The MTC Era Finale - Monday, March 23, 2015

ជំរាបសួរ(Cumriapsua!),

     WOW, I am about to go to Cambodia already flying tomorrow afternoon! So on our Final Tuesday Night Devotional for MTC Choir we practiced and performed we sang "Glory to God on High"! Shortest song ever performed I thought. The usual Chorister that leads in most of my time doing MTC Choir practice is named President Eggitt, he's a funny, but serious leader.  We had an opportunity to hear from another Area 70 General Authority named Don R. Clarke in our last Tuesday Night Devotional.  A very outstanding General Authority... literally! As he spoke he explained 10 Truths about The Gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he walked slowly around the missionary crowd as he portrayed his important remarks. Funny thing is he kinda reminds me of the famous Syracuse Basketball Coach named Jim Boeheim. Sorry my grammar isn't really perfect but that's what happens when I learned the Khmer language! Hahaha!

    Had to be brief for this last P-day! See what had happened was for last week... I might go all over the place for this last week because it's fun and yet pretty busy. I so continued to learn how to literally teach with the Holy Spirit and the Gift of Tongues for my last time teaching the Demo-investigators like Bong Saen, Bong Gong, & Bong Sombat for the week! I successfully memorized the vowels by image or character, but not very perfect at the pronouncing. I heard strong testimonies from the Lookkruus about the true importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of inviting members, inactive(s), and investigators to keep coming to church, not only to Church, but to CHRIST. Plus, how important it is to explain the blessings to everyone we teach after we committed every individual to do something for Heavenly Father. 

     Last Thursday, basically the last day when missionaries do service in 15M Residence Hall, so that was really fun! This was the day when I finally receive my NEW official name-tag when I go to the mission field! It looks super awesome! I hoped to show you all what it looks like in next P-day! 

     On Last Friday, we attend a huge occasion called In-Field Orientation! Basically, it's all about what's the Doctrine of Christ, whats the point Weekly Planning/ Goals, how to really find People to preach the Gospel to, &  how can we missionaries work with Members. We had an opportunity to meet a really decent returned missionary from the show named "The District" named Elder Christensen. We learn a lot from one individual named Brother Rob Stephenson! We done tons of activities in that day! 

     On Last Saturday, I saw what Lookkruus Sorenson's actual former investigator "Bong Gong" looks like! He's currently and inactive member, but I hope and pray that I'll meet him and be able to invite him back to Church! 

    

      Yesterday or Last Sunday! We had a combined Priesthood and Relief Society meeting! Then we had a fantastic Sacrament Meeting, my Mission District, the Hmong Speaking Missionaries, Vietnamese Missionaries had performed a Special Musical number named "I know my redeemer lives!" The Holy Spirit was so strong and present with me as I do my best to cherish the Last Sabbath day to spend with the Mission district in the Provo MTC. On Sunday 

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shallstand at the latter day upon the earth:"- Job 19:25 

"And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you." - Mosiah 2:22

"For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil." - Alma 5:40

       Well, I am traveling to Cambodia tomorrow afternoon on 1:30AM, and I will talk to my FAMILY! I can''t until I surprise my mommy about how much I learned of the Khmer language so far! Plus, explaining how's it like to be in the MTC as a missionary! I miss my family so much! Shout out for Elder Jared Hansen in the Paraguay Asuncion Mission! Great blessings to him as he keeps serving others and the Lord! He's officially finished with over 1/4th of his mission over there! Keep it up Brother! One more thing, as me and the district travels to Cambodia, over there we'll meet completely new companions.... It's going to suck to me completely new companions.... It's going to suck to leave my awesome and phenomenal companion Elder Hall! We have such a strong brotherhood companionship bond with each other it's not even funny. God bless you Elder Hall it's in my prayers that you'll do great with your trainer. Plus, same idea to all other missionaries in my district I love you all so much! Hope we cherish the time we have while we're in the Planes for about 2 days as we travel to Cambodia!  We we'll love our trainers in the field! 

   "For behold the field is white already to harvest"- D&C 4:4

   លាសិនហើយ ល្អ(Leasenhaey I Mian nay thaa Good bye!) to the USA!

Yesterday, we watched (one of our teachers) Lookkruu Sorenson's experience at the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission

when he returned from his mission as an Elder. (Sounds very weird when we listen to him in English, however

he had explained so much of his experience it influence us to be prepared and completely ready to preach His 

gospel because there are so many Cambodians that needs to hear specifically from us about The

Gospel of Jesus Christ! He has a tremendously strong testimony after all I was taught from him.

