Elder Brigham Blackhurst: Why are you so white, Elder Blackhurst?

Hey everyone! Quite the eventful week. New investigators, lessons, lots of chances to teach and work with the members. The work is progressing - slow, but we're moving.

I'll start with the subject - that was the topic of discussion at dinner last night. Elder Liu and I were invited to have dinner with a couple of our members and another companionship. Great. We go, we sit down, they ask me to take a picture. No big deal. So I take a picture, and I happen to be sitting in a spot where the light was shining right on my face. I'll attach it below. I was mocked for the rest of the evening about everything that comes with not being Asian. Too light in photos; can't do cool tricks with chopsticks while waiting for the waiter; when the waiter does come, he speaks to everyone at the table in Mandarin until he gets to me and then asks for my order in English; so on, so forth. I heard a story recently about two Asians who climbed into a cab in New York driven by an African American man, and they began commenting in Chinese about how dark his skin was. When they reached the first red light, he turned around and in perfect Mandarin said, "It's not my fault, you can blame my parents."

I look forward to the day where I say the same.

This week, we had the opportunity to meet a few new people. Khloe came to FHE and had a lesson with us earlier this week - a sweet sister from Hong Kong. So excited for her. Blackie is from Shandong. I've learned recently that everyone from Shandong is a little big crazy. Meeting with him was awesome. And yesterday, we met with a couple - Sky and Alice - from Malaysia. I've heard fast Chinese, but yesterday hit new records. Not quite sure how I followed that lesson, but hey, gift of tongues. I've definitely seen my language improve in the last several months. I've still got a long way to go, but I can hold my own and that's enough for now. The Lord will supply the rest.

Powerful experience last week. On exchanges, I had the opportunity to teach Chichi - a long-time West Melbourne investigator - with Elder Feng. It was one of those lessons where everything just feels good. You're using the scriptures and testifying of the Savior and everything is moving in the right direction. There was a point where she posed a question that really didn't have an answer, and I felt impressed to share an tough experience I had a month or so ago to help her see how God sees us. It was a reminder to me of how our trials and losses help us to learn and grow. Powerful witness of the majesty of the plan. It isn't always going to be easy and fun. But it will always work out.

Last P Day was zone P Day. For those of you interested, yes. We crushed at capture the flag. Twice in a row. Undisputed champions.

Yesterday, Elder Liu and I led our branch's newest activity - Scripture Night. We acted out Joseph in Egypt. Notable was Aelita (Potiphar's wife) telling Martin (Joseph) to lie with her. Martin resisted. Great fun.

Have a lovely week, everyone. Next week, more likely than not, I'll be somewhere besides Heidelberg for the first time in...what, 6 months? Aiyah. Weird. Time certainly flies when you're in the service of the Lord.

Elder Blackhurst