Still in Vacation Mode

June 26 (Friday)

We still have 4 days of free time before we report to the Hong Kong China Temple for our first day of work. Though it's been nice to hang out and do leisurely activities, it will be nice to get started on our real mission. By the time we actually get started, it will be 3 weeks since we left our home in Lethbridge. I haven't experienced any homesickness yet, but I do miss the dry weather.

Today we went to Stanley, an open market full of vendors. You could find everything from clothes to handbags and luggage, to trinkets, to art, etc. We had lunch at "The Pickled Pelican". I had fish and chips and John had 3 beef sliders and we both had a drink...total $450.00!!! In Canadian currency that translates to about $75.00 a bit more than we're used to spending on a "ma ma di" lunch. Definitely a tourist trap.

I phoned Aunt May Soo tonight and we will meet her for lunch on Monday.

Lunch at the Pickled Pelican

Shopping at Stanley Market

June 27 (Saturday)

We caught the ferry for an early start to "Java" the fresh fruit and vegetable market. Wow! I never expected it to be as immense as it was. All kinds of fresh produce. What a treat. I know where I'll be shopping. We only had a small roller big so we didn't load up. We later went shopping for a large "kau mut cheh" (carry stuff cart). Found one. Now we can really load up.

Veggie Heaven

"kau mut cheh" carry stuff cart

"Eat Fresh"

M-m-m Fresh Lychee

Dinner tonight was at the YMCA Hotel. Sounds weird, but they have an incredible international buffet. Unfortunately we didn't have a reservation so couldn't get in. We'll try again another day. We went to their regular restaurant. Good food, great company with the Ball's and Bodily's.


June 28 (Sunday)

We skyped with Jas and Jade this morning. Jade's family arrived at the Burton's yesterday. The cousins are having such a great time together. They have a pool now, so they'll be keeping cool on these hot dry summer days.

We went to Church in the Peninsula Third Branch, another Filipino branch. The sisters there are so friendly just like all the sisters in the domestic branches. You could just feel the spirit so strongly through the members. They are so humble and loving.  I'm looking forward to find out which branch we will be serving in. After the meetings we were served a wonderful meal prepared by some of the Filipino sisters.

Yummy Filipino Dinner

It was about 7:00 when we got home. Decided to go for a walk along the promenade "Walk of Stars". It's right behind our condo along the harbour. John's so funny. The closer we got to the Bruce Lee statue, the quicker he began to walk. You see, Bruce is his all time martial arts hero. There were so many people crowded around the statue we didn't get a picture. We'll have to do that another day. At 8:00 the harbour light show began. All the high rises along long the harbour light up and laser beams strobe across the night skies.

"Sunday Selfie"

June 29 (Monday)

Today is the last day of the Temple break. Tomorrow it's back to work. These last last 3 weeks have been a wonderful vacation.  We took the ferry and then the MTR to go visit Auntie May Soo. A pat on the back to John for getting us there. However, on the way back, we rushed to catch the ferry, only to find out we got on the wrong one. So what should have been a short walk home, became an adventure of how to flag down a taxi and ride our way back to the hotel.

Lunch was wonderful with Auntie May Soo. She is so much fun. She is my Mom's youngest sister by 10 years and she looks just like my Mom. We had a wonderful dim sum lunch at Maxim's in the Tai Koo City Plaza. We went back to her flat after lunch. It's a very nice 2 bedroom apartment which for Hong Kong is very spacious. My 2 cousins Stephen and Louisa still live with her. Agatha, the youngest cousin has her own place with her husband and 2 children, Matthew and Mark who are both away at school in England. If you want to shop in an ultra modern mall, you must check this one out, Tai Koo City Plaza.

Lunch with Auntie May Soo, my Mom's youngest sister.

Arriving in Hong Kong

June 18-19 (Thursday-Friday)

Travel day. All packed up and ready to go. Our first flight from Salt Lake to Seattle was at 12:00 noon, but of course it was late. Had me a bit nervous because we only had 1 hour to make our connecting flight from Seattle to Hong Kong. As luck would have it, not lucky at all, our seat assignment was the very "back of the bus", so the last ones off. We quickly made it to our departure gate with a few minutes to spare. 300 seats on the plane. Where were we sitting? Again, the very last seats at the "back of the bus". Actually, I didn't mind that. There was no one beside us and there was space behind us that we could store our carry on and stand and stretch without being in anyone's way.

Delta Flight from Seattle to Hong Kong 

From the time we left the hotel till we arrived in Hong Kong was about 20 hours. I watched 3 movies on the plane and had 3 not so tasty meals, and had a few very uncomfortable naps. Our whole flight except for about the last hour was in complete daylight since we were so close to it being the summer solstice.

Upon arrival, we were met by Pres. Hui and Pres. and Sis. Yuen of the temple presidency. WOW it was HOT and HUMID! At the hotel we were greeted by Elder & Sis. Ball, Elder & Sis. Wilson, and Elder & Sis. Bodily. What a fun bunch of people. I love these people already.

