Time Flies...

What a week, what a week!

To start off we had transfer calls, but everything is staying the exact same so no worries! We are loving serving together and "my son" is adapting so well to the mission. He is already way good at Khmer and can understand pretty well! He is a baller and training has been the easiest thing because he was ready to grind!

Long story short time FLIES! Lots of exchanges this week and when Elder Chytraus and I sat down and Thursday night for companionship study and asked each other: where did today go? It felt like we blinked and it was over. Time flies when you're having fun?

We had a special missionary meeting with President Tad R. Callister, which was sweet! I learned a lot and it felt really low key and chill. He taught us how to teach the Plan of Salvation and I could tell that he really just wanted to help us become better teachers and better missionaries. I actually learned some new doctrine that I didn't know before which was really cool.

Things are just the same old same here and I couldn't be happier about it. We have struggled a little bit with having success in our area though, and yesterday was actually the first week that I didn't have an investigator at church on my mission. I felt a bit frustrated. I think when we face failure though, it is just Heavenly Father teaching us to be more humble and to get more motivated. If we go throughout our lives just being mediocre and satisfied with just having enough we will never have a desire to change. When we get knocked down we come to realize that we must get back up and try a little harder. And ultimately we must realize that the will of the Lord is greater than our own will. 

While reading the Book of Mormon I noticed something very interesting:

6 And it came to pass that the people began to murmur with the king because of their afflictions; and they began to be desirous to go against them to battle. And they did afflict the king sorely with their complaints; therefore he granted unto them that they should do according to their desires.

7 And they gathered themselves together again, and put on their armor, and went forth against the Lamanites to drive them out of their land.

8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did beat them, and drove them back, and ^aslew many of them.

The Nephites wanted to go up to battle, but the king didn't want to let them. After much complaining and murmuring the king allowed them to do according to THEIR OWN WILL and the suffered greatly because of it. We see the same thing when Joseph Smith asks God to allow Oliver Cowdery to take the extra papers of the golden plates. He has to ask three times and then eventually God allows him to do "his own will". He then loses the plates. We realize that when we want to do OUR OWN WILL we eventually come to find defeat and failure. We must trust in the Will of the Lord even if it doesn't make sense right now.

PS Today at the market I watched a guy slit the throat of a chicken and bleed him out to make sure that the meat stayed fresh. Yummy!

That is all she (I) wrote! Love you and have a fantastic week! GO TITANS AND UTES!

Love,

Elder Gochnour

Splash Zone

Well, it was another fantastic week under the sun in paradise! I officially have given up keeping a journal for right now so not really sure what happened but I DO REMEMBER it being fantastic!

On Wednesday we had a chance to meet with President and Sister Lewis during our interviews. My whole mission I have struggled with finding a balance between having so much fun and joking around, while still keeping in mind the importance of my calling and the magnitude of the work. Obviously, there is a very fine line, but I have just always struggled to find a way to walk that line. 

Anyway I voiced my concern to President and he referenced a general conference talk where a new apostle was called and felt very overwhelmed with his calling. The prophet at that time (forgot who it was sorry) told him to not worry about it and to just BE YOURSELF! You were called for a reason. That was exactly the advice I needed to hear. I think we all just need to be ourselves in our life.      We often worry about trying to be too much like someone else, or envying (which is something else I studied this week. Go read "The Other Prodigal Son" by Elder Holland. You will thank me later) others that we forget about all the amazing gifts that God gave to us individually! Of course, I must do everything I can to be perfectly obedient, and we must all push ourselves to be the best us that we can, but at the end of the day, I don't have to change to be some other certain type of missionary, or try to be someone I am not. President closed by saying, "This mission needs an Elder Gochnour." Now I don't say that to praise myself, but it just really showed me that this world all needs one of each of us, individually. We were sent to this Earth by a loving and powerful God who knows us and created us for a reason. The reason is to help and bless the lives of others. Don't have envy and don't try to be someone you aren't.   Just let your OWN personal light shine.

I also had a chance to go on an exchange with the AP's this week! It was a way fun time and Elder St. Clair is a good guy. Lot's of kinda funny, but weird stuff happened. We saw some random white guy who was just walking along some random road in Cambodia with his wife, who happened to be a member in Hawaii!!!  He came to do Visa work with his wife. It was way fun to talk to him and to see how God prepares our path. It was a cool experience to do exchanges but it also helped me realize that being AP truly is not more important than any other missionary. We are all called here to do the work. 

We also had SO SO many miracles in finding people to teach this week. I don't have time to talk about them all, but I can testify that the Lord prepares our path to find those in need of the gospel.

