December 24, 2012

I should be able to skyp the night before 5pm your time if it isn't a 5 then I am trying to work the system.  I look forward to your package.  You will want to talk to the bank and let them know that the card in being used in Singapore and Malaysia or they might freeze the account thinking it is stolen.  I better this week physically  I was sick last week.  I wish there was something I could do to help you right now but I don't know what.  If you are to move out of the area let me know.  By the way, who is Adam Walker again?  Lately I've been getting to know my new companion and I am finding it a bit difficult but I won't let that get in the way of the work. I think crazy bathroom experiences come with the call.  My mission is doing good but I'm concerned about you guys. Here in the mission there are ups there are downs but it is for a short time and I need to do the best I can dispite anything that come to through me off course. I'm looking forward to it too.  I know everything will turn out for the best I just wish I could help.  So, have they called a new presidency then?  Till next time.

Love,

Sis Summer Ballantyne

and Marry Christmas

December 23, 2012

From Mom:

 It snowed today but didn't stick long. We still don't have enough snow for a snowman. We have a noble fir Christmas tree this year. I got a good deal! I also got a cute reindeer made of wood and pine that sits on the porch. Michael put up some lights on the house. I need to find more but I'm a little disappointed that there aren't any colored lights on the market. They were all sold over the Thanksgiving weekend so I settled for clear lights. They still look okay.

The Relief Society presidency gave us the new Teachings of the Prophets manual, Lorenzo Snow, a little book to read the Book of Mormon in 100 days and a jar of jam. I'm on day 6. Each day gives the scriptures to read, one to mark, a short thought from a general authority and a question to ponder about the reading.

Skype would be great! Then we can all listen in and maybe see you, if you have video ability. Just let us know about what time to expect your call. It would be fun if you could call the night before, while everyone is at Grandma's but I'm not sure what time that would be in Singapore. We're having dinner at 5pm-ish. Then you could talk to everyone at the same time. If you're 15 hours ahead then it would be around 11am. Our power went out so we may not all get a letter out to you. This is being finished on my cell phone. Dad got the local job with Adam Walker as his trainer so we won't be moving away from the area and can hopefully wait until after tax season to move. Hope you have a great Christmas away from home! I sent a box to you last Friday so it will be a couple of weeks coming to you. Pay special attention to the Christmas card. We will use the MC and you can use your debit card.

From Dad:

It"s almost Christmas and guess what? I'm not in the Elders Quorum presidency anymore. They released me. Other than that I don't know what to say. I will be lucky if I even get a chance to send you a letter...the power is gone out and I am going home teaching.  I'm looking forward to talk with you for Christmas!

From Karlene:

Yep he is. I found him playing in a presant bag that I got from 1 of my secret santas. I got a card with money in it and mom told you about the ding dong ditch. How are you doing on your mission?  I had another rm in my seminary class. He had a few bathroom expieiences wich were very funny. 

Snow in the backyard. It didn't last very long.

Road Kill...train and cat!

Choral Edition dessert fundraiser

December 17, 2012

So many missionaries and I here China is opening so Michael might go there. Here is the computer place where we email.  Most places take visa and I found a place that takes master but it was gucci and places like that. Sorry I forgot the cord again but I've been feeling a little under the weather lately. Most likely I'll be calling on 26th here but it will still be the 25th there.  If you would prefer that I Skyp you'll need to tell me by the next time I email. The pictures are cool.  Did anyone try to run Alex off with the train?  Maybe you can make a snow man out off plastic cups and staples. This past week was a little different I got a new companion and went to Malaysia for a short time.  The 2 countries are different from each other but both are cool places.

Till next time,

Love, Sister Summer Ballantyne

A Little Note From Michael

It finally snowed on satureday durring the christmas program from CVCC, which went well. I've been cleaning out ditches and friday I got to fill up onion creats full of onions, which is easer then cleaning ditches and much nicer then working in the shed. I should be at around $50 from my goal of 3000 tosurve a mission i hope.

see you later michael

From Summer:

Write me the moment you know where you're going, when you report, and what your email will be.  At least you're doing something you like a little better now.  Till next time.

Love,

Sis Summer Ballantyne

December 10, 2012

If you move while I'm on my mission just let me know.  Did you turn on the fosset on Alex while he was in the sink? Today we got transfer notice and I'll still be here in Singapore. Could you send the phone number I fear I may have forgoten it.  I'll be calling on Christmas so just a heads up. The zoo was a blast and very wet, it was raining hard. Christmas is everywhere here in Singapore and on Christmas I'll get to call you all. Could you send the phone number I fear I may have forgoten it. Right now all the malls have tall fake christmas trees right outside of them and Christmas decorations every where. I'll try to send more pictures next time.  I should remember to bring my cord. I'm  putting in my planner as soon as I'm done here.

