Joyful week in CAMBODIA

HELLO EVERYONE I AM ALIVE

When I opened my mission call remember when for the first 30 seconds I could only say "woah", yep well that's how it's like every minute. It's crazy here, oh my goodness, but it's so awesome. We had a great trip. The 2 hour flight from Hong Kong to Phnom Penh seemed way longer than the 13 hour one previous. We were all freaking out and I was really nervous. But right as we landed a feeling of peace came over me. I knew it was going to be okay. Then we met our Mission President and his wife and our trainers right at the airport. We took some tuk tuks to the mission home. I already love my President and Sister Christensen so much! They are so sweet and fun! I'm excited to get to know them better.

Then we went to this park and walked around the streets contacting people. To walk across the street, you just put your hand out and walk and somehow all the billions of cars slow down or maneuver their way around you.  Then we got our bikes which kind of took a long time and that was about it for my first day. My trainer is Sister Pace. She is so sweet. I am very grateful for her example and patience. 

Our area is in the city-ish (pretty close to Phnom Penh)? haha I'm not really sure. It sounds like "stun men cay". You know you understand a lot when you can't even remember the name of where you are. Can I just share this part in my journal with you? I'm just rereading it and I think it's hilarious. This was after my first 8 hours in Cambodia, "I'm literally in shock. We went out and contacted. The traffic is crazy but somehow you don't get hit. People are driving around everywhere on their mopeds. I am still in shock and I’m really tired and somehow I haven't cried. I don't know what I’m thinking. Oh my goodness what even is a missionary?" YEP those are probably still my thoughts. But it's so so fun. 

Our days start off with running through our little neighborhood thingy. Every morning there are people walking around doing these arm exercise things. It's like walking yoga. And every morning there is a group of ladies that get together and do the dance arm exercise things together. And every morning they coordinate their shirt colors. Today it was yellow. Most of our proselyting time so far has been trying to find peoples' houses. We are white washing the area. I found out that that means both of us are new to the area so we don't know where anything is. So we try and use the maps to people's houses. Some say like "take the bridge and turn left..." or "by the smelly water". But we just stop people for directions, get to know them, give them a pamphlet, smile a lot, and go on our merry way.

There's so much to talk about that I don’t know what to say.

Sister Pace is from Utah and went to Lone Peak. She has been out almost 11 months!  We live with two other Cambodian sisters. I’m finally starting to get to know them. They are working on their English so sometimes they translate their Khmer story into English for me. They also taught me this funny little saying. "on a khval sancam, on sa'at" translates something like "I don’t care, I’m pretty." haha. 

We ride our bikes around everywhere. My bottom has never been so sore. We wear our leggings under our skirt, tie our skirt in a knot, put our masks on (yep they're surgical masks for all the dust and stuff in the air), helmets, sunglasses, crocs and we're on our way. And, oh my goodness I get so dirty. It’s kind of like the trek tan that washes off and about almost every day at around 4ish in the afternoon it pours. And oh my goodness it pours. It’s so fun though and it feels so good. 

We had English class on Saturday. There were about 18 people there. It's around 15-25 year olds and then this one old man that always comes. It was so fun! Everyone here is so nice. Sometimes we would walk around helping them pronounce certain sounds. I would say something in Khmer and then the English class turned into a Khmer class for me. I'm thankful that I can help them learn English and they can help me learn Khmer. What really was sweet about English class was the end. Sister Pace told me I would be giving the spiritual thought. So 20ish minutes of speaking Khmer. I was so nervous. So we decided to show the Restoration video and I was like “cool, I don't have to speak that much.” But then the cord for the tv was nowhere to be found so I had to wing it. And it was okay. I talked about prayer because prayer is the best thing ever. A lot of the students in the class aren't members so it was sweet to be able to teach. Everyone helped me out when I didn't know how to say something. And you know it was probably not a very good lesson and it probably didn't make sense but I felt good and I think everyone else did too. And that was an answer to my prayers. That morning I had been praying for courage, praying that I could receive help to talk to people, to love, to teach, to open my mouth and to do this whole missionary thing and I received that help. Because that wasn't me that taught that lesson because I can't do that but God helped me. He gave me courage when I needed it and I am forever grateful for the strength and courage He is happy to give. 

