Perfect... Imperfection... Seeking A Balance...

Sunday, June 7, 2015

A Sabbath Morning at LDS Malacca Chapel

IMG_2045This is the first time we attended the Malacca Chapel. It is just like the Kuala Lumpur Chapel, it is a bungalow lot with some compound around. I did not take the photo of the building itself.

Instead, I was managed to take some photos on this 2 notice which pinned on the notice board. It reminds me one of my baptismal covenants that is keep on doing or exercising my faith, which is the missionary works.

Every member is the missionary, and it is our responsibility to find the people around us and spread the gospel to them.

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Even though Malacca branch is a small branch, but I do admire the way they care for each other, guide each other. It can be found just by this little pieces of notes and action plan that the youth wrote down.

I love my Savior! I love my Heavenly Father! I love Them for the doctrines and ordinances of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which bring hope and happiness into our lives.

I thank for Prophet Joseph Smith’s faith in asking Heavenly Father, as through Joseph Smith, we are able to have the church of Jesus Christ here on earth again.

I thank for Heavenly Father for the Atonement of Jesus Christ so that I am able to go back to Him together with my whole family some day! For I try my best to walk like Him…Love One Another…Red heart

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Malacca Weekend Trip 6-7 Jun 2015

Our family have a weekend short trip to Malacca. We woke up early in the morning around 7.30am, and Daddy drove down to Malacca already. We arrived at Malacca round 9.30am.

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It was so fortunate that we managed to find a parking at the street along the street where our hotel is Layang-Layang Guest House.

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Our first destination is having our morning walk along the Jonker Street and Malacca River. We snapped a few photos at the interesting places.

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We met with the missionary whom taught us during we baptized Elder Karl Paewai together with his father whom came back to visit Malaysia after he completed his mission.

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We visited together with them a few interesting places at Malacca. Our family feel so happy with our reunion with Elder Karl Paewai and his Dad at Malacca.

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We were having quite a wonderful time with them, even though the day is really hot today!

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We departed in the afternoon, as Elder Karl Paewai have the appointment with the Elders in Malacca. And, they would leave for Kuala Lumpur in the evening and attend the Sacrament Meeting at Petaling Jaya Branch and Subang Jaya Branch.

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Our family stayed a night and attend Sacrament Meeting at Malacca Branch. It is a short trip, but really fun for all of us!

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Kuala Lumpur Conference District

We have our Kuala Lumpur District Conference today at Wisma MCA as usual. Here are some photos of the presentation of the Primary today.

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Primary children from all the branches of Kuala Lumpur District: Puchong, Subang Jaya, Cheras, Klang, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur and Melacca.

Both Issac and Annabelle were in the choir! Love the Primary children so much, and so cute!

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Farewell to Elder & Sister Bagley 10 May 2015

IMG_0159Elder and Sister Bagley are the senior couple missionaries serving in our Subang Jaya branch for 6 months. They are from Idaho, United States of America. It is a blessings that our branch have both of them served here. We all learned so much from them.

Elder Bagley had been called as our first counsellor and he have been actively involved in contacting the inactive and less active members. He gave us very realistic advice on the church and gospel issues.

IMG_0158Most of our church members really love both Elder and Sister Bagley for their kindness, love and charity towards each and everyone of us in the church. We are grateful for their service.

Our family was thinking of giving both a surprise visit at the airport. Eventually, after we reached KLIA, we realized that we are not only the family whom thinking of that. We met Brother Kelvin, Sister Darielyn, Sister Leeza, Brother Johnny, even our President Chi and his son Brother Brian as well. We were laughing when we saw each other.

IMG20150510204122Brother Bany and Sister Elsa were the ones fetched both Elder and Sister Bagley came to the KLIA. Brother Rajah, Sister Wilma and their daughter Sister Premala were coming together with them too. They came later than us, all of us arrived earlier hide at a place and trying to give a surprise to both the senior couple missionaries.

They were happy to see us. We took photographs and more photographs.

