Sunday, April 26, 2009
Taipei Temple
Elder and Sister Dowse outside the Temple in Taipei. It is a lovely oasis in the middle of a huge city, so elegant compared to all the Confusis (?) temples you see all over. There is one on every block--those and Daoist and Buddist, everywhere.
Elder Bednar's Visit--Amazing!
Dear Ones,
Just thought we'd better send a note while we're still basking in the light of the weekend. This was the time when President and Sister David A. Bednar came to our mission. They flew out of Salt Lake on a Tuesday night. When they got here, Wednesday had completely disappeared and it was Thursday. They flew from Hong Kong to Kaohsiung where they immeditely had a missionary meeting with the mission which will soon be consolidated with ours. Friday they took the fast train to Taichung where they had lunch with the Hoers (the Kent Watsons, counselor in the area presidency and former mission president here were also with them plus a whole entourage who didn't get lunch) and then came to our chapel where the 154 of us had been standing for 45+ minutes, sweating profusely but lined up properly for a mission picture. We then all quietly filed in to the chapel where we began a four hour question and answer period with Elder Bednar after brief remarks by Sister Bednar and the Watsons. Amazing! We learned about priesthood keys (so much I didn't know), how to get a knowledge of the atonement (like Boyd K. Packer has ) and how to receive answers to our questions by being in tune so the Holy Ghost can speak to your heart and mind. (He asked, "How many of you had inspired questions you wanted to ask but didn't get to? " Many hands went up. "How many of you received answers to your questions anyway during this time?" Many, many hands went up). He also addressed the fact that 30-40 of our missionaries will be going to the Taipei mission, much to our great sadness. He reminded us that change happens and to get over it and get on with it. I'll try.
That meeting went an hour longer than scheduled so it was a rush to get to the chapel 20 minutes away where they began a member fireside which was also telecast to four other chapels in our mission. That was also a question-answer format. Saturday he met with the Stake President and others all day until the 4:00 p.m. priesthood leadership meeting during which time Sister Bednar held a meeting with "selected sisters". They were the stake auxilliary leaders, stake president's wife and daughter, temple president's wife, public affairs director's wife (do you remember Judy Bylund, costume lady from program bureau, Billy Jean O'Brian's roommate?), Sister Hoer, Sister Watson, two interpreters and me. I probably shouldn't have been there but was welcomed. We sat in a circle, introduced ourselves. I was directly across from Sister Bednar. She spoke a little but it was very informal and warm and sweet. She asked each woman to give a favorite scripture and why. That took the whole time! I'm not sure if she intended that, but it was wonderful. It turned out that the prevailing theme was that we are asked to do hard things (join the church, be stake YW president when you're only 26 and single, be apostle's wife, etc. but that we need to rely on spiritual help and it will come in the hour that we need it.
The 7:00 meeting had the theme from the March Ensign, Becoming Self-Reliant--Spiritually and Physically He said that in the first place, we can never be self reliant, but only reliant upon God. He told three amazing stories but I can't repeat them all here. (Remind me to tell you about "Convert Retention Specialist") They illustrated each point and in them he also called these people to repentance. He told them not to choose to be offended but he was there to help them. He spoke to them specifically about pushing their children so hard for education that they neglected spiritual learning and activity. He spoke about using working long hours as an excuse for not doing church work, service and learning. Of course, there were the other speakers plus Sister Bednar and Elder Wang, the area seventy from Hong Kong (retired at age 42). Sister Bednar had occasion to tell us that her son was going to be 31 tomorrow. Made me think of all of you and how it is to be away from our babes when they turn 31 or any age.
This morning our stake president spoke (we thought he may be released--has been in 10 years--looks 14--had us over for Chinese New Year's Eve--has four children-twin RM boys, Spencer and Kimball, 18 year old Chesley and 6 year old (surprise!) TinUn (?) who is a little naughty, and beautiful, wonderful wife Esther.) The 70, Elder Wang, spoke, a couple of young members and two called out of the audience without prior notice (including Esther) and Sister Bednar and Elder Bednar. He spoke about the difference between testimony and conversion He reminded us that even the devils have a testimony that Jesus is the Christ. He said that the reason we are the "true and living church" is that we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost (we have to be willing to receive it). He ended with the story of the 10 virgins reminding us that the 5 who had the oil could not share it because it was something they had earned drop by drop each day, line on line, precept on precept, and it could not be given away or shared but has to be gained by each person individually through the Holy Ghost. All of these wonderful proceedings were done sentence by sentence through two interpreters--from Mandarin to English and vice versa. Anyway, I just had to recap the events of the meetings--it will help me remember them. Dad has gone to the office (6:45) to type out his notes so we won't forget everything.
We are getting very forgetful--scary sometimes. But hopefully we'll never forget the wonderful feelings we've had this week-end. Even the time after the meetings is sweet to remember. These people are very kind, good, wonderful and loving. We are kind of minor celebraties.(?) We get so many hugs and good wishes. They are great huggers even though that is not part of their culture. they learn that and handshaking when they come to the church. The people who are older than about 30 give you a little bow. Even Sister Bednar and Sister Hoer came outside and had pictures taken and visited with members. Sister Bednar said yesterday that she had a bit of a hearing problem. I told Sister Hoer to tell her from me to try a hearing aid again because I enjoyed mine. Here she comes with sister Bednar for me to talk to her about it. We just stood there and chatted about that and other things. They have three boys (she had problem pregnancies where she was very sick all day every day for 8 months), Eric, Mike and Jeff. They each live in different states, Kentucky and Michigan being the two I remember. There are 8 granddaughters and 1 grandson. She is tallish and very thin with dark hair, very pretty. He looks just like he does at conference but is animated using his hands to talk, smiling and saying things like "Don't you dare email this home to your families."
Anyway, it was a wonderful weekend to live through and remember. Tomorrow we'll start another busy week but at least our office will be very neat and clean. We did tons of cleaning last week although I doubt very much that any worthies stepped inside it. But it they HAD, it would have been clean! Dad took all the covers off the recessed floresent light things, cleaned them, changed the 19 burned out bulbs (4 in each thing), replaced the covers after wiping off each light bulb and cavity. We vacumned three times and even wiped down a wall even though it didn't do much good. I cleaned out some drawers that noone would possibly see even if they had come in!
