Weeks 16,17,18,19,...

We started out week 16 with a typhoon!  There was a lot of hype regarding the incoming typhoon of big winds and rain.  Our apartment complex used duct tape to make a large X on all of the major glass doors and windows to keep them from blowing in.  The neighboring complex placed a netting from the top windows to the ground in front of their windows.  As the day progresses the typhoon warning became stronger so that by 2:00 people were starting to l

eave for home.  We, of course, did not.  We didn't see that it was raining any more than usual so we waited until 4:00.  As we neared the bus stop it started raining buckets upon us.  Unfortunately, all of the other procrastinators had the same idea so that the bus line ran down the street and all the way down the next block.  To make matters worse, the buses were not stopping at our stop because they were already full.  After about a half hour a bus came by that was not one that most people ride, but worked for us.  We were able to go home and watch the remainder of the storm from our big window that overlooks the harbor.  We love our harbor window!

Each Monday morning we have a devotional meeting in one of our chapels downstairs (there are 3).  It involves all of the senior missionaries who work in our building, about 19, and the local employees who work here in the Area office.  We always sing a hymn, have an inspirational message and a prayer, followed by District Meeting only for us senior missionaries.  We take turns teaching a lesson from Preach My Gospel, which is fabulous.  So Monday morning was Dan's turn to teach about faith.  He is a wonderful instructor and gets people involved in lively discussions.

Dan's best birthday present ever (for me, anyway) was a season pass to Hong Kong Disneyland.  It is very cheap for seniors.  One Frida
y when we had not much to do (doesn't happen very often) we went to Disneyland with Jill Anderson.  What a fun experience!  It isn't as big as CA or FL but it's fun.  We spent several hours there and then on to choir practice.

Remember Dr. Jones Fok who wanted to take us to karaoke?  Well, he did!  We had a lovely dinner with he and his friend, and sang karaoke.  Dan started to not feel well towards the end of the evening so we went home.  As the evening wore on he felt worse and worse.  At 2:00 in the morning he was in excruciating pain and he recognized at that time what it was----kidney stone!  Again!  We didn't know where to go so called Dr. Fok who advised us what to do.  We ended up at Baptist Hospital where he was x-rayed to confirm that it indeed was a kidney stone.  Yes, there were seven kidney stones!  Only one was bothering him at this point.  Two days later he had it blasted.  Interestingly, Holly and Scott were also suffering with kidney stones at the same time.  Darn genetics!

We went to Stake Conference that Sunday in the Tolo Harbour Stake and saw some of our dear Chinese friends.  President Lam, President of the Hong Kong Mission was one of the speakers.  One of the reasons that we went there was to hear Carrie Wong's stake Primary choir.  They sang I Am a Child of God, which is what our grandchildren sang in Chinese for our mission farewell.  It was precious!

The temple re-opened the end of June so we are back to work on Tuesday nights.  What a wonderful place to learn our responsibilities!  The temple is a small one with two small endowment rooms and sealing rooms, but beautiful.  Our first night back the workers went into a small panic because a bus unloaded out front with everyone who was here for a service training meeting for the Area.  That was trial by fire, but very rewarding and fun.

July 1st was a Special Administrative Region Establishment Day holiday, which means that it's been 20 years since China took back Hong Kong.  There were celebrations all week long, special lights on the skyscrapers, and festivities all over Hong

Kong.  It all culminated on Saturday night with a special fireworks display over our harbor.  We all piled into the Corey's apartment since they have the best view of that part of the harbor and the promenade was too crowded.  The Chinese know how to do fireworks!  They literally started up with a bang!  Instead of having one central spot, they had three!  They were synchronized to all happen in unison so they filled the entire sky.  It was absolutely amazing!

July 4th was celebrated on Elder Funk's deck which is on the top floor and overlooks a large part of Wan Chai.  They barbequed and we all provided the remainder of the meal.  It was so fun to share our Independence Day with the Area President and his wife.

It was my turn to teach Institute Wednesday and it was Revelations 4-11.  Oh my!  I studied hard for that class since it's all about the seven seals and calamities of the last days.  There is so much symbolism and imagery in Revelations.  I could think of at least a dozen songs that take their texts from Revelations.  We look forward to starting the Book of Mormon in a few weeks.



Dan and I went downtown Wan Chai to meet with Jack Lau, a convert of one of Dan's former mission buddies.  He had served long and hard but became inactive for various reasons.  He owns a very large corporation and is quite a wealthy man.  He was very gracious and the next week invited us to dinner with his wife and two other couples.

