tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12936695432318172024-03-13T21:10:22.423-07:00Cambodia Phnom Penh MissionAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05662148811661222147noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-8762645318886569502016-01-05T13:28:00.001-08:002016-01-05T13:28:26.637-08:00Done.<br />
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Dear Family and Friends,<div>
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Its been a great two years. I haven't been so happy in my whole life. This has been the most rewarding time of my life. I don't really feel like its over and I don't believe I'm going home yet. I also haven't packed yet though so maybe if I do that it will feel real. I'm excited to see you all and I miss you boat loads. I'll have lots to tell you when I get home and I'm sure you'll have an ear to listen for maybe a month. But for this last time I will tell you how my week went.</div>
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Monday I went to a Chinese lady's ice cream shop and she asked me what I wanted. I said "beats me!" and then she started going off in Chinese! I told her I didn't speak Chinese and she looked very confused. "But you just said Bin Chring! That's Chinese for ice cream." So of all the words I chose to say I happened to say the Chinese word for ice cream at a Chinese Ice Cream shop. </div>
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Tuesday we met with Ming Sophal in the morning and helped her prepare for her baptismal interview next week! She is doing very well and has an amazing testimony! We went to visit some other investigators in Baray Village and saw an older woman digging at a huge pile of dirt in her front yard and so we rode up and offered to help her! We moved the whole pile and spread it across her front yard. She purchased the new dirt so that when it rains it won't be so muddy! It was fun to get all sweaty and hot before biking some more! </div>
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Wednesday we taught a new investigator who told us we should get a big projector and show Jesus videos around the villages and that everyone would convert if we did. I thought it was a worthy effort but it isn't the best way to do missionary work haha. We also met Daly and helped prepare her for her baptism this Sunday! Then we taught English class and went over to Bong Ponlok's house and taught him a lesson on the Importance of Jesus Christ. He committed again to read the Book of Mormon to find out if it is true.</div>
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Thursday was Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm grateful for My Mom and Dad who gave the gospel to me and taught me to walk in the light from my youth. They are the best examples of dedicated service to the Lord. I am so grateful for their sacrifices for me throughout my life. I could not have asked for better parents. I am so grateful that I could serve the Lord for two years. I don't feel like it was a sacrifice but more like a blessing. I am grateful for my siblings and their great examples to me and their help in all the aspects of my life. I don't know what I would do without them. I am grateful for my companion Elder Smith who has been the best last companion I could ask for. I am grateful for the many wonderful friends I have made here and have waiting at home. Most of all I am grateful for the Savior's sacrifice for me and the Father's tender mercies and love towards all mankind. I learned of the savior's unending love very acutely after thanksgiving lunch with the Senior couple and all the missionaries in my zone. We sat down in a circle and they gave us each a snickers bar and told us not to eat it. They then told us that in order for everyone else to eat their candy someone has to give theirs up. I volunteered readily and they chose me. They then asked me to sit on a red table cloth in the middle of the circle and proceeded to ask each missionary in the room one by one if they wanted to keep their candy bar and that I had to pay for it by doing 10 push ups. So the first one said yes and I busted out 10. The second one said yes and I busted out 10 more. Then the third said no but the senior sister said I still ha to pay for it. So 10 more. As I waited for the next answer Sister Leavitt explained the atonement of Jesus Christ reading scriptures and the spirit filled the room. I kept pushing. 4. 5. 6 people. 7. 8 people. Some said they wanted it others said no, and yet still I pushed for them so they may keep their candy. I was getting very tired and my arms began to shake. At the beginning she would ask me how I was feeling and I felt fine. As she asked me now I felt to say that it was hard. She asked if I could do more and I said I would if I needed to. 9. 10 people. And the last missionary when asked if they wanted their candy bar said that "if I say no the he will still do them so I will say yes." And so the last ten push ups came very hard. With only five left I began to falter. I couldn't get up all the way. They kept saying I could do it. And I had to. 4 left and I had to catch myself from with my knee because I couldn't get up all the way. 3 left and my arms were shaking. 2 left and I was gasping for air. 1 left and I could barely get off the ground, let alone lift myself to the top. When I finished I felt hot tears come to my face as I realized that the savior felt much much more than that. The savior felt like he couldn't go on, but he did. The savior paid the price for all our sins and our sorrows and pains even if we choose not to receive that gift. He has descended below all things that He may lift all to the presence of the Father. How grateful I am for Him. He who has saved my soul from everlasting damnation. He who paid the price willingly. He who was the perfect lame without blemish, without sin. I know that He conquered death and sin. I know He lives. He is the only way. </div>
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The last three days I will summarize shortly. I met with Sombor and Khen, two guys fluent in Chinese and working as translators at the Chinese factory in the Standing Jungle. They are very intelligent men who were intrigued to know why Christ was important in their lives and committed to read the Book of Mormon to find our for themselves and pray to ask the Father. We also met with Daly one more time to help her to prepare spiritually for her baptism on Sunday. Sunday was a long and eventful day. We rode a car with Daly and her mother Sinat to Kampong Cham in the morning because there is no font in Prey Cho. We got there during the sacrament hymn and I was asked to get up a give a farewell talk to the members of Kampong Cham, We found out during second hour that the font had a big crack in it and we wouldn't be able to fill it all the way because the water will all flow out. So after the services and the baptismal talks we went out to a very shallow font to do the ordinance. Luckily Daly is maybe a little over 4 feet tall. So the baptism was completed successfully despite the many challenges and Oh what a sweet experience it was. Then we rode back home and made a very quick lunch before going to church again in Prey Cho where I also gave another farewell talk. After church I got a text from the Zone Leaders telling us that in order for our mission to reach its goal this week every companionship needed to get 36 contacts. Thats triple what we usually get in a day and we only had half a day to do it. But as we rode through the night the lord showed us who we were to talk to and we achieved our goal and finished the week having invited 104 souls unto Christ. That is what its all about.</div>
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I love my life. I love the savior. I will see you all very soon.</div>
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Last Mission Email.</div>
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-Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-30558929706440725792015-11-25T14:06:00.003-08:002015-11-25T14:06:43.403-08:00Two years already. Now it's Bonus.<br />
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I had a great week! Tuesday we met with Ming Sophal in the morning and she told us how she has been receiving a plethora of blessings since she has put her faith in the Lord. Every night she goes to Prey Totung market and buys watermelons to sell in the morning and she prays that the Lord will help her sell all of them. Then every morning she sells every last watermelon at the Prey Cho Market. If she buys 150 she sells 150, if she buys 200 she sells 200. And while we are at her house teaching people come asking if she has watermelons at her house after she sold them all! They really like their watermelons and the Lord is truly blessing her to sell. She had an accident <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_630200447" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this Saturday</span></span> evening bringing her watermelons home and a car came to close so she had to cut to the side and fell over. She hurt her back and lost all her watermelons but she still came to church with a smile the next day! I feel like no one can skip the trials of life but only some can persevere like she does. She is preparing herself for baptism on the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_630200448" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6th of December</span></span>! I'm very excited for her. </div>
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Om Jun, our investigator who has successfully quit drinking after a very long time, is getting baptized next week! So this week he helped us go teach and find new families in his village! <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_630200449" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Wednesday</span></span> he walked with us to a couple families he said wanted to learn and we taught them. Then <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_630200450" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span> he walked around the whole village with us and invited everyone he knew to listen to our message! He just opened his mouth and spared not! At one point he took us to a little shop that sells vegetables and stuff for the village and he told everyone there to listen to us. There were twenty or so people there and I just started preaching! I felt like Alma from the Book of Mormon. It was awesome! Om Jun is a way awesome guy and is wildly funny.</div>
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We met with an investigator that I like to call an extended contact. We saw him many times and he knew our names but we had not ever been able to meet him for very long. We finally were able to sit down with him this week (on some rocks because he had no chairs) and teach him how to pray and how to quit smoking. He was very excited about the way we taught him to quit smoking because in our earlier meetings he had intimated that it was impossible to quit. I told him that the actual was quite the contrary! He committed to try it out and stop smoking little by little. He's got some good faith in only our words alone!</div>
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Ming Srey is a member that was not going to church when I got to the area and felt very confused and not very happy and thus felt like she did not want to go to church. Well she has been coming to church now for 4 weeks and is very happy! We gave her a picture of Jesus Christ and told her how proud He was of her and her progress. She was very happy to tell us how much different her life was since she began to go back to church. She felt happy again and not so worried about things she cannot control. Her faith is in the Lord and she is happily enduring now. Its wonderful to see my efforts come to fruition. With the Lord, my companion, and me, we can do pretty much anything.</div>
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Sarith is a man we met as we were riding to an appointment. He hollered at us in English saying "hello! How are you?" We promptly turned around and began talking to him about our message of Family Happiness and being cleansed from sin. He accepted a return appointment and when we went back he was excited to listen to us! We shared with him about the nature of God our loving Heavenly Father and about how He calls prophets to teach His children the way they should live. We spoke of the purpose and life of Jesus Christ and what we need to do to follow him. We introduced the Book of Mormon and taught him the way he can know for himself if it is true. He was very receptive and open to our message and committed to read and pray. He said he really wants top know for himself if it is true! The unfortunate part of the story is that he will be moving far away this week. The good part is that it is still within reach of the missionaries in Kampong Cham! I feel like he is a great man with great potential!</div>
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Ael Jan Than is a great older lady we stumbled upon while contacting. She said she wont go anywhere but that she wanted to listen to our message. We said we would come back. Another day we came by and taught her neighbor the message of the restoration and gave him a Book of Mormon. Then we went to follow up on Ael Jan Than and as we sat and talked with her under her house the neighbor man comes over carrying the Book of Mormon we just gave him and told us he couldn't read it because the font was too small. So Ael Jan Than asked to see it and started looking at the pictures in the front. She asked me to explain them for her. As I explained the spirit testified to her and to me that what I said was true. The Book of Mormon is a second witness of Christ's divinity from another people in a far away land who had no communication with the Jews in Jerusalem. The book is of divine origin and was translated by the gift and power of God. When I asked her to read and pray she said she knew it was true from what I said. She recognized me as a servant of Christ and told me that she knew I wouldn't come all the way to her country in this small village from America just to lie to her. She also complained that the font was too small so we are going to go back and give her a big font copy of the Book of Mormon and she committed to read and pray. </div>
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Ponlok hasn't met with us in a while but last night he met with us and told us how he really wished he could have met with us sooner but he has been so busy! He was excited to tell us that he had been reading in the Book of Mormon and felt that God was answering his prayers. We read with him the testimony of the three and eight witnesses found at the beginning of the book and he said the book must be true if these men would testify in that way. I feel like he is going to be an amazing member.</div>
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Well as the title suggests, I am past my two year mark as a missionary. November 20th 2013 to November 20th 2015. Now I'm just serving a little overtime to reap those last few souls that I can! </div>
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I love you all and I know that Jesus love you too. He is our savior and He lives. May you strive to be more like Him as I do likewise.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;">Great Cambodian sunsets</span></div>
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caught a baby tokai</div>
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visited Phnom Bro (Boy Hill)</div>
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fed some monkeys</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-21575362254892118752015-11-18T08:32:00.002-08:002015-11-18T08:32:49.548-08:00Transfer 16. Week 3.<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Dear loved ones,</span><br />
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This week we taught a lot of lessons sing M. Russell Ballard's talk about hanging on to the old ship Zion from conference. It was really good! It helped teach everyone about the way we can stay active in the church and what we have to watch out for and what to hang on to. I would suggest a re-read. Ming Sophal was doing great this week but she didn't come to church and she wasn't selling watermelons at the market today. So we hope she is okay because we missed her at church. After we went to her house on Tuesday we visited Om Nin and she cut some of her sugar cane down and gave us to eat. She even let us skin it! (see attached pictures). That same day we shared a message about missionary work with Om Jun and later in the week he showed us to three of his neighbors' homes and we taught them all and got return appointments. It was the coolest thing. After our lesson <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_789794287" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span> he said "Elder lets go talk to my neighbors." Then he invited them to sit down and listen to us. Keep in mind that this is in the middle of the jungle and so everyone is home and chillin' outside. So we got new investigators! </div>
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We have been doing a big contacting initiative mission wide and as a mission we invited 3,052 new people unto Christ in just this one week! Elder Smith and I put a big effort in and it payed off with 7 new investigators this week! That's even with him getting way sick <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_789794288" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Thursday</span></span> from who knows what. He was throwing up all morning though and had to stay in bed for a while to recover. But at night we were able to go out and still invite a ton of people unto Christ. We shared a great lesson with Ponlok about how Christ is the only way to eternal life and we should settle for nothing less than our divine potential to be like our father in heaven. We can only do this through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel and the atonement and grace of Jesus the Christ. As we taught him I could see his potential of becoming a strong member in the future and being a blessing to the lives of many. I hope he decides to follow Christ. That is all it takes really. Just a decision. Its or agency. If we decide to put off the natural man and become a saint through the atonement of Jesus Christ then we can! Just choose to do right. It's all in your power to choose.</div>
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We found a new family while contacting <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_789794289" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span> and they seemed way down to earth. We are excited to go and teach them this week and help them become familiar with their Savior. The same night we went over to Ming Touc's house and taught her and her family. She has two kids that are members and two that are not. But the non-member kids both agreed to be baptized! She is so excited for her family to all have the gospel and we are excited to be a part of that journey. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_789794290" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> was hectic. We lost our phone and it got stolen. It slipped out of our pocket while we were sitting on a hammock at a member's sugar cane juice place. Then someone came and said it was theirs and took off with our phone. So we have been phoneless since then! We're working on getting a new one now. But boy that was an inconvenient time to lose our phone! We had a dinner appointment with Pu Dy but that morning we heard he went to the hospital in Phnom Penh so we called and told him we can do dinner another night since he won't be there. Then another member called and scheduled us to come over. So we planned to go there and then we lost our phone! After we searched the house for it in vain (we didn't yet know it was stolen from the hammock elsewhere) our landlord lady, who is also a member, said that Pu Dy was calling her and saying that he was back and wanted us to come for dinner still. So then we had two dinner appointments in one night and no phone to tell them. So we just rode our bikes to the first one planning on leaving and going straight to the other one. Boy that was exhausting! Bt on top of all that we were late to both dinner appointments because we were waiting for an investigator who came to meet us at a smoothie shop half an hour late! But he brought his two room mates and we had a way awesome, way short lesson. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_789794291" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> we rode out to Ming Touc's house to pick up her two sons and help them come to church because they only have one bicycle and 5 people! It was very tiring but so worth it! We had 24 at church this week and My goal is to get 30 before I leave this tiny group out in The Standing Jungle. </div>
