Week 10: Welcome to Cambodia

                                                       Elder Taylor arrives in Cambodia!

         Elder Taylor with his first companion, Elder Shiefer, in Cambodia!

  "Woah" summarizes the past week pretty well. But you probably want to here more than that so here you go.

     Flights went great to California, Hong Kong, and Cambodia. I had an amazing opportunity to talk to my seat partner on the flight to California. We just started out chatting but hit it off pretty well and chatted the whole flight. We talked about a couple church related things mixed in with our talks of essential oils and looking for patterns in people, but the coolest experience was right before we landed. I was sharing what I knew about Buddhism and and how Buddha didn't proclaim deity but sought enlightenment and to teach truth. He mentioned how he thought that there was some truth to every story or else it wouldn't be worth telling and that all the tangled strings lead back to the true God. He shared how he had been Catholic but that he didn't like how they changed their doctrine to fit people, and he would tell the Bible teacher that he was contradicting himself and got told to go home. I asked what he knew of the Mormon faith and he said not much. I asked if I could share a little about what we believe and then shared about how Joseph Smith sought for an answer from God about which church was true. He had said he was interested to see how my mission went so I gave him a pass-along card and wrote my name and email on it and had him write down his name and email in my notebook. He's just the nicest guy and I'm glad I had the chance to get to know him and share about the message of Christ. 

     The rest of the flights were uneventful and I sat next to other elders and sisters going to Cambodia. Well I take that back. Going to Phnom Penh was a little eventful. At the beginning we talked to a grandma, mom, and they had a little boy who were sitting behind us. They said we understood a lot of Khmae which was kind of comforting. They spoke really good English though.

     Well we got to Cambodia, got out of the airport and met the Mission president, his wife, and some missionaries. It was all confusing and I had no idea what was really going on. Then a tuktuk pulled up (little riding card attached to a moto (moped)) and two elders jumped out. One held up a sign that read something like "Elder Taylor - My new best eternal friend" and then he ran over and gave me a great big hug. This was Elder Shiefer, my trainer. He had been in country for about 9 months and is in the youngest group of trainers. So far so good though.

     Understanding the language has definitely been the hardest part. Thus far everyone has been impressed with how well I can speak what I know. I've been asked how many years I've studied Khmae and people look like they don't believe that I just got to the country. One investigator compared me to an elder who is either now AP (assistant to the mission president) or was, but is well known for his language ability. Elder Shiefer also said that I can speak better than he could when he got here. So I have potential. There is still a ton I don't know how to say and I can't really understand anyone but Elder Shiefer. 

     Cool things: First lesson we got two investigators referred by a member present and they made me a desert thing to welcome me to the country. The area I'm being born in (trained in) is actually in a state of great progression so we have more people than we can teach in a day. Which is awesome. Also if I didn't have to go back to Phnom Penh (oh yeah I'm being trained in the Kites (provinces), Kampungjam specifically and another area that we ride a van to) we'd be baptizing one investigator this week, but it will probably happen next week. The Lord is moving his work forward and I'm am excited to be a part of it. 

     Oh and we got to help plant rice! Not many missionaries actually end up getting to do it and I did it my third day here. A wet and muddy process, but it was nice. Also played soccer this morning with the youth and some leaders. I've never played soccer and claim no ability in it. But I managed to score two goals and as goalie I blocked some good shots. It was more fun than I expected it to be. 

     It hasn't rained yet during the day, which has actually surprised me. Apparently it's kind of dry this and the past year. There has been lots going on and I could write for days. Spend at least an hour every night writing in my journal. If you have any questions or have any requests let me know! Love y'all!​

Elder Taylor

Week 8: Cambodia is (hopefully) Just Around the Corner

                 

             

               We drew pictures of our family and practiced describing them in Khmae

 I've given this title because we were supposed to receive our flight plans on Friday and as of 30 minutes ago we still have not received them. Went to talk to the travel office and after a brief search they couldn't find anything and told us to come back at lunch. Hopefully this will be sorted out soon enough, but I know that it will our work out in the Lord's time. 

     Investigators have been progressing. Om Thom and Neakming Dii have accepted the challenge to be baptised (lookruu Garlick and neakruu Chheoun) but Neakming Ranii says she still needs to receive an answer from God before she accepts the invitation (neakruu Davis). Even though they're my teachers I love them and seeing them come closer to Christ is amazing. Om Thom has an addiction to smoking and we've been trying to help him. Our last lesson with him we invited him to give us his cigarettes to take away the temptation. He said he'd think about it. Later in the lesson I shared an experience, bore testimony, and invited him again. He thought about it, took a pencil out of his pocket and looked it it for awhile (the "cigarettes") and then gave it to me saying "ok". He was humble and willing to follow the Lord. I can't wait to go find and help people like Om Thom in Cambodia. 

