NEWS of the WEEK

Well, it is getting colder in London. This week we saw snow flurries on two days, nothing that sticks, but cold enough to snow. Areas out side of London report 2 to 4 inches on the ground. We have a Sister Missionary from Portugal whose box from home with her winter coat has not been received, so she will be cold. The members will help her until the box can be located. Because the humidity is so high, at about 80%, the cold is very penetrating, especially with the wind. We are, however, doing very well and so is the mission.

Christmas is all around with posters, lights, and the stores all decked out, just like any US city. They have succeeded in removing Christ from Christmas here as well as the rest of the World. We note that the "peace on earth, good will to men" is possible only as the heart of each person is changed by receiving Christ and taking on His loving attitude and being loving to all mankind. If the good will is present, then the peace on earth will follow. So we continue to invite everyone to come unto Christ and partake of his love and the blessings of the Gospel. The world is changed by one heart being changed at a time.

We are inundated with mail and packages and are trying to get them out to the missionaries before Christmas. The President and his wife are taking packages this week out to the various zones to help get them there before Christmas. We are certainly busy. Sister Hawley's computer had a security fault and locked her out of her computer and after over 4 hours with Gobal Help Desk of the Church's IT department in Salt Lake, most of her files have been restored and a new user profile set up. This has caused alot of problems and is not completely fixed yet. But hopefully, she can again process the boat load of work she must do each day to keep current. She is the star of the office and keeps it running and is great for the missionaries to have as a resource and a surrogate mother on occasion. Brother Hawley has some additional year end financial details to accomplish this week and has a list to complete before the end of the year. All reimbursements for the year must be processed by the end of the day Monday, 21 Dec. Yup, there is plenty to do.

We have no Christmas decorations in our flat and are to busy and never home long enough to enjoy them anyway. Our Christmas will be quiet and cozy here in our flat as the public transportation system all shuts down for two days during the holiday, so every where we go we must walk. Even the taxis stop running. Merry Christmas to all. Christmas is to be with family and to think about the real message of Christmas which is the great gift to mankind provided by the Savior. Christ brought to pass the blessing of the resurrection where every person will resurrect and physically be brought back into the presence of God to be judged to see if we have learned to live according to celestial law and be capable of living in the presence of God. To that end Christ suffered the punishment of the sins of all men so that they will not be subject to the punishment of their sins on condition of their true repentance and rehabilitation so that they are willing to obey and their hearts are changed so they are capable to living according to celestial law. Thus, Christ overcame death and hell and we should use Christmas as a time of gratitude for the gift of His life and His atonement. Glorious are these thoughts and sentiments. We are most grateful to be in His service and helping to invite all to come to Christ.

"They shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved." Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 15:14

Missionary work is teaching people "that they may know how to come unto him and be saved."

Merry Christ to you all from London! May the blessings of the Lord be upon you and His peace find place in your heart.