What an interesting couple of weeks.  A few really cool things happened. We started serving as ordinance workers in the Temple on Tuesday mornings here in Hong Kong and boy has it been eye opening.

I met a lady who is from and lives in Mainland China. She is an ordinance worker and comes to the temple for two weeks at a time to serve. Because of the laws, she has to go home after two weeks and be back in China for two months before she can return to Hong Kong. After paying for her day and a half of travel each direction, she then pays $100HK a night to stay in the Temple housing for the two weeks she is here. She has been a member of the church for over 12 years. This is absolutely amazing to me. How many of us live an hour or less from a temple but have a "hard time" finding the time to go? This kind of consecration and commitment is really incredible. It isn't like she couldn't find other things to do with her time and money, but clearly this is her priority. This is only ONE story of many people here.

In most parts of mainland China (which is different than HongKong - two completely different systems) they are not allowed to be baptized. The law says that if there is a family member who is a member of the church, they can share the gospel with them and then they have to come to Hong Kong to meet with the missionaries. They receive all the lessons in one day and get baptized that night.  This week, an entire Branch (congregation) from Mainland China had come down to support about 5 people taking the lessons who were then baptized that same day. We are not allowed to talk about exact numbers in their entirety in regards to mainland, but I will tell you that the amount of people coming here is astounding to me. At least 10 baptisms that we know about have happened in just the last two weeks. Think about it... This is a country that is basically atheist with a communist government. Like many parts of the world, many people know there is more and that something is missing in their lives but just don't know what it is....until they hear it. Then it becomes very clear to them. Not only do they act on it, but are then extremely committed and solid. How incredible to see this great work being unfolded before my eyes.

We also met an entire family from Cambodia who had never been to Hong Kong before. They were all going to the temple for the first time to be "sealed" together as a family. In our church we go to the temple and make promises between us and God and it is a very big deal. The final piece (at the temple) is to be sealed, which means that we believe that those marriages and family relationships will continue as we pass into the next life. They were so excited and had probably saved for a long time, sacrificing much to make the trip.

Again, seeing the sacrifice, commitment, and love they have for their Savior as they move forward in their lives is inspiring to me. They love their families, work hard, teach them about the power of the atonement and feel a joy and peace they didn't know was possible.

Our week was busy as we are in the process of building relationships, having meetings and working with the younger missionaries. Tonight, we are having dinner for a newly baptized sister and the missionaries serving in the ward we are assigned to. Basically, we are doing a lot of what we did back home but more of it! We moved into our new apartment and are all settled in which feels great. I'm using the tiny oven for the first time tonight! (Remember the Easy Bake??). I'll let you know how it goes! ha ha.  Should be interesting.

When we left on our mission my brother John was very sick and had been suffering with cancer for a couple of years. In June, I had the opportunity to spend some time with him on the Saturday after we finished at the MTC in Utah before flying to HK.  It was a tender time where we were able to just connect for a bit and talk. He passed on into the next life last night, and I'm grateful for modern technology that connects us no matter where we are in the world.  He will be missed and although I have an understanding of the bigger plan, for those who are left it is never an easy thing.

This week in our institute class we were studying about the fall of the ancient people in the Americas from the Book of Mormon. As the people became more prideful and felt like they didn't need anyone or anything, especially God, it was a slow process but it did not go well. Sometimes it is a numbing process and we don't realize where we are headed and wind up somewhere we weren't intending. The question I ask myself is, what things can I be doing (or continue doing) that keep me present and moving in the direction that keeps me connected to God? Seems simple enough, but we know how distracting life can be.

Life is short... Just ask my brother. Make it count and be intentional about what you are doing and be sure of where you are headed.

Love you all!!
Sister Kwan

This is us before the hair frizz of stepping outside into the intense humidity. LOL

At the Lau's home, a family here in the ward we serve in. Brother Lau was taking the picture. They are stalwarts here doing everything for everyone. Very kind gracious people.

This is the view outside our livingroom window. Cruise ships silently come through the harbor every morning around 6:30am. :)