tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54901678487583449722024-03-13T23:24:22.090-07:00Elder Brigham BlakeThe missionary adventures of Brigham Blake in the Dominican Republic, Santiago Mission.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-15127693087919887692016-07-19T14:02:00.007-07:002016-07-19T14:02:48.416-07:00Visit to San FranI was in San Fran yesterday so I got permission to write today.<br />
<div>
San Fran was AMAZING!! I cried like a baby saying goodbye to my converts,
Astrid, Milagros, Miranda and Alexandria. Wow! They are all doing sooo
well. I don't have much time because I'm here instead of eating lunch and
we just got back from a killer service (we mixed cement for 4 hours)
and I woke up yesterday at 4:30 am. So I am legit exhausted!!!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I
have A new comp. hahah Isaac I'm finishing my mission with an
Argentinian!! He is new in the mission so he still speaks like a
capo....I have a hard time understanding his accent at times but he is
super cool. He is from Buenos Aires but worked in Salta. He's a funny
guy, kind of weird but he has a ton of animio and I'm going to finish
strong with this young buck!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Well let me write you all a hand
written letter when I have time. But seriously this work is sooo amazing,
and I'm seeing all the fruits of my labor. Visiting with Milagros and
hno Miranda a mission profecia was completed. They both, with tears in their eyes gave me the credit for bring the gospel into their lives and
blessing them as a future sealed family. I'll have to explain this all in
better detail when I'm home, 3 weeks, crazy huh?</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
All is normal para que sepan! I feel normal, just in the grind!!</div>
<div>
Con mucho amor.</div>
<div>
Elder Blake</div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_WWV6Wb2qMg/V46TyE6smvI/AAAAAAAAEOI/qYb8oTGbkzkfGdMBpB6ge0M6mgE3ecCdwCLcB/s1600/DSCN8656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_WWV6Wb2qMg/V46TyE6smvI/AAAAAAAAEOI/qYb8oTGbkzkfGdMBpB6ge0M6mgE3ecCdwCLcB/s640/DSCN8656.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Edinson!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5TMsxKFCLlM/V46TyC9FuII/AAAAAAAAEOE/ndx05xKav4A91lwsFqcgu0MwONpIB0QIwCLcB/s1600/DSCN8658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5TMsxKFCLlM/V46TyC9FuII/AAAAAAAAEOE/ndx05xKav4A91lwsFqcgu0MwONpIB0QIwCLcB/s640/DSCN8658.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hermana Shira!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjqdD2riFDI/V46TyJ3yXGI/AAAAAAAAEOM/JZqMFSRBQZQjh8zaFCMmfSubcsQyXSpOQCLcB/s1600/DSCN8659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjqdD2riFDI/V46TyJ3yXGI/AAAAAAAAEOM/JZqMFSRBQZQjh8zaFCMmfSubcsQyXSpOQCLcB/s640/DSCN8659.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Familia Mendez!!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5SLpwK4EgE/V46TyvNBdAI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/HwTguqQJV9QjIMJjC2s7HG_yasUnkdwaQCLcB/s1600/DSCN8662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5SLpwK4EgE/V46TyvNBdAI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/HwTguqQJV9QjIMJjC2s7HG_yasUnkdwaQCLcB/s640/DSCN8662.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">La Bella Vista de Moca.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLOC8sTNBD0/V46T5x7Qr4I/AAAAAAAAEOY/5gaz7ef_9H0sZa4rAm9L-zoUN0hPxtcCwCLcB/s1600/P1010004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLOC8sTNBD0/V46T5x7Qr4I/AAAAAAAAEOY/5gaz7ef_9H0sZa4rAm9L-zoUN0hPxtcCwCLcB/s640/P1010004.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Food they made for me</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZ4UrYWe4Ig/V46TywAqsQI/AAAAAAAAEOU/NACDgd2b1zYTg0LQtC7POquozQ6L61AwQCLcB/s1600/P1010006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZ4UrYWe4Ig/V46TywAqsQI/AAAAAAAAEOU/NACDgd2b1zYTg0LQtC7POquozQ6L61AwQCLcB/s640/P1010006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greatest family the DR has ever seen (I'm an adopted member)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-3328007198821963462016-07-11T14:29:00.001-07:002016-07-11T14:37:53.358-07:00Pday in MOCAWell I'm in Santiago and have to catch the five o clock bus to Dajabon in
45 minutes. Also this is the worst space bar I've ever used. In other
words this will go down in history for the worst pday letter I ever
write. Haha But I'm coiming home so soon that it won't really matter. 4
more pdays el diache!!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today I left Dajabon at 5:30
am to go to Moca!! It was been such an AWESOME day. I got to hangout
with my converts, Shira, Carlos, Freddy and Edinson. They are all doing
SOOOO well. Edinson is going on a mini mission next week, Carlos when to
EFY in Bonao last week and LOVED IT. Freddy is now the teachers quorum
president and loves passing the sacrament, but best of all Shira is going
to the temple the week after I'm going home. She is such a sweet soul and
her testimony brought me to tears. When I knocked on her door she ran
up yelled BLACKAY!! and hugged me before I could even react. We were
talking about how much had changed in this past year and then she bore
her testimony of the blessings God has given her. She really let her
light shine forth. I left Moca in January thinking that there was a
whole lot more that I could have done, but passing through today made
me realize how worth it it was to work as hard as I did. Shira's testimony
alone has made these past two years of prayers, sweat and tears worth
it. After, I shared with her Mosiah 2:24 and started crying as I bore my
testimony. I didn't think it would be soo hard to leave. But I still have 1
month left!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As for Dajabon everything is
going well. Only our investi Julian came to church. Josafina and Joselo
couldn't, I cant remember why. But Julian is a huge stud. He lives out in
the middle of nowhere!! He lives in a small wooden shack with dirt floor
but he is one of the happiest people I've ever met. He was a reference
and has been to church three weeks in a row. Last week we invited him to
be baptized for the 30th but he said he would need more time. He had
been visiting another church for about two years but realized it wasn't for
him. We are pushing hard with prayer and the BoM. He has difficulties
reading but he is really in tune with the spirit. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have transfers on Wednesday and I think my comp is out, so hopefully all will go well. I am going to freaking die <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1303381045" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">in 4 weeks</span></span> and now it's really starting to hit!!</div>
<div>
Well I love you all and I know this church is true. </div>
<div>
Keep praying and studying!!</div>
<div>
Con Amor,</div>
<div>
Elder Blake</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-57647870213832592942016-07-11T14:29:00.000-07:002016-07-11T14:33:41.178-07:00GratitudeHappy fourth everyone. I forgot that it was our country's special day.
What a blessing it is to have freedom of speech and religion.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Not
much to report on this week. It's been hot, as usual and that's made it
hard to sleep. I feel like I'm living inside a furnace, but my body is
not completely used to it. We went to take out money in a bank on Friday morning and there was air conditioning!! Haha After about two
minutes I got really cold and had goosbumps. It's gonna be a rough adjustment <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1303381037" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">in 5 weeks</span></span>!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well
we are working hard! Lilo and Josafina didn't show up to church on Sunday. We are going to their house after writing, so vamos a ver lo que
paso. I was able to talk to Lilo's mother (super faithful member) on Friday during an intercambio with Elder Stratton. He has had a lot of
problems with other women and playing the lottery, but I think we are
going to fast with them. He is also making us dinner tonight a locrio de
arrence. I'm pretty pumped. People have been giving us soo much food
latley. Rice, chicken and fried platanos. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We
had two investis at church. Joselo and Julian. Joselo now has a date for
the 30th of this mes. He is a charlatan, he comes to church and prays
disque but he refuses to read. Please pray for the guy? Julian has come
to church twice now but he lives so far away and has such a tough work schedule that we have actually never been to his house, but as soon as
we get there we are totally gonna teach this guy to repent!! He seems
super cool. Well, todo is good here in the Dajabon Zion.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Cool
moment, I went on a intercambio with Elder Stratton this past week. He
is a fairly new missionary and training; I love the guy. He has a
difficult time talking to people. He doesn't really know how to just walk
up to someone and start talking to them. All the lessons fell through
so I taught him how to contact. We contacted into this awesome family.
They are pretty young, quizas mid thirties and have 4 kids. We talked
about the restoration. The dad said that when he decided to join a
church it'll definitely be the Mormons because we are always in the
streets. We taught about the Book of Mormon and invited them to read it.
Stratton and Gonzales are going back tonight. With Stratton I realized
how much I've learned here, and how little time I have left. It's sad but I'm just gonna keep working hadddd until the last minute!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love y'all!!</div>
<div>
Elder Blake </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-82602540630886577262016-07-11T14:21:00.000-07:002016-07-11T14:21:56.266-07:00Semana que se yo?!?!Weayyyyy wow this week went by SOOO fast!!<br />
<div>
I don't like having pday
on Mondays because it makes the week go by a lot quicker, and with the
poco time that I felt, these last 6 weeks are going to be over before I
know it. Not cool!! I wish I could be a missionary forever!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well
not a whole lot to report on. Stevenson's baptism was a hit. He scared
us a little bit. He asked us Saturday morning if he could get baptized
right then and there because he is out of money and getting kicked out
of his house, he was going to go straight back to Haiti. He only pays
about 40 bucks a month to live in a one room shack. As a Haitian its
really hard for him to find work here. Dominicanos are pretty racist towards Haitians. However, we helped him out a little bit and he got a job
as a Creole teacher in August. We gave him a little money so that he
can stay in his apartment until August. It looks like he will be having
to come back and fourth from Haiti these next few weeks. I don't know if I mentioned this but he studied for two years to become a Catholic priest. He came to understand the restored gospel and gave up that part
of his life. Every prayer he offers he gives thanks to God for giving
him the chance to come to the knowledge of the restored gospel. I love
the guy soo much!! After his baptism we took him out to get pizza and
he told us that he felt so clean. It was a very special moment.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The
work is moving forward. We had an awesome partial family show up to
church. Josafina (non member) comes EVERY week, she really wants to get
baptized, but her husband, Lilo (long time less active) isn't really
about it. But, they came as a whole family hoy! Kids and everything.
They have a super funny 3 year old named Miguel. I call him Adam because
he HATES cloths. Miguel left the primary room, went to a secluded
corner and took off ALL his cloths in the church. He made quite the
scene. No one said anything though. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well to wrap
up, I was reading in 2 nefi 33 and trying to discover things that I
might have not yet understood. The light of the gospel keeps illuminating
my mind and I love it! I love the light of the gospel. 2nd nefi 33 10
reads, <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">10 </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">now, </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">my </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">beloved </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">brethren, </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">also </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jew</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">all</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> ye </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">en<wbr></wbr>ds </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">earth, </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hearken </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">unto </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><wbr></wbr>these </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">words </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">believe </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Christ; </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">if </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ye </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">believe </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">not </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">t<wbr></wbr>hese </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">words </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">believe </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Christ. </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">if </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ye </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">shall </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">believe</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> in </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Chri<wbr></wbr>st </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ye </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">will </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">believe </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> these </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">words</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">for </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">they </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">are </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">words</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> of </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><wbr></wbr>Christ, </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">he </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hath</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> given </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">them </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><wbr></wbr>unto </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">me; </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">they </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">teach</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> all </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">me<wbr></wbr>n </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">they</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> should </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">do </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">good.</span></div>
<div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(254,251,191); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="m_7323969139668984099_11" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">11 </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">if </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">they </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">are </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">not </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">wo<wbr></wbr>rds </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Christ, </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">judge </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ye—for</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Chr<wbr></wbr>ist </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">will </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">show </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">unto </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you, </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">with </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">p<wbr></wbr>ower</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> and </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">great </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">glory</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">they<wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">are </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">his </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">words, </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">at </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">last </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">da<wbr></wbr>y; </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">shall</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> stand </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">face </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">face </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">before </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">his </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">bar; </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and<wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ye </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">shall </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">know </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">have </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">been<wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">commanded </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">him </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">write </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the<wbr></wbr>se </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">things,</span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> notwithstanding </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">my </span><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">w<wbr></wbr>eakness.</span></div>
<div style="background-image: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Well,
as Nephi says if we believe in Christ we will believe in his words, o sea
the Book of Mormon. I thought a lot about what this really means.
