February 28, 1998

2/28/98

Hello, How are all of you? Today is P-day again.

                I hope you have been studying up on your Cambodian. We have the required 5 endowment sessions and so this morning we did washings and anointings.  Next week we will do baptisms and then one more session the following week to send us on our way.  I can’t believe how fast things are going.  This week has just flown bye

                Tonight is the big event.  Culture night!  I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow. 

                As today was P-day, we have really got some good projects done.  Temple from 6:30-8:00, Breakfast, Laundry, service, lunch, nap, trip to book store, basketball, ½ hour of B. of Mormon reading, ½ hour of gospel study, and now letter writing.  Culture night from 6:00-9:30p.m.

                At the bookstore, I had my discussions punched and bought binders to put them in.  Also bought pictures for the homemade flip chart.  Word is that the Khmae like pictures. I also cleaned up my room and tried to get some of my stuff better organized so it isn’t crazy trying to get out of here. 

                I made a list today, composed of both goals and things to accomplish before March 17^th , 4:00 p.m.  I got some good things done today. 

                If you could put the MTC to music, the music in the background has picked up the pace as the travel plans are received and your getting closer to leave.  There is so much to learn.  This week we have started welfare meetings.  These are talks that last about  1 ½  hours and teach us about how to help people become self-reliant, sanitary, a loving family, and how to help them keep things in order as best as possible so that they can learn about the gospel.  They are great meetings and the 3 of us going to Cambodia really pay attention.  One of the biggest things they stress is to do things that will help in the long term and not the short term. 

                “As people come to know who they really are, children of Heavenly Father, their lives begin to change”.  “Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world.”

                Also we talk about health problems and how to prepare hydrating solution in case of dehydration 3 or 4 more welfare classes this week. 

                Last Sunday a great lesson about charity.  It was really neat.  Charity is something that I thought I knew about and I realized I really didn’t have a clue.  The ‘BYU Education week teacher’ again gave a great lesson.  Probably the biggest thing I learned was this:  Many times we do things like, service to others, with the wrong motives.  I know I have done this a lot in my life, do good because somebody is watching or because one of my friends is doing it too.  When we do good we must do it because we want to and we love the person and hopefully nobody is watching us.  Let us not do things because we love men more than God.  It is pretty crazy to do things for the wrong reasons.  Take a mission for example.  I recognize that to truly serve a mission and truly serve Heavenly Father you must do it because you love the gospel, you love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, And you want to share with others.  I’m working on coming to this point. 

                Great talk from General Authority Lance B. Workman, Tuesday night.  He talked , Dad about something you and I talked about as we talked about missions.  The great Pres. Kimball talk about putting everything on the alter and giving your all to the Lord.  I’m working on it. 

               

                                                                                                                3/1/98

                Culture night was the best!  The food was great.  We first had soup.  The soup had tomatoes, mushrooms, and other things.  As meat it had shrimp and squid.  There were squid heads and then the body part of the squid was stuffed with clear rice and vegetables mixed.  It was great and I ate every bit.  Next was sticky rice with Ginger Chicken Stir Fry.  The Ginger was quite strong, I can’t describe it as spicy—more like a strong flavor.  I had two whole plates—I took care of it, and I ate with chopsticks for most of the time.  For dessert we had some Cambodian candy that was good.  It looked like a little lifesaver, but I’m not sure what flavor it was.  The teachers wore traditional dress and the room was decorated. 

                The best was the video, it dealt with the struggle of Cambodians preserving their culture after escaping to America.  I liked listening to the people on the video talk in Khmae.  The video was somewhat depressing as it talked about the Khmae people, their past struggles, and now trying to get to America.  The second video shown was made by the missionaries on the East Coast which showed the success and change brought to the Khmae as a result of the gospel.  One of these people shown on the video was our teacher Bro. Proeun.  He was converted to the church at 18 in Rhode Island. 

                The goal of Culture night is to help us as missionaries have a greater love for the people.  I love them already, I had tears in my eyes as we watched these two videos and then closed for the night singing “ As I Have Loved  You” .  I had the same feelings again, very strong, as I did when I received my call and the days following. I am needed in Cambodia!

