Monday, August 29, 2016

The Timing of Sister Chung & Sister James!

I have been searching for white fabric, in hopes of having a temple dress custom made before we leave Hong Kong.  It seems to be well known that Shenzhen is the best source for fabric and tailors, but since we aren't allowed in mainland, thats not an option.  So, I checked out a shop in Tsim Sha Tsui with beautiful silks, but too high of prices.  Then I tried a couple of tailors and found some pretty silk brocades, but nothing in pure white.  So, after my shift at the temple, I boarded the train for Sham Shui Po to check out the fabric markets.  I wasn't sure which street to even begin, but I headed to Nam Cheong Street, and low and behold, I met up with Christina Chung.  I had just seen her earlier at the temple, as she is the shift coordinator on Saturdays.  Christina was with Sister Tsung's daughter, and was also looking for fabric in hopes of sewing her a dress before she leaves on her mission to Minnesota.  I thought, what are the odds that we would be walking the same street in all Sham Shui Po at the same time.  Some say its coincidence, but I think not!  
When I told Christina what I was looking for, she knew which shop would be the most likely to have what I was looking for, and insisted on walking me there.  And of course, she could communicate with the shop owner much better than I in explaining what I needed.  Unfortunately, it seems polyester silk isn't available in pure white, at least not in Hong Kong.  It was beginning to look as if I would be going home without a new temple dress.  So,  I headed back to catch the shuttle at the Peninsula.  Coincidentally, Sister James also caught the shuttle, and when I explained the difficulty I was having in finding white fabric for a temple dress, she suggested I try Western Market on Des Voeux Rd.  I hadn't heard of this place, but it was my last hope and worth a try.
The following Monday, Elder Bodily and I went to Sheung Wan and found this red brick building.
The entire 2nd floor is divided into individual shops each stocked with yards of fabrics.  At the first shop we stepped into, we were greeted by Simon Lau, and when I told him what I was looking for, he quickly found a roll of Italian cotton blend in the purest of white with a pretty design.   However,  I couldn't bring myself to buy the first thing I saw.  So, I checked every other shop for something that might be even better.  Mr. Lau even helped me look. But, there wasn't any other roll of pure white on the entire 2nd floor.  Mr. Lau also agreed to sell it at a reduced price.   Now, I'm anxious to get it over to Avon so she can get started on it.  It would be nice to wear it once before we leave next month.

Something to think about:
If I hadn't met up with Sister Chung, the timing of me getting on the shuttle would have been different, and I would not have seen Sister James that evening. Therefore, I most likely would not have learned about Western Market, and thereby, found something suitable for a temple dress.
I know the Lord knew this was something important to me, and worthy of His help, so he timed things to help me accomplish my desire.
I consider this a tender mercy from Him, and I'm thankful for it.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Big Bites!

Ever since the Ortons invited us to Big Bites, we have been wanting to go back again with Chans, since they are from Canada, and Big Bites happens to be the Canadian Burger place in Hong Kong.
It turns out they serve pretty good burgers and root beer floats too.
So, we had a perfectly planned excursion, or so we thought, until we arrived to find the place closed.  We discovered that we had a half hour to spend before they opened for business.
Elder Bodily spotted a hair salon across the street, so why not take advantage of the extra time and get a hair cut while we all wait.
Notice the strange contraptions hanging from the wall?
I don't see those where I get my hair done.
It appears Frankie doesn't like having his photo taken.
But, he agreed to one more photo.
While Elder Bodily was getting a hair cut, Sister Chan and Elder Hathaway went looking for some good bargains.  It was Elder Hathaway who found a great deal on shirts. 
 Sister Chan came back empty handed.
This is what you see when you get in a big hurry to grab the camera.
"Nice shoes, Sister Chan".
Guys wasting time looking at phones.
We gals were making good use of the time, patiently waiting as we chit chatted.
With signs like this and stuffed animal heads hanging on the walls, 
there is a definite Canadian influence here.
Fish and Chips sounded scrumptious, but this wasn't quite what I was expecting.
Not sure how I'll get it all down.
Most of our gang.
While we waited for the ferry to arrive,
Elder Bodily gave a demonstration on the correct way of tying shoes
 so they won't come untied.
Sister Hathaway has her own way of doing things.
We saw this sign on the ferry. 
 Guess you have to understand nautical terms to not chuckle about it. 

Besides the fact that our visit in the morning to Dr. Cheung's was unnecessary and a waste of time,
we had an enjoyable lunch, then we headed to the Jade Market, 
hoping to find something special for someone special. 
 Mission accomplished!
We went hunting the rest of the day,
 but only for pure white fabric and a good tailor, of course.
Mission unaccomplished, but I'm not giving up yet.

