Gonna Catch Em All

Dear Family and Friends,

The subject of this email is a shout out to all of you who are obsessed with the new Pokémon game and it is a perfect description of my week. That is exactly how I feel. I just kind of bike around looking at these poorly drawn maps hoping that I am lead to the less actives that I am trying to find. And then if/when I find them I think to myself "wow, what a success." haha 

This week has been the longest week of my life (she has said this before, sorry). So forgive me if it's kind of all over the place... I don't really know what I’m doing.  Monday and Tuesday, Sister Soem and I said goodbyes to all the members... I didn't realize how much I had grown to love all of them and the area. Each person I said goodbye to I felt like part of my heart was being ripped out... it was A LOT harder than I thought it was going to be and then when we left the church on Tuesday night for the last time I just started bawling.... SMC is home. 

Wednesday was full of traveling... and getting my new koon (goon, child,). She is a mini missionary, just serving 2 weeks. She is 18 and from Kompong Thom and super hard to understand... her accent. It kills me. All the members were giving her crap about it at church and I was just laughing. You know it's bad when even a native speaker can't understand you. (: haha but we just kind of threw ourselves into the area... hoping everything would work itself out. 

Whitewashing has been interesting. Our area is special because the elders and sisters are BOTH whitewashing so we have 4 missionaries who know NOTHING about the area. haha Luckily the sister that was serving there before, Sister Hall, is still in the house with us, so she has taken some time to show us some of the houses. If we didn't have her, there would be NO way to find some of these people. My brain has been tested a lot this past week. I get shown about 10 new houses each day and, surprisingly, I’ve been able to remember most of them. BLESSINGS!!!!!! 

Huge Miracle. I was looking through the CBR book and I found the CBR of a less active from my birth area, Tuek La?ak. Her name is Bong Nida. I went and found her and she gave me the biggest hug. Before she wouldn't let the sisters go teach her, but while we were there she told me she wants me to start coming twice a week. So cool!!!! I am way excited to start working with her again and helping her start doing what the lord wants her to do. She has a very young family, so it will change her life and well as theirs. I know that I’m supposed to be serving here in Pochentong. The lord has a plan for everything!!! 

I know this email is way short, but not much has happened. Oh, we do have four investigators with a baptismal date and two others that are progressing and three potential, so that's a huge change from all my other areas. haha I’m way pumped!! Hopefully I don't mess anything up. Hopefully they all end up getting baptized and become super strong members. (: We actually have a baptism this Sunday, so holla. How cool is that? I met her yesterday and she is so good!!!! The missionaries that served here in the past met a lot with the members, so we've got our work cut out for us with finding less actives. I'm actually really excited. (: 

There's one area that is way far away and it goes right past the airport, so that's interesting... makes me trunky but also helps me realize that I don't ever want to go home. I didn't know something could do both things at once... we'll see if I get more used to planes flying right over my head all day long. (: 

Love, 

Sister Loftus 

Double D

picture at top-

the best cupcakes ever!!!

the best youth ever!!!!

the best district ever!!!

Farewell SMC, Hello Koon!

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, I’ve got some BIG news. I am currently pregnant with TWINS. Twins that are going to come two weeks apart... haha now that you guys are all way confused let me explain. So transfer calls were last night and I got the call that I am going to be training a brand new missionary. Cool, no? I’m all grown up, even though I still feel like I am in training. (: They had to make some adjustments in the dates of missionaries coming because of a change in the MTC, so my new koon (new missionary, means kid in Khmer) doesn't come for 2 more weeks, so in order to feel the empty spaces from the missionaries that die (go home) this week until the new ones come in two weeks, we are having mini missionaries. Young men and Young women from the local wards who want to serve, but haven't saved up enough money yet, just to help them get a taste of this amazing work. So I'll get a Khmer and train her for two weeks and then in two weeks I’ll get another koon, the Khmer will go home, and I’ll start training an AMERICAN!!!! Oh, and to make this even more challenging for me, I’ll be white washing. That’s what's up. I'm leaving SMC and going to Pochentong; back to north stake-same stake I was born in, but different ward and area. The Lord has a lot of trust in me. (: I'm SO excited, but also kind of peeing my pants I’m so nervous. hahaha 

That being said, the whole white wash situation is happening in a ton of areas and SMC 2 is one of them.... I’m way bummed because when that happens, typically investigators are lost... and our investigators are just starting to progress. We even had one at church. She is so good!!!! Bong Daa. Remember her? I’m just calling it right now. She will get baptized. She already has a great support system in the church. She just needs to read the Book of Mormon and get some more faith. 

