NEWS FOR THE MONTH!!

On the last of March and first of April, Dad and I went to Singapore to renew our visas.  We met our new best friends, the Johnsons.  I just love Barry and Linda Johnson.  It's amazing how you meet those people in life that you just know that you knew them in the pre-existence.  We also spent the day with another couple called the Gregorys.  Lovely!!  This is picture of Johnsons and Gregorys as we trying to find Arab St. in Singapore.  We found it and some lovely rugs and other things.
This is a picture of interest to me.  These people are sitting and smoking....

Look at those smoking pipes!!  Arab St. was interesting!!
We also went to a tailor in Raffles Place in the business district of Singapore--Joe's Tailor.  Wonderful fabrics and beautiful workmanship, but very expensive!!
We only spent 3 days on our visa run this time, but were glad to get back to KK.
We quickly settled into singing "happy Birthday" for several days in April.  Kathie, if you will hurry up we can add baby Oliver's name to the list!!  Dad took me out for my birthday--we went to One Borneo.  It's a newer mall here--rather far for us to go to very often.  We spent the day there and ate lunch at New York New York, a nice restaurant with western foods.  We bought a rug for our living area.  I realize that it won't go home with me, but it makes this place more like home while I'm here.  It was only about $45.  Fun for me!!
We skyped with a whole bunch of Larsons who were gathered in Mesa for the Larson Reunion.  It was really great to hear Uncle Clive.  He is 94 now and because of some major surgery, he now looks his age.  He told us of a wonderful experience he had when he briefly died during surgery!!  He talked with your Grandpa Larson.  Uncle Clive said that he looked wonderful, was busy and very happy!!
We had a visit from the Ericksons, the missionary couple in Kuching.  Their calling is S/I in E. Malaysia, so they travel to all of the units here.  They are so nice!  We had dinner with them one evening at a lovely Thai restaurant downtown.

We had a Talent Show in the branch--these are some of the YW in the branch.  The girl playing the guitar is Monica, David Choong's sister.  She's very good!

These are some of our YSAs,with Elder Watkins I don't know what they said but everyone thought that it was very funny because they laughed a lot!

This is Sis. Dorcas singing with her son, Jacob.  They are accompanied by her daughter, Ebony.  All three were fabulous!!  They really harmonized well.  Dorcas is my friend and Jacob is going on a mission as soon as he turns 19.

This is one of our new converts, Dammy and some of his art work.  He has never had a lesson in his life and just started to draw about 2 years ago.  He is really quite good and a very humble fellow.  His brother is Samuel, our custodian.  They were baptized on April 6.  Samuel has been coming to church for 6 years!!  He graduated from seminary and institute before joining the church.

Also in the month of April, we had the traditional Relief society Birthday Dinner.  I baked the cake and cupcakes for everyone.  I decorated the cake with real flowers and it was lovely.  I was also in charge of games.  The sisters had such fun.  When we leave this mission, I'm afraid that I will be remembered as the sister with all the fun games!!(Thank you, Minuite-to-win-it)
I will download pics of the R. Soc. later.
This is a picture of me and Dad with Sis. Gay Brown.  She and her husband, Kim are Wheelchair Specialists from the US.  They are from Kaysville, Ut.  We spent the week with them.  They made visits with us to one of our partners, Cheshire Homes, here in KK and in Kuching, in the south of Borneo.  We also visited with 2 Rotary Clubs, one in KK and one in Kuching.  They are introducing a new course in how to assess and fit recipients to wheelchairs.  They are going to be coming back in October to teach and train others to train and assess.  We spent time here in KK with them and traveled to Kuching together.  They are wonderful and we really enjoyed every moment we spent with them.

This is our visit with Jennifer Liew at Cheshire Homes in KK.  Jennifer is in charge of all the homes in East Malaysia.

This is their little bakery that they have started at Cheshire in KK.  That's one of our wheelchairs.

this is Dad and Francis Johen, our partner, along with Cheshire Homes in Kuching.  He has just signed the contract agreement with the church.  Notice that Francis is a invalid. The two round metal things on the table by the chair are his crutches.  When he was about 13, he lived in a kampang and contracted an infection in his spine that left him paralyzed.  he went to live at Cheshire.  Today he is almost ready to retire.  He is the Assistant district attorney for the state of Sarawak, a high and distinct position.  He is truly amazing!  He volunteered to do this project with us.
I have other stories of the month but my favorite time was this trip with the Browns.  They are an awesome couple--their mission is for 30 months!!  They work hard and love to laugh.  Can't beat that!!
I've missed sharing with you.  I love you--you are my favorite people in all of the world!!!!!!!  MOM & DAD