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

May 6, 2013

This is the Lord's church and His truth can not crumble.  Haha, I bet you'll do great tonight :) I wish I could be there to see you!   

Thanks for Cody's email, 

Update on my week: This week was a crazy week! Lots of things happened; on Tuesday, we had the first ever Mission Leadership Council, which is monumental. It was the first Leadership council where sisters participated; because of the increase of sisters coming into the mission they have now called Sister Leaders to take care of the sisters. Before it has always been a zone-leader council. Those are always so spiritual. The work of the Lord is progressing. It's the stone cut from the mountain without hands, and we are part of it mom! :).

On Friday, my companion and I donated blood for one of the Tatay's who was in the hospital this week.  Sunday was my last day with Elder Adao. He's going home now, and I'll be in a threesome until Thursday when I can pick up my new companion.  Elder Adao was the best. Things are going great! The highlight of Sunday was that a man we've been working with named Albert finally came to church on Sunday! So did everyone in the Sebastion family, even the dad. That was one of the coolest things. He said to me, "Tuloy-tuloy na 'yan. Lingo-Lingo magsisimba kami". Which means that he plans on coming to church everyweek. I love this work! I love the Lord, He is everything. 

I love you mom,

love,

Elder Blackham

May 20, 2013 (picture)

May 20, 2013

It is hard to believe I have been out for over a year.  It feels like I just got here yesterday.  Haha, had to go to Tarlac again today and get my Visa renewed. They got my finger prints and everything. Hopefully they'll still let me come home haha.

Its good to hear that Drew is doing well, please give my love to the Thomas family if you get a chance!

(This is next part is in response to my comment that it was fun to hear Eric and his brother Bret talk to each other in Tagolog on Mother's Day.) I'm so excited that me and my bro are going to be able to do that for the rest of our lives... without anyone else in the family knowing what we are saying... :) I am doing well momma, the mission is really the best!

Hope in Eternal Life is really what makes this life worth it... the beautiful hope in the life to come. :) We just gotta stay faithful, stay strong, and follow the Lord. He really just wants the best for us.  I'm so grateful that you took the time to teach me that.  I was able to spend a lot of today talking with a senior couple and how she raised it her family. It reminded me of you... it was never really a question in the morning if we were going to church or not.... we just went. That's stuck with me my whole life. I love this gospel, and I love you for teaching it to me. 

Prits! It's so crazy how fast Ely is growing up. I barely can believe it! She is honestly such a good girl! I wish I could be there to see her graduate. Please give her my utmost love and proudness. What a superstar. 

The highlight of my week this Sunday was when the Sebastian family reported that they had held a family prayer. Brother and Sister Sebastian are less-active, and their children are preparing for baptism. We taught the importance of family prayer almost two and half weeks ago. Everytime we visit, we've followed up on if they'd done it, and they always say no. This last Sunday, when we returned I asked, "Sister Lerma, were you able to pray as a family?", she told me to ask her children. They both looked at me and nodded. I looked back at sister Lerma. She explained that they had, and how amazing the experience was and that she now understands why we kept telling her to do it. I learned here that consistent following up really works. I really can't explain how happy I am that they were able to pray as a family, it's such a simple thing but that made my week. Little miracles continue to follow us here in Palayan wherever we go.

Love,

Elder Blackham 

May 28, 2012 (pictures)

The first one is an investigator named Luminard, we're pretty hopeful for him. He came to sacrament meeting on sunday! He's 10 yrs. old. The other is with some people in our ward at a serrvice project!

May 28, 2012

Mom,

The MTC really can't compare to actual experience experience of living here, haha. Oh man, and what an experience it has been so far! The ward here is awesome! Well, of the people that actually attend anyway. There are over 900 members in the ward... but only 83 attend sacrament meeting regularly. I was blown away when I discovered those numbers. We really have so much work to do here! We have been working hard and sometimes the work load is overwhelming, but day by day it will all work out. I'm already getting used to the stench  the only thing is that they don't really have dumps here. Everybody just makes a pile of trash and a couple times a month, just burns it. Sometimes when you breath that in by accident, is when you realize the stench. But it's okay! It's just part of life here.

