This week was pretty overwhelming but really awesome! First, I got on a bus Monday to leave the MTC and go to the Salt Lake City Airport. I met Elder Duzett and Sister Tan, who are also going to Singapore Chinese speaking. They are both really cool, they made the two days of traveling less terrible than I was expecting.
As soon as I got to Singapore, I just thought it was so crazy. It's pretty hot, but it hasn't been terrible because there is so much infrastructure and air conditioning. To get through customs, we had to take off our name tags and tell them that we were volunteers staying with our friends. Also, all over the visa form, there were signs saying all the things you could be killed for... Like if you bring drugs into Singapore or lie about your nationality, I guess they can kill you. That kinda terrified me, but it is actually so safe! There are so many tall buildings here, but it is also very jungly. It is quite the place! Most of the people here speak English, so it's been hard to find people to practice Chinese with, but I've found enough to help my Chinese grow.
Our first two days, we had training with our mission president. We learned about all the laws of Singapore and who we can and cannot teach. We are not allowed to teach Muslim people from a Muslim country (like Malaysia), so we have to be careful. We also cannot straight out say we are missionaries, so we just start out conversations normally and wait for the other person to ask why we are here before we can tell them about the church.
On Thursday, we found out where our first areas are. I found out that I am going to... (drumroll) Penang, Malaysia, or more specifically Butterworth! However, my trainer's mother unfortunately just passed away in a car accident, so he is in the United States for her funeral. So, I am staying in Singapore until Wednesday, and then I am flying to KL and then Penang to meet my trainer! For now, I am in a trio with Elder Crowell and Elder Bowler. They are really cool... Elder Crowell served in Butterworth until the Malaysian government kicked him out, so he has been telling me all about it. Elder Pack (my trainer) sounds like a fantastic man, but I feel so bad for his unfortunate life circumstances. I hope that I can help him.
The food here literally is the best thing ever. Every day I try something different, and I've had Chinese chicken with rice, Indian roti (bread) that you dip into curry, hot pot, and Subway once because my companions were craving it haha.
Missionary work is tough, but I am growing to really like it. I have met so many awesome people, and being able to get to talk to them and get to know them makes it all worth it.
I miss all of you guys like crazy. I hope you know how much I love you, and how hard it is to be apart from you guys. However, I am having really great experiences that I wouldn't change for the world, so I know that I am in the right place. Thank you so much for your sweet prayers for me; when I pray before I go to bed, I thank Heavenly Father for each and every one of you guys, and I can feel your love for me in my heart as I fall asleep. I love you more than you can imagine! I will write to you guys separately in the next couple of hours, so I hope I can hear from you guys soon!
Best, Elder Weatherford
Spiritual Experiences Week One
This week has had a lot of really good spiritual experiences.
First, at some times of the day I felt really overwhelmed and home sick. So, I have been studying the Christike attribute of "hope." I have been really trying to develop hope, because I feel that it is something that can help all of us. Hope is a sincere trust in God, enough to know that through Him, everything will work out. At times, the things we need to go through are so difficult and scary. For me, it is pretty terrifying to be away for two years. However, we can have hope that God will always be there to "faithfully remain through every change." So, as I pray, I pray to have more hope that as I trust God, everything will work out. I have found that as we put trust in God instead of our own imperfect plans, I am so much happier throughout the day. God really is there, and he really looks out for us.
Also, on Sunday, we were all really hungry (because we generally eat out but we can't on Sundays) and then this sweet American family came over and invited us over for dinner. It was so sweet, and I could tell that it was a tender mercy from the Lord. I love you guys so much!
Here are pictures of me in front of one of the churches here in Singapore, me with Elder Crowell and Elder Bowler, a view of Singapore from our flat, and a picture of the living room of our flat.
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