Yes, hell just froze over. I am finally teaching myself how to blog. You all know that I spent my Christmas holiday with the Olmsteads in Huntington Beach. I had an extremely lovely time. Molly and Jaxon are too dang cute and funny!
I've never done the Disneyland or Disneyworld thing. Ginger so kindly drove us to Disneyland the day after Christmas to I could partake of that experience. Holy poop. I have never seen so many people wanting to do the same thing. When we finally got to the gate to buy our passes, they told us that Disneyland was at capacity. Ging and I looked at each other and turned around to leave. I did get one picture at the Disneyland sign by the parking garage. Better luck next time. Enjoy the pictures!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
First Zone Conference
Not much news this week. After our visit to Bintulu, we were so tired. We arrived home on Saturday afternoon, and went directly to church for a special meeting and Relief Society meeting. We had makeup classes for the sisters in Relief Society. It was so fun! The young women came also. They had more fun playing with E/S Larson's new hats than the make up. The sisters loved getting beautiful and laughed a lot.
Dad and I came home and had a little nap on Sunday afternoon before going to the airport again. We went to Miri for our first Zone Conference. Our 6 missionaries traveled with us--it was fun! We left at 8 pm and arrived in our hotel room after 10 pm. I was exhausted and so was Dad. Our meetings the next day were suppose to start at 11:30, but President Clark's plane was delayed and we didn't start until aboout 3--barely time for our trip to be worthwhile.
Our mission president's wife always talks about family history--always! So, she did her presentation first, then Pres. Clark spoke. It was wonderful. He is a great motivator and speaker. The young missionaries really respect and benefit from his speaking. He was traveling with one of the General Authoirities--Elder Pratt and his wife. Sis Pratt taught us on the Holy Ghost for almost a hour, which left little time for her husband, but very informative. Elder Pratt was wonderful! He just opened it up for questions and discussion. I loved it and him! So down to earth!
We also got to meet several of the missionary couples in our district. In fact, they all sat at the same table with Dad and I. Such delightful people! President Clark's sister and her husband, the Weilands, are serving in Sandakan, on the eastern part of the island. His 84-year old Mom is serving in Miri, where we were meeting! We enjoyed meeting all who were there. It's nice to put a face with names now. Our group from KK had to be excused before the meeting was over because we had to catch a plane. We finally got home at about 11:30pm. My back hurt so badly from that horrible ride in Bintulu that I spent most of the next day in bed. I didn't exercise this week at all, but today(Sunday) I feel really good and am going to get back on schedule this week.
Tomorrow, we have to start preparing for a Valentine's Ball for the YSA group we work with. They are inviting the rest of the YSAs in our District. We're going to do our planning tomorrow night at FHE. They love stuff like this. Any wonderful ideas-just let me know.
Jenny, we received your package today from the sisters, who had a visa run to Singapore last week. We love the pics and calender and especially the treats. Sebastian loved, loved his hat!! When I told him that it was a genuine BYU hat, he said, "Oh, it must be very expensive!" He put it on his head with the tag still on and wore it to take us home from church today.
We love you and pray for each of you daily. Heavenly Father is mindful of each of you daily. I know this, for the Spirit tells me! LOVE, MOM
This is a pic of some of the wonderful road we traveled on in Bintulu!-----21/2 HOURS!!!
This is Kiko, who is in our YSA group. She is coming out of her shell with us more and more. If I were rich, I would pay to have her teeth fixed--they're so bad! She's good and faithful.
This was YSA's FHE two weeks ago. I taught them a lesson about the early pioneers of the church. Then, I let them look at the 20+ books that Mary Anne has compiled of the Church history in KK and talked to them about how they are the pioneers who are being written about in the history of KK. They loved it!
Dad and I came home and had a little nap on Sunday afternoon before going to the airport again. We went to Miri for our first Zone Conference. Our 6 missionaries traveled with us--it was fun! We left at 8 pm and arrived in our hotel room after 10 pm. I was exhausted and so was Dad. Our meetings the next day were suppose to start at 11:30, but President Clark's plane was delayed and we didn't start until aboout 3--barely time for our trip to be worthwhile.
Our mission president's wife always talks about family history--always! So, she did her presentation first, then Pres. Clark spoke. It was wonderful. He is a great motivator and speaker. The young missionaries really respect and benefit from his speaking. He was traveling with one of the General Authoirities--Elder Pratt and his wife. Sis Pratt taught us on the Holy Ghost for almost a hour, which left little time for her husband, but very informative. Elder Pratt was wonderful! He just opened it up for questions and discussion. I loved it and him! So down to earth!
