Hey there

Family,

Well, I did it. I used a squatty potty. I might not ever be the same. It was the bus ride to Siem Reap, and there were no other options. I didn't limit my water intake. Amateur. Amateur. I will never make such a mistake again. But obviously I lived to tell the tale.

Siem Reap though was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow! So much fun! It was so short. We only had Tuesday morning to run around and see the sights, but it was perfect. Our tuk tuk driver was a member, and he was the sweetest man I've ever met here in Cambodia! Seriously he took such good care of us. Haha, I'm just smiling thinking about how funny he was! It really was a little tender mercy. And we met such cool people along our way. We stopped at this girl selling like "temple rubbings" that she had done in Angkor wat and such, and we were talking to her in Khmer of course. And when you do that they lower the price a ton. So we would be talking to her all in Khmer and then other people would walk up and talk to her in English and she would give them a way higher price. And she would just look at us and kind of smile. We were dying! It was so funny! They accept us!! We've made it!

But seriously Siem Reap was beautiful! The sights are gorgeous! I will send pictures. :)

But after that life went back to normal. I'm getting to know this area pretty fast. I actually REALLY like the members here. So funny! Also there are a lot of old time members with lots of faith, though some of them don't show it anymore. There is one member, Om Nan. She has been a member forever. And we go and meet her and her testimony is amazing! Seriously she understands more than almost any other member I've ever met! And yet she is inactive. And she knows it and she knows it's wrong. The other day we went and I was listening to her talk about all the ways the church has blessed her and then about how she doesn't go anymore and I just couldn't help myself. I just started crying. Seriously I can't think of anything more sad than someone who loves the church and knows it is true and still chooses to be inactive. I think she didn't know what to do with my crying, haha, but she didn't say she would probably go to church! She didn't go but... that was better than before! Maybe I should cry more often!

 Also something we do regularly is go out and teach with a senior couple, the Hollenzers. They are the family history couple here. They are amazing! I love them so much! They are such a blessing in my life and they probably don't even know. Also the members love when the senior couple comes. They feel important. Go senior couples!

I actually don't have a ton of time today, but I love you all!

Sister Homer

Turns out I have the coolest mission in the world!

Sister Kacher and Me

Yes. I did it. I rode and elephant!!!!!!!

Siem Reap is beautiful!!!

This area is RICH!

Hey family,

Well, my first week in this area has just been crazy! Honestly this area is so different than my last. It is just the exact opposite. We went to this one house and Sister Kacher said, "This is probably the poorest area in our Branch" and it was still NICER than trash mountain. So, I actually feel kind of out of place here. But really, it is very refreshing. This is actually still a Branch instead of a Ward. I'm back in a District. Which actually, as far as I'm concerned, feels just the same so, oh well. But this Branch has a lot of long time, old members! There are people here who have been members for like 15 years! There are also a LOT of less-active members here. But I really, really like this area. 

Definitely one big change about this area is that everyone is educated. There are still some older women who don't know how to read, but they still can remember and grasp what we teach. I think in SMC 3rd Ward I maybe met with 2 or 3 people who knew how to read every week, where over here, there are only 2 or 3 people who DON'T know how to read! This is so weird! It's so nice. Also there are quite a few returned missionaries that live in this Branch. Yesterday was kind of a weird Sunday and there weren't very many people at church, also 2nd and 3rd hour were complicated, but long story short I feel like I'm still not sure how this Branch really is yet, but I think they are good! This is the first time in a year I didn't play the piano in Sacrament meeting! 

Also this area is straight CITY. There is so much traffic. And there are big bridges that we have to ride over. We ride across a bridge that goes over the main river several times a week. It is neat! This area is just kind of full of energy! It's fun! Right now they don't have much going on investigator-wise, but I feel like there is so much potential and so much work to do regardless. I'm excited to just DO WORK! 

This week we had a Mission Leadership Council meeting and then Zone training on Friday. It was good! Those always get me excited to do my best work. 

Also being with Sister Kacher has been so refreshing. She finishes on Friday. I think I will cry. But I think I'll be okay. She really has been a great friend. I have been blessed with so many great friends on my mission!

