Oh gosh - time to pay the rent again? We've now been here a little over half of our time. It seems long and short. When we first arrived, we found it hard to find enough things to fill our time, but that is not usually the case now. Since the branch division, we are trying to help and attend both branches. The little Masai branch is very small and struggling. President J. has only been a member a little over a year and is not quite sure what to do. The first Sunday there had been no callings extended and therefore no classes prepared. Last Sunday was the 2nd time they've met and there was a SS teacher and one of the members, Sis N. stepped up with a marker and tried to present a lesson during the combined RS\Priesthood time. They've decided to try an adult English class on Saturday nights. I'll be teaching that (I'm very nervous about it) and they are also thinking of having a pot luck dinner after church once a month to build some unity. Some members needed a definition of the words pot luck. We have 4 new elders here with enthusiasm and energy. We hope they can find and baptize some new members to help the branch grow. It's interesting to note that of the 4 new elders - none of them are from Utah - kind of unusual. We're getting acquainted and so glad to have them here. The largest group of missionaries ever has just gone home and the largest group ever has just come in. It left one of our areas 'whitewashed' - meaning all new elders there with no one left who knows the area or investigators. More trips for Garald to the bike shop - we're regulars. He's getting good at negotiating good prices for the elders as we bring him so much new business. Our temple prep class is over half way finished. And Seminary\Institute will be finished at the end of October. Wow... looked like an eternity at the beginning and now we're down to the last couple of months. The Chinese boy that I teach English was here today - every Mon & Thurs. Now his little sister comes and after we accomplish some academic stuff, we play Dominoes or Jenga - they laugh and squeal and we love it. Their Mom still brings me her home made sushi - so delish.
We've visiting many people who haven't been to church for a while and trying to help them to remember their testimonies. They're very kind, welcome us, feed us, hug us and say they'll be back to church, but we rarely see them. This is one of the block house apartment buildings where we spend a lot of time visiting and teaching.
The stair wells are sometimes very dark, wet and smelly. I think they're downright scary, but G. perseveres with me in tow. Trying to find the 'lost sheep.' Just trying to find the right apartment is a daunting task. Then 'knock knock' as loud as we can because they have to unlock several locks to let us in. Sister Norma goes visiting with us every Tuesday and provides translation services - bless her. Other days, we just smile a lot, shake hands, use our limited Malay skills and a lot of hand gestures. They laugh at us, but it's okay. They know why we're there and welcome us.
Last Saturday we had a double baby shower planned at our apartment. Here's Sister A in front - the expectant mother, but the other mother didn't make it as her baby decided to be born the day before. We ate a lot, laughed and had fun. Chicken salad sandwiches and Aunt Karen's yummy pasta salad. Actually when they said, "Can we do a shower at your apartment? " I didn't know that yes meant I'd be fixing all the food. It was okay though.
The new arrival to Sis N - the Mom who didn't make it to the shower. Visited her on Monday. They already have a son and daughter who are in their teens and the son is so happy to have a brother. When we visited them the Monday before, Garald gave her a blessing. They didn't know if they were having a boy or a girl and the brother staunchly declared it was a boy. Good thing he was right.
Mom - Nancy - isn't she beautiful! Baby less than a week old. And yes... she did tell me the name, but it was hard for me to even pronounce, let alone remember. I'll write it down next time. Big brother looking on. Always sitting on the tile floors. I don't mind it so much any more, but thought it might be hard for her getting up and down. I think this family bought an old vinyl sofa (it's green and patched with black duct tape) so the couple missionaries could sit on it. I did a couple of times and quickly realized that the floor is much cooler.
This is Grandma Lucy who stays home and tends Fee Fee in front and now the new baby because all the mothers go to work. Four families - the parents and four married children and their families all live together. It's really fun to visit there. Fee Fee has just learned to crawl and is quite a handful for Grandma. She's getting rather accustomed to us and doesn't cry any more when we hold her. She's really delightful. That's a child from another family - Bea - looking on. She just started school this year. She's about 5 going on 15. Loves the karaoke spotlight.
Look at those leaves - wow. Looks like they're on steroids. Heat and humidity - grows everything splendidly here. But makes me wilt - haven't worn a sweater or jacket since arrival. I think I'll welcome feeling cold again someday ... well, maybe.
Yesterday was diversion day and we've been working hard lately so decided to turn into tourists and play for a day. We were on the boardwalk in Singapore walking to Sentosa Island - a resort\theme park kind of area. Wish you could see the buildings in the background a little better. Two of them lean in toward each other - amazing architecture. In the surrounding ocean, their reflections are straight. Boggles my mind. We understand they contain multi- million dollar apartments.