My first Sunday was great! We met with an awesome family. They are all so fun and sweet. Their daughters said I looked like Katy Perry. I'll take it. We had a nice lesson and a fun time with them.  I can't understand much but I feel happy and I feel the Spirit. They fed us lunch too and it was delicious. I love the food here--rice every day and everything else is delicious. What more could I ask for? Anyway, church was so fun. It's a little different here but still so happy. I am thankful for all of my piano lessons and teachers (mom and dad I know you're smirking right now) because they had me play the piano! I am not very talented at the piano but I tried my best. I tried so hard to give them some beautiful music because there's not much else I can do and I’d say it was okay. I was surprised by how many people were at church. I think there were around 60-70. There are four missionaries in our ward.

My first lesson was with a member.  She was so sweet. We (my companion) taught her about the importance of scriptures. At the end I tried my best to bear my testimony. We also taught a less active member. She was also very sweet to us and gave us some fruit. People here are so nice to us. They buy us water, give us food, and don’t let us help at all. The Khmer people are very sweet. 

Our apartment is nice. They said it's the nicest apartment in Cambodia for the missionaries. It’s very tall. I think it has four stories. It’s so skinny and tall. We wake up at 5:30 a.m. and have to be back at 7 p.m. and then go to bed at 9:30. I have never slept so well. I’m usually okay during the day but at night I just pass out. It feels so good. 

Also I don't know if I can send pictures. I forgot my cord. If you don't get pictures just imagine me on an orange bike, wearing crocs, a surgical mask, and having a sweaty, sweaty, a little shade darker face that slightly resembles Katy Perry according to Cambodians. 

It’s tough and different and hard but it’s also really sweet and special.

Love,

Sister Mortell

Day one!

Interesting week at the MTC

Hello! I just thought I would email a bit before we leave. IN 5 HOURS! Whoo!! I am so pumped. I've been praying to be excited and not nervous and man my prayers have been answered. I know it will be exhausting, hot, confusing but bring it on! This week has been great, also tough. Sister Winters has been really sick. She was so sick that she passed out in the shower. So now her face is bruised. Yesterday we spent most of our time at the doctor, hospital, pharmacy, etc. We actually got to leave the MTC. It was weird. We drove by my old home, Taylor Hall. But she is getting better and can still go to Cambodia. All is well. I am truly amazed by her attitude and strength. We've really grown a lot these past few days serving each other and letting others serve us. 

I have loved my stay here at the MTC. Although it might have been a few days too long, I am so beyond grateful for the people I have met. I love love love my teachers and love love love my district. I have been so blessed.

I don't have much time because we need to pack but i love you all! I am so excited! 

Love, 

Sister Mortell

 The Cambodians

 Cambodian Sisters

 My sweet, sweet companions

 Our district--my brothers and sisters

 The Long Beach Elders

 Cute Sister Pugmire (Finland). I love her!

Lookkruu Sorensen (we were terrified of him for the first two weeks, but now he's my favorite :)

Happy Week at the MTC

Hello family and friends!

So Fridays here at the MTC are like Christmas because FLIGHT PLANS! So after 8 weeks of patiently waiting and seeing groups and groups leave before us, our Friday finally came. And? We didn't get our flight plans. Then Saturday came and went without flight plans. And then Monday slowly dragged on without that precious white and blue paper. But, all is well. It's actually not a big deal but it would just be nice to know when we're leaving. But we are for sure leaving. There is an end to the MTC... I think. But we are thinking we're going to leave on either August 22 or 23. So in a week I could possibly be in the air somewhere, flying to Cambodia. 

Even though I'm so excited to leave to Cambodia and I'm kind of getting tired of the MTC (kind of = sugar coating), I still love the MTC. It really is an incredible place. For example, Tuesday Devotional we most definitely had the most precious privilege of listening to Neil L. Anderson! There is such an amazing spirit when you hear an apostle of God testify of Jesus Christ. I'll share some quotes, "Be clean. Be obedient. Be Busy", "Don't be discouraged, have courage." He also said something that really stuck with me. He told us something like, "even though you might not be able to see those people to teach, they are there. They are always there. We just need to go find." And while he was saying this I just thought of our Savior. He is always there. Sometimes it's hard to see Him. Sometimes it seems impossible to have hope, or faith, or courage. But He is always there, we just need to find Him. And He'll lead us to those that need Him. 

We had again another fantastic, sweet Sunday. Our Sacrament meeting talk was about the Atonement. What better to talk about than the Atonement? Here's a quote I love, "The miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can go home but that miraculously- we can feel at home there." Through Christ we can become more like Him. Through faith, humility, hope, love, mistakes, and mistakes again, we are changed. Mosiah 3:19. I love it. Anyways to top off the wonderful talks during Sacrament meeting, some elders and sisters from my district sang a musical number. "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul." It was surprisingly our Elders' idea. We had Elder Schwendiman, Lasswell, Hale, Ashcroft and Sister Benson, Winters and me. It was such a sweet experience. 