Me and the mission district! On the Left with the Blue/Yellow tie is Elder Somephikay called in the same 

mission as us, however he's called to preach His gospel over there in the Vietnamese language.

The MTC Era Episode 8 - Monday, March 16, 2015

ជំរាបសួរ(Cumriabsua!),

       I had a beyond marvelous week! I am currently on my final (9th) week of my time in the Provo MTC, which I find it bitter-sweet and exciting!  I will departing to Cambodia next week on the 24th of March! So today I did another endowment session for the dead in this P-Day! OKAY! So to summarize my 8th week in the Provo MTC and why is it one of the best ever! So last Tuesday Night Devotional was the absolute best devotional I ever experience ever the reason is because I finally had an opportunity along with my district TO HEAR FROM AN APOSTLE NAMED ELDER QUENTIN L. COOK AND HIS WIFE!!!! It's my first time ever witnessing or hearing from a current Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, yes he's one of the 12! His remarks are incredibly... remarkable. He explained how all of us missionaries are all true emissaries of the savior Jesus Christ and "When you're inviting, you're succeeding!"  

     I also remember another quote from him that for all of the missionaries in the Provo MTC during the Tuesday Night Devotion... quote: "If you have more faith, you'll be more successful"- that's very important for all of us to remember before, during, and after our missions! I honest had tears of complete happiness on that night after the Devotional because he's someone who I always wanted to see or meet while I was training in the MTC and me with my district has witnessed a APOSTLE! He's someone who does KNOWS the voice of the Savior, has a powerful testimony of the Savior, and testifies the Scriptures like the Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price are absolutely true words of God today! Now, I know he's not God, but he's one of the individuals who determined my calling of where Heavenly Father needs me to go leading up to the current Prophet Thomas S. Monson's decision! As he spoke in the devotional he's not saying these important remarks to grab so much attention, but he's there to tell us missionaries about the absolute importance of our calling.

    During that week, did trained more by preparing to teach a couple investigators named Bong Saen and Bong Sombat. (Bong Sombat's a new demo-investigator who me and my companion proselyted), I also saw pictures of Lookkruu Mickelson's experience while he was in the mission field in Cambodia! Also I practiced reading a verse in Khmer in the Book of Mormon in the following scripture I referenced in this blog post for the week. Oh yeah. I had a haircut the same time as Sister Kerr (the sister I blogged about last week who used to be part of my Stake!) Me and my companion translating English questions into Khmer Questions in one class session, it's fun and little tricky to know the grammar of certain questions and even sentences. 

     Yesterday I had a fantastic Priesthood Meeting, District Meeting and Sacrament Meeting. (That's what I usually do in Sundays in the MTC, which I enjoyed so much!) I also attended a departure devotional even though it's not our last week, after that I attend Sunday Night Devotional, we get to hear from a Branch President of the MTC named President Lee H. Radebaugh! (He's not our Branch President, but I think he's the Branch President of the Korean speaking missionaries) When the speaker was explaining  he want a missionary to read a scripture, my branch wanted to take to opportunity to grab the microphone as he requested someone to read a scripture for him. I took the opportunity and...I was noticed by the camera and displayed in the screen when I finished reading the scripture for the speaker. My branch was very happy that I took the opportunity even though it's just me getting on the screen for a little bit. Hahaha I love my mission district so much!

    Well, I have less than 8 days left until I go and invite so many of my own people and family to Christ! It seems like the time I spent in the Provo MTC went by so fast as I reviewed how I spent my time in the Provo MTC, listening to all my Lookkruus and all of the missionaries testimonies in my branch, and after all I trained in here! I love my Teacher/ Lookkruus and Zone so much. Best of all, I love my companion Elder Hall, we trained so hard together as brothers, doing our best to teach with the spirit, speak with the spirit, continue to prepare with love, and learn everyday. We're going to have a hard time separating ounce we come to Cambodia to meet our new Senior Missionaries soon. Will be updating in next P-day before I depart start to Depart to Cambodia... I hope. Hahaha I love and missed the Syracuse Ward, Syracuse Community, and most of all my family including my Pomeranian dog "Prince". 

"Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them." - Alma 56:47

"Go your way whithersoever I will, and it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and whither you shall go. Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward. Be faithful unto the bend, and lo, I am with you. These words are not of man nor of men, but of me, even Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, by the will of the Father. Amen." - Doctrine & Covenants 31:11-13

      

       Cumriablលា!,

             Elder Ros

I won't ever forget this Apostle's remarks from last Tuesday Night Devotional!

Cheers from yesterday from my spotlight reading a scripture in JS-H 1:39 for an individual who gave his remarks in Sunday Night Devotional named President Lee H. Radebaugh! (Don't worry it's just Matinelli's Apple Cider from my Birthday Party! 

Had my flight plans since last Friday! OH MY GOSH!!! I AM GOING TO CAMBODIA VERY SOON, FIRST TIME EVER ...AS A MISSIONARY!

The MTC Era Episode 7 - Monday, March 9, 2015

ជំរាបសួរ(Cumriabsua!),

    Well, so much work in the Provo MTC throughout last week! Happy Birthday shout-out for Sister Sheffield for her 20th Birthday from last Thrusday! Oh just to shout these out as well! Happy 19th Birthday to Elder Osborne since the 25th of February! Happy 20th Birthday to Elder Lamborn since the 1st of March! Wow, including my Birthday I just realized that a bunch of us in the mission district celebrated our birthdays in the Provo MTC! Yeaaaaaah! 

    So last Tuesday Night Devotional, I had an opportunity to hear from Area 70 General Authority named David F. Evans! Before than, me and my companion singed in the Provo MTC Choir a song called "Be still my soul"! So David F. Evans bares his remarks basing on the Missionary Handbook and why are these guidelines so important throughout all missionaries serving the Lord including those training in the MTC! 

     Last week I learned so much more in the MTC! I learned how to read scriptures in the Khmer language! Plus, I had a new demo-investigator named Bong Saen however we're still teaching an investigator named Bong Gong! Look PooThuu was an investigator of ours but we lost him because of a "Transfer" (not real) so that's how we end up teaching Bong Saen! I am just constantly expanding my vocabulary in the Khmer language along with my companion! Vowels are kinda tough to recognize when it comes to reading but as I can tell what the words look like I can recognize what I am reading easily. So throughout my training me and my companion use the Preach my Gospel a lot to help us know what to teach to investigators. We always pray to make sure we teach with the Holy Spirit and show the love of the Lord!

      Yesterday was fantastic! Very peaceful Sabbath like usual in the MTC! I spend most of the Sabbath watching Bible Videos, Mormon.org videos and Spiritual videos with my zone! I love visiting the Provo Temple several times! I consider that a huge blessing to have this sacred privilege with my companion. (Elder Hall just in case no one remembers him. I love my companion so much!) In Sunday Night Devotional I had the opportunity to hear from Richard I. Heaton - Administrative MTC (That's his calling I could barely remember.)

      Well, I have about 2 weeks left to train with all I need to know in the Provo MTC! Than I will fly to the mission field in Cambodia! I missed Syracuse, NY so much! I hope that I can witness an Apostle before I depart! In this P-day, I just attend the Provo Temple to do an endowment with my companion. I always love to the Lord's work so constantly! I have NO REGRETS for being willing and spending a lot of time Inviting many people to Christ! With God all things are absolutely possible! Me and my companion will have a hard time leaving each other to exchange to be with Senior Companions soon in Cambodia but that's only because we worked so hard as a team and we love each other so much as Brothers when we trained a whole lot in the Provo MTC! Love and miss you all! God bless!

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." - Ether 12:27

       Cumriablលា!,

             Elder Ros

Shout out for Sister Killian and Sister Sheffield! Haha!

Me and Sister Kerr!  Sister (Macey) Kerr used to be part of my Stake in Syracuse, NY! It's in my prayers that she does her best in the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission! It's fantastic that we get to see each other! 

My mission district thinks that this is "cute" photo from last Sunday's Temple Walk. Well, I do know that I look gorgeous like usual.

A statue of Christ, looks fantastic!

​

The MTC Era Episode 6 - Monday, March 2, 2015

Cumriabsua!,

     Happy Birthday to my one and only mother Sopheap Kim Ros!! I love and missed you!  (Mdaay roboh khnom) I hoped she received the Cambodian LDS Hymn I sent in a package today! 6 weeks in training in the Provo MTC! Woo! 22 days (about 3 weeks left)  until me and the the mission district departs to the mission field! I had an amazing 6th week! So in the past week I attended the Tuesday Night Devotional, doesn't involve a Area 70 General Authority!

