Hey there!
It was so amazing talking to you all! You sound so great! You're all just progressing and moving forward! I'm so impressed with all your lives haha. Enjoy this last week together before school starts! That will be fun. Any fun New Year's plans? Have a glass of martinelli's for me :) I'm excited to finish my quilt with you, mom! that will be fun. And I love that idea of you and Abs hanging out before she takes off. Weird! I just can't wait to come home and see how changed everyone is. I got all teary eyed when I talked to Danny! But I love it. Time keeps ticking.

Well, China was as great as ever this holiday season. Actually, Christmas is super not a big deal here. The malls get decked out, but nobody really does anything or celebrates it.  But we brought the Christmas spirit with us out to the streets!  And it was fun. We would say Merry Christmas to people and ask them if they had any plans for the day. 9 out of 10 would look at us like we were idiots and say faan gung....go to work. or jyu yeh...cook food.  But we would get some of them to crack a smile on the way, so I would call it a success! And we had a Christmas miracle and got a new investigator - so that was exciting!  Got to love finding people to teach :) I told you on the phone a little bit about her...named Fiona. She's a phd studnet at City University studying linguistics. So truth be told, it's kind of been my goal to find a phd student to teach since I got to this area...so I'm super excited. She's awesome. But most of the people we are working with are travelling to mainland for a little while, so we're back to finding. which is still fun.

The other night, probably around 9, we walked back to the church, and this old 96 year man was lying on this couch in the foyer. We walked in and he reaches up his hand to us starts calling, not calling...whispering, "help."  So of course we rush over, and think he's in some serious trouble of some sort. And then he asks us where he can check in. And now I'm just totally confused. He was looking for a hotel and heard that our church building was a hotel (because of the patron housing stuff upstairs). So we're trying to figure the situation out with him, and find him a hotel and a taxi. And the entire time he is trying to defend himself, tryng to give us identification to prove that he isn't a thief or a robber haha. He was so concerned that we knew he was a gentleman haha. And we're speaking the entire time in cantonese, and then at the end, he starts getting really confused and realizes that these two English girls aren't speaking english. But he doesn't believe us, so he starts speaking the only english he knows..."I dont know english" haha. It was hilarious. All the while another new investigator we just found - who only speaks mandarin - is also asking us about our church choir because she wants to play her acordian in a choir...she majors in acordian at university. Is that really an entire major? It was a really confusing night. But pretty fun. The best part was when we help the man outside into the taxi. He has this little shuffle bent over walk...just shuffling each foot a few inches at a time. We finaly make it to this 4 inch step down, which he makes clear to us that it scares him. And then out of nowhere, he becomes super limber and jumps. Noo - jump doesn't do it...he does this full spread leap off the step. Dad's "like a cat" quote came to my mind as he did it. and then he continues his shuffle. I couldn't get over it. It was hilarious.

Sorry, not much news this week. Just lots of finding. It's been fun. I should do better at writing down in my journal the fun stories we have, so when I email about them, they're more interesting. But seriously, I loved hearing you all. Danny, thank you for that Nevada calendar.  It's hanging above my bed. The pictures are beautiful. Lam Jimuih is shocked that I came from such a place haha.

love you all!
hannah

Tender

Hong  Kong

We made this for dinner.

Dudley, Shandy, Tomoko, Takahashi

Takashi, Killpack, Dudley

Hello Family.
What a tender week. I came to the mission home on Wednesday night, late Tuesday for you, to meet the new missionaries and take them finding. When we returned, President Hawks pulled me into his office and talked with me about Nana. He read me your email and talked with me for a few minutes about Nana's background and life and accomplishments and influence. And I am so grateful for the love and kindness he had to take some time out of such a busy shedule that day to pay his own respects to her, and really show such kindness to me. He had Sister Hawks give me a hug, and assured me, especially after hearing about Nana's faith and service in this gospel, that I was serving in a three-some now. Which made me smile. And I believe he's right.
Thank you for those pictures and the program outline. It feels strange. I've felt strange all week. Which makes me admire the faith and courage Nana had the entire time leading up to it.  On Saturday night, as I was laying in bed I kept thinking about Gump. In my mind he was just waking up and getting ready for the events of the day, which was hard for me to think about. But I know we have an incredible family, and I know it's ok. Thank you for sending those pictures. Nana does look beautiful. I have a faint memory of visiting dad's Nana when I was little (at least I'm pretty sure I do). The heritage just keeps going on. Give everyone a hug for me. I miss you all, and I'm looking forward to talking to you.

I'm sorry, I don't have things to really update on. I'm training Sister Takahashi, she's half Japanese from Australia. Nice girl. I'm Sister Training leader for our Zone now too, which really just means I get to go on exchanges once a week with different sisters and see all the areas, which will be fun. We have good people in this mission.

China is as Chinese as ever now that I have some fresh eyes as part of our companionship. Things don't stick out to me like they used to, so maybe my letters will get more exciting. I'm going to send a few pictures, but I love you. I really love this family. And I'll talk to you this week!

Love Hannah

To Face God Again

Family!!!
hello, hello! Oh I love emailing you! it's such a highlight to see how you are doing. you guys look fantastic. Danny, you are taller than the tree! good thing it's not the "12 foota." Well, good luck with finals. Have fun. Have a happy, festive, spirited, and close knit family-filled Christmas! It sounds wonderful :) What day works best to call? and what time would be good? let me know.
Well, it's been another great week. ummm, wow it went by fast.

We are working with some amazing people. I love them so much. Shandy is 18. She wants to go to nursing school, so she's working 2 jobs right now to save up. Good girl. We caught her right as she was walking in to her apartment and gave her a book of mormon. she agreed to meet us again, and we've been meeting for a few weeks now. She is amazing. Especially keen to the atonement and the idea of repentance. She is thoughtful, and gives profound answers. We taught her about repentance and afterwards asked what she thought about it, she said, "so it's kind of like an opportunity for us to turn toward God. To face God again." I don't know about you, but she's been having struggles with her own idea of needing punishment, so to hear that from her really just impressed me. Because that's one aspect of repentance that has always stood out to me. I heard one of the apostles say that when they visited us in the MTC, so I wrote those words really big in my study Journal. And now this 18 year old girl who had met with us a few times already caught on to that idea that was so profound to me haha. I've just been so impressed and humbled by her. Really sweet girl. I love visiting her. But it's tough, because then for the rest of our day, we usually have a couple of hours of finding, and I have the song "Sandy" from Grease going through my head haha. ..."when hi-ai-gh schoo-oo-l is done...." Haha so I'm working on not making that a habit.

And then Cherry. I've probably already written you a ton about Cherry. I don't remember. If not, then shame on me. Mom, you would just want to give this woman a hug. She is the kindest, most caring person I've met out here. And especially towards me and Sister Killpack, she just cares for us. The other day we visited her, and she saw that Sister Q didn't have any stockings haha. it wasn't that cold, but she was certain Q jimuih needed some tights, so she pulls out of her drawer a pair, and starts helping Q jimuih put them on - haha. it was hilarious, but seriously, so sweet. She really just makes my heart happy. She had some pretty intense adam and eve questions, but we've worked passed them and are moving on to faith-which might be hard for her to accept. She's from mainland and doesn't have any religious background, and she is on and off with what she believes, but she is slowly opening up to it, and feeling things. It's been sweet for me to watch, because really, I care about her so much and I can just picture her family together being strong in this gospel, and it gives me motivation every day to keep going. Love her.

