Unforgettable Hong Kong Temple Trip

We woke up early in the morning to join the youth continue to do the baptism and confirmation of the Holy Ghost for the second day in the temple. Like yesterday we split into 2 groups. We were in the first group, today it was a little bit rush for all of us because we have to rush for our flights to the airports.

After come out from the temple, we did the housekeeping at the patron house, then we left for Airport with bus. Alvin and I did not talk much today. I know that he is worried about losing his job and what would happened for the next few months to our family.

We arrived at Hong Kong International Airport and wait for our flight to board. All the youth were wondering around the kiosks or the shops at the Airport. We had our brief lunch on AirAsia flight back to Kuala Lumpur.

Once landed all of us feel safe that we were finally home. All the District Youth together with the Leaders snapped group photos. Frankly, it was really tired for this 3 days 2 nights short trip but I know that it is a spiritual temple trip for all the youth.

It is indeed an unforgettable Hong Kong temple trip for me and our family. It is as the Lord have planned this trip long ago for our family: the announcement of changes of ages for the Primary to Young Men/Women since start of the Year 2019, limited use of temple recommend for the Primary to enter to the temple, the sponsorship of the District for the youth for the temple trip, and how the Lord showed me the way for me to reach there, and the so many things that He wants me to know through the whole journey till our family reached the temple.

I remember the moment when Alvin and I have the opportunity to witness both Issac and Annabelle first baptism for my grandparents and we indeed touched  when seeing and hearing Issac bore his testimony during the testimony meeting at the small chapel at the temple ground.

I am grateful and thank for both President Vancott and Sister Vancott during Issac and Annabelle losing their ways at TST for taking care the kids and I know both of them were sure worry at the same time as well.. and both of them manage to take Issac and Annabelle back all safely together. I am indeed appreciate for what they have teach, guidance and everything they have done for the youth.

“Dear... I know it’s late night now.. and I know that you are tired and been through a lot today.. I indeed feel grateful for the Lord that Issac did a very a job and he did a very good job to protect his sister and his friend today. He indeed practice whatever the church have teach him. I am really proud of him and I know you feel the same too. I have a lovely and comfort feelings towards our family that Heavenly Father will and will continue blessing your good works in the temple. You will be blessed with a better job after this temple trip, with your dedication to the temple work and your love to our small family. Dear... Thou shall not worry any burden. Leave thy york to thee and He will lift up thy york in the very last day.”

“Dear... I know it might be hard and difficult to you.. we try to learn that today is the blessing of gift for you and our family to grow more humble... more faithful... and align with the spirits ya.”

These were the 2 messages that I texted to Alvin last night before we slept. The thoughts and feelings that I had immediately at the moment when I know what was happening to both children and Alvin was – peace and gratitude. My heart was not troubled. It was just like as He said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

I am grateful for this planned family temple trip by the Lord, and I gratefully I able to recognize the peace and comfort that I experienced that He gave me.

A Challenging Day at Hong Kong

It was started with a wonderful morning for me at the Hong Kong Temple. We woke up early in the morning because we have much works to do. Today we split into 2 groups to go to the temple this morning to do the baptism ordinances for the dead.

Our family was in the first group, thus we had our breakfast before we stepped into the temple. It was such a beautiful morning at least for me. Annabelle and Issac were doing the baptism for their great grandparents. I was waiting indeed long enough for this day.

Alvin was helping for the confirmation and the gift of the Holy Ghost at the other room after all the youth passed the ordinance cards to the Melchizedek priesthood to do that. We spent about almost 3 hours in the temple, before we left for the 2nd group of the youth to go in.

After we cooked and had our lunch, all the youth were sitting down relaxing and playing card games at the kitchen dining area. Alvin only came back to the patron housing after the 2nd group youth completed their baptism ordinance and helping for the confirmation.