I can't get over how loving the people are here! Seriously! They also just might be nice to me because I am an American, lol. The little kids salute me as I walk by sometimes and people always look at me funny - almost like I'm a celebrity (almost). It's good though, because when I notice their gaze, it makes a perfect doorway to conversation! My conversational Tagalog is improving bit by bit - the people here in Lupao really like speaking English with me though. I'm going to begin teaching an English class a week from this Thursday.... but you know, I've never really taught English before. I'm a little skeptical because of my lack of experience but I really feel like that is what the Lord wants me to do here. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them. Epecially from you mom, being a teacher and everything :).

I'm so proud of Megan, and find it hard to believe how old she already is... holy poopstain! Please give her my congratulations :)

That is so funny to hear about the prayer list, lol the cycles of life :) - keep it up.Please just continue to remember me in your prayers, however you feel prompted. :)

It is pretty rainy here in Lupao - most days of the week we will have some rain, actually a lot of rain haha. Last week, the power went out when we got home and didn't come on until the morning. The closest big city is San Jose, but the Correct spelling is Lupao; sorry I think I spelled it wrong last time. The Mission home is in Angeles, but I'm quite a ways north of Angeles. Lol, I know exactly how you get :) I was reading in Nephi - where it talks about how Sariah was so worried about her sons being in the wilderness and it made me think of you :) Do not fear mom, I am in the Lord's hands. This part of the letter was in response to a barage of questions I gave him about the city and told him mom needed to calm her heart and know what kind of town he lives in.

Last Friday we had an amazing opportunity to have a mission tour from Russel M Nelson, where he met with the Angeles Mission in a Chapel in Angeles. The power and love that I felt as I shook his hand were overwhelming! He nodded, looked me in the eyes and greeted me with, "Elder Blackham". I learned so much with the time that I had with him, but I want to share with you a special apostolic blessing that he pronounced on us as we concluded. He said, "the authority I have in my calling allows me to give you a special blessing. I bless you that you will have a deep and burning desire to know the Lord and his doctrine, and a desire to share that feeling with Heavenly Father’s children, and the message of the restoration. And that you will apply it in your life.  I bless you with wisdom and obedience. And when you return home that you will always be a missionary. To teach and testify to bless the lives of others. We are his people, his disciples, and we get to play a part in this great work. I bless you that if any of your family is sick they will be healed and have health consistent with the Lord’s will.”

This church is true. I know it, because I've felt it. Mom, I'm so grateful for your example in my life. I pray for you and our family daily. May Heaven's blessings be upon you through this time! Proverbs3:5-6

I'm sorry that I didn't have much to report - the Lord's work is progressing and will continue to until it is finished! Be proud to be a member of this church! It is a great honor :)

I love you all. Mahal ko kayo

Elder Blackham

May 21, 2012

Hey Mom :)
I'm glad you got that video! I'm so tired all of the time haha. But especially that day, because of all of the traveling. After we got to Manilla it was like 5 hours of drive time to Lupoa - which is the area where I'm serving. It is the northernmost part of the mission, but very far away from the ocean haha. It stinks all the time here but not because of the volcano. We're actually very far from the volcano. Any questions feel free to ask!! I will be able to email you every Monday!!
     Okay, so for mailing things - you can only send it to the Mission home and it stays there until the next time someone in our zone is there - then they deliver it to the zone leaders and the next zone conference we are able to get it. The mail system is pretty lame I must confess, but that's the least of my worries! The Mission home address is:
1827 Gumain Street, Redwood Villas
Clarkfield, Pampanga 2009
Philippines

This first week has been so flipping crazy! Definitely culture shock. Everything is different here. It is hot, humid, smelly, bugs everywhere - but the people are absolutely awesome. I can feel God's love for them every time I meet someone new. That is a surreal feeling. I've already met and taught a lot of people in what little Tagolag that I know. It's definitely humbling because I realize truly how much of the language I don't know.  I can hardly understand most of what the people are saying here. But some of them speak a little bit of very broken English. haha. It's awesome.

