Happy 4th

Hong Kong is still a dome of activity and cultures that traps heat and makes it feel like thousands of warm butterflies hug you when you walk outside. So, although I admire the city through sweat and squinted eyes, it is beautiful nonetheless! This week included lots of those little diamonds that Elder Uchtdorf speaks of. Those diamonds that hide in ordinary pebbles.

Actually, speaking of ordinary pebbles, that could accurately describe how I have felt at times this week. Being a perfectionist and a missionary is really, really hard. Because perfection, for me, is like another realm. Drawing from Freestone's love of Doctor Who, it's like perfection lives on another planet and I have to access to the...TARDIS. (Is that even right? I don't know. I told you I wasn't perfect.) Anyway, I know deep down that because Jesus Christ is perfect and loves and changes us perfectly, I don't need to be perfect right now. I have to be patient with myself and have hope. Something I am also not perfect at ;) 

But the scriptures "And we lived after the manner of happiness" and "Adam fell that men might be, and men are, that they might have joy," have really helped me. The people in the Book of Mormon were not perfect. In fact, the writers often mention their "weakness in writing". But many of them still lived after the manner of happiness. Not the manner of perfection. They aren't robots! They are children of God, like us, who make mistakes. Heavenly Father's work and glory is OUR progression, the betterment of the individual. 

I also read a scripture about having the faith to move mountains and noticed a note I added months ago: "I don't think Heavenly Father is so interested in moving mountains. I think He is interested in moving us to repentance." 

Heavenly Father cares about our spirits. He doesn't care about our accomplishments, wealth, outward appearance, or what others think of us. He sent us here to BECOME. And He sent His Son to show us how. And while we believe in fiercely living the teachings of His Son, and in giving everything to follow his example, Heavenly Father knows it will take time. And He has given us that time. It is a gift. It is a gift to repent, to struggle, to have questions, and to learn. Like the Book of Mormon prophets, the fact that I am "as the dust of the earth" is often very apparent. We really are very humble, insignificant, dependent beings. But we are also divine, cherished by God, and capable of becoming like Him. So I am still figuring out that contradiction, or those seemingly opposite identities. And I am okay with that! Whenever I reach outside my sphere of understanding, I still know God loves me. It helps me stay centered, faithful, and happy. We are living right now, and if we follow Christ, it is after the manner of happiness. I am thankful Christ "reaches my reaching." He really does. I love him. 

Happy Fourth of July!

Golda's Birthday

So it all started with a rejected travel request. Because not more than eight missionaries can be in one small area at a time, we 'apply' to travel to our desired Monday destination. Because the previous Friday was Sister Hugo's birthday, and mine was the following Friday, we planned to celebrate together at The Cheesecake Factory. It is Hong Kong's newest American chain restaurant addition, and we American-deprived-food girls were quite excited. When the text came back REJECTED, we sat on the floor and discussed possible Plan Bs. But compared to our dreams of tuxedo-chocolate cheesecake, they all paled in comparison. Finally, we decided to check out the world's longest escalator, located conveniently close to our apartment, and boasting great street food and indie-chic side shops. We got gyros and continued up the hill on escalator after escalator. Then we got to a heritage museum that was also on the itinerary. This museum used to be a church chapel of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We walked in and saw the original baptismal font. Many of our friends from Pok Fu Lam ward were baptized there, as well as hundreds of members throughout Hong Kong. We admired the European gold accents and fireplaces in what used to be the Relief Society room, and were approached by one of the workers who had met missionaries before. Her knowledge of the Church and missionaries was impressive, and she said she really admired the men who come back and tell her in detail memories of when they attended church there. She joked that they were more knowledgeable about the building than she was. Anyway, after she guided us to a hall we'd overlooked and assured us we could open the door onto the balcony, we stepped out to the balcony. As we admired the view, a girl sitting there asked if she could take a picture with us. (This is not unusual as I have reddish hair and was with Sister Hugo who has outrageously curly bright red hair). We talked to her and shared about the Church and its relationship with the museum. Her name is Poppy and is from Mainland China. We talked for quite a while and taught her about Heavenly Father and invited her to pray. Her Cantonese was good, but she chose to pray in her native village language, so I didn't understand at all. It didn't even sound like Mandarin. Her prayer was so humble and sincere though, and she thanked us for helping her know there was someone who would always listen to her. We exchanged numbers and went on with our day.

