Happy Birthday Mom!

I was excited to get to email you on your birthday, since p days are normally on Mondays, but then I realized that we had temple day this week, and I wouldn't get to email you until Wednesday. I felt pretty disappointed. So I apologize for that. What did you do to celebrate?! Was anybody even home for it?!

I love hearing about the family. You sound so great. Exciting things coming up, one of which is summer! How fun! Does Jack have a list of summer to do lists set up yet? I loved that Chinese man he drew on the whiteboard in the laundry room. If I remember correctly, that was the summer to do list board. I hope it's a fun summer. And it has been raining here a lot too! I sure hope the rain doesn't destroy our beautiful desert. I can't wait to see brown. That Nevada calendar does wonders for me here. But typhoon season is starting. It's supposed to be seeing it's worst ones towards Octoberish, but we got to experience some black level rain a few days ago, which was amazing. Maybe it was yesterday. I don't remember. But we had to stay inside for a bit. It was during our studies though, so no time wasted. Not that it would have been otherwise. Always work to do. But the lightning was terrifying! not necessarily scary, but just incredible. Puts being human into perspective a bit. The thunder makes car alarms go off nonstop. which just adds to the chaos. It's super neat. and very distracting ha.

when it wasn't the black rain, we had to go teach english class. As we left, Stanley bid us our usual farewell through his door gate, and asked if we had an umbrella. We told him we did and then he laughed at us and said...Mouh Yuhng....No use. hahah. and he was totally right. We stepped outside and the rain is just coming completely horizontal at us. so about 10 steps out the door, we were soaked and put our umbrellas back in our bag. But these umbrellas are pretty tough. They practically bend in half sometimes and they won't break! I've been very impressed with my umbrella. So thank you. Good pick mom :)

What else...we had interview with President Hawks this week. They're the best. Last one, which I was pretty sad about. He & Sister Hawks go home in July. I've been incredibly blessed to get to serve in Sham Shui Po for so long where I could see President and Sister Hawks in action quite a bit. One more month! Time goes too fast. But lately I've been thinking a little more about our potentials. and along with that, how our desires affect the potential we reach. It's a pressuring thought that God doesn't control or restrict our desires. It's a central part of agency, I think. It's kind of like having to write a paper for English class...I much rather would prefer Mr. Macy giving me a topic to write about, then letting me decide. It takes a huge amount of the responsibility to think off your shoulders, right? But I was flipping through the Doctrine and Covenants, actually looking for something else, but I read D&C 7 about John and Peter. Cool section. But they had asked for different things. Had different desires. And got different outcomes. Was one outcome or desire better than the other? I think so, but I'm still thinking about it what I think about it. We all lived with God before this life, and he created each of us. What makes us different from one another? I love President Monson's counsel on decisions determine destiny. And our desires influence our decisions. We choose what we become, and that freaks me out. Because I'm not smart enough to imagine what I want to become or what the end note will be in eternity ha. But I guess it's good that our desires don't have to be perfect right now. And that they can change in the future. and they should change as we progress. And I think as we look to the Savior's desires...they all centered on fulfilling the will of the Father and glorifying His name. And maybe that's the trick. John's desires were to help fulfill the work of the Lord. When we don't focus on our own potential and on what we want, and put our attention on humbling ourselves enough to always seek and do God's will, we become what he thought up for us. It's probably the much smarter route. I don't know why i'm writing about this. I spend most of my personal study time preparing for lessons, that I guess you get to be a part of my own pondering segments of the week. Sorry to do that!

Funny observation though, this week. The Mcdonalds here are always PACKED. In 10 years, I am convinced Hong Kong people will be huge. They are tiny now, so they probably think they are invincible, but they will be surpirsed, I am sure. We walked by the other day, and I couldn't help but noticing that every person in there was either a 14-17 year old school girl with her friends after school, or a 90+ year old grandpa, giving these loud girls the death stare for being so loud. I think the girls won out...probably 50 girls to 40 grandpas haha. But I have learned that teenage girls and old men have the same social location interests for after school or after their gambling. and it all comes back to the the green tea ice cream. It's a winner....or so I'm told ha. They have shrimp burgers here too!! weird? I think so. but they weren't bad.

Last thing....Ngh Jimuih finally got her own answer that the Book of Mormono is true. It has been months. But it was worth it. Her life is changing, and I never thought I could see someone's nature change so dramatically. It has been a blessing to see. We have 4 or 5 investigators who are still trying to get their own answers for things. Some of them are a little stubborn and just need to get their act together ha. It's been frustrating to feel like we're dong everything we can, and just wanting God to pull through for us. And it's been trying my faith for a little bit. So I decided to put it toward myself instead of just always on to those we're teaching. And I am learning that prayers are heard and answered. Again.

I love you all. Hope you have a good week! Happy Birthday mom!

Hannah

Don't you dare quit or let go or give up!

