Elder Brigham Blackhurst: Elder Ballard (because Elder Bednar wasn't enough)

Elders Brigham Blackhurst and Andrew James study at the newly renovated
Provo Missionary Training Center. Photo taken for the Deseret News and
published in the Mormon Times August 3, 2017.

Hey everyone! Another week at the MTC. We're approaching the three week mark - I've got one English missionary's stay left before I hit Australia. Another batch of Chinese Elders left this morning and it'd be a lie to say I wasn't jealous. But we're getting close.

The MTC routine is still great, though starting to get a little old. Food is repeating in the cafeteria. Schedule is still exactly the same. Still very productive, still a lot of work.

Chinese is still an adventure. I wake up and strap 30 flashcards to my hip and hope and pray (literally, there is a lot of prayer going into this language) that I can use them by the end of the day. My language is definitely improving. Still a long way to go, but it's not so much a struggle now as it was at the beginning.

I know you have all been patiently awaiting my Chinese humor. Well, here it is, my first real Chinese joke:

Lùshàng yǒuyī zhǐ māo,

chēzi guo lai,

yǐhou zhǐ yǒu yī zhāng māo.

It's hysterical.

If you don't get it, please don't put it into Google Translate and ask why it doesn't make sense. Ask someone who speaks.

Speaking of hysterical, I've been informed by my roomates that I talk in my sleep. Sometimes it's mumbling, sometimes it's shouting. This last week was a great milestone because apparently, one of the nights, I was shouting a lesson in Chinese about the importance of families. I'd like to think that means I'm ready to be in the mission field, but something says otherwise. I was also told that the lesson didn't sound like it was going very well, so that doesn't help. I'll stick to flashcards.

So, last night we had the pleasant surprise of hearing that Elder M. Russell Ballard was going to be giving a devotional at the MTC that would be broadcasted to all of the other MTCs in the world. It was incredible. Two apostles in one week...incredible. Fingers crossed for another tomorrow night.

To my family and to the Johnsons, I thank you kindly for the packages I received. You've claimed the title of My District's Favorites. Keep it up.

A simple testimony this week: prayer. Such a powerful thing. How important it is that we kneel before our maker regularly. Not once or twice a day, but continually. So many blessings are contingent upon us asking. He's ready to help us and guide us. As we align our will with His, He will take us all the way.

I started the Book of Mormon over again this last week. Aside from other personal studies, I'm going to read it through four times before I get back from Australia. If I can do four, I challenge all of you to do it once. Beat me through, I dare you all. Read it and see what you find. The blessings and lessons contained will change your life - let it.

Love you all! Keep the emails and pictures coming. Miss you lots. To all my friends who just started school, jiayou. Keep it up. God loves you. I love you.

Elder Blackhurst