I'll send some pictures next week so you can put faces to names. Because they're amazing! We got another companion this week...Sister De Ocampo from the Philippines. Good girl. Usually Filipino missionaries here aren't cantonese speaking, but she gets to learn and teach in this beautifully obnoxious language. She went to the provo mtc, but because her visa was expiring, she had to leave a week early. So we got to introduce her to the mission this last week! So it was fun being in a 3-some again. And I got a call last night from President Hawks asking me to train this upcoming transfer, so it's possible she'll stay here with me. We'll see. Should be fun.

What else....I got a marriage proposal this week. Figured I should inform my family haha. No, it was a bummer of a situation. Remember Ken, the AP's blind investigator? He's like 60 something. So one day he showed up to English Class with a chocolate bar and a hand written note. Told me to read it later. He's a really good guy, but he's really lonely and sad, and he had a lesson on eternal families. Caught all of us totally off guard. But the elders talked with him, and things are fine. So that's good. I think it was the math and physics conversation we had? I don't know haha.

But things here are great! not that rainy. Lots of walking. I feel for this new missionary. It was a lot of finding and walking, and it's not at all what she was expecting. We just need to get her through this week and she'll be fine. Mom, I'm loving the Christmas countdown. I look forward to it every day. I still can't thank you enough for doing that. And over the past few months of p-day's I've been collecting little gifts to send home. I have one for everybody but dad. I'm having the hardest time. Any ideas of things he like? Something for his office? Really, I'm just getting cheap street market stuff so don't get mad at me for doing this haha. Give me any ideas if you have any!

Alright, I love you all. Drive safe up to Canada. Thank you for sharing Nana's testimony with me. I love that she shared so much about the Book of Mormon. What a powerful book. We've been scrutinized for it a lot this past week out on the street, so this really gave me extra strength to keep sharing it. I love Nana. What a beautiful example for us, and unifying power for everyone. Please give her and Gump a hug for me. And dad. I love you dad. I'm grateful you could give her a blessing. What an incredible gift. Please take care of each other. I love you

Love Hannah


ps:  Really - and drive safe up to Canada.

Week 33

Sorry to change the time on you. How fun! What a nice looking car. And cute friend camilla! He looks familiar....but I say that about everyone. And it's probably just because I walked by a lot of people at byu on my way to class, not because I actually knew them or talked to them or anything. But good luck with finals to everyone! Abbey is gorgeous. tell danny I dont have his email address, so he should send me an email so I can write him and comment on his funny volleyball man picture. It's the frozen tundra version of castaway! Oh you guys look so great! I miss you! What a fun holiday season! We started singing christmas hymns for comp study haha....really breaking out the festivities :) But I've been loving my package mom :) I love it. Sister Killpack and I couldn't make the cookies and caramel last until christmas, it was so good! So thank you. I'm working on a package for you guys...it's way cheaper sending things back to the states, so dont worry. but I need to make it down to mong kok one more time to grab one more thing.
It's been a fun week! We've done so much finding it makes me dizzy to thing about. But we've met some awesome people, and had some funny interactions. still only understand about half of what they say sometimes, but I think that's pretty normal. They talk really fast haha.
And yes! we can call home sometime around Christmas time. President Hawks is amazing, and trusts us with our decisions. So you tell me when a good time to call is. We can skype or call, but we just need to figure it all out, and can't bother members or investigators. I know of a Philippino  little place with computers with cameras on them, that we could try to skype.  But I dont know how reliable to the internet is, and I think buying a phone card might be best. But let me know when works well for you.
Alright, I love you guys! Stay warm! Good luck with everything!
Love hannah

Different, But Just as Good

What sweet pictures. Thank you so much for sending them to me. Nana looks like an angel. I love you all. It feels like spending time up there with the family feels close to heaven. Thank you for sharing that with me. I love Nana and Gump.  Sorry, my report to my president it longer than usual, so my letter wont be great.

But how great you were able to have thanksgiving with Camilla and Tommy in Provo. Ya, Magelby's! haha probably better company this time around ;) sorry haha. And you got tickets to the game!? How fun! and Kiss camera! I love it!! haha those look like awesome seats, too. How fun! And I cant thank you enough for the package mom. I absolutely looove it. It's more than enough. Best Christmas ever. Seriously. I opened some rolo's today, and I dont think I've ever been so excited to eat some rolos. And my companion and I have finished all the cookies. They were delicious! I couldn't believe how well they traveled! it was perfect. Thank you so much. I miss you all!

For thanksgiving, President Hawks gave us 3 hours to eat lunch together as a zone. It was so nice. I made stuffing (sort of) and mashed potatoes. very garlicy mashed potatoes :) and honestly, I dont think I've ever eaten the stuffing at thanksgiving, so I wasn't sure exactly how to make it, but I ripped apart bread and celery and cooked it with chicken broth, and it turned out ok haha. They finished it, so it must not have been too bad. or we have hungry missionaries and they'll eat anything. probably the second. but it was fun. And I dont think I have ever seen a turkey sucked so dry in my life! Once all the meat was off (or so I thought) then they start hacking the bones up and the literally, people had turkey carcass on their plates sucking off every ounce of meat haha. Between the chinese missionaries combined with Sister Tu'avao (my tongan friend), the there was nothing left of that poor bird. But it was delicious! and super fun.

It's been a good week. We've been doing lots of finding and are working with some great people. And today for P-day we decided to find a hike. And I've been keeping my eye out for trails or back pathways all the time, but this one was awesome! I love it. Reminded me a little of mine and danny's hike up, what's the name of that mountain pass by fallen leaf lake? The really big one haha. Oh I cant remember it (Mt. Tallac), but it was windy and rainy and freezing! Today wasn't as freezing or windy, but it was super rainy and pretty windy. But so fun! I finally got to hike around these beautiful mountains of China. Is was incredible! But also gave me appreciation for what we have back home. Different, but just as good.
I'll try to send some pictures. But I love you guys!
Happy December 1st!
Love Hannah

An Attitude of Service

My awesome companion- Sis. Killpack.

Star Ferry

I think this is the most expensive building the church has ever built (because of the land more than then bulding itself..downtown Hong Kong Island...hou gwai)

Christmas tree!  Thanks mom!

Christmas decorations!

My calloused knees - so much praying on tile floors!

Hello Family!

I hope you're doing well. How's Nana? I love our family. So glad we have each other. I want to thank you, mom, for the incredible package. I just felt so overwhelmed with your love as I opened it. I cant imagine how much effort you put into that. I cant wait for December to start the countdown! It's the biggest temptation I've had in a really long time not to open up those letters at the bottom of the package haha. I put the box at the end of my bed, and everynight, I do everythinig I can not to sneak a peak haha. So thank you. I can't thank you enough. I love you so much. And Jack! Thank you! I hung up my Hong Kong drawing you gave me right above my desk! I forgot to take a picture of it, but I'll take one this week and send it to you :) you're the best bud.

Well, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I love this time of the year. so much to be grateful for, specifically you guys! We have an incredible family.

