Zone Conference, Singapore, and More Baptisms

ZONE CONFERENCE: I should explain that Zone Conference is divided into three sessions. There are two zones in the Singapore Mission . . . East and West Malaysia. The missionaries from each zone meet separately. One zone meets on Tuesday, the other on Thursday. There is also a special session for senior couples on Wednesdays. Sibu is in the East Malaysian Zone.

A pre-zone activity is held the night before each zone conference. Senior couples usually plan and carry out these activities. We took our turn this conference. Elder and Sister Hadley helped us do the pre-zone activity this time. We arrived in Singapore Monday afternoon so we could meet with the Hadleys and get prepared for the the activity that evening for the West Malaysia Zone.

It should come as no surprise that we presented a music conducting workshop. We have seen Elders and Sisters conduct the music during zone conferences since we've been here. Many of them need to be taught the basics, which is what we did. It turned out very well. We made it fun and informative. The missionaries had a good time. We repeated the activity for the East Malaysia Zone Wednesday evening.

Wednesday we had a wonderful Senior Couples session of Zone Conference. We have a new mission president so the session was conducted differently than the previous Zone Conferences. President and Sister Simmons held a council meeting with us. We counseled together, sharing what our individual responsibilities are and ideas to help the branches with which we work. It was a great meeting. President and Sister Simmons are awesome and want input from the senior couples.

President and Sister Simmons introduced a new theme for the mission. It's taken from Doctrine and Covenants 39:13.

Thou are called to labor in my vineyard, and to buildup my church, and to bring forth Zion, that it may rejoice upon the hills and flourish.

Sister Simmons created bookmarks for all the missionaries. It has a place to write in our names so that the scripture becomes personal to us.

Our Zone Conference was very spiritual and motivating. We are grateful that we can attend these meetings and be spiritually fed.

We are also grateful that we have the opportunity to travel out of Sibu periodically and do a little sightseeing, shopping, and in general, some good ol' fashioned R&R. (Rest and Relaxation).

While in Singapore we went to the Gardens by the Bay again and also went on the Singapore Flyer.  It's always nice to eat American food, too. When not fed during the conference, we ate at The Outback, Burger King, McDonald's, and Subway. We also ate a couple of places that were very good as well.

Here are some pictures from our week:

Missionaries:

Elder G and Elder Bodell
Elder G's father is the branch president of Sibu 1

Elder C with Elder and Sister Bodell
We are going to miss him. Elder C flies home this coming week!

Elder H with Elder and Sister Bodell.
Elder H will be returning home soon to Santa Clara, Utah

The missionaries of East Malaysia

 Preach My Gospel Jenga:

Elder P

Elder C

Team Two gets this point!

I'm sorry, but I didn't catch this sister's name

Elder T

Garden by the Sea:

Giant ant sculpture

There were a dozen "stamps" on display, each with a different story

Another stamp; another story, Sisters Hammer and Bodell

Got a hankering for a new job?

I hope you're not afraid of heights!

There were many of these wooden sculptures that were part of the stamps displays.

3D Pictures were on display throughout the gardens

Another wooden sculpture

The waterfall in the Cloud Dome is beautiful!

Can you see the mist? This is on the climb up inside the Cloud Dome.

Awesome flowers throughout

Driftwood sculptures

A large driftwood sculpture

The Singapore Flyer: This thing is pretty high. It's supposed to be the tallest "ferris wheel" in the world. Each compartment can hold up to 20 people. I wasn't too thrilled about going, but I had to get it out of my system. It takes about 35 minutes to make a complete revolution. The view at the top is worth it, especially at night.

The compartment

This display is at the Singapore Airport. Singapore is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Happy Birthday, Singapore!

There was another baptism on Saturday evening at 7:00. Our plane arrived about 4:00 PM. The Elders had an issue with printing the program so we had to hustle home; type it up (fortunately we've already created a template for the programs); print it: change our clothes; and get back to the church. We made it!

Luncha anak Dagang, Doeris Abella Manik anak Henry, Alwyn Maxielus Saka anak Henry,

Allen Shearrer anak Hellery, and Deborah Nadira Ringgan anak Henry

After the baptism we went to the Fruit Bowl for dinner. It was the last time for Elders P and C. Elders Y had to ride on the handlebars of Elder P's bike because of a flat tire. We will be losing Elder P (DL) and Elder C (ZL) as they will be returning home on Wednesday. We wish them well. There are farewell FHEs scheduled for Monday night with the branches. We're going to try to attend both.

Elder P and Elder Y on their way to the Fruit Bowl

One last time at the Fruit Bowl

This is quite a lot of pictures. I hope you're not too bored. There was a bunch that I left out, too! This coming week will be interesting with the transfers. Ah, the anticipation!