This past week Sister Soem and I taught a kick butt zone training on chapter 10 in PMG (Preach My Gospel). So good. The whole zone training was on PMG and I LOVED it. We are so blessed to have it as a resource to aid us in this work. It truly is inspiration. I encourage everyone to read it. Those wanting to serve and just all you member missionaries, it helps us become better missionaries, but even more, it helps us become the disciples and people the Lord wants us to become. We were supposed to teach for 30 minutes, but ended up teaching for an hour. It was so good. You know it's good when you learn something new even when you're the teacher and that's exactly what happened for me. I know I’m not perfect at chapter 10, but it was such a good experience to be able to evaluate myself and find out what I can do better to become a master teacher like the Master himself, Jesus Christ. 

I'm way bummed to be leaving SMC. I've become way good friends with the youth and I can't imagine saying goodbye to them.... it honestly breaks my heart. I know the past three transfers haven't been the easiest, but I have learned so much from this area and am going to miss the people so so much, but I know that the Lord has something good in store for me in Pochentong. (: 

Sorry this email was all over the place, but next week will be a good email. Get pumped!!!

Love, 

Sister Loftus

Double D

Scriptural Insight 

3 Nephi 7: 16,18, and 21- Nephi is such an incredible example. He taught so powerfully. 

Also, if you want a REALLY good read that helps you feel the Lords love for you read 3 Nephi 11 and 17. I love them. 

Service for a less active. This is her house. There are clothes everywhere.... 

Crickets… did I eat them? No. I couldn't get myself to. They were way too big... 

Sorry I don't have better pictures.... 

Everything Has Changed

Dear Family and Friends, 

Well, this week went by in the blink of an eye. I feel like just yesterday I was emailing you guys. Time needs to SLOW DOWN!!!!! First off, Congrats to Hayden and Michelle LOFTUS; he's married. He actually did it. (; I’m so proud of them and couldn't be happier to call M (Michelle) my sister. Love them so much. Second, those three "investigators" that we got last week, yeah, they were a false alarm. We went to teach them and they ran away from us... I was really bummed but realized that the lord hasn't prepared time for them yet. One day it will come, but it won't be with me.

I was able to go on an exchange with Sister Semones, my MTC companion, this past week. I love her. Talk about a blast from the past. That was such a cool experience for many reasons. Their area is so full of work and the people are amazing. Helped me get a fire and desire to come back and help my area. It's the coolest thing to see the gift of tongues kick in when you are comps with an American. It still works when you're with a Khmer, but not as much because they are native speakers, but whenever I am with an American I can understand everything and know exactly what they need to hear. I don't stumble over my words or anything. It just flows. You could say that we were a power companionship thanks to the spirit. We have grown so much since the days of the MTC. Sometimes it's hard to see your personal progress because as a missionary you are changing little by little every day, but seeing her and how good she is at the language and how much she has grown helped me realize that I had grown so much too; such a huge blessing from the Lord. Also, Sister Lines is incredible. She bears her testimony so powerful. She’s gonna change lives on her mission. (: 

So since we lost those three "investigators" we are left with two-Ming Sophy and Kim Hua. We had two interesting lessons with Ming Sophy. Lesson 3 was going really well, until we started talking about baptism and the priesthood. She can't accept the fact that women don't have it... we tried to tell her that if she tried to increase her faith things would start making sense and she'd see this was how Heavenly Father planned it to be.  She wouldn't listen. Then we met her on Thursday and she told us that she has been listening to the monks... that lesson all she did was fight against everything she said. Sister Soem has decided that we are going to drop her. I don't really have a say in the decision, but we'll see if we keep her around this week or not. Then there's Kim Hua, the cousin of the boyfriend of the missionary. She seems really good, but we weren't able to meet her this past week. She lives way far away and can only meet us at night, so if we went we wouldn't have been home on time, but we called her.... turns out she is like 19, married, and has a 3 year old kid. BLEW MY MIND. But that doesn't change much. We are still going to teach her and I have the faith that she is going to progress and be SO good. (: Oh, I just remembered, yesterday we got a referral from the wife of the second counselor in our bishopric. She came to church and she seems really interesting, so we'll start meeting her this week. The Lord is preparing the way for us here. It's just definitely in his Time. (: I’m learning patience. Oh, also, we had more lessons with members this past week than we did with less actives and investigators.... haha. I don't think that has ever happened on my mission. There is a first for everything. (: 

