Senior Couples

One of the great experiences of our mission has been association with other Senior couples. We enjoyed going to a local restaurant with some friends that we expect to have for the rest of our lives.

Bangkok - Elder Moore

We had the opportunity to accompany Elder Moore, one of the Assistants to the President, to Bangkok due to an illness. We flew from Phnom Penh on Tuesday morning, checked him into the Bangkok Hospital and then spent the next week with him at the hospital.











The care given at the hospital by both the doctors and nurses was outstanding, but they were unable to determine the cause of his illness. He returned to the US a week after going to Bangkok, accompanied by a Church doctor serving as a full-time missionary .













He has been a great missionary and has hopes of recovering so that he can finish his mission later this summer. It was very hard for him to leave the mission, but it was necessary to get him home to family and a more familiar medical care situation. We enjoyed being with him. Elder Moore was in the MTC when we were there and arrived in Cambodia about a month after us. He was great to be with and was positive throughout.

It's Wedding Season

We were able to go two weddngs (Sona & Pav and Sokhom and Phanna) on successive days (March 18 and 19). Both of these couples were married in chapels (much different that the traditional Khmae way). Both couples are faithful members of the Church and desire to set an example for others to follow. The tradition is that the parents decide who will marry and will grant permission to proceed.

The wedding is usually held at a home or another special place followed by a dinner where hundreds of your closest friends are invited. As guest arrive they return their invitation with a gift of money to the family.

Sometimes the events make money … sometimes they don’t. Many of the young people in the church are reluctant to marry because they can’t afford the trappings and process that surrounds the wedding. These couples both tried to respect their parents wishes and, at the same time, to follow a slightly different course.

Both events were greay with great support from friends and family. We’re proud of both couples.

TAY Phirum

Tay and his family attended the TaKhmau dedication service. It is a delight for us to work with Tay. His family is growing. He is very devoted to his wife and children (Aaron and Angel). What a great man.

Temple Trip to Hong Kong

We accompanied (led) 23 members from Phnom Penh to the Hong Kong Temple for the week of March 8 – 13. This was a great and inspiring experience for us and for the members. The members stayed at temporary housing about 1 km from the temple. The temple president (President Goo) and the temple workers were most helpful in working with us and helping the members have a positive experience. The families included those who were sealed to deceased spouses and to their living children who were present at the temple. We received excellent translation and leadership help from LONG Saret. He was wonderful in working with the temple and members. We couldn’t have completed our task without him.

We took a group picture as we took a short tour on the last day of our trip.

The twin boys are 6 years old. They were sealed to their mother, deceased father and their sister and brother who were with us on the trip.

Sr. Couples Conference

The mission held its second Sr. Couples conference (March 5) since President and Sister Smedley arrived last July. All of the couples in the mission were able to attend. We have been concerned because so many of our couples have completed their missions recently. We received three couples shortly before the conference (and another that arrived on March 17). Both couples serving in Vietnam (Talbots and Jacksons) were able to come. The conference is a great time to build up one another and to strengthen our friendships.

SORN Poyi

Sister Sorn Poyi has been waiting for several months for approval for a visa to the US to serve as a missionary for the Church in San Bernardino, California. The picture shows her calling her mother to tell her that she has just received her US Visa. She left for the US on March 20.

TaKhmau Chapel

The new TaKhmau chapel was completed in early February and the first meetings were held there on February 28. The chapel was dedicated on March 14, with an Open House on March 20. The members are so excited and grateful for the new building. The attendance for the branch has increased dramatically since the building was completed. Attendance has been running around 190 each week.

Member Visits

We visited the home home of Chansokhom/Kong Sambath and Sophorn. We continue to be impressed with the pleasant and humble manner of these members. They have much appreciation for all they have and are willing to share what they have with others. They are easy people to love.

National Museum

We went to the National Museum to see some of the treasures of Cambodia. The museum is relatively small and inexpensive to visit, but was quite enjoyable. The museum and area are very picturesque.

Birthday Shopping

For Bonnie’s birthday we went to a store to buy a necklace. We were assisted by the son (or grandson) of the shop owner. The experience was great to be helped by a young man who was very helpful and knowledgeable. We came back a month or so later for some more stuff.

LDS Charities Wheelchair Distribution

In early January we were invited to attend the distribution of 1,000 wheelchairs by LDS Charities to the National Committee for Disabled Persons. The Church has been able to contribute many wheelchairs over the years. There are many people who have lost limbs from land mines, who have birth deformities, or have been injured. It is not unusual to see people on the street who are crippled in this way. The availability of wheelchairs is a great blessing to these people.