Hibbets' Happenings

Even after getting up at 6:30 this morning, we were still late for church. But we were just right on the Lord's timing -- while we were waiting for the bus, Magdalynn arrived! It was such a blessing to get to visit with her at the bus stop and during the bus ride. She was running late today, too! When we arrived at the church, there is a small lobby area in the entry way and then an up escalator to take you to the sanctuary. It is all very nice; there were Christmas decorations and fresh flowers -- it was all very pretty. There were many ushers there to greet us and show us where to go, plus of course Magdalynn was with us. I think we were told the church has been recently renovated. And I'm pretty sure I read the church used to be a cinema; it did kind of look like a cinema. They had the video screens and words which was very nice, and Magdalynn told David they were brand new; apparently this was only the second week for them to be there. We arrived at 9:30; they were still singing, but it ended up being the last song, except we did end with O Come Let us Adore Him, which was really neat. We didn't know the other song, but it was a good one. Neill, I thought about you and wanting you to hear it. Then they did a video announcement segment which was very well done and a neat way of sharing announcements. After that they took communion, and then the pastor began. I only got to hear the first few minutes of the sermon, because by now Jayden had had enough. So she and I left to go to the cry room directly behind the sanctuary. There was a nice window where you could view the service, but unfortunately no sound. So my actual church attendance was pretty short this morning. However, two other parents and kids were in the cry room: Rachel with her 4-month old son and another Dad and his 20-month old daughter. We got to sit and visit during the rest of the service. Rachel and her husband Jamie lead the home study group that Magdalynn attends, and Jamie invited us to join them on Friday night. I know we will at least think about doing that. After church we visited with Magdalynn for a few minutes and then walked around North Point. Magdalynn and her husband were heading out for an afternoon hike. We ended up finding the Chinese market -- I tried to take several pictures. It was very interesting. We did purchase a few things: one stand had grapes for a little cheaper than the ones we bought in the supermarket -- he only charged us $18, but David gave him a $20 and he kept the change. But he had also thrown in a few extra, so it all works out, and it's no big deal anyway -- plus I think even $20 was a little cheaper than the supermarket. We walked around some more and ended up stopping and buying at another stand: peanuts and black-eyed peas, $5 each. (So less than $1US). This was a very Chinese section of town; there was not much English here! (spoken or written). We just pointed to what we wanted; the prices were marked for us so we knew how much money to give. We were getting hungry and I was interested in getting lunch while we were out, if we saw a good place. We happened to pass a small Chinese restaurant, no different than any of the many others we see and pass. It was pretty empty -- a plus for us with our little group (wheelchair plus infant) and only had one step up to get inside. I asked if they had an English menu, and they did (well, the same menu had the items also written in English) and they even had a few pictures, which was nice. There are many "off-limits" items on the menu, which we're finding is typical -- pork, mainly, and shrimp and eel and -- well, I can't think what else right now. But they also had chicken and lamb and vegetable dishes, so we knew we'd find something. We ended up deciding on three things: David ordered lamb with green onion (or green onion noodles? I'm not sure), which didn't come with rice, but he got a separate bowl of plain rice. I ordered Chinese mushrooms with cabbage -- which by the way is not the same as what we think of as cabbage, I guess it's Chinese cabbage, bok choy -- I like it, but I like all that kind of stuff -- which came with "vegetable rice" -- white rice with some kind of greens mixed in. For extra to try, we got an ordered of steamed meat dumplings. They were nice, but we had plenty of food without them, plus David tried one and said he was pretty sure it was pork. Which makes sense after the fact, but I wasn't thinking of it at the time I ordered. I went ahead and ate them, since I had ordered them (that's the cost accountant in me, I guess), but I don't think I'll get them again. While we were there more customers came in to eat. We got several looks, especially since I was having to chase the baby a little (she was tired by now and a little restless) and here I am, attempting to use chopsticks -- I'm sure I was a sight! I bet they got a big kick out of the American family in their restaurant today. But they were very nice to us and helpful, and spoke enough English to make for a successful, nice lunch. All of this was served with Chinese tea, which David and I like. Jayden won't try it yet. The total was $98 -- $60HK is about $8US, so you can round up and say $15US. We started heading back to the bus stop after lunch. Right before crossing the street to get to the bus stop, I went into a bakery and chose two items: a chocolate-peanut roll (like a large cinnamon roll except without the cinnamon and icing, but very similar in texture to a cinnamon roll) -- it was very good -- and a raisin roll, which was denser than the other roll. I liked both, but I would! The total for both was $8.3, so just over $1US. My voice was much worse tonight. I was hoping it would be better. I started out the class worse and then had 4 hours to go! We did finish up about 20 minutes early, and about an hour of the class was taken up in discussion groups (them working in small groups rather than me having to talk), but by the end, my voice was all but gone. I really hate that! Please continue to pray about that. Tonight I even feel a teeny feverish. Before tonight I haven't felt bad at all. I hope it's nothing. The HK students are very excited about the Christmas party. I am going to the store tomorrow with Miranda and will see what types of items I can buy at the store she is taking me to. Tomorrow afternoon we are going back to Kowloon and will try to do a little shopping. I have some work to do tonight, though. Aleecia