Week 23: How do I help him get less fat??

 大家好！


This week was so insanely hectic, we lost our WhatsApp for three days this week because it kept getting banned, and so eventually we had to create a new WhatsApp. It kinda capped our ability to do missionary work which was really frustrating, but we were still able to have some awesome miracles. Charles and Jack have made so much progress this week which has been amazing to see! I'm so excited for both of them and the progress their making and the happiness it's brought them so far and will continue to bring them! 

Highlights:
- On Tuesday we were walking past a dessert restaurant, and when I looked through the glass I saw our Elders Quorum President 黃兄弟, so I waved at him and his wife and they waved us to come in. Turns out it was 黃兄弟's birthday, so they bought us dessert and we all hung out together for a bit which was super fun!
- Elder Adcox and I found the most fire park ever that I somehow never found before, it had turtles, tortoises, a huge pond, and a fire view
- I had the most epic exchange with Elder Chen, he came to my area and we taught Charles about the word of wisdom, which he told us he'll have no problem with, and we taught Jack tithing, which he also said no problem! It was a huge miracle cause I'd been a little worried about those commandments for the two of them, so it was amazing to see how strong their faith is to completely accept them right away!
- After we taught Jack he bought us lunch and took us to THE FANCIEST restaurant I've been to in Hong Kong. It was actually so nuts, the food was so quality and it was amazing. Turns out Jack is kinda rich
- Elder Chen and I also invented a new form of finding called coin finding where every time we need to pick a direction we let a coin flip decide. We found four interested people using this method. Will be trying again 🙌
- Yesterday a member in our ward asked me to help her son prepare for a mission by helping him get less fat. I thought she was joking. She was not 😂 This is the meaning behind the title of today's email
- Last night Elder Chen and I cooked up some salmon and pasta and it turned our so fire. The salmon depicted below cost $3 USD. I love Hong Kong

Spiritual thought:
I've been reading the Saints books recently because I miss reading books, and one part recently really stood out to me. One of the people in the book is going through severe trials: she feels completely alone and like she has no idea where to turn to. She starts praying for help and she hears a voice that tells her that if she can give her heart over to the Lord, the trial will pass. After she has this experience she follows the word and completely gives her heart over to the Lord's will. After she does that she receives comfort and strength to endure through her trial, even through her situation didn't change. It reminded me of what President Nelson said, that our happiness has less to do with the circumstances of our lives, and everything to do with the focus of our lives. I've seen this to be true so much, especially recently as I've had a hard time adjusting to leading my area and a new companion. I know if we can make the choice to give Him our hearts and wills, we will be given strength to endure all things. 

Love you all!
Elder Blankenbiller

Google Photos:
Pictures:
1. View of the park
2. Tortoises 
3. Elder Chen doing an imitation of this lucky cat
4. The salmon and pasta
5. Vibes






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