Tues. April 4 N. writing

Just thought I'd post what we did today. Gave up my run this morning so I could start the lunch for district meeting. Just fixed minestrone soup, green salad. When the elders had started their soup I told them I had cinnamon rolls in the oven. Be ready in a minute. You know, I may never be able to cook for my family again. Do they high five, roll on the floor, shout and say hooray? NO! Well, actually the roll on the floor part is not quite true. But they are extremely appreciative. It went well. One of our elders has only been here for 2 months and he's going home - leaving Thursday. We're sad about that. After cleaning up lunch, we picked up Sister Norma in Megha Rhia and started an afternoon of visiting. First returned a resume to Sister Julia, whose husband is a member and is out of work. Such a common and difficult malady here. She wasn't home, but he served drinks and we talked and he asked us to come back and give him a blessing when she returned. Next we went to visit Magdeline and her family. The husband is not a member and was asleep. She and the children agreed to come to church this Sunday and Norma will pick them up. We do so hope that holds true. Attendance in the branch lately is dropping off to the point of being a big concern. We know that 'keeping the active - active' is our job, so we feel very responsible and sometimes discouraged wondering how and what to do. Next we went to visit Missy - a long time, very solid member who hasn't come to church for a couple of months. Although we've been to visit her before, today seemed especially difficult. She told us she knows the church is true and wants to come, but her husband is going to the Methodist church and she has to go with to keep peace. He has beaten her before. Her sad eyes were difficult to look into. We suggested she keep reading the Book of Mormon and Norma and I are going to text her every other day to keep in touch and told her we'd visit the first Tues of every month. Oh... visiting teachers and home teachers would be such an amazing help here. If only.... we could convince the branch in that direction. When we came out of Missy's it was pouring. I don't think I've ever really seen pouring til I came to Malaysia. We have 2 very nice umbrellas, safely home in the apartment. Great! Got drenched. Next visited Regina, her 2 little children and Mother. The husband, Nanong, has just left for Russia - off shore work. Did an 'after baptism' lesson about enduring to the end. Garald bore his testimony in Malay - darn good job. Unfortunately the Grandma only speaks Iban - but she gives us big hugs. They also committed to come to church this Sunday and we'll be picking them up. Next back to Sister Julia's to give her and Thomas each a blessing. She is starting work this Friday in an electronics 'manufactory.' (her word) Then took Sister Norma home. Ran in for a bathroom break. Then picked up 3 elders and went to the Lucy\Uki family where we gave another 'after baptism' lesson. Stopped at the store on the way home because tomorrow is preparation day and the elders wanted to buy some badminton rackets to come to our place tomorrow to play. It's 10:00 P.M. Home on time, tired - going to bed. (all of us in the car tonight smelled like wet dogs - not really pleasant - oh well)