The Floor Erupts-Dec. 26th-Jan.17th,

December 26th in the morning, we were talking to our family at their Christmas Party, when all of a sudden we started hearing all of these popping noises, a picture fell and the lamp swayed. When it was all done, we realized that probably half of the tiles underneath the carpet had come lose from their glue and were in a tent like position against each other. We could tell when we walked, because the floor was not level and tilted in some places. Since our kids were coming in two days we opted to wait for a week or so to have it fixed and just lived with the bad floor until after they left. Finally we got started on Monday, January 7th. It took until the next Monday January 14th for it to be completely finished. So here is a pictorial history of the process. The whole middle section was all loose and erupted. All the men had to do was to lift up the tile and it came right up. The rest they had to dig up a little.

After all the tile was gone, then the jack hammer was used to dig up about 4 inches of foundational cement that was laid for the tile.

They then tile by tile, level by level, lay a little cement at a time and relay it. Since we had to have a flooring, we chose to get rid of the carpet because it kept getting mold on the top layer of the carpet. They aren't used to carpet here, and it was hard for the cleaners to clean it. Tile floors are easier to clean. So, I chose a wood look tile.

Here is the finished product. We took the living room furniture and put it in the family room on the 2nd floor and took the furniture from the second floor up in our former living room which is now more of a family room. I love it and love the look. I took one of the rugs we had in the landing by our living room and put in here. I like the look. I hope a new Mission President and his wife will also like the look too.

Leadership Training January 6-7

For this leadership training we brought in all the sisters along with the trainers, District Leaders and Zone Leaders. It was a great training and they all are relaxing here as we close.

We couldn't have done this big training without our assistants: Elders Hill and Oleson and the Office Elders: Elders Wilcox and Vanfleet. They were all just right with us helping all the way. We love and appreciate them.

Minister of Religion and Cults and Time to Go Home.

When Minh Kin was in Utah a couple of years ago, he went to our home. Scott had invited him to go there and get some fresh apples off the trees. Not too many of those here in Cambodia. So Benjamin and our daughter Varci, hosted him. He really liked them, especially Benjamin and told him if he comes to Cambodia, come see him. So arrangements were made and our last afternoon we got an appointment to see him and took him a fruit basket for his kindness. Cambodians are very friendly and he likes to hold hands when you take a picture. So both Benjamin and I hold hands with the Minister of Cults and Religions. He expressed his appreciation for the Church and all that it does to help Cambodians.

Off to the airport at 9:30 for a 11:30 p.m. flight take off!

Final pictures together and off they go!  It is always a tender moment to send off our kids, but this time, we will see them in a few months again! So, that was helpful. We had a great time and they helped with the missionary work too!  It was all great.  Thanks for coming!

From Battambang, Killing Fields, Titanic, and Ta Mao Zoo

Monday afternoon we left Siem Reap to try to catch the Bats coming out of the Bat cave in Battambang. They were still coming out but it was too dark to see it, so we went back the next day to go up to the Wat and the Killing Caves there. I love the view from there. Tuesday, the 3rd we headed back to Phnom Penh and went to the Killing Fields on Wednesday. On the way back, we stopped at Teresa's Electrical to visit this awesome family in the 4th branch. The man of this home is a recent convert. His wife had asked me along time ago if we could stop by with our family. So we did and they were very gracious to chat with us a minute.

We went to the Titanic which as a lot of atmosphere to eat. It resembles the Titanic ship in some places. Benjamin was quite comfortable until Polly saw a rat go past to the cloth by our table. Benjamin hopped up on the table and stayed there. We figured that the rat would be afraid of us and not come back. NOT. It brushed by Holly about midway through our meal. We asked to be moved. I have been here several times and never had a problem. I think where we sat is too close to the river front and that attracts these rodents. I would still go there again because the food is good, but I will never sit near the riverfront again.

