February 17 - 23 - 2014

Another wonderful memory from one of our Peninsula 3 Sisters:

"My dearest sister and elder Lewis.  I thank God for having you both a part of my life.  Thanks Heavenly Father for giving me another parents in the Church and in the gospel.  Thanks god for having you as my family and dear friend to me and for all your good example, your faith, your service to us specially to me.  Thanks is not enough for al lthe thing you have done in my life.  You really touch my heart.  I learned so many many things from both of you.  I love you with all my heart.  I know your family were very happy now and I am happy too.  I do pray for your safety to your journey to go back home.  I'm gonna miss you both.  I never forget the words "please continue to good, thank you so much.

Hugs and kisses

Mama Baby

Our Last Week in Hong Kong China Temple Mission August 20, 2012 - February 20, 2014

Monday we headed to the grocery store area to get some pictures printed up.

Walk to Wellcom store

View from the bus

 We eventually ended up in Stanley.  Needed some NYFries before we left and wanted to see the beautiful water front one last time.We walked around seeing if there was anything we couldn't live without and came back with nothing.  

View of Stanley from the bus

Harbour, Starr Ferry Mall

Last trip on the Starr Ferry to TST

On our way back home we stopped at "Dumpling Pro" for one last dinner of green beans and minced pork, sweet and sour shrimp and rice.  As delicious as we remembered it.

That evening around midnight Elder & Sister Wilson arrived.  Paul went down and got a cart for them and shortly thereafter Pres. and  Sister Wong drove up with them.

Waiting, waiting.

Pres. Wong, Elder Wilson,Sister Wilson, Sister Wong and Elder Lewis

 We took them up to their new apartment and showed them around a bit and then let them get settled in and ready for bed.  We saw them again on Tuesday evening.  I took them on a walking tour of the area to show them where the shopping is.  They had served in the temple two years ago and so are fairly familiar with Hong Kong but they did not live in this part of the city last time.

Tuesday morning we took our last trip to the temple as temple workers where we served all day.

Walking up Kent Road

Our last day in the temple was wonderful.  The Thailand family, mother, father, son and daughter who are going to SD and St. George on their mission were still there.  Also a brother from India who were were able to help be sealed to his father and mother and grandparents.  Many hugs and well wishes from the wonderful ordinance workers and coordinators.  It was a beautiful day.  We are going to cherish our memories here forever.  

Wednesday we finished up the packing even though we had been packing and getting rid of things for weeks it seemed.  We left for the temple and attended the 4 pm session where we were the witness couple and then met with Pres. Patrick Wong who released us as Hong Kong Temple workers.  A bitter sweet moment.  

Leaving the temple for the last time.

Thursday morning at 4:45 President Wong met us outside our apartment and drove us to the airport.

A pretty empty apartment

The mattress and scales are going to the Warners this morning.  

Luggage ready to head down.

President Wong saying goodbye.  

Our first stop was in Japan.  While waiting for the next flight we ran into these wonderful people.
Brother McLaughlin was returning from a business trip to Manila, Sister Cook and her daughter had been in HK and in the temple the day before.  The young Sister Cook is leaving for a mission to Chili in March.  The McPhies are returning from the Manila Temple.  Actually they were in the MTC with us.  Very small world.

Bro. McLaughlin, Sisters Cook, Elder & Sister McPhie

 Kelly, Rob and Brody met us at the airport around 1 pm.  So great to see them.  They took us home.  It was wonderful to see the Wasatch mountains again, covered with snow.  However the weather was a balmy 60 degrees. Around 4 pm Kory and Katie and kids arrived to greet us.  We then went to Dad's favorite place, Golden Corral for dinner then home to continue to unpack and go to bed.
Still don't have the time thing down.

Friday morning we got up and went to the Jordan River Temple for the 7 am session at which we were the witness couple.  We saw the new film (#2) and were so very impressed and moved by it.  We gained a greater understanding of God's plan for us.

From there we went to Robbie's school where he had a performance on Utah.  They played their recorders, sang and danced for us.

Kelly and Brody waiting for the performance to begin.

Robbie did a great job, so proud of him.  Mom, Dad and Brody.

 We then went to the movies, "Saving Mr. Banks" which Paul slept through completely.  Not a surprise.  From there we stopped at the Hoskins to drop off a Cantonese Book of Mormon for them which they could only get from the HK Distribution Center.  They are doing well.  He has started physical therapy and they are working him hard.  We will meet up again next week for lunch.

Friday night was cookie night in the neighborhood.  The Tuckers, once a month, sponsor a cookie night and invite all the neighborhood.  It's a great way to socialize and get to know people.  We are happy it happened right as we got home.

Saturday morning we went to Pleasant Grove for Tyler's last basketball game.  Unfortunately they lost but it was fun to see him play.  He had a good rooting audience, Both sets of grandparents, parents, aunt and uncle and cousins.

After the game we dropped Robbie and Josh off at Meirs grocery store where they were going to work for the rest of the day.  They help Grandpa Meier and Robbie's Dad serve up tasters for the store.

Saturday night I went to bed about 9 am.  At about 10 I got woken up by Kimberly, Gary and family.  They had come from Idaho to surprise us.  It was a wonderful surprise.  I had told them not to bother coming down for our talks, it was too far for such a short occasion.  But it was so exciting to have them all here together.  We are so very blessed.  Sunday morning found four of the grandsons upstairs on either their ipod or ipad.

Robbie, Grandma, Riley, Brayden, Brody and Josh

 At 12:30 Paul and I met with Stake President Snow to be released from our mission.  He extended a heartfelt thanks for our service and said what a great example we are to so many.  It is so nice to be appreciated and loved.  We left from there and went to Church which started with RS/Priesthood.

Steve and Susan arrived and attended all the meetings with us.  When Sacrament meeting started and we looked out over the audience we saw many of our family and friends. Steve and Susan, (Brother and sister-in-law from Syracuse).  Cecilia, Cindy, Ethan and Maddie (friends from CA who now live in Orem).  Lynn and Pete (our friends from Slovenia mission living in Alpine).  Mar Jean, Kimee and Lizee (friends from CA who now live in Springville).  Our family, Kim, Kelly, Kory and grandchildren.  Big Daddy and Laurna Meier (in-law parents of our son-in-law Rob), Dave and Deanna Golden (in-law parents of our daughter-in-law Katie).  Paul's home teaching family (Dale Spanton).  We felt very very loved.

Morning Brunch provided by Kelly

Robbie, Josh, Mallorie, Brayden and Riley walking to Church

We returned home to where Kelly and Rob had provided a wonderful meal for all of us.  We had a great time visiting with everyone.

Mar Jean & Paul

Pete and Lynn

Cecilia

Gary, Kimberly, Kaylee, Courtney, Brayden and Mallorie

Josh, Katie, Tyler, Gage and Kory

Rob, MJ, Robbie, Paul, Kelly, Riley, and Brody

Steve and Susan Anderson

Ethan, Maddie, Cindy Chun

Dave Golden, Tyler, Deanna, Josh, Gage, MJ & Paul

Kelly, Kimberly, Kory, MJ and Paul

Mallorie, Courtney, Kaylee, Tyler, Kory

We spoke in Church and were able to share some of our wonderful experiences in Hong Kong.  The Lord has been e good to us.  We have met some of the finest Saints on the earth.  Firm, faithful, diligent and humble.  The Lord's Church is in great hands for the future and we are happy to be a small part of this great work.

This concludes our Hong Kong China Temple Mission.  We hate to see it come to an end but are looking forward to another great experience starting tomorrow.