Lastly, today Sister Kacher and I are taking a trip to Siem Reap before she finishes. We will be coming back tomorrow. It will be very short. But they let every missionary go and she hasn't gone yet. It will be fun! We will be seeing beautiful Angkor Wat! I should have some good pictures next week. :)

I love you all!!! 

Love,

Sister Homer

 

Sister Davis and I

Big Dirty River!

The River

You'd never see this in America!

You wouldn't see this either!

 

Big News

Dear Family,

I feel like I JUST emailed you, but I still have quite a bit to tell you this week.

We'll just get the news out of the way. I had an interview with President Moon this week and he told me that he probably wasn't going to have me train anymore. :( The girl who is coming who I am supposed to train probably won't be here for a little while more, so by the time she gets here I won't even be able to be with her for two transfers, so I think he just decided it's just easier if I don't. I'm actually SUPER bummed. Training is so fun. Training Sister Davis was definitely the funnest transfer of my mission. BUT you know, it's all okay. Because actually even more news, he said he is going to have me go serve in a different area.

So today I am changing areas to Chamkarmon. It is in Phnom Penh. And I will be with... Sister Kacher and Sister Kean!! Sister Kacher is finishing her mission in 2 weeks so after she goes it will just be me and Sister Kean. AND Sister Kean is actually a member from Kampong Cham who helped me ALL the time the whole 6 months I was there. So I know her quite well already. I think it will be good. Chamkarmon is about as opposite as you can get from Trash Mountain. I am excited, I think.

I actually feel really sad to be leaving this Ward. Don't get me wrong, it has been SO HARD. I have never had a harder time on my mission, but I also feel like I love these people so much despite a lot of disappointments. And I feel like I didn't get to see much progress while I was there. But that being said, yesterday I actually felt quite strongly that things are progressing! We had some members come who haven't come in a bit, our Relief Society set up visiting teaching, we are having regular meetings with the Bishop and Ward Council! In "Preach My Gospel" it talks about leaving your area better than you found it. And I feel like I have done that. It still needs a lot of work but I feel comforted that it really is better than I found it!

Also remember a few weeks ago I told you we dropped a lot of our investigators hoping some new things would open up! Well guess what, they did! We have received like 5 referrals recently, and hopefully they will be good!

Also yesterday when I was fasting I kind of fasted for a trash mountain miracle, and we really had one! Remember my investigator Sonia, who got baptized here like a month or so ago. Well, after she got baptized she never was able to come back to church. Complicated family problems. Including her mom being less-active as well. Sister Khut and I have been devastated about this, but we have been trying everything. And yesterday not only did Sonia come, but so did her mom Ming Sissy (which is probably even more of a miracle!) and her older sister. Nothing could have been better for my last Sunday here! I feel like Heavenly Father really did answer my prayers and fasting. It was wonderful!

This past week I went on another exchange with Sister Tieng and Sister Allen. Sister Allen is a new sister of a few weeks and Sister Tieng is training her. They actually live in the Stung Mean Chey house with me, but I went and served with them in their area for a day. SMC 1st ward, again! My first area. Once again, I was so happy to go back. I have decided that I LOVE that area and I'm so sad I can't serve there again! But the exchange was really good!

I had to say goodbye to Bong Lily yesterday. If you remember she is my AMAZING investigator who got baptized a few weeks ago. I really love her a lot. I was so sad to say goodbye. But I know that she will do amazing things. And I told her in a few months I'll be back to introduce my parents to her. :)

Also this past week we went and taught this girl who is like 9 years old. She and her mom are recent converts but they haven't been to church for months. So we were teaching her and her little sister about the Second Coming and how we need to prepare and stuff. And can I just tell you, they were so into it. It was the best lesson ever. We were asking about what we have to do to prepare and Reanna, the older one was like, "Can I wear my hair down or do I have to pull it up when He comes?" and "I think it would be better if I wear a white shirt and a black skirt. That would be appropriate. Some people would probably wear colored shirts, but that is not good enough". HAHAHA And then I was talking about how we don't know when He will come. "It could be tomorrow, or the next day, or the next year," and then the younger sister Brenda blurts out, "But it will probably be next week." So there you have it family. Get ready. According to Brenda, the Second Coming is happening this week! And you all best be wearing white shirts.

Well I guess that is all I have this week! I love you all!!

Sister Homer

You can't tell, but this is a beautiful little pond with lily pads!