Well, till next time!

Love,

Sister Summer Ballantyne

December 9, 2012

I applied to be a Tax Expert with Intuit, who makes Turbo Tax, Quicken, Quick Books, ProSeries and other financial software. I have a pretty good chance at this one, I think. It pays between $18 and $22/hr, 40 hrs/wk and all done remotely from home. I have the chance to earn up to $7,000 bonus at the end of the season if I meet or exceed my goals (whatever those will be). All I have to do is get a land line back in the house (I just recently went to Vonage for $12/mo instead of over $50/mo). They send me the phone. They have 13 days of paid training and it would probably start January 7th if they can't get me into their December class. Dad has to get his blood pressure under control (he didn't know he had high blood pressure until he went to get his DOT physical done) before anyone can hire him to drive but that shouldn't take long. I checked the Mormon Tabernacle Choir website again. Good news! I can audition until I'm 55 instead of 50, like I thought I remembered. I have to be within 100 miles of Temple Square. Moving to Utah within 7 years is a possibility, especially if Dad gets on driving truck. I can do Intuit anywhere I have a land line and can do taxes through the mail or email. Last night was Karlene's Christmas concert. It was pretty good. Then we went home and watched the new Spiderman movie. We didn't get to bed 'til 1:30am so I don't know whether we had our night prayer or morning prayer just before we went to bed. 

Treasure Valley Premier Singers with Karlene just to the right of the microphone stand

Depiction of the 1st Sunday School with Richard Ballantyne

Marsing 2nd Ward Christmas Party: Faline is the one standing on end on the right

Shells sang and Mom played "As Shepherds Kept Their Lonely Vigil" by Sally deFord

Mom helped the Young Women sing "Peace, Peace, Peace"

Karlene is in the red shirt with the glowing eyes!

December 3, 2012

I haven't used Malay much here in Singapore but there are a few people we use it with. The school year here in Singapore ends at the end of the year except the American School.  Today I'm going to the zoo which is why this email is earlier than any of the ones before.  That is my thumb in the picture with the bug and that was in Hong Kong. I forgot my cord again so no pictures this time, I try to remember for next time.  You know how I am such a clutz, well, I accedently spilled boiling water on my hand this last week but it is healing really good.  One day I'll see a blister and when I wake up in the morning it's gone . Where I am living right now I found a Book of Mormon for language study of Mandarin so I might come home speaking Malay, Mandarin, and maybe Ebon.  Ebon is a treble language that is spoken in Borneo (half of it is Malaysia).  So you never know.  Oh, we'll be finding out about transfers soon so I might be going to Malaysia or I might stay here in Singapore, we'll see. 

Till next time.

Love,

Sis Summer Ballantyne

December 2, 2012

Dad is applying to trucking companies now. WITCO decided he was no longer a fit for their company and let him go. Neither one of us are very concerned or worried. We're not panicking or anything. He's going to get his DOT (Dept of Transportation) physical tomorrow, which is the only thing not current besides his driving skills. We went to the temple this week, Dad three times and me two times. I prayed that I would know how to help Dad get his new position and what it should be. We had looked at two or three trucking companies before we went. All I could think about during the session, besides what I was supposed to, was how it would be different this time if he was driving over the road. I even tried to redirect my thinking to other jobs and went right back to trucking. Now, today, I heard him say he's looking forward to driving. I honestly can't picture him doing anything else. The missionaries came over Friday and asked us to list people we would like to pray for to join the church. Elder Ballard promised that if we pray for each name, individually, morning and evening in our family prayer that at the end of 21 days someone would be ready to hear the gospel. There was a list of scriptures to read as a family every day, too. Yesterday (Saturday, Dec 1st) was the Caldwell Christmas Light Parade. We went and watched it with Chris and Jeannie and their family. Afterward, they came over and we had Papa Murphey's pizza and watched Thor using the projector and the blueray surround sound system. Chris saw your picture of you sitting on the big chair (Mom has that as her wallpaper). He said, "Man, she is a beautiful girl!" I told him he should tell you that himself. We gave them the blog site to get your email so they can -- and they can keep up with what's happening. They probably will! He and Jeannie said that they've been thinking about you. Chris said he misses you. Nathan, their oldest, is now 16 and in the Air Force Civil Air Patrol. His unit was doing crowd control for the parade. Do you get to use Malay or do you mostly get to speak English? You never mention it so I thought I'd ask.

