Madeline in Cambodia: Cherished Week at the MTC

Cumriabsua Family and Friends!

So it was a really good week in the MTC. I'm starting to really love it here. This week went by so fast. It's so hard to even comprehend "time" in the MTC. Some hours (usually before dinner) feel like hours and hours. Some days feel so long. The weeks are short. I half can't believe I've been here for 3 weeks and half can't imagine being here for 9 weeks. But I do really love the MTC. So funny story... Sister Stevens, Benson, Winters and I were walking down the stairs to go back to our residence. On the second step I totally biffed it and did this whole majestic twirl and then landed and slid all the way down the stairs. Keep in mind while this was all happening I was holding a package. After several maneuvers the package remained intact and untouched. It was actually the longest 30 seconds of my life. Somehow I didn't get hurt though I just literally could not stop falling. It was kind of like the first five minutes of Hot Rod. Anyways Sister Winters was just lying on the floor laughing while Sister Benson and Sister Stevens were frantically trying to help me stop. Anyways we had a good laugh.

On Saturday we had our first TRC. You prepare two twenty minute lessons in Khmer and teach them to members (mostly returned missionaries). Everyone was so scared and warned us of how horrible TRC is but it was the best!! We talked to two returned sister missionaries. We knew our Khmer and had a great conversation and lesson. Our second lesson was so so so fun! We talked with this cute, tiny old Cambodian lady, Om Meak. She was so sweet. She is so faithful and sweet. She just kept on saying "scmrah" (samrah), which means beautiful. So TRC is awesome and kind of scary but mostly awesome.

As for the language... it's coming! I finally memorized basic core. Basic core is about 340 gospel and common Khmer words. So that was a proud moment of mine this week. Also we've started learning the script. Right now we're just trying to memorize what the consonants and sub-consonants look like. I love it so much. Studying the script gives me an excuse to do some drawing and doodling. Khmer is so fun. Also Khmer literally only has three verb tenses! Hallelujah!

Sunday was so amazing. Sacrament meeting was bittersweet though. We said goodbye to about half of our zone. The two old Thai districts and Vietnamese district left on Monday. So on Sunday they sang "Come Thou Font" in Thai and Vietnamese. Music really does bring the Spirit. It's especially so sweet to sing and teach in our mission language. I'm going to miss the Vietnamese Elders a lot. They were some of our best friends. I'm so thankful for the people I have met here. They have changed my life for the past three weeks and had made such an influence for the next 18 months.

So yesterday night was.. interesting. After class and planning the other Cambodian District leader came into our room. He was very serious and looked disappointed. He said something like, "I just received a letter from President Penrod. It says 'To all Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission: Because of civil unrest in Cambodia, Sister Missionaries have been asked to prolong their stay in the MTC for 3 weeks.'" My heart literally sank. And my eyes began to water. My first thought was sadness for the people of Cambodia. My second thought was "I can't go to Cambodia for 9 weeks now??" and then my third thought was, "wait, why is this 18 year old district leader telling us this?" My third thought was right. Yep, it was a prank. HOW MEAN IS THAT? I was literally crying. They all felt really bad. But mostly just for me because the other Sisters automatically thought it was a lie. I guess I'm just gullible. But I’m actually really grateful that they pranked us. For the past couple weeks I've been scared out of my pants (skirt) to go to Cambodia. I'm so worried I won't be able to love the people, teach the people, learn the language, etc. but my first instinct when they said we wouldn't be able to go to Cambodia was love for the people. My first thought was love for the Khmer people. And my second was disappointment that I wouldn't be able to go love and serve them. So although I'm scared, I am so excited. I am thankful for immature, 18 year old Elders that made me realize that.

I am so thankful for the MTC. My testimony and love for this gospel has already reached levels I'd never dream. I've especially appreciated the amazing, precious gift of prayer. Heavenly Father wants us to talk to Him. He loves us so much. If we ask, He will give. I know that if you ask with faith, you will be able to feel the peace, joy and love that Heavenly Father so desperately wants us to feel. I love my Heavenly Father.

Much love,
Sister Mortell