May 6 - 12, 2013

Monday Paul got up early and headed out for our service project.  I got up at 7 and joined Elder & Sister Chan and we headed over to Dr. Lee's office where we helped Paul take off the plastic covering on the metal door which comes down each evening over Dr. Lee's store front.   Paul had already got a good start and Elder Chan brought some stain remover which worked really good in getting the glue to loosen so we could pull it off.  It ended up taking us only an hour to finish the job.I had a lot more pictures of us working along the way but erased them in my camera.  Sister Chan and I also helped.  We were a little sore for the next couple of days, at least Paul and I were.

I then joined Sister Chan, Sister Poon and Sister Tai on a shopping trip around the area we were in.  It was such a fun day shopping with them and having lunch at a really local restaurant.  We came home with a skirt, some t-shirts, aprons, shami, cleaner and who knows what else.

Lunch with the girls.

Sister Poon is coordinator on Saturday.  She came back with the Chans and spent the afternoon.

When I arrived home Paul said we had been invited to FHE with the area missionaries so we headed over to WanChai and had some pizza first and then attended the FHE.  The Watkins had invited Sister Tie, International District President's wife, to show the DVD of her mother's life and her experiences in joining the Church in Japan around 1945. It's an incredible story of faith and conviction.  It was a wonderful evening and Sister Watkins had made some really tasty cookies and had ice cream.

Tuesday at the temple we had a group from Thailand.  They came with their American employer, Sister Riding,  who  said she had been trying to get them to the temple for some time. All of them work for her. They had to save up in order to come.  They received their endowments and were sealed as families forever.  I helped them with their clothing the first day and then followed their session.

Thursday I was serving in the baptistery and we had a small group from Malaysia.  Elder & Sister Boyd from Pleasant Grove were returning from a service mission there and had brought a few of the members to HK with them.  I also got to serve with Paul at the veil.  On our way home Paul took me to Mark & Spencer where I bought some nice cotton tops for the hot summer coming up.

Friday we worked for the Hathaways who have family visiting them this week.

Saturday was very fun.  Sister Aki had invited Paul and I to help with a group of Primary children from the International District who were coming to the temple.  Sister Aki took them around the outside of the temple and showed them the cornerstone and then they came in and Paul and I spoke to them about the importance of the temple in the foyer.  We had three groups and all together we had about 70 children & adults.  Our own Primary from Pen 3 were also there.  Are they not just the most adorable children you have ever seen?  We love them.  Paul helped me make 70 bookmarks to pass out to the children to remember their day at the HK Temple.  (Sister Tai had shown me how to make them and then I wrote on them President Monson's statement.  "Always keep the TEMPLE in your SIGHTS"  May 2013.

I got this picture for Mother's Day today. 

Sister Aki talking with the children in the temple courtyard.

Sunday was a wonderful day.  I received calls from Kimberly, Kory and Kelly.  I have been blessed with wonderful children who picked really great spouses which we consider our own.

What was really fun was that Kim and Laura Bergeson arrived in Hong Kong two days early for their cruise to China.  We met them at their hotel and had brunch with them.

 From their we headed for Church taking the MTR train.  Laura got stuck at the first check in.  Her octopus card would not work.  Problem was we were already all thru.  Paul went back and got it checked and finally they let them in.

We took them through the great and spacious building we walk through to get to the Church

Sa

Entrance to the Chapel

The sacrament talks were on adversity and the influence of mother's in our lives.  Fe and Elder Bingham spoke and Pres. Collins finished up.  Our Primary children and teachers sang and Arcell sang a beautiful  song.  Next week will be her last week in HK.  She will go home to her husband.  Remember she is the one that got married in the Philippines in December.  They are letting her out of her contract early.  Anyway today she did it all.  She lead the music in Sacrament meeting.  Said the opening prayer, taught gospel doctrine and said the prayer for the Branch dinner.  We will miss her but know she is going where she should be.  

Kim and Elder Bingham (he goes home in 3 weeks)

Bro. Jequinto and daughter

Arcelli and Paul

Two brothers from India who were here for Area training.  They had  ten hours and found the Church.  Brother Sonny rain into them and at first he thought they were trying to sell him something and then he realized they were looking for the Chapel.  

Kristy Ann and Arecelli

Proud mother of the girls below.

The Jacinto girls singing to all the mothers before dinner

Mildred helping her group clean up after dinner.

Janet and Letty cleaning up after dinner.

It was a wonderful week.  We love the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We not only have a testimony of His life and gospel but we also hope our conversion is evidenced in our actions.  Be faithful.  

"This life is a test.  It is only a test—meaning that is all it is.  Nothing more, but nothing less.  It is a test of many things—of our convictions and priorities, our faith and our faithfulness, our patience and our resilience, and, in the end, our ultimate desires.  In the long run, as Alma taught, whatever we truly desire, we will have.    Alma 29:4    The mortal experience is largely about vision—our vision of ourselves and our ultimate  Big Finish."  (thoughts from Sheri Dew)  Thanks Lingling for lending me the book "No Doubt About It".