Monday, September 24, 2012
Whew! We made it!
Friday evening we boarded a huge airliner in Los Angeles at 11:50 PM, chased the sun all evening and arrived at the beautiful Hong Kong airport Sunday morning at 5:20 just as the sun was rising. Although it was long, it was a great flight. We were served two meals on board that were not that bad, in fact, I quite enjoyed them. I (Alane) watched three movies that I had been wanting to see and two documentaries. I did sleep some. I think the total flight was just under 15 hours.
We took a train from the airport (if you want to know about this incredible airport, watch Extreme Engineering season 1 episode 2...so interesting what they have been able to do). We arrived at our apartment around 7:00.
Other senior missionaries met us there. We found our refrigerator filled with food...enough for the entire week. You should see the carrots here, they are bigger than potatoes and so yummy (we are told). We haven't needed to cook yet because we are invited to dinner every night this week (and I was hoping to lose weight...ha!). The missionaries are friendly, supportive, kind, and make sure we are safely escorted to and from the office.
We spent the morning unpacking and organizing our things and then attended sacrament meeting at 1:00. Now remember we have not laid down since leaving our room at the MTC on Friday afternoon...not slept in a bed for I can't even calculate how many hours. Up to this point we were running on adrenaline, when we sat down for the meeting both of us struggled terribly to stay awake. During the closing prayer I (Alane) fell so soundly asleep that I tipped forward and caught myself just prior to falling on the floor, we were seated on the front row facing the speakers (bad planning on someone's part).
We were escorted home by wonderful Sis Jackson and we slept off and on for the next 12 hours.
A challenge has been getting our computers working at home and at the office. Funny we have only been without them for a few days...we felt lost without our ability to email or use our wifi. Hopefully those challenges will be overcome soon.
This is an amazing place. I wish I had the words to describe it. It is very crowded, people everywhere yet their system is effective and we have spent very little time standing in lines. We walk a great deal and always seem in a hurry to catch a bus...which there are hundreds of double decker busses. It seems the majority of the population rides public transportation. The busses can be very crowded but it doesn't seen a bother as we aren't on them long.
I've included some pics of our apartment. I am going to try some other posts with labels and pics to give you some idea of our adventure.
I want to add that we learned Katie and Walter have some friends whose parents are serving as the medical advisers here. They came to FHE last night with a picture of Katie's Bella playing with their granddaughter when I saw the picture, spontaneous tears welled up in my eyes and I couldn't talk for several minutes. How grateful I am for small tender mercies that the Lord loves me and is interested in my happiness. Ok pics to follow. Love you all
We took a train from the airport (if you want to know about this incredible airport, watch Extreme Engineering season 1 episode 2...so interesting what they have been able to do). We arrived at our apartment around 7:00.
Other senior missionaries met us there. We found our refrigerator filled with food...enough for the entire week. You should see the carrots here, they are bigger than potatoes and so yummy (we are told). We haven't needed to cook yet because we are invited to dinner every night this week (and I was hoping to lose weight...ha!). The missionaries are friendly, supportive, kind, and make sure we are safely escorted to and from the office.
We spent the morning unpacking and organizing our things and then attended sacrament meeting at 1:00. Now remember we have not laid down since leaving our room at the MTC on Friday afternoon...not slept in a bed for I can't even calculate how many hours. Up to this point we were running on adrenaline, when we sat down for the meeting both of us struggled terribly to stay awake. During the closing prayer I (Alane) fell so soundly asleep that I tipped forward and caught myself just prior to falling on the floor, we were seated on the front row facing the speakers (bad planning on someone's part).
We were escorted home by wonderful Sis Jackson and we slept off and on for the next 12 hours.
A challenge has been getting our computers working at home and at the office. Funny we have only been without them for a few days...we felt lost without our ability to email or use our wifi. Hopefully those challenges will be overcome soon.
