How to be Happy During the Hard. . . SERVE

Tuesday 9-17

So we woke up (barely) and did our morning routine of scripture studies, eating, and getting ready. Then we had a zone meeting, it was nice to get to know everyone! After this meeting we went and ate at some sit down restaurant which was divine! I got some noodles and beef which was absolutely delicious! But it was probably packed with MSG so that's a down side about the food here (they put it in everything (-_-) ) I also had a papaya smoothie which was divine ofc, different but definitely yummy. We've been trying to buy a smart sim card for Elder Rabe's phone and it's been so difficult because you need your passport but ours are kept in a safe in Phnom Penh. But luckily I remembered that I had a paper copy tucked in a safe place so we used that. So now we can finally call everyone! We visited some recently baptized members that took up the rest of the night! One knows some-what okay English so we were able to talk a little of that and it felt so good haha! He has an awesome testimony! Then we met another recent convert and he speaks really good English! With these lessons I kinda take the lead just for a change and because I actually feel like I'm being a real missionary (I definitely know I'm doing good things when we teach in Khmer (Kuh-my) it's just so much easier and I can express my feelings and thoughts way better in English (who would've figured) Anyway this recent member got into a bad moto accident like 2 hours before he was supposed to get baptized! Satan was definitely working hard on him but he still wanted to get baptized so bad so he moved back to Battambong where his mom lived while he healed and then got baptized shortly after. Such a strong testimony this guy has. Afterwards we slept

Wednesday 9-18

After our morning routine and language and comp study we got lunch and then went to Ming (Aunt) pbo's (in between the p and b sound) house with some members. As we were headed there though it started to rain and apparently Cambodians HATE the rain and being wet. So we stood under a tin roof place while it poured. The video below is just when it started but we waited 30 minutes till it let up but then the streets were flooded so we still got soaked, lol. We taught Ming pbo and her daughter about the ten commandments by using the hand signs (thanks seminary teachers!) which was super fun and I was able to help a little more so that was nice. Anyway I taught the Godhead and how to pray in Khmer to a guy so that was awesome. Then that night we had English class but we taught it in the dark cause the power to the church was out the whole time, lol.

Thursday 9-19

Today I made soup. The flavors here are great but I do miss my food from home (Momma spoiled me in the best way possible.) We did some more teaching but one lady we taught couldn't walk so we shared the scripture about how when we are resurrected everything in our body will be in its perfected state. I shared how much this scripture meant to me because of my aunt and uncle who've already passed away due to bone marrow diseases. And of course my sweet Uncle Ben who I have such an awesome relationship with (we practice boxing and noogies and "I love you more contests! (he always wins) <3) Anyway I talked about how big his spirit is and how when his body is resurrected he will be perfect and his spirit won't be bound by the physical state his body is in. I had Elder Rabe translate all this (which was my first time asking him to do that for me) because I really wanted to share this personal experience with her.

Friday 9-20

Oooo today we helped bundle up some cilantro for a member and we taught her and lots of other members how important it is to read your Book of Mormon daily AS A FAMILY and the power that comes from your efforts. We also taught Bo about the importance of temples! SO important if you haven't gone recently GO! :)

Saturday 9-21

We woke up and went to the park to work out which was so Khmer I guess (All the Cambodians go to work out at the park) There are like machines that help you work out across this whole park lol so funny. We taught a guy whose name almost sounds like Poseidon so that was cool and also he is such an awesome soul. He is so excited to learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So amazing!!! We also taught English class which always brings my spirits up :)

Sunday 9-22

We visited a bunch of members again today so that was really good. We had like four of our teaching friends show up to sacrament so that was awesomeeee. Then afterwards we brought sacrament to the ming who can't walk. Prolly my most favorite ways to serve members :)

Monday 9-23

Woke up rinsed off and started cleaning lol. Then called my family as I kept cleaning. Little by little I think I'm getting this apartment livable lol. Still so much to clean to where I feel more humane. But it's all good, it's honestly a work out to squat while doing dishes because the sink is so low. Although my family did give me some easier ways to get lower than just squat so that was nice. Then I sweat like 6 buckets of water while playing basketball. And then we planned for the week the rest of the night!

So basically, I love Cambodia and the people here! Even though I don't understand the language. And also avocado smoothies are my favorite right now. I'm so incredibly happy to be here serving the Lord by serving the people of Cambodia! (Even though it is very difficult a lot of the times)

I love you ALL

-Elder Acton