Hey everyone! It was another week. Lots of crazy weather and crazy people and investigators who conveniently never ever pick up the phone. So it goes. We had lots of chances to contact on the street, go on exchanges, experiment with weird foods, and cry because our investigators aren't picking up the phone. Elder Liu and I are praying to stay together in Heidelberg for one more transfer - training has been such an adventure. I love working with my missionary son and I look forward to having one more transfer with him.
This week was pretty regular, in all honestly. We went to work and did what we can. Not too much success right now, but we're hoping as students come back in the next few weeks, we'll have new people to teach.
No serious stories means you all get to hear the stupid ones.
Lucky you.
So, my Chinese is still pretty poor, but it makes me feel better sometimes when the Asians make English mistakes. We got a text last night from a missionary about a New Year's activity (Chinese New Year doesn't start until this week. You all better be have crazy big celebrations this Friday with lots of red and lots of fireworks and lots of Sichuan chili) and he was trying to make assignments so that no one would have to buy everything. The text read something like: "We'd like everyone to bring their own bowels and chopsticks" and all of the Americans who got the text died laughing. We were making digestive jokes for the rest of the evening.
There are anti-Trump posters all over the marketplace we go to GQ right now. Great fun. We make Wall jokes every time we pass one. The white missionary hand book has a page that instructs that we don't speak poorly of the country we're in, regardless of political circumstances. It says nothing, however, about commenting on our own. I'm really not totally sure what our dear Zongtong is doing back home, but I've heard nothing about missiles or war, so we should be okay.
We met a girl on the street the other day. She gave us her number and told us we could contact her, but I think it was mostly because she thought we were "shuai". Reaaaally uncomfortable, but hey, it's fine. That's the extent of my romance as a missionary. Happy Valentine's Day.
Elder Liu and I contacted a member yesterday and read out of the Old Testament with him. For those of you who have never tried to explain Genesis 1 through Genesis 30 to someone with zero Bible background, I highly recommend it.
Not so recommended if you don't speak Chinese, like yours truly.
On an unrelated note, I know now how to say lots of great words like "tribes" and "Sodom and Gomorrah" and "circumcision" in Chinese.
On a more serious note, we had the blessed opportunity to go with Ren Rong for her first time to do baptisms for the dead. It was such a sacred moment - when I saw her come out and sit down all dressed in white, my spirit swelled. Even more so when she came out of the font. She's growing and learning and I couldn't be more proud. Seeing an investigator be baptized is a beautiful thing, but seeing them go and fulfill those covenants through church service is beyond words. I will forever be grateful the Lord has blessed me to be a part of their conversion and pray He allows me to see more of them make those same covenants.
How grateful I am for the gospel of Christ. May we all better strive to live the covenants He has extended to us. The blessings promised are greater than we can imagine. They aren't always what we expect, they aren't always what we want. But He knows what we need.
A shoutout to all of you working on your mission papers right now. Good for you! Keep it up. Kristen and Emmalyn and Jarom, I look forward to hearing about your calls, as well as everyone else preparing to serve. It makes me giddy - I can't wait to hear where in this vast vineyard has the Lord prepared people for you.
I love and miss you all. I appreciate all who reached out last week - it was a hard one for my family back home. We don't know why everything that happens does. But it doesn't change the fact that we trust the Lord in all things.
Have a great week! Make sure you're all reading your scriptures every day. Enjoy the real New Year and I look forward to hearing from you all soon!
Elder Blackhurst
And here's a picture from last week - another good one
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