ular!

You never want to hear someone screaming "snake" at the top of the lungs while barreling towards you. We were at a Buddhist temple today and were walking down a path when the snake came out and bit a guy. He didn't seem to worried about it...so I'm guessing it wasn't poisonous.

It's been what basically seems like a failure of a week except for one or two bright spots. Maybe three. We've had every single appointment we've scheduled with investigators drop through on us (fall through?) except for one. We've hit several flats that had not even one door want to listen to us. We had to spend almost the whole day yesterday figuring out a bike situation. Aiyo. It must be the end of the year. I feel the battle.

The bright spots were bright though. First, Sister Chrissy in our branch took us out to see some beautiful Buddhist and Toaist temples this morning and it was good to get to know her and her kids more. They're incredible. And, Penang is really cool! We'll come here when we go back to visit Singapore and Malaysia, dear parents :) I'll try to add some pictures. Uhhh no, I'll send next week.

Then the next...We've spent a lot of time knocking flats while faith finding lately and sometimes I think it's completely pointless when we don't get anything out of an entire building, but we had a cool experience on Sunday night that changed my thinking a little bit. We came across a door of a Hindu family and a girl in her 20's answered the door. She said she hadn't ever learned about Christ and maybe wasn't interested because she's Hindu. It had been a long night so we didn't push it and just left. About 20 minutes later, we were leaving the building and I reached down to turn our phone off silent to find that we had two missed calls and an sms from a number we didn't know. The sms said, "Hi, I want to learn about Jesus Christ, can? Can call me?" So we called of course! The best part is she wants to meet later this week because she talked to her mom about it and she wants to learn about God too and she'll be back from Singapore at that time. So, I'm now convinced that miracles happen when you put in the time faith finding. We're expecting a lot more this month. Just got to have the eyes to see.

J is still doing great. She's now into Jacob in the Book of Mormon.

G & D and their family are coming along slowly. Their response to us inviting them to be baptized on Sunday was they are pretty sure it's true, but it's so different from what they've known all their lives that it might take some time to accept it.

We met with another cool Nigerian last night too. He was very on guard, having already heard about us Mormons. But, he still had to see what it was all about for himself. He wanted to know what the deal is with the Book of Mormon. We explained it to him and he said he saw a video on lds.org about a bishop in Africa who said his life was changed by the Book of Mormon. We gave him a copy and I got chills when he said everything we told him sounds familiar, he just doesn't know where he's heard it before. So, he's reading and taking his time to figure out for himself. Perfect.

I love you all, hope you're having a good week!

Sister Norton

HFI

loaves and fishes

It's been another tough week in Penang, but I'm starting to really see that the miracles end up canceling out the trials every week here. I've been trying to get through the New Testament by the end of the year, and the other day I was reading about the story in Luke of Christ feeding the 5,000 with five barley loaves and two small fishes. I know I've heard this story in its different accounts recorded in the four gospels many times in my life and it's always been a reminder of the remarkable power the Saviour held, but I had never paid much attention to what his disciples must have thought when he proposed that seemingly impossible idea. I can imagine that they looked at that small ration with eyes seeing only what it amounted to in that moment, five barley loaves and two small fishes. That would never be enough for the 5,000 men and who knows how many women and children who were in the company. They only saw an insufficiency. Christ took them and before turning them into enough, He gave thanks to His Father, then he blessed them and brake them. He never saw just five loaves and two fishes. He saw them in baskets, enough to feed the 5,000 with some to spare. I learned two things from this when I imagined being one of the disciples there who doubted that all could be filled. First I felt a slight rebuke and the Lord's words entered into my mind, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" There's a big difference in the Lord's perspective, and I am positive He wants us to see it His way. See things not as they are, but for what they can become. Then second, I realized that He showed His gratitude before even waiting to see if it reached that potential. So, that's what I'm trying to do now. Penang might not be much now. But it's definitely more than it was when we got here. We've seen miracles. And if they're happening now, I think I'll just apply a little bit of Newtonian logic and say they're going to keep happening if we don't decrease our faith or works. And if I look at Penang for what it can become, I just want to cry and thank my Father in Heaven for this beautiful island He's sent me to, with some of His choicest children. All is well.

