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.