Alvin just called me aside to the end of the corridor near to the windows and broke the bad news to me. His boss had terminated his services for the JB project immediately, meaning after we go back to KL, he will no longer has job. He is jobless. I was stunned and worried why these things happened at this time? Right at this moment? Right at the most sacred place at earth?

I didn’t say much but to comfort him that everything will turn out to be alright, even though I am not sure what would happen next, but in my heart I have the peace in myself. I do not know why I have this feeling. I feel helpless and do not know how to comfort him but I have the calmness in my heart.

Both of us were thinking of wanted to go in to the temple in the afternoon while all the youth would be going out to Tsim Sha Tsui and see the famous tourists spot of Hong Kong. We wanted to go in to do 2 endowment sessions, at least for my grandparents and at the same time we need the peace and comfort that the temple can give at this moment.

We asked sister Anita’s help to look after both Issac and Annabelle while they are outside. We attended the testimony meeting before the youth go for their outing. I am indeed touched when seeing and hearing Issac bore his testimony about his first baptism for my grandparents.

Both Alvin and I went into the temple after seeing the youth went for their outing. It has been long time since my first trip to the temple 4 years ago, it feels as stepped into home again. I feel joy and peace in my heart when I was doing the endowment on behalf for both my grandmothers from my mum and dad side. I relearn again in the temple. I know that Alvin has the same feelings as I felt.

It was already 7.30pm when both of us walked out from the temple, we walked to the nearest Festive Mall to buy our dinner back to the patron house and have our meal. When both of us just almost finished our meal at the kitchen area, Alvin was asking why all the youth not back yet. He asked me to check my hand phone is there any message.

Our hand phones were off during when we were in the temple and I forgot to turn it on after we back to the patron house. Once I turned it on, I saw lots of WhatsApp messages came in. Issac gave me a photo as he is at the Police Station. Then, Sister Glenda messaged me and checked with me have I found the children. Then I found that I got a few missed WhatsApp call from an unfamiliar phone number.

I called back and it was from Sister Janet Vancott. She briefly told me that Issac and Annabelle got missing but they were found and all the youth were on their way back to the patron house. I told Alvin about this. He was so worried and angry at the same time. He could not control his temper.

I called Sister Glenda and told her that the children were safe and they were on their way back. Both Alvin and I quickly clean up whatever was left in our food, and we went down to the patron house parking area gate to wait for the children to come back.

Alvin was very emotional. I can understand that. He received his termination news after we came out from temple doing the ordinances this morning. In the afternoon, both of us wanted to go into the temple and we did the endowments for my grandparents and to seek for comfort in the temple. Then, we heard that both our children were missing or lost their way during the outing. This is too much for Alvin.

I do not know how to comfort him, but I was praying in the heart to Heavenly Father that I am grateful and thankful that both children have been found and protected by Him. I seek His hand to comfort Alvin after what he had been through for this whole day. I prayed over and over again in my heart.

We were anxiously waiting for the youth to return. We were waiting at the fate. When we saw them, we were trying to see Issac and Annabelle in the midst of the youth. We were relief when we saw both of them.

Alvin were crying when he hugged both of them. Brother Vancott was talking to me, told me how both the children were doing great and correct thing even in this kind of situation. Then, both Alvin and Brother Vancott had a talk while I accompanied both Issac and Annabelle at the side.

My heart was feeling thankful and grateful for the Lord as He does really take care of us. After a while, all of us went up to the patron house, and took a day off. Sister Janet did share with me what was actually happened as we are in the same dormitory room.

Sister Anita too came to apologize to me as she is supposed to help us look after both children while we were not around. I consoled her that no need to apologize as nobody would want this thing happened. I know that everybody is tired due to Issac, Annabelle and Colman lost in Hong Kong incident.

There are some of the photos taken by Issac and Annabelle during their outing, I think the most memorable one is the photo that they took in the Police Station, where the Police Officer looking at them.

Today indeed is a challenging day as a whole for our family because everyone of us faced some trials that we need to overcome…

Hong Kong Temple, We Are Coming!

