Week 5: The Hardest Thing I've Ever Loved To Do

Hey y'all! Not as eventful of a week as last one, but I'll update you on various happenings and thoughts. 

     So I think the Indonesians started it but people will try and sneak plastic silverware into your pockets or bags. The other day Elder Otto managed to get two in my pocket (one at a time) without me noticing. I've tagged a couple people, but the best one was actually a couple weeks ago by Elder Tan. He put one in a random person's pocket at lunch and the elder found it and exclaimed, "Where do these keep coming from?!" Guess one of the Indonesians had already got him. 

     Last night an Elder told me that my hair reminded him of an elf. Hmmm. I can honestly say I've never heard that one before, but I just got a haircut so probably not anymore. 

     One day Lookruu (male teacher) Garlick was late to class, turns out he had a good reason. So this was on Saturday. Lookruu told us that he has been house sitting for his boss of his internship, and that this boss has five chickens. On Monday one escaped and Lookruu named him Houdini. Well Lookruu though Houdini was dead because he couldn't find him, but then a kid knocked on the door and he had found him. A small miracle. But it was always hilarious the way he told it and we all had a good laugh. 

     Last Tuesday devotional an Elder McFarlane played the violin and was wearing the McFarland family tie (my mom's side). Thought that was pretty cool. Went to talk to him and he has the dark blue and green hunting one too. Wonder if it's the same family that had the name changed up a bit when someone came to America. 

     Ran into a few more people I know here that recently came in. I found Elder Gomez from Augusta Stake and Elder Andrews from Hartsville. Always cool to see someone you know from the other side of the country. 

     Every Saturday we do TRC, teaching members, and one of the people there, Sister McCall, knew of me. Turns out she learned Khmae with Sister Fields. I was introduced via email to Sister Fields, who just recently served in Cambodia, by a friend so I could ask questions I had about the mission. The Cambodian language, Khmae, has a lot of words that sounds like my name, Chet. So they would make up stories about a guy named Chet in order to memorize words. Pretty funny. 

     We also had an evaluation test thingy. It was on the computer and we would get different prompts and had to answer in Khmae. Our teachers will listen to our responses and give us feedback on grammar, pronunciation, general language skills, etc. 

     As far as teaching I had another cool language experience where we were teaching a new investigator (other class's teacher) and I just looked her in the eyes and was able to say what I wanted and it flowed really well. Although, I've also had a struggle experience yesterday. We were teaching Om Thom and I asked if he had any questions and he asked about the sacrament (he had "come" to church with us.) Well I started to try to respond and everything I wanted to say I had no idea how to translate and I just couldn't speak. Elder Millet took over and I was feeling downhearted. At the end of the lesson I apologized to Om Thom that I couldn't answer question, that my Khmae wasn't very good. I may have good times, but I can always learn more so that I can better teach God's children, my brothers and sisters. 

     Sunday was pretty eventful. I conducted the music in sacrament meeting and we had some leadership changes. Our branch president was released and is moving to a Philippine branch. Now Brother Moon is president and he's the old Cambodian mission president, so that's cool. Also our missionary leadership changed and now Elder Millet, my companion, is district leader (he's in charge of 11 other missionaries). Mainly we just pick up the mail now. 

     Also given that it was Pioneer Day we had a special devotional. The band "The Nashville Tribute Band" came and performed and those of us in the choir got to accompany them on three songs: I was Born, John's Song, and When the Son of Man (Comes Again). It was a really cool experience and I was sitting close to the front again, actually pretty close to where I sat for Elder Bednar's question and answer session. It was an amazing experience to have a country concert with some louder songs, but the whole time was spiritual, praising our Savior, Jesus Christ. In closing, the lead guy sand a song he wrote coming home from his mission and I really loved this line; "The hardest thing I've ever loved to do." 

     This work is hard and challenging at times, but I know that I can make it worth it. I can use my time wisely and help others, or I can sit around and waste time. I'm trying to do as the Savior would and serve. 

Love Y'all!

