November 12, 2017 Angkor Wat and Baptisms!

Hey everyone!

This week was so much fun and so crazy! On P-day last week we went to Angkor Wat and saw so many temples! It was by far one of the coolest days ever. All the missionaries in Siem Reap right now are so fun and we had the best time together. I came home with a nasty sunburn and blisters on my feet from my crocs but it was worth it!

And yesterday we had a baptism! Three little cousins from part-member families were baptized, and the brother of an Elder serving in Cambodia got baptized as well! It was such a fun day.

Sorry I have such little time left. I just encourage everyone this week to find what makes each and every one of you happy. In life, when we focus on the negative, we can get caught up in things that don't matter. But when we find the happiness in life and show gratitude for everything, our lives are so much happier and we can find joy in the little things. I love all of you and hope you have a great week!

Sister Bashford

Pictures:

1. Me and Sister Snooks at Angkor Wat!

2. Group pic (one of the funniest pictures ever)

3. Our three little girls got baptized! Love them!

Email to Maile about Bridger and Tommy: (Over two weeks time)

I couldn't keep Bridger alive until you came home. He went from a level 2 heart murmur in May to a level 6 in October. He was coughing non-stop and couldn't catch his breath. He wasn't getting enough oxygen and was suffering. We had him put to sleep today, Thursday. A vet came to the house and we euthanized him under the big tree in the back yard. He went so peacefully and wasn't stressed out, I was so proud of him. This was the toughest decision I've ever made in my life. I miss him so much already. I'm so sorry you didn't get to say goodbye. We buried him in the corner of the yard where he would stand and look for lizards. I'm so sorry. I love you!

Hi mom. Don't worry about me i'm fine :) I cried for a little bit but everything is going to be fine. It was his time to go. I felt the strongest impression to fast for all of you yesterday and I think this was why. I wish I could have said goodbye but we will see him again :) Stay strong. This is hard and sucks but don't worry about me. I love you!!

HI MOM omg I cant believe you got another dog!! I am so happy for you guys! Once I found out about bridger I definitrly cried myself to sleep but I have been alright. I mostly hacve been really sad knowing how hard it was going to be for the family and you but it looks like you have the cutest puppy ever so there is nothing to worry about :) I am also super jealous off all the trips you guys go on what the heck why didnt we go on this many trips when I was home?? haha but its all good. I am having a blast in Siem Reap. We have so many investigators and we are tryin to get them all baptized before Sister Snooks dies in three weeks so we are so busy all the time. We baptized the three cutest girls yesterday and rode around the prettiest parts of Siem Reap (around Angkor wat) and I can actually kind of understand conversations outside of lessons and I am starting to create relationships with members. There are three mings (women that are mom aged) that always call me their daughter and I call them mom (pronounced "mat"). I am loving it and the food and I come home so sweaty every single night and I smell so bad and I take a cold shower every day and I have gained a ton of weight (I weigh about 150) but I am fat and happy :) Some days are REALLY hard and I have gotten more homesick the last two weeks than ever but things are going well and this week I am going on an exchange to Battambang with Sister Davis (MTC comp) because she is my STL (Sister Training Leader) and we are so pumped. I will tell you all aout it next week. Love you so much!! Tell all the kids to be safe with all their stuff.

Sister Bashford