Tracting - feat. Angry Aussies, Born-Agains and not enough Zhongguoren

Hello everyone! It's been a long week. I know many of you must be going through withdrawals after not hearing from me for nine days. Rest assured, all is well. We had an early P Day last week before Zone Conference, and a late P Day this week because yesterday was ANZAC Day. But we're back on schedule and excited about everything happening in our area. 

A little bit of Australian culture for all of my Americans back home: ANZAC Day is a national holiday down here. It stands for Australian & New Zealand Army Corps, and it's a day of remembrance for all those serving and have previously served in the armed forces....and that's pretty much all I know about it. We found out yesterday that there is also a significant Footy game that happens every year on ANZAC Day. We did not know this before hand. We'd knock a door, and there'd be a rush of footsteps before the door would swing open and an annoyed looking Australian would be standing there. We'd introduce ourselves. And they'd say, and I quote: "But the Footy game is on." And them slam the door. You'd think we'd figure that out eventually and find something better to do with our time - no, not really. Missionaries are wildly persistent. So we kept knocking. Not much success, but hey. So it goes. One guy told us that "Footy is my religion. You're disrespecting my faith" before slamming his door. How I love this country. 

This whole week we seemed to meet a lot of people from all over. As the Subject suggests, we met a handful of Christians who were very convinced that we were not Christian and wanted to go to great lengths to prove to us so. It's a little sad, and a little frustrating, but what can you do? You leave your testimony of the Book of Mormon and move on to the next one. Our work is not one of convincing others, nor is it one that's going to be accepted by everyone. We seek out those whose seek change in their lives and offer it through the gospel of Jesus Christ, as restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. We trust that the Lord is preparing those whose hearts are ready and trust that the people we meet before then will prepare us on our way. 

The area is great. I miss the city, but dang, having 8-10 lessons a week is a great thing. We have four baptismal dates, the newest chose and accepted his as of yesterday. Jess and Bowen and Ted and Cui are all progressing. It's really, really exciting. I hope to watch each of their testimonies continue to grow. 

On the subject of baptisms, I had a very special experience this week. One of the responsibilities of a district leader is to interview investigators before they're baptised. Last week, the Waverley sisters asked me to interview Michael for his baptism this weekend. In Chinese. I was terrified. I gave one of our APs a call to see if he had any suggestions on righteously judging his situation. This particular Elder told me he had "full confidence in me" and that he knew I'd "do the right thing" and hung up on me. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but I guess it did the trick because it brought me to my knees. I spent an awful lot of hours in prayer this last week. When the hour of the interview came, I sat down across from Michael and asked him to give us a prayer to start. The feeling that filled that room was undeniable. I knew what the Lord would have me do. Sometimes, Heavenly Father expects us to take a few steps forward with faith. But as we prepare and do all we can, the Lord gives us the increase. I received that increase this week and it was such a tremendous blessing. How grateful I am to be part of this work. 

And while we're still talking baptisms, we had a dinner appointment earlier this week. We were a little curious as to how it would go, as we noticed this family had signed up to feed both my companionship and the English elders in the ward. The address they sent us was a chapel - we showed up for a dinner appointment and ended up at a baptism. So, we attended and congratulated the new member, a bright eight-year-old named Christian. It was a big Polynesian family, so they stuffed us full afterwards and sent us home with enough food to feed the whole mission.

Great fun. 

I wish I could share every story and every feeling that comes with being a missionary. It is such an incredible experience to be part of this work. It isn't easy. Not for a moment. And sometimes you have a little clearer vision of what you're doing here than other times. But one thing is for sure: God himself stands at the head of this church. Our ways are not His ways. His vision is not our vision. He will lead us and guide us home, and it is though His Only Begotten that any of this is possible. I love my Savior and will continue to serve Him by loving the people of Melbourne Australia. The Standard of Truth has been on my mind a lot this week. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it goes like this: 

The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing;

persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, 

till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.
May it continue to go forth. 

Have a wonderful week! I miss you all, and I'm so glad to hear about all of the accomplishments back home. Weddings and mission calls and performances...Will hit a triple a few days ago. So good. I send my love. 

Jiayou!

Elder Blackhurst