On that note, I want to just remind my family and friends and all of you who have been supporting me throughout this time how thankful I am for you. I love you all! I am blessed to have all of you in my life and I need all of you. I know my family is getting together right now for Thanksgiving and also to celebrate my Grandpa's 80th birthday. Happy Birthday Grandpa Stoney! I miss you and send so much love your way! But I'm still glad I'm here and hope that doesn't sound harsh :) One Thanksgiving away isn't anything for the work I'm getting to take part in. I'm grateful to be here. And I'm grateful for my parents who didn't say too much of how they miss me, and I'm sure they do ;) They're incredible examples to me of serving the Lord. I'm realizing more and more out here what a rare situation I'm in, to have two loving parents, who showed me how to follow Jesus Christ through word and through example, who love me, and who want me to serve Him. I love both of you to pieces, forever, and too much!

I guess I have to add a bit of why this has been such a great week. We can start with the phone call we just got from J on the ferry ride this morning. She was just calling to say hi and let us know she's into Jacob now in the Book of Mormon. She was just getting a chance to read more then because her baby was taking a nap. She's doing well and excited for her baptism on 24 December. This last week was her first time going to church and she toughed it out through two hours of district conference where she didn't understand much and had to settle for me translating into Malay what she couldn't understand. But she's still looking forward to church this Sunday. I know it's nothing we've done, so I think it's safe to say there's a power in the Book of Mormon that is drawing her to Christ's true church. And that mormon.org is an inspired missionary tool! She spends hours on it each week.

At district conference, we met a new sister in our Branch. She was baptized almost seven months ago while visiting her sister in the UK. We've been praying for a member of the church to help us teach our investigators, especially those coming from a Hindu background. There you go, she used to be Hindu :) She ran up to us and was so excited to meet her first sister missionaries (she thought they could only be boys...psh) and immediately asked when she could follow us and help us teach. I love her.

HF told us she's too lazy to read the Book of Mormon last week, but she had read what we asked her to when we met on Monday! We taught her about the Plan of Salvation and invited her to be baptized. You should have seen her eyes as we talked about the feeling you get after you're baptized and she said yes, she wanted it. But she's nervous it's too soon. So, we'll just keep praying that she will feel at ease about it.

M is a mom that we met in the elevator of our building. She's Christian but her husband is not. We weren't sure that anything would ever come of it when we asked her if we could bring over a Book of Mormon and share a little about it. When we got there, she started pouring out her heart and telling us that she's not sure if God cares about her, because she's so sinful and constantly not measuring up. So we started talking about the Atonement. As we were testifying of His love for her, a thought came into my mind, "She hasn't ever been baptized. Ask her to be baptized." I shrugged it off because she said she became Christian when she was 17 and I was sure that meant she was baptized. So we taught her about the Restored Church of Jesus Christ. The same thought came into my head again as we invited her to pray to know that the things we were teaching were true. So, I gave in and asked her to be baptized. She smiled and didn't say anything so I asked her if she'd ever been baptized and she said no, she never had. So we asked if it was something she wanted and she said yes, but she's not sure if her husband will ever allow it. It was such a neat experience. We're praying for her and her husband's heart to be softened. I'm sure there will be more to follow :)

And we've got another Nigerian friend! P was on the same day as M. I didn't take him very seriously, because we've had a few experiences with guys trying to meet with us and not wanting to learn at all. So we sat down to talk and told him we help people prepare to be baptized. It didn't scare him off at all, and he agreed he would if he feels that Joseph Smith was truly a prophet. Also a Christian that's never been baptized. I love how blunt he is. He told us, "Too many Christians don't pray in their churches. If you don't pray in your church, I won't go." So we're excited about him too.

