Dear Elder Slavens

Dear Elder Slavens
Elder Trenton J Slavens
Thailand, Bangkok/Arizona, Gilbert/
Texas Houston East
Elder Dallin J Slavens Cambodia, Phnom Penh
Elder Chancellor J Slavens Idaho, Twin Falls

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Just GET OUT OF HERE you dumb, stupid ANIMAL!

YO YO YO to the FAM FAM FAM 

I would like to start  my email this week with a story. This is the story of the រឹស that infest my hand. Well, in order to tell this story, we will have to go all the way back to the beginning. The VERY beginning. Well, ever since I was a child I had a wart on my right hand. Well, that wart had a child. It was born onto my left palm. There I was, about to go on a mission, and with TWO UGLY WARTS taking over both my hands! So we said, NO WAY, JOSE! I went to the doctor and got the snot frozen out of them. Well, LONG STORY SHORT, only one died. I came to the Kingdom of Cambodia still infested with an ugly, cauliflower-like wart.

Now it is time for a science class. Class is in session. Fun fact. Did you know warts spread in humid climates? Warts thrive in humidity. Well, Cambodia's humidity is 35%. I am not sure what that means. But that one American wart had a Cambodian child. Using the humidity from the very air we breathe, a half American-half Cambodian wart was created on my right hand. And because of it's ability to use American innovation with Cambodian grit, it succeeded in creating another child, just a few centimeters above its creator.

Well, now that leaves me with 3 warts, one on my left hand, and two on my right. These two American/Cambodian half-breeds were very persistent and very strong. In fact, they were stronger than any thing I have ever seen before. They created one more GIANT wart on my right hand-pointer finger knuckle. 

These three warts worked together on the very right hand I use to write and eat with to create SIX MORE CHILDREN! 

Now, at this point, I am sure you are wondering, "Elder Slavens? How could you allow the warts to get to this point, that they create so many children and almost take over your whole entire hand?" That is true, I had 9 warts on my right hand at one point. Six of them were extremely small, but still; isn't that how we all start? Small, and grow large over time? So that is when I thought: 

It is time to act. 

Knowing that Cambodians are extremely street-smart (see second paragraph, fifth line) I went to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the kingdom of Cambodia for help. I would show them my warts. I would shove my hands into their faces, fall to my knees and beg for help. They would scoff at me. Mock me. laugh at me. Tell me to turn to someone else. No one would DARE be seen with someone so INFESTED and UGLY as I. 

Until. One splendid woman. The age of which nearing 70. She had the sweetest spirit I have ever crossed. Not only did she help me find the true answer to my quest, which I thought would soon become a life-long venture, but she actually solved it for me. 

She told me all I had to do was apply heat. I did not know how. I let fear enter into my heart. Until she went into her house, grabbed an incense stick, lit it, and began to apply it gently, lovingly, and carefully to my hand. Within minutes, the wart was burnt to a singe. She equipped me with three more incense sticks and sent me on my way, with instruction to do as she does, just as I had seen. 

As so it was. I applied heat gently to the remainder of the large warts. The leaders of them, as you will. In total, I burnt four warts, using non other than the Buddhist incense that I teach are false. Now, my hands are covered with bloody scars. Members still to this day will mock me. "You look like you were attacked by a zombie. Did you fall off your bike?" they will say. 

One day, I know with all my heart that my bloody scars will be pure and white, just like the rest of my skin. I know that if we will test truth, and open our hearts to the possibilities of it, we will be blessed in the long run. We may think it is hard, maybe even painful at first. But let me promise you, as a servant of our lord and Savior Jesus Christ that anyone who will seek truth, and test it, will find the truth with the aid of Heavenly help. And then, on that day when we all stand before God at His judgement seat, we can say, "I tried and did all I could do in order to find your truth. Thank You so much for granting it unto me, your child." 

Please, everyone. Remember my story. Remember how it can be applied into your lives. Of this, I write on this day. 

Yours truly,
Elder Slavens


The super adorable ladies in my ward. Literally my Cambodian best friends. one of them brings sodas to church every week, calls over the missionaries super secretly, takes us over to the corner of the room, and forces the sodas into our bags and tells us not to tell anyone. 



