Grandma Wan!

We have a sweet little elderly lady who comes quite often to the temple, who I am going to miss.  She comes with a huge smile on her face and greets everyone, and I mean everyone, with Jou San and a wave of her hand, even in the Ordinance Room.  She makes me smile.
She is Wan Pah Pah (Grandma Wan)

James, As In Jerry & Georgia!

You won't meet any finer couple than Elder and Sister James.

They are from Salt Lake City, and serving in the Hong Kong Mission.

  Sister James is the nurse for the young Hong Kong missionaries.

Elder James served in the Hong Kong mission as a young elder, and this is their second time to serve in Hong Kong as a couple.  After serving together the first time 10 years ago, they both went back to school to become nurses, in order to be of greater help for future missions.

Elder James will tell you he was kicked out for bad behavior.  [Far from it, but if you ever meet him, you will understand why he can get away with saying that]

They served another mission in Africa before their second mission here.

 Sister James is a devoted companion to her husband, and the kind of lady people like to be around. 

 Elder James has a remarkable attitude towards life and its challenges,

 and he makes us all laugh with his quick wit, and gifted sense of humor.

The James were set apart to serve as ordinance workers once a week,

 and we were assigned to train them.

There wasn't much for us to do since they have more years experience as temple workers than we do.

After our first meeting with them, we confidently assured President Hui they are capable of doing anything they are asked to do.

Being the thoughtful couple they are, they invited us to dinner as a way of saying thank you for training them.  (Really, there was no training) But, that shows how kind and good they are.

They asked us to choose the place and time.  So, we made it a CHE (Couple Home Evening) activity at Outback Steak House just around the corner in Whampoa.  

When dining at Outback, a person forgets they are in Hong Kong, because this is the view.

Not exactly Australia, but possibly Italy, and it makes for a nice view and conversation.

After dinner, the James introduced us to the best place for a refreshing mango and coconut dessert.  We consider it one of the best we have had,

 and is only a short walk away across from Whampoa's Big Boat.  

If we had known about this place sooner, we would have taken more walks to Whampoa.

Before the evening ended, they tried to introduce us to the best waffles in Hong Kong,

 but the shop was closed.

We'll check it out another time, if time allows before our mission ends.

We sure thank them for a delicious dinner and great company.

Elder and Sister James amaze us with their dedication in serving.

We have learned from their example of giving the Lord their very best.

We want to be like Elder and Sister James when we grow up.

James and Eriyana Andersen

We met Eriyana last March as she attended the temple

 with her future mother-in-law, Susan Andersen.

We didn't realize it, but Eriyana was a member of the Island 1st Branch before leaving to get married.

She seemed surprised that we didn't recognize her and even remember her name.

We have been here almost a year and a half, and we still don't know the names of every active member of this branch.  Its a challenge, and I doubt we will before our mission ends, 

but we know far more than we used to.

Today we met Eriyana's new husband, James as they attended church in Island 1st.  

They are now living in Ohio, and we congratulate them and wish them lots of happiness.

Eriyana was feeling a little queazy today.  Can't say for sure why, but we have our guesses.

Brother Suzuki Bids Farewell!

Brother Suzuki spoke in the branch today.  He is from Japan, but has lived in Hong Kong for 22 years, and has served on the District's High Council for the past decade.  This is his last Sunday to speak as a high councilman in Hong Kong, as he has been transferred to Singapore and will be moving there in two weeks.

Brother Suzuki joined the church at the age of 17 and was the only one in his family to do so.

He was the very first student to graduate from Institute in Japan.

We have become acquainted with Brother Suzuki since he attends the temple every week, and has done so for the past 20 years.  

He bore his testimony, but it was difficult for him to get out the words, as he was quite emotional.

He had recently attended the dedication of the Sapporo Japan Temple a short time ago, at which time he sat across from Elder Russell M. Nelson and Elder Gary E. Stevenson, and his Institute teacher from way back when, who is now the Patriarch of that district.

It was apparent that meant a lot to him.

We are going to miss seeing him at the temple.  He's a guy we'd like to meet again someday.

 For now, we hope the Lord will bless him as he continues his work in Singapore.

Sewing Class For Elder Wong!

