Unforgettable Week

After viewing all of the sessions of General Conference, we began our busiest week ever. On Tuesday, Oct 12th we rode with the Asia area president, Anthony Perkins, to his home overlooking Repulse Bay, only about 6 miles 'as the crow flies' from the Church Administration building (CAB). That was an experience in itself, after walking for more than two weeks, to whisk along at such a fast speed! The roads were just as crowded and busy as the sidewalks we had been using, however, and the winding road up to the Perkins' 24th floor apartment was much longer than 6 miles. Sister Perkins had made one of our favorites: Mexican food; we were joined by the other members of the presidency and their wives, Elder & Sister Watson and Elder & Sister Pratt (Sister Watson brought lovely fruit bowls, and Sister Pratt made authentic enchiladas). After a conversation-filled dinner we held a brief testimony meeting; what a privilege to spend an evening with such fine people. Sister Perkins presented us with an attractive "pillow box," fashioned after a traditional Chinese custom where valuables were placed in boxes that could be slept on, preventing them from being stolen. She likened it to our keeping safe those things which are most important to us, such as our marriage and our family relationships.

The pillow box given to us by the Perkins

The next day was Craig's first experience in the weekly area presidency meeting, where the three men, with Craig as executive secretary, do much of their coordination and planning. After being gone for two weeks attending General Conference and other regional meetings, the agenda was long, so the meeting lasted SIX hours with no break. We have come to observe that the presidency are judicious, focused men who are exceptionally kind and patient but pretty no-nonsense, who take seriously their callings to serve Jesus Christ and who emulate His teachings. 

Craig speaking at the Hong
Kong Golf Club

Thursday found us being picked up at the CAB at the end of the day by a friend from mission days, Andrew Lai, and his wife Sandy, and traveling way out to the New Territories to the Hong Kong Golf Club. Another former missionary, Edward Lai, had arranged a combination going-away party for President & Sister Goo, the outgoing Hong Kong temple president, and us as new missionaries. A wonderful meal was followed by speeches by the Goos, the Bishops, (another missionary couple who have been serving in the temple), and us. It was an unforgettably warm reception by many of Craig's former mission companions from 35 years ago as well as new friends. 


As if that weren't enough to pack into one week, on Friday the 14th we attended a BYU-Hawaii alumni get-together at the new building the Church recently completed across the street from the Hong Kong temple on Kowloon peninsula. Even though we were graduates of BYU-Provo, that same set of former missionaries from the 70's insisted that we attend and we were once again treated as honored guests. The Chinese have not forgotten Craig's love for the people of Hong Kong and are extraordinarily generous and welcoming!


Finally, the Asia Area Council is being held today, Saturday the 16th, and tomorrow, with the 6 Asia Area 70's coming in for meetings and planning. We have both been very busy all week (during the day when we weren't partying!) making arrangements for handouts, overhead presentations in the big conference room on the 10th floor of the CAB, and food for the two-day event. Our third week in Hong Kong has been unforgettably rewarding.