Happy Mothers Day to Me

We have been in Malaysia for 15 months now so I have celebrated Mother's Day once before but this year was a little different.  

Here in Sandakan, in addition to the well wishes of everyone you see in the hotel, 
 
on the street, 


and the traditional cutting of the cake after church meetings, 


 

I got to hold my first Malaysian snake!

After meetings we had an appointment with a part member family and taught them why we keep records of our ancestors and how to preserve them safely.  The father, Johannes Thomas is not yet a member but his wife, Julia and one of their daughters, Eby are.  They are waiting for him.  He asked a question that we hear a lot from the tribal people here:  "Where is your Church's cemetery?"
Burying your dead is a difficult problem that may be unique to this country. 

After this meeting we went to the Branch President's house for an evening meal with the missionaries and other Branch members. 

President Chin and his wife (seated on right with one of the granddaughters)and family along with the Branch Relief Society President Sister Anita (seated left) and her roommate Priah (who is Hindu).  Standing on the right is Brother Jason, a returned missionary who is the Branch Mission Leader and who is doing the Family History Consultant job even though he has not been officially called to that position.  He is awesome and has a great fire for Family History work. Missionaries in the back are Elder Madsen and Elder Hawkins.

Ironically, last week in Sibu Jaya we were treated to our first snake for dinner.  It was quite good after getting past the bones.  Even Elder Moulder liked it! 

The snake is in the square white dish at the top center of the food between watermelon.  This is the home of relatively new members in Sibu Jaya, Brother Chipping and Sister Evelyn. Missionaries are Elder Chan (left) and Elder Stowell (right).

Their daughter Pamela (in the purple shirt) is the Family History Consultant for their Branch.  The baby keeps us laughing with his antics.  He has the most fun expressions I have ever seen on a baby.  We love this family.  They have embraced the gospel and are looking forward to the temple.  They are amazing! (Missionaries are Elders Stowell, Hill, Fowler (standing in back) and Chan)

A close up of the snake. It is the meat to the right of the noodles at the tip of the fork. There are lots of little bones, but it was really very tasty!  The name of this snake is "dumb snake".  We aren't sure why, but probably because it is easily caught and eaten by the locals.

I'm so happy I got to celebrate 

Mother's Day with 

my lovely sisters in Malaysia.

We love our mission! 

Second Temple Trip to Manila

Once again we have had the privilege to accompany members to the temple in Manila.  It was a large group this trip and many spoke good enough English that we had a lot of help.  Having said that, it was still a whirlwind of organization and follow through to make sure the experience was special and filled with the Spirit. I think we succeeded.  Here is our group and some of their stories.

The first to arrive at the airport at 7:00 AM on Nov 18th was the family who lived the farthest away and had the youngest children, Brother Aret, his wife Sister Linyang and their children Youro, Joneas and Sally. They looked so excited and were very dressed up.  This family lives very humbly and this is the first time any of them have traveled.  Many firsts for them. 

 

I was so impressed with their shiny shoes.  I had to take a picture of Brother Aret's shiny shoes so they all laughed and lined up for me. 

 Shiny shoes in the place where they lives is quite a feat.....^_^

I have been very impressed with how well behaved these children are.  They were so pleasant to have as travelers and I did not have to worry about them at all .  The boys always take care of their little sister and she is never out of their sight.  She is such a sweet girl.

 Youro and Sally had a great time on the baggage carts.

 

Sister Janice from Kota Sentosa Branch.  She is so excited to go to the temple for the first time.  She is a little tiny thing and a fireball.  She has been a member just over a year. 

Brother Christopher and is wife Angelina will be sealed and Sister Angelina's daughters Helen and Maureen will be sealed to them.  Helen is a returned missionary who served in the Singapore Mission so she is excited to return to the temple but for the other three it is their first time. 

Brother Konok and Sister Florence laughed at themselves for needing wheelchairs.  They both did great and it was fun to be with them.  Brother Konok is going for the first time and will be sealed to his deceased wife and then to his living daughter who is going with her husband and they will be sealed also see James and Marjorie below).  Sister Florence has been sealed already to her deceased husband but not all of her children yet.  One more of her sons is with us to be sealed to her.  Her daughter Caroline who has previously been endowed and sealed to her is traveling with her also. 

These are dear people....always with a smile on their faces.

We didn't have everyone available for this photo but I am so happy to have had the opportunity to go with them all.  It was a glorious experience for them and us.

I love the temple.  The sky was always so interesting and I couldn't get enough pictures of the temple. This is taken from directly across the street (Temple Drive), standing on the steps of an office building (part of the Church complex there) which houses the Distribution Center and the Family History Center.

Although the trips are so wonderful I am always exhausted by the end.  The responsibility of making sure the experience, for some this once in a lifetime experience, is one that will always be remembered as a spiritual feast is a humbling one. 

I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to attend the temple frequently.  Sometimes I take that blessing for granted.  I hope I will always remember what a privilege it is.

Proud Big Brother....Prouder Grandma

Yep....it has been a long time since I have posted to my blog.  If there is anyone who keeps watching this I am very sorry I have neglected my "journal".  But early today, because of the wonderful technology we are blessed with, Elder Moulder and I had a fun Skype call with our daughter, Autumn, and our two grandsons.  I took a couple of screen shots and thought I would share.

The baby, Mal (4+ months), is growing so big and Edison (almost 3) is a good big brother.  While we were on the phone Edison said he wanted to hold Mal.  I asked if he was a good big brother and he said "yes" and he wanted to show me.  So Autumn put Mal in Edison's lap and I got this shot first.

About a second later he told his mom not to hold onto Mal....he wanted to do it all himself.  So Autumn fixed Mal in a more secure way on Edison's lap and let go.  That lasted about 15 seconds and then Edison was done holding his little brother!  But I got this photo and have Edison's cute, proud little face to gaze at from the other side of the world and smile. (Sometimes I have to wipe away a tear.)

Later in the conversation Edison showed us his Easter Ears.....I got two shots to keep from those nano seconds of stillness.

 Families are the best.  I love ours so much.