I just got back from a great p-day at Pulau Ubin! It's this jungly island place right off the coast. We went biking there today and it was so beautiful! I got a little bike training "Singapore Mission" style. Basically, dodge wild dogs, boars, children....and then there's the side kick to fend off the aforementioned dogs, boars, children...it's great fun!
It's been the best week! MICHELLE'S BAPTISM WENT THROUGH!!! Oh it was the happiest day ever. Seriously. I'm learning that the bad days make you appreciate the good ones, and the good ones make you completely forget about the bad ones. This was one of those. The whole week leading up to it was a little stressful. There was a lot of fasting and praying for Michelle to feel the truthfulness of the message of the Restoration. And she did. Enough to get to the next step at least. We knew that her faith would result in an even greater witness after the baptism and boy were we right. The program was wonderful. The Hancock's spoke, Callie and I sang (did she send you the video?) and Brother Webb baptized her. When she came up out of the font, she was glowing. We went back to talk to her and she said, "I feel so fresh! Like I'm born again!" And then here was my favorite quote from her that night...we gave her a picture of Christ in a frame and letters of our testimonies and our love for her. When Michelle saw the picture, she froze, and with tears in her eyes said, "I feel so peaceful when I look at this. I feel like He loves me." It was the best!!! Seriously. Just a rush of pure joy. I know that He does love her, that's why it's so great! She finally felt what we've felt about His love for her this whole time! It totally solidified my belief in Ether 12:6. I know that faith is huge. And it has to be acted on. But if we act on that faith, that hope for something better, we will receive a witness and know of the truth.
We have a few new investigators too! Mr. Yong! He's hilarious. This little old Chinese guy. And Tomoko. She's a girl from Thailand about our age. And Sikiel! Oh we love Sikiel. I got to teach in Malay for the first time because of him. He's from Sabah and he's just like a little angel. We're really excited about all of them. There's more to tell obviously, but I can't ever think of what to write in the time I have, so sorry you'll just be stuck with a tiny little glimpse every week. It's like 10x better than this email. Maybe even more. I just don't have time. Sorry. I love being a missionary! I love everyone of you too! Hope that all is well.
Kasih,
Sister Norton
HFI
PS ~ The bishop in my ward is Bishop Nef. He has a son returning from a mission this week whose name is Kelson Nef. Kelson Nef was in my freshman ward at BYU! Crazy!!
My first baptism! Michelle is so incredible!
lemonade stand la
(speaking Singlish: everything ends in la :)
Sister Jensen and I in KL
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What great commentary on your missionary adventures so far! Congratulations on the baptism. I hope you continue to find success at every turn. Singapore is a beautiful place....Hope you find many elect people. "Relax la", your Singlish will come along just fine over time...Where are you currently stationed in S'pore? I hope you like the food also! I still miss Chicken Rice and Pepper crab from the hawker stalls.....Love,
ReplyDeleteDianna White