TENDER MERCIES AND MISSION MIRACLES (May 2026)

One of my favorite songs.......

The Miracle 

by Shawna Edwards

(1st Verse)

Jesus walked upon the water.
He stilled the storm and calmed the angry sea.
With His hands, He healed the leper.
He made the lame to walk, the blind to see.
He fed a thousand people with a loaf or two of bread.
And when the ruler's daughter died, He raised her from the dead.

(Chorus)

Jesus is a God of miracles.
Nothing is at all impossible to Him.
But I know this: Of all His miracles,
The most incredible must be
The miracle that rescues me.

(2nd Verse)
Jesus bled and died to save me.
A price that I could never pay alone.
When He rose again, He gave me
The greatest gift the world Has ever known.
Oh I can be forgiven every time I turn to Him
And some day He will lift me up to live with Him again.

(Chorus)

Jesus is a God of miracles.
Nothing is at all impossible to Him.
But I know this: Of all His miracles,
The most incredible must be
The miracle that rescues me.

(3rd Verse)
I know He will walk beside me
And heal my wounds and calm my troubled heart.
Always there to bless and guide me;
My psalm at night, my bright and morning star.
His love and grace will never end; each day they start anew.
My name is graven on His hands, and yours is, too.

(Final Chorus)

Jesus is a God of miracles.
Nothing is at all impossible to Him.
But I know this: Of all His miracles,
The most incredible must be
The miracle that rescues me.

The miracle that rescues you and me.

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Tender Mercies and Miracles of this month:

-Perfect timing for a surprise visit to MakYeh! (The older sister who is completely on her own and cuts fruit to sell at the market.)   She was sick and staying at a niece's home.  It was a miracle that we found her!!  Sis. Phirun was the right person to ask around with her neighbors.  She just couldn't believe we were there!  Jim was able to give her a blessing.

-Jim was able to give several setting apart blessings for recent calls, as we get our group growing in the right direction.  It felt especially personal for each one. The inspired words proclaimed their specialness and unique talents to contribute in building the church in this area.  I really felt of the great love Heavenly Father has for each one!

-May 3rd, another Miracle Sunday in Kampong Speu!  It was one of best days of our mission!  57 came people at church!!  No special programs, no special reason - just came!!  In fact, when Jim opened the doors at 7:30, 3 were outside waiting, and by 8:00, 10 people were here, just happily hanging out!  (church doesn't start until 9:00).  That day, we started the new time block (ahead of the general church populous!)   What a joy!!  Had our first Relief Society, Elders' Quorum, and Youth Group.  Wow!!  Each group seemed to glow with excitement, especially those 11 women all gathered together around the big wooden kitchen table.  It was marvelous to see!  Then we had the baptism of Vanaak.  He has been preparing for a long time....so very ready!!!  

-Sundays are a JOY.  Each week is a build up of anticipation for what will take place.  And there is such a sense of reverence here!!  I sense that the new visitors are feeling it, too.  We love being a part of what is happening. We call it, "The Continuous Kampong Speu Miracle!"   It is a marvel to see the Lord's hand directing this beginning foundation which is so important for the future here.

-I had the chance to join in a lesson right before English class with the twin sisters (MayRuen and MaYeun) and their friend Lida (1st time for her).  Always love when I can bear testimony.  This time it was on the Sabbath Day and why it is important to me.  I feel like I am very, very blessed with the right words to say and the spirit I hope I am contributing to lessons.  I feel like I am also blessed in significant other ways in my life because of bearing testimony.

-Next lesson with the twins had 5 young ladies for a lesson on the prophet!  All friends.  Honor to be with them. Wow do they glow!!  I soooo appreciate the elders involving me. (El. Frances and El. Paletu'a)

-We were helping with an outdoor service project at Kanha's new house.  A large group of children gathered and were very curious about these foreigners.  I taught them, "I Am Like a Star."  What fun to hear them all singing, there in that remote little area of the world!

-Low blood pressure readings for both Jim and I.  This is especially a miracle for Jim!  And in addition, his feet have not be swelling or turning white from lack of circulation.  We are indeed being blessed!

