Elder William's Message

Our branch had an unexpected visit from Elder Gerrit W. Gong, and Elder Robert William.  Elder Gong is a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and is the Asia Area President.  Elder William is an Area Seventy.  You wouldn't know it from his name, but Elder William is from India.

 He spoke briefly at the end of our Sacrament meeting.  What stuck with me the most was the saying that he shared, which is well-known in his country.  He said it first in his native language, and then in English. "A mother will feel more joy to hear that her children live righteous lives, than she felt the day they were born".  This made me think of one of my favorite scriptures found in 3 John 1:4 - 'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth'.  I suppose knowing that all of my children are keeping the covenants they have made, means everything, and brings me more joy than what I felt the day they were each born, which of course, brought a lot of happiness to my heart.

Stephen Lee Is Retiring!

Brother Stephen Lee has been the recorder for the Hong Kong Temple

 since it was dedicated 19 years ago.

The time has come for him to retire.

What will he and Sister Lee do now?

Travel the world.

The temple presidency threw a small retirement party in his honor.

Brother and Sister Lee

A sampling of the feasts we are treated to by

 our temple presidency and their incredible wives.

Remember the post about the rose-shaped baked apples?

That was Sister Lee's creation, and here is another of her amazing desserts that she prepared 

special for Brother Lee's retirement party.

A swan-shaped creme filled pastry, all hand made by her.

I am going to miss her delicious contributions to our celebratory dinners.

We are going to miss Brother Lee and the tremendous help he is to all of us

 at the Hong Kong Temple.

Happy Retirement, Brother and Sister Lee!

A Wedding In Hong Kong!

As we walked out of our apartment complex one morning, we came upon a small group gathered for what looked like a wedding.  The scene spurred on our curiosity.  Whether the ceremony had yet to take place, or was already over with, we aren't sure.

All, but the Bride and Groom, were dressed in formal attire, much like we would see in America.

The bride and her groom were wearing something, I expect was traditional for Asia.

It appears that it is the responsibility of one of the bride's attendants to follow her around, holding a parasol over her to provide shade, or protection from rain, whichever the case may be.

It must be a Chinese custom for the groom, rather than the Maid of Honor, to carry the bride's bouquet.  One can't expect a bride to carry her bouquet and her I-phone at the same time.

Just around the corner a car was secretly being decorated.

Guess that isn't just an American tradition.

No idea the make or model of the car, but it was stylish with red-side-walled tires, and surely a classic.  Something special indeed, for the newlyweds.

We are wondering if the Best Man was expecting a flood.

Best wishes to the Bride and Groom, whoever they are!

Where is Grandma B?

These Are Wonderful People!

President Wong has given us the assignment to give an orientation to those from Thailand and India staying in Patron Housing.  This means we are the first to welcome them when they come to the temple for the first time, and assist them along the way.  We love this assignment because it gives us the opportunity to spend extra time with these dear humble people.

On May 12th Brother Santhosh Ratan Shyam Prasad and Sister Mary Smitha Domnic 

were sealed for time and all eternity.  Mary is so lovely, and has what I believe is the longest length of hair I have seen. 

Brother Shivaraj Veerapathiran and Sister Grace Asha Kiran Shyam Prasad, 

and their sons, Ruthwik Veerapathiran, 8 and Suprathik Veerapathiran, 5
were sealed as an eternal family.
 It was a happy day.

Grace and Santhosh are sister and brother.  

The Prasad and Veerapathiran families invited us to Patron Housing to eat dinner with them.  They prepared an Indian dish and we ate it Indian style - everything with our fingers.  We had our first taste of Naan (Indian bread), and it was delicious.
Not sure I will ever get use to curry though, and the heat it produces.

This family shares so freely with what little they have, and it was a treat to spend time with them.

____________________________

The following week, we had a delightful time meeting and getting acquainted with the Bathula, Relangi, Kora, Srilakshmi, Muppidi, Prathi, and Carlisle families, all from India.

 Brother Bathula and Sister Satyavati Bathula with

Elder and Sister Bodily at Patron Housing.

Sister Satyavati does not speak English, but we seemed to understand each other's hearts.