This is an amazing place. I wish I had the words to describe it. It is very crowded, people everywhere yet their system is effective and we have spent very little time standing in lines. We walk a great deal and always seem in a hurry to catch a bus...which there are hundreds of double decker busses. It seems the majority of the population rides public transportation. The busses can be very crowded but it doesn't seen a bother as we aren't on them long.
I've included some pics of our apartment. I am going to try some other posts with labels and pics to give you some idea of our adventure.
I want to add that we learned Katie and Walter have some friends whose parents are serving as the medical advisers here. They came to FHE last night with a picture of Katie's Bella playing with their granddaughter when I saw the picture, spontaneous tears welled up in my eyes and I couldn't talk for several minutes. How grateful I am for small tender mercies that the Lord loves me and is interested in my happiness. Ok pics to follow. Love you all
Sunday, September 16, 2012
My Heart Light is turned On!
We had such a beautiful day today that I just had to post another blog today. I truly feel like I am in heaven here. This morning in our Sacrament Meeting we had 8 young Elders (a whole district) that are going to Tonga sing a hymn in Tongan. The tears began to sting my eyes as I listened to their baritone voices with their testimony of Christ shining in their faces. I just can't describe the tenderness and feeling of peace and joy that is a part of this Missionary Training Center.
Tonight we attended a devotional that began with 4 young Elders going to the Philippines sing "Secret Prayer." It was just gorgeous. I feel like ET with my heart light constantly turned on. Then Tracy Watson bore powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon. Truly inspiring!
We had a great visit with my nieces on the grounds of the Provo Temple and I wanted to post a pic of us. What a great day! Love, love, love it!
Tonight we attended a devotional that began with 4 young Elders going to the Philippines sing "Secret Prayer." It was just gorgeous. I feel like ET with my heart light constantly turned on. Then Tracy Watson bore powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon. Truly inspiring!
We had a great visit with my nieces on the grounds of the Provo Temple and I wanted to post a pic of us. What a great day! Love, love, love it!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
The MTC Experience 1st week
In spite of my health challenges this week, the MTC has been such a positive experience for both of us. I love the spirit at the MTC. I would wager that there is no place on earth where you would find a group of 2700 people (everywhere we go there is a sea of white shirts and ties) in one place who are a happier people. The young missionaries just energize this place. They are courteous, friendly, laughing and jovial. I know this is no real disclosure but I have found myself struck to the point of tears over and over and you have to remember I have been in my room resting more than I have been out of it.
Let me break down the week for you. We arrived Monday morning and after checking in, I went straight to bed. Carlos attended various different orientation meetings while I snoozed.
The rest of the week was Preach My Gospel training (I missed all but Friday morning). Carlos loved his experience and felt that his counseling training was a great help and influence for himself and others.
We attended a devotional where Elder Carlson (a member of the Seventy) and his wife addressed us on 9/11. Elder Carlson was a General working in the Pentagon on the day that it was attacked. He bore powerful testimony as did his wife. He admonished the missionaries to look for the sheep and have discernment in choosing who to teach. I felt a love for my country and the Gospel as he bore testimony and gave direction.
As I said before, I am impressed by the goodness, organization, and general spirit of love that is present at the MTC. We have visited with missionaries headed all over the world. We met three couples at our Malaria training (how comforting is that?) who were headed to Africa. One couple, the husband was a farmer from Utah, will be an advisor for well drilling in remote areas in Africa. We met a young Elder who excitedly reported that he will be serving in the jungles in some remote place I had never heard of in Mexico. We have met two senior couples going to Russia and one to Finland. All expressed the same reservations that I have expressed to serving in Hong Kong. Today on the shuttle to the mall one young Elder (called to Honduras) said he was certain that when he opened his mission call it would say, "You have been called to serve on the dark side of the moon." We all laughed and I realized what courage, faith, and dedication it is taking to serve wherever we are called. What a testimony builder.
