September 17-23, 2012

 The Area and Temple Elders got together for their Monthly Manly Monday lunch group.  There were 15 of them.

Weinersnitzel

  Paul went over with Elder Rhysen.  After the lunch Sister Rhysen and I met them at the train station and we headed for Shenzhan to get my passport stamped with the year work stamp.  Somehow or other it slipped through when we came into Hong Kong the first time.  This gave us an opportunity to go into China.  We took the Kowloon Tong train to the end which puts you right at the border, about 45 minutes.  This is out where the sr. couples were living before they brought everyone into the HarborHorizon apartments.  It would have been a very long trip every day,  (45 min) so again the Lord is blessing us.

The bridge crossing the border into China (Shenzhen)

The Great &Spacious Building on the right

When you come across the border you come out onto a huge square.  Elder Rhysen called the building on the right the big and spacious building, it’s about six or more stories high and filled with little shops.  We went in to find the tailor.  Elder Rhysen was getting some pants altered. We looked around, lots of bartering and lots of shoes, hand bags, phones, clothes and a beautiful area filled with fabric of every kind. We visited the pearl market and got home about 7 pm.  Quite a fun day.

The Rhysens and Mar Jean in the square

 We took the Big Red Bus tour of Hong Kong to get our bearings and see if we could figure out where things are.  We started at 9am and finished about 9pm.  We first took the green tour route which took us to the south side of the island, very beautiful beaches and some of the most expensive real estate in the world.  Many of the bldgs. are $2,500  per sq. feet.  The Lily apartment/hotel was the most expensive bldg. built in Hong Kong.

 We stopped at the Stanley Market where we found some things we were looking for.  Ties for $2, chops, which we will go back for and a really nice women’s dress shop I want to go back and look at.  Also picked up some cute flower purses for the girls.

Stanley Market beach

 Our next stop was a ride on the Sanpan boats in Aberdeen.  This was a boat ride through the Harbor. 

before boarding the boat

passing by the floating restaurant

 Our next stop was the Peak Tram, right next to the US Consulate.  Thought it might be a good idea to know where that is.  It was not a really clear day but the view is amazing.  This tram has been running since the late 1800’s.  It must have been something to get up to those homes years ago, even today it looks like a challenge.  They have another huge mall called the Galleria up on top.

The tram going up Victoria Peak built in 1880's and still running today

View from the top

We then switched to the red tour because now it was about 4 pm.  We stopped off at the Man Mo Temple.  That was so filled with incense and smoke we didn’t stay long.  People pay homage to their ancestors by burning incense and paper and leaving out fruit for them.

We caught the evening tour at 6:15 which took us on the Kowloon side of the harbor pass the ICC bldg., the tallest in Hong Kong and then out to the Ladies market.  The streets have neon lights like Las Vegas but brighter and we finally saw lots and lots of people out on the streets.  We finished up about 8 and walked home along the Avenue of Stars and watched some of the synchronized light show which is on every evening.  We were tired.  

Kowloon streets at night

On our way home on the train

Some facts we learned about HK on the tour.  More billionaires than anywhere in the world.  8,000 sky scrappers, more than twice the nearest competitor, NY.  End of the century 1800’s discovered the bubonic plague was caused by rats.  There was a huge problem here in HK.  The government paid 3 and 5 cents for every rat.  It work worked well until some entreapreures started bringing in rats from China.

Wednesday we were meeting Brother Choi at 12 but finished at the temple at 11 so Paul went across the street to see the Keslers, mission office couple.  As it turned out he helped the AP’s unload a van full of cookies from a member in Wan Chai and we all got a box of yummy butter cookies.

We left the temple at 12:00 to meet Bro. Choi who was taking us to get our HK ID’s.  It went very smoothly.  He said it was the fastest one he had ever done.  Took less than an hour.  From there we went to Wan Chai.  The Victors went on home.  We found the Wan Chai Bldg and went in and I got my flu shot.  Paul got his on Monday when he went for lunch with the guys.  We were determined to find the restaurant they ate at.  It took awhile.  First we found the Triple O hamburger shop.  The Rhysens recommended it.  It’s from Canada.  Very good burgers and great chocolate milk shakes.  After eating there, we found the Friez restaurant in the next building.  We took the Starr Ferry home to Central where we walked around the Harbor Mall.  Another high end mall.  The first floor was all children’s clothes and I mean expensive.  By now our feet had about had it.  We caught the shuttle at the Peninsula Hotel and rode home.