We also got to meet several of the missionary couples in our district. In fact, they all sat at the same table with Dad and I. Such delightful people! President Clark's sister and her husband, the Weilands, are serving in Sandakan, on the eastern part of the island. His 84-year old Mom is serving in Miri, where we were meeting! We enjoyed meeting all who were there. It's nice to put a face with names now. Our group from KK had to be excused before the meeting was over because we had to catch a plane. We finally got home at about 11:30pm. My back hurt so badly from that horrible ride in Bintulu that I spent most of the next day in bed. I didn't exercise this week at all, but today(Sunday) I feel really good and am going to get back on schedule this week.
Tomorrow, we have to start preparing for a Valentine's Ball for the YSA group we work with. They are inviting the rest of the YSAs in our District. We're going to do our planning tomorrow night at FHE. They love stuff like this. Any wonderful ideas-just let me know.
Jenny, we received your package today from the sisters, who had a visa run to Singapore last week. We love the pics and calender and especially the treats. Sebastian loved, loved his hat!! When I told him that it was a genuine BYU hat, he said, "Oh, it must be very expensive!" He put it on his head with the tag still on and wore it to take us home from church today.
We love you and pray for each of you daily. Heavenly Father is mindful of each of you daily. I know this, for the Spirit tells me! LOVE, MOM
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Olmstead Christmas 2010
Monday, January 17, 2011
BUSINESS VERY UNUSUAL
Dear Family: Mom and I flew Thursday afternoon to Bintulu (11/2 hour flight) south east to inspect and close a water project closing in Bata Kakus, a village that was a 2 hour drive on pavement, and then 2 1/2 hour drive up a logging road that could only be navigated in a 4-wheel drive truck with large mud tires. It was the most tiring and uncomfortable drive of our life. It was like rolling down a hill in a barrel and our backs were so sore from the beating. The logging road was about 50-55 miles up the mountains into the jungle, and our driver, Jawa could drive in any wilderness race in the world, and make it through. We got stuck in the worse mud I have ever seen, and still he smiled and managed to get us out each time. We will never forget the experience. Today is Sunday and I am wondering if I'm ever going to recuperate from this trip! What an experience--wonderful, yet tiring. Dad and I do not bounce back quickly from trips like this. The trip came up suddenly for us--we did not know until Monday that we would be going. Kate made our reservations for our flight and hotel stay. Bintulu has about 180,000 people. When we first arrived, we commented about the small airport. It took 30 minutes to get to town. The suburbs were beautiful and clean, but like most cities the inner city was old and very dirty and contained all of the poor. Our hotelo was in the middle of the inner city. We had dinner Thursday evening and went to bed. Friday morning was a nice buffet Malaysian breakfast. Their chicken sausages were hotdogs! Lots of good fruits though. We went out the front to wait for our rides--whom we had never met. We knew to look for a Toyota Hillux truck. Dad had gone to potty so I met them on my own. Jawa owns the truck and is the village leader where we were going. Bobby Tang and Peter Voon are the Rotarians who went swith us to turn over the project to the village for upkeep. [Image]In this pic the first fellow is Peter who is a school administrator, next is Bobby, who is an importer and shipper. On the right is Jawa, who is such the boy at heart. He drives like Richard Petty on a mud track!!!! Such a varied group--Peter is very religious and always laughing--a Methodist. Bobby is Chinese like Peter, but he is a Muslim--a rarity. Next Jawa is a self made man who has become the leader of his village--he also owns his own land with lots of valuable timber. Lot of his trees are hard wood, expecially iron wood, expensive here. His also has a lot of palm oil trees. Very unusual for a native villager to own this. They wanted to eat breakfast before we left, so Dad and I went with them to a "Hocker Stand" to have breakfast and then we were off. We traveled on nice roads for a short while, then the paved roads were bumpy and rough. My liver met my spleen several times! These however were great compared to what was ahead. We traveled 1/2 the day on nothing but logging roads, up in the mountainous jungles. It was a lot of sky time, sort of like San Francisco driving, except in the jungle. There were many places where the rain had wash the sides of the road away. When you came over the top of the hill, you just hoped that the road was still there big enough for you to drive over!! It was muddy and wet and we did a lot of slipping and sliding! Jawa loved it , said that the road was much better when wet--not as bumpy! I WOULD NOT KNOW!!! It literally was just a two rut logging road most of the way. When we arrived in the village, we drove thru the village and suddenly Jawa turns to the left between 2 houses on what was little more than a side walk. The government had put that section there for them. We then drive thru a field and stop in front of his home. So Happy. YEA! | draft | 1/16/11 | by Larson Family | |||
