Week of Huelga 2/18/2015

This week has been really awesome and funny. We worked hard when we could and lamped harder when we couldn't. There is something really remarkable when you put faith and works together. This week we have really seen the fruit of our labor. We have loadsssss of people to teach right now, more people to teach than we have time in the day. On Saturday and Sunday we had Stake Conference with President and Elder Honda Civic of the Seventy (he's from argentia and his accent is absolutely horrible).  Anways the theme basically was about member responsibility. All the missionaries loved it and hopefully it'll help boost the moral of our dwindling ward. As always, we tried to always work with members this week and with our efforts combined our investigators are progessing like crazy. Transfers are next week and I think I'm leaving, but were going to put fechas for the baptisims with in the next two weeks. There is no better feeling than arriving to an appointment to someone who actually kept their commitments.

Anway the work is going super well. Astri, one of our recent converts told us that she wants to serve a mission. She just had an interview with el opispo and will go to the temple for baptisms this upcoming Saturday...uber dopeeee

In other news this week I sang a solo in our Stake Conference in front of Pres Douglas and Elder Zivic. I didn't know I'd be singing a solo until I was sitting on the stand about 10 minutes before. I sang 'Lord I will Follow Thee'. I won't go into detail, but let's just say it didn't sound like Natalie Packer's version of 'I Stand In Holy Places'. President jokingly told me I should never sing in front of anyone ever again, and another elder told me that it was by far the worst musical number he had ever heard. I guess there is no gift of musical tongues. (But at least the real gift of tongues is working now). It hurt my ego a little, but I've recovered. I met a missionary from Nibley, Utah who says he knows Uncle Boyd and Nate. Elder Irish. I forget his first name but we had some good laughs reminiscing Nate jokes. 

Also we couldn't work yesterday because the people had a huelga. Basically people rioting in the streets because they want 24 hour power. The people basically burned a lot of tires, shot guns, drank beer and threw a ton of trash on the street. I wish I could take pictures.

Anyways life is going great, its so amazing to feel the spirit everyday so strongly. I didn't prepare a spiritual thought but basically just want to share a scrip that I found in my personal study this week. 

John 16:20-22, 33

I'm a sucker for scrips to boost moral and this is absolutely perfect.

I'm loving life here in the DR and wouldn't change a thing!

Tatooo Tatooo

Elder Blake

I made the classic dominican poor person plate, money was running real low. Juca, Platano and Salami

They eat chicken feet here, a ward memeber gave it to me. I put it in the freezer

Tried to snap a good pic of san fran

Watching the Huelga (riots) on monday night. Mom im wearing a Logan High shirt

The shotgun shells and grenade rounds I found this morning from the huelga

5 Months

Eyyyy,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Me & Martin with some coconuts. They taste awful!

Dope little shack in Martin's yard.

Baptism

Got back last night soaking wet.

Eyyy la limitad de esta traslado

Family and Friends,

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

 

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

 

Two highlights from this week:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Love you all,

Elder Blake   

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

Epic Week

Eyyy familia!

Another week in the books. I'm a little frustrated right now because I cant seem to figure out how to send pics. I promise I'm still good looking.  I can only say that because Bro Dowling told me that Blake is evidence that you only get better looking on the mission and it's hard to improve on perfection. Haahaa I'll try again next week with pics.

 

Anyway, this week has been crazy but in a great way. 

 

On Friday I had a great meeting with my mission president. He basically told me that he is going to give me a lot of challenges here in the mission; things I will be able to handle but that will really test my patience etc. Bring it on!!

 

In a lot of ways this week has been the best week of the mission. Mom, I don't know how different the church is where Austin served but its completely different here in san fran. The bishop told us on Saturday that there are almost 600 members on record here in my barrio but only about 45 regularly attend. Our ward mission leader (we had our first meeting together yesterday) told us that all the members here and only Sunday members. It was very discouraging to hear this but how do you respond to adversity? WORK! Sunday, Monday and Tuesday we've worked with members constantly, done exchanges etc. We've really seen the fruits of this in the past few days. It just feels good ending the night knowing that there wasn't one more person we could have taught.

