Monday, January 25, 2016

Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016

ជំរាបសួរ,
       My beloved friends who are reading this update, I hope you all are doing fantastic as I continue to serve my divine heritage here in Cambodia still working as hard as I can in Ta Khmao Branch 1 and the group in Bakou! So in this update I won't be writing too much but I will break down how'd did last week went as I serve on with Elder Bostrom! (Within this special post.)

       So I am still doing great, being a leading missionary is definitely not an easy task to do especially serving with 2 areas, I would love to be honest it's stressful, but I know that everything that God needs me to still do I can do them all along with Elder Bostrom! Yesterday in Church was okay in Bakou because not many members attend on that day because of the slight confusion on the 4th and 5th week of every month of where or which church building they need to attend enable for them to keep fellow-shipping and worship but that's okay prayerful things will get better ahead. Church in Branch 1 in Ta Khmao was great. Unfortunately, one of our investigators named Bannat was supposed to be baptized on that day but it didn't happened because of organization and crazy stuff going on in this week, but that's okay it will happen the baptism will happen! However, the great part of last week was when yesterday Odom and Banna successfully became confirmed, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and officially became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although they're teenagers I can see how much they value the church in their lives as they kept coming to church!  

     To celebrate my 1st year mark in this mission, Elder Bostrom just got us smoothies to celebrate as we came back from the Rean English Program in Bakou which was tasty. Hehe! We're still taking good care of our areas here in Ta Khmao and Bakou as much as we can. Rean English Program in Bakou is a little different than other Rean English Program just because this area is a group and we sometimes have attendance of 2-8 attendees in some weeks. 

    I spent a portion of the week along with Elder Bostrom by doing a whole lot more updating for the two areas just to keep making sure that many things are taken care of before we do some proselyting. So this week is still productive because we still want to serve and keeping doing the best we can! 

    At this time I would like bare a special testimony in this special post:
     I still know that this church is still true! Plus, this scripture I share with you all is very comforting if we embrace this scripture in our hearts, it can touch our souls so well, as we embrace these words in our hearts, this doesn't have to relate to missionaries but for each and every one of us! I found this scripture as I think about the music from a Hymn "Be still my soul" because continuing serving in this mission was stressful, but I knew that it's still worth doing I thought about this Hymn to comfort myself to help myself continue to serve those I need to serve along with Elder Bostrom. As we continue to fight in a war against Satan by sharing the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, all will be truly happy as we all are. As I strive to do my best. Their won't be any regrets I have throughout serving my own mission. I won't claim that everything I do in my mission is "the best 2 years of my life" but I know that serving a mission for 2 years to worth doing so the things I do in my mission is the "2 years of my worth doing" to me. I've seen miracles as I kept doing my best. I decided to serve a mission for many reasons whether anyone likes it or not! I am out to prove how true The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Saints is! I am His Witness, I am representative of Jesus Christ as I strive to be as I wear it on my name-tag each and everyday in my mission. I love my own people and I know that if I keep sharing the gospel to those that God needs me to meet that's all I know of how I am doing my part in this mission or how I would know if I've been a good missionary.
     I have to go, and I will still continue to write my post as always. I just want to remind you all to stay fantastic, and know that God still loves us, His love is eternal and as always embrace the atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives we can still conquer the obstacles we face in our lives! I love you all! Til'next week!
 
  សូមជំរាលា!, 
 ❤ -អែឌើ ស់
Elder Ros
      Legendary Khmeri-can MIssionary from Syracuse, NY USA

" Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth." - Psalms 37:3-9

Can you find the បារាំង?

So this is what Rean English Program looks like in Bakou sorry if it looks a bit crooked but this is the best I can show for this Episode. Hehe!
(Helping those that attend with Bs and Vs!)

Still working a lot for future Elders ahead! Taking care of both areas! (I love to update everything for all areas I serve in!)   

Selfies at Bakou, I love doing all that I can do for both of these areas along with Elder Bostrom! I love this mission! 