Sunday, August 21, 2016

The Last Special Sunday Temple Opening For Us!

The Hong Kong Temple opens on Sunday four times a year, and is the only temple to do so.  This began just two years ago, when President Wong was inspired to provide a way for those who have no other day in the week to attend the temple, and the temple department approved.
When these special openings occur, a Sacrament Meeting is held at 1:15,  just prior to the temple sessions, and takes place in the Kowloon Chapel across the street.
Realizing today was our last time to be a part of something that is so unique, and such a blessing to many of these beautiful and faithful sisters, made me feel a little sad.
It has been one of the highlights of our mission.

Below are a few photos taken afterwards of those who attended.
Elder and Sister Chandler with a sister who received her own endowment today.
Belle, Kellen, Vhee, Pearl
Salve, Gracylann, Alma
Alma
E/ Bodily, Liezyl, Wilma, Judelyn, Lota, Roma, Vhee
The above sisters are a few of our fellow Island 1st Members
who radiate with light and faith.
Elder & Sister J/J Chan, Elder & Sister C/F Chan, 
with E/S Bodily
(Our first photo in the garden area of the Temple grounds. 
 Why did we not think of this before?  Its a beautiful area.)

Charles and Fanny Chan were set apart this afternoon as Temple Ordinance Workers just moments before the temple doors were opened.
They must be exhausted with it being less than 24 hours since they landed in Hong Kong.
They have tomorrow to rest up, and then their training really begins.
This is going to be fun.
Ping Lam is Sister Fannie Chan's brother-in-law.
Brother Lam takes care of the recommend desk and always with a cheerful heart.
Our Head Coordinatiors, Assistant Coordinators, Session Coordinator, Sealing Coordinator,
4th Floor and 3rd Floor Coordinators
It takes a lot of coordinating to do the Lord's work properly.

Thank you to all those who gave up their Sunday with family to assist in some way.
Thank you to Elder & Sister Ngai and Elder & Sister Hathaway for their efforts and part in assuring the Lord's House was a House of Order, and a place where the Spirit was felt.

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Our Last Missionary Welcome!

We have been anticipating the arrival of Elder and Sister Chan for several weeks now.
That day has come, but not without their flight getting delayed.
What does this photo have to do with the new missionaries coming?
Nothing really, but since it was expected that the Chans would now be arriving around 11:00, we decided to take up some time by walking to Haagen Daz in Whampoa for some scrumptious ice cream.  Then explored around the newly remodeled Aeon Store.  Found ourselves in the appliance department and saw the most compact electric washing machine ever. Hence, the photo.
 Hard to believe a clothes washer so small would cost more than a whopping $5000HK. ($650US). 
 Just the right size though
 for the average apartment in Hong Kong.
Hadn't planned on trying on swim suits, but couldn't resist a bargain and actually found one my size. Of course, the call came that President Wong was on his way with our new missionary couple while  I was in the changing closest. 
As we hustled to get back, we got our first look at the Pokemon Go craze! It was unbelievable how many were gathered on the street corners playing some game on their iPhones. 
We must be getting old because it doesn't make sense to us.
We didn't stick around long to watch, 
and made it back in time to welcome Charles and Fannie from Vancouver, BC. 
Elder and Sister Chan both served as full-time missionaries here in Hong Kong
 when they were young.
Elders Chamberlain and Norman, who are serving here in the Asia Area Office, were both missionary companions of Elder Chan back then.  Little did they know all those years ago, they would end up in Hong Kong as missionaries again. 
You can always depend on Sister Hathaway offering helpful advice.
Their entire belongings, at least while here in HK.
Elder Chan claims their luggage is filled with 200 pounds of Sister Chan's clothes.
He quickly retracted that statement.
J/J Chans, Bodilys, P/S Wong, C/F Chans, Hathaways, Rancies
This is our last Welcoming-the-New-Couple-Missionaries photo.

The Chans have not served as temple ordinance workers before, so we have been assigned to be their trainers.  They are sharp as tacks and will catch on quickly.  With their ability to speak three languages, they will be an even greater help at the temple.
They have a fun sense of humor too, and we're looking forward to getting better acquainted and serving with them. 
Typically, we as missionaries got a day or two to catch our breath when we arrived and adjust to the time difference, but it isn't working out that way for  Charles and Fanny.  We just hope they get a good night's sleep because tomorrow is the Sunday Opening.

The next set of missionaries is not arriving until after we leave, so the C/F Chans will be our last couple to train before our mission ends.
They will actually be the 10th couple we have trained while serving our mission.  We have enjoyed the experience of this assignment, and the opportunity it has given us to work closely with the other missionaries.  It has required a few extra long days,
 but it has been well worth that time being in the House of the Lord, 
with those who too, want to serve Him.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Baptisms In Mandarin!