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I know this is the true church. I love the gospel with all my heart! I know Thomas S. Monson is a prophet and that Joseph Smith restored God's true church on the earth by power and direction from Jesus Christ Himself. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Moroni's promise at the end is true for all! (Moroni 10:3-5) If you read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon, asking God in faith and by the name of Jesus Christ then He will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. I know that Jesus lives. He is my Savior from an awful hell. I know that all who draw near unto him will find that He draws near unto them too! (D&C 88:63) May God bless you all. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.</div>
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-Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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a'fishing</div>
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ancient Buddhist scripture</div>
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eating elephant apple</div>
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from Monk to member</div>
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grillin'</div>
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Ming Sophal</div>
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Rice</div>
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Rice2</div>
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Rice3</div>
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skinning sugar cane</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-13078179472932112012015-11-09T19:38:00.001-08:002015-11-09T19:38:44.327-08:00Transfer 16. Week 2.<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Note from MOM: We are so excited to see Lyle again!!! He will be arriving home on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1657575589" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Dec. 5th</span></span> after a 31 hour trip. I hope he will be recovered by <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1657575590" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> night the 6th, because we will be hosting an open house for him at our home from <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1657575591" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:30-8:30</span></span>. I am sure he would love to see you. Please let me know if you will be attending. Thanks bunches for your love and prayers for him these last two years, keep them coming until he arrives home. He will only be here thru the first few days of January then he goes to BYU. </div>
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Much love and appreciation, </div>
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Tami and Roger Brewer</div>
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Dear ones,<div>
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It was a great week in Cambodia.</div>
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We met with some really cool investigators this week. We met with Sophal <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1657575592" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Tuesday</span></span> and she is doing great! She has some great faith and really loves Jesus Christ. She agreed to be baptized on the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1657575593" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6th of December</span></span>! We worked closely with Om Jun and Daly to prepare them for baptismal dates but they both skipped church. It rained quite a bit this week. They say the rainy season is ending and the cold season is starting but its just raining more now and getting hotter every day. I also got to do an exchange with Elder Paramore in Kampong Jam <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1657575594" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span>. It rained insanely hard all day. Since he took over my area when I left Kampong Jam to go to Prey Cho we got to meet some of my investigators and they are doing great! We had an amazing lesson with a girl named Jenda whom Elder Smith and I started teaching. When I was there we only taught her how to pray and set a return appointment, so when Elder Paramore and I went we taught the message of the restoration. It was a perfect lesson. She asked perfect questions that led right into the next point and she was so interested to know which church was true, which mode of baptism was right, who restored the church after the apostasy. It was fun to walk her through it all! Then<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1657575595" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> morning we continued the exchange (since we started it <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1657575596" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span> afternoon) and we went contacting. We got 4 return appointments and when we tried to find somewhere for lunch we stopped at this little side shop that looked like it sold. They invited us in but no customers were there. When I asked if they sold rice they said they only sell breakfast food. But then she started asking questions about us Jesus and seemed really interested! Her dad walked in (this older man of maybe 60+) and said "hey can I join Christianity?" We said of coarse! But he was just messing with us. We ended up sitting down and having a long conversation with him about religion. He had some very interesting views. I've gotten very bold I've noticed. Being a missionary holds with it some power in the calling. I make every statement with boldness and power that I know comes from the truth of my message and the power of God. I leave no room for doubt that I believe what I teach. Well as we sat the lady gave us a soda which we accepted gratefully and we sat there so long that she actually made lunch and brought us a plate! It was way delicious! Then we we finished lunch she sat down and asked some more questions and we gave her a book of mormon and taught her some great principles and invited her to church. It was quite a meeting. All because we were hungry! </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1657575597" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> we went around inviting people to church and then we had 26 people at church! Last week it was 14 so that was a huge jump! My goal is to get 30 before I leave this area. Its a small struggling group but the members that are active are very strong, their faith having been tried time and time again. One of my favorite members ever is Pu Dy. He is the group leader out here and is just the best guy. He and his family have been members for something like 7 years and before that he was a high ranking monk for 30 years!! I'm really gonna miss him when I have to go. </div>
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This is the best Journey I've ever been on. I love every second. I love my Savior. This is His church! I hope you all may reflect on your testimonies and ask again in humble prayer for Heavenly Father to confirm the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. Doubt not fear not. I love you all, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.</div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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Pictures are of me helping a member grind rice into liquid she will use to make treats that she sells. Way good!!!</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-14196199499369849812015-11-06T14:42:00.001-08:002015-11-06T14:42:36.749-08:00Angkorians<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Dearest,</span><br />
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So <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_115796855" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Monday</span></span> and Tuesday I went with Elder Quirante, Elder Long, and Elder Um to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. It was a wonderful place. The ruins of an ancient people who have since lost their former glory and majesty. The people who built these huge temples are the predecessors to the current Cambodian people. I'll attach some pictures at the bottom.</div>
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Wednesday we had a surprise guest appear on the road in the middle of nowhere-ville (aka Prey Cho). A friend of Elder Smith's. A Cambodian woman who lives in Phnom Penh and owns an orphanage and works with his mom in America. She brought a duffel bag full of goodies and then went with us to our lesson with an investigator! It was just perfect. She was such a great help! She shared an amazing testimony and it brought our investigator Ming Sophal to tears! We were very grateful for her presence. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_115796856" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Friday</span></span> we met again with Ming Sophal and her son and two nephews and taught them all about the restoration and they agreed to be baptized on the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_115796857" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6th of December</span></span>! That will be awesome! We met a few members and not so active members and have been teaching the importance of personal revelation, especially about the Book of Mormon. No one can know about spiritual truths unless the spirit reveals it unto them. Also, no one can endure to the end unless they are receiving personal revelation frequently. We need to be in tune with the spirit so that we can recognize when He speaks to us and what we need to do. This will help us to overcome trials and tribulations when they come, and they will come!</div>
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We saw some beautiful scenery this week and goly I love Cambodia and this wonderful jungle farm land that I live in. It's looking to be the best of best times ahead. </div>
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I'm convinced more and more each day of the divinity and reality of my savior Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God. He is the redeemer of the world. The anticipated Messiah. He reigns in heaven and on earth. He has established His church again on the earth in its fullness through the prophet Joseph Smith. He will shortly come again and in His glory consume the earth. He will present His kingdom perfected before the father and we shall be His. Let us learn of Him and take His cross upon us that we may be perfected through Him. He is the way. He has provided the means whereby all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. All man will be saved. But only those who progress and improve their time while in this life will be exalted in the celestial kingdom. Let us live a celestial life by the celestial law that we may be there in the next life. And so that when Christ comes we shall know Him because we shall see Him as He is, because we shall be like Him. In Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-51607058431697784722015-10-27T21:01:00.001-07:002015-10-27T21:01:18.688-07:00It's getting real<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Hello Family and other loved ones,</span><br />
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I appreciate you reading these each week. Its quite something to endure. With the length of what I usually write I imagine there aren't many who actually go through the whole email. But i'll include pictures for those who like to skim to the bottom (; hahah</div>
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This week began with a good <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_94788580" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Monday</span></span> evening where Elder Smith and I went and visited a contact we made a week ago and taught them about God and His plan and how to pray. I love showing people who God is. Most people here have no concept of God the way I know Him. What a blessing it is to help His children learn of Him and learn how to enter into His rest. I feel like Ammon before king Lamoni.</div>
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Me: "Do you believe in God?" Them: "I do not know what that meaneth. God is my earthly father and mother.." Me: "Do you believe we have a spirit?" Them: "yes, I believe we have a spirit." Me: "God is the father of our spirits. He has all power and all wisdom and is the creator of all things. He listen to us when we seek Him in humble prayer and grants us blessings according to our desires and needs if we exercise faith in Him." Them: "What do I do in order to pray to Him?" Me: "You must humble yourself before god and have faith in His son Jesus Christ and you must call on him and speak the thoughts and intents of your heart and ask for whatsoever thing you stand in need of in the name of Jesus Christ." </div>
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That's <i>basically</i> how every lessons goes. So this week we were able to do that a whole lot because we got 11 new investigators. A recent convert in Prey Cho referred us to two families. That was way fun! <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_94788581" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span> we visited the people of Kampong Jam for the last time and then <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_94788582" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> morning we took a cab to Prey Cho and started proselyting there. When we showed up to our house we found that two mice had crawled into our mop bowl and died. It was pretty gross. Its been a pretty mellow week other than that. </div>
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Church was a great uplifting experience. For our opening hymn we sung "Did you think to pray" and the spirit was very strong. I was asked to talk again and so I spoke to the importance of recognizing the spirit in our lives and receiving personal revelation. I talked about how important it is to have a testimony and to seek out personal revelation in order for us to stay firm in the gospel and to build our foundation on the savior Jesus Christ. Why did the pioneers endure the over a thousand mile trek to the Salt Lake Valley? Why did they not give up when their enemies were burning down their houses and their temple? Why did they keep pushing forward when they had to bury the Salt Lake City Temple foundation that they had been working on for years when the US army came to check on them? Why? Because they had some dreams, and they had some visions. Because they heard the voice of the Lord from time to time and recognized His spirit. Because they had personal revelation to sustain them. We all need that every day. We cannot stand up against the mighty whirlwinds and fiery darts of the adversary if we are not built upon a sure foundation, which foundation is Christ the Lord! We need personal revelation the way that Moses did when the army of Pharaoh was on their tail and the had nothing but a lot of water in front of them. Moses needed revelation and he got it. You and I face similar trials in our lives where we feel like we are between a rock and a hard place. We need personal revelation so that we will know what to do and what to say and where to go. We need to cultivate that spirit of revelation in our lives and learn to recognize it. We do this by daily feasting upon the words of Christ in the scriptures and through His holy prophets past and present. We need to seek Him in fervent prayer each day on our knees asking for guidance and seeking His presence. We need to be humble and make time to listen to the soft impressions of the spirit so that when that trial does come, and we are standing before the red sea with a lot of angry Egyptians at our backs, we can recognize that prompting from the spirit that tells us to move forward and go through the sea. God speaks to us. Make time to listen. Learn how to hear His voice. This is His church. He leads it through His prophet Thomas S. Monson. Jesus Lives. In the name of the savior Jesus Christ, Amen.</div>
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-Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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moving</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;">an old silver coin issued by the french government while it ruled over Cambodia. The member who owns it said it's worth $25 dollars.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;">Another old coin they used in Cambodia issued by the french</span></div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-49578367489288293262015-10-19T09:46:00.000-07:002015-10-19T09:46:34.704-07:00Rushed to the hospital<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Hello Family!</span><br />
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So my subject line sounds a little morbid but do not worry! I will give that tale its justice in just a couple paragraphs below. Don't get lazy and skip to the bottom! (;</div>