Houses in Cambodia are really tall and skinny.

My sweet Sonia!

Typical trash mountain house.

Cute member in TM.  She is holding a Liahona!

Bishop's daughters

TM destroyed my shoes!

Me, Sister Khut, Sister Ray

Happy Pioneer Day

Family,

This was a good week, I think we saw some progress with some people! I think I told you last week that we dropped a ton of our investigators in hopes that we would be able to find new people who are prepared to receive this gospel. I think we are already started to see some results!

Sister Ray is now here with us here in SMC 3, so we are in a trio. She is amazing! She is PERFECT for this area. She is just the right amount of pushy when it comes to contacting and it's yielding some results. Also she is a very passionate teacher and she really likes to give hugs to our members and investigators, which is probably what they need. I think she will do wonders here! I'm so excited!

Actually Friday SMC 3 kinda had a miracle day! I wasn't here, I was on exchange in another area, but Sister Ray and Sister Khut were able to meet with some people that we never can ever meet with. And they found some people who might be interested in learning! I think SMC 3 has some good things on the horizon!

So, like I said I went and did exchanges this week. I left my two companions in SMC 3 and I went to serve with Sister Nov and Sister Earl in Tuldompong Ward for a day. Sister Earl is a new missionary. So I was especially watching how the training was going and how she was getting into life here in Cambodia. It was nice to kinda get out of my area for a day and also to kinda have some flashbacks about when I first came to the country. It really doesn't seem that long ago, but for Sister Earl she feels like I've been here forever. I think she is having a similar experience to mine with coming to Cambodia. I was able to give her some suggestions and a few pep talks. I think it was good! 

Also update, I don't know that my new companion from America will be here anytime soon. We'll see. I'm kinda bummed. But I hope she eventually gets here!

I hope you all had a good pioneer day. I am so amazed by the pioneers! How did they do it! How did they have so much faith?! I feel like I am among pioneers in the Church here in Cambodia. They are leading the way for the rest of the country. Some of these members truly have incredible faith and are carrying the weight of the church here on their shoulders. I'm so inspired by them and the pioneers of old. 

Yesterday we had a really neat experience. In the morning before church we went and taught one investigator who hasn't really been progressing very much, and we just meet her once a week. Her name is Cheri Lyn. Her husband was there and we invited him to join in, but he didn't really want to. But the house is about the size of Nana's bedroom so he didn't really have anywhere to go, so he sat and listened anyway. So we taught her about the gospel of Christ and it was really good, the Spirit was so strong. And then at the end we committed her to go to church, and invited her husband too. She told us that their motto just got stolen so they didn't have any way to go. I told her that I wasn't sure what to do about that but that if she would find a way to go to church, I know that she would be blessed. And THEN the husband was like "Why don't we just walk?" So we were like YEAH!!! You should walk! The answer every missionary in Cambodia is dying to hear. And you have to understand, no one walks to church here. No one walks anywhere here. Especially in the middle of the day 1:00 pm. when it is blazing hot. And their house is probably a good 20-30 minute walk from the church. Anyway, so we left and then later at church we didn't see them. But just after the Sacrament they walked in!! We were flabbergasted, for lack of a better word. Seriously, I was so amazed! And they stayed 3 hours and we got the husband getting involved. And that is another cool story in itself. He is a hardcore drinker and has a rough rough story. So, we'll see what happens with them this week!

BUT the worst/funniest thing also happened during that lesson. While we were saying the opening prayer I felt something on my hand, so I look down and I see something big and dark just crawl SUPER fast up my torso and over onto my back. I was still uncertain about what it was and I was not okay. I was whacking myself all over the place but still trying to be reverent because we were praying. I couldn't find it so I stopped, still praying. Next thing I know I hear a massive thing fly right next to my ear. Once again I wasn't quick enough to see it. But by this time I knew. Cockroach. My heart was pounding so fast. I know a bit ago I said I was starting to feel pity for cockroaches. Let me reassure you, those feelings are gone. Anyway, we start teaching, but maybe like 5 minutes into the lesson I see this MASSIVE cockroach crawling all over her house. Like I said, her house isn't that big. So I was still a little on edge but I was trying REALLY hard to focus on our lesson. But of course right when we were talking about the Holy Ghost and the Spirit was so strong this demon cockroach came running right towards sister Ray, so she hopped up screaming and then I was next in line so it was coming right at me. So I hopped up and ran out the door. And then it was crawling all over our investigator. Finally it flew outside. Oh my gosh. It was a nightmare. But like we said, we were able to salvage our lesson and they still went to church! So it didn't sabotage anything too much! Can I just say that I love Utah and it's lack of cockroaches.