| Jawa's wife, mother , and sister had made us a huge lunch before we trekked up the mountain to inspect the project. It was really quite good--fresh veggies, fruits, and all kinds of chicken. They even had biscuits, which is what they call cookies. They were made of coconut and Dad became addicted. After lunch, it was raining and they all decided that Dad and I should not go up the mountain with them. Later I was really glad that we didn't--even Bobby fell on the rocks crossing a small creek. Peter said that they found fruit that he had never seen before anywhere in Malaysia! Jawa says that they only grow in the jungle there! Peter said that they were quite sweet and delicious. Almost 3 hours later they came back with a good report and pictures. I have to download some of Bobby's pics before I can show you. Here's one of what Dad did while they went up the mountain.   I started this blog 2 days ago and had to stop to go to the airport to Miri. You will notice that I had a pic of us all at Jawa's home. I'll reinsert it now. This is Peter, Bobby, me, Dad, and Jawa! This was made after they presented us with our native hats and necklaces. I wore my necklace to church on Sunday and everyone said, "I see that you have been to Sarawak." There are only 2 states in East Malaysia--Sabah(where we live) and Sarawak to the south of us. Sarawak is known for their native designs. They tell about their tribes and culture. Dad's hat has the Datas Kakus bird on it. That's the village we were in. Here are some pics of Jawa's family and the village water committee that will now take care of the water project.     The whole village had planned to be there on Sat. but we could not stay, according to Bobby.    Hope you enjoyed this adventure, I'm still recouperating! Love, MOM and DAD |
Sunday, January 9, 2011
BUSINESS AS USUAL
Dear Family:
It is Sunday afternoon, and we had a good nap and are reading and enjoying the peace and quiet. In Sunday school, District President Ling mentioned that Elder & Sister Larson were as Joseph of Egypt who explained to the king of the seven fruitful and seven lean years. As Mom explained the area presidency thru brother Sackley has asked that we have each branch prepare a emergency procedure program so that there will be established a line of communication in times of need. President Ling feels very strong in the local need as the area we live in is protected from typhoons, volcanos, sunamies, etc. and is called the "land below the wind", meaning that due to the weather patterns, typhoons are unheard of, yet a couple of hundred miles to the northeast, is the Philippines. The have devastating typhoons and volcanos. He reminded the members that Mt. Kinabalu, that we can see from our window, and took us 3 hours to drive to was once a powerful volcano! Mom presented a 72- hour kit to the branch council a month ago, and now President Ling has requested each family to get one prepared and this Saturday at 2:00 a member from each family is to meet at church, and show how their kit is comming together! Your mom is a mover and a shaker.
Mia, happy birthday on the 11th of January! We wish we could be there but may you dream and feel our hugs and kisses.
We received two Christmas packages upon our return from Singapore and thank you so much for the simple gifts. We love the jerkey (we have already eaten one bag) and are saving the other for a special occasion. The kool aid packets taste so much better than anything here. We shared the bag of candies with the missionaries and it was gone in a heartbeat. The mission has transferred another set of sister missionaries here, and we now have the zone leaders, and two sets of sissters. The reason being is that KK has the highest baptismal rate in the mission (54 in 2010) and the Singapore mission leads all of Asia (1021 in 2010).
There is a great spirit that is hovering over this area and we are fortunate to be able to be a part of it. We just passed out to the branch council the monthly training program (every 3rd Sunday) and it may be a slow process but the good that will come if it is unmeasurable. We feel that when we leave in March 2012, the branch will be on a strong foundation and understand how to magnify their callings and will have increased activity and retention. They remind me of the Charlotte Branch in the late 50's and early 60's.
We are busier than ever and it is amazing how much we have learned on the computer (although being on the 14th floor, we have come very close to throwing it out of the window for the problems it has caused). We do not have the dexterity of a few years ago and tire more easily but thanks to the fact that the mission lets us set our own pace we feel confident in our labors and progress.
