Good Health is a Blessing!

Not wanting to turn this into a 'sickness blog,' and since we're no longer in Hong Kong, I stopped posting. However, I didn't mean to leave anyone hanging about what our status has been since departing February 27th. Now, three months later, I am grateful to report that I am feeling very well! I have regained all the weight and most of my stamina. I acknowledge the Lord's loving hand in hearing the many prayers offered on my behalf and in granting me good health.
Just recently both Craig and I were given new callings which surprised us, since we had assumed we would resume our mission once my health permitted it. However, Craig was called as 2nd counselor in our stake presidency, and I have been called as an early-morning seminary teacher, to begin in the fall. These positions require a commitment of at least a year, though typically, especially in the case of Craig, it can be 5-10 years. To us it is evidence that the Lord wants us to trust Him, and not lean to our own understanding.
If anyone would like to communicate with us, my email address is tussyis@gmail.com.

It's Tomorrow in Hong Kong

Despite initial success with diet modifications, I had to admit last week that I was not only not doing any better, but declining. Yet another trip to the doctor, my 6th, resulted in my being admitted to Hong Kong Adventist Hospital where a colonoscopy was performed and extensive ulceration of the descending colon was detected. There followed 5 days of antibiotics, albumin, and blood transfusions along with a list of drugs. A diagnosis of Crohn's disease was given. Craig met with the Area Presidency and they all concluded that my health was such that we could not continue our assignment. 
With immense disappointment I was released from the hospital Saturday afternoon, February 26th and we left for the airport the next morning at 8:30am. The miraculous organizing, packing, and getting everything ready was accomplished by the other senior couples, who had already taken over my responsibilities for what would have been our busiest week in the mission so far. The yearly Mission Presidents' Seminar and the China Area Units Leadership Conference were happening, back to back in the same week, while I was lying in a hospital a mile away! Our fellow missionary couples, as well as terrific full-time employees, dropped their responsibilities and took over for me, though Craig still had to be there for much of it, and everything went well. 
Bryce and Gentry met us at the baggage claim in Houston Sunday night the 27th at 4:30pm, took us home, and cooked us dinner. They have been wonderfully loving and supportive as we've unpacked and encountered jet lag. This situation is one I never, ever would have imagined could happen. We are feeling the reality of those words in the scriptures, the Ensign, and from living prophets concerning trusting in the Lord and of not only accepting His will, but giving Him our wills. 
In a General Conference address in April 2009, Elder Richard G. Scott said: ". . . I have never complained, because I know it was His will. I have never asked why, but rather what is it that He wants me to learn from this experience. I believe that is a good way to face the unpleasant things in our lives, not complaining, but thanking the Lord for the trust He places in us when He gives us the opportunity to overcome difficulties. . . . (W)hen we live righteously and have received the ordinances of the temple, everything else is in the hands of the Lord. We can do the best we can, but the final outcome is up to Him. We should never complain, when we live worthily, about what happens in our lives. What I am trying to teach is that when we keep the temple covenants we have made and when we live righteously in order to maintain the blessings promised by those ordinances, then come what may, we have no reason to worry or to feel despondent." 
Trusting in that quote, along with getting me well enough to resume a mission, will be our goals over the next several months. Accordingly, the Flying Normanos blog will conclude until we announce our next mission!

Where are all the sampans, rickshaws, and coolies?

Imagining Hong Kong, you might think of red-sailed sampans, strong men pulling passengers in wheeled rickshaws, and coolies with big wicker hats hauling loads balanced on bamboo poles. In the mid-70's, when Craig served his mission, all of those things were here. A clip from the 1950's shows glimpses of all three: Hong Kong video. 
Though it is much too encompassing and complicated to explore the history of Hong Kong here, it is interesting why those typical icons of Hong Kong are no longer seen. Originally a group of islands with steep hills meeting the water, with very few natural resources, Hong Kong didn't offer much. The British claimed it but that didn't affect the few residents, at first. Then families began fleeing their homeland of China to escape the cruelties of communism, though it meant leaving everything but each other behind. They initially had to take the lowest, most demeaning jobs, living on boats or in shanties, but the inspiring part is, they did not give up hope and they did not settle for being coolies. What they brought with them is what is still evident today and why Hong Kong has become a major world power: a willingness to work hard, hold to high standards, value honesty, and maintain a love of family. It is an honor to serve in such a place and to participate in establishing the gospel of Jesus Christ in China.

