This is Home. This is where I was born. This is where I learnt how to float, not in the swimming pool but in the South China Sea. This is where I spent most part of the 1st half century of my life. This is where Mum and Dad passed away.
What will your life be without friends? I think I would die early because it would be so lonely. Friends from childhood, adulthood. Friends from primary, secondary, college, university. Friends from work, hobby, social, church.
I am so grateful for friends, that I know, who are mindful of me and who supported me through thick and thin. I am grateful for friends, that I can think of and look out for, who I could forget myself in.
I am so grateful for friends who have shown and taught me about going through trials with faith, acceptance, cheerfulness and a positive attitude.
Today, Angela (a secondary classmate) and I were happy we were able to visit Agatha (a workmate) who has a heart problem, who could only drink a certain amount of water a day and Catherine (a secondary classmate) who has breast cancer.
This morning I was so happy to see Sister Maria. She had told me where she was working and I had the wrong place in my head all the time. I even went to the wrong place a couple of times. Of course she wouldn't be there! I asked the different people working then and he/she would tell me that she was not working that day.
Sister Maria didn't think that I had been to the wrong place when I told her I have been trying to visit her there.
Miscommunication here and there. Anyway, what is important now, is I have found her. And where to look for her!
Small town, 7 miles from the city of Miri, it is the place where I have lived for 17 years. This morning saw me capturing pictures of what it looks like presently. I am sure the scenery will change in years to come......... Now, it is a mixture of old and new buildings.
Road leading to the Shell Office
Shell Offices - Old and New
Shell Industrial Clinic
Petronas Carigali Office
Lutong Recreation Club
Sarawak Skills Development Centre
Once a cinema, now a church
This was a popular place for the Lutong folks when there wasn't any TV yet. Tickets were 1.50, 1.00 and 0.50 MRinggit. Mum always buy the 50 cts ticket and the 3 (me and my 2 younger brothers) of us would tag behind her. The man at the door is a friend of Mum. Me and my 2 brothers would sit on the floor if we could not find any empty seats.
Beside the cinema are food stalls. The food stalls are still there. People now frequent there for drinks only, unlike before where more things are sold for people to buy and eat while watching shows.
No change to the stalls next to the former cinema.
You can find ice kacang/chendol or any other drinks there now. My favourite ice kacang/chendol is sold by a vendor there. The Ice kacang there cost only 1.20 MYR a bowl, the amount just the right amount to quench my thirst on a day afternoon. Compared to other stalls in Miri town, this is the cheapest and the most nicest for me. Just the right amount and the right taste.
The Post Office
Living in a small town in Lutong is great. If you know when to go, you wouldn't have to be in the long queue. No parking problem. Can always park at the cinema which is just across the road and walk to the post office. I got to post my letters there, pay my bills there too. It is just great!
The Police Station
The police station was originally located at the new Shell Office. Now it is operating from a Shell quarter.
The Playground
Lutong Market
This hasn't changed for years!
2 rows of shophouses, 1 had been facelifted, the other not yet.
Lutong Primary School
It has grown prettier than when I was there. I studied there from Primary 3 to Primary 6. Lian & Yean studied there too!
Road to the Lutong Government Secondary School
Lutong Government Secondary School
My secondary school from Form 1 to Form 5. It has grown in size: more buildings, better landscape, more parkings, more students. etc. etc. Interestingly I happened to be the 1st batch of Form 4 and Form 5 students of the school, and only Arts students. I am glad because I didn't have to travel to Miri. LGSS was the only secondary school in Lutong and is still the only one to-date. Now there are Form 6 classes too.
What a nice quiet place to relax behind the row of renovated shophouses. Can see the Lutong bridge from there.
The Miri river
From the Lutong bridge, we could see the Mosque, the Good Shepherd church and also the Shell office.
The Pujut-Lutong road to Tudan, Senadin, Miri Port Authority and Kuala Baram.
On their first Sunday in KotaKinabalu branch, we had a picture taken together. Today being their last visit to the Miri branch, another picture! Don't know when we will meet again.
Like all the other missionary couples I have known, I hope I get to meet them again someday.
Young Missionaries come and go - so many that I couldn't remember them unless I have a picture of them. So for remembrance sake, here is a picture of Elder Niederhauser (the KungFu enthusiast) and Elder Maynes........ and a local Elder of the Miri branch in the making!
I almost miss tonight's family gathering nite because it was drizzling outside. I was afraid that the rain would get heavier as it would further effect my ability to see and drive at night.
Glad the rain stopped. I enjoyed the programme! The youth choir sang my favorite medley hymn **As Sister in Zion & We'll Bring The World The Truth**
Tonight was also to bid farewell to President & Sister Recht (Singapore Mission Presidency). I didn't know I would be seeing them tonight. It didn't occur to me that the farewell party was for them. We met the first time they arrived in Malaysia - Kota Kinabalu. They were so blessed to arrive a few days before the dedication meeting of the Kota Kinabalu chapel. And now meeting them for the last time before they leave Malaysia and return to US.
I enjoyed visiting with the other members as well....................Sister Linda, Bernadine, Catherine..
and Sister Judy, Shelly, Mei Mei & Susana ................ (pretty women)
...... and all the other members - juniors and seniors ............... (dinner is over, clearance time).......... Sherfield just had a bite of yam pudding.
Our own Miri branch Elder has returned from his mission overseas!. I was not able to see him off when he left for mission in 2005 as I was away from the area, but tonight I was able to welcome him back!
There were already excited members waiting outside the arrival lounge when Sis and I got to the airport. The youth holding a banner that they made last night.
3 yrs old Sherfrinny was there too!
Well done, Elder Lee! We are proud of you for your accomplishment and we are happy to have you back!
It is good to visit with the Sisters again. I make a new friend today. 9 months old baby JacJac likes to smile. He appeared to be contented looking at us from the playpen. He is a bundle of joy to Sister Dawn.
8 years ago, I was teaching Doctrine and Covenants to the seminary class in the Miri branch. It was then the 1st seminary class in the branch. That was my first experience also as a seminary teacher. I am thankful for the calling. Studying and teaching the Doctrine and Covenants, being the capstone of our religion, has broadened and enlightened my knowledge of the gospel and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Did not expect that I would again teach the seminary class and moreso the same book, which is programmed to be taught once every 4 years, in rotation to the other standard works of the church - New Testament, Old Testament and the Book of Mormon. Sister Lu Ping has asked me to stand in for her tonight.
At one time in 1999, only 1 student appeared but class still went on. This night saw 10 students. They are not all in the 12-17 years range. 10 yrs old Sherfield and 9 yrs old Gabriella are learning early!! I don't know how tonight's students felt about me, but I sure had a good time interacting with them. I am impressed by their knowledge.
Guess who is finishing his mission in a week's time - Elder Lamb! I was not around when Elder Lamb was transferred to the Bintulu branch in February but tonight I got to see him.........and his parents at a party at the Geramongs' residence.
Sister Lamb with the ladies
President Benedict helping with the barbecuing
President Benedict & Sherfield did their traditional Iban ngajat dance. Looking on and eating is Elder Cammock.
I am so grateful for friends, that I know, who are mindful of me and who supported me through thick and thin. I am grateful for friends, that I can think of and look out for, who I could forget myself in.
Today, Angela (a secondary classmate) and I were happy we were able to visit Agatha (a workmate) who has a heart problem, who could only drink a certain amount of water a day and Catherine (a secondary classmate) who has breast cancer.
