Love Actually, Is All Around

Commo stapo?

I love this mission because it keeps you on your toes. 5 days ago, I was biking along in suburban Miri, teaching Ibans in Malay, but listening to them speak Iban. Now I'm teaching Filipinos in English, but yesterday, church was half in Tagalog.

So as you all know, Singapore is a totally different beast from East Malaysia. But it's really cool being in one of the cleanest, biggest, most artistically beautiful cities in the world around Christmas time.

And there are Christmas decorations and songs everywhere. It reminds me of Love Actually, where Christmas is all around.

But let me start at the beginning. I loved being in our party-van last P-day on the way to the Niah caves. We were all getting calls about transfers, and there was so much excitement and energy as we got calls. Sister LeBaron had found out that morning, via a telephone call from President Mains, that she was being made Sister Training Leader in Kuching, but she got to stay in Miri and show the new sisters our area. She freaked out, and then later told me he told her I was going to Singapore, training!

As we were driving to the Niah Caves, Elder Snyder got a call saying he was being made zone leader in Bintulu, and because the Chinese group is becoming a branch, Miri is getting 2 Chinese Elders. He also asked, "What ward is Sister Wynn in?" and he looked up and mouthed the words "You're in 3rd ward!" Sister LeBaron and I flipped because that was the ward she served in for 6 months, and I've heard so many good things about it. It's the highest baptizing ward in Singapore, and I'll tell you why in just a sec.

And here's the cool part: A couple months ago, I was praying, and I asked Heavenly Father, "Can I serve in Singapore sometime? But if I serve there, can I serve in 3rd ward? If it's not thy will, it's totally cool. Just letting you know my thoughts and desires."

And now look where I am. Heavenly Father does take into account the things we pray for. But even if I wasn't here, I know there are people in this mission I'm supposed to meet.

The next day for district meeting, Elder Snyder and I bore our testimonies, because as he says, "Looks like we're both getting booted out of Miri."

I just told my district I'm on a mission because I know I have been saved by Christ, and I'm grateful for my time in Miri because it taught me about love. I told them I know God lives, Christ lives, and that the Book of Mormon testifies of Christ. After District meeting, we ate at our favorite little Roti canai place.

I found out Tuesday afternoon that I was leaving for Kuching on Wednesday, not the biasanya Thursday because the mission office couldn't get me a flight except on Wednesday. That meant I had half a day to say my goodbyes. It was so hard to say goodbye, but if it's hard, it's good because it means you love the people. I said good-bye to Sister Minah and Sister Bernadine, Jali and Payah and their kids, Kusnadi and his kids, Nayan and her kids, and Tungalim and Ngian and their families. Oh and Brother Chaong's family. Barama and her family gave me a beautiful red sarong. I cried a little, I'll admit.

At night, I frantically packed and wrote letters and the next morning, I packed some more. Sister Satam called me and said, "Sisterrrr...why are you leaving? Why didn't you say goodbye?" I told her I loved her so much and I was sorry. With everyone though, I told them, "I love you so much, and I'll miss you, but it's okay if you forget me. Just promise me you won't forget Jesus Christ."

I said goodbye to my Miri Sisters, stopped by the Elder's house to pick up some stuff and drop off some stuff, I had Elder Mitchell sneakily pass me a Book of Mormon, and I gave it to the other lady in my cab and got her contact info. She was going to school in Miri but from JB and wanted to learn. I got to the little Miri airport, I thought to myself, "Shoot I forgot to look at my gate number." But then I reminded myself that it's Miri, and the airport has 2 gates sahaja haha. A really cute Muslim lady told me I was pretty, and then was surprised I could understand her and told her "Mana ada cantik!" She said my Malay was good, and I thought to myself it was gonna get a little rusty in Singapore. I said goodbye to little Miri, my home, and an hour later, landed in Kuching. I stayed with the Kuching Sisters all day. Sister Tai (who now lives with me) was packing all day, then I went out with Sister Hillier and her with a recent convert, Sister Rose, who still remembered me from New Missionary training.

We walked into the Kuching chapel and I saw Elder Parker, my homeboy, taking pictures with the members because his trainer, Elder Robins, was being transferred. I walked in and said, "Ah semua lelaki kacak!" and totally surprised them. The guy who was taking the pictures told me to masuk, so I hopped into a bunch of pictures with the Elders and this random Iban family I never met. It was good to see Elder Parker, my MTC teachers were right, you see your MTC group more times than you can count in this mission, even though it spans two countries.

The Sisters and I were taken out to dinner by Sister Rose, we went to these hawker stands and I ate the most delicious burger. I also hadn't eaten in like 2 days so it was especially good. The next morning, we went to the airport, some of us transferring, some of us picking up greenies from Singapore. I ran into Elder Ferguson and Elder Lundquist at the airport, they were dropping some other Elders off. I also ran into the one, the only, Elder Capener, who's training the one new Malay-speaking Elder. He was with Elder Toney, the new AP.

Anyway, I'm out of time, but Sister Hansen is my little trainee. I love her already. She's from Mesa, Arizona, and is ready to do work! I love being a trainer, it's pretty fun but kind of crazy when you're trying to do missionary work in a giant city you've never actually lived in before. But in the moments where it's a little stressful, or a little crazy, I just get on my knees and pray. Mudah. And whatever the word for easy is in Tagalog.

I hope my pictures tell a good story at least.

Love you all, keep the faith.

-Sister Wynn

Trainers all from MTC group.

Singapore baby!