     Back when I first came into the MTC we all watched a talk given by Elder David A. Bednar and he challenged everyone to read the Book of Mormon with a specific question in mind. I started it and this past week I finished it. It was the most meaningful read through I've had and I'd invite everyone to do this challenge as well. After you've read it write a one page summary of what you learned in the back.

     Big event of the week though, we had another apostle come talk to us, Neil L. Anderson. It was also his birthday so we all sang happy birthday to him. He gave a good overview of key points to missionary work. 

     ~Being a missionary is not complicated, but nor is it easy. 

     ~The elect are there to gather in if we continue to look, if we ask the Lord He will help us find those that are ready and desirous to learn. 

     ~We need to talk with everyone around us; you never know who needs your help

     ~Look for the positives not the negatives

     ~Develop the flame in the MTC for the work and don't let it die; remember your purpose

Hope you are all doing well; sending my missionary appropriate love your way! 

- Elder Taylor

                                                    Elder Tan, Otto, and I on temple walk

                                           Elder Andros and I, physics lab partners Fall semester

Week 7: No Sleeping in Class; There is Good to be Done

    It's a struggle at times to not close your eyes for a second. Well one day Neakruu (female teacher) was teaching and Elder Millet had closed his eyes for a second and she faked throwing a marker at him. Well Lookruu Ho (Vietnamese teacher) was in class helping and he picked up a dry erase board eraser and chucked it at him. Woke the class up for a bit. 

     So Lookruu Ho has been helping us out because they didn't have any Vietnamese elders, but they got new ones this past Wed. Lookruu Ho is also their progressing investigator so they don't know he's their teacher yet. Anywho he was hiding in our room and he showed us Lookruu Garlick's language assessment from when he was in the MTC 2011. Gives us hope that we can be like him because he was just like us. It was really funny acutally. Oh and since the new missionaries aren't supposed to know Lookruu Ho is their teacher we decided on code name Lookruu Savage. 

     Practicing grammar and saying dates, time, making appointments, etc and Lookruu Garlick gives us this sentence: "In 1992 at 6:10 Om Thom ate a ripe mango." Writing it here it doesn't seem that funny, but it was great when it happened. Our grammar is slowly improving, but passive voice is weird. 

     Had a couple surprise visitors: One was at dinner. I was sitting at the table and the seat opposite me was empty when an elder jumps in front of me on the other side and squats and just stares. I stop, pizza in hand and stare back. He looks vaguely familair but I can't place him. After a bit he says, "Heartsville." I'm really confused because he wasn't in the Heartsville ward when I was there. Turns out I met him at a dance my last week in Heartsville and somehow he remembered me. We chatted a bit. Elder Bailey, him, is only here for three weeks so he'll leave the same time as me. 

     Next couple surprises were people I did recognize. Walking down the class hall on Wed and I do a double take because one of the new elders in my zone was in my tuba section at BYU marching band. He's going to Thailand. Then at dinner I saw another elder that was in our section and he's going to Russia. Tuba section represent!  

     Last surprise was quite the surprise. Elders Tan, Otto, Millet and I were sitting in 18M building doing TALL (the language learning program) and in walks a dude with a white teacher/leader tag and a man in full army uniform with his wife and daughter (my age). Guess they were giving him a tour and they asked us questions. I had "to tempt" on the screen and they had me pronounce it for them. (lbuang l-boo-aung) Also the MTC president showed up, President Burgess and added to the conversation. Basically I saw a lot of important people I wasn't expecting too. Also the military man was from Colombia, SC so he knew exactly where I'm from, Aiken. 

     The MTC is starting to feel even more like we're all sardines in a can. We have about 2,600 missionaries here right now and we had 1,557 missionaries in choir, largest ever and 2nd time we've broken the record while I've been here. (Before it was just under 1,000) If you're not in the choir you don't get a seat in the main room and have to go to overflow.   

     Got to do Skype TRC again last night but this time we didn't get a native Cambodian. We talked to a return missionary that lives in American Fork, Utah right now. He's been home for 8 years, but went back 5 years ago and said that Cambodia has changed a lot. It didn't used to have any roads really but now it has a lot, so makes life easier for me. 

