On the River to Kapit, Zone Meeting, Skyping, and Cooking Class

I failed to mention that Sunday night we went to an FHE at Brother Gima's. Most of the family was there. We missed Alexson, though. He's been really hard to catch lately. His work schedule is not conducive to teaching him. I miss our reading lessons. 

Anyway, Elder T gave a really good lesson. As the family comes closer together, they come closer to Christ. Elder T had everyone stand up and join hands. There was a picture of Christ on the floor. We drew closer together as we drew closer to the picture of Christ. It was a great object lesson.

Brother Gima and family gathered for FHE

It's P-Day. The young Elders from the district met at our place this morning. We drove down to the river (after having to jumpstart the Altius), parked the cars, and boarded a boat bound for Kapit, a little town about three hours up river from Sibu. 

The boat is something else. The engine sounds a little rough. About five minutes after departure we stopped in the middle of the river. The engine was turned off. Whatever the issue, it must have been fixed. The engine doesn't sound quite so janky now. Hmm! Maybe I spoke too soon. We are stopping again, mid river. We're now 20 minutes out from our departure. Yes, I'm writing this along the way. It's about a three-hour boat ride. At this rate it will be time to get back on another boat for the return trip. Five minutes later and we're moving again.

And away we go . . . Sister Bodell, Elders, P, O, and J

Cruising down the river with Elders S, J, T, O, S, J, P, and R

Our boat is enclosed and, fortunately, is air conditioned. This could be a really long trip if not. I would like to take pictures along the way, but most of the windows are scratched plexiglass. Everything would look really foggy! Sister Bodell prepared herself for mosquito protection by slathering with repellent, wearing mosquito repellant patches, and netting. It all worked! Not one bite on the whole trip.

Bring on the little vermin! Sister Bodell was prepared!

One of the pleasantries of the boat ride were the movies showing on a nice flat screen TV. The first was the new Fantastic Four movie. It was followed by some Chinese movie. There was a third . . . something about zombies or vampires or something. Didn't watch that one at all. It didn't matter what language they were. We couldn't hear the audio and were too far back to read the subtitles.

The ride to Kapit took close to 3½ hours. There were two stops along the way. We arrived about noon, grabbed a bite to eat, and headed to the museum which was closed and wouldn't open until 2:00 PM. The museum is an old fort. We did a little walking around until it got too hot. We finally had to find some air conditioning or melt. We actually looked like we were melting due to the perspiration. I had a pleasant young Muslim woman offer me a tissue to wipe myself off. We ended up taking together for 15-20 minutes. She had spent time in Australia, but she really didn't have an accent. She learned most of her English watching American TV when she was a child. 

A view of the river from the dock at Kapit

Our boat departing the dock

The Kapit boat terminal

Boats docked along the river

We didn't make it to the museum because our boat back left at 2:15. It was a little faster trip back to Sibu. It was nonstop. I still couldn't take any decent pictures out the window because it rained most of the way back, and the windows were pelted with rain drops. This was sad because this was a much nice, newer boat which you could clearly see out the windows. It's too bad, too. The view of the jungle along the river was just like you see in the movies.  There were some really long longhouses, some with as many as 20-25 doors. We'd like to find a way to go back and see them up close. They were really nice looking. 

The name of the place seems like an oxymoron! 

Proof that we made it to Kapit.

The closed museum . . . Fort Sylvia
If you enlarge the picture, you can see where water levels have been.

The jungle and river look just like something out of an old Tarzan movie.

The boat back was much newer and faster!

Tuesday was Zone Meeting. The training from the ZLs was about Speaking to Everyone. How would the prophets contact people? What would they say to them? How would they say it? There was some good discussion. It all boils down to love.

The Sibu Zone minus two
Elders D, S, and  O
Elder and Sister Mills, Sister and Elder Bodell
Elders T, P, S, J, R, M, and J

Ya gotta love 'em!

The week has been pretty normal for the most part. We've done the usual shopping and mending. 

We did have a treat on Sunday morning. We had the opportunity to be of service to  Sister Doo and her family. Last Sunday they were going to Skype with Elder C, but it fell through. We had gone to their place so they could use our computer. The camera on their computer isn't working.

This Sunday we went out to try again. Elder C and Elder S, both home from their missions had a wonderful chat with the family. It was good to hear them all chatting away in Malay. At the end, Elder S offered a prayer that was very heart-felt. I didn't understand a lot of it since it was in Malay, but I felt the Spirit during the prayer. It was a beautiful experience. It's nice to know that that there are  missionaries out there that are still interested in the people they taught. I'm glad we were able to help complete this call.

Es C&S Skyping with Brother Merang, Sister Doo, and family
Check out the picture! We're there, too.

This week's Relief Society cooking class was fruit pizza and salad dressing for a tossed salad.

Sisters Martha, Doo, and Norlia giving a thumbs up on the fruit pizza

Mixing the pizza crust

It tastes so good, even without toppings!

Sister Julie snitching a piece of kiwi

Sister Doo modeling the almost finished pizza . . . 

The finished pizza and the tossed salad with a citrus oil & vinegar dressing
Pizza toppings: strawberries, kiwi, mandarin orange slices, sliced grapes, pineapple, and blueberries

Sisters Julie, Martah, Norlia, Doo, and Lydia slicing up the pizza

The sisters had a good time and really enjoyed the treat. There were a few daughters there also that snuck in and tried the pizza, too. 

 

Everyone here likes to have their pictures taken!

Busy Week! Where Has It Gone?

This has been a pretty busy week. Well, maybe not that busy, but we made a trip to Bintulu for some S&I teacher training in Bintulu. We ended up eating out several times with the missionaries. And best of all, we've had General Conference.