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Its been a very strange week. Preparation day was relaxed and then since Monday and <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_724061120" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span> was a huge holiday we did deep cleaning in BOTH our houses. That was fun. It's really nice to live in a house that isn't filthy. Naturally our home needs attention always since we only come home late and night and leave early in the morning. Cleaning happens sparingly whenever time allows. So it was nice to have a couple days dedicated to it. Still not moved into the new apartment until maybe next month but I won't be able to enjoy it because I'm getting transferred! It's my last transfer in the country and I'll be spending it in only Prey Cho instead of both Prey Cho and Kampong Jam 3rd. That's really a blessing even though I'll miss those people I got to serve in Kampong Jam. I will still be with my trainee Elder Smith so its not that much different! Just more time to help that struggling group and less time riding taxi vans all the time! </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_724061121" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> was spent in Prey Cho. We taught our friend Om Jun, the old man with the sunglasses in a previous email. He is struggling to quit drinking and we are helping him by following up every day! He said he really wants to be baptized on the first of November and said he would quit drinking so he could accomplish that goal! We hope we can help him to do so! Then we taught English class to only 3 students since it was a holiday the day before (like I have mentioned before, the effect of holidays last a whole week after they are over). </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_724061122" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span> we went and taught Daly who was planning to get baptized <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_724061123" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this Sunday</span></span> the 18th. We gave her a bag of study materials and reviewed with her the importance of baptism and pumped her up for <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_724061124" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this Sunday</span></span>! Then we visited Om Jun again to make sure he was still committed to his goal. We are planning on going there every day starting <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_724061125" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this Wednesday</span></span> just to follow up on him and make sure he is keeping his commitment! Then we met some more members and their daughter had come back from Phnom Penh for the holiday and we helped her get in touch with the Elders in the area she is going to be attending so she could feel more comfortable going each <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_724061126" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span>! We met with a newer investigator named Tok and taught him the discussion on the Restoration of the Gospel. He was very into it and has some great potential! He said he would try to come to church this week! We tried to give him a Book of Mormon but he told us he cannot read. I told him we could teach him how to read so that he can read the Lord's holy word and he said he would like that! So I'll keep you updated on that! That night our Landlady (also a member) told us she had a group of 30 people who want to come to church with us in Prey Cho. They are from another place far away called Roka Kaong. They used to be members in another church but all left due to them finding out that their church was corrupt. So they wanted to find a new one after two years of inactivity. So Elder Smith and I decided to do a special fast for them <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_724061127" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span>.</div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_724061128" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> we returned to Kampong Jam from Prey Cho and after lunch we begun our fast and rode 20 kilometers out to a member's house to do some service preparing her ground for planting by cutting the grass with some sickles. We hadn't worked 5 minutes when Elder Smith said "Oh dang it." I looked over to see him poke a deep gash on his left pointer finger and blood squirt out like the black night who loses his arm to King Arthur in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It took me about one second to realize his finger was not falling off and then I ripped my Cambodian scarf off and wrapped it around the bleeding mess to tourniquet it and stem the loss. I just whispered to him "Elder that's a lot of blood." We quickly assumed it would need stitches and a quick chat with Sister Christensen on the phone confirmed it. She told us to find the fastest car to the city and meet her at SOS international hospital. We went out and stood on the street while the members tried to get him to rub menthol all over the cut. We denied their medical advice and prayed to find a car. We were in the middle of nowhere but as soon as we close the prayer Elder Smith successfully hailed a small car with a very kind man who drive us all the way to Phnom Penh in only 2 hours. The whole drive there I taught him as much as I could in our mixed conversations and got his number to refer him to the Elders in Phnom Penh. On arrival at the hospital President and Sister Christensen were both waiting there for us. President thought we looked goofy wearing service clothes and dress shoes so he took a picture and then they took us into the room where they put three stitches into his wound. It was quite a trip. That night we slept at the Assistant's house and then got a car first thing in the morning to take us back to KC. We had them stop on the road that took us up to the member's home and then paid a tuk-tuk to drive us the rest of the way to our bicycles. We then had to ride our bicycles 20 kilometers back to Kampong Cham still fasting and completely broke from all the travel bills. When we arrived back home at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_724061129" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">11:30 am</span></span>, sunburned and starving, we broke our fast and drank cold lemonades and ate a fresh apple from the fridge. I was laughing with joy as I bit into the best tasting apple I had ever had. We were completely exhausted and crashed for two hours after feasting on Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches (we were too tired to make real food). When we recovered we went and taught four lessons.</div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_724061130" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> morning I woke up with a bit of a sore throat due to the exhaustion of yesterday I assume. We went to church and looked for Daly who was to be baptize but couldn't find her. We called her mom but the phone didn't go through. I called our landlord to go ask her if she was coming. A couple minutes later she called back and said that they were not coming because they were busy. The font was half filled and people waiting but no one to be baptized. That was a sad tale. Guess we'll try again in a couple weeks!</div>
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Then we had to take a projector and like equipment with us on a car to Prey Cho so that the branch president could show the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_724061131" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> Morning session of conference. No one from Prey Cho was able to come and watch conference since it was a holiday this last weekend and there were no cars to take them to KC. So 15 of the expected 30 came to church with us in Prey Cho and watched half of the session before leaving. Turns out Phnom Penh is closer to them so they are going to go join the Toul Sangkae branch. Right after church a recent convert named Borey came up to us and told us she had two referrals that she wanted us to go teach. We called them and they set an appointment right there! It was way exciting. All in all another great week!</div>
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I know that Jesus Lives! This is His church! I'm so grateful to be in His service out in this wonderful country. It's sad that my time will be coming to an end soon. I hope I can continue to be in the service of the Lord in the next chapter of my life. As this chapter wraps up I will give my all to Him who created all. On whom I depend on for my daily breath, I shout praise to Him. The Holy One of Israel. Believe in Christ! Repent! Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him! Let His love surround you. You are a child of God. In the name of His son, Jesus Christ, Amen.</div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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After I wrapped it</div>
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Getting stitched</div>
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stitched</div>
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Borey who gave us the referrals</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-79172562663168579222015-10-13T10:37:00.001-07:002015-10-13T10:37:38.541-07:00Conference Weekend<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Dear Beloved Ones,</span><br />
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I am officially re-admitted to BYU so I'll be attending Winter of 2016! </div>
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This week we got a chance to do some unexpected service! We rode away from an investigators house and on the road we saw some neighbors all gathered together filling pot holes in the dirt road with a big pile of dirt. We asked if we could help and then jumped off and started moving dirt! It was very exhilarating and we got some nice exercise. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1227573060" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span> the senior couple from the city (Elder and Sister Leavitt) came to do house inspections and to find a new house for us. Our current house in Kampong Jam is exceedingly bad. There is only one working bathroom for 6 guys among other problems ranging from bad to worse. Daly was interviewed <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1227573061" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Thursday</span></span> as well! She is going to be baptized on the 18th this month. </div>
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I was asked to teach in Zone training <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1227573062" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span> about obedience. One of my favorite topics! I had been preparing a sermon of sorts on the topic my whole mission with all my many studies on the topic of obedience. I compared us to the stripling warriors who obeyed every command of Helaman, their Prophet-Captain, with exactness. We, as missionaries, also have a captain called of the Lord, namely our mission president. The captain goes before, he knows what is ahead, he sees the big picture. In our case, he receives inspiration and revelation from the Lord. When a soldier does not obey a command because he cannot see the enemy or the e\immediate threat then he puts his life, and the lives of those around him, in danger. Keep the commandments, and for missionaries, keep the mission rules. In this there is safety, in this there is peace. Not a single soul of the 2000 stripling warriors was lost in battle due to their faith and their exact obedience. We are in a battle against Satan and he is real. Don't put your guard down. Be exactly obedient and miracles will follow. I felt really powerful as I taught. I feel that when I am truly in-tune with the Spirit and testifying in His power then I am reminded of things I learned before as I speak and they come through as additional supports to what I testify of. That same day as we leave the house after lunch Elder Smith and I are riding around a bend on a dirt road when a man on a moto comes hauling around the corner and high speeds. I dodge him as he grabs his brakes and his back tire begins to slide out. Elder Smith wasn't so lucky. I turned around to the sound of him getting slammed by a sliding moto. He had somehow leaped from his bicycle and avoided most of the damage besides a scratch and a rip in his pants. The negligent driver got up and apologized profusely before bolting away. We were left with a broken bike pedal and a bruised shin. I count it a blessing that no one was seriously injured and that we had prayed for safety on the road as we left the house. We really mean it when we pray that each day before leaving. I imagine that if we didn't, our circumstances day to day would be quite a bit more dire. The Lord is with His servants and protects them. His angels go before us and are on our right hand and on our left and bear us up. </div>
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Conference itself was a great joy to watch and partake of. I'll drop some highlights and insights below in chronological order. </div>
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Beware of internet lore. It is not a place of absolute truth. Don't make your discipleship too complicated. Living the gospel should be straightforward. One step leads to another and little by little we gain knowledge and wisdom and become who the Lord wants us to be. Start where you are in your path to discipleship. Don't wait to be "more this" or "more that." We don't need to be more of anything to start to become the way God would have us become. The gospel works!</div>
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Hang on to the old ship Zion with both hands. The church is the ship. We are in the midst of the sea. Do not jump overboard when the storm comes, you'll drown! Hang onto the safety the church offers you! The Lord's grace is sufficient to accomplish His work through mortals. Observe the Sabbath! Sacrament meeting is the Lord's and should be rooted in His teachings. </div>
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Center your life in Jesus Christ so He can mold you into the shape He wants you to be. </div>
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Learn of Christ and pray for understanding. It will all work out. No one ever really dies. Yielding to the Lord's way will diminish resentment and pain. </div>
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We came on earth to learn and to improve until we gradually become perfect like our Heavenly Father. We must each stop and asks ourselves: "What lack I yet?" When we receive and answer from the Spirit then we must immediately act on it! The Holy Ghost will give us customized council. Ask what is keeping you from progressing. </div>
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Don't excuse yourself because of your sins! Repentance is a process. Don't be late to sacrament meeting, don't go without examining yourself and confessing your sins. Don't use your phone during Sacrament meeting. Don't leave immediately following the first hour. </div>
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Wickedness never was happiness! Be temple worthy. Be righteously self-controlled. Self-control is a muscle, when exercised it grows stronger! Honoring the Sabbath will increase righteousness and strength in the family. Life is not easy, nor was it meant to be.</div>
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The choices you make will shape your eternal destiny.Put your trust in the spirit which leadeth to do good. Live within your means. Fight against ignorance. Take council from the Lord. Prayerfully select mentors. </div>
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Maternal Love is Divine. I love you mommy. You are my light and example. </div>
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The cornerstone of God's plan is the Atonement.</div>
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God answers when we have a sincere heart and real intent. Be converted to the Gospel. </div>
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Sometimes Jesus heals and sometimes He gives us strength to endure the suffering. </div>
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Your faith grows not by chance but by choice. Faith never demands an answer to every question. </div>
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Take steps towards Christ and never give up when we fall. Ordinances and covenants are credentials for admission into the Kingdom. Don't put it off, don't procrastinate, don't wait to change.</div>
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We believe in God because of what we know in our mid and in our heart, not because of what we do not know. Skepticism is easy, anyone can do it. The world rejects what it does not understand. </div>
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Become friends with less active members and be there for them when things go wrong. </div>
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Keep the commandments. In this there is safety, in this there is peace. Be determined to achieve your goals! Turn the volume down and listen to the Spirit. </div>
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Let your light shine. Each of us has the light of Christ, let it burn bright by living as He lived. Be an example to all around you in all you do. </div>
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To effectively serve others we must serve them through the eyes of our Heavenly Father. </div>
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Let your words move the hearts of men. Desire to inspire, not impress. </div>
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The church is there to help us center our lives on the Savior. We are a body of saints to help each other achieve exaltation. We need callings for our eternal progression. Without those who reprove us we often cannot see our faults. Converted unto the Lord and united in the church. </div>
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"Ponderize" a scripture a week. </div>
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We do not need to be perfect but we need to be good at getting better. </div>
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Come what may and love it. Family is the most important thing in our lives. Jesus is the Christ. </div>
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I know these words are true. May you also find their truth as you re-ponder them over the next few months and apply them into your lives. I love you all very much.</div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-58562072937559403022015-10-05T10:19:00.003-07:002015-10-05T10:19:59.505-07:00Tender Mercies<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Dear loved ones,</span><br />
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Happy Conference weekend! I will be enjoying it next weekend of course due to international lag. Its been an inspiring week and I'm looking forward to another one this time around! </div>