My big Hand of God this week: So on Sunday during choir (by the way like 1,600 missionaries), I was just sitting there thinking "I have like 9 days left in the U.S. ah). I was just kind of getting worried and fearful then I get this tap on my shoulder. I look back and it's this sweet missionary, Sister Shin. She asked me "what is alto?" I could tell English wasn't her first language so I tried to explain. Then we just started talking. She told me she's from Burma! Her family got baptized about 4 years ago. She's going to the SLC temple square mission. When I told her I was going to Cambodia, she was so excited and smiley. She said "Oh hot. You won't need sweater." I told her I was excited and nervous. She told me "you don't worry. Asia will love you. God will bless you." Those kind words were definitely answers to my prayers. We continued talking and we just became great friends. She is the sweetest person I think I've met. I am thankful for Sister Shin and our simple friendship. 

So the next time I email, I'll probably be in Cambodia. I am so excited to finally meet the people that already have a special place in my heart. I love my Savior and I know He'll help me. I know He'll help you too. Much love to you all!

Love always, 

Sister Mortell

 We can see the "Y" from our classroom. I can't believe school is about to start. I miss it but I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.

 The daily activities of our Elders. "Pass the Gatherum" (Elder Gatherum)

 My cute companion, Sister Galland. I love her!

Sisters Galland, Cook, Mortell and Snooks

Great Week at the MTC

Cumriabsua krom kruasa hauy mitpheak robch khnom!

Hello family and friends! I hope all is well! We had another great week at the mtc. We have so many sweet, mind and heart blowing moments here. I wish I could tell you all of them! Anyways I love the MTC so much but this week we definitely felt the brick wall that is the 7th week. I'm going to be honest the mtc is losing some of its "charm" or whatever you want to call it. I think we're all getting anxious to leave and anxious not to leave. But all in all it was a fantastic week. Let's see..

First, I have a new companion! Her name is Sister Galland. She's very sweet and so cute. She's going to Cambodia but speaking Vietnamese! She had a different companion speaking Thai but she was already way ahead in the language so they moved her up to the Thai Sisters that came in with me. So now Sister Galland is my companion! So Sister Benson, Sister Winters and I had a glorious three days of being a Cambodian trio. But I love my companion. I hope I can make the first weeks in the MTC for her a little easier. 

Last Wednesday we did an English Fast. So 100% Khmer. It was both wonderful and horrible. My brain was exhausted by the end of the day. Actually correction my brain is usually tired all of the time. But the language is coming along. We've really started reading the script. It took me a week but I'm almost done with the first chapter in the Book of Mormon! I think our average speed on a good day is 2 minutes per line. Although we're slow and usually we don't know what any of the words mean, it's such a sweet time reading my favorite book in Khmer. 

Our lessons this week were.. memorable..

Let's see who's first.. Om Tom! Om Tom is our teacher, Lookruu Garlick who is probably the most precious person alive. He is studying illustration at BYU and right now he's interning for a children's book illustrator. And guess what the book is about? Christmas! So literally he's illustrating a Christmas children's book how precious is that? Anyways so Om Tom is just about, or maybe more  precious than Lookruu Garlick. Funny story: During our lesson, Sister Winters asked Om Tom to read a scripture. She said "this verse is about how we can have happy families." So he began reading and because we can't read Khmer or understand what he's saying, he ended up reading some scripture about like the worst possible sin you can commit and all this crazy stuff. We fixed our mistake afterwards but it was pretty pathetic and hilarious. Whoops. Good thing we can laugh at ourselves. Second, Van! I'm sad to say this but we probably had our worst lesson yet with Van. I don't know why it just wasn't clicking. He asked questions we didn't know how to respond and as a companionship we just weren't working together. We walked out of that lesson feeling really down. I guess that's good, because that means we care. So after a horrible lesson with Van and a changed perspective we ended yesterday with by far the best lesson we have ever taught. We taught Neakming Ranni. The Spirit was so strong. We tesified of the Restoration. We testified of Joseph Smith. We testified that he did see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This is His church. Oh it was so so good. I think this was the first lesson I truly testified with the Spirit. So although we had rough moments this week, we ended up being okay.