I feel boring...sorry, it's been a maahn maahn kind of week. We have a family we're teaching though! Well, a couple, but a family haha. They just visited their son in Toronto. Loved Canada. They're doing great. Have problems with tea. but we'll get over that. So that's been exciting. We took the young women out finding with us yesterday, which was fun, but kind of tricky haha. We've been trying to get involved with the youth in this ward, because it's stronger than most wards. But we had a group of 6 of us walking around with book of mormons, and all these cute 14 year olds girls swarming people on the street haha. They were so excited. and nervous and shy.  But they were awesome. The members here are going to be powerful leaders in the church. They sacrifice so much. So much of they're lives are devoted to building and sustaining the church. It's hard to see it fall on so few people, but they are so incredible and serve so much.
I loved this woman in Kwun Tong ward named Sister Law Poon. She's from Thailand. She's like the Queen of the Thai's here in Hong Kong. Every sunday she would walk in with an army of neighbors or friends who she would bring to church with her, whether they were 80 year old pohpoh's or 17 year old punk boys who live nearby her. They all just love and admire and respect her, so when she tells them to come, they come! haha. She was awesome. But she individually would visit 20+ sisters every week, to make sure they were ok. see where they were or why they weren't coming. She would cancel doctor appointments to help us fellowship. (We had to be very careful ever asking her to help because we knew she would drop everything). It was incredible for me to see her testimony and desire to help the Savior. She never considered it a sacrifice. It always came first. I think she is going to be one of the most powerful lessons I learn on this mission, just that attitude of service. It's incredible. On one occasion I asked her why she did so much. Why she sacrificed so much. And she shared with me about her daughter. She would have been about my age, but she had passed away in a car accident about 5 years ago. Until that time she had never fully recognized or appreciated all the blessings she had in her life. She thought about being angry at Heavenly Father, but then thought - how could she? He had blessed her with 17 incredible years with an absolute gift from God, and continued to bless her peace and the feeling of his care and that everything would be alright after she had passed away. she loved her daughter, and would do everything she could to serve the Savior after everything she had been blessed with. And that's why she loved helping us so much. And she considered us to be as if we were her daughter. I love her. She's an incredible woman.

Alright, sorry, I'm out of time. But I love you all and miss you so much.
Take care of each other.

Love hannah

Nana - Week 30

Hey Nana :) Just wanted to drop another note to you. I know I am literally just one of thousands of people whose life you have influenced and who love you dearly, but I wanted to write you anyway. A drop in the ocean :) You have an ocean of love and care and awe in your behalf :) What a perfect example of how one person, can make such a huge difference in the world. And you do it one by one, with each individual person. So thank you for always making me feel so loved and cared about. My dad sent me a great letter about his visit with you this last week, and I wanted to include it, just to show you how much you matter to people.

"Nana is absolutely more amazing than I have ever been remotely aware of. She is being ravaged by cancer throughout her body. She can't eat. Has chosen to let nature take its course, will not be nourished by I.V. .  Hannah, she has never appeared to me more intellectual, more wise, beautiful, kind, so full of love. She is just radiant, glowing with love and the spirit. She exhibits peace and a calming sense of joy. Her complete focus is on her family knowing how special they are and how proud she is of each and every one of her posterity. She just intensely pierces your soul and makes sure you know how much she loves you. Absolutely zero fear. Just unfathomable love and certainty. People walk in (100's per day while I was there) expecting to cheer her up. But they leave buoyed up. Angel, if you want an example of incredible grace, your Nana has just raised the bar.  Hannah, I really had no idea how deeply she has touched so many people. So much emotion by so many people of all ages. I am so proud. I hope you can turn your emotions into positive energy for good like she is right now."

You're amazing Nana, I love you. Thank you for not becoming a nun like you had planned haha. But seriously, your example and strength to grab on to this gospel is the greatest gift you could give to any of us, and you did it whole-heartedly, and then devoted your life to it. And I love you for that. I know this gospel it true. And I hope to follow your footsteps and life with the same certainty you did. Your works back up your testimony, and you really are a legacy to me :) If anything I really just want you to know that you have a grand-daughter who has benefited from your testimony and decisions, and that my testimony is a branch off yours. It's probably the only thing I can really say that has much worth. I know the Savior lives, and that he lives for us. I know that Heavenly Father is a God of purpose, and he knows us personally. I know that the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is restored on earth, and it brings us joy. The Book of Mormon is true, and gives me strength. I know that families matter, and that the power of Heavenly Father seals us together. I absolutely know that Priesthood power is real, and I am so grateful to have a father who gave me opportunities to feel that for myself. The Atonement brings joy and fills holes and gives us potential. I love that I have the opportunity to share that transformation and joy with others. And I am so grateful for it. 

I love you Nana. And I love gump. Give him a hug for me.

My time's up, or else I could keep writing all day :)

Love you Nana. Have a good day today! 

Love hannah

...slap slap slap

Family! so good to hear about your life. Danny's a cutie. And Nana looks great! How fun everyone can visit and check in on her. I'm so happy for Katy! The MTC was a great experience, and I'm sure the Mexico MTC has all sorts of fun additions and experiences. She'll be a killer missionary. oh, that's exciting.

Well what else? It's been a week. ha - It's been more than a week! We had the opportunity to go to the Temple today, so Pday was pushed back. So good things have been happening. But it's been a tough week too. I have been feeling a little inadequate as a missionary. We need to build this area, but I don't know how much I'm helping, in all honesty. President Bednar once said something along the lines of how the Spirit teaches these people and helps them come unto Christ, and we just need to not get in the way. But I feel like I'm always in the way! We've had several solid potential investigators who have lost interest, and we've lost them. And the other day we had another 7 hour finding day and came up with nothing. Even on other long finding days when we get 4 or 5 street lessons and reschedule a couple of them, they seem to always fall through. I'm trying to stay happy, but my body hurts. I am so excited to crawl into bed each night, but I'll wake up 3 or 4 times throughout the night because I hurt somewhere, or my leg keeps cramping up. And then I dread getting out of bed in the morning because putting pressure back on my feet make them ache. I'm exhausted. We're working hard, really, I feel like we are, but I don't feel like it's making much of a difference. Sucks to suck, eh Camilla? :)

So I've been having negative thoughts lately. And I've noticed that as I recognize all the bad things that happen, then everything that happens is bad (weird ha). On that 7 hour finding day, Sister Killpack and I felt like we were just getting hit with one thing after another, to the point where we were just expecting everything to go bad. to fail. And we were right! That day was a good lesson to me that you are what you think in a lot of ways. I love this quote we have on one of our mission handouts, "To a great extent we accomplish what we think about. Your life is influenced more by your own thoughts than anything else. How could a person possibly become what he is not thinking? Nor is any thought, when persistently entertained, too small to have its effect. The "divinity that shapes our end is indeed in ourselves."

Heavenly Father knows my capacity perfectly. I really believe that. And he knows how to stretch us. I especially believe that. But I know that he did not put us here to fail. We've been pre-tained for this life, for our responsibilities, for our challenges. That's a neat thought for me, and gives me little more understanding why Elder Bednar said to just not get in the way.

I was reading in Nephi about when he broke his bow of fine steel, and made another one out of wood and a straight stick. And as I read that, I kind of felt like the pile of wood he had to make work to go slay beasts and feed his family. But I believe in the power of heaven and especially the power of the atonement. And I know I need to be patient, and continue to work, and have faith, but I also know that we are made better than what we give. And I've been finding comfort in that as my and Sister Killpack try to share the gospel with these people.  And I know I have it better than I even know, and especially as this is November and close to Thanksgiving, I've been trying to be more grateful and happy and I can already see the blessings by doing that.