IMG20150510205331Elder Bagley still not forgetting to remind and gave us counsel before he headed to the departure gate, “Please remember that this church is Jesus Christ’s church, please come to church and partake the sacrament every week. Please do not let anyone whom might offended you, made you do not come to church. This is the covenants that you have made during your baptismal, it is between Jesus and you. Keep the faith and stay strong on the narrow path.”

Our family will always keep his words and counsel dearly and near to our heart.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Kuala Sepetang Charcoal Factory 3 May 2015

After we checked out from our hotel at Penang, we were wondering around to look for nice breakfast to eat. We have no idea until we reached the Penang bridge and crossed to the other side of the main land. Daddy goggled through the internet using his hand phone, and found out this very cheap and nice place to eat Dim Sum, called Restoran Chaw Chuan at Butterworth.

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We were heading to the shop using Waze App. After driving for quite some time, we finally reached the shop, and both Daddy and Mummy were really amazed by the size and varieties of the type of Dim Sum, such as porridge, bake items, pau items, pan fried items, desserts, cakes, steamed items, etc. We really have a satisfying Dim Sum breakfast with reasonable price.

IMG20150503110332Daddy just suggested that we left Penang and go to Kuala Sepetang since it is just an hour ride journey.

I just knew that Kuala Sepetang is an interesting place to visit as the small town itself is full of historical moments and the great number of interesting places to visit and experience, along with the abundant heritage, history and culture of the place.

I was already making a quick mental note to return for another visit which we are able to stay longer to explore the town.

IMG20150503110747While Kuala Sepetang is predominantly a Chinese fishing village, its economy is driven by related industries such as fish farms, shrimp breeding farms, boat building and also the famous charcoal kilns.

When we arrived, we found out that the entire charcoal making location was occupied by a few charcoal factory companies. The scene looked no different from a dusty and dilapidated ghost town with endless rows of wood stacked up along the walls of buildings.

The charcoal factory at Kuala Sepetang is indeed a remarkable hidden gem, at least to me. I am both surprised and ashamed as a Malaysian for not being aware of this intriguing national heritage that produces charcoal the old fashion way.

IMG20150503110256The straight road opened up to a small square where a rustic sign which read “Chuan Seng” was seen nailed to a louvre wooden wall to my right. And this is the most famous charcoal factory at Kuala Sepetang. We just went in and have a self-guided tour to see around.

The making of the charcoal is in such a way that first, the factory has to procure mangrove logs, cutting them into lengths of 1.6m.

IMG20150503111023 After debarking, logs weighing some 20kg each, are moved to the charcoal kiln, where 1,500 logs are neatly arranged along the wall of the igloo-shaped kiln which is 7m in height.

With only a small ‘door’, a fire is lighted, by burning some other logs of wood, and as the days pass, the opening of the kiln is closed little by little until it is entire sealed, except for four small windows around the side of the kiln.

IMG20150503111219 As you can imagine, the mangrove logs are not burned in the charcoal-making process but instead, water is extracted and dried by the heat.

Through the dampness and temperature of the steam that escapes from the windows, expert workers are able to check on the drying process, until the logs are entirely dry.

The first stage of the process takes about ten days. From a temperature of 85 degrees Celsius, it is increased to 230 degrees Celsius over the next fourteen days in the second stage.

IMG20150503110511 Once the charcoal is ready, all apertures of the kiln are sealed and another eight days are allowed for the charcoal to cool down.

The end product, after some 32 days, is then ready to be removed, a job reserved for the womenfolk.

Going through this process, 100kg of mangrove wood is reduced to only 26kg of charcoal, or colloquially known as “black gold”.

At today’s price of RM1 per kilogramme of charcoal, I wouldn’t say this is a lucrative task. However, this 80+ year old factory continues to thrive as 60% of charcoal produced are exported to Japan.

IMG20150503114538 After the charcoal factory trip, we drove to the town and stopped by buying some snacks to eat, and we spotted the famous Port Weld railway station which was located at the centre of town.

The whole railway line from here to Taiping, which was the first railway line in the Peninsular, is now dismantled, and now only the ticketing booth and the Port Weld railway signboard remain. We took a photo at the signboard.

Then, we left the town and going back home and ended for our short holiday trip ^^.