This will be a short letter. We have been so busy the last couple of weeks and the coming one will be just as busy! Week before last we had our 2nd Quarterly Senior Conference here in Singapore. We had 34 total Seniors. Five of the couples stayed with us from Tuesday to Saturday. They were all here at our home Thursday night for dinner and then we had the conference on Friday. Buying and preparing food, arranging housing, transportation, etc. was a huge job, however once everyone was together it was worth it. What we wouldn't have given for a Sam's or a Costco! What a wonderful group of Seniors! We stayed up until at least midnight everynight just talking and laughing. It was wonderful to hear all their stories and how much they each love the people and areas they serve, even though many of the areas are extremely difficult. The Oriens have been here with us since. Elder Orien had his hand operated on and Sister Orien had a colonoscopy this week. He needs to stay until the doctor can take the stitches out. How we love having them here. They stayed with us several months ago when she had her knee replaced. They are such a fun couple, but serve in probably the hardest and poorest area of our mission. They go home in January (to Alaska). The mission will really miss them. Is there anyone up to replacing them????
This week we will have transfers and 17 new Elders/Sisters coming in - which also means 17 trainers coming in. It will be a wild week as we pick them up at the airport, feed them,arrange for their support, train them (the President and AP's do the training), and get them off to their new areas in two days times! Luckily, we don't have anyone going home at the same time. We also have the Gregory's coming on Tuesday. They will be with us for two days along with their daughter and her husband. Then on Saturday, the Gregory's and an Australian couple who are in JB will come over for Stake Conference on Saturday and Sunday and stay with us. It will be a busy week. When everyone leaves, it will be really lonesome!
We love our mission and the wonderful people here. The gospel is growing in this part of the world so fast. It is amazing how willing the Asian people are to listen to the missionaries - more and more Chinese are getting Bapized.
We watched General Conference last week (a week after you). It was wonderful to hear the voice of the Lord for our day and age. Even though times are perilious and can be hard, it is still a wonderful time to live and we can be happy if we live the gospel in our lives and serve our Heavenly Father. It is so good to know that while the morals of the world change, the teachings of Jesus Christ do not change.
We love each of you and pray for you daily.
Elder and Sister Garrett, Mom & Dad, Grandma & Grandpa, relatives and friends.
Senior Missionaries at opening night dinner – our home
Our “Sabah” Malaysia Sr’s. singing song
“Chinese Elders” with investigator before baptism
Dave on exercise equipment at the park.
The Orien’s at the park on exercise equipment.
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