A "Normal" Sunday

As the time left on our mission continues to wind down it seems like we only get a "normal" Sunday every other week or so. A "normal" Sunday is when we get to go to the two Wards that we are assigned by the Mission President to visit weekly. It is hard to believe that four weeks ago we were in Thailand attending church there. Last week was General Conference, so we missed both of the wards in order to watch conference in English. Next week we will be in Kampong Cham for the dedication of the beautiful new chapel there, and in four weeks we will be in Siem Reap with Phanna and Chad.

A "normal" Sunday is more than just going to church in our assigned wards, but being with the saints in those wards that we have grown to love so very much. We can hardly get out of our car before Sister Oveson is getting hugged by the sisters in both wards. There are so very many that have become dear friends who we love to see and be around. We have especially gotten close to those who have joined the church while we have been here, and miss them if they are not there.

It is interesting to see that they have similar issues here that the Church experiences every where in the whole world. Today was suppose to be the High Council speaking in Sacrament Meeting. In Stueng Mean Chey 3rd Ward the 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric is also on the High Council, so he was the speaker. But in the Chaktomuk Ward no High Counselors showed up, so the Bishop called on a Sister who loves to talk and has asked to be a speaker in the past, and the bishop spoke. In the Stueng Mean Chey 3rd Ward the Elders Quorum President did not show up until the last ten minutes, so we had a volunteer teach.

Since we probably drive further on Sunday than any other day, going to Steung Mean Chey and back, we usually get some great shots in traffic. One thing for sure is that Elder Oveson will have to change his driving habits when he goes home. He will have to learn to stay within the lanes, which is virtually impossible here with the way that everybody else drives. Today we enjoyed the way they filled in one of the potholes with old moto tires, the saw on the back of a moto, the banana vendor on the move, and a family on a cart ride. We also have a new sister in Stueng Mean Chey, Sister Winder, whom we have mentioned before in our blog. Her brother was a bishop in Magna while we lived out there. Sister Y was out there before. They will be a great companionship.