Time's a Tickin'

October 17 (Monday)

It doesn't matter how many watches you have, it doesn't give you any more time!

...and so the trend continues. By now, you must all think that all we do on our mission is eat! Well, aside from our work at the Temple, it pretty much seems that way. Now that we are into our final month, there seems to be farewell dinners regularly with people wanting to get together before we leave. So far this month, we have 16 dinners booked. We haven't had to buy much for groceries. We're trying to use up what we have.

Another "final" but not really, lunch at the YMCA buffet. The Bodily's leave tomorrow. In the evening, Shirley made apple pie for dessert, so we all gathered at their place. She makes the best apple pies!

Sorry, still no photos! They won't download. I think something is wrong with the ipod which John takes all our photos on. They won't download to either of our computers.


October 18 (Tuesday)

The Mongolians are still here from last week. We had another group of Thai's come today. There is a new temple announced to be built in Thailand. It will likely take a few years before it is opens. That will take away a lot of our patrons. Then when they build a temple in Mongolia (hopefully, that will be announced in the near future), then that's another group that we won't see much of. By then, hopefully, there will be more Chinese members filling in the void.

The Church is growing each week and each week, we see more and more new patrons coming. The Filipino sisters also make up a large part of the attendees. When I think of the countless number of members that come from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Jordan, India, and other surrounding countries that so faithfully attend the temple, my heart is full, and I will miss this wonderful experience.


October 19 (Wednesday)

While sitting in the late afternoon session, I could hear the roar of thunder. Oh, that sounded so ominous. As soon as the session was finished, it was announced that the Temple would be closed for the rest of the day, cancelling the last 2 sessions. There was a "black" storm warning...heavy, torrential rain. Thankfully, President Wong offered to drive us home. Many streets were flooded, and traffic was backed up to a standstill in some places. Rivers of water were flooding the roads. This is typhoon season.


October 20 (Thursday)

We've been following the U.S. election. Watched the final debate. Don't have a clue who would be the better president. Out of the 300 million people in the U.S., this is the choice they have? So sad. It really does make you ask, "What is this world coming to?"

On our way home through Metropolis, there were a whole bunch of vendors selling food items and random wares. It's always fun to check out what they have. I found some cute little cloth pouches and stickers which I thought would make a nice gift for our little primary girls. We also couldn't resist the "duong" (sticky rice and filling wrapped in bamboo leaves), and "ngo mei guy" (sticky rice with chicken wrapped in lotus leaves). Yum.

After our shift today, we walked over to Wonderland to pick up some white envelopes. It was getting late, so it was a good excuse to eat out rather than go home and cook. Charm's Cafe is a relatively new restaurant in the area, so we thought we would try it out. Oh my, I was so pleasantly surprised! We both had an 8 ounce U.S. premium steak, grilled to perfection, with a yummy garden salad with sesame dressing, and the vegetables just burst with flavor. I give this place a 9.5. Where they lost the .5 was the dessert, which didn't quite match up to the rest of the meal. We might have to go there again before we head home.


October 21 (Friday)

Typhoon Storm Warning Category 8! That means stay home. Everything shuts down and the city is virtually at a standstill. On one hand, it's nice to get a day off, but on the other hand, we can't go anywhere or do anything because everything is closed. It's like when we get hit with a blizzard back home. Bummer. At least it gives me time to catch up again on blogging, except I still can't get my pictures to download!


October 22 (Saturday)

After our shift today we headed over to Kwai Fong to pick up John's new pair of eye glasses. They're cheaper here than back at home. Did a little more impulse shopping then went to get groceries. Elder and Sister Stevens arrive tonight. They are temple missionaries. With the Bodily's gone and the Ngai's and us leaving shortly, they will be needed.  As usual when new missionaries arrive, we stock their apartment with basic supplies and greet them upon their arrival. They are from Springville, UT.


October 23 (Sunday)

It was a boo hoo day. I've had a few of them lately. Today was our last day in Pen 3 Branch. John and I gave our farewell talks. Vilma and Sonny Wen's son, Parley, just returned from his mission in England so there was a welcome home dinner for him at the branch. There's always comings and goings, nothing stands still. Change is good, though sometimes hard. I will miss all the sister of Pen 3. As a parting gift, we gave each member of the branch a copy of John's pointalism picture of the Hong Kong Temple and a "Moroni Swish" pin.

Sorry, still no pictures.

Dinner, Then Another Dinnner, Then Another Dinnnner...

October 10 (Monday)

Today is known as 10/10, the Chung Yeung Festival. It is a public holiday when entire families congregate at cemeteries to engage in age-old practices of ancestor worship. We didn't do anything to celebrate this holiday.

The second U.S. presidential debate was on so we watched some of that. It's a crazy time and a scary time for the people of the U.S. Glad I don't have to vote there. It's playing out like a really, really, really, bad reality show. The saddest thing is, is that it is real.

