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