"Let There Be Light"

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?)

Happy 86th Birthday Auntie May Soo!

Cherry Blossoms ...New Year...New Beginnings.

 Happy New Year...Peace, Safety, Prosperity

Look what I found on sale...Channel handbag.

February 2 (Tuesday)

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.

Who said money doesn't grow on trees? 

Orange money trees surrounding our apartment.

February 4 (Thursday)

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...

If you don't like crowds, you're in the wrong place.

Ray, June, Judy

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...

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.

Sister Molina, Sister Perez, Rizel Morales, Antonio Ortalla

I was so touched by her testimony and the testimonies of those involved with her conversation. The musical number "Learn of Me" sung by Sisters Melina and Perez brought me to tears. It was absolutely angelic.

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"!

Woolly Mammoths, Monkeys, and Mice

January 25 (Monday)

Today is Sawyer's birthday. He turned 8. He's getting ready to be baptised. We're so proud of him and the decisions he has made.

Another day to venture out. The temperature has warmed up a bit, but the locals still complain how bitterly cold it is. Personally, I was very comfortable. I love that I'm not dripping with perspiration any more.

Storefront Celebrating the coming of the Year of the Monkey.

Monkeys and Firecrackers

We came across this little shop that sold mammoth tusk carved art. Very interesting. Very expensive. I thought mammoths were extinct, so where do they get all the tusks from?

This lovely little piece of art was priced at $40,000.00 HKD.

Small pieces start at about $15,000 HKD.

January 26 (Tuesday)

Another Burton birthday...Happy Birthday Parker...13 an official teenager. He's smart. He's cute. He has the girls chasing him. But he doesn't let it get to him. He's pretty cool.

Came across these two little cuties on our way home today.

January 27 (Wednesday)

Nora took me shopping after our shift. I felt like I needed some more clothes after my closet was raided last year when family was here visiting. It's a good excuse. She has this favorite place to go buy clothes at wholesale prices. Then John and I went out to Ladies Market. It was pretty crowded but it's always fun to look around.

I love Mickey and Minnie!

3D shirts...so adorable!

January 28 (Thursday)

Happy 18th Birthday to our little Emmy Bun! Well she's not so little any more. She is our first grandchild and will be graduating this June. Ah...where does time go? It seemed like only yesterday...

This was missionary week at the Temple. A lot of Elders and Sisters came throughout the week. John  was working at the Recommend Desk when Elder Love came in. Unfortunately, with so many people coming in, he didn't really have time to chat with him.

Some of the young Sister Missionaries serving in Hong Kong. They all speak Cantonese.

January 29 (Friday)

Yikes! The alarm didn't go off! John happened to wake up and it was 7:10 and we were supposed to be at the Temple by 7:45! We quickly got ready, rushed out to catch a cab thinking it would be faster than the MTR. It was raining, and cabs are extra busy with longer waits on rainy days. Anyways we did manage to get to the Temple by 8:00, only 15 minutes late. I had a legitimate excuse for a really bad hair day.

Today President Wong wanted all the Temple missionaries in for the early shift. About 67  teachers who are teaching English came for 2 special sessions at the Temple. It was a very busy morning.

We came home right after, had some supper, then went to bed around 8:30. What? That's unheard of...


January 30 (Saturday)

We're never in bed before midnight. However, we had a special mission to accomplish. Since this will probably be our only time to participate in Chinese New Years in Hong Kong, we thought we'd make the sacrifice of going to stand in line for special tickets to sit in the special viewing gallery at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza along Victoria Harbour for the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade. It was suggested that we get there by 2:00 a.m. to get good seats. We got up at 2:00 and arrived at 3:00 and were the 13th and 14th persons in line. By 4:00 a.m. the line had grown by a whopping 2 people. Guess we could have slept for another 2 hours. Anyways, by 8:00 when the ticket office opened, we couldn't see the end of the line as it wrapped around the block. These seats better be good. They're in section A and gives us the privilege to see the opening ceremonies. The parade is supposed to stop in front of section A and put on a special performance.

3:00 a.m. 13th in line. 

4:00 a.m. Still awake. 

5:00 a.m. Starting to get to me. 

6:00 a.m. How much longer?

7:00 a.m. I'm so done.

Each person was allowed to purchase 4 tickets each. So between John and myself we could get 8 tickets, but we actually needed 9 for our missionary group. We struck up a conversation with the young man in front of us, and found out he was just buying 2 tickets for an elderly couple. He said he would gladly get 1 more ticket for us. He was a really nice guy, and after the ticket transaction was finished, I told John to give him one of our "business" cards which has the Temple and church contact information. I thought he'd be a really good member of the Church. I asked him if he had a business card for us. He reached into his wallet and pulled out a card...and showed it to me...it was his temple recommend! Small world. I should have guessed he was LDS.

James Man was his name. He had lived in Edmonton for a short time but returned to Hong Kong and is in investments. When we told him we lived in Lethbridge, he mentioned that he had gone to a concert and the singer was from Lethbridge. Did we know him? A...ya...our son-in-law, Wayne Burton. Every day the world seems to be getting smaller and smaller.

