From the land of many mosquitos...

I apologize last week's email was so short and incomplete. Apparently one hour here at the sha tin library actually means 50 minutes, and i got kicked off the computer right in the middle of typing. hopefully this email is more complete and satisfactory as i am aware of how time works here now...:)

ok, something cool: umbrella dispensers
I mentioned in the last email about umbrella dispensers. yes, they actually have machines that dispense umbrellas of all size and color of your choice. that says two things about hong kong: how much it rains here and how much people are scared of the sun. they use umbrellas for both - keeping off the rain and keeping off the sun rays as they want to be as white as possible...the exact opposite mentality exists in the US. funny how that works. anyways, if you ever get caught in a rainstorm, don't fret, just run to the nearest umbrella dispenser!

something exciting: General Conference!!!
This last weekend was general conference for us here as we get it one week later than everywhere else so they can have the translations complete. the missionaries watch in english of course so we can actually understand, but it was so very much needed i can't even tell you! as you all guess, my favorite talk was Elder Perry's, as he talked about how missionaries UNFORTUNATELY spend most of their time finding instead of teaching. enough said. so true. i'm glad to here that back home there is more of a push for member missioanry efforts. the missionaries will love you forever if you follow the words of Elder Perry! go back and read his talk, it's amazing....:)

something miracle: RANDY
no, not my dad, although my dad is pretty amazing...:) this is a man we met the other day along the river. he just went for a walk because he didn't know what else to do with himself. we randomly decided to take a different way to our lesson appointment and do some finding along the way....God led us to each other. Randy has been contemplating suicide the last few days as he has had some rough experiences the last couple months of his life...losing his business, girlfriend, moving back to china, no job, etc...the case of many people here. he didn't see the purpose of life when people were so greedy and only want money and it all adds up to what in the end? these were his thoughts when he ran into us. what would have happened if we didn't say hello and contact him?...good question. he;s amazing, going to church this sunday and the elders are teaching him tonight. he is very sincere and i have no doubt that the gospel will save his life...in more ways than one...:) it's miracles like that make me so happy to be a missionary. seeing the gospel literally bring hope to someone's life enough to keep them going is incredible!

something funny: knee-highs
yes, in the heat, we are required to continue wearing nylons and/or knee highs to look professional. i wouldn't have a problem with this if they could at least perform some sort of useful function. they don't. they don't even protect our legs from mosquitoes. i am determined to make nylons that repel bugs. probably the only market for them would be "sister missionary mall", but it would be worth it only for my own benefit. if i could attach pictures here i would send you a picture of my legs. i counted over 100 bites. yes, they are very attractive, let me tell you. that's the price you pay for standing and talking to people to bring them the gospel....:) ...it's worth it!

something food: KFC and McDonalds delivery
i mentioned last time about this i think. yes, they have little motorcycles that run around all over town delivering KFC and McDonalds burgers and food to people who can't even stop into the one that is one block away from their door. (there are mcdonalds on every corner here). and i though america was lazy!!!!

something spiritual: President Hinckley quote

President Van Dam interviewed us this last week and asked us about out goals for the mission and for after the mission. as i feel like i just got here, it was weird to think about after the mission. hello! i don't want to think about that right now, president van dam, i'm a missionary! (can you hear me saying that?...cause i did...:) anyways, schooling and marriage and that wonderful real life stuff has been far from my mind, but one of the sisters i live with gave me this quote and i love it. it made me calm down a little, too.

"Many women are serving missions and more are preparing to serve. Not because they're not married or because they don't have anything else better to do. But because in the last days the lord will be sending his priesthood army to the world and he needs to send them to mothers who have been schooled in the gospel. and what better schooling can a mother have than that of serving a mission."

thank you president hinckley for boosting my confidence! i love him! and i love you all!....cheerio, ta ta for now! see you in a week!