June 17, 2013

(Elder Blackham is answering a question from his mom in these first paragraphs.  Last week Eric said his mission was rewarding and exhausting, so mom, being an inquisitive person asked for more supporting details.)

What is rewarding? Seeing families sitting together in church, feeling the light of the gospel enter into people's home, Witnessing the miracle of people embracing the gospel. Seeing the light in people's eyes as you share with them the message of the restoration, seeing people be excited about missionary work and wanting to help others, helping families prepare to be sealed in the temple. Feeling, that in some way, the Lord was able to use me to influence the lives of someone else, and the hope that comes from His plan that no matter what, I will see them again.

Why am I exhausted?I am exhausted because we walk and teach all day. haha. It's physically and spiritually draining. I love it.

What does it mean to call a family returned?  In order to be counted as "returned', it means that they have been coming to church for one month without missing, It's so neat! (There is a family that has been counted as returned this month.)They are active and participating in activities, and we're working with the branch president to get them all callings. All the investigators in Sacrament meeting last Sunday are progressing :) The  kids,  (age 13), and (age 11) will be baptized on June 29. Another investigator will be baptized on July 13. 

The sister scheduled for baptism in July is so awesome. haha, she's 33 years old - she's a friend of a returning family that we miraculously found a month or two ago. She investigated the church before, but didn't take the missionary discussions until she moved here, and we met her in March. She used to smoke and drink coffee at the same time. it's been kind of a process, but when we went to teach on Friday, she said, "good news". haha, and she explained that that meant she's quit and hasn't picked up cigarettes or coffee since. She prays and reads the Book of Mormon, and does chores around the house to get over the effects of withdrawal. 

I also have a huge testimony of the Word of Wisdom.

Thank you mom :). I pray and strive earnestly to become the man, husband, and father that you have always expected me to be. I'm grateful to have always had you mom, and our Father in Heaven to guide me. He always made sure we were okay, and I've had good examples all along. 

love,

Elder Blackham. 

June 9, 2013

This last week was great and rewarding. Coming home exhausted is a very rewarding feeling. We were so excited with the 4 investigators at church last Sunday. The Sebastian family is now returned, and their two children are preparing and continuing to progress towards baptism. Sister Winnie is making great success in her commitment to keep the word of wisdom. Having the opportunity to see others come unto Christ is the crowning privilege of missionary work, and even better, we get to be a part of it! 

(This next part is a reply to a question Elder Blackham's mom wrote about the water.  Eric had been sick and mom had heard it was bad to drink the water and so she was asking  how Elder Blackham gets water)Things most definitely are not as sanitary here as they are back home, maybe the juice that we were given had water mixed in it...that could have been why I got sick....i'll be okay though :). At our apartment we have a water filter system that works great! I have a camelback... but we're not supposed to use them. We are encouraged not to look like mountain-hikers. haha, it seems silly; but "we obey, not because we are blind, but because we can see" At least, we trust in Him who sees it all!

Love,

Elder Blackham

June 3, 2013

This week was definately an adventure for me; I actually got sick on Monday night, and couldn't really sleep because of a chilly-fever. On Tuesday we had a training conference in Cabanatuan, after which we weren't able to work because I wasn't feeling well. That's the worst feeling in the world. The next day we worked.

Being sick on a mission really gives me a lot of inner strength, and a deeper appreciation of the truthfulness of it all. I truly felt an enabling power help us work the last couple of days. I'm doing well now.  Seeing the Sebastian family at church on Sunday really made it all worth it.  We saw little miracles everyday this week. The Lady that came to church last week returned as well! She's super great and friendly.  She talks to everyone. We're working with a lot more people who are still building the faith to come to church, which gives a lot of hope for the weeks to come. Its hard to communicate my feelings and all that has happened this week, just please know that the Lord is with us, and his angels surround us.

(This paragraph is in response to something Elder Blackham's mom said about attending the temple) 

The temple is such a great place.  A place where we can renew our covenants in a spiritual journey of renewal. Oh how I miss the temple; make sure to go extra often for me :). Those are some very neat ladies that you've met. I've always been impressed with the strength of womanhood. It's been a guiding force through my life.

I've learned that diligence is really the key to the gospel. Enduring is the ultimate test of mortality. We can't live life on whimsical "spur of the moment" decisions, when it comes to gospel principles and moral decisions.  We are all enlisted 'till the conflict is over. I'm giving this work my all mom, our sacrifice is worth it.

love,

Elder Blackham

May 26, 2013

I'm so grateful that we have air conditioning back home. Here, it's pretty rare... the rich people here have swamp coolers. 

 

That's great that Ely graduated! I bet she is happy and enjoying her time in Colorado :).  I hope she is, she sure deserves it.  

This was a good week, lots of miracles happening all the time; tenderly and mercifully. 

Sunday is always a double-edged sword of Joy and disappointment. Joy comes from seeing people come to church, and disappointment comes when those hoped for decided not to. The Sebastian family continues to progress, and from there comes my joy. There was such a light in their home when we visited them after church last Sunday. I've looked for a family to rescue my whole mission.... and here they were waiting. The small changes they've experienced are drastically evident from the light in their eyes. I love this work!!!

 We were also blessed with a new face at church this week who was an OYM (or street contact) from the sisters in Kalakid. She was invited to attend church while they rode a jeepney a couple weeks ago. This sister came, and said that she is going to return next week with her family. Needless to say, this is the Lord's work. I'm grateful that the sisters had the courage to OYM her on a Jeep. We never know what fruit the seeds we plant will bear.

Earlier today we had a great zone goal setting meeting; this is a meeting that happens at the end of every month where we get the whole zone together and plan for the goals we have and the things we want to see happen. I've learned faith in planning; our zone focus is "strengthening the foundation".  It seems that here, the church boomed before the foundation was set.  Our goal is to work with the ward members in re-establishing and strengthening the foundation.  Helaman 5:12. Sometimes its good for us to take a look at our foundation and re-establish a Christ-centered life.

Love,

Elder Blackham