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.

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.

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.

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.