"Rain, Rain, Go Away"

July 20 (Monday)

Another rainy day here in Hong Kong. I think this is going into the second week of steady rain.

Gotta love P-day! Found a wonderful fun new shopping spot at Kwai Fong, just close to where we attend church. My girls will be excited to shop here. Hundreds, and I mean Hundreds of tiny little shops from clothing, to toys, to electronics, to beauty supplies, and more, plus a ton of food kiosks, everything! We spent 2 1/2 hours there this afternoon, and probably only saw about 1/2 of what's there. Very reasonable prices too.

The boutiques at Kwai Fong.

July 21 (Tuesday)

It rained pretty much all day today. I don't mind the rain. The temperature was actually quite tolerable.

Thought of the day from "lds_lovin" on Instagam:

LET'S PLAY A GAME!             Rules: You can only answer "yes" once and "no" once.

                                                     ARE YOU BEAUTIFUL?
                                                   
                                                     ARE YOU LYING?

I love this game. Everyone should play it and believe. No matter how you answer it, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!


July 22 (Wednesday)

More rain. Today's thought is about water:
"When you feel like you're drowning, remember, your life Savior walks on water."


July 23 (Thursday)

We had a brief meeting with Pres. Wong this morning. He informed us that all missionaries serving in Hong Kong are not allowed to obtain a visa for travel into China. This is a directive from the Area Presidency. China's law does not permit any religious promotion of any type or of any religious affiliation. Even though we want to go in just as tourists, we are not allowed, since our travel documents state that we are in Hong Kong as missionaries. So to prevent any possible situations, we will not be going into China. We are however allowed to visit any other countries is the mission district which includes: India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Mongolia, Indonesian, Thailand, Cambodia, and Macau.

Unfortunately, it looks like the Burton's and Goodman's will be going on their own. :(  Boohoo!
Oh, by the way, it's still raining.


July 24 ( Friday)

OAS - Pay Back time - Gaylon and MaryAnn have been so good to us right from the moment we arrived at our condo. They have taken us by the hand and showed us around and taught us all the "how to's" about our mission. Well it came time to cut the apron strings. So tonight we invited them to dinner in appreciation for all they have done for us. John made some family favorites: Tuesday fish, lettuce wraps and Chinese broccoli, a nice simple meal in our squishy little kitchen with only 2 burners and no counter space. It's been a challenge cooking without the supplies and facilities we've been used to at home. We've had to keep things simple.

Not fun shopping out in the street markets when it's raining, but look what we found...

Dragon Fruit and something with a Chinese name. We don't know the English name. 

For our purposes, we have dubbed these as the fruit from the "tree of knowledge".

Spikey Lychee, better known as Rambutan.

July 25 (Saturday)

Uneventful. Another rainy day. Work at the Temple. Home. Nap. Supper. TV. Scriptures. Language. Good night.


July 26 (Sunday)

Today was Elder and Sister Wilson's last day at church before they finish their mission in Hong Kong. It's pretty tough to leave your mission when you have grown so close to the people you serve. It was obvious how much they loved their mission and how much the people loved them back. There were many good-bye tears shed. The spirit was so strong today and was felt through the beautiful messages shared and through the spirit of music. We'll miss them. Even though we've only known them for a few weeks, it seems like we've known them forever.

The PRIVILEGE to work is a GIFT

July 16 (Thursday)

As we start into our second month, here are words of wisdom from President David O. McKay, one of our former Presidents of the Church:

"Let us realize that the PRIVILEGE to work is a GIFT; that the POWER to work is a BLESSING; and LOVE of work is SUCCESS."

There is no shortage of work at the Temple. Each day is new and exciting for those who come to worship in the House of the Lord. So many lives are blessed for those of us here and those who have passed before us. It warms my heart to see so many of my native people come to do baptisms, take out their own endowments, and seal their families together. What precious moments these are.


July 17 (Friday)

It seems like so much of what I report is about food. Why should this post be any different. They say laughter is the best medicine, so here is a little chuckle for you.

"In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow, and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Fresh Vegetable Market

Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Creme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan Smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.

"Oily Sticks" - Chinese Doughnut served with Congee

So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts and let it out a few notches.

God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.

Today's Catch - Fresh Fish Market

God then created a light, fluffy white cake and named it "Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good." Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

The NIKE Store

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep fried them. And Man gained pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yes! And super size them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And man went into cardiac arrest.

McDonald's at Kwai Fong

God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

Then Satan created private medical insurance!!!"

The End. Amen.


July 18 (Saturday)

Today we had a farewell luncheon for Elder and Sister Shum who are going home to Vancouver, and Elder and Sister Wilson who are returning to Utah. We've only known these people for such a short time, but have grown to love them and will miss them.

Left to Right, Back to Front: Elder Choi, Sis.Nora Chan, E/S Ball, E/S Chan, E/S Shum, Pres. & Sis. Yuen,
 Pres. & Sis. Wong, Pres. & Sis. Hui, E/S Wilson, E/S Bodily, E/S Ngai, Bro. Chan, Sis. Yu

Today John was extended a call to be the second councilor in the Peninsula 3 Branch. It is the branch that we have been attending since we arrived in Hong Kong. Tomorrow we will find out who the new branch president is and also the first counselor.


July 19 (Sunday)

Elder Wilson came over this morning to train us how to do the schedule for the temple missionaries. E/S Wilson will be going home at the end of July, so John and I will be taking over the scheduling.

Today's the day...John is officially called to be 2nd Counselor in the Peninsula 3 Branch. The Branch President is David Smart and 1st Counselor is Greg Coffey. Looks like they'll be extra busy with this new assignment working with all the domestic workers in this struggling little branch. There are so many stories of their struggles and trials these faithful sisters endure. We hope we will be able to help them in whatever way possible.

Kind of ironic that I had titled this post "The Privilege to Work is a Gift". Looks like our work is being cut out for us. We will gladly accept it as a gift.

John Chan (2nd Counselor), David Smart (President), Greg Coffey (1st Counselor)

One Month Anniversary: June 15 - July 15

July 9 (Thursday)

The Temple closed early because there was a typhoon warning. I was a bit nervous about being in a typhoon, but also a little excited at the same time, having never really experienced one. I guess the storm we got caught in a couple weeks ago was a category 3, but they are expecting this one to be a category 8. Anyways, as of tonight at 11:00 pm, it has not hit us yet, perhaps sometime during the night.

Since all the senior temple workers got off early, the Balls invited us all over to their condo for a movie night. We watched "The Best Two Years". It was hilarious, the movie and the company. We always have such a good time together.


July 10 (Friday)

Just another day. Nothing new or exciting to report.

Cute little fridge magnets I picked up at the Ladies' Market...noodle bowls, dim sum, and sushi.

July 11 (Saturday)

Happy Birthday to my dear sister Vivian. She would have been 73 today. Gone too soon. I miss her so much. My very first visit to Hong Kong in 2007 was with Vivian and her husband Victor. Oh such sweet sweet memories! I'm sure she is thrilled that we are now serving our mission here in Hong Kong. She loved this city. I can feel her so close to me as we revisit places we experienced together. Serving in the Temple brings me such peace as I think about our departed loved ones, that we can all be sealed for time and eternity as a family. What a blessing!

Tonight we ate at "The Outback" with 11 other senior temple missionaries. Food was great, but service was poor so they compensated us by not charging for any of our appetizers and giving us free cheesecake plus a VIP discount of  15%...all in all a great deal.


July 12 (Sunday)

He's at it again...John made deep fried won tons for our potluck supper with the Peninsula 3 Branch. These sisters are amazing. They put on another incredible spread. Since we've been here, we have never had to make Sunday dinner. Though I miss our Sunday dinners back home with our family, we have a new "family" here with the members of the branch.

Pot Luck supper with some of the sisters of the Peninsula 3 Branch.

John spoke in church today and shared his story about coming to Canada and joining the Church. Two other converts also shared their stories. The members of this Branch are all so humble and each has a story of sacrifice and faith. Most of them have left their families in the Philippines to work in Hong Kong, and send back all their earnings to support their families back home. I feel so comfortable with them. They are so welcoming and full of love for one another and love of the gospel and love for our Savior Jesus Christ.


July 13 (Monday)

P-day here again already. Went out to Whompoa shopping district trying to find a hair salon which we had passed by the other day. We were pretty turned around, but finally found it. With it being so hot, I wanted something short and cool. They have some pretty funky names for businesses "Salon Hair's Way" styled by Mark. Their shampoo stations had fully reclining lounge style chairs. So comfy! I got a shampoo with a 15 minute scalp and neck massage, hair cut and style dry for $158.00 HKD, only $25.00 CAD. (Maybe let Cara know haha.) Check out my mug shots...

For Family Home Evening tonight we went to the Wan Chai Chapel for a lesson on genealogy. E/S Wasson are super knowledgeable in this field and were a great help. Chinese genealogy is like no other in the world, very detailed, complex and repetitious. We sure have our work cut out for us.


July 14 (Tuesday)

Nothing exciting to report today so here is food for thought...(even thoughts evolve around food, haha).

"Don't regret knowing the people that come into your life. Good people give you happiness. Bad ones give you experience. The worst ones give you lessons. And the best ones give you memories!"

Thanks for all the wonderful memories my friends have filled my life with.


July 15 (Wednesday)

Big marker day...1 month on our mission! It seems like it's been more like a vacation. Today is our "other assignment day"  but we don't really have any other assignment, so it's more like a day off, but we're not supposed to call it a day off.

We went shopping and were inundated by all these cute little preschool children giving out stickers and collecting donations for their school. So adorable.

Children from Po Leung Kuk Kindergarden

Had lunch, loaded up on groceries, then back to our condo for a refreshing swim in the pool.

OH NO!!! John went swimming with his iphone in his pocket! We're trying to dry it out - covered in a dish of rolled oats. Hope it works.

The "gang" went out for a traditional Chinese banquet style dinner tonight. Some of the missionaries have never experienced REAL Chinese food

L-R:: Charles & Shirley Ngai, Gaylon & MaryAnn Ball, Nora Chan, Jeannie & Dwight Inouye. Robert & Helga Wilson
Standing: Judy & John Chan, Deborah & Gary Bodily

Almond Crab Balls with Crab Souffle

Squid with Chinese Style Spinach

White Cut Chicken (complimentary head included)

Braised Lobster with Longevity Noodles

Twin Style Squid with Snow Peas

Steamed Black Cod with Shredded Onion and Cilantro

Appetizer: Jelly Fish, Roast Duck, BBQ Pork, Suckling Pig, Soya Chicken

Getting into a Routine

July 3 (Friday)

"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." So goes the old saying ... However, the "early to rise" part makes me ready for a mid afternoon nap. The "healthy, wealthy, and wise" part hasn't kicked in yet either. I'm trying to be positive. I'm sure it will come. Doing a 180 from a night owl to an early bird is quite a challenge.

We're trying to get into a routine of cooking more at home and not eating out so much. John's just way too happy making his famous won tons! Meals will be rather simple for the first little bit until we are able to build up our supply of Chinese groceries. I have to keep reminding him that we are only here for 18 months, and we don't need a 2 years supply.

Happy "Won Ton King"

July 4 (Saturday)

Happy 4th of July to all our American Families and Friends!

After our shift today, we went on a quick outing to the Dragon Boat Festival. It was right along the promenade just a few blocks from our condo along the Walk of Stars by the Bruce Lee statue. So many people! We saw a few races, but it was hard to get a close look...wall to wall people...hot, sticky and crowded.

This dragon is all made up out of balloons.

Check out these dresses - all made out of balloons!

We only had an hour there, then had to rush to the ferry to go to dinner with Auntie May Soo. Agatha was supposed to join us with her two sons, Mike and Mark. Unfortunately, they hadn't arrived home yet from England, so we will catch them for dinner another time. Had a wonderful feast with Auntie.

Auntie May Soo and Me at City Plaza

Fresh whole shrimp - creepy eyes included!

Tropical slushies - mango, watermelon, guava 

July 5 (Sunday)

Happy Birthday, Jasmine! For so many years when you were growing up, you spent your birthday at camp. Now, we're the ones away on your birthday. Hope you had a wonderful day!

Our church service didn't start till 2:00 today, so we took a little walk to the Walk of Stars to see if there were any more races happening. Here's what we saw:

Inflated dragon

A neck to neck race

Bruce Lee's Star on the Walk of Stars

Matching Jackie Chan's hand prints - a perfect match!

"They call me Bruce"

 It was testimony meeting today. We were in the Peninsula Third Branch. The sisters there are so humble and full of the spirit. I love listening to them. Even though many of them have so many challenges, their faith is so strong. Sister Ball's birthday was on July 4th, and they threw a surprise party for her after church today. Another wonderful meal prepared by the Filipino sisters.


July 6 (Monday)

The Temple is closed on Mondays so this is our Pday (preparation day). We went to the Government office where we were issued our Hong Kong ID card. I'm not sure what the card is all about, but as a temporary permanent resident, it gives you discounts on certain services like cell phones.

Did some more exploring with the Ball's. Had lunch at Subway. It was pretty much the same as back home. Went to see the area where John lived with his Grandmother while he was waiting to immigrate to Canada. I wished we had a time machine to revisit what it was like when he was there. Oh, if the buildings could talk...

John's pointing to the name of the street where he used to live.

Hard to read sign "Yee Kuk Street" where John used to live.

It could have been one of these buildings he lived in, but he can't recall for sure.

Door way with steps leading up to the apartments.

...and I thought our Subway was small!

Pretty much the same system and products.

July 7 (Tuesday)

Happy Birthday, Cardiff! Hope you had a fun filled day. July is jam packed with birthdays and anniversaries in our family.

The name of this post is "Getting into a Routine". It may seem like we don't work much with all the activities we seem to be doing. Today however was just another day at the Temple. It's beginning to feel like a routine day. Things run quite a bit differently in the Hong Kong Temple as opposed to the Alberta Temple. We get a wide variety of patrons from many distant lands. It's always exciting to see who will show up, and whether we'll be listening in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, or one of 6 other languages.


July 8 (Wednesday)

Happy Anniversary, Rylan and Molly! And the special occasions in July just keep on coming.

"Getting into a Routine" seems to mean going to the market every day. Another trip to the market. I feel like the 3 Little Pigs, except there's just the 2 of us and we're always going to the market. It seems we have more days off than we work.

Where's Grampy? (John)

Where's Grampy? Can't even get close to the shops!