I'm now in Nueva Ecija Province, San Jose City... I live in Barangay Sibut.... haha. That's a funny name, I know. As far as the church goes, I'm in San Jose Ward 1, San Jose Stake. What a welcoming ward! It's been such an awesome last couple of days. I love being back in the field!
On Thursday, I gave my last workshop as an assistant. It was about becoming a consecrated missionary. Our mission this month will be studying about consecration. What an interesting principle. Tad R. Callister gave a great talk called "Becoming a Consecrated Missionary". Many members of the church have promised to live by this law, and I never realized how much I didn't understand about it. To me it means trust, and being willing to trust that the Lord will provide as you give Him your all.
I'm so excited to be able to apply that more fully now that I'm in the field! Me and my new companion are excited for the coming miracles in our area. The Saturday after we got here, there was a wedding for a couple who had been living together and were both members but are now preparing for their celestial marriage. That was way cool to see!
There has been miracle after miracle as we've been talking to and trying to teach as many people as will listen to us. We found a less active lolo that has been less active for seven years, and hasn't been visited since, but started crying because he said that he missed the words from the Book of Mormon.
The coolest thing was seeing a recent convert receive the Aaronic Priesthood. He and his wife are preparing for the temple to do baptisms for the dead, and then will be sealed as a family this coming November.
I can't explain how much I love the area. Even more than the area, I love my new companion! Elder Potestad is from Bacolod City and is such an awesome man! I don't know why I've been blessed with all of the best companions. He is hard working, focused and so nice! He even ironed my shirt while I was in the shower! Seriously!
I think one thing that I learned the most while I was in the Office is how much this truly is the Lord's work. President Martino is such an inspired man, and I was able to see him as an instrument in the Lord's hand. He truly sought the Lord's will in everything he did. One of the neatest things to see is how transfers happen. Every change that happens in the mission is truly inspired. I know that God is not silent. He speaks, in still, quiet ways but is ever so aware of us. I know He lives and loves us.
As the mission finished off the year, we had 1,368 baptisms in our mission. I feel like Alma, and rejoice because the Lord has used us as His instruments. This is His work, and I love it.
Love,
Elder Blackham
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