We received this invitation to join Elder and Sister Funk with the other missionaries for a dinner and fireworks at their home on the eleventh floor of the Area Office Building in Wan Chai.
It is all in celebration of Chinese New Year.
Their invitation cleverly illustrates this is
The Year of the Monkey
The dinner was held on the 7th floor in the RS Room,
and was nicely decorated with cherry blossom floral arrangements and Chinese wall hangings.
The tables were beautifully set, complete with place cards.
Sister Coffey's Jalapeño Cream Corn was a hit with everyone.
I would like to have had some of everything, but my plate wasn't large enough.
We brought Coconut Blondies for dessert.
English cream cake, cinnamon rolls, and chocolate bundt cake were among the choices,
and of course, peanuts because the Chinese love those.
The most beautiful was a fruit tray created by Sister James, which even included the head of a swan.
Sister Funk was so impressed that she held it up for all to see.
We were seated with the Macbeths, Towers, Whitmans, and Ortons.
President Wong looked dapper in his Mandarin collared jacket.
and of course, peanuts because the Chinese love those.
Sister Funk was so impressed that she held it up for all to see.
Elder Bodily and Elder Towers thoroughly enjoy sharing hunting stories.
Sisters Coffey and Macbeth in their beautiful almost identical Chinese tunics.
Sister Funk explaining her gift to each of us, which had been wrapped around our napkins.
Elder Bodily's has a jade monkey attached to represent the
Year of the Monkey. Sister Bodily's has gold coins to represent prosperity.
Elder Sam Wong telling of Chinese traditions.
The first day of the Chinese New Year is spent visiting the paternal parents, the second day is for visiting the maternal parents, with no arguing allowed.
The third is to visit others and arguing is allowed.
Sister Funk gave each table an object to come up with a parable for,
and then share it with the group.
Elder Chamberlain and the Parable of the Flashlight.
and then share it with the group.
Elder Chamberlain and the Parable of the Flashlight.
Sister Pack and the Parable of the Glasses.
Elder and Sister Brown and the Parable of the Glove.
Sister Smith and the Parable of the Umbrella.
Elder Macbeth was spokesman for our group.
The Parable of the Spoon.
My personal favorite.
Our group included Elder & Sister Funk and Elder & Sister Sam Wong and Pres. & Sister Patrick Wong along with the Macbeths, Roberts, Smiths, Ortons, Browns, Towers, Us, Lees, Chamberlains, Whitmans, Packs, Coffeys, Edwards, James, Rancies, Chans, Nora Chan. The Carringtons and friends of the Chans were the only guests who are not missionaries.
The Ngais and the Holbrooks were the only missionaries unable to attend.
Sister Wong and Sister James
Two wonderful women I have had the pleasure of serving with.
This is what fireworks looks like from the eleventh floor on Gloucester Road.
It was a great view, and the weather was ideal for watching,
and it wasn't crowded like the streets below.
The display went off constantly for over 20 minutes.
If you used your imagination, some even looked like monkeys.
An opportunity to have President Wong take our photo while standing on the balcony of a general authority's residence with fireworks going off behind us in Hong Kong.
Quite an unexpected experience.
It surprised us when Sister Funk offered to give us a personal tour of their apartment while we waited for the fireworks to begin, and of course, we were all for it.
It surprised us when Sister Funk offered to give us a personal tour of their apartment while we waited for the fireworks to begin, and of course, we were all for it.
There is nothing ostentatious about their home. It is not spacious, but more than adequate, and simply decorated with pictures of family and reminders of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Most importantly, a home where the Spirit is felt.
Sister Funk pointed out a beautiful piece of artwork of a lotus flower hanging on their wall
that reminds her of the temple and the purity of women.
This was one of the most special moments of the evening for us.
Getting a hug from Sister Funk as we said goodnight and expressed our thanks
was nice too.
Our mission here brings opportunities we didn't foresee, but are so grateful for.
Just being around these faithful servants of the Lord, is a privilege and an added bonus to the blessings we daily receive here on our mission.
Most importantly, a home where the Spirit is felt.
Sister Funk pointed out a beautiful piece of artwork of a lotus flower hanging on their wall
that reminds her of the temple and the purity of women.
This was one of the most special moments of the evening for us.
Getting a hug from Sister Funk as we said goodnight and expressed our thanks
was nice too.
Our mission here brings opportunities we didn't foresee, but are so grateful for.
Just being around these faithful servants of the Lord, is a privilege and an added bonus to the blessings we daily receive here on our mission.
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