I have a new great friend named Ken. He's the Elder's investigator, but we escorted him home last night (he's blind). Such a good, funny guy. Has a degree in Electrical engineering and Physics, so he thinks we're best friends now because I did math haha. He loves listening to Tongan radio, and now, the book of mormon! So that's fun. We had a fun walk. He lives alone and tries to find jobs here and there, but it's been interesting to me to see how drawn he is to the Savior and the Spirit. I mean, I'm sure he depends on his other senses a lot more than I do, so it's been a powerful lesson to me to watch how he relies on his feelings, and really, already has such a unique and powerful relationship with the Spirit. What a great guy.

What else, Wendy (from Kwun Tong) started menopause, so she gave us all the pads she has stored up in her house haha. I still can't get over that haha. People show there love here in violent ways!  The other day I came home with a big red mark on my right arm.  We had another long finding day, and taught 3 different lessons where they just kept slapping me on the arm. Like an over-exaggerated love pat. But they would be saying such nice things while they say it, but slap, slap slap...such a good person...slap slap slap....wow, so smart cantonese....slap slap slap....thoughtful friend....slap slap slap. Sister Killpack made it out with out the abuse, but at the end of the day she and I just laughed at how brutal it was. It was hilarious.

Things are good. And I am so blessed to get to serve here. I love this place, and I love the people. And I love you guys! I keep you in my prayers every day, and miss you so much. Hope everyone has a good week. I should get going, but I love you!

Love Hannah

Walking, Finding, Praying & Callouses

Hey! Happy Birthday dad!! Sangyaht Faailohk, baba!

Hope everyone's doing well. I'm afraid I dont have much to report either. I did a really bad job at writing in my journal this week, so I'm having a hard time remembering what happened. I take time to think back on it today, so dont worry! Things in Sham Shui Po are good! We had stake conference this weekend. Sundays are always the most exhausting for me, which is funny. Everyone just speaks so fast at church, and they always talk really loud and in your face, and it's hard to process it. And then they get really impatient and annoyed as you try to mumble back an answer haha. Every Sunday. But that's ok. They secretly love us, I know it... Chinese just dont say it or act like it, that's all :) No really, they're great. I'm continually impressed at how much work the members here are constantly doing to build up their wards. Seriously, the idea of modern day pioneers has such a different meaning to me now than it used to. They sacrifice so much.

Gam, we did a lot of finding this week. One day we walked from Sham Shui Po, all the way through Kowloon Tong and up to Tsz Wan Sam. I dont know if you can find that on a map or not, but it was a lot of walking and a lot of hills. But we have built up our teaching pool! we are working with 8 people. 1 part member family, another couple, a couple college students, a mom and daughter. It's so fragile right now, but we're excited. We were especially excited for this woman named Lala. she was so great. We taught her the restoration and she accepted a baptismal date. She was excited and loved Jospeh Smith's experience. So we called her on Saturday night to see where we could meet her to  go to Stake Conference, and she threw down the "many wives" card, and doesn't want to meet with us anymore, or hear us out. So that was a blow. We're still hopeful to work it out with her, because really, we could clear it up with her so quick.

There is so much anti stuff here, it's amazing. School teachers warn their students of us. Churches here are literally like businesses. There are so many Christian churches and they usually have private schools with them. And every student goes to a private church school. It just feels like the idea of choosing a church based on what you believe, rather than on what is convenient or a good school, or gives you the best accommodations is a completely foreign concept. I understand and respect people who reject us when they genuinely just have different beliefs a lot more. But you know, to each his own. It's hard though when people really do just treat us like such a mahfaan. I'm not sure how to describe that word. Just an overall general way to describe something that you dont like. Literally, we walk away from some people feeling like we should apologize for living haha. But I get it, some missionaries are overbearing and dont respect people's agency or viewpoints. I guess I think it's really important to be tactful and respectful of what people think. I've seen a lot of missionaries try to force people into listening to us, and that is annoying. And with so much added finding experience these last few weeks, I'm gaining my own opinions of what's appropriate. And it's helping! we have some good conversations. So it's been a fun week. A very tiring week, but a fun week. We've met a lot of great people.

Sorry, I didn't have much to write about, so I went off on a tangent that is completely unrelated to much of anything ha. sorry. But hey, I got Morgan's postcard! Thank you! I was so excited to get mail! And now I have a great Carson City postcard on my desk nexct to the pictures of my family. Home means Nevada! Oh, and I need to take a picture of these models in this suit store. There's some really nice suit store in a mall next to our apartment, and one of the advertisement model guys looks like Tommy! Seriously, though. Later today I'll take a picture and send it next week. It makes me miss our family.

And I realized the real reason we have to wear such long skirts that cover our knees....this week we have been doing so much praying, that literally, I have callouses forming on my knees haha. Ugly? ya, a little. hence the long skirts. brilliant :)

Alright, I love you all. Happy birthday dad! you're the best dad any of us could have ever asked for! Thanks for always being such a good example for us kids. We look up to you more than you know. Especailly me. Thanks for helping me become who I am :) Love you dad
Love, hannah

New area, new companion and some spiritual stretching

Me and lam Jimuih

Yihm Jimuih was baptized!

Almost got her to smile...!

Market

Excuse the gifted pajamas!

Wendy, who I love. With her new haircut!

Apartment buildings

Family!
I have been kicked out of the promised land of Kwun Tong, and to be completely honest...I'm super sad about it. That area was special, and Lam Jimuih and I were working well. But I will continue to live with the Kwun Tong sisters, so I'll get to hear all about the area. So I'm glad about that. Because we had 5 solid people preparing for baptism, and I've just grown to love these people in ways I didn't know I could. Actually, I guess 4 now. One was baptized on Sunday! Haha Yihm Jimuih. She was our least solid out of all of them. she just thinks differently, and we weren't sure if she really was prepared. But our District leaders felt like she was, and President Hawks talked to us about it, and after some time of studying together and praying together, we felt like it was ok. I wasn't there, but this cracked me up....usually after the ordinance, we all meet back in the chapel and they can bear their testimony. Remember how Yihm Jimuih was having struggles with that a few months ago? haha ya..she read the articles of faith for her testimony. hahaha I cant stop laughing when I think about it, but I also cant help but want to cry. Not that anything is wrong with the Article of Faith. I just wish I could explain her for you. but you know, she has such a pure desire. And she gets so jittery and excited. I dont remember much about my baptsim, but I remember feeling so happy and jittery, and I couldn't sit still. Maybe we're more similar than I thought :)

But I am now in Sham Shui Po, with Sister Killpack. I'll attach some pictures. Please ignore my super attractive night gown. It was a gift, and I am so grateful to not sleep in my sweaty work out clothes :) But SSP will be good. It's very different. We have 2 universities, and a couple more wealthy neighborhoods. We serve with the AP's and the online office elders, and our chapel is part of the mission office, just across the street from the temple. So it's beautiful. But the people are different. I dont see a lot of old sweaty men with their dirty tank tops rolled up resting on top of their bellies. And for some weird reason, I miss that. And we dont really eat in the street markets or bakeries here. Everything's in these huge expensive clean malls. So different. but still good. Sister Killpack has been in hong kong 2 months, so I'm senior. It was nice with lam jimuih, because when I couldn't understand what someone was saying in a lesson (which was more often than not haha), I dind't have to worry too much about it. We actually had a good system, because lam jimuih would repeat what they said, so I could understand what was going on..."so you're saying...." because you can understand people you talk with more often, better than strangers. But now it's me and the spirit haha. And to be honest, we haven't had any huge catastrophes yet. Actually, last night we had an incredible street lesson! she had incredible questions and ended up talking with us for probably 35-40 minutes. And dont take this the wrong way, because honestly, I'll never be fluent with this language, but I held a 35-40 minute conversation with her! and it was good! And I walked away knowing that the spirit really does make us more than what we are and helps us out. I think this is going to be a very spiritually stretching transfer, because we're going to have to work hard and really learn to depend on the Lord, and the spirit. This area doesn't have a lot going on right now. The sisters before did mostly recent convert after baptism lessons, and caught up a lot of rc's. We'll continue to support them and occasionally meet, but we're not going to focus on that anymore. So we're kind of starting new. The past few days we had 6 or 7  hour finding days, and I think that's what it's going to look like for awhile. And my companion is a little shy, and has only been here two months, so she isn't super familiar with the area or the people in the ward. so it's going to be a lot of building. But I'm excited!
Alright, I would write more, but I'm going to figure out how to send pictures.
Love you all!

