April 1 - 7, 2013

 Today was another Holiday schedule and the temple was open on Monday for sessions at 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.  I was in the initiatory area most of the day and Paul was in the baptistery.  Even though it was a light day we did over 1000 ordinances.

After our temple assignment several of us went with Pres. & Sis Tai to the Peak to see where Matthew Cowley dedicated Hong Kong.  We found the rock where the date was inscribed.

Here is the journal entry of Matthew Cowley:  "We went up on what is known as the 'Peak', the highest eminence overlooking the beautiful city of Hong Kong and onto the mainland of China and there we officially opened the mission by a brief service, each of us praying in turn.  I will never forget the prayer of Brother Henry Aki, who, as he stood there, facing his homeland with its 465 million inhabitants, poured out his soul to God that he might be the means of bringing salvation to his kindred people.  What great odds, brothers and sisters, one man holding the Priesthood of God among four hundred and sixty-five million of his race!  I was never so impressed with the preciousness of the Priesthood of God as I was when the dear Chinese brother, who felt the burden that was upon him, implored God to bring salvation to his people."

View of the backside of the Peak looking at Aberdeen

At the Oct 1951 General Conference Brother Henry Aki said:  "When we were up to the Peak of Hong Kong we could look on the other side to China proper and on this side we could look into the Hong Kong Bay.  We went there with Brother Cowley to dedicate the land for the opening of the mission.  While we were there Brother Cowley called each of us to take turns in praying and I shed tears facing my ancestors, my great-grandfather and my forefathers, that I, the only one having the privilege to hold the Priesthood, had come up to the land of China, to spread this Gospel of Jesus Christ among the people."

Journal entry of the mission president, Hilton A. Robertson on 14 July 19149:  "Another outstanding day in the mission.  we went to Hong Kong and to the Peak south side where prayers were offered by Brother Aki and myself and then Apostle Matthew Cowley prayed officially opening the mission.  It was an inspirational hour of worship and thanksgiving to God, our Father in Heaven, for our safe arrival and for the blessings of employment in His kingdom among the people of the most populous nation so overridden by so many calamities of nature and man."

Waterfall on the way down the path to the dedication spot 

July 14, 1949 Hong Kong dedicated by Matthew Cowley 

Elder & Sister Chan, Lewis,and Hathaways

Elder Chan, Hathaway, Sister Lewis, Tai, Poon, Chan, Bro. Poon 

Sister and President Tai, 1st Counselor and Assistant Matron of Temple

100 year old Cable car at the Peak

On Thursday after serving in the temple for the holiday Elder & Sister Victor and us met the Primary children at Stanley Beach for an activity.  What a fun afternoon we had.  They all went early and had a good day playing in the sand.  After we got there Sister Nida gave a lesson and Sister Victor talked to the children about thinking of others and giving them a gift they would like and not something we would like.  She then gave them each 20 HKD to go find something.  This was not an easy task.  Shannon and I went together.  Everyone split up and we were to meet back in 45 minutes at the playground.

Nida, Paul, Sister Victor, Paul S., Rowena, Guilian, Megan and Shannon 

Elder Victor waiting for all of us to return.

On Fast Sundays we go with Elder and Sister Chan to visit some of the local Chinese Wards and Branches.  This Sunday we attended the Lantau Island Branch.  It reminded us of Slovenia.  They have a delightful Branch.  Everyone was so welcoming and friendly.  Several people we knew from the temple.  Sister Ho is a coordinator on Thursday evening and one of the brother's is a security guard at the Wan Chai bldg.

This building has a large room for Sacrament meeting with two rooms off to the side with these  tv's so wherever  you are in the building you can see the pulpit.  They also have the same configuration on the 2nd floor.

Sister Ho and two of her boys.  Their older brother are good friends with  Elder Maddux who served here.

Elder & Sister Chan and two of the priesthood holders

The Elders (Ford and Au) assigned to this Branch.  Elder Ford was in Peninsula 3 when we first arrived.

 Elder & Sister Chan and Elder Lewis (in Cantonese) all bore strong testimonies of this great work.  We have very strong members in this area of the Church.  We had to leave after sacrament meeting to get to our Branches meeting.  When we arrived we met President & Sister Aki who were in our building for the baby blessing of one of their missionaries who had their baby blessed.  Pres. & Sister Aki was the mission president here in Hong Kong ten years ago.

Today was the 171st RS birthday celebration during RS.  They did such a great job.  It was really fun.      The program consisted of friendship express. You see us all sitting at tables.  One side stayed put and the other side moved.  We spoke with the person across from us for about 1 minute to learn something about them.  What fun.  The funniest part was in sharing.  We learned that Sister Watkins has a talent of touching her tongue to her nose.  I didn't get that picture.  Then a special musical number by Sister Carol Collins, Branch President's wife, beautiful song and voice.  Then we exchanged "My Birthday Wish".  We each wrote something we would like for our birthday and then they were put on the table and we came up and picked up one.  We have Janet and she wants a delicious dinner or taken to a buffet at a hotel.  That will be fun for us. Then a video clip "Something Extraordinary and ended with testimonies from Sister Lingling, Staci Hosford, HK District RS President, and President Collins.

Lingling, RS President, gathering the Birthday Wish

We ended with a wonderful dinner and some great carrot cake by Rowena.  We didn't have to clean but still got home around 8:00.  A wonderful Sabbath day.

Oh, I forgot.  Sunday morning at 12:00 am we got up to watch Saturday morning conference, first session.  Then went to bed at 2 or at least Paul did.  We were having trouble with our MagicJack and I had to call them again to get our 5 years added and that took until 3.  We got back up at 4:00 am to watch Saturday afternoon session.  Then we got up at 7 to leave for church with the Chans at 8.  I was very tired by the end of the day and went to bed way before my usual time of 10 or 11.  Oh, in between getting to the Peninsula Branch I came home because I forgot the speaker which we needed for the video.  I made it in record time.  I left the bldg. at 12:30 and returned by 2 so didn't miss any of Sacrament meeting.

After listening to conference all I can think of is how very blessed we are to be members of Heavenly Father's true and living Church.  How blessed to be on the earth when it has been restored in its fullness.  How blessed we are to be sealed to our family forever and how blessed to be serving the Lord together with Paul.