December 17, 2012

I heard about that (the Connecticutt shootings)... it's on the news here as well.  That is so ridiculous, I don't know how people could get it in their heads to use their agency in such a horrible way. It reminds me of the secret combinations in the Book of Mormon. It's so sad, because they are the reasons the people fell. I'm so grateful that we do have the hope of the atonement though.  In preach my gospel is says, "everything that is unfair about life is made right through the atonement". That's a simple truth that will bring power to our lives if we understand it. My heart breaks for those families as well. I'm so grateful that we grew up where we did and that I was given all

of the opportunities I was. I've been so blessed my whole life.

I haven't got the presents yet, but we're having a conference this week and I'm sure that they'll be there! haha.

Things are going well for me right now. The area is picking up a lot and I just got a new companion. I'm training now. My companion is fresh from the MTC here in Manilla, He's a native from southern Philippines. His name is Elder Tsunoda. He's an awesome Elder with such a missionary spirit. I'm so stoked for the next couple months that we're gonna have together!

We had some good things happen this week! The Mari family are continuing to come to church and are on the road to becoming active again. Our brother Reyonelf Dalit has also started coming to church, and this was his second time as well. It's so neat and hard to explain how happy I get when I see these people making changes in their lives that will bring them closer to their Savior and a more gratifying happiness in this life. We held a missionary fireside on Sunday and focused our workshop on how we can build Zion in San Clamente. It went great! We asked Elder and Sister Mozer to give a spiel on home and visiting teaching, because that's really what the branch needs. Afterwards, everyone who attended split up into companionships and went home and visiting teaching. It was a great success, and the home and visiting teaching programs here are finally getting up and running. I'm stoked to see where this is going to take the branch. 

The two of our sisters who we've been preparing for baptism weren't able to come to church, Sister Cardinoza went to Manilla but still has a strong desire to learn and be baptized. We were able to find a new investigator; he's the nephew of the lady who does our laundry here. He's only 9 years old, but it's totally awesome to see  im get so excited for baptism. We asked him why he wants to be baptized and he told us because he wants to come closer to Jesus. I loved that. There's a lot of good things happening here, and we're excited for the

weeks to come!

Tell Cody how much I love him and look up to his example. Let him know I'm stoked to chill with him when I get back and that he's the man. Please just ask him if he has any advice for me haha.

Give my love to the Luna's as well!

I'm doing well and  it's a great time to be a missionary. 

December 10, 2012

No need to freak out... We really didn't have any effects from the storm here; last night I saw thunderheads and lightning in the distance but it never hit my area. I'm fine :). It's actually pretty hot and sunny here.

I got aunt Jill's package and it totally made my week! :) She's so thoughtful, I'm going to wait until Christmas to open it all, but I read the letters and stuff and hung up the foam pad she sent with it. I love our family! I'll be sure to keep you updated about when I get your package, it'll probably later on this week.

Wow, that is a lot of big news!! Send my congrats to Madelyn! How exciting is that!? Sweet dog, and Ian?! WHOA! that's so awesome. I'm stoked for him! I miss that kid so much it's ridiculous. But I'm happy that his life is progressing so quickly, please give him a congratulations from me. That's awesome.

Things here are going good for me, It's been a good and exciting week; The best day of the week was Sunday! We had a lot of less active individuals that we've been working with Finally get the courage to come to church! Among them was the Mari family; we've been committing them to come to church for the last 6 weeks, and finally they came! They were so happy at church and they were greeted by a lot of members who missed them. I was so excited for them; there were also a group of less active single adults that we've been working with make it as
well. Oh man, Sacrament meeting was so happy yesterday!! Two of the three baptisms will continue; Hannah and Sister Cardinoza! They both are ready and are continuing to come to church. Brother Jay-Ar is having a hard time coming to church and keeping some of the commitments so we're going to wait,He knows it's true though. It's
just disappointing sometimes how hard Satan works when people are so close to making pivotal decisions in their life.

Make sure to stay strong and continue being an example of righteousness. I know you are.
Love,
Elder Blackham

December 3, 2012

Sister Cardinoza is doing so well! She's soaking up all of the lessons we teach. We've been reviewing with her the plan of salvation. She started crying the other day because she realized that there really is a plan for her.  She said that she wishes she knew about it so much earlier. It's just so neat to see how liberating the truth is. She's scheduled to be baptized on the 29th of December. 

There are also two other people that we're working with to be baptized hopefully on the 29th as well. Jay-Ar and Hannah. They are both younger, like 14 but are way interested as well. Jay-ar has been waiting to "feel like this is the true religion" He said last week that he knows it's true and wants to get baptized too.  Hannah was referred to us by her friends here, and she's also soaking up the lessons.

This was a great week! I can't say that one day was better than the rest, because this week was full of spiritual experiences. Friday night we met with the Rosette Family. The mom and 2 of the children are active in the church, the dad is inactive and the other twochildren are borderline less active. As we met with the whole family,
there was an obvious desire in the mom and two children who are active for the others to become active again. We taught about holding onto the rod and partaking of the fruit of Lehi's dream.  The family, as whole, now has a strong desire to return to the church and we're so excited for the progression that will be taking place! The uncle of this family is a new investigator that we've found. We often run into him at night while he's drunk... and every time we see him he expresses a random desire to hear our message.  We were able to finally talk to him as we visited him Saturday morning. Wow, one of the sweetest experiences I've had. He has such a desire to come unto Christ.

This work is so true, the gospel is so powerful and the Savior's atonement is so real. I see every day the effect that it has on people's lives. We just have to find the faith to believe that He can do what He was sent here by the Father to do, and find the courage to act on our faith. I know it's true, I know it's real, I  know He loves us all.

November 26, 2012

I'm doing good! haha, it's been a good week for us here! They don't celebrate thanksgiving here in the Philippines, at least in the area that I'm in - so I kind of forgot that it was this week haha. But I'm still grateful for everything. Being thankful for things enables us to be so much happier! Isn't it great? That was President Monson's farewell advice in Conference, to list our blessings! 

I don't know if you heard or not, but our mission home is moving in December. I think for now they're still receiving
letters and things sent over there, but the new address is this:

Philippines Angeles Mission
F. Tanedo Street
Tarlac, Tarlac 2300
Philippines

COMMENT FROM MOM:(WHO MOVES A MISSION HOME IN DECEMBER WHEN THAT IS THE MONTH THEY PROBABLY GET THE MOST PACKAGES?)

It's also good to hear about the other Elder Blackham (Bret), every once in a while we stay in contact. He seems to be doing well, definitely being humbled. The mission is such a humbling experience. I've realized all that I
can't do, and have been so humbled by the things that I've seen and the people that I've met. I've learned how to find happiness in the midst of trials. I know that he's been able to find that, and it only comes from turning out and turning to the Savior.

The week was a good one, my companion and I are doing well! This was our most productive week and next week has an even brighter hope of being better! I love the idea of "better". Whoever and wherever we are, we have the hope of becoming better.

Sunday as usual, was my favorite day. After church we were able to work with President Gonzales in the area close to his house and taught sister Cardinoza. She is so stoked for her baptism, and it so neat to see how anxious she is to join the church. She loves the church services and says that she really feels a difference in our church. I know that it's true, we were able to teach her about the book of Mormon, she believes that it's the word of God and committed to pray to know with a surety that it was true.  We were also able to work with the elders quorum president who took us to a few of his friends houses where we began teaching a few new families. I love the power of the gospel, it's a light that cannot be dimmed!

Love, 

Elder Blackham