Hey everyone! Another great week. Lots of exciting things - first and foremost, I've bid Elder Hu adeiu and am now serving with Elder Feng. We're still up north in Heidelberg, but I'm exciting to work with him. It's his very last transfer, so I also have the pleasure of killing him at the end of his mission. What fun.
This last week was certainly busy. Most of our investigators went home to China for the break, so our teaching pool has shrunk considerably. We're a little worried, seeing as Melbourne gets a little hotter with every passing day and it seems our schedules have more and more open time for contacting on the street. Really, really, really hoping for some new and very keen investigators - for both their sake and ours.
As for the ones who are staying, they're all doing great. J has really been trying to keep commitments. S is progressing and learning a lot. YMN spent a lot of time with us this week - the branch loves her. We really hope she sticks with the lessons. She attended our honorary Thanksgiving feast (organized by our lovely American senior couple), which was a lot of fun. They're all so good, our investigators. I love these people. There's a shift, when you go from teaching people to trying to help people you love. I'm not that good at it, to be honest. I'm not that outgoing or social of a guy. But here, I'm willing to work for them. I hope and pray I can continue to increase my love for them.
As the title suggests, I finished my training. Wooohoh. (party noisemaker sounds)
Last week, I went to the museum with Elder Norby and Elder Mourino. It was virtually the first time since I've been here I've been surrounded by Americans, which was kinda weird. We spoke Chinese anyway. We had a fantastic time looking at the art and trying really hard not to make jokes about too much of it. Attached below is one lovely statue we found. It's titled, "Elder Hu training Elder Blackhurst". Weird, how fittingly named.
I had a very interesting experience this week. I'm sure most of you are familiar with the Peter of the New Testament. One night, they were out sailing when the Savior approached them, walking on the water. Peter asked Christ to bid him come, and he stepped out onto the water. When he saw the waves and the storm around him, Peter lost focus on the Savior and began to sink. Christ pulled him from the water, later asking him, why had he doubt? I had a moment like that this week. Phone calls are really hard. Really, really hard for me. I hate doing it, for anyone, forget Chinese people who don't really want to talk to me. But I do it anyway. The other day, I made a call to a less active who picked up. I just started talking to her, trying to figure out her situation, trying to figure out how I could help her. I remember asking a question and she went off in Chinese about whatever her concern was and I realized, oh man, I'm speaking in Chinese. I panicked. My comprehension went from 65% to a solid 10%. I lost focus on my purpose and let fear get the best of me. I eventually just handed the phone to my companion - I couldn't do it. Later, in studying, I found that story and it hit me like a wall. Why did I doubt? Why did I fear? I have the Savior with me. He's promised to never let us be confounded before another, and yet I let my own fear get in the way. As we rely on the Savior, He will help us become more than we are. When we focus on them, on loving them, on sharing what really matters - language and other differences become less of a concern. The Book of Moroni teaches that perfect love casts out all fear - that's who I want to become. To overcome my fear so that I can have true Christlike Charity instead. Isn't that really what the Savior has encouraged us to do? Give up of ourselves to give more to others. As we do so, therein lies the power of the Atonement. Therein lies the true power of change. How grateful I am for Christ's perfect example and sacrifice, I hope and pray I can continue to become more like Him.
Have a fantastic week everyone! December is coming up. I hope you've all been hearing plenty about #LighttheWorld. If you're thinking, 'Oh no, I've already heard about this thing from my bishop and ward mission leader and ward missionaries, Elder Blackhurst, please don't talk about this thing again, I unapologetically tell you to get over it and go look up the website again. Christmas is such an incredible chance to serve - I strongly encourage you all to look into the church program provided and find a way to bless the lives of those around you. In fact, I'll offer this challenge: all of you who send me pictures of the way you're "lighting the world" next month will receive a special reward from me and my companion. It'll be magnificent. Definitely worth it. So, go and do, friends. Love you all.
Elder Blackhurst
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