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Last Monday I found a new commodity that just came out. Coconut flavored Oreo's from Thailand. They are so good and I am going to eat so many this week. That evening we met Chey, a new investigator and neighbor to Dy, a recent convert. We shared the message of the Restoration with him and he committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon to know whether or not it was true! </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1330979443" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span> we had a District Meeting topic on sincere prayer. That was a much needed and very inspiring topic. Praying by name for the welfare of those I teach and those whom I love is so vital to receiving the blessings that I desire. The Lord listens and we should pray with real intent, having faith to act on the answer we receive. After District Meeting we met up with Dy and went to contact some of his neighbors with him. We didn't find anyone interested but it was nice to have his help. After that we went to a less active member's home but he wasn't yet back from work so we contacted around the neighborhood and found someone who was willing to set a return appointment with us! While contacting we were accosted by a drunk man who asked for 2500 Rial (about 38 cents) to buy more booze. Then he tried to climb on Elder Smith's bicycle as we rode away. Then we went back to the member's house and taught him about keeping our covenants. At the end of the night we met with Ming Pov and taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love the basics. She is still decided on getting baptized. She's progressing very well, but she didn't make it to church this week for some reason. Probably because of the Buddhist holiday. That's the other thing, next weekend (conference weekend for us in Asia) is a big holiday where everyone meets together and goes to the Pagoda and offers up food and stuff to their ancestors. It makes for a lot of temptation to the members due to family pressures and expectations of all around. So it's gonna be a tough week for us to meet everyone we need to. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1330979444" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> was an awesome day, we pulled seven lessons somehow and it was a blast! We first went over to Ming Touch's sugarcane juice stand. Last Friday we met with Ming Touch and prayed in faith with her for a miracle and a blessing from the Lord. All her selling goods and materials were stolen the previous week and she had to borrow 600,000 rial (about $150) to buy replacements. $150 dollars is a lot to these people and is worth more than the monthly income. She borrowed for only 5 days from a neighbor and after her time was up she only had 200,000 rial for her neighbor and they were pestering her frequently throughout the day. She didn't know what to do and had lost all hope by the time we showed up <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1330979445" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span> of last week. We comforted her with the words of the savior and the prophets and then prayed with her for a blessing and a miracle from God. The next day, she told us, that as she was going home her daughter found a bag of money on the ground containing 240,000 rial. She was so happy she didn't know what to do. She just cried and thanked the Lord profusely. She was able to pay another third of her debt which put the collectors at ease for a while. The Lord truly cares for us, He knows us and is involved in the details of our lives. He will answer the prayer of faith with a blessing from on high. Doubt not, only believe. That same day we taught our investigators Daly and Seyha, recent converts Ming Pov, Borey, Chnathy, and om Nuaen. And we taught English class too. I don't know how we managed so much! It was a miracle in itself. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1330979446" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span> was great but I'm going to skip most of the details besides our lesson with Chey. After hearing the plan of Salvation and being invited to be baptized he told us that such a path would not work for him. His life was too busy and he just didn't have the time to make a religious commitment of one day a week at church. To which comment I began to testify of the eternal and temporal blessings of living the gospel of Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments. We invited him to continue reading and prayer to which he agreed to do. </div>
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The Lord loves you. Pray to Him in faith and He will answer. Keep the commandments and you will grow. Listen to the prophets for they are chosen of God. I know this is the true church and that Jesus Christ lives. In His name, Jesus Christ, Amen.</div>
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-Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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Ancient Ruins</div>
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Happy 'Comp'ers</div>
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Hey</div>
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Postcard material</div>
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Smith stick fighting</div>
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Through the Pagoda</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-24571732360063382412015-10-01T15:37:00.001-07:002015-10-01T15:37:37.457-07:00Rushed<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Family,</span><br />
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Well I spent my whole email time writing essays for the scholarship application to BYU and have no time to write you all a beautiful letter today. My apologies. Needless to say it was a great week. I decided that the only thing I will share with you this week is that of what I learned at Zone conference. President Christensen taught us about a cycle. He old us that Conversion turns us into a disciple, being a disciple gives us power, and power coverts us further. Each of those can also lead to the other as well. He taught us that many us may have been/ or may be accidental disciples. Its not something we consciously work at. it just happened. Then He told us he wanted us to be deliberate disciples. He wants us to choose to do the things that will make us a true disciple of Jesus Christ and work for it. In order to do this we must Plan. Plan out our life, plan out every detail, plan what you will be doing and where you will be tomorrow and the next week and the next month and so on. Plan who you will become. Plan it more meticulously than you plan your classes at college or your tweets on twitter. Who do you want to be in 5-10 years? What kind of discipleship do you want to obtain? Plan it. He told us we need to study. Study the scripture and the words of the prophets. Those words make a huge difference in your day. Study them daily! Take time to sharpen the saw before you go out trying to cut down a few hundred trees with a dull saw! He told us we need Exact Obedience. We need to trust in our coach (Heavenly Father) even when we don't know why He asks us to do certain things. He knows better. Do as He says and you will succeed, you will be a powerfully converted disciple of the Christ. He told us to Discipline ourselves. He told us to focus on Christ-like attributes and included in that is refinement! He taught us about sincere prayer and an account of our day each night on our knees to the Lord. Well President is an inspired man and Jesus Christ lives. The Lord is in the details of our lives and He will help us to BECOME. Let us strive to become the disciples Christ wants us to be. In the name of The Master, Jesus Christ, Amen.</div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-39705656029968590682015-09-24T19:01:00.003-07:002015-09-24T19:01:47.927-07:00Raining (Sept. 21, 2015)<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Dear Family,</span><br />
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This week was great! I love doing missionary work! I'll have to begin today by telling a funny story. When I finished shopping at the market last P-day I piled all my groceries into my bike basket and then while I tried to unlock my bike it fell over knowing down all 20 bikes parked next to mine. They were dominoes. The onlooking men started clapping and hollering "happy happy!!" in English. It was awesome. So I picked up every bike and fled the scene. I also got to play soccer again last P-day and Elder Smith gave me a pointer on how to dribble and I shot 4 goals! It was way fun. I'm totally going to play soccer back in America so ya'll better be down. </div>
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Tuesday we went proselyting with Dy, a recent convert, and he introduced us to some more of his family. Dy was just ordained an Elder this week at church! He showed us to his great aunt and she was like 70 something but looked like she was 99. She had never heard of Jesus before! That is always a rare find. But she couldn't hear us very well and wasn't interested in learning<i>anything</i> at her age. That night we also went with Ming Vy (a great member) who brought us to her close friend's house where we taught the first lesson. She accepted the invitation to be baptized on the first visit! It was way exciting. She said she has been feeling like she should join the Christians for a while now! Talk about the Lord preparing His children.</div>
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After we taught English class on Wednesday we were trying to catch a taxi-van back to Kampong Jam but felt like we shouldn't try to catch a car that night. I don't know what it was but we listened to the prompting and went and contacted a man down the street who said we could come back another time and teach him. So maybe it was just to find that return appointment! The next morning we did weekly planning halfway in prey cho and halfway in Kampong Jam. Then we went out to teach our investigator Tait when it started dumping buckets halfway down the road. We took cover under a shop and stuffed our things into our waterproof bags and boy it was raining hard! While we put our things into waterproof bags the shop owner asked us if we were Christian to which we replied in the affirmative. She said she had learned before so we gave her a pamphlet ith our number as well as the two other students who took cover from the rain and told her we would be back later since we were late for our other appointment. The rain let up just enough for us to dare going out again and we got to Tait's house and taught him. Right after the lesson we biked way hard over to the church to drop our bikes off and catch another taxi van to Phnom Penh for a special training day for new missionaries and their trainers <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_885025513" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span>. It was a long ride and they made us switch from a van to a little car and we all had to squish together with no shocks on the worst dirt road in Cambodia. It was very uncomfortable the rest of the way to Phnom Penh.</div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_885025514" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> had some great training activities with President and the AP's and the Senior Sister Training leaders. They fed us sub sandwiches and lays potato chips for lunch and Khmer curry for dinner. That lunch was way great though. If I closed my eyes and forgot about the humidity it was almost as if I was in America. Almost. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_885025515" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Saturday</span></span> we rode a bus back to Prey Cho (we had to have them stop on the way to Kampong Jam so that we could hop off at our house) and we taught a new investigator. During our dinner break we stopped for grilled beef sandwiches on a baguette and avocado smoothies. So dang good though. While we were eating the owner came over and showed us video slideshows on her smartphone of a bunch of selfies. She told us that last year she was way more white and pretty. It was awkward. hahah. </div>
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In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.</div>
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-Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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Comps</div>
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In the car</div>
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In the tuk tuk</div>
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On the bus</div>
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Raining in the bike</div>
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Saying hello</div>
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Walking</div>
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Way cool palm trees</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-47958182758866539492015-09-24T18:52:00.003-07:002015-09-24T18:52:37.945-07:00New Son! (September 14, 2015)<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Hello my brothers and sisters,</span><br />
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This week was a stellar one. Last Sunday I was called and asked to train again! So Monday I bought a lot of food for the new kid. We also went roller skating at a member's skate rink and then went and played soccer again. I love playing soccer! Tuesday Elder Medley and I were with Elder Slavens as well since his companion left to the city early to be transferred and trained as Zone leader. There was a member we visited that day who told us she had dreams of her ancestors coming to visit her and asking her to do their temple work. How incredible is that? I was struck by the spirit. </div>
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On Wednesday we got to go and finish a baptismal record for a new member that wasn't done properly by the previous Elders over in Elder Slaven's area. So we rode way out into Narnia before we got there. His house is at the bottom of a slope. So when we rolled up we looked down we saw a cigarette in his mouth. He quickly tossed it when we walked down the slope. We filled out the paperwork and then started biking away when we realized we still hadn't had him sign it yet! So we rode back and he's already got another cigarette in his mouth looking for his lighter! So he hid it again, we got the signature and then as he was signing it Elder Slavens took his lighter and hid it in the rafters of the the house. Elder Slavens then said to me: "I'll teach a lesson next time all about the dangers of smoking." It was way funny. Then we went over to a member's house in Slaven's area and they fed us yummy food!! Then we caught a bus to the city with the other missionaries and when we got there it was raining. We had the tuk tuk driver take us to Burger King first and then to the mission home. I love Burger King now. We had a meeting for the District leaders in the Provinces and then we went to the Chatomok Elder's House to stay the night. On Thursday morning we went to the mission Home again and had a train the trainers meeting. Following that they gave us a sign that said the name of our new trainee. I got Elder Smith! He's from Eagle Idaho! We waited at the Olympic stadium entrance for the trainees to show up from the airport and when they rolled up we were standing there with the signs! I thought it was pretty cool. Then we ate and contacted before we got picked up by the AP's in the Van and went to the Mission Home for their interviews with President. Edler SMith is way good at the Language. I think he's going to be one of the best ones in the future. I imagine he'll even pass me up! We caught the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_885025509" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">2 O'clock</span></span> bus to Kampong Jam and on the way we got to know each other and we started planning our lessons for the night. Elder Smith is way chill and super desirous to learn and grow. He played soccer so he's going to teach me how to be better today!! When we got to the house we piled our stuff in the room and then went out to teach some investigators. We were able to meet with Bong Thet and a new family! It was a great first night!</div>
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Friday morning we took a taxi van over to Prey Cho and after studies we went out and taught 7 lessons. It was a stellar day too! The next morning on Saturday we had to go back to the city for Zone training in the morning and then District Conference in the afternoon. Mission President Christensen was there and had called ahead of time to ask me to be his translator for the weekend. It was way fun! We followed president in all his interviews and all his meetings and translated everything. It was exhausting and so much fun. Sunday I was also asked to play the Piano for the youth choir since the Sister missionary who was supposed to be playing had to go to the city with a strange rash bothering her. But it was fun to play even though I had no practice time! </div>
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I know that this church is true Brothers and Sisters. The book of Mormon is true and is the Keystone of our religion! If one reads the Book of Mormon and asks God then they will get an answer that it is true! And then we all need to continue to read it every day so that we can keep that spirit with us always and consistently strengthen our testimonies in the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored church. I love you all! I love this church! </div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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At the bus station</div>
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broken bike probs</div>
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I found a kitty</div>
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See</div>
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It's adorable</div>
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and she fell asleep</div>
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It's we!</div>
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Marvelin at the rice</div>
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New comp!</div>
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On the bikes in Prey CHo</div>
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Still broken</div>
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The card</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-71779334429088800722015-09-24T18:43:00.003-07:002015-09-24T18:53:19.455-07:00Change Comes Around (September 7, 2015)<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Ch-ch-ch-changes,</span><br />
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I'm getting a new companion this week. As a matter of fact its a new trainee from America. I'm training again! That means I will have had 4 kids for my last 4 transfers. That's pretty neat! I love training so much! But it means most of the work load falls on me for the first couple weeks while they adjust. But its cool I can handle it with the Lord! With that said I will inform you that I'm also staying in BOTH areas for the foreseeable future (which to me means till the day I leave this country). I'll have to train my kid well that way he can lead out both the areas when I die! ស្លាប់ ងាប់ ក្ស័យ។ ជិតដល់ហើយ! </div>
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Its been a great week for sure. I have had my testimony strengthened every day! Last Monday we played soccer an I ripped up my heel so I had to wear mole skin everyday so that my shoe wouldn't eat it. But it was pretty fun! Then we met with a great investigator that night named Piseth. He is a great kid with a great desire to learn even though he hasn't been able to make it out to church yet. We have member who was baptized only 3 months ago who calls us all the time telling us he wants us to come teach his family and then we ride to different houses of different members of his family and teach them all. Its way cool! He doesn't really introduce the gospel to them though so we have to go in there and some of them don't even want to learn yet haha. Its funny because we go in expecting to have a good lesson with a willing new investigator and all they know is that we've come to get them to join the Christian church. Thats always interesting. So Tuesday we went over to that member's house, his name is Dy, and we taught his sister Mome. On the bike ride over there (as soon as we left the house) it started dumping buckets on us. And this house is one of the furthest away from ours in the area. But we rode through it despite the rain and we thought that great was the task which we were embarking on and that we and she would be blessed because of it. We sat down and were completely soaking throughout the entire lesson. She was not interested at first and not really open to what we were saying but sat and talked so that she could appease her brother-in-law Dy. We decided to share the message that Jeffery R. Holland shared here. As we taught she got more and more into and actually started smiling! When I finished I asked her if there were any of those point that she wanted and she said yes, I want my family to be happy like yours and live forever. She accepted the challenge to pray and even was asking questions making sure she was praying correctly! She had a real change of heart during that lesson and it was all because of the spirit and the words of an Apostle. How cool that we could have that experience? And we would have deprived ourselves of it had we gone back and thrown in the towel because a bit of a rain storm. Diligence brothers and sisters. It brings great joy.</div>