Entrance to the Wan Chai Builiding

Church headquarters in Hong Kong

foyer

Thursday we caught the shuttle at 6:50 and met up with the Keslers, mission office couple, and went a new way to the temple with them.  I think we are finally seeing how some of these trains are the same just catch them in a different place.  Paul officiated the 9 o'clock session and I followed the 1.  Otherwise we were busy in iniatories, Paul baptized again in the baptistery, and was at the veil.  Tonight we stopped off to look at the gym here at the apartment and sat in the massage chairs until they told us it was closing for the dinner hour.  Paul has gone back down for more.

Friday we caught the shuttle at 7:00 along with the Rhysens.  It looks like rain, very overcast and muggy but still no rain even though we have been carrying an umbrella. I was a follower on the 1 pm session.  On our way home we walked to the Wellcom store and Park & Ride.  

Saturday we and the Rhysens needed to be at the temple at 6:45 so we met and took the taxi.  It gets us there in 5-10 minutes.  Saturday is a busy day at the temple. 

Sunday we had a new senior couple join us in the Pen 3 Branch, the Parrys.  They arrived last Monday so now there are four senior couples in our Branch.  Today was the last Sunday for the Rippys who are going home on Tuesday.  Another great day at Church. Our two new baptisms, Sister Lilia and Jocelyn were confirmed members of the Church today.  This Branch is amazing and we are loving them. The Branch missionaries went out in the square today and invited three women to come to church and they came. 

 Elder Lewis and Elder Victor received callings in the Branch today.  Elder Victor was called as Executive Secretary and Elder Lewis as Branch Clerk.  Sister Victor has been helping in Primary with the adorable children they have and I have been going to Relief Society.  Today was Home Teaching after the Block and then we had dinner.  It is a great time for everyone to visit.  Sister Collins, Branch President's wife, will be heading back to South Africa.  They are trying to sell their home there and then she will move here. 

A very American dinner tonight, mashed potatoes, gravy, fried chicken, broccoli,
 and watermelon in honor of the Rippys.

Paul & Brother Paul Sequeira 1st Counselor

Sister Victor, Lewis and Rippy (headed home for Washington State)

The little restaurant we walk by as we leave the Church.  Notice the octopus and intestines on the left.

Some scriptures which have been meaningful to me this week.  Alma 37: 13, 15, 17, 18, 35, 46;
Alma 38:2, 5, 12; Alma 39:8;

Have a great week and remember, remember!!  pray, read your scriptures, give service, and ponder the great love our Heavenly Father has for each one of His children.  Elder Lewis says "I am a child of God, I love Him and I know He loves me."

Missionary Work

From our reading this morning in Preach My Gospel

Joseph Smith  "After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel"  "Let the Saints remember that great things depend on their individual exertion, and that they are called to be co-workers with us and the Holy Spirit in accomplishing the great work of the last days"

Brigham Young "There is neither man or woman in this Church who is not on a mission.  That mission will last as long as they live, and it is to do good, to promote righteousness, to teach the principles of truth, and to prevail upon themselves and everybody around them to live those principles that they may obtain eternal life."

Joseph F Smith "We have a mission in the world:  each man, each woman, each child who has grown to understanding or to the years of accountability, ought...to be qualified to preach the truth, to bear testimony of the truth"

May we continue to learn our duty and do it.

September 10-16

Elder & Sisters Kesler, Hathaways, Lewises, Deans, Rhysens, Victors, Chans, Tais
Temple Missionaries, Mission Office Couple, Temple Presidency

 Once a month we have a FHE.  This month we had a potluck dinner at the Patron Apartment bldg across from the temple.  We ate and then played a really fun jeopardy game.

Sisters Chang, Kesler, Dean, Lewis, Rhysen, Victor

Tuesday we walked down the Promenade, which is a walkway along the harbor.  It's about 1 1/2 miles to the ferry.  It was really hot that day at noon, when we decided to leave.  We took the ferry over to Wan Chi, Hong Kong side, and back and then caught the shuttle back to our apartment.  We are slowly venturing out.