The next day at Zone Conference, Poppy called us. We asked the Mandarin sisters if they had time for a lesson that afternoon and they told us they did because someone just canceled. So an hour later we introduced sweet Poppy to basically the whole HK Island mission. She has met with the Mandarin sisters 3 times, and has since returned to Mainland. We hope she can meet with missionaries whenever she comes to HK, and eventually get baptized! 

After an auspicious start to the week, we continued on and experienced lots of little tender mercies and miracles. On Saturday, we had the best first lesson ever with Ken So. His twin sister was baptized 2 years ago. We taught the message of the Restoration and he accepted a baptismal date of August 27th!!!!!! The Spirit was so strong, and I just felt so grateful. We brought Adrien Chan to teach with us, so there were four 20-something-year-olds all sitting in Ken's living room talking about the purpose of life, how we communicate with God, and of God's love. It was such a powerful experience. This church is true. The Book of Mormon is true. It has changed my life this week.

Friday, my 20th birthday was amazing. We had language pass offs, passed out fliers for free English class, did studies, and had a delicious dinner at a posh place called Latitude. It had a burger called the Texas burger, so we were quite happy with our American feast. Then we taught English class, where our friend Si Man brought me a big vanilla, mango cake!! Then I came home to a beautiful big yellow flower from Sister Milan. She'd gotten our roommates to buy it so I would be surprised. Then she gave me a note that said "20 Things that make Sister Dopp Sister Dopp,' with a jar full of thoughtful, personal, kind notes of what makes me me. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received! 

Then last night at ward Family Home Evening, a member made a cake for me and they sang a beautiful English Happy Birthday to me.

I just feel so joyful to be here in Hong Kong, surrounded by so many selfless people. Life is good. Jesus Christ lives and The Book of Mormon testifies of him.

Staying in Pok Fu Lam

Well, the transfer news is.....

I will be staying in Pok Fu Lam!!!!! At the end of this transfer (6 weeks) I will have served here for 11 months! I am so happy to be staying. We have some exciting things happening in this ward! So much has happened lately, I think I will let the pictures do most of the talking.

Some highlights of my life lately...

We met a girl named Jasmine in a park in Cyberport. I didn't know why I felt like that was where we needed to go that night, especially because Monday nights are not very crowded. As we neared the end of the walkway, I saw a girl sitting on a bench with her feet on a skateboard, looking at the view of the ocean. The first thought I had was about my little sister Araceli and her love for skateboards. So I just said, "I like your skateboard!" Turns out she didn't speak Cantonese, but has parents from Switzerland and Hong Kong, and has grown up in Hong Kong attending international schools. We asked her about her understanding of God and what she thought life was all about. She shared how she thinks about that a lot, but never arrives at a point of certainty. We shared a little bit about Heavenly Father, and how prayer is the way we communicate with Him. I talked about how it's like talking on the phone or writing an email: you know the other person is there even though you can't see them. I apologized for the seemingly trite or cheesy analogy, and she said, "No, actually it's not! I've never heard it explained like that!" We said a prayer with her in the park, and she said "Well, this is a first." She said her very first prayer with us! It was really, really neat. She said she would probably go home and pray herself! We testified that God wants and WILL answer her prayers. Even if all she wants to talk about is help with school, or confirmation that He is there. She also told us "I have never met someone so passionate about something." This is what the gospel does! It gives our lives meaning, and enables us to have conviction about the purpose of our lives! Words cannot describe my gratitude. 