We love you all and are so grateful that we can share some of our experiences with you. I want to tell you about our tall boy and Sister Wang but I'll do that another time. Sounds like we've got the old missionary spirit, doesn't it? Maybe I'll become a poster child for senior missionaries afterall in spite of my determination not to. It seems like the memories of the first months are fading or being swallowed up by greater things. It is getting awfully hot though----------.
Love, Mom and Dad, Judy and Hank
Just thought we'd better send a note while we're still basking in the light of the weekend. This was the time when President and Sister David A. Bednar came to our mission. They flew out of Salt Lake on a Tuesday night. When they got here, Wednesday had completely disappeared and it was Thursday. They flew from Hong Kong to Kaohsiung where they immeditely had a missionary meeting with the mission which will soon be consolidated with ours. Friday they took the fast train to Taichung where they had lunch with the Hoers (the Kent Watsons, counselor in the area presidency and former mission president here were also with them plus a whole entourage who didn't get lunch) and then came to our chapel where the 154 of us had been standing for 45+ minutes, sweating profusely but lined up properly for a mission picture. We then all quietly filed in to the chapel where we began a four hour question and answer period with Elder Bednar after brief remarks by Sister Bednar and the Watsons. Amazing! We learned about priesthood keys (so much I didn't know), how to get a knowledge of the atonement (like Boyd K. Packer has ) and how to receive answers to our questions by being in tune so the Holy Ghost can speak to your heart and mind. (He asked, "How many of you had inspired questions you wanted to ask but didn't get to? " Many hands went up. "How many of you received answers to your questions anyway during this time?" Many, many hands went up). He also addressed the fact that 30-40 of our missionaries will be going to the Taipei mission, much to our great sadness. He reminded us that change happens and to get over it and get on with it. I'll try.
That meeting went an hour longer than scheduled so it was a rush to get to the chapel 20 minutes away where they began a member fireside which was also telecast to four other chapels in our mission. That was also a question-answer format. Saturday he met with the Stake President and others all day until the 4:00 p.m. priesthood leadership meeting during which time Sister Bednar held a meeting with "selected sisters". They were the stake auxilliary leaders, stake president's wife and daughter, temple president's wife, public affairs director's wife (do you remember Judy Bylund, costume lady from program bureau, Billy Jean O'Brian's roommate?), Sister Hoer, Sister Watson, two interpreters and me. I probably shouldn't have been there but was welcomed. We sat in a circle, introduced ourselves. I was directly across from Sister Bednar. She spoke a little but it was very informal and warm and sweet. She asked each woman to give a favorite scripture and why. That took the whole time! I'm not sure if she intended that, but it was wonderful. It turned out that the prevailing theme was that we are asked to do hard things (join the church, be stake YW president when you're only 26 and single, be apostle's wife, etc. but that we need to rely on spiritual help and it will come in the hour that we need it.
The 7:00 meeting had the theme from the March Ensign, Becoming Self-Reliant--Spiritually and Physically He said that in the first place, we can never be self reliant, but only reliant upon God. He told three amazing stories but I can't repeat them all here. (Remind me to tell you about "Convert Retention Specialist") They illustrated each point and in them he also called these people to repentance. He told them not to choose to be offended but he was there to help them. He spoke to them specifically about pushing their children so hard for education that they neglected spiritual learning and activity. He spoke about using working long hours as an excuse for not doing church work, service and learning. Of course, there were the other speakers plus Sister Bednar and Elder Wang, the area seventy from Hong Kong (retired at age 42). Sister Bednar had occasion to tell us that her son was going to be 31 tomorrow. Made me think of all of you and how it is to be away from our babes when they turn 31 or any age.
This morning our stake president spoke (we thought he may be released--has been in 10 years--looks 14--had us over for Chinese New Year's Eve--has four children-twin RM boys, Spencer and Kimball, 18 year old Chesley and 6 year old (surprise!) TinUn (?) who is a little naughty, and beautiful, wonderful wife Esther.) The 70, Elder Wang, spoke, a couple of young members and two called out of the audience without prior notice (including Esther) and Sister Bednar and Elder Bednar. He spoke about the difference between testimony and conversion He reminded us that even the devils have a testimony that Jesus is the Christ. He said that the reason we are the "true and living church" is that we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost (we have to be willing to receive it). He ended with the story of the 10 virgins reminding us that the 5 who had the oil could not share it because it was something they had earned drop by drop each day, line on line, precept on precept, and it could not be given away or shared but has to be gained by each person individually through the Holy Ghost. All of these wonderful proceedings were done sentence by sentence through two interpreters--from Mandarin to English and vice versa. Anyway, I just had to recap the events of the meetings--it will help me remember them. Dad has gone to the office (6:45) to type out his notes so we won't forget everything.
We are getting very forgetful--scary sometimes. But hopefully we'll never forget the wonderful feelings we've had this week-end. Even the time after the meetings is sweet to remember. These people are very kind, good, wonderful and loving. We are kind of minor celebraties.(?) We get so many hugs and good wishes. They are great huggers even though that is not part of their culture. they learn that and handshaking when they come to the church. The people who are older than about 30 give you a little bow. Even Sister Bednar and Sister Hoer came outside and had pictures taken and visited with members. Sister Bednar said yesterday that she had a bit of a hearing problem. I told Sister Hoer to tell her from me to try a hearing aid again because I enjoyed mine. Here she comes with sister Bednar for me to talk to her about it. We just stood there and chatted about that and other things. They have three boys (she had problem pregnancies where she was very sick all day every day for 8 months), Eric, Mike and Jeff. They each live in different states, Kentucky and Michigan being the two I remember. There are 8 granddaughters and 1 grandson. She is tallish and very thin with dark hair, very pretty. He looks just like he does at conference but is animated using his hands to talk, smiling and saying things like "Don't you dare email this home to your families."
Anyway, it was a wonderful weekend to live through and remember. Tomorrow we'll start another busy week but at least our office will be very neat and clean. We did tons of cleaning last week although I doubt very much that any worthies stepped inside it. But it they HAD, it would have been clean! Dad took all the covers off the recessed floresent light things, cleaned them, changed the 19 burned out bulbs (4 in each thing), replaced the covers after wiping off each light bulb and cavity. We vacumned three times and even wiped down a wall even though it didn't do much good. I cleaned out some drawers that noone would possibly see even if they had come in!
We love you all and are so grateful that we can share some of our experiences with you. I want to tell you about our tall boy and Sister Wang but I'll do that another time. Sounds like we've got the old missionary spirit, doesn't it? Maybe I'll become a poster child for senior missionaries afterall in spite of my determination not to. It seems like the memories of the first months are fading or being swallowed up by greater things. It is getting awfully hot though----------.
