A Sprinkling of... MOMENTOUS MAY!

A SPRINKLING OF MAY

We’ve come up with a label to describe our MOMENTOUS MAY 

The behind the scenes months of committee activities, meetings, planning, for International Folk Dancers event not included:

Invitations for and host the International Law and Religion Symposium Reunion:  This included creating invitations translated, printed, addressed and delivered to Alumni who have attended this Symposium since 2001. Government officials, dignitaries, educators from 47 countries around the world attend these included delegates from Cambodia. This was the FIRST reunion attempted and conducted for Cambodian participants

Dignitaries included (among others)  the Vice-Governor of Phnom Penh as well as Her Excellency Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s affairs for all of Cambodia,  Excellency Say Amnann, special envoy to Royal Cabinet.

Secure the venue (Sofitel) the room, the menu, the seating chart, write the program.

Host 30 guests including special guests from Hong Kong Asia Area President, Elder & Sister Funk, from our church and Annie Wong (also Hong Kong)

Slide presentation of dignitaries  experience on campus at symposium ( set to music) – as well as a 

PowerPoint honoring the passing of Excellency Min Khin, to Cancer. 

FULL DAY South Stake Zone Conference

12 days to Folk Dancers arrival in Phnom Penh

Prepare VIP Reception for pre-Folk Dancers performance at Koh Pich Theater for Ambassadors, Government, Business officials, Ministry Opinion Leaders prior to the BYU Folk Dancer’s performance. 

2 visits to theater to plan VIP Reception – met with caterers  for menu, met at theater to lay out design for serving (70 people expected) Invitations created, printed, addressed, delivered (no postal system here)

Individual Packets made and addressed and delivered for over 18 Embassies who are in operation here.

Lanyards purchased - insert labels made (translated) for Ushers (70 young missionaries will wear color coded)

Attend (cover – take pictures gather information) for Wheel Chair Assessment and training – Veterans International Cambodia where LDS Charities provides 40-50 wheelchairs each month.

Meet with multiple people to finalize donations from patrons/donors from Corporate, university and business entity  sponsors

Deliver more tickets around town to ticket sites

Joni’s TV appearance - CNC

Arrangements/including email correspondence – phone calls to get Passport numbers, and proper names/pictures submitted to U.S. Embassy prior to program Picked up and accompanied young Missionaries who appeared on the Embassy’s “Facebook Live Chat  - again an interview for the 

Women’s Benefit Event.

East District Conference – (like a Stake Conference)

Folk Dancers Arrive Friday afternoon 5-12-17 First ever visit to Cambodia. Planned visit site of Nokor Tep Cancer Hospital for women – the purpose for their travel and performance to raise money  to help with completion of the FIRST Cancer Hospital in this country to aid the suffering women of Cambodia who, when diagnosed with cancer has no alternatives (unless they have enough money to travel to Singapore or Thailand.  they have NO money).

Country-wide 350 YSA Young Single Adults members come to this Conference between ages 18-30) travel to  capital city for Spiritual/fun/activity filled weekend.  Elder & Sister Evans, Asia Area Presidency  came from Hong Kong and was special speaker.  Friday evening Folk Dancers joined for a dinner and exchanging cultures.  They taught the Khmer young people how to square dance – fun activities and games. Saturday began their workshops, to complete the conference.

Write/rehearse script for Master of Ceremonies evening performance – check sound equipment

Saturday a.m. Arrange, accompany and set up for dancer’s mini concert CENTER COURT of Aeon 

Mall (Largest Mall Phnom Penh)

Go to Theater a.m.  rehearsal , Last minute setting/seating determination for proper Government/Civic/Embassy make labels for seat.

2:00 p.m. Theater meeting with ushers – color coding theater

Ticket tables, Will call signs, cloths, money boxes set up in front of theater

2:30 p.m. meet with Khmer Dancers for their rehearsal

3:00  p.m.  BYU Dancers rehearsal, set lights, cameras, staging, costumes in and arranged

4:00 p.m. Dinner for performers pre-show

6:00 p.m. Greeting dignitaries at VIP Reception – (over 70 attended)

7:00 – 9:00 –“Journey” Showcased dazzling dances from all parts of the world – home 11:00 p.m.

Mother’s Day - South Stake Conference – 9:00 a.m. Elder & Sister David F. Evans Asian Area Seventy Presidency Visit

Sunday p.m. BYU Student’s Fireside – accompany dancers dinner – back to hotel – farewell 10:00 p.m.

Perusing through VIP Reception pictures (placing roper names with correct titles and faces for each dignitary for my report)

Prepared remarks for East Zone Missionary Conference - Lance and I were asked to Speak on HOPE

Attended 3 hour inter-faith gathering of over  3000  as Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Sen (a devout Buddhist)  arrived (and for the FIRST time in the country’s history) formal recognition of Christianity (the followers of Jesus Christ) to have the freedom to teach in this country.  A momentous day in May.

So far this month….

FIRST Granddaughter’s (Aly)WEDDING  - married Provo Temple

Grandson (Sam) receives Mission call – Lubbock, Texas

Same Grandson (Sam) High School Graduation

1 grandson (Jordan) graduates college

5 grandchildren’s birthdays –

3 Sister’s birthdays

1 great granddaughter’s birthday

Evicted –

Moving this weekend...

AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE!

Well, other than that….it’s been a pretty uneventful month…. And it’s not even over yet!

It’s just a hunch but it may take the rest of our mission to dig out of just “how” far we’ve fallen behind   BUT HEY….WHAT A RIDE…

Love you all!  

Elder and Sister Dowd (Grammy & Pop Pop)