NO ONE IS FORGOTTEN
OCT. 12-18, 2025
Visits with Members
Sokha
Between General Conference sessions, we got to go with El. Hallam and El. Villar to visit an inactive member, Sokha, along with her husband and her sister. I felt a great connection with her.....language barriers melt when smiles and thoughts (via my trusted translators!) and hugs are shared! Jim thinks I should start an entry of pictures called, "Hugging Cambodia!" Her sister was just leaving for work and was commenting that she hadn't felt good for quite awhile. I said I would pray for her....and she seemed brightened by that thought. I just love when we get to interact more closely with the people.
Sok Lim
ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES OF THE MONTH!!.....in the late afternoon, we had an impromptu visit with El. Madrid and El. Little to visit a member who was visiting at her mother's home. It was a LONG drive out there, and she guided us in by phone down little dirt roads for the last part. Very remote, rural area. It was dark by then. We really felt out in the middle of nowhere! Then the member told us about 10 minutes before that she had actually left, but we could visit with her parents. What?!?! But it turned out to be an incredible visit!!! Her mother, SokLim, is a long-time member. She was overjoyed to see us!!! They have lived there for six years and haven't had a visit from a church member or missionary in all that time. She used to drive all the way back to Pochentang for church (where she formerly lived) but then hurt her back and couldn't go that far on her modo. She very faithfully studies her scriptures everyday and is currently adding the Old Testament in. Their son was one of the first missionaries to serve in Cambodia - she is soooo proud of him! Her husband is not a member, and at first he was in the background, but by the end he was smiling and interacting, too.
Veasna
What an adventurous drive! We were to meet El. Hallam and El. Villar at a spot right before the village roads got dicey. However, google maps took us all over the place, down little windy, narrow dirt roads that we didn't know if we could get out of! There were lots of deep puddles from the rain. Thank goodness for 4-wheel drive on this night! If we ever thought we were lost before, this beat it! We were even unsure of the direction we were going in the dark. We learned afterwards that there was a very direct way to the meeting spot off of Highway 4, but maps took us on backroads through the village to the other side instead! We will never forget that!
But the drive was worth it! We finally met up with the elders and went to Veasna's home. He is a very active brother, who is a returned missionary and former a.p. He really glows with the gospel light! We loved sharing a Book of Mormon thought and testimony with them. His wife, Kakada, is not a member, but she needs to be! Their nephew and 2 children were there, too. The biggest connection was with the circumstance of a miscarriage (5 months along) they had a couple of years ago. It was understandably very devastating. I related to them about my 8 miscarriages and how I understood that feeling of loss. They now have a 5-month-old baby boy that brings great joy. He was a bit premature, and they have had to give him non-stop care, but he seems very healthy now.
As far as the crazy drive, we are committed to doing what it takes to have these wonderful opportunities for interaction. Blessings upon blessings.
Mon 13th - P-Day
We took the four Kamboul elders to a Monastary and Rehab Zoo (some of the animals had 3 legs, injuries, sickness, etc) for their P-day. It was a beautiful countryside drive, and, of course, the elders were really enjoying being in an air-conditioned car. :) Some highlights were feeding the elephants, seeing wild, free-roaming monkeys for the first time, and talking with a monk! (El. Hallam, El. Villar, El. Madrid, and El. Little)
In the evening, I had a nice personal tender mercy. I really wanted to make snickerdoodles for our district meeting. I have taken on as a personal contribution to spoil "our missionaries" with a little extra treat each week. (You know that is how I am!) I thought I had cinnamon but found out I only cinnamon sticks. It was raining hard and was too late to go out again. Then I remembered that just that morning I had seen a chopper attachment for blender hiding in the back of the cupboard! I didn't know what it was really for. I tried grinding up the sticks, and it worked! In addition, I was already prepared with a hand mixer that we just purchased on Sat. It was needed for fluffing the the egg and sugar mixture. Successful snickerdoodles!!
