Early November Updates

Sunday, November 8, 2009

At Church I was thinking about what a great experience we are having. I get to help bless and pass the sacrament almost every Sunday. It is a special spiritual experience to have sacrament meeting with only fifteen members. It makes us feel like we are in the mission field, which in some ways we are. During Church we always have fireworks because of the weddings that take place in the hotel. Sometimes they are so loud we have to stop until they are over to continue with our meeting. It’s also interesting to look out the window and see the big, gold Buddha looking over us.

After Church we always have a pot luck lunch in our apartment. It’s always good food and enjoyable to visit with everyone.



Wednesday, November 11, 2009

In China, you don’t get heat nor air conditioning until it is turned on for the whole city. It is now very cold in Ji’nan. It is in the low 30’s with a cold wind. They haven’t turned on the city heating system yet, so most buildings, including the student dorms and class rooms, are not heated. They say they won’t turn it on until the 15th. Fortunately, the hotel has its own heating system and it is already on. I taught class all day at the west campus. All the students had their coats on and I taught with my winter coat on and a scarf around my neck. It’s different, but it worked. Our apartment is nice and warm so we don’t suffer unless we go out.

I hope all is well with everyone. Feel free to email us or call us. We miss our family and friends.