How many Cambodians does it take to move a rock?



Spell iCup eewhite. It's the new prank amongst 5th graders


Speak of the devil. 



Classic Cambodian lady walking around, selling food from right off her shoulders for a living.


My investigator Two one who works at Dominoes. Only $3.25! 


He also gave me his balloon which I added to my helmet. I love wearing a bike helmet! 



My newest favorite LDS boy band! 


Whats on the menu at Cambodian restaurants? 



Wow! What looks good? 



Well, it ALL looks good, if you ask me!!!! 




Dallin's companion Elder Ros' email

57th Episode of អែលឌើរ រស់ - Raining Mangos on Dirty Water



Here's one of the best investigator ever Non. :) Along with the twins Mey and Mean in the Te'uk La'ak Ward that are leaving to there missions soon ENGLISH speaking....WHOA!


Elder Slavens looking fantastic teaching about Facebook English Terms in REAN! (Last Saturday!)


Here are a bunch of adorable looking small chickens while visiting a somewhat Potential Investigator! 


Members in the North Zone! It's great to be back serving around the North Zone I love serving here! 

ជាតំបន់សូមជំរាបសួរ!,

        What is up everybody! It's Mango Season around this time in Cambodia even in Te'uk La'ak so we've been randomly given Mangos throughout the week.... YEAAAAAH! HAHAHA! Will need to break this post down as quick as possible because I love remaining busy in this mission here's some swift highlights!:

    Well then.... pretty much throughout most of the week we've been "monsterous" throughout the week literally asking some people and inviting all to learn about Christ some understood,and some are curious about REAN English Program...Yep! (Last week was the most I ever contact throughout last week because we talked for over 130 people about the Gospel inviting them to learn about the restored Gospel many heard, but very few took the invitation to learn the Gospel and sometimes English class/REAN! We've been following up on a return appointment and met this new investigator since last Tuesday! This one investigator's name Nean or Nian the one who I contact off the streets from 2 Sundays ago around a restaurant! This guys excellent! Contacting pays off! By a whole lot! For real throughout this week as we met him ounce more he's committed on a baptismal date on June 11th 2016! Super exciting that he accepted it as he's really taking time to learn with me and Elder Slavens! 

     For another investigator throughout the week, we've been meeting with Bong Chun from last Tuesday and Thursday.... heh he's an interesting investigator! Still needs work to up to his potential! But by all means no one can't force people to develop a strong testimony of their own of the Gospel even the Book of Mormon! Around Wednesday we've visit a Om that's super nice named Dally along with her son Chetra, just encourage to help them pray with each other oftenly just to help them stay love and maintain peace! REAN Englsh on that day was fun, some people had shown interest of the gospel since learning REAN English and a bit of the Gospel! Woohoo! 

      Some of you may wonder how's Non doing he's pretty much one anyone can be patient for! Love him so much. We've been following up on his reading on the Book of Mormon and he's doing his best on His part I love him! I love me and Elder Slaven's investigators here in this area! On Saturday we took time to visit some less actives and remind them of the Restoration with them by watching the Restoration video, felt the Holy Spirit every single time of how important and crucial the restorations is! Yesterday, Church was fantastic! It's great to see members of the Ward returning from Khmer New Year and our investigator Bong Nean showed up to Church with the Toul Kok session! We're so happy to see an investigator like him to come and see how church is like every Sunday!

        Well, me and Elder Slavens are doing phenomenal together! I love this mission, I still love serving my divine heritage and I meant that so dearly each and every single time! I am so grateful to be called to serve along with Elder Slavens this transfers! We got this area in the bag along with the best companion ever such as the Holy Ghost and plus the gift of tongues! Missionary Work's not easy but it's indeed doable I love this work! I gotta enjoy more of this journey along with Mangos.... I meant Elder Slaven! HAHAHA! Well got to blast off serving and inviting others to Christ will be posting next week, stay fantastic and blessed my fellow congregation who's subscribed to my post! Here I go! Lea Sen! The adventures of Elder Ros still continues! 


