August 26, 2013 (with picture)

(This starts out replying to a question from Mom about if the area he is in has been flooding because of all the typhoons hitting the Philippines.)

I'm doing great! We are pretty safe here in Angeles. There was a little bit of flooding on Tuesday, and super hard rainfall for like 6 days strait. But, we're safe and we're still able to get some work done! Angeles is actually a ways away from Mt. Pinatubo. The cough I think is on it's last leg. Thanks for the prayers :)

:)

I love prayer! It's one of the greatest gifts that He's given us; the ability to openly communicate with Heavenly Father! :) 

I miss the temple so much. But I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here, serving. 

There have been a surprising amount of miracles this week. Sister Baker said earlier in our zone goal setting that every baptism is a miracle. That stuck with me, and after some pondering I've realized how true that really is. This week, we ended with 4 investigators with a baptismal goal date. All of which were miracles. Three of those come from a family, all of which came to church last week. They loved Stake Conference. They've been hesitant to accept a baptismal goal date until Stake Conference. The lesson that we taught afterwards was our most spiritual one yet. After they heard the testimonies of Sister Martino and Sister Jemma, they developed a desire and are actually EXCITED about their baptism! I love extending Baptismal goal dates. I love seeing people progress. Christ's church is truly here. 

One of the other investigators who came to church wasn't able to sit in the cultural hall, but wanted to be a part of it so badly that he stood in the back for two hours just so that he could see the speakers. The other sister that came to church we just met last Wednesday and extended a goal date right after we taught the restoration.... She committed, and then came to church!

I Love You all!

Love,

Elder Blackham

This is a picture of Elder Blackham posing underneath the Buddhist Goddess of Peace, while making a symbol of the fire nation from the tv show Avatar the Last Airbender. He cleaned it during a service project.

August 19, 2013

Things are going good for us here in Angeles. There's still lots of adjusting, but the work continues to progress! We were blessed with 7 investigators at sacrament meeting. We had 7 investigators at church last Sunday, and only one was not brought by a member. Most of the referrals in our area come from recent converts or recently returned less active members. We are seeing real progress in our investigators and less actives. 

We've recently been helping a few people that we teach overcome smoking. As they have gained the faith to overcome this and turn to they Lord, they've seen miracles! Tatay Monguera has been able to stop completely. The investigator that we've been working with went from 10 sticks a day to 2 sticks a day. I'm consistently amazed by the power of the atonement in the individual. Lawrence is so cool! He's one that we're really working closely with in preparing him for his baptism! He has such a strong, positive outlook. He's 24 years old. He lived in the states before while he was growing up and prefers speaking English  to us. He's got such a capacity to love, which makes the gospel perfect for him! He came to church for the first time yesterday and said he loved it.  So great!

We can only go to the temple when people that we are teaching or have taught go as well.  We can only go twice during our entire mission besides the one we get before we go home. I most likely will not get to see Bret until he comes home.

(The next part is answering mom's question about how you get around in the bigger cities)

Yes, we still walk alot. If we have a far away appointment we commute using jeepneys and tricylces. The members here cook us all sorts of delicious foods, its surprising! I feel like I don't deserve it. But, I am grateful for it. 

Love,

ELder Blackham 

August 12, 2013

I love missionary work. I feel that I can honestly say that I strive to give this work everything I've got. This week was no different; it was hard because we didn't see any of our investigators at Sacrament meeting. I hope with all my heart that they develop the faith to come next week. We were excited because some of the less actives we've been working with came to church. We've seen quiet miracles in the lives of the people here.

Ever since we are now allowed to go back to the temple, I've been so excited about teaching less active members! I know that I won't be able to go with all... or even with any of them, it just reminded me of how important the temple was to me and I've got to share that with people! I'm so grateful to be given the opportunity to share it with them.

In my personal study and observation of people that I've been around, I've come to a hypothesis; there is an intense difference in the spiritual strength of a person who consistently does three things. 1. Read scriptures daily. 2. Prays daily 3. Attends church weekly. Those three things are a spiritual foundation that everyone must develop.  I realized this week,especially, that that is an essential  role we have as missionaries in inviting others to come unto Christ; we must help them develop their relationship through being diligent in following up with these specific commitments. Just like a chair will stumble and fall if it is missing one leg, we need all pillars of our foundation of Christ. Helaman 5:12.

Angeles (the city where Elder Blackham just got transferred to) is so different than any place I've ever been! It's the biggest city in our mission.... The cool thing is that it's a ward here with super nice members that are soo good at cooking!

The hard thing here is the work... Most people here are busy during the day. It's a lifestyle more similar to America. I think that all of my other areas are much prettier. None of the cities in the Philippines are very clean actually... some of the neighborhoods are but in general its okay. I do miss the quaintness of the countryside of the Philippines. The zone is good, it's harder to coordinate activities because everyone is so far away. There are 13 companionships in our zone, the most of any zone in the mission. Its good though, I love it. 