Security, Part Two

When we first arrived at the Church Administration building, we were given security cards with which to enter our offices. Familiar to those who work in some office settings, the key cards are read by sensors in the elevator and office floors and you can't get in without them. 

Entering the CAB, we are greeted by professional security guards, who man a whole command center of monitors, alarms, and other high-tech stuff. Here Sonny (who likes to joke with new missionaries by telling them his name is Cher, which he pronounces with a Chinese accent!) shows a complicated panel of sensitive instruments. 
We enter an elevator and let the sensor read our card before being allowed to punch a button, then arriving at our floor, we once again present our card at the door and wait to be clicked in. The downside is if we go out of the office and forget our card, we have to push a doorbell which plays an annoying electronic tune to alert someone to let us in. It's a pretty secure place to be!

Update on Tussy's health: since this is a hit-and-miss, experimental type eating plan I have embarked on, I seem to have hit a plateau, which has been somewhat discouraging. However, turning to Richard G. Scott, I felt consolation: "We see such a limited part of the eternal plan He has fashioned for each one of us. Trust Him, even when in eternal perspective it temporarily hurts very much. Have patience when you are asked to wait when you want immediate action. He may ask you to do things which are powerfully against your will. Exercise faith and say, 'Let Thy will be done.' Such experiences, honorably met, prepare you and condition you for yet greater blessings. As your Father, His purpose is your eternal happiness, your continuing development, your increasing capacity. His desire is to share with you all that He has." from October 1991 General Conference

Divers Ways

Have you ever come across the word "divers" in the scriptures and wondered why they left the "e" off the end? Most of us when reading aloud pronounce it "duh-VERSE," taking the meaning to be something along the lines of 'differing from one another; distinct,' since we know it's not referring to SCUBA. However, it's actually a distinct word from diverse, and means 'various, myriad, almost countless,' and is pronounced "DIE-verz."
Over the past couple of months I, Tussy, I mean Sister Norman, have become acquainted with one of the divers ways that our loving Heavenly Father allows us to learn. I began noticing with reluctance that the symptoms of my dormant ulcerative colitis were showing up, but reasoning that I was serving a mission so it would go away, I just ignored them. You know where this is going: not only did they not go away, they got debilitating. I received a comforting priesthood blessing and so continued on, having demanding work in the office. The point came where I had to go to a doctor, but even with medicine, and more medicine, I continued to get worse, unable to stay at the office for more than half a day.
During one of the afternoons when I was lying in our flat, having begged the Lord for a healing, and feeling true despair that I wasn't able to do what I had come to Hong Kong to do, a scripture came to mind. I rarely have something like that happen, so I looked in the Topical Guide to find where it was located, and read in D&C 42:61: "If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things--that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal." 
At first I felt I must have been imagining that it was inspiration, since that scripture seemed to refer to spiritual, not physical things. I'll admit I'm not very good at pondering, but with little energy to do anything else, I thought, and prayed for guidance. Over the course of the next days, I tried to see how I could apply the concepts in verse 61 to me, and concluded I needed to gain all the knowledge I could about what my body was going through. 
Meanwhile the doctor said I would need to begin a 6-12 month course of an immunosuppressant, Imuran, which requires frequent blood tests because it is so toxic, and injections of another powerful drug, Remicade, which must be given at a hospital, both of which have long lists of side effects. How would I be able to serve while having such drug therapy? So I stepped up my online research along with my prayers, feeling gratitude for Craig's ongoing support and help with the laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning since I wasn't able to do much beyond go into the office for part of each day. The temple matron had assured me she was keeping my name on the prayer roll, many people told me they were praying for me, and kind sisters brought meals and offered to help any way they could, sharing in my burden.
Then, while reading February's Ensign, I found an article with exactly what I needed to read, entitled of all things, "Finding Answers," by Joseph Fielding McConkie. The main theme of the article was even printed right below the title:


It is not the design of heaven that we be rescued from all difficult situations. Rather, it is the Lord’s will that we learn to handle them. 


In David M. McConkies' article a few pages later, he even quoted the scripture I had been impressed to look up, pointing out that we need to learn to listen to the Spirit. I had my answer. 
I began a food diary and noted my reactions to what I ate. I found hundreds of people's experiences online with eliminating certain foods, and eating beneficial things like yogurt and probiotics, so I have implemented those into my diet, and the Lord is blessing me with marked improvement! I told the doctor I would not begin any new drugs, and I am weaning off those I have been on. Heavenly Father didn't rescue me, but he provided for an unforgettable learning experience in one of the divers ways he shows love to us as his children, and it's difficult to convey the gratitude and humility I have now from something that began as a sore trial but has become a distinct blessing in my life.  

