April 6, 2014

Hey mom! 

We were given just a few minutes to check our email. We are in the mission home now and I'll be going to the temple tomorrow. Bret said that he's gonna meet me there. The next day we leave for home.

I ran all the way to the finish mom! I love this gospel! I love my Savior. I Love You.

 

Love,

Elder Blackham

For anyone who doesn't know yet, we are hosting an open house for Elder Blackham on Friday, April, 12 starting at 6:30. Our address is 13609 W Caribbean Lane, Surprise AZ. We'd love to see you there! If you can't make it to that, Elder Blackham will also be speaking at our church on Sunday, April 20 at 1 P.M. Our ward is the West Point Ward and we meet at the Surprise Stake Center building.

March 31, 2014

This will be my last letter home. This is my last Pday in the field.  Next week on Monday I'll be in the mission home.  Tuesday  afternoon, we'll go to Manila and stay in the hotel that night  The next morning (early), I'll be getting on a plane and coming home. 

I don't feel like those last few statements That I made are actually true. As far as I'm concerned I'll still be here next week. Maybe it'll hit me next week. 

I love that insight about the atonement from Sister Wagher the many important small moments make up the one big moment of the Atonement. It is true, many small moments I think still do make up the atonement. Maybe the Atonement isn't over yet - well Christ's suffering is, but the power is used constantly.

 

This week was such a great week for me and Elder Potestad. The miracles have continued to lead and guide the work in San Jose Ward 1. My biggest concern about the ward is the lack of energy about missionary work, but we have worked with the bishop and the ward mission leader over the weekend. It sacrificed a bit of our work time, but I feel like that is the best thing that we could have done this week. 

On Saturday morning we had a fireside, after which we worked with the members of the ward. We split into a few small groups and went out to proselyte. We learned a huge lesson about the power of members. Every single less active member that the ward missionaries visited came to church the next day. One of them came, who hasn't been to church in years. He's got into some bad habits and finally, after Elder Potestad and his companion on Saturday taught him, he declared that he is now going to change. We were all stunned when we saw him at church because he has said things like that to us before, but yesterday he actually came! He stayed for all three hours. The Natividad family came to church, the Galam family came to church. it was amazing! The feedback from the ward missionaries was satisfying. One sister said, "I finally understand my role as a member in this work". Her Father is actually getting baptized on Saturday. 

The best part about missionary work is that it is an eternal work. It doesn't go away.  It may change; like now it has been hastened by the hand of the Almighty, but will always be here. I don't feel like I am going back the same person who left because I am so different than when I left. Missionary work has become a part of me and though I'll leave the field, I can never leave my responsibility to share the gospel. The Savior is the heart of this work. I have come to understand Him and His love and how truly infinite and eternal it really is. One of our investigators, Sister Meddielyn told us how she interpreted that the fruit of the Tree of Life in Lehi's dream is the Atonement. It took me my whole mission until I figured that out. This spirit is the real teacher. She actually came to church all be herself yesterday. She always comes with her asawa. Yesterday when she came, she was all alone. She found a way to make it to church even when no one was with her. This is a huge step for her. It is so humbling to see lives touched by the enabling power of the atonement. What a real force. 

The Atonement is real. It has inspired and guided me through two years of service. I am forever indebted to my Savior who both made it possible for me to be here and who strengthened me through my stay. I love Him. I love this work.

I love You mother, I hope you have an amazing week this week! See you soon :)

Love

Elder Blackham

March 24, 2014

It's been a crazy week for me here too! We had to all of a sudden go to Manila last week so that we could get everything worked out with Immigrations so that we could leave the country. It was a long couple of bus rides, but we got it worked out. 

I wish that I could make time stop. As I sit down this down at the computer my mind is so flooded with many different emotions. The most prominent one is gratitude to the Lord and all of His goodness. I absolutely love missionary work. 

The greatest miracle that has been happening in our area is the family that we've been able to teach. Well, it's actually the parents of the young man that we baptized last week. WOW! We are the first ever missionaries that they have allowed to teach in their home. This wouldn't have happened if we weren't obedient to the standard that the parents had to be present at their son's baptism.  Because we obeyed that rule and went to their home gone to pick them up before their son's baptism, we are now teaching those parents also. Obedience opens opportunities. The Lord has been working miracles. They have had many questions and will not be an easy family to teach, but I have no fear because the Lord has brought us this far and I know He will take us the whole way!

We are also very excited for our ward fireside and "one-day mission" this weekend. We are hoping to spark the ward with excitement about missionary work. It truly is so exciting! My favorite part is watching the Lord open doors for us. 

Besides the family I just mentioned, another example of doors opening is one baptism that was supposed to happen onApril 5. Our investigator didn't come to church which was really disappointing because I won't be able to witness the baptism. But we had a really good lesson yesterday about obedience and she now understands why it is so important that she attends church. That is really the reason that we as missionaries are here, to let people know the "Why" of the gospel. I know that liberty comes from following standards.

Elder Potestad and I will be sprinting this week. There is much work to do.

I wish I had more time to write, but that's all I got for today.

Love

Elder Blackham

March 17, 2014

I totally forgot to wear green haaha. Good think I have a green thing on my bag or else the other American Elders in my Zone would have punched me today.  I don't need to wear it though because it's part of me :) haha. 

Our investigators continue to be happy and excited about the missionary lessons. There's been some neat miracles happening here - small and simple, but those are the best ones. They may go unnoticed if we aren't watching for them. Unfortunately I won't be here to see their wedding and baptism, but It is a privilege to teach them. It is a privlilege to teach everyone! 

My favorite lesson of the week was yesterday as we visited with Tatay Ramos. Wow, he's changed. He has been taking the lessons with his wife (who is a member). Their family had been praying for a long time that he would become a member, and he has been receptive but they continued to have familial challenges the whole time. When we began teaching him, he and his wife would always sit with a space in between them, like brothers forced to live together. But now, that he has been living the gospel, they sit close to each other and call each other darling haha. The part of the first message that we as missionaries share has held true, "The Gospel Blesses Families". He's been to church 6 times since I've been here.  Just this last week he has completed the time of change needed overcome his problems with the word of wisdom and be baptized.  He told us yesterday that he is so happy that he was taught the word of wisdom because he feels happier and it has lead to a happier relationship with his asawa (wife). He will be baptized on March 29!

Our Baptisms went through yesterday! It was neat because the father of one of them hadn't been inside of an LDS church his whole life, but came in to see his child be baptized. His mother hadn't been to church in 13 years, but came to see his baptism. They didn't come to church on Sunday, but little by little I know that the Lord is planting seeds in them.  We had to actually go pick the parents up for the baptism.  They originally weren't going to come. But in our mission, because their children are under 16 and are youth, they can't be baptized without the parents. We had told them all week that they couldn't be baptized if the parents didn't come. The parents wanted their child to be baptized but didn't originally want to come into the church to watch. We visited the parents along with the Ward Mission Leader at the time when the baptism was supposed to start, and they ended up coming. It turned out a success, and I'll never forget the smile that the mother had as she watched her son be baptized.  I'm grateful that the Lord has ways that He wants his work to be done. 

Love,

Elder Blackham 

March 10, 2014

Elder Potestad and I had a good week. We are always so exhausted, but I wouldn't have it any other way. There's always ups and downs; the Power of the Atonement always takes me up and higher. 

I'm always so excited when we get to teach Mark and Meddielyn. Sister Meddielyn, since the time that we gave her the book of Mormon two months ago, has now almost finished it. Her husband, Brother Mark doesn't have as much time to read because he works, but does when he can.  They didn't come to church last week, and they mentioned to us how they felt such a difference in their lives the days that they go to church and that they don't want to miss again. It confirms what I've been studying about light. I'm grateful that they recognized it, and feel a light in their relationship and in their home. It all is because of Jesus Christ. Oh the beauty of His gospel and plan for us all. Their experience testifies yet again to me that this church is so true!!! I know that this is His church.

That is an inspiring message about gaining understanding, thank you for sharing your testimony with me about it. I love that you said that we can gain an understanding heart.  The heart is where the Holy Ghost is felt, and gives warmth to the whole body, which also gives understanding. I wonder why we say that we feel it in our heart, why do we love with our heart? Is there a connection between that and our spirit? Anyways, sorry random thinking. I keep asking myself pondering questions lately, haha. 

Thank you for telling me that my service is not ending. I never ever want it to end. Ever, Ever Ever. I know this church is true inside and out and I would take that truth to the grave if I were asked to. 

