Taking the Local Missionaries Home.

May 7th we got the mission van and started the rounds to take the 5 local missionaries home. Sister Sok was our first one. Her Mom lives up in Battambang and isn't a member. So we went to the Church for her to have her badge removal from the District President. She was greeted by many friends. I think about 7 more joined us later. We then took her to a friend's home. She is now living in a home owned by President Sophan, one of Scott's counselors, and looking for roommates! She is doing well.

Our next stop was Elder Samat's home. We were thrilled to see his home because he has so many beautiful trees around it. They bear fruit. He said they even have pineapple plants in their yard. They served us some wonderful Mangoes and a fruit that you dip in salt. Can't remember the name of it. They also gave us some bananas. I was starving and it all tasted terrific! Brother Samat showed how he can climb a coconut tree! Then Elder Samat thought he could still do it after two years. Then Scott wanted to try it. He got about 6 inches off the ground! I guess he will leave climbing coconut trees to those more experienced!

Elder Samat is also doing well. He has been called as the Elder's Quorum President and is organizing Home Teaching. Way to go Elder Samat.

Transfers and Farewells

The new missionaries got off with their companions on May 6th. I like transfer day. It seems like there are alot of happy people. Like Elder Sanford and Elder Son (say sung), Sister Robertson and me. Sister Som tells her companion, Sister Sok goodbye. Yes, I think they are happy about that too! They grew to really care about each other.

Sister Wu's Father came to pick her up and joined us for Dinner and a Farewell devotional.
Those leaving us were: L to R Sisters Wu, Sok and Vo, Elders Long, Samat, and Um. All very good missionaries. Elders Long and Samat were two of our great Zone Leaders.

They love walking on the Red Carpet. We've tried to explain why we do that, and I think most of them feel like it is a privilege to walk on the Red Carpet, only if you Return With Honor! So far, all of our missionaries have said goodbye walking the red carpet.

Newest Group of Missionaries

We met this group and their tutor, Kunthy Chhoeun, at the airport when they got back from the MTC Manila Phillipines. Sister Phan is from Hanoi Vietnam and is the first sister from that branch in a long time to serve a mission. The other Elders are all from here in Cambodia, Elders Phan, Aan, and Hem. Our assistants were also there to greet them.

The Elder taking the pictures took one of us a couple of times and we didnt' know he was taking it, but I liked how Scott was making Elder Hem feel at home.

Elder Aan is from Kampong Thom. He is the first missionary to serve from that branch. Kampong Thom branch is about 4 years old, I think. He is a very good missionary and we are enjoying him. Well, all of these missionaries and the sister are excellent and doing well in the field. They arrived from Manila May 5th and so have been out working now for close to one month.

Senior Couple FHE

The beginning of May Scott and I went to a FHE for the Senior couples. The couples working in Phnom Penh have a FHE every first Monday of each month. We have only been to two because of our schedule. So we were late, but got there in time for a great Easter lesson by Sister Liggett. Sister Peterson is now able to walk with crutches. She fell a couple of months ago and broke bones in both feet and had to pretty much stay in her apartment. She figured out how to do a lot of things from a wheelchair. But now she is mobile and is so grateful for a boot that my sister and Brother-in-law got for her.


We were saying goodbyer. Sister Ellingson, Elder Spencer, Elder Snyder, Sister Snyder and Scott.

A Branch Primary: 7th Branch

A serious pose to send to a Primary in Harrisville, Utah who sent them a picture and a letter.


Being silly! This is one of the larger Primaries in the mission, at least that I've seen.

Sharing Time?


Making the Transition from I think they said Gospel Instruction to a group, probably Sharing Time. They have great teachers, they are mostly in their late teens.

Just Me and My Shadow

We were taking some local missionaries home after they completed their service. As we were walking on Elder Long's driveway, I looked down and there was the absolute most perfect Peter Pan Shadow of myself that I've ever seen! If I were a Peter Pan believer, I could have sewed that shadow right to my feet and had it forever!

Our creative Office Elders and Assistants made this birthday card for me and gave it to me right on my birthday, May 15th.
L to R: Elders Schiefer, assistant, Elder Baird, office Elder (on top of Elder Heywood), Elder Heywood, Assistant, and Elder Sanford, Office Elder! That was a way happy card to receive.

About Town

Scott has purchased a bike. This one cost about $50, maybe a little more. Some of the missionaries call it a "girlie bike". Not because of the basket or the no bar in the center, but because of the shape of the handle bars. They are up high and women sit very erect on these bikes without bending over to hold onto the handles. Girlie bike or not, he has biked to a bunch of missionaries homes early in the morning. He shows up on their doorsteps in his "biking" clothes and a plastic bag with shoe shine supplies. Then he has them bring all their shoes and they have companionship study with him while he polishes their shoes. They love it.
Something else on Scott is that he gets his hair cut for $1 in an outdoor makeshift barber "shop". Those people are there every day and everyone knows that is their place of business on the sidewalk. They give him a good cut too.
You can see most anything while you are driving about town. From a foot sticking up (middle pic) to hauling glass! It's a lot of fun to discover new things you haven't seen before! We love it.