One Year

It's been one year since we welcomed Sister Missionaries into our home. We have loved having them here and getting to know them. Shutterfly was having a special, so I thought a book would be perfect to remember and celebrate.

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Utah Here We Come

Since we were a short three hours away, Ms A, my mom and I went to Utah to visit family and friends.
It was perfect timing for us to meet Reed's newest niece, Ms B. We were so excited to meet and hold Laura and Russ's newest little one. CONGRATS Laura, Russ and family!

We had a great time staying with Stephanie, Reed's oldest sister. Ms A loved playing with her cousins. They introduced us to their library and amazing Rec Center. {next time we'll have to aim for the summer time and bring our swimsuits to play in their pool.}

I was also able to have dinner with three of my childhood friends, Shanna, Janae and Tonya. We met sweet Mr X who is almost three months old. Ms A loved rocking him in his carrier. She was so attentive and caring. Thank you ladies for the wonderful evening! It was fabulous catching up!!

We visited the Salt Lake Temple grounds. Ms A was excited when the sister missionaries turned on the English version of the narrative of Jesus Christ.

April 2011
Always a water girl, Ms A had to dip her hand into the various water features around the temple just like she did when she was 16 months old.
August 2006

The HIGHLIGHT of our trip was being able to visit with my dear, sweet friend, Caitriona, and her husband, Tim. I met Caitriona fifteen years ago when she came to New Hampshire on work visa from Ireland. She saw a commercial for The Book Of Mormon and wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ. Over the next several weeks my missionary companion and I taught her Christ's gospel, her heart was touched and she decided to be baptized. The next day she flew back to Ireland and we have not seen each other since {we've kept in touch via letters, email, Skype and now Facebook. (I love technology!)}

Caitriona is an amazing person who I have been so blessed to be a part of her life. I love hearing how she find answers to problems through reading the scriptures, attending the temple or receiving a Priesthood blessing. She reminds me every time we talk of the joy found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Tim, Caitriona, Ms A, Grandma Valerie and Heather

It was wonderful to walk around the temple grounds and pick up **right** where we left off 15 years ago. My heart smiled as she caught me up with the things she's been doing, her testimony and about her dear husband, Tim {so happy she found such a kind gentleman to be sealed to in the temple.} Love you Caitriona! I am so happy we were able to get together!!! I can't wait to see you and Tim again and meet your little one!

Tender Mercies

I love the talk by Elder David Bednar entitled "The Tender Mercies of the Lord". This weekend was full of tender mercies.

We had a wonderful weekend visiting Reed's family. All four of his sisters, their families and his parents were together. It had been a few years since that last happened. We had a fabulous time visiting and catching up with each others lives.

The two highlights of our weekend was watching Reed's sister, Laura, and her husband, Russell, and their two daughters were sealed together for eternity in the Mt. Timpanogas Temple. The ceremony was beautiful. I don't think their was a dry eye in the room when they brought Ms. S and Ms. C in. I was touched by the depth of emotion Russell showed as he was sealed to Laura. It was a perfect moment in time. After the sealing we went out to lunch at the Olive Garden Yum! We went to Russell and Laura's afterwards. We visited and let the cousins play together. Thanks Laura and Russell for sharing your beautiful experience with us.photo of Mt Timpanagos from LDS.org

The second highlight was watching Ben, Reed's brother-in-law, bless his and Cindy's new little daughter, Ms. H. I was touched to see a large group of men holding tiny, little Ms. H in their arms as Ben gave her a name and a blessing. I remembered Ms. A's blessing and how grateful I am to have her in our family. I am so grateful to have the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to know the priesthood is available to us. Another perfect moment!

I loved watching Ms. A playing with her cousins. She was laughing, giggling and having a grand time.

Other tender mercies:

• We drove approximately 1788 miles for 30 hours without any major problems despite fog, snow, wind and ice.
• Ms. A was the perfect little passenger with all the driving we made her endure and the cold that she caught the day before we left. She entertained herself and was very patient with us. As we drove into the driveway at 3am, she very tiredly said: "That was a LONG drive." :)
• We enjoyed having a safe place to stay (thanks Stephanie and Sean) and family to visit with.
• How fortunate I feel to have an eternal family and that we can be together forever.

