Is It December?

Another week and we are still mentally sane as we deal with getting text messages and not knowing how to return text, complicated financial reports and computer enteries on reports. But we learn as we go and know that patience is a virtue that can only be learned.

We have no reservations about our being here and that in this huge world, we are in this area of the planet to assist with the building up of the kingdom, a brick here, a board there and  every challenge is simply the efforts of he who wishes to destroy and slow the work of the Lord. So we pick up our sword each day and start cleaning house.

The projects are challenging and detailed. Considering the dollar value of what we now have under way ($300-$400,000) is  very different than running a ward or stake. We understand how Moses probably felt in his epic journey and challenges, but it is all worth it, thus the Lord calls it "laboring". What an appropriate word to describe any calling in the church.

Today was Fast Sunday and we had a large attendance and it appeared as if almost all the chairs were taken. The testimonies were sincere and there is a good spirit in the branch. As mom has explained basic training is the main need of all the leaders and we are becomming more and more involved as shadow leaders. You never know when that which you have learned in the church will one day be a blessing to others who are so new and searching for basic answers in their callings. We taught three families this week a lesson for new members to help them in understanding the church and it is such a privilidge to look in their eyes and see their desire to want to be the best they can.

We had the Elders Quorum presidency over for dinner the other night as they wanted us to instruct them in the duties of an elders quorum presidency and how to adjust the programs to their local needs. Home and visiting teaching is such a problem as most members work till 6:00PM and by the time they get home it is at least 7:00PM. Buses stop running at 8:00 so how can they fulfill their calling? One said, we can possibly get to a family, but then we cannot get home as the buses have stopped! Only 5-6 members have cars so what can they do? The quorum has assigned 22 home teachers, each with 2 families. There are about 200 families in the branch. We suggested that each home teacher be assigned 6 more families and visit two families per month and call the others. Next month, visit 2 different families, call the remaining 6 and continue to rotate this way and at least every 4 months, a visit will be acheived. Mom had a great idea and that was for the Relief Society to do the same, except visit different (than the Elders) families, that way every two months, teachers will visit each family!

Since we have no TV, Mom and I have a good time just talking and reading. Since mom is so much better with finances than I am, she is handling our reports and I am fighting through the projects. It is getting easier and you would be amazed at how adapt to the computer mom has become.She is cooking much different than at home but this is due to available foods stuffs. We are eating very healthy as they have such a variety of veggies. We do miss her home made bread but the local stores have some very good bread, filled with grains, etc.

We have a busy week ahead getting instructions on how to submit all of the financial reports, and keep the projects moving and see to all of the construction deatils, etc. Hopefully we will find out this week if we will be getting our car soon! Also, we fly to Singapore on the 27th for 5 days to renew our visas and we look forward to a little down time.

We think and talk about you daily. Look at pictures of your families, smile and say, it is all worth it as the Lord looks after you. Oh how I would like to walk outside and take a deep breath of cold air!
This is Mom now doing my usual banter!  I surely love ya'll.  I need to find the Malay term for ya'll.  Today was such a great day at church.  It's no different than home except for the language.  That's not a problem for us, as we have head phones.  Mary Anne is a wonderful translator.  Testimonies were so sweet and sincere.  One sister bore her testimony for the first time today in sacrament because her little daughter asked her to.  Chelsey, Welsey, and Wasita bore their testimony, too.  They're the 3 little girls who are cousins and were baptized last week by their grandpa!  I put their picture on the blog.  I also put pictures of Sis. Lennie and her humble home in the kampung.  We went to see her yesterday to teach her lesson 2 that we're suppose to.  Sebastian took us in his taxi,  we slid all the way in thru mud.  I was so afraid that we would get stuck, but Sebastian has such faith.  Those are sister Lennie's 3 kids in her house.  Two of them have cleft palets(sp) and Kate had arranged for their surgeries and on the day of the surgery, her husband refused!  I have a difficult time understanding that.  They cannot even speak or eat well because of this.  It was for free thru the Rotary, now if they have it done, it will cost them.  They have no money.
I also showed a picture of Dad at the bottom of the hill we walk up to see Bro. Musa.  Sebastian pulls me up while Dad follows to make sure that I don't slide! 
We had Branch Correlation today and everyone was there!  YEA YEA!  It was wonderful and everyone benefitted.  Lots of times they don't even have their meetings.  Dad and I get frustrated with them about this, so today was especially great.
Hope things are well with ya'll.  We are humbly proud of all of you.  The church is true.  How great it is!  I'll be eternally greatful for my missionaries who baptized me. 
Enjoy the wonderdful spirit of Christmas--it's difficult to know that special feeling when the weather here is @ 90 everyday.  Enjoy the cool weather!  We love you and give our babies a kiss from us.  MOM&DAD