                The MTC is awesome!  Yea the learning the language is important and helpful.  But more important the MTC has helped me to realize how much I have been blessed.  The greatest lesson I am learning here is how to be obedient and that if I am obedient the Lord blesses me and I come to know him better.  Already this experience of a mission has changed me forever.  It is one thing to know about the gospel.  The difference comes when you live ( completely, as best you can) the gospel. 

                This past week or so all of us in my district hit the wall.  We each had challenges.  Some were physically sick or just tired.  I was struggling with remembering times I had been dishonest or disobedient.  It was extremely tough.  I was just worried about all these things and had doubt about how could I do this and do that and then tell people how important it is to obey.  I had trouble concentrating on my studies.  I prayed hard and I went and talked with  President Jex. It was very similar to the feelings felt the night before I left Mom and Dad.  President Jex and I had a good talk on Sunday and Tuesday.  He gave me the same council as President Wilkinson.  Since Tuesday I have had a great week! The refiners fire has increased a few degrees in temperature with each passing week here at the MTC.  All of us had struggles this past week or so.  I say us because I have great friends up here my district is great!

                I hope you can see how important it is to be obedient.  Sooner or later all of us have to answer to ourselves and Heavenly Father what we have been doing with our time.  If your obedient you never have to worry about anything.  If not, you have to go through it and face the consequence. 

                 As I work hard and keep the mission rules here at the MTC, I am greatly blessed.  I’m happy, I accomplish tons in a day, I get a great nights sleep and get up at 5:45 a.m. with a smile to go again. 

                Just try it for a while.  Try to keep all the commandments, and to everything Mom or Dad or someone ask you to do, and then see how your day goes.  It doesn’t mean your day was easy but how do you feel.

                John 7:17:  Try it you’ll like it. 

                We had some great talks in Mission Conference this morning about obedience and other qualities that will help a missionary. 

                Thanks so much for the great letters, and packages this week.  It is such a good surprise to hear from all of you and receive cookies, etc.  Thanks

                Well I had better wrap it up.  Thanks again for all your great support.  I miss you all and when I here great quotes or messages about families I think about us.  Keep up the good work. 

Choose the way correct   --CTR

Love -Elder J. Clinton Rogers

PS :  Mom, I practice my piano every morning and will probably play for branch priesthood meeting on Mar. 8^th .        

Feb 21, 1998

Elder Jeffrey Clinton Rogers

MTC Mailbox #156

CAM-PPEN 0317

2005 North 900 East

Provo, Utah 84604-1793

Letter #7                                                                                            2/21/98

Dear Family,

                How are all of you?    Thanks so much for all your letters and support!

I really enjoyed the Mrs. Field’s cookies.  They were really good. 

                Another week has gone by! ?  It is crazy how fast the time goes flying by.  I guess it is because so much happens in just one day.  ( I probably say this in every letter but it is true)

                Elder Hoare ( said like whore) and I went to choir practice on Sunday and Tuesday and sang with the MTC choir in the Tuesday night devotional.  We sang in the tenor section and it was fun.  I’m not sure we will do it again though just because we love the free time on Sundays too much.  We just wanted to say that we did sing with the choir.  We sang “ Beautiful Savior” It starts slow and quiet and then ends with power, it was good.  Guess who the speaker was on Tuesday Night?  Elder John Carmack.  He talked about the Book  of Mormon, and about the History of the Book coming from Joseph to us.  He showed a copy of the Book from the original printing that is owned by the church.  I went up and talked with him afterwards.  I shook his hand and asked him if he remembered that I had talked to him on the phone.  ( this is cousin John Carmack)   He said yes and that I would love the people because they were humble and pure in heart. 

                This coming week is culture week.  Each day in each class the teachers are going to wear some traditional clothes, and then on Saturday the 28^th, we will have our culture night.