Tuesday was one of those trying days that makes us just shake our heads. We went to the bank downtown to withdraw money with the church JPMC card to repay ourselves @ $200 that we have used of our money. We had tried the day before also but didn't work! We emailed to let the church know of our problems and found out that they had reduced our credit line to $1 because I(MOM) had entered a transaction into payment net incorrectly! AHHHHH! An accountant I ain't! They say that they will try to reinstate our funds. I'll try harder. Oh and by the way, we have to go all the way downtown to an international bank to use this card when withdrawing cash. My taxi bills are adding up.
Wednesday was work in the apartment all day trying to catch up after a week in Singapore. We accomplished much and felt good when we lay down that night.
Thursday morning I went to a dermatologist here with "something" that had been on my leg for @ 3 weeks. I kept thinking that it would improve but it kept looking worse and was getting red all around. Sebastian was so concerned when he picked us up. Evidently E. Larson had told him that I needed to go to the doctor. My doc was a lovely Indian lady, who just wanted to treat it first with an antibiotic cream and see me next Thursday. Friday morning in the shower, all the black gunk fell off and the red is so much better. The doc and her husband work together in their clinic. He is an opthalmologist. She wanted us to meet him and we visited for about 40 minutes in his office. Lovely couple who have 3 daughters--the oldest has a full scholarship to study at John Hopkins Hospital! She wouldn't let me pay for the visit or the cream that she gave me.
Friday was spent working in the office most of the day. Dad worked on projects all day and I worked on Church work for the branch. We now have to have a new form for every convert baptism in the branch. Pres. Clark wants us to fill one for all 54 baptisms for 2010. Then he wants us to go back each year after--one year at a time! Thank goodness for Mary Anne!!!! She is the branch historian and has the most wonderful, detailed records and they're all here in our apartment!!! I've printed the forms and have them ready to go. We are training the branch next Sunday on the new Convert Retention and Activation Program. I spent the evening trying to use Work Excel to make a chart--2 hours later, I had figured out how to work it! YEA! I made our chart for our Branch Training for 2011 and had it ready to go for today. I also had to have a 72-Hour Kit form ready for today --so everybody can be ready with supplies next Saturday when we put them together. Ya'll could have this done in no time, but it takes me a while to get it together.
Sat. we cleaned the apartment and went to church to clean it. It was a lot of work and fun. I was amazed at the young people who came to work--several of our new converts. Since most of them are in our FHE group, I feel like their Mama.
I didn't take pictures this week so I'm showing you a pic of the largest Christmas tree I've ever seen. This was at Sentosa Island in Singapore. It was so big that I couldn't get all of it in the pic.
I'll try to do better this week in the picture taking! You're my heart and the reason that I smile every day. You're one of the reasons that I know that there is a Father in Heaven who loves me! I tell everyone that you're nice people and that I'm glad you're my friends! Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation is truly miraculous and I'm glad that you're my BIC babies! LOVE, MOM
It is Sunday afternoon, and we had a good nap and are reading and enjoying the peace and quiet. In Sunday school, District President Ling mentioned that Elder & Sister Larson were as Joseph of Egypt who explained to the king of the seven fruitful and seven lean years. As Mom explained the area presidency thru brother Sackley has asked that we have each branch prepare a emergency procedure program so that there will be established a line of communication in times of need. President Ling feels very strong in the local need as the area we live in is protected from typhoons, volcanos, sunamies, etc. and is called the "land below the wind", meaning that due to the weather patterns, typhoons are unheard of, yet a couple of hundred miles to the northeast, is the Philippines. The have devastating typhoons and volcanos. He reminded the members that Mt. Kinabalu, that we can see from our window, and took us 3 hours to drive to was once a powerful volcano! Mom presented a 72- hour kit to the branch council a month ago, and now President Ling has requested each family to get one prepared and this Saturday at 2:00 a member from each family is to meet at church, and show how their kit is comming together! Your mom is a mover and a shaker.
Mia, happy birthday on the 11th of January! We wish we could be there but may you dream and feel our hugs and kisses.
We received two Christmas packages upon our return from Singapore and thank you so much for the simple gifts. We love the jerkey (we have already eaten one bag) and are saving the other for a special occasion. The kool aid packets taste so much better than anything here. We shared the bag of candies with the missionaries and it was gone in a heartbeat. The mission has transferred another set of sister missionaries here, and we now have the zone leaders, and two sets of sissters. The reason being is that KK has the highest baptismal rate in the mission (54 in 2010) and the Singapore mission leads all of Asia (1021 in 2010).
There is a great spirit that is hovering over this area and we are fortunate to be able to be a part of it. We just passed out to the branch council the monthly training program (every 3rd Sunday) and it may be a slow process but the good that will come if it is unmeasurable. We feel that when we leave in March 2012, the branch will be on a strong foundation and understand how to magnify their callings and will have increased activity and retention. They remind me of the Charlotte Branch in the late 50's and early 60's.
We are busier than ever and it is amazing how much we have learned on the computer (although being on the 14th floor, we have come very close to throwing it out of the window for the problems it has caused). We do not have the dexterity of a few years ago and tire more easily but thanks to the fact that the mission lets us set our own pace we feel confident in our labors and progress.
Tuesday was one of those trying days that makes us just shake our heads. We went to the bank downtown to withdraw money with the church JPMC card to repay ourselves @ $200 that we have used of our money. We had tried the day before also but didn't work! We emailed to let the church know of our problems and found out that they had reduced our credit line to $1 because I(MOM) had entered a transaction into payment net incorrectly! AHHHHH! An accountant I ain't! They say that they will try to reinstate our funds. I'll try harder. Oh and by the way, we have to go all the way downtown to an international bank to use this card when withdrawing cash. My taxi bills are adding up.
Wednesday was work in the apartment all day trying to catch up after a week in Singapore. We accomplished much and felt good when we lay down that night.
Thursday morning I went to a dermatologist here with "something" that had been on my leg for @ 3 weeks. I kept thinking that it would improve but it kept looking worse and was getting red all around. Sebastian was so concerned when he picked us up. Evidently E. Larson had told him that I needed to go to the doctor. My doc was a lovely Indian lady, who just wanted to treat it first with an antibiotic cream and see me next Thursday. Friday morning in the shower, all the black gunk fell off and the red is so much better. The doc and her husband work together in their clinic. He is an opthalmologist. She wanted us to meet him and we visited for about 40 minutes in his office. Lovely couple who have 3 daughters--the oldest has a full scholarship to study at John Hopkins Hospital! She wouldn't let me pay for the visit or the cream that she gave me.
Friday was spent working in the office most of the day. Dad worked on projects all day and I worked on Church work for the branch. We now have to have a new form for every convert baptism in the branch. Pres. Clark wants us to fill one for all 54 baptisms for 2010. Then he wants us to go back each year after--one year at a time! Thank goodness for Mary Anne!!!! She is the branch historian and has the most wonderful, detailed records and they're all here in our apartment!!! I've printed the forms and have them ready to go. We are training the branch next Sunday on the new Convert Retention and Activation Program. I spent the evening trying to use Work Excel to make a chart--2 hours later, I had figured out how to work it! YEA! I made our chart for our Branch Training for 2011 and had it ready to go for today. I also had to have a 72-Hour Kit form ready for today --so everybody can be ready with supplies next Saturday when we put them together. Ya'll could have this done in no time, but it takes me a while to get it together.
Sat. we cleaned the apartment and went to church to clean it. It was a lot of work and fun. I was amazed at the young people who came to work--several of our new converts. Since most of them are in our FHE group, I feel like their Mama.
I'll try to do better this week in the picture taking! You're my heart and the reason that I smile every day. You're one of the reasons that I know that there is a Father in Heaven who loves me! I tell everyone that you're nice people and that I'm glad you're my friends! Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation is truly miraculous and I'm glad that you're my BIC babies! LOVE, MOM
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
NEW YEAR'S IN SINGAPORE
As most of you know, Dad and I went to Singapore after Christmas to renew our visas for 3 more months. We only have a visitors visa and must renew it every 3 months. We arranged to meet our new friends, Barry and Linda Johnson--the West Malaysia Humanitarian missionaries, there for a week. We're only suppose to stay for 3 days, but the Johnsons wanted a week and we agreed to the same. Sister Carpenter who is the senior sister in the mission office who arranges all the travel plans likes us, so she booked our trip for 7 days! Her philosophy was--all they can do is fire you! Pres. Clark, our mission president didn't really mind because everything was so slow because of the holidays. He is a really nice man--a dentist from Oregon.
