Hong Kong to Home

Our flight to Hong Kong was about two and a half hours long; Larry and I were seated next to each other on the short flight with no other seat mates so we were not able to open any Gospel discussion. We left Cebu at 12:30 and arrived in Hong Kong about 3 o’ clock. WE were served a delicious lunch of pork and rice on the plane. We said a quick goodbye to Ashers and Cummings expecting to see them again that evening at the temple, but as it turned out, our schedules didn’t mesh and we did not see them. The Chinese taxi driver’s English was somewhat understandable and he was very friendly; with the map Larry had, he took us directly to the temple in a thirty minute taxi ride. As we traveled we were impressed with how well the roads were maintained and how clean the city was. We travelled over a long beautiful bridge. Traffic flowed smoothly, unlike in the Philippines. High rise apartments and buildings stretched heavenward everywhere we looked. Small clotheslines were strung out of many windows. I imagined whole families living in small apartments in this crowded city, and yet, all seemed in order. The mountains were lush and green, dotted with colorful flowering bushes, and even in the crowded city areas the trees and flowers gave life to the stark cement structures. When we turned onto Cornwall Street we knew we were close. This part of the city was lovely. The temple is located on a busy street with cars and double decker buses whizzing by; it was almost hidden behind the high surrounding wall, and we weren’t sure just where the Patron House where we would be staying was located, although we knew it was close by. The taxi driver talked to one of the maintenance men at the temple and told us we were to unload there. With our three big bags, my carry-on, Larry’s two small bags and my big purse, our baggage created quite a pile. The maintenance man offered to help us across the street to the Patron House/Chapel. The building where we stayed housed the distribution center, the mission office, the visiting patron’s apartments, and the Chapel. Every inch of land was utilized. The grounds were beautifully groomed. We had thought we would be in separate rooms, but with the floods in Thailand, some of the Thai saints did not make their scheduled temple trip and so we had a private room together. However, three Thai youth had taken our room and the manager had to move them in with the others. There were plenty of beds, the kids just wanted their own space, but they were fine about moving. Our room had a queen size bunk bed, a single bunk bed, each with pull out beds underneath, a nice shower and toilet and ample closet space. We looked right out our window at the temple across the street. Everything was very clean. Some of the Thai youth were in the kitchen/eating area and we visited with them. After freshening up and changing clothes we walked across the street to catch the 5 o’ clock session. The temple was beautiful inside and out. AS we walked off the street a beautifully kept courtyard welcomed us; inside the décor was very distinctly Chinese in style with lovely oriental flower arrangements, screens, paintings, silk wall hangings and vases tastefully decorating the whole building. The temple was unique—the very small baptistery was two floors down from the main foyer, the dressing rooms on the third floor, the endowment rooms on the fourth floor, and the sealing rooms on the fifth floor. Since I had lost my packet in Cebu, I needed to rent another but didn’t have any Hong Kong money with me. The workers graciously told me not to worry about paying. When I sat down, I felt total peace being in the House of the Lord. I was impressed with how friendly and helpful the workers were. I was surprised when one of the workers handed me a headset to put on, but then realized, English was not the language of this temple! Everything was done in Mandarin Chinese. Following the sessions, we were able to do sealings. WE met the temple president and his wife as we were leaving; they are from Hawaii and were good friends with Beverly Littler Luke when she was at CCH years ago.
When we went back to the Patron House the kitchen area was filled with Thai saints who invited us to eat with them. We had little to share, but brought out one of the big bags of dried mangoes that Sister FE Perez had given us. One of the girls offered us the tiniest grapes I have ever seen—they looked like currents but tasted like grapes. One tuna/chili dish was so hot I thought my mouth and head would explode! Tears were running down my cheeks and I ate rice to try to calm the burning. Wheu! I couldn’t spit it out but I was sure I would die right there. At least I would die being polite. All the people wanted to know about our mission and the Cebu Temple and we talked with them for an hour.
Finally, exhausted, we crawled into bed and slept very soundly. Larry wakened early and said he was going exploring in the surrounding streets. I showered in the dark since he had to take the “key” with him to be able to get back into the building, and the key automatically turned on the lights in the room. We had intended to do some shopping but when Larry got back he felt we should pack, take pictures of the temple and return to the airport in case we missed one of the busses and there were delays in the traffic. WE had signed a contract when we checked in saying we would clean the apartment before we left. Larry asked the darling sister cleaning attendant where brooms, etc. were and she told us she would do the cleaning. She helped us get our luggage downstairs and showed us where to catch a taxi on the street. Taxi fare to the airport was 300 Hong Kong dollars (about 8 Hong Kong dollars to one US dollar) so our taxi fares totaled about $80 going and coming; that was the most expensive part of our stay in Hong Kong since we bought no food and the patron housing was minimal—125 Hong Kong dollars about $20 US. Even though we only spent one night, our temple experience was well worth the stay.
We spent only an hour at the airport, visiting the many shops. I was tempted to buy some beautiful silk ties; I had heard you could buy ties for $1 in the open market in Hong Kong, and thought the ties at the airport were $4—but on closer figuring, they were $40! And that was no deal for this $8-10 a tie person.
