December 26, 2019

Christmas in Hong Kong

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We have enjoyed this beautiful tree in our apartment lobby.  The pine aroma reminds us of our home at Christmas time when we cut a fresh tree.  

 Only in Asia!!

Tsim Sha Tsui decorated BIG for the holidays.  There were so many people (and cameras) here.  The display felt perfectly magical.

We joined the "selfie" crowd though we don't pose quite as elegantly as the Chinese.

 

December 24 in Whompoa (near our home):  It is 70 degrees and so many display excitement for the season.  

Several senior couples joined together Christmas morning to assemble 60 gift bags containing a pass-along card, a poem about the Savior, and home made treats (that proved to be a challenge with our small "Susie bake ovens", yet all goodies were edible and pleasing to the eye).

We delivered the bags to the laborers in our complex: shuttle bus drivers, cleaning people, security guards (most come from Nepal), office workers, and all others working on the holiday. 

Our presentation was met with shock from most and humble appreciation as several bowed in respect for our small offering.  We felt delight in surprising them and recognizing their labors in our behalf.

Photographing the security guards is strictly forbidden so those memories are reserved for our hearts.

We joined together for a pot luck brunch after our deliveries were completed.

Our apartments are comfy and cozy and don't hold large crowds.   

My favorite Holiday event was accompanying this lovely branch choir's Christmas program.  These Philippine sisters sang with all their hearts.  "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem" was sung with such sweetness and meaning that reading the music through my tears provided one more Christmas miracle.  I'll always think of them when I hear that children's carol.  They mispronounced several words but they love Jesus and that message transcended all lyrics.  

December in Hong Kong

December 19, 2019

The Hong Kong Harbor lights are beautiful at 8:00 each night.  Our temperatures hover around 70 degrees at that time and we enjoy walking along the promenade as we watch the show.

Keyboarding class:  These sisters are delightful.  Many have studied piano keyboarding for a few years, others are beginners.  I appreciate their dedication.  They really work at learning every aspect of the course.  Musical abilities among the students range from natural musician to tone deaf with fingers that refuse to touch the right notes.  Everyone earns an "A" for hard work and effort.

Keyboarding students begin by completing the chorister course first.  Truthfully, there are more capable choristers in the branches here than I've seen in any ward.  Most of the students are Philippine working as domestic helpers in Hong Kong.  They schedule classes on their one day off each week.  They are amazing!

Last week we participated in the Everyday Branch.  We were the Sacrament meeting speakers Tuesday through Friday.  The branch groups range in size from 12 to 20.  We also provided the musical number, a Christmas piano duet.  The spirit in that small chapel was radiant.  I was moved to tears constantly.  We've witnessed what it means to be truly humble.  It was our honor to be in their presence each day.

Jocelyn, a marvelous sister in our branch, departed for California to marry her fiance.  Best wishes!

We finally met the famous Elder Finklea from our own Santa Clara Heights Stake.  He sings with the missionary choir.  Their Christmas program was outstanding.  The Elders who accompany the choir could perform an entire concert on their own.  The talent these young missionaries possess is inspiring.

Rick stand in front of this beautiful poinsettia display.  The Church Office Building is in the background (the one with the steeple on top).

Morning Journey to the Office

December 11, 2019

We sit on the top of the double deck bus as we approach the Harbor Tunnel

We ride through the tunnel and emerge on the other side of the harbor thanks to modern engineering.

Mia, our Chinese daughter, met us for dinner.  She attends graduate school in Hong Kong.  Who could have imagined we would reconnect after leaving Mainland China nearly four years ago!

Happy reunion!  Notice the sweet and sour chicken with peppers and fruit ON ICE.

December 11, 2019

Hong Kong Christmas Decor

The missionaries decorated this tree on the ground floor of the Church Office Building.  Watching them hang the decorations first and then stare at the strings of lights provided a great laugh.  The young sisters convinced them to remove some of the ornaments and weave in the lights.  Many hands make interesting work.  The finished product is lovely.

This beautiful pine graces the main lobby of our apartment complex.  The aroma is splendid.  I savor my walk through this area every morning and evening.

Poinsettias fill the city.   This seems to be the favorite decor item for all of Hong Kong.  I never tire of seeing these beautiful displays.

