Today's headlines:
Hurray! K was baptized!
Interviews with President Van Dam, and a question about the Book of Mormon.
A new Bishopric for the Tai Po Ward.
The June Liahona and the very accurate account of Hong Kong within.
So, yes, K was baptized. It was a really wonderful service. Normally Hong Kong baptisms are a little chaotic, but this was very peaceful and special - although I felt somewhat run ragged. K, being an amazing not-yet-member missionary, had invited 12 or 13 friends to his baptism, including his little sister, his aunt and his cousin. So I tried desperately to keep them entertained as we arranged everything, at the same time as helping Elder Sharp and K change into white clothes and trying to negotiate with the Ward Mission leader and member of the Bishopric over DVDs to watch while they got changed afterwards, where everyone was and what the plan for the service was. But things worked out just fine, and the room was full to overflowing by the time we began. I gave the first talk, without actually having prepared anything - I knew I wanted to share 2 Nephi 31:20, but didn't have any other real plans. The Lord filled my mouth with words, and I told K and others in attendance of the importance of baptism and returning to God's presence, of the commitment he was making and how the Lord promised to keep and protect him, and about how after baptism he must endure to the end to receive these blessings.
Then it was time for the baptism. Elder Sharp helped K into the font and baptised him. It was that simple.
After some words from the member of the Bishopric presiding, K shared his testimony - he was a little nervous, so had made some notes! Ever the well prepared member. He shared a few scriptures about happiness and talked of how he wanted his family to have these same blessings - it was a wonderful testimony, full of the missionary spirit we've seen so much from him.
From pretty much the first moment we met him, I felt that he was a special soul. I could almost see his life unfolding before him, as he grows in the church. He's made his first few steps towards eternity.
Interviews with President Van Dam were on Tuesday, and we were asked to prepare to talk about a Book of Mormon character who has influenced us. I picked one of my favourite characters - Zeezrom. I love reading the story of how such a hardened, "knowledgeable" lawyer is confounded by the Spirit and brought to repentance. He may not be a particularly famous character, but Alma takes him with them to preach to the Zoramites in his team of big hitters, like Ammon and Aaron, and Amulek - I imagine he was a very persuasive teacher of the truth after his conversion.
The interview was actually the best I think I've ever had with President Van Dam. I really enjoyed it. He did confirm what I had expected though, I talked a little about the upcoming need to choose a University, and he told me he'd rather you all arrange things as best you can, and I only get involved if necessary - he's even not too thrilled at the idea of a phone call to talk to Leeds if it's necessary.
He said something very interesting by way of explanation - he told me, as I already knew, that he himself is a businessman. He owns his own company, but for the time he serves now, he's put these things as far out of his mind as possible and trusts others to take care of things, so that he can focus on serving the Lord. I know President Van Dam would never expect us to do anything that he himself would not do, and I agree that these two years should belong to God, with as few distractions as possible.
It's good to hear that things seem to be coming together at your end in that respect - thank you so much for doing all of this for me. And it's good to know that there are some good places to study things like Animation in England too. I shall have to look at prospectuses before I can make my mind up, though, of course. Thank you again for all of this.
The June Liahona is certainly a wonderful issue. I really enjoyed the article on finding time in Hong Kong - I actually know one of the people in the article, Dick. He's really good friends with Elder Walgren, so I saw him a fair bit when we served together. I like a quote in there that we wish we could stress to people here more - if you can find time to watch TV, you can find time to read your scriptures. Very, very true. The more time I spend out here away from such home comforts as televisions, the more I suspect that Dad may have been right all along after all - televisions are not all that necessary, and kind of get in the way.
My future wife's going to LOVE that... :P
The new bishopric in Tai Po is pretty astounding - we now have Bishop Kuen Tony Ling - if you relisten to the first session of General Conference, you will hear his name as one of the Elders recently released as an Area Seventy. It's amazing how well everything fits together - the Stake President here, Elder Wong, took his place as a Seventy, we got a new Stake President, and now the old Tai Po Bishop is moving to America, so Bishop Ling has been called in his place. It all fits perfectly.
A little random story for you - once in a Seminary Super Saturday, Murray asked a question of Mark Price - he asked "How many generations does the book of Matthew list of Christ's genealogy?" I was at that time in the habit of saying "42" for every question I didn't know the answer to. Imagine my surprise then, to discover I was right this time! So I already knew about that little piece of trivia - but considering Adam's strong atheist view point, any reference to Jesus was completely subconscious, and I just think it's a coincidence.