I needed to get to the Wan Chai building a little early to prepare for Nida and Tin Tin.
I didn't think there was another soul on the 3rd floor at 9:00am.  But, then Elder Sam Wong came out of the district council office after meeting with someone, who I recognized, and have my suspicions as to why, but I will keep that to myself.
He asked why I was in the building so early, and I explained to him that it was to get prepared for the sewing class I teach on Sundays.  He then asked if he could come to this class.  I thought he was being funny like he often is, but he was actually serious.  I think if he could have arranged his schedule to attend, he would have.  He said he likes learning new things.  Teaching one of our general authorities some basic sewing skills would have been quite the experience.

Our Last Statutory Holiday

This was our last Statutory Holiday to be responsible for the coordinating at the temple.

This assignment has proved to be our most time consuming responsibility.

We owe a lot of gratitude to the senior missionaries in the Asia Area Office who put in extra time to help with these holidays.  However, we are especially thankful to the local temple workers and their willingness to serve in the temple on what is suppose to be their day off.

We admire them for making sacrifices to serve.  They truly care about the people who come, and assisting them in the Lord's work.

We love this work, but it makes for a tiring day (a good kind of tired), and the need for a nap and dinner out.

Elder Bodily is being watched while checking on possible dining options.

A cleaning cart is commonly found on the walkways.

You won't find street sweepers used here.  The streets and walkways are all cleaned by manual labor.

Guess who we saw in the lobby on our way back.

Normans and Chamberlains

It seemed like a good time to get a photo of the three missionary companions and their spouses.

Elders Norman, Chan, and Chamberlain were companions as young missionaries in the Hong Kong Mission back in the 70s.  Sister Fanny Chan was also a missionary, but not one of their companions, of course.  She and Elder Charles Chan eventually became eternal companions.

Went to dinner after quickly freshening up.

Decided to give the Outback in Whampoa another try.

Glad we did.  The location has changed along with the service.  No complaints with the food either.

Its been a great day, and appreciated the help of our Area Missionaries with the Statutory Holiday.

Sister Ong & Sister Ong!

Something remarkable occurred at the temple today that reaffirms to us that the Lord loves His children and sends them 'tender mercies'.

A young Sister Ong arrived this morning to receive her own endowment in preparation to serve a mission in London, England.  Her name is Charlene Ong, and she is from Singapore.  As she was changing into her white dress, another woman walked into the dressing room.  

I welcomed her and asked if she was Sister Ong's escort.  She told me she hadn't expected to be, but could be.  She then explained the situation, and this is what is remarkable: 

She told me her name is Laura Ong, and even though she has the same last name as Charlene, they are not related.  She is originally from Malaysia, but has been living in Salt Lake City teaching school since her husband passed away six years ago. She had come to the temple alone.
Twenty plus years ago a young missionary taught her the gospel and she was then baptized.  This young missionary's name was Elder Ong, and as it turns out, he is Charlene's father.  After Elder Ong's mission, he married, but stayed in contact with Laura.  About 10 years ago, he brought his family to Malaysia to meet Laura and her husband.

Sadly, Brother Ong and his wife eventually became inactive in the church, and Laura lost contact with them.

This morning as Laura approached the recommend desk, she noticed a young woman standing there, but did not recognize her.  Amazingly however, even though it had been 10 years, and they had met only once, Charlene recognized Laura, and told her who she was.   Charlene explained that her mother had come to Hong Kong with her, but because of her inactivity, was unable to enter the temple, and her father had since passed away.  So, there was no one else to go through with her,  or at least she thought. You can imagine the emotions that swept over them both.

Charlene came to the temple this morning expecting to be assisted by someone she doesn't even know, and Laura expected to not know a soul either, but because of the Lord's tender mercy, they both had someone at their side with a special connection.

How did they end up at the Hong Kong Temple at the same time on the same day?

Charlene Ong was to have arrived yesterday, but her flight was cancelled, so it delayed her getting to the temple as originally scheduled.  Laura Ong decided at the last minute to get to the temple a little earlier than she had planned.  If Charlene's flight had not been cancelled, she would not have seen Laura, and this miracle would not have happened.

It is a blessing to have witnessed this miracle, and as Sister Wong suggests, it just may be the miracle needed to bring a change of heart to Charlene's mother.  One can hope!  