Love

Elder Blackham

March 3, 2014

Have you heard of something called "fourth-watch faith"? It's a principle of faith that says that the evidence doesn't come until you thought there was no more hope. Like Christ and his apostles on the stormy sea, it wasn't until the fourth watch that he came and calmed the storm, not the 1st, 2nd or 3rd watch, but he does come. 

I flipping love my mission! 

This last weekend we had MLC, which stands for Mission Leadership Council. It's my favorite meeting that happens every other month, where all of the zone leaders and sister training leaders get trained. At the end, there was a testimony meeting and the spirit was so strong.  The feeling that I feel at that  testimony meeting is a testimony builder in and of itself. I learned a truth this weekend  that I hadn't fully understood before. When pure truth is being taught, it is more powerfully conveyed through those who are as pure as the truth itself. I learned that because of the power that I felt at the testimony meeting at MLC, where a group of the most righteous of the missionaries meet together to share truth. I saw the light, and felt the light. There is a literal and different feeling when truth comes from a pure source. It's a calming and strengthening force, a force that I also feel when I read and learn from the scriptures or from the apostles and prophets.

As we continue to work with our investigators and recent converts, I've realized the narrowness of the way. There is a less active that we have been working with who just doesn't have a desire to do the right. We've been teaching him and his wife. The wife is almost completely willing. However, the husband expressed to us that he is "happy in the ways that he sins". It broke my heart to hear that. We've taught them the atonement, obedience, the gospel, everything. We fast and pray for them. I know that the atonement covers all, and it is in His power that I realize I have to trust now. 

We are so ecstatic that tatay Ramos continues to come to church for all three hours. He walks shyly through it all, but is slowly warming up to fellowship. 

Love,

Elder Blackham

February 24, 2014

(This paragraph is Elder Blackham's reaction to the news of the missionary callings of two more of his cousins)

Wow! That's huge news! That's awesome news! That's SAWEEET News! Happy Birthday to me! :) Whoa! Way to go Jared! GRABE! please give them my love! that makes me so proud. Them serving a mission symbolizes the success of the sacrifices of those who love them  I'm so stoked for them! It'll be sweet when we finally get to have a reunion and we're all returned.

There's no time to rest! The Lord is Hastening his work! I'm almost excited to come home and serve and see and be apart of the magnificent things that are happening in our ward with missionary work! I can't wait to share the gospel with my friends. I know that most probably won't notice me, but I hope that I can share this great gospel with them as well, and with everyone! I'm excited to go home-teaching. Me and my companion were asked to give training in the stake where we serve on how members can work with missionaries, which went well. We had a fireside last Saturday. Sharing the gospel is the opportunity of an eternity.

That's so exciting about the Gilbert Temple being opened up :) I'm stoked to see it and to visit it with you! I'm also excited to work for the Buell's again. I want to be the best employee they've ever had because they helped me be here. I can't express my love in words for those that have helped me be on my mission.

The work continues to be great for us here! Tatay Ramos came to church yesterday! He stayed for all three hours. He's the father of a family full of members.  Slowly but surely he is coming to understand and love the gospel as well.  He never really took coming to church seriously until we taught him about the atonement.  That's my favorite lesson to teach, because when the atonement is understood, conversion happens. When we taught him last week, we extended a Baptismal goal date and explained to him the steps that he must take in order to become worthy for it. He seemed hesitant, but committed and kept to it. We are excited and so hopeful for him. He's making a lot of changes in his life, and it's affecting his whole family.

If there is anything I've learned here in San Jose, it is that the gospel was made for families. Our returning/investigating family still comes to church. Yesterday, we were sitting in Sacrament meeting next to them, and brother Mark turned to me with a tithing slip in his hand and said, "Elder, how do I do this?" We hadn't taught them the principle of tithing yet. They only heard the testimonies of a family in our ward last fast Sunday and wanted to pay their tithing. I was so humbled.

I've fallen in love with the work mom, I love these people and I love the Savior.

Love,
Elder Blackham

February 17, 2014

Yes, they do celebrate valentine's day here. Haha, they had photo-booths set up around town for couples to take pictures in. It's funny. They sure like to celebrate any holiday here. 

