Goodbye to Hong Kong

The morning of October 15, 2016 we had breakfast courtesy of Diana Leung, in our apartment's "Cafe D," boarded a taxi with our 5 large bags, and made our way to the airport. Diana accompanied us, and was her usual fun self, trying to make sure she could see us as we made our way through the security line, and even after entering the security area, we noticed she was still trying to catch a glimpse of us as we gradually disappeared from view. It was a sad day but we were reminded of just how much we are loved.

Our Pen 2 branch held a BBQ at Shing Mun Reservoir. It was our last activity with these wonderful sisters. We all struggled to keep the monkeys from stealing our food. 

Not shown--about 200 monkeys in the trees waiting for us to be slightly inattentive to our food. 

Elder Ted Yan and his wife Audrey started their mission a couple of weeks before we left. We wished we could have stayed longer to be with them a bit more. They are an awesome couple. Both Elder Yan and Elder Chamberlain served at the same time in Hong Kong as young men. 

Sister Liezl Pedroso, preparing food. She is a fairly new convert to the church, and a very impressive young woman. 

Sister Rona Lisa Nuevas, our Relief Society president. Such a fun person!

Group picture of Pen 2 branch attending our BBQ activity

Here we are with the contingent of sisters from Madagascar. Honey, Olivia and Stephanie brightened our stay and our service in Hong Kong. What amazing people!

A final goodbye to a magazine vendor--Mrs. Ho--who faithfully sold newspapers and magazines next to the office building in Wanchai. She was always there, rain or shine, except when she had some surgery. We were glad when she returned to work, as we thought she might have met with an accident or something. 

Two amazing young Elders in Hong Kong. Elder Tung was constantly using our blue Christmas bags to help introduce the church to people he met. He was a great example of someone with the missionary spirit. 

Sister Chamberlain with our dear sweet "Lynn." She waited on us every time we ate at "Dumpling Pro" and we exchanged gifts at Christmas and Chinese New Years. She loved seeing us come in, and we loved seeing her. We shared a Book of Mormon, and we hope she reads it! 

What's better than a Mexican meal the night before departing Hong Kong. This dinner happened a short ferry ride away in Discovery Bay. We were surrounded by life-long friends--the Roberts, the Ortons, the Chandlers, the Yans, and the Becksteads. 

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The last breakfast. Here we are just minutes before departing. 

Lots of help with our luggage

These smiles turned to tears a moment later as we got into our taxi

What a great group of guys . . Elder Kim Orton, Elder Craig Norman, Elder Ken Roberts, and me. I'll never forget these people and our experiences with them.

We managed to squeeze all of our luggage into one taxi, and to our surprise found that we had accidentally included one small Chinese woman. Oh well, I guess we'll take her  to America with us. 

a week or so before our departure . . with The Bodilys, Chans and Chans at Fernandos in Macau. Great memories. 

Breakfast with Charlie and Fanny Chan (former HK missionaries that served with me) who are now serving a mission together in the Hong Kong temple. This is at the Venetian in Macau. 

The Macau crew--this time including the Hathaways, who were hiding for other pictures. 

A woman who sings in the subway enjoyed Laraine's fun personality. 

An RM reunion in Hong Kong was a great opportunity to connect with people who have served, and those who are currently serving in Hong Kong. 

Serving together for the second time in 40+ years: Elder Craig and Tussy Norman, Elder Charles and Laraine Chamberlain, Elder Ted and Audrey Yan, Elder Charles and Fanny Chan.