 

As for our progressing investies: We have three baptisms set for the 7th. Pray for them that they will continue to feel the spirit etc!

 

As foe some worldly news this week lod gigantes de san fran won the basically world series of the Caribbean here in san fran. The whole city has been partying non stop since Sunday night....people burning tires, drinking, shooting guns. Sunday night we saw a group of youngins pushing a burning refrigerator down the street...gotta love san fran!

 

Mom, I promise I'll stay safe, love you!

Elder Blake

Week uno con Velasquezz

Ayyy familia!!

Today marks three months exactly in the field!! And 20 months for my comp. I think we will go buy pica pollo to celebrate.

All I can say is this week has been solid, changing comps has really changed the way I look at teaching, studying etc. Really feel like this change was inspired; my comp is a boss. Yeah dad I guess he looks like Angel Fernandez a little bit, but from the side he is Mr. Burns from the Simpsons - it's epiccc.

Anyway, Rodruigez kind of 'died' the last week here and we missed a lot of great oppertunities to teach etc. But Velasquez has helped the area get back on track. We have two baptisims set for the 7th and they're both really pumped for the big day. Pray for us to find more people to teach etc. I know there is gold here in San Fran, we just have to work harder to find it...trust in the Lord tu sabesss! But yeah, I've been really impressed with my new comp and the way he works.

As for this week, my highlight was contacting. It's something Elder Rod refused to do and there was this one street that I have wanted to contact for the past 3 months. The FIRST house when contacted we found an inactive member, someone who was baptised young etc. and just gradually stopped going to church. The guide of the spirit really is awesome. It's been such a change this week and I really feel like we re-lit the fire and are ready to help San Fran out. As for other highlights, I had a dream in Spanish this week, and my comp told me I slept talked a little bit with him en mi idioma, el don de lenguas es real! 

 

Mom, did you get the picture Kasbel sent to you? She had her baby on Monday so she's been wicked busy with that etc, but really wants to stay in contact with you. She knows English so you'll get a low down of my life here in San Fran.

This gospel is the greatest gift I have been given. And to go out and share it cada dia is such a blessing. I woke up this morning and scratched my head a little confused knowing that I have three months, here in San Fran. Yeah it really isn't a lot of time but it felt like yesterday that I got here. 

Yesterday we taught a lesson from Alma 7 vs 11 y 12 about the expiación...atonement of Jesus Christ. To think of all the pain he had suffered for us is really remarkable. The atonement is something we can all prosper from. Doesn't matter how big or little our mistakes are, it's a gift given to us to learn and grow.

 

2nd nefi 26 30 y 33 are two other scripts that I've absolutely loved this week.

Famila y Amigos, I love you all, I'll keep praying and fasting for ya mom. I know your studio will work out!

 

Com Amor,

Elder Blake

Fwd: NO ME SACAN

Dear family and friends,

Big changes came to past this week! Finished up my time with Elder Rod but had to say goodbye to him yesterday! He's off to Nagua...right on the ocean; would be lying if I said I wasn't a little jealous. But I said goodbye to Rod and hello to my new comp Elder Velasquez from Honduras. He has 20 months in the mission and will finish on my birthday. Last night we worked hard but I was a little nervous. Sotelo and an Elder in my district told me he's a little wild...he burned a bag of trash in his house about a year ago just because. Haha crazy is fine as long as he is ready to work. I don't know his story too well, but he told me last night that he was a gang member before the mission and really changed to be here, basically he's a bosshog. He's really quiet so I'll really get a good opportunity for the next few days leading lessons etc. Gonna learn a lot of gang signs etc...let's gooooo. And of course a thing or two about Spanish and how to teach jajaja

