the Spencers

Elder and Sister Spencer are the senior missionary couple that has been serving in and around Phnom Penh for 2 years.   I first met Elder Spencer when he came at the beginning of the dance party that we held for the kids right before Natalie left.  He is like a grandfather to all the kids.  He brought us blow-pops.  How long has it been since you've had a blow-pop?
I met Sister Spencer later at church.  I noticed her because I could hear her singing the alto part and nobody here sings alto.  We're a melody-only culture when it comes to Church Hymns.  I was playing for sacrament, and she asked, when we were introduced, if I would play the piano for her in Primary.  Since then I've been primary pianist. 

We didn't hold school on Thursday because the kids were preparing to dance for the Spencer's dinner event.  It was Elder Spencer's birthday, but also their going-away party since they leave on the 10th.  We were all invited and Botevy told me to be at the orphanage at 5pm so I could take a tuktuk with the kids.

I did, and we went on a nice drive, through a park with monkeys, to a really fancy American hotel near the King's Palace.
We all waited in one of the rooms while the dancers got into their costumes. 
When it was time for dinner, we all filed into the big hall where the buffet style dinner was served.
There was a man there with a block LED light that he held for the photographers.  There were very many people in attendance.  There were too many forks and spoons and everyone was dressed to the nines.

There was a small chamber groups comprised of a 'piano', violin, and clarinet.  It was nice to hear music I recognized.

Well, nobody told me this was a black-tie event, so I was wearing yogapants.  But let's be glad it was that and not my florescent pink ones.

The food was incredible.  Duck Curry, and octopus something, and raw salmon in lime juice and a soup bar and roast beef that was *extremely* undercooked, which I stayed far away from.

Young Young commandeered my camera, for most of the evening.  Sophanuth took it near the end.  It's fun to have 5 year olds take your pictures, they always focus on what they see as important.  I got a lot of up-side-down self portraits. 

The kids danced and maybe I'll get one of those videos up someday.  There was more cake, there were adorable children....and I feel like everyone took every possible opportunity they could to tickle me.