Love, Mom and Dad, Judy and Hank
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas 2008
Dear Friends,
We just want to send a message that we are alive and well in Taiwan. The stores are full of Christmas decorations including a plush, life-sized Santa playing The Yellow Rose of Texas. There are decorated trees and poinsettias all over but Christmas is not a holiday deserving a day off from work or school which reminds us that we are not in a primarily Christian country.
To remind us of the true meaning of Christmas, our Stake presented a wonderful program last night which we were thrilled to attend--twice. It was held in the church parking lot, a multi-media production with a huge and very good choir and Chinese actors all including a group of little angels who acted a lot like little angels in America and all over the world, I suspect. The beauty of the birth and life of our Savior was beautifully presented and came through loud and clear although it was all in Chinese, the language we have yet to learn to speak or understand.
We are definitely feeling the joy of this special season. On Wednesday, we will be spending the day with our 152 missionaries. We will be traveling on four fancy buses to an ancient village, posing in front of a giant Budda, eating in an "all you can eat" restaurant, spending the evening at the church in a devotional including the First Presidency, and enjoying the wonderful spirit of our favorite holiday with the greatest people in the world. We are happy and grateful.
Thursday the missionaries will call their families at home and then get back to work, as will we.
We send our love to you and our wishes for your happiness and well-being. Thank you for being our friends. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love,
Judy and Hank
We just want to send a message that we are alive and well in Taiwan. The stores are full of Christmas decorations including a plush, life-sized Santa playing The Yellow Rose of Texas. There are decorated trees and poinsettias all over but Christmas is not a holiday deserving a day off from work or school which reminds us that we are not in a primarily Christian country.
To remind us of the true meaning of Christmas, our Stake presented a wonderful program last night which we were thrilled to attend--twice. It was held in the church parking lot, a multi-media production with a huge and very good choir and Chinese actors all including a group of little angels who acted a lot like little angels in America and all over the world, I suspect. The beauty of the birth and life of our Savior was beautifully presented and came through loud and clear although it was all in Chinese, the language we have yet to learn to speak or understand.
We are definitely feeling the joy of this special season. On Wednesday, we will be spending the day with our 152 missionaries. We will be traveling on four fancy buses to an ancient village, posing in front of a giant Budda, eating in an "all you can eat" restaurant, spending the evening at the church in a devotional including the First Presidency, and enjoying the wonderful spirit of our favorite holiday with the greatest people in the world. We are happy and grateful.
Thursday the missionaries will call their families at home and then get back to work, as will we.
We send our love to you and our wishes for your happiness and well-being. Thank you for being our friends. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love,
Judy and Hank
Monday, November 10, 2008
Lots of Duties
Last week I had to teach the law of chastity in Sunday School. The Assistants were there with 2 investigators, one of whom is great but can't meet with them hardly ever. Elder Washenko said that the lesson was good enough that they committed him to live the law after class and think I should teach the Plan of Salvation next week so they can do it again. Aughhhhhh! I've had my Preach My Gospel book open since Monday but haven't got any studying done so tonight is the night I have to get started. I'm nervous (mostly to teach in from of the Elders) but I AM a missionary so it would be good if I did something missionaryish. Also Break the Fast so I'll make broccoli salad again.
love, Mom
Dad:
We are beginning to be a little more relaxed around the office, with computer, and knowing what to do next without looking at our notes all the time. We have closed 5 apartments and opened 5 more, which means among other things, starting up auto-pay for the new apts., and stopping autopay for the old rents. Allso starting up auto pay for gas, elec. and water, as well as moving phones, stopping some and starting others, collecting security deposits on closed apts. Getting new contracts drawn up and signed, and handing out new security deposits, as well as reimbursing missionaries for utility payments they make for their apartments, their travel expenses, faxing of baptismal records, apartment expenses like belts for dryers and washers, new microwaves or refrigerators, pots, pans, phone cards, postage ;and hospital/dr. visits, etc. I also make up the payroll for the missionaries and keep track of their credit cards, order new ones when lost and cancel the old ones, pay the landlords rent, bus, copymachine, office supplies, petty cash for whatever is needed that week, and keep our Excel spread sheets up-to-date with new and returning missionaries, looking at the bank payments for utilities and phones, sending weekly and monthly financial records to the Taipei service center, and other little things that crop up every day. It is almost fun once you start to know how to do things on your own, and especially when you do something right the first time and don't have to back track and start all over.
We have a great office Elder, Elder Chen Hung Chung, and Elder Kyle Evans, both over 25, who both speak Chinese, {Elder Chen is Taiwanese, and knows how to do everything relating to interacting with the vendors, utility companies, landlords, etc. He also records all referrals for people who need to be contacted by the missionaries, and all baptismal records. He and Elder Evans are whizzes on the computer and with Word and Excel, so they are constantly coming to my and Sister Dowse's (your mom) aid about every half hour.
Anyhow, now I've put in my two cents for the day. By the way, our office elders track from 6:30-9:00 P.M., in an area about 1 mile away, then return and work in the office until 11 P.M.
They also run for 1/2 hr. at least 2X a wk, and occasionally move a few mountains just to find something to do in their spare time, which is about 30 seconds a day between 6:30 A.M. and 11 P.M.,unless something comes up and they need to burn the midnight oil.
Will sign off before this computer quits and I lose everything.
Love, Elder Dowse (dad)
love, Mom
Dad:
We are beginning to be a little more relaxed around the office, with computer, and knowing what to do next without looking at our notes all the time. We have closed 5 apartments and opened 5 more, which means among other things, starting up auto-pay for the new apts., and stopping autopay for the old rents. Allso starting up auto pay for gas, elec. and water, as well as moving phones, stopping some and starting others, collecting security deposits on closed apts. Getting new contracts drawn up and signed, and handing out new security deposits, as well as reimbursing missionaries for utility payments they make for their apartments, their travel expenses, faxing of baptismal records, apartment expenses like belts for dryers and washers, new microwaves or refrigerators, pots, pans, phone cards, postage ;and hospital/dr. visits, etc. I also make up the payroll for the missionaries and keep track of their credit cards, order new ones when lost and cancel the old ones, pay the landlords rent, bus, copymachine, office supplies, petty cash for whatever is needed that week, and keep our Excel spread sheets up-to-date with new and returning missionaries, looking at the bank payments for utilities and phones, sending weekly and monthly financial records to the Taipei service center, and other little things that crop up every day. It is almost fun once you start to know how to do things on your own, and especially when you do something right the first time and don't have to back track and start all over.