- Elder Taylor

Week 4: Learning From and Becoming Messengers of the Lord

                    

 It feels like I was just emailing yesterday and yet that it was also an eternity ago. Never before has time felt like such wibbly wobbly stuff. (Shout out to all y'all that get the reference)

     There have been many experiences that have transpired. Some amusing, some quite spiritual, but I'll only write here about this past Sunday evening, although the whole day was amazingly spiritual.

     Sunday evening we had Elder Bednar show up out of the blue and do a Q and A session! When we got to Sundaydevotional they announced that they felt as a presidency that we should watch the Character of Christ talk video by Elder Bednar. All the missionaries watch it after devotional their first Sunday in the MTC so I'd already seen it, but it's really good so I was fine with it. Then after the video ended everyone was standing up as I was finishing writing notes, so I was a bit behind the others. Figured we were just standing to sing or something. Nope. Stood up and there is Elder Bednar, and I'm only 8 rows away from the podium. He explained that once or twice a year Sister Bednar and he come and do a Q and A session after everyone watches the Character of Christ video to answer any questions people have. I felt so blessed that they chose to come while I was here. 

     When he asked for questions I shot my hand up in the air because I've actually had a question I've been pondering about recently. In short I never got picked; which was a bit of a bummer. I'll pose my question to y'all and feel free to send me your thoughts: What is the relationship between charity and justice? 

     Elder Bednar is such a funny guy though. For one of the questions he asked Sister Bednar to come up and help answer the question; then he went and sat down. Sister Bednar hardcore called him out on leaving her up there, saying that he abandoned her. When he got up he said you have now, "witnessed the wife of an apostle throwing him under the bus." A couple questions later Sister Bednar was called on again and this time she made sure Elder Bednar stayed with her for moral support. She told us that we should never leave our companions. So funny.       Elder Bednar was answering a sister's question about feeling the spirit or being good enough or something and he explained it this way. Sisters, you'll do ten things. Nine of the perfectly and one of them just well and you'll focus on the fact that that one thing wasn't perfect. Elders, you will do ten things. Nine of them you will completely mess up and one of them you'll do moderately ok on, and you'll say "Yeahhhh." Really funny the way he said that.     Elder Bednar also has a really good Cookie Monster Impression he does in his Character of Christ video to explain the tendency of the natural man to turn inwards. 

     Ok, meat of the message, spiritual highlights:

     - As you pray you can receive the gift of discernment to help you in your service to the Lord.

     - Find individuals.     He explained how even though we only see them (apostles) in big settings like conference, they minister to individuals as their main focus. He gave an example of how he went to an island on the coast of Spain, I believe, and met a man that had been inactive for twenty years on the street and as an apostle of God called him to return to church, and he did. I know the Lord loves us individually and we should seek to teach individuals. 

     - The greatest miracle in Earth's history is that anyone joins the church with 18-20 year-olds at the forefront of the endeavor to teach the gospel.    Pretty funny when he said it, the audience chuckled, but it's a serious thing. It's not what we say, but how they (investigators) feel; what we are. "Teaching isn't talking."

     - DON'T BEAR TESTIMONY CASUALLY OR ROUTE  It was actually kind of scary when he talked about this. He was dead serious and all levity was gone. 

     - Don't ask guess what's in my head questions; they're stupid. Back to being amusing Elder Bednar said that he knew his wife would chastise him for using the word stupid, but that they really are very stupid. They make people uncomfortable and have a set answer. Ask questions such that the Spirit can prompt and people can say what's in their hearts. 

     - You won't ever answer anybody's questions, the Holy Ghost will. We need to be worthy of that gift. 

     - He closed with a witness that Christ lives and that he knows that in a way that transcends the five senses.  Thought that was interesting and cool. 

     - Closing hymn was I Feel My Savior's Love and one line really struck me: "He knows I will follow Him, give all my life to him. When I kneel I am filled with Peace." I love Christ and I hope that I can serve Him fully and help teach others about the love that Christ has for them. 