To close, my boy Vuen was baptized this week!!!!!!! It was amazing. I love that guy so much. About two weeks ago we asked if he believed in God and he responded that he probably believed about 50%. Well after conference he said that his faith increased to 70% and by the time his interview came, he felt completely ready to go. He said, "I thought about it and I don't know why I would keep doing all these things if I didn't believe." He is probably one of the most humble people I have ever met. His childhood was filled with a father who always drank a little too much and couldn't control himself, leaving him with scars both physically and mentally. His current life is filled with paying for his younger brother and sisters schooling, to help them have a better future than he does. He cares so much about what the beggars on the street eat and doesn't worry enough that he lives off of $50 a month. He epitomizes Christ-like charity and would give anything just to make others happy. He may not be the most educated guy, but shows to me that the world doesn't bring us happiness, the gospel does. Elder Chytraus had the chance to baptize him and it was a very special day!

All is well in the kingdom of Cambodia. I know that God lives and loves us. Every single one of us. Don't forget that! And I love you all too.

Elder Gochnour

Conference Cookies

This week was awesome! I love being a missionary

So obviously the highlight of the week was General Conference. No questions asked. Nothing better than watching the servants of the Lord just preach elegant words of hope and happiness! Not a better feeling in the world knowing that as we listen to these amazing men and woman it is like we are listening to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ speaking directly to us. Pretty powerful stuff. If I were to talk about all the things I learned, all the talks I liked and the spirit that I felt as I watched that historic General Conference, then I would spend the whole week typing and not doing any missionary work so I will have to pass. I will say that my favorite talk has to be from the man Elder Uchtdorf (like my good friend Elder McDougal). BELIEVE, LOVE AND DO MY FRIENDS!!!!!!! That is all that matters! If we do those three things all the problems in our life will be swallowed up in the service of others and in that hope that the Atonement of Jesus Christ gives us! Don't complicate it. Simply believe, love and do.

We also had two cool experiences that happened this week with our investigators:

One guy that we just randomly met on the street and didn't seem very hopeful changed his entire countenance. We went over there on a hot, stuffy morning with a plan to teach the restoration. As we started talking to him he revealed that his father had died and that he felt pretty hopeless in life because he didn't have any money and his wife had left him. One thing that I really need to work on is not getting impatient when people complain to me haha, and I tried to just really listen to the spirit. We felt instead of the story of the restoration, that we should share about the Plan of Salvation and it was one of the most powerful lessons ever. All his concerns and his desire for worldly possessions from a Christian church faded away and he simply wanted to live with his father again, as he heard about God's wonderful Plan of Happiness. Our doubtful investigator went to conference and seems ready to try to follow Jesus Christ in his life.

The second story I want to share was conference inspired. It comes from a story about a temple experience with President Hinckley that the speaker had (forgot his name sorry). I love how he said that like a temple built by the Church, we must build a foundation that can withstand anything.  Most houses in Cambodia are simply built with cement and bricks and if there was an earthquake here, I believe the whole country would come crashing down haha. But not the temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We build on a foundation that is sturdy and able to withstand whatever comes our way. My companion and I felt that in an impromptu spiritual thought after English class we should share that temple story and then shared this scripture from 3rd Nephi 14:

24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, 

I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock—

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,

 and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them 

not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand—

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, 

and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

One of the men in our class really related with what we said and felt that it was time to build his life on a firm foundation that will never let us fall. We told him about his Heavenly Father and hopefully, he can continue to build a firm foundation!

Other things:

• AC went out during general conference and I almost tossed in the towel. Couldn't focus for about 2 straight talks haha

• Saw a lady in a moto accident and her leg destroyed. Her flesh was everywhere on the road and she definitely was not walking it off. I am glad the Lord protects me here or else I would be a little more worried.

Anyway, that is all I got. GO, TITANS! WE GOT THE ROCK BOYYYYY! Also, go Utes and Jazz too. 

Love you all and Joy in the Journey. Believe, Love, Do!

Elder Gochnour

Brownies made with no pan!

    

TEMPLE TIME!

69 of the 97 missionaries in Cambodia in front of the potential Temple Site. Giving a Hurrah for Israel!

A peek inside the gate at the possible Temple Site.

So if you haven't heard, President Russell M. Nelson announced a temple coming to the Kingdom. No not a temple of Angkor Wat, a temple of salvation!!!!!!!! Let's GO!!!!!!

This week was pure chaos and our area suffered because of it. I guess chaos isn't the right word, because it was all positive, but we just haven't had much time to do regular missionary work in our area. We still got my boys Vuan and Samuel L. Jackson who are both amazing and are progressing toward their dates very nicely. Cool quick story: Vuan told us that before he met the Elders his life was so lonely and bleak. He had no friends. He would go to work, go home, and sleep. He felt like he didn't really have much purpose in life, but now he has friends and it is difficult to catch him without a smile on his face. The gospel does change people. Another funny story: we taught Samuel L. the Law of Chastity and now whenever he sees any members or meets with us he always just repeats the Law of Chastity and all the points in it haha. At least he remembers though!

