October 22-28, 2012

Monday we were invited to join one of the Chinese Stakes on their annual senior outing.  Many of the participants are working in the temple with us.  We visited the Hong Kong History museum.  First we went to the Terracotta Warrior exhibit.  Again it was fantastic.  So well presented.  In just a few weeks we will be there in person.  We then went into the permanent exhibit which is the history of Hong Kong dating back to millions of years up to the present.

Hong Kong Stake Presidency

The senior group

After the tour of the museum we took a bus back to the Chapel where we had a delicious lunch.  It was so good of them to invite us.  We had a great time.  We left and took the train to Wanchai to deposit the money from the Branch.

This week we a large group from Thailand, Singapore and Bancock.  The Thailand group had ten own endowments and many sealings.  I was privileged to help in iniatories and Paul helped in baptistry.  We were also on many of the sessions with them.  They arrive on Tuesday morning and are on the 9 am session.  Then after being sealed they continue to attend two or three sessions per day along with the other ordinances.  We developed quite a bond with these wonderful people.

The family history missionaries tell us that Thailand wants a temple of their own.  Last month they submitted 2500 names.  

Paul in the Branch clerk's office working on the records

On the way home from the Branch building we came across a barber shop and he decided it was time for a hair cut.  It was getting pretty long.  They wash, massage, cut and rewash the hair.  He was pretty happy with it.  I also need one but haven't got the courage yet.  We have heard too many horror stories.  I'm waiting to see how Sister Rhyasen's looks.  She went in today, Monday.

On our other day, Thursday, we took a trip to the 10,000 Buddha temple.  It's a hike of about 15-20 minutes to the top and I am sure there are 10,000 Buddas. 

We stopped at the Ikea store which is located close to the bottom for ice cream.  We were able to get a cone for 25 cents so we had one going up and one coming back.  

Saturday at the temple we had several of our Branch members.  One was Paul Sequeira, 1st Counselor in the Branch.  He is single and Paul invited him to dinner on our way home.  We wanted to go to Triple O,  a hamburger place originally from Canada.  We went to the Harbor Mall to find it and it took some doing.  This is a huge and I mean huge mall.  Part of it goes out over the bay.  We walked and walked and walked and on a Saturday that is no easy task because of the many many people.

Another view of the different levels and again this is a HIGH end mall.

 Cruise ships stop off here and dock from Singapore before starting their cruises.

Sunday was our opportunity to speak in Church. I told about us and Paul gave the doctrine.  Disciples of Jesus Christ, highly favored, totally committed and records are important and be sure to come and see me in the Clerk's office so we can get your records correct.  We were happy to be the first of the missionaries to speak, now we can relax.  Sister Lindsy also spoke with us.  She is a new convert of three months and it was her first talk.  She did so good.  She  told a story of a friend who called her after her baptism and invited her to a party and then wanted to know what wine she wanted to drink.  She told her she no longer drank and her friend was very offended and told her not to come.  Several days went by and they spoke again and met for lunch.  The friend better  understood where she stood.  

 I was also sustained as Librarian of the Branch with the instructions to get it in ship shape.  My first time being a librarian.  I should have taken notes at home.  You Librarians always did such a good job, I just showed up at the door and you provided me with whatever I needed.  

This is Sister Yehlan, our Branch Missionary and she is terrific.  I have never seen anything like it.  Yesterday they went out after their correlation meeting and invited two sisters to come to Church and they did.  These sisters, six of them, do this on a weekly basis.  Their investigators are so welcomed and loved that many take the missionary lessons and see a better way of life.  

Have you been to the temple this month?  Only two days left, get yourself there NOW.

Pres. Monson "I pray that you will visit the temple as often as possible.  The temple is a House of the Lord. ....To you who are able to attend the temple, I would counsel you to go often.  Doing so will help strengthen your marriages and family...Temples are places where relationships are sealed together to last through the eternities.  They are filled with faith and fasting.  They are built of trials and testimonies.  They are sanctified by sacrifice and service.  