F is back! He got in a fight with his cousin and his phone was stolen. He came up to us as we were eating dinner at a cafe and just sat down at the table and said he'd been looking for us. So, we continue with him. We thought he was gone for good.

Finally, my baby girl (Sister Wilkes) had her first Ramly burger last night. For those of you not familiar with this wonderful Malaysian phenomenon, it's a burger wrapped in egg with chili sauce and some other sauce I'm not sure of...then put on a bun with mayo, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. You buy them at stands on the side of the street that move around and you never know when you'll be able to find them again in the area we live. And they're what I dream about some nights. She had a struggle with the spice, but I'm sure it will grow on her. Proud mama here.

I love you all and I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sister Norton

HFI

p.s. S&I: Masih baca ini? Semalam saya ada jumpa dengan lelaki yang mengingatkan saya tentang kamu! Dia ada beberapa fikiran yang sama dengan kamu mengenai agama. Tapi tak boleh kongsi injil ini dengan dia...sedihnya! Saya sangat rindu kamu!! Harap semua baik dengan kamu. Jaga diri ok? Masih tahu Bapa kita melandungi kamu. Dia menyayangi mu!

just don't make eye contact …

We went to the botanical garden today! It should be called the monkey garden. They're mean and they were everywhere. But it was gorgeous and I'm glad we finally went somewhere in Penang for pday. Although travelling the island a little more makes me more aware of how small the island is. (Also how ridiculous it is that it takes us two hours to get everywhere by bus...) But it's good.

My dear mommy, Sister Howard, dies today. For all of you that don't know missionary lingo, stop freaking out. It just means she's going home. TODAY. I can't believe it. We celebrated her year mark yesterday I swear. Her parents came a little early to pick her up, so they came to Penang! It was surprising to get a call on Saturday from "Martha's mom" telling me she would see me at church the next day! But it was fun to meet them. Man she's a good missionary.

We've had a busy week. Out in the sun a lot...my feet tan lines are getting pretty sick. I pass out the second I lie down every night, and I LOVE being that busy. We were able to meet up with a less-active member of the church who hasn't been since she was baptized almost two years ago. She came to church on Sunday!! So that was a great feeling. And we finally got supplies. So now we can actually give people stuff like Book of Mormon's (it's a title lah, don't try the whole Books of Mormon thing on me).

Our lesson with J last week was awesome too. Before we could even start talking about the restoration and Joseph Smith, she wanted to ask us some questions. First, why are there so many Christian churches? Second, how can she know which one is right? Bam. So it turned out really well when we could answer those. We could just see everything clicking for her. She accepted an invitation to be baptized if she learns that it's the truth, so things are coming along.

Then we have S, M, & T. A group of Indian siblings between the ages of 10 and 18. We had an incredible lesson with them just about who Jesus Christ is and why he's important to us. It was really special to be able to tell someone about the Saviour who knew only his name before. Their parents are fine with us going to the house and teaching, but we just hope we can get the whole family interested.

Then we have another situation with P and the twins. They're 9 and 6...their parents are Hindu and don't want Christianity, but want them to learn. So we had a sweet little lesson with them, and the parents want them to go to church, but they won't take them, and we don't have a car. So it's a difficult situation, see?

Then our next Indian family, G, D, E, S, R, & I. Three generations, all sitting down and listening to the message of the restoration together. It was incredible! G is Catholic from birth but they follow Hindu in his house because D, his wife, is Hindu. D is amazing though. When we asked her to pray about Joseph Smith and whether or not God and His Son appeared to Him, she said, "I think it's true. It's too weird that you would be here if it wasn't true. You're strangers and I let you in so I think Jesus sent you to me to teach about Him." So we have high hopes for this family.

We also had another lesson with HF. It was going ok but when we introduced the Book of Mormon and asked her to read the Introduction, she said she's too lazy to read. So my heart kind of sunk. I know she will never progress or learn whether or not this is true without reading that book. So, we'll just have to help her build the desire.

