2nd Historical Conference. Ho Chi Minh.

This same week, November 9th we flew down to Ho Chi Minh from Hanoi for our next Zone Conference. This is the next half of the Zone. In this conference the Zone leader was in this conference. We have never had 4 sisters from Vietnam in Vietnam teaching. With the two in Hanoi and the two in Ho Chi Minh makes the four. So this is another district where we had the most missionaries(branch builders) we've ever had in this branch plus the LDSC couple missionary. Again Elders Sookoo and Wright helped. This time we also had the zone leader give a report and he also gave a lesson. It was the most beautiful and well thought out lesson on Lehi's vision of the tree of life and being steadfast and immoveable. He compared all that dream to misisonary work. It was just a different take on things. All of these branch builders ( I keep forgetting that in Vietnam the government likes to call them branch builders) here are also wonderful and very trustworty. Left to right First row: Sister Huong, Sister Hung, me, Sister Blinn. Second row and left to right: Elder Sookoo, Elder Wright, Elder Vu, Elder Trang (he is the Zone Leader and someday he will be a powerful Stake President!...just speaking my opinion), Scott and Elder Blinn.

Historical Conference

We visited a Young Adult FHE and enjoyed the great food afterward.

Our wonderful LDSC couple working in Hanoi. They are a very enthusiastic and dedicated couple. We love them.

An historic group. The biggest Zone Conference we've had in Hanoi. Usually it's the Senior couple, us and two Elders. This time we took the two missionaries from Phnom Penh to help us train. It was very helpful not to have to do the whole thing. We have never had as far as we know two Elders and two Sisters serving at the same time in the same branch in  Vietnam. We also have the same situation in Ho Chi Minh. So altogether we have 8 single branch builders and 2 LDSC couples serving in Vietnam! Amazing. So this is the lst half of the Vietnam Zone. This is the Hanoi District. Elders Sookoo and Wright, Sisters Pham and Ly (native Vietnamse from Ho Chi Minh), Elders Tai and Kem (from the USA with Elder Tai having full parentage of Vietnamses on both sides and Elder Kem having it on one side), the Michels and Scott and I in the back. Both sisters understand English which is a major advantage to us and them in training. They are absolutely terrific sisters. Three of these missionaries have been members for 3 years or less. Elder Kem, all his life.

Hanoi, Nov. 8-10 Zone Conference-Cultural Visits

We had two new missionaries of Vietnam heritage go to serve in Vietnam. So for the first time we had 4 missionaries serving there. Two Elders and two Sisters. We took the new missionaries to Hanoi and also the Zone leader and companion from the Central district in Phnom Penh along with the senior couple, the Michels, to show them a little of the history and sites of Hanoi to get them aquainted with the city and it's heritage. I couldn't believe we saw a beautiful vegetable garden right in the middle of this huge city! The red bridge is famous and at the ned is a "golden turtle" believed to be sacred. It was a beautiful area with unique trees and roots.

While walking through the ancient library a black moth flew and landed on Elder Michel's head and also Elder Sookoo.
Pictured above are: Quan (a member), Elders Sookoo and Wright from the Central Zone in Phnom Penh, and the two new Elders who will be working in Hanoi: Elders LeNyugen and Nyugen, ( They go by Elders Kem and Tai ), Elder and sister Michel, Scott and me.

I loved this cultural heritage show of the various instruments. They played and performed for us and others there, and an artist was drawing a picture on one of the refurbished doors. Next year is the year of the Dragon. Perhaps that is what the picture is going to depict.

South District Conference Nov. 5-6, 2011

We did a couple of family visits on Saturday. The sister above, has been a member a little over a year. A little over a year ago, her daughter's husband died from a bad heart leaving her daughter with no job, no income and some debt. When we went to visit right after the death, the Mom was distraught. We made a couple of visits and used some scriptures to teach from the Book of Mormon. I saw her pick up her daughter's Book of Mormon. After I asked her if she was interested and she said yes. So we got the Elders in the area to come and teach her. She has remained faithful and true despite trials and how she knows about the Plan of Salvation she has great peace and happiness in her life. Her daughter now has a job, things have improved and she tends her daughters two boys. A gem of a woman who has my total respect and love.

I'm not sure the name of this family, but they don't go to church very much. We encouraged them to come, but it was met with courtesy, but not too much interest. They are kind and sweet and we hope that someday they will feel the importance of keeping their baptismal covenants.

Scott has felt strongly impressed to prepare for stakes/stake. So in the South District Conference Leader training he presented this and went through with them what they need to do to prepare for a stake. The big thing is more Melchezidek Priesthood who pay tithing. When they are prepared then the Prophet will decide when to do this. It's up to them. There has been alot of excitement generated by this preparation. It is a lot of hard work to do the preliminary work for this also. But we pray they will move onward and upward towards their goals!

The District leaders gave me one of the bouquets of flowers that decorated the front of the chapel.

Two of the faithful wives of the District Presidency awaiting their spouses to finish up the evaluation meeting.

Zone Leader Council Nov. 3, 2011

For an object lesson, Scott had everyone that wanted to try it, do the Trust Fall. I guess he went first to show how it's done. He turns around to make sure everyone is ready.

He turns his back, ready for the fall!

And the front of the group had the brunt of the fall. it was a success.
I added in a few other action shots!

Elder Spencer's Birthday Dinner

November 2, 2012, Elder Spencer invitedabout 18 people to his birthday dinner. He is one of our senior missionaries and wanted to celebrate with others. His favorite place to go is a hotel called Raffles. So we all very appreciatively accepted the invitation to join the festivities. It was a very nice dinner and enjoyed by all and paid for by Elder Spencer. Happy Birthday Elder Spencer.

Sister Spencer is at the other end of the tablel. Many of the senior couples were able to join and also Scott's counselor in the mission presidency and hiswife and a couple of his children.

This ice-cream was served in an ice bowl. Very pretty and delicious, by the way!

New Missionaries arrive Provo MTC

December 1, 2011 we went to the airport to await the arrival of 3 new missionaries from the Provo MTC. In the Phnom Penh Airport there are separate waiting areas for arrivals and departures.  This is the arrival area with everyone just waiting around for them to come out the arrival door.

 Heeeeere they come!  Don't they look great!  They were all excited and ready to serve.  They still are!

 Elder Oleson, Elder Smith, me and PResident Smedley, Elder Chan, Elder Gootee, and Elder Hill.

  Elder Smith

 Elder Gootee

Elder Chan.  This is not a good picture of me, but hey, you have to roll with the punches, right?