Meeting the President Conferences

Friday we started the round of Meet the President Conferences. This is a modified Zone Conference. Friday we did the three zones in Phnom Penh. That is half the zones in the mission. We took pictures of all the missionaries with us so we could e-mail to their home. Anyway, we had a wonderful time meeting with all of them. They looked clean, dignified, and sharp, like missionaries should. We showed them pics of the family and then had them share something about their mission in one minute or less, then President Smedley and I each gave a talk. I talked on the role the Holy Ghost plays in Missionary work and President Smedley talked on the role hard work and committment play in missionary work. Of course we added in a few war stories of our own life and missions.Saturday we got to finish unpacking after we went to an engagement party. This was an LDS one, so it was modified a bit. Traditional Cambodian clothing was worn (like in the King and I). People follow the groom into the room wear the bride is, they bring gifts that the brides's family have purchases. Then the the MC talks and then President Smedley presided over the ring ceremony. It was translated of course. Friday night we got to go the a Patriotic party at the US embassy where we met the assistant who helps with our Cambodians getting visas to go to the USA for their missions. Sunday we spent all day in the vietnamese branches. It was great and Yesterday we drove up to Kampong Cham for zone conference and meet the member meeting for us. It rained so hard the members couldn't go home, so we told stories for 30 minutes. There are some solid and sweet members up there. It took us about 2 1/2 hours to get there. President Smedley got brave and drove all the way home! I was proud of him. Here are some pictures of the drive and Spider Town where our assistants bought 7 tarantulas and ate 2 of them! Not, me. That is not appealing to me!