Hannah

I looooovvveee Kwun Tong!

(Hey all!  Just a note - Abbey won homecoming queen, Yay - her!  Tommy got a great job at Adobe, Yay him!  And Tom, Tommy, and Camilla are flying up to Canada for a quick trip to visit - so Yay for them.  Hopefully they get to see some of you.  Love you all. We are blessed.)

Wow!!!
Congratulations Abbey girl!!!! you look beautiful! how fun! And how grown up jack and danny look! And dad looks great! He's always pulled the tux look off really well. I feel like I let the family down haha...every one else was part of the homecoming celebration! But you guys look great :)

And that sounds like a dream job that tommy got. What an awesome opportunity. He's going to be so good!
I hope they have a good trip up to Canada. Nana and Gump are amazing, and I hope she feels better soon. Put them to work nana and gump!

It's been a good week here, but I'm terrified I might get transferred...which would make me sad. I love kwun tong....Loooovvveeee Kwun Tong. I could finish my mission here and be just fine with it. But we got a new companion from Macau this last week, so we're in a tripanionship right now, which means one of us is jauhing on thursday. And I've been here the longest....and the sister from macau has only been out for 2 months, .....so, I'm guessing they'll put the native with her here in Kwun Tong. But that's ok. We'll see what happens! I'll let you know next week!

So you know how we've been making a special effort to talk to potential priesthood holders (specifically about the book of mormon haha)....it's working! We've found several new investigators that we've passed over to the elders. One of them happened while we sat down at this bench under a tree. We had met a woman the day before and arranged to meet her there the next day to explain more about the Book of Mormon...she fonged us. stood us up. But right as we sat down, I had the thought, "This is prime bird poop zone." Literally 2 seconds later, a bird pooped on Lam jimuih's arm. I started laughing at her, and then...splat. Got me on the leg. We sat up and started laughing and wiping it off, and I noticed this man across from us watched the entire thing, so I started talking to him about bird poop...i know, not the smoothest introduction.... but we ended up talking to him for a while and he ended up accepting a baptism invitation. So that was cool! First time a successfully gave out a baptismal invite on the street haha. But he's cool. His name's Jimmy. We passed him over to the Elders too, so we're keeping them busy! But now we need to build up our own teaching pool, so it's back to the strollers. And teenage girls with their phones....those are the most difficult because they usually just want to take pictures with us, which is fine if they'll listen to us, but I'm guessing we're on a lot of stranger's facebook pages. And every other sentence is about america. or taylor swift. or our elders. Hard to keep them on track haha. But we'll keep trying. Sometimes things will stick.
And Wendy. I need to get a picture of her for you. We knocked on her door again to read scriptures. She yelled something back that I couldn't understand. I can never understand what she yells back. But she answers with this wet rag draped over her head haha. I cant get the image out of my mind, but I'm sad I dont have enough time to adequately describe it. Just this wet pink rag or scarf hanging off her head in all directions. She was cutting her hair, and dying it, and I'm not sure if it was part of the process or she just didn't want us to see it. But we read scriptures with it dripping on our laps haha. Darn, I'm out of time. But I'll explain it more next week. It was just so funny. Best mental image of my mission haha.

Alright, I love you guys. congrats to Tommy and Abbey and everybody else! I'll keep Nana and Gump in my prayers. I love them. They're amazing. Say hi to them for me!
Love hannah

Conference & low ponytails

The ocean's not too big! I feel your prayers and support every day, so thank you. I miss you lots and think about you even more. And I know! The rain storms! I should do a better job at predicting them. The umbrella is just too much added weight haha. Or I'm too lazy. But the sky will look clear and blue, and then out of nowhere it just starts pounding haha. It was fun the first couple times, but now it's just annoying haha :)  The days are flying and running together, but then when I step out, it feels like every week is really like 3 weeks haha. But then it's another email time, and I feel like nothing has changed since last time. It was Lam Jimuih's birthday this week, so that was fun. Birthday's are hard on a mission, but we had a really good day, and celebrated when we could. And then I went on exchanges to Aberdeen, which was fun. But every time I leave Kwun Tong, I am so grateful that this is my area. It's a special place. The people are unique, and I love the places. We've walked around just about every road and path that is in our area, so we know it pretty well. Several times. So, I'd say very well - haha. Oh, I tried to go vegetarian this week and failed. Like within the first day, I failed (McDonalds is what keeps us alive). But after the ward barbeque last week (seriously, so much meat), we went to a korean barbeque with the office elders and the Sham shui po sisters last pday. which equals another overloaded day of meat. So I ate an unusual amount of cucumbers and peppers and carrots. So that was nice. It's hard to eat vegetables here because people here don't eat raw vegetables. They cook everything. People don't trust any food from mainland so they always boil all their food. So Lam Jimuih doesn't let me eat like a salad for example haha. So I eat boiled salad essentially haha. I'll make a salad and then boil it. and then eat it...with chopsticks. and sometimes Lam Jimuih will put oyster sauce on it. And we always eat everything with a bowl of rice. But my chopstick skills are improving, so thats a plus.

And conference was amazing, ya?! Loved it. I didn't bring my notes with me to email, but I love Elder Christofferson's talk. It reminded me alot of the people I'm working with, so I'm excited to study that out a bit more.  And I also really loved Elder Holland's talk. And that Jorg guy? I forgot his name. And I dont know where he's from. But I like how straightfoward he was. And I always love what Elder Eyring has to say.  What I probably got most out of conference was the idea that we are our own agents, and some of the most important use of our agency are sometimes decisions that aren't measurable. I think a lot of agency is used depending on what we put our efforts into, and where our priorities are focused. If we have a desire to be submissive to the will of Heavenly Father, what actions can we do to help us seek out his will, or at least be in a state where we can be prompted to act in a way to follow his will. I think it comes down to those underlying, consistant efforts to deliberately turn back to and remember Heavenly Father. And for me that's a hard thing. Because it's a lot easier to sit back and let the day happen, and be a participant. It's a lot easier to do what I'm supposed to and to be doing just fine and good. But when we step up and put our personal action and our personal effort into the motions we go through, I think there's an important idea there for spiritual growth and receptability to the spirit. I dont know, those are some thoughts I had on conference. It made me want to take more personal repsonsibility and give more personal effort to the small actions I do throughout the day. Which is the goal of a lifetime. But I might as well start chipping away at it. because I think it's only through those small efforts that we'll see change. I think it's a hard characteristic to be able to be patient enough and disciplined enough to have that long term subtle grind and improvement.

