Week 44: Heart attacking doesn't work in Hong Kong 😭

 大家好！


Last night we tried to go heart attack some of our ward leaders to show appreciation for the work they do. Sounds like a great idea. Except in Hong Kong they have security guards in the building who call the person you're trying to visit to make sure they know you. So the surprise sometimes gets completely ruined. Also in my area the wealthy members live on the side of a mountain. So after spending half an hour hiking up the side of a mountain and the Sisters politely refraining from crashing out, we got the apartment building of the Stake President who lives in our ward. And then the surprise got ruined by the security guards. So they invited us in and fed us and the drove us home after. Super nice of them but seriously could not have gone less according to plan 😂

Highlights
- I've been in pretty consistent contact with my friend Charles who I baptized in my old area, and about a month ago he told me that his father had died. He invited me to come attend the funeral and my Mission President gave me permission to attend. It was a really traditional Chinese funeral which was really interesting. I was also so glad to be able to support Charles too
- General Conference! I swear the sessions go by faster every time. I absolutely loved this general conference,y favorite talks were from Elder Roe, Sister Freeman, and Elder Caussé
- Friday I went to the temple in the morning and spent the rest of the day watching conference. Best day ever
- Interviews with President and Sister Hill! I had what was probably my favorite interview I've had so far. They gave me some really great advice and encouragement, it was the best
- Met a youth rugby team from Seattle Washington! We were just walking by and we were like "Yo what's up guys?" And they were like "Dude it's the Mormons! It's the Elders!" About 4 of them were members and the rest of them just knew who we were. They were so chill though, one of them is currently thinking about serving a mission but is deciding between doing a mission or going to a university where he has an offer to play rugby. Cool that we ran into him

Spiritual thought
In Elder Roe's talk he shares about a guide that he once had to lead him through a minefield. He said that the more he followed his guide and remained safe, his confidence and trust in his guide grew. He compared this to our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. We can't see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, but as we follow them we can see the fruits of our discipleship and our trust and faith in them will grow. When we follow them we start to see changes in our lives, we see more happiness, more peace, more self-confidence. These fruits are evidence that we can place our trust in Jesus Christ as our guide and follow Him. 

Love you all!
Elder Blankenbiller


Google Photos

Pictures
1. Last P-Day at Chinese Seaworld
2. Post District Council elevator pic
3. Exchanges with Elder Smith
4. Apartment dinner: steak, Alfredo pasta, and hashbrowns
5. Ruby dudes






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