Clint mission letter # 20—no 19 June 1, 1998
Dear Family,
Hi. Most of my letter comes by journal copies as I am recovering.
Journal entries:
Two good lessons in following the Spirit both happened on Saturday. First it was 5:00 p.m. and Elder Heywood and I needed and wanted to be productive with our last hour. We stopped the bikes and said a little prayer for help. Elder Heywood felt that we should go to the little area by Ming Chuner’s house. I have to admit I was a little leery about going there because we had been there once all ready that day and we are there lots. However I trusted him and we went. We arrived and I said another prayer and asked to help us know what it was we could do to help in this area. A couple of minutes later Ming Chanee our maid walked around the corner. I asked about her family, who has been sick. We talked about praying for them and then about Priesthood Blessings. She asked us to come to her home and bless her family. After a brief explanation to her nonmember husband Tee we anointed and blessed Chanee, Tee, Seelaa, and Pissee, a very cute family. At first I did the anointing but Elder Heywood let me and wanted me to give a blessing. I blessed Chanee and Seelaa with help from Elder Heywood to start the blessing properly in Cambodian. I really felt tongue tied but tried to give a good blessing.
Ming Chanee is our maid and does an awesome job of taking care of the four Elders at house 43Z33. Each morning French toast, does our laundry, and then prepares a good meal for evening. She works very hard to please us and it is very nice not to worry about or take time to do laundry or make food.
After the blessing we talked about faith and how we must first have faith in order to receive testimony or blessings. I shared Moroni 10:7 in Cambodian and my testimony. Needless to say it was a good use of our last hour on Saturday.
The second lesson about the Spirit wasn’t so positive. Saturday I was in the process of mixing up a delicious fruit shake after dinner. I went to the fridge for my milk. The milk had been opened for a few days and I had the thought that maybe I shouldn’t drink it. I brushed it off with the justification that it had been in the fridge and was UHT Milk. Well at 2:30 a.m. I woke up really sick . Fever/ headache, body aches and diarrhea. I didn’t know what it was at first I just knew I was hurting. I missed all day Sunday including church, and today Monday I am slowly coming out of it. It was food poisoning and it really knocked me flat. I should have listened to that little voice or thought that said don’t eat that milk!
It is neat to see how much everyone cares and pulls together when an Elder “goes down” . Splits are arranged and usually the Elder ends up at the Mission Home where Prsident and Sister White can take good care of him. I was at the mission home most of Sunday while Elder Heywood went on splits and to church, and I have been here most of today as Elder Heywood has gone shopping and our 2 appointments. Also yesterday, I received a Priesthood blessing and the Sacrament from the Elders Heywood, Harmon, and Lloyd. I hope to be up and going again tomorrow.
Another one of my experience that was fun this week was going on a split for a full day with Elder Hoare. All the language practice you want and more with us out there. I came home pretty exhausted. We talked with one lady who told us about an experience she had with prayer. She was worried because part of her family was still out on the town and it was getting late. She prayed for help and the family members came home a few minutes latter. She was excited to share this answer to prayer with us.
Ceevan is a young lady who came to church with her friend, and we are now teaching her. She had a dream where she saw a man with his arms out. She recognized the same picture on the front of the first discussion pamplet She is excited to study I had heard that Cambodians had lots of dreams, this is my first experience with it.
Well enjoy the summer. I love all of you and thanks for your good support. I got a good e-mail today---hot of the press as I was at the mission home.
Thanks!
Love your Son, Brother, Missionary,
Clint