                We have also got a Cambodian rug, more like a big mat made of the beach stuff.  It is like the mats we take to the beach.  Except big patterns on it.  We take our shoes off and then have our gospel discussions and scripture reading at the beginning of class on the mat and practice sitting like the Khmae people would.  It is difficult for me, and the others as we are not used to sitting Indian style or completely on our knees.  Also it is bad to show the bottom of your feet.  I’ll try to get some good pictures at the culture night. 

                I had a good experience on last Sunday.  We went to our gospel study class after the Sunday Fireside, and listened to a good lesson from a “BYU Education Week” teacher. She taught about the 3 fold mission of the church and then at the end made a great promise.  She said that if we would wait for a few minutes after the prayer and just be quiet we would feel the spirit.  It just so happened that I had already been asked to give the prayer.  After I finished the prayer, I opened my eyes and stepped about 2 steps away from the pulpit.  There was about 40- 50 missionaries and they all just kept quiet with their heads down.  I just stopped it was really quiet and powerful.  Sister Murdoch then identified the spirit and gave testimony again.  It was really neat.  Talk about teaching with the spirit!!

                I learned a fun Cambodian kids song this week called “Sau Rii Kau Kaev”  Maybe I can teach it to you .  We had a lot of fun with it this week. 

                Thanks again for all the letters!!  I really look forward to the letter from the fam.

                I like to read the Book of Mormon.  I read it everyday from 7:30-8:00a.m.  The other morning I spent the whole ½ hour on Ether 12 .  What a great chapter!!  I was surprised.  It is like a Book of Mormon version of Hebrews 11.  I had never realized this before.  I am really trying hard to get ready spiritually and have a strong testimony to share with the menuh khmae (Cambodians) The “nearer clearer” doctrine is like the refiners fire.  The closer we try to become the clearer we see the plan, and the clearer we see into ourselves.  I’m beginning to realize how important obedience is and I have caught a glimpse of this work and plan that Heavenly Father is carrying out.  It is still hard to think about all of this and then remember the time I wasted and the dumb things I did in high school.  I never realized how important and great the gospel is.  I have been greatly blessed and taken the gospel for granted.  I also realize that once you’ve served your mission that nothing changes.  It is a lifetime of service and following the plan of our Heavenly Father.  2 Nephi 31:19-20 .

                The light times or maybe funny things happen during meals.  It is a break from class and food is eaten just because it is there.  Some Elders just go down on it, the full banquet style meal.  I get one full plate and then every now and then go after a dessert.  Sometimes on Sunday they have grasshopper pie.  For breakfast I either have French toast or Life cereal.  We have all kinds of candy.  I sure enjoy a good cookie though. 

                This week I also learned how to greet someone and ask the people if they would like  the missionaries.  I learned how to ask the question in Hmong, Laos, Vietnamese, and Thai.  Thai is very similar to Khmae.  This is so if I knock on the door and they don’t know Khmae, I can attempt to find out their language of choice.  Vietnamese is real hard.  I do not like the tones.  It is like singing. 

                Sunday--- Elder Hoare and I went for a walk with our umbrellas in the rain.  We went all the way up the  temple and back.  It was fun and good training for Cambodia.

                Thanks again for all your love and support!!  I also appreciate your prayers for me.  We as missionaries also pray for our families. 

  

Feb 14, 1998

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 1^st and 2^nd 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 28^th, 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.      

Feb 7 1998

We just received Clint’s letter today and we were excited!!  It is dated 2/7/98--- I do not know what happened.  The blank spaces contain Khmer.  I am going to have to see if I can find a Khmer script for my computer. 

                                                                                                                2/7/98

Dear Family,

                Word!  I speak from the MTC.  I am in the laundry room.

                This is by far the worst part of the week as I come down to the laundry room.  Doing laundry is easy, the hard part is finding or fighting for a machine to use.  I am done but Elder Hoare’s clothes have a few minutes. 