Obviously he couldn't have been speaking of a passive belief in Christ. A
passive belief requires no effort or self exertion. The test of our
faith is more precious than gold, because its worth and glory is
eternal. If we truly believe in Christ we will know that He is the son
of a living tangible god. My testimony is based on this simple church doctrine. I know that Christ is the savior of the world, our father
sent him to the earth to suffer and die for all of us. The Book of Mormon, in my opinion is an unmatched testimony of the divinity of our
savior. I love this work, and invite you all to participate.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-image: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-image: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Elder Blake</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-20779873415695918032016-06-20T16:41:00.004-07:002016-06-20T16:41:51.740-07:00Great Week Well the clock is ticking but let me jot down a few of the best moments
of this week. This week was seriously a dream week. We had two baptisms, and Stevenson is pumped for <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_576622810" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">this Saturday</span></span>! We are going to try to go to the beach in Manzanillo for his baptism.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1.
Rita and Saul's confirmation. Their baptism couldn't have gone any
smoother. But then she made me nervous because she said she wasn't going
to be able to go to church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_576622811" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span>.
One of her family members is on their death bed and is likely going to
die within this next week. She said she had to go take them something.
>Those of our faith know that a baptism isn't complete until the
person receives the Holy Ghost the next day in sacrament meeting. Anyways
we told her it wasn't necessary for her to go to church if she had a
family emergency but we strongly advised her to find a way to get to church. Long story short Rita shows up RIGHT at 9, she had left for Montecristi at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_576622812" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">5 am</span></span>
to visit this family member so that she could get back in time to come
to all 3 hours of church. We prayed and prayed and the Lord really
touched her heart!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2. Interview with Presdente Castillo. Wow this was one of the greatest moments in my mission. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_576622813" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Friday</span></span>
morning we went down to Montecristi for interviews and President told
me something I was NOT expecting. He sat me down and said, Elder Blake
before we empezamos, You have been called to Dajabon by the Lord to
baptize, the Lord wants your district to flourish these next two months.
I have been impressed to lower you as a zone leader so you can complete
with what the Lord requires of you in Dajabon. I was shocked and
frankly told him, Presidente look, I haven't baptized since November. How
could the Lord require this of me?? And he promised me some very
incredible things. In pocas palabras, I think the Lord is really really
pouring down his blessings upon us. We as a companionship will finish
this month with 3, and looking to have 2 next month. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3.
Sacrament meeting yesterday. We had some great investigators in church. 2 references and a super super prepared Haitian guy named Owensby. No joke, I sat down next to him as the meeting started. I
started to get to know him and he tells me: "Look I took the lessons in Haiti a few months ago and I know the Book of Mormon is true. I NEED to
be baptized. I put the date for him right then and there for the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_576622814" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">23 of July</span></span>.
Sadly we went to try and find his house yesterday but directions here
don't make sense and he doesn't have a cell phone. We will just have to
meet up with him at church next week.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well I am
really short on time but I want you all to know that I know the Lord is
blessing me for the hard work I have but in these past 6 months. I love
this work and it kills me to know that I'll have to leave these people
in a few short weeks. Two nights ago I had a dream that I was walking on
a train platform just telling everyone how happy I was for living the
gospel of Jesus Christ. I know this gospel is true and that it brings us
joy. I love my family and know that I can be with them forever. If you
have never read the Book of Mormon read it>!!1</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have a great week!!</div>
<div>
Elder Brigham Blake</div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MIg9KGcbO_c/V2hnVx7h9EI/AAAAAAAAELg/C6wGWTpL9M8jlHl0nMTBash8O_KKDveuwCLcB/s1600/DSC08513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MIg9KGcbO_c/V2hnVx7h9EI/AAAAAAAAELg/C6wGWTpL9M8jlHl0nMTBash8O_KKDveuwCLcB/s640/DSC08513.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rita y Saul se bautizaron!! It was a DOPE service!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lMxFXWkCYqI/V2hnVnS3_rI/AAAAAAAAELU/SGCGpsPKz80uRpKe34C8faoYj0p7q5wdACKgB/s1600/DSC08493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lMxFXWkCYqI/V2hnVnS3_rI/AAAAAAAAELU/SGCGpsPKz80uRpKe34C8faoYj0p7q5wdACKgB/s640/DSC08493.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Distrito Dajabon!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUZJ9Ck2Z_4/V2hnVhfqpEI/AAAAAAAAELc/9G4d1F8veCQYk51j-k_L06bUjtuK8YxAACKgB/s1600/DSC08502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUZJ9Ck2Z_4/V2hnVhfqpEI/AAAAAAAAELc/9G4d1F8veCQYk51j-k_L06bUjtuK8YxAACKgB/s640/DSC08502.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;">I made food for nuestra casa. I am called el abuelo because I'm soo old! And the only one who knows how to cook haha.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rGH26skfxY/V2hnViG43MI/AAAAAAAAELY/m-7sIG_g3WYkVrs0MSNOTLwlTx8EiWtFgCKgB/s1600/DSC08507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rGH26skfxY/V2hnViG43MI/AAAAAAAAELY/m-7sIG_g3WYkVrs0MSNOTLwlTx8EiWtFgCKgB/s640/DSC08507.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">DR Pimp my ride!! I wish I would take more pictures here becuase I see
werid funny things like this ALL THE time. How often do you see a 30
year old truck without doors or a windsheild that still works?!?!?!
DR!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-90254953520786647382016-06-13T18:15:00.000-07:002016-06-13T18:15:06.513-07:00June 13th - Monday PDayHahaha well, I am assuming that mom hasn't updated my weekly blog in a
long time because what I have to write really isn't all too important
anymore. I'm really sorry that I'm not a creative writer. (Julia here- NO! I'm just super busy and a bit lame). However I want
you all to know that the work is pushing along and we are doing well
here in Dajabon. Honestly, I'm soo greatful to be in this part of the country because I dont think I will ever again in my life exprience heat
so so brutally blistering.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyways briefly, this
week has been good. We are eating a lot of mangos. Rita knows that I
love them, and she has 4 mango trees in her patio so she gifted me a
huge bag of about 20 mangos. Every morning and night I sit in my hammock
feasting on fresh DR mangos!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rita and Sauol are doing well. They came to our ward activity <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_679969220" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Thursday</span></span>.
They watched the testaments and Rita said it helped her understand a
little bit more about Christ's ministry in the Americas. Sauol just
played basketball. We were also able to teach her about the Word of Wisdom. To our surprise she has no problems with coffee, or alcohol!! Shes
awesome! Sadly she didn't go to church so we pushed her date back a
week. Keep praying for them!!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Stevenson is AWESOME. He is loving the gospel and is now participating in instituto. He left for Haiti today& he gets back <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_679969221" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Thursday.</span></span> We just need to get him prepped for the 25th!! If all goes well, he, Rita and Sauol will all be baptized that day!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Cool moment. We were walking home <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_679969222" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Friday</span></span>
night, and just joking around I contacted a younger woman in English.
It's a great contacting tactic I picked up from Elder Preston to break
the ice with people. Dominicans are SUPER out going. Anyways she is a
good sport about it and invites us to come back the very next day. We
show up <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_679969223" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Saturday</span></span> and teach her a bomb lesson one, invite her to church and she showed up yesterday in sac meeting!! Pray for Sonibel!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I
started reading the BoM over again this week. I love love love this
book! I'm trying to finish it again before I go home. I was reading about
Nephi's voyage to the promise land, trying to analyze the book in a way
that I never had before. We know that the Lord had sent many afflictions
upon their family. A gospel theme that I have found many times states
that we come to receive blessings from God, after our faith is probado. I
was struck by a verse that talks about HOW and WHEN Lehi's family would
come to know God. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
1st Nephi 17 verse 14 says, <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">14 </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">Yea, and the Lord said also that: After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">know</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"> that I, the Lord, am </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">God</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">; and that I, the Lord, did </span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">deliver</span><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"> you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; line-height: 25.2px;"> T</span><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; line-height: 25.2px;">his
verse hit me because it reads, AFTER you have arrived in the promise
land. I have tried to understand what this means. Once Lehi's family had
arrived in the promise land they could understand fully that the Lord had
been with them always, and because of their faith the Lord would bless
them, even to KNOW him. I don't claim to know God, but I do know that as I
try to live His commandments He will bless me. I know that this is His
church and that Christ suffered for my sins. I know that as we are
diligente the Lord with deliver us from our personal destruction. I love
you all and wish you a prosperous semana.</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; line-height: 25.2px;">Elder Blake</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; line-height: 25.2px;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; line-height: 25.2px;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDhmSXUJ26A/V1838nR_DuI/AAAAAAAAEKM/7An5FWLPXj4zh7IVCQaWaF-QPerce0GRwCLcB/s1600/DSC08460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDhmSXUJ26A/V1838nR_DuI/AAAAAAAAEKM/7An5FWLPXj4zh7IVCQaWaF-QPerce0GRwCLcB/s640/DSC08460.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I found the lost sheep!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2L2Y9DTMD4/V1838rzLXbI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/BIaBUNbkHv8iFsiC3ZfPxptUEQOCF1FZACLcB/s1600/DSC08468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2L2Y9DTMD4/V1838rzLXbI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/BIaBUNbkHv8iFsiC3ZfPxptUEQOCF1FZACLcB/s640/DSC08468.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;">On the DR<span style="color: #333333;">/H</span>aiti border with my comp</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IVlDF1FVj5E/V1838twhORI/AAAAAAAAEKI/mo4ED5c0R_ECUGdJlQZFJ5GF5zfrX76FQCLcB/s1600/DSC08480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IVlDF1FVj5E/V1838twhORI/AAAAAAAAEKI/mo4ED5c0R_ECUGdJlQZFJ5GF5zfrX76FQCLcB/s640/DSC08480.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Action shot of <span style="color: #333333;">H</span>aitians crossing into the DR by crossing a RIVER!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4oNh08gC--M/V18383P56pI/AAAAAAAAEKU/5tlJNEOmv60heGK0VzBJbyvk6_A9O8kKwCLcB/s1600/DSC08488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4oNh08gC--M/V18383P56pI/AAAAAAAAEKU/5tlJNEOmv60heGK0VzBJbyvk6_A9O8kKwCLcB/s640/DSC08488.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book of Mormon y Star wars</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-34079103215462006132016-06-13T15:44:00.004-07:002016-06-13T15:44:42.240-07:00Dajabon week oneThis was a really interesting week. Its always soo weird entering a new
area, but even more so now, knowing that I'm going to finish <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_679969215" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">in two months</span></span>.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Despite
a few bumps this has been a great week - my comp and I are doing good
things. We have three people that will get baptized this month. Please
pray for Rita, Sauel and Stevenson. Rita and Sauel are mother and son.
Rita is a single mother and my comp contacted her 5 weeks ago. She hasn't
missed church since. She is super excited about being baptized and is a
very humble person. Please pray for her and Sauel.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Stevenson
has become one of my favorite people ever. He is Haitian and contacted
Elder Sandoval a few weeks ago. He has gone to church 3 times in a row
and wants to be a missionary. His love for the gospel is pure. But after
that we don't really have anybody. I'm going to work my butt off to find
some news!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't really know wha'telse to report on. Maybe just to mention that it's really hot always. I am going to come home black!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Always
interesting note, Dajabon has the COOLEST flee market. Mondays and
Fridays the Hatians are allowed to cross the border and sell their
goodness in this HUGE warehouse. Sadly all the items have Goodwill, Savers or DI tags on them. So basically all the US donations are sold
here. But I bought some cool stuff like new Birkenstocks for 5 dollars,
and a RED Head back pack for $10. I'm gonna aprovechar before I head on
home!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As for my comp, he is a really good kid.
