Back in China Week #2

Highlights of the week:

...John working six days a week and long hours. Enjoys Sunday's to unwind and attend church.

...I got my yearbook caught up, put in some time at the gym, enjoying Alma (B of Mormon) and found several new names for Temple work.

...highlight of the week for me was attending a church 'beach activity' over in Coloane at Hac Sa' Beach (black sand). The Holbrooks (senior couple missionaries from Utah) invited me to go with them and we were able to enjoy lunch together here at the hotel before we went. Not quite the same as having the missionaries over back home, but it was the best I could do here). The Holbrooks are awesome and it was so fun to spend the day with them! The activity was fun and well attended, and I enjoyed getting to know the members on a more personal basis! We played games, visited, and enjoyed some catered food. All three branches in the district were invited, and although I couldn't understand the game rules in Chinese, they were good to explain them in English also. The members are so friendly and welcoming here! 

...John and I attended church on Sunday and we both were asked to give prayers. So neat to experience being a part of the branch!

Hac Sa' Beach

With Sister Holbrook

The path to the beach...

Playing group games....

One of the branch presidents who has done well financially

and helps to put on a lot of fun activities for the members.

The two sisters on the right are two of the original converts in Macau.

Refreshment time

The Holbrooks and myself  with a newly activated Sister (Christina) and her husband (investigator).

I have felt such a connection with Christina , and am enjoying having the opportunity to fellowship she and her husband! 

One of the Sister Missionaries who is from Utah! 

This girl leads the singing in Sacrament Meeting and is

Planning to go on a mission soon!

I was also able to get a picture of the sisters after Relief Society

on Sunday...

Yes I know I kind of stand out...good, bad or indifferent, but they make me feel such a part!

Think I may not wear the white skirt again!

Two of the Young Women in our branch

Back together in China - Week 1 (April 12-18)

Tuesday, April 19th  

It's so great to be back with John again even though I did have to come to China to find him! He was waiting for me when I arrived in Hong Kong so he could ride the ferry back to Macau with me..."Reunited and it feels so good!"

It took a few days to get my days and nights straightened around after arriving, but life is good! It feels much more at home coming back this time as everything is familiar!

It's been pretty rainy and foggy here, so I'm content to stay put in the hotel while John's at work! It's a nice relaxing life for a change, and I've decided it's nice to be spoiled once in a while! I'm loving having the time to work on our yearbook and family history! I usually get a good workout in at the gym too! John has a lot going on with work, and puts in long work days, but we look forward to our evenings together and usually order room service and watch tv, visit, or read together. (We're into 'Downton Abbey' and 'The Voice'!

The gym in Wynn Macau! I'm trying to wear a few machines out!

On Saturday, John got off early and we met up in Coiti and went to a movie and had dinner at the Galaxy Hotel.  (Below)

Waiting for our theatre (3D glasses)

Now why don't they have movie theatres like this at home?

As if I have a hard enough time staying awake in a movie! The guy who sat next to us actually did fall asleep and was snoring pretty loud! 

Inside the Galaxy lobby. This was way cool!

It was great to attend church here and to see all the members and missionaries again! They are all so friendly and welcoming! It felt like coming home!

One of my favorite sisters 

John with the Branch President (left) and his counselor

Some of the sisters after Relief Society

One of the Elders from England

Last week in Macau...where did the time go!

February 4th, 2016

It's been pretty quiet our last week here in China,  since Marlyn left and John is back working long, hard hours trying to keep construction of Wynn Palace going in a positive direction. I'be gone back to my routine schedule (the gym, family history, gospel study, facetiming with the kids, and most days I get out and walk around the hotel and surrounding areas).   Of course, I'm still getting my fill of yummy food, and have enjoyed trying new restaurants and foods, and the scales show it. (It will be good to get back to my chores at the Mabin!) 

It is such a nice and relaxing environment in our suite, that I am thoroughly enjoying hanging out  watching the ships cruise by while I do my thing during the daytime while John is at work. 

I did have a big break through on my family history efforts as I was doing some updates and adding some headstone pictures from our genealogy trip back east a few years back! I found an entire family (McGregors from John's line) to do their temple work for! I was so excited, and I feel like I'm starting to develop a real love for the work, and the Lord is blessing me for my efforts! 

I have grown to love it here, and I'm sad to be heading back home, although I do miss the kids and grandchildren! It has truly been a wonderful experience, and I feel so blessed to have had this awesome opportunity to come be with John and experience life in this part of the world. (Having Marlyn over to play tourist with was an extra added bonus)! So blessed!

Here's a few pictures of my final week of walkabouts!

Special imported vases and tapestry in hotel lobby

Out by the pool

Encore checkin lobby 

Tree of prosperity show in the Rotundra

Tree leaves made of 14 karat gold that change colors to represent the different seasons of the year.

Chandelier comes down from ceiling above tree

Cafe Encore

Getting brave and trying a Chinese dish!

Water show out front...

View from 18th floor elevator lobby

And from our bedroom

Checking out and on our way home!

Waiting for flight in Hong Kong Airport lounge

Time to load the plane (12 hour flight to Los Angeles then catch another flight back to Vegas)

And we finally made it home (in style) on Friday, Feb 5th just in time to drop off our bags and hop in the truck to head to the Mabin! Needless to say, we were a bit tired by the time we got to bed that night!

A Memorable Sunday!

Jan. 31st, 2016

Enjoyed a relaxing day together and got some good gospel studying in! Attended the English Branch of church here in Macau which meets in the evening! There is such a wonderful spirit in their meetings, and most of the branch members come from very humble circumstances and work long hours to provide the basic needs for their families! Many of them come to Macau and leave their families in the Philipines (parents both come and leave their young children with grandparents) to work here in the hotels/casinos. It is so humbling to hear them share their testimonies and  see their commitment to the gospel. I am really going to miss attending here, and am already looking forward to coming back in April. The Holbrooks (senior couple missionaries) said they would put me to work helping them and the other missionaries when I come back. It is so awesome to be in the mission field, and the branch is so  friendly and welcoming! 

Those of from the states in the branch! The members love to have their picture taken with us!

The guy on the right is from Vegas and comes over to work in Macau! 

The Holbrooks (senior couple missionaries from Utah)

Everyone made an effort to welcome John!

Some members and the elders!

This elder is from Northern Utah and is awesome!