Update 45: Zone Conference Gets Funky and Fairy Godmothers

This week we had zone conference and our area seventy, Elder Funk, came to speak with our mission. We focused a lot on doing the little things right; making our mission ship "tight like unto a dish."
("And they were built after a manner that they were exceedingly tight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish.")  https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/2.17?lang=eng#16 

Anywho, also had transfer calls this week! I am going to be staying in my area with Elder Cox. So since last transfer was the last transfer of his training, we decided I was his godfather, because the trainer is the father and I was just kinda tagging along for the last half. But now I'm his second companion in country, which would normally make me his mother. However, since  I'm already his godfather, we figure this now makes me his fairy godmother? Either way it's going to be  a blast. Our area is re-splitting too with Elder Try, my mom, coming in to train a new greenie. Elder Phoeun is going to SineSok, right up by where my last area, TukThlaa, was, to be zone leader with my MTC companion, Elder Millett. There is also going to be a mini sister missionary, serving for a few weeks before heading out to a different country, in my district from TukThlaa. It's a small Cambodian word.

2792: Elder Funk with the zone

342: So Beyond Five did a concert here I guess and a member just  randomly has this signed poster hanging up on their wall. 

336: Cambodia being pretty again

340: Traffic

324:We  did a musical number for an english class spiritual though and we decided to be matching choir boys 

330: Well the kid had good intentions, but probably not the right place to right it 

319: Faces with Khmer script? I think yes.

318: English class board

314: Elder Funk and Elder Cox

301: Have  I mentioned yet that I've been teaching a piano class all this transfer? 

Elder Cox got it started and since we will both still be here it shall continue on!

295: into the storm

290:sums up cox and i well

281: cox hides these  in all my stuffs

277: BYU is coming and I will get to see them!

-- Lovelovelove!

- Elder Taylor

*Just wanted to add some information that Chet sent in an email to me:
"Transfer calls were last night. I will be Elder Cox's mother, so still comps, and still in our current area. It will be resplit though and elder try, my mother, will be training in the other half. I'm also district leader now. So as Elder Vanpelt dreamed of in The Best Two Years "Junior companion to District Leader!" Although I'd almost managed to make it a full year without being district leader! "

Update 44 and Random: Catch Up On Missed Photos

You read the subject line, right? So I've finally figured out my SD card. Didn't lose any photos thankfully! So here are a bunch. I gtg soon so probably won't get to commentary them all. 

- Elder Taylor

Update 43: Khmer New Year and Very Bad Computers

So this week I cannot upload photos or send a new email because I'm
using a dinosaur. But the silver lining is I found the loophole of
replying to last weeks email to get to yall! So here goes.

Well Khmer New Year was 14-16 and most everyone leaves the city to go
to their hometown. (Most people in the city just live here temporarily
for work reasons, but really come from other parts of the country) So
missionary work takes a dive because, no people = no work. Mission
president had us deep clean the house, work on teaching and member
records in the house, and have a party with all the missionaries in
our zone. So we had a food party, played games, and watched Up on
Friday. Saturday we took a day to just study the gospels in the New
Testament and it was fantastic! I spent all day studying Matthew and
it was cool to read through it all in pretty much one go. We took
breaks and had a good potluck lunch. Although, one pair of elders made
homemade corndogs. They didn't have any tupperware though, so they
biked to the church with them all in a bowl. Right outside the church
they had a moto pass by them really close and the dogs spilled all
over the road. So sad! On Sunday it was Easter and I spoke on
salvation. Thankfully my Khmer wasn't too bad and people said they go
the message. I truly have a love for my Savior and what he has done
for me. I challenge you all to take a little bit of time to study the
Savior this week and what He has done for you. Love yall! Elder Taylor

Update 42: Conference!

Conference is short for General Conference. General Conference is when the leaders of the church speak to the members and it is broadcasted world wide, even Cambodia. 

Here were some of my thoughts and favorite sayings: 

David A Bednar: A missionary is not called to a place, they are called to serve. 

So while it's cool that I'm in Cambodia, I know that I could have served the Lord anywhere, as long as I do by best. 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Leadership isn't so much directing others as it is receiving direction from God. 