Sister Wilkes and I have really been focusing on obedience lately. We're trying to go through every little rule that sometimes gets passed by or thought of as "flexible" to make sure we're having exact obedience in our companionship, basically just because we need it. We've been reminded a few times that obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles. And I really think we're starting to see that. And Penang needs miracles. But we still have a long way to go to perfect obedience. I just think it's a really great thing that Heavenly Father has given us; maybe others don't see that, but I know we couldn't live without our rules over here. We'd drown. I know it's like that for every commandment Heavenly Father has given us. He knows us. You don't think he knows how you'll get the most blessings and success? It's through obedience. I'm sure of that.

We also had two of our Nigerians turn up at church! I think that's about it....sorry so boring lah! I love you all and pray for you! Hope everything is going well.

Sister Norton

HFI

Comforting message on street ...

FIVE. I'm five.

Hello! I'm a lot more tired than a missionary should be today...we didn't get to sleep until almost five this morning. Why? Because our bus leaving Kuala Lumpur didn't end up leaving until almost 11 last night. Why were we in Kuala Lumpur? Zone Conference, baby! It was awesome. Singapore Mission: greatest mission on earth.

Oh but before I forget...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNA!! I'm a horrible friend for not even getting a letter to you on your birthday, but I'm sending one today, I promise. I'll make up for it next year. I love you and hope you have such a wonderful day!

Ok, so...let's start with F. We had such an incredible lesson with him last week. We again talked about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and why Christ's church needed to be restored. It seemed like it was flawless...the Spirit was there so strong and the best thing was happening...F was starting to share the beginning of his own testimony with us, telling us that he definitely believes that it's possible for Joseph Smith to have seen God and Jesus Christ and he's willing to pray to know if it's true. So, obviously we were pretty hopeful that he'd be at church on Sunday morning. He didn't come :( So the next plan is to figure out what the issue is that's keeping him from being there even when he says he'll come.

We did a lot of faith finding again, and we're let into a lot of homes, finding lots of new people to teach...it's just getting them to follow through on the commitments they've made to meet with us again. But things are really looking up here. I'm hopeful :)

President gave each of us in biking areas a special whistle in case we ever run into trouble or get separated from our companion. All he told us is not to blow them inside because they're extremely loud. Confirmed. While walking through a neighborhood last week, a pit bull started coming towards us and he was not so friendly looking...so I took out my whistle and blew as hard as I could. He ran off whimpering and Sister Wilkes and I couldn't hear for the next five minutes. I'll take ringing ears over stitches though :)

We were going through our area book and at the few former investigators (some from years ago..) and found someone that looked promising (also the only one whose number is still working) so we gave her a call and asked if we could meet her. HF is 18 years old and just barely met the elders this last summer. It might not have been the right time for her then, but we met with her and invited her to start learning again and she agreed. She's really sweet so we're excited to get to know her more.

Things are looking up with the branch too. We had a great fireside last Sunday night and started to get to know the members a little more, it takes time to get to know each area and the personalities in each ward/branch, but I think we'll be just fine here in Penang. Good things are going to be coming out of the Penang Branch soon. I'm positive of it.

Zone Conference with President was incredible. I don't have time to write about all the training we got, but I can just say that I really think this was a turning point for me and the time I have left in my mission. I am certain that the Lord knows me. Every concern I've had over the past few weeks here in Penang was addressed, either by President, the AP's or the Holy Ghost as I sat, listening to the training and how I could apply it to the work I'm doing. I'm certain that my life would seem a lot darker without the blessings of personal revelation and having Priesthood leaders who are led by the Lord. Good things are coming.

I'm almost out of time, sorry! We also all went to an elephant reserve together for ZC. And questions of yours, mommy....yes we wear nametags. President Clark changed that around the past couple of years so there are no longer any areas that don't wear them. There are mosquitoes...but I only have a few bites. I think they all go for Sister Wilkes...kasihan dia. We're still waiting on the second bike, so still walking everywhere, getting a nice tan :) Hope that answers everything. I love you all!! Have a great week!

