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.

Angel Moroni!

Part One
 This past Monday was to be the day the old statue of Angel Moroni was to be replaced with a shiny new statue. The weather and pollution in the air has taken its toll on this statue.
  We headed for the temple way ahead of time to get a good view of what was about to take place.
Some of the full-time missionaries, temple workers,
and local members gathered around to observe.
All was underway as we watched a drone fly overhead to film the entire process around 10:00am.

Can you spot the drone?

Couldn't pass up a photo opportunity to show the guy controlling the drone. 

Angel Moroni does look a bit dull and has lost his gleam. 

This is the majority of those who came to observe, with Pres. and Sis. Wong in the center.

Look closely and you might spot Sister Bodily (aka Grandma B)

The new replacement was packed in a crate across the street patiently waiting 

to be removed and installed.

Pres. Hui, Grace Cheng, and Elder Pett standing guard.

Elder James requested to take the old one home to put in his yard.  His request was denied.

A comparison between the old and the new.

It was terribly hot and humid as we waited, and waited,

 and still waited, for the crane operator to complete the job, 

and not sure of what was holding things up.

We soon learned that an unfortunate mistake had been made, which was delaying the process.

President Wong and Bro. Choi discussed what to do about it.

While they were deciding, we were getting hungry.  Bro. Choi recommended we try the Student's cafeteria at the Baptist University nearby.  We just got sat down when in walked

Pres. and Sis. Wong and the Ngais informing us that the problem had not be resolved.  So the placing of the statue was cancelled until further notice.

Side note:  Bro. Choi's recommendation was a good one.

With the heat and all the waiting, Elder Bodily collapsed from exhaustion at the beach display in the Metropolis Mall.

However, it was only seconds before he recovered and walked the last 7 minutes to our flat.

For now, 

we'll hang tight until we get further word of when 

the statue of Angel Moroni will be placed on the temple.

________________________________________

Part Two

Today we gathered across the street at 11:00am to watch the Statue of Angel Moroni be respectably placed on top of the temple.  Its four days later since we gathered here on Monday to see this event take place.  We have waited six weeks, whats a few days more, right?

First, the removal from the crate.

Then the gradual raising. 

 Doesn't he look like his arm is broken and wrapped in a cast?

As the Angel Moroni was being raised, a small choir was singing so beautifully

while,

 others were gazing upwards to see what many of us have not had the opportunity to see before.

The clouds moved in overhead just at the right time to cool it down some for the guys up on top.

Elder Bodily visited with the man in charge of this operation,

and learned that each of the Angel of Moroni statues on the temples throughout the world

 are replaced when needed.  Most are changed on an average of 20 years.  He also learned that the Boise Idaho Temple holds the record of lasting the longest.  It stood 30 years before being replaced and expect that is because of the milder climate and clean air.

Events like this give us opportunities to get photos of some of those we have come to love.

 Brothers Wong and Chan

 Sisters Chan and Chan (no relation)

Sister Ling (you can find her on mormon.org)

The Friday-Shift Sisters and Temple missionaries

The Friday-Shift Brothers and Temple missionaries

Elder Bodily is missing in this photo because Bro. Choi asked him to take photos of all the excitement across the street at the time this was taken. 

Our hour was over, and we needed to get back to work before it was all completed.  But,  even though it was extremely warm, it was interesting to watch a good share of the process.

It will be nice when the protective covering has been removed and we can see him shine so brightly.

For now, we anxiously await the scaffolding to come down.

Witnessed Belated-Sealings!

Because of a typhoon warning with strong winds and rain, the temple was closed yesterday when three of these couples were scheduled to be sealed as families.  They had to wait one extra day,

 but what a wonderful day it was.

President Funk performed each of their sealings.  He was the mission president of the India Bangalore Mission, where he became acquainted with the Ramaraj family.

The Raju family had not met the Katuka and Ramaraj families before coming to the temple.

Bro. Devaraju Raju, his wife Sis. Bairavi Arumugam,

and their 11 and 9 year old sons, Dallin and Darwin.

These two boys were the most polite and well behaved boys we have seen here.
They have been taught well.
It was apparent that Sister Raju's heart was full of gratitude for the temple blessings she was receiving as she could not hold back the tears throughout the day.
The Rajus have waited 16 years to come.

This is Prabhakar Ramaraj and his bride, Timnah Katuka Ramaraj

Prabhakar and Timnah are students at BYU, and both have served missions.

They were also sealed to their families.

Timnah's mother, Sister Katuka is a delightful lady with a contagious smile.
She radiates genuine kindness.

 

 Ventakesh Alugu and his bride, Archana Vuppada (exclusively known as Lightening and Ava to the temple missionaries) who were married just one month ago on July 5th.

Venkatesh and Archana are the first members in their families.

Archana's parents died when she was 16.  She and her sister joined the church 4 years later. She was baptized one week before her sister.  Their brother eventually was baptized too.
That was 10 years ago.

Her sister married a nonmember who does not believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but
 Venkatesh has vowed to help his new brother-in-law see the light.
______________________________
Sister Judy Chan and I were able to attend these sealings, along with Sisters Hathaway and Masako.
A sealing is the crowning ordinance in the temple, and it is always a privilege to witness.