This week was a good week for work here. My companion said it was the most they've had yet here. We're seeing quiet miracles. That's cool :) "Endure to the end" is a part of 2 different missionary lessons, so I guess that emphasizes also the importance of it. The other parts don't have any importance if we can't live the last! 

Don't you worry about me, I'm doing good, things are going just fine for me. My new companion's name is Elder Bustillo. We're doing good and happy! I'll send more pics next week!

 

Love,

Elder Blackham

August 5, 2013

Man has this been a crazy past couple weeks!  After being in my last area for only 6 weeks, I've been transferred to Angeles City... Which is a big adjustment!

I got a little bit sick over the weekend, but am doing better now. I don't want to scare you, but just so you know what's up with me; I had a hard time breathing Friday morning and had been running a fever and had a bit of a cold.  So, we went to the hospital. It turns out that I have pneumonia.  They gave me two breathing treatments and had me on oxygen for a little over an hour. I was released and was able to do the duties that I had to which was a huge miracle.

Things are starting to calm down now though. I'm bummed that I was transferred after only one transfer in Cabanatuan.... I really am going to miss my branch. Especially the branch missionaries. Many of them are YSA (that means Young Single Adults between the ages of 18-30) with non member or inactive parents. They still are strong though and are going to make great leaders some day. I know that the Lord is in charge of everything that happens. All we can do is take the revelation as it comes and continue doing our best with faith that the the promise is sure, "It'll all work out".

Keep on sharing the gospel. Remember that no effort is wasted. If it's not time to harvest, we just keep planting! I love you and I know the Lord will guide you in all you do.

Love,

Elder Blackham

August 27, 2012

     My new companion is great, and things are continuing to improve for
me, I've still got a lot to learn out here - especially in the
language but all things are possible!
I won't be able to send any pictures =\ I let a member borrow my SD
card to copy some of the pictures we took at an activity, and the card
contracted a virus and all the pictures are now gone. It's a huge
bummer, but oh well. I'm here to do missionary work and not to take
pictures! I'm sorry, I'll be sure to take more and send them when I
can!
     The Lord is definitely there to help us, in our times of need. It's hard
when we see the little things, and I am beginning to understand what
it means to be overwhelmed as well.  I've had to remember the simple
power in Nephi's declaration of courage, when he said "I will go and
do the things which the Lord hath commanded me".  Elder Uchtdorf counseled to us all a couple conferences ago,that when life gets overwhelming and begins to pick up pace, that "we
would do well to slow down a little and remember the important things
in life".
     The highlight of my week was  Thursday, we worked with the SA group in
our ward and spent the whole day visiting less active families.  Wow,
what a cool experience.  It's neat to see less active people remember
what the church is like.  As we shared with one sister the importance
of scripture study in building a relationship with Heavenly Father,
she began to cry, and realize how far away she was from Heavenly
Father and that her family needed that back in their life.  The
gospel is our source of hope, and no matter how far away we go, there
is always a way back. Our Savior is standing there waiting for us to
open the door.  The way home isn't easy, but we've got heaven on our
side.  Sunday was also an awesome day because the  young daughter of
one of the less active families that we visited came to church, and
she brought a friend!! Oh man, that was so cool. One of our
investigators, Alyssa Joson who is only 11 years old came on her own
accord without anyone to pick her up, and she brought her little
brother. I was so excited to see them at church.  I'm so humbled for
the opportunity that I have to be out here and see the faith of these
people. Missionary work is a privilege!
Love,
Elder Blackham

August 19, 2012

Things are going great out here, Elder Lozano and I had a great week!
We've started working a lot more with Less actives.  The he highlight
of my week was Sunday, where we had the opportunity to teach a
less-active Nanay about the temple.  I will never forget how her eyes
lit up with hope as she learned about what the temple was and what can
happen inside for her and for her family.  I was surprised that she
didn't know what it was before, but that's just a testimony of the
importance of the work that we are doing.  We've got the truth and
these people need it! We've also been blessed with success in finding
new investigors through part-member families. For example, Rowel.
He's been taught the lessons before, and his companion is active in
the church they just haven't been married because of birth certificate
complications.  Thankfully Elder Lozano has had experience with his
problem and knows that they can work throught it.  Rowel came to
sacrament meeting on Sunday, which was the first time for him in a
while.  I love the capacity that this gospel has to bless, uplift and
seal families for eternity.  We've also been blessed to have one of
the Tatays (father) that we've been working with return to activity!
As a companionship we are working with the families and creating
temple goal dates for them, that is probably my favorite part of the
work that we're doing out here.  Everything about this gospel is a
testimony that Heavenly Father loves us, and that He loves our
families!

All in all this was a great week, I'm always learning more about
myself and this gospel.  I'm always surprised at how much our Heavenly
Father  really loves us all. He's given us everything.

