5.12.08 Letter & Mother's Day Phone Call

hello family i am not going to write much today but i just wanted to say that it was awsome to be able to talk to you guys yesterday. it sounds like you all are doing really good which i am really thankful for. i hope all goes well this week. also i lost my backpack so pray that i find it because it had my bloody camera in it! gosh!!! anywyas hope you guys have a good week and i will look forward to hearing from you guys next week. ps. I DONT KNow what to do about registration katy. please help
love jeff

P.S. from Mindi: We were all able to chat with Jeff on Mother's Day, which also happened to be his birthday so we were able to serenade him with the Stirland version of Happy Birthday. It was so good to speak with him and hear about all of his adventures as a missionary. He sounded great and despite the work being slow he is progressing. He said it is very difficult to retain converts because of issues with other members, and where 10 years ago the Cambodian members had their own branch now they are mixed in with 2 other nationalities that tend to not get along sometimes. He said that many of the older Cambodian members became inactive because they were incorporated into an English speaking ward and because of the language barrier they stopped coming to church. He also said that typically the Cambodian people have a hard time giving up their "sins" and although they have felt the spirit and want to join the church their desire to continue living as they are is greater and after a few discussions they turn the missionaries away. This has been a frustrating aspect of his mission for him. However, he is still funny, joking Jeff and he has matured a lot. He is starting to worry about post-mission life; but we all told him to continue to focus on his mission and everything will be okay. It was so good to talk to him, and we are all so excited to see him when he gets home on July 31st. Please continue to remember him in your prayers (especially that he'll find his backpack-how does that happen? :) and drop him a line or two if you get a minute.