HEFY IN CAMBODIA

HIIII

This week was a hot one, not sure how I still have enough sweat in me you'd think I would have run out by now. We went down to Phnom Penh again for transfers because we had a leadership meeting, long ride but fun to see the Christensens for one last time. They fly home to America tomorrow night. President and Sister Lewis arrive tonight and I am looking forward to meeting them!! 

The power goes out all the time here in Battambang and while I was in the middle of my shower all the power shut off and the water stopped running so that was kinda fun. I just went and grabbed a bowl from the kitchen and used that and our water tank to finish my shower. Cambodia gets us really creative sometimes when we don't have power. 

When I went down for transfers I was able to meet up with some of my recent converts from toultom pong and chaktamok. HUGE surprise!!! It was so good to see them. Sivmey and Kim both got called as sunday school teachers and are both preparing to serve missions. Kim started crying as she came up to hug me it was so sweet. It is such a cool thing to see how much the gospel can change someones life around and just to see the pure joy and love in their eyes. They have taught me so much I love them! 

We have the first HEFY group in Cambodia here this week and we went out and did a FHE with them. I was in charge of translating the whole thing and it was super fun! We had one of the boys sing a solo of come thou font but he forgot the words halfway through and just started making stuff up. All the Cambodians thought it was so beautiful and everyone else was trying not to laugh. They were a fun group. 

Another cute thing this week, our recent convert sombat! Earlier in the week I brought him a tie so he could wear it to church and taught him how to tie it. When we showed up to church on Sunday he was sitting outside the church teaching 2 or 3 other youth how to tie them as well. He is the cutest 11 year old I have ever met, he is so excited to get the priesthood in a couple months. I hope he ends up serving a mission when he gets older, he would be so powerful. 

I studied a lot about hearkening to the Saviors voice this week and it was a really fun study. Here are a few thoughts. Alma 5:

33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.

38 Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd. 39 And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this? 60 And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed.

One important lesson that I have learned over the course of my mission is that the Lord really is in charge and He really does know what He is doing. Whatever the Lord requires is right. We need to hearken to His voice and place ourselves in His loving arms. We really only have two choices, choose to have God guide and lead us, or go the ways of the world and follow the devil. Following the Savior really is the only intelligent thing to do, and it is so rewarding. Heavenly Father bestows blessings upon us each day as we strive to follow Him and hearken to His voice above any other voice. 

Doctrine and Covenants 101:

12 And in that day all who are found upon the watch-tower, or in other words, all mine Israel, shall be saved.

13 And they that have been scattered shall be gathered.

14 And all they who have mourned shall be comforted.

15 And all they who have given their lives for my name shall be crowned.

16 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.

As we trust in God and do our best to become like Him we have no need to fear. There is so much joy and love and peace that comes from living the gospel and God is in charge. We are truly all in His hands and I know with all of my heart that GOD LOVES HIS CHILDREN!!!

Love, Sister Stratford