Letter Sent on January 21, 2013

Dear Family,

 Here in Ta Khmau things are going really good! Yesterday we had a baptism for that lady named Om Sambath, it was an incredible baptism. She bore a great testimony and it was pretty much a short talk;she had written down 2 Nephi 31:20 so she could read it and she had a great experience and shared a strong testimony. Something I loved was how much she talked about the members and how much they helped her and it wasn't so much just thanking the Elders.  The members are so good to her and things are just going great! She is such an amazing investigator and was so prepared to hear the gospel; probably the most prepared person I have ever had the opportunity to teach. She talked about how she was praying for years to find a pure holy church and how she felt hopeless.  Somehow two sisters (one being Cambodian) in Temple Square called her and contacted her over the phone. Then she got referred to us and has endured through a lot to come to know the Lord and His Church. Sambath doesn't know how they got a hold of her number.  An amazing miracle!  She just has such great faith and is full of light and love for everyone.  I am thankful for her and for her faith and example to me and all the members here in Ta Khmau.  I am constantly amazed and grateful for how the Lord truly guides us to His children or guides His children who are being prepared to us.  What an amazing blessing it is to be a missionary! I love these people so much.

Also this week we have been trying to help the Elder's Quorum President, Pheap, to get hometeaching up and going.  We have been trying to go out with the different companionships and help them get to the homes of those whom they are called to teach. It has been pretty good, we will continue to try and to encourage and support as much as we can. I will say this much that when I get back I will give it my ALL to be a good home teacher.  Amazing how the mission changes your perspective on so many things and you just see so much more clearly.  Being a missionary when all you do is try and serve and help others you see how important that the members are doing the same for each other and how we honestly can't do it all on our own.

Right now we are struggling with that great family we have out in Baku, when we've called to say hi throughout the week they say that they've been reading together as a family in the scriptures. Which is great!  We went to go visit them on Saturday and the dad was very drunk from a party or something.  He says he loves us and he has a desire to get baptized; we will continue to do our best to help them progress.  I am grateful for the member help, Pu Chanra, we have that really helps Pu Oeun out and is a big friend and encouragement to him.

We have another investigator named Vann who we met with who talked about how he really wants to learn and see if the Lord can bless his life, he said that if he could see the Lord how he would give up whatever it takes to know him.  He is a very smart man and has a wife and 3 kids. He is disabled and says he really wants to come to church but says he can't if there isn't a wheelchair for him.  So we are going to try and figure something out! See if we can get one for him or something..  Things are going really good out here in the Kingdom of Cambodia. I know that the Lord is mindful of everyone of us and that He is always anxious to bless us for all the good which we do.  Thank you for your love and examples to me.  Every week I get lifted up and have a desire to stand taller when you share your experiences and love. I love you. A lot.  Have a spectacular week!

Talk to you next week-till then,

Love,

Elder Garlick

 

PS. Congrats to Kambri and to Logan with your mission calls! I'm so proud of you both!

Pics;Om Sambath-ready for baptism. The sister's investigator Vandy, Om Sambath, and us.  Ta Khmau 1st Branch.  A sweet tree we found by Baku out in the rice patties. A "sweet" Om selling honey at the market this morning:)