Christmas in Hong Kong

What a wonderful time it is to be serving the Lord as we celebrate His sacred, transcendent birth.  Hearts are made tender as we contemplate loved ones far away, with home-spun traditions, smells, tastes and music, little ones laughter and joyous memories.  Yet with that tenderness comes a sense of the sacred rising deep within.  We remember His words, "But seek he first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:3)  All these things!  All that we hold dear and treasure in our hearts.  All for which we seek.  All things!

Christmas in Hong Kong - it's one of a kind!

It started in early December with a sister missionaries Christmas dinner with the Area Presidency wives - Sister Gong, Sister Funk and Sister Wong.

Then there was the Area Office Christmas Devotional - 

with the following group photo:

This was Elder and Sister Gong's last Christmas devotional in the Asia Area.
 Elder Gong has been called to the Presidency of the Seventy and will be sorely missed.

Our Area Public Affairs people planned and organized a number of Christmas events - including an amazing community service project with over 1300 fleece blankets for the elderly - donated to agencies throughout Hong Kong.  On one 

Saturday, hundreds of volunteers gathered in three different chapels throughout Hong Kong to cut and tie fringes and prepare the blankets and color Christmas cards.

Elder Coffey joined the children and others in coloring the Christmas cards which accompanied each fleece blanket.

Sister Chamberlain, the Public Affairs champion who organized this massive event.

The woman in the red hat heard about the service project and came in off the street to join us.  She was thrilled to be there!

We met this sweet family from India in the mall earlier in the week, and invited them to join us.  The mom wants to teach her children the blessings of service.  They loved their experience!

So Merry Christmas from Hong Kong! There's always something amazing going on!  We are ever grateful to be in the service of the Lord - however He needs us.                                                    Next post - Christmas Peninsula 3rd Branch style!