ដោយក្ដីស្រឡាញ់, (With love),  -អែឌើ ស់
Elder Ros      The Legendary ខ្មែរ-i-can Missionary
 Syracuse, NY USA

 "But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them. " - Mosiah 3:12-13

Sunday, April 17, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--w9bOGpi2s

Whelp the infamous Cambodian New year has come and gone.

And I was right. No one was in town. Like imagine San Francisco just empty. So our mission president filled our time with meetings and general conference sessions and cleaning of our houses and what not. On one day all the Elders and Sisters in the city went and had a FREE FOR ALL buffet. I felt like I was in the most Asian restaurant Las Vegas has to offer. 

Man, I'm getting so bad at writing these emails now. My stellar companion, Elder Johnny "the Rock" Ros does the worlds best weekly emails. I'm lazy, so I'm just gonna attach his email. With the power of his writing skills, and my picture taking skills, i think we have something cooking. 

Have a great week ya poops. 


Elder Slavens 


Elder Ros and I on cleaning day 


The three zits I found on my arm which I have named "Orion's belt"
The galaxy is located on Orion's belt 


Going to clean the church 


And then the candid picture of me laughing afterwards that was so cute, I couldn't NOT put it in 


And then the not so cute picture I found on my camera but didn't remember taking. 


The action shots of me jumping like a tortoise 

week 56: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0ByelKyvCEuEXNDJMT25rc1hJUVU&usp=sharing

Dallin's companion Elder Ros' email

56th Episode of អែលឌើរ រស់ - Digrity Frenzy Water


A close up of Elder Slavens and My planner cover for this transfer!!!


Elder Ros has done it again making a nicer and more updated board! ...#YESYESYES (From deep cleaning!)


#WheresElderLambornandSisterKillian? MTC Khmer New Year Group Picture!!! Holla! Yeaaah!  (Last Thursday!) 


The North Zone Elders/ Sisters and I took time to do a service project around the Church building during Khmer New Year! #FUNSTUFF (Last Friday!)

ជាតំបន់សូមជំរាបសួរ!,

     Well! What is up all who are following up with me this week! Whoo! Me and Elder Slavens are killing it over although Phnom Penh's been a ghost town throughout last week! Here lies some highlights from last week! 

-From last Monday after P-day, me and Elder Slavens participated at a Family Home Evening which was very uplifting and fun as we showed up to Lida and her family's house, before that we've been contacting several people around the area ounce more to see anyone's wanting to learn about the gospel even though it's Khmer New Year!

-Last Tuesday, me and Elder Slavens spent majority of this day by DEEP CLEANING our apartment for the entire day which was super fun! Because cleaning our apartment helps anyone maintain the Holy Spirit in our homes in the mission! 

-Last Wednesday, we had Zone Conference which was excellent! I am truly motivated to help many other develop a stronger testimony of the Book of Mormon! After that we met one of our investigators named Non, a very nice guy and always willing to learn and ask unique questions about the Church I love him so much! Also, I met a family with Pu Soka and his family, it was wonderful to meet them and help them develop a better testimony of the Gospel! 

-Last Thursday, President Christensen held a big lunch at the Tonle Bassac 2 Restaurant to celebrate Khmer New Year for missionaries serving with in the city. After that, we met a cool indian guy that wants to learn about The Book of Mormon he's a really awesome guy named Ango. We had a excellent discussion with him as we prepared a Book of Mormon since he wants one! We introduced to him the Book of Mormon and gave him one with our testimonies in it as he has so many unique questions about Christ and the church! He's been committed to read and study the Book of Mormon out! It's my first time in a while ever to teach about the Church in English! Funny thing is as we about to close with a prayer Elder Slavens was nervous that I was going to pray with Ango in Khmer, but rather than doing that I just gave a sincere prayer in English with Ango to help him feel the Holy Spirit! One of the funnest experience I ever had in my mission! Then later on we met a active member named  Bong Peak, a cool and nice guy with awful children... but it's fantastic to see him and his family doing alright, meeting Peak for my first time has been a honor! Haha!