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We then met a couple recent converts at the church afterward and they were happy to see us and had many unanswered questions about doctrine of the plan of salvation that I tried to help define. They are very inquisitive and are still doubtful about some things but their faith in the basics is sure and so they aren't running away. I feel like I'm in this area for them if for no other reason (which there are many of I'm sure) but I'm also here to help establish the doctrine of Christ and his plan of salvation, among other things, in this far away jungle land. </div>
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We spent Friday through Sunday in the Standing Jungle and taught some part member families. The daughter of a recent convert began learning with us last week and is just wonderful. She is about 10 years old and she loves to read the Book of Mormon and ask questions! Last week when her mom was sick she still rode her bike to church by herself! Well it would have been by herself if Elder Medley and I hadn't rode by her house at the same time as she was leaving. Then this week She got up and bore her testimony in fast and testimony meeting! And she is not even a member! She told us all how she knew that there was a god and that the book of Mormon is true. What a great simple testimony she has. Its all you need to begin! We also met few other less actives and recent converts out there and they are always thrilled to see missionaries. </div>
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Sunday we had a decent turn out in Prey Cho, about 21 members. But because we had fast and testimony meeting there instead of Kampong Cham like normal, everyone had the opportunity to get up and bear their testimony! It was way fun to see them all share and strengthen each other. </div>
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Life is good. The church is true. God lives! Jesus Christ rose again the third day and dwells in yonder heavens! If there is one thing that is hard for Cambodians to understand about the gospel it is that we have a living God who loves us. They believe their God is dead. Well my God lives. He is my Heavenly Father. I love Him with all my soul and I know He loves me. He has come to earth to restore His church in these final days! He has given us prophets and priesthood. He has given us more of His word through the Book of Mormon and modern day revelation. he has given us Temples that we may be with our loved ones and our kindred dead in the next life. He has provided a way that all may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel of His son Jesus Christ. That's too fantastic to have been the product of a man's thoughts. If it could possibly be imagined by man than I would suspect that it was. But it's too amazing to have been made up. Its true. I know it because God has revealed it to me many times. He will reveal it to all who ask in sincerity of heart, with real intent, and in the name of His son. </div>
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I know it.</div>
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In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. </div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-2185946410823067312015-09-03T20:17:00.000-07:002015-09-03T20:17:33.878-07:00Kampong Jamming<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Dear Family,</span><br />
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I'm here in Kampong Jam and it is the most beautiful Jungle I've been in. I really love it here. I'm Serving in two areas right now. One is the main branch and the other is a satellite group about 45 minutes away in a car. Its called Prey Cho. The standing jungle. Life is simple in the standing jungle. Although Christianity is scarce and believers are even scarcer, the work here is unfolding and hastening as the Lord has promised. The Gospel shall sound in every ear and every man shall hear the message in his own tongue. Its quite a miracle to see the people here in their humble circumstances still progressing as to their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His atonement. I love to be in the service of the Lord. This week I was able to get to know a lot of good people and visit with recent converts and part member families to help them see the happiness that the gospel can bring them. Serving in these two areas is a challenge since we have to ride a car back and forth 3 times a week. We can't give our fullest effort to either area since we are split up but with an influx of new missionaries coming at the end of this transfer we are expecting a split and normalcy that will make it so we can have one companionship per area. I have already fallen in love with the people in these areas. My companion Elder Medley and I are doing some real work.So since we ride back and forth so much we just kind of stand out on the street and lift our hands when taxi-vans come by. There are always vans driving by picking up people to go anywhere along that road. It would be way sketchy in America but we're in Cambodia and the rules don't apply the same here. We just climb on and tell them where we're going and then we tell them the normal price we pay (5000 rial or $1.25) and then sometimes haggle a bit since they always want more. But the ride is over in about 45 minutes and then sometimes we gotta come back that night too. That means trying to catch a car in the dark and there aren't so many so sometimes we wait a long while...</div>
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So this week for <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1795854870" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> we rode to church in Kampong Cham and I was asked before church to give a talk. Then We rode home and I made lunch before we got on a car to Prey Cho to have church there. I and my companion both gave talks there, I played the piano, and I also blessed the sacrament. The priesthood there is lacking. It was just 27 people at that little building in Prey Cho and maybe 7 or 8 were male. Only male adults including me and my companion, the branch president and the group leader. So we have to figure out how to help the men here have faith. It will be a fun challenge! </div>
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<br />I know that this church is true! The Lord is the leader and He has restored His church in this day. We have a living prophet. We have more of the word of God. We have Temples and Eternal families. Its true and I have discovered it for myself time and time again. I know my Savior Jesus Christ lives and loves me and you.</div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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A way sick investigator</div>
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Car rides</div>
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Cool members</div>
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Cool pagoda</div>
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Holland and I</div>
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In the car</div>
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Jungle lyfe</div>
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On the road</div>
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Trying to catch a car in the dark</div>
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Walking</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-164261084716326602015-08-26T10:37:00.001-07:002015-08-26T10:37:35.528-07:00Elder Holland<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Dearest loved ones,</span><br />
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Its me Elder Brewer. I've been having the sweetest week. Last Monday we played another awesome game of soccer with a lot of missionaries. It was a blast. We also went to the market since I'll be out of the city, where those big markets are, for probably the rest of my mission. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1208902828" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span> we went and visited some of my favorite people. We met with Sarith and Srey Touc and reviewed the law of tithing and I bore my testimony with a great spirit. I truly believe in Tithing. I have seen so many blessings in mine and others' lives. Its such a great principle of the gospel. Live it! Love it! Then we saw Srey Niang who was feeling a little out of strength and had an IV attached to her arm. They give take home IV's to just about everyone around here. But we talked with her for a bit and then went and talked to a neighbor of hers which is also an investigator we met with one time. His name is Thy. He had just showed up to his house when we walked over and his door was locked because his sister had the key. So we invited him over to Srey Niang's house to study with us for a bit. He accepted and when we went over there we prayed and Srey Niang started to bear down in great testimony to Thy. My recently baptized student who had just been confirmed two days before bore an amazing testimony. She talked about how amazing the gospel was and how much it had changed her life. How before she had felt so confused about her life and worried and sad and how she felt so happy now that she knows her Heavenly Father and Thy just soaked it up and agreed with her! He said he felt the same way right now and he wanted to find a way out of this rut he was in. Then we read in the first chapter of Nephi all the way to the 12th verse. That right there is a good passage. And he felt way happy and he prayed to close the meeting and he promised to continue reading and ask God. And that is all we ask really. That's all anyone needs to do to get an answer. Just want it and believe it and read it and pray. I do it every day. Do it because its right and do it because its true. </div>
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We met with Ponlok and Phanit <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1208902831" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span> and Nita's mother was back from America. She brought gifts. Including for me: (2) 3 pound jars of JIF peanut butter. The best in the world. Blueberry Muffins from Costco. So dang good. Fresh blackberries and golden raspberries. I was floating on cloud nine! Also before I go into <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1208902832" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span>. I have now transferred over to Kampong Cham and it is so quiet here! Its quite a pace change from the city. But I love it already! I'm going to miss my great companion Elder Saunders and the great Elders in my house, Elder Hall and Elder Palmer. But I love my new companion already! His name is Elder Medley and he is from Gilbert Arizona. We're going to have a great time! Right now we're serving in 3rd branch and a half the week we're out in a small new group called Khvut Thom. Everyone else in the mission calls it Skun. Some who have served in Kampong Cham call it Prey Cho, but only those who actually go there know that we actually live in Khvut Thom. A tiny little Phum within Prey Cho. But its all semi-accurate anyway. I'm finishing Elder Medley's training and at the end of this awkward 3 week transfer we might move again. We'll see!</div>
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Shall I speak of <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1208902833" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span>? I think it is noteworthy. We all rode out to Koh Pech "the diamond island" out on the Mighty Mekong River at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1208902834" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8 am</span></span>. We met there in a massive meeting room with all the members and all missionaries in Cambodia.I was blessed to run into many of my recent converts and people I taught across the nation and have a glorious reunion with them. Tears were shed. Then we sat and awaited the arrival of Elder Jeffery R. Holland. When he walked in he it up the room. He blew a kiss at us and waved his fingers and sat down. Many leaders and other members were called up to bear testimony and then Elder Holland spoke to us. It was such a treat. I wrote furiously to get down every word he said. I got nearly all of it due to the translation i had a lot more time to write than I would normally have. Yet my hand writing is nearly illegible so we'll see if I can transpose that later. He spoke to the Recent converts and the those not of our church. He told us 4 reasons (among so many) as to why he would join this church. 1) If someone told him that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the founder of this church then he would want to be a part of it. 2) If someone told him that the Lord had revealed more of His word on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ then he would do anything to get his hands on that book and join the church holding it. 3) If someone told him that there was a church that taught that you can be with your family forever, even after death and into the eternities, then he would do anything to find and join that church. 4) If someone told him that there was a church that had a youth program that turned out good and righteous kids and helped parents raise their kids in righteousness then he would join that church. "Well brothers and sisters, this is that church." And I give my witness with Elder Holland that this is indeed that church. The Savior Jesus Christ is at the helm of "the great ship Zion." Hold onto what you know is true. Christ still leads this church and will do so till the work is done. </div>
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After this glorious meeting we went over to the South Stake center and had lunch before meeting with Elder Holland again in a private missionary meeting. That was amazing. We took a group picture with him and then each of us shook his hand and told him our name and where we're from. I gripped his hand and told him that my name is "Elder Brewer *pause* from Wildomar, California." Holland: "Where in the world is Wildomar?" Me: "southern California" Holland: "That's pretty general" Me: "its by riverside." And that was my conversation with an Apostle. Yet despite the lack of glorious visions and anything too personal in that 10 second hand shake, I felt the spirit testifying to me that he was indeed an Apostle of the Lord. What a choice blessing that was. What power in the man. He is a servant of the Lord whom I am blessed to have met. I will live out my days testifying that our Prophets and Apostles are Holy Men called of God and inspired by Him. We then went into the meeting where we heard from Elder Gong and his wife, our mission president and his wife, Elder Konikhan from Thailand, and Elder Holland's "companion"/ bodyguard. Elder Holland then proceeded to give us the greatest Pep-Talk of our lives. He spoke of missionary work, his own mission. He spoke of being a disciplined disciple of Jesus Christ. He spoke of being converted and letting the mission change you. And then he spoke of going where the investigators are the way Jesus did. It was rousing and invigorating and it put a fire under each of us. <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">As he walked out while a sister was playing the postlude music He stopped and gave us some parting words. As soon as he opened his mouth the sister stopped playing too. I quote directly his words:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"I blink, turn around, and I see myself. Some of you are going to have to do this someday. You may not think its going to happen to you. I didn't think it was going to happen to me." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">You could hear a pin drop in there. The weight of his final words sunk in. What did it mean? Could there be a future apostle among our ranks? It was incredible. He prophesied right there before us. What a man. What a calling. An Apostle of the Lord. And despite the power in the building going out twice during his message, not a sound was made and not an eye blinked because Jeffery Holland was talking to us personally. Wish you could all have seen it.</span> </div>
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I love you and I pray for you. </div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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Douen, Friend, Sina, Srey Niang</div>
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Having some soda at Thol's house</div>
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Kosal Family</div>
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Sina</div>
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Srey Niang and Thol giving me a gift Sunday night</div>
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I and Medley</div>
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Kampong Cham sky</div>
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Medley</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-17932775307661054362015-08-25T15:18:00.001-07:002015-08-25T15:18:11.397-07:00What Happened?<br />
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Good evening family and friends,</div>
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Its been quite the week for me. How about you? Last Monday we played soccer with some random Cambodian School kids. It was pretty fun. I ripped a whole through my sock with my big toe and broke my toenail at the same time so there was a little blood on the fringes of the tear. So I just switched the socks to the other foot and kept going. You can't get too picky round here. P'day is only once a week after all. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_439545955" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span> was happening! We had a few lessons. We met with Sina that afternoon and taught a great lesson and helped her prepare for her baptismal interview the next day. We also met with Sombor and taught him about Temple work. I love that lesson. It is one of the happiest messages of the gospel. That you can be with your family forever and ever and ever! We also met Srey Niang and prepared her for her baptismal interview on Friday as well. They are doing so well! Both of them have parents that are not accepting of their decision to follow Jesus Christ but they are still pushing forward despite their many challenges. Satan wants to have these two valuable spirits! </div>
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Thursday we met with an investigator of 3 months now named Vany. He is a cool guy who is very Christian and told us this week that he wants to sacrifice all for Christ and will be preparing to do so and set a baptismal date for the future. It was also raining way hard outside. We could barely hear each other. He also bought us some grapes which were very delicious. Then we were finally able to find an investigator's house that had been only meeting us at the church for a couple months and allowed us to go teach him at his house. His name is Meng Hong. He came to church this week for the first time too! He told us that he's going to stop working on Sunday so he can come. It was rad! That night we also helped tutor a member in some English conversation because she is going to California for a month to visit a friend and wants to be able to communicate better.</div>
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Friday we met with a less active named Vutha who hasn't come in a long while and encouraged him to do the basics of Reading, Praying, and going to Church. We also met Sina again and taught her.The opposition from her family continually getting worse each day. Srey Niang continually gets happier and happier. Her opposition isn't nearly as bad since she lives by herself already. But Sina lives with her family. </div>
