EPILOGUE - Lessons from Hong Kong

Ready to take the taxi in Hong Kong
to the airport!

Two days before we left for home I was sitting in a little Chinese noodle shop waiting for the dumplings I ordered for take out. Generally I’m not big on Chinese food but these dumplings (potstickers) are really good. As I was sitting there waiting I was looking out the window and saw the Ding Ding go by on the tracks and  watched the people walking to the wet market down the street and many others off to whatever their day had in store. I was thinking about all of these experiences these last 18 months and how it’s changed me. Learning to live and function in a new land completely foreign in every way from anything that was familiar, as well as seeing the miracles and the Lords hand so clearly in numerous ways changes a person in ways that are hard to describe.

Chinese noodle shop

How am I feeling? I’m feeling complete and that we did what we were there to do. Often people think of a mission as a “couple” thing and although there is a lot of “we”, it is still very much an individual process just like our spiritual journeys.

Some assignments were together and some were very separate but we supported each other in them. We learned about working together and communicating on a level we hadn't before and that is a gift!

I learned that it doesn't matter if something makes sense to others or even to yourself.  When it looks like it should NEVER work but it does, Christ truly is the "finisher of our faith"... He finishes what we can not do on our own. Not just in our flawed imperfections, but also in tasks, assignments, and other situations.

There were so many times that we were engaged in certain assignments and had no idea what to do, or would come across some impossible challenge and after some struggle the answers would come. This is how it works. We saw this with the young missionaries, the older missionaries, and in so many situations within the Asia Area. Crazy stories and situations that you would think are in some Sunday school manual of something that happened 50 years ago. I promise these miracle stories are alive and well and happening all the time.

I learned that Christ really is the healer... We can not control others and when we try it will make us crazy and unhappy. Letting go and surrendering to 'what is' and allowing the Savior do what he said he would do is a powerful thing. Each person has to come to that on their own no matter what they have been taught or the example that has been set. Each person has to choose who they will follow with complete free will. That is the plan. If agency is that important to God, it needs to be that important to us as well.

We both gained a deep understanding of church policy verses the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His atonement. There were so many times, that both of us would think... "This is not the same church here" :) So many things that we think are so important or "gospel" really are not. Having faith and continuing to move forward and working with others where they are at not only brings peace but allows others and ourselves to grow as well. In many of these countries the church is very young and Bishops and other leaders are often very new members.

I cherish the experiences I had while working in the temple before it closed. Seeing the groups of faithful saints travel from Mongolia, Mainland China, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Cambodia, etc. was not only incredible but also humbling. Some people could fly but most would spend 3-4 DAYS traveling by train or boat having to save for sometimes years to be able to make a trip to the temple. I would see them as they experienced the temple for the first time and the level of their faith and commitment was inspiring beyond words.

Working with the YSAs in other parts of the world isn't any different than back at home.... Their concerns, fears, hopes, and dreams are exactly the same as anyone else. Every culture has their strengths and weaknesses and it was amazing to see the strength of these young people. This is the age group joining the church all over Asia! Most have come from a Buddhist background or no religion at all and feel it pretty quickly when they start meeting with the missionaries. Most of these young people are the only member in their family and get a lot of push back because of their decision to join the church. Going against tradition in the Chinese culture can be rough. It is so fun to see their faith grow and develop and to see their commitment.

Mongolia project... Holy cow... Where to start. All I can say is that Mongolia is a land of miracles and the Lord loves his people. In a country of only 3 million people, there are two Stakes and a District (9,000 members) and the church has only been in that country for 20 years. These are FAITHFUL strong people in every way. You can not believe how difficult Mongolia is until you go there and experience it first hand. I also learned that He will strengthen you when you feel that you can't do any more. There were so many times that things just looked IMPOSSIBLE and somehow an answer would be found. We always said, "Ok... If the Lord could show Nephi how to build a ship, this should not be a big deal". The hours, stress, and lack of sleep Joe got was astounding. He's the kind of guy that will either complete a project or be found dead on the side of the mountain but he does not quit or falter. Honestly, that was pretty inspiring to me as well.

During our mission we had 3 deaths in the family, two babies born in the family, 4 trips back to the US, and 6 trips to Mongolia all in an 18 month period. I can say that we know the Hong Kong airport really well. With all of the different experiences, summing it all up for both of us, I would say that our faith in the Savior has grown in ways too many to count. Personally, I feel a level of peace and happiness I'm not sure I've ever felt before. Sometimes we think we know what we want or what is best for us and the truth is that as we have faith and allow God to do with us and our lives what he's trying to do and just get out of the way it is a much more enjoyable journey. There will always be tough difficult things to deal with. Trust in our Savior and His plan for our lives doesn't just make a difference, it IS the difference.

... and that's a wrap.

Love for the last time (for now)

The Kwans

Elder Peter Meurs of the Seventy in the Asia Area Presidency.

Elder Meurs and Joe. They spent a lot of time together working
 on the Mongolian project. It was one of Joes greatest joys
 being able to work with him. He is an amazing person.

Elder Cheung and his wife. He is the Hong Kong area authority.
He used to be the area authority over Mongolia and the
China District. We loved working with him the short time we did.

More goodbyes to friends who work for the church in the Area office.