This makes absolutley no sense. I still need to write it all out in my journal and figure out what I really think about it all. But you're my parents, so you can probably figure out what I'm trying to think haha. I'm feeling more like the girl I was when I was younger. maybe it's because I wear alot of low middle part ponytails again like I used to haha. but still, I'm grateful for you guys. I miss you alot. I should go, but I 'll talk to you next week! Thanks for the pictures. You all look so great. Nice work Jack :) And how cool thar Abbey is homecoming candidate! You get to wear another tux, Dad! haha. I can't believe she's a senior. Feels like that was just me and you, and I cant wait to see the pictures next week! Good luck! you're beautiful!

Love you!
Hannah

Rewards of Warm Milk

Hello!
Sounds Conference was amazing! I can't wait.  I'll watch it in English. There's no way I would get much in Cantonese. my brain would be mush. I'm at the point where I can pick out a lot of words they use, so my vocab's is ok. But they talk so fast, and the structures are just different enough and takes some process time that I don't catch full sentences. So I get general ideas just fine...but I'm still working on really starting to understand haha.The language is hard haha. Our first night here President Hawks told us no missionary will ever become fluent on their mission. And I'm learning he's right haha. There's no way. We can get by, but probably like a kindergartner haha.

And I love that they talked a lot about prophets! We have a lot friends coming to listen to gain a testimony if God really has a prophet on earth today or not. So that's a score. I love Camilla's picture.

Today there was a slight breeze on the walk over here (at the apple store again, sorry - no pictures) and it was heavenly. Made me think of home ha. And Tommy! Wow! Congratulations! He works so hard, and is so clever. I love the way he thinks. And I'm glad to hear Jack was the engineer of the dirt project.  I miss dirt. Sounds like fun!

I want to send my love to Aunt Maxine and her family. I was telling dad that I feel blessed to be connected to her and her family in any way. She is amazing and loved, and  I know her goodness has reached out and influenced a lot of people, and will continue to do so through her amazing family.

Hong Kong is good from my end. You guys probably know more about what's going on than I do. From here, it seems like such a small part of the population is involved in it, it doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Every once in a while we'll see blue or yellow ribbons representing the two different sides. And now there are green ones to blend the two together. The only personal interaction I've had with anything was the bus lines that go through Kwun Tong have gotten really big at the end of the night, because it's a popular transfer bus stop for alot of people coming back from Hong Kong Island where the demonstrations are taking place. They're like 6 or 7 people wide and probably go down the street for a quarter of a mile. I've had the thought that you know, we could really try to take the strategy of publishing freedom and get them all wound up about freedom and than hit them with commandments or how obeying Heavenly Father can make us truly free. That could be a really hit or miss sermon I think haha. But lots of people!

But we had a huge success yesterday! Lam Jimuih, my companion, talked to a man when we were out finding about the book of mormon. He wasn't interested, but I was so proud! We've been working with two less actives in our ward named sam and elaine. They are the only members of their families, both got baptized last summer and just kind of disappeared. (That happens a lot here).  They are in what is equivalent to our senior year of high school, and they're preparing for university. The universities here are ridiculously competitive, so byu hawaii is a good option for a lot of youth here. But we got them coming back to church this past august and they're growing so much. Elaine actually helps us teach lessons 1 or 2 times every week. She is set on going to Byu-H for a year and then serving a mission. She makes me miss abbey :) same age. Just a fun, cute, mature, girl who has a natural way of influencing a lot of those around her. But anyway, Sam blessed the sacrament yesterday, and it inspired Lam Jimuih to find more men to hold the priesthood.  Because they're not all evil. haha. She had a bad break up before the mission, so we're still working on that. But big step. I was so happy.

What else....alright, I'm convinced that Americans are missing out when it comes to barbecues. We had a ward bbq, and it was so fun. I have never seen or eaten so much meat. We had like 12 different fire pits going, and every picnic table had 3 or 4 raley's size bags full of raw meat... chicken wings or ribs, or pork chop things. And then fish balls and beef balls and cheese balls. And everyone has a stick and you cook them, and halfway through you smother it with this special honey sauce. Messy, but pretty dang fun. And I got a good tan on my neck and the lower half of my arms. Oh but this is sweet...Our investigator Wendy brought me a litre of boxed milk to share for a drink. It had sat in her bag in the hot sun all day, so it was kind of gross. But really, it was really sweet of her. She lives off of rice and owns maybe 3 shirts and 2 pairs of ripped pants. She was so grateful for us teaching her and helping her change her life, and wanted to give us a gift. Can you believe that? I love her. If she is the only reason I came out here, I would be happy.

Alright, I love you all! Have a great week!
Love hannah

Agents to Act and Not be Acted Upon

Hello, hello!
Alright, don't hate me....we're at apple again. We got to go to the temple today! so that's why my pday is today, not yesterday. So....next week I'll send a few pictures! haha. I'm so sorry. They're really not that great ha. [Some sweet friend of Hannah's - Hui May-  did send me a couple pictures, so my thirst was quenched... a little!]

But I miss you all! You sound amazing! Primary is lucky to have you, Mom, and your raspberry jam :) I bet the women's conference was great! We won't watch it until the 12th. With all the translating stuff, we'll get to watch conference that weekend. But I can't wait!!! so excited :)
We had a good week! Had interviews with President Hawks. He's amazing. I don't know, people are just good.  Lots and lots of good people in this world. Love 'em all :)

what to write, what to write? Yesterday was HOT. and we did a solid 7 hours of finding. it was rough. and my upper lip is feeling sufficiently moisturized ha. We went paakmuhning (knocking on doors) over near Yau Tong, kind of along the shoreline on your way to Kwun Tong. Probably one of the only very few places to go knocking, because it's a long walk, but we had the time. It was like this little village, and the living conditions were pretty bad. Just these tin shacks with garbage everywhere, and random materials acting as walls or roofs- mixed with cement. The space between the one row of shacks and the next...like the pathway to get around the cluster of little tin homes, was about 2 feet wide. Just dark and wet, with big scary black dogs lying randomly in the middle of the paths haha. It was a fun maze. and lots of tiptoeing :) And I finally saw those 'human cages' I had read about before the mission. They are these literal cages about 4 feet wide and 6 feet long. They lay a piece of cardboard on the bottom of it so they can lay down. And these cages are stacked on top of each other, and side by side. I wasn't sure they really existed, but it was an incredibly humbling experience walking through them. Just the bare minimum of survival, and here we are trying to say we having something that will help them. Before, I would really question if asking them to sacrifice so much and come to church or pay tithing or whatever it was, I would question if I had the right to ask this of them. Or if I was asking too much. And you know, it's still hard to see some people with so little and teach them some of these things. But the blessings Heavenly Father promises us are real. The gospel changes people and their circumstances. Today I sat by two Indian women in the temple who were receiving their endowments and getting sealed to their husbands. The power of Heavenly Father can be felt so strongly in the lives of these people. They give up everything for this knowledge and hope. I didn't know such great faith was still so alive in people today. You read about stories of faith and sacrifice back with the pioneers or even throughout the scriptures. But it's just as true today. This work is true, and people are recognizing it. And it brings happiness that can't be attained anywhere else. I feel very blessed to get to see small examples of that.