The Baptistry was as busy as we've seen it today.  The room was filled beyond seating capacity with young and old, and it was great.  Seeing Elder Bodily standing in the font and performing the baptisms in Mandarin was something unexpected, and extra special to witness.
Unexpected, because I didn't know he had begun learning this ordinance in Mandarin.
In fact, President Hui warned the patrons that Elder Bodily might sound a bit hard to understand, but the Lord will hear him clearly, and the work will still count.

One young woman stood out because of her hesitance to walk down into the font.
Sister Hui took me aside and quietly explained her situation.
Sister Liu had been too scared to do the baptisms the previous two days,
even with President Hui there to help her.
Today she worked up enough courage to try again, this time with Elder Bodily reassuring her in a language she doesn't understand, that he would help her.
It touched us both to the point of tears, to see her successfully go down into the water and perform baptisms for four women who needed her to be brave.

The Sprit is always present in the temple, but sometimes it is felt especially strong,
and today was one of those times.
It made me grateful for Sister Law's assignment to help in the Baptistry at this time.
Sister Hui admonished me to remember this day.
After what was witnessed in that room, I expect I'm not the only one who will.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Moon Cakes Are Back!

Autumn Festival is about to begin, and moon cakes are very much a part of that.
We were pleasantly surprised today, when President and Sister Hui brought a bag of their home baked moon cakes and asked Elder Bodily and I to deliver a package to each of the temple missionaries.
They are not your traditional mooncake, but rather delicious, and for that reason we like them.  
Sure wish we could find them in the states.

We Met Scar Today!

It wasn't all that busy to begin with today at the temple.
In fact, it was being discussed as to whether the 9:00am session would need to be cancelled because no one had showed up to attend the first session of the day.
Those who had showed up, were planning on attending the special 10 o'clock session.
But then, a nice young couple arrived about 8:45, and since neither of them spoke Chinese, guess who was assigned at the last minute to take care of the session?
Thanks to Brother and Sister Lee, we had the smallest and the quickest Endowment Session, 
 at least for Elder Bodily and myself.
With only four of us in the room, it felt a bit strange.
The Lees basically had their own private Endowment Session.
Even though we were small in number,
 we felt the Spirit attend just as strong as if the room had been filled.

This is Quentin and Angela Lee
We each visited with them for a few minutes afterwards, and found them to be so pleasant to talk to.  We learned that she is from Utah, and he is from California,
but they met in Manhattan at a YSA activity.
They will soon be celebrating their first wedding anniversary.
They live here in Hong Kong, where Sister Lee is a theatre director in Tin Hau, and Bro. Lee plays the part of Scar in the production of The Lion King at Disneyland.
Kind of makes us want to go to Disneyland now just to see him perform.
We are glad to have met them, and maybe we'll see them again before our mission ends.

Monday, August 15, 2016

The Williams Are Leaving The Country!

Jonathan, Kristin, and their family are moving to Great Britain this Thursday, and plan on staying for 3-5 years.
We  Skyped with them this morning before they leave the good ol' U.S. of A.
to live in the village of Aldwincle, England.

With our kids living on the other side of the world, we are grateful for technology that makes
Skyping possible.
It will help us feel not quite so far away.
Macie was helping her mom out with her hair.
Bye Bye, Macie!

Sunday, August 14, 2016

A Friendly Competition Between Ortons, Chamberlains, & Bodilys

Thanks to the Chamberlains, we recently learned how to play the card game, Hand and Foot.
Since then, we have learned that we are about the only ones around here 
who have not heard of it before. 
 Its a good game though, and if not careful, a little addictive.
We have since got together with the Hathaways and Rancies to hone our card playing skills, only to lose big time.  There is no winning against them - they are masters at this game.
Surprisingly, we were finished at the church today earlier than usual, so we excepted Chamberlain's invitation for another try at Hand and Foot, but this time at the Orton's place.
We discovered that the Chamberlains are quite competitive and rarely lose.
But, tonight it seems they were down on their luck.  Guess who reaped the benefits of that one?
No, not Elder Bodily and I, but we proudly came in second.  It was Elder and Sister Orton who came off as the winners, and by a landslide.  We obviously need more practice.
We had an enjoyable evening with these
 hard working and fun-loving Asia Area missionaries.
Sister Orton even baked and served a yummy pumpkin pie.
Anyone for a game of Spoons?

Thursday, August 11, 2016

A First for Lai Hung Jou

We needed to pick up an order at the Distribution Center today.  Look who we saw while waiting?
Elder Bodily's new friend, Lai Hung Jou.  He is just a little guy in size, but he is twelve years old, and today was his first time to come to the temple to be a proxy for the dead in the baptistry. 
 Elder Bodily was thrilled to be the one standing with him in the font 
and assisting him with that ordinance earlier today.

