Water Buffalo Pictures

Sorry for the delay in these pictures, I thought I had already posted them.

April 15, 2013

Things with the Sebastian family are going great! (See the pictures of Elder Blackham riding a caribou with this family that are also posted on this site) The kids are scheduled to be baptized in May. There is a priesthood holder that we just recently met. He is actually a really nice guy. They promised to come to church next Sunday, "for sure" this time... haha we'll see though. THey are changing though mom, and it's neat to feel the difference in their home.  

The work continues to progress here in Palayan. We have two baptisms scheduled for next week! We are so excited for them! We spend most of our time finding, which I love.  I really wish that everyone we talked to would progress....The hardest part of missionary work is helping people develop the faith to act.  This is truly an experimental gospel. When they do though, there is almost no greater joy. I truly love this work, this is the Lord's. Everything I am, I owe to Him, and the people that He has used to influence my life for good.  

Please give the ward my love and appreciation. 

love,

Elder Blackham

April 1, 2013

It's been a great Easter here for us, we taught the atonement to every single less active we visited. The doctrine of the atonement is so essential for us to understand. It's power is there, but becomes real when we actually understand it. I'm so grateful for the life and example of Jesus Christ. He did so much more for us than we will ever comprehend in this mortal life. 

This is a very Catholic country haha, we woke up at 5 in the morning to fireworks and a parade on Sunday. It was a great though; the LDS Chapel here was dedicated. It was so neat to see; we sang "The Spirit of God". I couldn't help but think of the significance of that Hymn - it was sung at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple so many years ago; and now here I am in the Philippines ( Other side of the world) worshipping at the dedication of a new chapel. "No unhallowed work can stop the work from progressing"... I don't believe that any hallowed hand will stop it.

We saw a lot of miracles in the work this week mom, we always do. Most if it happens in the way that we find people. We were blessed as we found new investigators this week. We met a mother on Saturday, and invited her to church. She actually came and brought her kid! We were shocked. haha, the other new investigator we met on Saturday wasn't able to come, but the spirit was way strong in our lesson. He has a real desire to know the truth but unfortunatly had to work. 

My testimony of the Book of Mormon has been strengthened this week. One of the newly found less-actives that we are teaching had a change of heart. When we first met her she was skeptical, argumentative; and quite frankly slightly rude . I remember reminiscing in discouragement as we rode a tricycle home. The next appointment we decided that she needed a testimony of the Book of Mormon, which became the topic of our next discussion with her. We explained where it came from and testified of it's truthfulness. We left her a copy and an assignment to read the 31^st chapter of 2^nd Nephi. Upon our return, she was actually read it, and then started reading from the beginning and read almost all of 1st Nephi! Haha! I know, right? She was thrilled, ecstatic about what she learned. Upon our return, she had brought three of her neighbors to listen to us too; these three committed to be baptized. This all happened because she opened her heart and experienced the Spirit. I know there is power in that Book.

Love,

Elder Blackham

March 25, 2013

It's good to hear that ya'll are having fun! :) haha please give everyone my love! I miss everyone too, but the work of the Lord will go foward and I get to be a part of it! He really does care for us. I was looking over my notes the other day from a mission conference last year where Elder Nelson's wife made the comment that she saw in a card, "because we care enough to send the best". Our Heavenly Father cares, He cared enough to send His son to die and live for us, and bless us evermore! 

This week was another good week for us, there really are miracles everyday mom. My favorite thing this week was that we found a family. They live kind of far away from us and the church, but we were able to share about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. They believed, but were unable to come to church last week. We'll see how it goes this week though :) I've been impressed this week even more about the power that's in the Book of Mormon. With the scriptures in general actually. I remember mom, when we were young and you would have a hard time. You taught me through example the comfort that comes from just having the scriptures open. There is real power in the words of the Prophets; especially when they bear testimony of the Father and the Son.  The Savior is real, and so are His promises to those who obey. 

All we can do is strive, be worthy, and qualify for His help. I really love this work. I know with all my heart that Heavenly Father knows and cares for each and everyONE of us.

Love,

Elder Blackham