We sat in the sand on the beach for a while and did some 'people watching.' Loved watching these little Chinese twins having fun in the sand and surf.
Attended 'Songs of the Sea' in the evening - a musical water show. Here's a part of the little Chinese children's group who sat behind us.
Well, you get the idea...right? Water show - not great at photography - but I try.
Another water picture up in the air - beautiful music. Delightful evening. We didn't get back to JB until almost midnight - tired, but good ending to a fun day. Ready to get back to work in the morning.
Another water pic. The show was presented on the beach front. Inexpensive (rather amazing for Singapore) but very enjoyable.
We've visiting many people who haven't been to church for a while and trying to help them to remember their testimonies. They're very kind, welcome us, feed us, hug us and say they'll be back to church, but we rarely see them. This is one of the block house apartment buildings where we spend a lot of time visiting and teaching.
The stair wells are sometimes very dark, wet and smelly. I think they're downright scary, but G. perseveres with me in tow. Trying to find the 'lost sheep.' Just trying to find the right apartment is a daunting task. Then 'knock knock' as loud as we can because they have to unlock several locks to let us in. Sister Norma goes visiting with us every Tuesday and provides translation services - bless her. Other days, we just smile a lot, shake hands, use our limited Malay skills and a lot of hand gestures. They laugh at us, but it's okay. They know why we're there and welcome us. 
Last Saturday we had a double baby shower planned at our apartment. Here's Sister A in front - the expectant mother, but the other mother didn't make it as her baby decided to be born the day before. We ate a lot, laughed and had fun. Chicken salad sandwiches and Aunt Karen's yummy pasta salad. Actually when they said, "Can we do a shower at your apartment? " I didn't know that yes meant I'd be fixing all the food. It was okay though.
The new arrival to Sis N - the Mom who didn't make it to the shower. Visited her on Monday. They already have a son and daughter who are in their teens and the son is so happy to have a brother. When we visited them the Monday before, Garald gave her a blessing. They didn't know if they were having a boy or a girl and the brother staunchly declared it was a boy. Good thing he was right.
Mom - Nancy - isn't she beautiful! Baby less than a week old. And yes... she did tell me the name, but it was hard for me to even pronounce, let alone remember. I'll write it down next time. Big brother looking on. Always sitting on the tile floors. I don't mind it so much any more, but thought it might be hard for her getting up and down. I think this family bought an old vinyl sofa (it's green and patched with black duct tape) so the couple missionaries could sit on it. I did a couple of times and quickly realized that the floor is much cooler.
This is Grandma Lucy who stays home and tends Fee Fee in front and now the new baby because all the mothers go to work. Four families - the parents and four married children and their families all live together. It's really fun to visit there. Fee Fee has just learned to crawl and is quite a handful for Grandma. She's getting rather accustomed to us and doesn't cry any more when we hold her. She's really delightful. That's a child from another family - Bea - looking on. She just started school this year. She's about 5 going on 15. Loves the karaoke spotlight.
Look at those leaves - wow. Looks like they're on steroids. Heat and humidity - grows everything splendidly here. But makes me wilt - haven't worn a sweater or jacket since arrival. I think I'll welcome feeling cold again someday ... well, maybe.
Yesterday was diversion day and we've been working hard lately so decided to turn into tourists and play for a day. We were on the boardwalk in Singapore walking to Sentosa Island - a resort\theme park kind of area. Wish you could see the buildings in the background a little better. Two of them lean in toward each other - amazing architecture. In the surrounding ocean, their reflections are straight. Boggles my mind. We understand they contain multi- million dollar apartments.
We sat in the sand on the beach for a while and did some 'people watching.' Loved watching these little Chinese twins having fun in the sand and surf.
Attended 'Songs of the Sea' in the evening - a musical water show. Here's a part of the little Chinese children's group who sat behind us.
Well, you get the idea...right? Water show - not great at photography - but I try.
Another water picture up in the air - beautiful music. Delightful evening. We didn't get back to JB until almost midnight - tired, but good ending to a fun day. Ready to get back to work in the morning.
Another water pic. The show was presented on the beach front. Inexpensive (rather amazing for Singapore) but very enjoyable. 
2 comments:
Keep up with the posts. We love to read them.
Hey You Two - Sam and Massiel gave amazing talks last Sunday in sacrament meeting. We so enjoyed hearing them. We love having them in our ward. Sophie is so beautiful! We love and miss you, and think about you all the time. You have our continued support and prayers. Love, Heidi
P.S. We also enjoyed getting to know Katie and family. They're awesome!
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