We downloaded General Conference and watched it when we could during the week in the comfort of our home. We also watched most of it again at the church this weekend. Member attendance was somewhat disappointing. There were several who didn't come for whatever reasons. It's too bad because they missed out on an excellent Conference. It is always wonderful to listen to the messages of the General Authorities, especially President Monson. How blessed the world is to have a living prophet on the earth to help and guide us. I am so very grateful to have a testimony, to know that President Monson is a living prophet! There were so many good messages. Sister Bodell and I are going to work on ponderizing the scriptures.

Sister Bodell has selected Moses 7:18 to ponderize this week. I have selected Moses 1:39. What's yours?

We took a little trip to Bintulu for S&I training. We had the teachers prepare a short lesson to present to the rest of us. We then had a critique session that worked really well. The S&I teachers in Bintulu are awesome. We're going to miss them when it's time to come home.

I haven't written much because I'm a little behind. I need to get this done because one of my daughters told me that she and her family are going to start using the blog as part of their FHE.

I do have some pictures to share, though. Enjoy!

There's a great Indian restaurant in the Bandar. The food is delicious.
It can be both spicy and hot as shown by Elder S eating the traditional way with his fingers.

The district at the Indian restaurant.
Elders S, T, Dalin, Elders S, O, Y, and E

The same gang and place from the other end. Sister Bodell is in the middle.

Elders O and Y cleaning up after a pre-transfer meal for Elder Y.
We're going to miss him!

S&I Training in Bintulu

There's another good restaurant just up the street from the Indian restaurant.
This one is called Noodle House. It's Chinese in nature, but they serve some delicious western food, too.
Elders S, O, T, S, P, J, Sister Bodell, Elder Bodell
Elders P and J are new to the zone. We lost Elders Y and E.

Personal Letter, Ice Cream Sandwiches, Moving Day

Dear Family and Friends,

We have heard that several of our family members and friends are suffering from physical and emotional issues. I wanted to start this blog to let you know that even though we are many thousands of miles away from most of you that our thoughts and prayers are with you. We wish we could be there with you to ease your pain and your burdens. That is what the Savior taught us to do. I know there are those of you who would prefer not to have anyone help or even visit, but remember that you are depriving those who want to help from blessings from our Father in Heaven.

I have recently been reminded that our Father and Savior know us personally. Jesus Christ suffered not only for our sins, but also our illnesses, our emotional stresses, and everything else that may bother us. I know He did this through His Atoning sacrifice for each of us. If we will lay our burdens at His feet, He will bless and strengthen us. When Joseph Smith was in the Liberty Jail, he received some wonderful revelations. One that is very touching to me, and a reminder of Christ's love for me is Section 122. When I am down I need to call on this section for strength, especially verse 8 which reads:

The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

This reminds me that He knows how I feel, although my sufferings are not nearly as great as His.

We have a copy of a painting by Del Parson hanging in our home that we love. It is a bit unusual. It is a painting of the Savior with a smile on his face.

This picture is a reminder that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for our happiness. He wants us to be happy. The Gospel can bring that happiness to us. Along those same lines, there is a quote by Heber C. Kimball that tells us of His personality.

I am perfectly satisfied that my Father and my god is a cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured Being. Why? Because I am cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured when I have His Spirit. . . . That arises from the perfection of His attributes; He is a jovial, lively person, and a beautiful man.

– Heber C. Kimball

I love this quote! We don't often think of Christ being described like this, but the description is one that I can picture and appreciate.

There is one more quote that I would like to share, and that is the Missionary Purpose. We recite this each week in our district and zone meetings.

Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them to receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

That last phrase is important for all of us . . . enduring to the end. Many of the members here have so very little in the way of material comforts, but their testimonies are strong. They are happy in the Gospel and what it means in their lives. We pray that each of us will strengthen our faith in the Atonement of Christ and endure to the end.

We love you all,

The Bodells

Now, here's our week at a glance:

FHE at Sister Rurin's with Elders S & O

Sister Bintang, Sister Rurin, Kimberly, and Jacky

A much appreciate service project from the District Elders!

Elder Y is very meticulous!

Elder O, T, and S finishing up.

FHE at Sister Doo's with Sister Julie, Sister Bodell, Sister Norlia, Sister Doo, and Sister Luca 

Refreshments after the Chinese FHE - Ice Cream Sandwiches
Look carefully! That's ice cream between two slices of white bread.

Malaysian style Neopolitan ice cream . . .
Mango, Yam, and Corn

Adding the final touches. Sangat sedap! (Very delicious!)

One, very large grasshopper (belalang)!

Thank you to Elder T's expertise in packing the lorry for the moving of the Chinese Elders!
We got it all in one load!

Elder Y jumping into the truck

Elders O and Y wrestling a desk onto the lorry

Thank you to Elders T, S, S, O, Y, and E for their hard work!

 Before I close, I want to say how humbled I am with the members here. I didn't understand a lot of what was said in testimony meeting today, but I felt the Spirit very strongly.

A couple of quick notes about Sunday . . . Brother Steven's son, Peterson, came to church in a new suit. He was dressed to kill! What a little dude! In the evening we went to Brother Steven's to break our fast. President Gara and some of his family were there, too.

Peterson anak Steven

The apartment complex where Brother Steven and family live.

Peterson and Elder Bodell
(No, the glasses belong to Peterson . . . his idea.)

"Break" fast at Brother Steven's with Elder O, Brayun, Pres. Gara, Monica,
Sister Mina, Brother Steven, Sister Berbera, Elder S