Our family woke up very early today because today is the departure day of our Hong Kong Temple trip. We were so excited about it. Alvin was back to Kuala Lumpur yesterday and we were slept early last night because we have to wake up at 3.00am. We will be meeting at the PJ Chapel at 4.30am today to take a bus to KLIA2.

Alvin had booked the Public Cab but till the certain time the cab did not turn up and we were worrying for a while. Immediately we downloaded the Grab Car App, and luckily for us there is a Grab Car for us and took us to PJ Chapel and we reached around 4.00am. It cost us around RM22.10 including the toll fees at this odd hour, considered worth it. There were already youths and parents at the PJ Chapel.

We were joining the Kuala Lumpur District Youth Hong Kong Temple Trip which is organised by the District Young Men and Young Women Presidencies from 28th – 30th March. We were blessed that this is our family second time going to temple and Alvin and I able to witness for our son and daughter doing the proxy baptism for the dead ordinances for my grandparents.

There were total around 34 youths joined the temple trip this time. All of us were feeling so excited for the trip. We took the bus which had been arranged to KLIA2. We were taking the Airasia flight AK134 KUL – HKG 8.40am – 12.40pm. Initially we were supposed to meet at 5.00am but due to school holiday and high travellers at the airport, we were requested to arrive early for the booking process.

After the checking process at the counter, we were having our breakfast at Burger King, McDonald’s or Chicken Rice Shop at the departure hall. All of the youths were having their breakfast joyfully. Everyone was so high spiritually at the boarding room and during boarding to the air plane. All of us were getting some sleep on the four hour flight to Hong Kong.

When we touched down at the Hong Kong International Airport it was around 12.40pm. After going through the immigrance and taking our luggage it was already 1.45pm. There was a bus which had been arranged and arrived at 2.00pm. We saw beautiful scenery around Hong Kong when the bus acrossed the Tsing Ma Bridge.

We were reaching the patron housing which is just right across the street from the temple around 2.45pm. After getting settled, about 3.15pm we were walking over to the Festival Walk which is a shopping mall nearby for our late lunch.

Once we entered to the Festival Walk, it give me a feeling no other than it is just another shopping malls that we have back in Kuala Lumpur. We went to the food court, and hunted for our food. All of us including all the youths were so hungry!

We were getting our food at the mall food court. There are varieties such as Cafe de oral, Chee Kei, Pepper Lunch, Tai Hing, TamJai Sam Gor, and McDonald’s. We just getting some Braised Minced Pork Rice for Alvin and Issac, Wonton Mee for myself and Pepper Lunch fried rice for Annabelle.

Around 5.00pm, Brother Van Cott lead the youth to see the Hong Kong Temple outside and the lobby area on our way back to the patron housing. After which all of us took turn to take our bath. The men and women are in separate sleeping rooms whereby a room can fit in up to 6 – 8 beds. Annabelle and I shared the room with 5 others young women and Sister Van Cott. Alvin and Issac were sharing the room with others young men and Brother Van Cott as well.

At the patron housing, we met with saints from Chengdu, China. They came here on Monday to attend to the temple as well. They are really a good cook. They invited us and shared with us some of their dishes as they cooked too much. It was really delicious.

All the youths were having fun time mingling and play games while some of them were taking their time doing the temple history work, printing the ordinances cards for tomorrow. Almost 9.00pm, we were busy cooking instant noodles the dinner for the youths.

After the dinner, we had a short 5 – 10 minute devotional. Brother Van Cott was teaching the youths about temple works and we were discussing about Doctrine and Covenants Section 138. It is about a vision given to President Joseph F. Smith about the spirit world. Brother Van Cott invited the youths to ponder and get themselves ready to enter to the temple tomorrow.

We went to bed around midnight and tomorrow we need woke up early for the our schedule at the temple. I am really happy and indeed grateful to the Lord as He have prepared a way for our family to be here in His temple again.