The vibrant red flowers mixed with the natural greenery create nature's best holiday display.

There seems to be no limit to the number of poinsettias used throughout the city.

Thanksgiving

December 4, 2019

Hong Kong provides a beautiful backdrop for a Thanksgiving feast.  All the missionary couples joined together with the area presidency for this event.  The greatest joy was preparing full plates for the surprised Hong Kong employees in our office and the guards who monitor all those entering the building.

The sister next to me (back row) is really that tall.  Her husband is taller but missed the feast due to illness.  Serving with these missionaries is sheer joy.

Saturday dawned sunny and warm.  We took advantage of the weather and boarded the turbo jet ferry for Macau.  Our visas arrived which necessitated "leaving" Hong Kong and reentering to obtain official status.  Macau, like Hong Kong, is an SAR (Special Administrative Region) of China.  It is the most densely populated region of the world.  The island is 12 square miles, a former colony of the Portuguese Empire.  China obtained it in 1999.  The gambling industry is seven times larger than Las Vegas.  We boarded the on/off shuttle to see the town.  The open top bus provided a superb view of this gambling mecca. 

Interesting hotel.  Everything feels like Vegas with an Asian twist.

This old church reflects the Portuguese architecture of the original settlers.

We stand on Fisherman's Wharf with the stunning expansive bridge in the background.

These Philippine sisters were honored for completing one of the self-reliance classes.  They exude such pride in advancing their knowledge of business and finance.  We are embraced countless times each Sunday by kind and loving members.   They have extended the warmest of welcomes to us, the newest branch members, and we look forward to serving with these marvelous saints.  

November 26, 2019

Hong Kong is a beautiful city!!  We arrived at 7:30 AM to a hauntingly quiet airport. Due to recent protests a boarding pass is now required to enter the facility.  A taxi driver (pre-arranged) met us and transported our bags and tired bodies to a nearby location where another missionary couple escorted us to our new abode.  We showered, changed clothes and headed to the "office".  The missionaries and staff serving here are MARVELOUS!!  (I'm working with my hair to control the wild strands this humidity creates.)

Protesters vandalized the tunnel under the harbor (the bus route) so our current mode of transport from the peninsula, where we live, to Hong Kong Island, where we serve, is the ferry.  We enjoy the slow travel through the refreshing breeze.  Others are anxious for the return of the faster pace the bus provides.

Sister Lemmon introduced me to Pret, a french deli, located near our office.  I purchased a salad and sandwich for a shocking total of $86.  Truthfully, that is about $11 in American currency.

The Church office Building (COB) hosts ten levels of multiple chapels, classrooms, offices, and more.  The Area Seventy and his counselors live on floors 11 and 12.  This is a lovely facility used by several wards, branches, and church employees.  The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is located on the 10th floor.  Our service begins here.

Missionary Training Center

       We entered the Missionary Training Center on November 4, 2019.  The entire experience has been challenging, enlightening, and enjoyable.   The senior couples in our group will serve on six continents in a variety of positions.  We feel admiration and inspiration for these amazing missionaries and the lifetimes of  dedicated service they have already given.  2000 young Elders and Sisters also walk these halls with us.  The cafeteria buzzes with the sound of multiple languages, clanking dishes, and happy voices.
        Elder and Sister Uchtdorf spoke at the Tuesday devotional.  The MTC choir of nearly 700 voices sang beautifully.  The sea of endless name tags seemed to fill the large room with amazing energy.  What a remarkable evening!!
        We met a lovely young sister from Hong Kong.  She departs soon for the Canada Vancouver Mission where she will speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.  She wrote notes for us listing her Hong Kong ward and stake and the names of her brother, sister, and cousins.  Imagine, we already have friends in Hong Kong!  The  memorable moments are never ending.   

We happily point to Hong Kong on the world map.

The former St. George Temple ordinance workers that arrived in the

MTC on November 4th.

The center couple, Rick and Sue Parker, were fellow 

English teachers in China. 

Rick and Susan in Hong Kong

Rick and Susan in Hong Kong

In November 2019 we begin a new chapter in our lives.  We've been called to serve as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Hong Kong, China.  Leaving our children, grandchild, family and friends is the biggest challenge.  However, we look forward to this new adventure with excitement, anticipation, and fear.  Here we go!!!