The plane was huge! WE had gotten to the airport early enough that Larry was able to request seats with more leg room which was so great for him and his long legs. Our third seat companion had been visiting friends in Hong Kong and Thailand with his wife, but she had wrenched her back and he had purchased a first class seat for her (which is probably why we were able to get the seats we had). He was a Chinese-American businessman and was very interested in what we had done on our mission. He knew there were temples in California. He wanted to know about senior missionaries and the types of missions they served. Mostly we dozed on the long flight, but we did watch Mr. Popper’s Penguins together and I watched a National Geographic special about an 84 year old black man who wanted to learn to read in a newly opened elementary school in Kenya. I was surprised when the captain announced we would be landing in San Francisco in thirty minutes; the 12 hour flight had gone by so quickly.
As we were standing in the Customs line, I said to Larry, “You’d better eat that last apple before we get to the check point, so he got it out and took one bite when a big uniformed customs officer woman standing 50 feet away bellowed, “Sir, if you take another bite of that apple there will be a $300 fine!” Wow! My mistake! He hurriedly put it back in the plastic bag. Many people were having their bags gone through but when it was our turn the young man waved us through and pointed to where we had to meet our connecting flight to Salt Lake.
We were to meet Camille who was in San Francisco with Lincoln to give him moral support while he was taking the national Civil Engineering exams to upgrade his license. We picked up our tickets for Salt Lake at the Delta terminal and started to look for Camille. Finally after an hour, Larry decided to go back to the international terminal to see if she was there. While he was gone, Camille found me. WE gave each other big hugs, and soon after, Larry came back to get his loving welcome. We were to have met at the baggage carousel, but that was impossible since it was behind the customs check out. Apparently we had just missed each other. We still had two hours together which was wonderful, but then she had to return to pick Lincoln up and it was about time to board for Salt Lake.
Flying into Salt Lake seemed surreal. It was as if we had just left. The gorgeous crimson sunset was a crowning point to our return. Kjerstin was the first to see us coming down the escalator and she jumped up and down. Maryanne couldn’t keep her hands off us and her smile reached from ear to ear. Robert was excited also. The younger children weren’t sure just who we were—these characters who before were only images on a computer screen. We knew they would warm up over the next few days. We were so thrilled to see Laurisa and Eldon, Dallen and Liz, Jeff and Elizabeth and Emily and all the grandchildren. Several insisted on driving home with us. Larry rode with Jeff and Elizabeth, I rode with Emily, and Eldon and Laurisa took all their children to Heber even though it was 9:30 pm! Everyone wanted to see our reaction to the changes in the house. Liz and Dallen opted to go to their own home with Jacob and Peter since it was way past their bedtime.
As we reached the crest of the mountain coming into Heber, the lights made our little city look so much bigger. I was surprised to see the new Walmart finished. Driving down Daniel Road and 3000 South I got so excited. Most of the other lights on our street were out but our home glowed with light. A van was parked in front. Abby Hobbs was sitting in it tending Adam and David who were both asleep! The first thing I noticed was our new white front door. Mickey Choate met me on the sidewalk, carrying tools, “You’re not supposed to be here till tomorrow!” he joked. Amy and Josh and Marilyn were frantically trying to sweep up sawdust and move tools. Furniture was covered with sheets. But all I cared about was giving each of them hugs. “We wanted it to be done,” Amy wailed. “”We’ve been working long hours for days, but it isn’t done!” I assured her I could see past the construction mess to the beauty of their hard work. Just then Larry drove in behind us and came to greet Amy and Josh. My first thought inside was “This is beautiful, but it isn’t my home.” Amy took off the sheets to reveal a new couch and chair. We talked for an hour, Amy wanting to show us everything that they had started, telling me their plans. The carpet was so plush, I felt I was walking on a cloud, a welcome relief from the hard tiles of the apartment and the granite floors of the temple. Finally, the other children decided it was time to go home. So much had been done this last day, they had all been up to paint and help but hadn’t seen the accomplishment of the magnificient four—Amy, Josh and his parents—that last day. They had hung the front door, put on new doors throughout upstairs, laid part of the tile in the entryway, and more! I was running on adrenaline but suddenly felt worn out. Josh brought in an air mattress and pumped it up—there was no furniture in any of the bedrooms; they had moved it out for the carpet layer on Tuesday. We gratefully said goodnight and were asleep with hammers still pounding. Mickey and Marilyn left about 2 am to return to Logan for an appointment! We cannot believe their love and sacrifice in helping Amy and Josh redo our home! When we got up the next morning, they had cleaned things up, put tools and extra boards away so the house would look more presentable. How grateful we are for family and friends! Everyone has been up helping with painting, with yard work, carpentry/ We found that even Kristie had been over and had removed the carpet and baseboards and door moldings to help the process! Gary had helped put in the new railing on the stairs. We are so blessed. Amy and Josh stayed most of the next day to do more but they also had an appointment in Logan. They have rented a small condo. Their bid on the house and property in Beaver Dam fell through so they are not sure what they will be doing. They will be back to help, but they also need to be doing for themselves now.
WE are working hard to finish what they started. We are not as experienced as Mickey and Marilyn but we are doing our best. The results will be rewarding and beautiful.