Well last but definitely not least is a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT TO TERESA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The big 18!!! Woohoo!!! This is your birthday song, it won't be very long!

I love you all!

Sister Homer

 

FHE with the Bishop's family.  We played Minute-to-Win-IT.  Can you stack 5 apples of top of each other?  Cool!

Bishop's family

Trash mountain is really fun in the rain!  Our senior couple are rockstars.  Seriously the world needs more senior couples!!  (But not you, Mom & Dad.  You need to stay at home and take care of me.  :)  I'm only mostly kidding.)

More rain!

And more!

 

Hey guys

Dear Family,

Well, I just saw a bunch of pictures that Teresa and Dad took at the wedding! It looks just adorable!!!! Congratulations, again, you two!! Sorry I didn't get you a present... yet...

This was kind of a slow week here. Sister Khut and I made kind of a big decision yesterday and decided to drop 6 of our investigators in Preak Toal (trash mountain). They haven't been progressing at all, but we have been hanging onto them because we don't really have anything else to do. But we realized that we should try showing our faith that Heavenly Father will fill our time with those He wants us to meet with. So, we'll see how this week goes! We plan to have a lot of contacting time! I want to help this ward so much, but we are just having a hard time knowing what to do! But I know that Heavenly Father can lead us to those who are ready!

I'm sad to drop them though, because I really love them. But, they just aren't making the steps they need to and mostly they just like meeting with us because they don't have much else going on in their lives. But if any of them start showing real commitment we'll pick them up again.

I want to tell you about one member in Preak Toal. Her name is Ming Jan. She has been a member for almost a year now and she is awesome! She, like everyone else can't read, so she has a hard time remembering any significant details about the gospel, but she is at church for 3 hours most every week, even if she has to walk. Not only that, her husband has a hardcore drinking problem and beats her many days. The thing is, she is amazing. She is the happiest, funniest person! (At least on the outside.) You would have no idea that her life has been hell. I look up to her so much. She has incredible faith. 

Also I want to tell you about two other blessings I have noticed throughout my mission. On a regular day after coming home from the morning proselyting I am usually quite tired and hungry, and definitely pretty thirsty, and yet throughout my mission as I have fasted it hasn't been too big of a deal. I'm kind of thirsty, but nothing too crazy, and the hunger is just kind of a normal level. By the end we are pretty tired, but you would think it would be so much worse. Biking under this hot Cambodian sun really is exhausting, I can't describe it. Yet when we are fasting there is strength that really shouldn't be there. How amazing is it that Heavenly Father can provide strength to our bodies even when we don't eat or drink?! I know He has done that for me regularly throughout my mission.

Also one more: the roads in Cambodia are generally not very smooth and have a lot of holes and stuff. And when we ride around during the day, I can see where I am going and I avoid the potholes to try to make it as smooth as possible. Yet, during the evening I can't really see, but yet for some reason I rarely hit any potholes. I promise, riding in the evening when I can't see is always smoother than when I am riding during the day and I can see to avoid the potholes. I don't know if I'm just REALLY bad at riding a bike, but mostly I think that someone is watching out for us during the night when we can't really see. This is something I've observed my whole mission. It's been a small blessing. Also, one more, the fact that I have had no traffic accidents is incredible. There have been times when it was physically impossible that I shouldn't have been hit by a motto or a car or something, and yet I never have been. BLESSINGS!!

