Miracles DO Happen!

September 21 (Monday)

Our day started off with a trip to Union Square at Kowloon Station.  We had lunch with the Ball's at a wonderful Peruvian Restaurant call Toro Steak House and Gastro Bar. We had a wonderful meal consisting of a salad bar with a Peruvian flare, 8 oz. rib eye steak and a dessert bar.

Toro Peruvian Salad Bar

Here's lookin at you...

Civic Square - outdoor food court complete with big screen TV

After lunch we went to the ICC (International Commerce Centre) the 7th tallest building in the world. It took exactly 60 seconds to ride the elevator up the 108 storey skyscaper to Sky 100 the observation deck for a 360 degree bird's eye view. WOW! What a panoramic site...all of Hong Kong in all directions! Not just the view from the top was incredible, but the shops, restaurants and offices were something else. The architecture is amazing!

Feng Shui - hole through the centre of the building.

ICC Building- 7th highest in the world.

Extreme high tech design through hallways.

Replica of the city embedded in the floor.

Walking on glass floor over replica of Hong Kong below.

View from the tower - too bad it was a smoggy day.

The Concrete Jungle

Victoria Harbour 

IFC - International Financial Center

Boats and Barges in the Bay

A day without Bruce is like a day without sunshine...

Here's back at you...

Afternoon Tea - old Hong Kong style.

We had just got back to our condo by taxi, when we saw the Bodily's waiting for the shuttle bus. So we went to talk to them and they invited us to go with them to the IMAX theatre to watch "Everest" What the heck, it's still our day off. So we went to the IMAX then out for dinner. You may ask, "Is that all you guys do on your mission...go out and eat?" Well, everyone has to eat. So many places to choose from.


September 22 (Tuesday)

OAD - We went to pick up John's suit today. Tailor made - How will it fit?

"I hope it fits..."

Fits like a glove! Great tailor!

Ko Cheung Tailor - Tiny little tailor shop. It's just this big.

Had a meeting with the Public Affairs group to continue planning for the Christmas program which Wayne will be the featured guest artist. There's a lot of planning involved, but I think it is coming together nicely. I'm so excited to have my family here. Only 2 months away.

Explored the streets in the Wan Chai area and found a coconut specialty shop that sells shredded coconut. Yeah! It's next to impossible to find shredded coconut in Hong Kong. Also had a nice little visit with one of the ladies in the store and gave her a Book of Mormon. She seemed quite interested.


September 23 (Wednesday)

Just heard from my cousin Agatha that Auntie May Soo is in the hospital. We didn't get any details, but will go to visit her tomorrow.


September 24 (Thursday)

Went to visit Auntie May Soo. She's in good spirit. It sounds like she has gall stones. They'll be doing more testing. Her son Steven came by while we were there. It's the first time that we have met. We had a really nice visit with him over dinner in the hospital cafeteria. There were 8 beds in the hospital room, very crowded. It's a very old hospital. Hope the care is better than the appearance.

YIKES!!! I think we have bed bugs!!! I woke up with bites on my arm and neck. I thought they were mosquito bites. Last week, I also had some bites. Because we sleep with the bedroom window open, I thought the mosquitoes were getting in. Then the thought occurred to me, that maybe it was bedbugs. John googled it, and sure enough, all the signs and symptoms and what to look for matched, like little blood smears on the bedding. Gross me out!!! We called the front office and they sent someone up immediately and arranged to have pest control come tomorrow morning to take care of things.

Suddenly, in an instant, I'm not liking Hong Kong so much! I don't think I'll be getting any sleep tonight.


September 25 (Friday)

I was right...I didn't get any sleep last night. I slept on the couch and tossed and turned all night long. I decided that I wouldn't go to the Temple today, because I'd be wasted, probably fall asleep during the sessions. Actually, it's kind of nice just to be home and catch up on a few things.

Plans foiled. Pest control called and came to spray the apartment so I had to leave to 3 hours. Might as well go to the Temple. They said they would spray and change all the bedding and wipe down the apartment.

Went to visit Aunt May Soo. She seems to be doing better today. She looked perkier.

The apartment looks nice and clean. I'm so tired from not getting any sleep last night. Hope tonight I can sleep and not get bitten! Funny thing is that John never got a single bite...just me. Guess I'm the sweet one.


September 26 (Saturday)

When we finished at the Temple today, it was pouring sheets of rain. President Wong said he would drive us all to the Luk's wedding reception. The Luk's are regular temple workers from Hong Kong and their son got married today. We had a wonderful time at the reception. It was a basic Mormon style wedding with a wonderful spread of chinese finger foods. Steve and Emily are a beautiful fun loving couple.

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Luk

John, Brother and Sister Luk (parents of the groom), me.

Bringing back the memories...

Nora Chan, Sis. and Bro. Luk, Chan's, Bodily's, Lee's

Minion Photo Booth 

President Yuen (1st Counsellor) making sushi for the reception.

September 27 (Sunday)

Miracles do happen!  You'd think that after being submerged for over 15 minutes, that that would be the end. But not willing to give up, and trying everything possible, there was a "heart beat". However, no "brain" activity. It appeared that the "intelligence" was dead. Days passed. Weeks passed. Months passed. But holding onto hope and not willing to "pull the plug", he patiently persevered. Then, one day, the miracle happened! A glimmer of hope. Parts began moving. Intelligence emerged and full light and life returned.Who would of thought? Patience paid off, And John's iphone that he drowned 3 months ago returned to life! Yes, Miracles Do Happen!

Resurrected. 

The door bell rang and rang again. It was 10:30 am on Sunday morning. Who would be coming at this hour and why? I rushed to get dressed while John answered the door. To our surprise it was Phoenix. Yes, the same Phoenix from a few months ago. Today is Mid Autumn Festival and she wanted to go to church with us. I'm not sure what motivated her to come, but I do believe in miracles, and maybe this will turn into one. I don't know what I can do to help her in her situation, but maybe if I can just be her friend. Maybe that's all she needs for now. I pray I can be an instrument in the Lord's hand to help bring lost souls back into the fold.

Mid Autumn Festival is a fun filled evening of family activities. The palisade was packed with families out enjoying a perfect fall evening with a full moon. Everyone eats moon cakes during this festive season, so many different kinds and varieties.

Moon Festival activities along the palisade.

Children decked out in florescent lights.

A celebration for young and old.

Fun for all.

Traditional Moon Festival Lantern.

Creativity.

Meet Mosiah and Nephi

September 14 (Monday)

Meet Mosiah and Nephi...

Mosiah and Nephi are permanently parked at our condo complex.They're there when we leave in the morning, and there when we return at night. I've never seen the owner(s), but I would presume they are likely LDS. You think?

Another fun P-day. We (the gang) went for a buffet lunch at the YMCA. That's right, the YMCA. It sounds a bit strange, but here in HK, the YMCA is a pretty decent hotel in the Tsim Sha Tsui area with a famous buffet, a mix of Asian and American cuisine. Following lunch we searched out a tourist booth to see what sites and scenes we should go visit. Picked up a ton of brochures, but haven't decided yet where to go. Then we went to Lee's Jewellery, a shop owned by Elder Lee's brother. Looked at diamonds, but didn't buy anything...yet.

John's first plate - Round one of many...

Shirley Ngai, June Lee, Judy Chan, Deborah Bodily, MaryAnn Ball, Nora Chan

Chocolate Mint Pudding, Strawberry Cheesecake, Creme Brule, Orange Lime Mousse 

My favorite buffet item - pickled pigs feet - mmm good.

September 15 (Tuesday)

3 Stages of Life:

1. YOUTH: You have all the Time and Energy, but not the Money.
2. ADULTHOOD: You have Money and Energy, but no Time.
3. OLD AGE: You have all the Money and the Time, but no Energy.

Moral of the Story:

Enjoy each moment of life with what you have, because you can never have it all at the same time.

A Pigeon Party by the Star Ferry Pier - I don't know what they were feasting on, but they were sure feasting.

Tropical Fruit Heaven - Apple/Pear, Persimmons, Dragon Fruit, Star Fruit and Dragon Eyes

September 16, (Wednesday)

Other Assignment Day - Went exploring through the streets of Whompoa. Found a Park and Shop Superstore, somewhat like our Canadian Superstore with a Chinese twist. John was craving KFC so we stopped by  there for lunch. Home for a quick nap before exploring Tsim Sha Tsui in search for a dragon/phoenix ring. Didn't find one that we liked. Then it was off to Tai Koo to meet Aunt May Soo for a quick ipad lesson before dinner.

Lunch for Two: Original KFC, Spicy Chicken Bites,
Rice with Mushroom Gravy, Egg Tarts, and Pepsi

KFC meets Subway - We always wear gloves at Subway.
Does this mean it's no longer "finger lickin' good"?

                                       

Another wonderful evening with Auntie May Soo.

September 17 (Thursday)

Since this post is titled "Mosiah and Nephi" I thought I'd post one of Nephi's famous quotes: "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."  1 Nephi 3:7

I can testify that the Lord definitely had a plan for us and he indeed did prepare a way for us to be able to be on this mission. As I look back over the past few years, I see how things just fell into place that allowed us to be able to leave our business and finance our mission. We truly have been blessed!


September 18 (Friday)

Today's quote comes from Mosiah: "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." Mosiah 4:27

One of the promises we receive by keeping the word of wisdom is that of health and strength, that we may "run and not be weary and walk and not faint." Each day as we serve in the Temple I truly feel the strength and energy bestowed upon us. Though traditionally, I'm not an early riser, I instinctively rise early to prepare for another day at the Temple and feel totally energized to serve another day in the House of the Lord. Each day we can count our many blessings.

This evening, John and I went for a walk with Nora Chan and Deborah Bodily. It was a beautiful evening, not too hot and slightly lower humidity. We walked along the promenade to Tsim Sha Tsui, enjoyed the light show along the harbour, and viewed the magnificent display erected for the Harvest Moon Festival.

Inside joke: Walking along the Promenade - The Sore Thumb, The Tag-a-Long, The Third Wheel, and The Body Guard - AKA Nora, Judy, Deb, and John. (not to be confused with Dorothy, The Lion, The Scarecrow, and The Tin Man, walking along the Yellow Brick Road).
     Nora - The Sore Thumb as she refers to herself. She is a senior single sister missionary.
     Judy - The Tag-a-Long as I always tag-a-long, since I never venture out on my own.
     Deborah - The Third Wheel, since she's the third person to come with us.
     John - The Body Guard, our Bruce Lee replacement.


September 19 (Saturday)

Today's dose of humor: An old lady offers the bus driver some peanuts...so the driver happily munches them. Every few minutes she gives him another handful more.
     Driver: Why don't you eat them yourself?
     Old Lady: I can't chew. Look, I have no teeth...
     Driver: Then why do you buy them?
     Old Lady: Oh, I just love the chocolate around them.    m-m-m-m

Today marks our 3 month anniversary of being in Hong Kong!  It's an exciting place to be, so much to see and experience. But I do miss home and family and friends. We've made some wonderful new friends here and we are all just one big happy missionary family. So blessed!


September 20 (Sunday)

I finally did it! 3 months and a day after arriving in Hong Kong, I finally ventured to the MTR (subway) all on my own...that's all by myself, alone, unaccompanied! Gutsy, huh? And the amazing thing is that I didn't even get lost...pat on the back for me. There comes a time when you just gotta do what you gotta do. John had a special priesthood session in Wan Chai after our regular Sunday meetings, so it was either sit and wait for another 2-3 hours or go home on my own. You know what I chose. I got home at 6:15. John never got home till almost 9:30.

We met a new young couple in our branch today, Madison and Robert. They just moved here from New York. Madison just got a job at Disneyland in Hong Kong. I inquired like an awestruck child, "Are you a princess?" She replied, "Yes. Ariel" How fun! We will probably see her when we go in November.

Noah's Arc

September 7 (Monday)

Today was fitting day for John's suit. We wandered around trying to find the tailor shop. Got off at Jordan MTR and wandered. Decided it wasn't there then went back on MTR to go to Yau Ma Tei. Up and down the streets...finally found it. Suit looks good, it will be finished on Sept. 21.

FHE was at the Bodily's. We watched "Ephram's Rescue". It was a wonderful movie based on the journal writings of some of the early pioneers. Very moving and faith promoting. Home made apple pie made by Shirley Ngai. Great evening of socializing.


September 8 (Tuesday)

A pretty uneventful day. Probably the nicest thing that happened today was that a young couple, they seemed like boyfriend and girlfriend, stood up to give John and I their seats on the MTR. It was such a sweet gesture, but does that mean we're old now, that someone gives up their seat for us? Once in awhile, you see that happen, but most of the time, it's a mad rush to get a seat before someone else. Then they sit there on their mobile device and not even look up to consider an old person may be more in need of sitting than they.Then there's the guy that sits at an angle and sprawls out taking up 2 seats so no one can or wants to sit next to him. So selfish! rude! and down right inconsiderate!

I see a lot of cute little kids and I just want to give them a squeeze and a hug. Sure am missing all our grandkids,,,boohoo!


September 9 (Wednesday)

I might wake up early and go running. I also might wake up and win the lottery. The odds are about the same. haha

Thoughts from lds_lovin:
     7 days without prayer makes one weak.
     If God is all you have, then you have all you need.
     How to have a lovely day: smile at strangers; slow down; give compliments; say thank you; laugh.


September 10 (Thursday)

Our day started off with a very exciting unexpected announcement that our long time friend, Barry Salmon, is getting married. He wrote, "8 years alone is enough." We are ecstatic for him and his wife to be, Carol Stewart. She truly must be special to get him to the alter.


September 11 (Friday) 

Today is officially our "other assignment day" AKA day off. So we took a ferry ride over to Park Island to check out Noah's Arc. It's the world's only full-sized replica of Noah's Ark and overlooks the magnificent Tsing Ma Bridge. It features 67 pairs of life-sized animal sculptures around the grounds. The inside was rather disappointing as I expected that it would have the animals in the arc, and would show what it might have been like inside. Instead it was more like an aquarium with tanks of small critters and bugs. I was not impressed and would place it low on my list of priorities of places to visit.

John at Tsing Ma Bridge

Entrance to Noah's Arc Park

No line up. That should have been our first red flag.

Noah's Arc - Camouflaged against the Tsing Ma Bridge

According to this chart, the Chinese race are descendants of Shem.

Shem - eldest son of Noah - Father of the Tawny Olive or Mongolian Race.

The best part of the park.

Two by Two

View from the front

September 12 (Saturday)

Went out to dinner at Dan Ryan's Chicago Grill (real American style restaurant). It was great! Too anxious to dig in and eat, that we forgot to take a picture of our meal. Probably one of the best meals we've had since we've been here in Hong Kong. There were 6 senior couple missionaries, Bodily, Chamberlain, Orton, Whitman, Powell, and Chan. We dined before going to the theatre to see Cirque de la Symphonie featuring the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and a variety of acrobatic acts.

September 13 (Sunday)  

John left early for his presidency meeting. If I go with John, we have to leave at 11:30 and our meeting doesn't start till 2:00. I just sit and waste away time till our sacrament meeting starts, but I don't want to go on the MTR by myself. I'm paranoid of getting lost. Because today is pot luck Sunday, I will catch the taxi with the Balls since I have my pot luck stuff to carry and we won't leave until 1:30.

Today we sat in on the Missionary Prep class. Jane Mondragon is planning on going on a mission soon. She is filling out her papers to submit and is the only student in this class, so John and are are also in the class as contributors. It's so exciting that these young Filipino sisters are so willing to serve a mission. This young lady is so well prepared and mature with a super strong testimony. She'll be an awesome missionary.