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Sunday, January 16, 2011

January 11, 2011

Things are good here. Lots of fun proseltying with Elder Samut. I'm now in charge of finances since the senior couple is leaving. I'm in charge of paying the bills now.

My release date is June 16 if you don't already know that.

December 21, 2010

We've been working really hard. I've seen my desire to share the gospel grow, and my ability to teach grow, and my ability to speak Khmae through the power of God grow too. Sunday we had a district conference. And, President Smedley was there. And there was over 200 people there, which made me super nervous to stand up and translate for everyone. They were putting in the new district presidency. I had to translate. And, so I was praying real hard in my heart that God would really give me the gift of tongues so that I could do that. Afterwards, everyone (both members and other elders) were amazed at the translation. They all complimented me at how dang good I was at Khmae and how clear I spoke. They said that I sounded just like a Khmae. I was very grateful. I said a little prayer in my heart and thanked my Heavenly Father for blessing me with the gift of tongues. It is such a miracle that we can go anywhere and learn the language like we had been speaking it for years. The gift of tongues and other gifts of the Spirit are real.

I've really been praying real hard to rejoice in the success of my brethren like I would in my own success. Sunday, Elder Schiefer, he is from AZ, had a baptism of a whole family, dad, mom, and kids. I had met that family and taught them a couple of times on exchanges. I was so happy for them, and especially Elder Schiefer. We pray every night for each companionship's investigators that are in our zone. And, it is a real blessing to us to care about them so much.

December 14, 2010

Things are constantly getting better and better here. Elder Samat is awesome. And we've slowly but surely been seeing more and more success. Keep praying for our area and our families. We have a few solid families now, and we could be getting a few more here really, reallly soon.

I've really been studying the Atonement, and it has made a difference in every aspect of my life and the work right now. When we teach, the Spirit is always there. Things are 1 billion times better than they were before. I'm really excited for all of this. I'm really starting to warm up to Battambong, that's fo sho!

December 7, 2010

2 new families baby!!!! They live nearly 20 kilos out, but hey. They are really good. Please pray for them.

I know the church is true. I get spiritual reassurances all the time. It is just undeniable when the Spirit teaches you like it does on a mission.

November 30, 2010

Today is Thursday, Tuesday and Wednesday we spent the day traveling to and from Phnom Penh and being in meetings. Most missions usually have about 150 somethings people. Our 60 something is quite nice. You really get to know everyone and that is just fun.

Cambodia is really getting into the Christmas season right now. It is probably 93 degrees out right now. But, the way that you can tell here is that the mangos are in season. Oh boy howdy do I love mangos in Cambodia. If you pick them early, they have this super tasty sour kick to them. And, if you wait until it is ripe, it has a super sweet taste. But right now, most of them are perfect, with this sweet, yet sour kick to it. So good! I absolutely live it.

Thanksgiving we had turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, jello, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, strawberry pie, and banana creme pie. It was amazing! Thank you Senior couple Reynolds!!!!!

We have 2 new families that we found the other day. One is a husband and wife with 1 kid. He is 21, she 20, and the kid 5 months. Crazy. His name is Nan and hers is San. Please pray for them. Her brother is learning too. His name is Van. They are super poor, but they are really nice. I think that if we can get them to learn long enough that they will experience upon the Word, the Spirit will do all of the work from there.

The other family is Song and Laom. They have 3 boys and 1 daughter. Only have met them once. They used to go to some other Christian church but stopped because they said that it was really weird, and that they never learned very much, and they just danced and sang the whole time. So, hopefully, we will be able to teach them and get them going. They need prayers. They will be having troubles in getting to church, so please pray that we will be able to overcome that.

The Book of Mormom truly is the greatest book ever written ever!! I wish everyone would read that book with a pure heart and pure intent so that they too could know of the spiritual power and peace that comes from it. Many people will just never know because they weren't ready and willing to pick it up and read it. I know that it testifies of Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ was the Director of what was being written in that book. I know that that book still stands true today, and will never be, and cannot be disproven. I'm so thankful for eternal families.

November 23, 2010

Did you see that crazy thing that went on in Phnom Penh? No members have reportedly died, but two are reported missing. Weird stuff man.

I love my new companion. If he lived in America, I would definately hang out with him. But since he's Khmae, I'll have to speak with him through email when I get home. His name is Elder Samat. We're having a lot of fun working hard and proselyting together. Still not much production, but things will start picking up here real soon.

I know the gospel is true. I know that this is the greatest work that has ever been done. So, shall we not labor diligently while doing it?

October 28, 2010

I know the gospel is true. I know Joseph Smith is a true prophet. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the whole world. I'll never be able to pay you and Dad back for the principles you taught me so that I could figure out for myself that the Gospel is true.

October 19, 2010



We are currently teaching a husband and wife, and they are doing way awesome. They have been learning for about 2 months now. He has read to Alma 20 and she is to Mosiah 23. He used to smoke 6 packs a day. Now he hasn't smoked in the last 3 days. So he's doing way awesome, and it is all because he's been reading the Book of Mormom. For some reason, that book just has a way of changing people. We've been finding some investigators, and we're really hoping to get them going too.

October 14, 2010





There is actually a senior couple in every kaet. And since I'm still in the kaets, I still have a senior couple. This time it is the Reynolds. And, they are way awesome. They feed us every Sunday. Last Sunday, we had French toast with bacon and brownies and ice cream imported straight from Thailand. It was really good to say the least.

Transfers were good, but are super stressful at the same time. I spent all of Tuesday and Wednesday going to and from Zone Council though. And, Saturday and Sunday are General Conference. So, we don't have much proselyting time this week. We have 2 investigators. That's it. A husband and a wife. This area is good. But, it needs some serious work. I've set some really high goals, and I'm going to be working like crazy in order to get them.

October 5, 2010



I'm getting transferred. I was going to Siam Riap to the best area in the mission, 30 investigators including 5 families, but President just called me this morning saying that he received new revelation that I'm going to Battambong to be a zone leader, which is cool. I'm in the best area in Battambong. But, I've never been more excited in my life than when I found out I was going to Siam Riap. I didn't sleep last night. I was too excited. 30 investigators, and it was all mine for the taking. Why does this happen in my life?


September 14, 2010

Last week we had bunch of dudes drinking call us over. I always ignore them. But for some reason, this time I went. The one calling me over looked like a straight up bum, super long hair, facial hair, and stunk like alcohol. He said that his sister-in-law is a member in our branch. And funny enough, we managed to figure out who that was, and she really is a member. He told us he really wanted to learn because he was trying to quit drinking. So I gave him a pamphlet with our number on it, took down his info, then completely forgot about him. He then called us the next day and for some reason I somehow recognized his number. He wanted to meet us that day. So we went out to meet him after Pday. We rode right by him. I didn't even recognize him!! He had cut his hair, got all shaved up, and looked like a completely different person. He said he took the day off because he wanted to get ready for us to come. So we met him, and his wife and they are our best investigators now. He went from being an alcoholic to a complete stud in a week. His wife said yes before we could finish the commitment, and he said he'd been preparing for baptism since the second he met us. Tender mercies of the Lord are just the greatest things ever and are such a blessing to see in our lives. We are meeting them 6 days a week since she is 8 months pregnant and wants to get baptized before she has the kid.

I love my family so much, especially more and more as I keep teaching families here. I love families more than anything. And, I love the Lord.