I'm sure it will be good for Beth to move on. I'd been expecting that for a while now, so it's not too big of a shock - the Celcius place is pretty nice, isn't it? I'm sure it'll be good for the two of them and the family in general - and I guess that means there will be a place for me to sleep when I come home - you could, though, consider moving to a smaller house now, though. Especially if you need to watch the food bill as it rises up and up... :P
I love you all and hope Jessica gets better and Tim keeps growing spiritually as well as vertically (and possibly horizontally...).
Love,
Elder Matthew Loffhagen
羅 長 老
PS Jess, please tell the Laurels thank you for the wonderful package I just got. It was very nice :)
Monday, 30 June 2008
Sunday, 15 June 2008
Elder Rasband, Chinese Opera, and Progressing Investigators - 36th email from Hong Kong
Hi all,
Some big things happened this week - but before I get to all of them, I must let you know that I've not received any shirts. So hopefully they'll come soon, but I haven't seen anything yet.
Yesterday was an exceptional day. We went to Wan Chai, the huge chapel on Hong Kong island, which is also the Asia Area Office, to a meeting with Elder Ronald A Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy. I've still not figured out if his correct title is "Elder" or "President", but everyone else was calling him "Elder".
I was there somewhat early, because of the choir - we practised a little, but not all that much because Elder Volk decided that we all sounded pretty much perfect anyway. I guess he couldn't hear me very clearly.
I therefore had time to go up a few floors to where all of the missionaries were eating lunch - including the new missionaries who had just got off the plane. They're going to have an interesting experience as trainees - all of the trainers this moves are either from my group or my older group: Elder Volk, Elder West, Elder Weagel and Elder Williams are all from my group, and Elder Hardy and Elder Pittman are my older group - I was thrilled for all of my friends having the big responsibility of training, and several of them are District Leaders as well. It's wonderful to see them grow and take on new responsibilities.
The meeting started, and Elder Rasband entered the room alongside our entire Area Presidency; Elder Garns, Elder Hallstrom and Elder Perkins, all of whom are members of the First and Second Quorum of the Seventy. As Elder Rasband began the meeting, he said that because of the large number of General Authorities in the room, he wanted to be able to get everyone involved, and had decided that we were going to have a Question and Answer session, and would give the Area Presidency there opportunities to answer questions as well.
Several other Elders pointed out to me afterwards that they were in no way surprised that I was the first Elder with his hand up to ask a question; before Elder Rasband had even finished speaking. :)
I stood and asked a question I'd been wondering about the night before, about K. He'd told me that a lot of his friends and family oppose him joining the Church - they tell him such typical misconceptions as "They're not Christian", bla bla bla. Kelvin told me he was a little confused, and that he didn't want to have to choose between his friends and family, and the Church. While I did the best I could to explain how we need to be strong and stand up to peer pressure, I wanted a General Authority's spin on the subject.
Elder Rasband spoke about how Missionaries are to find the elect, and to cut through layers of "blindness", quoting D&C 123:12 - many are kept from the truth "only because they know not where to find it" and are "blinded by the subtle craftiness of men". As missionaries, we need to "waste and wear out our lives" in bringing prepared souls unto Christ. He then had Elder Sharp and I stand up. He looked us both straight in the eyes and told us that there was a reason that we are Kelvin's missionaries. We are responsible to teach him and help him overcome his trials. It was an incredible experience that I don't think I'll easily forget.
He spoke on many other subjects as he and the others answered other Missionaries' questions, and finally in closing, he told us that he wanted to shake all of our hands. He told us that this showed just how close we were to the President of the Church - Elder Rasband had just shaken President Monson's hand a week ago, when he had told him specifically to give the people of Asia his love. Elders Rasband, Garns, Hallstrom and Perkins with their wives lined up in a row and we all, one by one, shook each of their hands. Elder Hallstrom said something interesting to me: "Good to see you again, Elder." I have no specific recollection of talking with him before, but considering my 6 months in West Point, going to Wan Chai pretty much every week, it's not surprising to assume that I had seen him there before and perhaps even briefly said "hello". Interesting.
There was a huge crowd of missionaries out in the hall, milling and talking. While I'd have liked to stay, President Van Dam's last words in the meeting rang in my ears; "visit for a while, but hurry back to your areas." Elder Sharp was feeling sick at this point anyway, and so I figured we'd better get back to Tai Po. So off we went back home.
Speaking of which - just to let you know, Tai Po is still home for the next 6 weeks. Neither Elder Sharp nor I are moving; and neither are Elder Gerrard and Bowen, the other Elders in the District. Our Sister companionship is dropping down from a threesome to two Sisters, so also not much change there either.
