February 17, 2014

Yes, they do celebrate valentine's day here. Haha, they had photo-booths set up around town for couples to take pictures in. It's funny. They sure like to celebrate any holiday here. 

The importance of time has been pressing on my mind lately. I have realized that what I do with my time decides who I am and who I will be. Though largely affected by what I've done; who I am is decided by what I do today and what I plan to do with future time that will be given to me. This understanding has sparked in me an added desire to work, and work, and work!

This week was a good week for Elder Potestad and I. We have been working hard. I'm exhausted always which feels so great. The spirit has really been guiding our work this week, prompting and teaching us how to teach. One of our OYM (Open Your Mouth) to teach this week taught me that revelation speaks through the both my companion and me at the same time.  We were walking on our way to an appointment when I felt prompted to look up. I looked to the left, and saw a tatay (older man) sitting that we had greeted before; but wasn't sure if we should stop. I looked at my companion and realized he was looking the same direction as me, without speaking to each other, we detoured and visited with him. At his humble home, we taught, and felt the spirit testify strongly to what we were teaching. We returned after a couple of days, and were able to visit with his family who were so receptive to us. That was the most spiritual experience this week.Sometimes it's hard to know what the spirit says, I'm grateful for His guidance and he spoke to both of us to get the message across. I know that this is the Lord's work.

I've been studying about the concept of light lately, which has been truly fascinating me. There is so much I still don't know and strive to understand... I've realized that everything good in the world truly testifies of Christ. As I've been trying to understand light, I've been able to understand the Savior more. I remember that we studied "light" a year ago, and now it is sinking in. It's becoming a part of everything that I think about. I think, "How does this reflect Christ's light?". I've realized how literal it is, especially as I've seen a real, tangible light in people as they accept and live the gospel. I love this gospel, and the light that it has brought to my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to share it. 

Love,
Elder Blackham

February 10, 2014 Pictures

An explanation of the pictures is at the end of Elder Blackham's most recent letter (February 10, 2014)

February 10, 2014

Here is the story of how my wallet got stolen.  So, I was sitting in a computer shop, and I pulled my wallet out of my pocket because it was itching through my pocket. I laid it on the desk in front of me, and had not the slightest inkling that it would have been stolen, but as I was talking with my companion, I think it must have been swiped by the guy sitting on the computer next to me. I remember  seeing a man sit down and then get up suddenly and leave, but I had not the slightest idea that my wallet could have been taken. I noticed as we left the computer shop, because I couldn't find it and remember distinctively putting it on the computer in front of me. I've checked everyone it could've been and feel that the guy who suddenly got up earlier that day is the one who stole it. The unfortunate part was that I had just withdrawn out my support for the month. Luckily, I have enough money saved that I'll get by for this month. That's a tender Mercy, and who knows, maybe the guy had a dying wife that needed the money. Either way, nothing we can do about it now.

Anyways, the work this week was great! Most of our investigators came back to church this week! Huge Miracles. The  couples continue to come and we are grateful for the miracles we've seen because of their faithfulness. I'm continually impressed with the light that continues to grow inside their home as they continue to live gospel principles. They come to church as a family now, read scriptures, and pray daily. My testimony of the gospel has grown firmer and firmer because of the capacity I've seen it has in the lives of families and individuals. As we do the things that Christ invites us to do, we receive His peace and guidance in our lives and countenances. What a beautiful promise.

I've been studying recently in Ether, and in the 7th verse of the 6th chapter. I was impressed by the power of prayer, and that the people were not brought to the top of the waters until they had prayed. I know I've sure felt that in my life, the feeling that you amount to nothing. But prayer, and understanding of the atonement and what we can become with Christ truly brings us up, and gives me that courage to face the next day with confidence. 

We have a new investigator this week who is way cool! We extended a Baptismal goal date and she committed after the first lesson! We were teaching her returning to activity--grandfather and she came  in and we were able to teach her the first lesson, she also heard our lesson to her grandfather about family history work. I love that our church has the fullness that can not be found anywhere else. All of it began because a boy asked. Truly, great things are brought to pass by small and simple means. 

