(Four days before Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines)
It's been such a great week. I'm so grateful that the my Savior has let me come out here. I love this work, I love my Savior! Many things happened this week! There was a fulfillment of my patriarchal blessing and just so many wonderful things.
We had a mission leadership council this weekend. Our mission training plan this month is focused around the doctrine of Repentance. I don't know that there are more important doctrines than others, but I feel that that is one that is so essential to understand because it applies to all. It's an invitation to change and come unto Christ. President Martino inspired all of us to repent. We had the opportunity to give a workshop as well about repentance. One quote that really stuck out to me is this, by Elder Russell M Nelson, "The doctrine of repentance is much broader than a dictionary’s definition. When Jesus said “repent,” His disciples recorded that command in the Greek language with the verb metanoeo. This powerful word has great significance. In this word, the prefix meta means “change.” The suffix relates to four important Greek terms: nous, meaning “the mind”; gnosis, meaning “knowledge”; pneuma, meaning “spirit”; and pnoe, meaning “breath.” Thus, when Jesus said “repent,” He asked us to change—to change our mind, knowledge, and spirit—even our breath". I have felt that change continue to occur in me as we've studied repentance. I know, with every Fiber of my being that Jesus is the Christ and the Savior of the world.
His Tender Mercies have truly abound this week.
Saturday after MLC, Elder Bajacan and I had the chance to go out and work in our area. We taught a lesson about the plan of salvation, and the purpose of trials. We promised them the blessings of strength that she could gain from coming to church. Sunday noon-time, we hadn't seen her yet. The meeting had started, testimonies were being born, and my companion and I were running on thin hope that they would still make it. As I looked at the clock, I saw 12:30... Thirty minutes had passed since the meeting started, I looked at my companion, then heard the door come open. WHAT A MIRACLE! She came! The grandma was the only one to come this time. We found out after it was over that her 27 year old son was waiting outside. Hopefully he gets enough faith to come inside this next week. We'll be doing all we can to help him in. But oh my, I about leaped because of how happy I was. She was hesitant at first, but the fellowship that she received was just awesome. It turns out that she has a niece who is an active member of the church. The niece had no idea that we were teaching her grandma's sister. The niece turned back to us, teary-eyed and said, "You were teaching my grandma?" (Great aunts are referred to as grandma as well here). We said yes! And she told me, "thank you". She's got fellowship that we didn't even anticipate. She loved relief society. I'm so grateful to the kind sisters who reached out to her.
Mom, or anyone that reads this, please don't hesitate to go up to anyone that you don't recognize at church. Whether they be a less active member, a new member, or any member that you haven't met yet. Christ organized His church as a church of love and fellowship, we are the instruments He uses to amplify His love to others.
The next part is an answer to Mom's questions about plans when Elder Blackham comes home in April.
Mom, I love you, I just want to answer those questions next week. I just love being here. I know, I will come home eventually. I'll just let you know next week.
love,
Elder Blackham
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