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Friday, October 21, 2011

Temple of 10,000 Buddhas

We went with our friends,
the Lefler's, to visit Hong Kong's
Temple of the 10,000 Buddhas.
It is one of my new favorite places.


This was the entrance to a crematorium
located just in front of the path
leading to the Temple.


We enjoyed the BEAUTIFUL gardens there.


The pond was being drained and cleaned.


We really enjoyed the turtles.


This CUTE, TINY thing,
that looks like a little green leaf,
is a brand new baby turtle.
He was a little smaller than a silver dollar.
I SERIOUSLY wanted to put 
him in my pocket and take him home.





The beginning of the trail.


The STEEP, narrow path was lined
with golden buddha statues.



We ENJOYED this NICE reminder.
We were cooperated and did not bring our eating,
because we did wants to stay.








Ammon counted the Buddhas to make
sure there were indeed 10,000.


At the top of the trail he had reached
over 200.
(10,000??  Not quite.)




The front porch of the temple.


Upon entering the Temple 
we UNDERSTOOD the 10,000 Buddha claim.


The walls were lined with small Buddhas


From floor


to ceiling!


A close up - to get an idea of the size of
the Buddhas.  They were about 8 inches tall.


These tapered columns were covered


in tiny Buddhas as well.


Another view of the porch.


The temple grounds.





I titled this statue
"Helping Hands"



The front of the Temple of 10,000 Buddhas.



From the Temple we took the upper trail 
to more crematoriums and gardens.









It was so peaceful and BEAUTIFUL.




We went back down to the Temple
to buy souvenirs and found they
were painting the Buddhas in the garden.


Looks like this poor guy was 
riding in a car on a rocky road 
when his lipstick was applied.


We were afraid to use the restroom.
Seriously - we checked every stall
to make sure there were NO monkeys.
This temple is close to Monkey Mountain.
(see previous post)


This little guy made my day!
You can't help but SMILE when you look at him.


Another AMAZING place found
in the land of Hong Kong.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Phoebe Chan's Baptism at the Rock Pools


-- The Chan Family --
Phoebe, Briggitta, Johnny and Maegan


The Chan's with Elder Creamer


Extended Family







Gathering at church after the baptism



It was a BEAUTIFUL day for the Chan Family
and DB Branch.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

New Eyes in Sham Shui Po

This trip to Sham Shui Po,
my favorite shopping spot in Hong Kong,
was MUCH different than the rest.


A group of us, from our Church Branch,
attended a service project there and
I came home with NEW EYES.


We made our way from the 
MTR (Subway) Station 


to the Nam Chueng Community Center.


There we went through a 30 min. orientation,
ALL IN CHINESE.
I knew what they were saying was very
important so I had one of the girls in our
group translate after.


We would be visiting the homes 
of some of the needy members of
the community.  Our main purposes in 
visiting were to assess their needs and
let them know the community center was
available to them for support.
We were to be positive and helpful.


We wore name-tags to identify us as volunteers.


These were the food bags we delivered.
Canned veggies, noodles and toothpaste.


The streets I was used to shopping on 
were now places where people lived.
Very SMALL, NARROW, OLD places.


We visited three homes -
Home #1 - A little elderly lady, homebound 
with cancer that had spread to her hips so she 
couldn't walk.

Home #2 - An unemployed gentleman living
in a room the size of our bathroom.
He shared a kitchen, with a tiny sink and
one tiny propane burner for cooking,
and a bathroom with EIGHT people.

Home #3 - An 83 year old man
who didn't leave his apartment much
because he lived on the 5th floor and had
to go down, and then climb back up, 
ninety steep and narrow steps.


My shopping excursions to Sham Shui Po,
one of the POOREST parts of Hong Kong,
will NEVER be the same 
because I now see the place with
NEW EYES.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Caleb's 15th Birthday

For Caleb's 15th Birthday
we ENJOYED ...


BOWLING at our local bowling alley.







Fred's BEST game.
My WORST.


And dinner at the local Indian Restaurant.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY you COOLEST kid!!
We LOVE YOU!