Saturday was Pioneer Day round two... it was exhausting... we helped the missionaries in the other wards with their party and somehow they volunteered to make the food. Chili. We made 140 kilos of chili. It was ridiculous. Took us over 6 hours. I can't even put it into words. It was an experience I’m glad I had, but just let me say that I’m way grateful for ward parties in America. (: I never want to eat chili again.... 

Here’s a quick update on my studies. I've been reading in Helaman and Third Nephi. I was studying the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite. He's the coolest ever. But he taught so much about repentance and light. Read Helaman 14:30 and 15:7.  Also, conference talks to read 1. The Price of the Priesthood.  Go read this talk and you will receive your own revelation. It’s so good and you can learn so much about the priesthood for boys; you can learn how you can better fulfill your priesthood responsibilities and duties.  For girls you can learn how you can receive blessings from the priesthood. I loved it 2. Do I Believe? So good, so so so good. Here's a quote.   

"We believe that this Church is more than just a good place to go on Sundays and learn how to be a good person. It is more than just a lovely Christian social club 

where we can associate with people of good moral standing.  It is not just a great set of ideas that parents can teach their children at home so they will be responsible, nice people.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is infinitely more than all these things. 

How blessed we are to be members in this wonderful church. I love it so much.  That's my week in a wrap. Just a heads up -next week is transfers. Where will I go? No one knows... I don't even think President does yet. (: 

Love you all so much!!! 

Love, 

Sister Loftus 

Double D 

Sister Loftus and Sister Semones

Sister Semones, Sister Loftus, and Sister Lines

Making 140 kilos chili

Ingredients for chili

Cooking chili

Elders looking pirates

Pioneer Day "take two" with other ward

Dreams Do Come True & Daily Joys

Dear Family and Friends, 

I came up with this email subject as I rocked out to some Disney tunes (sung my Motab) as I showered... I still get trunky for Disneyland on a DAILY BASIS. No joke, but it's okay. Don't worry, being a missionary is 1000 times better and more rewarding that Disneyland... maybe. (; But it sums up my week. New investigators, exchanges, a baptism, and a new bike. 

So last week when I was emailing Hayden, I was talking about some of the daily "joys" of being a missionary in Cambodia. Hopefully my mom included them in the blog, but I realized that you guys really have no idea what my life as a missionary here is like. AT ALL. And I apologize for that... I’ll try to do better and put more effort in these emails home.... starting next week. haha. I’ll pick one aspect of Cambodia and then just expound on it. Like the phsaa, the traffic, members, etc. GET EXCITED!!!! 

But as for this week, last p-day I took a 2 1/2 hour nap. Man, was it heavenly. So good. Missionary work is starting to take its toll on me. But it's okay. The help from the Lord is also starting to kick in, so I’m making it through every day. (: Speaking of dreams and sleeping... before my mission I rarely remembered my dreams, but lately I’ve been remembering all of them and they are CRAZY!!! Two nights ago I had a dream that my investigator was chasing me and my mom through a mall... haha which was more like a nightmare... she scares me so much. 