Hmm, what else. I got the rest of my Chinese name! it's Dung Wihng Yihn. I don't know how to put the accent marks in or give you the chinese characters for it, but that was cool. It's official. I have 2 names now! And this week we've really been trying to improve our teaching skills. We watched an episode on the mormon channel with Elder Bednar about teaching. there were two episodes. they were amazing! and I realized how brilliant of a man dad is. There are things throughout my whole life growing up that dad has counseled us in, that have more meaning to me as a missionary as they ever have. But this week it was the idea of being our own agents, and not being acted upon. And really, that's a fundamental part of the whole plan of salvation. I was studying 2 nephi 2, and it's throughout the whole chapter. That is how Heavenly Father has prepared for us to learn and gain experience. So we're trying to transfer that to the smaller scale of helping our investigators learn the gospel. Because it's true, we can sit in lessons about faith throughout our entire lives and recite back and even believe we really understand what it is. But until I experienced it a little differently with a specific experience I had with Ayuh, I feel like I've learned it in a much more personal and real way than I ever knew before. I'm running out of time, but we had an incredible lesson on the restoration with a woman named Crystal. She has met with missionaries for years and passed through 4 different baptismal dates. But as we approached the lesson, very openly and straightforwardly with her, that we weren't there to teach her things she's been hearing for years, but to help her have her own experiences with the spirit and own questions answered, it just changed the entire lesson. She came out of the lesson knowing that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he saw God and Jesus Christ. Just the idea of acting for ourselves and inviting others to be their own agents and have questions and curiosity and desire to know and learn. Sorry, bad explanation, but look it up. It was great!
I need to go, but I love you all very very much. Thought about all of you in the temple today, and I am so grateful to be a part of this family. I miss you all, and will talk to you next week!

Love hannah

oh and ya, and the protests are fine. most people are more about work or school. nothing to worry about. besides President Hawks is very aware and cautious. We stayed in for part of yesterday. Oh, and remember the problem [her companion had] with sharing about the book of mormon? and the fear of talking to men? haha. I do it in a very safe a responsible way, but I talk to almost every man I see about the book of Mormoon. And it's working great haha. Love you all. Bye!

Trying

I am sorry I haven't sent pictures recently. We've been emailing at the apple store lately just because the last few pdays have been a little cramped. and we're here again today, so I can't upload pictures. But I will next week! because I have lots of pictures to send! But congrats to Abbey! How cool...Camilla and Abbey have both showed me up and got their motorcycle license. What a neat thing. What's next...? And I love that Danny's in the marching band. I still can't get over how tall he looks. It's amazing! And I'm glad Jack and Dad are keeping the yard up to speed. Love it Jack. You'll miss it, I promise you.

But hey! I found out the rest of my Chinese name. Dung Wihng Yihn. So you can just call me that now haha. I am also picking up on some Tai chi in the mornings. We have an entire colony of popo's who line up and do their routine, and every once in a while they'll invite us to join. So I'm loving that! The last couple of weeks we've had washer and dryer problems, so we've just been hand washing things and hang drying them . So the light fixtures are in very good use lately :) And it's not that big of a deal, other than I'm learning I'm not good at hand washing things haha. I feel like I just put them in a dirty sink and get them wet and soapy...and more dirty haha. And it's so dang humid here, nothing fully dries. So that's probably the most day to day report to give. I love that I'm from Nevada and can have dry skin when I go home. Even if it made my legs look like fish scales sometimes :)

This week was kind of a disappointing week. We had 13 lessons cancelled on us. And 8 of them we had members scheduled to help us. hou cham. big fail. just one after the other haha. 10 of them were on from friday through sunday. And I can't help but wonder if Heavenly Father just knew we weren't ready or worthy to teach these people the way we needed to. Because actually on Thursday night, Lam Jimuih and I had a bit of a tiff. Everything's fine now, but yikes. We have different backgrounds and speak different languages, and it made things hard. We had different opinions about the word of wisdom and talked about it after the lesson. and it got to the point where she was throwing her bags at the MTR station and wanting to call President Hawks about an emergency transfer ha. But we went home and talked it out and worked things out and things are ok. Sometimes it's hard. She just is very up and down with her emotions, and almost every other night she breaks into tears and gets upset. This one was just the worst one. But we worked it out. Everythings ok. We're really getting better and better every week. little by little. But after that night, I think we just needed these last few days to reset before Heavenly Father really trusted us with teaching these people again. And that feeling wasn't great. I don't know...I could also be reading too far into it. But either way, gives us something to do better next week!

But we did still have some incredible experiences this week anyway. We're are teaching a woman named wendy lam. She is very special to me. She is very poor, but doesn't want to get a job because she wants a good job. A career. she has plenty of opportunity to work to get by, but refuses to take it. She has been meeting with missionaries for years now, but mostly just for english class. She has a strong temper and very "woe is me" mindset. But she wants to change. She realizes she needs to change. We've been meeting with her almost every night the past few weeks, and we've seen such huge change. she has become so humble and willing and honestly, if I've ever seen what it means to "thirst" for truth, she's it. We met with her quickly after English class on wednesday night and read scriptures. Afterwards, we invited her to say the prayer. Right as she was about to start, she quickly looked up and asked if we could kneel. (the lesson previously we taught that when we have personal prayers, sometimes saying audible prayers and kneeling can help us feel the spirit better). I felt silly for not already suggesting we kneel in the first place, but we quickly agreed that would be a good idea and knelt down together. That was really sweet for me to see. She wants to feel the spirit, and she's trying. She then offered a prayer in English. Of course we encourage them to pray in their own language, but I think that since it was right after English class, she went for English. And for this time, I actually really appreciated it, because I could understand everything she said, and for me it was such an amazing and powerful and heartfelt prayer. Seriously so simple I feel silly writing about it, but as she offered it, it brought me to tears. It was powerful. She's trying. And I'm trying. Yeah, there are a lot of things she could do better and try a little harder at. But I had this overwhelming feeling of love for her. I wish she could have felt it. And it made me realize that Heavenly Father thinks the same thing for us. yeah, I could try a little harder sometims, or do a little better. But I'm trying. We all are. And being able to see how sincere Wendy was, and how humble and willing she was really impacted me. I know Heavenly Father loves us, and we're asked to try our best. Anyway. this I'm sure is one of those mission experiences that matters a lot to me, but doesn't come across fully for other people. but I thought I would try.
Alright. I got to go. But I love you very much! Take care of each other :)

Love Hannah

Ups and Downs

Hello hello!
What a fun week! Everyone looks so great! :)

Camilla's photobomb made me laugh. and yes, we need to get that dannyboy's face to look normal again. its going to go permanent! thanks for the pictures :) Congrats to Uncle Mark and Tracy! What a beautiful wedding. Uncle Mark looks buff and tan :)

And darn...you knew!? Isn't that awesome though! Conference speakers in their native languages?! I cant wait. ahhh so excited :)

Things here are good! like normal haha. Hong Kong is a very special city. It would be so awesome to come here as a visitor. It's such a fun place. This week it has cooled down a bit. mostly due to the increased level of typhoons haha. Last night was pretty fun. Once it reaches level 8, President Hawks will instruct us to stay home. So yesterday we were doing our normal thing...we had 2 lessons scheduled that night that I was really looking forward to, but until then we were out finding. I forgot my umbrella though (whoops). but we only had about 45 minutes of finding scheduled, and the rain wasn't too bad, so no problem.  Then on the street we ran into a member who informed us it was a level 8 and we should go home. But really, the rain was light, and we hadn't gotten a text yet, so we kept on. Then both of our lessons called and cancelled on us. The natives really just dont like rain, so they all run for cover at any sign haha. So we kept finding all night, and it was fun! Rain finding isn't always the most productive since everybody goes inside, but we went around the chyuns or apartment areas and we found a new investigator! So it was worth it!