The first night I was here, I counted 18 spiders in their webs - haha That's the craziest thing for me. Nobody seems to notice how many bugs there are. I'm starting to get that way as well. My new companion is excellent! His name is Elder Dela Cruz. He's a native Filipino who's been here for 11 months. We work well together - I'm good at talking to random people but I don't know what to say after I greet them, and he's good at speaking but a little bit shy so it works out great! Everything is going well. My favorite time of the day is personal study time.  Because I get to study the Book of Mormon! That Book is so true and there is a real power that radiates from it's pages. 1 Nephi 3:7 - the Lord will provide.

I'm excited for the coming adventures.  Remember how much I need your prayers and love!! I  miss you tons and think of you often. Give the family my love please :)
Mahal ko Kayo!
Ingat,
Elder Blackham


P.S. Make sure to send all packages through the Postal Service, and NOT Fed ex because if it's not just regular Postal Service it will cost me 60 dollars to receive it... Thank you!

P.S.S. the pics - the first one is of me at the airport in Taipei, the next one is of all of us going to Angeles - the couple missionaries are the bomb.com, the last one is of my zone. I look weird because I ran into the picture; my camera was on timer haha. I'll be sure to take more and send them next time!! Also, The things some of the missionaries are holding are bowling balls haha - bowling is so weird here! The balls are grapefruit sized and you have 3 tries every time.

Elder Blackham Arrived (video)

Elder Blackham was able to send Mom a video saying that he got to the Philippines safely! :)

May 14, 2012 (In Transit)

Mom :) I am safely in Teipei Getting ready to head to Manila! THe flight was like 12 and a half hours long! Holy cow. But it was nice. They had built in screens it was like a multi use elctronic computer thing.... Here in Teiwan they don't mess around. Tell Bret They had Yurima so You don't need to worry about what to listen to. You get to choose! I just did that, slept, read scrips and played electronic chess with the others on the plane! It was a neat set up. I am 16 ahead now, crossed the dateline for sure!! haha But everything is going well :) I am safe, and in the Lord's hands. I love and miss you! I cherished the short amount of time that we had to speak with one another :)!!! I Love you, God Be with you 'till we meet again!

love,

Elder Blackham

May 12, 2012

Hey Mom :).

I'm so glad that people appreciate when I write them! haha it's really hard to find time to do it. But worth it.  My foot is healing well. I'm sorry that it's so late getting back to you - the day has flown by! All Pday's start with the Temple. The Temple is such a blessing!!! I love it. It was the last time that I'll be able to go for a whole two years! That's a wierd thought. But I love it.

That is So exciting about everyone getting their calls!!! Tell Kendon to email me because I lost his email address please!! Wow, I'm SO STOKED FOR EVERYONE!!! Serving a mission is the biggest blessing ever. It is wierd to think that in 5 days I'll  be on my way to the Philippines. I'm so nervous and excited and ready. The MTC experience has been a huge blessing!!

Thank You mom for all of the packages that you sent me. I feel the love, and it is an actual comfort. I look forward to getting the package haha......

I'm glad to hear that all is well for the family at home, I pray for that constantly, I pray for you constantly mom. You can do it all, because you are SUPER MOM!!! I freaking love you. haha, I can't say that enough.   One of the previous residents of my room accidentally stole my usb chord connecter and battery Charger for my camera. I'll shop around for that stuff in the Philippines but I'll let you know if that's something that I need. Until then, there's an elder in my district who has been letting me use his charger.