His name is Elder Sandoval from Panamá. He has 6 months in the mission
and is still getting things figured out. I feel like I'm training again because his trainer and second comp were both pretty disobedient. I've had
to help him out a few times. I live in a house of four with an other American named Elder Stratton (he is a weird nerd but I love him) and
Elder Gonzales de Guatamala. He is a funny, small kid. I call him Duende
(dwarf) because he is so small. They all make fun of me because I'm
finished with the mission so shortly. 8 weeks, ayaya que cosa!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I
finished the Book of Mormon for the 4th time in my mission. I absolutely love it. I exhort all to read the book, especially to read
Moroni 10. The second to last verse he invites us to come unto Christ. I
know that those word were written for our days. I know that this is the Lord's work and that this is His true church. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hasta lunes!</div>
<div>
Elder blake</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Con Amor Elder Blake <br /><br />
Separate email:<br />
<br />
I GOT your guyses letters that you had sent for Christmas. I don't know
why it took so long though haha. Isaac your letter was is one of the
most cherished items I have in my possession. THANK YOU for your mission
run down. It gave me some good animo to always strive and be a
consecrated missionary.<br />
<br />
Jonathan asked: <br />
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
1) What are key things you would tell someone who has doubts in terms of building more belief/faith in their lives?</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
2) What are key things that we can do to be better missionaries that you've observed on your mission?</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
3) what are your favorite general conf talks from this past April?</div>
<br />
<br />
Hahaha dad, I'll send a picture. We can go to the Haiti Border anytime we want. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_679969210" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">On Monday</span></span>
a Haitian woman stopped us. She barely spoke any Spanish but she told
that she liked the gospel and wanted to learn more. I just thought to myself darn I wish that Carlens was my comp!!! Hahah<br />
<br />
<div>
1. I always turn
to the Book of Mormon because that is really what strengthened my faith.
I credit the Book of Mormon to being the corner stone of my beliefs. I
LOVE the book. I finished it for the fifth time last Saturday (4th time on the mission). I'm aiming
to read it again before I get home. </div>
<div>
2. Opening our mouths, we
are faced with sooo soo many missionary moments everyday. I know that
we often get impressions to share the gospel with people and for fear of
man we don't do anything. I think that if we open our mouths anytime we
feel the spirit prompt us we will be great member missionaries.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
3. Gary Stevenson's talk on Priesthood keys, as well as Jeffery R Holland's closing talk. Dope vaina mi hermanito!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Les quiero mucho!!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Para que sepan, mi dia Pday se ha cambiado. Ahora sera el dia Lunes. Entonces acuérdense para este lunes. Gracias!!<div>
Les quiero mucho! (Okay BTW My Pdays for now on will be <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_679969211" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">MONDAY</span></span>. They just changed that.)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I1qsD6KPGSk/V181DRNfz-I/AAAAAAAAEJo/gx3emsQn3igKWjzH5A8IRstI3ox8nIkPgCLcB/s1600/DSC08443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I1qsD6KPGSk/V181DRNfz-I/AAAAAAAAEJo/gx3emsQn3igKWjzH5A8IRstI3ox8nIkPgCLcB/s640/DSC08443.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My FIRST personal bathroom EVER!! Five star DR class might I add!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fXIBl_dk6rQ/V181Dbh5c8I/AAAAAAAAEJg/tPSyndlwKlESOt2fIE390n929pa-y3whACLcB/s1600/DSC08448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fXIBl_dk6rQ/V181Dbh5c8I/AAAAAAAAEJg/tPSyndlwKlESOt2fIE390n929pa-y3whACLcB/s640/DSC08448.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I caught a lizard! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7GonGKg-4dM/V181DcImmMI/AAAAAAAAEJk/epzMskPpKF8QNTe0O5M4qDFpHs7DGaETwCLcB/s1600/DSC08451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7GonGKg-4dM/V181DcImmMI/AAAAAAAAEJk/epzMskPpKF8QNTe0O5M4qDFpHs7DGaETwCLcB/s640/DSC08451.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think that my thermometer is off, but just to give you an idea of how
HOT Dajabon is. It's like Saint George (UT) without air conditioning, and
having to walk around in the hottest part of the day...I LOVEEE IT!! (no
sarcasm)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uhk_oy_kqQ/V181DjYjlbI/AAAAAAAAEJs/Wvu0C3z7Q9IGXHPOSeRDitW6SdLc0OISACLcB/s1600/DSC08454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uhk_oy_kqQ/V181DjYjlbI/AAAAAAAAEJs/Wvu0C3z7Q9IGXHPOSeRDitW6SdLc0OISACLcB/s640/DSC08454.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stevenson, he has a date for the 25th, he is an AWESOME guy!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="yj6qo ajU">
<div class="ajR" data-tooltip="Show trimmed content" id=":555" role="button" tabindex="0">
<img class="ajT" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif" /></div>
</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-65404497332782780412016-06-13T15:29:00.004-07:002016-06-13T15:29:31.645-07:00Trasladosss, Para Dajabon The light of the Gospel.Well, I guess I have finally been sent to my last area in the mission.
To Spend the last 9 weeks working on the Border of Hati. DAJABONN. I was transferred today to finish the mission here in Dajabon B and as a DL. I
feel pretty excited to get this district going. I live in a house of
four, Yo, Elder Sadoval (my comp) Elder Stratton (trainer) and Elder
GOnzales (newbie). I realized on the 4 hour bus ride from Santiago that I
have more time in the mission than all three of these guys
combined....yeah I'm old!!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyways I'm feeling good.
Leaving an area is always bittersweet. I got to say goodbye to the
awesome people we were teaching. Both Santiago and Ronnie are
progressing hardcore for their dates. Both are shooting for the 18th.
Santiago is praying A LOT. He is super poor and has had many many
problems in his life. I have really seen how the light of the Gospel
changes peoples' lives, as they live it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Light
is something that I studied this week. I love the symbolism of light in
terms of the gospel. If there is light in a place, darkness cannot
exist, because light always triumphs darkness. As we build our
testimonies any refugee of darkness gets cleaned out and we begin to
shine brightly. Receiving light is a literal way to drive away temptation. I was singing the him, Oh My Father yesterday in my hammock,
and the third esrtopha really hit me. It roughly says in Spanish:</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<i>Before I Called you father without knowing why. But the <b>light</b> of the Gospel has revealed to me that I am your child. </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I
can really testify of these words. I have always said that I know my Heavenly Father and that he loves me. But as I have studied and prayed
the Holy Ghost has confirmed to me, through an enlightness that he is
really there and really loves me. I invite you all to build your own testimonies. <br />I love hearing from all of you and know that this church
is true!! It's such an amazing gift to have the light of the gospel in
our lives!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hasta la semana que entra!!</div>
<div>
Elder Blake </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_Vs-x8SkMg/V18yZqN4EBI/AAAAAAAAEI4/f0_LXbc9-FYMYrmQq0Cok9s_MCqNjCigwCLcB/s1600/DSC08407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_Vs-x8SkMg/V18yZqN4EBI/AAAAAAAAEI4/f0_LXbc9-FYMYrmQq0Cok9s_MCqNjCigwCLcB/s640/DSC08407.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fila Rosairo. Super Super awesome investigator family that would progress if their work schedule les permitiera.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ShYBxkkc-tc/V18yZ7XaXhI/AAAAAAAAEJA/Vu80uBYT_pAp7zXOenaNmPNAongdvWUyQCLcB/s1600/DSC08411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ShYBxkkc-tc/V18yZ7XaXhI/AAAAAAAAEJA/Vu80uBYT_pAp7zXOenaNmPNAongdvWUyQCLcB/s640/DSC08411.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Harley and Clan. I love the this kid!! We almost cried saying goodbye!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FXtL5_pGlrA/V18yZu-K2qI/AAAAAAAAEI8/vuYZeBZKZ0UAonxn_0S44stJ5sbI4nM2ACLcB/s1600/DSC08417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FXtL5_pGlrA/V18yZu-K2qI/AAAAAAAAEI8/vuYZeBZKZ0UAonxn_0S44stJ5sbI4nM2ACLcB/s640/DSC08417.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ronnie (the kid with the white cast) and familia. Super awesome people. Ronnie is gonna get baptized in a few weeks!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-70_PBm2oNxI/V18yZ9H511I/AAAAAAAAEJE/26J9JEIPtqA78GCh0HvvVPzoC-3ZUvnywCLcB/s1600/DSC08423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-70_PBm2oNxI/V18yZ9H511I/AAAAAAAAEJE/26J9JEIPtqA78GCh0HvvVPzoC-3ZUvnywCLcB/s640/DSC08423.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Celebrating a great transfer with Welch's Sparkling Cider on the Roof!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-70183350756966612972016-06-13T15:21:00.003-07:002016-06-13T15:21:32.602-07:00May 25th Quick weekly update life is great here in Bonao. We are working really
hard and effecitently right now. We have two really good dates, both for
the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_679969205" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">18th of June</span></span>. Pray for Hna Aida and for Hno Santiago.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yesterday
was a GREAT birthday, becuase I really wasnt focusing on my self. It
was a day of service like anyother day. Service is an eternal truth, our
father in heavens JOY AND WORK is to serve us. I think as soon as we
figure out that we are here to serve, and as we become like god we will
continue to just serve serve serve. </div>
<div>
Anyways we left at 10 and
basically didnt get back to the house until 9 30 we are working
demasiado!! We had two great lessons with Aida and Santiago. Aida, we
just finished la restouracion, she read the BoM and felt the spirit!!
