3/3/2013: I'm back!

Hey family!

This week was super good. It was my last week in Macau, which was sad. I really love it there, and the people there, and the investigators and less-actives, etc etc. But such is a mission! I feel very grateful for the chance I had to serve there, and for so long as well. I really felt like I was able to be a tool in the Lord's hands to make a difference in these people's lives, whether through my efforts or my prayers. It's been really rewarding.

My visa ran out today (Monday), but I left yesterday with President and Sister Hawks (who came for church in the morning) and Sister Lier, a sister who goes home this week and needed to be back in Hong Kong for the My Conversion Story Fireside the mission always has before each move, where the missionaries who are going home invite a convert or friend or whatever to come and share their conversion story. (Sister Lier has been serving in the English Branch in Macau the last few weeks.) So we left right after Chinese church yesterday, which I wouldn't say was a mistake, but it made leaving much more of a big deal because everyone was there. It was out of control-- you'd think I was going off to my death or at least going home for how big of a stir it caused. We had a lot of investigators there on Sunday, I think primarily because they wanted to see me before I left. There was even one, Ivy, who I hadn't seen since Sister Cook left Macau, and before that it had been a month since I'd seen her, and she started crying when I was leaving and gave me all these things and I was  obviously grateful, but more confused, especially because she never talks so I don't feel l even really know her that well. Then some branch members who I've become good friends with were all sad to see me go, and Leung Hoi Kei, whose family is inactive was also crying to see me leave. It was all way too emotional for my liking. Haha. But it was nice, I felt very loved. You'd think I'd served there forever or something. I didn't realize they liked me so much! They're good people.

Then we took the boat back to Hong Kong with President and Sister Hawks, and they are so funny. They were sitting in the two seats in front of us, and President Hawks was making some comment about how amazing Sister Hawks is, when we see her hand stick back between the seats for us to give her a behind-the-back high five. It was hilarious. Then later Sister Lier and I both fell asleep, so President Hawks nudged Sister Hawks for her to look at us, and I woke up to President Hawks standing up in the aisle taking a picture of us. Luckily, I woke up before he could take it, so it's just one of me laughing while Sister Lier sleeps. It was really funny--he's as bad as the young missionaries! Then they had Sister Lier and I over for dinner to break the fast, since we obviously didn't have any food to prepare since we had just moved and we were staying at the church until the fireside and it was Sunday. It was super fun. President and Sister Hawks crack me up. Sister Hawks started telling us stories about girls President Hawks used to date to embarrass him, and it worked, because his face was turning so red. They're so funny.

So then last night we were in Kowloon Tong for the fireside, and I saw all of my recent converts-- Justine, Jeng Jimuih, and Tom! It was so fun! And I was able to communicate with them way more than when I left, which was encouraging! Tom just got the priesthood yesterday, and he was so excited. He said he's felt his life get better already since being baptized! He's so great!  It was so fun to see them and the other people from my last area who were there, plus a bunch of the missionaries. 

So temporarily until moves on Thursday, I am companions with Sister Lier, which means I just get to follow her around as she goes to all the meetings, etc she has to go to before she goes home. We're also serving in Sham Shui Po ward, since there are 2 extra beds in that apartment, which means I hopefully will be able to see some investigators I taught when I was here before! I've already scheduled the hilarious Lau Popo who in and of herself makes up a good chunk of my hilarious mission stories, so I'm pretty excited! I'm hoping to schedule a few more as well today.

I hope everyone at home is doing well! I know the Lord hears and answers our prayers, and is willing to do anything to help us draw nearer to Him.

Love you all!

Sister Heaton