                Another good week at the MTC.  Today again is P-Day.  We went to the temple early this morning.  Then went to service, it was fun!  We took big hoses and sprayed down the bathrooms.  We took scrub brushes on a handle and followed the hoses.  It was like ice skating and we did 8 bathrooms in l hour.  We also sang hymns as we worked.  It is so nice not to be in class, that we look forward to service.  This probably sounds like what girls or sisters would do but we sang manly songs: “Ye Elders of Israel”, “As Zion’s Youth in Latter Days”, etc. 

                This week we went to a devotional on Tuesday night and listened to two great talks.  Elder Robert K. Dellenbach spoke about the Book of Mormon.  Joseph Smith translated the B. of Mormon in approx. 63 days and now days it takes 4-6 years to translate the Book into a new language.  Next was Elder Earl C. Tingey who talked about the acquisition that the LDS church was not a Christian Church.  It is a great talk especially if you were a missionary going to the Bible Belt.  Afterwards I shook Elder Tingey’s hand.  (for real this time).  It’s like General Conference here every Sunday and Tuesday night.  Elder Tingey said that he new who was coming on the 10^th and that we are in for a treat.  I would love to hear from a member of the 1^st Presidency of Jeffrey R. Holland, or Robert Hales.

                Also this week I watched a talk on video from Apostle Holland.  It was about covenants.  The best thing he said was this: “ If we lived each day by the way we felt in the morning ( some days are better than other) we would never make it to the celestial kingdom.  If we live each day according to the covenants that we have made, we will make it.”

                I know this is true for me.  Some days I have to really force myself to have a good attitude to stay awake in class.  To get through hard times.  I try to remember why it is I am learning the language, all the blessings I have, all of you supporting me, and my desire to be a good missionary.

                Wednesday night I went to the TRC again and this time met twice with a man who spoke Cambodian.  He was an RM from the Denver Colorado Mission attending BYU.  Elder Hoare and I went in and tried our Khmae skills. The first time we went in talked a little about who we were and where we were from and family etc.  Then we cut to the chase.  The situation was that he was a member and we needed to share a scripture, or short gospel topic, bear testimony, and help him feel the Spirit. 

                The first visit went well except we ran out of things to say and left before our 20 minutes were up.  We went in again and Elder Hoare and I decided that we wanted to practice with Khmae.  So we talked for awhile, asked if he was going to school, where he served, about his family, told him we were going to Cambodia, etc.  It was fun even though we couldn’t always tell what he was saying.  We usually caught enough to piece it together.  Then we talked about Joseph Smith and bore testimony.  We were felling pretty good and I wanted to accomplish our goal of identifying the Spirit.  After bearing testimony I asked how he felt about Joseph Smith.  He said good and that he knew he was a prophet.  Then the best I could in Khmae I tried to identify the Spirit by saying:

“Happy heart came from Holy Ghost”  .  I smiled, Elder Hoare smiled, our volunteer smiled.  We then asked if he would say the prayer.  He said, sure and showed us the goal that someday we hope to reach in our language ability. 

                I feel good about the language.  I know there is a long way to go and everything will be different in Srok Khmae but things are going well.  I’m slowly learning to read.  I  take sentences out of the Book of Mormon Reader and crack it like a safe in about 10 minutes.  If there is time after journal writing and teeth brushing (                                      ) I try to crack a short sentence. 

SAMPLE:

                I love the challenge of cracking these.  There is a middle step I did not show you though.  I translate the script into Romanized and then into English. 

                I hope everything is going good with the family.  Thanks for the full report Jon. 

                Thanks for the letters and the care packages.  Elder Fairbanks says his great uncle is Aavard Fairbanks.  That means that he and Uncle Justin Fairbanks would be cousins.  No more news on Elder Fairbanks condition, he leaves for tests on the 10^th. 

                It usually takes 2 days for letters to get to me.  I write on Sat or Sun.  and mail on Monday morning.  Sometimes I get some letters mailed out on Sat.  It is real nice to get mail and I appreciate everyone’s support.  I do not have time to write back to everyone though.  Thanks Mom for spreading the letter.  I especially enjoyed the family home evening packet---that was really great!!!