She told us that she feels like this is gods church. As for Santiago,
this mans life is a miricle. He had a bad accidente about two months ago
and about an eigth of his brian was removed. He was a drug addict and
has been neglected basically his whole life. In our gospels class on
sunday we talked about Baptisim. In our lesson yesterday he asked us how
he could prepare himself to be baptized, carzy awesome stuff!!! We are
really rpoud of him. haha our lesson ayer fue como algo de Predicad mi
Evangelio. </div>
<div>
As for the rest of the week everything is normal, just trying not to think about how little time I have left! </div>
<div>
We have transfers next week, I could be leaving possibly!! Crazy stuff!!</div>
BTW
in Moca Edinson is getting baptized on saturday, and he asked me to
baptise him!! Hopfully ill be able to go. Here is a throw back picture
with Edinson and Elder Corder!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka6iUgVDx7M/V18w6IJ--EI/AAAAAAAAEIA/L4FCcIG-jwss5M94ARL2yqjc771RlQOAQCLcB/s1600/DSC07511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka6iUgVDx7M/V18w6IJ--EI/AAAAAAAAEIA/L4FCcIG-jwss5M94ARL2yqjc771RlQOAQCLcB/s640/DSC07511.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
Love you all!!!</div>
<div>
Con Amor Elder Blake</div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gfxIC7BjHkU/V18xHbf6sxI/AAAAAAAAEIM/kr-FNttvSM8nBRtyR-CLVi0mK1s7X6FrgCLcB/s1600/DSC08319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gfxIC7BjHkU/V18xHbf6sxI/AAAAAAAAEIM/kr-FNttvSM8nBRtyR-CLVi0mK1s7X6FrgCLcB/s640/DSC08319.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hermano Santiago. He has gone to church the last two Sundays. We had our
first lesson with him yesterday and we put a date with him for the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_679969207" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">18th of June</span></span>!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxa1iYI9CDc/V18xILKCR7I/AAAAAAAAEIg/gajkNx0xM2AciQ4fQDPIbRuGezlH-Ot1wCLcB/s1600/DSC08328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxa1iYI9CDc/V18xILKCR7I/AAAAAAAAEIg/gajkNx0xM2AciQ4fQDPIbRuGezlH-Ot1wCLcB/s640/DSC08328.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The whomping willow of Bonao!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_lTR-9loLmo/V18xHDflqxI/AAAAAAAAEII/pnCp7uHK5NEu7vuJiCNUsS4dcUoGIY7QACLcB/s1600/DSC08329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_lTR-9loLmo/V18xHDflqxI/AAAAAAAAEII/pnCp7uHK5NEu7vuJiCNUsS4dcUoGIY7QACLcB/s640/DSC08329.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">An Awesome family we are teaching!! I cant remember their apellido though</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zl2FssaIXoY/V18xHskfLXI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/rL-D59lMzYQ9usaiYvmVCH1Ixn7q1uVAwCLcB/s1600/DSC08337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zl2FssaIXoY/V18xHskfLXI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/rL-D59lMzYQ9usaiYvmVCH1Ixn7q1uVAwCLcB/s640/DSC08337.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last night the Elders came over and brought me a ice cream cake. It was a great way to celebrar 20 years. Wow ya soy viejo!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-02f_uzf7QkY/V18xHmQ1JDI/AAAAAAAAEIU/SiHVRl9NfQ4LACp6YuaMhyIOYf2krTC5gCLcB/s1600/DSC08338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-02f_uzf7QkY/V18xHmQ1JDI/AAAAAAAAEIU/SiHVRl9NfQ4LACp6YuaMhyIOYf2krTC5gCLcB/s640/DSC08338.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Family lineage!! I saw Elder Corder and his kid, Elder Garcia in Santiago today. We talked about the good old Moca days!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-72314067462697316332016-06-13T15:15:00.002-07:002016-06-13T15:15:25.642-07:00May 18th Time Flies When You're a Missionary<span id="goog_1318968446"></span><span id="goog_1318968447"></span>Time flies when you're a missionary, and time flies when you're having<br />
fun. So what about if you're a missionary and having fun? Haha well,<br />
time just kind of slips through your fingers like grains of sand.<br />
Tengo que aprovechar!! Honestly I think the week went by soo quickly that<br />
I cant even really remember<span id="goog_283467939"></span><span id="goog_283467940"></span> what we did!<br />
<br />
Sunday was a pretty funny day, the whole country was shut down for<br />
Eleciones. We only had Sacrament meeting and two investigators showed<br />
up. We were pumped to see Ronny at church bright and early. (our<br />
investi with a date for the 4th of June). He even brought us doughnuts,<br />
but the weren't as good as Krispy Kremes. Ronny tells us he loves<br />
church and gave up coffee to get baptized. For the last two weeks he<br />
has been telling everyone that if they drink coffee they need to<br />
repent. He is a super funny kid. After sac meeting we met briefly with<br />
our Branch Pres to try and spark our branch. It was a fine meeting and<br />
he put my comp and I incharge of our branch activities. Finna try and play<br />
a lot of dominoes!! We need to get the members and our investigators<br />
interacting!! After our meeting we went home and realized that we had<br />
NOOO food except for salami, a sweet potato and this gross vegetable<br />
called tayota. It was the worst lunch I have ever eaten in my life - no<br />
joke, I wish I would have taken a picture. Boiled sweet potatoes,<br />
tayota and fried salami, BAD COMBO. We then got a call from the<br />
Assistientes saying that we couldn't leave the house because of the<br />
eleciones, which was probably a good call. The party that lost the<br />
eleciones have been throwing a huge fit for these past few days and<br />
have gone on a nonstop strike. The police have killed 6 people in our<br />
area in the past 2 days. We have seen a lot of burnt tires and burnt<br />
trash around. As a matter of fact yesterday was the worst, but we<br />
didn't leave because my comp and I are sick. I have a fever of 102 and<br />
Elder Irish has the Runs.<br />
<br />
Yesterday I had a lot of time to reflect on my mission and what I want<br />
to do going forward these next three months. As I listened to a Truman<br />
Madsen talk on the Abrahamic Test, I thought about the test and trials<br />
God has sent in my own life. The underlying point Hermano Madsen got across<br />
is that God requires tests of our souls; sooner or later he will<br />
strongly probar our testimonies. It's quite interesting actually,<br />
because it seems to be trait of human nature. To grow we must be<br />
tested. I have a strong testimony that as we are faced with trial we<br />
must hold firmly to the Iron Rod, read the scriptures, pray<br />
and assist the church. That is how we can edificarnos sobre la roca<br />
de Cristo. (Helaman 5 vs 12) No one can remain straight and true to<br />
their testimony without haciendo estas cosas. Sooo do them!! Another<br />
interesting point Hermano Madsen made is that more often that not we<br />
pray hypocritically, asking for God's will to be done, ONLY if it se<br />
concuerde with our will. This is something that I know I really have<br />
to work on these next three months, trying to learn what God's will<br />
truly is.<br />
<br />
On another note, Harley expressed to his Parents his desire to be<br />
baptized. We don't know the details yet but he told us that he was not<br />
granted permission. We will keep working with him and Carmen. He might<br />
not be able to be baptized quite yet but I have to feel satisfied to<br />
know that next Febuary he will enter into el evangelio. As a<br />
missionary, it's just as important to be a planter as it is to be a<br />
sower, (one person I found and taught with Elder Corder in Moca was<br />
baptized 2 weeks ago, and 2 more have dates for the end of this<br />
month.)<br />
<br />
I have no regrets for my mission. I love what I'm doing and I know that<br />
this is the Lord's work. Every time I think that I'm tried, or under the<br />
weather I think of the atoning sacrifice of our savior Jesucristo. I<br />
love all of you!!<br />
Con mucho Amor!<br />
Elder Blake<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KyMEf9LFppk/V18uLvzKDpI/AAAAAAAAEHg/_vKe8-Gpb70nh4y6jcwpWiv9FZ04KntXQCKgB/s1600/DSC08246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KyMEf9LFppk/V18uLvzKDpI/AAAAAAAAEHg/_vKe8-Gpb70nh4y6jcwpWiv9FZ04KntXQCKgB/s640/DSC08246.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mango face</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wxnuIUbNaTM/V18uMJHH-FI/AAAAAAAAEHw/BFRCw_fM1qo0SK8MDO02YEZJSukJ3I3hQCKgB/s1600/DSC08274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wxnuIUbNaTM/V18uMJHH-FI/AAAAAAAAEHw/BFRCw_fM1qo0SK8MDO02YEZJSukJ3I3hQCKgB/s640/DSC08274.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">We found a tire in a river, en la Cueva</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAyG4Tx-eZ4/V18uLm-YSjI/AAAAAAAAEHk/6NaHh1LM_Uo4vocsBqSegUGc7dWQeGJHACKgB/s1600/DSC08251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAyG4Tx-eZ4/V18uLm-YSjI/AAAAAAAAEHk/6NaHh1LM_Uo4vocsBqSegUGc7dWQeGJHACKgB/s640/DSC08251.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ronny with his Pats jersey. What a thug!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDU-4clmEI4/V18uLncXoHI/AAAAAAAAEHc/Dwl2ZkMlEVYqgy2Drt_FcekNA55GBEGcwCKgB/s1600/DSC08252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDU-4clmEI4/V18uLncXoHI/AAAAAAAAEHc/Dwl2ZkMlEVYqgy2Drt_FcekNA55GBEGcwCKgB/s640/DSC08252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Julio Cesar. He's a funky kid haha.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7C4B_zXDdiQ/V18uL-7FeDI/AAAAAAAAEHo/eTNUMk9M7QMly6yQocT6HqKR4TNxBHE1QCKgB/s1600/DSC08253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7C4B_zXDdiQ/V18uL-7FeDI/AAAAAAAAEHo/eTNUMk9M7QMly6yQocT6HqKR4TNxBHE1QCKgB/s640/DSC08253.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My friend with a shot gun</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WE6CNVJHcnM/V18uL-0UowI/AAAAAAAAEHs/P3p7-M4eFjQkygESLyotyCXPABut1SO3QCKgB/s1600/DSC08273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WE6CNVJHcnM/V18uL-0UowI/AAAAAAAAEHs/P3p7-M4eFjQkygESLyotyCXPABut1SO3QCKgB/s640/DSC08273.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">En el Campo.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-27834192937831376392016-05-13T06:49:00.000-07:002016-05-13T06:49:08.570-07:00Q+A<div>
<i>From Jonathan:</i></div>
<div>
<i>It was soooo great to skype with you on this past <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1038438159" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Sunday</span></span>!!!
You're looking really great and sounding great! It's wonderful to see
you so happy and energized by what you're doing. Rather than give you a
travelogue on this past week it seems like you're interested in more of
a dialogue, which will get kick started with questions back and forth
to each other. You asked for it!! So here goes...</i></div>
<div>
<i> </i></div>
<div>
<i> </i>Thanks Dad I think this is a good idea. I'll try to respond quickly and efficiently.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>1) What is your definition of "success" especially as it relates to missionary efforts/work?</i></div>
<div>
<i> </i></div>
<div>
Like I said while skyping I think that success isn't defined by numbers
rather the by your relationship with God. I love an idea from the coach
in Friday Night Lights and how he defines perfection. Perfection isn't reflected
by the scoreboard or the number of baptisms that you have, rather by
the dedication and love you have for the work. I honestly believe that
if you do everything in your power as a missionary to obey, love and
serve you will be successful. That's when God will put prepared people in
your path.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>2)
You only have a few months left as a full time missionary, what will
you do to ensure that you work hard till the end and 'leave it all on
the field'?</i></div>
<div>
<i> </i></div>
<div>
I will do my best to not let down on the little
things. If you're doing the little things all else will fall into place.
I'm not really worried about this though because I LOVE proselyting.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>3) What's your favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon? How about other scriptures that you love?</i></div>
<div>
<i> </i></div>
<div>
I love the chapters 2 through 4 from Mosiah but also chapters 36 to 38
in Alma or 1st Nefi 8....the tree of life!!. King Benjamin and Alma hijo
are two spiritual savages!! But honestly I think it changes every now
and then because the whole Book of Mormon is just soo amazing that its
hard to choose one favorite chapter. Right now I'm reading Jesus es el
Cristo. I have loved studying the New Testament, especially
the book of ACTS. Paul is one of my favorite scripture heroes and I just
love to read abut the original church of Christ. To read it side to side
with the BoM and to read it thinking of the principles of the restored
gospel. What about you papa? </div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>4)
Has anyone asked you to play the piano in church or do they even have
pianos in your current area? How about singing - have you done any more
solos? :) </i></div>
<div>
<i> </i></div>
<div>
I have never been asked to
play the piano. I think I have said this before but Dominicans are tone
def and they hate hate hate it when people play the piano. Its really
sad because people here have some of the worst voices I've ever heard in
my life!! But after 2 years of sac meeting here Ive gotten used to it.<i> </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>5) How often do families cook
for you vs. how much do you cook for yourselves? Do you do all your
other domestic chores like cleaning and laundry? </i></div>
<div>
<i> </i></div>
<div>
<i> </i>We eat with families maybe 2 or 3 times a week. I usually don't eat
breakfast and we usually eat lunch at home. But people like Carmen and
Harley will cook for us on occasion. Right now we eat with them every Saturday.