We have a great office Elder, Elder Chen Hung Chung, and Elder Kyle Evans, both over 25, who both speak Chinese, {Elder Chen is Taiwanese, and knows how to do everything relating to interacting with the vendors, utility companies, landlords, etc. He also records all referrals for people who need to be contacted by the missionaries, and all baptismal records. He and Elder Evans are whizzes on the computer and with Word and Excel, so they are constantly coming to my and Sister Dowse's (your mom) aid about every half hour.
Anyhow, now I've put in my two cents for the day. By the way, our office elders track from 6:30-9:00 P.M., in an area about 1 mile away, then return and work in the office until 11 P.M.
They also run for 1/2 hr. at least 2X a wk, and occasionally move a few mountains just to find something to do in their spare time, which is about 30 seconds a day between 6:30 A.M. and 11 P.M.,unless something comes up and they need to burn the midnight oil.
Will sign off before this computer quits and I lose everything.
Love, Elder Dowse (dad)
We are Happy!!
Dear Kids,
We got to speak to Julie and Richard and Catherine. We heard Colin sing Popcorn on the Apricot Tree and say "I love you Grandma and Grandpa" just as plain as day. We also got to speak to Andew for a second. Sorry we didn't get Croslands and Hardies. We'll call you next week!. The reason we were rushing was because the Assistants called this morning and asked us if we wanted to go to the mountains today. That is the first time anyone has asked us to do anything and we were excited. Actually, we both have talks to get and me a lesson on chastity today and Dad is working on a nasty cold, but it was such a good opportunity that we said yes. They needed us to go so we'd take our car, but that's okay. We were happy for the chance. They said it was their best preparation day ever and we should make it an event every 6th Saturday which is the only day the Assistants are free. We know this will be our only trip with these 4 because one of them will be moved tonight, I suspect.
We actually had quite an adventure. There is a waterfall, a deer farm and an alligator farm where we thought we were going. We were driving along, getting into the hills pretty good when the road turned to dirt and all the sudden we couldn't see what was ahead. We stopped, got out and walked ahead and found that there was no road. Straight ahead went off into a gorge and where the road was supposed to go had been washed out. There were three men and a shovel machine rebuilding a road. It was amazing. It looked very primitive. We took pictures. We decided to walk over the washed out part and try to find the water fall. You would have been so amazed at your mother. You know what a wimp I am. Usually I would have stayed in the car. I was a little worried about staying in the car in such a strange place and I didn't want to worry them or ruin their fun. So I went. Most of the time it was just walking up and down a hilly little road but there was some rock climbing involved. Even though it took 5 strong men to help me through a pretty embarrassing situation, I made it --up and back! We never did find the water fall but the Elders climbed a bit on huge rocks through the water and felt refreshed to be doing something besides working at a computer or riding a bike. We were pretty much in a jungle with so many interesting leaves, butterflies, etc. Even some long vines that the Elders went swinging on. We did pass the deer farm on the way down but didn't go. We did go to an amazing Buddist Temple, though. It was a place were monks live. the ones we saw were women with their heads shaved. One was very old. We asked if we could take her picture but she said she didn't have her long robes on, so no. It was a very interesting place. It was called a "cool and peaceful place" and it was very large and beautiful with lots of colors and carvings. Amazing plants and landscaping. Included a burial grounds. Lots of "graven images", lots of them. We took lots of pictures for Lauren's report.
When we got back to the office they said they wanted to treat us to a dessert. We took them up on it even though I'm sure we were all hungry for food. I had heard about this but never had it or even seen it. It was in a huge bowl. Frozen thick milk (like slush almost) on the bottom, lots of fruit (I got mango and Dad got mixed fruit--pineapple, mango, kiwi) with a scoop of ice cream on the top. Very delicious. They present things very beautifully here but usually the taste is disappointing. Their bakeries are just fantastic but things do not taste good according to our tastes. Not sweet at all and containing things like green tea, red beans, taro and purple yam. This dessert was delicious though as well as beautiful. The Elders went to their apartments to finish their pday things and we stopped at the office and should stay here to get our talks except we don't have our papers with us. Dad will probably come back tonight because he hates my computer, but I'll stay home and do laundry, etc.
We have the second set of three different sets of sisters with us now. I think I already told you that. One speaks only a little English but they are so sweet. They both came in about the same time we did and we went through our little orientation together. Sister Tseng is our favorite. She is older, very plain and just the sweetest, cutest, happiest person. We love her. Do you remember how grumpy I was before we left and I said that I was too tired to love more people or have more people I love in my life. Well, I was wrong. I love lots more people now and I'm not that tired anymore. I don't know how it happened but your beat-up old Mom has been energized. You know that I actually hate to admit that because I'm more comfortable being grumpy, but I guess I'm over the difficulty hill and have to admit that the blessings we were promised before we left are true and have and are being fulfilled. I just love the missionaries and the people in our Branch and the people at the place where we eat once a week but who wave at us every night as we pass on our way home and many others. We find that we are praying harder and more for the missionaries because we see them and work for them and are getting an inkling of their struggles and triumphs. They are so good and so hard working, so obedient and so happy. We pray for you extra hard, too, because we know that is about all we can do for you now but we feel comfortable and feel confident that you are doing well. We are so proud of you and the good things you are doing and the wonderful way you are taking care of, loving and teaching your children. If you get a chance, read Sister Lant's talk (or report of it) in the Church News that came out the week before conference. Now that reminds me of a whole different thing I was going to tell you, but I'd better do that later. This is LONG. Sorry!
Actually, since I don't write very often, I've just added our terrific siblings onto this email so they will know we are alive, as well. Siblings, don't mind all the talking to our kids at first--I know you love them, too, just as we love your kids. We find ourselves praying lots for them, too. Our prayers have become much more meaningful to us since we've been here. I was going to try to explain that, but I probably can't. We know that Heavenly Father will help them (and you) if we ask Him because that is our closest and most direct way because we are so far away from you. We are totally amazed at how He is blessing us and we trust He is blessing you extra, too.
Please know that we love you all so much. Give Dad our extra love--we think of him so often. We often tell Grandpa Dowse stories. Please take care of you all for us. We'll write another day although this is really the most exciting day we've had. Most of our days are just filled with working (which we have to admit we are liking better) and living a pretty simple life, although driving through Taichung traffic is not an ordinary experience. The scooters are unbelievable! Anyway, we love you. Byebye for now.