Just before emailing, we went to see a bit of a Chinese opera. It was a very interesting experience. This week has been Duen Ng Jit - or Dragonboat Festival in English. As such, they've created a huge theatre out of bamboo in an open square here, and had a free opera inside. It was a lot of fun; a lot of squeaking, shrieking women and thick red and white makeup and shining, jeweled dresses, a load of fake beards on the men, and various other traditional Chinese elements too. Between the four of us Elders there, we had very little to no idea what was going on. It was fun to watch, though, and between that and the traditional Chinese wedding that they had just outside our house this morning (a lot of drums and pretending to row boats, also in colourful costumes), I feel I've enjoyed a lot of the Chinese culture today.
Finally, a note on K. After a talk with him on the phone yesterday, I feel very certain that he's going to be fine. He's also been reading the blog recently, so hello K. I hope you're doing fine right now.
K's asked for a copy of the Articles of Faith on a card in English - he has one in Chinese, but as he's currently working as a volunteer with a large collection of people from all over the world who speak English together, he wants to be able to share the Articles with them. A Strength of Youth pamphlet that we gave him has already helped - someone asked why he doesn't ever drink tea or coffee, and out came the pamphlet, clearly explaining his standards.
K's great, and I'm thrilled to be able to stay here this Moves to see his baptism.
I love you all lots, and am very thankful for your prayers. I've really felt them.
Elder Matthew Loffhagen
羅 長 老
Some big things happened this week - but before I get to all of them, I must let you know that I've not received any shirts. So hopefully they'll come soon, but I haven't seen anything yet.
Yesterday was an exceptional day. We went to Wan Chai, the huge chapel on Hong Kong island, which is also the Asia Area Office, to a meeting with Elder Ronald A Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy. I've still not figured out if his correct title is "Elder" or "President", but everyone else was calling him "Elder".
I was there somewhat early, because of the choir - we practised a little, but not all that much because Elder Volk decided that we all sounded pretty much perfect anyway. I guess he couldn't hear me very clearly.
I therefore had time to go up a few floors to where all of the missionaries were eating lunch - including the new missionaries who had just got off the plane. They're going to have an interesting experience as trainees - all of the trainers this moves are either from my group or my older group: Elder Volk, Elder West, Elder Weagel and Elder Williams are all from my group, and Elder Hardy and Elder Pittman are my older group - I was thrilled for all of my friends having the big responsibility of training, and several of them are District Leaders as well. It's wonderful to see them grow and take on new responsibilities.
The meeting started, and Elder Rasband entered the room alongside our entire Area Presidency; Elder Garns, Elder Hallstrom and Elder Perkins, all of whom are members of the First and Second Quorum of the Seventy. As Elder Rasband began the meeting, he said that because of the large number of General Authorities in the room, he wanted to be able to get everyone involved, and had decided that we were going to have a Question and Answer session, and would give the Area Presidency there opportunities to answer questions as well.
Several other Elders pointed out to me afterwards that they were in no way surprised that I was the first Elder with his hand up to ask a question; before Elder Rasband had even finished speaking. :)
I stood and asked a question I'd been wondering about the night before, about K. He'd told me that a lot of his friends and family oppose him joining the Church - they tell him such typical misconceptions as "They're not Christian", bla bla bla. Kelvin told me he was a little confused, and that he didn't want to have to choose between his friends and family, and the Church. While I did the best I could to explain how we need to be strong and stand up to peer pressure, I wanted a General Authority's spin on the subject.
Elder Rasband spoke about how Missionaries are to find the elect, and to cut through layers of "blindness", quoting D&C 123:12 - many are kept from the truth "only because they know not where to find it" and are "blinded by the subtle craftiness of men". As missionaries, we need to "waste and wear out our lives" in bringing prepared souls unto Christ. He then had Elder Sharp and I stand up. He looked us both straight in the eyes and told us that there was a reason that we are Kelvin's missionaries. We are responsible to teach him and help him overcome his trials. It was an incredible experience that I don't think I'll easily forget.
He spoke on many other subjects as he and the others answered other Missionaries' questions, and finally in closing, he told us that he wanted to shake all of our hands. He told us that this showed just how close we were to the President of the Church - Elder Rasband had just shaken President Monson's hand a week ago, when he had told him specifically to give the people of Asia his love. Elders Rasband, Garns, Hallstrom and Perkins with their wives lined up in a row and we all, one by one, shook each of their hands. Elder Hallstrom said something interesting to me: "Good to see you again, Elder." I have no specific recollection of talking with him before, but considering my 6 months in West Point, going to Wan Chai pretty much every week, it's not surprising to assume that I had seen him there before and perhaps even briefly said "hello". Interesting.