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Sunday morning we had their baptism at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_439545957" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">7 am</span></span> so that during sacrament meeting at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_439545958" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8 am</span></span> they could be confirmed and wouldn't have to wait two weeks. Next week we will all be going to meet Jeffery R. Holland at the Koh Pech building with all the other members in Cambodia so there will be no Sacrament meeting and thus no Confirmation. So we did it in the morning! It was so sweet. They both asked me to perform their baptisms and I was honored to. There was a very sweet spirit there. I thought to ponder on the words of a great hymn, "oh how lovely was the morning, radiant beams the sun above." What rapture filled our souls. And it was followed by a wonderful sacrament meeting where both Sina and Srey Niang were confirmed. I was called on by the Bishop to give a talk at the end of the meeting and I spoke on the importance of building Zion in our Wards and in our homes. </div>
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This morning I played soccer again and was sorrowful to get a call from Sina telling us that her father took his moped back and won't let her use it anymore and mocked her further for her decision to join the Christians. Now she has no way to get to work or church and is very downtrodden. Yet her faith is unwavering in the Savior. Her testimony is real and this so is the gospel. I was brought to remember the words from a devotional given by Gordon B. Hinckly. He told of a young boy who was forsaken of his family for joining the Mormon church and he asked the boy if he feels it is worth it. The boy simply asked in reply: "its true, isn't it?" Gordon B. Hinckly replied that it was and the boy siad: "well then, what else matters?" Poignant words. They sink deep into my soul and stir within it an aching for this boy, Sina, and all others who must sacrifice family, friends, and home for the gospel of Jesus Christ. But its true. And so <i>Nothing Else Matters</i>. </div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I know that the gospel is true. Jesus is our Lord and Redeemer. God is our loving Heavenly Father. Joseph Smith restored the true church again on the earth and brought with it the Book of Mormon, the Priesthood authority of God, and revelation upon revelation. I know it with all my heart. May the words of Jesus Christ lift you to greater heights above this veil of sorrow: "</span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">Peace</span><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;"> I leave with you, my </span><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">peace</span><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;"> I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be </span><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">troubled</span><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">, neither let it be afraid." John <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_439545959" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">14:27</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">In His Holy name, Jesus Christ, Amen.</span></div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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P.s. Well what happened was that I'm getting transferred to Prey Cho. I'm really sad about leaving my most favorite area ever. I'm going to miss all the amazing people I was blessed to teach and help to be baptized. I'm sad to miss out on the baptisms of the other amazing investigators which I will be leaving behind. This area has become home to me. I could easily say I would rather stay here till the end of my mission. But I'm needed elsewhere I suppose. So to my home away from home, I bid adieu. </div>
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Sina and Srey Niang</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-91355556694936687932015-08-12T14:15:00.002-07:002015-08-12T14:15:57.185-07:00A New Look at Life<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Dearest Ones,</span><br />
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Its been a great week. Filled with the spirit of the Lord and visual progress from those teaching (me and my comp) and those being taught. We gave baptismal dates to a few more investigators and Elder Saunders has been making leaps and bounds this week in the language. In this last week his ability to read, speak, and understand has increased four-fold. The gift of tongues is real my friends. It is a true gift of the spirit to teach the gospel in a foreign tongue. </div>
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Monday we started teaching a new investigator named Meah Setra and he was very open to our message having studied about Jesus in his youth. We also taught our investigator named Makara from English class. He is learning with us often but still has not yet received an answer about the book of Mormon. We finished the night meeting with Ponlok and teaching him about the priesthood and committed him to read some passages from D&C 84. </div>
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Tuesday was a great day as usual. Tuesday and <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_672162296" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> are some of my favorite days because I get to go to Oven Village (ភូមិឡ) and teach our recent converts and many investigators there including Sombor, Srey Niang, Sarith, Srey Touc, and Duoen. They are all wonderful people! We also met with Saruan and Sina as well as Vany and his friends. There were a lot of great lessons that day. They are all preparing to be baptized on future dates and they each are making progress in different ways.</div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_672162297" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> was also a day for two new investigators named Tola and Ra, a couple that we contacted a week ago and they were pretty receptive as well! <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_672162298" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span> we had interviews with the mission president and it was a blast We had such a good talk all about my trainee and the direction of the mission and some of the techniques that I have developed as a missionary and while I waited for my companion I chatted with the mission president's wife and had a good talk about how to help increase retention. She asked me to write her up a report about all the things that I have learned in my experience as to how to do effective missionary work in Cambodia. She said she trusts me because I've been here for quite a while now and she knows my track record. So that was quite an honor. So I have been brainstorming and writing and next week I'll have something to give her.</div>
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Well I'd like to tell you more about how we had an awesome council for Zone training <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_672162299" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this friday</span></span> and how we had some miracles contacting people and getting return appointments and finding the elect of God. I'd also like to tell you how important it is for Members to be involved in missionary work in order for it to be of any lasting value. I'd like to tell you something about how you are called just as I am to minister to God's children wherever you may be. I'd like to impress upon you how church is more than the sacrament, but a kingdom, a group of people trying to create Zion and a place of refuge to strengthen one another against the wiles of the Devil. But I ran out of time so I'll just tell you that I know the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a man called of God to be a prophet, seer, and revelator. I know Jesus is the Christ and that He LIVES. Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's anointed today. I know this from the Holy Ghost, having pondered, prayed, and fasted many times to know of myself. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.</div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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Cool sky last night</div>
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Happy Birthday Tabitha!</div>
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Happy Birthday Levi!</div>
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Khmer CTR ring</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-55447733337433731122015-08-05T21:02:00.003-07:002015-08-05T21:02:25.357-07:00I'm not so tired - from August 3, 2015<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Dear Loved Ones,</span><br />
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I got a haircut last Monday and the barber kept saying "a real gentleman" over and over again in different ways as he cut my hair. Then went to an FHE/open house of a member who moved to a different house in the same area. It was fun! We shared a lesson and then played UNO. They have weird rules. You have to shout Bingo when you put your last card down or else you don't win. That among other things made it a very different UNO than I'm used to. But fun!</div>
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Tuesday we met Sina again, she is doing great! We were able to meet another investigator who has a great desire to follow Christ (being Christian beforehand) but will not yet come to church. Following that we met with our amazing recent converts, Sarith and Srey Touch. They are doing so great. They have never missed church since I've been here and they struggle a lot with money, but they will still spend the $2.50 to ride a moto taxi to and from church every week if they don't get a ride from a neighbor. The area they live in is filled with recent converts and investigators that all help each other out and support each other in learning and following the gospel. Its such a blessing! And they are all sharing the gospel with their friends so our investigator pool keeps growing and all our recent converts turn into member helps during our lessons with their friends. So we don't get quite as many recent convert lessons simply because we're always teaching their friends when we go over there. Its a good problem to have really. Srey Niang is one of our fast progressing investigators, the one who requested to move her baptismal date closer after she prayed and found out it was true. She shared the gospel with her friend Ra and has been bringing her to church with her every week and Ra is now a progressing investigator with a baptismal date too! Srey Niang has been getting so much happier every time we go over and she knows that it is the light of the gospel. Its great to see the light spread like it has in their lives. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2109371539" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> I got a way bad sore throat and stayed in all day long except at night we went to the certificate ceremony at the church for English class since I am the English class leader. It was very fun. We played some games and gave 4 certificates of completion out. Then I went home and crashed for a while again. The next day I still had a little sore throat and a cold but I went out to meet Sina and her older sister Kakada. We taught Sina about Tithing and she thought it was great and then her sister Kakada showed up halfway through so we taught a separate lesson for her. Sina brought me oranges because I was sick. Then that night we met Saruan who works for a company that sells magnetic water machines. He just plugs it into a hose and then sends the water through a filter that cleans it and adds alkaline, magnesium, potassium, and oxygenizes it among other things and finally it goes through the magnetic treatment. So I don't know much about magnetic water but he says its miracle water. So he gives free water out for everyone to try and will supply an infinite amount to anyone who comes asking and will sell a machine if they so desire. He loves helping people and he says his magnetic water will help loads of things. So he filled two of our 5 gallon jugs and we started drinking. Now at first we were skeptics but then my companions face cleared up from acne in three days of drinking and my cold went away really fast. So I'm not saying I'm converted but it is some delicious mineral water for free. </div>
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Sombor met us <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2109371540" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span> and we moved his baptismal date back since he wasn't able to meet us for a little bit and also couldn't come to church. So he'll be getting baptized on the 16th with Sina and Srey Niang! It will be a great time! </div>
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This week we also got caught in a huge storm <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2109371542" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span> evening and biked really hard to the church. We were completely soaked to the bone and the wind was picking up hard. We got the church to see that a few other missionaries had the same idea. We were all trapped there while the rain blasted and flooded the streets and the church parking lot turned into a small lake. It was fun. </div>
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I know that my savior lives. He is my redeemer. You are all the children of our heavenly Father. Never forget that! He loves you so much and would do anything to get you back into his presence. I hope that we may all meet in his presence again. He has carved the path by his Son Jesus Christ. Only in and through His name may we be saved! Follow that lamp, follow that star, follow that light from wherever you are. May God be with you in this journey of life.</div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZJwjBkKN4I/VcLbchMnCLI/AAAAAAAAgZ0/29-QJISMx28/s1600/At%2Bthe%2Bhouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZJwjBkKN4I/VcLbchMnCLI/AAAAAAAAgZ0/29-QJISMx28/s320/At%2Bthe%2Bhouse.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At the house</div>
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hair cut</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-51qCoCdu3tk/VcLbcc2BO1I/AAAAAAAAgZs/U3duxTjgPl0/s1600/Hall%2Band%2BI.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-51qCoCdu3tk/VcLbcc2BO1I/AAAAAAAAgZs/U3duxTjgPl0/s320/Hall%2Band%2BI.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hall and I</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xa8HlgbdC0/VcLbckTdNxI/AAAAAAAAgZw/8CNnXWsyTCQ/s1600/I%2Blost%2BUNO%2Band....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xa8HlgbdC0/VcLbckTdNxI/AAAAAAAAgZw/8CNnXWsyTCQ/s320/I%2Blost%2BUNO%2Band....JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I lost UNO and...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gxNAxhnxJco/VcLbdKAIdhI/AAAAAAAAgZ8/fBwnmlHGf10/s1600/Magnetic%2BWater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gxNAxhnxJco/VcLbdKAIdhI/AAAAAAAAgZ8/fBwnmlHGf10/s320/Magnetic%2BWater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Magnetic water</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jV8wY0b8nFE/VcLcDM9kcrI/AAAAAAAAgaY/89MusZx3gl8/s1600/Me%2Band%2BThol.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jV8wY0b8nFE/VcLcDM9kcrI/AAAAAAAAgaY/89MusZx3gl8/s320/Me%2Band%2BThol.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Me and Thol</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0yt4nVKoO4k/VcLcDOHQzQI/AAAAAAAAgac/m3OFFhoZE4s/s1600/Raining%2Ba%2Bbit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0yt4nVKoO4k/VcLcDOHQzQI/AAAAAAAAgac/m3OFFhoZE4s/s320/Raining%2Ba%2Bbit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Raining a bit</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QezqC5Afa_c/VcLcDITtF-I/AAAAAAAAgag/uNQuoEo9y8w/s1600/Selfies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QezqC5Afa_c/VcLcDITtF-I/AAAAAAAAgag/uNQuoEo9y8w/s320/Selfies.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Selfies</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMHwabd9Sws/VcLcD5Ci6tI/AAAAAAAAgao/_LOBhbUstqg/s1600/Srey%2BNiang%2BAnd%2BDuan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMHwabd9Sws/VcLcD5Ci6tI/AAAAAAAAgao/_LOBhbUstqg/s320/Srey%2BNiang%2BAnd%2BDuan.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Drey Niang and Duan</div>
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Srey, Niat, Srey Niang, and Duan</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-69606235304526017952015-08-05T20:57:00.000-07:002015-08-05T20:57:00.753-07:00For the beauty of the earth - from July 28, 2015<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Dear Family,</span><br />
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Just another amazing week out here in the Kingdom of Wonder. Our young men's president and recent convert taught us a saying that he made up while he was still in school. It goes "tuk thlaa, pka kra'ob, konlaeng tracheak, mian monuh ruah nou." Which means "clear water, fresh flowers, cool place, thats where people live." Essentially it means that if a place is good, people will stay. If it is not good they will not stay. Our church is the best place and people stay because it is everything they need. This is the true gospel and people can see that by the examples of others. I have had so many new investigators and referrals from members sharing the gospel this week that I'm worried i won't remember all their names! </div>
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We met with our investigator Sina on tuesday and she told us that she liked missionary work and asked how she could be a missionary too. That was way cool. She is preparing for baptism on the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2109371536" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">15th of August</span></span> and she has been coming to church all three hours and making friends there too! We also met sombor and taught him about tithing and fasting and he said he would keep those commandments and that he still would like to be baptized on the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2109371537" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8th of august</span></span>! We're probably going to have to push it back though because he didn't make it to church this week. That same night we met Srey niang and comitted her to a tentative baptismal date on the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2109371538" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">23rd of August</span></span>. She said she would like to prepare for that. Then when we met her again on Friday she told us that since we met her on Tuesday she hadn't stopped thinking about baptism and asking God in prayer if she should be baptized and if this was the right road for her. Then she got a powerful spiritual confirmation that it was true and she told us that she wanted to be baptized earlier on the 16th instead! It was so cool! </div>
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Sina also told us on Thursday that she had prayed about the Book of Mormon and as she was praying she felt very light and warm and she had a powerful feeling come over her. She knew that the Book of Mormon was true. I confirmed to her that it was the Holy Ghost testifying to her. </div>
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Ponlok was baptized this sunday after church. It was packed and such a great experience! I had to baptize him twice because his feet came out of the water but it was still great! His girlfriend who referred him to us gave a talk about Baptism there and my recent convert Dueon gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. It was awesome!</div>