Avenue of the Stars.  Paul with Bruce Lee

A barge going down the harbor.

View of Hong Kong side of Harbor

Sisters Dean, Hathaway, & Rhysen

  We talked Sister Dean into taking us to the wet market closest to us.  It was quite an experience.  We walked thru the meat & fish part, then right next to these stalls were clothes.  On the 2nd floor we found fruits and vegetables.

Some bought beef for stir fry from this gentlemen.

Fish stalls, every kind imaginable

It's a pretty busy place and we were there about closing time.

We decided to walk over to the Patron Housing building which is across the street from the temple one day after work.  The top floor houses temple patrons.  You must do two ordinances a day to stay here.  It also has a chapel, the mission office and the Distribution Center

This is part of the MTR station where we catch the train to get to the temple or go to  Church

The shuttle from the apartment drops us off here and we walk into the station.  We use an octopus card to get in and out of the station.

The small tan bus is the one we catch from the apartment to the MTR.  We usually walk home instead of  waiting for the shuttle. The shuttle comes every 15 minutes and we can walk it in about 10 and we need the exercise

Elder Lewis outside the temple door next to the Church name.

On our way home I took Elder Lewis to see the wet market.  He said once was enough for him.

We had a great day at church.  We meet President Collins, Branch President from Scotland but  has been in Hong Kong for ten years. A great man we are going to enjoy serving with. It was 3rd Sunday so we had Brother Zusuki from the High Counsel plus Brother & Sister Obobu.   

Sisters Arcelli & Christy

We had a baptism after Church.  Sister Lilia, the Elders and other sisters in the Branch

Daylinda, who was baptized in August, Bem Bem & The Lewises

Nida & Sister Lewis

Elder Krainock showing Lilia how to go under the water

Mildred & Sister Lewis before Church

After leaving the Church and on our way to the MTR we passed this restaurant.  That is octopus and duck.

It was a good week at the temple.  Our Mongolian and Indian couples were there most of the week and we got to  serve with them.  What sweet young couples.  I am sure they are a great asset to their countries and the Church.

The Holy Temple

Boyd K, Packer said, “When members of the Church are troubled or when crucial decisions
weigh heavily upon their minds, it is a common thing for them to go to the temple. It is a good place
to take our cares. In the temple we can receive spiritual perspective. There, during the time of the
temple service, we are ‘out of the world. Sometimes our minds are so beset with problems, and there
are so many things clamoring for attention at once that we just cannot think clearly and see clearly.
At the temple the dust of distraction seems to settle out, the fog and the haze seem to lift, and we can
‘see’ things that we were not able to see before and find a way through our troubles that we had not
previously known. The Lord will bless us as we attend to the sacred ordinance work of the temples.
Blessings there will not be limited to our temple service. We will be blessed in all of our affairs” (“The
Holy Temple,” Ensign, Feb. 1995)

MTC, Arrival In Hong Kong, Pen 3 Branch

We finished our service at the MTC by spending  four days at the Provo Temple with Elder & Sister Hammond.  We enjoyed training from the Temple Presidency, Engineer, Recorder, Laundry and a visit with Elder Chay, Seventy from Korea and his wife.  The Hammonds were terrific trainers and we learned so very much.  We were also able to participate in all the ordinances.  The Provo Temple has 4700 workers and does more ordinances per day than any other temple.  Of course, they have BYU and the MTC.  We said our goodbyes to the other couples who were also headed out to Boston, DC, Manhattan, Columbia, Argentina, and Kiev Temples.

On our way home from the Provo Temple we stopped to have dinner and say goodbye to our good friend an former missionary, Linn Justus in Alpine.  We served together in Slovenia.

Sunday evening we met with Brother & Sister Wilson of Sandy.  They had just returned home from the HK Temple as Counselor and Assistant Matron.  We learned many things from them.  And were told we were in for a wonderful treat.  

We spent Sunday, September 2, with Kory, Katie, Tyler, Josh, Gage & Kelly celebrating my  birthday.  We had already said our goodbyes to Kimberly and her family and Rob and the boys.  My favorite, rasleberry pie was birthday cake.

