really good attendance, and many less-active members were able to attend as well. 

Well, as you may know by now, transfers took place this Friday, and I will be training a new missionary again, here in Kampong Thom. I am super excited for the opportunity to train again, and I am also excited to remain in Kampong Thom. I really love it here! It will be interesting because that means that I will probably spend 5 transfers here in KT, and that is really rare in our mission; usually only 3-4 transfers in an area. It will be cool though because that means that I’ve spend a different amount of time in each area; Kampong Cham 3 transfers; Siem Reap 2 transfers; The Office 4 transfers; and at least 4 transfers (hopefully 5 in Kampong Thom).

Last week we went and visited Ming, who was baptized when I first got to Kampong Thom. We were talking with her, and I asked a few questions about Pol Pot and what her area was like. She shared a story from when she was young. She said that her a few other kids were herding cattle with the main herder, and they had always been told to watch out for tigers. (Kind of like sheep and wolves, but Cambodia takes it to a new level with cows and tigers!) One day, they were herding cattle (not too far from her current house) and a tiger was spotted. She said that her and her friends had to all take off and run up small trees; ones that were too small for the tiger to climb. When she got up the tree, she saw the tiger attack the cow from behind. It jumped on its back and then bit its neck, threw it over its shoulder and then carried it off. So crazy!

I really love working out here in Kampong Thom. It is so peaceful and the members are incredible.  

The missionary work here goes ‘forth boldy, nobly, and independently.’ It is amazing to see the rolling forth of the gospel, and the incredible happenings brought about by the hand of the Lord.