"You guys save everything!"

Howdy folks!

This week we had MLC in Phnom Penh and exchanges with the AP's so we didn't have much time in our area, but it is all good in the hood! 

Exchanges with the AP's was an absolute BLAST! The reason being: I teamed up with Elder Tuft again and it was just like we were back together 8 months ago. It is crazy how fast the time has flown, that feels like just yesterday. There were some miracles that happened while we were there: we found a random lady from Chbar Ampov (my old area) and her three daughters who want to learn and get baptized. Those things don't just happen. The fact that we were in a place that he had never been and I happened to be there (probably the only Elder the lady would have recognized) isn't just chance. The Lord prepares it, we just have to notice His hand in our lives. 

We have a new motto in our mission "Expect miracles" if we go out there everyday expecting miracles the Lord will deliver. No doubt in my mind. 

I don't think anyone really reads these emails anymore except probably my mom so I won't go into much detail. The city was super fun because we were in the heart of Phnom Penh. You go behind the buildings and it reminds me a little bit of what my boy Elder Smith feels like in Mexico. Don't worry though mom, I locked my bike and had the Lord protecting me. The highlight of the week was when we were in one of those musty alleys, and a white guy walks past us, while we are in the process of trying to contact a Khmer guy. He said something along the lines of "Do you guys focusing on saving the children or do you focus on saving the trees and that stuff?" Kinda an odd question, and not quite sure how to respond, I just simply said "No we are missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints!" Then came an answer that I wasn't expecting, but surprisingly made my whole week. He said, "Oh! You guys save EVERYTHING!!" I have never heard anything more true in my life! In this, the Lord's church, we do save everything! We offer salvation to all of the Sons and Daughters of God if they are willing to accept it. Long story short, it was great to be back with Elder Tuft, and I am so grateful for the Lord and His miracles, and this mission that He has given to me that changed my life. 

Back in our area we worked VERY HARD. I am talking leaving the house in the morning and not coming home or taking a second to rest until we get home at night. So hard that I get home and just fall asleep without even taking off my bag. Honestly, after all of our efforts, the immediate fruits have not yet shown, but I know they will. And if all else fails, at the end of the day I feel happy and there isn't anything better than that. This week I had a lot of cool spiritual experiences, so many to name them all. As a mission we have been memorizing the Living Christ and I almost finished this week. I have seen my testimony of HIM grow so much as I memorize the testimony of our prophets and apostles. If you have not had a chance to read it recently, I would invite you all to study through it again! I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that he is our source of joy and true happiness in this life.  His hand is present in our lives everyday, we sometimes just need to take time to step back and realize it. He truly is our Living Savior.

I also had the chance to finish the Book of Mormon again in my mission. I read a whole new paperback copy without any markings and I spent the whole time reading about how I can better learn how to love! I can testify with all of my heart that the Book of Mormon is true and that God loves us and teaches us through that sacred book.

I love you all

Elder Gochnour