Ming Sohpi. Remember her?? She's not really progressing... but we are just keeping her around because Sister Soem has received revelation that one day she'll get baptized... that's one thing about Khmers, they are way in tune with the spirit, typically, so I don't really want to doubt her, but every time we have to teach her I get so stressed out which interferes with the spirit... we are trying our best, but she has such absurd questions. What nationality is Heavenly Father? How am I supposed to answer that??  At first we were trying to answer every question she had which got us way sidetracked (teaching her 4 times and still not finished the first lesson....) then Sister Soem went on an exchange with Sister Beng (a Khmer who is pretty intense in lessons) and she refused to answer questions unless they pertained to the lesson with was good. Sister Soem took it a little to the extreme and our next lesson she was way tense and we didn't teach with love or the spirit at all, so that is now a focus of ours. Teaching with love and the spirit. Sister Soem told me that during the lesson, the only thing she could think about was the story in the bible about Legion... haha she was convinced she was possessed... haha but when Neak Ming left the lesson she said she felt really good and that she felt like a lot had jooled (made sense to her) so that's cool. (: 

New investigators. We got FOUR!!!! So cool. One is a referral from the boyfriend of a missionary. Her name is Kim Hua and she is the sweetest. We met her and she said., “all I want is salvation.” I responded cool. That’s exactly what our church has to offer and what the Lord wants to give you. I expect her to slowly start to shine. (: As for the other 3... I haven't met them yet... we had an exchange on Sunday, yes, I know SO weird, with the sister AP's. So, I couldn't really argue against them, but they got them when I wasn't there... but I’m still stoked and know they are blessings from the Lord. As for my exchange... it was the weirdest exchange of my life... one it was on a Sunday, two, I jool ruamed (attended) a baptism for their investigator, so that's where the baptism fits in. I might not have very many baptism stories of my own from my mission, but I definitely have some good ones from other missionaries. (: This one was crazy and quite honestly a miracle that it worked out. Tender mercies from the Lord. 

We ordered out new bikes and I am stoked. So excited. 

PIONEER DAY. You guys, it would blow your mind how big Pioneer Day here is. Bigger than Christmas but a lot of their understanding is wrong. But we, American missionaries, didn't have the heart to tell them.... haha.  We spent all day at the church on Saturday, literally all day. 9-5. Super against the rules... but when you've got a Khmer comp sometimes they just don't listen to you. So we did a play about Joseph Smith right? Getting everyone in "costumes" and getting their make-up (fake eyelashes, about an inch of foundation, straightening their hair until it smoked and smelled like it was about to fall off) took forever.... I just sat there in the corner reading my scriptures, such a missionary, I know, while Sister Soem was right in the middle of it. She was right at home... but the actual performance went well. We did the play, they had some youth do some square dancing, they did a traditional Khmer dance (SO cool!!!!), and then they had some of the young women do a pop dance song... it was pretty interesting and not related to Pioneer Day whatsoever. And because they don't have a cultural hall all of this was done in the chapel... was it appropriate for the chapel? Probably not.... you've just gotta love Cambodia. hahaha 

I feel like there was a lot more that I needed/wanted to share with you guys but I’m out of time so enjoy some pictures and have a great week.

Huge shutout to the lovebirds, Hayden and Michelle, who get married this week. Love them so much. Let's be real, we all know Hayden lucked out big time marrying M. (; She is such a catch. (: LOVE YOU!!!!! 

Love, 

Sister Loftus

Double D

Here she is the infamous Ming Sophi

Eyelashes for the Pioneer Day play

Pioneer play

Almost forgot. Got a haircut... you're welcome mom. Hope you're proud. 

Exchanges with Sister Larsen and the miracle cake. 

The Daily Joys of being a Missionary in Cambodia~

It's hard... but it's okay. This is what I signed up for. It's just hard because in order for them to understand and have things click in their head, you have to bine (speak super straight to them and kind of yell at them) and I don't like doing that especially in Khmer...

The majority of the investigators and members are so good. They have such a strong testimony, just not strong enough to sacrifice... but I feel bad asking them to sacrifice because most times them sacrificing means they don't have food for that week.... it is hard for them to see especially when things don't work out the first week and their family goes hungry. We know that sometimes it takes time for the Lord to work miracles. 

Most of them can't read... and have no way to get to church. They don't have money to dope (have someone drive them on a motorcycle and they live way too far away to walk, like 2 hours walking..) 

I love teaching the CPR lesson about Church, Prayer, and Reading but it doesn't have a cool analogy so it just doesn't click in their head. 

Countless Blessings Await!

