Kampong Cham Specialized Trainings and District Conference

On the road again January 26th, but driving this time. On the way, there was a big traffic slow up. The police let those not in some kind of procession pass on the left. As we got to the beginning of the procession we saw what the hold up was. Apparently an older monk was being honored and many many people who are devout Buddhists were praying and chanting in their vehicles as they followed the monk on the elephant. We also saw a man on a moto with LOTS of baskets. I couldn't believe he could keep his balance. As we cross the bridge from Chup going into Kampong Cham, there is a beautiful view of a Wat by the Mekong River.

The missionaries listen to music and study before the training in the 1st and 2nd branch building. I also am studying. Elder Hill practices the piano while we wait for Scott for his Temple interviews. After we get to eat at the Mekong Crossing with our couples that are in Kampong Thom, the Grimnes, and in Kampong Cham, the Shelley's. They both are wonderful and are doing a great job. The Elders from Kampong Thom enjoy a game of Jinga while they finish eating their supper. They head off in the early morning back to Kampong Thom. The restaurant keeps some games handy and they discovered it. Elder Yem, a Cambodian, had never seen anything like that.

These are some of the candidates for the Temple. They will go either next month or sometime this year, depending on how much more money they need to save. I think for sure Sister Ming (means aunt) Ny and the family of three are going, and hopefully the family of four also. They are an amazing family. They are just about totally self sustaining with a garden and she sews. He has health issues and so cares for the garden and sells any left over produce. They have saved for 5 years I think.

These two just wanted a picture with me. I think they like to pat my nice "skinny" belly.

We did family visits on Saturday the 28th to the above families. The man isn't a member, and his wife has been for almost a year, but is struggling a bit to have faith to leave her store and come to church like she did when she was investigating. We encouraged her and I think the Senior couple will go by and visit also. The young women are sisters. They have a termite mound in this home and for some reason they won't take it out of the home. It's just a huge dirt mound. I guess tradition has it, that it will be good luck.

After the Saturday visits, the 3 branch presidents, the district president and counselor pose with us. Our translator is a newly returned missionary, Amereth Phirun. More sister who wanted a picture with me. They are all so short, it makes me look tall. They are all sweet, faithful and wonderful women. I love them.

The two families also wanted a picture with Scott and I since this was our last District Conference with Kampong Cham District. The older Sister is a character. She went to the temple last year and has been a faithful and devout member. The young sister is a returned missionary, kind of shy, but sweet and very knowledgeable about the church. She is also a very good teacher. Here she looks at President Smedley with her beautiful smile. We had a great conference and a good attendance even though it was Scott presiding and no general authority. We have our District conferences there in the third branch building.

Specialized Training in Siem Reap

Of we go on January 24th to do the Siem Reap Zone and the Battambang Zones for Formal Specialized Trainings and interviews. The assistants get to fly up to help us, and they were quite pleased about that.

I caught on the camera Scott teaching and the translators trying to catch up and figure out some of the words he uses! That is Elder Sok.

The Reception After the Wedding

After Scott performed the wedding on January 20th, we later came to the reception. The reception took place outside on the sidewalks and street in front of the bride's parent's home. They set up a big tent, have a band with singers, cake, etc. It is a big deal and everyone dresses u p fancy. Wellk at least the women do. We met up with some members and all wanted their pictures with us. The man in green and the boy between Scott and I are Father and son. The son is now one of our missionaries and will be here from the Manila MTC tomorrow, February 23, 2012. His name is Elder Sam.

The bride's Mom is a very pretty woman as are her daughters. The group I am with, two of them were our missionaries and Sister Mok in the middle is the sister of the bride. On the left is the former Elder Phan, me, Sister Mok, the former Sister Pen, and her fiance who went to California on his mission, Elder Wey. Can't remember their first names, sorry. The groom and his Mom are very happy and were kind enough to pose for Scott to practice taking pictures on his new camera.

Another Wedding!

 January 20th Scott performed the marriage ceremony for President Mok Mai's daughter.  As you can see they are giving the typical Cambodian greeting.  All those that come to view the ceremony are invited up to greet and congratulate the bride and groom.

 The bride and groom  This is the first wedding for her family.They are a good looking couple.  She is a less active member and he is not a member.  They seem like great people and hopefully he will want to know more about the Church.

 Cambodian women love sparkly things and flowers.

 The bride and groom, the parents of the bride and Scott and I in front of the 4th branch chapel.  President Mok Mai wanted the whole church spire in the picture.  That was very meaningful to him. He is doing double duty in his church assignments as he is currently serving in the South District Presidency and is also the Branch President of the 9th Branch.  His wife is also a very devout member and contributes alot to their branch.  We surely love this family.

Sisters.  The bride is the older sister and first one married.  The sister in the pink is a former returned missionary to Cambodia and she is such a great member.  She is always helping people and doing some kind of service.  A very lovely young woman and I hope she is the next bride!

Pigs in a Poke

It's always fascinating to see how little piglets are transported.  We see this in the country alot but it is rare in the city.  So, we caught the picture of Pigs in a Poke!  From now on when I make Pigs in a Blanket, I will think of all the Pigs in a Poke that I saw here in Cambodia.

Back Home Again.

January 13th,  Elder Phirun and Elder Chea had their final dinner and walk on the Red Carpet as they prepared to return back home.  Elder Phirun above goes to Kampong Cham to report and then he will come back and live in Phnom Penh.  Elder Chea lives in Kean Svay and will live at home as he finds work and goes to school.

 Elder Chea's family came to pick him up and take him home. We invited them all to eat with us.  His brother made it after the meal but in time to take him home. They were so grateful to have him back with them.  They have been supportive even though he is the only member in his family.  Both of these Elders were good missionaries and leaders in the mission.  We will miss them both, but hope to see them around town!

 Elder Phirun sits in the mission van waiting to catch his bus to Kampong Cham.

 Elder Phirun had support from the Assistants: Elder Hill and Elder Michelson as he gets ready to catch the bus.

 There he goes and gives us one last goodbye.  Look closely on the left and you can see President Smedley's reflection in the bus!

A Former Mission President Visits

January 13th, President and Sister Tower , former mission president and wife, came for a visit.  We invited them for lunch and saw them around the country as we were doing our travels.  It was nice to have them come as they were able to have opportunities to speak and strengthen the saints.  Sister Towers brought me some of her delicious homemade English Toffee. Delish!  Also she brought me some Cavanaugh's Penuche Chocolates, my absolute favorite chocolates!  Thanks Sister Tower.

The Tucks Arrive

Elder Tuck is happy to land on safe ground after a very long flight.

 The Senior couples were a great support to welcome them at this late night arrival.  We later the next evening celebrated their arrival with a dinner at Steve's Steakhouse.These are all the senior couples in or around Phnom Penh front to back: Spencers, Ellingsons, us, Tucks, Snyders, and Hendersons.  We sure love our senior couples.  We don't know what we would  do without them