Did a little more shopping. Each time I think I'm done, something else comes up that I think I need or some family member needs. We've already shipped home 2 large boxes of stuff since we can't take it all on the plane. I'm sure over the next month, there will still be a few items to shop for.

Tonight we had dinner with Constant (I just found out that it is Constant, not Constance), Phoenix, Elder White, Elder Shipp, Sister Ng, and Sister Terry. This might be the last time we see these wonderful people. Though at one point Constant had set a baptismal date of October 23, it seems like he is hedging on that, and it may not happen until after our mission is done. He has come such a long ways from a year ago when we first met him. He's come out of his shell and has opened up so much. Even if he doesn't get baptized, to see the change in his countenance and self esteem is rewarding. I consider this a success.

Phoenix Wong, Sister Ng, Sister Terry, Constant Wong

Elder Shipp, Constant Wong, Elder White

As for Phoenix, since she has been released from the hospital, I have notice a small improvement. She looks healthier and has put on a little bit of weight which is good. She dresses more normal, and not like she's hiding from something, though she continually wears a surgical mask. She doesn't talk about hearing voices from god or the devil anymore. When I asked her if she still hears the voices, she just shrugged and didn't really answer me. Constant and Phoenix are good people. I hope and pray they will find the joy and happiness they seek.


October 11 (Tuesday)

Today starts another week at the Temple. This is the Bodily's last week before heading home. I'm going to miss them. We've had such a wonderful time together.

We were supposed to give an orientation this morning to a group from Thailand, but it was postponed until tomorrow. My first post was in the baptistry. There was a family from the U.S. What a wonderful experience for their young daughter to be able to come to the Hong Kong temple. My next assignment was to help a sister from Thailand taking out her own endowment. What a special event it was for her. I love doing the initiatory with her. Such a special spirit.


October 12 (Wednesday)

This morning started off with the orientation of 16  members from Thailand. I love it when we get these groups from other countries.

We finally met with the tailor from Shenzhen for our first fitting of our temple dress. Mine needed a few minor adjustments. It's unfortunate that he lives so far away. It would be so much more convenient if he were local. However, local tailors charge a lot more for custom clothing.


October 13 (Thursday) 

This afternoon the contingent from Mongolia arrived, so John and I stayed to orientate them. There were 24 members including 9 members coming for the very first time to receive their own endowments. We were privileged to be able to administer their initiatory. This is one of my favorite assignments. There is always an air of excitement and anticipation with a sweet spirit. For those of you who are not members of the church, perhaps it is hard for you to understand what I am referring to, but suffice it to say, it is a sacred ordinance which brings great blessings.


October 14 (Friday)

Friday always denotes the weekend, so the Bodily's and us decided to go out for dinner at our favorite restaurant Korean #1 BBQ. It's bitter sweet that this would be our last dinner together before they go home.


October 15 (Saturday)

With both the Thai and Mongolian groups here this week, it was a very busy morning. We had to run double sessions. Love it when were packed to overflowing.

I thought all our farewell dinners had been taken care of earlier this month, but I was mistaken. Sister Yuen, the assistant to the Matron, cooked up another luncheon for all the temple workers. She's amazing and good thing she likes to cook.

After a nap, Deb and I went to meet Sister Chau at the MTR since she had picked up our dresses from the tailor in Shenzhen. Sister Chau has been amazing in taking so much time for us to get our dresses. Mine fit OK, but it doesn't look as good as I had hoped. Perhaps I should have chosen a different style. Maybe it's the perfect dress, just not the perfect body. haha.

With Bodily's busy packing and doing last minute stuff, we decided to make dinner for them. It was a lot more convenient just to take dinner to them and not have to take time out to go out and eat. Did I mention we're going to miss them? Boo hoo.


October 16 (Sunday)

Sister Roberts was away in Mongolia, so I was left "to do" the self-reliance class. Good thing Antonio was back from the Philippines and he was the facilitator. He's amazing and is a natural leader. The Branch is lucky to have him as one of our priesthood leaders.

The sisters in the Branch surprised us this week with a going away gift. Maribel Reandino made a beautiful cross stitch quote for us and presented us with 2 very special t-shirts. It's hard to imagine that next week will be our last day in Pen 3. Such mixed emotions have been running through me over the past couple months. Next Sunday is going to be very emotional.

John and I were in charge of Family Home Evening today. We decided to play Charades. The girls loved it, and are so-o-o competitive. Most bids got down to 5-10 seconds. One even got down to 3! Love and laughter...such great memories to take home with us.

(Photo transfer is giving me grief! If I ever get it resolved, I'll have to go back and insert pictures.)

The Countdown is on...

