Had a Great Monday!

Elder and Sister Ngai have had quite a time of it lately.  They were the victims of food poisoning as a result from their trip to Bankok in November.  But, even before that, they both began experiencing respiratory problems, with coughing spells which caused a lack of sleep and little energy.

All of this actually caused them to wonder if 

they would need to end their mission early.

Things weren't getting better for them, until they discovered the cause of all this.

MOLD!  

It turns out their air-conditioning unit has been invaded inside and out with mold.

The Maintenance Dept. expected spraying a little clorox on the exterior would solve the problem, but that only put a bandaid on the matter.

Of course, word was sent out to all the missionaries to have their units inspected.

After some debating over the situation, it was decided the Ngais would move out of Tower A, and into what is hopefully, a mold-free apartment in Tower B.

We spent part of this morning helping them and their son, John get their things moved over.

We found another use for our grocery trolley. 

 Boxes are hard to come by, so it came in handy at moving the little stuff, and odds and ends.

Now the Ngais are even closer to being our neighbors.

You have to watch out for those low-hanging lights and air ducts. 

Come on guys, you can do it!

We were glad to be able to help our missionary friends,

 and grateful they gave us the opportunity to serve.

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After we finished that, we headed to Tsim Sha Tsui

where we had lunch for the first time at the Verandah in The Peninsula Hotel.

Elder Ball had suggested we go there together before their mission ends.

So, today was the day.

The Verandah is an elegant buffet with a beautiful display of flowers 

and a variety of delectable dishes.

Elder Bodily's favorite combination:  perfectly cooked beef and probably the most delicious ice cream he claims he has tasted.  Even better than homemade.

 The Pear Sorbet was heavenly.

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Our next stop was the Imax Theater at I-Square

We went to the much anticipated,

STAR WARS:  The Force Awakens

Ticket price:  $200 (HK dollars of course)

It was entertaining, but wouldn't consider it phenomenal.

Hard to believe it was 39 years ago that we watched the first STAR WARS in Salt Lake City.

My memory of that night is standing at the back of the theater holding our 3-month old son, 

who preferred my standing over sitting.

It must have been John Williams' musical score that influenced that baby boy to become a fan of STAR WARS.

It has been a good Monday!

My Turn This Month!

My turn to be in charge of the branch's FHE dinner has come around again.
 This happens every five months.
Now that Elder and Sister VanWagenen have left, that may change to four months, but we will see.

I panicked when both kitchens at the church were locked at a time when time was limited. 

 But, Brother John Doe came to the rescue and opened up the larger of the two for me.

I put on my apron and my crocs, and went to work at cooking up Taco Rice.

It didn't take me long to make a mess, and

 to stir up a garlic aroma throughout the church.

Elder Bodily is always so good to give a helping hand.

I would have been at it till midnight without his help.

Our fabulous family enjoying the end results of our late hour preparation the night before.

Sister Inouye was right, the Taco Rice was a hit.

 Our goofy sides.

Andy Peng Zhang

Andy is remarkable.  He lives in Beijing, but came to the temple on Tuesday and has attended every Endowment Session that was possible this week.    

He hopes to move from Beijing to Shenzhen,
because then he would be able to attend the temple more often.
That says a lot about him.

Andy surprised us on Sunday when he showed up in Wan Chai, and accepted our invitation to join our family group for dinner after church.
He told us he is hoping to find a wife while in Hong Kong.
He is a good young man, a faithful member of the church, an accountant,
and
he would make a good catch for a husband.
We wish him success, and hope to see him again.

A Different Kind of New Year's Day For Us!

Brother Lai invited the temple missionaries to join him and the West Point Ward for a hike and BBQ on New Year's Day.  We jumped at the chance to spend time with a few of the other temple workers.

The hike we took was on the Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail, which covered one of the areas occupied when Japan invaded Hong Kong.  We couldn't have asked for better weather.

We met Brother Lai and his ward at 8:15 in Central

 to catch Bus 6.

All fresh and ready to get started.

Our group at the beginning of the trail, which is really the end of the trail.

Brothers Ng and Ng - no relation though.

Brother Ng on the right was giving us directions and a history about this area.

Brother Ng on the left was giving smiles.

Got a great husband who is willing to pack my stuff too, and

makes it possible for me to get by with a pack like this.

All ages were on this hike.

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A few things we saw along the way.

 Elder Bodily and Sister Rancie checking out a bunker used during the Japanese invasion.

Not sure what they expected, but

this is what they saw. 

Sometimes those walking sticks require some muscle,

and you can bet Elder Bodily is happy to come to the rescue.

The Rancies reading the history regarding this area.

This is Stanley Ho's mansion on a hill.

Who is Stanley Ho?

Even Elder Rancie knows who Mr. Ho is -

one of the wealthiest men in Hong Kong who owns casinos in Macau.

Taking a short cut, and narrowly escaping injury across the deep ravine.  Just kidding!

Our curiosity got the best of us, and we got a little daring. 

 Elder Bodily would have been right there with the rest of us, but someone had to take the photo.

SAW A FEW FAMILIAR FACES

I stick out like a sore thumb.

Sister Luk

Brother Luk

Brother Lai, Elder Bodily, Brother Fong

Brother and Sister Ng and their daughter

Sisters Rancie, Lo Lo, Chan, Lee, and Bodily at the summit.

Took this just after learning Bro. Fong is Ammon Fong's father.

Ammon was our tudor from the MTC Language Training Center

whom we skyped with every week to learn some Cantonese as we prepared for our mission.

Somebody asked the question, 'what do you suppose is at the top of those steep stairs?'

Not sure anyone really expected Elder Bodily to go find out.

 Bro. Lai and Tom Wu (the ward's photographer) watched and wondered if he was coming back.

 He finally made it back down, 

and it only took him just a few minutes, and 154 steps each direction.

Do you know what was so exciting to see at the top?

THIS!  

Guess the rest of us didn't miss out on too much, 

other than an increase in heart rate and trying to catch our breath, and burned calories.

After 1.66 miles, we made it to the end, 

which is really the beginning of this trail, but oh well.

By this time we were hungry and not so fresh.

So, we headed down the hill to Tai Tam Country Park to gather with the non-hikers for a BBQ.

One of the ways to get your essentials to a picnic.

Chicken, pork, sausage, hot dogs, sweet potato, corn, and even bread and honey

were provided for roasting.

Sister Lee was smart to bring her umbrella.  It was sunny and hot.

 I went for the hot dog, sweet potato, and the toasted bread and honey.

Elder Bodily roasted two sticks at the same time, and he tried almost everything.

Ammon Fong's parents

Ammon's brother Aaron and his mom

Elder Bodily, Jason, Elder Rancie, and Elder Lee

Jason is 16 and investigating the church.

 He accepted an invitation to come from one of the young men in the ward.

Three of those fine West Point young men.

This group of Filipino ladies were singing, swaying, and having a good time.  It was nice to watch.

This is what we saw as we left the park.  What kid doesn't like to play in dirt?

This is what happens when you have so much fun in one day.

You don't make it five minutes on the bus before the lids are closed and the dreams begin.

Hikes and BBQs on New Year's Day are traditions for many in Hong Kong.

If it weren't so cold at home in January, its likely they would become our tradition too.

Thank you Brother and Sister Lai for your invitation to having a great day with you 

on the first day of the year.

HERE'S WISHING 2016 BRINGS BLESSINGS TO ALL!