When we arrived, we decided to hang arround the airport for 2 hours until the Johnsons arrived. The Singapore airport is like going down Rodeo Drive in Hollywood-Gucci, Prada, Tiffany's, Coach, etc. Way out of our league! It's so nice--so many Europeans there! It was like being in an airport at home.
When Barry and Linda arrrived, the Carpenters (senior office couple) pick us up and took us to their apt. at Pasir Panjang Mission House where they stay. This is the home behind the Chinese Mansion that's now a church.
On Tuesday we all went on an all day outing to Sentosa Island and Siloso Beach for lunch at the Hard Rock Hotel and some sightseeing. There were 5 senior couples and we had a blast. I love, love Singapore!! It's so beautiful and clean.
This is our group, except for Linda and me. The fountains and Christmas decorations were fabulous.
This is Dad and me on a small part of the island--you have to cross a small swinging bridge to reach this point. Read the sign--
This is everyone but me because I took the pic! We laughed all day long! Serving a senior mission is so rewarding in so many ways, especially in all the new and wonderful friends you meet!
After this we went to a museum that told all of the cultural history of Singapore.
On Tuesday morning we had to go into the mission office for training by the mission president and his wife. The Johnsons had had this already but they stayed with Dad and I while we had ours. Afterwards we left to adventure out by ourselves on the subway and buses because the Carpenters had to work. Sis. C. told us how and where to buy our passes and put minutes on them. We took the subway to the Ion Center on Orchard Street and had lunch in the basement, the only place we could afford. The Ion is new and sooooo expensive(everything on Orchard Rd. is). After that we got on the MRT(subway) and went to a WWII site called The Battle Box. Dad loved it and frankly so did I. We were tired and needed some help to get back to our house at Pasir Panjang, but our phones were not working(all 4) and we forgot the address where we were staying! We found a hotel and a bar where this lovely bartender from Italy helped us call the Carpenters for directions on how to take the MRTon a different line and then transfer to a bus to get back. We made it and giggled all the way!
Encouraged and braver, we went to Little India the next day and found this fabulous store called Mustafa's. It's like an Indian/Chinese Wal Mart! So fun! Linda and I bought a purse each. Barry even bought one which he called his "male bag". We were pros by this time and found our way back without any problem.
Friday we went tyo Chinatown--my favorite! I could have spent the week on Pagoda Street. Dad had fun looking and talking to all of the tailors there. I think that he is going to have some suits made before we come home. Since this was New Year's Eve, we thought that we might take a night boat tour. But we were pooped and just stayed home by ourselves. The C's had gone to a ward party. We could hear the fireworks and went to see but couldn't. I tried for the 100th time to skype with Kim, but never happened. Happy B'Day, Kim!
Saturday we had planned to go to a wonderful museum, but the C's had to work all day Sat. So we cleaned Pasir Panjang House for her since she had 16 new missionaries that week. I made all of them sausage gravy and hot biscuits one morning. They were so excited to start their missons. That was one of the highlights of the week--being there with the "newbies". Sis. C takes care and feeds them, not the mission president and his wife. So it was a pleasure to clean all the bathrooms, bedrooms, and do all the laundry for her so that she would not have to do it after working in the office all day Sarurday! Elder C. is the mission accountant and Sis. C is the office secretary. They're 62 and 69 years young! Sis. C is and Aussie and full of ''spit and vinegar". We decided to have an outing and went to McDonald's for burger and fries. We got turned around at the bus stop and finally figured how to find McDonald's. Lots more giggles!
Sunday was church(all Chinese), naps for everyone, and just hanging out--none of us are young--Linda is 72 and I'm not sure about Barry. By Monday morning, we were so ready to go home to KK. I will miss the Johnsons, but we skype and The C's are going home this month to Australia and then to Utah. They will be missed.
When we arrived in KK at the airport, the sister missionaries were waiting for us and another new set of sisters! We now have 2 sets of sisters and 1 set of elders. We're growing--the most baptisms in the mission this year! KK rocks!! We then called Sebastian to pick us up, he was so excited and kept telling us how much he missed us. It's great to be loved!
When we got in our apartment, the stench was awful! We had power failure while gone, the breaker tripped, and no one to flip it back. Everything in our frig and freezer had rotted. Yuck!! We called our landlord and then cleaned up the mess. It's all clean and smelling great now. We went shopping today to get all new stuff.