                Dad I look forward to your good letters and the special incites due to your experience as a language learning missionary.  I also enjoy trading scriptures with you.  We had a priesthood lesson on D&C 84, some cool promises for diligent missionaries.  Also count me in on Elk Meadows 2000 ski trip—It sounds good!

                A goal that Elder Hoare and I accomplished this week is we bare our testimonies in Khmae each day to an Elder or Sister, Teacher, or Temple worker ( Sat in the Temple) It was fun and a good way to practice.  One of us would interpret as the other “niyiuy” ( kind of  like snock auf duetch)

                My travel plans are still unsure.  Most Elders are flying on the original date and if there is a change it is because of visas.  I will let you know the official word ASAP.  The day draws closer to when I see what waits for me in Cambodia.  Every now and then the Auzie’s and I talk about what it will be like as a missionary in Cambodia. 

                Thanks again for your love and support.

                                                                                Love your Missionary, Son, Brother,

                                                                                Elder J. Clinton Rogers  

Letter #4

1/25/98

Dear Dad,

                I think I’m going to be fat, I keep getting care packages and they feed us 3 buffet style meals a day. 

                Thanks for your letter and sharing your missionary journal with me.  I have written in mine everyday.  That’s about all I have time for at the end of the day is to quickly write in my journal and jump in bed before 10:30 p.m.

                I really enjoy Sundays here at the MTC.  It was a nice day today and we went for a walk around the temple and back.  Also we have some good speakers and a fireside later tonight.  It is nice not to have to go to class today. 

                I’m working hard on trying to learn the language, to strengthen my testimony, and to be a good missionary.  I am very tired at the end of each day and barely fall asleep when the alarm goes off in the morning.  I also attended my first temple session in Provo yesterday afternoon to end P-day.  P-day goes from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. when I have class. 

                The celestial room in the Provo Temple is very beautiful, and as we came out , the sun was setting and it too was beautiful.  We just stopped there on the front steps for about 10 min. enjoying the view, the freedom, and the lingering feelings of the temple.

                We had a good church today.  I gave the opening prayer and my companion gave a 5 minute talk.  Pres. Jex our Branch Pres. gave a really good talk.  He started out with Exodus 4 and Moses’s feelings of inability for his call and then ended with Doctrine and Covenants 50:24.  The more obedient and working hard we are the more light we will receive as missionaries,  It was a great pep talk for all of us. 

                They encourage us to write goals about our mission and what we want to accomplish here.  I wrote an MTC list of goals in the front of my missionary handbook and a two year list in the back.  I also wrote down a good scripture : Mosiah 4:27.

                I really like this scripture and especially the part about ” being diligent that I might win the prize!”

                Thanks for the letters Dad I enjoy hearing from you and your advise and encouragement. 

Tell everyone I love them.

                                                                Take Care,

                                                                Elder J. Clinton Rogers

                                                                                                                1/31/98

Dear Rogers Kromkruasaa,

                How is everyone?

               

Thanks for the care package and letters and for sending my Cambodian Scriptures.  We are getting serious about learning how to read Cambodian script.

First let me tell you a little about my week.  Monday was a normal day of study.  Tuesday was very special as we were visited by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve.  Most of my district was able to get a seat in the gym where he spoke.  Lots of missionaries sat in the other rooms and watched it on TV  It was great!  Sister Ballard spoke first and talked about how neat it was to see all of these missionaries and then said I know each of you have a good Mom who is home praying for you.  She then took a couple of minutes and described how a mother prays for their missionary.  I know I feel a lot of love and support from home.  Especially from you Mom.  Thanks, I love you!

Elder Ballard then gave the best missionary pump up talk I have ever heard!  He talked about how important it was as a missionary to give the Lord your best each day and then report in with prayer each night.  He made some great promises about how the Lord would use us and how it would prepare us for the rest of our lives if we gave it our best for two years.  This week I have really tried to put that into practice.  I came away from the meeting with a strong desire to be a better missionary and was amazed at what a powerful man Elder Ballard is.  At the end of the meeting he had us raise our right hand in the air and then shake it.  “There you can all say that you shook hands with me tonight.”  It was cool!! Rumor has it the Prophet is coming to the MTC in May. 

