5 Months

Eyyyy,

Wow this week has been really awesome. First off I really loved what Isaac wrote about: "every person has a different purpose for serving a mission but all missionaries, in my opinion, should have drive and dedication to serve our Lord with all our heart, might, mind and strength". It's wicked hard and really can't say that I'm doing all I can to serve with all these attributes but I know God knows when we are trying our hardest.

Last night we taught a member family Mosiah 2 17 'when we are in the service of our fellow man we are in the service of our god'. I believe this to be true. But I believe we shouldn't serve others just because it's service to God. Service should be out of love. Charity, in my opinion, is the greatest gift we can have. When we have this gift, the pure love of Christ is literally spilled upon us. I know its hard to obtain such love but it's do-able.

On Saturday we had three baptisms. I wish my Sd card worked because I have some awesome pics of the tisms. The spirit was sooo strong and we had 4 investigators at the baptism. All were able to feel the spirit strongly. 

However, the coolest part of this week was sacrament meeting on Sunday. After the confirmations, Astri (she's Anna's age) was dying to bear her testimony. Obviously it wasn't the right time in the meeting to do it so the bishop asked her to wait. We did have fast and testimony meeting and she was the last person to bear her testimony. Hearing her confirm everything we taught her, testify that the church and Book of Mormon were true, that her baptism was an answer to her prayers comforted and pumped me up to find more converts like Astri.

As for other news, we had a multi-zone meeting with president yesterday. All the talks were about how to get more motivation for the work etc...except presidents and I loved it. Basically, we just read the first chapter of the Book of Mormon together. He tied the story of Lehi and Nefi como Jose Smith and our own conversions to the gospel. Everything we teach as missionaries can basically be boiled down to that first chapter. Read it!

The Book of Mormon is sooo special, I have such a strong testimony of its power.

Don't have much time for anything else, tried forever to get my sd card to work.

Love y'all and thanks to Uncle David's family for the care package. Yardy know my breath is super fresh with the floss and mints they sent.

Christmas Eve. Working hard to get these guys back to church.

Me & Martin with some coconuts. They taste awful!

Dope little shack in Martin's yard.

Baptism

Got back last night soaking wet.

Eyyy la limitad de esta traslado

Family and Friends,

First and foremost, what a joy and privilege it is to write about this amazing experience I have had preaching the gospel. This week was dang awesome. I've never worked so hard in the mission. It was filled with fasting, member intercambios and a lotttt of lessons. The fruits of our labor haven't gone unnoticed. I'm really greatful for my comp because he's such a good example of someone who gives all his effort to this work. He's had a lot of success in the mission and I'm starting to see the type of missionary I can be.

 

We are coming up on three big baptisms for this Saturday. A single mother and her daughter and then another teenager. Freaking sweet!

 

Two highlights from this week:

 

1. Fasting. On Friday I felt an overwhelming need to fast just to have the spirit, patience and charity. I have never in my life received an answer to my prayers faster than I did on Friday. When I stood up I just started to smile and laugh a little. I really just felt consumed with love and joy. I walked around San Fran with a hugee smile on my face all day long.

 

2. We had a conference for the Caribbean on Sunday. We had the privilege to hear from Elder Packer, Elder Holland and two other people from the seventy. President Holland spoke about standing in holy places and finished with his testimony in Spanish. It was soo powerful, as always.

 

I was delighted to receive a Christmas package from the Jones family on Monday. All the letters, gum, beef jerky were wellllll needed and received. Apoyo has somehow seemed to slip away so the food has given me some much needed energy.

 

I really feel like I can't put into words what the mission has done for me. I don't think I can describe how its changed me but I know it has. I look forward to planning, leaving the house, teaching, serving. I am really just starting to feel adjusted to this culture. I'm pumped to only have five months here because I know there is soo much work to be done here in the DR. I love these people, their culture and am giving it my all to build the kingdom of God here in this amazing country.

 

I'm pumped the Pats won the Superbowl btw. But more pumped to hear that Fadule signed with BC, thats hugeee. I'd love to get in contact with him, mom could you help me out?

 

Love you all,

Elder Blake   

PS - Also my card reader doesn't stinking work. I know its been like a month since I sent pics. I need to buy a new one.