We have run into some people, not that we knew personally but people we love and care about know. My nephew, Justin Turley's mother-in-law and her husband were here. We became fast friends. We have looked all over for and now continue to run into Soren Jorgensen whose family is great friends of Katie and Walter in Cortez, Co and who Amanda developed a deep friendship with and I served in the temple with and grew to love Pam Ditmar (hi Pam) and sat by her sister and husband twice in the cafeteria. Everyone feels like family here. We sat by a couple of young sister missionaries yesterday and got a hug from them today. It is a marvelous place.
Carlos and I attended three days of language training with a young man, Br. Fong who is a native of Hong Kong. He was so patient with us. Bless his ever loving heart. Neither Carlos or I feel we have an affinity to Cantonese. Br. Fong looked frustrated with our pronunciation more than once but was so patient with us.
There was a testimony meeting last evening where the senior couples in language training were expected to bear their testimonies in the language they were learning. Ha Ha! Everyone in the room got up and struggled through a testimony in a foreign language until the only two left who hadn't born their testimonies was yours truly and her beloved husband. Silence has never been so loud to me. Finally I jumped up and bore a short testimony in English and Carlos followed suit. What a powerful and wonderful experience. I wish I could express it in words.
For those curious about my health. I am getting stronger. I was able to talk with a gastrointologist (not sure that is how it is spelled) yesterday on the phone. What a great guy. He talked about my symptoms, my medication, and my diet. What a relief! He educated me about diverticulitis and how to avoid it in the future.
I feel the Lord's hand in our lives. I know He is aware of each of us individually. How I miss my friends and family and how I am looking forward to new and challenging experiences.
Let me break down the week for you. We arrived Monday morning and after checking in, I went straight to bed. Carlos attended various different orientation meetings while I snoozed.
The rest of the week was Preach My Gospel training (I missed all but Friday morning). Carlos loved his experience and felt that his counseling training was a great help and influence for himself and others.
We attended a devotional where Elder Carlson (a member of the Seventy) and his wife addressed us on 9/11. Elder Carlson was a General working in the Pentagon on the day that it was attacked. He bore powerful testimony as did his wife. He admonished the missionaries to look for the sheep and have discernment in choosing who to teach. I felt a love for my country and the Gospel as he bore testimony and gave direction.
As I said before, I am impressed by the goodness, organization, and general spirit of love that is present at the MTC. We have visited with missionaries headed all over the world. We met three couples at our Malaria training (how comforting is that?) who were headed to Africa. One couple, the husband was a farmer from Utah, will be an advisor for well drilling in remote areas in Africa. We met a young Elder who excitedly reported that he will be serving in the jungles in some remote place I had never heard of in Mexico. We have met two senior couples going to Russia and one to Finland. All expressed the same reservations that I have expressed to serving in Hong Kong. Today on the shuttle to the mall one young Elder (called to Honduras) said he was certain that when he opened his mission call it would say, "You have been called to serve on the dark side of the moon." We all laughed and I realized what courage, faith, and dedication it is taking to serve wherever we are called. What a testimony builder.
We have run into some people, not that we knew personally but people we love and care about know. My nephew, Justin Turley's mother-in-law and her husband were here. We became fast friends. We have looked all over for and now continue to run into Soren Jorgensen whose family is great friends of Katie and Walter in Cortez, Co and who Amanda developed a deep friendship with and I served in the temple with and grew to love Pam Ditmar (hi Pam) and sat by her sister and husband twice in the cafeteria. Everyone feels like family here. We sat by a couple of young sister missionaries yesterday and got a hug from them today. It is a marvelous place.
Carlos and I attended three days of language training with a young man, Br. Fong who is a native of Hong Kong. He was so patient with us. Bless his ever loving heart. Neither Carlos or I feel we have an affinity to Cantonese. Br. Fong looked frustrated with our pronunciation more than once but was so patient with us.
There was a testimony meeting last evening where the senior couples in language training were expected to bear their testimonies in the language they were learning. Ha Ha! Everyone in the room got up and struggled through a testimony in a foreign language until the only two left who hadn't born their testimonies was yours truly and her beloved husband. Silence has never been so loud to me. Finally I jumped up and bore a short testimony in English and Carlos followed suit. What a powerful and wonderful experience. I wish I could express it in words.
