Como Estaca!~
This is how to say "how are you?" in Tagalog! There are so many Phillippinas here that I'm trying to learn how to say some phrases in their language because they always stop to talk longer with you when you try.
I am so tired that I can barely remember what happened last week. Our water heater broke last week and our gas went out so we haven't had hot water in our apartment since last Saturday. At that time, I was preparing to give a talk for Sunday on finding hope. So thinking of my talk, I tried to have hope--an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfuill His promises to us--even though I was . He has promised that missionaries won't have to worry about food, clothing, and shelter if we are faithful in doing the work. He has kept His promise although it was in a different way than I expected. Elder and Sister Kap let us shower at their place Sunday morning and even fed us pancakes afterward! We were so happy!
I was so tired the entire Sunday. One thing after another kept happening that we did not plan for like the teaching two lessons one right after another in the afternoon to these two who randomly walked into the church, teaching Sunday School with one minute notice since the teacher left for the Phillippines, playing the piano for the Chinese branch along with the international branch (actually, in the passing days I've found out that other people play the piano, too, but they're just not willing to play which is so sad!) . . . all these things were so great and definitely provided by Heavenly Father! The work is always so busy with every minute filled up. After finishing one thing, I kept thinking that I didn't have the energy to do anything else, but then another investigator would walk in, another person would ask me to teach something else, and then there was still my talk to give in the evening which I hardly had any time to prepare for. Through a miracle, I was able to give a 20-minute talk on hope, and I can see now how the Lord had me experience this hope throughout the day. I cannot describe exactly what happened on Sunday, but I just remember crawling into bed so tired and exhausted. It makes me happy though because I know for sure that I gave it my all that day!
I'm trying not to fall asleep as I type ahhhh! I went back to HK on Tuesday, and we left super early thinking the boat lines would be busy but they weren't. I was so happy to see Mom's family! I brought them some cookies from Macau and hope they liked them even though they'd tried them before! Uncle Tim and Yi-jeung met Sister Harding and I at the MTR station, and then we went to Yi-ma's place. They were so nice, and this time, I met Uncle Tim's wife and Cherry. Yi-ma made some delicious soup, and Dad's right, she is such an awesome cook! Sister Harding went with me and she talked to her a lot. I even saw a lot a pictures of us when we're young and I hadn't seen half of them before! They were just all hidden behind their couch all this time. It's fun to think that all this time, the family in HK knew about us and saw pictures of us while we're growing up in America, but it's sad that I never knew anything about them in HK.
So anyway, after we took some pictures in their home (they even have fish tank with lots of fish!), we went out to dinner and everything was so delicious! You've all seen the pictures so you already know. Bonnie was so cute and took pictures of everything with her cell phone so you all could see. Sister Harding loves to talk, and the family just loved her! I was so glad. I didn't talk very much because I was so exhausted, but I just watched, listened to everyone, and soaked it all in. After serving in the international branch, the Cantonese is going already, and it's even harder to speak now since I'm not used to speaking it. I try when I can. (By the way, I passed my first set of language lessons so now I am a language giant! Hurrah! I get to start learning characters now, but I'm not sure how to yet since they are changing the mission language program. At least I have my character cards now!)
When I left, the family gave me a huge bag of treats and red pocket money. It was so sweet of all of them, and I am so happy they let me come even though I didn't say very much! They all dropped us off at the MTR station and Yi-ma cried. I gave them all hugs before I left. I just love them so much, and wish that someday, I can speak more Cantonese and have more time to get to know them. Families are forever after all.
On Wednesday for mission conference, we all went to see the Big Buddha! There was a LOT of smoke from the incense. The day started out cloudy and gray, but it all cleared up and was sunny for our long hike after! We hiked for like four hours hahaha and now I'm REALLY super tired! I think the mountain was Lantau and it's the second-tallest in HK. I was with Sister Cheui and Sister Jiu, my friends from BYUH! We had so much fun and took a billion pictures. On top of the mountain was this shack, a temporary refuge, and a LOT of fun mist.
Chinese New Year has been really fun. The other day in Macau, Sister Harding and I were walking along to our next appointment when this guy lit a long string of red firecrackers in the middle of the street. Everyone just stood back, the tourists whipped out their cameras, and all the cars stopped to watch it explode all over the place! The streets are covered with the red paper from the firecrackers. So much fun!
I have to go again!
I love you all!
Sister Chu :)
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