March 18, 2013

Bad news.... All of my pictures that I've taken from my mission are now gone. My first Flash Drive is gone, and my USB that had all the music and back up of the pictures was stolen haha... and my current one got a virus. I'm able to take new pictures now though....Maybe I should have sent you it anyway haha :) That's okay though, I didn't come here to take pics and listen to music but to serve! 

It's been a good week. We had a successful baptismal service on Saturday. It was really cool actually. One of the sisters has been an investigator for 3 years and she was finally able to get everything in order so that she could be baptized. Her husband doesn't really want anything to do with us...but we're hoping over time that his heart will soften. She has a really strong testimony.  

There were a lot of tender mercies this week here as well... There always are. We've been focusing on having the capacity to understand and follow the promptings of the Spirit, and it yielded fruit. We found 6 new investigators this week, and were able to work with one of our Branch Missionaries. He's such a stud. To every less active we visited, he frankly asked? "Why didn't you go to church today? We missed you at church, church is so fun." Haha, he even said that to a lady who wasn't a member. She was surprised and said she wasn't a member... then he said, oh.... well you should be a member, don't you want to be baptized? Church is so fun. This man has such a strong testimony. He hasn't even been a member for a year, but loves it, and knows it's true. He's a great missionary.We have a new investigator, he's way cool too. He said that he doesn't go to any church because he always sweats because he's nervous that he's not worthy. We taught him about the restoration and atonement. He wanted to go to church, but had to got to the city early Sunday Morning. I know that the atonement really changes lives. It's changed mine. 

I'm so happy to hear that you are all staying close to the Lord. 

You are all in my prayers always. I love you all so much mom.  

excerpt from Nonnie's email

(This is Elder Blackham's response to his grandmother's question, "What did you learn from your last area?"

You asked me to report the things that I've learned. In my last area, I think one of the things that I learned the most was the importance of being obedient even when it's awkward or puts you in a wierd situation. With the previous missionaries that were in my last area, they developed inappropriate relationships with the members who worked with them. For example, they would let them into the missionary's home, stay up late chatting with them. It was hard for me to come in because I had to change the traditions that the members were already used to. I was scared because I didn't want to offend them but found great strength. I mentioned to them that we were trying to be obedient because we needed miracles in the work. As we talked to them, the members were actually understanding. I found the only thing holding me back my own doubts. We've got to obey, and I know the Lord will provide a way. 

love,

Elder Blackham

March 11, 2013 (Pictures)

March 11, 2013

Hey Mom :)

 Palayan is a beautiful place, it is kind of close to Aurora. One of the areas in our zone is in the same province as Aurora, and is the only other area besides my previous one that has a beach in the whole mission. We went there for Pday today with the couple missionaries here. It was fun! we just kind of chilled, ate, and took pictures. They speak strait Tagalog here.

That's so cool to hear about everyone preparing for missions back home. Mom, Missionary work is the best ever! It is so hard to believe my hump day is here... it feels like I just got here yesterday actually. Please tell Sister Buell Hi for me! How are they doing?      

Thanks mom :) Lately I haven't really had the time to get too homesick.  I always miss you and the girls, but being out here I've realized the reality of eternity. I think about you all the time. You are part of everything I am mom, because of the example that you've been. We are a forever family after all :). There are times when I get down, but The Savior knows me, and has strengthened me in ways that I can not express in words to you or Him. I'm so grateful that He atoned for us; it's really the only way. :) Thanks for showing me the way to Him!

I'll do my best to be strong mom! You too, k? I love you too :) I sent some pics. I actually didnt notice when I bought the camera, but it only runs on microSD cards. It's probably about halfway full now, I'll just worry about buying a new card when I need it :) No worries. I got the music you sent mom! Thank you :) I sure love you, it was a perfect ST Patrick's day present. You are the best! 

The work this week has been full of difference. Everyday is new here, It's hard to know where to begin this week. It's been good. Elder Adao and I are working hard and looking for miracles everyday. It's such a privilege to have an opportunity to work with him. Not one day has been the same as the last in our quest in Palayan. 

There are many things that I truly enjoyed about this week. On Wednesday we were able to find a new family who have actually been members of the church for quite some time. They became less-active because they live too far away, but were surprised when we actually came to visit them. At first the mother hesitated and seemed skeptical to talk to us, but realized that the fellow-shipper we had brought with us was one of her friends from when she was baptized around 10 years ago. She has two children ages 11 and 13 who seem interested and whom she wants to help to be baptized. We've found success and a boost in our confidence as we continue to OYM those with cars. On Sunday, we happened to meet with the husband of a referral from a member. He was super interested and believes that our message is true. We invited him to pray and will be following up with him next week! After having born witness of the Restoration so many times, you'd think it would get old after a while. It doesn't though, it's true. 

I performed that surgery on my own toe this week because the pain was getting to bad haha... It hurt but it feels a lot better now and is healing great! It's actually pretty much a miracle, I just kind of got a feeling of what I should do, and did it. The constant pain that was in my foot is now gone. I'm a happy man. I'm doing fine and healthy mom, I'm actually gaining weight somehow... you might be happy about that. Don't worry about me though, I love you and pray for you always!

Love,

ELder Blackham

March 4, 2013

I'm super limited on time this week but will try to get all of your questions answered.

So my new area is great haha, about like my first area. There's not a ton out here. We have to travel about an hour to be able to get to the end of our area. It's a  beautiful branch with so many neat, neat people that I'll be sure to tell you about in my next email. I know that everything is possible with the Lord. The place I'm in is called Palayan; we're in the Bongabon Zone. In our mission we are going to receive 60 additional missionaries by the end of the year. Our boundaries weren't affected by the new missions. 

My companion is so flipping awesome! His name is Elder Adao; he's from Laguna. He goes home in 2 months but is still a fireball of a missionary. 

I'm not a perfect guy or anyone too special, but I have a testimony of the atonement because of the things you've taught me. Always stay close to the spirit. I remember one time you shared a FHE about faith... you used the Indian Jones movie where he tries to find the holy grail in the challenge of the "leap of faith". :) I used that in a lesson the other day, and it really helped.  Also Ether 12:6, D&C 9:8-9. 

Love,

Elder Blackham