Love, Judy and Hank
We got to speak to Julie and Richard and Catherine. We heard Colin sing Popcorn on the Apricot Tree and say "I love you Grandma and Grandpa" just as plain as day. We also got to speak to Andew for a second. Sorry we didn't get Croslands and Hardies. We'll call you next week!. The reason we were rushing was because the Assistants called this morning and asked us if we wanted to go to the mountains today. That is the first time anyone has asked us to do anything and we were excited. Actually, we both have talks to get and me a lesson on chastity today and Dad is working on a nasty cold, but it was such a good opportunity that we said yes. They needed us to go so we'd take our car, but that's okay. We were happy for the chance. They said it was their best preparation day ever and we should make it an event every 6th Saturday which is the only day the Assistants are free. We know this will be our only trip with these 4 because one of them will be moved tonight, I suspect.
We actually had quite an adventure. There is a waterfall, a deer farm and an alligator farm where we thought we were going. We were driving along, getting into the hills pretty good when the road turned to dirt and all the sudden we couldn't see what was ahead. We stopped, got out and walked ahead and found that there was no road. Straight ahead went off into a gorge and where the road was supposed to go had been washed out. There were three men and a shovel machine rebuilding a road. It was amazing. It looked very primitive. We took pictures. We decided to walk over the washed out part and try to find the water fall. You would have been so amazed at your mother. You know what a wimp I am. Usually I would have stayed in the car. I was a little worried about staying in the car in such a strange place and I didn't want to worry them or ruin their fun. So I went. Most of the time it was just walking up and down a hilly little road but there was some rock climbing involved. Even though it took 5 strong men to help me through a pretty embarrassing situation, I made it --up and back! We never did find the water fall but the Elders climbed a bit on huge rocks through the water and felt refreshed to be doing something besides working at a computer or riding a bike. We were pretty much in a jungle with so many interesting leaves, butterflies, etc. Even some long vines that the Elders went swinging on. We did pass the deer farm on the way down but didn't go. We did go to an amazing Buddist Temple, though. It was a place were monks live. the ones we saw were women with their heads shaved. One was very old. We asked if we could take her picture but she said she didn't have her long robes on, so no. It was a very interesting place. It was called a "cool and peaceful place" and it was very large and beautiful with lots of colors and carvings. Amazing plants and landscaping. Included a burial grounds. Lots of "graven images", lots of them. We took lots of pictures for Lauren's report.
When we got back to the office they said they wanted to treat us to a dessert. We took them up on it even though I'm sure we were all hungry for food. I had heard about this but never had it or even seen it. It was in a huge bowl. Frozen thick milk (like slush almost) on the bottom, lots of fruit (I got mango and Dad got mixed fruit--pineapple, mango, kiwi) with a scoop of ice cream on the top. Very delicious. They present things very beautifully here but usually the taste is disappointing. Their bakeries are just fantastic but things do not taste good according to our tastes. Not sweet at all and containing things like green tea, red beans, taro and purple yam. This dessert was delicious though as well as beautiful. The Elders went to their apartments to finish their pday things and we stopped at the office and should stay here to get our talks except we don't have our papers with us. Dad will probably come back tonight because he hates my computer, but I'll stay home and do laundry, etc.
We have the second set of three different sets of sisters with us now. I think I already told you that. One speaks only a little English but they are so sweet. They both came in about the same time we did and we went through our little orientation together. Sister Tseng is our favorite. She is older, very plain and just the sweetest, cutest, happiest person. We love her. Do you remember how grumpy I was before we left and I said that I was too tired to love more people or have more people I love in my life. Well, I was wrong. I love lots more people now and I'm not that tired anymore. I don't know how it happened but your beat-up old Mom has been energized. You know that I actually hate to admit that because I'm more comfortable being grumpy, but I guess I'm over the difficulty hill and have to admit that the blessings we were promised before we left are true and have and are being fulfilled. I just love the missionaries and the people in our Branch and the people at the place where we eat once a week but who wave at us every night as we pass on our way home and many others. We find that we are praying harder and more for the missionaries because we see them and work for them and are getting an inkling of their struggles and triumphs. They are so good and so hard working, so obedient and so happy. We pray for you extra hard, too, because we know that is about all we can do for you now but we feel comfortable and feel confident that you are doing well. We are so proud of you and the good things you are doing and the wonderful way you are taking care of, loving and teaching your children. If you get a chance, read Sister Lant's talk (or report of it) in the Church News that came out the week before conference. Now that reminds me of a whole different thing I was going to tell you, but I'd better do that later. This is LONG. Sorry!
Actually, since I don't write very often, I've just added our terrific siblings onto this email so they will know we are alive, as well. Siblings, don't mind all the talking to our kids at first--I know you love them, too, just as we love your kids. We find ourselves praying lots for them, too. Our prayers have become much more meaningful to us since we've been here. I was going to try to explain that, but I probably can't. We know that Heavenly Father will help them (and you) if we ask Him because that is our closest and most direct way because we are so far away from you. We are totally amazed at how He is blessing us and we trust He is blessing you extra, too.
Please know that we love you all so much. Give Dad our extra love--we think of him so often. We often tell Grandpa Dowse stories. Please take care of you all for us. We'll write another day although this is really the most exciting day we've had. Most of our days are just filled with working (which we have to admit we are liking better) and living a pretty simple life, although driving through Taichung traffic is not an ordinary experience. The scooters are unbelievable! Anyway, we love you. Byebye for now.
Love, Judy and Hank
Monday, October 13, 2008
We are doing better!
Dear Friends,
It's been a while since we've let you know that we are still alive in Taiwan. Actually we are better than we were when we last wrote a "Friends" letter in July. We have adjusted to many, many things and are also enjoying our life here more. The things that shocked and amazed us are now just common, everyday life. It actually has cooled down a bit and once in a while, we feel a whif of cool air as we walk home.