We are all children of God and we need to humble ourselves such that we can be directed by Him to do His plan for the benefit of us all. 

Henry B. Eyring: If you feel overwhelmed, take that as a good sign. You have an understanding.

We have a purpose to living on this earth. An eternal purpose of growth and learning. It is vital we understand and treat it seriously. 

Dale G. Renlund: How ironic it would be if we treat others as we have been treated. 

We can always be the bigger person and improve ourselves. 

Robert D. Hales: Endure all things patiently and well with God's plan in mind. 

Trust in God, and have peace. 

Jeffrey R. Holland: It is by divine design that not all voices in God's choir are the same. 

We are all unique and we are all valued by our loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Gary B. Sabin: We can have certainty that things will work out in the end, the Lord's promises are assured.  

D. Todd Christofferson: To warn is to care.

Those of us who have the Lord's teaching and testimony need to share it with our brothers and sisters. This is why I am on a mission, why I am in Cambodia, to help my brothers and sisters come to know their loving father in heaven.  

C. Scott Grow: Knowing God is the quest of a lifetime. 

Once you start to know God, never forget, never stop seeking Him, learning, and growing. 

L. Whitney Clayton: Over time simple habits of belief lead to miraculous results. 

Keep learning through study and application of our Lord's teachings! 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf: When we stumble, arise up, and try again. 

The Lord is always there to catch you when you fall. 

Of this I testify as a messenger of Christ. He lives. He loves. He is eternal.

- Elder Taylor

Can't forget the pictures!...although I did fill up my old SC card and start a new one. And I forgot the full one at the house, so here are half of my photos this week. 

dinner at the members #springrollsandfishsauce

​Some of my favorite members from my old area drove down from north stake to celebrate one of their birthdays because no one showed up at north stake

​

Welcome to the city

​Yup...

Catch the rain in your mouth, unless you live in a polluted are... #conference look it up

Your friendly half Khmer elder from New Zeland 

Parade of missionaries going to the senior couples house for lunch inbetween general conference sessions 

​

​hitch hiker

War with the wardrobe. Put it outside the other elders bathroom door

​dinner at the members house 

​fun faces in the elevator 

love yall!

- Elder Taylor

Update 41: Surprises That Never Cease (and banana bread...)

This has been a crazy week. On Tuesday Elder McDonald and I got a surprise call with surprise transfers. One Elder was going home unexpectedly, so we had a flux in numbers. Our new area got closed down. Elder McDonald was sent to Takmauw. One elder from there was sent up to my old area in Kampongcham, and I just combined with Elder Phoeun and Elder Cox down here. So now I'm in a trio, and I have to say that so far it's been a blast.   Evidence:

Got a giant smoothie. Was it too big? No. I enjoyed it all.... 

Elder Phoeun had a flat tire so I doped him through the rain and giant puddles. This photo was taken later when we were going to fix his tire. 

​I am ready to make some banana bread this week, muahahhahaha

Companionship unity

​There was a wedding at the church, which kind of got rained out, so why not? 

​When you get designated to take a group photo for missionaries... 

​We got invited to the wedding feast, I think in part because there weren't very many people there

​fun with glasses​

We got icecream sandwhiches. It was a hotdog bun, with icecream. Way literal and way delicious. 
​

​Got to see a sister who served in the same area as me when I was born in KC (started my mission), she died (finished her mission) while I was still there. First time I've seen her in about 6 months. 
​

My humble accommodations in my new house. Don't have a bed and desk yet because they didn't plan for 3 people. Luckily this house has a couch and luckily I slept on a couch for the 2 months before I started my mission. 
​

South Carolina in Cambodia!
​

banana bread.... We had to keep flipping the breaker to get it made. Thought our giant toaster oven was just broken for awhile, then found out the breaker had flipped. It was worth the hassle in the end.

​Service - drilling holes in a cement wall and hanging up pictures in our BM leaders new house.

​Helping out BM leader move houses the day or so before. 

Love yall! Keep on growing and handling all those surprises that come your way with majestic grace!

- Elder Taylor