December 4, 2008

Hey Everyone!

Well I will start with GREAT news since my last letter was such a downer with our Cambodians. That night, last Thursday, we were getting calls off the hook from our bishop and misson president. They were all trying to figure out what to do with our Cambodians! Finally the Bishop called and was like- you'll finish teaching them whatever you need to tomorrow and Saturday, then have them interviewed on Saturday and baptized and confirmed on Sunday. We said okay! To make a great story short- this last Sunday we had four baptisms and six confirmations! Totaling our Cambodian members at a whopping 10 now! Hurray for Cambodia. They are all such great, humble, faithful people. One of them got up and bore his testimony that before he found the church things were just sad and he want to be truly happy. Their work always made him mad and frustrated, but after work when he would read his Book of Mormon he forgot all about it, was filled with peace and was happy. He said it's also very hard to be away from his family, but when he comes to church he feels like he's home and we're one big family. Tear jerker- I'm so happy for them. Almost as good as the baptisms is that they got legally released from their factory and are looking for a new factory nearby. Sadly they may all have to move and split up- but now they have the gospel, their own copies of the Book of Mormon and their new found testimonies to support them. They all said they are going to share the gospel with everyone they meet- and especially take it back to their families.

That's so funny that there is that little connection between the Boyce's and us! We both opened up our emails and had the same news to tell each other. haha. Grandpa is so funny. I miss that man. Elder Boyce said that he did their fast offerings all the time and Vic has come over a lot and did plumbing for them! Small world.

Elder Boyce is the man. He's such a good missionary and I am excited to learn from him. That's what I've decided that I need to do with each companion is learn somthing from each one of them. I'm Elder Boyce's first Junior comp.

I heard "jingle bells" the other day in Korean while I was walking down the street. haha- Christmas is going to be way different here- it's a big holiday but everyone says that it's just a "buy and gift for your girlfriend" day. Not the same family time meaning as at home. Elder Mitton said he got mad last year cause everyone was just walking in the streets with their girlfriends last Christmas and he was like - go home and be with your families!!! haha.

We're going to have a big christmas party that I hear is way fun- and I get to spend it with my Idahoan comp! It should be fun. we're warm. We did a good job sealing up the house. OH- I am so glad that Elder Boyce is a clean companion too! Thank his mother. We've cleaned so much. Elder Mitton...well...was less than clean....haha........it was bad....haha.

ANNIES BABY IS ADORABLE!!! David's photos didn't work. That was a lot of fun. To see...my family is growing! It will be weird to come home to new members- it makes me feel like I'm getting old. Cousins having babies and all...dah.

love you love you love you!
much love- Elder Thork