 The Bathula's extended family!

Sister Eddu Srilakshmi and her husband and daughter.

The Relangis are newlyweds.

The Bathula family

Rachel Kumari Mappidi & Sujnana Raju Muppidi, and Manindra Varma Prathi & Bhagyasri Prathi, and me.

 Supriya Muppidi, the daughter of Sujnana and Rachel, came to the temple

 to receive her own endowment.

Manindra and Bhagyasri Prathi were sealed as a family for time and all eternity.
They have waited 7 years to be able to come to the temple.

Beautiful Varnaashraya and Varnakshaya holding the train of their mother's wedding dress.  

They are 3 and 5 years old.

Bhagyasri asked me to help her with her veil.  I was honored to do so.

Standing with Ryan C. Carlisle.  He was being sealed to his wife and two adorable boys.

It was easy to remember his name. 

 He is only a couple of years younger than our own Ryan

 would be.

Ryan and Jennifer R. Carlisle and their boys, Justin (4), and Jaden (2).

Where is Grandma B?

Surrounded By Good Women!

Sis. Kate Hui, Sis. Kathy Wong, Sis. Helga Wilson, Sis. Shirley Ngai, 

Sis. MaryAnn Ball, Me, Sis. Nora Chan, Sis. Yuen

These are fine women who I have the privilege of serving with in the Hong Kong Temple.

Life is good!

A new thing to our blog, primarily for our grandchildren. We will be posting pictures titled:

Where is Grandpa or Grandma B? You are to find one of us in the picture and report as quickly as possible to see who can find us first? 

The first two pictures are below, ready, set, GO!

Primary and Secondary Assignments!

As Temple Missionaries, our assignment is to work four 7-hour days a week at the temple, use Mondays for preparation, and Sundays for church attendance.  The one day left in the week is considered an 'Other Assignment' day.

We have PRIMARY and SECONDARY 'Other Assignments'.

PRIMARY 'OTHER ASSIGNMENTS' include:

1.  Serving in the temple on holidays and on other busy days when large groups are in the temple.

2.  Studying in the temple, ordinances in one's own native language and perhaps another language, if they desire.

3.  Compensatory time off for personal needs, when the temple is open on a Monday.

4.  Doing missionary work.

5.  Illness or fatigue.

6.  If there is a 'holiday' during the week when the temple is closed, OAD becomes that holiday for all missionaries.

7.  Serve in branches in the International District in various capacities according to the instruction of the local leaders.

Then there are SECONDARY 'OTHER ASSIGNMENTS'.

President Wong has just given us our first Secondary 'Other Assignment'.

We are to update contacted information of temple missionaries and their birthdays.  This was previously Elder and Sister Wilson's responsibility, and they have sent us a link to a great e-card site.  This will make it possible to send a nice birthday greeting to our fellow missionaries, in a convenient and cost-free way.

We expect this assignment will not be too difficult.

Welcome, Elder and Sister Ngai

Elder Charles and Sister Shirley Ngai have arrived.  They were both born and raised in Hong Kong,  but they have lived in Canada most of their married life.  However, they still have family living here.

They just happen to be good friends with our temple president, President Patrick Wong. 

Elder and Sister Ngai are fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, and will be very helpful to this presidency and the temple patrons, and certainly an asset to the Hong Kong Temple. 

 We look forward to getting better acquainted with them and serving in the temple together.

This Is A Special Place!

The last couple of days in the temple have been terrific.  I have been able to participate in baptisms, confirmations, initiatories, and endowments.  Yesterday was the first time I was able to help someone with their personal initiatory and endowment.  The Spirit was so strong, it was so special, just unlike anything I have ever been a part of.  This is a special place with special people.  I have never had such a hard time of controlling my emotions.  It is special.
Elder Bodily

Solomon's Farewell in Island 1st Branch!

Elder and Sister Solomon spoke in Sacrament Meeting today. 

 It was their last Sunday in the Island 1st Branch before heading home.

They both gave good talks, and I especially won't forget Sister Solomon's message:  

'I have no regrets', and each of us should live our lives 

 in such a way that we have no regrets either.