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On saturday the bishop asked me to stand up and give a talk in sacrament meeting since his other speaker was not going to make it. So on Sunday I stood up and talked about my grandparents who pioneered the way for their seed by accepting the missionaries at their door and being baptized. I told all the members that they too are pioneers for their children and their children's children. That they may have trials but if they endure all well then they will set the path for their seed and have everlasting life. It was great to get up and talk. Right afterwards the bishop asked me to conduct the final song so that everyone would kow how to sing it. Since I sing loudly and know how the Hymns go, they have been asking me to come up a lot lately. It was sorta awkward giving the final talk and then conducting the music. I felt like it was the Elder Brewer show... But no one else seemed to care so that was good.</div>
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I'm so happy to be out here and my companion Elder Saunders is doing lots better at the language and making lots of breakthroughs!! Its a great experience indeed. I love you all. I love my savior Jesus Christ! He lives. I know it by the power of the Holy Ghost. That we may meet again as brothers and sisters in Christ is my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.</div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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Baptized</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwBg6-0ijh8/VcLa1O2XytI/AAAAAAAAgZE/0OuTOrDGt0w/s1600/On%2Bthe%2Bbike%2Bthis%2Bmorning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwBg6-0ijh8/VcLa1O2XytI/AAAAAAAAgZE/0OuTOrDGt0w/s320/On%2Bthe%2Bbike%2Bthis%2Bmorning.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the bike this morning</div>
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Palmer and I</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fqJS1SuBF4/VcLa2P2o-iI/AAAAAAAAgZU/leZSLfFw5nM/s1600/Ponlok%2Band%2BNita.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fqJS1SuBF4/VcLa2P2o-iI/AAAAAAAAgZU/leZSLfFw5nM/s320/Ponlok%2Band%2BNita.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ponlok and Nita</div>
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The attendees</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-24070192598505670492015-07-27T17:29:00.002-07:002015-07-27T17:29:44.260-07:00And He saw that it was all very good<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Dear Family of mine,</span><br />
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It has been quite a week. Honestly its been no different from every other week in my mission. I still get blown away by the spirit every week. I still come across something that is new. And I still have a blast teaching people about Jesus Christ. </div>
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This last Monday I got very lost in "The Russian Market" looking for a place that does CTR rings in Khmer. I finally found it after having asked nearly 50 ring salespeople and having all of them upset because I was looking for a specific place owned by a member that already had the design and it wasn't them. But I ordered one and I'm very excited. We also played soccer in the morning and my companion was very fatigued because he went much harder than he had the energy for and just isn't used to running around like that. </div>
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The next day we had district meeting outside because they were doing construction on the church all week long. It was very loud and disruptive during all the lessons I taught at the church this week. But now they are done. Yay! We found out that one of our long-term investigators is moving to his province and not likely coming back any time soon. Sad days because his wife is a member. That day we also went to the far side of our area to meet Sombor at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_563145471" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:30</span></span> and teach him about following the prophet and keeping the 10 commandments. He is doing very well despite him not making it to church this last week. Then following that we had to ride to the complete other side of our area to meet a return appointment named Chhuean at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_563145472" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4:30</span></span>. There were two bolts of lightening on the road that day and their names were Elder Brewer and Saunders. We made it to the appointment on time (by some miracle) and his daughter starts bawling her eyes out as soon as she sees us. And no it wasn't because of my vampire teeth. Young children are often terrified of white people, having never encountered one before the big tall Americans walk into their house. Yes she had a royal conniption. However, her father was very kind to her and wiped her tears before taking her over to the neighbor's house so he could meet with us in quite. It was the most tender treatment I have seen any Cambodian Father give to their child. Ever. This man is also a very wealthy doctor who works at a hospital and who, in his spare time, opens a small practice at his house to benefit his community for cheaper during the night hours. We shared the message of the restoration and committed him to do as it says in the introduction of the Book of Mormon, that is to read, ponder, and pray in faith to know of it's truth. He said he would and so we will meet with him again at a later time. We then furiously returned to the same place where Sombor lives to teach our recent converts, Sarit and Srey Touc. They have the most wonderful faith. They are currently completely jobless with no income at all and yet they trust in the Lord and his promises and they are seeking work that they can do without defiling the Sabbath. They are an inspiration to me. We started helping him with his English so he can use it to get a good paying job. After we met with them we went over to Srey Niang's house and with the help of our recent convert Dueon, taught a lesson we did no expect to teach. What we planned was not what she needed and the spirit told us to teach something else. We found out that her husband went to korea to work and then got a new wife and they are now divorced. She is very downtrodden indeed but has been feeling hopeful when she goes to church and meets with us. She told us she felt hopeless before and still isn't sure about all we are teaching or if its even enough to keep living. We assured her that what we are teaching is true, that the savior did indeed suffer for her personal sorrows and sins, and that if she had nothing more than the <i>desire</i> to believe, to let that desire work in her until she could receive a testimony from God. She told us she did have the desire to believe and would continue to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and seek comfort in it's council. That was a spiritually and physically exhausting day to say the least.</div>
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Wednesday was not as jam packed but still very fulfilling. In our English class we have been seeing a lot of success with our spiritual thought at the end and have been blessed to reap the fruits with some new investigators from English class this week. They are students that we have known for a while and what I have decided is that English class students make some of the best investigators. Here is why: 1. They always come on time to the appointments you set up because they are used to doing so for class. 2. They know the missionaries well and have received a few gospel foundation lessons at the end of each class they have attended. 3. They know the church building and recognize a feeling of peace and comfort emanating from it every week that they come to class (this helps us to point out the spirit to them and helps them to easily recognize it). 4. They complete reading assignments quickly and keep commitments because they are used to doing so for English class. 5. They are comfortable with us as teachers and are not afraid to ask questions or open up and tell how they feel. All in all a very good lot of investigators came out of English class this week. Here's the story of the two I teach:</div>
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Sina and Kakada were coming to English class for about a month when we taught the message of the restoration to the class for the spiritual thought at the end. They both stayed after to ask questions about English and the message we shared. They were present when another student (Banya) asked how she could feel God's peace as she prayed. I taught them how to pray by example and they all joined in. At the end of my prayer Banya had tears streaming down her face and Sina did not want to leave. She stayed after everyone left while I was packing up my stuff and asked more questions and told me how she felt so much peace while she was at the church and wanted to come more often. I invited her to the baptism we were having the coming Saturday and both her and her older sister Kakada joined. Sina also came to church during the second hour the following day. The <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_563145473" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">next Wednesday</span></span> at English class (the 15th of July), Sina came up to me at the end of class and as she tried to formulate words she had only tears. I allowed her to compose herself before she told me she wanted to meet and learn about the gospel more. I gave her a Book of Mormon right there and invited her to read a certain passage at the beginning of Jacob chapter 3. She read the whole chapter right there as I cleaned up the class and then tried to hand the book back to me. I told her it was a gift and set a return appointment for the following afternoon. Thursday at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_563145474" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">1 pm</span></span> my companion and I arrived to find her already waiting for us. We taught restoration in full and she remembered about the first vision taught a week ago in English class. When the lesson finished I set another return appointment and invited her to come to church. I then asked how her sister Kakada was. I had noticed she wasn't at English class last night. Sina told me she didn't come because she took some medicine. I asked what she was sick with and Sina told me that Kakada wasn't sick, she was trying to kill herself. Immediately concerned I asked how she was. Sina told me that she was feeling better today and so I asked for Kakada's phone number and asked Sina to invite her to church on Sunday. That night I called Kakada and asked if she would like to meet the following day and she said she would like to meet. We showed up and she was already waiting for us. We sat down and as we awaited our member help she told us how terrible she was feeling and how she was dating a guy who broke her heart and was just a terrible person to her and how angry she felt and how she wanted to die and now she just wanted to hurt him but she felt awful. We listened for a while and then our member help, a High Councilmen in our ward, showed up and we began to calm her troubled heart and give her hope again through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We taught the plan of salvation and gave her perspective again and she listened very intently and throughout the lesson she began to smile bigger and bigger. When we finished we invited her to say the closing prayer. She said a beautiful prayer that went something like "Dear Heavenly Father, I am so happy today to meet the Elders and listen to them. I felt so awful at home and so very unhappy. But I feel so much happier now. Thank you Heavenly Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." We were all smiling quite a bit when she closed her prayer. I felt God's peace and I know she did too. I felt the spirit testifying that what I did was right and that my service was accepted by God. I truly love being in the Lord's service, being an instrument in His hands to bless the lives of His children here. And truly I am blessed to be in His service. </div>
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Saturday night Seng was baptized. It was a little hectic at first because no one was there and there was no one from the bishopric there. But eventually a member of the bishopric showed up and so did all the youth from a youth activity. So it was quite the turn out and they were all very supportive. The baptism was great. I baptized Seng and then he bore an amazing testimony. </div>
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The rest of the week was also amazing but I'm going to limit it to telling you about Sunday. Church was awesome as usual. I got to confirm Phana, the other guy that was baptized by the elders that we share the ward with and then Seng was confirmed by Ly, a recent convert who was just ordained an Elder. We had Srey Niang and her friend Ra there as well as Thol's wife and Vin's little brother. Thol and Vin are recent converts of about a year now. Ponlok, who is getting baptized next Sunday, brought his little brother to church as well and wants us to teach him too. That night we went and taught Thol and his wife and cousins-in-law and had a wonderful lesson. Also we had 7 new investigators this week. We really have so many people learning with us we cannot meet them all regularly. Its very fun. I know that the plan of salvation is God's plan for us and that we can all return to live with our Heavenly Father again! I love you all and I'll see you soon!</div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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Baptism of Seng</div>
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Playing with Pringles</div>
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Saunders studying words on the wall</div>
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The district meeting outside</div>
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Yeah I may have gotten very distracted</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-2113861410425353102015-07-14T19:38:00.000-07:002015-07-14T19:38:00.584-07:00Daddy Lyfe - from July 6, 2015<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Suasdey loved ones,</span><br />
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Its great to be a dad. I'm training the best kid ever! He's truly good and without guile. He forgets stuff sometimes. Like his shoes, or his planner, or his wallet, or his bag at our investigators house. Its okay though he's learning. Haha. He calls me Pa now. Its super funny and I'm not sure how I feel about it. But we are having a blast! We had another baptism this week and the other two Elders in our ward had two more so that gave us 5 confirmations in church and besides them we had 7 investigators at church not counting the other 3 from the other companionship! We're seeing the fruits of our labors harvested a lot faster than I have in any other area of my mission. These people are ready and are hoping obstacles left and right! </div>
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We got another 5 new investigators this week and they are awesome! Two of them came to church and one of them brought a friend! Getting people to church is the most important thing we can do to help people to prepare to make the commitment of baptism. If they don't go they can't know! I have full faith in the power of prayer and fasting, this last Sunday being fast Sunday. I know that as people truly put their faith on the line and test the word of God in their lives and give their whole heart as an offering to Him then they will be blessed beyond all measure. Most importantly with a testimony of this church and our savior Jesus Christ. </div>
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Thursday we had the great opportunity to meet our new mission president! As the Moons finished their work here and closed their chapter in Cambodia, a new giant begins his. Elder Christensen and his wife are very happy and excitable people. They told us all about themselves and how they met and what they do. He is a great fellow and I'm excited to work with him! He actually just emailed and told us that we are no longer required to wear suits in our mission due to a new policy from church headquarters. That is going to be weird. I'll probably still wear mine to church though. Its freezing in that building!</div>
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Friday was interesting. We went up a street and found a random old man who was about to smoke a cigarette and I felt prompted to ask him if he wanted to learn about Jesus. He said yes and showed us to his house. We sat and talked to him and he said that he had learned with people like us before but then they stopped coming. He must have been a former investigator. But as soon as we started teaching it started pouring buckets outside. We finished our lesson and it was still going so we waited a few more minutes but decided to go because I had a baptismal interview to conduct. So we shoved our things into our waterproof bags and took off. The roads were rivers. Literally 3 feet of water flowing down the road and we just pedaled right through it all. We were completely drenched. We got home and showered off and got dry clothes on and the rain stopped so we were able to go across the street to the church without further soaking. It was insane. Quite an experience and It was all very exhilarating. I couldn't help but laugh in giddiness having so a lovely rainstorm and getting to fly through it on bikes. </div>
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Saturday we celebrated the fourth of July by making Pepsi pulled pork sandwiches in the pot roast. It was way divine. On the side we had mashed potatoes. Thanks mom for the recipe!! We also had to kill a few mice in the house that had been pooping on our stuff. That was exciting. We had the baptism of Duan and two others from the other Elders in our ward. It was a great experience even though the water was green (i think they pulled it from the well or something). We had a couple investigators come to watch the baptism and that's always a great step for them! It was a great spiritual experience!</div>
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I love this work and I love being here! I love you all and I know the Savior does too! Keep on keeping on!</div>
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With love,</div>
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Elder Lyle R. Brewer</div>
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p.s. no pictures cuz I forgot my Chord... sorry! </div>
Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-91591543684669354042015-07-14T19:35:00.000-07:002015-07-14T19:35:03.190-07:00Late<br />
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Fam,<div>
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This was a great week. I Had a swell opportunity to go be a part of MLC so I could teach everyone about the English Class Test that I helped write. So that was fun. I also got to see the new President in action. There was one point where he stood up and started talking and the spirit testified to me that he was called of God. That was cool. He taught us that we need to set goals on things we can control. Everyone should have joy in the work every single day because you feel successful, even if the key indicators don't show results. You simply focus on the things you can control and do your very best in those areas and the Lord will show unto you that He can do His own work. He taught us that when we get off our missions we should be able to look back and say "Best thing I've ever done in my life." He taught us from the prophets that revelation happens on the move. I can attest to that 100%. I've seen it time and time again! </div>