Here is a link to the John Moyle story that Hannah referenced. It's a beautiful story of dedication and service.
http://youtu.be/CFsM54I2BQw
And now, her letter!
Wasn't it so fun to talk last week?! You all sound so great. Welcome to the "Crash the Corolla" team, Abbs! I'm glad you're ok. I don't think we could be more creative with coming up with things to put mom and dad through. Us kids are pretty accomplished when it comes to their aging, I would say. And they love us anyway! And put us on missions...probably so there's one less head to worry about. Just kidding :) And Haydn has a child! so exciting!!!

This week was so long and busy and fun. I can hardly remember how it started. I went on exchanges with my old companion, Sister Killpack, in Tsing Yi. And we went finding all day, which was fitting for the reunion. I think that's all we ever did together haha. She's sweet. And then we had Zone Conference. President and Sister Hawks have always had such a larger view of this mission. I dont think I have ever heard them speak without first, expresing their love for each other, second, bearing testimony of the book of mormon, and third, bearing testimony that this mission will have a direct influence in our lives and for eternity. And then they help us see how. It was bitter sweet. It was the last time they will talk to the whole mission together. And they knew that. Sister Hawks spoke entirely on families and her testimony on how to have strength in our future families. And President Hawks shared a few more things. He showed us video footage of when he flew with the Blue Angels. It was super funny. But his point was that this is a once in a life time opportunity. and don't you dare quit or let go or give up. He was doing everything he cold not to pass out or throw up, and he related that to us. He then threatened us about the incoming mission president. "Don't you dare take advantage of them." "Hong Kong is growing." "We have several wards splitting in these next few months, and a few stakes coming soon." And then he showed us the John R Moyle Story. That is my favorite all time story. I love it. I have a lot of favorite stories. But it is so good. That's the park we were going to have our reception in, by the way. I dont really care who I marry anymore, but I think I still want a reception at that park haha.

I apologize, I need to go. I will fill you in better next week. I love you very much

hannah

Hannah in Hong Kong - Mother's Day!

We had a great Mother's Day call with Hannah yesterday. Lucky us to have the blessing of her service. Here are a few pictures from her. She was reticent to send them because she said, "Rice cheeks are real, mom!"

Forwarding the Love of Christ

Mom, You are incredible! What a well-planned and inspired training you are preparing. I wish I could be there. It's motivating me over a computer screen to be a better reflector or forwarder of Christ's light. I guess that's what a missionary is at the root of it. Forwarding the love of Christ to others when they are ready and needing to feel it, whenever and wherever that might be - in whatever personal way they will receive it. That's probably the most important part. Going about doing good doesn't do much good for anyone unless it's purposefully for the one. It's neat to think about all the good that will be done at this youth conference from these kids being inspired to do some small things that will bless others. That makes me smile. You're good.

And it's weird to think about all the growth and progress that has been seen in just a short year. I never would have guessed. Congrats to Camilla, that's huge! and Tommy. And Abbey. And Danny and Jack. THEY'RE huge. in a good way. Haydn's having a baby!! Can you believe that?! And Logan's engaged?! what?! I know it's silly, but I feel like I've taken the slow track haha. It's weird to think that I'm 23 because I feel like I'm at the same level of accomplishment as I was at 20. And after seeing what has happened in this last year, I feel like I should have done more in those three years haha. I keep telling myself that it'll be ok, and I can figure it out when I get home. But I honestly dont know what to do. And I feel like I should if I would fit into this incredible family of ours. I hope you all take a step back and look at how blessed and motivated and hard working you are. It is so fun to hear about and think about. So thank you.

Change is weird. And scary.  And sometimes unwanted. Sometimes fun, sometimes sad.  But what a neat thing to know that we are expected to change. and that there will always be something more we can do or become or experience. It's exhausting, but hopeful. Someone asked me what I thought the greatest blessing gospel knowledge gave me in my life. I didn't have much time to answer, but that was what I decided for me  - that the greatest way gospel knowledge influenced my thoughts and decisions was the knowledge we have about eternal progression and growth. Infinite things are fun to think about, aren't they?

But, I am not yet prepared for change at the time being. Because I get to stay in Sham Shui Po for yet another transfer! Which I wont complain about. The area itself is kind of boring, but the people here unlike anywhere else. There's the entire spectrum. So this will be 8 months in Sham Shui Po. And Sister Kartchner is my new companion! She came in with me, actually. Same mtc group. President Hawks was finally able to put all the Sister Training Leaders together in the same companionships this transfer, so it's fun and weird to be with a missionary with the same type of language skills and experience as you do. Not that it's much better from anyone else haha, but it's fun to serve with someone you got to know so well in the MTC! We're super excited. It's going to be a good transfer.

And I dont mean to annoy you too much, but I let myself think about after mission plans on pdays. I have a 3.33 gpa. I know, not great.  I need to take the GRE when I get home. I'm thinking about computer science grad school, which means I would have to take prep classes until August and then start. Or I could look into financial engineerinig. Or other engineering? Technology? My grades aren't great...and my english score will be so bad on that gre test haha. not that my chinese is good in any way, but my ability to think has definitely declined. You dont need to research, but if you and dad have any thoughts of possible paths, I would love to hear your perspectives.

I need to go. I'll call Monday at 10am! Sunday night your time. Love you!

Hannah