"LOVE" is in the Air...

December 14 (Monday)

Today all the Senior Temple Missionaries and Temple Employees and Temple Presidency were invited out to a buffet luncheon at the Kimberley Hotel, sponsored by the area temple department. Elder Solomon was our host. He is the one in charge of all the Asia area temples. I love all the little perks of being a Senior Missionary. Another wonderful meal!

Lunch with Elder Solomon head of the Asia Area Temple Department

December 15 (Tuesday)

Happy Birthday, Brayden, our 6 year old grandson! He loves Mindcraft and had an awesome Mindcraft themed party.

Back to work at the Temple. I love it when it's busy. It was a very busy day with overflowing sessions. So good to see so many come from surrounding countries. I got to spend some time in the baptistry with some American sisters. It's so nice to have English speaking patrons to talk to and actually have a real conversation in a language that I can understand. These 5 young ladies had been teaching English in Beijing and were on their way back to the U.S. Two of them have their mission calls, one going to Singapore and the other to Taiwan.


December 16 (Wednesday)

Another busy day with a full missionary session which John officiated in. I love it when we have an English session and I don't need to use the headset. During a later session, I had all Cantonese sisters so had a chance to practice my Cantonese. I'm not getting very conversational, but I can memorize certain phrases.

Tonight we had an evaluation meeting with Sister Chamberlain to discuss the concerts. Feedback was mostly positive. Aside from the "odd" person who complained about it being in a "Mormon" church, everyone else in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the concerts.  We hope someone will carry on the concept for next year since the Chamberlain's, Coffey's and ourselves will all be done our mission by then. At least the groundwork has been laid and they have a template to go by. Overall, it was viewed as a huge success. I loved that I got to work on this project.


December 17 (Thursday)

*I love it when I wake up in the morning and it is a bright, clear, sunny day.
*I love it when I get a good nights sleep.
*I love it when I'm not coughing all night long.
*I love the Christmas season and seeing all the wonderful Christmas decorations all around.
*I love the huge 20' tree in our lobby.
*I love that we get to serve in the HK Temple.
*I love the friends we've made here.
*I love the gospel in my life.
*I love my Heavenly Father and I know he loves me too.
*But today, my special love goes out to Elder Zac Love who just arrived in Hong Kong last night to start his 2 year missionary service here.  We were so excited to see him when we went to drop off a welcome package for him from the Burton's at the mission home. He had just been assigned to his companion, Elder Anderson. Welcome to Hong Kong Elder Love. Hope to see you around and in the Temple.

Elder Love's first day in Hong Kong with Elder & Sister Chan

Elder Love and his trainer Elder Anderson

P.S. For those who don't know Elder Love, he was a member of a boy band called Beyond 5. The group had become close friends of the Burton family. John was their unofficial cook every time they came to Lethbridge. When we were in Utah, we had cooked for them and their families. Fun times! Other members of the group include Ammon Tuimaualuga now serving in Samoa, Tanner Myler serving in Mexico, and Patch Crowe serving in Scotland/Ireland. TJ Ryan was the only non LDS member and is currently residing in Utah.


December 18 (Friday)

Today was our OAD. Now that the weather has cooled off, I decided I'd better buy myself a coat. Not much luck finding one...too short, too long, too heavy, too tight, too casual, then when I finally found one that I thought would do, it was too expensive. Winter is only cool for a couple of months and I figure it's not worth it for the few times I would wear it. Anyways, today was still warm enough I could go out without a coat.

I love massage day. John and I both had massages from Sister Hung. I sure miss my monthly massages from Linda, but glad we found Sister Hung. She is excellent!


December 19 (Saturday)

I love being a Temple Missionary. We had a wonderful Christmas devotional for the Hong Kong China Temple workers with President Funk, President of the Asia Area and President Gong, the newly called President of the Seventies. They spoke along with President Wong, President of the Hong Kong Temple.

The devotional was incredible, not that anything profound was said, but you could just feel a special spirit there. As we sung the closing hymn, "Hark The Herald Angels Sing", tears just started rolling down my face. I was so touched by the music. I am so thankful for the birth of our Savior and for His life. Today, I truly felt the true spirit of Christmas. I wished that that feeling would stay with me all season long.

Sister and President Funk, Sister and Elder Chan, President and Sister Gong 

 After the devotional we were all invited to dinner and were privileged to dine at the same table with President and Sister Funk. He connected with John as they have a common friend in Terry Smith, from Raymond who is now serving in the Quorum of the Seventies. John had taught all their kids. Elder Funk was quite familiar with Raymond and southern Alberta.

The Temple Presidency with some of the Temple Workers

December 20 (Sunday)

A knock came early at our door...Victor and Melisa had returned from their cruise. They had a wonderful time, and now I'm all excited to go on a cruise...maybe next November before we go home.

I had to teach in primary for the first time in the branch. We also had singing practice with the primary kids since we will be caroling on Wednesday at Wan Chai. So Vic and Melisa were on their own. Good thing Vic knows his way around Hong Kong. Even though it was the Sabbath, we cheated and went out for dinner. Victor paid, so does that make it OK?

Only 5 days till Christmas...I guess we won't be having a white Christmas here.