For those curious about my health. I am getting stronger. I was able to talk with a gastrointologist (not sure that is how it is spelled) yesterday on the phone. What a great guy. He talked about my symptoms, my medication, and my diet. What a relief! He educated me about diverticulitis and how to avoid it in the future.
I feel the Lord's hand in our lives. I know He is aware of each of us individually. How I miss my friends and family and how I am looking forward to new and challenging experiences.
Monday, September 10, 2012
At the MTC
Let me get to the end of the story first. We are safely at the MTC. It is raining like crazy. The last three days have been exciting, full of spiritual experiences and challenges.
Saturday all who could attend the temple with us did. It was a tender and touching experience for all who attended. We then fed everyone at our home. The boys watched the BYU game. Go BYU!
Saturday evening I (Alane) began having pains in my stomach...I ignored them hoping they would go away. Sunday morning I was in the ER and was released just in the nick of time to give our talks for our farewell. (Thanks to all that came to support us and for those who couldn't come, we missed you). To make a long story even longer, I have a condition called diverticulitis, basically an infection in my large intestine...very painful. I was put on antibiotics and clear liquids (no cake for me). We presented our talks, Amanda sang through sweet tears and then Carlos and I were set apart as missionaries. We received sacred and inspiring blessings from our dear Stake President, President Pitcher.
We had the most wonderful family gathering afterwards. Thanks to MaLeesa, Geneva, Kristina, Janene, Emily and all those who helped to set up, clean up, and direct traffic.
We especially enjoyed our visit with Uncle Garth who was accompanied by Shane (so great to visit with her). Uncle Garth confidently and humbly reported to us that he most likely would not be on this earth when we get home. He said he would be on his next mission. Oh how I love him! We all shed big tears as we said good-bye.
We were up at 4:00 this morning to catch an early flight. I felt awful. It was a tough flight for me but we made it and I passed out (not literally) on the shuttle to the MTC. We managed orientation and lunch and then I slept all afternoon. I am pleased to announce that rest, medication, and food are marvelous healers and I am much improved.
Carlos and I are truly grateful for this experience. It is hard to leave our family, for sure, but we are excited to learn and grow as we have new experiences in a new culture that we know will help us grow spiritually and emotionally.
Saturday all who could attend the temple with us did. It was a tender and touching experience for all who attended. We then fed everyone at our home. The boys watched the BYU game. Go BYU!
Saturday evening I (Alane) began having pains in my stomach...I ignored them hoping they would go away. Sunday morning I was in the ER and was released just in the nick of time to give our talks for our farewell. (Thanks to all that came to support us and for those who couldn't come, we missed you). To make a long story even longer, I have a condition called diverticulitis, basically an infection in my large intestine...very painful. I was put on antibiotics and clear liquids (no cake for me). We presented our talks, Amanda sang through sweet tears and then Carlos and I were set apart as missionaries. We received sacred and inspiring blessings from our dear Stake President, President Pitcher.
We had the most wonderful family gathering afterwards. Thanks to MaLeesa, Geneva, Kristina, Janene, Emily and all those who helped to set up, clean up, and direct traffic.
We especially enjoyed our visit with Uncle Garth who was accompanied by Shane (so great to visit with her). Uncle Garth confidently and humbly reported to us that he most likely would not be on this earth when we get home. He said he would be on his next mission. Oh how I love him! We all shed big tears as we said good-bye.
We were up at 4:00 this morning to catch an early flight. I felt awful. It was a tough flight for me but we made it and I passed out (not literally) on the shuttle to the MTC. We managed orientation and lunch and then I slept all afternoon. I am pleased to announce that rest, medication, and food are marvelous healers and I am much improved.
Carlos and I are truly grateful for this experience. It is hard to leave our family, for sure, but we are excited to learn and grow as we have new experiences in a new culture that we know will help us grow spiritually and emotionally.
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