November 4 - 10, 2013

Monday we had FHE at the Warners.  We had a wonderful dinner of taco soup and all the trimmings.  Our lesson was really special.  It was on rescuing the lost sheep.  Each couple was to come with a story of someone who had been rescued or brought back.  Paul shared the story of Rhett Collins, The Victors shared some experiences they had the Boys Ranch, The Hathaways shared a VT rescue, The Hoskins shared              , The Salmons shared Elder Salmon's story and the Warners shared a mission experience.  It was a very special evening.  

Paul stopping off at McDonalds for a treat

 Monday while we were in WanChai to drop off the Branch funds we ran into President & Sister Wan.  They were there saying goodbye to the Fransens who are going home this month.  They served together in Taiwan.  The Wans are going to be serving in the temple on Friday evenings so we will get to see them and when we all get back to the States we will get together.  They are moving back to Harriman.

President & Sister Wan 

Elder and Sister Bertin are also going home early.  They were called by President Uchtdorf to be 

Mission President of an English speaking mission.  It will be announced in February.  So they are going home early to prepare.  They have been wonderful here in Asia.  He was the Area Doctor for all the missions and she processed all the missionaries leaving from Asia.  They live in Salt Lake.  

  This week in the temple we have had some wonderful brothers and sisters from Thailand.  They have been so faithful and have completed much family history.  It has been inspiring to serve with them.

We also have our new Temple Presidency in place.  What wonderful people we have to serve with.  President and Sister Wong, originally from HK but now from Brisbane Australia.  They have three children, two daughters in Australia and one son and his family in SL.  He has been Stake President
here in HK twice, Bishop twice, Area Seventy in Asia so they are well known and loved here in Asia.  President and Sister Hui are also originally from HK but they come to us from Toronto.  Don't know much about them as yet.  President and Sister Yeng have been serving right here in the temple with us all along.  He is security at the temple and she is custodian at the temple and patron housing.  Wonderful people that we all love.  It will be a great time to be in the temple.

Our hearts are still with President and Sister Aki, Tai and Wan.  We loved serving with them.

Saturday evening was the Adult session of the District Conference.  What a wonderful meeting all on missionary work and how the members must step up and become a part of the hastening of the Lord's work.

Velma was there and we had a chance to visit.  She and some of her friends also made it to the temple that morning to do baptisms.  I am so proud of them for the effort and sacrifice they make.  Another typhoon has hit the Philippines and it is a great worry to many of the sisters because their families have been impacted by it.  Many have lost their homes.  Velma seems to be very happy in her new employment.  They treat her much nicer than where she was before.  We love her.  She received a new calling in her Branch, pianist.  She has to learn to use the electronic keyboard.

 After the Adult session we met for a picture in the foyer for a picture.

MJ, Velma, Paul, Paul Sequeria

 Paul has been promising Paul S. to take him to his favorite hamberger place so after the conference we headed over to ThreeSixty.  It is a gourmet grocery story with about five different centers for food.

 As we walked from the MTR to the Elements mall I couldn't help but notice that Christmas was coming.  Poinsettias everywhere and trees and decorations.

Merry Christmas 2013

After a wonderful morning at the temple we had Hong Kong International District Conference.  Somehow we got the time wrong but at the last minute decided to go a little early so we could stop at Prize Mart and enjoy some of the social hour.  I was wondering why everyone was cleaning up when we arrived and then found out the meeting started at 5pm instead of 6.

The music was so beautiful.  The Island 2, Saturday everyday Branch, sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me".  A beautiful arrangement and then later the conductor sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives".  It brought such a beautiful spirit.  This was one of the best meetings I have been to.  All the speakers spoke on the "Hastening of the Work" and our responsibilities as members in this hastening.  Time to step forward and magnify our callings.  Helping the less active.  We all in this together, Catch the Wave.  Exercise our prayer of faith and effort so that when we meet the Savior we can bath his feet with our tears of gratitude.  A new convert from Beijing who is studying here in HK expressed how the Mormon Messages help her to be strong and that our challenges help to make us perfect. As members our job is to help prepare the way.  We succeed when we invite.  It's all about the invitation.  Alma 17:11  "go forth, be patient, show a good example".  Blessings come when missionaries work with Branch and Ward leaders.   Develop humility--can't do anything by themselves, it's important to include everyone.  There is an assurance that comes to us in knowing the work e have done here has not been in vain.  The sheep will be fed.  Christlike leadership--relationships will bless you the rest of your life.

President Tai:  Our prayers and concerns are with our Filipino sisters who have families who were caught in the latest devastating typhoon which just hit the Philippines.  Encouraged all of us to pray for them and contribute to the Humanitarian Fund as possible.  He encouraged all of us to recognize the privilege it is to have the missionaries in our District.  If it is to be it is up to us.  Keep our covenants.  Stand as witnesses and be not ashamed of Jesus Christ, have faith, be welcoming respectful and kind to others, focus and try and opportunities will present themselves.

Sunday session was also wonderful focusing on Faith, the power of forgiveness, repentance, the power of obedience, making and keeping covenants.  President and Sister Wong, new HK Temple President and Matron also spoke.  Pray longer every day and think of your blessings.  Give thanks.  Be grateful for every experience.  President Wong:  In 1996 had completed genealogy research for 228 generations going back to 2020 BC.  Come to the temple to find peace, security and love.  you are never too old or too young to serve in the temple and complete this great work.

President Tai "Peace be Still"  Find refuge in Christ, prayer, scriptures and service.  Where to seek for refuge:  HOME:  family prayer, FHE. scriptures together, love and support each other.  CHURCH: priesthood keys, support those who walk in and are seeking refuge, always be loving and accepting of all who come in.  TEMPLE: when we have storms, run to the temple.  Anchor ourselves in the rock of our Redeemer.  When the storms come we can be blessed.

After conference we had invited our Home Teaching Sisters and others to our home for dinner.  We ended up having 17 of them come.  What a wonderful afternoon.  These are very special sisters, each with a wonderful story of how they joined the Church and the change it has made in their lives.

 Michelle, Maraliz,

Lindzy and her care

Lingling singing in Maderin

Mama Baby, Michele and us

Mama Baby stayed for a few hours and I learned so much about this wonderful woman and the sacrifices she makes for her family.  She is such a hard worker and has several jobs to earn money to take care of her family in the Philippines.  

Paul, always cleaning up.  How I love him for all he does for me.

Mama Baby, MJ, Michelle and Yessie

A wonderful week and can't believe it is November 11 Veterans Day in the States.  We are so thankful for all those through the years who have kept us safe and out of harms way at such great sacrifice to themselves and their families.  We love and appreciate you for keeping America safe.