Typhoon season is almost over. We have experienced several with the one two weeks ago being a category 4 out of 5, whatever that means. Our President actually called the missionaries in about 4:00 on a Sunday afternoon because too many things were flying through the air. We are the most protected area of Taiwan because we have a large mountain range behind us and the storms hit much harder in the north and south. We're grateful. We have been interested in observing the storms and even walking to and from work in them several times but are not eager to see any more action than we do. Evidently some years ago the government didn't act decisively enough and several people were killed, so now they are very cautious and shut down schools and government offices in the face of any danger. The rule is that when that happens, the Church here also cancels meetings. We missed two Sundays of meetings in September. Don't hear of that often, do we? The rain here is truly spectacular. It absolutely comes in sheets when it wants to. It is not the rainy season now except when the typhoons come through--at least 15 of 29 over for the season.
We are catching on to more things. We have found our way to Costco which really helps us in the eating department. We have had our Chinese missionaries write down a couple of menu items which helps us to go to more places to eat. We are even getting braver just eating "on the street" which is what the missionaries and the local people do most every meal. There are hundreds of eating places between here and the office. All they need to set up business is a little portable stand. It's amazing to see and smell. We haven't eaten in most of these places including the "stinky tofu" stand across the street but opt for the enclosed-on-three-sides buffets. We haven't tasted anything except for rice that is in any way similar to Chinese food at home. All which adds to our "interesting experiences" list.
The scooter-riding population adorned in masks, helmets, gloves and all manner of interesting coverings continue to amaze us. The cars here are mostly high-end, black-windowed vehicles and everyone else is on scooters with some bicycles. We have seen families of five on them and many parents with little children. We always wonder if our little ones would stand so still between their mother and the handle bars as obediently as these children do. I guess they learn early that their lives depend on it.
The people we work with are wonderful. We work in a very modest office with two Elders, one Taiwanese and one from California. President Hoer has an office and the two assistants have an office and are in and out a lot. Our Recorder and Office Manager are just the most wonderful men. They do so many things that we can't believe that they keep going--just like energizer bunnies. Between 6 and 9:00 p.m. they are out proselyting. They have special permission to work at the office until 11:00. They live in an apartment upstairs so they don't even waste time traveling. One has been in the office for several months so we live in fear that he will soon be transferred. I'm sure we will get used to the new office manager but I can't imagine it. He is 25 years old and was the VP of a Fortune 300 company when he and his girfriend decided to go on missions. He knows everything about everything (including video editing) and is so kind to help us learn and trouble-shoot. We have 150 wonderful missionaries and are happy that we now recognize all their faces and can put names with them.
Our families at home are doing well. Our girls all got together in Denver with Cristy recently with the boys baby-tending. Wasn't that great! Our grandchildren are thriving, still brilliant and beautiful. I'm sure we've told you more than you ever wanted to know but there it is. We promise not to write for another couple of months. We wonder about you all--we imagine you are all so busy with life, as usual. They said in Conference today (we were a week behind) that life was meant to be busy and hard so I guess we're all doing what we're supposed to. We appreciate your being our loved ones and wish you the very best.
Love, Hank and Judy
It's been a while since we've let you know that we are still alive in Taiwan. Actually we are better than we were when we last wrote a "Friends" letter in July. We have adjusted to many, many things and are also enjoying our life here more. The things that shocked and amazed us are now just common, everyday life. It actually has cooled down a bit and once in a while, we feel a whif of cool air as we walk home.
Typhoon season is almost over. We have experienced several with the one two weeks ago being a category 4 out of 5, whatever that means. Our President actually called the missionaries in about 4:00 on a Sunday afternoon because too many things were flying through the air. We are the most protected area of Taiwan because we have a large mountain range behind us and the storms hit much harder in the north and south. We're grateful. We have been interested in observing the storms and even walking to and from work in them several times but are not eager to see any more action than we do. Evidently some years ago the government didn't act decisively enough and several people were killed, so now they are very cautious and shut down schools and government offices in the face of any danger. The rule is that when that happens, the Church here also cancels meetings. We missed two Sundays of meetings in September. Don't hear of that often, do we? The rain here is truly spectacular. It absolutely comes in sheets when it wants to. It is not the rainy season now except when the typhoons come through--at least 15 of 29 over for the season.
We are catching on to more things. We have found our way to Costco which really helps us in the eating department. We have had our Chinese missionaries write down a couple of menu items which helps us to go to more places to eat. We are even getting braver just eating "on the street" which is what the missionaries and the local people do most every meal. There are hundreds of eating places between here and the office. All they need to set up business is a little portable stand. It's amazing to see and smell. We haven't eaten in most of these places including the "stinky tofu" stand across the street but opt for the enclosed-on-three-sides buffets. We haven't tasted anything except for rice that is in any way similar to Chinese food at home. All which adds to our "interesting experiences" list.
The scooter-riding population adorned in masks, helmets, gloves and all manner of interesting coverings continue to amaze us. The cars here are mostly high-end, black-windowed vehicles and everyone else is on scooters with some bicycles. We have seen families of five on them and many parents with little children. We always wonder if our little ones would stand so still between their mother and the handle bars as obediently as these children do. I guess they learn early that their lives depend on it.
The people we work with are wonderful. We work in a very modest office with two Elders, one Taiwanese and one from California. President Hoer has an office and the two assistants have an office and are in and out a lot. Our Recorder and Office Manager are just the most wonderful men. They do so many things that we can't believe that they keep going--just like energizer bunnies. Between 6 and 9:00 p.m. they are out proselyting. They have special permission to work at the office until 11:00. They live in an apartment upstairs so they don't even waste time traveling. One has been in the office for several months so we live in fear that he will soon be transferred. I'm sure we will get used to the new office manager but I can't imagine it. He is 25 years old and was the VP of a Fortune 300 company when he and his girfriend decided to go on missions. He knows everything about everything (including video editing) and is so kind to help us learn and trouble-shoot. We have 150 wonderful missionaries and are happy that we now recognize all their faces and can put names with them.
Our families at home are doing well. Our girls all got together in Denver with Cristy recently with the boys baby-tending. Wasn't that great! Our grandchildren are thriving, still brilliant and beautiful. I'm sure we've told you more than you ever wanted to know but there it is. We promise not to write for another couple of months. We wonder about you all--we imagine you are all so busy with life, as usual. They said in Conference today (we were a week behind) that life was meant to be busy and hard so I guess we're all doing what we're supposed to. We appreciate your being our loved ones and wish you the very best.