Sister Norton

HFI

Ever had a skinny cow ice cream? This is the guy they got it from.

I keep praying to God, I want to be a tree!

Our bus driver yesterday told us of his disappointment that God hasn't answered that prayer yet. Adoi.

Things are really starting to pick up here. I like Penang :) It's a bit quirky. Something I never thought I'd say...I LOVE knocking doors and faith finding. It really can be so much fun. Yesterday was the best example of that. Here's the sequence of events for the night: First we went to see an Indian family that said we could come back and share more the other night. They were still busy...but we'll try one more time. Then we ran into the most beautiful family I've ever seen, from Nigeria. They were so kind and invited us to come in, but we couldn't teach them anything because of their religion. They were very disappointed by that...they wanted to know what message we were sharing that seemed to be so important that it brought us all the way from America. They said they know the sacrifice of leaving home so they appreciate what we're doing, but they still wanted to know. It broke my heart a little. I promised him that I would email him when I get home next year.

Next we ran into another Indian family and they were amazing! Invited us in, TURNED OFF THE TV, wow. So good. We're going back on Saturday night to share more with their two daughters.

The next house was an Indian man that came to the door saying, "I English one no so good lah! I don't want go to church, I go to temple!" He was funny and we got to kacau him for a bit but not too much interest.

Then this adorable little Indian/Malay boy appeared out of nowhere, showing off his Boliwood moves. We chatted a bit about his sweet dance skills and then he became our shadow for the rest of the night. I snuck a picture of him and before we left he said, "Auntie! Besok?" Which means tomorrow haha. It really broke the ice when we were knocking on doors with him right behind us though. Everyone thought it was adorable. He followed us for four floors of flats! Oooh he was so cute.

Then we were invited in by another really nice family from Pakistan but couldn't teach them, again, because of their religion :(

The next fun one was getting Malay and Mandarin mixed up at another door. I was mixing them so bad...usually I can kind of flip the switch in my head from one to another but this time it was bad. But the Chinese couple (who spoke both but no English) thought it was hilarious. So, it was just a fun night. We're finding lots of new people to teach.

The highlights of the week were teaching J and F. J is from Indonesia and married to an Indian man, they have the most adorable son. We had our first lesson with her on Monday and we'll see her again this Sunday. She's amazing, so so sweet. We talked about baptism last time and she was excited. F is that awesome Nigerian neighbor I told you about. We taught him about the restoration and got to know him last week. He has had an intense life, but his faith is amazing. He wouldn't stop thanking us for the Book of Mormon that we gave him and he's already started to read it :) We'll meet with him again tonight, so more news next week.

I was thinking a little bit this morning while listening to some EFY song about being an example of the believers...it said something along the lines of our gift being the way we live, and it brought back memories of so often hearing that just living your standards is enough for spreading the gospel (and hey, I'm pretty sure it even says something along those lines in my mormon.org profile...) but I really don't think it's enough. Yeah, we need to be an example of all the standards we claim to have, but that seems pretty simple to me, that's only the beginning. I was thinking of it like this: say you have the recipe for the world's best cookies, and you want everyone else in the world to have it because they're so good and you know they'll make everyone happy. These are genocide/war-stopping cookies, ok? I think the former example is like making those cookies, taking them around for people to try, but not giving out the recipe...just expecting that people will ask for it if they want it. What if those people don't know that you know how to make those cookies?? They might think they're store-bought! It's not enough to be doing that. You've got to hand out the recipe! That's what the gospel of Jesus Christ is. A recipe for happiness AND world peace. Stop being so shy lah. Start giving out the recipe. Enough of this "You don't even need to invite your friends to church, you don't need to share your beliefs, just be a good example." How about do both?! That would be the best. Come on, people! The world needs these cookies :)

Ok I'm off my soap box. And I hope that all made sense. We'll have news of an upcoming baptism next time we write :) I love you all and appreciate your prayers!

Alison, a letter is on it's way with the AP's next week! Love you!

Sister Norton

HFI

A new day in Penang!