Queen Elizabeth

My little sister Lizzie got her mission call tonight, and she is going to.....

LONDON, ENGLAND!!!!

She enters the England MTC on July 3, 2009.

I could NOT be more happy for her! It seems so perfect for her, and I was thrilled to know that's where the Lord wants her. I couldn't have picked a better place myself! I guessed Europe, but never England! It's like her new home. I can already picture her there, serving. It could not fit my sister better. She is ecstatic about it, and very relieved to finally know where she is going! Needless to say, Travis and I are already planning on that being our next big trip, to ENGLAND!! She will be done in December of 2010, so we might just have Christmas over there! That will be the best Christmas ever, England, and my sister!!

I love her more than anything. She is my best friend, and the most gorgeous person I have ever met in my life. (Seriously people, she is beautiful!) I will miss her very much, and it will be like a part of me missing, but I am so proud of her. I am so pleased with the decisions she is making, and the path she has decided to take. I just know the people will love her!

When I asked her what it was like to open her call and what she was thinking, this is what she said,

"I can't explain it, it was just like this overwhelming feeling of 'BAM... God loves you. He knows you and knows what's best for you.' I was overcome, and so excited!"

So pure, so raw, so Lizzie. I love it.

Way to go Liz, I am so proud of you. This is the perfect place for you. I love you, and I will miss you.

I need...

...time with my husband 24/7

...an Asian baby

...to be in a place where people accept me, and love me unconditionally

...to be around good company and friends

...the constant thrill of adventure

... the perfect climate

... feng shui

... Asian girlfriends

... the beautiful clean beaches

...to see this view from my window everyday

... a jungle park in the middle of the city

...to eat char siu with geung every other day

... 10,000 statues of Buddha in my backyard

...The Hong Kong temple within reasonable radius

...Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is not for the weak or faint of heart!

Crazy dirty streets

Big Bugs

Lots of walking, up the steps to Big Buddha

Yes, that's pig noses

...and pig tongues

crazy crowded streets and markets

the constant smell of dead fish

Ah yes, a squatter. With NO toilet paper. You have to bring your own.

Yep, I could live there. :)

for donna

(This may be boring for those of you who are not related to me)

We just got back from visiting with Tyler. He looks great! He's doing so well. We had dinner with him and his companion, Elder Tucker. Dick and Michael met us there as well! It was a ton of fun. I gave him the hug for you! :) He said it was weird to have us there in his mission area! I have so much to tell you and so much to show you! He is very much still his goofy self, and he didn't even have an accent. We brought our camera and video camera with us. We took pictures and even a little video for you. :) Tyler said to tell you hi and that he loves all of the family. I can't wait to tell you about it when we come home. He didn't give us anything to bring back home, but we do have video of him!

All in all it was a wonderful evening. We ate dinner at a nice Japanese restaurant, and it was kinda cool to see him eating such authentic foods, and he loved it. They ate a lot. He doesn't look fat or too thin. He looks healthy and normal, so rest assured! We had fun talking and reminiscing, and I also learned and practice some Cantonese with him.

That's all I have to report for now... I have good stories for later. It'll be much better in person, I promise. We'll be home all too soon for that. :( I really don't want to leave. Well, see ya later!

a report

I don't want to come home! Hong Kong is AMAZING!

So believe it or not, I'm actually bigger than most people here. I thought I would fit right in, which I do, but I'm a little bit bigger than the average Chinese woman here. Not just taller, but bigger. I tried something on today that was a LARGE and it was too small! Gee whiz! Most other things fit me just fine here.

The food is incredible. I love it all. It tried clams the other day and it wasn't my favorite, but I could get used to it. I have yet to try pig knuckles.

Everything is pretty inexpensive here. We traveled on the MTR (subway) today for almost an hour and quite the distance for only 75 cents. The transportation system here is great and super easy to follow.

The weather has been incredible. 75 and a slight breeze. It could not be more perfect.

We have been walking everywhere and every night my feet hurt. We get some rest every night and the next morning we do it again! My legs are looking pretty toned. :) Friday we're going to get massages. I'll need it!

We are having such a blast and I wish I could post pictures! I'll do it when I get home. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! So much about it is unique and I love just noticing all the small details. Travis is the best travel companion because he likes to do a lot, but also relax. We're both easy going and like to just stop and take it all in. I have never been to a cooler place in my life. But, I guess it all depends on the kind of place you like. I absolutely love traveling. I've been to Mexico (the caribbean side), Europe (Italy, France and Switzerland), and now Asia! Asia is by far my favorite. Everything about this place is incredible.

I LOVE HONG KONG!

we made it!

We're in Hong Kong, and I am in love.

Tomorrow, we shop til we drop.

I could not be happier.