Tues 14th - Sat. 18th - a few happenings!
On Tuesday, we enjoyed supporting our District Council. It is such a great up-close time with the missionaries. We are the only senior missionaries in the mission that have this chance because of being in our Member-Leader -Support role. El. Madrid is our district leader, and I am so impressed with his teaching abilities and motivational challenges. Today it was on using the Book of Mormon in every lesson and bearing testimony of it and also teaching with unity as companions. He had Jim show part of the "Treasures in Heaven" video. I forgot how deeply moving that conversion story is! All these missionaries are so impressive with their love and understanding of the gospel.
On Wednesday morning we have a short Senior Zoom Devotional with the entire mission. We found out at the very last moment that TODAY would be us!! Scramble! Jim took the reins and presented a little bit about Pres. Oaks' preparation during his life to be the man he is today. This is perfect on the day when the new First Presidency was just announced. (Pres. Oaks, Pres. Eyring, and Pres. Christofferson).
On Thursday a fun happening was Jim receiving his first Cambodian haircut!! We tried out a small market open-air side stall. Jim has never been happier in his haircut experiences!! He In and out in 10 minutes, no appointment needed, no need to be social and carry on a conversation (because he couldn't!) - just pointed and the guy nodded, no extra shampoo, gel, etc. Best part....it only cost a $1.50! And I think he looks great!! I am still chuckling over his reaction! Just look at that smile! This was his haircut heaven!!
On Friday we drove out to Kampong Speu again and saw our place being prepared. Great progress in its preparations!! They have already installed glass door fronts, which add SO MUCH! They have also removed the extra beds and old washer and are busy cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. It is really fun to envision the possibilities!
On Sat. we went to the English class held every Thurs. and Sat. There were 13 people there! We were a little late, but there was a little electric happy vibe as we came in! There is a group that really enjoys us there! And at the end of class, we both had the chance to share a little spiritual thought or story about Jesus with them. Afterwards, I turn around and practice some of my Khmei phrases with them! They think it's so cute that I'm trying, and they really want to help me along in my beginnings stages.
Doves to the Window
We enjoyed another Pheakday family lesson, this time just a more intimate group of adults, but lots of children. They always gather!! They are so curious and interested and are very respectful listeners. We talked about the life of Christ on earth. Afterwards when we were visiting with the adults, the children gathered around our car. They peaked in the windows and saw pamphlets on the seat. They came running and wanted to know if they could have one with a picture of Jesus. Of course! The next thing we knew, many pamphlets were being claimed, as all the children each wanted their own! Who knows where these seeds will land?!
Jim thought of an analogy from Isaiah about the gathering of Israel, quoting that they will be like "Doves to the Window." What an perfect analogy for these beautiful children!! Little doves looking in.
Some Food Highlights of the Week
Food really is a fun part of our daily adventures!! So many new things to enjoy; so many different things to possibly avoid! And we spark curiosity wherever we go!
-Thai beef noodle soup at Macro's outside "food court"
-More Mixue (of course!) - the workers recognize us as we enter! We are a bit known in there! I have at least twice been aware of workers and customers "secretly" taking our picture!
-Kamboul Market for Lok Lak (rice, brothy soup, beef, egg, pepper/lime seasoning) - Elders M & L lead us along! Much pampering attention! I think we honored the owners by being white foreigners choosing their place! Loved the food - definitely a favorite dish and place!
-Avocado Shake (very popular here - made with sweetened condensed milk)
-Passion fruit drink - I am SOLD!
-Fermented fish paste - yuck! yuck! yuck! Someone brought it to the church general conference day with a plate of fruit to dip it in. We were caught off guard!
-Khmei pizza - hot dogs in crust, a variety of seafood and corn and fake cheese on top!
-Not tried, but introduced to the sight - crickets, grasshoppers, tarantulas, and mini-octupus!! Can't quite fathom the crunch and texture of those yet!
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