The importance of time has been pressing on my mind lately. I have realized that what I do with my time decides who I am and who I will be. Though largely affected by what I've done; who I am is decided by what I do today and what I plan to do with future time that will be given to me. This understanding has sparked in me an added desire to work, and work, and work!

This week was a good week for Elder Potestad and I. We have been working hard. I'm exhausted always which feels so great. The spirit has really been guiding our work this week, prompting and teaching us how to teach. One of our OYM (Open Your Mouth) to teach this week taught me that revelation speaks through the both my companion and me at the same time.  We were walking on our way to an appointment when I felt prompted to look up. I looked to the left, and saw a tatay (older man) sitting that we had greeted before; but wasn't sure if we should stop. I looked at my companion and realized he was looking the same direction as me, without speaking to each other, we detoured and visited with him. At his humble home, we taught, and felt the spirit testify strongly to what we were teaching. We returned after a couple of days, and were able to visit with his family who were so receptive to us. That was the most spiritual experience this week.Sometimes it's hard to know what the spirit says, I'm grateful for His guidance and he spoke to both of us to get the message across. I know that this is the Lord's work.

I've been studying about the concept of light lately, which has been truly fascinating me. There is so much I still don't know and strive to understand... I've realized that everything good in the world truly testifies of Christ. As I've been trying to understand light, I've been able to understand the Savior more. I remember that we studied "light" a year ago, and now it is sinking in. It's becoming a part of everything that I think about. I think, "How does this reflect Christ's light?". I've realized how literal it is, especially as I've seen a real, tangible light in people as they accept and live the gospel. I love this gospel, and the light that it has brought to my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to share it. 

Love,
Elder Blackham

February 10, 2014 Pictures

An explanation of the pictures is at the end of Elder Blackham's most recent letter (February 10, 2014)

February 10, 2014

Here is the story of how my wallet got stolen.  So, I was sitting in a computer shop, and I pulled my wallet out of my pocket because it was itching through my pocket. I laid it on the desk in front of me, and had not the slightest inkling that it would have been stolen, but as I was talking with my companion, I think it must have been swiped by the guy sitting on the computer next to me. I remember  seeing a man sit down and then get up suddenly and leave, but I had not the slightest idea that my wallet could have been taken. I noticed as we left the computer shop, because I couldn't find it and remember distinctively putting it on the computer in front of me. I've checked everyone it could've been and feel that the guy who suddenly got up earlier that day is the one who stole it. The unfortunate part was that I had just withdrawn out my support for the month. Luckily, I have enough money saved that I'll get by for this month. That's a tender Mercy, and who knows, maybe the guy had a dying wife that needed the money. Either way, nothing we can do about it now.

Anyways, the work this week was great! Most of our investigators came back to church this week! Huge Miracles. The  couples continue to come and we are grateful for the miracles we've seen because of their faithfulness. I'm continually impressed with the light that continues to grow inside their home as they continue to live gospel principles. They come to church as a family now, read scriptures, and pray daily. My testimony of the gospel has grown firmer and firmer because of the capacity I've seen it has in the lives of families and individuals. As we do the things that Christ invites us to do, we receive His peace and guidance in our lives and countenances. What a beautiful promise.

I've been studying recently in Ether, and in the 7th verse of the 6th chapter. I was impressed by the power of prayer, and that the people were not brought to the top of the waters until they had prayed. I know I've sure felt that in my life, the feeling that you amount to nothing. But prayer, and understanding of the atonement and what we can become with Christ truly brings us up, and gives me that courage to face the next day with confidence. 

We have a new investigator this week who is way cool! We extended a Baptismal goal date and she committed after the first lesson! We were teaching her returning to activity--grandfather and she came  in and we were able to teach her the first lesson, she also heard our lesson to her grandfather about family history work. I love that our church has the fullness that can not be found anywhere else. All of it began because a boy asked. Truly, great things are brought to pass by small and simple means. 

Love,

Elder Blackham

P.S. My companion and I got up early this morning so we could climb a hill in our area to do studies and watch the sunrise. We also took some pictures. Our district joined us as well. 

February 3, 2014

I am really grateful that I'm here. I do look forward to seeing you soon, but, I so enjoy being here. This last week we had 8 investigators at sacrament meeting. The amazing part is that every single one of them was brought by fellowshippers! . The young families that we keep teaching keep coming to church which is great! It's been hard helping them to develop habbits of daily prayer and weekly church attendance, but they now are doing it and tell us that they experience a lot more peace in their home because of it. 