On Friday we were meeting with our friend Daphne. We were going to talk about Christ-like attributes, so I decided to bring the Church's "The Living Christ". Here is a link to it: http://jesuschrist.lds.org/testimonies-of-him/articles/the-living-christ-the-testimony-of-the-apostles-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=eng&_r=1

Then in the bus I met a girl from France, who has also spent most of her life here. I wish I could have spoken a bit of French with her, but Cantonese is currently crowding out most of the room in my brain, including crowding out English sometimes! haha Her name was Marie, and she was baptized into the Catholic church when she was 9. We talked about our baptisms and what they meant to us. I asked why she was baptized, and she said "Well, mostly cultural. My family all was too. And, because like...Jesus is a good guy!" I loved how honest and simple she was about it! I testified that yes, Jesus Christ is a really good guy, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints has helped me know him on a more personal level. I gave her my copy of The Living Christ, and told her I knew Christ lived. 

How grateful I am for small promptings and Heavenly Father's hand in the details of our lives!

Lift Where You Stand

This week I read an amazing talk in the Liahona about President Uchtdorf when he was serving as a high counselor in Germany. The article talked about how faithfully and cheerfully he fulfilled his calling, and how years later when he heard him speak, he knew how genuine his message was, because he saw him live what he taught. It was neat for me to ponder on how we can always magnify whatever responsibility we have as Christians. The topic of President Uchtdorf's talk all those years later as "Lift where you stand." It became my weekly theme this past week. Sometimes I get prideful and think that there is a better spot I could be lifting from, more things I could be lifting, or a way that I could lift higher. But Heavenly Father loves me and knows me. He wants me to lift right where I am, because then HE and His son, Jesus Christ, can lift me. Wherever we are, whoever we are, we can always do good. That is one of the promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ! His grace and strength are always available for those who want to go about doing good. It is not dependent on wealth, circumstance, or time. There is always something we can do, because God will help us do it. Maybe it's small, maybe it seems insignificant. But I testify that as we "lift where we stand," we will more humbly accept God's will, we will stand in holy places, and we will be lifted up by our Savior. I know that he desires to help us, and that when we lift others, and just do what we can, it will be enough. Love you all! Jeung Ji Muih and Daphne are doing great! Pok Fu Lam is still amazing, I hope I don't transfer next week!!!!I found this hymn today on lds.org and liked it...

Lift Me, O My Savior

Solos to Sing, Submitted Music (2012-present)

I search for thy stillness abiding to quiet my restless soul.

In humble submission inviting the Spirit to take control

To strengthen me, Lord, in my weakness …

To offer Thy solace in grief.

I lean on the arm of Thy meekness and mercy to bring relief.

Lift me, O my Savior, Bid the shadows cease.

Calm and still my troubled spirit.

Fill my soul with peace.

I call upon Thee in my suffering.

My need for Thy help, confess.

And plead to partake of Thine off’ring to fill up my emptiness.

I thank Thee, dear Lord, for revealing

Thy goodness and charity; thy grace be the hope of my healing.

I yield myself unto Thee

Lift me, O my Savior,

Bid the shadows cease.

Calm and still my troubled spirit

Fill my soul with peace.

Lift me, O my Savior, Bid the shadows cease.

Calm and still my troubled spirit, Fill my soul with peace.

Hallelujahs

This week we did night working out and ran into some pohpos (grandmas) doing dance in the park. Of course we joined, and soon found ourselves marching, jumping, and stepping to Cantonese "hallelujas" and being praised by old Cantonese women. It was a very happy moment in my mission. Perhaps all my ballet training as a kid led up to me keeping up with the grandmas in Kennedy Town Park.

Today we went to a beautiful beach and had a lovely picnic. Sister Milan is amazing.

Ga yauh!

Ether 12:4

Dismal Dusks

 Sister Milan lived in Saudi Arabia for two years when her dad worked there. Channeling her inner Saudi.

 Golda said, "This is from a really old Ensign article about Faith, Hope and Charity. It personified those attributes and talked about how nobody really likes Hope. But as the author got acquainted with Hope, he liked her company. Hope is knowing, well-acquaintd with grief, with eyes luminous, wet with past tears...or something like that. The author said it better. I also liked it because it reminded me of me, Ruby and Araceli. We support and love each other even though our lives right now are really unique."

When the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established, the first President, Emma Smith said "We are going to do something extraordinary. We expect extraordinary occasions and pressing calls." And they did! And still are.

