October 1-7 2012

I'm a little slow this week.  Sunday was a very long day, but wonderful.  We went to bed Saturday night about 9:30 and got up at 12 midnight to watch the first session of conference.  Went back to bed for two hours and got up at 4 am for the 2nd session.  Back to bed and got up at 8 am for the priesthood session. Then off to Church at 10:15.  Paul is still trying to get a handle on the Branch Clerk stuff and get the records in order.  We had a wonderful Fast and Testimony meeting.  Pres. Collins started off with his testimony.  He reminded us that servitude is not service.  Families can be together forever and we have an opportunity to be more than we are.  He then invited a new area missionary couple, The Parrys and a new Elder in the Branch to bear their testimonies.  They will be powerful additions to the Branch.  After the Block we had a pot luck dinner.  We got home about 8:30 pm that night.  The good thing is that we can now navigate ourselves onto the right trains to get home by ourselves.  A major step.

Filipino Sisters who are going back home and Sister Jones, teaching in mainland China

 This week in the temple we  had a group from mainland China and from Thiland.  Sister Clyde arrived from Sandy, Utah on Tuesday night.  President & Sister Aki picked her up and the Hathaways, Deans and us came down to meet her.  She is doing well and just needs a couple of weeks to get use to the time change and get her feet under her.  We are quite proud of her.  She came by herself.  She has served in the London and New Zealand temples, sang with the Tabernacle Choir and just finished serving at the Conference Center.

Chinese Sisters who came to the temple and we fortunate to serve them

Sister Victor and I have been swimming almost every day after getting home from the temple.  The weather is getting a little cooler.  Elder Rhyasen said we’ll have to have a contest who will go the longest until they shut down the pool for winter.  Sister Victor’s foot is getting better every day.  The Rhyasens have a daughter and son-in-law here for a few days.  We worked for them Thursday so they could spend time with them.

 We have found some new ways to get to the train.  Now we are walking every day instead of waiting for the shuttle.  With the humidity down it isn't too bad and the time is about the same.  You either walk or wait for the shuttle.

Wednesday after the temple we took the bus 104 over to Wanchai to drop off the church money and then we wandered around for a  bit.  Went to see the new Focus grocery story and took the ferry back across the harbor and caught the shuttle at the Peninsula Hotel which brought us right home.

Monday and Tuesday are holidays here in Hong Kong.  Lantern Festival and Mid Autumn Festival.  The temple is open on holidays so that the Filipino sisters can come to the temple.  It is a mandatory day off for them.  All the missionaries work that day.  Sessions start at 7 am an there is one every hour until 11.  All the other ordinances are also available.  Monday 2000 ordinances were performed.  On Tuesday there were 1268 ordinances.  

Giant lantern in Victoria Park

Elder Lewis waiting for the dragon parade

Sister Whitehead, The Deans, Elder Lewis The Rhyasens,

The firey dragon covered in burning incense 

The Rhyasens, Elder Victor and Sister Whitehead, the Deans and us met at 5:30 Monday night to go to Victoria Park to see the lanterns.  From there we walked to where the parade was going to be and waited for about an hour to see the dragon parade.  Nothing like I expected.  The dragon was a large rope like affair, very long with incense sticks poked into it and they were lit.  The head and tail were very large and had teeth.  Boys carried it on a stick and made it dance up and down, twist and turn.  Once we saw it we headed back and caught a bus right away and got back to our apartment to see the fireworks which were at 9 pm and go for 22 minutes.  Quite spectacular.  It was quite a night and we got it all in.

22 minutes of spectacular fireworks over the Hong Kong Harbour

Tuesday evening after serving in the temple the Victors and us took the train out to Brother & Sister Wen's home where we were having a Branch BBQ.  What a fun group of people.  They were so kind to us and we had great Filipino food, yum, yum.

Bro Jacinto, Paul & Paul Sequeire

Branch members singing karioki

 September 31, 2012 our grandson, Tyler Zachary Lewis, was conferred the Aaronic Priesthood and made a Deacon.  We are so proud of him.  He got to go to General Priesthood meeting with his Dad and Grandpa Golden.

Dad Kory, Tyler, Grandpa Dave Golden

Tyler, Josh, Kory & Gage Lewis

 We know he is going to be a great young man who will honor and uphold his priesthood.  Way to go Tyler!!  Now start getting yourself to the temple each month to do baptisms.  Serve, Serve, Serve, that is where your joy will.  