But it's been the same kind of week as usually haha. full of ups and downs :) We are still teaching taahm taitaih. She's incredible. Everytime we visit she hugs the book of mormon and cries and thanks us over and over again. She still only finds time to see us once a week, so things are progressing slower than we like, but it's incredible to see the spirit work in her. She knows what we talk about is true and she sincerely feels it. Before, she knew about God, but not much. But she loves learning about the Savior so much and reading scriptures so much, she found more and more Christian churches and people to talk to...I think she thought that would make us proud and excited haha. So we need to try to help her understand the restoration a little bit better. Its hard, because there really isnt any foundation and it's so foreign to her. But it's been amazing to see her learn.

And I dont know, it's been an adjustment with my companion. She's great. We just think and teach and do a lot of things very differently haha. But I think we're both learning a lot. She refuses to talk to men though. Or talk about the book of mormon...which is kind of important ha. But we're doing better :) And she wants to improve her English, so we mostly speak english, but I've been tweaking how I study the language, and I'm excited for it. I dont think I'll ever be fluent, but I'm getting better!

Alright, times up. sorry, I spent most of the time just thinking about what to say. I hope you're doing well. I love you guys! The pictures made my day!

Love hannah

Opportunities to Learn

Jack...that is a winner. (Sent funny pic of Jack) Hands down the most attractive face I have ever seen :) And I love Camilla. Someday I'll join her in her adventures. If she'll have me. (Fun photo of Camilla on her hiking adventure with Abbey). Congrats to Uncle Mark! How fun! Party hard family. That's so awesome so many people will be there. And mom, you're a natural mathematician. You're going to love that class. And raspberries! Please save me bowl! freeze me an entire bowl for next year!...and it will actually probably be more like November, based on how I think transfers will go...I'm not sure. not that I've counted. (I've had a few weak nights haha).

No things here are great. We had a busy week. We had to travel down to wan chai 4 times this week, all for very worthwhile reasons. We had zone conference, and then we were invited to the saturday night session of stake conference, and then sunday stake conference, and then today we got to meet with some general authorities. And on every one of those trips up here (except for sunday), I ate at the famous Paisano's Pizza!...it's a tradition for me. Every time I come up to wan chai I eat pizza. The guy running it and I are becoming pals. Now he throws in a free soda every now and then :) He's from India, so once I get my hands on a non chinese Book of Mormon, I'll throw one of those in with my 30 bucks ;)

But I should talk about the meetings. We were so blessed to hear from Elder Raspband, the senior president of the 70. He and his wife are incredible. Today at our missionary conference, we also had our area presidency, Elder Gong, Elder Funk and Elder Wong.  http://www.mormonnewsroom.hk/eng/leadership-and-organization
Elder Wong is a newly called general authority. I'm not sure what I've written home yet about him, but I really like him. He is the one who visited in the MTC. And then at our mission tour a few weeks ago, he was the speaker who had me come up and help him with an object lesson where different missionaries held different sizes of cups over their heads, and then I had to pour water into the cups while having my eyes covered. (my waitressing abilities were a little rusty, and some people got pretty wet). But he always say hi now when I see him and calls me lousi dung (teacher dudley) ha. He's an amazing man. He's actually speaking at General Conference. 1st speaker on saturday morning. Pay close attention to his talk....I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to make history ;) We also had Elder Allen, the missionary organization president guy. I'm sorry, I forgot his title. It was really such a neat weekend.

But your night sounds so amazing! I miss those outside dinners. The weather here has yet to cool down...but I'm really looking forward to when it does. Then I can wear my sweaters. I'm getting bored of my clothes, so those sweaters will be a fun mix up :)

Because of the meeting today, We need to cut down on our email time, so I need to get going, but I love you all. It was cool to see a lot of the things I've been studying and thinking about were talked about in the meetings I went to this weekend, and I found so many different answers to questions I had. Heavenly Father knows our needs, and gives us opportunities to learn through the spirit. That's what I learned this week. And lots of other stuff, but I'll write more next week!
Hachi gin!
hannah
P.s...yihm jimui taught her husband to pray....=HUGE STEP!! party. alright, goodbye!

Even Bananas

Miss you mom. I love you :) and I hope you feel better soon. who cares about the scar haha. put jack on those dumb pigeons and squirrels ha. And I'm sorry to hear about your eye. Darn, it's just been a series of bummers, ya? I sincerely hope you know how much I love you and miss you mom. You and dad mean the world to me. I keep having this dream of the night I come home and I go take a shower and come sit at the edge of your bed and talk to you and watch TV. (After, of course an ice cream run with dad ha.) Like remember that night when we watched the olympics? Actually, I know we've had a lot of other nights like that too, but I love having that image in the back of my mind. And I love that school blessing dad gave me when I was going into my Senior year, maybe. And I was full of all sorts of attitude (sorry ha) but he said that you were my best friend before you were my mom. And I know that's true. I feel so lucky to be so close with you and Abbey and Camilla. I love you mom.

And give Alana a hug for me. I've thought about her a lot out here. She's such an incredible girl. So capable. I hope she feels better soon. And huge congrats to Austin! I had secretly hoped I would get called there. He'll be amazing in Novosibirsk!

And tell dad that I sure hope it cools down soon! It's hot. and oh so sweaty. But everybody is sweaty, so its ok. I discovered that the place I sweat most on my body is my upper lip. Seriously! who knew? my armpits and body aren't bad...I'm mean every inch of us is glistening and wet, but the only place that drips is my upper lip haha. could be worse...

sorry, that was probably needless information.

Congrats on the school! That's awesome mom. Dont worry about the math. It's a new challenge that will come and go, and you'll be all the better for it :) or it will come and go, and you can move on with life haha. either one. I miss it..so try to enjoy it for me :) I'm good on the water filter. we have filtered water in our apartments, so no need. Protein packs would be awesome though! unless you already sent a package, then don't worry about it. but I would drink them! Believe it or not, the people here are impressed with my ability to a)use chopsticks and b) eat what they give me. I deal with spice way better than most people (even bundei's) and I am (to quote my current comp) "the least picky eater she's ever served with." I had to include that to impress Camilla and Tommy and Dad. I don't think they thought I could do it, but I'm showing them! I even eat bananas now. I'm pretty sure the only thing that will never change is the mint...sorry :) that's part of me haha.

My companion is good. Sister Lam. We think very differently, and work very differently, but our investigators are tough, so we're really tryiing to come together so we can help them. She has some kind of anxiety or stress, so once a week we travel up to wanchai for her to see a social worker. But she takes teaching really seriosuly, and all in all, it's going to be good. We'll probably be together for the next 4 or 6 months....so we're in it to stay! My cantonese is coming. It's so gradual I dont feel huge differences, but it's really coming. sounds and tones are hard. I sound super american haha, but I'll get better  :) We're also working on improving sister lams english, so we switch back and forth which days are english and which days are chinese.

I feel good though. I feel not very pretty ha. But I'm setting goals to take better care of my body. and to improve my language. and to love my investigaors. and my companion. I have 2 mintues and still have so much to write! haha. I guess some things I've really learned this week is the importance of consecration in missionary work and in life, I've learned about looking forward with faith and not dwelling on the past. Lam Jimuih and I have been going through a talk by Elder Holland about that, trying to help her work through past feelings on things. And then I've really tried to become closer to the Savior. I think that's always kind of the center for me. Alright, sorry, I need to go! sorry to end so badly. But I love you!

Love
Hannah