The Final Countdown...updated

October 31 (Monday)

Time's a Tickin' - I don't have any pics to post.
Photos still won't download.

Updated: December 3 - finally got around to inserting pictures. Took a while to figure things out.

Happy Halloween...though it's Halloween, in Hong Kong, there is no trick or treating from door to door. We see costumes being sold and candy in the stores, but we don't see any signs of Halloween out in public. John and I decided to do our own version of trick or treat by putting on masks which Harbourfront was giving out to all the tenants. I packaged up some candies and went "un-trick and treating" to all the senior temple missionaries apartments. Instead of them giving us a treat, we gave them a treat. I kinda miss this day of insane candy collecting. I'm sure all our grandkids back home got tons of sugary treats.

*Use your imagination here since I've been unable to download any pictures. (John wearing a black spider mask, and I'm wearing a pink masquerade mask.) If I ever get my picture problem solved, I'll have to go back and edit and insert missing photos.

Our dear friend Coco who we had met early in our mission wanted to do lunch before we finish our mission. She's a sweet young single sister. We decided to invite her mom and a set of Elders and Sisters to join us. It seems like the YMCA is a central convenient place to meet, so we dined there at their lunch buffet.

Coco and her Mom

Sister missionaries and Elders and Sister Yam and Coco

Time's running out. After lunch we headed to Kwai Fong so John could pick up his new glasses. Then a quick trip to the jade market, then to see Mark, my hairdresser for my final hair cut before going home. After trick and treating, spent the rest of the evening trying to pack up more stuff.


November 1 (Tuesday)

Today is the first day for the new Temple Presidency: President Lee, with Pres. Ng as 1st Counselor and Pres. Nihipali as 2nd Counselor. It's an exciting time.

This is our last week. It will be the last for many things. It's kind of sad to think our mission is so close to being over, yet there is an excitement with thoughts of returning home.

We did our last orientation to 17 members from Thailand. They were an amazing group with 8 new sister endowments and 2 brothers.  My heart is full as we get to participate in these sacred ordinances. What a start for the new presidency. They were so busy and having to run double sessions.

I didn't think we had a lot of stuff to pack, but as I start trying to fit things into suitcases, I soon realize that another packing box will be needed to send stuff home.


November 2 (Wednesday)

I think it's going to be like this all week, double sessions for most of the day. It's wonderful to be so busy. Temple work is so important and to see the dedication of these faithful saints that come from near and far warms my heart and strengthens my testimony.

Another tick off my to do list before leaving Hong Kong. We had heard about people coming to Hong Kong to learn about our Church. They would often come in the morning; meet with the missionaries to be taught throughout the day; then be baptized that evening before returning home. We were privileged to meet 2 young ladies and 1 young man today who did just that. To witness their baptism and hear their testimonies was one of the highlights of our mission. Though they only spoke Mandarin and I couldn't understand what they were saying, I could feel through their spirit, the sincerity of their testimonies. Later John presented each of them with one of his Hong Kong Temple pictures. This would be our last baptism we witness before going home.

Tonight we picked up President and Sister Nihipali from the airport. Their flight didn't land till 10:30 and it was close to midnight by the time we arrived back at Harbourfront. They're a warm loving couple and I feel an easy friendship developing. Because of the late arrival time, there was no welcoming committee. With so many couples coming and going lately, it's hard to keep track of all the transitions.

November 3 (Thursday)

Happy Birthday, Gin! (my eldest sister). Hope the weather is good so you can go golfing. Today is our last late shift at the Temple. We've been receiving so many farewell wishes from those we have worked with. It's hard to imagine that we only have 2 shifts left. Another last is our last meal at "Charms", a late find, but it became one of our favorites.

It was good to talk to June (Matron Lee) on the phone. We sure missed each other. So sad that now she is back, we are about to leave. I know we must have been buddies in the pre-existence. I'll sure miss her again. We could talk to each other on the phone for hours. She'll be an incredible Temple Matron.


November 4 (Friday)

Our second last day in the Temple. It's a strange feeling of mixed emotions. It doesn't take much for me to become very teary eyed. Suddenly I realized just how close I've become with the sisters, even though there is still a great language barrier. The language of love holds no bounds.

Last minute shopping to the jade market, then met with Gaylon and MaryAnn Ball our trainers when we first arrived in Hong Kong. They had returned this week with Nora Chan who also served with us. They're going on a tour into China. We had dinner at Nomad's Mongolian Grill, another favorite dining place.

