Room with a View and E Cookies?

Merry Christmas from Hong Kong!

Thank you so so much to everyone for sending letters and pictures! It meant so much to me during this season! I was pretty nervous before Christmas that I would be pretty homesick and miss being away from my family during the holidays, but this has been one of my favorite Christmases eva! It was really soo neat finding on Christmas day. We got to show some people "He is The Gift" on the little portable DVD player we have and it was so fun to watch their faces during the video. I was really able to feel that God loves these people and that the Lord Jesus Christ was sent here for them as well. I wouldn't have changed one thing about Christmas day!

- For english class we taught about cooking (haha like I know ANYTHING about that) and we made the cookies you sent me mom! thank you.

God is Sooo Good!! and Movescalls Brings Miracles!

Rebecca, Carolyn and other YW leaders look at what they are holding. You never know when one of your hand outs might make it to China and be very much appreciated..

God is soo Good!! Movescalls bring miracles! One of which being my new great companion, Sister Christensen! She is beautiful inside and out! She is a great Christ-like example to me and we get along really well because we have a ton in common! 

My new area is called ShaTin (pronounced Saa Tin) and is absolutely gorgeous. Its closer to mainland china than I've ever been and there are green hills upon hills but also a little bit of a city-like aspect as well. There is a river that flows through the middle from the ocean that my comp and I run alongside ever morning( she ran xcountry in high shcool! Tender mercy!) 

The ward here is great. They are super involved in missionary work and go finding with us Sunday for two whole hours!! The ward mission leader was the president before President Hawks. We have met some great members and investigators here! (Tessa didn't put it in her blog but she reported "Last week, I found out I am a chaser finder! haha I want to give the people the best chance possible haha so they have to say no like five times before I stop following them. haha" I thought when you are a cute 5"0' blonde you can get away with this.)-mom

 Thank you all for your prayers and merry Chrsitmas!

Scripture of the week: Isaiah 26: 3-4

3."Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:  because he trusteth in thee.

4.Trust ye in the LORD for ever:  for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting Strength:"

Happy Birthday Dad & Transfer Time

Tessa and Dad at a ward party

Well, first things first: Happy Birthday, Dad! Wow, you're gettin' old. haha. I hope you guys do something fun today! I think you're at the temple square though, right? 

Second thing is second: my stay in Kwai Chung has come to an end:( We found out last night that Sister Kartchner is training so she is taking over the area. Man, I've worked soo hard for these investigators here and really will miss Sister J., little s., sister L., and C. a lot. I feel like I've been here for like five years. I cried a little bit last night when I found out. And I am gonna miss Sister Kartchner too. She was a great companion!So pray for me to have another great one. So I gotta pack ALL  my stuff and be ready to head out on Thursday. I figure out where I'm serving and with whom I will be serving tomorrow. So wish me luck. 

From mom to Tessa

So I'll be spending Christmas in a different place with different people. Yes, I've started twelve days of Christmas! It is so fun each night to turn on christmas music and our lights and open two presents. S. Kartchner loves it. 

 Anyways, this week Sister Kartchner and I taught 25 lessons! Some of them are just prayers with people on the street. But, still that is like unheard of in Hong Kong. So that's pretty cool. But, we haven't been able to see Sister L. or C.. They are just waaay too busy, so I don't know what to do. But, I guess Sister Kartchner can decide now. haha. We did see J. and S. though.

Well, so Christmas is coming up. I'm sending a package to you all today. It's way awesome stuff. I don't think it will arrive in time though. Speaking of Christmas, I'm excited to talk to you..I'll let you know details on Monday hopefully.  Okay, I love you all. Happy Birthday. You all look great in your pics

Tessa and Sophia Christmas 99

Please Send extra prayers for Sister Hadley this week as she transfers one week before Christmas

 So, this week was a comparatively good week. Had some pretty good things happen. Yesterday, we went to a Christmas music devotional thing. It was really good. And some great music was played. We brought four investigators and one reactivated member.  It was way awesome because before we had time to go look at the temple with all of them. 

This week we again got to teach S.C. T. in the hospital. She has pancreitis(how to spell that?) She has gotten closer to Christ through this experience, but she wouldn't accept our Book of Mormon and she beleives Chrsit and Heavenly Father are one person. But, it's just good to give her comfort especially during Christmas. She was concerned about being in the hospital over Christmas. But I assured her we would bring Chrsitmas to her. 

Sister Kartchner and I were walking outside where they sell stuff. There were these huge bottles that were filled with yellow juice. I asked the lady what they were for and she explained they were to like heal joints or something? Guess what was in the bottom of the bottles. Naked baby rats! And other bottles had huge bees and centipedes. Yes you are supposed to drink it. Gross. We taught a new investigator N.. She has two little kids and is Vietnamese. She is really cute and excited to read the Book of Mormon.

 On Friday we went to Central which is like city city city and it was the most unbelievable place. It's like New York but five times as packed. It was way cool. I'd love to serve there. Anyways...i don't know what else to say. Just keep praying for me that I won't freak out haha. Okay love you all.

Jesus Christ He Is the Gift

Tessa, her sister and cousins

Jesus Christ He Is the Gift  
Please take a minute to click above and watch this short amazing video!!!

It's December 1st! Have you decided what gift you are giving Christ this Christmas? Have you decided what to give to Heavenly Father? 

He gave you the first gift. "The first gift was not wrapped, had no bow, wasn't purchased online or in a store. The first gift of Christmas was a simple gift, a sacred gift, it wasn't gold or frankincense or myrrh. It was a gift of love and life and peace. and hope given by a father to all His children. 

For God so loved the world and so loved you, and you, and you and every single one of us. He gave His Son. He is The Christ. He is Christmas. He is the gift. 

This Christmas season, discover the gift, embrace the gift. For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.- John 3:16" from the video

This Christmas season, I've decided to embrace the gift by sharing it with others. With those that know Him. With those that have never heard of His sacred name, with those that are all God's children in Hong Kong. Just because you're not half way across the world serving a mission, doesn't mean you can't do the same! Embrace the wonderful gift by coming closer to Christ and sharing the hope and light he provides to each and every one of us!

Tessa thanks everyone for their support and prayers.  She is missing home very much this season and would love to hear from all of you.