Everything's Better With The Spirit

So I had a very loooooong week in China. The best part was getting home Saturday eve and being with everyone again. It was a productive trip but very long days. I spent Monday and Tuesday in Shanghai, Wednesday and Thursday in Suzhou, then back to Shanghai until I left Saturday mid day. 

When in Suzhou I was to conduct a training event with a large group there. But the person who asked me to lead that did not do so well in giving me the details I had been asking for. So until the very day before I had little to no information on what they were trying to accomplish, the goals, what the people had been training on before etc. so I tried to prepare but could only be generic in what I had. 

Then the night before I got a better email and had only a short drive to look through material and be ready for the next day. This is along with all the major things I was primarily over there for that weighed heavily on my mind. I was very nervous and was not sure what to do. That morning I prayed for extra help to just do my best in a way that would help the people. And during the training I got constant help. Not only did it go better that I could have hoped, afterwards one of the groups even said "I'm going to go back and do this with our group". And the biggest reason for the subject line is that they had tons of questions which is generally good. But sometimes they were really trying to apply it to their work, and I got momentarily worried I would have nothing to help them with. Just at that moment I had such clear and distinct impressions come I almost felt guilty. They were clear thoughts that related exactly to what they needed and I know they were an answer to my prayer. I even had to give a silent prayer of thanks they were so clear and direct. I truly got help this entire week. 

In Suzhou we went to a "hot pot" restaurant where the cooking is in a broth right at your table. As part of this place they had a "noodle dancer" come and be amazing with a noodle dough before it was put in the broth for cooking. It started out about a foot long. Then by the time he was done it was about 8 feet long. You can see part of it in the picture. It was really neat. 

At a layover in Tokyo we took off at near dusk. It was amazing and unexpected. It does not show well in the picture but I could see Mt. Fuji so clear out by the red sun. Totally amazing!

Thanks for sharing all your great stories and experiences. I really enjoy reading about the people you are teaching. And Skjelse, I don't get enough in writing!  Send more. 

Enjoy also the Santa Claus in China. They have no clue about it but are starting to post it everywhere just because they have heard about it. I thought it was pretty funny. 

Kieren and Gavin, let us know soon when you are going to be able to call on Christmas so we can plan our day around when you can call. It will be wonderful to speak to you. 

Gavin, Elder Barfuss is a zone leader now and I saw him at stake mission correlation today. He was excited to hear how you are doing. 

Skjelse, we want to hear all about the new job. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4