The last day of Pollys,Benjamin's and Holly's visit we went to the Ta Mao Zoological Park. They let you be right with the animals in some places. Most are in natural big cages, but the monkey's and the deer are not. The guide was hesitant to take us in with the deer. They had a deer there that was mean, so they cut off his antlers so he wouldnt' hurt anyone. We have been here 2 other times and never had issues. However....yep this deer wouldnt' stop following us and then the guide noticed the deer in the background and that was the mean deer. So he hurried us through this area pretty fast.

We did stop long enough to see a few animals in that particular area .The alligator and the tiger blend in well with the foilage.

The monkey is very friendly because he is blind and likes to touch humans. The guide pets his head, so he stuck out his leg to have it rubbed too. The little otters were hungry. Polly couldn't resist and bought a fish to feed one of them, then they all started reaching out for the fish bowl. They were going to be fed by our guide and other helpers in a few hours.

The bear loves me. Polly, Holly and Benjamin were brave to stand so close to the elephants. This elephant dances to rap by moving it's head and legs back and forth to the beat. Pretty amazing trick.

Ta Prom Temple and Angkor Wat Temples

I call it the Tree Root temple because of obvious reasons. But in actuality it is called Ta Prom (say it dah Prohm). I am always amazed when we come here to see all of these fascinating roots and how they take over the temple. This is a temple they have not restored in alot of places so people can see what the area was like when these temples were discovered. The roots are really gradually destroying it, so we will see what happens.

It was just too bright and no matter how I put the flash: on or off, it just went too bright, so I picked the best of 4 to put on my blog.

We were delighted to meet up with many Monks this time around at the Angkor Temple. Color really stands out in these temples.

These are the washing rooms before the priests and king could go to the highest area to worship. Polly is ready to dive in. (not really...no water!)

Elephants and the Bayon Temple

January 2nd we went on into the Park area where there are alot of temples there near Siem Reap. We saw a few monkey's in the park, but not as many as in the past. The monkey's love the tourists because they feed them lots of bananas and nuts. The first thing in the morning is the best time to ride the elephants. Since that was a high priority for our kids that was the first thing we did. And it's always fun to feed the elephants too. They love the bananas you can buy to feed them. Scott stayed in the car to read his letters and take pictures of us!

This temple is known for all of its faces. It is in the Thom area of the park. It has pictures on the walls that depict the wars of the Cambodians back in 400 BC and on.

This Aspara dancer I liked because she was clothed in all the right places!

Holly tries to kiss one of the faces. We almost got it! The musicians are all handicapped with lost limbs from land mines. They play beautiful music and sell their CD's to earn a living for their families.

New Year's Day in Siem Reap

We spent a wonderful afternoon after Church working with two sets of missionaries, Elder Christian and Kuhn then Elder Anderson and Phan. The little girls are ones that Amelia met while she was here. She loved them and her and Esther sent them each one of their dresses. The little girls were so happy and especially with the treats. The family with the Grandma gave us this interesting Cambodian fruit. I have tried it and it isn't my favorite. They wanted a picture of all of us trying to eat it. They are investigators, and the others are all members. The young woman in the greenish skirt and black blouse has put in her papers for a mission. She has amazing faith.

Benjamin and Holly by the waters near the Angkor Wat.

All of us.

I love this family. We have visited them off and on since we have been here and seen their growth in the church. The brother is a counselor in the branch presidency of Siem Reap and they are trying to exercise faith that he can get a better job so they can all live together not in Siem Reap but in their home in Sra Srong. We encouraged them and told them they would get answers to their prayers. Scott helped give the sister a blessing. They went to the temple last year. The lady on the right in red is their land lady.

\This little girl was a baby when we first met. She is a sweetie.

We went with Elders Anderson and Phan in the dark of the jungle out to visit this investigator.She is almost ready for baptism and is just awesome. They are thanking us for coming with the Cambodian way of saying thanks and hello and goodbye! The Elders taught them about Fasting and paying a Fast offering. Although she has very little, she willingly agreed to give what she could.


Back we go with Elder Anderson leading the way. We certainly enjoyed our New Year's Day in teaching and sharing testimony with members and investigators. Our lives were all blessed for sure.