Church is a Happy Place

Sunday, 19 July 2009

Come to church for a break. It is a Happy place to go to, away from the worries and cares of the secular world.

Happy Relief Society: Sister Dean, Encha, Pearllila, Loreen (1st Counselor), Linda (Relief Society President) & Nancy (2nd Counselor)


Happy Buddies: Lydia & Lyanne (returned missionaries) - I love this picture.


Happy Family: Lyanne and Irene


Happy Friends Forever: Lyanne and Kevin (also a returned missionary)


Happy Future Missionaries: Siblings - Sherfield and Scheffler


Happy and Beautiful Young Men and Women: Scheffler, Jessica, Fadelia, Gabriel and baby Elmary


Happy "L" Trio - the best of of friends - Lyanne, Lydia & Leonora.


Happy Family: Loreen, Gabriella, Gabriel


Another Happy Family: District President Ingkon, Nancy and sweet Sherfrinny


Another Happy Returned Missionary: Lee


Happy Branch President Chan and missionary Elder Dean


Happy Old Friends: Shelly, Judy and Irene


Last but not least, Happy Youth: Gibbson, Gloria. The little boy is obviously camera shy or the reflex-response to the camera flash.


People are beautiful when they smile, aren't they? So if you want to be Happy, go to church. It is one of the happiest places to go to.

Enrichment Meeting - Sequining

Saturday, 11 July 2009

It is not easy to thread the needle



Working on the pattern



My piece of different sequin patterns that we learnt this night.

Celebrating Mooncake Festival in the Church

Saturday, 20 October 2008

The Chinese celebrated this year's Mooncake Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival) on the 14 September. The Miri branch Chinese celebrated it with pot-luck dinner and some games.

The decorations:


Brother & Sister Dean socialising with the members:


President Chan busy with the games result:



Happy gathering

Elder Wong

Sunday, 7 September 2008

I knew he was posted to the Miri branch and I wondered if he would be still there. Elder Wong, the son of a dear friend of mine, when I was in the Kota Kinabalu branch.

Yes, he was still there. Elder Wong and his companion, Elder Romney. The latter is so tall!



Sunday, 29 September 2008

I was visiting the Kuching 2nd Branch, sitting in the back row when this familiar Elder walked in. Elder Wong's transfer was not announced. He left the Miri branch on the 23 September!

Met another another friend that I knew from the Kota Kinabalu branch - Brother Aaron. He is much taller than I saw him last.

Brother Aaron, Elder Wong and his new companion, Elder Walters

I Will Go Where You Want Me To Go

Sunday, 26 August 2007

On their first Sunday in Kota Kinabalu 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 Kung Fu enthusiast) and Elder Maynes........ and a local Elder of the Miri branch in the making!

Family Gathering Nite

Saturday, 25 August 2007

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.

Mission Accomplished

Friday, 24 August 2007

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!



Peace be unto thee!

Yesterday Once More

Thursday, 5 April 2007

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.

Sister Gloria playing the Piano

Sunday, 4 February 2007

It takes a lot of courage for a 13 year old to say "yes" to playing the piano, in a sacrament meeting. Like every other experiences, there is always a first time. And this was the first time for Sister Gloria.

This morning saw Sister Gloria played the opening hymn "Teach me to walk in the Light".

Sitting next to her and guiding her was Sister Serrao.

Thanks also to another diligent teacher - Sister Penny, who has been giving her piano lessons on Saturday afternoons since March/April 2005.

For both Sister Penny and Sister Gloria, it is definitely a commendable experience that would be recorded in their Young Women Personal Progress Books, as a teacher and a student.

No More Sister Missionaries?

Sunday, 4 February 2007

Today was the last Sunday for our Sister Missionaries in the Miri branch. Sister Ong and Sister Serrao are leaving Miri Monday 5 February. There wouldn't be any replacement. The first two Sister Missionaries - Sister Chung and Sister Boston came on Wednesday 4 January 2005.

Sister Sundai came with all her 5 children (Hanis, Ellis, Agnes, Doris & Marlis) to see them for the last time in the chapel.

2006 Youth Conference

Thursday, 7 December 2006

Youth Conference started today. I woke up at 4 am and prepared breakfast for Lian and Leonora. The 3 of us then picked Penny and then Sylviana. Arrangements had been made who and who pick who to the Miri bus terminal. The Biaramas Express bus leaves at 6:30 am. There were about 25 youth going to the Youth Conference this year, held at the Sibu YMCA.

I went last year and I said I won't go this year unless I have a companion. I didn't go this year, not because I didn't have a companion but for some other personal reason. I am glad that Lian was able to go as one of the leaders for the 12 Young Women.







They will return to Miri on Sunday night. I hope Lian will take a lot of pictures and share with us on her blog, when she returned. Check it out.

See You Somewhere in Malaysia - Elder Ho

Sunday, 19 November 2006

Elder Ho's last Sunday in Miri!
He has been called to serve in Sandakan, Sabah.

Enjoyed the kelopok that your father sent from Mukah, Elder Ho. Thanks!

We will see you somewhere in Malaysia.

First Sister Missionary from the Miri Branch

Friday, 1 December 2006

Sister Lydia made history today. She is our first Sister missionary from the Miri branch.

We love her and we are proud of her. She will have a great time at the field. People she meet will love her!

Seminary/Institute Graduation 2006

Friday, 17 November 2006

First seminary/institute graduation held in this new building. It was an honor to have Brother Howell (CES Assistant Administrator from Salt Lake City) with us.

My testimony was increased as I listened to Sister Penny (seminary) and Sister Hilda (institute) talk about their conversion and how the gospel has blessed their lives.

The Miri Youth Choir, led by Sister Lyanne, sang one of my favourite hymns "As Sisters in Zion & We'll bring the World His Truth". Can't help singing myself while taking this picture of them.


We have a four year diploma graduate tonight - Sister Marina. Congratulations!


The graduating students with their teachers, Elder/Sister Ott, and the CES respresentative from Salt Lake City, Brother Howell.


As requested, Lyanne has obediently made a graduation "hat" but somehow it was not used at all. Sister Ivy tried it on after almost everyone was gone and she looked like she has just graduated from a university. She did, from the university of CES, tonight.

Service Project

Saturday, 4 November 2006

5 Young Men and 5 Young Women turned up for the service project this afternoon. Together with their respective President and counselor, and the 6 missionaries, we headed for the Miri kidney Dialysis Centre. There were 20 of us altogether.

Sweeping the Compound



Ever thought of cleaning the drain in this way?