Hello! Sister Benson and I hit our year mark together this last week on the 22. We didn't do anything crazy like burn anything... but we made smores over the stove!!
The rain came down hard this week. We were biking to get to a members house because her house always floods really bad and we were going to go help her. We knew it would be really flooded over there but didn't realize how high the water would be! The water was higher than our tires and we struggled to keep peddling. The worst part is the water is black due to the trash and sewage. A school had just got out and all the kids had their books above their heads as they walked through the water. Some of them had bikes also! The problem with riding your bikes when it floods is all the trash (because there is no trash system) is in the water and gets stuck in your gears and wheels and chain. A little boy was on the side of the road out of the water trying to pull stuff out of his tire while also trying to keep his books from getting wet. I felt like I should go help him and I pulled over to the side of the road and put my foot down. And then......My worst nighmare happened. My bike is a little tall for me so I have to lean fully to one side to touch the ground. When I put my foot out to place on the ground, my foot went in a drain and down I went. Luckily my Khmer Book of Mormon and my Book of Mormon were all in waterproof bags but yes, I went ALL THE WAY UNDER. So gross. I'm not sure how I didn't twist my ankle... I was blessed I guess! I remember my first time riding my bike through water like that last year and I laughed at the thought of someone falling in it... One Year later...Karma...
At district meeting we were discussing the importance of listening to the spirit when testifying or sharing a personal experience because the spirit will let you know what others need to hear. The Sunday before our recent convert was in the 2nd hour of church and we were talking about baptism. The teacher asked her if she would share with everyone about her experience she shared at her baptism. Her experience she previously shared was about prayer and reading your scriptures. Instead she started sharing about an experience she had with fasting. While she was sharing, I kinda laughed to myself because it was not on topic and wasn't what the teacher wanted her to share but nevertheless, it was still a good personal experience. At district meeting, Elder Ouk (He is one of my friends that I met before my mission at CICFO. Now I serve with him in TTP area and we serve as AP's together. He is amazing!!) He told me when Bong Rany shared her experience on fasting, it was an answer to his prayer for his investigators. The day before he had taught his investigators about fasting and they were having a hard time understanding why it was important or necessary. When they heard Bong Rany share her experience and testimony it was exactly what they needed to hear. Elder Ouk was thankful that Bong Rany was in tune with the spirit and was able to share her story to help those investigators. So cool. I was so proud of Bong Rany for listening to the spirit. That is so important. There have been so many times in my mission where I could not understand what the investigator or member was saying and I had to fully rely on the Spirit to know what to say back. I know that when we listen to the Holy Ghost, He will help us know that the investigator needs to hear to touch their heart. Sister Benson and I had an experience together that in the middle of a meeting where a member was sharing her personal trials she was going through we both had the same scripture come into our mind. When Sister Benson asked the member to read the scripture out loud it reassured me that we were both in tune with the Spirit and had unity in our companionship. Having the Spirit is awesome.
This week I learned the word for sink, becasuse our sink is broken, and it is "snook tuk"! hahah Yessss.
One year. Pretty crazy. I can't believe a year ago I didn't know any khmer. I remember opening my class room door and my teacher asking me over and over what my name was and me having no idea how to respond. I wish I could of videoed that. I also can't believe how much I've changed. I feel like a whole new person and I feel like I actually know my Savior. I am so thankful for Him and His Atonement. Before I use to think the Atonement was just something used when you sin and you used it to repent and be clean again. Which is true, but it is so much more. It is an amazing gift we were all given to help us through this life because life is not easy, nor will it ever be. But, we can find peace and comfort in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. There has been so many times I have felt the Savior help me whether it be in the language, being able to keep biking in the heat, or to be able to leave the house when I feel dead tired. He is always there and always willing to help us because He loves us.
This Church is True and I love the Gospel with all my heart. I love being a missionary and having the privilege to help people come to know their savior.
Thank you so much! Love you all!
ប្រសិនបើអ្នកអាចអានអ៊ីម៉ែលនេះប្
I bet you didn't know Cambodia has ice skating? This is from a few weeks ago.. But we got to do it for free which was great.