 Elder Taylor

The group photos are of everyone we could get together that is here from my BYU YSA ward. We have had so many people go through already though. It's wonderful to see my friends and fellow students be missionaries in this glorious work. 

Week 3: I know that Heavenly loves y'all and wants to help you.

  

 Hey y'all! Hope you've had a great weak since I've last sent word. Here are some random events from my life to keep you updated:

     I ran into a girl from my mission prep class who is from Lexington, SC. Always cool to find someone from close to home. Also met a missionary who is going to serve in my home mission in SC. Don't remember his name (sorry those living there who might have wanted to watch for him). This Wed I get to host the incoming missionaries (pick them up at the drop off curb and show them around) and I might get to see a couple friends coming in.

     In the exercise world I've decided four square is definitely a lot of fun, but the line gets way to long outside after about 5-10 minutes. (The floor is being waxed or redone somehow in the gym so we all have to go to the exercise field) Once it gets long I go and throw a frisbee; I love it so much. It's just one of the best feelings to have a perfect throw or catch a tricky pass. 

     One of my roommates, Elder Tan, had me start teaching him how to solve the Rubik's Cube and he can do it all from memory now. I call him my "first convert", haha. Both of the sisters in my district are learning now too. Sister Snooks even had her mom send her one. It's fun to share something I enjoy with others. 

     In the residence this one guy got the others hyped up to do a shirt ironing contest, see who could do it the fastest. They did it and they were very loud (I was a floor below), but the first got who got them hyped got them to iron all his shirts. Clever guy. 

     Here's a challenge for y'all. Using a rectangular piece of paper make a cross with one straight rip. Sister Snooks told my district that challenge and I figured it out. I enjoy mind puzzles like that. 

     Also last night the other Cambodian district guys got out district leader, Elder Otto, to prank there sisters. They had him come in all serious and tell them that due to civil unrest in Cambodia they would be delayed three more weeks in the MTC. They were not happy and pretty mad when they found out it wasn't real, but laughed in hindsight. 

     My district has come to really appreciate our main teacher, Lookruu Garlick, and he had a really rough day on Thursday. His girlfriend and him broke up and the wife of his bishop in Cambodia died. He apologized to us for being distracted and promised to do better because the people of Cambodia deserve better and committed us to all focus and try harder as well. It was a very spiritual experience and I wish I could make myself work even harder, but there is only so much time in a day.

     The choir director had a cool analogy that he shared with us. He compared us to a cow and the Lord to Babe, Paul Bunyon's big blue ox. We are yoked to the Lord and He is doing all the work. We do all we can, but it is by his power. I know that is true as I have progressed here in my ability to teach; it would not be possible without the Spirit. 

     Over the past week I've had several good teaching experiences and an exceptional one yesterday. Our investigators, Om Thom (ohm tom) and b))nj dii (bong dii) want to learn and that helps a ton. Even though they are our teachers role playing they feel like new people when I teach them. It's hard to explain. Anywho, yesterday Elder Millet and I taught Om Thom about prayer. I was able to explain the parts of prayer, why we pray, and bear testimony all in Khmae. It was really amazing. I can't imagine how awesome it will be when I'm fluent and can truly share all that the Spirit prompts me to. 

     In class I also got to play the role of investigator for demonstrative teaching. My teacher, that I had just taught earlier that day, was now teaching me. It was a lot of fun and she taught me almost the same thing I taught her! Even used the same story about Ammon teaching the unbelieving king. 

Khnom dunj taa preahvoobeeda sua srolan yeenj hauy trunj conj cuy yeenj. 

(k+gnome dung taa pray-uh-voo-buh-duh-sue-uh s+row-line young how-ee true-ung john+g chewy young)

I know that Heavenly Father loves y'all and wants to help you.  

- Elder Taylor

Week 2: Happy 4th of July!

Elder Taylor and Elder Millet  Watching Stadium of Fire Fireworks from the Provo MTC, 2 July 2016

 Here are some random thoughts for you from my second week at the MTC:

     I ran into an elder named Elder Wiggins. Thought it was cool how close his name is to Ender Wiggin from Ender's Game. I love that book. 

