Week 1: Rubik's Cubes Save Lives

Heyyy, what's up, everyone!
Well I had my first week as a missionary! I'm pretty much done with Home MTC, I have like one more class tonight and then I get to go to Provo! I'm really excited cause Zoom is the absolute worst, the only reason I could sit down that long was cause I had a Rubik's Cube I could mess with. I mean Zoom and I have never been good friends, but the beef is real now. The classes were super interesting though and I've learned a ton! My Cantonese classes, however, have been absolutely kicking my butt. Turns out that taking two years of Spanish in high school shockingly does NOT carry over to learning Cantonese, so we've started from scratch. But with many prayers and lots of practicing tones, we're getting there! Prepare to be unable to understand me when I get home. 

I also got around to some pretty fun stuff in between all the Zoom classes and devotionals and everything, including a quick ice cream trip to Handel's to try their new animal cookie flavor (be warned, it literally just tastes like you're eating frosting,) doing some puzzles, going on a 6-0 win streak in Codenames, watching the new episodes of the Chosen (would recommend you check it out, I don't want to spoil anything, but I think Judas is up to something,) and a surprise visit from some friends to say bye.

On Saturday my family went to a Moses Tabernacle replica thing. It was pretty cool, but the really cool part was an exhibit they had with some ancient cuneiform tablets and the real seal of Ramses II, which was so sick! They were from like 2000 BC which is nuts.

And of course, a quick spiritual thought:
In the Come Follow Me this week there happened to be a scripture that was super applicable for me. It's D&C 64:33-34, and it says,

33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

34 Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.

I really love this because a couple days into learning Cantonese I was really discouraged by how new and difficult it is, and I wasn't seeing as fast of results as I wanted to. But this scripture reminds us that the Lord just wants us to be willing and obedient, and that it's through small things that great things come. All I need to do is be willing to put in my best effort, and no matter what the results are, the Lord will be satisfied. 

Anyways, hope everyone is doing amazing!
Elder Blankenbiller

Pics:
1. Setting apart
2. Handel's
3. My friends Claire and Lara
4. Some Ticket to Ride
5. Moses Tabernacle

 

 


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