October 3 (Monday)

Today we went to have lunch with Auntie May Soo. Emy Gabasa, a member of our branch met with us. We had hoped she would be a good helper for Auntie. However, as we all discussed her needs, and Emy's availability, we came to the decision that it wouldn't work for either of them. At first Auntie thought a part time helper might work, but with further discussion, she realized that she really needs a full time helper.

John, Judy, May Soo, Emy

October 4 (Tuesday)

After work today we took a trip to Central for a lazer treatment, then over to Mong Kok to Ladies' Market. Still had a few odds and ends to pick up before time runs out on our mission.

October 5 (Wednesday)

Back to Ladies' Market...again...picked up a purple ukelele for Emmy. I wouldn't sleep this night so I decided I might as well just get up. I started to write my farewell talk and had it finished in 1 1/2 hours. Guess it was worth getting up.

October 6 (Thursday)

Off to Kwai Fong after work. Seems like the shopping is never done. We sent a huge box home already by slow boat from China. It'll take about 2 months. I keep thinking I'll have lots of room to pack up, but with all the shopping, a little here, a little there, I may be running out of space.

Sounds like Hurricane Matthew is closing in on Miami. Hope there will not be too much destruction.

October 7 (Friday)

There was a Hong Kong Mission Reunion which we were invited to. Ed Lai was a missionary here about 40 years ago. He arranged for the meal and program and covered all the expenses personally. What a wonderful time for all former missionaries. It's exciting to see how much the church has grown here in Hong Kong. There seems to be a real "family" for all those early HK saints. It reminds me of Southern Alberta, where in the Mormon community, everyone seems to be related to everyone.

Ed Lai organizer extraordinaire.

Daniel Pun (Temple worker) and Sheldon Pun (travel agent)

Bother Cheuk and his RM Son, Joshua

Sister and Elder Chan - Hong Kong China Temple Mission 2015-2016

Sister Yip, Me, Julia Shum (super friendly new friend), Deb

Good times...great memories...

My Brother Cheuk story: This past Wednesday as I was going up the stairs to the fourth floor, Brother Cheuk (whom I didn't know), was behind me. He commented to me, "You are a beautiful angel." I turned to see who was talking to me. I smiled and  thought to myself, what a lovely compliment. 

Then on this Friday, Brother Cheuk told John this story about me. He said he had come to the temple hoping for a spiritual experience. I was the celestial room attendant. When he entered the celestial room and saw me sitting there, he said he saw my countenance was aglow, and he felt a special spirit. I don't know what he meant by it all, but I'm glad he was able to feel like he had received the spiritual experience he was hoping for.

October 8 (Saturday)

Early this morning, the Bodily's, Chamberlain's, CFChan's, and us boarded the ferry to Macau. This was our "last hurrah" so to speak before our mission ends. Hathaway's joined us at Fernando's. The plan was to have lunch at Fernando's then just chill out and relax and we were each going to go do our own thing. However...even the best laid plans don't always work our the way we hoped. 

Macau here we come!

 We didn't think lunch would take as long as it did. By the time we got back to our hotel, The Venetian, to check in, there was a long lineup. Check in was at 3:00 and we didn't get our rooms till around 4:00. Our afternoon of R&R was basically shot...wasted! Awwh! So we basically just ended up exploring the hotel, which was huge.

Lunch at Fernando's

Black Sand Beach across from Fernando's

 We had planned to take a gondola ride through the canals, but were so disappointed when we saw the canal. It was a piddly little indoor canal and didn't even circle the hotel. We had entertained the idea of a spa treatment, and found that there was no spa in the hotel. It was closed for renovations. We were going to just relax poolside, but by the time we finally found the pool, it was 5 floors up, walk the distance of 2 football fields, then 5 flights down. By now it was time for dinner before going to see STOMP which was the whole purpose of this trip. We never did find the mini golf course.

We had dinner at one of the numerous restaurants in the hotel. It was pretty good and we had a nice friendly waiter which made it very enjoyable. Then off to the show...At least STOMP was worth coming for. It was fabulous. We loved every minute. The creativity was amazing!

Stopped for ice cream after the show and before heading to our Venetian suite. It was pretty deluxe. These suites were priced at $8000.00HKD/night, but we got a package deal which included the suite, buffet breakfast and our STOMP tickets for a mere $3660.00 HKD. So I think we got a pretty good deal. 

October 9 (Sunday)

We had a wonderful buffet breakfast before heading back to Hong Kong. 

We had a dinner engagement at President and Sister Wong's that evening. A great home cooked meal and a lovely time to spend with them along with the Bodily's, Ngai's and James'. As a farewell gift, we received a beautiful porcelain vase. We've been so privileged to serve under President and Sister Wong. We've enjoyed hearing all their stories about the Temple and the Church as it has grown throughout Asia. We will miss them dearly. There tenure as Temple President and Matron will finish on October 29.

