More adventures from the land down under

Hey everyone! Another great week. Busy. Not much to report - we're still cranking on. 

We went out to the Morrington Peninsula today - southernmost tip of the peninsula on the right, just south of Melbourne. Very beautiful. Turns out most of it was closed, so we drove a long way to see very little. But even then, it's such a gorgeous country. Wandered down along several beaches and rock formations - I love Melbourne. 

I heard a song played in Chinese the other day, and it struck me just how much I could figure out on my own. Chinese has grown, my friends. To all of my lovelies who are preparing to serve a language mission - don't sweat the language. Work hard. It will come. The Lord will provide. 

We had exchanges last week. My new Zone Leader is Elder Zalypko - a funny Ukrainian Elder who's been serving for almost exactly as long as I have. Hysterical. After only working with Americans and Chinese and Australians for a year, a little European taste was definitely a change. He found a MoTab arrangement of an old Ukrainian piece on my drive (no clue where it came from) and that's all we listened to for the whole day. He tried to get me to teach him a little Chinese, but it all came out with the Ukraine accent, which was pretty funny in itself.

I was truly blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord this week. Long days upon long days. I think the Lord knows exactly when we need a little slack cut, and when we need to push a little harder. There were things I was able to do and people I was able to meet and I hope the Lord continues to provide as we do our best to do His will. I know He loves me and cares for me. I hope despite my weakness, that I can do a little to give back to Him. Not that anything I could ever do could ever pay Him back for all He's given us - but in overwhelming gratitude, I follow His example to show my love to Him. 

And beyond that, it was a pretty slow week. We're talking with lots of people, making lots of new friends, trying to connect. I made lots of new Facebook friends, both from here and back home. It's a little weird every time I see someone I know's picture pop up on my phone, but I'm glad to hear you're all doing well. Keep the emails coming, I love the news coming from back home.

 

Short email this week, I'll be sure to put a better one together next week. I love you all, miss you lots. Keep on doing good.

Elder Blackhurst