Sunday, Jan.17, 2016

ជំរាបសួរ,
       How's each and everyone of you reading this post is doing? I am doing fantastic as I am here along with my new companion Elder Bostrom! So today, instead of me writing exactly what happened each and everyday of what I've done in the week, I'll just break what I did through last week into some high lights enable for each of you reading this post can tell how am I doing so far as I am about to hit my first year mark in this mission!!!:

    So a huge family home evening has happened for the entire area of Ta Khmao last P-day which was fun to fellowship along with other members and leaders in the Branches! From last Thursday Elder Bostrom debuts in Ta Khmau and Bakou in Friday! Tuesday when I was with Elder Xiong was a success as he bid his farewell at Bakou! Last Wednesday, I pretty much spend the day doing a service project by doing most common one in the mission... MOVING DIRT...YEAAAAH! Hahaha then later on, there was wedding going on that's of a member of the current area I am serving in, it was a former Branch President of Takhmao of Branch 1's sister that's being married so that's wonderful. Moving on this day, we taught Rean English Program along with the Branch 2 Elders and Sisters of Ta Khmau! The program was alright but it was a little obnoxious as there's a wedding going on around that time as well! Friday at Bakou we were doing our best to visit and help Elder Bostrom familiarize with them members over there which was fun and exciting for the members over there! Saturday, nothing too huge basically, just continuing to lead on taking care of the 2 areas along with Elder Bostrom. I feel we're still going to do great things together!

Church was great in the 2 areas - Bakou's going good and Ta Khmau's doing good to but still needs a bit more work here and there! 2 Baptisms officially happened yesterday to Banna and Odom are officially baptized and ready to receive the special gift of the Holy Ghost next week! Oh yeah! 

We're still working on some more of our investigators as we prevail serving here, we got this! I know that if I keep relying on God and allow him to lead us and we do our best, miracles will still continue to happen! I can do it! I can always testify that Satan's a hypocrite, and will do whatever it takes to prevents us from reaching our potential of our salvation! I know that my efforts in this mission has affected many lives and I am here to keep aligning my will to God's along with my companion! I'll need to head off to do more work! But hey stay fantasticKeep praying, and best of all stay faithful!!!😎

   សូមជំរាបលា!, 
 ❤ -អែឌើ ស់

P.S. Sooner or later, throughout being in this mission I apparently, need to upgrade myself some clothes because I literally changed. I kid you all not, missions changes lives.

"And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into thistrait and narrow pathwould ask if all is done?Behold, say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ witunshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to saveWherefore, ye must press forward with steadfastness in Christ, having perfect brightness ohopeand love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward,feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end,behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."- 2 Nephi 31: 19-20


Question of the week!: 
"How many stakes and districts does Cambodia have? How many zones?" - Elder Powers (Thailand Bangkok Mission)

As far I can explain there are 2 stakes established so far in Cambodia! About 5 Districts currently in the mission. 6 Zones! I can also spread the news that Vietnam is opening back up as a mission soon in less than 3 months! Plus,
in Kampong Cham around April the new District Building will be done then! 

Service Project at Ming Chanta's from Branch 2 from Last Tuesday! #MyClothesAreTooBig


Well, this is my attempt to show how's REAN doing. (Just Elder Xiong playing hang man with Branch 2's investigator as REAN English Class's being prepared)
HOLLAAAA!

Elder Bostrom's debut in Bakou! We're looking great!

Over at the right besides me is Banna, and the other one is next to him is Odom! They've been officially baptize as of yesterday!

Monday, January 11, 2016

Sunday, Jan. 11, 2016

ជំរាបសួរ
           You all may wonder a little bit of why is this post titled in this post is just called "Initiative" you all may understand why as I explain how'd this week went going brief and a little quick:

        This week was just good. Me and Elder Xiong are still taking good care of the members we serve in the two areas especially our current investigator. In the upcoming Sunday there will be a couple baptisms coming up soon! Me and Elder Xiong's investigators Odom and Banna has decided to become baptized this weekend! Yeah! Odom still needs some work to remember clearly about this church although he's a kid, he does what he can to read the scriptures and pray often even with part of his family. Banna does have the desire to be baptized as we served him, we made sure he has any questions throughout that week if he truly feels ready, because for any investigator should know Baptism is a super sacred ordinance that can be done ounce as you also receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Rean English Program is kinda scarce on attendance with just a couple of students but otherwise class on that week was fine. Just gave a simple Spiritual Thought about prayer and commited them to invite several friends to English Class because not only we want attendees to come to English Class but to also have a taste of the gospel or know who we actually are. 
      