Alex, our fairly new kitten, has learned to jump up on our tall vanity and bother Crookshanks

One of the "floats" from the Caldwell Christmas Light Parade

Alex, at only 4 mos, is getting big!

A surprise under the tree

November 26, 2012

Sounds like you had a full house on Thursday and it is good that Boise is open again. In my spare time online I look up my family tree  and it is hudge. I did get the shoes and the scriptures, sorry I didn't say so earlier.  Sounds like things are really busy there.  I wish there was something I could do to help.  The baptism and Thanksgiving dinner happened this last sunday and it was good. Right now Singapore is covered in Christmas decorations and I'll be sending you some of those pictures also.

Water Lilies, I think...

Insect on the glass at the airport in Singapore

The betel nut tree is a type of palm tree. It grows in Asia, Africa and parts of the tropical Pacific. The betel nut tree, also called the nut palm tree, is tall and skinny, with virtually no lower branches, and is rail-thin. Betel nut provides an exhilarating stimulant effect and mild euphoria, which is why it's against the Word of Wisdom.
 

Sentosa at night

Picture of first convert in Singapore on baptism day

Summer said that the Christmas decorations started going up right after Halloween!

More Christmas decorations

Summer's latest convert at his baptism

Thanksgiving Week

We had 29 people at our house for Thanksgiving. Brett & I went to a session at the newly remodeled Boise Temple Saturday. It's really nice!

November 19, 2012

All is well here and busy.  Right now I'm serving in 2 wards that are across the island from each other, well it seems like they are. This past week was especially busy and full of changes but that's all right. That would have been awesome to go to, the dedication. This sunday we'll be having a baptism and then Thanksgiving dinner right afterwards.  Christmas decorations are going up everywhere and some of them started a week before Halloween.  Sounds like you've been having lots of fun.  Tell everyone hi for me on Thanksgiving. 

Till next time,

Love,

Sister Summer Ballantyne

President Thomas Monson dedicates Boise Idaho Temple

Posted: Monday, November 19, 2012 12:03 am | Updated: 12:08 am, Mon Nov 19, 2012.

By IDAHO PRESS-TRIBUNE STAFF

BOISE — Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the newly renovated Boise Idaho Temple Sunday. Three dedicatory sessions were held to give members of the Church an opportunity to participate in the special meetings, which were also broadcast in Idaho and eastern Oregon.

Joining President Monson for the dedication were Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Craig C. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder William R. Walker of the Seventy. Choirs comprised of Latter-day Saints from throughout the temple district provided music for the dedication.

The dedication is the culminating event in the 18-month renovation time line. A youth cultural celebration of singing and dancing, titled “Treasure the Light,” was held Saturday. About 9,200 area youth staged the production featuring more than 4,000 dancers, 99 fiddlers and a 1,000-voice youth choir. President Monson also addressed the audience assembled for the program. Additionally, almost 170,000 visitors toured the temple during the four-week public open house from Oct. 13 to Nov. 10.

The temple closed in July of 2011 for an extensive renovation of the grounds and the interior. The variegated marble that characterized the temple’s exterior was replaced with a white granite. A new gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni sits atop the temple’s tallest spire. Inside, the temple interior is fully renovated with new finishes and furnishings.

While the Church’s 18,000-plus meetinghouses are open to all people who wish to attend religious services there, temples — after they are formally dedicated — are open only to Church members.

Latter-day Saint temples differ from the meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. A temple is considered a “house of the Lord” where Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity.

© 2012 Idaho Press-Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Our ward was assigned to go to the 3rd session, at 3pm. Elder Bednar gave the dedicatory prayer in this session. All five of us were able to go and hear several great talks and a select area choir. President Monson told that the Cultural Celebration was magnificent! The temple opens for regular sessions on Tuesday, November 20th.

Boise Cultural Celebration

Nearly 9000 Mormon youth performed in the Boise Youth Cultural Celebration, which traces the history of the church in Idaho, on the eve of the formal dedication of the Boise Temple. Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012.

Katherine Jones — kjones@idahostatesman.com

Karlene got to dance the Samba for President Monson! They rehearsed all day long, mostly at what used to be Qwest Arena then they walked about a mile, with police escort, to Taco Bell Arena for the performance. There were several fun dances and the youth did a great job!