Besides my immense gratitude for Relief Society, I love this quote because of the hopeful spark it ignites in my soul. Whenever I read it it feels like watching a marvelous sunrise, or standing at the base of a high mountain. There is possibility, potential, and opportunities laid out before us, connecting the heartaches, disappointments, and failures into a beautiful web. How grateful I am for the trials of night, so that the constellations can shine clearer, for the unknown paths that make my map more specific and familiar, for the heat of challenges that lead me to the living waters, and for the hope of a better horizon. And although I love looking to that horizon, and remembering what may be in store, I think the best part is looking right down in front of me to find footprints that take me there step by step. 

I know that the Savior has been here in every landscape, in every wrong turn, in every dismal dusk, and every sublime dawn.

I am grateful to know that the beginnings I enjoy have a divine author, and that every end continues to crescendo to grander and greater things.

This week has been amazing. It hasn't been the poetic quotes I write in my journal, or the pretty pictures my companion captures on the clear Hong Kong afternoons, but it has been great. I am learning that life doesn't have to be perfect, or picturesque, or explainable even. Yes, I see much beauty in the gospel, specifically the Plan of Salvation and Jesus Christ's Atonement at the center of it. But sometimes utilizing His Atonement, and stumbling through those dismal dusks are not exactly the stuff that missionary weekly emails are made of. There have been tears and frustrations and questions and weaknesses. But isn't that when we find the beauty of the gospel? The moment we can see these mortal situations, and hold onto hope and look to Christ and say "Yes, I expect extraordinary occasions and pressing calls. I expect you to be there with me through them all, and I expect them to lead me to our Heavenly Father." And with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, they will!

There is more to this life than what we can see with our physical eyes. I testify that Heavenly Father loves us and has a plan for us. It's not easy, but it is joyful.

Pok Fu Lam is fitting into that plan so well. Our RCs, Sister Cheung and Sister Hung are doing so well. I have seen how church attendance and The Book of Mormon have cultivated their love for the gospel and their conversion to the Savior. I am so thankful I can see all these things unfold here in this area. It is exciting! Love you all! This week write your testimony in a Book of Mormon, and pray to know who to give it to.

All is Well

I love the hymns. Like truly love them. And I especially love the hymn 'Come, Come Ye Saints.' Their example inspires me to be better. And I know is, all is well. And why is ALL well? Even when trials come, the day simply isn't long enough, you don't succeed at something, disappointment comes, heaven feels far, others criticize you, or blessings do not come when you feel you need them? How can everything still be okay? Because we have a Savior. "The sting of death is swallowed up in Christ," and so is every other unfair, heartbreaking, and difficult thing. I am grateful we have the promise of a fullness of joy, of feelings that replace and outweigh any bad feelings.

We had a McDonald's Miracle this week that made me realize and know that Heavenly Father is aware of EACH one of His children. I was able to share the Book of Mormon with a woman whose heart was breaking. I knew that my own thoughts, solutions, and testimony would not be enough. How grateful I was to pull a book out of my bag, a book filled with God's words. Of righteous prophets, faithful servants, and obedient disciples. A book that has brought peace to my soul and told me All is well. God is aware of us. Things will work out. I wish I could fill these pixelated words with the conviction and testimony that I have for these simple truths. They are simple. We sometimes take them for granted, we sometimes think they are trite or only true for others. But I promise they work. They are true: God loves us and He wants to help us. He hears our prayers.

 

My word this week (well, I couldn't choose) was COUNTENANCE and BE HERE. I know that as we strive to develop Christ-like attributes, others will notice our countenance. We can be the evidence of things not seen, but things hoped for. We can be evidence that those that trust in God have a peace in their hearts that transcends anything earthly or anything temporary. Let your light so shine! Share your testimony of a living Savior, who gives his light and forgiveness to anyone who seeks it! His countenance can reflect on those humble enough to look to Him. I promise that as we look to Him, we can live. And we can live and love more abundantly. 

 

I love this gospel. I know that this gospel will carry us home.

 

All is well.