Dearest Family,
Elder Nordgren here and just enjoying the amazing times on the mission. This week was good, but we sure need more investigators. The members in 8th branch aren't too excited about missionary work. That is how we get people to teach is through the members. We can't go knocking on doors cause that is illegal. The language is coming very well. The people are so fun to talk to and talking to them is always interesting. They like to talk abot my weight and how big I am. Speaking of which I am losing A TON of weight very fast. Last Wednesday I weighed myself and found that I had lost 45 pounds in just under 3 weeks. I won't be weighing in today but next week I will so that means you all will found out how much more I have lost in 2 weeks.
I find that lately as i ride my bike I feel like a giant. Sometimes I am sitting next to someone who is standing then when I stand it all changes and they all look like little children. Some of them speak very fast others not so much. The women speak faster than the men though. Living conditions vary from person to person. Usually they have a house made with a few wood pieces put together and not much else. There is dirt all over of course too. Food, you can guess that they all eat rice every meal, and put whatever they find in for some meat. There has been some crazy things that I have eaten so far like octopus, fresh crab, ants, and insects that you sometimes find in your meals. Speaking of weird bugs, every night we kill a cockroach or two in our house and there are always some mice to hunt. Some Geckos too. Interesting place here. For me, it is a new experience but nothing too crazy. I am still alive and I am safe. So no worries on this side of the world. And I just want to do a shout out for my awesome Mom and Sister who are having their birthdays at this time of the year. One year older, and wiser too. Happy Birthday Heather. Happy birthday Mom. Well that is my letter for this week, I love you all so much and be sure to keep it real.
With love,
Elder Nordgren
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
January 19, 2011 Letter
Hey dad,
so this week we had a lot of good times. me and my companion are getting a long so well and we are so alike. President Smedley helps so much also. Sister Smedley calls me every night to help me feel better about things and to just talk. They both are amazing. We had to move our 3 baptisms back a few weeks cause they aren't ready for it yet. We sure need more investigators though. Every night we are super busy but during the day people are at school and we go finding usually. Elder Thompson sure is a big help. He always finds a way to make me laugh. The other night I was talking to Sister Smedley on the phone after a good day and Elder Thompson gets up while I'm talking and starts dancing like he's got something going for him. It was sure funny. Even though he can't dance just like me.
Up to this point I have lost a lot of weight. I have lost 45 pounds in 3 weeks. Losing more and more everyday. I don't have money to buy new pants to replace the ones that won't even stay up with belts that are too big. It is just another struggle. Not a hard one.
I am trying everyday to focus on the atonement of Jesus Christ. Everything in this gospel comes from that pivotal moment in history. He saved each one of us through that awe inspiring event. Every hard time that we have, every tear that falls, every pain we feel, every down moment we have, and anything that we are not perfect with in covered by the power of the atonement. Every time I am homesick I know that Jesus Christ has gone through that. I pray everyday for the strength to push on. And i receive that strength. I am thankful for my amazing family which supports me. For the prayers in my behalf, and every little thought about me. I feel the power of a strong family at home. Thank you all so much! I love you all! I will continue to pray for you daily.
Love Elder Nordgren
so this week we had a lot of good times. me and my companion are getting a long so well and we are so alike. President Smedley helps so much also. Sister Smedley calls me every night to help me feel better about things and to just talk. They both are amazing. We had to move our 3 baptisms back a few weeks cause they aren't ready for it yet. We sure need more investigators though. Every night we are super busy but during the day people are at school and we go finding usually. Elder Thompson sure is a big help. He always finds a way to make me laugh. The other night I was talking to Sister Smedley on the phone after a good day and Elder Thompson gets up while I'm talking and starts dancing like he's got something going for him. It was sure funny. Even though he can't dance just like me.
Up to this point I have lost a lot of weight. I have lost 45 pounds in 3 weeks. Losing more and more everyday. I don't have money to buy new pants to replace the ones that won't even stay up with belts that are too big. It is just another struggle. Not a hard one.
I am trying everyday to focus on the atonement of Jesus Christ. Everything in this gospel comes from that pivotal moment in history. He saved each one of us through that awe inspiring event. Every hard time that we have, every tear that falls, every pain we feel, every down moment we have, and anything that we are not perfect with in covered by the power of the atonement. Every time I am homesick I know that Jesus Christ has gone through that. I pray everyday for the strength to push on. And i receive that strength. I am thankful for my amazing family which supports me. For the prayers in my behalf, and every little thought about me. I feel the power of a strong family at home. Thank you all so much! I love you all! I will continue to pray for you daily.