John, Judy, Sister Yuen, President Yuen

Elder and Sister Chan, Pres. Hui, Pres. Yuen

Our accommodations are awesome! We're on the 20th floor.Unfortunately we didn't get the habour view, but that's OK because we have an incredible city view. Our condo is immaculate and came stocked with food by the sisters. It's well air conditioned and we get Fox News, so I'm really happy. Took a couple hours to unpack and get organized. Time is all mixed up. Past bed time.

A NEW BABY GRANDSON!!!

During our flight over, at 2:30 am June 19 Arizona time, Molly and Rylan blessed us with our 13th grandchild. What a memorable day this has been!

                                 Beckham John Chan, 7 pounds 4 ounces, 21 inches long.

Molly and Beckham, Aubrey, Addey, Brayden, Crew

June 20 (Saturday)

Met with Gaylon and MaryAnn Ball, our trainers, and Bob and Helga Wilson the couple assigned to accommodations. MaryAnn took us out grocery shopping. Then we went out with the Wilson's for dinner at the Green River Restaurant, a Chinese/Americanized cuisine...otherwise, not so good Chinese food with small portions and big price for the size of the servings.

Went for a walk on the promenade and toured our facilities. It feels like we're living in a tropical resort, beautiful gardens, swimming pool, clubhouse, sauna, steam rooms, games room, children's play area, pool table, ping pong, theatre, computer stations, etc. Not too shabby. Went to bed early to try to catch up on sleep.


June 21 (Sunday)

I think we're pretty well adjusted now to the time change. Sister Powell escorted us to Church this afternoon. We attended a Filipino Domestic Branch. The whole branch is made up of about 150 Filipino domestic workers, all female. What lovely people. They are full of life and smiles and are so friendly and welcoming. We met so many people, I can't remember who's who. It was Father's Day and all the men (only about 10 altogether in the branch) were presented with a special Father's Day treat.

We attended Sis. Powell's class on self-reliance. It's a new program set up by the Church to help people who want to start their own business to become more self-reliant. It's an amazing program. We felt quite comfortable in the class and were able to contribute by telling a little about our business experiences.

After the meetings, they all divided into their "family" groups. A meal was served and it was just a time to socialize. Because these lovely ladies have no family here, they rely on each other as their family. You can just feel the love.

This is the walkway up to our condo.

Noodles and Congee Brunch

June 22 (Monday)

We decided to venture out on our own today and explore the surrounding area. Took the hotel shuttle to the Metropolis Mall. It looks like it's just across the street, but to get there is about a 15 minute walk. There was a typhoon warning, yellow Level 1, not too bad so we continued on our way. If the typhoon warning is red or Level II, it's recommended you stay in. Level III is black and everything is locked down. The mall was disappointing and I know I won't be doing much shopping there. Tomorrow we'll try another area.


June 23 (Tuesday)

We went out for lunch with MaryAnn and Gaylon to a dim sum place in the New Town Plaza. The place was humungous! The food was "ma ma di" or so-so and very expensive for what we are used to compared to Vancouver.  I've come to the conclusion that Hong Kong is no longer a place for inexpensive food like it was 8 years ago. Food in Vancouver is much better, or perhaps we just haven't found a good place to eat yet...it's all about the eating!


June 24 (Wednesday)

John and I ventured out early to get groceries for the pot luck supper tonight. John was going to make spare ribs with black bean sauce served over steamed rice. We took a wrong turn on the way to the grocery store, got momentarily lost, then caught in a torrential down pour...our first monsoon experience. Before I could even whip my umbrella out of my bag, we were soaked head to toe, and drenched to the bone! We ducked into a little store alcove. 5 minutes later it was over, and about 15 minutes later the streets were already dry.

Went out to the brass factory and jade market.  Another hot and sticky day. Didn't buy anything.

Had a wonderful pot luck dinner with 4 other senior temple missionary couples.

John and Judy Chan

Helga and Robert Wilson

Charles and Shirley Ngai

Gaylon and MaryAnn Ball

Deborah and Gary Bodily

June 25 (Thursday)

Spent 3-4 hours with Jade and Mike on skype this morning trying to clean up my computer. It's running better now, but still having some issues probably more issues with the operator (yours truly), and not so much the computer. Went on a short outing to see a seamstress who is making some clothes for MaryAnn. Tonight we had our first supper at home - left over black bean ribs from last night, fried rice, and baby shanghai bok choi.

Our Mission Begins

June 15, 2015 Monday

This is it! Today we received our missionary name badges. It's official: Elder and Sister Chan

The day started off with a lovely buffet breakfast at our 5 Star Hotel. The Church is sure treating us royally. The morning was basically a get acquainted orientation. Elder and Sister Walker, former Temple president and now in charge of senior temple missionary couples, will be our instructors, mentors for our 3 days of training. Sister Walker is President Hinckley's eldest daughter. She has a wonderful sense of humor, just like her father.

Being Monday, the Temple was closed, but we were treated to a special luncheon just for all the new Temple Missionaries. There are about 30 of us going to various temples throughout the world including, Chile, Philipines, London, Brazil, Washington, DC, Madrid, Santiago, Bolivia, and Hong Kong just to name a few.

We watched a few training videos and had a presentation from a member of the security staff. It was very informative and sure made us aware of how to protect ourselves in foreign countries. Makes one feel very thankful to live in Canada or the US, for the peace and safety which we enjoy.

Our work day ended early. Jade, Mike and the kids came to visit us, had dinner and went swimming and hot tubbing at one of the hotel's two pools.


June 16, Tuesday

Another beautiful morning and wonderful breakfast, then off to the temple. Today we attended a live temple session. The Salt Lake Temple and Manti Temple are the only 2 temples which still do the live endowment sessions. Chicken Cordon Bleu lunch, then a session with a genealogy expert Bro. Brimhall. He had some amazing information to share about the incredible advancements happening in the field of genealogy.

Another hot day, so John and I jumped in the pool to cool off. Had a lovely meal at the hotel restaurant, then went for a walk abound the beautifully manicured grounds.


June 17, Wednesday

The highlight of today was being led up to the Solemn Assembly Room of the Temple. This is a special place set aside for special meetings called by the Presidency. We were privileged to enter into this sacred room for not everyone gets such an opportunity. Many special events occurred here. This is the room where the dedication of the Temple took place. Brother and Sister Walker shared many stories with us relating to President Hinckley's family. Words cannot explain the special witness I received while sitting in the Solemn Assembly Hall. Touched by the spirit, tears were streaming down my face as we were told of the special work set out before us. We have indeed been called at this time for this work.

Our senior missionary group - taken in the Solemn Assembly Hall, Salt Lake City Temple.

Elder and Sister Walker - Trainers for Senior Temple Missionary couples.

Pre-Mission

May 30, 2015 (Sunday)

John and I gave our farewell talks in sacrament meeting today. My topic was the Plan of Salvation and John's topic was Christ-like Characteristics. I was so pleased to see that Gina Cabrera and her family came to listen. Gina is a very special friend and we pray for her to be able to stay in Canada. Many other friends also came to show their love and support. There are so many who have impacted our lives and it was wonderful to have them share this special day with us.

Ready for our open house.

 P.S. I lost my pictures with all our guests. If anyone happens to have one, please send it to me.

June 4, 2015

Our pre-mission photo shoot done by our granddaughter Emmy Burton. It was a beautiful spring evening at Indian Battle Park. Apart from the gazillion caterpillars overtaking the park, it was the perfect setting. 10 days and counting down...We officially report on June 15 to the Salt Lake Temple for 3 days of training before flying to Hong Kong!

June 7, Sunday

Sunday dinner was at the Burton's. Byron, Nancy, Hannah and Mitch and of course Debo were all there. Hot dogs, saucy burgers and corn on the cob. It might be a while before we get good old American food again. I love Chinese food, but honestly, I think I'll miss my burgers. Of course I'll also miss Nancy's scandalous cheesecake desserts.

As 9:00 pm rolled around we made our way over the President McLennan's home where John and I would be set apart as missionaries in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In attendance were the Burton's, Deb, President and Sister McLennan, President Gordon Smith, President Jim Clark, President and Sister Gedlaman, and Bishop and Sister Jubber.

Emotions began building even before we arrived at President McLennan's home. I was excited. I was nervous. As each blessing was pronounced upon John and myself, I truly felt the spirit of our Heavenly Father embracing us with his love. Tears flowed freely. Words cannot describe the emotions, but suffice it to say, we are so grateful for this incredible opportunity to serve in the Hong Kong China Temple Mission.

Of course, what would Sunday be without our traditional Sunday Selfie...

June 9, Tuesday

Here we go...up and and away. Today we left our home sweet home. It was a sad feeling but glad to be able to do it.  Thank goodness for niece Hannah who will live in our house for the next 18 months.

Our family (including Deb) gathered at YQL to send us off. We had an hour delay in Calgary before arriving in Salt Lake. 5 days with Jade, Mike and the kids before we officially start our mission.

June 10, Wednesday

It sounded like rain that woke me up.  Oops! not rain at all. Water was dripping into our bedroom, actually, running down from the window well! The carpet was soaking wet! It was a beautiful morning...no rain at all.  Some one had left the hose on all night and it filled the window well. With a mini bucket brigade and using hands as a squeege we finally got the water level low enough to prevent further leakage. Nothing like a shop vac and fan to dry things out. All is well...window well.


June 11, Thursday

It's all about eating out and traditions. Of course we had to have one final meal at Chuck-a-rama.
M-m-m and Oh-h-h so full!!!


June 12, Friday

Yup, more eating. Had a family dinner with Ken and Carol Goodman (Mike's parents) and some of John's distant cousins we found through doing genealogy. They are also members of the Church. Aria is currently serving a mission in England and another cousin is serving in Hawaii.


June 13, Saturday

Jade was being very patient in trying to give me a crash course on blogging and downloading pictures. It's like trying to teach an old dog new tricks.


June 14, Sunday

Off to church with the Goodman's. Came home and had a wonderful BBQ steak dinner before heading to Salt Lake. It was a perfect Sunday evening for a walk around Temple Square before heading to our hotel for the next 3 days of training.

Family picture with the Goodman's at the reflection pool.