Birthday time

Mackenzie made this delicious pie for me on my birthday in November (Thanksgiving)-- yummy!

I also enjoyed all the wonderful cards and letters and e-mails from home, including all the cute pictures from grandkids!  Thank you!

Belated November photos

In November we said goodbye to Elder & Sister Spencer (next to us), who have served for 23 months here in Cambodia.  They have been amazing and we miss them a lot.  

On Thanksgiving we hosted about 25 missionaries here at the mission home for a "thanksgiving lunch"-- complete with turkey, mashed potatos, stuffing, and more.  It was a delicious meal and Sis. Moon went to a lot of work to make it happen. The missionaries all seemed to love it.

Mackenzie is so good to always be doing lots of dishes-- we have gained a whole new appreciation for automatic dishwashers!

Independence Monument

A nice photo of Independence, very close to the mission home.   When the lights are on it and the water fountains going it is quite pretty.  It commemorates Cambodia's independence from France in the 1960's.

We said goodbye to 8 departing missionaries on December 14th.  We felt like we had the rug pulled out from under us!  All wonderful missionaries-- we will miss them so much!  Thankfully four of them are here local and we look forward to seeing them often and continuing to serve with them in the church.

Sis. Mai and her family

Siam Reap Branch conference

Traveled to Siam Reap late at night for branch conference on December 9th.  Mackenzie's ballet performance was the night before-- it was 9:30pm before I left, but made good time-- no one on the roads!  I went as far as Kampong Thom and then the rest of the way in the early morning hours, to make it by 8:00am for church.  5 and 1/2 hour drive. 

The branch had a baptism service for 7 people-- it was wonderful to be there and enjoy this special day with them.  A complete family of four (with 2 kids under 8), and three other individuals.  

Visiting Sis. Yin's family in Siam Reap!  She has an absolutely wonderful mother.

Pres. Loy's family-- we really enjoyed visiting with them in their home!

A few things from late November

A fun open house that the missionaries and members did in the North District-- it was a great success, with over 500 people attending and over 100 non-members visiting.  The members put on some wonderful dances.  The misisonaries did a great job having rooms set up and people were able to go on tours through the building-- receiving explanations on things like the restoration, baptism, family history, family home evening, and the book of mormon.

Not a clear picture!  But we were happy to welcome Elder & Sister Capener to our mission.  They have been serving in India but were transferred to our mission for the remaining 8 months of their service.  They are now serving in Kien Svay.

Dinner with Elder & Sister Gong after Saturday adult session of North District Conference.  The funny thing about this picture is that a few minutes later the staff came over and said they did not have any pork or chicken left.  We changed to our orders.  A few minutes later they came and said they had no food left.  Period!  So we had to leave!  We eventually made it to a Sushi restaurant where we were finally able to get something to eat!

A wedding performed in the Steung Mean Chey building-- the bride is a member of the Sorn family from Battambang.  The groom is a non-member, but we are hoping that changes soon!

Weddings!

This was a wedding in one of our Vietnamese branches.  The couple are very young, but seem very happy.  The branch president married them.  I believe the bride and her parents are not members.

After the wedding they fed us a wonderful dinner of traditional Vietnamese food in the courtyard of the church building.  The power went off part way through the dinner, as it got dark, although it sort of added to the "romantic" ambience as they brought out some candles to eat by.

Below a traditional VIetnamese "hot pot"-- they bring out a cooker on the table in the middle, filled with hot soup.  You keep it heating until it boils.  Then you add a lot of fresh vegetables and greens, and put in a variety of shell fish and meats, let them simmer and cook, and then ladle it out in your bowl family style.

Below are pictures from a wedding in the North District -- the bride and groom asked Pres. Moon to marry them in the church.  They flew to the temple in Manila to be sealed a couple of days after this civil marriage.  Both are wonderful members.  None of their parents are members, but bride's brother in law is our district president.  Below the "reception line" with Mackenzie.

Their reception was in the church building, lots of fun balloons, which are the common thing to decorate with here.

Brother and sister below, wonderful members from Taa Khmau.   He also works as one of security guards here at the mission home.

The main course-- a steamed fish (the whole fish).  Very tender and delicious, although you have to watch out for the bones.