Happy Valentine's Day!

Me and my Valentine

Man I'm so jealous of the Mexico trip. Meredith said I should be super jealous of you guys. I can't wait for you to take me to tons of places when I get back.

I feel like the more self control I exercise in getting up on time, following strictly to all the rules, and keeping my mind free of impure thoughts, the more I feel it becomes easier. Unfortunately, the reverse is true as well, and after only a couple hours of not exercising this muscle, it can atrophy. 

Vannak got the priesthood this week. That was super exciting. He also got called to be the Young Men's teacher, which means all three young men that are active in our branch now have a teacher and now have no excuse to skip third hour....That was the rose of my week. 

This is supposed to support thousands of people

  

Investigators aren't really progressing. The couple that were last week got caught up in the storm of Chinese New Year, so they didn't answer their phone at all this week. We hope to be able to meet a couple today. Also I'm really hoping to get a couple of new investigators this week as well. 

The unique aspect the Khmer saints have is that they all had to pay for their conversion up front. I had mine on lay away. I had it easy. I had millions of safeguards. These saints either are all in (losing business, friends, even and most especially family), or they reject it. I have a lot of respect for the members that are all in and for how much they have sacrificed. The rest of the church could learn how to sacrifice more. I remember the seminary meeting we had a few years ago and you said something like, "People just don't understand that seminary is something that we need to sacrifice to do." That meeting is in stark contrast to the members who bike 20 miles to church, or pay a whole day's wage every week to be able to just GET to church. I know that it's hard, and I just wish people could see that this sacrifice here is so graciously rewarded from Heaven. They never lack, and their minds are sharp. 

The group leader in Prey Cho (my head is on his shoulder)

who used to be a Buddhist monk,

and now he is one of the strongest members in Cambodia

As you head into spring, we head into the hot season. In just a few weeks it will start getting up to the monstrous heat that I started my mission in. Last year the peak of the hot season was something like 116 degrees for 4 or 5 days in a row, and that was the week after Khmer New Year (late april), so it should be a fun build up to that. They also say this year will be hotter. I'm prepared this time, though. I've got the right habits down, and I can speak Khmer, so I think it won't get to me like it did last year.

I expect next week to be telling you that I'm transferring out of this area. I've been here since September, and I can't really remember how I functioned in another area besides KC1. This area has the best Branch President, the members are wonderful, the landscape is shockingly beautiful, the river keeps the temperature low, and nights are quiet. I have a feeling that nobody will remember me here--they have to look at my name tag every time they meet me, but that's not what's important. I hope that what I did for them made this area better, and I can't wait to see down the road (maybe 20-30 years from now) what this area will become.

Go out there and give your local missionaries a referral. 

Elder Hall

P.S. I love you MOMMMMM! Happy Valentine's day. Unfortunately, the landlord's dog is my valentine this week, but I'm sure I'll be single next Valentines day (and home), so you can be my Valentine next year. 

 

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

This cow is 3 days old.

[Most of this email is in answer to a question I asked Wyatt: 

"I read this in the Ensign this week:

"'Brethren and sisters, I was born into a multigenerational Latter-day Saint family, so the blessings and joy of having the gospel of Jesus Christ as the basis of our family culture was woven into our everyday life. It wasn’t until my full-time mission as a young man that I realized the incredibly positive impact the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ has on those who have never previously experienced its blessings in their lives. This verse in Matthew reflects the process that people who are converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ experience: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.'"

"Have you witnessed this in Cambodia? Which of the people you have taught have most resembled the man who sold all had to buy the field with the treasure?"]

eating fajitas

There is a guy named Seng Hon in our branch who lives 2 hours away by moto. He rides to church every Sunday and then rides home. His wife mocks him, and every one around him mocks him. He sells ice cream for just enough money to scrape by. He literally could have so much more world-wise if he just gave up the gospel, but of course, that is not his mindset. He loves the fact that he is part of the true church and has participated in ordinances that, paired with a life time of giving himself to God, can secure him an inheritance in heaven. 

Of all the people I have taught, though, it would have to be Om Sen and Om Sok in Chatomuk ward that most resemble the man who sold all he had to buy the field with the treasure. They don't really have anything, but they still spend the time to bike or take a motodope to church every single week. 

Actually it's interesting, because our mission president has actually just given the mission a new push to stop wasting too much time with people that aren't going to change and spend more time looking for "gold," as in the investigators that are going to do just that, sell all that they have to buy the field. Actually, it's a rather sad story for Cambodia, since about 90% of the members (including less actives and inactives) never really sold ALL they had. However the 10% that really gave it ALL up make up for it. They are some of the most faithful and dedicated people to the church, the gospel, and the missionaries. So hopefully I can look for and find some of those pieces of "gold."

Wyatt's district looking at dolphins

 This morning we went to Kratie (which is pronounced craw-jeh), so that's why I emailed so late. We wanted to see dolphins, but the only way to see them up close was to ride a boat out to them, which is against the rules, so we just stood on a faraway cliff and caught glimpses of their shiny smooth skin reflecting the sun. So our goal was to go to kratie and look at dolphins and so we did. It was fun. Good zone bonding on the way there. 

Love, 

Elder Hall