Dinner at Nomad's with Gaylon and MaryAnn Ball 

Traditional Jade Discs

November 5 (Saturday)

So this is it...what do I say? The last day...happy, sad...sad, happy... However you look at it, it's been an amazing journey. It's been a crazy hectic week with double sessions each and every day. With trying to pack and saying good-byes, and preparing for a trip, and ... so on. So much to do. Emotions are running high and I'm starting to feel very tired and worn out. I guess it is time.

It was around 1:00 pm after our shift had finished that we sat down with President and Matron Lee in his office for our formal Temple release. 17 months ago, it seemed like it was going to be a long time, but here we are at the end of our mission. It's hard to express these kinds of feelings, but for all of you who have experienced it, you'll know exactly what we're feeling. So blessed. We've been so blessed!

No time to relax though. As soon as we were changed, we rushed across the street to the Kowloon Tong Chapel to help set up for the Annual Devotional and Dinner for all the Temple workers, Temple Missionaries and staff. It was a lovely devotional with all the new Temple Presidency and their wives introducing themselves so we could all get to know them better. Sister Yuen (former Temple Asst. Matron) prepared one of her famous feasts. She's amazing.

The amazing Sister Yuen 

Richard and June Lee - new Temple President and Matron

Larry and Peggy Nihipali - 2nd Counselor in Temple Presidency

Temple Presidency: Nihipali's, Lee's, Ng's

Brother and Sister Choi, us, and Shirley & Charles Ngai (also released today)

The "Last Group" standing: Ng's, Nihipali's, Chan's, Ngai's, Lee's, Chan's
and four faithful temple workers (I'm bad remembering names)

Dinner ended early but we weren't ready to say good-bye to the Lee's yet, so we planned to go out for dessert later that evening. We met in Whompoa and went to a popular little dessert spot and each filled up on a couple traditional Chinese desserts each. Seemed like we just didn't want to depart as we ended standing out on the street just shooting the breeze. Thanks for a wonderful evening.

November 6 (Sunday)

This one's for you Jade, 11:11, we left Harbourfront for the airport to catch our flight to Singapore. After arriving in Singapore, we caught a taxi to our hotel, Sheraton Towers. Time for dinner so we were directed to the Newton Hawkers Food Center, all kinds of Asian fare in an open market.

At the Newton Hawkers Food Center 

We had a wonderful meal from the "Goodman" food kiosk.

It's been a hectic, emotional week. I'm ready for some R&R.

10 Shifts and Counting...

Happy Helping Hands

October 24 (Monday)

Another p-day, another meal. We met Rosana Li for lunch today. She took us to a very exclusive, members only, Japanese restaurant. We had our own private dining room, sealed off by sliding doors. The servers/attendants peak through a small window in the door to keep an eye on how your meal is progressing. Before entering, they knock, then bring in your meal, tea, or attend to any needs which they deem necessary. They bring you hot towels to wash your hands or wipe your face. Nothing like being pampered! And the food was excellent...a 6 section Bento box with raw sushi (John ate mine) and tempura and vegetables. Besides that it came with the yummiest salad ever, a bowl of rice, a bowl of soup, and a bowl of steamed egg. Hot lemon tea to wash it all down.

Frustrated yet once again...photo downloads are giving me grief. Sorry no photos. If I ever get this figured out, I'll have a lot of post photo editing to do.

My lazer hair treatments are about finished. No time to do more. Overall, I can feel the difference in having a thicker head of hair, but there wasn't much they could do about my dreaded cowlick. Why do they call it a cowlick? Anyways, that's permanent and annoying, permanently annoying.

Went again to ladies market to pick up a few more children's springy chopsticks. Rode the new expanded MTR line to Whompoa. It's nice and convenient to where we live. Treated ourselves to Haagen-Dazs on our walk home.

October 25 (Tuesday) 

Tuesday, another orientation day. We had 4 patrons from Thailand and 25 from Indonesia. It will be a very busy week. Aside from the Thais and Indonesians, there are a few from Mongolia that didn't need to be orientated. Patron housing was full.

We were asked to be mentors for Elder and Sister Stevens. After doing the orientations, I took Sister Stevens on a tour of the Temple. It can be very confusing at first with all the different floors and different elevators that only go to certain floors. It will take her a little while to get used to which elevator will take you where.