Dear Family and Friends,

By the subject of this email you probably think that something exciting happened this week. Don’t get your hopes up. (; It’s still the same old same old here in SMC, BUT I have taken on a new perspective. Instead of wallowing in my misery and thinking "why me?" "Why can't we have investigators?" I’ve decided to learn from the experiences that Heavenly Father has given, that is, what he wants us to do in this life after all right? So hears to a new outlook on life. (: I KNOW the blessings will come, even if it's not during my time as a full time missionary. I will see them eventually.  

This week I learned to love the Book of Mormon more.  I learned for myself, again, that it is true and that it is the work of God.  We went to teach a recent convert and when we got there, right off the bat, she asked us, “Sisters, is the Book of Mormon really true, did it really happen?” We were then able to bear powerful testimony of the truthfulness of it.  Such a cool experience.  That is we read it and apply it in our lives it WILL change our lives and bring happiness to us.  What a great blessing!!!

I was also reminded of the power of revelation.  We went and visited a less active and she just bashed on the bishop the whole time.  I stopped her and bore powerful testimony that our church is run by revelation, every little detail, callings included.  I am so grateful for all the leaders of the church and for my testimony that I know they have been called of God.  They aren’t perfect, but no one is, so as we support them we will learn together as we do the Lord’s work.

I had an interesting thought this past week.  I think we get in a swing and groove and get comfortable, thinking that we are doing so good, but really we aren’t doing as well as we could.  Every so often we should ask ourselves, am I being as obedient as Heavenly Father expects me to be?  I know I can do better. 

I’ll get better at making these emails more inspiring for you guys back home, but for now that’s all I’ve for you.  Love you all so so so much.  Hey, Happy Pioneer Day!  Be grateful for all who have sacrificed to let you have the life you live.  We truly are so blesses.

Love, Sister Loftus

Double D

This was at one of the phsaas. So funny the translation is "please feed me garbage". Who knew Khmers had that good of a sense of humor. 

New favorite little boy, Lihang

Exchanges

I am a giant!

Hour bike ride to pray with Srey Roat.  She is my favorite member in SMC and will make the best missionary when she leaves in one year. So much fun.

Fun with District!

Bikes, Bug Spray, Blenders, and Birthdays!

Sister Loftus has now been on her mission just a few days past her year mark.  She left on July 8^th.   Like the poem mentions below, she has definitely had her ups and downs but is very grateful for the opportunity to serve.   Her mission is one that has mosquito borne diseases so they have been instructed to wear mosquito spray every day and have also been approved to wear long skirts to protect their legs (no slacks in the Cambodia mission per her president). Thank you for your love and support and for taking the time to read her weekly emails.  Enjoy this email.

Dear Family and Friends, 

Well, this email is going to be about .5 seconds long because literally NOTHING is happening here is SMC. Sorry!!!! 

The Fourth of July was good. I mean, we ate some watermelon at the mission home and that was the most patriotic thing I did, but that's okay. I rapped my country with some red, white, and blue. (: 

Tuesday we had MLC and we found out that we get to buy new bikes. They are crazy cool. haha And we all get blenders!!!! They are trying to help our mission be healthier. Pretty cool. I’m way excited to start making smoothies every day. (: And we have to start wearing bug spray because they don't want us to get dengue fever or other diseases like that. Also, long skirts. If you guys want more information about all that good stuff, talk to my momma; she should know. I don't really know much about it; I just follow what the brethren and my mission president tell me to do. haha exact obedience. (: 

This week was full of teaching less actives and members, but no investigators because no one wants to learn with us... our golden investigator, Srey Mak, dropped off the face of the planet and doesn't want to meet with us anymore.. Not really sure why, but pretty heartbroken... super bummed. We're gonna need to start getting creative with our approaches and the way we do missionary work. 

Friday was my ONE YEAR MARK. So crazy. This past year as been the hardest year of my life, but honestly the most rewarding. Last week, Shellee, my young women president, sent me this poem and it is perfect. Captures missionary work. 