We got home before 9:00 a.m. and I was just about to have a nap, but the cleaning lady showed up, so we left to get groceries. Came home to a clean apartment, then had a much needed nap. Then went for a walk along the promenade. It was a beautiful warm evening.

From Christmas to New Years... 

Same buildings...just different celebrations.

January 31 (Sunday)

It was the Jacinto's family last day in our branch today. Next week they will be attending a family ward. We will certainly miss them. Their 3 girls will definitely leave a void in our primary and young women's program. We will now only have 2 primary girls. And by March, Michelle and her mom will also be moving into the family ward, leaving us with only 1 primary girl. The Jacinto's had been in the branch since the branch was first formed. It was very difficult for them to leave.

Megan, Michelle, Me, Gillian - I'm gonna miss these girls!

MaryBelle, she's one tough cookie. Sister Coffey lending support.

Deck the Halls with Red and Gold, Chinese New Year to Unfold...

January 18 (Monday)

With Christmas and New Years done, we now look forward to the next celebration...Chinese New Years...and what a celebration that will be, especially here in Hong Kong. Already, the city is decked out with red lanterns, lions, monkeys, firecrackers, endless posters, red envelopes, red decorations, and pretty much anything red, to welcome in the Year of the Monkey.

Red and Gold, Gold and Red...the colours of Chinese New Year

John and I decided to get into the spirit of Chinese New Years so we went shopping for some decorations for our apartment. So much to choose from.

Meet our pet lions: Mini Foo and Dim Sum named after Auntie Betty's 2 dogs.

January 19 (Tuesday)

Today I was privileged to meet a wonderful Cambodian family. The husband was a missionary there many years ago. He returned to Cambodia many times and finally married a beautiful Cambodian girl. They soon had a little girl. Today, the family came to the temple to be sealed for time and eternity. What a touching ceremony. I was assigned to look after their baby girl for a bit. She fell asleep in my arms. When it was time for the sealing, I carried her to the alter. She was still asleep as I placed her tiny hand on her parents hands as the sealing was pronounced. Such a touching eternal moment. Memories flooded back into my mind of the day that John and I knelt across the alter and had our son Rylan sealed to us almost 40 years ago. This little primary song about eternal families says it all.

    "Families can be together forever,
     In Heavenly Father's plan.
     I always want to be
     With my own Family,
     And the Lord has shown me how I can.
     The Lord has shown me how I can."


January 20 (Wednesday)

The final bounce...The Ball's left this morning around 7:00 a.m. It will seem different without them. I'm excited to meet up with them in Boise when we go there in June. It was our OAD so we went to semi clean their apartment since it is one of our assignments to prepare the apartment for the next set of missionaries. Elder and Sister Hathaway will be arriving on Feb. 20 to replace the Balls. They are from California.

John and Elder Lee had a meeting at Wan Chai, so June and I decided to go shopping while they were in their meeting. I had told June about the New Years decorations I had picked up, so she wanted to go to the market and check it out. After the meeting, we all went out for dinner. Can't be out and not eat!

Looks more impressive than it tastes...googlie shrimp eyes starring you in the face...sorry, can't do it!

January 21 (Thursday)

I didn't have a good sleep last night. Of course, that's not uncommon. I haven't been sleeping well since we've been in HK. I guess I miss my own bed. Hence, I was so tired at work today. When I got home, I just crashed and had a 2 hour nap. Woke up. Made supper. Then went to the Ball's apartment since the Lee's wanted to pick through some of the stuff that was left behind. We ended up just visiting there till 11:00. We decided that we would claim the foam mattress. Hope it will help me sleep better.


January 22 (Friday)

Sure glad we got the foam mattress. I had a very comfortable, uninterrupted sleep. Hope this is the beginning of good sleeps from now on.


January 23 (Saturday)

I guess I spoke too soon. Had a terrible sleep last night. Tossed and turned and turned and tossed. We had the early shift at the Temple and had to be up at 5:00 to start work at 6:30. AHH! Had a hard time staying focused. Glad we were off at 1:00 and I came home for a nice long nap.


January 24 (Sunday)

Everyone was talking about how dreadfully cold it was. Winter parkas, scarves wrapped abound their neck, and boots and gloves...you'd think they were experiencing a Canadian winter. There wasn't even any snow, just an occasional sprinkle of rain. The temperature was about 45F. I had to chuckle. I did wear a light wool jacket to church, but took it off when I got there. Everyone else kept their coats on and shivered through the meeting. As with most buildings in HK, they have no central heating, since it rarely gets cold enough to warrant it. I must admit however, this week was the first time that I did feel the chill in the air, after all, it is winter.

Note: I had more pictures on my camera but for some reason they will not download onto my computer. Kind of a slow week anyways. Not much to show.

It's Been a "BALL"!

