ASIA Area Women's Conference

I was contemplating on whether I wanted to go to the Women's Conference this year. I am so glad that I went. It truly was inspiring to be among so many wonderful ladies from Asia. There were as many "Gweilo's", or Westerners as there were Asian women. It is hard to describe, but I truly did feel what it means to be a part of a world wide organization of women. I was touched as I heard such tender stories of women's lives and their conversion stories. There were around 200 women in attendance from Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, China, etc. 

 

I felt spoiled taking my shuttle down to Central and then the MTR over to our church in Wan Chai when women flew from all over.

Naomi Tai, our newly called District President's wife from Japan was one of the presenters. I emailed my friend, Donna Garrison, to tell her that I thought about her during Naomi's class. Donna and her husband, Dick, served their missions in Japan. When I told Donna that Naomi's maiden name was "Toma", she told me that her dear friend (who I've heard her talk about on many occasions), Yoko, may be related. I asked Naomi and she beamed as she reported that Yoko was her "auntie", and Dick served with Naomi's uncle Kenji. Naomi shared that her father was the oldest of the children and the family had to sacrifice to send her father to college. With tears in her eyes she told me of the sacrifice that Yoko had made. It was a dear moment for both of us. Donna and I decided that she will fly out next spring, hopefully during women's conference, and we will go to Japan and meet Yoko. Donna gave me some of Yoko's artwork that I have hanging in my bedroom here in Hong Kong. A very small world indeed.

Our service project was tying blankets for an orphanage here in Hong Kong. I am tying blankets with two women in my ward: Jill Anderson and Shauna Zollinger. Great ladies.

Last year my sister in law Shawna Smart introduced me to her dear friend that was her neighbor in Sandy, Utah, Tara Carlson. I was so happy to see her at the women's conference. She is living in China

 

 

Meeting sweet women from around Asia.

Sisters gathered in the chapel to hear the concluding speaker, Sister Julie Beck, General Relief Society President that was released last year. I thought her message was beautiful. I am really looking forward to attending next year to see old friends and make new ones.