Clint mission #48 and 49
Letter #48 was just pictures. I think this is letter #49. However the one year mark is Jan 14th, so who knows.
Dated 12/21/98 received 1/8/99
Dear Family,
Merry Christmas, Merry Holiday School Break, Happy New year, and STS ( Ski the Slopes)
I look forward to your call on Friday.
You asked how Christmas was here. First of all from my situation I have a little tree set up on my desk, a few presents, someone ( The Johnson’s the couple downstairs) is playing 12 days of Christmas with a daily present ( candybar, fruit, soap, etc.) . On Friday all missionaries are going to the office for lunch and gift exchange from 12pm to 2 pm, and on Christmas Eve we will meet with the Johnson’s and read Luke 2, sing songs, and have a treat.
The Branch had a “ ward dinner” complete with a visit from Santa (me). This Saturday we will perform a small pageant at the Church for people to come and learn of Jesus Christ.
Some of the stores in town have some Christmas decorations up but that is the extent of celebrating unless you belong to a Christian Church or want a good excuse to party.
The Mission Home is really decked out inside with Christmas decorations it is fun to be there.
Right now the weather feels like summer and will be hot the rest of the time. However right now it is not humid. This past week however I wore my suit coat for two days because it was cool. There was a real cold wind, no rain just cloud cover.
One comment on the Bill Clinton thing, it is nice to know very little.
The highlight of this past week was a great mission conference. It is always great to meet once a month and get blasted with tips, talks, goals, and most important motivation by way of the Spirit. It is always very strong at these meetings. We set a goal many months ago when Elder Cook visited the mission to finish the year with 225 baptisms. We humbly rejoice as it looks like we will finish the year at close to 260!!! We were truly blessed especially with help from the District Missionaries!!
This past Sunday (20th), Navy a 17 year old girl was baptized from mine and Elder Badger’s area. We began teaching her in Nov and she was baptized yesterday by a District Missionary Seehea. She was very excited and it was great teaching her and to see her be baptized!
I think I will close with that for this week.
The mission thing is like a dream. Much like life in General, I guess. I still must pinch myself as I wake up in the morning and tell myself in Khmae “Another great day of spreading the Gospel”. I am amazed at the blessing of health and strength, speaking Cambodian, and seeing others gain testimony in another language that I receive everyday. It is crazy how well I know, understand, and am familiar with these people. I love this work!! I am excited to teach of Christ on his birthday. I continue to try and personally know my Savior. I have heard that from Missionaries” I came to know Christ”. I’m working on it. I know he lives. I know he loves each one of us. I know he knocks at the door for each of us.
Merry Christmas
Love your Son, Brother, Missionary,
Elder Rogers
The District Conference was at the 5 star Inter-Continental Hotel, 600+ people in attendance.