Every once in awhile people will make us Cena. Cosas como yuca, mango
or espagueti. But its not too often. I usually cook. Yesterday I made
rice and eggs. I love rice now. In terms of other cleaning we
clean and wash. Our washing machine is nothing more than an oversize
weak blender, its such a joke. It just spins water around so our cloths
never get REALLY clean. </div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>6) How's your relationship w/ your mission president? Do you get to see him very often? What's his family like?</i></div>
<div>
<i> </i></div>
<div>
<i> </i>Pres Castillo is Preach my
Gospel. He is super super awesome. I think that right now he is stressed
out because as zone leaders we have a monthly meeting with him and the
APs and we haven't had the meeting this month yet. I haven't vocally
talked to him in over 2 months but I respect him alot. He has 3 kids,
but I've never met them. His wife is super quiet and spiritual. Overall I
think that they have been really overwhelmed but they're adapting. Keep
in mind that he is like 38 years old.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>7)
What have been the keys to having a good relationship with your
companions? I know you've had ups and downs - what are things that make
a difference and are within your control?</i></div>
<div>
<i> </i></div>
<div>
<i> </i>Love and patience. I
have realized that I'm A LOT like mom. Little things get me angry aveces
but after about 10 minutes I forget about them. I haven't really had any
problems with comps who like to work and obey, by the end of each
transfer we become best buddies. I realized that there are many things
you can't control about your comps and a lot of times the reason that I
get mad has to do with one of my own problems and not theirs.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>8) How have you seen the Lord's hand guiding you in your life this past week, month, year? </i></div>
<div>
<i> </i></div>
<div>
<i> </i>I feel guided everyday. With Elder Irish this is something we have been
studying. Basically we are working on our inspired questions and
listening skills to let the Holy Spirit guide. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1038438157" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">On Monday</span></span>
we were guided to a super awesome guy who wants to give up beer and
cigs. We talked to him as a person and just tried to insert gospel
principles naturally. We left our lesson and realized that the spirit
was
strong and felt that we said things that were really put into our
mouths to
say. <div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>9) Do you know how much we love and admire and appreciate you? </i></div>
<div>
<i> </i><div>
Hahaha this is a trick question!! I love you all sooo sooo much.</div>
<div>
DAD
thanks for these questions, I won't have time to write home a weekly
letter and quite honestly I have nothing else to really say. Abrazos y amor
de la República.</div>
Elder Blake </div>
<div>
<i> </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>I
hope so on the last question, because you're awesome and I'm so proud
to have you as my son. You're such a joy and a blessing to all of us.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Work hard and stay focused. Do all that you can to suspend the notion of time and just work hard each day and moment!</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Love
you so much and look forward to your answers and questions back. If
you're pressed for time then you can pick one or a couple or a few and
we can dialogue over the next few weeks!</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /><div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-81905576972588675812016-05-04T15:26:00.004-07:002016-05-04T15:26:38.805-07:00Week of MiraclesWeaaaapa!<br />
<div>
Que lo que mi GENTE.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week
was MONSTROUS, and super wet. Its rained every single day this past
week. My shoes, scriptures and mission manual are just soaked!! Honestly
it's a nice trade off from brutal heat because after 20 months its been
really taxing!! My skin is FRIED. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week I
have seen some amazing miracles and they all have come back to studying
and understand a very basic gospel principle. GOD LOVES US. I think that
this principle is soo over looked; how often do we take advantage of
our all-knowing and loving Heavenly fFather? Well for starters I know
that I could poner mas confianza en el. I think that this week my comp
and I saw great miracles because we decided to do all we could and put
the rest in God's hands.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lemme take y'all through a
few of the miracles I saw. 1st off Juan Alberto did NOT go to church
this week. I was soo soo worried. It turns out he got home super late <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2128376490" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Saturday</span></span> and over slept until 12 30, we gave him a fat bolche Sunday
night. And something super cool happened. First off let me say that he
and his family LOVE me and I LOVE them. I can't really explain it but we
have just really clicked on sooo many levels. They honestly say that
they just feel a light when we are in their house. Juan Alberto told us
about a dream he had. He told me that he and I were sitting on his porch
with bird seed in our hands and that a large white dove landed on my
hand and started eating. He said that doves DON'T just land on people's
hands and that in his dream he was very amazed but that I just stayed
calm. He called his grandparents and parents to look at the Dove gently
eating and relejándose. He asked us what to dove could possibly have
meant and we talked to him about Christ's baptism about how the Holy Ghost came over him as a dove. He took it as a message that we are the Lord's missionaries who have the Lord's spirit....super cool stuff. Please
pray that he and his family keep progressing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2nd Yassenia and Yeusdies went to church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2128376492" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span>.
We went and picked them up and yassenia said the opening prayer in
principos del evangelio. She prayed that she could become a member of
the Lord's church. Also yesterday she told me that she also dreamt of me.
That I was on a path and calling to her to follow me on the path. Muy
profundo también. We only have one obstacle with Yassenia - she has been
living with a man for about a year and has to get married before
baptized. We are now going to focus hard core on her husband so that we
get the WHOLE family. Por favor oran por ellos!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3rd.
Elder Corder, my kid, called me today and one of the most back door santa
investigators that I had contacted in Moca got baptized <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2128376493" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Saturday</span></span> - a dude named Ramon Antonio. When I met him he had an awful foot
infection and wasn't able to walk, but he always told us that he wanted
to go to church. He then disappeared for about a month and came back to Moca with his leg cut off. We taught him a few more times but it seems
that he had progressed a whole lot after I left. Elder Corder tambien me
dijo que algunas otras personas se van a bautizar pronto ya, like
Anthony. Soo dope that the seeds we planted are now being harvested!! I
MISS MOCA!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I send at the beginning of this
email I think that having focused more on God's love for his children
allowed us to have miracles in our work. We are striving towards a few baptisms for the 28th. Please pray for Ronnie and Juan Alberto, also
Yassenia su esposo and Yuesdires. I love this work and know that Cristo
esta a la cabeza de esta obra!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hasta luego!!</div>
<div>
Feliz dia de las Madres!</div>
<div>
Elder Blake</div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYYFdlY-t-w/Vyp2LfsC83I/AAAAAAAAEA0/Tpo4_P9Atvo-fCYXF2YJqv4td-I_FT0cACLcB/s1600/DSC08194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYYFdlY-t-w/Vyp2LfsC83I/AAAAAAAAEA0/Tpo4_P9Atvo-fCYXF2YJqv4td-I_FT0cACLcB/s640/DSC08194.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Walking the campos de Bonao, con las vacas</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf_3yxGlDkc/Vyp2LGxHS2I/AAAAAAAAEAs/IMksRlnbwYAF5kcWlcZfVuIc9RaETXlWwCLcB/s1600/DSC08199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf_3yxGlDkc/Vyp2LGxHS2I/AAAAAAAAEAs/IMksRlnbwYAF5kcWlcZfVuIc9RaETXlWwCLcB/s640/DSC08199.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This dude in a guaga had his fighting chicken, i asked him if I could hold it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dG-xAljxVw4/Vyp2LTHv9xI/AAAAAAAAEAw/LaCftZBZ1JMbtCCALLxggQxJ3_g8P4EpwCLcB/s1600/DSC08202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dG-xAljxVw4/Vyp2LTHv9xI/AAAAAAAAEAw/LaCftZBZ1JMbtCCALLxggQxJ3_g8P4EpwCLcB/s640/DSC08202.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Comiendo cena con Juan Albeto. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qk9oKMUG5ug/Vyp2LXOkhtI/AAAAAAAAEA4/tG6CfjJG1jEoihgOpLnGBr7xyT5DCQlxQCLcB/s1600/DSC08208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qk9oKMUG5ug/Vyp2LXOkhtI/AAAAAAAAEA4/tG6CfjJG1jEoihgOpLnGBr7xyT5DCQlxQCLcB/s640/DSC08208.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In honor of Big Papi. Wall murals here are brutally ugly. Ill try to take some more pics</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-77rNxW994fI/Vyp2LhB68II/AAAAAAAAEA8/Z8aHejtBqG4ct2LU1Gy-NhC4uicetMgHgCLcB/s1600/DSC08214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-77rNxW994fI/Vyp2LhB68II/AAAAAAAAEA8/Z8aHejtBqG4ct2LU1Gy-NhC4uicetMgHgCLcB/s1600/DSC08214.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Elder Paulino y yo hicimos oreos fritos.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CS25HlXNSkM/Vyp2LtbBSaI/AAAAAAAAEBA/jmfDfDUGzTQc-BNIqjlskCxrNCsg5vB4ACLcB/s1600/DSC08215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CS25HlXNSkM/Vyp2LtbBSaI/AAAAAAAAEBA/jmfDfDUGzTQc-BNIqjlskCxrNCsg5vB4ACLcB/s1600/DSC08215.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Con mangos!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKNUOMsoTbs/Vyp2LlvO-8I/AAAAAAAAEBE/fifi8zMpoFwMmEEukSlGUffqhMIET19vgCLcB/s1600/DSC08216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKNUOMsoTbs/Vyp2LlvO-8I/AAAAAAAAEBE/fifi8zMpoFwMmEEukSlGUffqhMIET19vgCLcB/s640/DSC08216.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have Tevas haha</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOmcgDX9WUk/Vyp2L4s51oI/AAAAAAAAEBI/uKWGLQWyHQEXQACZQmyyJ3XvAnJXIkATACLcB/s1600/DSC08218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOmcgDX9WUk/Vyp2L4s51oI/AAAAAAAAEBI/uKWGLQWyHQEXQACZQmyyJ3XvAnJXIkATACLcB/s640/DSC08218.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My comp and I</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-44137852002268547672016-04-29T13:09:00.002-07:002016-04-29T13:09:50.992-07:00Harley, Ronnie y Juan Carlos!!!Hello mi gente,<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Wow this week se fue demasiado
rapidoooo. I honestly can't even grasp time anymore - it just slips right
between my fingers. However, Elder Irish and I are doing work!! We are
working hard and having a really good time doing it. We sat down to plan
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1843318490" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Thursday</span></span>
and decided that we were going to do ALL in our power to help our area
and our zona then just put the rest in Gods hands. De verdad we saw
some miracles this week!! Lemme explain a few.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1843318491" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">On Saturday</span></span>
we were invited to eat lunch with Harley and his Parents. We ate fried
rice, and had a nice conversion. Quickly after we finished Harley's dad
peaced out but we were able to talk to Carmen and Harley about charity.
Basically just trying to slowly and kindly plant the idea in Carmen's
mind that Harley should be allowed to make his own decisiones. She
opened and then <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1843318492" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Monday</span></span>
we had an epic lesson with Harley about valentía. I don't remember how to
say that in English. But he told us that he would build up the courage
to talk to his parents. I gave him my CTR ring to siempre hacer lo
justo!! and we both shed a few tears. I love him sooo much. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1843318493" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">On Wednesday</span></span> we had a dope second lesson with this guy named Ronnie. He is 18 and super super sincere. We met him about 2 weeks ago and <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1843318494" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Wednesday</span></span>
he had read all of the intro to the BoM. We talked about prophetas and
invited him to be baptized. He acecpted and asked us what time church
started. We told him and he said that he would go without doubts. We
went to his house <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1843318495" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Saturday</span></span> and he told us that we was going to have to work from <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1843318496" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">7 pm to 7am</span></span>
in a bread shop but that he was still going to go to church. At 8:30 am he was standing at the door waiting for us with two huge pieces of cake
haha. We told us he ran home at 7, showered and ran back to the church,
all with cake in his hands haha. So we ate cake for breakfast quickly
before sacrament meeting started. We haven't seen him since Sunday but he
really enjoyed it, and seriously sacrificed to go. It was soooo dope!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3. We had a ROUGH day <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1843318497" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Saturday</span></span>,
for about 4 hours we were blank!! With nothing to do. We decided to pray
and ask God what we should do. We walked and walked with out feeling
impressed to teach a single person. Saturdays are super rough because
almost everyone leaves to visit family or drink in los colmados. Anyways
it was rainy and wicked, I felt pretty darn desanimado, but at 8 we
walked passed this house and I felt an overwhelming impression to stop
and talk to this young looking guy. We instantly hit it off, I spit off
all the Domincan slang I know and he LOVED it. We shared a quick message
about the gospel of Jesucristo and invited him to church. He said he
would go sin fallar, and told us to come by at 8:15 to pick him up. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1843318498" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">On Sunday</span></span>
we showed up at 8:15, he was ready to go but asked us if he could
invite a friend to church. Dijmos claro que si entonces se fue para
buscar un amigo. We ended up just walking to church and Juan showed up
with his buddy. We ended up talking about the modern day church in Gospels Principios and the spirit was super strong. I love love love
teaching this class. Pero igual que ronnie, he wasn't home last night so
we are going to go find him <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1843318499" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">tonight</span></span>. Pray for Harley, Ronnie and Juan Alberto!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Disculpe,
estoy sufriendo con el ingles y quisiera dejar mi testimonio con
ustedes en español, por que para mi de verdad es mas fácil a testificar
en este idioma. Se que esta es la obra del senor y que soy su siervo. La
obra que estoy efectuando no es tan fácil pero veo los frutos cada día.