I'm doing well and healthy! Our area really hasn't been affected as
bad as other areas of the Philippines.  The area that I'm serving in
is relatively high in elevation, thank goodness! Oh, The socks are
like magic! My feet will sometimes get wet, but they really make such
a difference! I'm so glad you got those for me mom :) You're so
thoughtful and I've been so blessed with a mom like you. I think about
that all the time mom, thank you for being my mom.



love,

Elder Blackham

August 13, 2012

This week was full of new things for me. My companion got transferred on Thursday, so I have a new companion now and am leading the area. That just means that I'm responsible for all the appointments now until my new comp gets used to the area.  It's new, but I'm excited for this next transfer and all the good that Elder Lozano and I can do!  He's a way sweet Elder from Bacolod, Philippines (which is south).  He's a hard worker and helps me a ton in learning the language. It's hard because sometimes he'll only speak Tagalog to me, but it forces me to learn which is good. He is also good at speaking English. There were a lot of other new and exciting things that happened in the work this week as well.  We meet new people all of the time.  We were able to go back to the family from last week and teach once; we had an appointment with them but when we returned he was kind of drunk because there was a birthday celebration.  It was kind of funny, we haven't taught them the Word of Wisdom yet, so that's okay for now. It was neat though; because his family said he was drunk, we were just going to continue on without talking to him, but i had i strong impression to go back to see him.  We didn't even really talk to him that much, but were able to talk to a nanay that was selling ulam around where he was that we would've missed if we didn't go back.  We invited her to church and she came!! She met a friend there and liked church a lot.
We were invited to the birthday party of a young girl (one of our investigators) who just turned 8. We brought her the Book of Mormon as a present! haha, that really is the best thing that I could think of to give; the fullness of the gospel. 
The ward here is starting to accept us a lot more, and we've been able to work with more of the members in finding new people who want to hear the gospel.  On Sunday after church, we worked with the single adults and went to a new area that I'd never been to before.  There we found Many less active members of the church, and part member families.  I am excited for the work that we will be able to do out there! 
All in all, a good week, I'm healthy and well!

haha - the rain's okay, it's just the wet feet all day that's the only thing but it's nice and cool when it rains!  The word out here is "Baguio" for storm ;) I'm great and healthy mom! Seriously, don't worry.  I had an ingrown toenail come back, but one of the members here was able to dig it out and clean it for me. My foot feels great now!
There aren't really that many monkeys in my area just a lot of dogs and cats and chickens lol. I live in an area referred to as "the bukid". Bukid means farm, so it's pretty rural but no monkeys! I'm okay with that though, they say that the monkeys here are vicious.  I'm actually quite a ways a way from Angeles, the setting is a little bit different but probably pretty similar.

love,
Elder Blackham

August 6, 2012

(This is Elder Blackham's reply to mom's questions about the island wide typhoon that the news reported hit the Phillipines on Wed., August 1st)
I didn't even know that there was a typhoon this week, it has been raining a bit more constantly than normal and we've had to cross a couple rivers that used to just be canals out here, but there have been no tragic effects that I know of here in this area. Sometimes there are fluxes in power, but nothing really out of the ordinary. It's raining way hard right now by the way, but it's always raining now :). Mosquitoes are pretty constant here. I usually have a least a couple of mosquito bites, and I've been pretty healthy lately. This morning I woke up kind of sick, but I'm sure that it'll pass quickly :). Only every once in a while will I get a headache, and usually just some ibuprofen and water'll do the trick. I'm good and healthy though :).

(Response to knowing who our new Bishopric is)
That is a good match for our ward leadership! All things are done in wisdom and order, and our leaders truly our called of God. That's one of the things that sets our religion apart from others.

I don't always know exactly why, but I know that the Lord has called me here for a reason. He wants me here, and here I am. I just pray for your safety in my absence and know that our family will be taken care of as I become a faithful and diligent missionary.

There are lots of  new experiences every week, this week was kind of hard because we had exchanges on Tuesday, where I worked in the zone leader's area which was pretty sweet to see how other missionaries work in other areas.  For Elder DelaCruz and I though, we found two new families to teach with a lot of potential. The first was on OYM from over a month ago! An OYM (open your mouth) is what we refer to as any opportunity that we have to "open our mouth" and share the gospel. It's how we keep track of the people we tract into. Anyway,  We've been diligently trying to find him, and return to where he said his house was; but we've always been told that he's working.  Finally we found him! It was a great experience. He is so interested in the church and wants to learn as much as he can about how to get closer to God.  Lucky for us, we have just the message for that :).  I'm looking forward to the next period that I'll have to get to know him and his family and see the light the gospel can bring!  The other family was a part member family, a young couple with a new child.  The mother is a less active member from San Isidro; she is the relative of another family we are teaching! We taught about how the gospel blesses families, and she seemed excited to relearn all that she had learned when she was younger. I know this gospel is for everyone, and especially for the family! I'm so stoked, and grateful to Heavenly Father for the opportunities He provides for us out here. This is really His work.

 We don't have super strict rules about music, just as long as it invites the spirit.. My library consists of EFY, Motab, Reflections of Christ, Jenny Philips choir, and a cd that I burned from Aunt Jill (which is amazing).  I would absolutely love a CD of some hymns though mom :) If you ever send a package, a burned cd of some of your fav. church music would be the best! I'm not asking for it specifically, but just in case that's probably the thing that i would ask for.

Love,

Elder Blackham