Tyler & Kory at BYU game

September 23-30, 2012

Paul fulfilling his first assignment as Branch Clerk.  We went out early to the Wan Chai bldg. to meet Elder Rippy and find out where the bank is so Paul could deposit the Branch money.  We walked over with another couple and learned a new way to get to the buses to get across the Harbor.  We got there a little early and were invited to the devotional which they were having that morning.  The Brother who spoke told a wonderful Chinese folk story.  We were able to meet up with Tim Fife.  He looks good, doesn't he? Elder Rippy then walked us over to the bank.

Tim Fife

 We caught the bus back to Hung Hom station just in time to meet up with the temple missionaries.  We were headed to the Terracotta Warrior exhibit at the Museum of History.  It was fantastic.  So well done and we learned a lot.  We went to lunch with everyone afterwards and walked home in some rain along the promenade with the Hathaways and Rhyasens.  

Hathaways, Deans, Lewises, Sister Rhyasen, Victors (Elder Rhyasen took the picture)

Outside the museum, the stairs are painted with the warriors

Tuesday we finished our Big Bus Tour.  We rode around on the red route first.  That was a good choice  because we missed some things the first time and fixed in our minds other places.  

Central District on Hong Kong Island

View of the Harbor from HK

Our first dragon siting

 We switched to the blue tour which is of Kowloon Island.  We dropped off at the Ladies Market and the Jade Market.  I think I might have found the pj's and dresses for the kids.  Also saw the ICC building which is the 4th tallest building in the world.  On the way home we saw a couple of our Elders waiting for a train.  We were in the train.

Paul carrying our groceries from the store, 18th floor by elevator

Sunday was a great day.  We left early and got to the building by 11 so Paul could get logged into the computer to do his Clerk work.  When they went in for their PEC meeting Sister Victor and I were visiting with Sister Mildred and Marilyn, who is investigating the church.  Mildred gave us a bunch of her recipes which I copied down.  We are determined to try them.  They are mostly chicken with vegetables or pasta.  Should be good. 

We were fortunate this morning to watch the RS Conference at 8:00 am our time.  What a great meeting.  I hope you all took advantage of the opportunity to participate.
Our theme for Sacrament meeting today was "Being Faithful in times of Adversity".  We have the most amazing meetings.  Three Sisters spoke and shared stories from their own lives and used D&C 122:7 as their basis. All things shall be for our good.  The why and how of the question.  All is well, God is in control.  We are strengthened.   Job--our trails are similar, family, health, wealth.  No suffering will go unnoticed, all will be for our good.  What am I to learn or change.  Remember our blessings in time of trial.  Trust, build integrity.  The second verse of "I Know My Redeemer Lives".  Care not what man can do for God is in charge.  Adversity is a part of God's plan, if we have faith we will not be afraid of our trials.
Gospel Doctrine is always good.  Claire does a great job.  Our joint meeting for 5th Sunday was taught by President Collins.  He taught a lesson from Gospel Principles about why did you join the Church?  what is it Heavenly Father has in mind for us?  what do we want from His plan?  In the end it boils down to returning to the celestial kingdom with our families.  None of us want to go back alone and our focus needs to be on how we can help our families spiritually return home.
Believe it or not after the block we had and Enrichment activity.  It continued to build on providing a firm foundation for our families.  Everyone was invited to bring a picture or something about their family.  Many had pictures of their children, husbands, parents they have left in the Philippines while they are working here in Hong Kong.  What sacrifices they are making. Then we were divided into four groups and given toothpicks and marshmallows and told to build a tall tower.  It was great fun.

Enrichment activity

Brother Barson from River Ridge 9th Ward sent us a wonderful letter this week reminding  the couple missionaries from our Ward about the blessings of the temple.  Here they are:

1. In the temple, the Holy Ghost may grant us added light and knowledge, and the privilege of receiving answers to our prayers-
2. Regular temple attendance will help us remember our temple covenants involving obedience, sacrifice and purity-
3. A significant blessing of the temple:  it serves as a place where we are taught our responsibility for others-
4. In the temple, we learn that we are part of an inspired and very real plan, headed by the Lord Jesus Christ himself.

