A Farewell For Seven!

*This was originally posted on September 26, 2016

There are seven missionary couples in Hong Kong whose missions are coming to an end soon.

But, before they do, Elder Tong taught us a few Tai Chi moves to help us stay healthy as we move forward with whatever our futures hold for us.

The Rancies, the Browns, the Chamberlains, the Chans, 

the Whitmans, the Ngais, and the Bodilys 

The First of Two Farewells!

*This was originally posted on September 26, 2016

Typically when a missionary couple is about to leave for home, the temple presidency plans a farewell lunch to give us an opportunity to eat delicious food together, say goodbye, express appreciation for their service.

But, as it turns out,  there isn't just one couple about to leave, but four, and the temple presidency is leaving too. That makes seven couples who will soon be leaving the Hong Kong Temple.

A buffet at the Kimberly Hotel was selected as the place to have this farewell lunch.

This is near the entrance of the hotel.

We tried to keep the Hui's distracted while Elder Chan was preparing a surprise for a little while later.

Plenty of choices to fill our plates.

Elder Chan loves seafood, and is an expert at peeling shrimp.

He even gave me a quick demonstration.

The shrimp were delicious, but seems like too much work for that deliciousness. 

The ice cream was hard as a rock, but Elder Chan came to the rescue.

He went the extra mile and scooped for perfect strangers.

This is Pres. Hui and Isabella.  But, she doesn't belong to him.

The Yuens are Isabella's Grandpa and Grandma.  (Poh poh)

The Chois are a happy couple.

Brother Chan is the youngest looking bishop we know.

He is older than he looks.

One more dish of ice cream before we go.  Elder Chan is Elder Bodily's kind of guy.

Elder John Chan is a gifted artist, and during the last temple closing, he sketched the Hong Kong Temple using the very time consuming technic of stippling. 

 He presented each of the members of the temple presidency with a copy, and generously included the other missionaries 

A bonus print of the Salt Lake Temple was given to President and Sister Wong.
It is the temple they were married in, and just yesterday was their 40th Anniversary.

A photo moment with President and Sister Wong before leaving for the day.

Fanny Chan is becoming a lifelong friend.

Showed the Rancies and Chans Lee's Jewelry.  The future HK Temple President's brother's business.

Rae found the perfect earrings to wear as a token of her time in HK.

It was sure a nice day being around some of our favorite people on earth.

Avon Came Through!

* Originally posted on September 20, 2016

I had hoped to have a custom temple dress made before our mission came to an end.  So, I went to the tiniest professional seamstress I've met, Avon.  I believe she is even shorter than my Mom, whose height was 4'9".  I was pleased with what she had made for me before, so I had every confidence that what she made would be just perfect for the temple.

She does excellent work, and I sensed that she thoroughly loves what she does.

Her years of experience came through. 

 I was pleased with what she created for me.

Charles and Fanny!

*This was originally posted on September 17, 2016

Charles and Fanny Chan are going to be great temple missionaries.  

They both speak Cantonese and English fluently, and are both very likable. 

B2 is being restored, so we had to have the Welcome Dinner for 

Elder and Sister CF Chan

 on Level 1.

 Sister Hui looks classy even in an apron.

Honorable mention by Fanny, my trainee.

Sister Yuen and Sister Hui always prepare a delicious meal for these occasions.

This may possibly be the last time to get our entire group photographed.

Making the walk to Kowloon MTR Station for the train ride home.

The Chois!

*This was originally posted on September 16, 2016

We are going to miss Brother and Sister Choi greatly.  They are two of the most Christlike people we've met.  Sister Choi made me a beautiful shawl, that I will treasure.  As the temple recorder, Brother Choi has gone above and beyond to serve the workers and patrons in the temple.

Sri Lanka Saints!

*This was originally posted approx. September 9, 2016

We didn't know much about Sri Lanka or where it is even located until these members came to the temple this week.  The women speak little English.  Brother Paththini and Alexsanderkrishna can.

 The Paththini De Wage Family

Akisha & Amaya are daughters

The Alexsanderkrishan Family & Paththini De Wage Family

Elisha is wearing a crown and wedding dress.

Her mother, Tekla served a mission in Singapore

She was Buddhist before joining the church.

Brother Alexsanderkrishan was Roman Catholic

She is seven years older than her husband.

Their parents do not know because they would no approve.

Her being two years older would be unacceptable.

It took years before her husband joined the church.

They are the only couple in their branch who married outside of the church, and are still active.

They were able to come with the financial help from three separate members.  If they had not received help, it would be another 10 years before they could come. 

 They had already waited 5 years.

Champika Thushari Lanka made a pearl necklace for me because I gave her children a bag of candy.  It was explained to me that her father is a farmer.

  I told her that my father was also a farmer.

She gave me a note, written by sister Woodruff, thanking me, and considers me an eternal friend.

I wish I could tell Champika in her own language how much I appreciate her kindness.

This was given Saturday morning.

Elder Bodily baptized their son, Thushal 17 and daughter, Deshiko 15 as proxies

I attended the sealings of these above families.

Pathmasiri Gamage Don & Champika Singapulle Archchige

Children - Thushal, 17  Deshiko, 15   Piumi, 9   Gaganyo  1

I helped with the initiatory for each Indian and Sri Lanka sister.

Sister Champika was teary eyed.  

I learned that Sister Woodruff helped Champika read the Children's Scripture Stories for New Testament, Book of Mormon and D & C before their mission ended.  It required spending hours each week and staying up late and splashing water on Champika's face to accomplish.  

Elder Woodruff played cards with the children during this time, and Brother Pathmasiri usually slept on the couch.

Their son is preparing to serve a mission.  He speaks English.  Their daughter speaks English well.

Elder Bodily thinks she is just the cutest girl ever.

The Sri Lanka Saints on the left.  The Indian Saints on the right.
With Brother and Sister Woodruff in the center back.
Champika's husband is in the center.  She is to the left.

The Thais
Father, Mother, Son

This dear sister came to the temple from Thailand more than once during our time in HK.

Yo Yo Ma!

*This was originally posted September 9, 2016

When we learned that Yo Yo Ma would be performing in Hong Kong, we were excited to have an opportunity to watch him perform live.  

The concert hall is just a 15 minute-walk away from our apartment.

Yo Yo Ma is an incredible cellist, and his performances did not disappoint.  However, we were a bit disappointed that he only performed twice as a soloist.  He played a 'few' other pieces with the orchestra.  But, most of the concert was just watching the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.  They are an exceptional orchestra and played beautifully, but we thought we had bought tickets to a Yo Yo Ma concert.  That wasn't what we experienced. 

 Next time, we'll look a little closer at the brochure.