Lion Dance Ceremony

The drum corp and costumes waiting to begin

Just a block from the Church Administration building, we were able to watch, up-close, a Chinese New Year ceremony held at a prominent hotel, Novotel. It had all the elements one could ask for: an enthusiastic drum corp, a table laden with a roast pig and other delicacies, incense, a traditional burning bucket used to send gifts to dead ancestors, and the central players, two young men each in two festive lion costumes. 

After dutifully watching an incense presentation, those of us gathered were finally rewarded with the two lions, one gold and one silver, coming to life. Their jaws opened and closed, their ears twitched, they tossed their heads, and their dance began. 

The expert lion dancers circled each other, menacing and pouncing, while the gifts floated heavenward. Suddenly the golden lion rushed over to a pole held by four strong helpers and climbed perhaps 15 feet up, weaving and stretching, while traditional drums and cymbals clanged in the background. 

Finally, the silver lion leaped up on a series of poles, rearing impressively, to complete a truly entertaining event.

Chinese New Year!

Bushes loaded with
fruit are displayed. 

The Year of the Rabbit--what does that mean? A mixture of traditions and modern influences, Hong Kong celebrates the Lunar New Year as a time of tradition, referring to an ancient recurring calendar to determine the animal for which the year will be named. The singular decorations have been amazing as they have appeared everywhere: strings of huge paper 'firecrackers,' big bowls of daffodil bulbs, tall orange, tangerine, and kumquat shrubs loaded with fruit, and even more amazing, huge peach trees in lovely urns popping out with pink blossoms, right inside buildings! Chinese New Year is about getting together with families. Most Hong Kong people work long hours with very few vacations, but the exception is this 4-day weekend where buses and ding-dings are full of families taking flowers and food to their loved ones. A spectacular fireworks display on the harbor was the culmination of the holiday--when they do fireworks here, you can hardly call it fireworks, it's so incredible! Kung hei fat choi (success, happiness, prosperity, and wealth)!

This blossoming peach tree is in the CAB lobby,
in the place where the Christmas tree was. 

Anna

Recently we referred to contributors to the great efforts that go on daily in the Asia Area office, and the prime example of that would be Anna Leung, (pronounced Lerng) who is the secondary secretary to the area presidency, Ashley Chan being the primary secretary and a talented worker in her own right. However, Anna sits right next to Tussy so not far from Craig's office, and as anyone who's been in a work situation knows, proximity is key. We have noted the integrity she consistently displays in her work; she works at a rapid pace all day long! Somehow pulling off huge projects while answering the phone and making copies, she also generously shares snacks, recipes, kindness, and insight. For Christmas she made us pork dumplings: we could not get over how delicately seasoned the flavors were, like something from a fine restaurant. Once she brought us her pumpkin shrimp soup to try--wow, incredible. She is her ward's Primary president, has three teenage daughters, though she looks much too young to have them, and she worked for the Church back when its headquarters were the Kom Tong (note earlier post) and moved over to the new Wan Chai building we're in now. Though she has to say goodbye to senior couples as we come and go, she does not hold back her warmth and caring. It is a great honor to associate with Anna Leung.  

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Catchy display in the foyer of the Heritage Museum.

For a missionary couples' activity we boarded the 170 bus and rode north about 20 minutes, through the tunnel under Victoria Harbor, to Sha Tin (pronounced Saa Teen), somewhat out in the country by Hong Kong standards (we heard birds singing, there were trees, no crowds, and it didn't stink). A magnificent building housing the Hong Kong Heritage Museum was our destination. In addition to an extensive display of traditional Chinese opera, and modern Chinese art, there were relief maps of what Sha Tin used to look like back when it was a mining village. We enjoyed the other couples and their opinions and insight of the displays. 

The Linfords, Pauls, Sackleys, Alleys, and Gibbs posed with us. 

The Other Part of our Missionary Lives

It's really fun to share our discoveries of Hong Kong with you, but lest this blog makes it appear that we go from one interesting place to another, we have to admit there's a lot of other stuff going on which doesn't make it on here! The reasons range from not being interesting enough to write about ("today I printed 52 tab dividers,") to being somewhat sensitive--though sharing how the Holy Ghost helps us would be uplifting--to the nature of the work the area presidency does and our need to respect their privacy. The best way to put it may be that this is the Lord's work and it moves forward with great effort on the part of many contributors, one of which will be highlighted soon. So now it's back to touristy photos! 