Baptism and Trains

Mr. P has been counting the days to his baptism this afternoon. He was so excited and it was exciting to watch him! :)

The Family

The Flynn Family

After Mr. P's baptism, Sara invited us, our cousin Meredith and her family to dinner. We went to our home to change. While we were there, Brad and Meredith gave us this amazing graham cracker train with a house. It was amazing seeing to detail they put into making it. Last year Brad made a version of the Salt Lake Temple which was great! :)

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

I received three emails this afternoon regarding the Elder Wirthlin's passing. I loved listening to his talks and feeling of his spirit at conference time. I will miss his cheerfulness and joy for life. I am saddened by his passing, but find joy in the fact that he is with his beloved wife, Elisa. He can also see President Hinckley. I am sure he is so happy to see family and friends.

Sunday in Relief Society, we discussed his talk from last conference, Come What May, and Love it. I remember him giving the talk and the laughter and tears I shed as I listened. Hearing and discussing his thoughts during church brought similar emotions. I wanted to share some of my thoughts and feelings. In the talk he gives us four points to focus on during trials and adversity. They are:

1. Learn to Laugh
2. Seek for the Eternal
3. The Principle of Compensation
4. Trust in the Father and the Son

I laughed when I read about their family adventures and getting lost on road trip - something Reed and I struggled with until we purchased our GPS. :) I also loved the story of his daughter and her blind date.

One of the things I remember from college was something a friend of mine said. I was having a difficult time and her reply was, "Will this effect your Eternal Progression?" That is a question that constantly come to mind when I have a choice before me or if I am struggling with something. Typically my problems will not halt my progression, it is the attitude I have toward those problems and how I react to them that can hinder my eternal progression.

I have noticed that how the Lord blesses me so much even when I am about to give up. His love sweetly enters my heart and the pain and hurt are removed. How grateful I am for His love.

I loved the end of his talk:

"Although my mother has long since passed to her eternal reward, her words are always with me. I still remember her advice to me given on that day long ago when my team lost a football game: “Come what may, and love it.”

I know why there must be opposition in all things. Adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing in our lives. We can learn to love it.

As we look for humor, seek for the eternal perspective, understand the principle of compensation, and draw near to our Heavenly Father, we can endure hardship and trial. We can say, as did my mother, “Come what may, and love it.” Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Penang Primary

These are the amazing children from the Penang Branch. Since today was our last Sunday, I took a picture of the Primary. There were four children missing. Caitlin and Swan are the Primary Presidency with Caitlin being the President. They have a Nursery leader and her assistant, a CTR teacher and I taught half of the Valiants, Swan taught the older half as well as being the chorister and Caitlin's counselor. I taught the 9 and 10 year olds. I had four children in my class, Addy, Eugene, Eunice and Ewin (not pictured). It was wonderful to teach them from the Book of Mormon. They are a wonderful group of children. It was an amazing experience watching the children learn and grow in the gospel.

Back Row, left to right: Caitlin, Adrian, Eugene, Gabriel, Arron, Addy, NgeeYong, Kelvin, Sabrina and Eunice.
Front Row, left to right: Ichi, Sister Iman and Asani

The children sang "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again" for the closing song in Sharing Time. It was the perfect way to say our farewells. It was hard not to cry. I will miss you all. :)

Penang Branch

We have the most wonderful branch here in Penang!

One of the first things I did before our move was to find out if there was a congregation established and how close it was to our new home. I was delighted to learn that our church had a branch. The branch members opened their hearts and arms to welcome us. We have made some wonderful friends and it is 15 minutes from our home. I knew we would have a support system in place should we need anything. It will be difficult to leave them.

Tonight, the members threw a farewell party for us. We had a wonderful evening. We were so touched by their love. Here are a few pictures of some of our friends.

Danny and Ms. A bonded immediately. Every Sunday she would look for him and then run to him for a hug and some playing time. Whenever we talk about going to church, she'll ask if Danny will be there.

Caitlin and Ms. A were instantly friends. Our first Sunday she excitedly grabbed Caitlin's hand as she took Ms. A to Nursery. Caitlin is the Primary President. Ms. A constantly refers to Caitlin as her friend. She loves to draw pictures for her and will sit with Caitlin during sacrament meeting. Caitlin is an amazing person and has been a dear friend of mine as well. We will miss her dearly.

Here is a picture of some of the members in our branch.
Back Row Left to Right: President Chung, Danny, Ms. A, Ricky, Heather, Sister Yoko (Ms. A's Nursery Teacher), Sister Lim, Papa (Sister Yoko's husband), Brother Lim and Caitlin.
Front Row Left to Right: Asani, Sister Imai, Yuzaburo (he's in Ms. A's class at church), Wendy (Danny's daughter), Reed, and Batbold.

WE WILL MISS YOU!