I think what made that lesson with Neakming Ranni so special was the Sunday devotional. President Holland (Elder Holland's son) spoke to us about the restoration and of the life of Joseph Smith. It was quite something let me tell you. My testimony of Joseph Smith has changed from knowing to loving. I am so grateful for the life he lived so that we could have this glorious gospel. 

Thank you for all your love and support! This gospel is so so good!

Love always,

Sister Mortell

 Sister Hansen left this morning! This picture is from last Sunday but I just wanted to share.

 Oh Sister Winters finishing off the five pound bag of sour patch watermelons.

 My new super cute, sweet companion, Sister Galland!

Our Elders' spot where they people watch after every meal. Oh goodness.....

Fantastic Week at the MTC

Cumriabsua friends and family!

It was another great week at the MTC. Let's see what happened... Language wise this week we reached completely different levels from before. We are in the process of reading and writing Khmer! It takes a whole lot of brain power but it's coming. On Thursday, I read my first verse of the Book of Mormon in Khmer! Even though it took me about an hour and twenty minutes and I didn't understand 1/2 of the words, I did it! So that's super fun. Honestly I think Cambodian is probably the sweetest, ramen noodle looking language there is. I love it even though I only understand about 2%.

Gym time is the best. On P Day and Fridays we play basketball. I am very terrible but let's just say today I sank some 3's. We run, play soccer, spikeball and frisbee. It's nice to just get outside and not sit in a chair for 8 hours. Funny story (I think), our Southeast Asian Elders always play soccer outside. I wish I could join them but oh well. Anyways yesterday our Elders (Cambodia, Indonesia, Thai) played the Scandinavians. Our Elders brought out their flags and every goal they triumphed in victory. Let's just say we have some major Southeast Asia pride. 

We had two TRC's this week! The first was on Saturday. It was our last in person TRC sadly. So we taught our sweet little Om Meak for the last time. She promised us that she would take us out to lunch when we get back. She's so precious. Our second TRC was our first skype TRC! I was extremely scared but all was well. After a bunch of missed calls and sound problems we finally got to talk to our person, Loy Chutenkah? I think that's her name. It was so hard to hear. Anyways she was probably the most beautiful person I've ever seen. Cambodians are so beautiful. She was so smiley, sweet and patient with us. She would just laugh when we messed up or said "soom niyiay mdong tiat?" (again please?). Anyways it was a great time. What made it even better and more embarassing was towards the end we had a little mishap. We asked if we could finish with a prayer. Sister Winters was leaning on my chair and decided to sit down and my chair totally disappeared from under me and I felt straight on my bottom. Loy just laughed and  laughed and I laughed and then attempted to say a decent Khmer prayer. Oh man. 

Bittersweet week. A lot of our zone is leaving this week. The Malays left yesterday and the Indonesians with hopefully leave tomorrow if their visas come. And then on Wednesday we get a ton of new people in our zone! I'm so excited for that! I'm thankful for those friends I made my first week and I hope I can follow their example to all of the new missionaries. 

One thing I've really been focusing on for the past couple days is faith instead of fear. I know sometimes it's really easy to start worrying about the unknown. I have definitely felt that as I only have three more weeks until Cambodia. I'll be honest sometimes I'm sitting there in class thinking, "What in the world am I doing. I can't go to Cambodia. This is way scary. ah." Whenever I'm having moments like those I think of my sweet dad. Whenever I would get worried my dad would say, "It's going to be okay, do you believe me?" I would always reluctantly say "I know, I believe you." But I think that's what faith is. Faith is trusting and putting yourself out there, and believing that yes, it will all work out. Faith is the channel by which we can receive the hopeful, strengthening blessings of the Atonement. Fear is what closes that channel. Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. He doesn't want us to be fearful. Yes it's hard, but it's okay. So I have decided not to fear. Fear not, but have faith!

Thank you all for your sweetness and friendship! I am so very grateful! I wish you all a good week and happy days!

Love always, 
Sister Mortell

The MTC provided us with some skirts for Cambodia. So enjoy this picture of us doing the Asian squat, peace signs and Sister Winters taking one for the team.

 We have an ongoing feud with the Filipinos of who gets the bathroom bench. Our MTC seniority proved us victorious.

 cute Sister May

Our Cambodian and Indonesian sisters

 Elder Mickelsons! Twin brothers in our zone! Isn't that crazy! One is going to Malaysia while the other one is going to Thailand.

 Indonesian Elders we will miss!

Our Indonesian friends! Sister Stevens, Elder Drew and Elder Siddoway