Love,

Elder Blackham

P.S. My companion and I got up early this morning so we could climb a hill in our area to do studies and watch the sunrise. We also took some pictures. Our district joined us as well. 

February 3, 2014

I am really grateful that I'm here. I do look forward to seeing you soon, but, I so enjoy being here. This last week we had 8 investigators at sacrament meeting. The amazing part is that every single one of them was brought by fellowshippers! . The young families that we keep teaching keep coming to church which is great! It's been hard helping them to develop habbits of daily prayer and weekly church attendance, but they now are doing it and tell us that they experience a lot more peace in their home because of it. 

I have such a testimony of the simple things that we are asked to do! Tatay had really decided to make a stand and investigate the church. He feels that it is true, and came to church yesterday! I'm so grateful for him. The example of my investigators has also taught me the peace that gospel living brings. 

We have also been teaching the children of less active members, which has been amazing because it's helped them start to get a desire to come back to church. It was so humbling yesterday to hear an eleven year old, quiet boy say to us, "Elders I know that Joseph Smith is a true Prophet, I've felt it". There really is only one way to know if this gospel is true. You've got to ask, and receive the answer  from deity. No other way will suffice. Yesterday, during fast and Testimony meeting, sister Rea bore testimony about tithing. Her and her husband are recent converts to the church. I love that family as well! She said that before they knew about tithing, their money never seemed to be enough to make ends meet at the end of the month. She bore testimony that ever since they started paying, the seem to have extra at the end of the month. Wow, I know. There was a member that came to church yesterday who walked an hour and half to come because he didn't have any money for the transportation. I'm surrounded by miraculous faith here, I love the people I'm with. I have an awesome companion, Elder Potestad. We've been working our butts off. This is the Lord's work and I love it.

Love,

Elder Blackham

January 27, 2014 (pictures)

No explanation was given for the pictures but here is Elder Blackham with some Elders and Sisters that serve with him.

January 27, 2014

Being bold and standing for right is one of the great tests of this life.  Standing with Christ, we never stand alone. I wish that was something I learned to do much earlier in my life. Daring to stand is a fruit of the faith. Like Proverbs 28:1, "the Righteous are as bold as lions".... that's the theme of our zone goals month! Earlier, we met as a zone and planned what we want to achieve this month as a zone. It was a great meeting! I'm super excited about our zone! 

I've had one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission this week while Elder Sorilla and I were on exchanges again in San Isidro. We were teaching a family that has been less active for three years.  The father of the family was not leading in righteousness because he was offended many years ago by a Stake President. I was given a glimpse of this man, not as who he was but of who he could become as a righteous father.  I bore testimony and was bold. You know me, I'm not a bold man.  I realized that I was bold because I was lent the love I needed to in order to call him back to activity. I don't remember everything that I said, but I remember calm tears trekking down my cheek and feeling the spirit and love for this tatay. We said a prayer, and left, the experience left me wondering what happened. I realized that it was the simple hand of the Lord in His work. 

In our area, we continue to see miracles as well. The two young families that we've been working with came to church again this week! They are two couples, each with a small child.  One is a less active couple and the other couple the man is an inactive member and his girlfriend is investigating the church. Each couple has a small child. The guys are brothers; they live in the same house and so we get to teach them all together. They’ve been interested lately because we’ve been teaching about family traditions. They really enjoy reading the general conference edition of the Liahona. My testimony of the truthfulness and family-binding nature of the gospel has increased this week. The gospel truly was made for family life to be peaceful, and eternal.  

I want to tell you everything, but time is limited. I now know how Nephi felt when he couldn’t write everything on the plates. 

Mom, this is the Lord's work. I've never doubted and I never will. His work spreads to everything that we do, it's not just missionary work.  I love and am so grateful for the knowledge that I have.

Love,

Elder Blackham