CHARITY NEVER FAILETH!

Hello Family!

This week was crazy busy but loads of fun. We had transfers this week which was good, Sister Clark and I are staying the same. We gave a training on using our church time effectively as missionaries to all the leaders. Church time really is so important because all of the strongest members are gathered together at the same time. Always things we can do to be more efficient and effective as missionaries. Also Elder Muers joined us for our transfer meeting today. He is a 70 so that was fun. 

We got to go to the airport to pick up all the new missionaries which was so fun! They all seemed so excited! We were running a little late because the traffic was crazy but luckily they had to fill out all their visa forms so they weren't waiting on us to get there. Only one elders luggage got here with him so that was kind of crazy! I hope we can get all that luggage figured out. That would be such a bummer to have all your stuff get lost. 

Canly and Bong Ny are still struggling with the word of wisdom but still are coming to church every week and are progressing really well. Bong Mom is doing great - coming to church. Her mom is in the hospital and so this is a little tricky to meet her because she is always at the hospital. 

We had a miracle lesson with Lina this week. In the past she has had some problems with the law of chastity which is why her parents wanted her to learn with us to see if we could help her. Usually when we go to her house there are people running around like crazy and its really loud but this time she was the only one home, and the spirit was so strong in our lesson about the law of chastity and being worthy to go to the temple. It was so cool. She has been a slow progresser but she is finally starting to warm up and she is doing great! The Lord really prepared the way for that lesson.

We had a lot of people canceling on us this week with all this rain we have been having, hopefully it clears up a little bit so we can meet more people!

I love Doctrine and Covenants 12:8 "8 And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care."

I know that if we want to assist in the Lords work we need to be humble and full of love for all those entrusted to our care. Charity never faileth! We need to nourish and strengthen and do our best to help all those entrusted to our care and as we do so we are more trusted and better able to assist in His work!

Love Sister Stratford

DOWNPOUR

Hello

Quite the rainy week out here in Cambodia we had straight downpours every evening this week and the streets got way flooded. You see the motos in front of you and it kind of looks like a jetski on the lake - so I guess we kind of went boating? It was really fun and a lot cooler outside. I think the rainy season is finally catching up to us. 

We had interviews with President which is always fun - Sister Lewis and President crack me up they are the funniest couple to observe. We also got to sleep at the mission home after meeting with President which is always the best. Sister Lewis loves to cook for us and we had a great meal. 

Canly hasn't been able to quite give up coffee yet and so we are going to push her date back but she is still going to get baptized she is so amazing. Bong Mom accepted a baptismal date this week which is way exciting! We were finally able to meet with KA again and she is loving the Book of Mormon. Lina finally showed up to church and things are just taking off out here. I am loving the work and the areas and my companion - she is amazing!

I loved studying in Romans 8 this week 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I know that all things will work for our good as we are loving God with all of our heart, might, mind and strength. God has an infinite love for us and all of His children, I have felt that so many times through all of these people I get to teach and it really is so amazing. He is aware of us and will lead us along! He LOVES LOVES His children :) 

Love Sister Stratford

CANLY ACCEPTED

Hey family, 

This week was so good!!! We had MLC and Sister Clark and I gave a training which went pretty well. We had an exchange - last one of the transfer. But the best news is that Canly accepted a baptismal date finally!!!!!! She will be getting baptized this saturday :) I am so excited for her and so happy she finally accepted to get baptized. 

Random news of the week, Sister Clark wore earrings last transfer and her holes already grew back in and so I pierced her ears with a sewing needle this week - really had to jab the earrings in because the hole I made with the needle was quite a bit smaller than the earrings but we managed to get it done. The other sisters in the house were freaking out it was pretty funny.

Kunthea got baptized yesterday which was so fun! She just kept telling me how happy she was - she was beaming :) Also Bong Ny asked us when she could get baptized so we got her on date and she will be getting baptized in a little bit. So many miracles! We had 3 new people just walk into the church on sunday as well that want to learn so we hope to meet them this upcoming week. 

Sad news of the week is that we are getting kicked out of our house. We have such a nice house with a gym and all but some chinese people leased the whole building so we have to be out in a couple weeks - so sad. 

I finished and started the Book of Mormon again this week and I love the first few chapters. Nephi went to Jerusalem to obtain the plates of brass and was "led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which (he) should do." He later ends up getting the plates but Nephi did not recognize in the moment that he was receiving revelation that he was receiving revelation. This is often times the case with us. We just need to remember and honor our covenants, do our best and we will be guided and blessed to become instruments in helping the Lord bring about His purposes. We don't always recognize that we are receiving revelation in the moment that we are receiving it but as we are being good and following the commandments Heavenly Father will inspire us on what to do. "Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power" and just trust in God, He is in our midst!

Love, 

Sister Stratford

THE LORD REALLY PREPARES THE WAY

Helloooo

This week went way too fast. Time is really the weirdest thing on a mission especially because it always seems like July out here. Cambodia is the best though. We went on 2 exchanges this week which was good. Canly LITERALLY COOLEST PERSON EVER! We were asking her some questions in the lesson and she answered them from the Book of Mormon. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen. She is great! But still won't accept a baptismal date. Gunthea is getting baptized this week! We are really excited for her and hope all the details with the baptism work out. 

We got a new investigator this week Mey. She is so prepared to receive the gospel right now. God really is preparing the way for her. When she was younger her dad had a Christian book at home that she would read. She came to our english class a couple years ago, she added a returned missionary on facebook who invited her to church and she came. She has been two weeks in a row now and stays all 3 hours - we hope she continues to progress.

The Lord really does prepare the way for us. I love Doctrine and Covenants 84: 88 

"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." I know that this promise is true and that the Lord really prepares the way for each of us as we offer our willing hearts.

Love, 

Sister Stratford