Awesome August!

This will be my last posting from Hong Kong. We leave for home in just a few weeks . . . and I'll add the final chapter some time after we arrive in Draper and reunite with our family. I do want to conclude this blog with the events of these last weeks as well as the time we will spend with our son Brad and his wife Kristin, who arrive on September 18th. Also, I will add our final good-byes with many dear and treasured friends.

Recentlly I taught a group of wonderful women "how to become better teachers" and it was pure pleasure. They were so receptive and seemed to appreciate my presentation. After the one-hour spent learning and discussing, they provided (unexpectedly) a delicious meal complete with a special "thank you" cake and accompanying traditional Filipino song.

Oh, how I will miss the hugs these women freely give!

A Saturday outing to the Hong Kong Museum of History was exceptional. The displays were impressive -- everything from traditional clothing to . . .

an explanation of the opium wars and Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in the 40s -- to the traditional wedding carriage where the bride and groom met each for the first time other on their wedding day. An excellent docent provided information that really gave us some important information.

Some beautiful artifacts were enjoyed . . .

traditional lanterns were admired . . . and we thoroughly enjoyed spending a few hours indoors on a hot, muggy and rainy Saturday.

Sister Elaine Dalton, General President of the Young Women worldwide, came to Asia for about 12 days. Her stopover in Hong Kong was significant with many young women enjoying a devotional in the afternoon, followed by a dinner I provided for her and about 25 others. Later, there were several hundred in attendance at another leadership meeting. She is such a magnet for the girls, freely giving hugs, smiles and her undivided attention. What an outstanding role model she provides for these special young women!

Having never been in the IFC (International Financial Center) previously, Ned took me over one Friday afternoon so I could see the harbor and views from this incredible building, the 8th tallest in the world. It was used in the "Batman" movie (remember those the "claws" on the top). The views from the lookout point were quite spectacular.

And looking to the harbor, it was fun to see the junks, boats and the tall buildings on the Kowloon side.

Our "still to do in Hong Kong" list included Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden -- which we visited a few Saturdays ago. Terraced farms were created when the Chinese returned to Hong Kong after the Japanese occupation in the 1940s. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of Chinese civil war refugees came to the area. These people worked hard to terrace the mountain side and were given starts of plants and some animals for their personal use. Over 56,000 interest-free loans were given by a humanitarian group so the Chinese could begin a new life on their own. It was an incredible program begun by two Europeans in an effort to help in repatriation. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the zoological gardens, the botanic gardens and taking a shuttle bus to the top of the mountain where we could "see forever."

One of my all-time favorite flowers!

A pagoda "up top" provided a good backdrop for a photo op.

There were beautiful flowers everywhere!

Intrigued by columns and "all things Chinese," we especially enjoyed a few minutes at the top of the mountain.

Coming back to Hong Kong from the New Territories where the Kadoorie property is located, I noted the long aisle of "legs" through the various cars on the train. As you can see, the trains are beautiful, clean and are extremely well-maintained.

A highlight of August was the marriage of Delia and Delbert. Both from the Philippines and both returned missionaries, they are a special couple. We have enjoyed getting to know her and participating in their marriage in the Hong Kong Temple as well as at a reception at the Church after the marriage. We wish them both "all the best!"