February 1 (Monday)
P-day. We went to take Aunt May Soo out to dim sum. Tomorrow is her 86th Birthday, but since we had today off, we thought we'd take her out today. Walking through the City Plaza Mall is always a new adventure since they decorate according to the various festivals and holidays. Today we saw floating lanterns all over the place, sending new years greetings of good luck, prosperity, health, and good fortune.
OK, I know you're all thinking it, so I'll just say it for you, "Sure looks like Judy's put on a bit of weight." (I blame it on my meds. Well, maybe partially. Food wouldn't have anything to do with it, would it?)
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| Happy 86th Birthday Auntie May Soo! |
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| Cherry Blossoms ...New Year...New Beginnings. |
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| Happy New Year...Peace, Safety, Prosperity |
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| Look what I found on sale...Channel handbag. |
Nothing too exciting to report. It's expected that the Temple will be fairly quiet for the month since this is the big celebration month and a lot of people travel to be home with their families. Being together with family is very important during Chinese New Years. It's all about family ties.
February 3 (Wednesday)
It's only one week till our next statutory holiday schedule at the Temple. We don't know what to expect. We start at 6:30 and run 5 sessions and finish at 1:30. With it being New Years, it might not be too busy, but then again, because it is New Year, it might be really busy. Guess we just have to be prepared.
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| Who said money doesn't grow on trees? |
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| Orange money trees surrounding our apartment. |
Just spent the evening on the computer trying to catch up on stuff.
February 5 (Friday)
OAD. After spending the day out at Sham Sui Po eating and shopping, we returned home with our shopping "treasures" only to go out again to Victoria Park to visit the Flower Market. Oh my...! and what a flower market it was! I've never seen anything like it...check it out...
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| If you don't like crowds, you're in the wrong place. |
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| Ray, June, Judy |
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| Crowd? What Crowd? I can't so no crowd...just people. |
February 6 (Saturday)
After our shift at the Temple, it was a rush home and pick up groceries for the weekend. Being New Years, we were told a lot of the stores will be closed some possibly all week.
We got together with Aunt May Soo and the family for family new years dinner. All the restaurants are packed during this week, and you can't get in anywhere without a reservation made weeks ahead of time. More eating...
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| This little piggy went to market... |
February 7 (Sunday)
Today was fast and testimony Sunday and pot luck dinner. It was also an extra special Sunday since it was the baptism of Rizel Moreno. This is the first baptism in our branch since we've been on our mission.
Back in November, our branch had a special missionary activity where we went out tracting doing cold contacts to people on the street. Sister Vilma Wen had a strong feeling about doing this event and really promoted it. She along with Sister R-Gil Morales saw Rizel sitting quietly on a bench. As they approached her, they had a strong feeling about her and sensed that she was in need. Indeed she was. She was "lost" and was hoping to find something. Exactly what, she did not know. But after talking with her for a short while, they invited her to come to church.
Rizel was so impressed by the friendliness of everyone at church. She felt good. She felt like she had come home to family. As the weeks went by and she learned about the gospel of Jesus Christ and his restored church on the earth today, she knew she had truly found where she was to be, who she was, and her purpose of life on earth. The rest is history and culminated with her beautiful baptism and program today.
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| Sister Molina, Sister Perez, Rizel Morales, Antonio Ortalla |
As I sat there in our cold little chapel, my heart was warmed by the power of the spirit there today. Suddenly, it didn't matter that our chapel was old and run down. It didn't matter that we didn't even have pews but rather hard, cold plastic chairs. It didn't matter that we had to walk up 3 flights of stairs and had no elevator. It didn't matter that we were in the "ghetto" ward as it was teasingly referred to.
I decided then and there that I would no longer complain about our physical facilities because what we have there is worth more than any beautiful, great and spacious building. We have what really mattered...the spirit of the Lord and the love of each other. It was a humbling experience. I think that for the first time, I can honestly say that I love being here on a mission. The Temple is wonderful, but it's my family of Peninsula 3 which I have come to love and serve.
On this the Eve of Chinese New Year, I have been so blessed to have the spirit testify to me of the love of our Savior. When each lost sheep is found how great is our joy and the joy of our Heavenly Father!
"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" D&C 18:15-16
At the beginning of this week, we saw the lights of the lanterns, sending good wishes heaven ward. Today, we can experience the light of Christ, as it shines within each of us lighting our countenance. "Let there be Light"!
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