There was a huge crowd of missionaries out in the hall, milling and talking. While I'd have liked to stay, President Van Dam's last words in the meeting rang in my ears; "visit for a while, but hurry back to your areas." Elder Sharp was feeling sick at this point anyway, and so I figured we'd better get back to Tai Po. So off we went back home.
Speaking of which - just to let you know, Tai Po is still home for the next 6 weeks. Neither Elder Sharp nor I are moving; and neither are Elder Gerrard and Bowen, the other Elders in the District. Our Sister companionship is dropping down from a threesome to two Sisters, so also not much change there either.
Just before emailing, we went to see a bit of a Chinese opera. It was a very interesting experience. This week has been Duen Ng Jit - or Dragonboat Festival in English. As such, they've created a huge theatre out of bamboo in an open square here, and had a free opera inside. It was a lot of fun; a lot of squeaking, shrieking women and thick red and white makeup and shining, jeweled dresses, a load of fake beards on the men, and various other traditional Chinese elements too. Between the four of us Elders there, we had very little to no idea what was going on. It was fun to watch, though, and between that and the traditional Chinese wedding that they had just outside our house this morning (a lot of drums and pretending to row boats, also in colourful costumes), I feel I've enjoyed a lot of the Chinese culture today.
Finally, a note on K. After a talk with him on the phone yesterday, I feel very certain that he's going to be fine. He's also been reading the blog recently, so hello K. I hope you're doing fine right now.
K's asked for a copy of the Articles of Faith on a card in English - he has one in Chinese, but as he's currently working as a volunteer with a large collection of people from all over the world who speak English together, he wants to be able to share the Articles with them. A Strength of Youth pamphlet that we gave him has already helped - someone asked why he doesn't ever drink tea or coffee, and out came the pamphlet, clearly explaining his standards.
K's great, and I'm thrilled to be able to stay here this Moves to see his baptism.
I love you all lots, and am very thankful for your prayers. I've really felt them.
Elder Matthew Loffhagen
羅 長 老
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Temple Day again - 35th email from Hong Kong
Dear all,
Yes, just got back from the Temple. The contrast between the quiet there and the noise here in a gaming center is unbelievable - I can barely hear myself think in here, as everybody is playing games with the sound cranked all the way up - and for some reason, somewhere behind me, someone is playing a game where you clap in time to "Uptown Girl". Very peculiar.
Some big news this week - first off, K's baptism has been postponed a little bit. He's progressed really fast, and after accidentally drinking some tea on Monday, just after his baptismal interview, we felt it best to just give him a little more time. It was a horrible phone conversation as I talked to him for 45 minutes trying to persuade him why waiting will help him. He's okay now though - he understands that this will help him develop patience, and has really turned to the Book of Mormon for guidance and comfort. His only request is that we don't baptise him on the 29th of June, because his friends won't be able to come to the baptism, so it's going to be in 2 weeks on the 22nd.
Brother T made a move this week that ought to make things easier for you all - he asked us to give him an English name. Naming Chinese people is a fun occurrence that comes up every now and then. Elder Sharp named him "Ammon" and he was very excited to go and read about the amazing missionary adventures of Ammon in the Book of Mormon. Considering his continental (continual) desire to serve as a missionary himself, I think it's a fitting name. So in English he is now to be known as Ammon T.
This week was interviews, and I asked President Van Dam about how you would go about picking me up at the end of my mission. He said it's very simple - when I choose my finishing date (which I will do about 6 months before I come home), you will be sent a letter which should contain the details of how to go about everything. He said that the Church will pay for my flight home, and that you can coordinate with the woman in Salt Lake who arranges missionary travel so that they book the flight correctly so that we're together.
That said, considering what I'm expecting the weather to be like in the heat of Summer, you might find it more comfortable to come in Winter. I guarantee that the heat and humidity will be somewhat uncomfortable. It might be better to arrange to come back the following Christmas or Easter holidays.
I've been thinking more about Universities. While I know it's awkward to throw yet another option on the plate (and one that is somewhat protested by Mum), I'm still considering BYU. It would certainly give me the opportunity to study Mandarin at the same time as something else, and I've heard some very good things about their Computer Animation courses - supposedly there's a 100% hiring rate coming out of BYU. I know that's yet another random option to throw out which has nothing to do with anything else we've been thinking about, but I think I'd really enjoy a career in animation.
