Heart in tune

Hey family.

Everything in Ta Khmau is going great right now. This last week was, if you could describe it in one word, Guided. Things are really working out for us. We have been working really hard going CBR hunting, contacting, and finding/meeting with the leaders of the branch. So far a success.

Elder Meyers and I are getting along great. I'm really happy to have him as my kid. I've really been working hard to make sure that he is comfortable with providing his opinion and his own ideas. To provide a small story I had read the presidents letter, which talked about yielding to your companion. That day we were out CBR hunting. We came across a CBR of a 17 year old girl and 11 year old boy who are inactives near the church. We asked the branch and they said they are always in Phnom Penh learning and you can't meet them. So we decided to go anyways. We show up and only and older lady is there who said she was their grandma visiting from a province and said they went to school, and then said they went to the doctor because they were sick. Anyways she was of no help so we decided to go to the next house. While there Elder Meyers asked to stop, and then said "I think we should go back" , at first i didn't want to, but then i thought about it a little, and i realized it doesn't matter what we do because its getting dark and the next CBRs are hard to find so either way doesn't matter, so I thought this would be a good time to show that i respect his opinion and trust him, so we prayed, and then began riding back to the same house. The whole time I was praying that they would be there and this would work out, that I didn't need it as a sign, but that it would really raise our spirits up after a hard and not too successful day. We show up to the house and guess what, the whole family is there. The kids and the parents. The little boy came to church yesterday and the girl committed to start learning with us once a week.

On Sunday we had an investigator come to church, and oddly, his name is Lookpu Jew. Sorry there is just no other way to romanize the spelling of his name :-p . Anyways he's over 50 years old, he grows banana trees, lives in a little hut by himself, nad just had eye surgery. He has stopped smoking and drinking, and really wants to get baptized. He is the most amazing little man ever (by little i mean he's shorter than you mom). He is on track to being baptized in 2 weeks.

A lot of times I question and think about what it means to be a success, more specifically what it means to be a successful missionary. To me a success is someone who has unyielding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Some who shows his faith by repenting daily (working towards righteous goals) and is obedient, somebody who can feel the spirit in their lives, guiding and supporting them. This entire week was filled miracles, day after day, where we showed our faith through our diligent, obedient, and righteous efforts in bringing God's children unto Christ. We prayed and had the faith that even though we don't know what we are doing, the Lord would provide a way. And I can say without a doubt, this week was guided by the spirit. Numerous people were placed in our paths, and every single day was filled with miracles. The Lord felt so kind as to bless us with a little success. I'm so grateful for his mercy on the weak.

I know that this church is True. God, our Father, lovingly gave his only begotten son to die for us. I know that God is a God of miracles. Everyday i wondered why my mission wasn't filled with amazing stories and awesome conversion stories of people finding the church and getting baptized in a week. I felt like I was going to go home empty. I've learned that the problem wasn't with God, or what i was doing. The problem was with my eyes. I couldn't see the little miracles happening every moment of every day. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God? The little whispering of peace and hope, is the greatest witness we can receive from God. A small voice that confirms our righteous desires and actions. There is no greater witness we can receive from God. All we have to do is get our heart in tune, to hear it.

Love, Elder Rucker

Whitewash Transfer, District Leader, and Trainer

August 5, 2012

Hello Family,
Transfer calls came in last night. President Moon called me and told me I will be going to Ta Khmau 2. This isn’t too far from where I’m at. It’s kind of like Kian Svay, Its right outside the city, but not city at all. To be quite honest it’s quite possible the hardest call ever. I will be whitewashing the area. It was closed this last transfer because nothing was happening in it. Now I will be moving in there and whitewashing it. I will still remain district leader in that new area. But, for the kicker, I will be whitewashing with a new Elder. Yep, I will be training this transfer. I’m whitewashing with a new Elder from America. The whole thing seems a little overwhelming. I know I will have a lot to do. Even the simple things are hard. For example, when does church start? Haha. When I was told about it, to be quite honest, I didn’t really feel nervous or happy or anything, just felt like it was another step, and another calling. In the end, I feel very honored that the Lord, and President Moon trust me with this calling. I hope that I can get those going there; I also hope I get an Elder that’s excited to work hard. As for this week we saw some real miracles. As for Albert, the man who said I can’t be a member anymore, he came to church on Sunday, late, so he has to wait until next week to receive the Holy Ghost. I felt inspired to, despite all his numerous problems with the Law of Chastity and Word of Wisdom in the past, to focus entirely on his
prayers. When he stopped praying, he fell quickly, then as we kept on him, called him every day, and followed up on him regularly, he showed up to church happy, and excited to receive the Holy Ghost. Chhiang. She is so amazing. She is like my big sister. She told me for the longest time, excuse after excuse for 2 months, how she almost going to be able to go to church, I’m going to church, I got sick. Now, yesterday, she finally came. It was so amazing. She is going to get baptized in 2 weeks. She deserves it so much, she is super happy and excited to be baptized. I’m very sad to be leaving this area so much. I’m going to miss everyone in this branch. I have seen so many members progress and get stronger. I’ve seen so many investigators make sacrifices to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. I’m so excited for this area, it’s about to explode. I can see at least 7 baptisms happen in this area this transfer. Throughout my time here it’s been very trying of my faith, mostly in myself. A lot of feelings of inadequacy as those around me got baptisms, and I sat trying to piece together my area.  Now, 6 months later, I look at where this area has gone, and I know that I did as hard as I could, and this area is so much better than before. I think there are going to be some amazing things happening in 1st branch.

