Who would have thought eighteen months ago that the time would pass by so quickly and it would be time to go home so soon? Who would have thought that we would love our Hong Kong experience as much as we did? Who would have thought we would hate to leave our 600 square feet apartment, our busy neighborhood, our beloved senior couples and our office friends? Who would have thought it would be so hard to leave? Who would have thought we would enjoy the Island 2nd Branch so much? Who would have thought we would miss all those new, scary experiences?
Leaving is just one of those bittersweet experience. On one hand we can’t wait to get home to our family, and on the other hand we hate to give up our Hong Kong families. But as with all things, change is inevitable and our time is up.
So we are off - heading homeward.
We packed our things and found that we could get everything in - Amazing! We cleaned the apartment, and it looked so good we considered staying! We were ready to leave. After a short week in China we were ready to head homeward.
We planned on just catching the E11 bus in front of our apartment and riding it to the airport. We just needed a couple of extra hands to get us aboard, and Elder and Sister Bench and Ashley Chan volunteered. And as we left the office, yes we made a quick trip back as well as I worked in a haircut, Ashley told us she was going with us. So there were 5 of us to hoist the bags aboard. We lugged them on and Sister Bench waited on the sidewalk. The bus driver felt we weren’t moving quickly enough, so he took off, with Elder Bench still aboard. You should have seen the look on Sister Bench’s face when we took off down the street with Elder Bench still on board.
Well Elder Bench got off at the next stop and Ashley told him not to worry, he didn’t have to pay! And we were off. Ashley stayed with us until we finally entered the area where only passengers can go. What a great friend!
Farewell Hong Kong. Farewell 12th floor view of Victoria Harbour. Farewell Ashley and Anna. Farewell Joyce and Joseph and our practical jokes. Farewell Security staff to greet us everyday. Farewell senior couples. Farewell wonderful office staff. Farewell Ben - my last good haircut and perm. Farewell Octopus card and bus rides and MTR and ferries. Farewell Island 2nd girls - Sundays will never be as much fun. Farewell strange smells, and fish! Farewell Saturday’s out getting lost. Farewell to the fun, the work, the crowded sidewalks, the wet market, the shopping and the junk stores. Farewell Stanley runs. Farewell to it all - Hello Utah, family, home!
And in only five hours we were home! We left at 3:30pm and got home at 8:30pm the same day - but actually almost 24 hours later. And there they were! The whole Utah bunch. What a beautiful sight! We passed out "treasures" and after they left found ourselves not the least bit tired, might as well unpack before the jet lag kicks in.
Home again, home again! And it’s strange. Good, but strange!
DeWayne Jackson's Thoughts:
This scripture best describes our mission, and is found in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 84 verse 88: "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
Yes, we were received by the people in Hong Kong and immediately we felt welcome. Our Father in Heaven certainly prepared the way and He was on our right hand and our left hand, and his earthly angles did bear Shirley and I up.
What a great blessing it was for us to serve the Area Presidency. They are wonderful men and we were certainly touched by their acts of kindness and the many things they taught us.
We were certainly blessed by the office staff. From the day we arrived we were supported and welcomed by them. What an opportunity it was to work shoulder to shoulder with Ashley and Anna, we love them dearly.
What a blessing the senior couples are. They become your family away from home and became our very close and dear friends. They all share the same challenges that we did.
What a blessing it was to serve in the Island 2nd Branch. This was one of the highlights of our mission. We were certainly blessed by these unbelievable, dedicated sisters. Sister Bench shared a thought with us that reflects how these sisters really touch you. "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same." These sisters did touch our lives and we will never be the same.
I really didn’t want to serve this mission, but it was one of the greatest experiences Shirley and I have every had. I can’t express my true feelings, there just isn’t enough space. Sister Woolsey summarized our feelings with this simple thought, "Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possible can, for you many never be able to experience it again." We will never be able to experience again what we did while serving in the Asia Area Office.