- OKay! Last Friday, me and the North Zone did a big service project around the North Stake Center picking up dirt and sand from the trees on front of the church fence and putting all of it in a better place! Then, later on we had Weekly Planning for a while, then we participated at a Khmer New Party of some members for a bit while contacting on the way for a bit.

-Last Saturday, we literally went from path to path to contacting a ton of people in the city to see if any want to learn, some understood our invitation and some claim to be busy which I know people here are legit busy here in the city despite in some people circumstance that it's Khmer New Year! But anyways it's been a fun day! We just go around town talking to several people about the Gospel! One of my favorite days of this transfer already! 

-Yesterday!, church is fantastic for my first time in Te'uk La'ak although it's ....well you all know the Holiday! ...Had a chance to introduce myself a meet some members here, hope to meet a whole lot more members next Sunday! After church me and Elder Slavens approach a cool guy that I contacted in the area working at a restaurant  named Bong Nian hopefully we'll meet throughout this week since he bluntly told me that he wants to learn a lot more about God! Love him and excited to meet him along with Elder Slavens! All contacting throughout this week's been paying off! Whoo!

         Well this is pretty much all I wanted to share for this weeks post! It's been a very fun transfer so far being with Elder Slavens, I know that the Gospel is beneficial for anyone in these last days or Latter-day! I still love to serve my divine heritage here! I know I've been called to serve here doing God's will here doing the Lord's work! I am so thankful to be called to serve in this mission! My growth in Khmer is still going along with Elder Slavens! We know we can do it! This area's in great hands! Well, gotta get back to work and keep inviting those to come unto Christ! I can't wait to keep up the work here in this mission Cambodia! May God bless each of you who's still praying for me that I am able to keep serving in this mission! Stay fantastic, I love you all so much! Will be posting next week!

NOTE: REAN English Class's been canceled twice because of Khmer New Year. But that's okay wait for this week and see throughout this week! Khmer New Year's all over now!

ដោយក្ដីស្រឡាញ់, (With love),  -អែឌើ ស់
Elder Ros      The Legendary ខ្មែរ-i-can Missionary from Syracuse, NY USA
Warning: Some of you might seen this scripture before but it's very straight forward. Plus, I felt the need to share these following scriptures for this week! God bless you all! 
"Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water;and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive. And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done?Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward,feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end,behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen." - 2 Nephi 31 : 17-21




Sunday, April 10, 2016

Wassail wassail all over the town

Let's start this email by talking about my new companion. Elder Ros. He is Cambodian, but born in America. And he is a beast. He was in the MTC with me and has lost a flip ton of weight on his mission and then got new clothes so now he is way attractive too. Just basically everything about him is cool. 

We went to a burger place to celebrate our companionship and he ordered "The Lion Burger" which is 1.2 kilos of meat, eggs, bacon, cheese, and whatever else they use to make burgers and devoured it in like 10 minutes. He is so impressive. 

Now I would like to share with you all a dream I had, and tie it into what I am doing here in Cambodia.  

I had a dream I was at the Salt Lake visitor's center with 2 Cambodian men, looking up at the Christus statue. And I was telling them that the statue was there, with Christ's hands out stretched like that so we could feel the scars on his hands and our faith and trust in Him could grow. One of the guys reached out immediately and felt the hands and the scars.

The other guy just kept watching and smiling. I was like, "go ahead, go feel the scars" 
and he was like, 
"no, that's ok. I just like to watch." 
and I said, 
"No! All you have to do is FEEL His hands and your belief and spiritual self will grow so much!"
and he still wouldn't do it. 

So that dream affected me because it made me really realize what I am doing. I am doing what the apostles did in the New Testament. Except I have a bike, and I don't get to wear sandals. But I ride around, and alls I do all day everyday is invite people to learn about Jesus Christ, and test His teachings in their lives. And I do that because I like it. I like His teachings. And I hope people I teach will like it too. One year ago I couldn't really say that that is what I do. I would say I was more of a "put in my plan to meet members and less active members and teach them a random lesson so I don't have to bother people out in public" kind of missionary. But now, I don't give a hoot. I want to bother people because I know how good it really is. That's the change that has come over me this past year. 