As we were all leaving the sealing room today, Sister Funk drew our attention to the Lotus Flower painting nearby. She explained how the flower grows in mud, then rises above as a pure and white blossom.  It is our temple covenants that help to make us pure.

I love that analogy!

Good To Be Back At The Temple!

Its good to be back in the temple again, 

serving those who come to participate in sacred temple ordinances. 

With the temple being closed for six weeks for renovations, we expected to see several changes this morning.  But, the only changes on the interior were added wallpaper and upholstered chairs, which looks quite nice.  On the exterior there is still scaffolding around the statue of the Angel Moroni because it is to be replaced next week. 

 Of course, the temple is sparkling clean again, thanks to several volunteers and workers.

 Our week began by welcoming families from India and a couple from Cambodia.

These two are from Cambodia.  

They met up with a friend from the past to attend the temple together.

The Jala Family and The Augustine Family

Jayaprakash Jala and Suhasini Ledalla Jala have saved for nine years to be able to come to the temple.  They each received their own endowment, and then were sealed together with their children, Meghana Sariah, 10 and Akash Zerin, 9.  Brother Jala is a counselor in the Chennai India District Presidency, which is in South India.  They travel six hours on a bus to go to church each Sunday.  This requires them packing food for three meals and leaving very early for the long ride ahead.
They make a tremendous sacrifice to renew their baptismal covenants each week
 and to worship the Lord.

The Augustine family also came to receive their own endowments,
 and to be sealed as an eternal family.
They learned of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when
Sister Suhasini Ledalla Jala taught them the gospel as a young missionary serving in Bangaluru,
and now their families are both here together to be sealed in the temple - what a blessing for them.

We are seeing how much the church is growing by leaps and bounds throughout Asia.
We are also learning a great deal from people like the Jalas and Augustines of what it means to make sacrifices for the Lord.

The Nelapati's Request! *

We definitely wanted to attend the temple while we were visiting Kristin, and made plans to do so today.  She made arrangements for the kids to stay at a friends near by while the three of us went to serve as proxy for six sealings needed in our family line.

Coincidentally, early this morning before getting ready to go, we received an e-mail from Kiran Nelapati from New Delhi, India.  We had met him and his new bride, Sidharthi when they came to the Hong Kong Temple last month to be sealed.  He was asking if we could help them complete the sealing for one of Sidharthi's ancestors, which they weren't able to complete in the short time they had in Hong Kong.

 We e-mailed him back to tell him his message was quite timely, because we were in fact, going to the temple this very day to do none other than sealings.

A special feeling was present as the three of us knelt at the altar to seal Santhi Devi Chadda to her parents Asha Kagda and Surupi Kagda.

We were happy to be able to help the Nelapatis, and know this was not a coincidence, but rather the Lord's perfect timing.

Kiran Nelapati and Sidharthi Chadda Nelapati

Added thought:  It was nice to hear the brother performing the sealing expressing appreciation to our daughter for her faithful attendance at the temple.  It pleases us as parents, to know our children are on the right path.

We also learned today that Brother Taylor who was one of the witnesses, knows Elder and Sister Coffey who recently served here in the Asia Area Office.  Small world especially within the church.

Last Days Before The Temple Closes

I spoke with one of the beautiful women from India who have been here this past week. 

 Sister Amy Paul is single and longs to be married.  She asked me to pray for her that when she comes to the temple again, she will have a companion to come with her. 

 Unfortunately, we have no photo of her.

 Varaprasad Chilumula and his wife Navaneetha Chintha Chilumula

Their daughters Ananya Charitha Chilumula (6) and Alissia Hanney Chilumula (11mos)

Sister Chilumula received her own endowment and their family was sealed

Sister Rancie helped get the girls ready for their family sealing,
 and Alissia surprised her with a damp skirt.

 Both Sister Chilumula and Sister Madhura Bathula shared a wedding dress.
  The Bathulas are newlyweds.

 Alissia's grandfather

 Aradhana Samuel and her husband.  They are from New Delhi, India

He approached the Ordinance Room in all white with the exception of a red tie.

 Brother Chan was the President of the Hong Kong Mission two presidency's ago.

He has also served in the Hong Kong Temple Presidency

He is a great example of living the gospel with full purpose of heart. 

We will not see him again as he is going to the states to see two of his children in L.A. and Dallas.

He will not return until December.

 This is Gracie.  She joined the church not many years ago.  She received her own endowment today.

She says her conversion story is a lengthy one, and hopes to tell me about it when we see each other again.

Sister Judy Chan, Navaneetha Chintha Chilumula and her daughters,  

and Sister Madhura Bathula
Our group of beautiful women (present and future) on the steps of the temple.

Now it will be six weeks before we enter these doors again.
The temple is normally closed for two weeks twice a year for cleaning.
However, the Hong Kong Temple is in need of some renovating, and since it is the temple for so much of Asia, it would be difficult to close it for an extended length of time, as has been done with other temples.
 The solution seems to be to close the temple for six weeks for the next few scheduled closings,
 and renovate an area at a time.
We will anxiously wait to see what changes have been made when we return on July 19th.

Caught the Chaitans at TASTE!

Stopped at the grocery store on the way to our 'flat' (also known as apartment),

 and guess who we saw?

Bindu Manisha Chaitan & her husband Kumar