Amo este país y las personas que conozco acá. Se que la iglesia de
Jesucristo es la verdadera y que el evangelio restaurado cambia vidas y
ayuda familias a poder unirse. Yo lo se por que lo he visto. Veo cada
día las manos del senor obrando con esa gente, y he podido amarlas como
amaría jesucristo. Se de estas cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo Amen!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Elder Blake </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UGx9cfbUWGo/VyEI99ro_lI/AAAAAAAAD_o/4xkiyrXKOQo6F0JIiChuhNRrfRIC7GTNQCLcB/s1600/DSC08156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UGx9cfbUWGo/VyEI99ro_lI/AAAAAAAAD_o/4xkiyrXKOQo6F0JIiChuhNRrfRIC7GTNQCLcB/s640/DSC08156.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I found the beast from sandlot. You can't really tell but this dog is HUGE!! Its paws are the size of my hands.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bt654bYrOKg/VyEI-GSywFI/AAAAAAAAD_w/Xxs3X-ei8JYHTCveMbDav8rT0GjECtIiwCLcB/s1600/DSC08160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bt654bYrOKg/VyEI-GSywFI/AAAAAAAAD_w/Xxs3X-ei8JYHTCveMbDav8rT0GjECtIiwCLcB/s640/DSC08160.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is Juan Alberto and his cousins. We contacted them <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1881693155" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Saturday</span></span> and Juan came to church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1881693156" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span> he is dope.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QrWTQoKfClc/VyEI-I1PYjI/AAAAAAAAD_s/6RZ7sQdvax0NnIpHIEooga7rk8OoulRygCLcB/s1600/DSC08163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QrWTQoKfClc/VyEI-I1PYjI/AAAAAAAAD_s/6RZ7sQdvax0NnIpHIEooga7rk8OoulRygCLcB/s640/DSC08163.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I saw Dad's old truck!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q5JieGks3fk/VyEI-NXJWYI/AAAAAAAAD_0/D-7-FJwG4ksLCs5dq_jmC2h6bvMQXzFhwCLcB/s1600/DSC08169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q5JieGks3fk/VyEI-NXJWYI/AAAAAAAAD_0/D-7-FJwG4ksLCs5dq_jmC2h6bvMQXzFhwCLcB/s640/DSC08169.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I found a TOAD last night, BTW its raining SOO much here. Erry day!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmprN2avmPI/VyEI-dGzHhI/AAAAAAAAD_4/GRAd67Oc5AQVdwva50WCFDd_DPstyF7AACLcB/s1600/image1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmprN2avmPI/VyEI-dGzHhI/AAAAAAAAD_4/GRAd67Oc5AQVdwva50WCFDd_DPstyF7AACLcB/s1600/image1.PNG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isaac met someone at our church who is from Santiago and knows some of Brigham's friends.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-38279875093754874702016-04-27T05:32:00.002-07:002016-04-27T05:32:43.832-07:00Traslados, ya me falta dos y pico?Helllllo,<br />
<br />
<div>
Wow this transfer FLEW bye. Honestly I think it flew bye because I wasn't expecting ANY changes but out of nowhere president transferred Elder Paulino to Moca. We only had 6 weeks together. We were
both really surprised and disappointed, however we will see what happens.
Anyways I'm still in Bonao - now with Elder Irish. He is a stud from Nibley,
Utah and wrestled in High school. We actually figured out a few hours ago
that we both tore our ACLS our senior years playing sports. He in
wrestling y yo en Football. Raider craziess for life!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway I have nothing really to report on. Life is cruising here in Bonao. We put 6 fechas for the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1843318374" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">21st of May.</span></span>
We put them with a family of four and two other woman. Pray for la
familia Mejia, por Yassenia y Yeudies. They all need to start coming to
church regularly!! I have faith that they complete with these metas que
he puesto.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sorry I'm out of time. I LOVE this
work. I know that I'm on the lords errand and that my time is ticking
away. I love being a missionary and pray every day por el bienestar de
ustedes y por las personas que enseno. Les quiero mucho!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Con AMor!!</div>
<div>
Elder Blake </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In a private email to me (Julia): </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Yeah, we pàssed by Harley's house three times this week.
His parents work all week long and when we went on Sunday they weren't
home. Harley can't receive us unless his parents are home. Hopefully he
calls us to meet up with him this week. <div dir="ltr">
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyways love you mom, the work is going well! We put 6 baptism dates this week. We will see what happens!!</div>
</div>
<div class="yj6qo ajU">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-79360405870132944272016-04-06T16:09:00.001-07:002016-04-06T16:09:09.766-07:00Pray and Fast for Harley!!Hello family and friends,<br />
<br />
This week has been super super AWESOME. Wow
I've felt just so happy and peaceful with the work that I'm doing. I KNOW
that this is the Lord's church and his gospel. As many people have said
Conference was awesome. The internet was somehow down in our chapel so I
watched the sessions in Spanish with our branch. It was the first time I
had watched conference in Spanish. I enjoyed it and loved it but it was
sad to see our prophets and not hear them in the native tongue. Or
simply stated conference isn't the same in Spanish!! I would like to focus on a
very spiritual moment that I had this week, and would ask my family to
please fast with a new investigator and I <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1328705381" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">this Saturday</span></span>.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After the afternoon session of conference <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1328705382" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span> my companion and I left the chapel to go contact a few houses in the
bordering neighborhood. Here in Bonao contacting is super hard because
everyone is catholic and hard hearted. We contacted about 2 houses and nothing, we kept walking and my knee started to really bother me. I
can't deny that I thought, well, the week is over its <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1328705383" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">7pm</span></span>
we have to call for numbers in an hour so it wouldn't really hurt if we
went home right now. But I know that's not what the Lord would do. So we
kept walking around. Then I felt a very sudden yet slight impression to
contact this one house. Visually from the door their were MANY pictures
of Catholic Jesus and this family was obviously super super Catholic. A
woman (Cameron) answered the door and let us in, she told us right off the bat
that she is a radical catholic but would let us come in because her
mother in law is a member, who came from the capital, was there in her
house and had actually just finished watching conference. We
invited Cameron to invite all in the house to come and listen to our
message. In few seconds, her mother in law and Cameron's 17 year old
son named Harley came out. We started teaching about the restoration
and Cameron got really defensive, almost yelling at us that she
is cathloic and will never change. After a few minutes she went inside to
go answer the phone and Harley opened up. He told us that he had
watched all 5 sessions of the conference and after the last session
ended, asked God if he would confirm to him that this was the true
church. Not <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1328705384" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">20 minutes later</span></span>
did we knock on their door. I testified that it was an answer and he began
to cry. He then opened up and said that he knows this is Christ's church
but is afraid of what his parents would do to him if he told them he wanted to
be baptized. Anyways we left it tranquillo at that and yesterday at
lunch he called us to ask if we could meet up and teach him in the
chapel. We met him there and he told us more about how his grand mother
had told him about the church and the mission. He asked us what he could
do to become a member and a missionary. We talked a little bit about
sacrifice and being valiant but then I felt inspired to teach him about
fasting. We decided that <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1328705385" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">this Saturday</span></span>
we are going to fast together so that his mother can open her heart and
let him make his own decisions. We then finished with a kneeling prayer
and Harley POURED his heart out asking God to help his mother. Harley
is soooo dope and could be such a strong member. These past three days I
have thought endlessly about his potential. I know that God has a
plan for him and that he wanted us to answer his humble prayer that Sunday afternoon. I have faith that this fast will help him out - help him be able to receive the gospel. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This
is really like those crazy conversion stories we read about in the
Ensign every month. I plead that you fast and pray for Harley and his family so
that he can receive the blessings of the gospel!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love this work!!</div>
<div>
Elder Blake</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-85022156600215745162016-03-15T13:36:00.000-07:002016-03-15T13:36:44.667-07:00Weekly Update, Transfers, New comp etcThis week has been another challenging week! I guess I can't really put
my emotions into words. Haha I think it's just a combo of stress, exhaustion and trying to work my hardest. Despite my hardest efforts our
investigators are just not really progressing anymore. Those who had baptismal dates stopped going to church an our new people aren't really
making an effort to go to church. I think it has to do with exact
obediencia; with Elder Preston we had slipped a little bit and we were
doing things that distracted us from our work and didn't work in the best
way. There is a lot to improve on, especially planning and
getting home on time. I think that I will be able to see success this
transfer if I start to do ALL the little things again. and then Ill
start to see improvement.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Haha I know I'm making it
sound like I've had the worst week of my life. But it really hasn't been
that bad, I just feel lot of pressure from myself and from the Lord. I
know that this is His church and that as missionaries we teach the
gospel of Jesucristo. I know that this gospel has blessed my life more
than anything in the world. I know that the atonement of Christ will
help me to become a better person and to be able to help my repent of my
sins. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and I LOVE my
savior Jesus Christ. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sorry for the WORST weekly letter I've written but next week it'll be better.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
BTW
I will either be writing on Tuesday or Thursday becuase on Wednesday we
have our leadership council with the area presidente Elder Cornish. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love you guys!</div>
<div>
Elder Blake</div>
<div>
</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-26726200460900862642016-03-15T13:22:00.000-07:002016-03-15T13:22:01.627-07:00Mostly Pics - wrote to Anna insteadI'm going to write to Anna instead of my regular letter. Just to let you know, life is going well. I am happy, even though this
week was SUPER hard. My companion has lost some animo. He has just
gotten super relaxed and our investigators aren't pulling through. It's
been a hard week in all aspects but I have a feeling that this week will
be better. I finished the BoM and The New testament this week and that
really kept me happy. We went to constanza for a district meeting and
intercambio aswell. Pass on any of this info with the family!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UwfdojBrJMU/Vuhtv5-WjRI/AAAAAAAAD68/BzOj6YKK5F4VHShbw41WvFQUwSQkMOziw/s1600/DSC07844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UwfdojBrJMU/Vuhtv5-WjRI/AAAAAAAAD68/BzOj6YKK5F4VHShbw41WvFQUwSQkMOziw/s640/DSC07844.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Feliz Miguel!! This guy is a hugeee stud. He is trying to get in the
waters of baptism in a few weeks! He also lives in the most rural part
of our area. We have to cross a sketchy river to get to his shack. haha. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KclaSmmjZOU/VuhtvgRZ_lI/AAAAAAAAD60/xEGqr5LucVUEVQX9HhR-EB8qOWsaMUPXQ/s1600/DSC07846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KclaSmmjZOU/VuhtvgRZ_lI/AAAAAAAAD60/xEGqr5LucVUEVQX9HhR-EB8qOWsaMUPXQ/s640/DSC07846.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The sisters had a baptism. But I love gregory as if he were my convert. He asked me to baptize him which was a huge honor</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ohma3gT6nuQ/VuhtvpaC_gI/AAAAAAAAD64/EQZCW-XkJc4TM33m0VfGiBrAAsOn8eSlg/s1600/DSC07856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ohma3gT6nuQ/VuhtvpaC_gI/AAAAAAAAD64/EQZCW-XkJc4TM33m0VfGiBrAAsOn8eSlg/s640/DSC07856.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We ate this crazy fruit called niespero. It tastes weird!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1AY_i0bNWXQ/Vuhtv0M3ZGI/AAAAAAAAD7A/0xv0qO3sRQUviS2YVqUO9e6ELPCLv2smA/s1600/DSC07860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1AY_i0bNWXQ/Vuhtv0M3ZGI/AAAAAAAAD7A/0xv0qO3sRQUviS2YVqUO9e6ELPCLv2smA/s640/DSC07860.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Elder Preston fell asleep coming home from Constanza, its FAR. He tucked his tie into his shirt for the win. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-83285175388595591542016-03-15T13:04:00.000-07:002016-03-15T13:14:32.099-07:00Semana BacanaFebruary 24th, 2016 <br />
<br />
Esta semana me fue muy bien!!!!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Wow hello family and
friends I can't believe how quickly time flies by. This week flew by in
the blink of an eye. I wish I could go through and my journal and write
down EVERYTHING that has happened but it would take wayyy to much time.