October 15-21

We want you to know that we go to the temple daily and that it is the highlight of our time here in the mission field.  We meet the most incredible people here in Aria.  Their stories and lives are filled with sacrifice, gratitude and love for the gospel  of Jesus Christ.  Every week we have a different group of people coming to the temple as well as many who live right here in Hong Kong.  Our coordinators and local patrons are the best of the best.  What a privilege to serve with them.  The temple is beautiful and right across the street is the patron housing, mission home, distribution center and chapel.  Across the harbor is the Wanchai building which is ten stories high and houses six chapels, the area offices and area presidency offices and homes.  There are six temple missionary couples and one single sister.  They are Elder & Sister Dean, Elder & Sister Chan, Elder & Sister Rhyasen, Elder & Sister Hathaway, Elder &Sister Victor, Elder & Sister Lewis and Sister Clyde.

miniture of the Wanchai Bldg.

Bro. Suen, gardener and coordinator at the temple

temple entrance

another view of the gardens

Waiting for the shuttle at our apartment.  It leaves every 15 minutes and goes to the MTR  and  to the Peninsula Hotel

a large variety of food

Elder Lewis, Victor & Hathaway

On Monday our senior outing was planned by the Deans (who will be going home in December).  They made reservations for us to go to lunch at the Panorama Hotel.  They have a wonderful buffet which we all enjoyed.  After lunch the men went back to the apartment for fuzz ball, table tennis tournament and the sisters went to the jade market.  After spending some time there three headed home and three of us went on to the ladies market.  We got home about 10 pm.

Sisters Rhyasen, Victor, Dean, and Clyde at the jade market

Just one of a thousand stalls filled mostly with handbags, watches, electronics etc.

As we left the temple Wednesday Sister Dean asked if we wanted to go to the night market.  Sister Rhyasen and I said "YES".  We met at the shuttle at 6:30 and were off.  Took a bus and walked.  We found a few fun things.  It is fun to be with Sister Dean, she is the best bargainer and got us some good deals.

One of the longest escalators we have ever been on.  It goes up to a movie theather

Walking from the temple to the MTS we pass this basketball court, attached to a school.  Paul always wants to stop and play basketball but usually no one is there or a PE class is going on.  On this day these boys were out playing so we stopped and he asked to shoot a few baskets.  As it turned out they are all LDS.  The guy in the yellow shirt is a returned missionary.  What are the chances?

Friday night at the Wanchai they had a musical fireside with Deon Nielsen Price and her son Berkeley A. Price who have performed in China about four times.  It was a missionary program and very well attended. She played the piano and he played the clarinet and then Pres. Hawks, mission president, made some great remarks.  

Elder Siebach was also there and you can see he has been taught well, he is putting the chairs away.

After the concert we went looking for a pizza place I had seen on the way to the night market.  We found it and stopped for a piece of pizza.  It was pretty good and looks like the ones, size wise, like Costo.  

 On the way to the shuttle we passed by the Heritage 1861 plaza with a beautiful fountain, a ballet exhibit in the center and then the building behind which houses shops and an apartment bldg. in the far back.

Hong Kong skyline at night crossing on the ferry

It seemed like we were the only ones on t.he MTR, there are about ten train s connected

 We stopped at the Wanchai Building one day and they had these pictures of church buildings in Asia.  This one is in Cambodia and the one below is in India and Hong Kong building is at the top of this blog.  We, meaning the Church, do a wonderful job for our people.

 We went to Church Sunday a little later than usual.  I think we left about 11.  We had choir practice, Sister Castleton is the choir director and Sister Parry the pianist.  Brother Andersen, District Council, was one of the speakers.  Gave a great talk on doing our callings and told a story I am going to get a copy of and put on the next blog (if I don't forget).  Also one of our newest members, Virgielyn Donasco gave her first talk on faith and Elder Elliot, from England, spoke.  Next week is our turn.  I was assigned a visiting teaching route.  My companion is Marilyn Luzon and we have four sisters.  We were able to meet with Kristy Ann and Florian after the block and talk about "Keeping our Covenants"

Remember "All roads in the Church lead to the temple".  This is where we will find our greatest joy.  Keep the faith and take care of the little things, read your scriptures, pray, FHE and service.  We send our love.

