I never cease to be amazed at how I can learn things no matter where I am. I left Wednesday and travelled to Germany, I had two very good days of productive meetings with the team there and met my adopted nephew Matteo. He is Italian.
While I was there it happened to be the day that St. Nicolas came to visit the children. It was like a family work party of some sort. I only got to stay for his visit and then the taxi took us to the airport, but it was fun to see.
I was then off to a connecting flight in Paris (too bad did not have enough time to see anything, like usual) and then to Shanghai. I got here Sunday morning and then after stopping at the hotel for a short while I was off to church. I am beginning to recognize some fo the families and then during testimony meeting it seemed like half of them are leaving this month to move home. It must be hard for the branch.
But...to the point. Here is a shout out to Kieren. We read and discussed from Daniel today. Where it lists the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery and dulcimer. I had fun thinking of you trying to play all of them in your life. But i learned from the comments shared when they discussed Daniel and the lion's den, and king Darius. His words lead you to understand that he was himself in a pit of frustration and sorrow due to his actions. A pit like the one Daniel was in but emotionally and spiritually. It is much like the Savior and our lives. Due to our actions, or at times the actions of others, we are in a pit. And in the morning we come running to the Den to see if God has delivered us. And due to the atonement we know He always will if we just come to Him. It is enlightening to read Darius' words as he laments, worries and cannot sleep the whole night.
Then we discussed the talk "Stay in the boat" from last conference. Another hour of really good insights led fby the elders quorum president. We likened keeping on a life jacket to holding fast to your covenants. When you do, no matter the rapids, no matter the situation, you can be safe eternally and be able to cling to the covenants like you would cling to the raft or the paddle when going down a white water river.
A sisiter gave testimony that she recently received her call to the Quebec Canada mission. I thought if you Skjelse (you are 'almost" Canadian) and then she said she would be spanish speaking! So then I thought of you Gavin. She has studied French for 6 years and will be teaching in Spanish. But I'm sure she will get to use her French along the way.
I got surprised when brother Clark (SS teacher) invited me over for dinner with the young single adults for fast Sunday dinner. That was so nice. I went and it was very kind of them. It was neat to meet their family, another couple who is teaching at the university through the BYU Kennedy Center program (another nod to Skjelse) and they even have met the Bjorkman's. They also had all the YSA over included a YM who is just taking the semester off school and has just been travelling the US and other countries. I'm not sure where his pocket book is financed but he seems to be just popping around where he feels like it. He came to Shanghai on a whim. Didn;t think about it until Friday and then was here. But he was at church and was contributing great comments along the way.
They played some games and talked, and I got to know the family some. It was very nice to have a home feeling while away from home.
From here on out it beomces crazy schedule, long days of meetings and reviews, travelling to Suzhou and back, and then after meetings getting on the plane back home. I fly back Saturday so I can be home for the ward Christmas party.
I love you all, make good comments in your meetings, listen, ponder, and share your insights, they can help others to learn more of the gospel.
I hope Skjelse tells you her good news, I will not so she can.
Dad
3 John 1:4
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