60th Birthday for Elder Chamberlain

Okay, turning 60 is not as bad as I thought it would be. First of all, unlike what I had envisioned about being 60 years old, I was actually able to get out of bed. Secondly, I was around some great, loving people. On Sunday, the day before my actual birthday, I was surprised by a visit to our branch by Charles Chan, a former mission companion. He and his wife, Fanny (Tang) Chan were in town visiting from Los Angeles. When we were companions, we were both "Charles Chan" and so it became tricky when people called on the phone to talk to "Elder Chan." When asked which one they wanted, they would say, "Elder Charles Chan." We then had to ask which Elder Charles Chan. Of course, then we had to identify if it was the Gwai Louh or the Chinese one they wanted.

Charles Chan, Fanny Chan, Laraine Chamberlain (Chan) and Charles Chamberlain (Chan). Can you tell which Charles Chan is me? 

After church, the Filipina sisters and Sister Chamberlain made my day very memorable. We played some games and had a great time. I actually shared the celebration with 8 others who have birthdays in March. Sister Chamberlain gave me a huge "stage kiss" for the benefit of the sisters, after which in my embarrassment I grabbed my missionary name badge and held it like a shield against any such future displays of affection.

Sisters in our branch getting ready for a relay game

Carrying an egg on a spoon in our mouths, we proved how coordinated and balanced a 60-year-old can be. 

Sister Sandra Salvatore, with us giving a thumbs up. Sandra is a real strength to the branch 

On Monday, my actual birthday, I arrived at the office to see a shrine in my honor. There was a framed picture of me, a small jar with incense sticks and fruit. It is what the Chinese do to honor their dead ancestors. It totally struck my funny bone, and I kept giggling about it all day long. However, I did not anticipate the reaction of the locals. They were very concerned that in honoring my "death" I was being cursed. Elder Pon, of the Area Presidency, was very disturbed by it and actually moved the incense away, believing that by keeping it there I was in danger. They weren't concerned about it being disrespectful to their customs, but were concerned about what it meant for me. We had a hard time conveying to the local Chinese that it was okay, and that I was going to be okay.

I'm not dead yet!! The little sign by my picture says, "Respect your elders"

Asia Area Review - Elder Stevenson and Elder Gong

Two sisters who did tremendous work in preparing to host general authorities' visit to the area. Sister Whitman (L), and Sister Orton (R)

Table settings and preparations for general authorities' dinner

Awesome name plaques for dinner

Decorations at dinner for general authorities

More decorations

Chinese lanterns

Sister Orton and Sister Coffey's vision of decorations for dinner

President and Sister Lam (L) of China Hong Kong Mission with President and Sister Wong of Hong Kong Temple

Sister Whitman is always a "blur" because she is always in motion

Sister Coffey (L) and Sister Orton (R) share a lighter moment in the middle of their hard work on the Area Review dinner and events. 

Hiking around Ping Shan Heritage Trail

We feel P-day excursions are some of the most important things we do in Hong Kong. It is our chance to go out in the community, interact with people, learn from our surroundings, and have a presence so that others can learn about us and the Church. This time, we went to an amazing "trail" of ancient study halls, temples, and village structures.

Enjoy!

Getting ready for our hike with Elder Kimball and Sister Linda Orton--area medical. It's always good to know we have medical staff ready to go at any time. 

The Ping Shan "trail" is now surrounded by modern buildings. So it's a mixture of the old and the new. 

Roof creatures looking down from the tile roofs of the ancient buildings

An interesting door at one of the study halls

Fascinating roof architecture

Temple

Artwork (wood carvings) in the eaves of the temple

An abandoned little home 

An unusual looking "home" in the middle of high rises apartments and temples

Stopping for some refreshment. Met Mr. Tang, who is 80 years old, was born in the building across the courtyard, and is related to the "Tang" tribe who settled in the area and built all the structures. He never went to school, and is self-taught. He now sells Chinese snacks in this little "store" outside one of the town's historic structures. It's so great to be able to speak to him in his own language. 

Man selling things on the corner

Incense coils

Is there an old tree stump right in the way of your restaurant building plans? Build around it!!

One of the buildings had round doorways. 

The Ortons pose for a picture too. 

Chinese New Year -- Year of the Monkey

Dear Sister Mia Suminar, from our branch, drops by our office before she returns home to her home in Indonesia. So many domestic workers look forward to this day when they can return to their homes and families. Mia is doing it!! We're so proud of her. But will miss her. 

We were invited to Tai O village by Diana, a native daughter of that quaint little town. Here, a lion dance is going house to house and business to business, invoking prosperity on all. This is part of the town's many celebrations for Chinese New Year. 

On a boat ride around Tai O village 

Eating some of the biggest shrimps we've ever seen. When we have gone to Tai O village, Diana has met us and as we walk to the restaurant, she helps us by picking out "fresh" (live) seafood, which we carry to the restaurant where they cook it up. You can't get fresher than that. 

Diana and Sister Chamberlain on our little boat ride

Elder Chamberlain at Tai O village

Elder and Sister Funk hosted all senior couples for a fun Chinese New Year dinner. Very great food, and great company. 

Dinner at Chinese New Year

Senior couples and a couple of visitors pose for a group photo in the stairwell of the Church Administration Building, Wanchai

Sister Chamberlain, in a moment of confusion, is dazzled by her husbands good looks and mistakes it for the fireworks viewed from the balcony of Elder and Sister Funk. Honestly, Sister Chamberlain, you can look at your husband any time, but the New Year's fireworks will go away soon. Better look at them. 

Chinese New Year over Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor

Couples enjoy the fireworks on the 11th floor at Chinese New Year's

Apostle Visits Hong Kong

We were blessed to have a role in hosting Elder Gary E. Stevenson, one of the newest apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as he and his wife visited Hong Kong and several other Asian countries. Sister Chamberlain learned, for the first time, that she knew Sister Stevenson. Both had worked with American Mothers Inc. in the past. They recognized each other and enjoyed each other's company. Elder Stevenson met with the China Hong Kong Mission's 147 young missionaries, individually and in a very powerful meeting.

Sister Lesa Stevenson and Elder Gary E Stevenson in front of missionaries in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's awesome army of young proselyting missionaries (and a few "old" ones) 

Elder Stevenson greeting missionaries one-at-a-time

Missionaries lined up to shake hands with Elder Stevenson and four other general authorities. Our role was to do a "write up" of the event for Elder Stevenson to take back to Salt Lake with him. 

Hey, guess who's here? Elder Chiu . . . we know his family very well, from Georgia. 

Sister Chamberlain and Sister Stevenson enjoy a moment together. During the Stevenson's couple of days in Hong Kong, they were able to connect about their time in American Mothers Inc.