The Chois!

*This was originally posted on September 16, 2016

We are going to miss Brother and Sister Choi greatly.  They are two of the most Christlike people we've met.  Sister Choi made me a beautiful shawl, that I will treasure.  As the temple recorder, Brother Choi has gone above and beyond to serve the workers and patrons in the temple.

Sri Lanka Saints!

*This was originally posted approx. September 9, 2016

We didn't know much about Sri Lanka or where it is even located until these members came to the temple this week.  The women speak little English.  Brother Paththini and Alexsanderkrishna can.

 The Paththini De Wage Family

Akisha & Amaya are daughters

The Alexsanderkrishan Family & Paththini De Wage Family

Elisha is wearing a crown and wedding dress.

Her mother, Tekla served a mission in Singapore

She was Buddhist before joining the church.

Brother Alexsanderkrishan was Roman Catholic

She is seven years older than her husband.

Their parents do not know because they would no approve.

Her being two years older would be unacceptable.

It took years before her husband joined the church.

They are the only couple in their branch who married outside of the church, and are still active.

They were able to come with the financial help from three separate members.  If they had not received help, it would be another 10 years before they could come. 

 They had already waited 5 years.

Champika Thushari Lanka made a pearl necklace for me because I gave her children a bag of candy.  It was explained to me that her father is a farmer.

  I told her that my father was also a farmer.

She gave me a note, written by sister Woodruff, thanking me, and considers me an eternal friend.

I wish I could tell Champika in her own language how much I appreciate her kindness.

This was given Saturday morning.

Elder Bodily baptized their son, Thushal 17 and daughter, Deshiko 15 as proxies

I attended the sealings of these above families.

Pathmasiri Gamage Don & Champika Singapulle Archchige

Children - Thushal, 17  Deshiko, 15   Piumi, 9   Gaganyo  1

I helped with the initiatory for each Indian and Sri Lanka sister.

Sister Champika was teary eyed.  

I learned that Sister Woodruff helped Champika read the Children's Scripture Stories for New Testament, Book of Mormon and D & C before their mission ended.  It required spending hours each week and staying up late and splashing water on Champika's face to accomplish.  

Elder Woodruff played cards with the children during this time, and Brother Pathmasiri usually slept on the couch.

Their son is preparing to serve a mission.  He speaks English.  Their daughter speaks English well.

Elder Bodily thinks she is just the cutest girl ever.

The Sri Lanka Saints on the left.  The Indian Saints on the right.
With Brother and Sister Woodruff in the center back.
Champika's husband is in the center.  She is to the left.

The Thais
Father, Mother, Son

This dear sister came to the temple from Thailand more than once during our time in HK.

Yo Yo Ma!

*This was originally posted September 9, 2016

When we learned that Yo Yo Ma would be performing in Hong Kong, we were excited to have an opportunity to watch him perform live.  

The concert hall is just a 15 minute-walk away from our apartment.

Yo Yo Ma is an incredible cellist, and his performances did not disappoint.  However, we were a bit disappointed that he only performed twice as a soloist.  He played a 'few' other pieces with the orchestra.  But, most of the concert was just watching the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.  They are an exceptional orchestra and played beautifully, but we thought we had bought tickets to a Yo Yo Ma concert.  That wasn't what we experienced. 

 Next time, we'll look a little closer at the brochure.

An Eternal Friend From Sri Lanka!

*This was originally posted approx. September 10, 2016

Champika Thushari Lanka made a pearl necklace for me as a thank you for the candy I gave her children.
Sister Woodruff helped her write a thank you note to give me for the candy.  She had her daughter try to me that her father is a farmer.  I tried to convey to her that my father was also a farmer.
She is a great women with faith and determination to learn to read the scriptures in English.
She learned with the help of Sister Woodruff from Cardston, Alberta.

Champika's husband is in the center.  She is standing on his right.  Elder and Sister Woodruff are standing directly behind them.

Big Wave Beach!

*This was originally posted on July 13, 2016

In our opinion, this is the best beach for swimming in the Hong Kong area.

Its not quite like the north shore of Oahu, but we got a little boogie board action going.

Getting a little relaxation on our P-day.

Off To St. Louis!

*This was originally posted approx. June 27, 2016

The temple is closed once again for some thorough cleaning, but this time its for six weeks for some additional renovating.  We were not given other assignments as expected, but rather permission from the Temple Department to go home during the closing, or to travel if we wanted.  Since Kristin is without her husband until July, we decided to spend a couple of weeks with her in St. Louis, and try to be some help to her while getting in some much needed Grandpa and Grandma B time with our adorable grandkids.

Our taxi driver had an efficient way of loading all four suit-cases plus carry-ons in his trunk.

These guys are pros.

Elder and Sister Ngai were on the same flight only headed to Calgary.

We departed ways in Seattle.

Koen has perfected his bike-riding skills.

Wearing an awesome helmet like his, makes it an even more thrilling ride.

Grandpa, Koen, Hadley, and Macie

Elder Bodily's (Grandpa B) 62nd Birthday

Decorations, gifts, cake, singing, and smiles included.

Wore out after all the celebrating.

Don't want to forget the sunscreen

We watched Koen and Hadley at their swim lessons.

Baking together is such fun.

Grandpa trying to be helpful by pitching in with a needed repair.

The FHE activity was a friendly water fight on the bumper boats.

Macie and Grandma played 'spectator'.

FHE Lesson - The shield of faith

Completely protected from the adversary with the full armor. 

Grandpa, still trying to be helpful as the handyman.

Kristin hard at it with her project to refinish the bed.

Grandpa trying to give Koen some tips on organization.

Hadley is a big help with bedtime stories.

Kristin is amazing at running up hill.

Father and daughter getting their first time run together.

Couldn't think of a better place to spend sometime with our daughter 

than at one of the Lord's temples.

Gary made arrangements without me knowing for our other children to meet up in St. Louis.

This was a welcome surprise, and a joy to have almost all our family together.

It's been awhile since we've been able to attend church together too.

Sure Going To Miss Nora!

*This was originally posted May 9, 2016

I don't think we will ever forget Sister Nora Chan.  She helped us get in and out of mainland China without getting lost. She is always helpful and generous in every way, and has quite the sense of humor.  She tells a good story of how she got her name Nora.  One of her college professors at BYU told her she had to have an english name to attend his class.  Unbeknownst to her, he was just teasing, but she didn't realize that.  So, she bought a book of baby names.  Opened it, closed her eyes, and placed her finger on the page.  It was pointed to the name Nora, so she chose that one.  When she attended class again, she was ready with her new English name.  Her professor confessed that he was just joking. She kept the name anyway, and has been Nora ever since, at least to those of us who don't speak Chinese.  She'll be headed back to her home in Seattle where she is very involved in helping the Chinese community there.

A congratulations from Pres. Wong on serving so faithfully.

Love to see her laugh.

We have learned a lot from Sister Chan's example.  She has gone the extra mile as a missionary.

Sure going to miss this outstanding lady.

LtoR: Young Bro. Chan (assistant recorder), E&S Chan, E&S Hathaway, P&S Wong, E&S Lee, Nora, E&S Bodily, E&S Ngai, P&S Hui, S Yuen, E Rancie, Bro. Choi (temple recorder)