February 25 - March 4

Monday we did the usual things like going to the grocery store which usually includes several stops.  I like certain things from certain stores so we go to the International Shop & Park, then to the little produce market, then the Welcome store.  The big job is hauling it all home.  You have to be careful how much you buy and how heavy it is going to be.  Paul is very good to me and usually carries it all himself.  What a good guy.  I am very blessed.

That evening we had FHE.  The Victors were in charge and what a great evening.  We watched the movie "17 Miracles" in the club projection room.  Elizabeth Panting is his great great grandmother.  She is the sister who had the two children who left her husband because of his abuse.  He looked for her on the train and looked right at her and the children and did not recognize them.  Elder Victor said there were actually four miracles in her life instead of just the three portrayed in the film.  He shared many wonderful things about her life.  Of course, you cannot watch this movie without a box a kleenix.  They sent us home with a bag of cookies.  Unfortunately you cannot eat in this room so no popcorn.  

Sister Clyde, Lewis's, Elder & Sister Chan

Elder & Sister Hathaway, Sister Clyde, Sister Chan, Sister Lewis

This week in the temple we had a group from Beijing,  What sweet sisters.  One mother and her daughter came to the temple for their blessings.  They have been members for two years.  Right after joining the church she came down with something that left her blind.  They continued faithful even though they had to travel two hours to church and this week they were able to come to the temple receive their endowment and be sealed to her deceased husband and daughter.  We serve wonderful people this every day.

Elder & Sister Chan, Sister So (right) other Beijing sisters

This week I told a couple of sisters I needed to learn Mandarin since we had mandarin speakers all week.  They were really excited and spent some time teaching.  It will be awhile before I get this language down.  

Sister Clyde and I  went into the youth center after lunch and there was a young boy (8) waiting to be sealed to his parents who were from Thailand.  We were able to assist in getting him dressed and showing him some pictures of what to expect.  Another special experience.  We also got to help with several own endowments in initiatory.  Sister Victor got to help with her first one here in Hong Kong.
Paul was involved with these sisters in the baptistery all week.  He also spent some time on his other assignment which is organizing the training materials.  Our preparation meeting this week focused on "how do you envision the Hong Temple ten years from now".  We are waiting to receive a summary of the suggestions.

Elder Lewis leaving the hosptial

Sister Clyde's most delicious dinner.  Lucky for her Sister Aki brought  in some food for her.

Saturday just as Sister Clyde was to follow the 1 am session she got a nose bleed.  I met her upstairs where she was trying to get it under control.  President Aki gave us a ride home and I went with her to her apartment where it was still bleeding.  We got worried and called Elder Bertin, mission doctor.  He told us to go to the hospital.  Paul got a taxi for us and off we went.  We were there a couple of hours and then then took her by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth hospital.  I rode along with her.  They were finally able to get it plugged and gave her some medication to stop the bleeding.  Then ended up keeping her two days.  She came home today and was very happy to be back in her own apartment.  It was quite a weekend.  She is much better today for which we are very grateful.  

Sunday was Fast and Testimony and we had a very spiritual meeting with many of the sisters bearing strong grateful testimonies.  After church we had a baptism of Jeanette Darang.  The wonderful thing about her baptism is that her husband and child in the Philippines are also having the missionary lessons.  

Paul Sequeira, Elders Roper & Bingham, Jeanette, Mary Jane

After the baptism we had our potluck dinner.  It was delicious.

Jose with his friend.  It happened to be her birthday too

Aestra & Sister Lewis

Afterwards some of the sisters were practicing a dance they are going to be doing at a District activity.

In an email we received this week, we read a message which touched our hearts.  It reminded us that we need to be temporally and spiritually prepared and suggested that it should be an individual responsibility.  Make a goal relating to the following question "What can I do to draw closer to the Savior?"  It was suggested we read and ponder from the Book of Mormon every day, that we develop a sincere and grateful relationship with the Father through fervent prayer.  We challenge you to make a goal for yourself.