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.)