Love, Hank and Judy
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Typhoon in Taiwan
I'm getting so good on the computer now that I'm trying to send the same letter to all our siblings and our kids. I hope it works cause I put all your names up at the top. Wow, I'm getting good. Aren't you computer smarties glad that you're not the ones in our office trying to teach me to do amazing things on this contraption. We both alternate between cussing the thing and being so grateful for all the wonderful things it can do for us once we learn how to work them and which button to push. I keep a data base of lots of information on all our missionaries. Mail merge is one of my most appreciated functions. Sometimes I have to send out many, many letters and to have it all done in a few steps is so great. I don't know how to set the mail merge up but I know how to use it now and I'm a happy girl. Hank keeps track of lots of money things with it too, and Excel has become his good buddy. The missionary before us knew how to set up the things but Hank is sure getting good at using them.
We are doing well. We have passed the huge adjustment period and are now just working away like the rest of you except we don't have as many jobs as you do. We have our work and our Church duties. We fiddle in our apartment on Saturday but that is easy because we only have a little stuff and not all that stuff that fills our house in American Fork that we can't part with and don't have any more places to stash. We don't even get to fix Sunday dinners (usually) or play with grandchildren. We don't even have the TV hooked up. We are reading more than at home and enjoying that a lot especially after coming home tired and just relaxing with good stuff. We are trying to keep missionary sleeping hours which are 10:30 pm to 6:30 am. This is something I am trying to excel in so I try to get to sleep by 10! We put in long hours at the office but they go by very fast and we are being so blessed with health, strength and abilities "above our own".
We work with wonderful people (four young missionaries and the President and his wife) in the office and of course, our work revolves around the 150 young missionaries who are the brightest, best, happiest people in the world. They will come into the office with sweat and/or rain pouring off of them with big smiles on their faces. We ask how they are doing and they say, "So good!" They are amazing. and wonderful. We are so happy we know them--we now can put all their faces with their names. Our president is Michael A. Hoer, pronounced Her, thank heavens. He is an amazing person. He has always loved things Chinese and was one of the first students they let into China when he was 17 years old. He has run several businesses and worked mostly out of Hong Kong where they lived for 17 years. When they were first married they lived in mainland China for a year or two in very primitive conditions. so she is very brave, too. He loves adventure and travel and they have taken back-packing trips to many difficult and remote places. We have heard stories about them getting from Tibet to Napal, about being lost on a mountain in Mongolia and we look forward to hearing about other adventures. He doesn't talk about things like that much but sometimes she will mention them in talks she gives. He is brilliant and very personable. He must have a photographic memory--he seems to know everything. They have four children, three who are college students at different universities in America and a 16 year old here. It is a great sacrifice for them to donate these three years but they are doing a great job. They have strict rules for the missionaries and they are very obedient. That is why they are so happy. President is a great public relations man and has made friends with the mayor. We do quite a few service projects for the city and different groups. He speaks fluent Mandarin. He is very pleasant to work with and very positive with us. Anyway, now you know a bit about here.
Today we are having a typhoon, about the fifth one of 29 expected. This has been the strongest one and the only one where the President has told the missionaries they should come in doors about 4 p.m. when the wind picked up pretty fiercely. When the nation cancels basic services, the church cancels our Sunday services so we have just stayed home all day and it's been nice. We have relaxed and enjoyed it. We have told some of you this stuff, but a quick recap. We live on the 5th floor of a 7 floor apartment house, one of three surrounding a courtyard. We live in a large city. Our part of town has really beat-up looking old buildings and some really nice newer buildings. Our place is pretty nice but we walk past some primitive places on our way to work. Some people here have the word alley as part of their address. Down town there are some amazingly beautiful and modern buildings. Lots of very tall buildings. None so tall as the one we visited a few weeks ago, Taipei 101, the tallest occupied building in the world, for the moment. We went to the observation area on the 89th floor. It was really something to look out over that city of 2.6 million people. Someday Hank will have to explain to you guys who care about the system they have in the middle of the building to keep it from swaying too far and falling in an earthquake or something like that. Very interesting. Another good memory. Taipei is about 2-3 hours in a big bus from here.
Taiwan is a very interesting place. It is modern in many ways and very progressive. But it is filled with many interesting sounds and smells. One of the most interesting smells is the open sewers you pass all the time. They say there are two main reasons why Taiwan isn't considered a first-world country. One is the open sewers and the other is that it isn't a country! Can't imagine it will ever be allowed to be a country although it is too valuable for China to do too much bad to it--I hope. The people are very friendly and kind. They will look at you as you pass and respond as we smile and speak to them. They want to help us but we don't speak Chinese and they don't speak English past the initial greetings.
There are beautiful ones, fat ones, homely ones, regular-looking ones, all kinds, just like in America. One of the interesting things about here is that the cars you see are almost all very posh--lots of BMWs, Mercedes, Jaguars, etc. with Hondas and Toyotas thrown in. The regular people drive scooters. They are amazing. They carry everything--families of 5, tires stacked 4 high, huge loads, dogs, toddlers standing in front of their mothers and even some children sitting in chairs which have been fastened in front of the mother. It's interesting to see people dressed really fancy and then with helmets, gloves, shirts on backwards to cover their clothes and masks scooting down the street. One sound we have been interested in hearing is the garbage truck. They play music as they go down the street and then they stop at a corner and people come rushing out with their bags of garbage. There is usually a woman standing in the back of the truck to get the bags and maybe even sort. Then they move on with a certain part of Beethoven's Fifth blaring. They run all day and way into the night. Of course, the food smells are very memorable. We've both lost some weight. We're catching on to the food better though and will probably find some of the pounds in time. We think pollution is a problem here because the buildings get very dirty and ugly looking. There will be a building you can tell was very fancy and beautiful once but looks so dingy and ugly now. Don't know how the really modern, glass ones will fare.
Anyway, I've told you too much and probably the same things I've told you before. Sorry. Just wanted to catch up a bit. We think of you all often. We do speak with our children every week or so on the phone which helps a lot because they sound so close. They are all doing well--busy as usual. Julie, Amy and Catherine went last week-end to Denver to surprise Cristy and they had a wonderful sisters time together. Wade helped work out the surprise and take care of airport runs and Troy (whose original idea it was), Alan and Richard tended the children making it possible for the girls. Cristy said there was so much estrogen and chick-flickage in their house but Wade withstood it well. They took the two little bablies with them, of course. They are all getting together for Thanksgiving which makes us so happy.
I promise I'll end now. We send our love to you all and especially to Dad. We think of you all so often and hope you are doing well. We think we have the best siblings in the world and know we have the greatest kids. We long for the hugs of our grandchildren but trust that they will be blessed for our service. We know this is an important thing for us to be doing now. We truly believe we are doing what God wants us to do. We can see it's worth in our lives every day.
