This week was absolutely incredible. There's so much I could share, I hardly know where to begin. I'll try and keep my thoughts short because I know that most of you just look at the pictures anyway. But there's no doubt in my mind that there are miracles happening out in the mission field. Australia Melbourne Heidelberg area is being blessed, and I'm the fortunate missionary who gets to be here when it happens.
Let's start with last Sunday: we had a record six investigators show up to sacrament meeting, which is unheard of with the Chinese. We had to get other companionships and go on exchanges to deal with them all. Elder Mourino and I had a chance to sit down with Lian Rong after the meeting (and lunch) and have a simple lesson with her. Mourino has only been here one transfer longer than I have, so neither of our Chinese is all that refined. But we taught, and we bore powerful testimony of the Savior and of His Atonement in what little Chinese we had. It was a powerful, powerful lesson. I'm so grateful.
The rest of our investigators are coming along as well. Liu 's baptism is coming up and we're all so excited. Leo and John accepted baptismal dates. We got a call from Chelsea last week, asking if we knew how to help with her 'dandelion' problem. We offer to do service, and show up the next morning with Elder Liu and Elder Mourino. Turns out her whole yard is infested by 5 foot weeds - hours of work. So what else do we do, besides dive in and start pulling everything up. Three and a half hours later, we had a mosty weed-less yard and a well-mowed lawn. Nothing special, but we missionaries can work. In all honesty, that was the most familiar thing I've done since arriving in Melbourne. The food is new and the language is new and the teaching is new...but work is always work. That, I can do.
Our language study yesterday was phenomenal and worth noting. Elder Hu is preparing to take his English exam that for schooling after the mission, so we've been working on his reading and listening and comprehension. Yesterday, for review, I recited the plot for the majority of the Princess Bride and made him describe back to me each of the characters in the movie. It was fantastic. He's been shouting "Inconceivable!" and every car that cuts him off on the road. I'm so proud. The other priceless line was when he was going through the dictionary and found the word "cantankerous". I asked him what he thought it meant. He pauses, and then said, "I use it to describe my old girlfriend, right?" I just about died laughing. I love my companion. Couldn't ask for a better teacher.
Last week for P Day, we got eight missionaries together in the ZL's flat and made dumplings. I probably downed 40 of those things, they're so good. Oh, man. I'm going to be fat by the end of the mission if the Asians keep feeding me. I'm starting to get a hang of cooking their food myself, and I know where the shops are where they buy their spices...dangerous. Of course, that doesn't mean we don't eat regular food over here too, though. Last week, we made American french fries topped with Chinese ash pepper (highly recommend you all go find and try some of that stuff, it's awesome) to side with our spaghetti and Turkish Delight, which our investigator gave us. We're multicultural.
Game night last week, I taught a few branch members to play Rage. It went about as well as you'd expect Rage to go with Asians. No other comments. If you know the game, you'll have a pretty good picture of how it went. If you haven't played, go find my father and question your friendship with him that he hasn't introduced this fantastic game to you yet.
I could keep going with stories, this week was eventful. But I only have a little time to email, so here's the quick rundown for the rest:
9 lessons
I got lost for the first time (miracle it took this long)
Elder Hu and I shouted at seagulls
A branch member bought me a pumpkin (long story)
Elder Hu and I got a total of zero phone numbers from our GQing this week
So, lots of fun. Last couple thoughts:
We spent a lot of time studying this week, preparing to teach our investigators and finishing my golden training. Amidst everything we looked at, there was something that always kinda stuck with me. We teach a lot of doctrine. We share lots of stories. But at the end of the day, everything we share points back to Jesus Christ. Every invitation we give is about finding our relationship with Him. And truly, the way we get to know Him is through repentance. Through applying His Atonement in our lives. My simple reminder to you all this week is to stop and recognize your relationship with Him. Do you really understand what His sacrifice means for you? No understanding or truth can ever begin to compare with what He did for us. May we all focus more on the Savior this week. I can promise - as we do, we'll better understand and be ready to face whatever trials and challenges come our way. He is our Savior and Redeemer. Through Him, all things are possible.
I love you all. I hope those of you back in the US are loving this cool season as much as I'd like to. As we approach Thanksgiving and the beloved Christmas season (shrieks) I hope you're all thinking a little less about yourselves and a little more about those around you. Have a fantastic week and I look forward to hearing from you all!
Elder Blackhurst
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