Julie's Garden

I have felt that one of the greatest sacrifices that I have made to come to Borneo was to leave behind my beautiful gardens.  I have so missed the care and nourishing of them and taking joy in their beautiful blooms.

Today as I studied the scriptures, I realized that there are many exotic blooms in Borneo, and I am privileged to be a gardener HERE, in a garden unimagined before.

The location of my garden was a surprise to me.  How was I going to grow blooms here?

But the soil was fertile, and deceivingly prepared before I came...

The blossoms came quickly, though fragile and delicate...

They responded to every effort...

I was overjoyed at the continual surprises...

They burst with refinement and detail.

Each new piece of soil sent forth more shoots.

The possibilities multiplied...

The garden grew...

I found that I was surrounded with fresh blossoms!

Some exquisitely rare.

The garden expanded...

Some plants were scarce, almost extinct, but were replanted and saved...

Others multiplied with strong seed.

Some were hybrid, new varieties, rejoiced over as they were so precious.

All were appreciated and given a spot to be seen and loved.

The Gardener found new joy -- flowers unimagined, a garden unique to her.

Each new flower seeming more choice than the last.

How could I possibly choose my favorites?

Sambun has a special place in the garden.

A convert of 3 weeks, she is so happy.

Those with special knowledge are often called in.

Arzoo popped up!  So small!  So colorful!  So delightful!  He always has a huge smile and a handshake and does it a dozen times while he is around you!

Sambun:  Warm, lovely, full of love.

Sambun's granddaughter:  We hope she will flourish.

The possibililities have become endless and ever more delightful and looked forward to.

Adie:  A big, colorful blossom who envelopes me in a giant hug each time I come...

Her husband, Rawing.  These two could be the PR committee for the church!

Anthony's grandparents

Anthony:  An absolute treasure!  A convert of 2 months.  He is 15.  He goes out with the missionaries almost everyday to demystify the maze in the Kampung.  He fixes their bikes.  He is at every baptism.  He is a new piano student.  I love him.  These varieties are astonishing!

Anthony's grandmother to my left.  He was so thrilled to have her baptized and to introduce her to me!

So the Gardener is still at work.  She comes home to soak her feet and her shoes...  in Clorox!

Today, while studying, this scripture startled and blessed me, "VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, ALL AMONG THEM WHO...ARE WILLING TO OBSERVE THEIR COVENANTS BY SACRIFICE..."

...THEY ARE ACCEPTED OF ME."

"FOR I WILL CAUSE THEM TO BRING FORTH AS A VERY FRUITFUL TREE WHICH IS PLANTED IN A GOODLY LAND, BY A PURE STREAM, THAT YIELDETH PRECIOUS FRUIT."  D&C 97:8-9

Could I have a more beautiful garden?  What more joy can the Gardener feel?

Oh, Yes! We Have Some Bananas! And Chocolate!

There are many kinds, sizes, colors, and flavors of bananas here.  The bananas ripen quickly and spoil quickly, so I have found a recipe we love.

MARBLED-CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

Combine in bowl with whisk:

2 c flour

3/4 t soda

1/2 t salt

Cream:

1 C sugar

1/4 c butter

Add:

1 1/2 c very ripe banana

1/2 c egg

1/3 c plain yogurt (doesn't matter if flavored)

beat until blended

Melt:

1/2 c semi sweet chocolate chips

Add 1 c batter to melted chocolate, blend

Spoon banana batter alternately with chocolate batter into sprayed loaf pan.  Swirl batters together with knife, go both directions of pan (don't over blend).  Also, very good made as muffins.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until pick or knife inserted into middle comes out clean.  Cook muffins much less time.

I cook at lower temperature here, but???

Happy taste testing to all and to monkeys everywhere!

Love from the South China Sea

Art and Artists in Malaysia

We meet with the youth after seminary each Thursday night at 8:30.  They want us to "Make a Choir" which we have been working at, but this night they want to play games...

We started by having the two teams draw a picture of Sister McKellar.

They were very intent about it, and spent quite some time, everyone giving their ideas.

I better take a look at the competition...

Hmmmm, what does this REALLY reveal about me?

A committee from the hall chose the winner.  What do you think???

They blew these balloons up, herded them the length of the room as a group, with no hands touching them, then returned with them and had to pop them with a fly swatter.  Really, not so easy.

They thought this was hilarious -- chew a cracker and they try to whistle.

Stanley thought it would be a cinch, but...

Found his whistle stuck as well as his tongue!

Leery tries it out...

There were several other relays, but when it was over, each team won a group prize.  They sat down and divided it patiently and equally.

EVERYONE is included, and I mean everyone -- kids come that are 7, 8, 10, and not a word is said, they are just included as if they too were teenagers!

These youth are so fun to be with.  Full of fun and love whatever you do.  (Nankai in the front in the blue shirt is 7.)

At the end they all piled on President Salleh's truck bed and headed for their kampong, after which they walked the rest of the way.