Ooops, it's 9:52--time to get ready for bed! The wind has died down and we have just a steady rain. Should be over in a day or two, they say. Another typoon due next week. We send our love, Hank and Judy
We are doing well. We have passed the huge adjustment period and are now just working away like the rest of you except we don't have as many jobs as you do. We have our work and our Church duties. We fiddle in our apartment on Saturday but that is easy because we only have a little stuff and not all that stuff that fills our house in American Fork that we can't part with and don't have any more places to stash. We don't even get to fix Sunday dinners (usually) or play with grandchildren. We don't even have the TV hooked up. We are reading more than at home and enjoying that a lot especially after coming home tired and just relaxing with good stuff. We are trying to keep missionary sleeping hours which are 10:30 pm to 6:30 am. This is something I am trying to excel in so I try to get to sleep by 10! We put in long hours at the office but they go by very fast and we are being so blessed with health, strength and abilities "above our own".
We work with wonderful people (four young missionaries and the President and his wife) in the office and of course, our work revolves around the 150 young missionaries who are the brightest, best, happiest people in the world. They will come into the office with sweat and/or rain pouring off of them with big smiles on their faces. We ask how they are doing and they say, "So good!" They are amazing. and wonderful. We are so happy we know them--we now can put all their faces with their names. Our president is Michael A. Hoer, pronounced Her, thank heavens. He is an amazing person. He has always loved things Chinese and was one of the first students they let into China when he was 17 years old. He has run several businesses and worked mostly out of Hong Kong where they lived for 17 years. When they were first married they lived in mainland China for a year or two in very primitive conditions. so she is very brave, too. He loves adventure and travel and they have taken back-packing trips to many difficult and remote places. We have heard stories about them getting from Tibet to Napal, about being lost on a mountain in Mongolia and we look forward to hearing about other adventures. He doesn't talk about things like that much but sometimes she will mention them in talks she gives. He is brilliant and very personable. He must have a photographic memory--he seems to know everything. They have four children, three who are college students at different universities in America and a 16 year old here. It is a great sacrifice for them to donate these three years but they are doing a great job. They have strict rules for the missionaries and they are very obedient. That is why they are so happy. President is a great public relations man and has made friends with the mayor. We do quite a few service projects for the city and different groups. He speaks fluent Mandarin. He is very pleasant to work with and very positive with us. Anyway, now you know a bit about here.
Today we are having a typhoon, about the fifth one of 29 expected. This has been the strongest one and the only one where the President has told the missionaries they should come in doors about 4 p.m. when the wind picked up pretty fiercely. When the nation cancels basic services, the church cancels our Sunday services so we have just stayed home all day and it's been nice. We have relaxed and enjoyed it. We have told some of you this stuff, but a quick recap. We live on the 5th floor of a 7 floor apartment house, one of three surrounding a courtyard. We live in a large city. Our part of town has really beat-up looking old buildings and some really nice newer buildings. Our place is pretty nice but we walk past some primitive places on our way to work. Some people here have the word alley as part of their address. Down town there are some amazingly beautiful and modern buildings. Lots of very tall buildings. None so tall as the one we visited a few weeks ago, Taipei 101, the tallest occupied building in the world, for the moment. We went to the observation area on the 89th floor. It was really something to look out over that city of 2.6 million people. Someday Hank will have to explain to you guys who care about the system they have in the middle of the building to keep it from swaying too far and falling in an earthquake or something like that. Very interesting. Another good memory. Taipei is about 2-3 hours in a big bus from here.
Taiwan is a very interesting place. It is modern in many ways and very progressive. But it is filled with many interesting sounds and smells. One of the most interesting smells is the open sewers you pass all the time. They say there are two main reasons why Taiwan isn't considered a first-world country. One is the open sewers and the other is that it isn't a country! Can't imagine it will ever be allowed to be a country although it is too valuable for China to do too much bad to it--I hope. The people are very friendly and kind. They will look at you as you pass and respond as we smile and speak to them. They want to help us but we don't speak Chinese and they don't speak English past the initial greetings.
There are beautiful ones, fat ones, homely ones, regular-looking ones, all kinds, just like in America. One of the interesting things about here is that the cars you see are almost all very posh--lots of BMWs, Mercedes, Jaguars, etc. with Hondas and Toyotas thrown in. The regular people drive scooters. They are amazing. They carry everything--families of 5, tires stacked 4 high, huge loads, dogs, toddlers standing in front of their mothers and even some children sitting in chairs which have been fastened in front of the mother. It's interesting to see people dressed really fancy and then with helmets, gloves, shirts on backwards to cover their clothes and masks scooting down the street. One sound we have been interested in hearing is the garbage truck. They play music as they go down the street and then they stop at a corner and people come rushing out with their bags of garbage. There is usually a woman standing in the back of the truck to get the bags and maybe even sort. Then they move on with a certain part of Beethoven's Fifth blaring. They run all day and way into the night. Of course, the food smells are very memorable. We've both lost some weight. We're catching on to the food better though and will probably find some of the pounds in time. We think pollution is a problem here because the buildings get very dirty and ugly looking. There will be a building you can tell was very fancy and beautiful once but looks so dingy and ugly now. Don't know how the really modern, glass ones will fare.
Anyway, I've told you too much and probably the same things I've told you before. Sorry. Just wanted to catch up a bit. We think of you all often. We do speak with our children every week or so on the phone which helps a lot because they sound so close. They are all doing well--busy as usual. Julie, Amy and Catherine went last week-end to Denver to surprise Cristy and they had a wonderful sisters time together. Wade helped work out the surprise and take care of airport runs and Troy (whose original idea it was), Alan and Richard tended the children making it possible for the girls. Cristy said there was so much estrogen and chick-flickage in their house but Wade withstood it well. They took the two little bablies with them, of course. They are all getting together for Thanksgiving which makes us so happy.
I promise I'll end now. We send our love to you all and especially to Dad. We think of you all so often and hope you are doing well. We think we have the best siblings in the world and know we have the greatest kids. We long for the hugs of our grandchildren but trust that they will be blessed for our service. We know this is an important thing for us to be doing now. We truly believe we are doing what God wants us to do. We can see it's worth in our lives every day.
Ooops, it's 9:52--time to get ready for bed! The wind has died down and we have just a steady rain. Should be over in a day or two, they say. Another typoon due next week. We send our love, Hank and Judy
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