     Seen more friends from BYU. My old home teachee from BYU is here, Matthew, or rather, Elder Davis. I saw him wearing a melting Rubik's cube shirt and got a picture with him. Also found some elders on my floor that solve the cube as well. None are speed cubers. One just learned and the other enjoys puzzles in general and has solved a 12x12. So I solved it a few times for them and got a 29sec and 30sec solve. Which is good, even for me. Also solved it for some district members a different night and Lowmexay (low-me-sigh) was dying. We all bust up laughing so much in the residence. 

     Oh I did get around to trying foursquare and I'm actually not too bad. Elder Hughes from my district and I were doing awesome today. We'd get to king and knight position and take everyone out. Although I'm not as good as Elder Hughes; he was in for so long everyone got out at least three times. Also had some good times playing monkey in the middle with a frisbee. Had a couple great jump catches; so much fun. Also finally got around to timing my mile for the first time in a few years and got a 6min58sec. Not the best but I was happy with it. I also think I can go faster so I'll have to try again. I've got plenty of time. Seven more weeks. 

     The district and roommates are a lot of fun. We tell all sorts of stories, mainly them, and funny stuff just happens so we have jokes. Back on the second day or so one of the Elders wrote "hola=tree" on the board and Sister Snooks wrote it down in her notes, and we all had a good laugh about that. Now we say Hola as a greeting within the district. Sister Snooks gets roasted (called out?) by Lookruu Garlick a lot too. The funniest one was when we were all chatting and she was telling a story about how she got a tiny bell stuck in her ear when she was little and had to go to the doctors to get it out. Then Lookruu started talking and was telling us we needed to SYL more (Speak your language) and used the sentence, "I got a bell stuck in my ear." Quite amusing in the moment. 

    Oh another funny story where Sister Snooks stars. So we're practicing grammar and Lookruu asks everyone questions. He gets to Snooks and asks, "Is Elder Taylor a prophet?" Elder Otto asks, "How do you say will be?" and then Snooks says yes. Everyone busts up laughing. In her defense she was exhausted, we all were, and Elder Tan was whispering, "say yes. Say yes." right next to her. 

     Whenver Lookruu Garlick leaves at the end of the day (9:30ish, I know right?) we all get loud saying goodbye and we love you in Khmae. Well one day after he left he had to come back in to get something he had left and we were all getting loud again and he just shushed us motioning down with his hands continuously. It was fun. Also I've been trying to get a picture with him to show y'all but he said only when we leave for Cambodia. However, I got a photo of him when he was leaving so y'all can see him. 

     Got around to trying out the waterproof function of my camera and tried taking photos of the temple from half underwater. I'll include some of my better ones.

Fun fact, I also fit under the water-fountain in our class building.

    Investigators. So boong Sophol is no longer our investigator and is now our teacher. I was a bit upset because my companion and I were going to invite her to baptism in the next lesson. Now my other teacher, lookruu Garlick, will be our investigator. We teach him tomorrow and I'm a bit nervous about that. 

     We have been practicing teaching more in class and it's going well, steady progress. We had to teach short overviews of the gospel in 3 min slots, then 1 1/2, then 30 sec. I'm telling you once it gets down to 30sec it's hard to tell someone, in Khmae, about the church and get it all out. Khnom dung taa preahvoobeda sua srolan neak (key-gnome dung taa pray-uh voo (o as in toe) bee da sua sro (o again)-line knee-eh) I know that Heavenly Father loves you. 

     The music here is amazing. Maybe it's partially because I can't listen to music whenever I want anymore, but I love hearing the musical numbers at devotionals. We had an amazing sister play a version of Hie (High? Som to ~sum toe: sorry) to Kolob that I'd never heard before, but it was phenomenal. 

     Also praying in Khmae is amazing. I can say a basic prayer in complete Khmae but often have to use Khma-nglish. I'll get there though. 

     It can be a struggle, but it can also be a blast. I love doing the Lord's work and can't wait to teach his children in Cambodia about the good word. Love y'all!​

Elder Taylor