This week is Cambodian New Year, where everyone gets drunk and goes to the provinces. It is going to be way fun having no one to meet because they are all gone. But we have some fun activities lined up. I hope you all have a safe Cambodian New Years. Love you.
Elder សាកសព ស្លេក
Leaving one companion and picking up another. 

And then our mission president comes out as we are selfieing 



Cambodian New Year means sitting in a circle on the floor and eating food until it is up to your neck


The picture Elder Paramore drew of me while we were watching conference 


hunneds 


I saw a Suzuki Samurai that made me super trunky 


More Cambodian New Years selfie action 


The burger Elder Ros ate. 

Dallin's companion Elder Ros' email

REAN English Program in the Basic Zone! Holla!!! 


This transfer's real! It's happening! Looking fresh Elder Slavens! 



This is what the Crazy Lion Burger looks like in Mike's Burger House, 20 minutes later, I ate it all and I earned me and 3 other missionaries (that include Elder Slavens) a free t-shirt! 


Celebrating a return missionary's Birthday named Lida! Along with other members in North Zone! 
សួស្តីចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី2016អ្នករាល់គ្នា!,

                       Happy Khmer New Year 2016 this time for real everyone! Apparently this country celebrates the country earlier than the actual week or day that it's suppose to happen. Hahaha! I have officially arrived in Teuk La'ak safely to serve with a member of my "MTC Family" known as Elder Slavens from San Ramon to Oakland, California. Here's the gist of how'd last week went!: 

        I going to need to cut this post quite short, just to make it a straight forward post! I had to say Good bye to all I can bid farewell to members in Steung Mean Chey Ward 3! So I officially returned to the North Zone! Teuk La'ak is a fantastic area! I love the members here already although that weekend was General Conference!  Pretty much through the start of the transfer, me and Elder Slavens decided to contact several people throughout the week from Wednesday to Sunday pretty much. Just got familiar with a cool Look Poo named Bro who I met yesterday, and several other members a few days ago! I love this new area and I look forward to meet more members although.... this upcoming week is the True Khmer New Year! 

      Rean English Program last Wednesday was excellent in the North Zone as usual! A portion of English Class we taught was about Khmer New Year that's coming and what Khmer people do here in this holiday basically take what they said in Khmer and translate it to English for them! Hahaha FUN stuff! Zone Training was great to, last Friday! Very productive as usual! Just encouraged to use time wisely in our missions here! I love this mission so much and looking forward to doing so! 
    
      The weekend: General Conference last weekend was phenomenal, if most of you didn't get to watch it, I would encourage each of you to watch and take notes. For real, I love Elder Holland's final talk in the Sunday Afternoon Session, his was very straight forward in a very loving way! I love Elder Holland! 

       So just to let everyone of you know I am doing fantastic so far already, me and Elder Slavens are working hard here in Teuk La'ak. This upcoming week's going to be a very interesting one me, Elder Slavens and other missionary we'll be doing some activities throughout this New Year week! It's going to interesting...YEP! My growth in Khmer is still growing. In fact, although I have a accent.... I literally can't hide it as I speak Khmer so to everyone that I serve, my purpose is to mainly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and share about him each and everyday as I keep learning the Khmer language, my love for my divine heritage is still endless. I don't ever want to give up in my mission and I am here to stay. For those who don't embrace the love I have for throughout my missionary experience on behalf of me being a servant of Christ, shame for you all for I am here to invite you all to come unto Christ our true savior in these Latter-days. I will NEVER deny the truthfulness of this church for I am NEVER ashamed of it! Will heading to keep doing my best with Elder Slavens! I love you all so much! Stay fantastic and blessed! I am willing to stay strong as I keep it! Why is that, because I want to keep spreading God's love as me and Elder Slavens are instruments in His hands! We got this! 

P.S. If any of you have any questions,please shoot me any questions I would to try to answer some and reply with each of them on every post I make! 


ដោយក្ដីស្រឡាញ់, (With love), 
  -អែឌើ ស់     Elder Ros  
 "For am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to 
everone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." - Romans 1:16