     Throughout this week in Thursday we met with an inactive member named Poo Samde who has a very nice family, we shared with him a spiritual thought, and just come to see how's he doing. He shared a dream that once had that came to a reality that someone was protecting him from getting hurt, from that he had a desire to come back to church, seemingly he does want to come back but hadn't seem him come yet. More work to do! 😀 So last Friday having Zone Training was great. Heard many counsels from the missionaries that are assigned to explain the mission rules as it is and the importance of staying in unity with your companion. Simple stuff. 

    Church was great in Bakou and Branch 1! In Bakou, Bong Songha has decided to make a year goal to ready scriptures and come back to church oftenly, and his mom came to church as well named Ming Sarun! So glad to see several members in Bakou taking initiative to come to church knowing that's anyone can recieve blessings from our father in Heaven. Our investigators like Odom,Banna and Bannat and another one name Noreak are still going to church! 

      Starting this week or next, I will try my best to post up how Rean English Program is like... teaching a group in Bakou, I'll do what I can throughout next transfer. I have some uniques news though: 
So I received a Transfer call I will continue to serve in Ta Khmao Branch 1 and Bakou further more along with.... Elder Bostrom the Anime Dude, former MTC Companion of Elder "Biggest Loser" Hall aaaaand an Elder just coming out of the mission office.... I am still choosing to stay strong in this mission. Here I go! Will be posting about how things went from this week next week! Hahaha! This will be an interesting transfer coming up.
I just want to bare testimony that I still know that this work I am doing is God's work. I can handle serving this mission just as long as I keep trusting God. In about 10 days I am actually about a year done from my mission already which means I am half done. It really takes the gift of tongues that helps me and my companion spread the message of Jesus Christ across those that need to hear.  Gotta blast! Elder Ros still lives on! 

   សូមជំរាបលា!, 
 ❤ -អែឌើ ស់

"Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; orather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in thword of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heartyea, without being brought tknow the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe." - Alma 32:16
P.S. Sorry, I didn't take much photos of this week so the following is all I can post for this episode.
My first "Royal D" I ever partake as of 9th of January 2016. Hehe

POT LUCK with mexican food! Thanking the Mienzers! From last Sunday!

Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016

ជំរាបសួរ,
                   Ounce again Happy New Years, hope each of you had a safe New Years, making at least one possible good and REAL New Years resolution you can achieve throughout this New Year! (Making weak things strong or choosing to improve to make the best out of ourselves.) 

On this P-day I just play some basketball for my first time in a very long time... and then some Volleyball at the East District/ South Stake Center. Which was fun! 

Here's how'd last week went.:

Last Monday/ P-day, we were still working the 3 cousins that I explained last week about Missionary Work and sharing the Gospel simply with them. Nothing too huge happen on that day, but did what we could.

Last Tuesday, we were still visiting a Young Man named Bong Vi, he's a real nice guy and were continuing to help him come to church often and fulfill priesthood duties (that was done throughout the week!) Then we visited Rith which he'll be explain on Thursday! Then we met with Ming Pov to help her have faith and use the gift of the Holy Ghost! Then we met with Ming Pan to talk about God's Plan! Then Lastly, we taught SiYi and his family about Baptism and Confirmation although they were recent converts we just want to help them understand a bit more about these two ordinances they committed to do as they became members of this Church! :)

Last Wednesday, in Bakou was kinda complicated because there wasn't many to visit because most members were busy or not home as we proselyte, however, REAN English Program (there's better attendance!) at the Bakou Church Building was fun, I get to share a spiritual thought in Khmer instead of me speaking Enlgish just because it bring the Holy Spirit better!!! (We had the oppurtunity to teach Bong Songha at least though! Yeah yeah!)

Last Thursday, working around Branch 1 of TK we still visit a kid named Rith again who's the only in his family but his family is very supportive! Love teaching and reading with him in the Book of Mormon Primary Children's Book! Before visiting Rith, we were visiting a return missionary named Pia or fully Sopia to teach him about gratitude and then we a LONG conversation with his brother, who has a lot of questions, between me and Elder Xiong we were nervous... because his vocab's pretty good, and he's very edgy with our's and his older brother's beliefs, but otherwise the conversation was productive, hope someday this guy can make time to actually learn about the Gospel.