      However, I heard from a familiar individual gave a talk in a past General Conference session his name is Gerald Causse, he's known as the First Counselor of the Presiding Bishopric. He gave a very decent talk about how to be BOLD missionaries comparing to Super heroes except we're all a large army of God! Also in last week I learned how to translate Scriptures in the The Book of Mormon, each word takes a lot of time to translate. However, it gets easier as I read each Khmer word carefully. I learned more about Cambodian grammar and even trained myself to learn more (at least 25) Khmer words each day. My new goal is hopefully 40-80 Khmer words a day for the 7th week!

      So I am currently assigned as the Senior Companion out of me and Elder Hall for the rest of our time in the Provo MTC. We're still cooperative and loving to each other and still manage to truly teach demo-investigators with the Holy Spirit. Also last week was the final week me and the district get to spend some time knowing the "Old" Thai Missionaries! They have very firm and strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Yesterday, the "Old" Thai missionaries sang a musical number during Sacrament Meeting, they sounded great! Also, what happened yesterday was Fast Sunday so me and the mission district attended a Mission Conference! The leadership of the Provo MTC gave very edifying talks. On top of that later on in that day I get to hear a talk from The Director of Training of the Provo MTC named Mark Jarman who's in charge of all the teachers who teach in the MTC Classes! 

     Well, I am almost done with my training in the MTC learning the Khmer language. I will be departing on the 24th of March to Cambodia! Since yesterday was the final Fast and Testimony day I spent in Provo MTC I recalled that I bore a testimony about the importance of Jesus Christ and the truthfulness of His Restored Church during Sacrament Meeting!

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where unto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." -1 Timothy 6:12

           Cumriabl!,

             Elder Ros

The MTC Era Episode 5 - Monday, February 23, 2015

Cumriabsua to everyone I get to contact on my 5th P-day in the Provo MTC!,

     5th week was absolutely great! I spend most of the week memorizing 33 consonants and 32 sub-consonants in Khmer Script! The vowels are kinda complicated to remember in Khmer. So last Tuesday I get to hear from another Area 70 General Authority named Elder Daniel L. Johnson! He made a very great talk that's about how to be a really true and good missionary by living what you teach and preach to investigators!! He counsels us to make sure we missionaries help investigators learn the idea who God is, and exercise faith unto repentance. I did an endowment session during this P-day in the Provo Temple and had true breakfast along with my companion. We never had real breakfast before in the Provo MTC Cafeteria! Food's fantastic as usual. 

     Last Wednesday I get to host new upcoming missionaries, however I had an opportunity to help a new Sister hosting along with another missionary in my mission branch! Yesterday, I sat in the 2nd row with Zone 30 guesting to attend a Sunday Night Devotional by President James Lindahl about the Doctrine of Christ which is "Our Missionary Purpose". I also spent time last week on learning a lot more Khmer terms to do my best on breaking my language plateau. I remember when I was a Priesthood meeting me and other Elders in my Zone discussed the absolute importance about the atonement of Jesus Christ. Also last Sunday or Yesterday was the final day we spent time with our Cantonese Missionaries in our Zone. They're super nice and awesome people they did a song in there mission language during Sacrament Meeting before they leave on top of this morning. 

     There are lots of changes in the leadership of the Zone since then but change is good. I forgot to tell that for the past Tuesday Nights before and during these important Devotionals I've been participating in the Provo MTC Choir it was a fun experience! So here are the songs I sing in the Provo MTC Choir from half of the time I was in the MTC! :

Week 1:I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Week 2:Sweet Hour of Prayer

Week 3:Nearer, My God, to Thee

Week 4:Consider The Lilies

I also want to mention that the Elders in my mission branch in every Thursday! In a residence in 15M. 

I still find it hard to believe I'm over half done with my time in the Provo MTC learning the Khmer language!

 "...Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." - Ether 12:6

P.S. I love you all so much and I want to give a shout out to the Ros Family,the Syracuse Ward and Stake, and Syracuse Community that I truly missed them so much! God bless you all! 

I also want to mention that the Elders in my mission branch and me does service every Thursday in a residence hall in 15M. That was fun!

Me holding the Title of Liberty!!! Ohhhh baaat! (In Khmer Script...Fantastic!)

Farewell Picture with the Cantonese Missionaries! Good blessing to them as they have

their flight to Hong Kong! It's really nice that I get to know them!