This morning’s breakfast finally brought us the goodness that is the GaiMei Baau!  The concierge at the hotel (have I mentioned yet that this is the best hotel in Hong Kong THE WORLD!) recommended a place just a few minutes away … good recommendation.  The gaimei’s (as we HK’ers call them) were excellent and we’re headed back there tomorrow morning before we start our journey back home.

We then jumped on the train to make our way up to ShaTin … the first and last area of my mission.  It was so great to see ShaTin park and the ShaTin Center.  It’s interesting … because I know I keep saying how much things have changed … ShaTin really hasn’t very much.  I felt like I was back home.  We walked the bridge where I did most of my “finding” while in that area … surreal experience.  Claire played in the park and we just relaxed while walking through one of the most beautiful community parks I’ve ever been in.

We then jumped back on the train to head up to TaiPo which is very close to the Chinese border and is the area where I served the longest (a total of 8 months).  We headed to the church first and checked in with the bishop.  We still had an hour before meetings and so we headed out to the market area for a bit.  This being my longest lived area … it really felt like home.  It’s not as pretty as ShaTin … but it was where I did most of my work and where I saw most of our success in terms of teaching and baptizing.

We then headed back to the chapel and I saw two members who were still in the ward from when I was there.  Brother Lam who I recognized and Sister Wong who I really recognized … it was great to see them.  Even better, the bishop is close friends with two of the three people I was hoping to see (but didn’t because they have moved to different areas of Hong Kong).  I gave him a couple of my cards and he is going to pass them along.  One of my friends is now the stake president of one of the stakes here … crazy!  He also had some information on one of my closest friends while here in Hong Kong … Leih Yuk Bong (Leo).  Apparently he has moved to California and the bishop has lost touch with him.  I’m going to see if I can track him down so I can see him next time we’re in Cali.

Overall, it was a great trip out to the New Territories where I served most of my mission.  It is all so beautiful and worth the time spent.

Claire was dying to get back to the pool this evening … so that’s where we headed (no arm twisting needed).  Some more time was spent in the “experience shower” and we ordered a “Mondo Mango” smoothie to sip on while in the hot tub mini-pool.  Seriously … I might come back to Hong Kong next month just for another couple of trips to this pool/spa!

I’m now currently typing this last message and it is 11:45pm on Sunday night.  Sandy and Claire rounded out the evening watching the Hannah Montana movie.  Claire liteally was literally bouncing on the bed with excitement and “singing” along by the end of the show – apparently she loves Hannah Montana (and Justin Bieber, she really liked his music video when we were flipping through channels and saw him on MTVChina one day – thanks Kohl and Keaton!)   We’ve packed everything up and will be headed to the airport at 11:30am tomorrow morning.  We are so excited to get back home and unite our “more complete” family together.  Can’t wait to hold Seth, Kate, Zane and Grant and let them hold Claire.  Can’t wait for Claire to finally get to know her amazing brothers and sister.  Can’t wait to start our “new normal” and bond more fully with Claire.  Can’t wait to see you all.

So that’s it … I’m trying to get this all done before we get home because I have little faith that I’d get finish up once home.  I expect the mad crush of reality will be flattening me in about 48 hours.

Thanks so much for following us all on this journey.  We feel so blessed to be completing it and heading home.  All has gone well and we couldn’t be happier right now.  Sandy was a bit weepy about an hour ago just thinking of how blessed and lucky we are RIGHT NOW.  While the last four years of tears and frustration were very real … they seem small now.  How blessed we are to finally have Claire in our lives.

LOVE YOU ALL!