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My companion and I found 8 new investigators this week. Its quite a fun time really. One of our investigators decided he wanted to move hid baptismal dates up a week for next week. He's learned all the lessons and come to church a bunch so we thought it was a good idea as well! We had his interview yesterday after church! His name is Seng Hort and he is extremely converted. He fasted last week and paid fast offerings and as soon as he did so he said his friend called him and said he was going to give him money for something Seng helped him with a long time ago and it was more than 12 times the amount he had just paid. He attributed it to the Lord blessing him for obedience. I told him he was right. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_483828898" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> we did service moving dirt. That was a treat. I haven't been able to do big service for a long time. Its hard to find people to serve in the city. They never have anything for us to help do! But we had a good time and Elder Suanders loved getting to work hard!</div>
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I went on exchange <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_483828899" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span> with an Elder in my district, Elder Palmer. He's a great guy who felt his Khmer wasn't up to par or coming fast enough. So throughout the day the Lord blessed him when more than a dozen Cambodian people told him he speaks way clear. So that was nice. </div>
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All in all a very good week.</div>
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I know that my redeemer lives! I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Read it, ponder the words within, and pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ and He will answer your prayer and tell you the truth by the power of the Holy Ghost. I've seen it happen time and time again. Its the truth! I love it and I will never leave it for it is the power of God unto salvation to all those who believe and follow Christ! </div>
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Love you!</div>
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Elder Lyle Brewer</div>
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Some pics from my adventures this week.</div>
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We had the worst traffic Jam I've ever seen in my life and it took a bunch of police and a guy with a mega phone to come clear it up.</div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-72308005072478260402015-07-01T09:49:00.000-07:002015-07-01T09:49:02.769-07:00Training Week 2<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hello there,</span><br />
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It has been an awesome week. I have been able to see first hand how quickly Elder Saunders is able to pick up the language. He's made so much improvement since day one its awesome! I feel like I know him a lot better now too. He is quite a clever guy. we've had tons of fun finding and teaching. I have to do a little translation every so often so that he will know what is going on. Its fun here! I love missionary work! </div>
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Tuesday brought district meeting and I taught about the gift f the Holy Ghost. I ended up studying personal study before all about it and learned a lot about the Holy Spirit of promise and then discussing said spirit a lot in District Meeting. My district is way cool. I love them. We all stay in the same house and have a way good time. That night we were able to meet Sarith and Srey Touch and re-teach the principles of Tithing, fasting, and paying offerings.They loved it. Totally great people. Oh and their baby is super happy all the time and likes to climb on my leg and pee on me. Did I mention before that she did that? Well this was the second time. Shame on me. I am extra careful every time I go over there now so that she won't pee on me anymore. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_340464687" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span> we had an awesome weekly planning session and set some sweet goals that we're hoping to achieve. Next week we plan on getting another baptism! Its for sure really. He is awesome. His name is Duaen and he comes to church every week with a shirt and tie and even has a part way calling. He's basically a member already. he even helps us teach investigators near his house and last night he gave us a referral whom we will teach on Tuesday. We met Somnang, another investigator, at the church and taught him the glorious plan of salvation and he asked a lot of great questions. He was confused about Noah due to him watching a hollywood rendition of the flood and he asked questions about why Noah was so mean and not letting anyone else in the ark. We cleared that up though no worries. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_340464689" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> morning we met Seng Hot at the church with help from a return sister missionary. We taught him tithing and fasting and he accepted both principles! He also stopped drinking Coffee this week and let off on the alcohol quite a bit as well! We pushed back his baptismal date to the 25th so he could have more time to quit entirely. Later we met Meng Ty right before the ward Fireside. We taught half the plan of salvation and he was very receptive and wants to learn the rest of it soon as well but we ran out of time before the fireside. The Fireside was interesting. We sung some songs and I directed the group in learning "Onward Christian Soldiers" in Khmer. It was fun. Then we watched a video on service and performed a song as a district and sung "Truth distills upon our senses" then ate Khmer Curry and bread! It was way good. We finished the night by going finding and ran into someone we contacted a couple weeks ago whom we weren't able to get a return appointment with. We shared short message and prayed with him on his porch before we went home.</div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_340464690" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> we had a great time at church and I was asked to direct the congregation for the closing song so we could again sing Onward Christian Soldiers. After sacrament meeting we were asked to give blessings to two different people. One of them was just someone who came by the church on her way to the hospital so she could have someone pray for her and a member suggested she get a blessing so they came and found me. They said they have been looking for a church for a while and they want to come to ours every week now. The stake president was <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">present for our meetings and taught us during the third hour about being kind and using the tongue of angels and uplifting others and going out to rescue the lost sheep and how to do it. He is an inspired man. Following that we had the Baptism of Sarith and Srey Touch and President Moon even came! That was a gift. We finished the day by going to teach Sombor, our new investigator this week who is just awesome. After we taught him the first discussion he told asked us what time church was and what he needed to change and start doing in order to follow Jesus Christ and become a member. Yeah he's straight Golden. </span></div>
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It was a marvelous week and I'm glad to be here. I love this work and I love my savior. He is my King and my friend and I will serve him to the end. That you may do so to is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.</div>
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-Elder Lyle R, Brewer</div>
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Some pics below</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: start;">A maze that my comp drew in five minutes on the plane ride here.</span></div>
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Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-16063835982147450282015-06-23T21:52:00.001-07:002015-06-23T21:52:55.481-07:00Crossed the River<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
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Dear Family of mine,<br /></div>
I've crossed the river. That is what the Khmer people say happens when you give birth. I have a new trainee!! Trainees are called Kids here and trainers are called Dads. That's just mission lingo though. He's doing great! His Khmer is still lacking but he'll pick it up quick because he's a fast leaner and has great desires. I'm a dad! Speaking of which I wish the best Father's Day to my beloved Dad. The best man there ever was. The greatest example of righteousness in my life. </div>
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This week we taught a whole lot of investigators. Like a whole lot. We were also way blessed with 9 more new investigators. We've been teaching all 15 of our investigators with baptismal dates and doing all we can to invite them unto Christ and strengthen their faith in him so that they can be repent and be baptized by proper authority and be blessed with the Holy Ghost in their lives. Enduring to the end when we shall all meet in the kingdom of heaven. Sarith and srey touc were interviewed for baptism after church and they are going to need to interview with president moon also this week. We are hoping they will be baptized on the 28th as planned and will be super solid members! Duan is awesome and is preparing for baptism on the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1557732432" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4th of July</span></span>. Yay for independence from the grasp of satan!!<br /></div>
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1557732433" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> I bid goodbye to Elder Osborne and we will miss him much. We also said hello to Elder Saunders! He is my new trainee! We had some training and then I took him out to Dairy Queen for a cone just like my father did when I got to the country. We grabbed his stuff and piled it onto the tuk-tuk and rode into Stung Mean Chey. I helped him carry his stuff up and then when we got in the room I knelt down. Didn't even let him unpack. I showed him the area book and what we'd be doing for the day and what parts of the lesson he would teach. Then we went and met the sisters at the church that were new to the area so we could give them their area book and other information. Then we left and taught a lesson to an investigator. Following that lesson it started raining and our <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1557732434" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">7 o'clock</span></span> appointment called us and asked us to come and teach now. Which was <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1557732435" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:30</span></span>. So we went over there but on the way got a little lost in the rain... But Elder Saunders was a good sport about it. We taught that lesson and then went and taught two more lessons before retiring for the night. it was an excellent day and my companion was dead tired.<br /></div>
It is great to be out here in the work of the Lord. He is guiding this work. He is the captain of our ship! Let us all press on in His work and give him glory! I am on my way to Zion! I'm on my way to Zion! I am on my way to Zion, the new Jerusalem! We'll shout and give him glory! We'll shout and give him glory! We'll shout and give him glory, for Glory is his name! Oh how I love my Savior! Oh how I love my Savior! Oh how I love my Savior, my savior Christ the Lord!<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1293669543231817.post-43113270523630627772015-06-15T09:50:00.001-07:002015-06-15T09:50:38.220-07:00Something to be excited about<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">olleH!</span><br />
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It was the best of weeks my friends. Last Monday we scored a bunch of way rad ties at the Japanese recycle shop. we also hit a three lesson P-day. Elder Osborne and I set a goal this week to get 30 total lessons. So we started pushing with our backs on the grindstone and giving even more than we got. We contacted up a storm in Stung Mean Chey. We filled every dull moment with a prayer so the Lord could guide us where to go and who to talk to and He did just that. WE found 10 new investigators with our efforts and got 14 lessons taught to investigators with a member present and a total of 33 lessons on the week. We tried our best to listen to every prompting and go for it. We were not disappointed. We depended on that spirit to help us in teaching lessons as well so that those we taught could feel it testifying to them. It was very fulfilling!</div>
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I taught District meeting <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_165842953" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Tuesday</span></span> just reviewing Zone conference topics and additional training as inspiration provided. We were given a referral that day as we went over to visit a member. We didn't see anyone there but felt to wait. As we planned our next move the Lord moved the next piece into place. The member arrived home and told us she has a friend she wants us to teach! We go into her house with her husband and kids and she goes and grabs her friend so we can teach the first discussion. Then she took her to church with her family on her moto this week too!! She's a stellar member! This whole ward is full of stellar people! True disciples of Christ. </div>
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Contacting brought us to a wonderful lady's house this week whom we scheduled a return appointment with <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_165842954" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Thursday</span></span>. We went over there and met her whole family and shared a wonderful message on prayer. They were very receptive and invited us back again! We then went and met another person we contacted and taught them at the roadside. We;ll be meeting them<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_165842955" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tonight</span></span> again! </div>
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One of the recent converts that we visit gave us a referral of his wife's younger sister. She is a way happy girl who was scared to talk to us at first but she has opened up after the second visit this week and committed to baptism! </div>
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Another great miracle that happened this week was the parents of a recent convert who was baptized a month ago. They have been learning the same amount of time as their daughter but have had a hard time getting to church. Lately, however, they have made it three weeks in a row! They don't have anything to ride to get to church because the father had to sell his moto to pay off a debt so they are very poor lately. But they paid the price of a moto taxi to come to church for the last 3 weeks!! They called us yesterday before church and told us they weren't going to make it and then they randomly showed up right before the sacrament while we were still singing the hymn!! It was a miracle. They are exercising their faith and I pray for them daily to receive the blessings that God has promised to those who keep his commandments. </div>
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We got a new investigator from English Class this week named Somnang (that means luck!). He came and met us at the church. He is a very timid man who has a great spirit and recognized us as representatives of Jesus Christ right from the start. He committed to baptism after a great first lesson <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_165842956" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span> and then came to church the next day!! He is stellar!</div>
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One day while we rode to the church to see if we could grab some member help I prayed that there would be someone waiting for us at the church. There was. But not a member help. It was these two young men that wandered in out of curiosity. We offered them a tour of the church which they gladly accepted and then we taught them a lesson on prayer. They were very intrigued and I could see that they felt the spirit. They accepted a return appointment.</div>
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Maybe one more story this week. Elder Osborne and I went contacting and as we embarked I prayed that we would know which road to turn and that I would have the courage to open my mouth. I felt prompted to turn down a dead end road. We went down a bit and all were inside. We passed a house with the door open and I felt to go in. We stopped and got off our bikes and walked up to the door and told them we were missionaries teaching about the gospel of happiness. She invited us in and we sat and talked a little bit more and she said we could come back! So we did yesterday and she was not willing to throw away Cambodian tradition until she understands more fully. She didn't let us pray with her that day but she promised to meet again and read the pamphlet we gave her. </div>
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I got a call last night before normal transfer calls. It was from President Moon. He asked me to train one of the new missionaries coming in this next week! This will be my first time training a new missionary and I am so excited to have such an opportunity for personal growth and to help him get started on the right foot. </div>
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As you can tell, this whole week was very exciting and so every other week will be if I continue to do what I\m doing. Depend on the Lord. Trust in him in all things. Be your very best self and then <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_165842957" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span> be better. If you can't find something to improve, look harder. You can always repent and grow and learn how to be more Christ-like and more kind and more loving. Through His Grace and through our covenant keeping, we will overcome the world and be crowned with eternal glory in the celestial realms above. Don't forget why you're here. I ask myself that question every day. Why am I here? Why am I a missionary? Because I love these souls and want to remind them of their divine nature. I want to access that light of Christ that is in them. That knowledge deep inside that they learned in a former life. </div>
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I am a child of God.</div>
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And so are you. </div>
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You can start now to get your life back on the straight and narrow that God has provided and proved. Every day can be a new beginning. You got only one life to get back to Heavenly Father so live it right.</div>
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I love you all. I know that Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. Let us rely on His atonement, His grace, and His mercy, while we work through this life to repent and prepare to meet God again. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.</div>
Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08307768341053742194noreply@blogger.com0