Dr. Rick

My cousin is Dr. Rick.  He writes a wonderful blog.  I suggest it to you.  This week it is in prayer.  You will find it powerful.  Take a few minutes and check it out.

http://ldsshrink.blogspot.com/

"Challenge
Develop YOUR relationship with God by doing the following: 
1) Find a place that you can be alone for just a minute or two. Go there.
2) Imagine like you are the prodigal son/daughter and He anxiously awaits your visit.
3) Feel of His PERFECT love for you -

“Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you … Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God love encompasses us completely. He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love." (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Love of God, October 2009)

4) Follow these steps again, tomorrow and the next day, and the next day...5) Be aware of and follow your impressions. "  Dr. Rick

October 8-14

Chans, Sister Victor, Sister Kesler, Rhyasens, Hathaways, Lewises, Elder Kesler, Elder Victor

On Monday six couples went to Shenzhan for the day.  Paul and I left early because we had to go to Wanchai first and deposit the money and then take the bus back to meet everyone at the train station.  We made it with ease.  

Chinese girls in costume at entrance of park

The Victors, Hathaways, Rhyasens and us hopped on the train and met up with the Chans and Keslers in Fanling and then continued on to the border.  We spent an hour or two shopping at the great and spacious building and eating at McDonalds before catching three taxis to take us to the China Folk Culture Center (very similar to the Polynesian Center).  We had a great day.  The Chans and us took a tram ride around the park.  That was good because we got to see an overview of everything.  Splendid China exhibit is China in miniature and then it took us around the different culture events. 

 

Entrance to the park

Splendid China tram ride

Tram ride around Splendid China, everything in miniature

A portion of the Great Wall in Splendid China

Paul ringing the bell at one of the stops

One of the cultural settings

We saw three really terrific shows.  One was a Battle on horseback show Golden Spear Dynasty, then Dancing Show in Traditional Chinese Costumes New Oriental Apparel, this was really good, and the evening show “A large China’s variety show epic Dragon and Phoenix Dance”.  We got home about 10:30.

Reenacting a battle

Watching the horse battle

Pictures of the evening performance.  We were not allowed to take any pictures of the costume performance.

Young girls on roller skates

The evening performance, dragon with fireworks

Beautiful costumes and dances

  More of miniature China tram ride

 Cultural Exhibits

Elder & Sister Chan

 Back to the evening performance

More of the evening performance

On our way home we had a chance to help someone in need.  There was a women getting through immigration who had two huge bags full of clothes for her shop in Africa, plus a pull case.  She was trying to maneuver all three pieces of luggage up the escalator.  Paul saw her and started helping.  After getting to the top Elder Hathaway took a side, Sister Hathaway took a side and I took another bag and we helped her onto the train and she went to Hung Hom with us.  She was trying to get to the airport for a flight to Africa at midnight.  We got to the train station but missed the bus and finally convinced her she needed to take the taxi in order to get there in time.  She called us at 11:30 and said she made it.  Luckily we gave her one of our cards.  Hopefully someday she will run into the missionaries and she will remember some members were very helpful and listen to their message.

Tuesday we went into the temple early with Sister Clyde so we could watch the training film.  Wednesday we had some Americans in the temple and also a sister from Taiwan received her endowment.  Sister Clyde got to be her escort. 

Thursday, our other assignment day, we went to our Church building and worked on organizing the Branch records.  We took a little time to walk around the neighborhood and thru the two malls we walk through every Sunday.  

The 12th of October was Kory's birthday, Happy 37.  We are so very proud of him.  He is a wonderful son, husband and father.  

Saturday and Sunday were General Conference here in Asia.  The first session was at 11 on Saturday.  We stayed for the two sessions then the Sister Temple and Area missionaries went to dinner while the Elders went to Priesthood.  It was fun to get to know the Area Sisters better.  

Elder Siebach, grandson of our Palmyra Temple President & Matron

Pres. Tia's family (in District Presidency)

The Wens

Paul teaching a YM to do a yo yo trick

Pen 3 RS sisters

Pen 3 Branch members between sessions

Sunday we went over at 9 and stayed for the RS broadcast at 3:00.  The District RS had a light dinner for everyone after the broadcast.  They were showing several languages in the Wanchai building and during Sister Reeves talk it started translating into Korean.  They finally got it stopped and rewound back into English.  Conference was wonderful and we are so grateful for living Prophets.  How blessed we are to have such guidance in our lives.  

Let's keep our covenants and all sit down in Heaven together.