October 8, 2012

Dear Mom :)
I'm so grateful that I'm serving as well; There's no way that I could ever doubt the truthfulness of the restored gospel. It's a blessing for one and all.

 

(This next part is a reponse to Mom's comment on how Eric's favorite name Aurora is part of the name of his new city)
Haha, yeah I was stoked about that when I got here, it's also the given name of old' faithful (the maxima).

 

The area is so nice here.It's a lot of hard work, but the families here are so nice! I love the people here. I'm feeling way better this week, I'm finally mostly over the cough. Don't you worry about me mom, I'm doing good here! I'm happy and healthy.

We haven't been able to listen to conference yet, it is re-broadcasted here so we will be hearing all of the messages next weekend :) I'm so stoked! It sounds like it was an awesome conference. That's so nuts about the new age requirements though; this truly is a church of revelation! I'm so excited for Ryan though, man he's gonna get to come out sooner. The Lord's timing is so key, is everything in fact. Time is one of the few things that we can give back to Him, and we just gotta trust that He knows better than us. Things happen for a reason.To answer your question, we see the coast every Monday (pday). It's so pretty and gives me a chance to really relax. Missionary work is true and is hard work, but it's nice to get a chance to reflect and relax even if just for a short bit.

The work here in Maria Aurora is progressing though, I'm so excited for the progress that we'll be seeing. The branch president is awesome, the members here are few but have strong testimonies. I love testimony meeting here, it's so neat to see the people who have nothing get up and bear testimony about the blessings that they receive from the Lord. He really is so aware of each of us. On Thursday, Elder Gontinias and I were able to teach ten lessons to different families, one of which is the Rivas family. The whole family
are members except for tatay Rivas. We are teaching his 9 year old daughter Mayumi because she is the most recently baptized in their family; our lesson was temple work and eternal marriage. He's usually
not there when we teach her, but I know that Heavenly Father is in this work, even if we only had one chance to teach with tatay present, it was about temples. I hope that our lesson planted a seed in him
that got him thinking about his family in the eternities.

 

Also, on Sunday we were so excited that a less active nanay came for the first time in a long time, and brought one of her friends that is investigating.  It is so sweet to see the joy that comes to people from attending  and enjoying the gift of the holy ghost that is present at sacrament meeting; the gospel is so simple, it requires diligence, love, and trust in the Lord, but the fruits of faithful living are eternal.

Sister Martino (mission presidents wife) just got the whole mission going on a Book of Mormon reading extravaganzza, we've got a goal to read the whole Book of Mormon before the end of December. How is your Book of Mormon reading going? Where is the family at now? That book is so true :) It's the keystone of our religion, if you don't believe me ask God!

 

(This is a reply to a comment Mom made about ElderNelson's talk, "Ask A Missionary")
That's funny that Elder Nelson said that; many times we're asked about a lot of things as missionaries. It's humbling, I don't know everything but the things I don't know me and my companion are usually able to figure out. This church is so true. I pray for you always, I miss you a ton but I know you are being watched over. Our Father in Heaven is aware of our family, I know it.

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Love,
Elder Blackham