Love Elder Nordgren
Monday, January 17, 2011
Words from January 11, 2011
So I am here trying to chat and write you at the same time. It is crazy what the Lord can do when he got me to do my papers and everything so fast. Be sure to let me know about Hayden and get him to email me. My time is getting better as I recive more strength everyday. It is hard but it will be so worth it in the end. Dad I love you and I am trying to figure out how to send you some pics on here too, I hope it works
I can't be on here forever now. Right now I got some pics uploading for you to see, so this one will take a minute. But dad I am doing a little better, but things have only gotten harder. I am trying my best and I want to make you proud. I know you pray for me. I feel the power of a father's prayer everyday. Thank you so much dad. Here are the pics, enjoy.
Yeah I'm not worried about my foot. I like the blog though. I just went to it. My comp is 22. So guess what!!!! I have lost about 15-20 pounds so far while I've been here. I feel like it too. I'm just hungry all the time.
Ok that is it for now. I love you all.
*Edited by dad. I call it "words" because he didn't really write a letter, I had to piece things together. Maybe we'll get a real "letter" next week.
I can't be on here forever now. Right now I got some pics uploading for you to see, so this one will take a minute. But dad I am doing a little better, but things have only gotten harder. I am trying my best and I want to make you proud. I know you pray for me. I feel the power of a father's prayer everyday. Thank you so much dad. Here are the pics, enjoy.
Yeah I'm not worried about my foot. I like the blog though. I just went to it. My comp is 22. So guess what!!!! I have lost about 15-20 pounds so far while I've been here. I feel like it too. I'm just hungry all the time.
Ok that is it for now. I love you all.
*Edited by dad. I call it "words" because he didn't really write a letter, I had to piece things together. Maybe we'll get a real "letter" next week.
Pictures from Matt
The travel group arrives at the mission home.
Elder Nordgren and new comp, Elder Thompson
The pad. Matt's bike is the far one.
Matt's bed. Ooooh, comfy!
Matt... somewhere.
At the airport.
Matt in the airport van. Yeah, out of prison, I mean the MTC.
MTC District.
Elders Miller and Nordgren
Aaaahah, found someone from the ward, Elder Cahoon.
Have no idea what this is. Perhaps Elder Nordgren could enlighten us?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Letter Dated January 5, 2011
My companion is Elder Thompson from California.
I am serving in Phnom Penh 8th Branch.
Got a white bike way trashed already with one gear and been hit on it twice already.
The food absolutely SUCKS!!! I guess it is something you have to grow to learn. Someone said that rice in asia is better than America, that was wrong.
Right now we have about 15 investigators that we regularly teach. Three baptisms set for the 23 of this month.
The weather is actually in the "winter season" here at about a good 85 degrees at least.
Don't have any good experiences yet but I will tell when I get them and I am keeping a journal so I will have that for when I get home to tell stories.
The jet lag wasn't too bad.
It's against the rules to eat spiders cause there are missionaries that get sick from eating them and have to go home.
This morning I looked in our washing water and found a cockroach in in. lots of bugs and I sleep on the floor. My foot got ran over by a car last night and it kills! My pants ripped and had to ride home like that.
I am serving in Phnom Penh 8th Branch.
Got a white bike way trashed already with one gear and been hit on it twice already.
The food absolutely SUCKS!!! I guess it is something you have to grow to learn. Someone said that rice in asia is better than America, that was wrong.
Right now we have about 15 investigators that we regularly teach. Three baptisms set for the 23 of this month.
The weather is actually in the "winter season" here at about a good 85 degrees at least.
Don't have any good experiences yet but I will tell when I get them and I am keeping a journal so I will have that for when I get home to tell stories.
The jet lag wasn't too bad.
It's against the rules to eat spiders cause there are missionaries that get sick from eating them and have to go home.
This morning I looked in our washing water and found a cockroach in in. lots of bugs and I sleep on the floor. My foot got ran over by a car last night and it kills! My pants ripped and had to ride home like that.
I guess that's how it goes here.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Elder Nordgren's Mailing Address
Elder Matthew Nordgren
Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission
House 2B, Street 222, Off Norodom Blvd
PO Box 165
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission
House 2B, Street 222, Off Norodom Blvd
PO Box 165
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
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