Butterworth!

Dear Family,

It's been a crazy week so far, but a lot of fun.  It seemed like we were super busy with stuff right until the moment I left Singapore.  

On Monday, after I emailed you, we had an interesting experience.  We exited our office, and ran into the old mission president, President Clark.  He was visiting Singapore on business, and thought he'd drop by.  He was really intent on taking the assistants out, but we kind of had a lot to do that day, so we politely said we couldn't.  Well, as we're doing some chores at the house about an hour later, we get a call from an unknown number... and it was President Clark.  He asked if I liked to run, of course I said yes, and he told me to get my running shoes ready to go on a trail run.  I spur of the moment decided to go- I think my comp was annoyed... i don't think he likes to run much.  So, we went on a 10k jog through MacRitchie Reservoir- it was so nice.  It feels like you're running in the middle of the jungle, alongside a beautiful lake.  The entire run, President Clark 'game talked' me about finishing my mission strong, and being a strong person when I get back.  Interesting experience, I'm glad I went.  Afterwards, we taxied over to Choa Chu Kang to visit with some Filipino members.  It was so nice, they are such good people.  

Tuesday was pretty normal, Reporting with President Mains, and then we had an English class Meeting with Sister Mains, the Singapore Zone Leaders, and us.  I wanted to get a program going throughout the whole mission, and we had been workign on a pilot program in Singapore.  The Singapore Zone Leaders are so dependable.  Hopefully that takes off.  Right after that meeting, the Mains took Elder Plaizier and I out for a nice going away dinner.  We went downtown to a place called the Chijmes.  It is an old cathedral and they have renovated the side abbeys and stuff into fancy restaurants.  haha felt a bit out of place, but it was really nice, and the food was very good.  It was nice to chat with the Mains for a minute and have some good food.  They said some nice things.  I'm going to miss spending time with them.  We left right after that to teach a less active member we have been trying to meet for the entire time I was there.  I ran into him on the trian my first week in Singapore, and then on my last day, I met him in his home!  

Wednesday was spent packing, spending lots of time on the phone with Malaysia Airlines, eating lots of Kaya Toast, and going to the baptism of a child of record for the 3rd Ward.  It was great to see all the filipinos one last time!  SIs. SHeila is going to be baptized next week.  So proud of her!  She gave me a recipe before I left, and we cooked it for dinner yesterday- yum!

I woke up on thursday feeling quite sick.  I spent all day traveling (had a long layover in Kuala Lumpur).  I didn't have my Singapore smartphone any more, so I didn't have anyhting to do except read.  

Butterworth has been so much fun.  I've really missed the basics of missionary life.  I'm glad President Mains let me finish outside of Singapore. You never know how good somehting is until you don't have it!  I love waking up, doing full studies, doing planning, contacting, teaching... it's very nice.  My companion is hilarious.  Giant polynesian, nicest guy on the planet, and super outgoing.  He has only been in the mission for 3 months, so my goal is to get him ready to be the best.  I'm grateful to be with him- he's so positive.

It's also great to be with Elder Mayo again, he is probably the funniest person I've ever met.  He;s sitting here next to me emailing, and after this we're going to Penang for pday.

The work here is going well.  I can't believe how friendly everyone is.  The other day we were let into the homes of some really wealthy chinese people, which is really rare!  Plus, we invited a young chinese guy to church the other day while meeting him on the street, and he came!  It's great.  It was a little disturbing to have only 13 people for the first half of sacrament meeting.... 

I read the email you sent, and make sure Eric has his own sheets.  I don't know why they told me to send mine home.  You come into the field, ask for sheets, and an Elder goes to an old, musty closet/cupboard and says, "I guess you can try these" as he pats the dust off it.  It's gross.  I bought my own sheets here.

ok bai
Elder Robinson