This is the last week of their mission for Elder and Sister Watkins. They are serving in the Asia Area Mission as Mental Health missionaries and have been here for 23 months. We serve in the same branch as the Watkins–the Peninsula Three Branch–made up primarily of Philippino sisters. Everyone loves the Watkins! Yesterday was the Watkins last day at the branch.
Elder Ball and I watched the farewell celebrations carefully knowing that someday it will be us saying good-bye to good friends for the last time. The farewells were joyful, poignant and sad at the same time.
A luncheon of delicious Philipino food was prepared by the sisters in the branch and many photos were taken as gifts were exchanges, and tears were shed. Eleven-year-old Shannon sobbed at the prospect of not seeing her friend, Sister Watkins again, perhaps forever, and four-year-old Megan hid her face in Elder Watkins jacket. (You can see her little legs behind everyone’s legs.)
Yep! Someday we’ll be leaving Hong Kong, going home from our wonderful mission and leaving behind great friends and taking with us memories of experiences we would never have had anywhere else or in any other way. But for right now, we’ll enjoy every moment of our mission and meet new friends every day and make great memories.
I’m convinced that we serve with some of the finest people in the world. Elder and Sister Watkins, you are our gurus! Thanks for being great examples…even though you didn’t mean to be!
Love and prayers from Hong Kong,
Elder and Sister Ball
Hong Kong Temple Mission 