May 6, 2013

This is the Lord's church and His truth can not crumble.  Haha, I bet you'll do great tonight :) I wish I could be there to see you!   

Thanks for Cody's email, 

Update on my week: This week was a crazy week! Lots of things happened; on Tuesday, we had the first ever Mission Leadership Council, which is monumental. It was the first Leadership council where sisters participated; because of the increase of sisters coming into the mission they have now called Sister Leaders to take care of the sisters. Before it has always been a zone-leader council. Those are always so spiritual. The work of the Lord is progressing. It's the stone cut from the mountain without hands, and we are part of it mom! :).

On Friday, my companion and I donated blood for one of the Tatay's who was in the hospital this week.  Sunday was my last day with Elder Adao. He's going home now, and I'll be in a threesome until Thursday when I can pick up my new companion.  Elder Adao was the best. Things are going great! The highlight of Sunday was that a man we've been working with named Albert finally came to church on Sunday! So did everyone in the Sebastion family, even the dad. That was one of the coolest things. He said to me, "Tuloy-tuloy na 'yan. Lingo-Lingo magsisimba kami". Which means that he plans on coming to church everyweek. I love this work! I love the Lord, He is everything. 

I love you mom,

love,

Elder Blackham

May 20, 2013 (picture)

May 20, 2013

It is hard to believe I have been out for over a year.  It feels like I just got here yesterday.  Haha, had to go to Tarlac again today and get my Visa renewed. They got my finger prints and everything. Hopefully they'll still let me come home haha.

Its good to hear that Drew is doing well, please give my love to the Thomas family if you get a chance!

(This is next part is in response to my comment that it was fun to hear Eric and his brother Bret talk to each other in Tagolog on Mother's Day.) I'm so excited that me and my bro are going to be able to do that for the rest of our lives... without anyone else in the family knowing what we are saying... :) I am doing well momma, the mission is really the best!

Hope in Eternal Life is really what makes this life worth it... the beautiful hope in the life to come. :) We just gotta stay faithful, stay strong, and follow the Lord. He really just wants the best for us.  I'm so grateful that you took the time to teach me that.  I was able to spend a lot of today talking with a senior couple and how she raised it her family. It reminded me of you... it was never really a question in the morning if we were going to church or not.... we just went. That's stuck with me my whole life. I love this gospel, and I love you for teaching it to me. 

Prits! It's so crazy how fast Ely is growing up. I barely can believe it! She is honestly such a good girl! I wish I could be there to see her graduate. Please give her my utmost love and proudness. What a superstar. 

The highlight of my week this Sunday was when the Sebastian family reported that they had held a family prayer. Brother and Sister Sebastian are less-active, and their children are preparing for baptism. We taught the importance of family prayer almost two and half weeks ago. Everytime we visit, we've followed up on if they'd done it, and they always say no. This last Sunday, when we returned I asked, "Sister Lerma, were you able to pray as a family?", she told me to ask her children. They both looked at me and nodded. I looked back at sister Lerma. She explained that they had, and how amazing the experience was and that she now understands why we kept telling her to do it. I learned here that consistent following up really works. I really can't explain how happy I am that they were able to pray as a family, it's such a simple thing but that made my week. Little miracles continue to follow us here in Palayan wherever we go.

Love,

Elder Blackham