 Monday morning Kelly drove us to the airport.  We went early and dropped off our luggage so we wouldn't have a hassle with it. We meet up with the Victors at the airport and flew out to LA at 10:05.  In LA we transferred to Cathay Airlines and had a 15 hour flight to Hong Kong.  Just lets say that's a long time in a plane.  It was a great airlines and they treated us well, but just a long time sitting.  President Aki and Brother Lau met us with vans to take us to our apartments.

Elder & Sister Hathaway took over from there and gave us a quick orientation of the apartment and left us to go to bed.  We definitely were tired but who could sleep so we unpacked our four bags and finally climbed into bed about 2 am.  Wednesday we had as a p-day to get settled in.  The Victors called about 10 and we were all ready to get out and explore, at least a super market.  We caught a taxi to the nearest bank.  After getting some HK dollars we found a Park N Shop and did some grocery shopping.  Everything was pretty recognizable and we didn't have any trouble finding things we could eat.  We took a taxi home and waited for our host couple to come home from the temple to take us out again to a store called Justco.  Huge place that has about everything you could want.  Paul ended up going with Mr. Magic to get the mattress and things we had purchased from Denise Hagen, the Tuckers sister, and I went with the Hathaways down the promenade, which is right along the waterfront, to Justco where we picked up a few more things to make life more comfortable.

 Sister Rhysen walked us to the temple Thursday morning.  Her husband was recovering from hernia surgery.     Here we are outside the Hong Kong Temple.  We caught the shuttle to the TMC where we caught the train. Got off the train and walked across the walkway and up two streets to the temple.  It is not a bad walk.  We can relate with the Kenleys on the humidity.

Thursday was orientation for us.  We were made to feel so welcome.  What a beautiful temple.  The Hathaways, Deans and Rhysens showed us around the temple. Sister Aki had a wonderful lunch prepared for us.  We were set apart as ordinance workers by President Aki and more orientation by the Hathaways.

We are still getting use to the jet lag.  We have been waking up at 3:30-4:00 every day.  It's slowly getting better.  We served in the temple Friday and Saturday and were able to participate in most of the ordinances.  What wonderful local people we have as  coordinators and we met Sisters Tai and Wan, Assistants to the Matron.  We are very blessed to be serving here with these wonderful people.  Their stories and church service are amazing.

 Sunday, today, was a real treat.  We, along with the Victors, are assigned to the Peninsula Third Branch with President Collins, from Scotland, as Branch President.  He was out of town on business so Brother Wen, Counselor, was presiding.  Elder & Sister Castleton, from the area office, guided us to the building.  It's about a 45 ride on the TMR with three transfers and a walk through a huge mall, very Chinese with stalls of anything imaginable.  Sacrament meeting was great.  This Branch has three families with children so they have a Primary and they have two YM who are Priests.  One set of Elders and they passed the sacrament.  The youth talk was excellent, two sisters spoke and the choir sang.  I was able to join with the choir.  Sister Castleton is the choir director so we went early so she could practice with them. The speakers topic was "wherefore, let all men beware how they take my name in their lips".  After sacrament meeting they had a baptism.  Sister Jocelyn Rodriguez was baptized.

Elder & Sister Lewis, Jocelyn, Sister Castleton, Sister Collins, Sister Victor

 Elder & Sister Rippy are headed home in two weeks,Washington State, and the Branch had a going away recognition for them.  The Primary sang to them.  Sister Rippy has been playing the piano for the Branch,

and then a group of adults sang "And If It So Be That Ye Shall Labor All Your Days".

 This is a new friend, Alma.  She joined the Church ten months ago.  She sent a Book of Mormon home to her husband and son and her husband accepted the gospel and was baptized in August and next Sunday her son will be baptized in the Philippines. She works here.  As you can see, we are in for a wonderful experience with our Branch on Sundays.  Everyone has a touching wonderful story of how the Lord lead them to His true and living Church.  We look forward to hearing every one of them.  Needless to say our first week in Hong Kong has been a spiritual high.  We are grateful and humbled to be serving with these wonderful people.

This morning before our Church we were able to watch the River Ridge Stake Conference, Saturday night session.  What a great meeting, hope none of you missed it.