I have such a testimony of the simple things that we are asked to do! Tatay had really decided to make a stand and investigate the church. He feels that it is true, and came to church yesterday! I'm so grateful for him. The example of my investigators has also taught me the peace that gospel living brings. 

We have also been teaching the children of less active members, which has been amazing because it's helped them start to get a desire to come back to church. It was so humbling yesterday to hear an eleven year old, quiet boy say to us, "Elders I know that Joseph Smith is a true Prophet, I've felt it". There really is only one way to know if this gospel is true. You've got to ask, and receive the answer  from deity. No other way will suffice. Yesterday, during fast and Testimony meeting, sister Rea bore testimony about tithing. Her and her husband are recent converts to the church. I love that family as well! She said that before they knew about tithing, their money never seemed to be enough to make ends meet at the end of the month. She bore testimony that ever since they started paying, the seem to have extra at the end of the month. Wow, I know. There was a member that came to church yesterday who walked an hour and half to come because he didn't have any money for the transportation. I'm surrounded by miraculous faith here, I love the people I'm with. I have an awesome companion, Elder Potestad. We've been working our butts off. This is the Lord's work and I love it.

Love,

Elder Blackham

January 27, 2014 (pictures)

No explanation was given for the pictures but here is Elder Blackham with some Elders and Sisters that serve with him.

January 27, 2014

Being bold and standing for right is one of the great tests of this life.  Standing with Christ, we never stand alone. I wish that was something I learned to do much earlier in my life. Daring to stand is a fruit of the faith. Like Proverbs 28:1, "the Righteous are as bold as lions".... that's the theme of our zone goals month! Earlier, we met as a zone and planned what we want to achieve this month as a zone. It was a great meeting! I'm super excited about our zone! 

I've had one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission this week while Elder Sorilla and I were on exchanges again in San Isidro. We were teaching a family that has been less active for three years.  The father of the family was not leading in righteousness because he was offended many years ago by a Stake President. I was given a glimpse of this man, not as who he was but of who he could become as a righteous father.  I bore testimony and was bold. You know me, I'm not a bold man.  I realized that I was bold because I was lent the love I needed to in order to call him back to activity. I don't remember everything that I said, but I remember calm tears trekking down my cheek and feeling the spirit and love for this tatay. We said a prayer, and left, the experience left me wondering what happened. I realized that it was the simple hand of the Lord in His work. 

In our area, we continue to see miracles as well. The two young families that we've been working with came to church again this week! They are two couples, each with a small child.  One is a less active couple and the other couple the man is an inactive member and his girlfriend is investigating the church. Each couple has a small child. The guys are brothers; they live in the same house and so we get to teach them all together. They’ve been interested lately because we’ve been teaching about family traditions. They really enjoy reading the general conference edition of the Liahona. My testimony of the truthfulness and family-binding nature of the gospel has increased this week. The gospel truly was made for family life to be peaceful, and eternal.  

I want to tell you everything, but time is limited. I now know how Nephi felt when he couldn’t write everything on the plates. 

Mom, this is the Lord's work. I've never doubted and I never will. His work spreads to everything that we do, it's not just missionary work.  I love and am so grateful for the knowledge that I have.

Love,

Elder Blackham

January 20, 2014

Funny story about the other Elder Blackham (Bret).  Everyone that I've shown pictures of him to here has a crush on him.  Haha they say that he's better looking than me. I think it's hilarious. He really is the Elder Blackham 2.0. 

Elder Potestad and I are really trying to work on getting the ward more involved with missionary work. We have an excellent ward mission leader, but he's about the only one that actively works and is concerned about missionary work. We've planned a fireside and are going to begin visiting with member families and sharing the message of the restoration.  The success that we have had comes from referrals of recent converts or recently returned less actives. As of now we have a schedule for one Baptism in February and one in March. We have a goal this week to find 4 more secure baptisms to happen within the next two months.

