Hey guys

Family,

Well, let's just start of with most important things first. I AM NOW SERVING IN THE STUNG MEAN CHEY 3RD WARD, IN THE PHNOM PENH SOUTH STAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!! This really is quite the big deal. Saturday and Sunday they held a Stake Conference in conjunction with becoming Stakes. (Is that how you use the word conjunction?) Elder Funk of the 70 came and presided over our Stake Conference. Most of what was discussed was becoming Stakes and also missionary work - especially family history work. It was really a good conference. I was really excited that on Sunday we had quite a few members from Trash Mountain attend! It helps that our Branch President arranged for Tuk Tuks to pick them up and take them there, but I'm not complaining! I hope they were touched by the spirit. The new Stake President will be awesome. He is younger, maybe like 30's? BUT he gets it. He sees the whole picture. And his second counselor is also younger, probably late 20's but he also will be awesome! I am so excited for this!

Also it was really awesome to see so many of the old mission presidents come back. I had the opportunity to sit by the very first mission presidents of Cambodia (the Whites) during the Saturday evening session. They were here 19 years ago!!! They are now 80+ years old. They were just AMAZED by the growth that has taken place here. I talked with them a bit and I am so grateful for them. Can you imagine what it was like to be them?! But mostly it gave me hope. Can you imagine what Cambodia will be like in 20 more years. Hopefully I can come back and I will just be astounded. I also saw the Smedleys! They just looked so happy to be back here! It was also fun to see that quite a few returned missionaries came all the way back over here for the creation of Stakes and the 20th year anniversary this Saturday. I even saw one of my MTC teachers! Cool!

Did you all realize that during this past week I hit my one year mark in this country?! That is a long time! I also think I'm finally adjusted. Evidence:

- I'm certain I eat at least 10 ants a day, and I'm really okay with that.

- I have begun to feel pity for the cockroaches that I kill with raid. Honestly, it is heartbreaking to watch them die... I'm a monster.

- I eat rice at least twice a day. And I can't remember what kinds of foods we eat in America. I know we don't eat rice but... what else is there?

So also, I realized during this past week that missions are really kind of cruel. They put you in this place that is far away from home, and then you learn to love these people here, and you are here so long that a whole portion of your heart is dedicated to this place, and THEN cruelly you are ripped away never to return, or if you do it won't be the same! BUT in the meantime your heart is also at home and for the rest of your life you can only have one or the other!!!!!!! This has caused a few tears for me during this past week. I realize that when I leave Cambodia, I really am gone. I hardly will be able to come back. When I do it won't be the same. There are people here that I love so much, and I just may never see again. And also I don't want them to think that I don't love them! How did you all deal with this???

I noticed something this week. Kids here don't suck there thumbs. I'm sure that is because of how dirty it is, but interesting, right?

Also, you know how people dye their hair so that it gradually fades from dark to light at the bottom. They call it a melt. WELL due to the sun, my hair has naturally done that. The ends of my hair are legitimately blonde. It looks kinda cool.

Transfer calls are coming up on Sunday. Can you believe how fast this transfer went? Honestly, I can sincerely say that I hope I stay in this area with Sister Khut for another transfer. And I think my chances are pretty good! Things have been going really well with Sister Khut this week. Also we have been seeing some small successes in our area, which is so exciting! We are still spending most our time in trash mountain, but we do have a few new investigators outside of trash mountain! I couldn't be more thrilled. Sister Kacher came and did an exchange with me this week, and I told her that I just needed her to humor me and spend time walking around the nicer parts of town contacting. I have rarely done that on my mission, but I'm desperate to get out of trash mountain. So we did, and it was awesome! We found a few people who said we could come back, and also one person who really seemed quite interested. (and just a heads up, when I say nicer part of town... it still really isn't that nice. But it is nice as far as this branch goes!) I'm hoping that I can convince Sister Khut to do some contacting like this with me again. She actually hates contacting and mostly refuses, so I do most of it. But that's not a problem, because I'm white and people are curious why I'm here anyway. She will back me up though, so that is good! Anyway, moral of the story, (1) I'm determined to see this Branch progress, (2) I hope I can do that with Sister Khut!

I think that is all for this week. I love you all!! Please please please don't forget how amazing this gospel is and how much Heavenly Father loves us!!! I was reading this morning in Mosiah 2:20-24, and honestly, Heavenly Father loves us SO MUCH. We can never even try to repay Him. I truly "stand all amazed!"

Love,

Sister Homer

P.S. Sorry no pictures AGAIN...