Brigham Youngsters

Would you believe? This is your mother and your Meme just a little bit longer than 50 years ago! I know, you are wondering why we aren't in pioneer dresses....

We were called The Brigham Youngsters and danced all over for Program Bureau for 3 years. It was such fun! Surprise!

This group is getting together this coming week in Provo to celebrate the 90th birthday of Janie Thompson, legend and Leader of Program Bureau for years and years and years at BYU. Janie is the one who taught me that the most important thing that you could DO was: SMILE! This group evolved into Young Ambassdors under her hand.

There was an article in the Daily Universe recently:

http://universe.byu.edu/node/7161

Now, despite the fact that it appears by years that I lived in the ancient history... This Meme has get up and go in her bones still! Anybody want to dance?

Tea for Two at The Raffles Hotel, Singapore

Raffles Hotel is elegant

Classical

Romantic

the Raffles Hotel is for daydreaming...

and fantasizing... of days of white gloves and white suits... and slowly walking its long, marble verandas arm in arm with the one you love.

And pretending that you lived in Singapore a hundred years ago during the days of British Colonization. With exotic sights and fragrances wafting from the aisle and bird of paradise flowers as you sat beneath the palm and coconut trees...

This was a time when High Tea was not optional...

But a daily ritual, to be taken with anticipation and pleasure and time...

The tastes and conversation to be equally savored. The refinement to wash over one and make life sweet and delicate and gentle.

"What would you like, Madame?" We have cucumber and watercress dainties, blueberry scones with whipped cream and jasmine tea...

"Would you like another, Madame?" There are strawberry puffs and lemon tarts, chocolate filled cakes, and chrysanthemum tea...

Of course, you may always select yourself from the abundance of the buffet. And the regional delicacies to be tried and tasted.

Please come again soon, Madame. We shall be looking for you at Afternoon Tea at the Raffles Hotel!

with much love from the South China Sea,

Madame and her daughter, Wendy. Two who were effortlessly swept away by the romance of the Raffles Hotel. March 2010

Elder Nelson Visits Legendary Land of Headhunters and Longhouses: Borneo

"A Prophet is coming! A prophet is coming!" These are the words used to announce the visit of Elder Nelson to Borneo. The news traveled as though on the wings of the famous native hornbill bird. This was the event of a lifetime for these people!

As President Ingkon summarized it: "These are the happiest two days of my life!"

With a couple of hours left before his plane departed; Elder Nelson asked if we knew of an authentic longhouse nearby. We drove him to the Gua Longhouse. The most authentic and beautiful Long house that we have seen

Inside the Longhouse: floors are made of poles, covered with handmade mats. On the walls are hand carved shields, baskets, and tapistries woven on the traditional backstrap loom.

The Nelsons at the door of the Longhouse. I think think is the best picture I took of them. They looked happy and relaxed. The walls are of split bamboo.

The steps one must climb to get to the first level of the longhouse. They are hand hewn from one large log. I nearly had a heart attack thinking of the possibility that he could slip... But he did great without one comment about their steepness or narrowness!

Doors of the adjoining Longhouse

I loved the play of color and pattern...of leaves and native design

Beautiful traditional folk art painting on the doors. It is the authentic Iban design (similar to the sarongs we used at the luncheon)

The birds are the famous hornbill bird: symbol of Sarawak

A long view of the Long House! They speak of their longhouses as to the number of doors that they have....20, 50, up to 300! One family lives behind each door. The veranda is a communal space for weaving, drying food, dancing, sleeping, visiting...

Coconuts that have fallen to the ground and without any touch of the human hand...sprouted!

Unknown structure close to Long house: Rameumpton? Stairway to the stars? Tower of Babel in Sarawak?

Elder Nelson Visits Borneo! Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010

They graciously greeted everyone!

Wouldn't you want to greet these two Borneo beauties??? Rachael and Angela

Sister Nelson was warm and outgoing. Everyone loved her.

Lucas ak Johnny and Brindin (below a couple of pictures). Brothers from Bintulu. These two young men are exceptional! Talented. Committed. Spiritual. Lucas translates for Mission President and any other authorities who visit. He can teach Seminary, Gospel Doctrine, speak at the drop of a hat or lead anyone!

All were invited to shake hands with Elder and Sister Nelson. All came forward!

Brindin: The most charming young man in Borneo!

He exclaimed to me after seeing the Legacy Film: "Sister! When I grow up I will be a missionary and go to the Salt Lake Temple. And tonight, I will dream of sleeping in a covered wagon!"

They were tireless in having pictures taken with all! Willie and family

Steven and Elder Nelson. Steven is the only member in his family. To shake Elder Nelson's hand was a dream they longed for but never imagined could come true!

Elder Nelson Visits Borneo, Saturday Feb. 20

Unheard of! Impossible! But true. An Apostle is coming to Borneo!

This day EVERYTHING was in motion and a flutter! Dad and I got up early and drove throughout the neighborhoods "snipping" native flowers: Exotic white lilies, hibiscus, red leaves. Everything beautiful we could lay our hands on!

They were to go on the tables for the luncheon with Elder and Sister Nelson that was held for all the branch presidents and their wives in Sarawak. I bought beautiful sarongs in the native Iban patterns, a different color for each table: Red, Green, Blue, Gold. The center runner is also native design and hand made.

Ringkai and Erisiana came an hour early for their appointment with Elder and Sister Nelson. Ringkai was almost too frightened and nervous to show up. We teach them on Tuesday evenings in a kampong by the light of two small candles.

Native Sisters prepared the food beautifully. I was amazed at their presentation!

Elder McKellar and President Atos (of the Bidayu tribe) going over details...many details! And after that, just a few more....details!

The food was so colorful and pretty.

Annie: from Bintulu. She is a doll! We love her whole family. Norlia and Gaadong are special friends. We taught them the temple lessons. They went to the Phillipines temple in December.

Elder McKellar and Gaadong and Annie. One forgets the difference in height!

Sisters from Bintulu. These sisters got up early, rode the bus for 3 1/2 hours, arrived at the Church, and then sat on the floor for four more hours waiting for the meeting to begin!

I have taken many pictures of this cutie. She and her family are converts of about 1 year 4 months.

Another sister from Bintulu: Margaret. She gave me my first sarong when I was so new in Bintulu.

Bintulu Priesthood Men. Assan on the right is a very good friend of Elder McKellar. His daughter, Jestina, a piano student and one of the two teenagers who ran the primary!

Fondi: This is a man whose family we taught in Bintulu. They live far out on a oil plantation in a cement room. His children ride in the back of an open commercial truck bed over terrible roads to get to Church and school. He makes about $10 a day. Elder McKellar baptized him. They are terrific members. He would like very much for one of his daughters to marry one of the Elders!