I'm doing so great! I haven't gotten around to fixing my shoes yet....but it's been a fantastic week! Lots of miracles! I just sent an email that had some pictures attached. Those are at service projects and pday activitites.
(This part is an explanation about how questions help to teach based on a question that Mom asked Elder Blackham)
Missionary work is the baBOMB! Questions are huge in opening people's mind. Here we call it "inspired questions". I strive to find inspired questions for the people we teach. Those are the question that make a person think, because it was prompted by the spirit. Sometimes it is as simple as "Do you believe Joseph Smith is a prophet?" or "What is the most important thing to you in your life?". I've been realizing lately the importance of member-involvement in missionary work. Here, in the area where I have been assigned, I'm just the part-time guy. I'm here to give it my all for a season, but the fruits of my work really depend on the things that happen after I leave and in the years to come and relationships that develop with the members of the wards and branches that we serve in. It is the greatest blessing.
I can't help but smile when I sit and think about this last week. Elder Leduna and I are giving it our all. As a result, we are witnessing miracles unfold on a daily basis. We have been so guided in our finding efforts. The family that I mentioned in the last letter came to church, brought two of their nieces and stayed for all three hours. They are progressing so fast! I love working with them because they have been so prepared and are so ready to embrace the gospel. And though my joy is absolutely full because of them, there is more. The part-member family of a recent convert here started coming to church as well; one of our OYM's (Open Your Mouth) came to church (and was brought by a member), other investigators that weren't progressing before came, we were blessed with 13 investigators at Sacrament. I'm not happy because of that number, I'm ecstatic because of the individuals that that number represents. That is the most I've seen my whole mission. With every new area that I'm in, I learn more and more of how much this truly is the Lord's work.
This week in my studies about prayer, I learned that prayer is a constant opportunity to enliven our individual purification process. I was lead to study more about purification this week. Purification to me means that our will becomes one and pure with Heavenly Father's will. This means converting our hearts and desires to his. I've realized I still have a long ways to go on my personal purification process. Prayer to me now is a multi-daily opportunity to check in with Him.
Love,
ELder Blackham
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