Hello Everyone!
My heart is full of lots of feelings today. I can't believe
this is it. My time in Cambodia has been sacred and special and sweet. I will
cherish and remember my time here for the rest of my life. This week I felt so
much love from the people here. And love for them as well. I've learned a lot
of things on my mission. I learned how to somewhat speak Khmer, I learned
how to move dirt, cut cucumbers the correct way, bargain for prices. I learned
about the Book of Mormon and about faith and prayer. I learned a lot about
myself and a lot about others. But most importantly, I learned how to ride a
bike with no hands. AND on top of that I learned a lot about Jesus Christ. And
all this knowledge has become a part of me and has changed me, changed my
heart. And the Khmer people have taught me all of this. They taught me about
God and Jesus Christ. I was called to preach Christ's gospel and to spread the
good news, to teach repentance and invite others to come unto Christ. BUT they
did it to me. They are the messengers of the good news. The Khmer people have
taught me more about Jesus Christ and His Character than I could ever teach
them. They don't mess around with love. When they love, they love with all of
their heart. Their love is the pure love of Christ. And now I’m just sitting
here in a sketchy old Khmer internet shop with a bong next to me listening to
some punk Khmer tunes in awe that God let me come here. I feel so blessed and
filled with gratitude.
I am also filled with gratitude for all of my companions. I
was miraculously blessed, definitely God's hand, to have served in all of my
Khmer companions home towns. I have met my brothers and sisters here,
especially Sister Kosal. Also Sister Chhel, Sister Chin, Sister Dy, Sister
Jennings, Sister Lunsford, Sister Pace, Sister Winder. Everyone. One thing I
learned on my mission: love your companion. Love those who are close to you and
serve them with your heart.
It's been such a blessing to see how living the gospel of
Jesus Christ literally changes people’s lives and their appearance and their
quality of life. And it's changed me. I am full of love of God and for His word
and His work.
16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we
will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full;
yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the
Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and
of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I
cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
Although I can never express my feelings and gratitude and
thanksgiving through words, I will leave you with my testimony, the things I
know and I know they are true for you too. I know that if we prayerfully study
the Book of Mormon God will answer our prayers and we will make better choices.
I know that Joseph Smith restored the gospel of Christ. I know that God has a
plan for us and everything about His plan comes from His love for us and desire
for us to become like Him. I know that Jesus Christ is real. He did die for us
and suffer for us. I know that if we sincerely come to Him, lay aside our
sin and fear, He will make us strong. I know that trials are good if we stay
faithful. I know that gratitude can change our hearts. I know that if we don't
have anything. If we don't have anything at all, we still have God's love. He
doesn't change.
I'm going to tell you all know I am very scared to go home and
to leave Cambodia and to not be a missionary anymore. But I know that just like
God helped me here, He will be with me there. And I have faith in God and His
plan for me.
Also Cambodia is still the coolest place ever meaning
interesting and sweet and exciting and not cool because this week I literally
melted even though its "cold season." Anyways, last time complaining
about Cambodian heat. I’ll miss it in a few days. Much love to all of you. Thank
you all who have helped me on my mission, I have felt your prayers and I know
God heard them. Good luck.
26 And I saw that I must soon go down
to my grave (home), having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must
preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the
truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have
rejoiced in it above that of the world.
Love always,
Sister Mortell
ជុម
ការដុម ឆែប
លាសិនហើយ
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| The map in the Meridian Idaho North Stake offices. That little red marker represents so much! |
