We were told to note the things that are new or unusual as soon as they happen - because over time they become normal, and you don't notice them anymore. So for us, the Mekong River is a benchmark object. The river has now risen about 10 feet in the past 5 weeks. Considering its size, that is amazing (to us anyway). But this happens EVERY year, so it's not amazing to any of the locals. It will rise at least 10 - 20 feet more before it reaches it's peak height. We were asked why Kampong Cham exists as a city. Smarty-pants Erin immediately said, "the bridge." It's true.

The bridge was built in 2001 through a $56 million grant from Japan and was the first bridge built over the Mekong River in Cambodia (https://www.google.com.kh/maps/@11.988381,105.4625001,1791m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en). For our city, it connected East and West. It's as significant for Cambodia as the joining of the rail lines was for the US back in the 1800's. Well, enough history.



6 weeks old

I lost about 10 pounds in my first month here, and gained them all back yesterday. We went to a church member's home, where we were fed BBQ spare ribs, ground pork omelets, fish soup with bamboo shoots, stir-fry frog with spicy green beans and steamed rice. It was all delicious - although the frog had a ton of little bones (what would you expect?). We shared a short lesson with them, then the Mom took us to a little commune behind the rubber plantation, where several church members lived that no one knew about. The Elders and I joined the Dad to give their newborn a blessing (their first child). I think the blessing will be as beneficial for the parents as it will be for the baby. First-time Moms and Dads are always wondering if they are doing things "right." Parenthood is a HUGE responsibility - yet Heavenly Father trusts parents with His precious children. He hopes they will teach them to be good and kind, and help each other. Some day all parents will give an account of their family stewardship to the Father of all. He doesn't expect perfection (none of us would pass that test - just ask my children) and he knows that children are born into challenging circumstances. All He asks of us is to do our best and follow His manual (the best parenting manual I know of is found in Mosiah chapters 2-5).

Mangosteen (front) and Durian tree (back)

This good family is part of four generations residing in two middle class houses, surrounded by coconut, durian and mangosteen trees. The family runs an orchard - harvesting fruit and selling to local market vendors. They picked fresh mangosteens off the tree for us, then hacked down a cluster of green coconuts for coconut milk. Cutting the coconuts for milk is an art form. First they shear off the bottom to make it flat (so it can sit on a surface like a cup). The artist then machete's off the top just enough to allow a straw to poke down into the milk. After you drink the milk, the artist whacks the coconut in half, so you can scrape out the soft, just-forming coconut insides. It's delicious - and super low calorie (NOT). We ended our day with pumpkin coconut milk soup (Erin) and coconut curry soup with vegetables (me) - followed up by two magnum ice cream bars from the gas station ($2 each!). I blew up a calculator trying to add up the calories.