The Office of General Counsel (OGC) 10th Floor

The Church Office Building in Wan Chai, Hong Kong is a great place to serve.

 A parting picture taken in February as we received the news the mission was closing.

 I also work on the 8^th floor, processing missionary applications.  The stairwell between the floors is used by many seeking to avoid the elevators and stretch those legs.

Rick works in our first office, a former storage closet.

 This office feels comfortable to us though there is no window.

Elder and Sister Blackwell now call our former office “home”.   They come from Kentucky and display Southern manners at their very best. 

 Marty Slater – One of two Area Legal Counselors.   Steve Toronto, the other ALC missed picture day.

 The Barlow’s former office now provides a work space for Lance (paralegal). The Blackwells enjoyed six days here before returning to the USA.  The new legal couple will join Lance in this premier office.

Elder and Sister Barlow, removed from their office and relegated to the conference table for their final weeks as missionaries.  This is a dangerous location for someone as social as Elder Barlow.  The constant traffic of people in and out must wave and speak with this gregarious couple.  We miss them.

 Elder and Sister Latimer happily labor here.  She is the queen of technology and anything to do with the English language.  He serves as our District Leader.  That can be a huge job with this rowdy group of missionaries.

 Notice the lovely office of Elder and Sister Lemmon.  They have returned to “civilian” life in the USA.  They left very large shoes to fill.

We inherited the Lemmon’s office.  Truthfully, we feel delighted to serve anywhere on the 10^th floor with this great group of senior missionaries.

 My keyboard displays English and Chinese characters.  I’m sometimes startled as I look down at my fingers while typing.

 Presenting Jennifer Chan.  Now you’ll meet the people who really run the office.  We can’t survive without Jennifer and Polly.  She looks to be about age 21 but has two grown children. 

Polly Mok enters the room every morning like a force of positive energy.  She moves at super speed all day.  When Polly and Jennifer speak in Cantonese it sounds like a high speed song.  This office simply can't function without their skills.  We love them!!

P

We enjoy visits with Polly’s daughters.  Moi Moi (Angela) is one year old.  Note the cool child carrier.  Everyone here seems to use such a carrier for young children.

Sim Sim (Hannah) dresses like Disney’s Elsa.  She is as animated as her mother.

 Sister Thredgold mans the reception desk of the Area Presidency.  Her list of duties is staggering.  I'm amazed she can keep up.

With only four senior couples currently serving in Hong Kong, socializing together seems more important than ever.  We feel privileged to serve with such marvelous people and enjoy every activity shared together.  (Elder Thredgold stands behind the camera.)  

Victoria Harbor Promenade

The beautiful promenade borders Victoria Harbor on the peninsula side of Hong Kong

 for nearly 3 miles.

                      Exercise is the main event in the early morning hours.

 This group of “elderly” exercisers sure knows how to move those flexible bodies as they do
 “Square Dancing” (their name for exercising on the square).

                     Look at that stretch from a woman who is surely older than me!

     The plant varieties and aromas create lovely scenery.

   These gray haired women can bend in ways I’ve not tried since my youth.

                     The east side of the walkway attracts swimmers in the morning.

    The women talk, laugh, and don’t venture far into the harbor.  Their colorful bathing caps provide      a  delightful view from the pathway above.

                          This is my favorite AM site.  The men are serious swimmers  and stretch into the

                           splits before entering the harbor.  The sign above the entry stairs reads, "No

                           swimming".

Notice the fishing poles resting on the rail.  Dedicated fishermen line the harbor morning and evening.

    Climbing over the railing to fish doesn’t seem like the best idea.  They’ve practiced.

 Some use only a line – no pole.  The cooler filled with tiny fish indicates this method also works.

                      Summer vegetation adds beauty to every hour of the day.

                     Our apartment complex stands behind these lovely flowers.

                    This stretch is perfect for a short run.  The lack of additional walkers is rare.

The sun catches the convention center just right as it gleams across the harbor.  This facility was built in 1997 specifically for the “handover”.   The roof line resembles wings – soaring into the future.   What do Hong Kongers think now?

    One morning this double rainbow brightened the sky during my walk.

    Photography is a favorite activity along the promenade.

 

    We discovered this wedding party early one afternoon.

Evenings on the promenade are filled with a multitude of activities - that's a subject for

another post.

Peng Chao Island

June 26 we celebrated Dragon Boat Festival.  Due to Covid 19 all boating events 

were cancelled.  Steve offered to accompany us to Peng Chau Island, West of Hong Kong,

for a delightful day of adventure.

This small Buddhist temple greeted our exit from the ferry.

The narrow streets were filled with small shops.

 Elder Blackwell seems to be walking back in time.

The small shops are reminiscent of China.

 Bicycles are the only form of transportation through the narrow streets, and foot
traffic - obviously.

Blackwells, Steve Toronto (ALC), Latimers, and Elder Hafen.

 Steve insisted we stop at this fabulous bakery.  The large, flat sesame cookies
were marvelous and the coconut and raisin rolls tasted delicious.  We all hope the
intended name of the bakery is "ANDY" not "ANOY".

 The eye popping house colors were unusual but all living areas were neat and clean.

The bamboo lid was removed to display the varieties of dumplings.

These bamboo baskets are filled with endless combinations of meat, eggs, veggies,
fish, and some unknown ingredients.  Their dumpling skills are unbelievable.
Some look delicious, others are questionable while the aromas they produce are
either heavenly or requiring a nod of "no thanks".

 Hiking to the small peak was beautiful.

We questioned our decision to hike when we saw the fire beaters.  These strips
of rubber bound to a long stick don't appear promising in effectively fighting a blaze.
 I'd turn and run if faced with fire, I'm such a wimp. 

 Our view from the top

 I love this large hat.  It bounces as she walks and the fabric pleats flutter.  I assume
it discourages gnats and other insects.

The Buddhist temple of the Dragon Mother.

 We treated Steve to a birthday lunch at this Chinese restaurant.  He and the
Latimers speak fluent Mandarin so our waitress brought endless trays of dumplings
filled with amazing treats.  We trusted these experienced souls and sampled
every dish.  Each was a winner!

 One couple was transported home via medical helicopter.  The heat overpowered someone and the
cautious police decided this transport was the best option.

 Not wanting to waste the moment, this beautiful shot was taken from the air.  Hence, the medical condition was not so serious.