Hé Zháng Laó Week One

Nǐhǎo from the Provo MTC! This last week was absolutely incredible and I'm so grateful to be here. After such a short time here, I could hardly feel more at home. I'm in a zone with a dozen other Mandarin elders and they're starting to feel like a second family. My companion, Elder James, is headed to Scotland and will be here with me for the full duration of my nine weeks. He's a cool guy, and I'm looking forward to working with him, along with the other incredible Elders I'm surrounded by. 

I'm learning to go with the schedule - never a spare moment in our day. Qidao is always first, followed by breakfast. Several hours of study time; I've learned to absolutely love personal study. Every day has several hours of tedious language study - a whole lot of Zhongwen and virtually no Yingwen. Lunch and dinner in there somewhere. More studying. There's an hour set aside every day for exercise, so I actually worked out this week. (Yes, dad. Don't be so surprised.) Tuesday-Saturday so I'm going to have to learn to fill that time. Lots of running and basketball. 

The MTC itself rocks. The new buildings are gorgeous, and all of the districts get their own classrooms. Every floor has these huge murals...they're spectacular. I didn't get a lot of pictures this week, so I'll be sure to send them in the weeks to come. I've only gotten lost twice- thank heavens Elder James has a reasonable head on his shoulders and has the sense of direction you're all very aware I lack. But I'm figuring things out.

Chinese is going to kill me. There's no easing into the language here. I've already had to teach two Chinese lessons to an investigator and they were among the most humiliating half hours of my entire life. Still. My vocab is improving. I can pray in Chinese. We're getting there. I hope this time next week, I'll have a grip on the language. Everyone says that the first week is the hardest - I'm banking on that. 

Still, I love it here. No other place is so full of people who all have the same purpose as me - preparing to invite others to come unto Christ. Never before have I been so aware of what that means. One sweet spiritual story: last night, we had the opportunity to watch Elder Bednar's Character of Christ address. One of the most powerful talks I've ever heard. The truth in those words was confirmed to me. There's such a powerful peace - like the world around is a hurricane, and the presence of the Holy Ghost moves you into the eye. The trials are still there, but you don't feel it. Your vision is improved and you recover the strength you need to dive back in. The MTC is a little eye in the storm. I'm learning, growing. In a few months, I'll be ready to take Australia by storm. With Christ at my side, I cannot fail. 

Anyway. I love you all. Please keep emailing me, I appreciate the support. P Day is Monday, so that's when I'll respond, but I can read anything I've been sent during the week. I've also been instructed to mention Dear Elder, which is some sort of letter service... I'm not quite sure. Look into it if you care about sending actual mail. Besides that, things are pretty great. I know this is the place I'm meant to be. Hard, for sure, but with Christ, there's nothing I can't do. I testify of that. 

Have a fantastic week, friends. Miss you all. 

He Zhǎnglǎo

Elder Blackhurst

Jonathan Hooper (teaching at the MTC-found me the first day)

My companion Elder James from Provo, Utah
Sweden/Ireland Mission, speaking Mandarin