Between ferrets, a hamster, a snake, 2 chinchillas and Timothy, I'm wondering if there'll be any room for me in the house when I come home anyway! It all sounds like Tim's practising well though for a wonderful future career - taking over for Hagrid at Hogwarts!
Congratulations on Bethany with her new job, it sounds like it'll be good.
Next Thursday is the end of yet another Moves, and I'm very much hoping to stay where I am, but also fully ready to move if it's required of me. I'm looking forward to whatever happens either way. In the meantime, next Thursday, Ronald A Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy is coming to visit Hong Kong and has requested to meet with the missionaries. So we're having a special meeting with him next Wednesday. Elder Volk was asked to put together a choir and I guess I've faked musical competency enough times for him to ask me to sing tenor. Rather awkward as my voice doesn't tend to go that high any more, but we had a practice this morning and sounded rather good apparently.
Well, the noise in here is so loud that I can barely hear myself think, and my companion's waiting for me to finish as we're pressed for time this week, so with that I'll sign off.
Love you all,
Elder Matthew Loffhagen
羅 長 老
Yes, just got back from the Temple. The contrast between the quiet there and the noise here in a gaming center is unbelievable - I can barely hear myself think in here, as everybody is playing games with the sound cranked all the way up - and for some reason, somewhere behind me, someone is playing a game where you clap in time to "Uptown Girl". Very peculiar.
Some big news this week - first off, K's baptism has been postponed a little bit. He's progressed really fast, and after accidentally drinking some tea on Monday, just after his baptismal interview, we felt it best to just give him a little more time. It was a horrible phone conversation as I talked to him for 45 minutes trying to persuade him why waiting will help him. He's okay now though - he understands that this will help him develop patience, and has really turned to the Book of Mormon for guidance and comfort. His only request is that we don't baptise him on the 29th of June, because his friends won't be able to come to the baptism, so it's going to be in 2 weeks on the 22nd.
Brother T made a move this week that ought to make things easier for you all - he asked us to give him an English name. Naming Chinese people is a fun occurrence that comes up every now and then. Elder Sharp named him "Ammon" and he was very excited to go and read about the amazing missionary adventures of Ammon in the Book of Mormon. Considering his continental (continual) desire to serve as a missionary himself, I think it's a fitting name. So in English he is now to be known as Ammon T.
This week was interviews, and I asked President Van Dam about how you would go about picking me up at the end of my mission. He said it's very simple - when I choose my finishing date (which I will do about 6 months before I come home), you will be sent a letter which should contain the details of how to go about everything. He said that the Church will pay for my flight home, and that you can coordinate with the woman in Salt Lake who arranges missionary travel so that they book the flight correctly so that we're together.
That said, considering what I'm expecting the weather to be like in the heat of Summer, you might find it more comfortable to come in Winter. I guarantee that the heat and humidity will be somewhat uncomfortable. It might be better to arrange to come back the following Christmas or Easter holidays.
I've been thinking more about Universities. While I know it's awkward to throw yet another option on the plate (and one that is somewhat protested by Mum), I'm still considering BYU. It would certainly give me the opportunity to study Mandarin at the same time as something else, and I've heard some very good things about their Computer Animation courses - supposedly there's a 100% hiring rate coming out of BYU. I know that's yet another random option to throw out which has nothing to do with anything else we've been thinking about, but I think I'd really enjoy a career in animation.
Between ferrets, a hamster, a snake, 2 chinchillas and Timothy, I'm wondering if there'll be any room for me in the house when I come home anyway! It all sounds like Tim's practising well though for a wonderful future career - taking over for Hagrid at Hogwarts!
Congratulations on Bethany with her new job, it sounds like it'll be good.
Next Thursday is the end of yet another Moves, and I'm very much hoping to stay where I am, but also fully ready to move if it's required of me. I'm looking forward to whatever happens either way. In the meantime, next Thursday, Ronald A Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy is coming to visit Hong Kong and has requested to meet with the missionaries. So we're having a special meeting with him next Wednesday. Elder Volk was asked to put together a choir and I guess I've faked musical competency enough times for him to ask me to sing tenor. Rather awkward as my voice doesn't tend to go that high any more, but we had a practice this morning and sounded rather good apparently.
Well, the noise in here is so loud that I can barely hear myself think, and my companion's waiting for me to finish as we're pressed for time this week, so with that I'll sign off.
Love you all,
Elder Matthew Loffhagen
羅 長 老
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