We moved to Thailand fall of 2005. Steve had already been there 2 months, but the rest of us trailed behind. The International School of Bangkok (ISB), would take only Noah, our youngest child. Jordan & Jessica had to stay behind to finish their semester, after which Jessica would graduate early and Jordan would start his second semester of his sophomore year at ISB. Meghan came early but she had to have a tutor to prepare her for entrance into ISB. It was a messy move.
Church wasn’t much better. Relief Society was in khmer which I don’t understand so I was directed to the English RS in the Sunday School room. It was super crowded with only three small windows high up on one wall. Once inside, there was no way out without crawling over 4-6 sisters. So, after a few weeks of claustrophobia, I opted to go into the chapel where the children were having primary.
I sat with Sister Thevenin, a senior missionary, who was working with the new Cambodian members and preparing a Super Saturday for them. I helped with the Family Home Evening program making copies, cutting out lesson helps, and putting packets together.
Family Home Evening was a great place to start with the new members. It helped strengthen their family units, and define the role of father and mother, and help each to see the other as a partner in child-rearing and in life. The Gospel light was permeating every aspect of their life. Change at this level is always hard, but the Cambodian saints knew the Gospel was true and they were determined to embrace all aspects of it.
I wasn’t called to take over from Sister M in the Relief Society until it was spring, and even after all that time it came as a shock. I hadn’t caught on to all the activities Sister M was providing the Cambodians. I had barely got my children into school, and my oldest in to her first year at University. Life was a blur going 100 miles an hour, and it just got faster!
krhofhiens.com 