Elder and Sister Stevens

Tonight's dinner was with Elder and Sister Nielson who are also serving in Pen 3 with us, and Sister Lee, who is a single sister serving in the Mental Health department. My wish came true, in returning to Charm's Cafe for another meal. I wasn't disappointed. My fish and chips were awesome with the grilled portobello mushrooms with bacon and melted cheese.

October 26 (Wednesday) 

Most of the day was spent trying to familiarize the Temple floor plan and basic assignments with Sister Stevens. I can sure appreciate the work that the Bodily's had done with training new missionaries. There is a lot involved.

While in initiatory, I had a "thot pop", which is when a thought randomly pops into my mind. It caught me off guard why this thought would come during initiatory. It was but a fleeting moment, but it seemed like the plan was all laid out for me in that split second. It was about a business for the Filipino sisters called "Helping Hands."  It got me so excited. I will pursue it when I get home. This may be a pathway to bringing them to Canada.

We met Richard and June, or should I say President and Sister Lee, for dinner tonight. It felt so good to have them here again. I really missed June when they left back in May. But now they are back as the Temple President and Matron. They will be super in their new position.

October 27 (Thursday)

The young missionaries have been attending the Temple all week. They come in groups and along side of all the other visitors and patrons, we've been running double sessions every day. I love it when it is busy.

Dinner tonight was with Auntie May Soo. I'm going to miss her. We plan on one more meal together before we leave for home. Hopefully the rest of her family can join us. John finally got his Peking duck. It was pretty awesome, and we had the whole duck. There was so much left, so he had enough to feast on for lunch the next day. Everyone was jealous.

October 28 (Friday)

Another week is almost gone. Sister Stevens is still trying to figure out how to navigate the Temple. Once in awhile when I start thinking about how little time we have left here, I get a little choked up and teary eyed. Wish I wasn't so emotional. It takes very little to trigger the tear ducts.

We've been handing out John's Hong Kong Temple picture to all the people we've been working with during our time in the Temple. We didn't realize there were so many, so we'll have to print more pictures. We had made 200, but I guess that wasn't enough.

Tonight's dinner was with Sister Chui. She's the one who's been helping John with his genealogy. What a wonderful lady. She said she will take us back to our village in China and help research our family records. We hope to return sometime in 2017.

Sister Chui gave us a booklet on the Chan Ancestry Hall.

October 29 (Saturday)

It's a sad day. It's an exciting day. Many mixed emotions. Out with the old, in with the new, as the Temple Presidency changes over. President Wong, his counselors President Yuen and Hui, along with their wives were all released today. They have served well, and we will all miss them.

Part of the Saturday Temple Shift

Working along side these wonderful sister temple workers has been such an amazing blessing 

The Presidency with Brother and Sister Tsang.

The Presidency with all the Senior Couple Missionaries.

Fun with Brother Choi (Temple Recorder)...just being sassy...

They each conducted the final three sessions in the Temple. Tears flowed freely. After, we all went outside for a massive photo shoot and final goodbyes. "Well done my good and faithful servants." Well done!

Tonight was District Conference. The theme was "Love Thy Neighbour". It's a simple commandment. I'm going to try to be more diligent in this. It should be easy. If we can remember to be a little kinder, be a little less judgmental, be a little more caring and considerate to those around us, be a little more aware of others circumstances, then we can be more loving. We are all God's children.

Elder Nielson, President Smart, Elder Roberts, Elder Chan - Pen 3 Presidency

October 30 (Sunday)

Our final Sunday before our release from Temple duties. District Conference continued with the same theme. I was feeling good and composed, knowing this was our last Sunday. But, at the end of the conference, as I looked around, we were surrounded by the Sisters of Pen 3. I lost it! Tears came rolling down my face as I knew this might be the last time I may ever see some of them. So many emotions. Hugs and kisses, and "ugly" photos of me with blood shot teary eyes. Feel the love, oh, feel the love! They are what I will miss most about our mission.

Later that afternoon, we met one final time with President and Sister Wong. We had to pick up their apartment key for President and Sister Nihipali, one of the new temple counselors. It gave us a chance for one final goodbye. No, let me correct that, not a final goodbye, but "till we meet again" and I'm sure we will. I know our paths will cross again.