OLD FOLKS AT WORK

Dear Family:

Other than projects, it has been a rather stay- in-apartment week. We were able to close two projects and have one more that we should be able to close this week, if all goes well. If so that leaves us with 1 current water project ($117,400), 1 vision project ($80,000), 1 wheelchair project ($39,300) and are just beginning to develop a new fresh water project (budgeted to be approximately $300,000).

As you can see, these are large undertakings and once approved each project takes a minimum of one year to two years to complete. There is a lot of paperwork involved as agreements, contracts, and other legal matters must be done in addition to construction drawings, quotes etc. etc. As challenging as these are, we are learning so much, especially patience with ourselves as well as getting the locals to respond on a timely manner. It is a project that Job would certainly be qualified to do! At first, we were overwhelmed but with 5 months behind us it is starting to run smoothly (if ever there were such a thing)!

The progress of the branch is equally daunting----and slow. We think we have taught them a certain principle, but we have found out, it will take a number of times, covering the same principle before they will begin to implement it in their callings. A new branch president will be installed next week and I think he is the correct man for the job at this time. He is older, retired, endowed, and well respected and has the time to devote to the job. He has church experience and is very patient and kind. Sadly , the tenure of past branch presidents has been 3 months to 1 year!

President Clark has asked me to help train the new presidency in matters of disciplinary councils. There are a number of matters that have not been addressed for years so that will be a matter that has to be addressed very slowly and with great love and patience and forgiveness.

We have our very first ever Valentines Ball tomorrow night for the singles. We stayed after church and with their help decorated the multipurpose room. It should be very special and mom and I will try to make sure they get up and dance and mingle. We will let you know how it goes. You would be so proud of mom and all that she is doing. She has become very knowledgeable on the computer, takes care of scheduling our teaching appointments. She is helping the relief society in their callings and is hugging every woman in the branch--they just love her. She has become the devil's advocate in our Branch Pres. meetings and Branch Council. I think she learned how to do it by trying it on me over the years! She is a trooper, first class!

Thanks for the birthday wishes! It is a honor and privilege to serve here and see how the Lord stretches us and makes us learn things that we never thought we had in us. We have come to understand that age is more so a state of mind, and has little to do with learning. We go to bed tired and wake up stiff, but at least we wake up!
This is MOM--I so appreciate the lovely things Dad said about me.  I really do try to do what I can to help the branch.  I so want them to succeed in their callings.  I am getting to know the members more personally and truly love them!  They are my friends.
As Dad said this week has been slow, nothing dramatic or life changing like a ride in the boonies.  Last Monday we made decorations for our Valentine's Ball.  We decorated the cultural hall today after branch meetings.  They have such fun doing this!  I love to see them.  It's like watching you children have fun working together.  I'll take lots of pics to show you.  On Tuesday we invited the missionaries to have lunch with us rather than going downtown to their apartment for our District Missionary Meeting.  I fed them spaghetti, fresh salad, bread, and hot homemade chocolate chip cookies.  They ate 6 dozen cookies!  Spaghetti is special because it's rarely made here and it has beef.  It cost me a fortune to buy the minced beef(hamburger) but it was worth it.

This is a picture of people from the branch early Wednesday morning at the airport.  We went to say goodbye to Sis. Zafar.  She has been transferred to Kuching in the south of the island.  She had been here for 8 months and will be sorely missed.  The Indian fellow standing behind Dad was taught by her.  He is a former gangster whose life has been totally transformed by the principles of the gospel that she taught him.  Dad and I will surely miss her and I am sad to think that I might never see her again.  She leaves to go home in April.

These are all of the missionaries in KK(Sis. Goodwin from Ca.--Sis Howard from Oregon--Dad and me--Sis. Zafar from Pakistan--E. Watkins from Utah--Sis. Hite from RALEIGH, N.C.--E. Wright from Az.).  We now have Sis. Harrison to replace Sis. Zafar.  So Fine!!!  Sis Goodwin is going home in 2 weeks.  She is such a sweet, free spirit.  She graduated from Berkley!

This is our sweet Leslie and her mom, Sis. Jemimi.  Leslie is one of our YSA.  She has had a few medical problems lately, but she keeps plugging along.  Her mom is really sweet but very shy(malu).  E. Larson and I are now teaching her the missionary follow up lessons.  She works a lot on Sundays, but comes
when she can.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we stayed in our apartment all day.  We were so excited to get out and go to church today!!!  We had to use a new taxi driver today because Sebastian is in Tawau.  He has been called as the new District Auditor.  He is excited for the call but very nervous.  This means that he will travel occasionally.  His family was not at church today with him gone.  They had no transportation.
Saturday I baked desserts for our party.  I made a chocolate cake, a coconut pound cake, and oatmeal cookies with raisins and white chocolate chunks.  You learn to use what you can find in the stores.  Sis. Dorkas is catering the rest of the food for us.
Well, as I said it was a slow and boring week, but one with many blessings in my life.  We did skype with Jenny and Kellie.  Jenny, thanks for taking Kellie to the doctor and looking out for her.  Kellie, you promise to let us know how the tests turn out.  I'm so grateful for my family.  I do love you with all of my heart.  You are so talented each one of you.  I know also that Heavenly Father is mindful of each of you--allow Him to guide your life always.
We love you, DAD/MOM