So the big news this week is that Elder Sam Christensen has arrived to the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission!!!!!!!!!!!!!! woohoo!!! This was crazy. I was in the mission home Friday for the training meeting, and what not, and saw him! I don't know what's going on, because I've only been gone for a year, but Sam walked out of the mission president's office and I was like "what the?"because he is so grown up?!?!?! Was he like this a year ago and I just forgot? I have been imagining a much smaller version of Sammy coming to this mission. It was so weird! IS EVERYONE BIG AND TALL AND MATURE NOW?!?! Anyway, that was super cool to see him. And his trainer is in a really good area and guess where he is serving?... TUK THLA!! My old area!! I'm so excited for him! It really is a great area, and definitely a more clean area. :) 

Also I found out a little bit more about my new companion. Her name is Sister Christensen! Haha go figure. And she will probably be here in a few weeks. I guess before her mission she tore her ACL, and it was fine but then it started acting up in the MTC so they are just making sure she is good to go. In the mean time Sister Ray will be coming to join us sometime this week. She was in my same house with me when I was in TT, so I'm excited for her to come. I really like her. Though I'm a little apprehensive about us working as a trio. But, it will all work out. 

And I did meet those few girls who were stalking my blog before my mission! Haha they were so sweet! Sam introduced me to them. It was pretty funny.

On Saturday we also celebrated Pioneer Day in our ward, so that was fun! Happy Days of '47!!! 

Also, there is a new Sister in my house fresh from the states, her name is Sister Allen. And do you know what she brought with her? Colorful tape. We are talking patterned tape. Is that a new thing in the states? I literally never saw that before my mission. Is America a whole new place now?!?! 

I guess that is all! Love you all tons!

Sister Homer

 

Yay trash!

Riverton Park Ward representatives!!

This is the funny girl I think I got lice from! I actually love her a lot! But she is a pill.

I know this is pathetic, but I tried my best to match the bridesmaids . . . (but I took the necklace off for proselyting)

Cambodian dancing for our Pioneer Day celebration!

 

The week has come

Hey guys,

Well, this is the week! Congrats to Nick and Chels in advance!! I hope it is a magical day!! My heart will be there with you!

Are you ready for transfer information?? Drumroll please.... 

I will be transferred, to an unknown location, and I will be training again!! I'm so excited to train! BUT, my new companion will be delayed in coming here due to a knee problem I think? President Moon didn't really give me many details. So in the meantime I will be serving in a trio still here in SMC 3 with Sister Khut, and Sister Ray will be coming with us as well. Once my companion gets here (maybe a few weeks) we will be going to a new area, but President Moon hasn't officially decided where he wants me yet, so he said he'll let me know. Also for the time being I will be a sister training leader over South zone, just me, myself, and I. President said he has some stuff he wants me to help him with, but I'm not sure what that is yet... Sooo, I'm really excited! I hope we can successfully make it through these next few weeks so I can meet my new companion!

Over the last few weeks I have emotionally not been feeling 100%, not quite depression, but kinda like that. But last Sunday we did a mission fast for three things: (1) Strength to resist Satan, (2) Healthy missionaries, (3) Heavenly Father's power to accomplish our goals. So when I fasted for our mission to have health I especially fasted that I could have emotional health, and I have noticed such a difference this week. I feel like I am back to me! I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers and knows our needs. I am so grateful that we did a mission fast and that I could borrow some other peoples' faith as well. Heavenly Father loves us so much!! How blessed are we to know that?!

Also yesterday our investigator Bong Lily got baptized. SHE IS AMAZING! She sincerely might be the most prepared investigator I've ever had. After being baptized she bore her testimony and talked about how even though her sins have been washed away she knows that she still needs to repent daily! I wish you could know, but that is a concept that just very few Khmer's understand. She gets it!!!! She really gets it! And then after it was all over she came up to me and with tears in her eyes thanked me so much that I went to teach her and without me she wouldn't know about the gospel and none of it would have been possible. Obviously, probably if I hadn't been here, someone else would have, so it wasn't really ME, but nonetheless, it was so sweet. I am so touched and grateful that I could teach her! She has blessed my life probably more than I have blessed hers!

I wish I had more to say this week, but I really don't... It was just a pretty normal week. I wish you knew these people I meet with all the time. I love them a whole lot. We break our backs trying to help them, and honestly only a few of them really act on it, but when they do it is worth it!! I just with everyone could see and know how important and wonderful this is!!

I love you all!!

Sister Homer

Royal Palace

We were trying really hard for a good jumping picture . . .

At the Palace

Sister Khut and Me

Bong Lily!!!

Sister Khut, Bong Lily, Me

Sisters Tieng, Chuong, Khut and me