Week 52: 1 Year!

"We're halfway there now" - Big Time Rush

That has been stuck in my head for a couple weeks now. Anyway...

Wow, the time is really starting to fly. This week has been really good. We've been preparing 6 of our friends for baptism this upcoming Sunday and I am so excited for them. They are some of the most amazing people I have been able to teach on my mission so far. There is a family of 5, Chum Det, So Phany, Reaksa, Thida, and Satya. And then my boy, Kimlong. They all were so ready to receive the gospel and it has been so amazing to see them all progress and grow closer to Jesus Christ over these past couple of months. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father has used me as one of his tools to help these amazing people follow Him.

We also met this lady named Bong Lin last week and she is so awesome. When we shared about the Restoration and Joseph Smith with her, before we could even ask her, she said she wanted to pray about it and ask God if it was true. Then we met her again later in the week and invited her to church and she came on Sunday with two of her kids! I was so happy to see them and I'm so thankful that God is helping them in this journey. I hope He will give me the strength and knowledge I need to help them to know their Heavenly Father.

Hitting a year on the mission is pretty crazy. It really makes it seem so fast, and seeing the Lord's hand in the work is making it go by so much faster. Sometimes it's still hard and I have my struggles, but I wouldn't trade being on my mission for anything else in the world. I think I have learned and grown more this past year than I have in my entire life. There are so many things I know I would only be able to experience and learn here on my mission in Cambodia and from so many amazing people. I am so thankful for all of it and for how much closer I have grown to my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ.

I will be honest, before my mission I believed in God and Jesus Christ, but I didn't truly understand their love for me, and I don't think I truly had a love for them. I wasn't doing the things I needed to be doing, but the mission has helped me to truly love God and Jesus Christ. And I am so thankful to share Their love with the people here in Cambodia, whether they're ready to receive Christ's love or not. I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love each and every one of us. I know Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. I know this church is true. And I'm so thankful for one more year I have to share Christ's love in Cambodia! I love you all and miss you all so much. ♥

One more year until I get to hug you all again!

Love,
Elder Mendenhall

📸 All the photos:
Current - Ta Khmau

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tzWgFE7cJhuxBrgf7

Battambang

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eH2QQ25DGxRj8cNH9

Phnom Penh

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Bgcnr25uJdQ1sYcY9

A sampling: