Monday October 21st Letter

Hey Family!

So I'm all packed and ready to go to Singapore tomorrow!

First of all, I don't have any birthday cards in this because I thought it would be cooler to send those from Singapore.

So (as I know it won't get there in time)
Happy Birthday Mom! on the 28th!

You're now closer to 50 according to significant digits.

     Mom's age in decades
          4.5 -> 5!
So that's like being 50!

Troy & Katie, I hope my cards will get home from Singapore before your birthdays, but if they don't I have a 'graffiti work' in there for both of you, Troy gets the car, and Katie gets the M&Ms :P
(Mom gets the letter :P)

So Katie, Happy 11th Birthday on November 28th!
and Troy, Happy 6th Birthday on NOvember 21st!
(hope I got that right :P)

There's not too much in there (the package that Brent sent), some notes, the first sheet of Malay stuff I got on the first day, my first journal which either goes to October 12th or 13th, I can't remember, but I think it's the 12th.

A couple things I want to ask,

- Could you guys send more of those Book of Mormon bookmarks?
- Would you guys be able to get me some emails like Frause, Russell and Coleman?
- My journal is my journal, so I ask that you guys only read the missionary part, just cause I don't remember what I wrote before and I probably sound like an idiot... I mean if you want to go ahead... but you guys will probably all think I'm stupid :P

I got to the 100th section of the Doctrine & Covenants today! I'm trying to finish the last 38 before I touch down in Singapore! If I do that I'll have finished both the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine & Covenants since I got here :P and there is very little time to read.

Make sure you read as much as you can! Because I wish I'd read more before I came here! So Jordan, you better be reading like crazy!

I got your "weekly newsletter" today. A little shocking to hear about Uncle David & Aunt Kathryn :/ Sometimes while I'm in the MTC I've forgotten that I'm in the middle of the Utah bubble, where everyone's Mormon and in the MTC everything seems perfect.

It's sad to hear about that, and I'm not sure who to offer my condolences to. If anyone at home is concerned, remember that our family knows about the fullness of the gospel, that we know about eternal families, and because I've always known about how much our family loves each other "Families can be together forever" has always been one of my favourite songs, and dear to my heart.

Remember that the 7 of us (or more if Troy gets his wish :P) can, and will be together forever in the Celestial Kingdom.

Know that all over the world there's people who love you, even on the other side of the globe, in the country of Malaysia, you've got a brother/son who loves you
AND PRAYS FOR YOU BY NAME EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Mom & Dad, so maybe this is just cause I'm in the MTC, and one of my teachers happens to be studying Civil Engineering at BYU...
but could you look into engineering at U of  C, U of A, UBC, Queens & BYU? (also the swim teams)

My Malay is amazing considering the short time I've had here. I've seen so much growth in my Malay, my testimony, faith, physical strength, spiritual strength, mental strength, musical ability, my singing, how I make friends.

Everything has changed for the better out here.

I missed thanksgiving with all of you, I loved the pictures :)

I hope you all liked my little email to Granny Nanny, did everyone cry?

Did Granny Nanny get my balloon wish? As weird as it is, I actually really missed that part of Thanksgiving.

I want you to know that I had my own Thanksgiving up here, and it was just me & Heavenly Father, and really it was just a really really long prayer :P I loved! The Charlie Brown card! I really hope that doesn't look like a bomb in my suitcase as it might :P and I'm bringing it to Singapore.

I love you guys a lot.

Saya adu baryak kasih saying bagi Kamu Samua
(I have much love for you all)
Kamu Samua denat untuk hati saya
(You're all close to my heart)
Troy, Kamu terbaik
(Troy, you're the best)*
Saya barharap Kamu Samua belajar banyak hal-hal dalam ini dua tahun **
(I hope you all learn many things in this 2 years)

* They actually say "best" in Malay but Terbaik looks cooler :P
** Probs not spelt right

Anyways :P

I sent Sonya's Mom an email on Thursday... I think >>> and I wrote in all in Malaly, so if she got it, she can tell you just how little Malay I know :P

Bro Horman said I've got probably around a 500 word vocabulary right now... which isn't much considering in English I probably know about 1000 times more :P

I love the letters & emails form home, I really love the pictures :P

I still have my "sleds" in case I want to go tobbaganing :P

I'm going to work my butt off for the next two years, and that's going to carry on for the rest of my life.

Guys, nothing is more important than the gospel. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Money, cars, friends, iphone 5-6 (or whatever the new thing is)

Remember that and life will be bagus (good)

I love you all so much

Jumpa Lagi!

Elder Brent Bester