     Yesterday we also had a language fast (no English) from when we woke up till lunch. It was hard at times but it frankly is really amazing to me that I can do that. 

     To end on a spiritual note and take away this Sunday we watched Ephraim's rescue. (about early saints crossing the plains) There is a scene where they have to cross a frozen river and no one has much strength or desire to walk through a freezing river in the snow. However, this one young man helps a young boy and his mother across and then goes back to help his own mother pull their handcart across. Later Ephraim, main-ish character, arrives to help them and he blesses and heals the aforementioned young man's feet. His mother says that Ephraim is a holy man but he says he has too many imperfections to count. Then the mother inquired how he managed to do so much good. Ephraim simply replied, I try. We can all try each day to do some good, to help our fellow brothers and sisters of God. Right now I'm going to help the people the Cambodia because that is where God has called me. May God help you in your trials and enable you to help others that only you can uplift. 

Elder Taylor

Elder Brown of the Indonesians that left from our zone on Thursday

 Some of the beautiful flowers in the MTC

Elder Millet, myself, Sister Platt, and random sister (Sister Platt was a choir friend that left for NY)

Jefferri Andrews, friend from SC, leaves today

Week 6: The Gospel is Burning a Hole in My Pocket

Can't remember if I mentioned this last email but last P-day I got my hair cut for the first time here. Doesn't look too bad. I also got my last vaccination so I'm all ready to go on that front. 

     Random cool thing of the week: finding hidden notes in the MTC. First one to be found was in the bathroom and told us to go look for another note, a scavenger hunt. We waited till we were done for the day and went and found the other note in the ceiling which in turn led us to the final note behind a picture frame on the wall. No grand prize but it did list some emails, so I'll have to see what the elders who hid it have to say. Probably just good job. Second one was in my dorm room. I noticed that this metal plate on the wall had scratch marks like it had been rotated so I got out my screwdriver, undid it, and found a note inside that said; "God loves you." Looks like the same writing from the note that was Elder Millet's bed when we first got here; "You're special."

     Eventful happening of the week, while we were saying the closing prayer after teaching Om Thom the fire alarm went off in our building. Om was saying it and I looked up, wondering if Lookruu would break character, but he finished saying the prayer and said by to us. Turns out there wasn't a fire so it was all good. The alarm didn't stop going off though so we wound up going outside after we were cleared instead of staying inside for class. We practiced reading the Khmae Book of Mormon as companionships. It was the first time I've read a verse and it went pretty well; I've been practicing reading individual words. Six weeks in and I can finally, kind of, read. 

     Cool side note, Lookruu Garlick has been teaching for two years, so when we get to Cambodia he will have taught all the non native missionaries that are there. And he might come visit in a year. It would be so cool to be able to talk to him in Khmae and understand it all. 

     Random: Finished my first planner. It's pretty satisfying to look at all that I've done so far. Then I stop and think I've still got a lot more to go. Here we go!    Also we have twins in our zone. One brother is going to Indonesia and the other is going to Thailand, but both came in on the same day, to the same district. So crazy. But one brother is leaving any day now (visa problems) and the other is here with me for another three weeks.   For Sunday devotional the speaker showed some "Home Front" series Mormon ads. They were pretty funny if anyone wants to look 'em up. Not sure if you can find them... 

     Ok. Coolest experience of the week: skyping a member in Cambodia last night. For TRC we've been teaching return missionaries here at the MTC, but now we are teaching members in Cambodia. Elder Millet and I taught Seihaa (say-ha), which means August. He was probably in his 20's, forgot to ask. It was hard to hear him but I got the gist of what he said and he had great English that he would use occasionally to explain something. We had a good lesson about exercising faith in Christ and invited him to share an experience when he exercised faith and grew. Then we challenged him to apply what he learned from that experience in the upcoming week. Before and after the lesson he said some funny things. When we were just getting to know him he was telling us how it was too hot there. He talked about how he had brown skin; we have white skin, but soon we'll be brown too. He also asked how many missionaries were coming with us and when I said 21 he got the funniest, surprised/amazed face I've ever seen. He also complemented us on our Khmae, said we were really good. It's encouraging, but I know I still have a long way to go. He even said we could probably both be AP's. (Assistants to the mission president, guy in charge of all the missionaries in Cambodia) Not sure if he meant right now or have the potential. I'm going with that he meant we have the potential. He was just so funny, easy to talk to, and awesome.

     The gospel is burning a hole in my pocket and I can't wait to get out to Cambodia and share it with all of God's children there. ​
- Elder Taylor

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.