The Murapaka Family From India!

 Sister Uma Punyavathi with her sons, Kranthi and Naveen, and daughter-in-law, Sarika.

 Naveen Kumer and Sarika Murapaka from India

In 2004, Brother Murapaka walked into what he thought was a movie theater, only to discover Mormon missionaries were teaching the gospel inside.  He was interested in what they had to say, and was soon baptized.  He served a two-year mission until 2012.

 Brother Murapaka's father did not join the church, and passed away in 2007.  It was his mother, Uma who arranged his marriage to Sarika.  They were engaged for 6 months before they were married.

They have been married for 4 years, and now have been able to come here to be sealed for eternity.

Mr. and Mrs. Naveen Kumar Murapaka

Naveen was baptized as proxy for his father.

Uma was sealed to her deceased husband, 

and then she and her sons were sealed as an eternal family.

So happy this day finally came for them.

Asia's Mission Presidents & Their Wives

The Mission Presidents of Asia and their wives are in Hong Kong for a few days

 to attend a semi-annual conference.

These brothers and sisters are serving in countries like

Cambodia, India, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong.

Part of their conference includes attending a special session at the temple,

and today Elder Bodily, Sister Fanny Chan, and I were assigned to this session.

As we sat in that ordinance room, a feeling of admiration and respect came to us both, because we saw 30 men and women who are truly living the law of consecration.

We are humbled by their examples of faith, devotion, 

and their willingness to make sacrifices for the Lord.

Afterwards, we learned that Pres. and Sister Harper are from the little town of Rupert, Idaho.  The same town my Grandma and Grandpa Thompson lived, and my mom was born and raised. 

They also know the Jurgensmeiers, and requested we say, 'hi' to them.  Pres. Harper served as counselor in a stake presidency to Steve Bodily.  We don't know him, but with a name like Bodily, there is most likely a connection, but as far as we know, not a close one.

President and Sister Harper serve in Mongolia, and feel the same as we do about the Mongolian saints.  They are a kind and big-hearted people and so easy to love.

President and Sister Harper - fellow Idahoans

A First, And Hopefully The Last!

This is just a quick mention that I did something today I didn't expect to ever do.

When I woke up this morning, I knew a special session for the Asia Mission Presidents and their wives would take place today at 1:30.  This occurs twice a year, and I was looking forward to it, because they bring a special feeling to the temple.
What I wasn't expecting was to walk into Preparation Meeting and be asked to lead the music for our opening hymn.  I've let it be known that I have not done that before, other than for our own FHE, and would not be comfortable doing so.  But since we were few in numbers this morning, Brother Lam was desperate, and there wasn't anyone else able or willing.  After some coaxing from Sisters Chow and Law, I worked up enough courage to give it a try.  Amazingly, I managed to stay in rhythm, and on top of it, sang at the same time using my Cantonese Hymn Book.  There is no way I could have done this without some help from above, of which I am thankful.  But, I'm really hoping this is a once in a lifetime experience.

Chans For Chans!

We got together at John and Judy Chan's for a casual FHE and Potluck dinner, all in the spirit of getting better acquainted with our newest missionary couple, Charles and Fanny Chan.  They arrived two weeks ago, and seemed to have adjusted quickly to the routine of temple missionaries.

There is nothing like a table spread with international home cooked food.

Won Ton Soup, Taco Soup, Fried Rice, Fried Noodles, Lion's Head (aka jumbo meatball),

 Fried Won Tons, Pear & Pomegranate Salad, and Fruit with Almond Jelly for dessert.

Judy presented the Chans with a fabulous welcome gift,

 the Christmas tree they inherited from E/S Wilson

Ngais, C/F Chans, J/J Chans, Bodilys, Hathaways

We had a good time eating, and discussing our families, the economy, apartment issues, Amsterdam, Hong Kong in the old days, travel issues, and what lies ahead.

Photo with the artist, our one but not only, Elder Chan.

The evening ended with John and Judy giving each of us a 'Do It' pin, 

and a print of Elder Chan's stippled drawing of the Hong Kong Temple. 

 Its quite detailed and very well done, and had to have taken hours to complete.