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/11/18/2350933/9000-teens-celebrate-boise-lds.html#storylink=

Karlene

November 12, 2012

Today for P-day I went to Pulau Ubin and went biking. I think this place is awesome. Tomorrow is Deepavali and I hear from the other missionaries that it's interesting. I looked at one of the lines on the Ballantyne side of the family and found that we are related to Julius Caesar,  several kings of Troy and queens of Denmark and kings of Kvenland (never heard of it).  And if that line is traced back to the end it goes straight back to Adam and Eve. Right now there is a lot to look forward to and it will be soooooo cool.  Till next time.

Sister Summer Ballantyne

November 5th, 2012

Love the make up. JB is short for Johor Baru and MRT is what the subway system is called in Singapore.  Here are some pictures and I'll be sending a notebook home for the stories.  I'm singing in Singapore's Messiah sing-a-long.  What is the web address for the blog?  The Preach My Gosple and the pamflets I sent home are in Indo and Malay. The Americans in Singapore go all out for Halloween and there is a section of Singapore that is closed off just for Trick or Treating.  I miss leftovers most of our meals are on the go and the other sisters eat my food before I can.  I am in Singapore 3rd ward only now and elders have 1st ward.  In 3rd ward later this month we'll be having thanksgiving dinner after church and we might have a baptisum before that.  

Till next time.

Love,

Sis Summer Ballantyne

November 3rd, 2012

We went Trunk or Treating at the church for Halloween where Karlene won the adult costume contest. She also was invited to a costume party the following Saturday, so here is what she went to the party looking like:

October 29, 2012

Sounds like it was good with everyone taking a tour of the temple and I see mom is in my coat .  I'm glad so many people got to go.  We have pearl drinks every week and I always get it as a smoothie (the milk helps me handle the pearls).  I bet the juice is real good.  Sounds like your having fun.  So you found a chair as big as the one I found at the Science Center in Singapore.  I know I promised pictures but I forgot to bring my cord.  Be sure to say hi to every one and that I wouldn't mind hearing from them, and could you tell Amy that I'm still waiting for her email.  Here in Singapore they have a Universal Studios and over in JB is Lego Land.  Last week I found Idahoan mash potatoes (hehehehehehehe). (Faline) You look so tiny in the gigantic chair.  Did you see me in the big chair?  Here in the two wards I work with they're getting ready for their primary program too.

Till next time.

Love, 

Sis Summer Ballantyne

Happenings

Faline took my picture at the Farmstead Corn Maze

I took Faline's picture in a "little" chair at Farmstead

Our family with Cumorah, Ryan, Kaitlyn, Amber, Matt and Kyah at the Boise Temple Open House

A couple days earlier, Mom, Faline and me just outside the Boise Temple after our tour during the Open House

October 22, 2012

I'll be sending you a letter soon to help you learn Malay but first I would suggest getting a Malay Book of Mormon.  You may not be able to find one yet so get the Indonision one insted but the Malay will be coming out soon, it just needs to be printed.  Last Saturday I had my 1st baptism.  I forgot to bring my USB cord so no picture right now.  His name is Joseph and he was so excited to be baptised.  I will try to send a letter about Sis Gopinath and some of my investigators.  You should look on facebook for Singapore 3rd ward.  They like to take pictures and love to catch the missionaries on camara.  I'm glad all is well with you and hope things continue to do so.  One thing that I'm learning so far from my mission is to not wait for the last second to plan for what comes next and I don't what to be in that situation.

October 15, 2012

All is well.  I'll be having my 1st baptism this Saturday. I miss writing stories. Enjoy the haunted ginger bread house. this picture, I would like to have it on my plague. Till next time 

Love

Sis Summer Ballantyne

October 14, 2012

Happy Birthday!

I know it's a little early but I won't be writing again until after you're 27. We put together your gingerbread house. Here's how it came out! (see attached) I tried to make the spider webs on the roof but they kinda ran together so on the other side I just made shingles. Your scriptures should be there soon. 

Cumorah and her apartment are going to the temple open house and Ryan's sister, Katelynn, and Brenda (Beuhler). You may remember that we're going on the 24th. Cumorah might say something about that. We had all but Brenda over here last Friday. I made roast and then we watched "The Avengers" using our new projector and blueray player. We had a lot of fun.

Grandma and Al went down to Texas to see Logan receive his Eagle rank and Flent's marriage to Amy. They haven't posted any pictures yet but I told them that they had to, since most of us couldn't make it. They should be back Monday or Tuesday.

We are taking more invitations to the temple open house around to our neighbors tonight. Hope all is well there.

We love you!