I'm so grateful for what Christ has done for us that we may have the capacity to approach our Heavenly Father and covenant personally with Him, and the capacity that we may ask for things. A miracle that happened to me this week was the hush of a crying baby. We were trying to teach them the restoration, but the young child's cries prevented our investigator from understanding the message. I wanted so badly for them to just understand, so I said a personal prayer. I said, "Father, I know that you have the power to calm the stormy seas, please will you calm this baby?" The baby immediately became quiet. I almost began to cry myself. We were able to finish the lesson in quiet, which allowed the spirit to abide more abundantly there. She also committed to baptism. The investigator stands unaware of the simple miracle that took place, but I know that Christ's tender mercies are upon those who seek to accomplish His work. I'm grateful for the testimony that God hears prayers.

I know mom, that you see tender mercies so much. I'm so grateful that you always took time to point them out to us. I know the Lord lives and is abundantly aware of our needs and righteous desires. 

I love you, I love the Lord. 

Love,
Elder Blackham

January 13, 2014

I'm very excited that I'll be finishing off my mission among the people. That is the greatest privilege that I could have been given.  I can't express to you how much of an honor and privilege it has been to serve a mission.  The Lord has truly blessed my life with sacred experiences that I will never forget. Thank you for guiding me, and helping me to live a life worthy of such a privilege. Please give my thanks to everyone that you see, because they have all helped me so much. 

Please tell the Ward how much I love them and am grateful for their guidance in my life. 

The work this week has been so great! We've found a lot of success in our finding efforts from the previous week.  We had 2 of our investigators at sacrament this weekend, and they seemed to really enjoy it. One of the investigators is the niece of a recent convert family.  That family has such a neat story. They are a living and very real witness of the truthfulness of the gospel. Patient appliance of the gospel saved their marriage and family. They are full of happiness and zeal for the gospel. 

Friday was an especially good day. I went on exchanges with Elder Sorilla, we were really blessed with the spirit the whole day. I also love my companion. His name is Elder Potestad - he's from Bacolod. He's been out for a year in the mission. He's got a great testimony and is obedient. I love him. I also love this work. I love being a missionry! I love it all.

Love,
Elder Blackham

January 6, 2014 (photo)

That's me, my companion, and Elder Tischner (the office elder - he and his wife are the couple missionaries that I mentioned)

January 6, 2014

I'm now in Nueva Ecija Province, San Jose City... I live in Barangay Sibut.... haha. That's a funny name, I know. As far as the church goes, I'm in San Jose Ward 1, San Jose Stake. What a welcoming ward! It's been such an awesome last couple of days. I love being back in the field! 

On Thursday, I gave my last workshop as an assistant. It was about becoming a consecrated missionary. Our mission this month will be studying about consecration. What an interesting principle. Tad R. Callister gave a great talk called "Becoming a Consecrated Missionary". Many members of the church have promised to live by this law, and I never realized how much I didn't understand about it. To me it means trust, and being willing to trust that the Lord will provide as you give Him your all. 

I'm so excited to be able to apply that more fully now that I'm in the field! Me and my new companion are excited for the coming miracles in our area.  The Saturday after we got here, there was a wedding for a couple who had been living together and were both members but are now preparing for their celestial marriage. That was way cool to see! 

There has been miracle after miracle as we've been talking to and trying to teach as many people as will listen to us.  We found a less active lolo that has been less active for seven years, and hasn't been visited since, but started crying because he said that he missed the words from the Book of Mormon. 

The coolest thing was seeing a recent convert receive the Aaronic Priesthood. He and his wife are preparing for the temple to do baptisms for the dead, and then will be sealed as a family this coming November.

I can't explain how much I love the area. Even more than the area, I love my new companion! Elder Potestad is from Bacolod City and is such an awesome man! I don't know why I've been blessed with all of the best companions. He is hard working, focused and so nice! He even ironed my shirt while I was in the shower! Seriously! 

I think one thing that I learned the most while I was in the Office is how much this truly is the Lord's work. President Martino is such an inspired man, and I was able to see him as an instrument in the Lord's hand. He truly sought the Lord's will in everything he did.  One of the neatest things to see is how transfers happen.  Every change that happens in the mission is truly inspired. I know that God is not silent. He speaks, in still, quiet ways but is ever so aware of us. I know He lives and loves us.

As the mission finished off the year, we had 1,368 baptisms in our mission. I feel like Alma, and rejoice because the Lord has used us as His instruments. This is His work, and I love it.

Love,

Elder Blackham