Anyways my theme for this week is NO ME SACAN. We were walking past the group of sandlot street rats on Saturday playing basketball and basically the Kenny Rodriguez of the nieborhood yelled ELDER BLAKE NO ME SACAN which translates to they cant stop me. I'd be lying if I didn't say the mission has been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life...sorry Coach Davis, prowlers and two-a-days come in second place. But a lot of times there is something to worry about, people progressing, getting hit by a motorcycle, Spanish etc. Sometimes I just get overcome with anxiety and stress and it's tough. But these things can't stop me! Just gotta work and go hard in the paint boiiii! But this phrase no me sacan can a apply to any challenge/affliction we have in our lives. Turn to the Lord in prayer, fasting and study....He will deliver, no doubt in my mind. Most of the answers to my prayers here on the mission have been answered with an overwhelming sense of peace. Anytime I feel dominated by the stresses of the mission, I get on my knees and pray, not always, but most of the time, I stand up feeling peaceful and ready to take on these challenges. Can't even put into words how powerful my testimony of prayer is. Entonces, no les sacan!!!  

Logistically, mom, I wrote two letters for you and Linc last week. I gave them to someone in my district who was going to Santiago..but he's a bonehead and forgot them in a hymn book in our chapel. A ward member found them on Sunday. But, happy belated birthday! Linc and Mom, crazy to think it was a year a go I took Linc to the font. That was awesome. I'd also love updates from family, friends who have put their papers in or have gotten their calls

Family and friends, this transfer is gonna be a good one, I can feel it in my bones, no me sacan!

Love you all,

Elder Blake

 

 

January 7, 2015

Eyyy familia y amigossss

Writing after another great week in the city of San Fran. Things have died down a little bit from the Christmas and New Year season, but the streets are still crazy as ever on the weekends. These past few weeks we've had quite a big drought in lessons, and hopefully things will start to pick back up as life calms down.

I'm coming straight from Santiago right now from a medico (doctor appointment for my comp). I don't know how on earth this is possible but my comp has quote, 'allergies to the cold'. Didn't think that was possible here, because its dang hot allll the time! Anyway he got some medicine and we should be good to go. I forgot my journal and camera so this letter is gonna be a little weak  - lo sientooooo!

This week, like all weeks has had its ups and downs. All three of our baptisms for the 17th have been pushed back. Edwin doesn't feel like he has a strong enough testimony yet and the other two have been away with familia for the past two weeks. Not on track to be ready for the 17 but, thankfully they both have strong testimonies of el libro de Mormon and Jose Smith.

Absolutely my highlight of this week was Monday. We had a full day split with our zone leaders and I got to lead my area; it felt kind of like an interview to see if I'm ready for my comp to go. I lead all the lessons etc and passed with flying colors. Sotello told me that my Spanish has really improved since our last intercombio and I really attribute that to prayer and fasting. Alma 17 vs 2 and 3....read it and live it!!!

 2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

 3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

Monday we had an awesome lesson with a less active member Martin. Easily one of my favorite people we teach here in san fran. Even though he has had his challenges, he's always so positive and willing to change. This lesson he opened up and told us that in the past he's been heavily dependent on pot. He would smoke on average, fifteen times a day. His biggest goal for this new year is to cut the habit, y dejar la calle...leave the streets! 

Of all the lessons I've learned on my mission, I think humility is by far the most important. I firmly believe that we have a loving, merciful Father in heaven that is ready and willing to help us with any and every challenge we have. I really am only an 18 year old kid who has sacrificed two years to preach and help others come unto Christ. I don't know much about life, the only experience I have living alone was 2 months at BYU and I can barely call that experience haha. Mucho veces, I really feel like I have no idea how I'm doing what I am because the mission is sooo different from my life before. This time we have here is for us to be stretched and tested Alma 12 v 24. And I know absolutely that when we keep the commandments we will be blessed. I have absolutely seen the hand of God here in the work, helping and guiding me to help others. 

Misc cosas.

Huge shot-out to basically all of my extended 'family', Marriots, Van Duzers, