Mission: Hong Kong Temple: 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.