The Yans': I saved the church $250!!!

The work is still quite slow but we are using our time wisely. I decided I would take this time to learn to play the piano, Sister Chandler was teaching some Filipino sisters on how to play the simplified hymn on electric keyboard, I borrowed one of the book and has been playing about 30 mins each morning when I can. We go into the office early, usually about 8 to 8:15 a, after practicing the piano for 30 mins, we would read the Book of Mormon individually and then share what impress us on our reading. I noticed that the day that we read, I feel much better and has a much better day. Besides, Ted and I has been speaking in the every day branch from Tuesday to Friday, I was able to find a different scripture to share with the branch each day!

This week we have sacrament from Tuesday to Friday. The sisters were very sweet, they are always happy despite their circumstance. Ted's topic was on finding true happiness and mine was on prayer, scripture and individual worth. I shared my mother's conversion story and everyone was touched. Mom was uneducated by yet she had the most faith because her testimony was born of the spirit! Even though we give practically the same talk each day, we felt the spirit each day as we testify of God's love for his children and the truthfulness of the restored gospel. I kind of missed it when it was all over!

We have good meeting with Tom Crockett, He and his wife served here a year ago as communication couple. He got hired as the PA (Public Affair) and communication director. We had meeting with him via the PVC system and then we had meeting with Elder Wong. Brother Crockett is very understanding when I told him we know nothing about what we are supposed to do in our assignment. He said he could give use things to do to keep us busy but then it might be just busy work for now. He will be visiting PA & communication next week and hope to have a lot of question answered. He is expected to be here some time after Christmas or whenever he gets his working visa. In the meantime, we will try to keep ourselves busy.

The local TVB Pearl is doing a document on the church. Diana Liu is a reporter for TVB. She does a special report like 60 mins in the States. Sister Lam (mission president's wife) happens to be Diana Liu's old school mate and when Diane find out Sister and Elder Lam came here as mission president, she wanted to do a report on the Church. They had done most of the shooting except on a newly called missionary attending church and humanitarian work the church provides. Tomorrow we will ride the 1 1/2 MTR to Tuen Mun to attend the early church then stay to help them set up for the filming around 1:30 p, we will then go the Kowloon Tong for YSA meeting. Elder Zeno Chow will be leaving Monday to the States, we have been asked to be the YSA couple from 11/25-27. We will see how it goes, hopefully we don't have to stay up too late!!

During one of our meeting, we find out that there is a very wealthy and famous lady in Hong Kong. Her name is Wendy Kwok, also one of Sister's Lam's friend. She was introduced to Elder Wong and during their visit, she mentioned she really like this big map in Elder Wong's Conference room. So the map was purchased and framed but no one follow up on making a plaque to place on the map and deliver to Mrs. Kwok. I took over the job of getting the plaque made. In the process of finding a company to etch the inscription, we found a place that did printing on gold lead but we really want to make it on brass. The place we (Sister Beckstead, Annie Wong- APA and I) went gave us a quote of $500. Then the next day, I sent Ted over, have him took off his name tag, and the guy quoted him $450 and then to $400. I presented to Elder Wong the option of going cheap at $60 or the brass at $400. He finally agreed to the $400. However, I kept looking online and was able to find this place in Hung Hom. I sent an email out Friday afternoon and then we stop by this morning and they quoted me $150!! The plaque will be done in brass with words etching in black, the way we wanted it done. It would only take one week instead of 10 days the other place quoted! I felt so proud of myself for saving the church some money!!!

We went and watch the HONG KONG Ballet performance of "Lady of Camellias" . It was wonderful to hear a life orchestra performed, a baritone and supremo singing while watching the ballet. It makes me missed all the time we watch BDA ballet shows. Those were such a busy but rewarding time to see the girls performed!