Like all weeks let me go through a few of our highlights.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Last Tuesday we found a super cool family of 3 young adults who are
progressing super rapidly. We taught them Tuesday and then Friday we
went back and finished the restouracion. As week testifies of the Book
of Mormon the spirit filled them room and we committed them to be
baptized and come to church. Anyways Sunday came around and we called
them at 8 to invite them to church. Their phone rang once and them it
just shut off, we called a few more times and it seemed like them had
blocked the number. We were super sad and thought for sure that they
were really interested. We went to church a little let down and RIGHT
before sacrament started they walked in!! It was a huge back door santa,
and the best part about it was that they LOVED the Gospel Principles
class. My companion taught them on Monday but I was in Cotui on an
intercambio. He said that the lesson was very spiritual and that they are
progressing a lot! Pray for Amilcka, Amarelis and Ricky!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Last
night my companion and I felt inspired to go check up on a few contacts
we had done about a month ago. As we were walking past the first house
we felt that we shouldn't follow up with them, then from the porch we
heard someone say in perfect English, yooo whats up Mormons!! It turns
put the girl we contacted had her New York boyfriend over. We went to
talk to them and he had a lot of questions. We taught in spaniglish and
focused on the BoM. After the hour long lesson we invited them to read
and pray. Johnny (the dude) said, 'Well I don't really know if this is
right, but this book makes a lot of sense and I just believe that its
true. Yeah, I know its true.' It was super super cool and he invited us
to come by on Thursday. It was super super cool.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As
a zone leader I have felt very pressured from presidente to baptize and
lead our zone in all los indicadores claves. Here, in all honesty, its
HARD to baptize because its soo hard to find people who actually have
real interés. Its been something that has really bothered me these past
few weeks. I feel like I'm doing things the right way and just not seeing
results. However yesterday we had a very spiritual lunch visit with a
recent convert and her sister. Cauhana is a recent convert of 2 months
and her younger sister Catolice has been progressing a lot, but she has
been neglecting a fecha para bautismo. My comp and I decided that we
needed to fast with her. Yesterday we taught about this principle and
invited her fast to receive an answer to her prayers. We finished our
fast ahorita and we feel really positive that she will be baptized in
two weeks. Please pray for Catolice!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Life is
going really well. I cant believe than my mission is acabándose super
rapidly. But I'm going to keep working con todo mi corazón!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until next week. Elder Blake<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1lG9VP_hXso/VuhsqyoGQZI/AAAAAAAAD6c/yFVVQJZ8LbsEcH3M8Ef7mMo4yQYEf10qQ/s1600/DSC07792%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1lG9VP_hXso/VuhsqyoGQZI/AAAAAAAAD6c/yFVVQJZ8LbsEcH3M8Ef7mMo4yQYEf10qQ/s640/DSC07792%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">While contacting up in Los quemados we found this crazy river!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cKhQ_KsWEFs/VuhsrGpdJaI/AAAAAAAAD6k/heHqTFDpA-wzAlJxxAvt9LjhPXFN3HmIA/s1600/DSC07795%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cKhQ_KsWEFs/VuhsrGpdJaI/AAAAAAAAD6k/heHqTFDpA-wzAlJxxAvt9LjhPXFN3HmIA/s640/DSC07795%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We found a dam in our area and they let us take a quick tour</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_n_UmPgGJB8/VuhsrFBLahI/AAAAAAAAD6g/Yzh_QCpmAEYLWtWTk84YGggMCPSEjm3xQ/s1600/DSC07811%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_n_UmPgGJB8/VuhsrFBLahI/AAAAAAAAD6g/Yzh_QCpmAEYLWtWTk84YGggMCPSEjm3xQ/s640/DSC07811%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Compamento with Christopher last sunday before he left for Guatamala</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ep7-aYyoGdw/VuhsrVhjKpI/AAAAAAAAD6o/945coEHE-ssxJV1ke0A4aTvDCI_lsflWg/s1600/DSC07820%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ep7-aYyoGdw/VuhsrVhjKpI/AAAAAAAAD6o/945coEHE-ssxJV1ke0A4aTvDCI_lsflWg/s640/DSC07820%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yeah we found some wild bananas. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-76012864997691595182016-03-15T11:44:00.002-07:002016-03-15T13:06:32.197-07:00Good WeekFebruary 17, 2016 <br />
<br />
Hekko de nuevo<br />
<br />
I am super super tired. Haha wow I still have to get
adjusted to being more occupied. Sadly, being so tired has taken its toll
on doing some of the little things; it's something that I really have to
get better at this week. I guess you could say that I have felt as if
I've been slipping with punctuality, going to bed on time, studying on
time, leaving exactly at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_597991686" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">10am</span></span>
etc. It's been hard for me in that sense this past week. However I had a
really great interview with Presidente Castillo. I have come to love
him and his way of dirigiendo la misión. I talked of my worries and how
even though I feel like I'm doing everything in my power to baptize, the
success just isn't coming. He told me that the work is hard yet rewarding
(something I already knew). But he just reassured to me that he was
happy for what I was doing, and gave me some more animo to hit the
streets and help people conocer el evangelio de cristo. Also he told our
ex ward mission leader who left for his mission that Elder Preston and I
are some of his best missionaries. Even though I don't feel like it, its
nice to know that he and the Lord think that.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyways
this week was filled with some super cool experiencias. I'll start off
with a super stressful yet funny day. On Thursday some recent converts
told us it would be a really good idea to go contact and area that missionaries had NEVER seen before called BLANCO. We got super pumped up
about it and rallied together a small group of members to contact the
heck out of this Campo. Campo means like rural area? Anyways we left our
house at 6 30 A.M. on Thursday, loaded up with like 50 pamphets and a
ton of Books of Mormon. We arrived to Blonco and as soon as we arrived
two realites sunk into. 1. There are wayyyyyyyyyyyyy more cows than
people and 2. Blanco is soooo far away that none could EVER make it to
church. Haha we should have planned better because Thursday turned into a
really long day without any success. We ended up having a few lessons,
with a crazy atheist, a Catholic Father and some Jehovah's Witnesses, three
of the worst situations to fall into as a Mormon missionary. Haha as we
got home we just laughed at how crazy the day was. But then the rest of
the week was a lot better. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Elder Preston and I
have been sharing the restouracion with just about anyone who is willing
to listen and shows the desire to hear it. It is sooo personally edifying to help others come to the knowledge of the church. Last night
we had a SUPER powerful lessons with a new family we contacted. We
knocked on the door and the first thing to run up was a HUGE rottweiler,
bigger than your average black bear. Right behind the dog came a young Dominican Thug named Ricky. He invited us in and we shared a message
with him, his older sisters and their mom. As we were reaching the first
vision I said a quick prayer that they could feel the Holy Ghost I
recounted the vision as Jose Smith had said it and the spirit filled the
room. We challenged the whole family to read the Book of Mormon and be
baptized. They truly showed the desire to accept and I felt SOOO good
leaving their house. This work would have little to no value if we did
it without charity, it is soo crucial to the success of this work. More
than anything I am so grateful for my testimony of the Church. I don't
know what I would do if I didn't have the gospel of Jesucristo to lean
on. I know that my Savoir lives and that He is the head of this church. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I wish I had more time to recount the glorious moments of this week. Pero hasta ver!!! Vendra pronto ya sies meses!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Elder Blake</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-32547512937564785432016-02-10T13:17:00.002-08:002016-02-10T13:17:23.855-08:00Preaching in Paradise<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Dear EVERYONE,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This week was filled with Liderazgo meetings, zone
meetings and intercambios. Oh and occasionally working with Elder Preston
in Bonao haha. All in all LIFE IS GOOD. We are working like horses and
trying not to think about the poco time we have left. Its always sad
when people ask, I have to say 6 months and then they just say. OH YEP
you're almost done!!! As if it were to be something I should be happy
about haha.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Wow soooo many things have happened this week it's hard to focus on just a few short highlights. However, Monday
was probably one of my favorite days of the week. We had our zone
meeting and interviews in the morning. I capacitated to my zone about
the importance of being obediente and showing our example to everyone.
After we had an intercambio with a struggling companionship. I worked
with a new missionary in my area and thankfully didn't get lost. It was
super cool showing him how to work and contact. Every other second he
would just stop and say something like, wow dude you're soo spiritual and I
LOVE Bonao. These phrases really impacted me because, sometimes I think
I just fall into a spiritual routine and forget how amazing missionary
work is and the knowledge I have obtained. That night we spent 2 hours
just reviewing the lessons and helping Elder Valerio learn scripture
that backs up our doctrine. I realized that I have learned sooo much in
this past year and five months. (Yes I hit this mark today) I love the
mission and I hope that everything is going well back at home. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am OUT of time but I love all of you and I hope that everyone is okay and safe.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sorry for not writing much!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Con Amor!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Elder Blake </div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mc36JNCS-fU/VruerjG_CTI/AAAAAAAAD4c/BzJQWMT_KaU/s1600/DSC07744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mc36JNCS-fU/VruerjG_CTI/AAAAAAAAD4c/BzJQWMT_KaU/s640/DSC07744.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last Pday, we went to hike up to a water fall. Believe it or not we
cross this river every other day to get to Josecito. Its the coolest
place on the planet. PS this is my comp.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5D-NRKqV00/Vruerq6NLmI/AAAAAAAAD4U/zRQbuZZ8yHc/s1600/DSC07754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5D-NRKqV00/Vruerq6NLmI/AAAAAAAAD4U/zRQbuZZ8yHc/s640/DSC07754.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The waterfall</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0bkgxm4vZU/Vrueri6ch5I/AAAAAAAAD4Y/S-UiWEKvGCI/s1600/DSC07759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0bkgxm4vZU/Vrueri6ch5I/AAAAAAAAD4Y/S-UiWEKvGCI/s640/DSC07759.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Candongo, Best fruit ever! Check out my neck tan.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-EMYStte30/VruesGqLkaI/AAAAAAAAD4g/Yk09DCZtg7E/s1600/DSC07768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-EMYStte30/VruesGqLkaI/AAAAAAAAD4g/Yk09DCZtg7E/s640/DSC07768.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking down into Los Quemados.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-57344262158440066032016-02-04T11:42:00.005-08:002016-02-04T11:43:01.197-08:00Físicamente, estoy cansadoo!!!WOOOOOOOOOOOOashhhhh.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Holy cow, I have never been so
tired in my life. Life is going really well here in Bonao; it's been a
very fun, stressful and rewarding week. Quite honestly I am super
stressed out about everything,because it doesn't seem like we have
enough time in the day. Haha but honestly it's good this way - I REALLY
feel focused in on the work. We almost don't spend time in our house. We
leave at ten am and get back home just after <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_132158547" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">9pm</span></span>,
EXHAUSTED and FULL. People here in bonao are super generous, we always
get super good food. (Have I mentioned yet that I am sick of rice
though?) Haha we eat it EVERYDAY. Beans, rice and pollo. Jamas la voy a
comer la bandera dominicana. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Honestly I don't
know where to start, with the zone, our area my comp haha there is soo
much. I guess I'll start with just the highlights. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We
have two church services every Sunday
and we have to split time every week between two areas. Bonao and Los
Quemados. Los Quemados is seriously a jungle paradise. It's at the feet
of several mountains, a HUGE river and it's super super tranquillo. Our
church service is held at a church owned facility and we have about 25
members there every week. We are trying to get more men to make it into a
self sustaining branch. We had 8 investigators there <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_132158549" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span> which was awesome. We put a date for two weeks with this super dope guy named Carlos who sacrificed baseball to come to church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_132158550" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span>.