After doing it in first branch, I’m excited and more confident about my new calling in Ta Khmau. I know the Lord has called me to serve there, and I know He will support me and guide me to become the person He wants me to become. I know that this is the work of the Lord. This is the only true church upon the face of the earth that can provide true and lasting happiness into the lives of God’s children.

Love, Elder Rucker

  

August 12, 2012

Hi Family. Yep that's right, I'm still alive, and so is my kid. Elder Meyers and I are doing just fine out here in Takhmau. He is from Washington, the southern half near Oregon. He has 5 brothers and sisters. Its a lot different than the city. Just to let you know this is the #1 farthest biking area. #2 is kian svay East. I will now have served in both. Its a lot hotter than the city too, so much more sun. I'm pretty used to the sun, so i didn't use sunblock and i get a little red, not sunburned, but definately wearing sunblock everyday now, don't want skin cancer. As for Elder Meyers, he's pretty white, he put on sunblock twice, and he still got sunburned. The biking is kind of killing him too. Plus he's not too used to the Khmer food yet, it makes him nauseous when he eats it. So things aren't going to well for him. But I'm working hard to help him out and he's hanging in there pretty good. He's trying to be obedient and work hard which I really enjoy. He's not perfect at Khmer obviously, but I'm really impressed at how far he has come, he speaks very clear for a greeny which is usually the hardest thing to overcome.
Overall the training is going well. I'm trying to help him learn the language as best I can and most importantly help him adjust. Trying to cook less khmer like food so that he can eat something so he doesn't die. No matter what just making sure he's happy and not getting discouraged. I've started giving him finding projects (like finding lost members) and more in order to keep him busy so he doesn't think about home or problems. Overall we are trying to stay positive, despite the difficulty of the area. As of now we have 0 investigators, and are just trying to find where the members live. We are working hard, and have hope that this area can be great, we are just going to do our best to be faithful, obedient, and prayerful and hope the lord will bless us with some success.
As I look back on the history of my mission, its amazing to see how much the Lord has prepared me, specifically for this area. The unique challenges and problems I faced in both Kian Svay and 1st branch has shaped me and prepared me for Takhmau. Areas where I was forced to grow, weakness that have been strengthened, and knowledge that I have acquired have been, and are going to be key in helping this area progress. I know the Lord cares about this area and these people. I'm excited for the work to be done in this area. By the time I leave I want to see church attendance go from now, 84, to 120. I believe it could happen.
Well that's about it for me. I know that this church is true and this is the work of the lord. I know the Lord cares about me and wants me to be successful. I know when we are obedient, we are blessed. 

The most amazing  thing i did this week was a place that we teach english class and teach it 3 days a week. Its at a little home for handicapped people. All  these 20 handicapped kids come and gather around to listen to us teach  english, they are the most amazing and happy kids ever. Theres a kid  with 1 leg, and i ask him what his favorite thing to do is, and he says  soccer. haha. nothing is impossible for them. Theres a kid who has his  arms cut off to his elbows, i see him come out (he also has his legs cut off up to his knees) with a book and pen. And i'm like what the heck,  what's this kid going to do. Whatever i guess he just likes to listen  that cool. Then i start teaching and he is actually writing! he has the  pen between both of his elbows, writing on the paper, and i'm talking  nice. He writes prettier than me. Smaller too! he's unbelievable, thats  how they all are, unbelievable.

Love Elder Rucker