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!