President Lau of the Kowloon East Stake that we attended.
 Joe and I were given this beautiful gift, which is a
hand painted brass plate with a very kind message
inscribed on it.

Joe as part of the High Council for the Kowloon East Stake.

Rita who also works in the Area office in Public Affairs.

Lunches, dinners, and goodbyes OH MY....

The last two weeks have been a flurry of social events! Four Thanksgiving dinners, one of which was Zone Conference for the young missionaries and several that were with friends, ward parties, and older missionary events. My daughter said, get out the fat pants mom! ha ha :)

Zone conference went well although there were a few hiccups, which is Hong Kongs middle name. You just have to know going into anything like that, things are going to happen. We have 86 missionaries now which means I plan for 110 when feeding 50+ Elders (young adult men) and the Sisters. Thanksgiving dinner for that many people is pretty intense and with only two small ovens and some crock pots, it made sense to cater part of it. So I made the meat, and the dessert (ham, turkey, and pumpkin chocolate chip cake with cream cheese frosting) and we catered the breads, mashed potatoes, green beans with walnuts/bacon, and this amazing green salad with pears, blueberries, broccoli, pine nuts, feta, and this blueberry vinaigrette.. Sounds great, right??

When the food arrived we quickly saw that there was plenty of breads and salad stuff, but the potatoes and green beans were enough for about 50 regular people, not Elders. Anyone who has fed them anywhere in the world understands what this means. They eat A LOT. So I had a mild heart attack and we served small portions of those two things and the world didn't end. The pumpkin chocolate chip cake made up for it and they were very happy and of course super appreciative as always no matter how much they get. :)

We have enjoyed getting together with so many people we have met and worked with in our various assignments. There are four couple missionaries who are going home in the next week so at the big Thanksgiving dinner with the Asia Area Presidency and older missionaries, they did a video/slide show set to music of each of the couples mission experiences. THEN they expected us to talk. (Really?) I think that is when it really hit me that this experience is coming to a close and we are going home.

Saturday night we had a Thanksgiving Chinese Hot Pot dinner for the Kwun Tong ward that we attend. Think of Melting Pot, with only the meat/veggie part and no chocolate fondue. It was very good, although I missed the chocolate. :) You have a big pot of boiling water in the middle of the table and then you can cook anything in it, (veggies, different kinds of meats, fish etc) then add garlic or whatever seasonings in your own bowl. They also had two cooked turkeys they bought that I helped carve and serve and I brought several bags of chocolate chip cookies. I had to get some chocolate in there somewhere. Joe was asked to speak about Thanksgiving and that was interesting having him talk about what it means in America and how it applies to them. (In Cantonese, but the translation I got back was great! ha ha)

Sunday was a Young Single Adult big meeting called "Super Sunday". Four times a year they all meet together from the whole Hong Kong area and have regular church meetings which are Sacrament meeting, Sunday school and a meal afterwards. They had us bare our testimonies during sacrament meeting and later gave us a nice card that many of them had written in. All of these "last" events, are full of goodbyes, and "see you later". We had about 132 in attendance and of course I had a translator for the church meeting but most of them speak English so conversing before and after meetings is no problem. Joe had other meetings after so he stayed and I was able to go home and have some quiet time. There hasn't been a lot of that these past few months.

The rest of the week before we go is full of more of the same and tying up loose ends. A lot of pictures are included in this post! I will write one more blog post... "EPILOGUE - Lessons from Hong Kong."

When asked what we will miss the most, it's the people of course. Like life and all kinds of different experiences, people come into our lives for seasons and many relationships continue and change but the memories and lessons will always be there. The Savior is real and so is His atonement. I'm grateful for many many things, but I'm especially grateful for knowing that!

I need a nap.

Love,
Sister Kwan

Sunny and Lorraine who were the YSA's in charge
of the Super Sunday. They did a great job!

A new member who is a YSA named Lawrence.
Great kid and doing very well!

Sunny and his family invited us over
for a really nice meal. Great people!

Part of the food from one of the amazing
Thanksgiving dinners we had.

Funny story... Dinner at our apartment with 8 missionaries, that we thought was only going to be 4. Made soup and bread and clearly we didn't have enough. So with some fast thinking, I had some sausage, corn and a few other things in the freezer that I literally just cut up, added more water and chicken bullion and it worked out great.

Our great friends, the Hansens. He is the Director of Temporal Affairs
here for all of Asia. It is a 5 year assignment as a church employee.

Group picture on Thanksgiving with part of the Asia Area
Presidency, legal council, and the older missionaries.

Missionaries!

Missionaries!

Missionaries!

The Lams and the Luis at the Lams home for
 a great meal. We love these two families!

Edwin Lee, one of the YSAs and us at the Super Sunday.

Leo Ho and his wife from the Kwun Tong Ward.

Irene, a new member. She has an amazing story and is doing incredible.

Kwun Tong ward Thanksgiving party.
Bishop Yau is in the plaid shirt in the middle.

Becky and I carving the turkey.
I had a knife and she had chopsticks. :)

Our friends, Elder and Sister Lemmon

Went to this really cool Korean BBQ Buffett with
Sister Lau and Sister Chiu. (S/Chiu is the one who
connected Joe with his complete genealogy)