Just writing to tell you of the great weekend we have spent. Yesterday morning we were able watch the General Relief Society session,the Priesthood session, as well as the Saturday morning session of General Conference. I guess that I have always been so very fortunate and taken so much for granted as far as watching or listening to General Conerence every 6 months. I REALLY missed watching them last weekend and have waited all week to watch them.
I really felt the Spirit strongly as I watched. The talks were so very inspired and I especially loved the remarks from Brother Dallin Oaks, from the Saturday afternoon session. By the way, we were only priviledged to watch the Saturday afternoon session yesterday and only the Sunday morning session today. The Prophet gave the most inspirational talk in that Sunday morning session. How I love and admire him, he truly is a man of God.
Dallin Oaks spoke about Sacrament meeting and reminded us why we partake of the Sacrament every week. He really stressed that we need to come to the meeting feeling of the Spirit. It really made me think about so many things. This morning, as we boarded the bus, I had many thoughts about the Atonement on my mind. I really thought of the supreme sacrifice Jesus Christ made for all mankind and I really felt the Spirit. As I looked at the many faces of the Chinese people on the bus, I felt so strongly that they too, are children of our Father. They are very special and I really feel a great love for them. I KNOW that we are just exactly where we should be, at this time in our lives. We are both homesick and we miss each one of you so very much, but, we know that we need to be here. They truly are a beautiful people and they love their families - especially their children.
Last night we had Jenny and Soong, a darling Chinese couple, come over and bring some dumplings for all the BYU teachers. They came to our apartment to cook them and we all had a good feed. Soong's parents had made over 200 dumplings for us and they were delicious. These people are so thoughtful of others - they are always giving presents or helping in some way. We have never even met his parents, but they wanted to let us taste the dumplings they make.. There were alot of left-overs, so today after church, I mixed the dumplings in with my left over chicken noodle soup, and invited everyone for lunch. It was great. We get togeher to eat once or twice each week, for potluck. We all just bring what we have or what is left over and eat together. We all live on the 3 floors and we run back and forth carting food to the various apartments. We usually eat at the Goodrich's or at our place tho. When we go home, this is what we will miss the most, I am sure. We do have alot of fun. They are a fun group of people. Terry Miller is so much fun - yesterday, after conference, he went to the beach to fly kites. By the way, kite flying is really big over here and everyone flies them - especially the older men! Last night he brought Rog up a huge kite in the shape of a big bird. It is made out of silk and the twine to fly it is on a huge spool. It is beautiful. He wants the 3 men to go out in the lot, by our building, and fly them.
The two little Chinese and Korean babies in our branch are so cute. One, the Korean, is a girl and the other one is Chinese - a boy. They both have long, black hair that stands straight in the air- about 3 inches long!!! The little Chinese Mommy straps her little one to her back and carries him everywhere. All you can see is that hair sticking out... They are so sweet and so loving.
I am preparing lessons for the week and I have to really work hard. I really can get side tracked easily. We are so busy, doing so many things, other than just teaching English! Tomorrow, after class, we will go downtown for groceries. Tuesday we have to sign up to go on a tour to the birthplace of Confucius ( it is an overnighter sponsored by the University) Then the home teachers will be here. Then, on Thursday, all the girls are getting together (about 9 of us) here at our apartment, to watch the rest of Conference and have a little luncheon. Thursday night we will go to another part of the University, by bus, to do a English Corner thing for 21/2 hours. Then, next Sunday, we have to speak in Sacrament meeting. We are really running all the time. But, it does help with the homesickness.....
In the mornings, as I walk to school, I always see the little Chinese Grandmas with their grandchildren. Makes me kinda sad. They are just as proud of their grandchildren as I am of mine and it gives us something in common. Although we cannot speak to each other, because of the language differences, we do understand each other in our love and pride in our grandchildren...
I will write more tomorrow.
Please know of our love for you. We miss you all so very much and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please know that we pray for you daily and wish you the very best that life has to offer.
OXOXOXOOXO Mom
1 comment:
Yo, rog. Cool to see and read of your experiences in China.
Judy C. spent about three weeks there last year, and didn't want to each any more rice for awhile. She had a wonderful time. Went with Jan Thompson and Chris Love and spouses.
Judy retired last March, and Shelly Ivie is the new RD, and we now office in Roosevelt.
Answer me some questions: did you notice any trembling in the Chinese economy with the credit crisis? Do they have some kind of job connection system over there? Are you shedding pounds?
Saw Annie B. at the State Council meeting last week. FYI, the Duchesne School District won the DWS employer of the year! Was exciting for all of us.
We'll try to keep in touch.
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