After church on November 15, about 50 people gathered in the Primary Room for the Relief Society Enrichment activity. Tables were lined up against the wall in the hallway, and chairs were set up in the Primary Room. Sister Betty Azucena conducted the fireside, with Sister Susan King as the pianist and Sister Helen He as the chorister. After the opening hymn, Sister Li-Fang Tsai offered the opening prayer. With Joshua Tsai accompanying on the piano, the trio of elders, Elders Cheng, Chang, and Lo sang in English verses from "Praise to the Man" and "All Creatures of Our God and King." Sisters Sherry Wei and Emily Liang expressed their appreciation for the missionaries who taught them. Then the Relief Society choir sang "Sweet is the Work." Elder Cheng shared his feelings about missionary work as he is finishing his mission. President Benjamin Tsai expressed appreciation for Brother Tony King and Sister Susan King and presented to them the missionary plaque for their son, Elder Ryan King, serving in the New Zealand Auckland Chinese Speaking Mission. Time was allotted to Brother and Sister King for sharing their feelings for the short time they were able to spend with us. President Tsai presented to Elders Cheng, Chang, and Lo, gifts prepared by the Relief Society sister with a bag sewed and embroidered by Sister Li-Fang Tsai. After the closing hymn, "God Be with You Till We Meet Again," Sister Dan-Ping Wang offered the closing prayer. We then feasted on the delicious food prepared by the sisters.
Our branch is indebted to the almost 90 full-time missionaries who have served in our branch. They have worked very hard in preparing the hearts of the converts in our branch and have blessed the lives of the members in many ways. We pay tribute to each of them and thank those who are serving in our branch. Thanks, elders!
Our branch has been blessed with the influx of members from other parts of the world. The King's are no exception. Earlier this year, they came to our branch from Beijing. We were so thrilled and happy that they have been with us this year. They have blessed our branch so much in this short time in the callings they have served but more so through their love and friendship and strength. We will miss them as they leave us soon but know that they are in God's care. They have also blessed our branch vicariously through their son, Elder King. Although we have never seen him, we claim him as our very own 6th missionary from our branch. We pray for his success and hope that some day we will be able to meet him in person. Through his parents, he is part of our branch and our branch's history, and in part, he has influenced our branch missionary work by helping to start motivating another wave of missionaries from our branch. Thank you, Tony & Susan, and good luck. God speed. 'Til we meet.
