Wednesday--English Class and Piano

On Wednesdays we go visiting in the mornings or get caught up on paperwork. At 3 p.m. Sister Spencer starts piano lessons. It is a joy to teach these young people about music and prepare them to conduct and accompany in Church.  Teaching piano was not on my list of talents, but I have learned so much and am grateful for resources that the Church provides. The Harman Foundation in Salt Lake makes it possible to provide a keyboard for promising young musicians so that they have a keyboard to practice with. The students need to be old enough and have the potential of playing in Church and teaching others.  The Foundation has placed many, many keyboards throughout the world. The last lesson ends at 7 p.m.

These six sisters/cousins all wanted to start learning piano. It is not ideal, but we make it work.

These three girls each play one song for Sacrament meeting. Their Branch President is preparing them for the future.

Another darling student. She isn't a member but has come to Church several times to hear the music.

At 5 p.m. English class starts. The missionaries teach and entertain mostly young people with a free English class.  We have seen great missionary work success with this program.

We learn a lot of English playing "Simon Says". The students love it! (Elder Spencer is the best!)

The Elders' clowning around is a big attraction. And they make their point.

The Elders use all of their talents!

We usually go out to dinner on Wednesdays, because it is a full afternoon.

Tuesday--District Meetings

On Tuesdays we attend district meetings at the chapel. We enjoy participating in these meetings as district leaders teach their groups of missionaries. We take turns so that we get to support each district. It is so rewarding to see the nervous, first-time District Leader teaching a lesson and then more seasoned Elders learning to include more comments from the group and creating a great learning experience. We see great leadership and strength and we feel the Spirit often when these diligent young women and men are discussing the gospel and how they can be more effective in their missionary work.

This is the first group of missionaries we served with. Some are already home now (April 2016).

These Elders love to see each other.

We often document the day with pictures.  We love these young missionaries.

This picture was before transfers.  We don't want to forget anyone, ever!

Sometimes after district meeting we go out to eat lunch with the missionaries.

The Elders love this place where we sit on the floor. Not our favorite!

Sitting at tables is so much more comfortable. The missionaries know the best, cheapest places to eat.

The first week of the month is Zone Training. We don't meet as districts, instead the Zone Leaders meet in the mission office in Phnom Penh and receive instruction.  They return and on Friday we meet with 24 missionaries from our Zone. Our area includes Battambang, Pursat and Siem Reap. The missionaries come in for this extended meeting.

We also celebrate birthdays at Zone Meetings. There is at least one birthday every month.

We love working with these amazing young missionaries. They are dedicated and faithful in a mission that is very challenging. They are great examples to us. Every parent should be proud (in the President Uchtdorf kind of way!)