Celebrating our 55 Wedding Anniversary in Malaysia

It is hard to believe that we have been married for 55 years.  That sounds impossible. 

When we tell people here they are shocked. 

We have been blessed and it is very special to celebrate our anniversary

 here in Malaysia serving together on a mission for the Lord.

We celebrated with dinner at Tony Roma's. 

It isn't quite the same here in Malaysia because they don't serve pork ribs,

which are my favorite.  I had beef medallions and Elder Lamb had beef ribs.

Everything is better with chocolate. 

Chocolate Lava Cake.  Delicious!!!

Kindness Continues Here in Malaysia

We have been teaching conversational English classes every Friday night,

along with the Elders, since we arrived on our mission .  We have met many great people through these classes and some have become our good friends. 

Sherry gave us both gifts for Teachers Week and then this week she bought Elder Lamb a keychain and me this beautiful scarf from Taiwan.  It was funny that it matched my outfit perfectly.  What is the chance of that?

She went with about 30 other people from her church to Taiwan

on a 10 day mission to help teach some underprivileged children there.

This student gave us each a journal for Teachers Week. 

They are so kind and generous.

Missionaries Come & Go - The Lord's Work Continues

We have the privilege or seeing amazing missionaries come and go as we serve here.  Some are just transferred, and some are going home after serving a successful mission.  We even have some from our branches here in Malaysia who are getting mission calls to serve the Lord.  The Lord's work will continue until it covers the whole earth.

Elder Duckworth was an amazing young Elder.  We know that he will continue along the right path as he returns home and resumes his studies.  He had the opportunity of bringing his parents and sister to visit his mission and meet some of the people he had taught, baptized, served and grown to love.  It was such a pleasure to serve with him.

One of our special missionary couples returned home after 18 months of service

in Kuala Lumpur as Public Affairs Missionaries. 

We will miss them a lot as we get together with the other senior couples. 

They took us under their wings and helped us feel more comfortable here in our calling.

They will be missed here but loved at home!!

Sister Suzy is in the JB Branch and is called to serve in Vanatua Mission.

Davis Tan (second from left) , will be serving in the Singapore Mission along with

Vianni Taha (next to him).   They both are from our Masai Branch.

 Both of them were endowed on the same day,

7 June 2017, in the Manila Philippines Temple. 

They were excited to tour the newly refurbished MTC

where they will go for their training as missionaries.

Our family contributed so that Vianni could purchase her luggage for her mission. 

She was excited when we took her shopping. 

These saints are so humble and grateful for everything.

are just transferred, and some are going home after serving a successful mission.  We even have some from our branches here in Malaysia who are getting mission calls to serve the Lord.  The Lord's work will continue until it covers the whole earth. 

Successful Joint JB/Masai Branch Activity

Our new Masai Branch Presidency planned a joint activity with the JB branch

which was held on May 27. 

Because it is the month of Gawai, which is a traditional Iban harvest festival,

they used that for the theme. 

Since we don't have a church building,  we had the activity at the park

and had a potluck dinner, a few games and lots of friendshipping. 

There were over 60 people who attended, which was wonderful. 

If only they would catch the vision of the importance of  attending church, it would be more wonderful.  We still only have between 20-35 who come to church on Sunday. 

We did have quite a miracle happen.  Two hours before the party was to start there was a torrential thunderstorm.  When rain comes down here, it comes in buckets.  Some of the members started calling and asking if we were still going to have the activity,

and Elder Lamb told them yes.  Just pray that the rain will stop. 

We arrived at the park about 4pm and it was still raining.  Elder Lamb and the two full time missionaries prayed and asked that the rain would stop so that we could have our activity.  Almost immediately it did stop, and didn't come back that evening.  We had a wonderful time and in spite of a little water everywhere, we weren't deterred from our fun.

Some of the young sisters prepared treats and hung them from the leaves of a small tree.  In a real Gawai celebration, it is certainly more authentic

but they made do with what they had. 

Later the children could come and get a treat from the tree.

Bro.Taha made a traditional game for Gawai where

they  blow darts at the target. 

Everyone really enjoyed watching and participating in the competition.

I loved this couple's traditional Iban clothing.

It is always fun to taste the different foods that people bring.

It was a challenge, trying to teach me to get my hands right.  I never quite got it just right, but it was fun trying.

These are just part of the traditional Iban costume.  I wish you could see them up close because they are made entirely of tiny colored beads . 

Some of the sisters in the branch made them.  They are truly beautiful!! 

Special Moments

These two sweet sisters in the JB Branch make me smile whenever I see them. 

Venus (on left) is a mother of 4 from the Philippines.  She has been here for two years away from her family working as a nanny and housekeeper. 

She is finally able to return home to her family, and is so happy.

Susanna is a convert of about 1 year.  She has a hard time getting to church, so I am always thrilled when I see her here.

Sister Dianne is from Utah, and is here working as a teacher at the Raffles American School.  She is a great person and we enjoy each other. 

We both came to Malaysia at the same time.  She extended her contract for a year,

so I am happy that she will be here until I leave. 

The missionaries teach a free English class every Friday night at the church.  It has been an interesting experience, and we meet many nice people. 

Sherry has been coming to class for about 8 months, and has improved her English conversation skills so much since she began.  She brought us gifts for "Teachers Day". 

Sherry didn't know this, but this  color of rose has special significance to me because of an experience I had shortly after my mother passed away. 

It was a sweet reminder for me on the weekend of Memorial Day in the US.

It is one of the many "tender mercies" that I have received since I have been here.

President Simmons brought her mission call with him from Singapore. 

She opened it during our "Linger Longer."  How exciting!  She will be serving in the Vanuatu

mission and leaves in July.

After a "very painful" foot massage, we were treated to a new experience called

"Big Bowl Ice",  by our branch mission leader.  

It is sort of like shave ice only so much better, it has a very airy texture.

They had many strange flavors, but I had Mango and Elder Lamb had Coconut with fruit.

  Ben had Durian, which is a favorite fruit here in Malaysia, which is very stinky. 

 It looks huge, but very airy, so not very filling.  Just delightful!!