Sister Solomon went out of her way to make sure we clearly knew the best way possible to get home from the Wan Chai Chapel.  She is a sweet lady, and even though we have only known her and Elder Solomon for a short time, we will miss them.

Welcome and Goodbye!

This is a picture of the temple missionaries, the temple presidency, the temple recorder and a sweet sister that works in the office that can do everything.

This photo was taken after a wonder Chinese meal served to us by the presidency as a going home and coming party.

We were in awe of the dessert served, and I couldn't resist taking a picture.
Our temple recorder's wife, Sister Sonia Lee made these baked apples that looked like roses.  I hesitated eating mine knowing the time and work Sister Lee had to have gone to, in creating such a work of art.   But, I didn't hesitate for too long, because they looked scrumptious, and sure enough, they tasted as delicious as they were beautiful to look at.
It is obvious that Sister Lee is a talented woman, and if I knew her better, I would ask her to teach me how to make something so delectable.

Oops!  I digressed!
Elder and Sister Solomon have completed their mission and are going home to Arizona Tuesday morning and we are the new comers.  However, next Friday we get some other new missionaries so we will no longer be the new guys.

We had a wonderful time and feel very welcome by these wonderful people, we are so blessed.

What A Wonderful Day!

President and Sister Hui's daughter, Angela came to the temple today to receive her own endowment, as she is preparing to move to the states.

I had the unexpected pleasure of assisting Sisters Ball and Wilson
 with the Initiatory ordinance for Angela.  

Wow!  What an experience, and a first time for me to help with someone receiving their own Endowment.  I felt overwhelmed by the Spirit.
 I couldn't hardly get the words out that needed to be said.
I can only hope more experiences such as this, await us as we continue serving here as full-time missionaries in the Hong Kong Temple.
Our mission is such a tremendous blessing from the Lord.

I want to tell you about my day in the Hong Kong temple today. The problem is, I don’t know how to express it in words, I just don’t know the right words, but I will do the best I can.

      Today was a ‘mandatory holiday’ in Hong Kong, I am not sure what that really means but I do know that the temple workers knew to have everybody scheduled from 6:30 am - 1:00 pm because they knew all these wonderful sweet sisters who normally have to work would show up at the temple as soon as they got a day off. And show up they did.

      I was privileged to be able to receive at the veil for three overly filled sessions that was 90% women. Today we had a group from Mongolian, Thailand and the sisters from the branches here in Hong Kong, who are from the Philippines. 

     These women do not get to come often, a lot know very little or no English, and I know no Tai, Mongolian, Tagalog (spelling? whatever the Philippine women speak, they really don’t know what to say, but they have a desire more than anyone I have ever seen. 

     This one sweet little bitty sister, not even close to five feet tall, worked so hard to get through the veil, and when she did she just kept saying, “I made it, I made it, I finally made it.” It was so cool to witness and be part of.

     As I was bringing these sweet women through the veil the spirit was so strong I couldn’t hardly get the words out, I was crying, they were crying, the ordinance worker on the other side of the veil was crying, it was just incredible. 

     I was drained from the spirit, it reminded me of when Joseph Smith made a comment to whoever was with him after a vision and the other guy was just drained from energy and Joseph said, something like, “it drains you doesn’t it, but it get easier as you go”. 

     On my way away from the veil Sister Wilson, another sister senior temple missionary who is on her second mission at this temple, ask me how my day at the temple was so far today, I just lost it, I was crying like a baby. I couldn’t even get words out  to say how wonderful it was. I have never felt like that before. It truly was one of the most spiritual special experiences of my life. I wish I could adequately explain how I felt, but I just don’t know how. 

     So I just hope you know that I am feeling extremely honored, humbled and blessed to be here serving in this special one of a kind temple. It is special. 

     The church is true. It is Jesus Christ’s church, and He is in control and will get His work done, in spite of all the weaknesses of people like myself. We do have living prophets now, today, here on the earth that can and do tell us what we need to know to be able to accomplish our goal on the earth. 

WOW, WHAT A DAY!

          Elder Bodily