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