Thank you so much Elder Chan, for sharing your talent with us. 

 This is a keepsake we'll treasure.

A Gracious Invitation From Brother Poon!

  Little did I know as a student at Ricks College 42 years ago, that the day would come when I would meet a dear friend of my college roommate on the other side of the world in Hong Kong.
About a year ago, we met Sheldon Poon for the first time at the temple, and he so kindly invited Elder Bodily and I to join him that day for lunch along with his good friends, the Wongs, Ngais, and Lees.
  We have since seen Bro. Poon several times at the temple, and each time he greets us with a warm hello.  This past Saturday was no different, but this time he indicated that he would not be back in Hong Kong before our mission ends next month, and would like to take us to lunch before we leave.
We welcomed his invitation with gratitude for his kindness and generosity.
  To our delight he invited the Chans and the Lams also.  It turns out that Sheldon's older brother is married to one of Fanny's sisters, and Ping Lam is married to another of Fanny sisters.  They have a greater connection to Bro. Poon than we, and yet he included us.  That says a lot about the kind of man he is.  There seems to be a fair amount of people around here who have a connection in some way to Brother Poon.  Now we can add our names to that list.
  We met at the Salisbury Room in YMCA where we enjoyed the buffet.  We listened to Bro. Poon tell us about his conversion, his church service, and his business ventures.  He is really quite interesting to listen to.
  He grew up in Yuen Long.  His cousin introduced him to the church, and he was baptized at 12.  His father felt the church was right, but could not commit to all that church membership requires. Bro. Poon became a Branch President in his early 20s, with Patrick Wong as his counselor, who was only 19 at the time.  He then served as District President for five years.  Then in 1976,  he was called as the first Stake President in Hong Kong which he served for another five years.  During his life, he has seen the church grow by leaps and bounds.  Now there are six stakes here and a temple.
He professional careers have included owning a travel agency,  becoming a gemologist and owning a jewelry business in Utah.  He was actually involved in a business in Sun Valley, Idaho, which was the start of his connection with the Montgomery family, and grew into a strong friendship.  He even took his 2 children on a trip to the Montgomery's home in Rupert, Idaho so they could experience firsthand farm life.
  After a chain of events, and an answer to prayer, he went back to school and became a marine biologist, and is now involved in the aquaculture business.  He is partners with Mr. Hong in raising Artemia (brine shrimp), which originated from the Great Salt Lake, but their factory is in Shandong, the province where Confucious lived.
  He also partners with Craig Jessop in organizing and arranging music instructors from BYU to teach in China.  He has done a lot in his life, and a lot for others.  He still wears the hats of husband, father, gemologist, travel agent, marine biologist, and faithful servant of the Lord.  We thank him, wish him well, and hope our paths will cross again someday.

E/S Bodily, E/S Chan, Bro. & Sis. Lam, Bro. Poon

Island 1 Branch Sewing-Class Students!

We had a fashion show today to give these ladies an opportunity to display their finished sewing projects.

I am so proud of each of these sisters who faithfully attended class, and were diligent in learning the skills needed to use a sewing machine, and to sew simple and basic projects that can help further their goal to begin a business and make it a success.

This class was in conjunction with the Self-reliance initiative in the Hong Kong District.

L to R: Estrel, Dory, Rhona, Alice, Wena, Me, Grace, Pearl Rose, Christina, Maribel, Wilma, Lolita

Sister Moon!

Sister Moon is a single sister from Korea.  She has believed that she must be married in this life to be worthy of the Celestial Kingdom.  So, she felt that if she would come to the temple enough times to do the work for 100 Endowments, the Lord would provide a husband for her.

After learning of her situation,  I searched for a talk that would help her learn the true doctrine concerning eternal marriage and attaining the Celestial Kingdom.  I found a wonderful talk given by President Ezra Taft Benson during the 1988 October General Conference.  He was speaking directly to the single sisters of the church, and reassured them that if they do not find an eternal companion in this life, they will still receive the blessings of eternal marriage in the next life, if they live worthy.

We shared that with Sister Moon.
She is going back to Korea to share this good news with her friends and sisters in her branch.

I must say though, if Sister Moon gets to meet 'Mr. Right' in this life, we will be very happy for her.