-Trip to Thailand with Elders for a visa run.  We very blessed to not have any flight delays (not uncommon) so that we could make it to the temple.  It was a Saturday, and the latest scheduled session was 12:00. They held a special session for us at 1:00.  Think of all the angel workers who stayed later for us!  And a bonus - they showed the temple movie in Khmer!

-Another temple blessing - 6 of our family names were able to be completed that day!  Several elders were willing to help.  It's been so long since being at the temple - I feel like these ancestors were waiting!

-A beautiful devotional/testimony meeting with the elders in Thailand.  They are about to go home next transfer.  This was a reunion as a MTC group.  Very, very special - a sacred time with these valiant young men.  Felt like it was a sons of Mosiah reunion.

-Visited Brek Bo, who had a moto accident.  Believe it or not, this may have been meant to be!  The visit led to visits to family members in need.  Five blessings were administered.  They were given in a very sacred room, too - clean, special tile, nice chair, light shining through.  Such faith!  And it led to Book of Mormon and pamphlet sharing (and reading glasses!).

-a tender mercy has been Jim's finding of church videos for the English Class spiritual thought as the end.  We feel it has added so much. There is a wonderful spirit in that sharing.

-Prompted to share the universal sign of a heart hand sign with a little 10-year-old girl during our lesson.  Instantly connected us!!  Her timidness seemed to instantly melt away.  

-Felt inspired with leading Primary.  Every week is an adventure, and it just seems to be getting better and better!  This time we were dividing the Red Sea and used the two small blue tables as our sea. In addition, singing time is always a highlight.  I loved helping them learn and perform, "When I Am Baptized" at a recent baptism.

-Vut and Roet, our brand new converts, hosted a group dinner.  So much joy!  And to think that the members didn't even know each other just a few months ago!  They all shared feelings about the gospel at the end.  Lovely unity.

-Spencer blessed little baby Ellie at home. So grateful for technology to allow us to be part of that clear across the world!  What a powerful feeling to see our family priesthood holders surround this beautiful, precious newborn girl. All the grandchildren and moms gathered around.  One of life's biggest blessings is being family.  Very special moment.

-Soknem, Vanaak, Long Heng, and Rahnee were all baptized!  What a truly elect family!!  They joyfully entered the covenant path!  They absolutely glow!

-Felt spiritually fed by Elder Kelly R. Johnson and Sister Terrie Johnson, visiting general authority on a Mission Tour.  Wonderful meetings with unique insights. Favorite take-away was on having POWER, the part of our callings that allow us the ability to do more than we can do on our own.  Also blessed with a special opportunity to have an up-close dinner with them and the other senior couples.  .

-Had the chance to help Titchyia with food.  He has given his all for church service; it is a privilege to help in this little temporal way.  It also makes me realize how close to the edge so many of our members are living.  They are often in a survival mode.

-Jim has been involved in many ordinations recently - giving the gift of the Holy Ghost, ordaining men to the priesthood, setting apart blessings in callings.  It is all a marvel to see this happening.

-Just feel so loved by members and teaching friends!  The culture of respecting elders carries over to such an awe of us.  So many times we get comments of admiration for our relationship, the kindness and respect we show each other.  It is amazing how much we are observed. 

-For one of our English class spiritual thoughts, we played Nathan Pacheco's "Forever" video on the large projector screen.  I got to bear testimony afterwards about the Savior.  I really felt a witness of the spirit that night.

-A tender mercy is the means and desire to put together Sunday dinners for the KPS elders.  I feel like this has been especially unifying for us.  We are like our own little family out here in this corner of the mission!  I have also baked treats for district councils and baptisms.  Preparing homemade food is definitely one of my love languages!  

-A big miracle - after 44 years, a church member in Hong Kong reached out to me via church communications, hoping to somehow connect!  I had helped teach Wallace Lam 45 years ago, and he was baptized on April 18, 1982, at the age of 14. He recently served as a stake president.  He has a beautiful family (several children and grandchildren), all involved with the gospel.  He expressed his deep appreciation for my service and remembers my kindness and love as I taught.  What a truly rewarding connection!!