The Golden Dragon

Just a few blocks from Harmony Mansion is a 5-way intersection, and in the middle of this confluence stands a huge dragon statue, at least 30 feet tall. It's a landmark for us because we pass it on our way to the walking track at Happy Valley, and we see it as we get off the bus from Ho Man Tin. We have read at Geocaching.com that there's even a micro (tiny!) geocache hidden somewhere near, but we haven't taken the time to search for it, yet. The dragon is one of the most revered symbols of Hong Kong, with a long history of importance. When Craig served as a missionary here as a young man, because it was difficult for the Chinese to say "Norman," he was given the surname of "Long," meaning dragon, so it has special meaning to our family. 

The Ding-Ding

The first word of Chinese most of us learn is "ding-ding." That's right: the electric trolley cars are called that by locals and tourists alike, because their bells make a distinctive "ding-ding" sound as they approach (if you're standing too close to their railway, they have a loud horn that honks as well). These metal and wood double-decker trolleys have been operating on Hong Kong island since 1904. You can't get cheaper transportation: it costs HK$2 (US 26 cents) no matter how far you ride on it. Find out more about them by going to: DiscoverHongKong.com   

There are 163 cars in the ding-ding fleet!

The Newest Flying Normano!

It's hard to believe that our grandson Lucas Paul Norman is 9 months old now! Thanks to our great daughter-in-law Stephanie, we get to view through photos how he is growing and developing. He's even learning, with the help of Aunt Kelly, to be a Flying Normano!

The Wet Market

A couple of days ago a new missionary sister asked me why I thought the open market was called "wet"--and I replied that I thought it was because they hose the sidewalks down to wash the meat stand "drippings" into the drains. . . . Fortunately, in addition to the less-attractive meat and fish stalls (with fish still flopping and gasping, guaranteeing the freshness) there are inviting open-air shops with bounteous piles of every sort of fruit and vegetable, as well as flowers and houseplants. This market is a one-minute walk from our flat, making it convenient (I still prefer buying meat in styrofoam containers with plastic wrap at the grocery store, however). There are numerous street markets in Hong Kong, some of which have grown to sizable shopping destinations which offer clothing, jewelry, you-name-it; I like the one close to us for its earthy, down-home, local feel.

Scaffolding

Recall how there have been illustrations here about the juxtaposition of modern and primitive practices in Hong Kong? In a city which is home to some of the world's tallest buildings (International Commerce Center, Two International Finance Center, and the one across the street from the Church's Administration building, Central Plaza), the scaffolding is one of the most striking examples: BAMBOO is used! A fascinating exhibition is to watch men with zip-ties, constructing the scaffolding by building it as they go, climbing up tenuous 'ladders' with no protection from falling. Seeing dozens of stories of this scaffolding defies logic--it just looks too flimsy, but it obviously works! 

We're watching this building take shape from
our flat window!

Happy Birthday, Bryce!

Bryce with Craig and Gentry

What an honor to have Bryce as our son; he is making it possible for us to serve a mission by taking care of our house, cars, and Cricket the dog. He is an amazing person: his quick thinking, and quick wit, are legendary, as are his navigational abilities! He is highly valued at work. Taking college classes in addition to working full-time and caring for our house and dog, he is somehow able to juggle all of his responsibilities. We miss being able to celebrate his birthday, January 6th, in person, but send 
the warmest wishes
 for a wonderful year!

Showing Drew something
entertaining on his computer

31-derful Years

January 3, 2011, marks our 31st anniversary! This photo was taken with Tussy's daddy, L.Z. Hallmark, the day before our sealing in the Provo temple. Craig had recently turned 24 and Tussy was 21. How very blessed we have been to share our lives together and to continue our adventures in Hong Kong!

1/1/11

Happy New Year! We welcomed in 2011 up on the roof of Harmony Mansion (well, we didn't exactly wait all the way until midnight). We watched as dozens of buses dropped people off just a few blocks away, in Causeway Bay's Times Square--it is traditionally a place like New York City's area of the same name. Someone in the office told us that eager people begin lining up early New Year's Eve so that by the time we finished up for the day Friday (after once again speaking in sacrament meeting on the 6th floor) there was no way we could even get close to Times Square--which suited us just fine, as we celebrated the way we most enjoy, up on a roof.