Leaving Sihanoukville May 1st.

Our last view at breakfast time from the hotel restaurant of the Blue Ridge.

We are checking out after a quick visit here. We enjoyed coming and the Cambodians here are as friendly and nice as the rest of the country.

This sand crab is little and fast.  I was lucky to get such good pictures of them going into their hole.


Elder Ott and Elder Michelson were definitely enjoying the beach. Elder Ott is from California. He and I gathered a bunch of shells. The Blue Ridge is in the background


In the distance is a new bridge going to an island.  It will be opening soon and I guess there are tourists things there. I noticed a small beach on the side we were on. It was an interesting place to go. From Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville it is a 4 hour ride by car.  If you go by one of the Cambodian taxis, it is faster, but also maybe a little dangerous as they travel fast.

Leaving our hotel we come across a few rolling hills. The weather is not so hazy today.

Leaving the city center we come across the peaceful and not peaceful lions.

We are really going up hill, but you can't tell.

And here still going up hill?  San Franciso?  Not quite, but a reminder.

In between Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh, it is quite rural. 

Still going up hill!  Promise!

On the flat lands we pass five a family of five on a motto.

  One of my favorite scenes of this drive was seeing the young man and his water buffalo.  He has his stick with him in case the buffalo gets too far away!

I would say those are kind of moutains in the background!

Crossing a bridge we see these very quiet riverside homes, except we could hear alot of geese honking.

 I'm not sure, but I think this nice river runs into the ocean.

 The hammock was across the bridge in between two trees.  No homes there. I guess someone put it there for the wanderer or someone who needed a rest.

This was a first for us.  The guy's moto's front wheel is in the back of the van. and he is hanging on with his hand on the trunk. As we passed them he was tired and laid his head on the trunk.  I guess he got home safe!

I was so happy to see the mountain ranges that I took several pictures. This was beautiful country and even though we were planning some trainings we still saw a variety of scenes.  

April Visits in the South District-28 & 29th.

I have been to this home teaching with the sisters several times and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the husband is working on getting active so he can have a temple marriage.  Scott gave him a tie and I hope that encourages him to go to church.  This is their first child.  I think they are about 20 years apart!  But they seem very happy.

The next home was up about 4 stories and I loved the tree that was across the street from them.  They have not been coming out good, but hopefully they will.  He was encouraged to not work on Sunday and start helping his family to be a forever family. He came to Both sessions of District Conference on April 29th! 


Their beautiful little girl seems to be pondering all that was said about Eternal Families. 

It was fun to visit Sister Him and her Father.  Her Mom died about 3 months ago, so it was nice to go in their home. Sister Him is one of our former sister missionaries and is a very devout member of the church along with her Father and older sister.

On our way home from the Saturday night session of District Conference, Scott had to pull over to talk on the phone and I caught a picture of the Week-end traffic.  On the way to the General Session of District Conference in the South District, we saw this man hauling many floor mats on his cyclo.  THat is alot of hard pushing!  He must have terrific muscle legs!


After the Sunday session of conference, there was a baptism of this sister and her son.  I was able to go with the sisters when they first started teaching them.  She is so smart and also has lots of faith. The little boy got an infection in his finger and gangarene set in and he had to have part of his finger amputated.  At the time he was living with his grandma in the Kaihs and she didnt' take him to the doctor in time. He is now living with his Mother. 
The sisters pose with their newest members.  Sister Keo on the Left and Sister Johnson on the right.  The sister in the middle, gave me a fun little wallet made out of cement bags and an Ipad holder for Scott's Ipad made out of cement bags,  but it didn't fit.  She loves us like parents she says. She says when I hug her, she can feel the love of the Savior for her!  You never can tell the effect of a good hug, I guess! 

I love this little guy. His name is David.  I have watched him grow since he was a baby. His dad is Ouk Sophal, the South District President.  His Mom is Bolinda.  Such a great family in the Church. And the little boy is just a beautiful little guy!

More About the 12 New Missionaries.

President Sam Saphon and President Kim Sang. Both are Branch Presidents and Both have served with Scott in the mission presidency.  Sam Saphon has been the first counselor and Kim Sang is also the Executive secretary.  He also manages the service center.

Sister Kim Lang's friends and family.  She is serving in Battambang with Sister Kosal.

All of the group but Sister Lim who had to go to the border and get her passport stamped.


These are all faithfully waiting for Sister Lim to come in from the long bus ride this day, April 26th. She had gone to Vietnam and didn't get her passport stamped when she came back, so she had to go back to the border, get her passport stamped and come back. It took her all day, but she made it.


We should call him Elder Smiling!

And, here she comes with her family.  All came in and watched her set apart and there is a group picture of our 8 sisters and 4 Elders all from Cambodia, called to serve in Cambodia. A sister and an Elder are Vietnamese speaking and will probably have the opportunity to go to Vietnam.

12 New Cambodian missionaries set apart and go to Manila MTC

The day before this big setting apart we were to a restaurant called the Khmer Surin and they had this beautiful floral arrangement as you went in. Just put this in here for decoration and a variety!

This is just some of the group who came to see the 11 set apart.  One more was set apart later as she got back from Vietnam on the border.

Sister Thoung (sp?) is in the 3rd branch and has been called Vietnamse speaking. She is now serving in Ho Chi Minh City with Sister Houng.

Elder Morn with his cousins, aunts and parents. He is ALWAYS smiling. 

Elder Sem with family and friends.  His Mom is the second on the left.

Sister Kosal and her parents, sisters, and Aunt. Her Aunt Saret is in the middle and she is our cook/housekeeper!

This sister lost her Dad a couple of months ago, but has rallied and is doing well. She also speaks very good English.  We are glad she is here in Cambodia serving!

Elder Lam is with his brother and sister who helped him with his mission.  They are a terrific family.

Elder Heng is from Battambang, but his family couldn't come down, but his friend came to support him and a former missionary who served in Battambang, Sister Noeur, also came to support Elder Heng.