We are hoping and praying to get him dunked this transfer. I hope
that some day I will be able to retire in Los Quemados because it is
really paradise. Der hecho today we spent the day up there just hiking
mountains and looking for fruit. We found guanavana, chinola, jacka,
candogo, mamon, and some others. Honestly I don't think that any of
these
fruits have English translations. However it was a super cool pday
activity. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_132158551" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">On Monday</span></span>
we went down to Cotui for a district meeting and I stayed there on a
intercambio to help out a really struggling companionship. As a matter
of fact it was one of my old companions Elder Vizcaino. It was a super
hard intercambio, because their area was is SUPER rough shape and were
not being very obideinte. As his old comp, I was able to help him
realize that things had to change etc. I got back to bonao Tuesday at around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_132158553" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">10am</span></span>
and we got to work. Thankfully we have a pretty good zone with good
missionaries. We have only received one panic call from the sisters who
found cat sized rats eating the food off their kitchen counters, that
wasn't too fun to deal with haha. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyways this
week has been awesome. Elder Preston is a really good friend and
missionary. We have really bonded and now we are just trying to stay
afloat. When we aren't dead at night we have bonded and found many
similarities. Most of all I'm grateful for his leadership and teaching
style- he is super focused and super loving. I have become a much better
missionary from him. If I had more time I would share a good spiritual
thought pero ya casi me voy!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Les quiero con
todo mi corazon. Se que esta es la obra del senor. Aunque este muy
cansado y quisiera poder dormir un ching mas, se que tenemos que ser
obedientes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Con amor!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Elder Blake</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-74602927720923348382016-02-04T11:42:00.002-08:002016-02-04T11:44:35.703-08:00Dope Week., and NOOO TIMEWell I finally left Moca after 6 months. It was weirdly a lot easier to
say goodbye than I thought it would be mainly because it was almost certain that I would have been outta there!! President called me Monday
at 4 and asked me if I would accept the call to become a zone leader. I
honestly wasn't expecting it, but I obviously said yes. I am wicked
nervous!!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am now in Bonao as a zone leader with
Elder Preston and our zone slash area is huge!!! We are going to hit the
ground and go to work. It's going to be an awesome transfer. Basically
bonao is super awesome, the branches are kind of weak but it's going to
be good. We have to travel far for our branches (we assist two sacrament
meetings every Sunday, we basically are having to work two seperate
areas) It's super awesome. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well it was really
hard to say goodbye to Elder Corder but most of all the people I was
teaching. We had Felix and Darwin in Church on Sunday. Felix is planning
on getting baptized <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_132158554" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">in two weeks</span></span>
and Darwin for the principio de Marzo. They both killed it at church
and I feel like I really left my area better than I had found it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sorry I have to go teach etc!!! I will hopefully be able to write a better letter next week!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Con Amor Elder Blake!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I read this scripture this week about the blessings of living the gospel of Christ. Read 2nd corintios 5 vs 17.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
UNTIL NEXT WEEK!!! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-8631586856542181142016-01-22T11:05:00.002-08:002016-01-22T11:06:20.414-08:00Semana PerfectaThis was a very good week. Elder Corder and I have been doing really
well. Almost all of our people are progressing, etc. I couldn't really be
any happier here in MOCA. The mission is a dream!! I guess I don't
really have much to report on, life is just going!!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As
I mentioned, last week had been a little rough with our good buddy
Berlin. We were finally able to stop by and teach him yesterday. We had a
really close heart to heart as brothers. As always his heart is in the
right place, and this just isn't the right time in his life to be
baptized. As Elder Corder put it, he is absolutely ready spiritually,
but temporally not so much. He is such a good person and I love him as a
brother. Someday I know that he will be ready to get baptized. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Although things were a little tough, life rolls on! We had three stud investigatores in church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2043060377" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span>,
Felix, Jose Luis and Darwin. Para mi, it was a huge blessing that our
new investigator Darwin Reyes was able to go to church. He showed up
with his BoM, a Bible and una mascota to write down notes. EVERY time
some one mentioned a scriptural reference in a talk, or a class he
marked it so that he could go back later and study it. We went back last
night to teach him and he is doing very well!! He read the Book of
Mormon and had a ton of questions about repentance and baptism. We set a
date for him to be baptized the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2043060378" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">19th of March</span></span>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyways
this week as I had mentioned, has been a good one. We have started to
go out running every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. I honestly
forgot how much I love running. We only run about a 2 miles
but it's enough to get the blood going. Elder Corder and I have been
reminiscing about our time together and working hard until our last
minutes together. He's such a stud and I'm gonna miss his BONES. Pero ya
tengo que seguir hacia adelante. Tengo ganas a terminar nuestro tiempo
juntos. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sorry for the short email, espero que sea de provecho.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Elder Blake</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRKZ10HKXNY/Vp610SBvejI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/0Am18aniDdc/s1600/DSC07427.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRKZ10HKXNY/Vp610SBvejI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/0Am18aniDdc/s640/DSC07427.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Old picture of our buddy Berlin!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fqjgbc9rYGM/Vp610FcVX1I/AAAAAAAAD1Q/jWLY-q3mQCQ/s1600/DSC07644.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fqjgbc9rYGM/Vp610FcVX1I/AAAAAAAAD1Q/jWLY-q3mQCQ/s640/DSC07644.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We found a cat sleeping on some of my things.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3MZWOIQur0/Vp610AvozNI/AAAAAAAAD1U/HEnmwS7h5G4/s1600/DSC07621.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3MZWOIQur0/Vp610AvozNI/AAAAAAAAD1U/HEnmwS7h5G4/s640/DSC07621.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We took her outside and she has come back to our balcony everyday for a the past week.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HZycJTLG6wQ/Vp610r8qDGI/AAAAAAAAD1c/Tlio9foZR3Q/s1600/DSC07656.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HZycJTLG6wQ/Vp610r8qDGI/AAAAAAAAD1c/Tlio9foZR3Q/s640/DSC07656.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We fried up some oreos last night, sabia bien esta vainaaa</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-8651044822843060752016-01-22T11:05:00.000-08:002016-01-22T11:11:30.771-08:00Week of RepentanceThis week has been rough!<br />
<div>
Many of our baptismal dates have fallen
through and at times I feel like Elder Corder and I have lost our mojo.
Many times this week we have come home and I have thought like, what the
heck am I doing wrong? I think Saturday
was our lowest day of this week, we only taught two lessons and
everyone kind of fell through. The worst part is that we had to drop Berlin because he decided to work on Sundays again without telling us; it is a huge bummer. However after a sweet personal
study <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1184908088" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Monday</span></span>
and an awesome zone conference yesterday I felt that God was helping me
understand what I need to fix and how to do it. Basically it comes down
to doing the little things and having a better attitude. I read a
conference talk about repentance, and was able to understand that there
is a lot that I need to change: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Principally,
judgement.<br />
<br />
This week Elder Corder and I were very humbled. As we were
walking home, we stopped in a colmado to buy some food. A drunk guy
started to poke fun at us. He thought we didn't speak Spanish so I
responded, and then another guy stepped in (who I
misjudged as a drunk and he told us that he wanted us to come by and teach
him.) He said his name was Darwin Reyes and that he liked the word of God. I didn't take him seriously so he asked me to pull out my agenda and
note his name for Sunday at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1184908090" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">5pm</span></span>. I kind of brushed it off and we went on our way. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1184908091" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Thursday</span></span>
night as we were walking home Darwin, started shouting at us from his
apartment complex so that we came over because he wanted to give us a
gift, and he threw down two new toothbrushes and reminded us of our
lesson <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1184908092" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span>.
I judged him and thought that he was just trying to bribe us or
something. I shrugged him off again and didn't really think much of our
lesson for <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1184908093" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Sunday</span></span>. Doing our nightly planning Saturday we had not planned on going to his house. Anyways Sunday
rolled around and at 5:45, our lesson fell through so we decided to go
contact this Darwin guy. We went to his complex and it was REALLY sketchy; it smelled like weed and beer etc. We knocked on a few doors with
no respónse so we decided to leave, and Darwin walked up the stairs. He
told us he had been waiting for 30 minutes. We said sorry and sat down
to teach him and it was a KILLER lesson. We gave him a pamphlet and
invited him to read it and pray. We went back last night and he told us
he read the whole pamphlet and prayed to know if Jose Smith was a
prophet and if the Book of Mormon was the word of God, even though he
didn't have one!! We talked about how he could get an answer last night
and invited him to get baptized, he accepted. Leaving his apartment last
night Elder Corder and I vowed to never judge someone as we had judged Darwin. Who are we to judge and decide who can hear the message of the
restoracion? After two lessons he has become one of the coolest people
we are teaching. I have no doubt that he has been prepared to recibir
este evangelio.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love you all, and I love this
work. I know that the Lord can work miracles when we are humble and
meek. I know that the Lord requires humble servants, and although I'm
not pérfect he knows that I'm trying!</div>
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Amo a ser misionero.</div>
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Les quiero mucho</div>
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Elder Blake</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5490167848758344972.post-21624530899903411732016-01-06T12:13:00.005-08:002016-01-08T06:46:04.987-08:00Sweet WeekThis has been a really good week. Elder Corder and I feel as if we have
gotten our mojo back after two hard weeks. We are finding awesome people
with sincere interest in the gospel of jesucristo. However, I think my
highlight was seeing the gospel fire re lit under our investigators. Aka
Jose Luis y Berlin. Berlin came to church unexpectedly <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1005740154" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span>
and we went up to the pulpit to bear our testimonies. He promised me
that if I went up first he would go up as well. His testimony was
short and sweet, just like a little seed! He bore his testimony of the
BoM and Jose Smith. We went to his house Sunday
with the bishop and he told us that as he spoke he felt as if he were
part of the church; it was an answer to my prayers. We committed him, once
again, to be baptized <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1005740156" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">in two weeks</span></span>.<br />
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I bore my testimony on this awesome scripture <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,'Palatino Linotype',Pahoran,Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 25.2px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> I found last week in my personal study it reads, </span><span style="background-color: white;">44 </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;">word</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"> of
Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as
it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point
unto them a straight course to the promised land.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,'Palatino Linotype',Pahoran,Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 25.2px;">In
my mission I have seen how easy and addicting it is to heed the words
of Christ. I bore my testimony to the congragtion sobre eso. In Spanish
it reads, a prestar attencion a las palabras de cristo. I guess giving
heed is presting attention, but I know that we need to give attention to
the scriptures and the words of our modern prophets, sooo awesome. The
church is true. And I have no more time!! Sorry for this small, dinky
letter!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 25.2px;">Love you all!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 25.2px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 25.2px;">Elder Blake</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Palatino,"Palatino Linotype",Pahoran,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 25.2px;">The following photos were sent by the mother of the man on the right (no name tag). He was back in Moca touring his former mission with his parents. I am so thankful for these wonderful images - especially the one of him bearing his testimony. Wahoo! </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SUDOuF-lEJ8/Vo_LJuqztfI/AAAAAAAADzQ/H1I-IlfOURA/s1600/12487175_10153303122534071_6872813264957139941_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SUDOuF-lEJ8/Vo_LJuqztfI/AAAAAAAADzQ/H1I-IlfOURA/s640/12487175_10153303122534071_6872813264957139941_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">'Elder
Blake bore his testimony, site wish I could have understood it, but he
did have an investigator that got up and even said a couple of things!'</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0