To those four, two others come to my mind:

1. Our countenance changes from attending the temple (Alma 5:14,19)
2. Our families are blessed while we're serving in the temple

And to those, we are truly blessed to have the guidance/instruction and the wonderful temple stories from President Thomas S. Monson, "Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, Copyright 2010 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc.,

1. In the temple we can feel close to the Lord
2. The temple lifts and exalts us
3. The temple brings peace to our souls
4. ... in the temple(s), miracles occur -->  the story of the Konietz family, who, living behind the Iron Curtain, received patriarchal blessings where many things were promised - during the time when political barriers between Germany and Poland prevented hope of the realization of the promised blessings, that is, hope without faith;  miracles occurred, promises were fulfilled, sealings performed by the president of the Bern Switzerland Temple, President Percy K. Fetzer, none other than the same patriarch who gave the earlier patriarchal blessings to the members of the Konietz family.  

We have had some wonderful experiences in the temple this week with 19 Mongolian saints being with us all week.  Three brothers and six sisters received their endowment and four children were sealed to parents along with several wives being sealed to deceased husbands.  What a great spirit they brought with them.  Tomorrow and Tuesday are national holidays and the temple will be filled with many Filipino sisters who will have the days off.  One of our own sisters in our Branch will receive her endowment, Mary Jane.  

We love you.  Make some good choices this week and remember Grandpa sends his love and "I am a child of God, I love Him and I know He loves me."

Gospel Insights to Ponder

From the Church News—Visit from Elders Cook, Bednar, Callister and others to the Philippeans

 Elder Callister-- He began by speaking about missionary work and gave counsel to parents. He said that parents have three responsibilities: to prepare their children to serve missions, to enter the temple and to become celestial companions.  He counseled parents to kneel and pray with their children and to teach their children that prayers are answered.He also asked families to study the scriptures, fast together and receive patriarchal blessings.

Elder Bednar also taught that faith is a principle of action and that power comes only when people act on their faith. When one prays one must ask for the power to act in order to gain spiritual power. He taught that agency is the capacity to act and not to be acted upon. He explained that "faith is not merely hoping and wishing but it is acting on something."

Elder Callister encouraged members of the Church to have faith in God and to feast upon the words of Christ for it will tell them all that they should do when they are at the crossroads of their lives. He told the young men to serve a full-time mission and encouraged parents to teach their children the way to righteousness by paying a full tithe and making a commitment to scripture study.

An excerpt from a book I have been reading.                           

Proof, How To Know the Book of Mormon is True  by Tom G. Rose pg. 56-60

Comparison of the Word of God Unto a Seed”

This discourse by the prophet Alma gives us a powerful analogy about the development of faith.  It compares the growth of a seed to how the word of God will swell-within the heart of an honest inquirer.  This analogy is beautifully explained in Alma 32:28-43.  I strongly suggest that you prayerfully read these verses several times.

How do you plant he word in your heart?  What is the word?  Alma was asked this question and his answer is recorded in Alma 33:22.  Planting the word means that you:

·         Believe in the Son of God

·         Believe that He came to redeem all mankind.

·         Believe that He suffered and died to atone for your sins

·         Believe that He was resurrected

·         Believe that you will stand before Him at the judgment day to be judged for your works.

After planting this word (seed) in your heart, you must:

·         Give this word (seed) time to germinate and begin to grow within your mind and heart.

·         Pray and ask God if Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of mankind.

·         Study the scriptures about the life and mission of the Savior.

·         Do your best to live a Christ like life.

·         Keep the Sabbath day holy.

·         Continue to nourish the word (seek) with faith, diligence, and patience.

Will you have faith to plant the word (seed) in your heart?  Only you can answer this vital question.  If you have sufficient faith to try this exciting experiment there are two possible results:

1.   

           It will grow if you do not cast it out by your unbelief.  It will begin as a tiny seedling.

This seedling must be constantly nourished or it will die.  If you sincerely pray and study the word and live the best you can, you will begin to feel swelling emotions within your breast.

These feelings will be real and exciting.  The spout will grow slowly, but steadily,  as long as you nourish it daily.

If you continue faithful, it will become a young tree

With time and constant nourishment and care the young tree will eventually become a mature tree bearing the fruit of everlasting life.

You will receive true joy and eternal happiness (see Alma 32:41-43)

2     

           Or it will die—if you neglect he word (sprout), it will shrivel up and die, because it cannot continue to live and grow unless it receives daily nourishment through your earnest prayer, study, and obedience (see Alma 32:40)

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.