Today was pretty awesome. We heard from Elder D. Todd Christofferson which was wayy neat. He's the 5th Apostle that I have been blessed to hear from.  At the MTC, they talk a lot about the Doctrine of Christ. I encourage you to understand what His gospel is :) It's such a blessing. understanding and knowledge are one of the best gifts Heavenly Father gives us, when we diligently seek for answers.  This week during progressive investigator lessons, we taught about the importance of Church attendance and related it to Helamn 5:12. What power the scriptures hold. Another Common theme of the MTC, and of the gospel in general, is love.  Our capacity to love is equivalent to our capacity to experience joy and happiness in this life.  Men are, that they might have joy!!

The language is coming, I know I've got so much to learn but am confident in the power of The Gospel.

I love you mom. I pray for you and the family all the time. At least three times a day, give all of my love to the family. I pray for all of you :). All things are possible if we but follow His will.

love,

Elder Blackham

May 1st, 2012

Mother dearest,

Tonight at the fireside, They shared a story of a picture of the Savior, with a quote "If only you saw you as I see you, If only you knew you like I knew you" Mom, Imagine the Savior telling this to you.


I love the temple!!It is also such a neat opportunity to do real service for real people. We went through a session this morning and oh! How sweet it was! One of the new elders in my district is supposedly a descendant of John the Baptist to that is pretty cool - he's from Guam. lol - but he went through for the first time here and that was wayy neat to see him.

Thank you for your insight mom! Reading the two languages in scripture side by side is something that I've been wanting to do for a while, but struggle to find time - it makes me want to do it even more because of your testimony! The Tagalog language is definitely a mountain to climb! But it is coming. I'm so grateful for the Spirit and its role in teaching me the language. It's so real!

I WIll be sure to send some pics - they are planning on closing the photo print shop soon - so i hope i can get some in before they do that - i might just buy a memory card here and send the other one back home though; it's 12 bucks for an 8 GB memory card! Everything is going good with my companions haha. We are all so different it's pretty hilarious but of all the companionships we seem to be getting along the best. Things are hard sometimes because of our differing levels of everything.. like, gospel, common sense, and things like that.But we're learning how to use each other's strengths and strengthen weaknesses. It has been a truly humbling experience for me. I have definitely learned a lot from both of my companions. Haha.

Scripture for missionary plaque.... I don't know! I hate decisions haha either John 16:33, 2 Timothy 1:7-9, or Ether 2:24. Let me know what you think!  That is so weird. I'm falling in love with everthing at the MTC and now I have to leave! pretty weird. I don't know if you know, but My Pday got moved to Tuesdays.

There are random similarities between Tagalog and Spanish, only in random vocabulary terms, and in telling time lol. To say, "how are you"? you say "Kumusta", but it's not "como esta", because that is a combinations of how, and state of being... in Tagalog, that's just how you say it lol. weird, i know!

Things have been so good lately though - our teacher brother Lopez is the bombest man I've ever met in my life. I really knows how to take it to our level which has boosted our learning in dramatic ways.

Some interesting things that happened this week - I had another ingrown toenail removed on my left foot. This one hurt way worse than when Doctor Inman did it - he's the man. But it was weird. I watched to whole thing and took it like a man. The weirdest thing was that I got to travel outside the MTC to the Podiatrist - first time I've left the MTC grounds except to go to the temple. It's healing a bit slower than the surgery Doctor Inman performed as well, but it is all good. I was able to fit into shoes today so that was a plus!

My Companinon Elder Fatani - the one from New Zealand - performed at devotional on Sunday that was way cool.  He sang "Abide with me" in a quartet- sounded so beautiful. It's funny because He's Tongan. I'm picking up on the Polynesian attitude a bit. If they think something is cool, they would say "That's cool as!" haha it's so funny.

 I am doing so good! The gospel is sooo true. Jesus Christ is aware of you.



Love,



Elder Eric Blackham