2/14/98
Dear Family,
How are things?
We have had a science project in our room the past week or so. A pint of Chocolate Milk and a pint of 2%. After 6 or 7 days they both began to swell and separate. The 2% leveled off a bit though and the chocolate kept swelling until last night when it started to leak. We have proven that chocolate does rot faster than 2%. It kind of stunk up the room so we bought an air freshener.
Thanks for the cookies for valentines, they were really good!
Dad and Mom, I really appreciate your letters and care packages. It really is a good boost and thanks. Thanks for being such great parents. I love you both. Good to hear from you Dad and that the stake mission is going good. All of your letters have been good. It is hard work and some days are better than others. Sometimes I get a little down when I think about how much there is to do and learn. Also there is much that I want to improve about myself. However, I just keep smiling and keep working hard. I try to do my best every day. Elder Hoare and I have the same goals and desires and we keep an awesome schedule. It starts at 5:40 and we are on our knees before 10:30p.m.
Elder Hoare and I have also started a new thing this week. Each day we memorize a scripture.
2/10/98-D&C 123:17 , 2/11/98 --2 Nephi 25:26, 2/12/98—Alma 26:27, 2/13/98—D&C 4: All,
2/14/98—Alma 7:23.
This week we also started a new thing anytime that we have a bathroom break in class, we come back and do push ups.
Each Sunday night we have a class from 8:00-9:30p.m. A great “Education Week Teacher” came this past Sunday and talked about pride. Wow, I never realized what a big thing it was. I have been really trying to eliminate it from my thoughts and actions this week. It is hard! I learned that pride is the universal sin. Satan fell because of pride. Jesus Christ is the exact opposite of pride. I heard this quote in the meeting it is now hanging on my desk. “What you sincerely in your heart think of Christ will determine what you are, and will largely determine what your acts will be” David O. McKay.
Also a great talk Tuesday Night from Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi. He talked about his conversion story and more importantly about what it takes to be a good missionary. He started with one joke and then delivered an hour long speech. It was so good that I could barely take notes. He talked about his conversion, prayer, and giving a tithing of 100% effort and obedience to Heavenly Father.
Wednesday Night Elder Hoare and I taught the 1st and 2nd principles of the lst discussion in Khmae to Brother Southerland. He designs the lessons for our class and subs for a teacher every now and then. He has been described as a Khmae person in an American body. He worked us over pretty good but we also did good. We committed him to come to church and to let us come back and finish the discussions.
Tuesday Elder Fairbanks was picked up by his parents and we haven’t received any news yet. We talked to the Branch President about him, he said that if he was able to serve he may go right into the field.
I went into the travel office this week and asked when the next plane left for Cambodia. We should get them probably sometime this coming week. I’ll let you know as soon as possible.
You wanted to know my feelings as a missionary, so I enclosed a couple of copied journal pages, so you can read some of my feelings.
I am a little pressed for time today , I must teach the lesson in District Meeting tomorrow. It is on the Book of Mormon. Thanks a bunch. The mail has been crazy up here this week!
I love you all very much!
Thanks for your love, letters, and prayers. I pray for you to.
Love your missionary, son, and brother,
Elder J. Clinton Rogers
PS Thoughts about Srok Khmae ( Country of Cambodia)
Kampuchea is what the Khmae named the country, and it has been changed to Cambodia so we could say it better I guess. Kampuchea means: land of overcoming suffering. Most Khmae who have received a patriarchal blessing descend from the tribe of Dan.
The teacher Brother Southerland says that the Khmae most remind him of the American Indians. They once ruled all of the Angkor Wat stuff and were very strong. They used to be a big strong fighters but because of hard times they have lost most of their height. This is Brother Southerlands opinion, but I thought it was kind of interesting. The Khmae probably came from Jerusalem –the tower of Babel in the old days.
On the 28th, we are going to have a culture night. Food, a culture video, Brother Proeun will bring in some things, and hopefully we will hear Brother Proeun’s story about living in a Thai refugee camp after escaping from Srok Khmae. I can’t wait!! They always try to keep us on task in class and won’t let us discuss about customs and culture. We do discuss “anyways” sometimes but on culture night we have the whole evening to learn about costumes and culture.