February 25, 2013

Well to say that this week has been another roller-coaster ride would be a huge understatement. I'm being transferred early to a new area. I was called last night by the assistants that I need to pack my bags and that I'll be being transferred. That was a blow to the bowels.  I really really love the area that I'm in and don't want to leave. But if there's one thing I've learned in my life it's that the Lord is in control. I'm grateful that Elder Tsunoda will be taking over the area because he is a hard worker.

There has been kind of a change of focus in our area; a member of the Philippines area presidency came to talk to us about "You get what you go for". In the Philippines, there is a pretty distinct social class disparity. We were advised to look for wealthier class people who can support other members here. At first I was honestly kind of offended because we are taught that every soul is important to God, "we are all His children". I realized though, that I don't naturally approach people of higher social class because I'm not as comfortable. He taught us to have the courage to approach them as well, I realized that I judge wealthy people by not approaching them with our message. As we look for people that are able to not only take care of themselves but others as well, the church will of necessity grow. 

He shared an experience that happened with Joseph Smith. When the church was first beginning, they needed a real-estate attorney. So the missionaries were sent to find and convert one, and they did. The Lord works through us to accomplish His purposes. That's just a tid-bit on the direction they are aiming the work here haha. 

Anyways, the highlight of the work this week was Saturday; Elder Tsunoda and I just came from exchanges with the zone-leaders and were blessed with a desire to find people. We were blessed with 3 new investigators. We tried OYMing (Open Your Mouth and preach)  in English to an upper-class couple, and ironically, it worked.  They were nice, let us in and we were able to  bring them the good news about the restoration.  They said we were free to come back but that they weren't interesting in changing religions. They felt  that Joseph Smith's vision could happen, we're excited to follow up on their prayers.  It was one of the smoothest lessons that Elder Tsunoda and I have taught, and we wouldn't have had the courage to talk to them if we weren't looking for them. We are grateful for the new vision that we have for San Clemente.

I came to an understanding in my personal study that the reason that Heavenly Father gives us commandments is to help us be worthy. That's all He wants for us, so He gave us commandments to know what He expects from us. The Holy Ghost is the only way that miracles happen, and being worthy of His presence ALWAYS requires exact obedience. He gives us the power to be bold, and to stand confidently in the presence of God. I pray that the Holy Ghost is with us always.

I hope that I'm done with food poisoning too! That was horrible haha. You wanna know something? I actually was praying for Bret to get better and prayed that if I could help, even if He would take some pain from Bret and give it to me that I would be willing... then I was blessed with food poisoning. I think God has a sense of humor... careful what you pray for ha. 

Keep close to the Lord, I know how close you are to Him. We are engraven on the palms of His hands

.

Love

Elder Blackham

February 18, 2013

It is good that Bret is doing better; brings a lot of peace to me. I've been praying for him too.  I got way bad food poisoning the other day which took me out for a day. That was horrible, but by the grace of God we were still able to go out. I was weak that night and my knees shook as we walked, but the two lessons we had were both spiritual experiences and uplifting. God will give us the strength to do hard things. The Lord always compensates though, and gave me a great companion.  

I've learned here in a very real sense how our Heavenly Father really cares for the one. The work this week has been good too! We were able to find 7 new solid investigators this week! :) On of them is Brother Bautisita ( who actually has a brother named Juan.... in Tagalog Juan Bautista means john the baptist.... haha). We found Brother Bautista, who is the father of a part-member family.  Two of his sons are now preparing to serve missions, we had talked to him before, but he didn't seem that interested. As we were proselyting in their barangay, we felt inspired to visit and they said that he was on leave for the day. We went, and started off kind of rusty, but then we started talking and we asked him if he knew about the Book of Mormon. The question peaked his attention, and we were able to testify about the restoration through the Book of Mormon.  We are so blessed to have had this happen, the spirit taught him, as his two sons and wife were able to bear testimony about the truthfulness of it all. It was such a tender moment to watch them tearfully testify to their father.  After the lesson his wife thanked us because his heart was softened. It wasn't us though; that's they power of the Holy Ghost working through inspired questions.

I really do feel your love all the way over here, and it's a huge strength for me. The work here is going good, it's a great time to be a missionary! We are so blessed!

Love,
Elder Blackham

February 11, 2013

I'm feeling great! I'm good and healthy. I've been praying really hard for Bret to get better. Does the mission president and his wife know what the problem is? He might need to visit a more specialized doctor or a hospital which should happen soon. He might have some kind of parasite.... don't worry though, it's all in the Lord's hands.

I've really felt the influence of the Holy Ghost in our work lately. It seems to open as we really strive to give it our all.

We found another new investigator in a  miraculous way.  It happened on Wednesday. I just want to share how we found this young man.  A week ago from Sunday, we were on our way back from Casilagan. As we were walking, there was a couple that we walked by. As we walked by, I had a thought that I really need to talk to them, but I dismissed it and we  kept walking. We walked for about  30 feet, when I couldn't take it anymore.. We turned back and approached them. They were kind of surprised that we came back to talk to them and, so was I to be honest. It wasn't anything super special;we got their names and made a return appointment for Wednesday.  As we came back on Wednesday to look for them all we had written down was their last name, but I knew that we had to find them so we asked and walked and looked. We spent an hour walking after we received directions that they lived on a farm in the mountains.  We finally chanced upon a house and when we walked through, to the lot where the house was, there was no one home.  We were disappointed. My companion said, "Let's just wait". We had nothing else to do in the middle of no where,  so  we sat and rested for a few minutes. Just as we were getting ready to leave, a young man came walking through the field towards us. .  We taught him about the restoration. As we taught, he explained that he'd met missionaries before; they came to his house before they moved, and he's met them at his friends house.   We didn't even know we were looking for him..... It turns out that he's the Nephew of the couple we talked to and that they don't even live near him.   It was a miracle that we found him, and he said he felt that God was looking for him, because of all places, the missionaries even came to his house that was in the middle of no where. Yep, God cares about the one.

Sunday, of course is a day of reckoning and of excitement as we see who all comes to church. We're excited that five of our investigators came in, a few less than we had hoped, but our joy was full as one of our New investigators this week, Fernando, actually came. He really liked the service and said he wants to come back next week. Our other investigators are continuing to progress towards their baptismal goal dates in march. Brother Rosete continues to come and cherish his experiences at church.

Most of the obstacles that we experience are breaks in the work or problems that the people that we teach have.  For example, we're working with one lady who doesn't really like to pray outloud, or come to church. Or we've been asked to not return to some houses, or there's one older Lady who wants to get baptized but her husband doesn't want them to be baptized... There's just little things like that. Sometimes being a missionary is a hard thing mom, but we're a family of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and we can do hard things. 

I know things are hard now, but there is an immense amount of hope in the atonement. Grace is the enabling power of the atonement.  I read a really cool talk by Elder Bednar called "The enabling power of the atonement", I really suggest reading that. :)

Love,

Elder Blackham

February 4, 2013

Hey :)
Give my brithday wishes to Aunt Cara if you get a chance please. My day is going great! We went hiking earlier this morning, I'll be sure to send some pics next week!!

(The following paragraph is a reply to a question to Elder Blackham about the funeral he was in charge of organizing.)

I'm so grateful for the atonement, it's such a strong power that can guide our life if we let it.  I did kind of feel the man's Spirit  missing his body, I felt the spirit and understand now the melencholic peace radiating from his stone like frame. He was an awesome young man, and loved by many.

(This is Eric's reply to news his cousin Ryan Winn is engaged)

Oh sick! Yeah I totally got his letter, I didn't want to reply last week because then you would have found out early, and I am totally stoked for him. I always knew he'd be the first one of us to get married haha. I'm pretty short on time this week, but I'll make sure to save some extra next week. Maybe I can send him a recording or something through the video function on my camera.... I totally approve though, he sounds so happy and she is a sweet girl! 

I did get those cards from the Ward Christmas Party.  Hahahhahaha :) I loved it. that was so cute. Please let the ward and primary know how much that meant to me.

Yeah, I see and eat mangos every week! They have mango trees like we have orange and grapefruit trees in Arizona  They also have Papaya... which is super delicious as well. 

It's been another good week for us here.   Elder Tsunoda and I are breaking through new boundaries and  are having fun working out here. I would be remiss to neglect the presence of trials but the success we see far out weigh the  hardships. We've been able to work with the ward missionaries a lot this week  which was a huge blessing.  

I hope it's not too repetitive to say that Sunday was my Favorite day again this week.  The Brother that has begun his process of return brought three of his four kids to church,and bore a very powerful testimony of the truthfulness of the church.  It is such a neat experience to witness this man''s "mighty change of heart".  One of the  young men who we were able to help reactivate also bore his testimony on Sunday.  

As a companionship, Elder Tsunoda and I are working on being diligent. Diligence is an attribute that affects every phase of the work and we are finding that diligence and effective use of time are keys to finding success in missionary work. We are also working on re-configuring our  schedule this week to maximize our effectiveness in the different barangay.

The Sacrament is so awesome. I've developed an even greater appreciation for it as I've been here on my mission, the atonement is the greatest blessing we've been given. 

Love,
Elder Blackham 
p.s. Give the girls my love, I wont be able to get a letter to them this week. I LOVE YOU ELY AND MEG!!! :)

January 28, 2013 (pictures)

January 28, 2013

Don't worry, you're right! I am feeling a lot better now. I've just been taking vitamin C pills and that's helped a ton.

Oh man :) That sounds so awesome!! I"m so stoked to get new music. I still love listening to the music that you send me! It's so comforting to thing, "This is something that MY Mom listens to". I have loved everything that you've put on there. Maybe if you could add some enya that would be cool too.

The baptism on Saturday went great! A lot of members came to support and welcome them; partly because we were all there earlier that morning for a funeral service. Haha, this week was so nuts! 

We started out the week on Monday like any normal week, went out to work around 6 and then got a text from the branch president asking us to come to an emergency meeting. It turns out that a fairly recently returned missionary from our branch had been working in Manilla, Where he got sick and passed away. We were put in charge of the funeral program. The funerals are different here in the Philippines, they are like a week long process.  We got the body on Wednesday afternoon and then set up the service to have in the foyer of the church. Every night before the burial, we held a service where family members and friends came to bid farewell. It went surprisingly well! We were able to get to zone to sing for the family on one of the nights, and the other nights our district did a special musical number.  It went smooth and there are a lot of good things that happened as a result.

Sunday is always the day where you find the fruits of your work. There was a less active brother who came to church who we've been working with since before I came into this branch. He attended the funeral services held during the evenings and I think that finally gave him the spark that he needed to sincerely begin his journey back to the fold.  He was disfellowshipped before, and we know there's a journey to be travelled... however, witnessing him take that first step is one of the highlights of my mission. We saw him walk in with his wife on Sunday, both smiling and excited for the end. We also had a few new investigators attend church that we met and one of our less active sisters return on Sunday.

Remember, that it is by small and simple things that the Lord brings about great works, counfounds the wise, and brings salvation to His people. The Lord can do everything.

No problem for the pics! I'll probably at least send one a week now. I always have my camera on my belt so that I don't lose it haha......

Love,
Elder Blackham

January 21, 2013 (Pictures)

January 21, 2013

It's been a good week for me! I think you must have passed your flu on to me this week, because I started getting it too! I'm just getting over it now too though :). 

I haven't got my toe checked out yet... maybe it'll pass. I'm just scared that if I get it operated on I might not be able to work for a couple of days because we do a ton of walking. It's okay for now, but I"ll be sure to get it checked out if it gets worse. Hopefully if i just take care of it, it'll be able to grow itself out.

This week was good too mom, and yielded some sweet experiences! On Sunday, 3 of the young men that we've been working with have returned from inactivity, (which means they've attended church for four weeks in a row). We were able to teach them on Saturday and take them with us to teach a young men aged investigator! 

Sister Cardinoza and brother Mikalangelo will be baptized on Saturday! Elder Tsunoda and I are so stoked for them and proud of the decisions they've made that have lead them to this point in their lives. Missionary work is such a blessing, and it is so humbling to be a part of so great a work! 

love,
Elder Blackham

January 7, 1013

The Lord sure does know His timing of things. I've really been trying to use His guidance in what I do with my time and it makes the biggest difference in the lessons we have, knowing that the people we visit are who He

wants us to see. The promise is true in D&C 9: 8-9 about decision making, we will know, and are promised divine signatures to lead us on the right path.

It's been a great week! The Philippines are buzzing at the beginning of the new year and it's so awesome, everybody acknowledges the greatness of the new year and looks forward with so much hope! It was so neat on Sunday, the attendance was the highest i've ever seen it! 127! We fasted for miracles and they came! Many of the people who came were less actives that we've been working with. 

We've made it a priority to lead the less active members to have church attendance as one of their new years resolutions. Kind of ironic, but I think it might be working. We've been using Ether 12:27 as a new-year message.

The work this week was okay as well, we're still working our way out of the holiday season as people are returning from vacation. The best day of the week is always Sunday; I love Sunday. We get to take the Sacrament, and go strait to work! We met again with brother Gonzales and we are still working on overcoming the word of wisdom. He said he was able to leave a little this week, and we're trying to be encouraging in helping him continue to leave his vices. This will be a miracle, but miracles do happen according to our faith. 

We are also going to continue with the baptismal service on Janurary 26th for Mikalangelo and Sister Cardinoza. They are both enthusiastic diligently preparing. We finished teaching the plan of Salvation, and reviewd it last week with Mikalangelo. In his closing prayer, he prayed that he might be able to go to the celestial kingdom. It made me think, if only everyone always had that in their prayers there would be a lot less sin. But he's so willing to do the things he's supposed to to get there. We've been inviting all of our investigators to be baptized as well, and that helps us so much in making our visits have a purpose.

Love,

Elder Blackham