Peaceable Things

As I travel again and have myself amidst a strange land, I see again the the things that bring lasting peace are ones that are of eternal worth. I had a fantastic sabbath day here in China. I spent the morning seeing some new material on the church sites, then made my way to church on the other side of Shanghai. It is amazing to see quite a few faces that I still recognize and most especially to feel the peaceable spirit that domes from being in the Lords house for the day. Even when that house is a conference center in a business high rise building. 

I also had a wonderful trip to Suzhou after church where I had many revealed thoughts come to me as I prepared a talk for a few weeks from now. 

Finally I really had a few phrases from the last chapters of Jacob really stick out to me. I especially like when he encourages us to "feast upon his love". I have previously liked when it says to feast upon the scriptures, but I like this more as he says to feast on his love. What great peace that will bring to ourselves and those around us as we live like the Savior did. Full of love for all mankind. 

It has been really fun  talk with mom and others each day via FaceTime. It's nice to stay close when so far away. A couple of the days mom and I even "had" breakfast together as I ate while we talked. I know I have been to that hotel too many times when they bring me my bill and my room number is on it but they ever asked me what room I was in. It's getting embarrassing. 

I did experience quite the event this weekend. Super typhoon Chen-ham come to land right over Shanghai. My meetings were cancelled Saturday for safety and I just watched and admired the storm through the day. The wind was amazing as it drove the monstrous rain completely sideways. It reminded me of storms in Norway when the umbrella was straight as my back and not overhead because the rain was horizontal due to the wind. That is the times I poured water out of my shorts as we got home. I have ever been more water logged.  I am amazed my suit survived but it lasted like a champ. 

On Friday we had a celebration for the launch of our 2nd generation products (the China part). Traditional celebrations include dumplings (which were actually really tasty) so this is what they did. To capture the Chinese celebratory feeling. But to make it fun they had four teams compete to see who could make the most in 5 minutes. I got recruited ( because I am a guest, not that I had any talent) but my team won!  Then they took them all and cooked them right there. Afterwords everyone ate them along with other foods. It was a nice time that all enjoyed. And an experience I will sure never have again. To make dumplings and then eat those I made right there. Pretty neat. The nice looking ones are definitely not mine. 

This is an amazing life to be a part of. The plan is so perfect if we will just trust in Him and do our best to follow the plan. Challenges arise, troubles brew, but amidst it all if we build on the rock of our Redeemer then our foundation will never fall. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4