Another exciting week in Hong Kong

We are so loving our time in Hong Kong.  I certainly feel my understanding and knowledge increase as I watch and interact with another culture.  Our duties at the Area Office are exciting and fulfilling.  We have been assigned to a Filipino (I learned how to spell it correctly see how much I am learning) Branch. This coming Sunday will be our first week with the Pennisula 3 Branch. Our branch does not meet at the church office building. We understand that we will have to take the MTR (train) or taxi to our building. We are serving with two other couples that are on our floor (both are part of the legal team). They love the branch and are excited to have us attend with them.

This week our Area Presidency has returned from Salt Lake and we were able to experience devotional led by one of our beloved presidency for the first time. Elder Gong led a discussion that summarized messages from conference. Afterwards the medical team had a meeting with Elder Gong regarding missionary support where we each gave a report of what we are doing. Elder Gong had Carlos and I introduce ourselves. He learned for the first time that we are fairly newly married. He asked that we talk about how we met and our families. His interest in us was tender and sweet but I was very uncomfortable being so personal in that group where there were some that we were meeting for the first time.

On Wednesday, we were invited to have dinner with the Area Presidency in President Watson's apartment which is on the 11th floor. Elder and Sister Heiner, the mission doctor and his wife, attended the dinner with us. Elder and Sister Heiner have finished their mission and are returning home this coming Saturday. It was a most incredible evening. I felt the love of my Savior as strong as I ever have as we sat around President Watson's living room, sang songs and bore testimony to each other. The feeling of love is just indescribable.

Saturday we had a group outing where we traveled to Shek-O beach. We took a train ride and then transferred to bus into the countryside. I have many pictures that I will post of our trip. I got a few pictures of a golf course just for Ben. I knew he would be interested. The problem was I was taking the pictures from the second floor of a speeding bus and it was hard to get a good picture. I also took a picture of a bus coming towards us. It is identical to the bus we are in. Please notice how narrow the road is and how much space there is for each bus. I have grown to have a great admiration for these bus drivers. They are expert at getting around in tight spaces.

I have included a picture of our friends standing outside the bus. I wanted a picture of the Chinese woman and her hat. Carlos and I are in the bus and our friends are outside of the bus. I know to you they are just pictures of people. I want you to know that I have the tenderest of feelings for these dear missionaries. They feel like family to me and I can't help but glow with love when I look at them in these pictures.

We had another national holiday yesterday (Tuesday Oct. 23). Carlos and I didn't know and scheduled appointments. So we worked in the morning (it was quiet at the office since most were celebrating the holiday), then went grocery shopping (a nearly daily task since we can only buy what we can carry and have no room to store things anyway), then sat at home and watched the debate (I'm ready for this election to be over, it is exhausting).

Today we began practicing for the Christmas program. Sister Gong is leading us as we play the chimes. It is so fun. I am middle C. We are playing "Away in a Manger" and "Carol of the Bells." We practice every Wednesday until Christmas. We will need the practice.

We are just having a great time! Every day is a new adventure. I am filled with love just about all the time. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for this great opportunity to learn and grow in such a rich environment.