June 11, 2012

Faith truly is a principle of action, and power. I love what you said about how faith is essential to knowing God, and how important that is in all that we do. After all, "this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent". I am just beginning to become familiar with everything that you've mentioned, but I especially feel a love for people as I'm here. I'm learning really what that means and I've been blessed to have amazing examples of this through my life, and through you! I've always known that my mother loves and that has been an irreplaceable blessing in my life. Thank you mom.

It's becoming increasingly hard to not be able to understand and speak the language fluently.  I usually have a lot to say, as you know. There are times when my companion says to me "you're quiet".  I'm really not, I just don't know how to say what I want to.  There have been times, though when I've been able to bear my testimony and share a scripture in a way that was not perfect, but understandable. I know the things I say are understandable when I feel the Holy Ghost work through me; it is an unexplainable assurance that I know only comes when what I say is true. I'm diligently trying to learn, the language is hard but the work goes forward. We shared the message of the restoration and invited a sister to be baptized on Friday, she said Yes :) that was one of the neatest experiences ever! Her name is Rose Demasco, she's over fourty years old, but seems to really take in the things that we tell her. I've really been able to gain a testimony of truth. Truth is eternal, and speaks to the hearts of men and women and children.

Every week seems to be getting more comfortable, at first it's kind of hard because everything's different but as time goes on, you get used to the things around you. It's weird to think that I'm already halfway through my first transfer! I gave a talk in sacrament meeting on Sunday. That was probably one of the hardest things that I've done since I've been here. It was about faith, and was in Tagalog. The word for faith in Tagalog is "pananampalataya" haha. Pretty nuts, huh? The coolest thing was that I think it actually made sense.  I translated the talk from English to Tagalog but there were times when I was able to speak without looking at what I had written, which was a tender mercy indeed.  I bore my testimony about Nonnie, and how she was able to walk again because of her faith.

I've been hearing the saying a lot lately, "lose yourself to find yourself".  I'm trying to understand what that really means, and am learning that it might be easier said than done, but as we learn to forget our wants and our desires and place a higher importance on the wants and desires of others, as our Savior did, we will realize what is meant in romans 8:16, and moroni 7:48.

Thank you for the recipe. haha I love macaroni and cheese - shopping is a little different here but just in the supply, in the major cities we can go shopping and they have something called "SaveMore" lol which is like a philippino Costco. It's actually way nice and I'm able to get everything I need there.

Is there anything I can do for you? Anything that you want pictures of? I haven't really been taking that many, lol, but just let me know if you want any!!

If there's anything I've learned it's that this is the Lord's work, and the Lord qualifies whom He calls. I've also learned that the qualification/sanctification process is indeed a trying one, I'm in the beginning of mine but I know that it's real and that faith leads to miracles.

The English classes got delayed because the youth just started school last Monday! But the first class is going to be on Saturday!! I'm pretty excited and nervous. I'm going to start with greetings and getting a feel for how much they know, but I'll be working this week on developing a curriculum through my companion's English study material. Thank you for your suggestions mom! I'll be sure to incorporate them :) 

 It is so good to hear that you are doing well, please keep taking care of Nonnie, I know she needs the help. I've prayed for her mom, and know that however she is will be the Lord's will. I email her everyweek as well! I'm so happy to hear about Kevin!! haha I know that's got to be the best thing ever for him. Haha, funny about Lacey's call - I hope that I get to hear where she's going next week! lol.  It sounds like things are just a bussling along back home! Please give the Buell's my love, that is pretty dang gross about the snakes though.

Stay strong, stay faithful, and keep believing!

love,
Elder Blackham

P.S. This is, again, a little blurb from the email he sent to me in a response to a few questions I asked him. From where I am, I most definately can not see the ocean =\ I'm in one of the most inland areas of the mission! haha. It still seems to get pretty wet though, because of the rain.  I would have to drive for quite a while, probably 10 hours at least before I saw the ocean. lol. The food is okay! I really do eat rice everyday. It's a lot, haha seriously so much! Not always breakfast lunch and dinner, because sometimes it's oatmeal - but anytime my companion cooks, it's always with rice lol. I've never had a dinner yet without rice.