Mom

More from October 8th

 I'm doing well and keeping bussy.  Lots of teaching and traveling the island, we might have appointments on both ends of the island a day.  Most of the new people we teach are reffered to us by other missionaries, sometimes we contact on the MRT or on a bus because we are always in motion.  The people here are awesome and so diverce there are people from all over the world I for the majority they are all very nice.  The appartments aren't that different from what is in the states if ex-pats live there if they live in Singapore and aren't they aren't there temporary then all the appartment buildings look the same except the color.  I haven't seen too many buildings in the more business or shoping areas but today I'll be going to the science center for p-day with my zone.  I'm still getting used to the food.  Indian food is spicy unless it's desert.  Chines and Indo is really sweet but Japaness food I like.  Glad you got so much fruit so have some of it left for when I get home.  I'm still in shock slightly over the age change.  That means in a few months I'll have a 19 yr old for a companion.  Oh well.  Enjoy the pig I'll want some when I get home.

October 8, 2012

I'm doing well.  I was stunned when I heard the news about the age change. I'm glad I'm hear where it's warm and if you guys want to pick me up at the end of my mission you can just and I can show you the Real Singapore.  Don't worry it is still all good. Yah I need them as small as they come so I can have scriptures with me when I'm teaching and not have all the weight of my current scriptures that I can keep at home. 2 seperate scriptures would probabley be best and yes my spelling has not improved.  I miss real bacon.  the stuff they have here is turkey bacon or something like that be cause they don't sell anything with pork here.

October 1, 2012

1st I'll tell you about the rain.   on Thursday I experienced my first real Malaysian/Singaporean thunder storm.  The rain was heavy, I was soked in the couple minutes it took to go from our appointment to the bus stop, and the thunder sounded like it was on top of our heads, the lightning was some of the most beautiful I have ever seen, even in Florida.  the MRT went really slow on our way home till we were underground. 

I got my absentee ballot the other day and will be sending it back soon to place my vote.  Thank you for having that sent to me.  Now a lot of the other missionaries are asking how to get one. Hehehehe.

Maybe after I get home we can all go to Singapore as visitors and just have fun and the reason why it has to be after I get home is because I want to be released before you come then I can do everything with you.

1st Message from Singapore

My p-day is now monday and I don't know what that is in the states or when but it will be different. My 1st area is Singapore and one of the wards I work with makes is so I can go anywhere on the island.  Once I figure out how to send pictures I will. Singapore is amazing there is so much here, it is still getting processed the people for the most part keep to themselves but are really nice and I love 3rd Ward, they're so happy and excited.  1st Ward reminds me of home kind of.  They're all amazing.  Till next time.

Love 

Sis Summer Ballanyne

A Comment from Karlene

tonight i was listening to some sister missionaries sing and i started to cry. well i was thinking of my sister in singapore who is on her mission, and all the fun we had and i guess i can't wait for my sister to come back from her mission so i can give her a huge hug and say in person that i ♥ her

Singapore, At Last!

Summer tried calling us from the Salt Lake City airport but called the old number instead. Her companion's father called our bishop to get our number then gave it to Summer. Once she got to LA, she finally called. Summer called us at 11:42pm Monday to talk to us. She is so excited to be going out into the field. Some of her things didn't fit so she is sending them home but got the little care box I sent just before she left the MTC for the airport. I sent her some of the peppermint from the field across the street so she has her favorite scent as well as her birthday card, SD card that she sent so I could unload it for her, and some stickers that she can use to dress up her letters. She misses us but is having a ball! I know it will be hard work but she will come home better than when she left (which wasn't bad, just needed a new outlook and patience).

Here's a picture of her in the Singapore airport with her Mission President and his wife, Pres. and Sister Mains.

Summer leaves the MTC tomorrow night to fly to Singapore with the other 23 missionaries also going there. They have a couple of layovers where they will be able to call home briefly so we may get calls at impossible hours of the night!

MTC Pictures

Summer's room and roommates at the MTC

Summer's district at the Provo Temple

Summer outside the Provo Temple

Roommates on a 'red' day

Roommates in front of the temple

Sister Blaur, Summer's companion

Sister Caballa, in Summer's district

Sister Tehani, in Summer's district

Summer by the temple, on the temple grounds

Neat painting hanging in the MTC. These elders have been working hard!

Sisters in the district

Summer in front of the fountain on the temple grounds

Summer's district in the classroom in front of Singapore (red & white) and Malaysia flags.

This is where we're going!

See, this is Singapore, on the end of the peninsula that also is part of Malaysia.

District meeting on the lawn

District field trip to the Provo Temple

Break time by the MTC gate

Someone's limber!!

The couple in the middle are part of her MTC Branch Presidency, Brother & Sister Gines

Time off for good behavior! Chillin' on the grass.