Try to catch up here a little bit - N

We keep thinking of things we want to put on the blog - but either don't get around to it or seem to forget when the monitor is in front of us. Consequently we're way behind in our 'updates.' A couple of weeks ago, the miss pres. called us and said he'd just gotten word from the Area Presidency that approval had been given for the division of our little branch. He asked us if we could find the property that had been located some months earlier for that. Of course we said we would and then asked if he knew where it was or an address. His reply, "Nope -not a clue. Good luck." After hanging up, I remembered that one of the elders in December had asked to use our computer to e mail a pic of a possible location. With a little detective work, I was able to find that in the 'sent' folder and we set out. We knew a general location. We were able to find it and set up an appt with an agent for the next day. Pres. Clark and the office elders and the man over all physical facilities for Asia came over to lunch at our apartment the next day and then we went to see the property. Not sure if the church is going to be able to secure that. It's the 'shop lot' kind of set up that we see everywhere here and will need to be renovated by the church to make it into a suitable building. We're excited as it will be a closer location for some of the members who travel a long ways. So, the branch is going to be divided this Sunday and we're not sure what will happen after that. Stay tuned.

This pic is in Singapore with some of the other senior couples - riding the MRT - what a great way to get around. Wish we had something like that here in JB.
Called the Singapore Flyer - a great tourist thing to do that gives you a great view of Singapore. We haven't done it yet - kind of pricey - maybe sometime.
At our Seniors Conference this week - most of us visited like crazy, but some needed a well-earned nap. Elder Smith
Last Monday night - at Passir House - the mission office couple's home. Spaghetti dinner. This is where all the missionaries come in and stay for training before leaving for their location. And where all come to stay right before leaving for home. This was a first ever Seniors Conference for this mission. All missionaries must go into Singapore every 3 months for a Visa Stamp and everyone goes at different times. But now all seniors will be on the same schedule and we'll go in for a couple of days of visiting and meetings. We enjoyed it immensely.
All the senior missionaries in our mission. Taken on Tuesday after the day time meetings. The two couples on our left are going home this week. The elderly lady in the center - first row - is our mission president's mother. She's over 80 years old and is assigned to a remote place in East Malaysia, where we understand she is a terrific missionary. The sister on her left is her companion. The one on her right is her daughter - who serves with her husband in another location. The Mother is amazing. We'd heard about her, but this was our first opportunity to meet her. Each couple had teaching assignments for the conference and we learned a lot. On Tuesday evening, we had a 'mix and mingle' with senior couples in Singapore to get to know each other better and encourage them to serve senior missions. It was a great time. The office elders had put together a slide show with a pic of each couple and a humorous little spoof about them. Several speakers, classes, testimonies. It was a great rejuvenation for all of us. We spent two nights - the men mostly went to bed when we got back in the evening- exhausted, and the sisters stayed up till after midnight visiting. 6 couples stayed at Passir House, some family at the President's house and others stayed with local members.
The 2nd evening for those who were still in Singapore, we did a little Singapore River Cruise at dusk and had dinner after. Here's some Sing. scenery.
This is a hotel with this boat kind of thing on top. Singapore must be an architects dream place. The buildings are unique and amazing. We understand for a 25.00 ticket you can ride an elevator to the top and walk along and look down. Another thing we might try sometime. Not this trip. We had two appointments for teaching on Thursday night, so had to get back. Tonight (Friday) we have Seminary and Institute and tomorrow we go back over to Sing for an inservice mtg for seminary and institute teachers. Then hurry back so we can be here for an appt on Sat. night and Sunday's branch division.
More Singapore architecture - taken from the little scenery boat we were traveling on.
The buildings are incredible to see. Everyone snapped a ton of pictures.
The 'seniors' on the little river boat. We knew we were with some great people and had some good experiences. Returned home rejuvenated and ready to go back to work.

Two of our young sister missionaries have contracted Typhoid Fever, in spite of precautions. Hence many new urging about hygiene and being careful where we eat. Not always easy to do when we eat at investigators and members homes.

HOORAY - Monday is hump day for us - halfway. 9 more months to go. Enjoying most days - hanging on some other days.