Monday, August 8, 2016

Farewell To Towers

Once again, the time has come for another senior missionary couple to head back home.
This time it is Elder and Sister Towers who are leaving, and they are sure going to be missed.
They are MLS missionaries serving in the Everyday Branch where Elder Towers has served as the Branch President, and the Filipino sisters are sure to miss them terribly.  However, there are others who will miss them too, including Elder Bodily.  When he learned of Elder Towers passion for hunting, he immediately felt a connection, and they began sharing hunting stories. 
 Turns out that hunting is a family affair for the Towers.

The evening began as always, with great food.  This time it was Cafe Rio's Sweet Pork and Rice,
followed by a tribute in song for the Towers, which was written by Sister Roberts, and sung by all, or at least almost all.
 Sisters Hathaway, Roberts, James, Elders James, Nielson, Sis. Nielson, Elder Thong.
 Sis. Thong, Elders Whitman, Kendell, Sis. Kendell, Elder & Sis. Chandler, Sis & Elder Norman
Sis & Elder Chamberlain, Bodily, Orton, & Elder Roberts
Elder and Sister Chamberlain planned an entertaining game:
Wheel of Chamberlains
Our team didn't do so well, but we still had quite a lot of fun.
 Its been our pleasure to know the Towers and we wish them a safe return to Salt Lake City.
Best of Luck, David with your moose hunt.

Friday, August 5, 2016

64 Hours To Come!

Sister Caroline Yue Yang and her aunt, Sister Fu

Caroline speaks English and we learned from her that she and Sister Fu traveled
64 hours to come to the temple for the first time.
Incredible and inspiring!

An Invitation For Lightening and Ava!

The Alugus are newlyweds from Hyderabad, India.  They were sealed two days ago (photos in previous posting).  They chose to skip Disneyland in order to have an extra day at the temple. 
 That says a lot about what is most important to them.
 We asked if they had plans for their last night in Kowloon, which they really didn't.  We then felt impressed to invite them to join us 
with the Chans and Hathaways for the afternoon. 
 This would let them experience a little of Hong Kong. 
Happily they accepted.
The starting of our outing.
The Promenade at Harbourfront with Hong Kong Island in the background.

Venkatesh Alugu and Archana Vuppada are harder for us English speaking people to remember, so
Judy suggested we give them names we wouldn't mispronounce - like Lightening and Ava.
Lightening because that is what Bro. Alugu's name means,
and Ava because its just pretty and she is too.
They were both good with that.
We laughed when later in the evening, Venkatesh had to ask what his wife's name was so he could go looking for her.
We took a ride on the Hung Hom Ferry and then a bus to Aberdeen
where we managed to get off in the knick of time at the right stop for the ferry to 
Jumbo's Floating Restaurant.
This was the Alugus 2nd boat ride in their life, but before the evening was over, it was not their last.
No need to pay for the ferry ride over, when the free one is just fine.
Of course it wasn't quite as colorful as this one.
It didn't exactly compare to these either.  

But we were comfortable and made it safely to
 Jumbo's Floating Restaurant.
Built back in 1976.
Front Entrance with Dragons breathing down our necks.
Beautiful tiled murals on the interior walls.
Venkatesh has the arms for taking great selfies.
Our purpose for coming to Jumbos was more to dress up in Chinese attire and have photos taken, than it was to eat, but we thought it was required to get the photos.  
We kind of think now, we could have just skipped dinner.  We would have asked, but the guy in charge never showed up, and after looking at the costumes closely, 
we decided they weren't what we expected nor worth the wait.
We eventually realized we were seated in the exclusive dining area; 
not exactly what we had planned.
We also realized Indian eating customs differ from the Chinese.  This meant the menu was quite limited for Lightening and Ava.  No Fish, Pork, or Beef.  
We thought the evening was about to become a disaster.
Fortunately, Chicken and vegetables were offered.  They were gracious about it, 
but we hoped they didn't regret coming.
Night time view as we left.
On our way back to the Star Ferry, we showed them the Asia Area Office Bldg.
Walked past the Maserati dealership, which Lightening posed in front of, 
just like most guys would.
Time for another selfie!
Indulged in gelato after getting off the Star Ferry.
 All agreed it was refreshing.
Ended up where we started.
The Promenade at Harbourfront

The Alugus were good sports to spend their 1-month anniversary with us old folks.
It was fun to help them celebrate, and had a great time getting to know a little more about them.
We were honored when 
they asked us for some advice to help their marriage to be a happy and lasting one.
They are a beautiful couple and we wish them eternal bliss.