I don't think we're in Heidelberg anymore, Toto

A happy PDay to you all! It's been a crazy week. Transfers and Easter and missionaries leaving and going...my head is still spinning. I'll do my best to get my thoughts out today.

First, of course, is Transfers. I'm no longer in the city - I've been transferred out east to Glen Waverly where I will serve as the Chinese District leader with six other missionaries, four Chinese and two new Americans. I'm in a trio companionship with Elder Wang and Elder Bibb. Wang is a quiet, dedicated missionary from Shandong. This is his last transfer, which makes two kills for me in 6 transfers. Not bad. This is Elder Bibb's second transfer, which also means my second chance to train to 6 transfers. Also not bad. He's from Louisiana, 5 foot 4, and might break 120 pounds dripping wet. It's an exciting time with lots of change and I'm just doing my best to get a grip on everything. 

Moving to Waverly means that, yes, I had to leave our Branch behind. It was a rough last few days, not going to lie. Sisters Cahoon and Johnson had their farewell FHE last Monday, and everyone was preparing to send them off. It hit me, seeing them give their goodbyes, just how many of the people around me weren't going to be there when I get back. I wasn't just saying goodbye to Cahoon and Johnson - this was the last time I'd see Chen and Hadlock and Madsen and Fong and Ren Rong and who knows who else. Missionaries and members alike don't stay long in our branch...by the time I get transferred again into the city, it's going to have changed. And that's a scary thing...all these people I've come to love, just to say goodbye like that isn't fun. But then again, that's truly the message of the gospel. We're here to help people take the steps it takes to be sealed together forever. All of us. Member to member, family to family. I might not see any of those members before I go home. But it's alright - I know we'll meet again. 

On the subject of conference - No, I haven't seen it yet. When I do, then I'll start talking about it. 

As far as last week, it was a good last few days of work with Elder Liu, my Taiwanese golden. It was a joy training him, and I really will miss him a lot. But unlike the rest of the missionaries, I'll bump into him again before I go home, no doubt. 

I'll have more stories to share next week, no doubt. For now, I'm just trying to get a grip on things. This week will definitely be full of adventures and I look forward to this new transfer. Keep us in your prayers, you're constantly in ours. I love you all and look forward to hearing from all of you soon!

Elder Blackhurst