Singapore

Week #32 – Adventures in Singapore and KL: February 14, 2017 – February 17, 2017

Hola!

This week has been great! We were able to go to Zone Conference in Singapore. We arrived a day early, so we did splits with the Chinese sisters in Singapore. Sister Shafer was able to go with her old MTC companion, while I went with a new sister. It was good and fun! We were able to visit the China Town in Singapore, but we didn't go too far in, only to get ice cream sandwiches and take a picture of a large Rooster, which I see everywhere in Penang. At Zone Conference we discussed the Worldwide Missionary Broadcast and all of the changes. We were able to discuss how these changes could benefit us more. On our way home, we got stuck in Kuala Lumpur (KL). Our flight was from Singapore to KL, and then KL to Penang, but our flight was only half way booked! We had the flight

Red Rooster China Town, Singapore

from KL to Penang, but none to leave Singapore. Thankfully, the guy we met was awesome and got a flight booked, and rebooked our flight to Penang to match the flight to KL.  However, the flight that got us home was too close and we were stuck in KL. All of the missionaries in KL had left for Zone Conference... except Senior Couples! So we got to stay with one set while the elders stayed with another set. I was the only missionary who had never served in an area with senior couples. They were super sweet and awesome! They also fed us french toast! (a luxury not often found in this mission) The next day we took a 4 hour train ride back to Penang. All four of us were in a square, sitting next to another passenger. The guy sitting next to me was Muslim and worked for the government. I was like, "Oh crap!" However, he turned out to be really nice, worked for the government's domestic trading, and we talked the whole time. He even asked questions that took me through the whole first lesson of Preach My Gospel, The Restoration. He was very knowledgeable about Malaysia and I was able to learn a lot about the country. They include the GST 6% tax in their prices so people aren't surprised when they buy something at the counter. Definitely not America. They also don't allow R-rated movies to play in the public movie theaters!

Sisters Vranes/Shafer & Singapore Sisters

Anyway, Penang is doing awesome! We had a miracle where we were able to meet a guy the elders' had previously contacted a few weeks ago, who sat down in front of us at dinner and said, "Tell me about the Restoration". We were like "Golden!!" As for a spiritual thought this week, I've been contemplating this talk by Elder Renlund in the October 2016 conference: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/repentance-a-joyful-choice?lang=eng

It's really good and talks about Repentance, what it is and what it is not. I've also been thinking more about why I came out here, and what is the most important part of the Gospel. I think this quote summarizes it beautifully:

“The fact that we can repent is the good news of the gospel! Guilt can be “swept away.” We can be filled with joy, receive a remission of our sins, and have “peace of conscience.” We can be freed from feelings of despair and the bondage of sin. We can be filled with the marvelous light of God and be “pained no more.” Repentance is not only possible but also joyful because of our Savior.”

I know this is true and that the Atonement of Jesus Christ has made repentance, has made change, possible in our lives. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.