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.