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