The next major thing that happened was within my own district.  Elder Fairbanks has what I think is called a degenerative heart valve.  He has had open heart surgery once or twice and now they are worried that he has out grown the valve.  He left the MTC Thursday afternoon for a doctor’s appointment at the Uof U Med. Center.  He is really worried that he won’t be able to complete his mission and he doesn’t want to have surgery again.  We met Wed. night as a district and gave him a blessing.  Elder Mihu his companion gave the blessing and all nine of us bunched up and participated.  It was powerful and brought us together as a district.  He came back Thursday evening and reports that he is staying until Feb. 10^th.  He then has to go in and have the wire run up from his leg into the heart to test the pressure in his heart and see how the value is.  The decision will them be made about surgery or staying on in the mission.  It is a sad thing and we are really trying to support him.  I am thankful for my own good health.  Health problems are scary.  We put his name on the temple prayer role earlier today and as tomorrow is Fast Sunday , we are going to have a special fast. 

I have had a good day today.  Today is P-day, and it is just as busy as a normal day.  I got my laundry done first thing and then went and played ball at the gym from 9:00a.m.-10:15a.m.  It is fun.  I especially like to hoop it up after a long day of study.  Service was at 10:30 a.m.  Last week Elder Hoare and I dumped all the trash from the 4- floor dorm.  This week I swept out each bathroom on the 4 floors.  It’s work, but it is a nice break from sitting on a chair all week.  Then up to the temple for the 1:30 session.  It was clear full and I set on the back roll.  The lady at the desk on the way out said that they had done work for 2200 names already and the last session was at 6:00 p.m.  It is busy. From 3:30-5-30p.m., I have free time, then dinner at 5:30 p.m. and class from 6:30-9:30 p.m.  Bed at 10:30 p.m.  Then Sunday my favorite day of the week to wake up to. 

I am doing good.  I feel good.  I’m tired at the end of each day and sleep feels like it lasts ten minutes.  My health is good, no problems.  I also hit the weights a little after playing ball each gym time.  My companion and I are having fun and working hard.  I like his Auzie accent and daily we find words or things with different names, that we say different.  Like:  trash can in U.S. = rubbish bin in Auzie land.

Candy = lolly.  It is funny.  I try to use them when I can, my companion and Elder Williams get a kick out of it and so do I.  I think I missed the outgoing mail so I will continue.                  

                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                2/1/98

Wow!, Sundays are great!  I have been in a MTC mission conference meeting this morning.  There were some great speakers and some good songs.  We sang ”Faith in Every Footstep” and “Army of Helaman”

it was awesome.  There were some talks from the MTC leadership, and they even called 3 missionaries from the crowd to come up and bear their testimony.  They have these mission conferences every Fast Sunday.  MTC Pres. Williams said something really interesting.  The entire missionary division of the church met on Tuesday under the direction of the Prophet.  NEWSFLASH:  Starting soon all newly baptized members of the church must be confirmed in a sacrament meeting.  This is to help with member retention.  So if you don’t know this already Dad it is coming soon.  I thank it is a good thing and that it will help. 

                My most favorite talk was about the importance of dreams.  Dream about what you want to accomplish out of life and then go and do what is required.  I have many dreams and many goals and desires that I want to accomplish.  I dream almost every night here at the MTC.  I wonder if it is because I concentrate so hard that my body is exhausted and my head is still going 100 MPH .  Dreaming is important but then the kicker is to work hard, be obedient, and learn from the example of others.  Also nothing that is worthwhile is accomplished easily.

                Thanks so much for your love and support.  I love all of you and think about you each night as I look at the family picture hanging up and write in my journal.  Keep up the good work.

                                                                                                Your missionary, son, and brother,

                                                                                                Elder J. Clinton Rogers

Jan 24, 1998

1/24/98

Dear Family,

                Well, how is everyone?  Things here are great.  Thanks for all your letters and support.  It is really fun to get mail as a missionary.  I think it is because you don’t have to concentrate to read mail and it is fun to hear from everyone. 

