New Transfer, New Companion, Bye-bye Sister Johnson:(

This week my companion Sister Johnson left. She's on the plane back to Cedar City right now! 

Thank you for everything Sister Johnson.  I got a new companion, Sister Kartchner! She is honestly the most humble and kind person I know! What a blessing. She has only been in Hong Kong for about four months. So, we are two very new missionaries! Language will be a task. But a task that we are both willing to tackle! Sister Kartchner has six older brothers and two older sisters, all of which have served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. So, that basically sums up how amazing of a missionary she already is. 

We taught quite a few of our investigators this week. It was very busy! Probably not comparably to any Mexican mission or South American mission, but it's not about the number of baptisms or lessons you get in a week. It's about the hearts you touch with the love of Christ. 

We taught Sister L and her daughter C. C is pretty won't sit down during our lessons, but I think she actually listens to our every word. Just doesn't want to show it haha. (Mom and Dad please pray for her) We so badly want them to get baptized together! Sister L cannot read Chinese characters very well, but in Sunday school when it was her turn to read, she took a deep breath and read the entire paragraph by herself! I was so proud! She looked right at me afterwards and was holding her heart and gasping  because she was so nervous. ha I just gave her a big thumbs up! She is so funny.

 Also, We taught A-syut. A-syut is a 73 (soon to be 74) year old grandma. She is so hou sai leih. She swims everyday and has a spunky personality. She always gives us free swag. And this week we got some scarves with crosses on them. haha! She did not accept our baptismal invitation this week, but that is okay. We will keep at it, because I know in her heart she wants this. Her family plays a big role in this decision of hers. (mom, and dad please pray for her) But, she has so much faith! She is so strong and willing to gain a testimony of this gospel! At church this Sunday, counting investigators and the people they brought, we had 12! Wow, That is literally unheard of in Hong Kong! Such a miracle.

 I got to see Sister Johnson's parents at church! They are such nice people! I almost got a little emotional seein' them all together and made me miss my own folks a little bit. Well, I've come to a conclusion, the only way to serve a mission for the Lord, is to do it with his love. I've tried other ways and it doesn't work. How else could you be half way across the world away from your family and friends. Nothing else can fuel that sacrifice except that of Charity, the pure love of Christ. Thank you for all your support and prayers in my behalf! I love you all and invite you to see Heavenly Father's children the way he sees them as I am striving to do here!

Tessa Shrimp and Beautiful Babies

Hello, right now I'm at the Apple Store in Kowloon Tong. I don't like going to the Apple Store to email. They have such good songs on all the time that I try to ignore, but my foot keeps a tappin' ha. And its very loud here. And we don't get to sit down. But, oh well. I also forgot my journal today too, so that's good.(Tessa sarcasm) Anyways, This week wasn't as good or relaxed as last week. I had some rough times. But there were also some good things.

Did you know HA  (Tessa's last name) in Chinese also means Shrimp (as well as laughing loud)? It's just a different Character than my last name, but the same sound haha so a member gave me this green little boondoggle shrimp she made haha. 

LOUD LAUGHING SHRIMP

 Also, I didn't receive any mail today:( So I'll have to wait until next Monday to see if I have any. (hint, hint. Tessa would love mail) But I did receive the package last Monday with all the cool random stuff. Thank you so much! I love the red chapstick. And we used the mustaches.

Yesterday we taught G. she brought her little 2 yr old girl who is literally the cutest thing I have ever seen.  She loves to talk and laugh and S. is the most Christ like little boy I've ever met.  Thank you for your prayers and please keep them coming.

President Uchtdorf and 10,000 Buddhas

On Monday, we went to ten thousand Buddhas! It was really sweet actually. 

I'm wondering if there really are ten thousand, cause there is a temple at the top with a ton of little mini ones all around the walls and up to the ceilings. 

The scenery surrounding the site is amazing. It's a Chinese jungle. Green, green, green. So pretty! I've seen two monkeys so far!! 

Elder Uchtdorf's talk on Saturday morning was my very favorite of all conference. I love the way he describes and talks about our Heavenly Father. This is what I was reminded of when listening to His talk...Heavenly Father is real. He is quite literally the Father of our spirits who has given us EVERYTHING. He is eternally and thoroughly in tune with not only the heaviest and most apparent questions, concerns, and challenges of our hearts, but also with the most minute details and feelings of our hearts as well. He doesn't change. His truth is steadfast and abiding. He shares our smallest and biggest accomplishments, desires, hopes, fears, and sorrows. He answers prayers. We do not need to go through this life relying solely upon our own limited strength as imperfect human beings because we have a being of deity who created us and  watches over His flock and is ever and keenly aware of you. Because you are His child and His love is literally infinite. I am grateful for the role this knowlege has played in my life and for the opportunity to share this priceless and precious knowlege with the people of Hong Kong. Thank you all so much for your prayers in my behalf.  Please also pray for our investigators.  Don't miss  this beautiful video clip below.

Here is a video clip of his talk
http://youtu.be/j940hJezhLs?list=PLClOO0BdaFaNmUqc3ItZJgiuQC9AuoGVo

Here is the full talk
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/receiving-a-testimony-of-light-and-truth?lang=eng

Conference in Cantonese if you are interested
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2014/10?lang=zho&clang=yue

Ward Party?

This Week we had a special ward outing out in the new territories of Hong Kong. We took a big bus and made different stops all around.

 First stop: grocery store (haha what?) and eating ToFu...free little gift from our tour guide: soy sauce! 

Next stop: Seafood dinner (I know people's mouths will be watering and it would be very pricey at home, but not my thing, not yet) Basically, didn't eat anything but rice. I tried almost everything but then would hide it under my plate haha.

 Last Stop: Feeding goats!(what? haha) Why didn't the Olympus 5th ward think of these things?!

(Considering Tessa wants to be an orthodontist, I'm sure she loved this little goat)

(Tessa has had some previous experience with a very similar looking goat)

Weird stuff, but nonetheless fun! I've gained some pretty good relationships with some members. They even made me sing I am a Child of God on the bus with the microphone haha. It was really great to see the role of a ward family in the lives of these people. It really is essential. Gives you a

sense of belonging. I want my investigators to have this so badly!

(Ummm...excuse me is this the ladies restroom?)

On Tuesday we went finding for five hours. Finding in Hong Kong is soo challenging! Almost NOBODY wants to talk to us. And when they do they are already GeiDukgaau (Christian). Actually, you wouldn't believe how many people are Christian here. A good 40 % of t he people i talk to! 

We over heard some grandpa pohpos talking about the Africans (referring to Sister J and I) We just looked at each other like what?! haha. It's funny, when people guess where we're from, the last place they guess is America haa. 

Some other amusing things in Hong Kong are:

 1) The shirts with quotes written in poor English that they have no idea what they say...one of my investigators shirts says..Everyone so happy. The Smile. haha Makes me wonder what all those "Chinese" tattoos in America really say. hahaha 

 2) Bare Beer Belly Buddies: Sooo many men will show off they're beer bellies by just lifting up their shirts when they feel their belly needs a little air. They're HUGE!haah

3) Mid-sentence burps: Self-explanatory.  Use them as if they are just another ending particle haha. 

As Liberace would say. . ."I wish my brother George were here."

Yesterday, we got to teach L. and C., two of our progressing investigators! They are doing sooo well! We gave them a baptismal date: November 30th and they accepted! L is soo humble. She has been dealing with a very hard trial. She so badly wants her daughter to have more opportunities and feel loved. I feel that not only this gospel can help her, but also the members, the friends, good atmosphere, and a better way of life.  When we left the other night, she gave me a big SMOOCH on the cheek (more like the ear haha). It was the cutest. We are seeing miracles here! (We better be! We fasted for 13 hours yesterday!) These are the moments that make the hard days worth it. Missionary work is so rewarding! Elder Jeffery R. Holland says it is one of the most important things we can do in our lives, as equally important as raising children! I hope to see more miracles as I serve the Lord and I feel all of your prayers in my behalf!

Thank you soo much!

-Ha Ji Muih