I forgot to tell you that the mission office elders took all of our presents from Singapore to Miri for a conference to give to our elders who were there--not thinking that we were in Singapore! So we got our presents today from the Elders. Thanks!!!! We love the gifts, they're yummy. YEA!
I hope that your year is filled with gratitude for Our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He loves each one of you and so do I! MOM
When we arrived, we decided to hang arround the airport for 2 hours until the Johnsons arrived. The Singapore airport is like going down Rodeo Drive in Hollywood-Gucci, Prada, Tiffany's, Coach, etc. Way out of our league! It's so nice--so many Europeans there! It was like being in an airport at home.
When Barry and Linda arrrived, the Carpenters (senior office couple) pick us up and took us to their apt. at Pasir Panjang Mission House where they stay. This is the home behind the Chinese Mansion that's now a church.
After this we went to a museum that told all of the cultural history of Singapore.
On Tuesday morning we had to go into the mission office for training by the mission president and his wife. The Johnsons had had this already but they stayed with Dad and I while we had ours. Afterwards we left to adventure out by ourselves on the subway and buses because the Carpenters had to work. Sis. C. told us how and where to buy our passes and put minutes on them. We took the subway to the Ion Center on Orchard Street and had lunch in the basement, the only place we could afford. The Ion is new and sooooo expensive(everything on Orchard Rd. is). After that we got on the MRT(subway) and went to a WWII site called The Battle Box. Dad loved it and frankly so did I. We were tired and needed some help to get back to our house at Pasir Panjang, but our phones were not working(all 4) and we forgot the address where we were staying! We found a hotel and a bar where this lovely bartender from Italy helped us call the Carpenters for directions on how to take the MRTon a different line and then transfer to a bus to get back. We made it and giggled all the way!
Encouraged and braver, we went to Little India the next day and found this fabulous store called Mustafa's. It's like an Indian/Chinese Wal Mart! So fun! Linda and I bought a purse each. Barry even bought one which he called his "male bag". We were pros by this time and found our way back without any problem.
Friday we went tyo Chinatown--my favorite! I could have spent the week on Pagoda Street. Dad had fun looking and talking to all of the tailors there. I think that he is going to have some suits made before we come home. Since this was New Year's Eve, we thought that we might take a night boat tour. But we were pooped and just stayed home by ourselves. The C's had gone to a ward party. We could hear the fireworks and went to see but couldn't. I tried for the 100th time to skype with Kim, but never happened. Happy B'Day, Kim!
Saturday we had planned to go to a wonderful museum, but the C's had to work all day Sat. So we cleaned Pasir Panjang House for her since she had 16 new missionaries that week. I made all of them sausage gravy and hot biscuits one morning. They were so excited to start their missons. That was one of the highlights of the week--being there with the "newbies". Sis. C takes care and feeds them, not the mission president and his wife. So it was a pleasure to clean all the bathrooms, bedrooms, and do all the laundry for her so that she would not have to do it after working in the office all day Sarurday! Elder C. is the mission accountant and Sis. C is the office secretary. They're 62 and 69 years young! Sis. C is and Aussie and full of ''spit and vinegar". We decided to have an outing and went to McDonald's for burger and fries. We got turned around at the bus stop and finally figured how to find McDonald's. Lots more giggles!
Sunday was church(all Chinese), naps for everyone, and just hanging out--none of us are young--Linda is 72 and I'm not sure about Barry. By Monday morning, we were so ready to go home to KK. I will miss the Johnsons, but we skype and The C's are going home this month to Australia and then to Utah. They will be missed.
When we arrived in KK at the airport, the sister missionaries were waiting for us and another new set of sisters! We now have 2 sets of sisters and 1 set of elders. We're growing--the most baptisms in the mission this year! KK rocks!! We then called Sebastian to pick us up, he was so excited and kept telling us how much he missed us. It's great to be loved!
When we got in our apartment, the stench was awful! We had power failure while gone, the breaker tripped, and no one to flip it back. Everything in our frig and freezer had rotted. Yuck!! We called our landlord and then cleaned up the mess. It's all clean and smelling great now. We went shopping today to get all new stuff.
I forgot to tell you that the mission office elders took all of our presents from Singapore to Miri for a conference to give to our elders who were there--not thinking that we were in Singapore! So we got our presents today from the Elders. Thanks!!!! We love the gifts, they're yummy. YEA!
I hope that your year is filled with gratitude for Our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He loves each one of you and so do I! MOM
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