                I especially enjoyed your letters ( the letters with the sweet rolls, Mom your good letter, Lisha, Dad)  You all have lots of questions, but first let me tell you about my dream and my week. 

                I got mom’s letter and I think everyone else’s in the first half of the week.  It is hard to remember because every thing runs together here after awhile.  But I went to bed wondering how I was going to answer everyone’s questions and was thinking about the fam.  I fell asleep and had the best dream of my life and it seemed so real.  I came home for Sunday dinner in full missionary garb and we sat around the big table and just talked.  I saw everyone’s faces and just tried to explain all that has happened at this place.  I just woke all of a sudden to the alarm but it was great and I just felt really good.  I love you all and miss you but I am learning so much and enjoying this opportunity I have to be a missionary.

Elder Hoare and I went to the Training Resource Center (TRC) You may remember from the video that this is the place where you practice giving a discussion in a room with a volunteer investigator and video camera—where you can later watch your performance.  Elder Hoare and I were prepared to teach the Doctrinal Overview of the First Discussion, share a scripture, and pray and bear our testimonies in Khmae.  ( Like I said we have learned quite a bit) However there were no volunteers who spoke Khmae that night so we had to teach in English.  It was kind of hard because the things that I had memorized had to be quickly translated and spoken in English.

We came in greeted them , and then started to build a relationship of trust.  How many kids do you have?  What do you do ?  I am from St. George blah, blah, blah.  Then the goal is to share the doctrinal overview of the lst Disc. ,hopefully have them feel the spirit and commit them to let us come back and teach the complete 1^st Disc.  We also have a 20 minute limit time limit.  The spirit was so strong  as Elder Hoare bore his testimony of God’s plan of Happiness, and then I had the investigator read Alma 38:9 and bore my testimony of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon.  It was powerful and I then asked them how they felt and told them that they were feeling the spirit.  Elder Hoare then asked “May we come back and teach your whole family the 1^st Discussion?”  We made an appointment and closed with prayer it was great!  I was surprised at how strong the spirit was, maybe it was because Elder Hoare and I treated it like it was real even though it was members who were teaching. 

Maybe the members needed to feel the spirit, or maybe we needed the experience to remember what missionary work is all about after this language training.  The next appointment was good too however they had some questions for us about what a prophet was and did and we ran out of time.  That was another thing about the first appointment.  After teaching I looked at my watch and twenty minutes had passed by but it didn’t seem like we had been through 5 minutes.  I think it was because of the Spirit we were feeling and our concentration on presenting the message. 

Time has a way of playing tricks on you here at the MTC.  There is a saying that is pretty true about the MTC.  “ The hours last a week and a week last an hour. “ 

I have got all my laundry done this morning.  It is a real rat race.  You fight Elders and Sisters off with one hand and try to get your dollars in with the other.

Let me also tell you about some other things that happened this week.  Monday we had morning, afternoon, and evening class.  Tuesday I had morning, and afternoon class, and then went to the gym for the first time.  I played basketball and ran around the track a few times.  I also weighed myself.  I weighed 191 pounds.  I last weighed in at 186 pounds  before I left. Tuesday night General Authority Hugh Pinnock visited the MTC.  He gave a great talk about missionary work and we sang “Called to Serve” , all 2700+ missionaries.  Awesome!  I really enjoyed singing the hymns.  We sing a hymn to start and end each class. 

Wednesday I had morning and afternoon class and in the evening went to TRC.  Thursday was a normal day with morning, afternoon and evening class.  Except during Gym and personal study time we attended a meeting and watched President Hinkley’s “An Ensign to the Nations” and sang “Faith in every Footstep”.  It was all the missionaries who came in on the 14^th and are learning a language.  Friday was a morning, afternoon, evening class day.  Saturday is P-Day.  I have done my laundry, will get a hair cut, go to the temple, have evening class at 6:30p.m.-9:30p.m., and I also have a service assignment at 10:30 a.m.