 

Tsz Shan Monestary

Tsz Shan Monestary - Guan Yin (Avalokitesvara) Statue

The Guan Yin Statue has a height of 76 metres, comprising a 70 metre tall bronze case white Guan Yin statue including a three tier bronze lotus platform built upon a 6 metre high granite base. The statue is coated with white fluorocarbon self-cleaning paint and is modeled on sculptures of the Song Dynasty.

September 26 (Monday)

And so the farewells begin...the Rancie's, Whitman's, Chamberlain's, Bodily's, and Brown's are all finishing their missions in October. The Temple Presidency (Wong's, Yuen's and Hui's) will be released October 29. The Ngai's and us will finish on November 5. That's a total of 10 couples leaving within a 5 week period. Big changes!

And of course, what's a farewell, without farewell dinners. More eating. Today was a farewell for the departing Temple Senior Couple Missionaries and Temple Presidency. With so many leaving all at once, we decided to celebrate everyone at the same time. The Kimberly Hotel Buffet was the perfect setting.

On behalf of all the Temple Senior Missionaries, we presented the Presidency with a parting gift - a framed picture of the Hong Kong Temple which John had drawn using his pointillism technique. Needless to say, it was well received.

After a wonderful buffet lunch, we had a 3 hour break before our next farewell dinner. This time it was at the area office in  Wan Chai, to bid farewell to the Temple Missionaries as well as the area office missionaries.This being our FHE night, our activity before dinner was to participate in Chi Gong, a form of chinese excercise, instructed by Elder Thong.

Such grace and form...

I can do this ... maybe 

Great "end" move...

Now that we've worked up an appetite, dinner was served: salads, buns, spaghetti, and dessert. Then a farewell original song composed by Sister Roberts to honour each of the soon to be departing couples. All too soon, 18 months passes by quickly.

Loretta Nielson and Kathy Roberts 

We're singing this? But we haven't practiced! What tune?

The Last Hurrah!
Rob & Rae Rancie, Robert & Carma Brown, Charles & Laraine Chamberlain, John & Judy Chan,
Dale & Marjorie Whitman, Charles & Shirley Ngai, Gary & Deborah Bodily

September 27 (Tuesday)

The US Presidential debate was on TV this morning. Since we didn't have to be to work till 11:00, we were able to watch part of it. I think the US is in trouble. Guess it's just a sign of the times. There are so many prophecies that are coming to pass which are written in the scriptures for our time. We can see them unfold as the second coming draws nearer and nearer. I look forward to that day when the Savior will return to rule and reign in righteousness and peace shall abound.

September 28 (Wednesday)

Our last OAD of our mission. We went with the Bodily's to the Tsz Shan Monastery. What an amazing structure. The idea for the development of Tsz Shan Monastery germinated with Mr. Li Ka-shing, who as of mid 2015 has contributed over $1.7 billion HKD from his personal foundation to cover the development and daily operating costs of the Monastery. It took about 10 years to build and just opened to the public in April of 2015. Pictures just don't do it justice. There is a feeling of peace and tranquility.

Tsz Shan Gate

Guan Yin has a compassionate and graceful demeanour and on her topknot thee is a small image of Amitabha, implying the blessings and protection received through his immeasurable power. In her right hand she holds a wisdom mani pearl and in her left hand a vase from which she ours pure water to cleanse the phenomenal world. She looks down from above on all beings, guiding them to enlightenment with her compassion and wisdom.

An illustration of the Maitreya Descending Sutra, reproduced with mondern technology from the Yulin Grottoes.

Right in front of the statue there is a large bronze water vessel known as the Thousand Wishes Pond. Visitors making a water offering to Guan Yin pour water into the pond.

We took a Chinese calligraphy class in the Universal Gate Hall. The walls are carved with calligraphy recording the Ten Great Vows. We graduated with our certificates.

September 29 (Thursday)

Slow day at the temple. Caught up on my blog, almost.

September 30 (Friday)

We met with Elders White and Shipp and Constance. They had set a baptismal goal of October 23. That's so exciting, but it still has not been confirmed. Constance has come such a long ways from when we first met him a year ago. He has opened up so much, come out of his shell, and is very talkative. We went for dinner afterwards, but Constance didn't want to join us.

Sad to be losing the Rancie's and Bodily's in October.

We've had a good time together

October 1 (Saturday)

Today is China's National holiday. After a busy day at the temple, we all decided to go out to dinner at California Kitchen. It was just a short walk from our apartment. On the way home, we stopped on the promenade to watch the fireworks. 

Pre-fireworks security check

More heads and hands than fireworks

October 2 (Sunday)

Today was fast and testimony Sunday. That also means that it is potluck Sunday. It was transfers this week and Sister Molina was transferred to Macau. Our new missionary is Sister Brojan. It was also Sister Bongo's last day in the Branch. She goes home this week.

Me, Sister Brojan, Sister Bongo