Week 23

This week for us was spent worrying about niece Ivy and waiting for Chase's mission call. We changed the mailing address last minute since we didn't know how long it would take in the China mail system. Todd's brother opened the call and took a photo and sent it to Chase. We were sad Ally could not be there live.  She did find out about Chase by that evening, Friday night. After he opened his call he went Christmas shopping with Todd and me. We secured another US imported turkey for Christmas dinner. Todd, the little girls and I shopped til Todd dropped on Saturday afternoon.    Friday evening we tried to get two taxis to Peninsula by Shenzhen Bay. The boys carrying 8 2-liters of soda got in the first one with Sophie.  Brooke, Brynn and I ended up walking the entire way. The joys of not owning a car!  We were on our way to our Columbian friends' Christmas celebration at the park which included pizza, hot chocolate, singing and sending off Chineselanterns into the sky over the South China Sea. It was a beautiful sight. Saturday night Todd and I tried a new Korean BBQ restaurant and it was interesting and tasty.  Some of the red leather seating was sunken, some were booths, but all the tables had grills in the center.  We ordered a mixed veggie platter and some Australian prime rib.  We will go back. Afterwards we walked through the busy Sea World plaza. It was a bit crazy with neon winged toys flying up in the air, fountain show, lights up everywhere for Chinese New Year/Christmas.  It's been interesting to see the Christmas season evolve. It went up a few days ago. To the Chinese, it's an eating holiday where families get together and have a party.  Todd is finishing up the year end crunch at work.  They work right over and through Christmas Day to the end of the year.  Chase got called up to speak in sacrament meeting and I had to lead music in sacrament meeting and then play piano in primary after poking my head in to hear Sophie's talk. Sears had us over tonight to meet their college aged son and daughter who are visiting for Christmas.  Our friends, the Burtons, know the Frames sister Stacy from California, and some other kids were here visiting from Mesa, red mountain area.  Small world. We were missing the Kesters and Palmers in church today.  Numbers were few.    

Hope your Christmas season is filled with family and loved ones. We count you all among our greatest blessings. May the love of the Savior feel your hearts and homes.  Keep in touch!