Tuesday we had a one day exchange! I went with Elder Shurtz who is a way cool guy and can play literally every instrument so that was a fun day. Wednesday taught English class.  Thursday & Friday we had Missionary Leadership Conference & new missionary training.  Saturday was a ward activity and then Monday we had a tri-zone, zone conference. Long story short LOTS of meetings and good, free food from the mission. Lots of time with all the mission friends and lots of spirit felt. Not enough time to talk about everything that happened, but I am grateful for leadership from President and the inspiration he receives to guide our mission. There have been some major changes made in the schedule that will give us more time to proselyte which I am SUPER excited about! Fun stuff. 

Also funny story: We slept down in the city the night of the new missionary training and we all planned to play basketball, but when we got to the church the power was out. We weren't going to lose this one opportunity to ball so we just went outside and played on the baskets that didn't have hoops. You can imagine how that went. Only in Cambodia my friends.

Anyway, the main thing that I wanted to talk about was the temple that will be built in the beautiful city of Phnom Penh in these upcoming years. It was Monday (yesterday) morning at about 5:40AM when I received the text that a temple would be built in our country of Cambodia. Honestly, at first I didn't believe it. The church has only been here for about 20 years and still is a young organization. Wards and branches are strong relatively, but still have a lot of work to do. However, towards the end of the text, I realized that the vision that we had set for the mission only two zone conferences before had just become a reality. And since learning of the Temple announcement I have had a feeling of pure joy. Sure there is still a lot of work that needs to be done, a lot of people to be reactivated, and a lot of new people to be found. But the Lord is hastening His work in this beautiful country and I am so blessed to be a part of that. I know that this announcement came from a true prophet of God, who knows these people and knows what the future holds in store. He knows the help and healing and especially the HOPE that comes from the temple. He knows the peace that will be given to these people. I know that the temple is the house of the Lord. I know that every temple is a place of peace and I can't wait to be apart of laying the groundwork for this amazing building. I love this gospel. 

Last night we went around and had the opportunity to tell some members that didn't know yet about this glorious news. We shared with them D&C 97:15-16

15 And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;

16 Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.

I just want to bear my testimony that the Lord is hastening His work and how grateful I am to be a part of it.

Anyway, I love you all and the church is true!! I can't wait to watch conference and I hope you all did too!

Love,

Elder Gochnour 

A Crab on a String

Well, this week was an adventure. Here are a few things that happened:

• We visited a member and her son (who is named Hollywood haha). The son was playing with a crab on a string and I decided to give it a belly rub and the thing pinched my finger hard and I flung the crab across the room. Normal.

• We went fishing with one of our recent convert but didn't get any bites. Actually, I guess that isn't completely true. The only thing that was biting was a bunch of mosquitos.

Other than that we are just slowly and surely trying to get a little more established in our brand new area. We are visit members, find new investigators, and teach the ones that we have and it just seems like everything just goes by in a blur.

 Honestly, it doesn't feel like I have that many crazy cool experiences anymore. I have them all right, but now it is just life. It is just part of the work that we do every day as a servant of the Lord. It doesn't feel new anymore, but it just feels like every single day is enjoyable and consistent and effective. Kinda hard to explain, but I just really love being a missionary. It just is flat out fun. 

We found two old guys that were willing to listen to us, and one of them even prayed, but we will see... The big news is our man Vuen is an absolute baller! Not much time to explain about him, but people like him are the reason why I have hope in this work and in this life. The Lord is moving his work forward, it may be one soul at a time, but the work is rolling forward and nothing can stop it. How glorious to be a part of it. He came to church and will be baptized pretty soon. Our other investigators (my boy Samuel L) are doing really well, but it is a holiday and so kind of chaotic to get them to church, but hopefully, once everything settles down it will go back to normal.

Other than that life is super good out here! I love being a missionary and I love my companion Elder Chytraus. It is so easy to relate to him and to understand where he is coming from. It kinda just feels like hanging out with one of my friends back home! So yes long story short, life is good.

Not much for a spiritual thought this week, except that I have still been studying revelation and I know that revelation and the Holy Ghost can change our lives. Take this scripture for example in Mosiah 5:2, 2

 “And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.”

The spirit will change our lives and we are going to need to be receiving revelation as this aal Conference approaches!

I love you all! The church is true and Jesus is the Christ. Go titans! Keep working and go jazz with the new throwbacks and Grayson balling out! Also, don't sleep on Duke football....

Love, 

Elder Gochnour