Then tomorrow, Sunday, District meeting at 7:00 a.m. free time or interviews with Branch Pres, 10:00 a.m. is Priesthood mtg., 12:00 lunch, free time, 3:00 Church, ( sacrament mtg. ) 4:30 light dinner, free time, 6:30 fireside, 8:00or 8:30 gospel study, 9:30-10:00 p.m. free time, in bed at 10:30 p.m.

                That has been my week in a brief overview.  I have 3 language teachers.  Two served in Cambodian speaking missions in the states.  Brother Proeun is a native born Cambodian.  He does not know his birthday and never knew his parents.  He escaped to America ( Rhode Island) at age 11 with his older sister.  He says he thinks he was born sometime between ‘73-76 in Cambodia. That date may explain a few things.  He says he is going to tell us his story as we get closer to leaving the MTC.  I am sure it is one of many sad stories that I am going to hear. 

                All 3 teachers attend BYU and then teach at the MTC part time.  Each takes a shift:

           8:00-11:15                        12:15-3:30                                6:30-9:30  

           Bro: Lilly White                Bro: Proeun                             Bro: Martin

           Seattle Wash Mission        Korea Mission                         LA Mission

                                                     He speaks 3 languages

                I have finished my first roll of film and I am enclosing the pictures. Hopefully some of your questions are answered in the pictures. 

                Here is some Cambodian for you.

                Thanks for all your letters and your support.  I hope that you can get through this dccp (10) page letter.

                I am learning a lot about myself and the gospel, and the Khmae language.  You’ve got to stay positive and continue to work hard and sometimes that is hard to do.  I am learning more and more that nothing in life is easy and that your attitude makes the difference.  You can cry about it or you can go to work and get it done.  Mosiah 4:27 really means a lot to me.  Heavenly Father is going to help us but that doesn’t mean it is easy.  The prize talked about in the scripture for me is, to be able at the end of this two years to honestly say to  Heavenly Father , myself, my mission pres., and my family that I did my best everyday. 

            I love you all very much!  Thanks Mom for the care packages, pictures, and love.  My homemaking skills are good, and my clothes are clean and taken care off,  I know I can’t machine wash my suit coat, but what about my suit pants?  Feel free to share the letter with anyone interested.  Especially my TRC experience. 

                Thanks.  Love

                                Elder Jeffrey Clinton Rogers  

Jan 16th 1998

Jan 16, 1998

                                                                                                10:02p.m.

Dear Jon

                Thanks for being my first companion.  I have this badge for you to make it official. 

                Mail really is a high light for me and the other Elders.  We have limited time to write back, but it sure is fun to hear from family and friends and receive encouragement. 

                The best scripture I have read is out of my missionary handbook: D&C 50:13-22.  It talks about the role and call of a missionary,  We really haven’t gotten into much gospel study yet. 

                My companion, Elder Hoare, and I are doing great.  We take turns saying companionship prayers in the morning, at meals, and in the evening.  Sorry this letter is so short but I need to be in bed at 10:30 p.m.  We get up before 6:00 a.m. and have classes 8:00-11:00, 12:15-3:15,  6:30-9:30 personal language study and gospel study is done in the classroom from 3:30-5:30p.m.

                I love you all, thanks for your support, and keep up the good work.

                                                                                             Your son, Brother, and Missionary

                                                                                                Elder J. Clinton Rogers

                                                                                                1/1898

                                                                                                8:05 a.m.

Dear Family,

                It is Sunday here in the MTC.  Things aren’t as scheduled and we do not have language classes today.  We have really learned a lot in the last 3 days. 

                Cambodian , as you know, is written in script.  We first learn it in Romanized form.  We use English letters to describe the sounds.  We learn the Romanized sounds first and about week four we will use script.  I said a prayer in Cambodian to end our language class yesterday.  When you look at the prayer remember that when you see letters that are not used in English it means it is a sound that the Cambodians use and we don’t.  A question mark is in a word also stands for a sound.  Khymer is said truly like this Ka-my.  This was my prayer.