HALFWAY MARK
Thought this would be a good time for an EVALUATION!
Expectations - We honestly came without a lot of expectations - just wanted to be put to work as part of the Lord's team. We just did not know what was ahead! Each of the five senior missionary couples here is having varied experiences, based on assignments and type of mission (office work, finances, medical, housing needs, public affairs, etc.). We love our MLS assignment to work right with the members and build the church in this new area of Cambodia. (MLS = member leader support). We feel so grateful for our good health and adventurous spirit to make this possible. Pres. and Sis. Hoare have been very attentive to the senior missionaries and helping us all be involved in good ways. We have heard of some MLS missionaries not having specific things to do and not feeling too utilized. Not the case with us; we are grateful to feel like we have a purpose!
Cultural awareness has been a very fun aspect of our time. Every day we laugh at some new way of stacking a load on a vehicle or how many people can creatively squeeze on a moto! We have had adventures with food and ways of life that have definitely added a spark of interest! Again, we didn't know what to expect, but it has turned out to be a delightful discovery!
Big surprises: 1) old people are really respected; 2) traffic and driving - intricate pattern dance (we have seen several deaths on the road); 3) we are in awe of the beautiful children; 4) more rewarding than we thought it would be!
Physical - We have both seen the big blessing of lower blood pressure; in fact, completely turned to normal levels. Jim's feet have not had the swelling that he had last year.
I have gained weight - ugh! (I believe mostly from so much sitting with all the driving we do.) The second half of our mission must see a downward turn on that! Our exercise routines include: Jim going up and down 4 flights of stairs about 30 times daily and getting in 10,000 steps; Cathy doing YouTube pilates, barre, and yoga practices. I have found some wonderful routines and good supplement equipment (hand weights, ball, bands, blocks). I am missing some of my metabolism supplements, for sure.
We have managed haircuts - Jim has never been haircut happier at $1.50 a service, 10 minutes in and out, and no social chit-chat expectations! Cathy found a salon with Winn (from Vietnam) that the senior sisters all use, and which also offers very relaxing Chinese washes (1 hour long!). I also have found some good market stalls for getting my nails done for $4 or $5. Nice to stay personally groomed!
Sleep: great!! A blessing! Most of the days we are tired enough to fall into bed tired and fall right to sleep. I get bug bites ALL the time. I have some little scars that will be my war wounds for life! None for Jim - what's with this! Is his skin just tougher? More wrinkles, but softer skin with the humidity. I welcome more afternoon naps.
Clothes - Jim's white shirts are holding up amazingly well!! Ties abound with Makara selling her Cambodian ties at every mission gathering. My three basic skirts are feeling rather worn, but they are still fine. Not sure how to clothes shop here, where they are all short-waisted and skinny. I may need to have some new skirts tailor-made. (I hear it's cheap; just need the language to communicate!)
Social - Hugs are a genuine gift of love (Jim says he should take pictures of me "hugging Cambodia!"). Love the expanded circle of friendship - many Cambodians, the senior couples/mission leaders we serve with, and especially the young missionaries.
Language is always the barrier - but we have learned to point and basically get by when we are not with the elders. Google Translate is a great help (but with many limitations!). Not always helpful!
Going out to eat frequently is natural here and very affordable! It will be hard to go back home and not have that luxury. It is also nice to be less focused on entertainment/hostessing details and house maintenance/projects and shopping of all kinds. Ahhhh.
Favorite social thing is that we can communicate pretty easily with our family back home via FaceTime (just have to coordinate the time difference!). Still feel quite connected! Talking with family on a different basis is quite interesting.
Spiritual - Being able to bear testimony frequently is a JOY. This is by far the most fulfilling part of what we do!! This has made us more attuned to the right words at the right time while the elders are teaching. We have learned to be ready to act and serve at any time. If we are available, we are "yes" people! We love talking about the basic foundation of the gospel; it really is not complicated. We must be brief and straight forward because our words need to be translated, so we think through our thoughts more attentively. We have learned to communicate as we observe people's body language and facial reactions. Some elders claim I understand most of what is being said, when in reality, I just observe carefully! We communicate in many ways!
We also have more devoted personal study time, as well as car time to listen to talks, "Saints," etc. together. We have opportunities to share prepared thoughts with the whole mission on the Senior Devotional zoom meetings. We also have learned to always have a talk in mind as a back-up for Sacrament Meeting if needed.
One of my favorite spiritual evaluations has been the tender mercies and miracles I keep a record of each month. I am absolutely astonished how much the Lord is involved in our daily lives. Beautiful blessings are there for our noticing and enjoying and remembering!
Challenges - Blog writing - I am woefully behind! I am not a writer, so it's not in me naturally! I keep daily journal notes, but actual blog entries weigh on me because there is so much to share!
Language - we don't have the capacity to speak to most people. This has kept us humble! Because of this, we are not using some of the abilities we have built over the years with scripture and gospel study. We are limited in how to share. It's incredible to see the gift of tongues in the young missionaries!
Shopping together - we have never really done it before, but we can do it! Not so much a challenge as a new experience of how each processes shopping decisions. We have the time to work it out here! At home, it would just be a patience test!
Joys - serving in Chbar Mon (Kampong Speu) has been the absolute highlight of our mission. It is a specific stewardship, a place we could make a difference. Opening up the church here with 10 people the first week (6 of whom were missionaries!) and then seeing it grow from week to week leads to a weekly excitement build up for Sunday. A highlight of our life is envisioning how the church will operate here and continue into the future.
It is rewarding to also have a responsibility of the actual church building, to keep it up and make it a special place. We have worked very art in making the church special - getting supplies like whiteboards, art work, projector, etc.
Sharing spiritual thought in English class has turned out to be a rewarding experience! We generally have 25 or more people stay for this little presentation! I also feel I am making a difference with Primary music. I have worked hard to have sets of laminated pictures and words printed for many songs. It's so fun on Sunday to see the children learning the gospel in this foundational way!
Our relationship has really built - more patience, more love. This is one of the greatest joys of all! We are on the same team, with the same goals!
EVAULATION SUMMARY - Each day is a blessing to feel like we can contribute and that we have the health and energy to do it. Each day is a new adventure for us - we are still surprised by new things. Being away from 1st world problems and being immersed in 3rd world survival gives a valued perspective.
Knowing family, especially grandchildren, are praying for us is so special.
We are embracing seniority - admitting to it and being honored by it! The Lord can use us at all stages of our lives!
EXTENDED VACATION?!?! No regrets! No other place we would rather serve our senior mission!
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