It is a trial and a test

A mission throws at you the worst 
Yet, teaches you the best.
I've never been so happy
I've never been so depressed .
I've never felt so forsaken,
I've never felt so blessed.
I've never been so confused,
Things have never been so clear.
I've never felt my Heavenly Father so distant,
He's never been so near.
I've never been so discouraged,
I've never been so full of hope.
I feel I could go on forever,
I think I've come to the end of my rope.
I've never had it quite so easy,
I've never had it quite so tough.
Things have never been so smooth,
Things have never been so rough.
I've never traveled through more valleys,
I've never ascended more peaks.
I've never met so many nice people.
I've never met so many freaks!
I've never had so many ups,
I've never had so many downs.
I've never worn so many smiles,
I've never had so many frowns.
I've never been so lonely,
I've never had so many friends.
BOY, I hope this is over soon,
GOSH, I hope this never ends.

I tried to look back and reflect on this past year, like all the things I learned and I couldn't do it. I know that I have learned so much, way too much to even begin to count the lessons and the miracles that have occurred. All I can say is that I am eternally grateful for this opportunity and privilege to serve the Lord. I love being a missionary. I got to spend my lunch hour with my MTC sisters and we were able to reminisce; so much fun. And then Sister Clark and Sister Peng threw a 30 second "birthday party" for me with a confetti cannon and some fake snow... haha oh the things you do in Cambodia for a good time. Everyone during the day told me happy birthday and at the end of the day Sister Soem asked me "sister, why is everyone telling you happy birthday again? You just had a birthday."haha I laughed so hard and had to explain it to her, she is the funniest. 

That's all I’ve got. Have a great week. Love you all. 

Love, 

Sister Loftus

Double D

One year festivities of friends, sisters and elders

 

Happy 4th of July!

Dear Family and Friends,

Alright. This email is going to be way short 1. Because I don't have much to say and 2. My keyboard is way koic(broken). I don't have the patience to write a lot. haha

Tuesday was had a great last district meeting. We talked about repentance. We read “Miracle of a Mission by Elder Holland. So life changing and then read in Alma 29, my new favorite chapter. Go read both. So good. We had a great lesson with a recent convert, Zion (zeeyawn). We laughed probably too much, but that's okay.(: She has really improved and progressed so much. I love her!!!! We had another lesson with our crazy Neakming. Did i tell you guys about her last week?  The really Buddhist one? If not I’ll give you the quick story about her. She exercises at the church and we contacted her. She doesn't really want to learn though. Just share tuo vin tuo mook (back and forth).it's super hard. Whenever we share our testimony she just laughs at us... super difficult. But it's okay. Wish I could explain it all to her better. Maybe next week when I’ve got a better keyboard. She is one interesting character though. She kind of really scares me....haha pray for me.(: we are practicing a play for pioneer day and it is hilarious. kind of false doctrine, but they do it every year.... I just crack up watching it. Wish you guys could all see it. 

Wednesday-transfer day, not much to talk about.

Thursday I spent a way long time at the doctor because I thought I had a parasite, but I just have a bacterial infection. Don’t worry; I’m on meds and on the mend. (: 

Saturday we went to our way far area Preah Saw, like an hour away. We went with the Elders. As we were teaching our last lesson, I watched a huge storm roll in and then it just started pouring; quite the adventure biking back in a hurricane. But, such a good time. (: i loved it!!!!

Sunday our crazy investigator came to church. We learned about fasting in Sunday school. The second counselor and the old bishop team taught and good thing because she had question after question. And they had answer after answer. It was the coolest thing to watch them answer her questions and basically shut her down. I know that's not what missionary work is about, but just watching them bear such powerful testimony by the spirit that she couldn't brachang (fight against) them any more. After the lesson they said, Sister you've got a good one on your hands.... haha I just laughed.... it will be interesting to see how things with her progress. Pray for me.(: 

Update: we didn't get to meet our golden (okay maybe she's silver (: ) investigator this week. Fingers crossed on next week!!!! 

That’s all I’ve got. Love you all and happy fourth of July. Celebrate extra hard for me~!!! I love the fourth. #merica

Love,

Sister Loftus

Double D

Best District Every!!!!!

Saying good-bye to Sister Gallahad, have fun in  KPC

Sister Loftus and Sister Soem

Lunch

Noodles?

Sassy!

Happy!

Funny!

Nutty!

Sister Loftus and Sister Soem riding in the rain.

Thank you to Elder Monson for a waterproof camera.