January 11 (Monday)

We went to the office of the Lee Clansmen Association in Causeway Bay in hopes of finding some information about our Lee genealogy. Unfortunately, it appears that this association isn't so much about genealogy, but more of a social club. Some of the more prominent members include Li Kai Shing, a real estate mogul and multi millionaire; and Lee Kum Kee who made his millions by selling his world wide famous sauces that carry his name. I guess our best bet to get accurate records is to go back to the original family village for the actual record books.

Our new favorite place...final dinner out with the Ball's.

 Another farewell dinner for the Ball's. We went to Nomad's Mongolian BBQ. It was wonderful! It puts our Mongolian Grill back home to shame. Not only did they have an abundance of choices of noodles, rice, vegetables, meats, sauces, and seasonings to be grilled, but they also had a salad bar of seafood and hot foods and soup. Then you could also make your own pizza! Even though we were stuffed, June and I made a pizza to share. It was magnificent. To top things off, they also had a dessert bar. And just in case you were still hungry, you could go back as many times as you want for whatever you want. Great place...we'll have to go there again. Ambiance: 9, Food: 10, Service: 9 Value: 9. Overall ****  Just a bit pricey $50.00 CAD, only $35.00 USD. The Canadian dollar is killing us!

Pick your own ingredients.

Soup and Salad Bar

Seafood...See Food...Seafood Bar

Round 3 of shrimp and clams!

So much to choose from.

You pick it...they cook it...

Mongolian style grill served in your own personal wok.

The Last Supper...well, not quite.

January 12 (Tuesday)

Today's Chuckle: I hate it when I gain 10 pounds for a role and then realize I'm not even an actor. I exercised once, but I found out I was allergic to it. My skin flushed and my heart raced. I got sweaty and short of breath. Very dangerous. Well, that's my excuse anyways.


January 13 (Wednesday)

After we finished our shift at the Temple, we went over to patron housing where our Mongolian friends were staying. We wanted to get some pictures with them. Some had gone out shopping, so we missed not getting everyone. I can't express the connection we felt with these wonderful people. There were also 2 Chinese sisters, one from Beijing and one from Macau.

Some of our Mongolian friends in patron housing.

Tsatsral and her daughter Maralgoo, and other sister whose name I don't know.

So sweet...Maralgoo

Sister Undraa - She was always so jolly.

Sister Esther Cai from Beijing and Sister Ana Choi from Macau

January 14 (Thursday)

Another farewell gathering for the Balls. Since we are one of the few who have a slightly larger apartment, everyone met here. Shirley had arranged the gathering. Besides the Temple missionaries, she also invited the Orton's and Powell's. The Powell's will also be heading home at the end of the month. Elder Orton is the mission doctor.

A gift from MaryAnn, signed copies of her book, The Eden Covenant Series 

Sister Orton 2nd on left, Elder Orton on right.

Rae Rancie, Elder and Sister Powell mission ends at end of January.

January 15 (Friday)

OAD. We went for dim sum with the Rancie's. It's been raining all day. Came home and made some rosettes for the the final farewell party for the Ball's at the temple tomorrow.

Thought from President Monson:

"God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon. He left the electricity in the cloud, the oil in the earth. He left the rivers unbridged and the forests unfelled and the cities unbuilt.

God gave man the challenge of raw materials, not the ease of finished things. He leaves the pictures unpainted and the music unsung and the problems unsolved, that man might know the joys and glories of creation."


January 16 (Saturday)

Today we had the farewell luncheon for Elder Gaylon Ball and Sister MaryAnn Ball. They go home on Wednesday. The Balls were our trainers. Ever since our first skype meeting, pre-missionary, we have had a growing friendship, one that will last forever. They showed us the ropes. Took us by our hands and lovingly guided us until it was time to cut the apron strings and set us on our way. We loved hanging out with them and all the wonderful places they took us to. Thanks for a great 7 months together. It's been a "BALL!"

It's been a Ball...actually, two Balls!

Today was also Sister Yuen's celebration luncheon as she retires as an employee at the Temple. She has worked there for 18 years, plus serving as Assistant to the Matron, Sister Wong for the past 2+ years. She will continue in that position till their release at the end of October.

The Temple Presidency with Senior Missionaries and Office Staff
L-R: Rancie, Ngai, Chan, Hui,Yuen, Wong, Ball, Bodily, Lee, Bro. Choi, Sis. Chan, Sis. Yu and daughter

I love this group of sisters: Rae Rancie, Sis. Hui, Deborah Bodily, Sis. Yuen, Nora Chan, Judy Chan, Shirley Ngai,
 June Lee, Sis. Wong, MaryAnn Ball, and Sis. Chan

January 17 (Sunday)

Another special Sunday opening at the Temple. What joy it is to have the Filipino sisters come to the Temple on this special day set aside just for them. Such a strong spirit there and many tears of gratitude. A bitter sweet day for the Balls as this was their last Temple assignment. Sister Ball had worked endless hour coordinating this event. She has developed a template for those who will take over to make it as effortless as possible, which is impossible. It will always require a lot of effort because of all the minute details involved. But we did it and all went well and run very smoothly.

Just a handful of the 140 Filipino sisters that attended the special Sunday opening.