Our choir has been getting ready for quite some time for the arrival of Craig Jessop of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  He came at the invitation of Sheldon Poon to China to judge and be the guest conductor of a music festival in China.  Then he came to Hong Kong to meet with our choir--Esther Chow's Choir--and rehearse a couple of songs with us, one of which was Consider the Lilies, our all-time favorite.  We had prepared long and hard for his visit.  He came with two other music professors from Utah State University, a piano instructor, Kevin Olson and Cindy Dewey, a vocalist.  Saturday night they conducted an area-wide music workshop of which I accompanied for Craig.  Sunday was a fireside in which Brother Olson played a number and Cindy Dewey sang a beautiful song.  Then Craig spoke about some of his experiences while be the Tabernacle Choir conductor.  We were able to spend some personal time with Craig of which we will always be grateful.  We grew to love him when he was the choir director.

Celia (one of the Keung sisters) and Ricky Wong have a 15 year old daughter who is a piano prodigy.  She spent the last year living in American Fork to attend high school and take piano lessons at BYU from their top piano instructor.  She is home for the summer, but recently left for Utah to participate in an audition with the Utah Symphony for Salute to Youth.  If she wins in her age group she will be able to play a concerto with the symphony at a concert.  Professor
Olson and we listened to her play her piece and were blown away by her expertise.  We wish her the best!

Once a month we have Family Home Evening, usually here in the Wan Chai building, with all of the senior missionaries, including the Mission Home seniors and the Temple seniors.  The Chandler's hosted this one with Hawaiian haystacks followed by a video of a performance by the Canadian Tenors.  Fun night!

Alan and Jill Anderson have their three children and grandchildren in town for a few weeks.  They invited us to dinner at a  wonderful Italian (thank goodness!) restaurant of which they have part ownership at Festival Walk, the largest mall I've ever been in, next to the Temple.  It was fun to see their kids since we hadn't seen them since they were very little.  The food was delicious, and a welcome change from the Chinese cuisine that we usually have when we go to dinner.

Saturday morning Dan went with Manfred Lai on a hike to High West Mountain.  They both enjoyed being able to get away from the city and visiting with each other.  They stopped at the Hong Kong Dedication Site (where Matthew Cowley dedicated it in 1949 for the preaching of the Gospel) near the Peak Tram stop.  We enjoy the two Lai boys, their wives and babies and their mother, Julie.  That night Dan and I went to a movie, Dunkirk, a very realistic World War II movie about all the soldiers stranded at Dunkirk.  I'm so grateful for the freedoms that we so enjoy, and pray that we will continue to enjoy them.

Sunday we were awakened with a phone call letting us know that church had been cancelled because there was a category 8 (very high) typhoon warning.  It was nice to have to be home all day and worship on our own.  However, the typhoon didn't materialize, at least not here.  The New Territories had storms but we only had some mild wind and rain.  When a category 8 is expected, the red duct tape goes up anyway.  Since it was cancelled by mid afternoon we went to choir practice.  When choir is on Sunday they have a meal halfway through the practice.  I took a tuna-noodle casserole that they loved.  I thought they would since it had two things they like to eat--tuna and noodles.

We had a new office couple come to take over the Nielson's job of humanitarian.  They arrived on Pionner Day.  Pioneer Day is mostly overlooked here since they are so far removed from that part of our heritage.  However, our lesson at district meeting was about pioneers.  "Their faith is our inheritance.  Their faith is a reminder to us of the price they paid for the comforts we enjoy."  Gordon B. Hinckley.  Blessed honored pioneers!

Last Saturday we went to Dim Sum (Chinese brunch) with Alky and her kids.  It is a very large room with lots of round tables where they bring carts around with dumplings, etc. that you eat family style.  Some of it I like, some of it I don't.  Afterwards we went upstairs to the Chinese Food Museum, a very interesting display of the heritage of Chinese food and some of the old restaurants that graced Hong Kong.  That night we went to see Cars with the senior missionaries.  We're not used to seeing so many movies!

Adria

The next day was a very special day in the temple.  This is the only temple that has Sunday sessions. They are four times a year and are for the Filipina domestic workers.  They have to sign up ahead in order to accommodate the number of people.  Most of us senior missionaries worked in the temple that day (two sessions) as well as many local temple workers.  It was such a joy to be able to serve these faithful sisters.

Vivi

Daddy and William

Again, we are so grateful for this opportunity of serving this mission.  We are thankful for your prayers in our behalf.  Please know that we pray for you, too!

Love, Dan and Marian, Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma