Week 29

Grandpa: Are there a lot of blackberries on your property? That is awesome! The blackberry buckle that my family ate at your Sunday hotdog roast sounded delicious. I love when our extended family gets together. Love you all sooo much! Congrats to Summer graduating!!! Tell my Dad to bring the Canon DSLR and get some really good pictures at her graduation (sit on left side facing stage to get pic of face)! Grandma is funny-- always trying to get us married off by having us go the the YSA ward. She is cute.

Family: Thank you for the fun package! Always brightens my day to hear from you. (And the book is so cute and sweet). Have fun partying in Australia and Hawaii! Life is bliss Friends from Texas: you never put your names on the Easter Package/ letter. Thank you so much though, and the pictures are much appreciated!

We have a really fun bucket list planned. Today we are shopping for lighter clothing (summer is HOT). But we will hopefully be going to Long Island next week. And we have a lot of other really fun ideas planned. Last Monday we went to another really beautiful reservoir called Tai Lam with Sandy and she chenged us twice (dim sum and traditional meal). She is so sweet. We also found a really pretty waterfall!

This week was so great. We are back on track and working hard. Good things.

f We were able to meet with a referral from the Philippines and teach him the restoration in English/ Tagalog (Elder Brandse's uncle who lives in Hung Sui Kiu works with him). He is very excited and has been reading the Book of Mormon (his name is Jeffery). He will be attending the Wan Chai Tagalog ward sometime with Brother Hamilton's family.

We had transfers. Elder Klein left back to England. Elder Andersen (Tuen Mun's new Elder and one of our new zone leaders... it is also his last transfer, and he trained Elder Love from my MTC group) is really great! So intelligent and ready to be diligent. We met with Sister Anne (less active) and she has such an amazing testimony. She helped us teach two investigators. She is just always working except for Saturdays but hopes to get work off for Sunday. She also really helped us in finding people (we met someone interested in English and she got him interested in the church. He wants to come next Sunday). We have been getting many guys interested in church so the Elders have a lot of referrals to work with (Irene Ng's friends Billy and Mr. Man, Brother Chan's friend Chun Ho who wants to be baptized, Eric's friends Frankie and Tom, Sister Li's neighbor Jensen, two random finds Dick and Nick). There aren't many other transfers that happened in our district, (more roomie parties, yay) but Elder Warner also left to serve in Arizona because of Health problems and Elder Ouquist, our other Zone Leader (he served in Tin Shui Wai for his whole mission so far-- 1 year) is now in Castle Peak Bay as Elder McGrath's companion!

We have many new ideas for finding that we have been doing like meeting cute families that play on the playground in front of our apartment building, talking to little old ladies doing Zumba in the park, and handing out English class flyers near a school in Tai Hing (our ward only has one young woman!). We also made cute little swans with beads that we will be giving out with hot cocoa and General Conference quotes for the woman on Mother's Day.

We have finally updated a lot of the Member/ Area book. I have taken a ton of pictures on my camera of all the members and investigators and have printed them out for the Elders and us, because our books were empty when we got here (very hard to get to know ward from scratch without pictures, but now it is much better for the coming missionaries!). It has been a big job, but has been so necessary.

English Class is a lot better. And more focused/ fun because we distribute different tasks to different missionaries each week and meet earlier beforehand. It doesn't seem so rushed and is actually really beneficial to those who attend spiritually and intellectually. We have two new friends who are really interested and one of them is really interested in the Gospel! (Sandy Chan :) and Dick who I mentioned before).

We are hoping to get a baptism date for AJ now that she is done with her Fashion portfolio (prayers for her scholarship!). She already knows she wants to be baptized (maybe later in England) and has a testimony of the church, we will just make it more official and planned!

Weekly Planning has been really great. And we are really supporting and uplifting each other as a companionship (neither are perfect but are growing together). We enjoy doing it outside in the fresh air near cute families playing in the park. We are excited to work together with the Elders more on really growing the ward and doing member work. It will be a good transfer!

Sister Wilcox

We took a jungle hike around the reservoir.

Sandy (It rained a lotttt)

HK from a distance

Tsuen Wan area

Duck (yum), Eggplant soup (yum), Pig intestines and ears (a bit sketchy but Elder Huang from Taiwan says "delicious!").

Im not sure what the things on the left are

District pic before transfers!!!! (Elders apartment literally died... Elder Warner had foot problem, Elder Jensen from tuen mun broke his foot a while ago and Elder Klein sprained or broke his foot playing basketball... this day, the day right before he went home). Lol. What a district! (Sisters apartment was sick this whole transfer too... what a transfer). Good things to come.

this last district mtg

training in a wheel chair. haha

Near Leung King

Cute little dessert shop with Carman (member)

fancy fancy

Wanton soup (yauh shrimp)

Btw all these places pics are in our area :)

We are right now in Festival Walk near Kowloon emailing

Week 28

Funny
In a Gospel video in Cantonese, Jesus says, "Lazarus, cheutlaihaa" to bring Lazarus out of the tomb. It sounds like he is summoning a pokemon or something.

General
I tried yahsei meih (24 hour flavor) which is a super cultural experience. Some ancient Chinese practice that is a weird hot drink that cleans out your system. I was scared at first, but it wasn't bad!

We had a Relief Society activity and made little keychains with flowers in them but I will use mine as a Christmas tree ornament to remember Tuen Mun! Today we will be doing Dim Sum with a Sister Missionary who is leaving on Thursday (Sister Allison from the previous transfer in our apartment).

Our investigator AJ is super cool. She is applying to a fashion institute scholarship. Her portfolio is amazing. I can't send the pictures because I don't want to put her work online but she is really artistic. I want to go to Mongkok where she buys some super pehng (cheap) but amazing clothing. I still have so many things on my bucket list (Sai Kung, Big Buddha, Mongkok, Kadoorie Farm, a modern art museum (can someone look up good ones in Hong Kong please?), Stanley, Ocean Park, see a monk, and go back to Tai Ou to see Pink Dolphins). Though I haven't heard of some of the places you mention, grandpa, the light show, Victoria Peak or Lantau, I'll have to ask about those.

It is interesting... I am learning so much about my future plans and goals. And about myself. There is no way in the world I would ever take back going on this mission. It is life changing. I am improving and learning about myself and my life and goals and becoming so much better than I ever thought I could be. Overcoming so many weaknesses and learning to love life and live it to the fullest. It is really great.

Congratulations to Summer and her scholarships!!! She is amazing; I love her so much and can't wait to be her roomie next year. Email me, Summer. Please and thanks.

Spiritual/ General
Great week. I have learned a lot from all of the physical weaknesses we have been facing this transfer. I have learned the importance of hard work and dependability and obedience (which also lead to health and happiness). I have learned a lot about myself and my goals for the future, which all are shaped through how thankful I am for the Gospel (living in such a way that brings good moral standards, importance of family, high achieving, always becoming like Jesus Christ).

I am kind of hoping I will stay in Tuen Mun next transfer (tomorrow is when they notify us of the Thursday transfers), because I have noticed so many things that need to get done, and have come up with ideas for solutions. The member book and area book were so empty when I first got here, and so we have continuously been working on getting it more updated and relevant and helpful to missionaries. I have successfully gotten pictures of many of the members and investigators and written relevant information, so that each new missionary in the area will not be starting from scratch. However, there is still so much that needs to get done! I have it all planned out. I also have some new finding methods I am excited to try out, and we have many potential investigators/ referrals that need to be reached out to. Tuen Mun is so exciting. So many good people. So many lovely places. And it is so beautiful. I am so blessed to have been serving in this area. I love it so much.

We have implemented a new plan to improve our English Class. The district now meets beforehand to discuss what is being taught and depending on the people attending, we divide into two groups (advanced/intermediate and beginning) and focus on their individual needs. It was actually really amazing. We plan on doing a district find before the class every week as well, once the plan gets more situated. The beginning class ended up really being able to focus on the people who needed help, while the advanced class split into discussion groups and read a short story. We were able to explain hard words/ grammar structures, and then discussed the story afterwards (which had a Gospel principle). It was amazing because all the investigators began to share insight/ testimonies and we all were so uplifted and enlightened while teaching English at the same time. It was a cool experience and everyone who attended really loved it. I am so excited for next week's class. A referral that our Less Active Irene gave attended English Class and is now meeting with the Elders.

We put up the pictures from Yan's baptism and a missionary picture with our number on the bulletin. We have been more thoroughly committing our investigators (specific... ie AJ is reading the Book of Mormon every night) and really been able to testify of how it has blessed our lives... It is like relating something to a friend or member. Logic-- "When I read the Book of Mormon daily, it is like my strength for that day (TG Awake). It fills the feeling of emptiness; adds light and happiness that would otherwise not be there." etc. It is something so true and is such a miracle. Why not be honest about it?

Sister Villasin made the Relief Society a mango float to share. I am so inspired by her willingness to serve and give so lovingly to all those around her. She is always thinking of what more she can do to uplift another's life. So great :) I hope that she will gain health, but I know that Heavenly Father never gives us trials we cannot handle. He gives us things that will allow us to grow. I know the hardest battles are given to Heaven's strongest warriors. That's also why it's so important to pray for the Prophet and apostles and the mission president. Prayers to all of you :)

Sister Wilcox

Shoppingggg!! What else should sisters possibly do on PDay? Play basketball? We aren't elders, you know!

This is a cute little brown fluffy poodle (picture doesnt do it justice) (my future doggy)

Yuen Long bound for meds

interesting fruit

Exchanges + yahsei meih

A school

Relief Society activity

We learned how to make Tasiubau and tongyuhn with members

Week 27

Good morning!

Grandpa, thank you for your report on your trip with Joe's family to Costa Rica. You saw sloths?! No way. I want to see one (never have). I used to like drawing them for missionaries in the mtc lol. So you ate Cantonese fried rice in my honor. I like fried rice too! "heavenly" haha. We have the same lessons in Relief Society and Priesthood that you do. We are doing the President Hunter teachings in RS. We talked about the Berlin wall thing too, and how we make walls around ourselves that keep us from sharing the gospel. I'm still learning Cantonese so I thought cheung meant excuse because I didn't know what it translated to. I guess wall. :) Summer's going to Australia? Can you tell Summer to check her email please? I will study my Cantonese harder! I'm so glad that you keep gathering all the cousins at your log cabin. I love cousins and family fun. Best way to spend your life. So uplifting.

So Sister Tsui is feeling better! She came to church :) We are hoping to get her a baptism date again. Kylie still has a baptism date for after her exams. We have a new investigator named Sally. She is super sweet and makes friends easily with the members and investigators. She is in Mainland right now, but we will give her a date as well. Yan is doing well. She came to General Conference and is part of the Relief Society WhatsApp group so we are getting her more adjusted into the ward.

We had a Relief Society activity where we gave members each an origami flower and they had to get to know the person whose name was on the flower. Now we have origami shirts with imbcd cards (have our contact number and a church message) that they will each give to friends in need (illness, moving, baby, change jobs, death in family). It will be a more simple direct way to find referrals while helping people genuinely in need. I am glad because during ward council we were able to convince all to be more positive (more patient, loving atmosphere in ward).

There have been lots of miracles. Chun Ho has a baptism date (first invited by a young man to Yan's baptism, and we got to know him/ gave the elders his contact info). Eric (LA) keeps running into us outside of church and so we got him to come to church and bring to friends who now have the Elders contact information (Frankie and Tom). We run into former investigators (Immortal, Candy) and are able to schedule them. We were also able to schedule Iris and Winnie (formers) and they are now coming to a stake cycling activity in Yuen Long. Good things. Plus the weather is so nice! A little bit rainy but not too muggy or hot. Just right (it is ALWAYS good weather :) yellow need-to-know pamphlet). Irene Ng (LA) still has work on Sundays (she does real estate), but she has given us three referrals who are all so sweet! One of them came to English class Friday and enjoyed it. Sister Tsang is really unable to come to church because of her back (cannot sit or stand for too long). But I feel that it is a service that should be continued to visit her and allow her to be "nourished by the good word of God." She loves reading the Book of Mormon stories with us. She has changed so much since I first met her. There is a light about her and she loves service and is so happy/ peaceful.

The Gospel really is a miracle. Someone in our ward commented about Carman (a semi-recent convert) about how she has become so much more beautiful since the first time he saw her because of the light of the Gospel. And it is so true. You can see it in their face and their smile; their life is truly never the same. So blessed to witness it.

One of our less actives is going to teach us to make tongyuhn (the sesame dumpling dessert) with a member, so we are excited for that. I am surprised that I have completely changed in food-liking since I've gotten here. I now love asian food (noodle soups, sweet potato/dumpling desserts, buns, meat, etc) and don't really have a liking for american food (pasta, pizza, typical foods etc). It is so funny! All the things I used to be scared of, I now love.

I find that using the B of M picture story book is so enjoyable and easy to understand for all investigators. So great! Our ward is super cooperative and trying to really involve the new members and get to know them. It is a really great atmosphere. Brother and Sister Lo and Lin are really great with that.

I appreciate our mission president's service so much. I know there are so many trials that President and Sister Lam have that are unsaid to us missionaries, but we appreciate that they continue to support us and work hard. So dependable and righteous. Great examples :)

2 Nephi 8. Ephesians 5-6. Awake. Put on thy Strength.

Sister Wilcox

Went to Kwai Fong market (super cheap)

Picture of the missionaries when Elders Stevenson and Gong visited

Tuen Mun

Ward member (ft. Baby Boss! my favorite. He is so sassy/ only smiles for a few people)

Our ward mission leader (Li HD)

Jik family

Elders + Frankie and Tom (We found them with Eric at Leung King the other day :D )

Another cute member who gives us food a lot

Relief Society

Its pretty much always rainy. But its ALWAYS good weather ;) Sister Villasin and I aka "cutest companionship" (missionaries have titled us)