A Letter from Lian's Teacher in Provo MTC

Thursday, 27 December 2007

Never did I expect an email from Lian's teacher at the MTC. Tonight I felt honored to receive a letter from him. Lian spoke about her teachers being simply amazing, that they are truly inspired when they teach and that she love them.

Thanks, Brother Ackerman, for allowing me to post your letter to me in this blog.

Sunday, 23 December 2007 - I am Brother Ackerman from the Provo Missionary Training Center. I was able to be the teacher of your daughter, Sister Liew while she was there. I meant to send this email earlier, but I have been extra busy with school and work. I wanted to let you know what a tremendous missionary your daughter was. In fact, it was a special district. I have never contacted the parents of missionaries before, but this district was so good I had to let their parents know.

Sister Liew was a very diligent studier and it showed in her teaching. She always used her study time wisely and so when she taught, she taught clearly and powerfully. The other thing I appreciated most about Sister Liew was that she had a Christ-like ability to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. She was a blessing to me, to the other members of the district and she will be a blessing and do so much good in California.

Letters from Sister Liew

Monday, 24 December 2007

P-day at Provo MTC was Thursday but at the California Riverside, it was Monday.


Thursday, 13 December 2007

Come every Thursday, I looked forward to receiving her letter as much as she is to receive letters from me, her other family members and her friends.

Provo MTC, Utah

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Lian has entered the Provo Missionary Training Center. She is in good hands. It was time for Mike & me to go back home.

Took the following pictures on our way back to the car park:

Provo Missionary Training Center


Should be Lian standing here instead of me! We took Lian straight to the entrance of the building Wednesday. I know she will take a picture here during her stay there.

Orientation Programme for Parents and Missionaries

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Glad we had planned to stay a night in Provo. The briefing for parents, together with the missionaries was at 12 noon. Missionaries from all over US reported this Wednesday morning. Lian reported Tuesday because she was from overseas. There were over 200 missionaries today in the orientation programme today.

Family and friends, with the missionaries, in the reception room.


See my name tag!


Sitting together in the briefing room

Mike said Lian & I would cry when we go out separate doors. We didn't. We have been away from each other from time to time since she left home to study in West Malaysia in 1999. This could be the longest time before I could see and talk to her. I know I am going to miss that but I know it is only for a period of time.

Checking into the Provo MTC, Utah

Tuesday, 27 November 2007

Seeing Lian into the Provo Missionary Training Center were Brother/Sister Merritt (ex missionary couple in Kuala Lumpur) and Sister Serrao (ex missionary in Miri).

We are happy to meet with the President of the Training Center, President/Sister Boone, who were ex Singapore Mission President.

Morning in Salt Lake City, Utah

Tuesday, 27 November 2007

Good Morning Lian. Did you sleep well last night?
The day has come for Lian to enter the Provo Mission Training Center.



So many things - clothes, toiletries, books, etc. etc. all in 2 bags!


I am eating, Mum!


Now I am ready to have a picture taken!


Thanks to Brother/Sister Jacobs for their hospitality. Thank you very much.

Arriving in Salt Lake City, Utah

Monday, 26 November 2007

4:18:47 pm - Lian texted "Hi mum. I'm in LA airport now. My flight is delayed by half an hour. Means I'll arrive about 8.15"

Brother Broadhead and Brother Jacobs waited.


Here she comes! Can you see her waving?


A bouquet of flowers from Mike


How was your flight? It was the longest time that Lian has ever flown.

What are you thinking of?

Welcome to Salt Lake City, Lian.

You are hereby called to serve as a Missionary

Sunday, 9 September 2007

The phone rang at 00:30 am. It was 3:30 pm Sunday in Kuala Lumpur I had waited and I knew it was Lian. I woke Mike from his dreamworld. He was as excited as I was and I was reminded to wake him up!

Lian & I are thousands of miles apart, across the oceans, but it made no difference to how we felt towards the calling.

Lian was emotional while reading the letter (4 September 2007) from our Prophet of the Church, President Gordon B. Hinckley. I was emotional as I listening carefully to each word she slowly read to me through the phone.

The letter touched our hearts. We were already crying half way through the letter. We know there are people out there that need to hear the restored gospel from Lian. I was so happy that Lian has been found worthy to help with the Lord's work.

Letter from Salt Lake City, Utah

Saturday, 8 March 2008

The letter! Today, I felt like copying the letter dated 4 September 2007, calling Lian to serve, here. She had faxed to me on the 17 September.....

Dear Sister Liew:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the California Riverside Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the Missionary Training Center at Provo, Utah on Tuesday, 27 November 2007. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language. Your mission president may modify your specific assignment according to the needs of the mission.

You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel. You will be an official representative of the Church. As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living mission rules, and following the counsel of your mission president. As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized.

The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more happinesss than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children. We place in you our confidence and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective missionary.

You will be set apart as a missionary by your stake president. Please send your written acceptance promptly, endorsed by your branch president.

Sincerely,
(Signed Gordon B. Hinckley)
President

Saturday, 8 September 2007

There was a message to be read on my cellphone!. It was already past 7 am when I noticed it. I heard a message alert tone in the middle of the night, but didn't bother to check. I had just returned home to Yuma at 9:30 Friday night and I was too tired. I told Mike that if it was urgent, the person would call.

I was hoping that Lian would get her call while I was in Malaysia in August so that I could see her off. I would really want to but I couldn't stay as the time passes. There was no indication when.

Lian said she got a letter from Salt Lake City, which she believed was her mission call. Initially she wanted to open the letter with her close friends Saturday night but decided that she would open the letter with the Kuala Lumpur Branch President. I told her to phone me when she returned home from the church, regardless of what time it would be here in Yuma.

It was about 9 pm when Lian texted to say she has been called to the California Riverside Mission. She has texted from the church. It was about 12:00 noon Sunday morning in Kuala Lumpur then.