Last Friday, we continue to visit Bong Sombat, to just teach about the Doctrines of Knowledge, it went wonderfully, just showing up to him and know we still care to all members we have the chance to visit! Then later we went to Bakou again, on this day was successful because we get to meet with some members such as some Neakmings with-in this "group" to teach and uplift, including an in-active member  which is Bong Songha as displayed from Wednesday!) Plus, we had the chance to meet Bong Sokrea and her father. Now, the thing is as met them, we caught the Look Poo drinking which was kinda distracting and sad, but we just pick him and ask if we can teach him a lesson about the importance our callings in this church and understand clearly, when we need help to conquer problems we can turn them to God, not to Beer basically. So we were testifying that God does and still care and loves us, he'll help us fulfull His work. (Why some of you ask.) Because all work we do in His Church is His work! And as we do His work, can still receive many blessing as we just do the following commandments.

Last Saturday,  we visited another young man named Pech who lives with a very nice Father, we just continue to encouraged him to remain obedient and loving to his family, and keep up praying and reading scriptures oftenly, later on we visit Bong Vi again to teach God's plan and committed him to invite a friend to learn about God's plan for all of us! Then we met with Ming Pan again to have her make a goal to go attend a temple someday! Then lastly, we met with the "3 cousins" again to teach them simply about learning in church and enduring to the end! 

Church was fantastic as I fellowshipped along with Elder Xiong in Bakou in the morning and Branch 1 in the afternoon! Me and Elder Xiong done a whole lot of translating for the Mission President, his wife, and the Meinzers, a Senior (Missionary) Couple as I described in my past posts! On that Sunday we alot taught the Young Mens for this Sunday about the Priesthood and then after church we continued to teach another of our investigators named Noreak! (Mistaken as Norit) To teach him about God's plan, he's very open to understand what are we teaching and understands clearly about why our goal in this life to be good disciples enable for us to enter the celestial kingdom!

Throughout this week, we had a new investigator that's kid named Rothana... who does want to learn the Gospel and become a member of the church someday! 

So that week was one of the most interesting experience I had serving here in Cambodia. I love serving this mission, can't believe I am already half-way done with this mission in about 18 days left, not that I wanted to count but it's amazing how serving a mission can go by quickly, no matter how much any missionary do in this mission. I am still willing keep going serving on this mission serving my heritage.
I have a couple slogans I want to share that I come up with to really, uplift myself as a missionary of Christ's true church and maybe other Elders, and maybe Sisters can apply this:
EAT. SLEEP. PREACH. REPEAT.
-OR-
PRAY. SLEEP. PREACH. REPEAT.

I had these things in my mind as I thought about this New Year, I don't really care about numbers as I continue to serve this mission (although I did pay attention a little too much on the contacts I did as I was serving in Kampong Cham) , I do care about sharing my testimony that I worked so hard to keep, maintain, and share to those who needs to feel the power of my testimony and how this Gospel helped me and my family! I am always striving to stay converted as much as I can as I keep serving here. I know many still needs to hear specifically from me. I am going to be leading the 2 areas a lot but I know I can do it so I can keep up the work! Transfer calls in the corner I am going to have a new companion soon so that exciting, although I am probably staying in the 2 areas! 

So throughout most of my time in this mission, I can explain a bit about how am I doing with learning the Khmer language, well... it's a whole lot of work to develop the gift of tongues, I can't guarantee that I am fluent, just because I have this, American New York English accent, but I don't really pay attention too much about how "clear" I speak, but I still do speak from the heart, love and holy spirit. Don't read that wrong I am still willing to improve and keep it up. Khmer is definitely not an easy language to learn. President Christensen came up to me one time as church in Bakou was over, and he expressed how very pleased he was when I translated Sister Meinzer's testimony from English to Khmer!  

Well, I have to go just want to remind you all to stay awesome, and fantastic, if any of you have any questions about my mission so far, don't feel to shy to ask at all! Love you all! 

"And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God." - D&C 14:7
My first ever scripture mastery I love dearly that sealed in my heart!

❤ -អែឌើ ស់
I only have three words about this photo.... New Years Eve.

This is what I look like most of the times I travel to Bakou with my Bike along with Elder Xiong.


My companion Elder Xiong messing around with Ming Pan's pigs. They're pretty big.

This Pomeranian-like dog of a member's reminds of my pure bread Pomeranian Prince from home, I was so distracted (as I felt in love with it's cuteness by this dog) then again, I was visiting a member named Ming Ang along with Elder Xiong to check how's she's doing if she needs anything. This guy's bigger than my dog at my home.