20 Years Ago Today!

This is the 20th Anniversary of the dedication of the Hong Kong Temple.  It has been a special day for me because of the following:

First,
Brother Choi shared a personal experience with me, that he had regarding his father.    When he returned from his mission in 1982, he was the only member in his family.  His father passed away five years later in 1987.  Because there was not a temple in Hong Kong at that time, Bro. Choi asked a friend of his, who was going to Taiwan and would be attending the temple there, if he would be baptized for his father.  His friend agreed, and Bro. Choi didn't think any more of it.
Sometime later Brother Choi  had a dream that he saw his father smiling at him.  It brought tears to Bro. Choi.  He woke with a wet face.
This happened again - each time waking up with a wet face.  He realized it was not just a dream.
He contacted his friend to find out that he had not done the baptism after all.
When the temple was dedicated on May 26, 1996,  it had been 9 years since Bro. Choi thought his father's baptism had been done.  He then arranged to be baptized for his father and complete his endowment in the Hong Kong Temple.   Brother Choi has not had that dream since.
Brother Choi's mother passed away a few years ago, and Sister Choi served as her proxy to complete her temple ordinances.

Second, I was proxy for an ancestor, Corinne Mae Faxon on the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Temple's dedication.

Third, I met three delightful women from New Zealand.  Dolly Keung from Hamilton
Kahu Gordon also from Hamilton, and Celia Hawea from Nelson.  When I told them my maternal great-grandmother was born in Rangiora, Canterbury, New Zealand, and I hope to go there with my husband someday to visit that area, Celia told me that Nelson is closer to that area, and graciously invited us to pay her a visit.
Maybe we'll see these ladies again when we finally take a trip to New Zealand.

It has been an extra special day!

New Friends From Mongolia!

Made a few more friends from Mongolia.

Lkhagvajargal Dalaichvluun (Jargal for short or Wednesday Happy)

She delivered a gift to Elder Bodily from Gumbold, our favorite Mongolian tour guide.

He sent a tie made in Mongolia.  Elder Bodily will proudly wear it.

Jargal was the only one in their group who could speak fluent English and was wonderful at translating for us.  It would have been more difficult without her.

Bayarmaa and Batsuuri received their own endowments, and then were sealed as a family with their 10 year old son, Davaajargal.

L to R:  Avarzed Lkhaajay, Davaajargal 10 yrs, Batsuuri Jadaamba

L to R: Bayarmaa Tsedendash, Baavar Namjilsuren, Me, Jargal (Wednesday Happy)

Wednesday Happy taught us three important words in Mongolian.

 'Sain Baiha uu', which means Hello!

'Bayarlalaa', which means Thank you!

'Bayartai', which means Goodbye! 

They have been here for nine days serving every day to perform the work needed to redeem the dead.

They are tremendously faithful saints, and a joy to have met.

Two Patient Thai Members!

This group is from Thailand, so as they arrive at the temple, 

we welcome them by saying, "So-wah-dee-kaw" with bowed heads.

The brother on the left and the sister in the red dress received their own endowment today. 

He has been serving as a counselor in their ward's bishopric.

 She is the Relief Society President in the ward, and has been a member for 10 years.

The sister on the far right is in the Stake R.S. Presidency.

Their ward's bishop is the tallest in the back row.

The brother next to him is his other counselor.

These two have been faithfully serving in leadership positions in their ward while patiently waiting for the day to come to the temple to make scared covenants with the Lord.

Their faces and the faces of those who came to support them,

 reflect their feelings for this long-awaited day.

Finding The Lost Tribes!

Elder and Sister Chan organized our Family Home Evening this month.
It was spent watching a video regarding the Lost Ten Tribes.

It was produced and narrated by a jewish man who has been interested in the prophecies that are found in the scriptures.
 He has done research regarding the lost tribes returning to Israel before Armagedan.
It was interesting!

We gathered at Chans for refreshments afterwards.
 The Ortons, James, and Chamberlains joined our group of temple missionaries.
We all think the more, the merrier!

Hong Kong District Conference and BYU Devotional

We stayed in Wan Chai after the District Conference to attend the BYU Devotional.

Shook hands with President Randy Funk and President Sam Wong

A Brother Ringer and his wife, Amy spoke first.

  Brother Ringer is the director of the Kennedy Center of BYU.

Savior Redeemer of My Soul was sung by the International Full-time missionaries.  It was powerful!

Then Sister Peggy Worthen, the wife of BYU's president spoke.  She bore testimony that our Heavenly Father is aware of us, of our sacrifices, and our services.

She had an angel - Brother Larsen.  He would say, 'let me hold your baby.  Sister Worthen, this will be worth it'!  That very moment changed her whole perspective, and she went to church from then on.  She knew Heavenly Father was aware of her.

President Kevin Worthen said that none of us are in Hong Kong by accident.  We each have something important to do.  We have to build the Kingdom of God wherever we are.

Sure glad we stayed, and of course, we took a few photos afterwards.

Brother and Sister Ho attend the temple regularly.  In fact, Bro. Ho serves as an ordinance worker.

He is a great guy, and a generous one too.  He often asks Elder Bodily for assistance.

Brother and Sister Ho with their daughter, Ashley.

She is such a talented young woman.  She designed the logo for the Youth Conference that was held at the beginning of May.  She also designs some of the ties for her father's business.

She is a beautiful artist, and hopes to go to school in New York or BYU.  She will soon be going to Finland for an internship.

Standing on the same stair landing we did 3 months ago with all the other temple and Asia Area Missionaries.  Much more elbow room this time.

Newlyweds From Guanzhou

Brother and Sister Hennessy.

Cecil Bisahan Lomongo Hennessy came to the temple today for the first time with this fine man whom she married last October.

I was privileged to assist her as she prepared to receive her Temple Endowment.

The Guangzhou Branch were here to support her on this special day.

Esperanza is the beautiful lady with the red purse.
I explained to her that Esperanza was the name given me in the Spanish Classes I took in high school.
That was only 43 years ago.
Este mui bueno dias para nosotros!

Six Languages At Once!

It was remarkable having patrons from Thailand, Indonesia, India, Mongolia, and Hong Kong* all in the same Endowment Session. With English speakers attending as well, we had six languages being listened to.  When that happens, half of the headsets are used if the session is full, and its marvelous to see.  We are grateful for the technology that makes this possible.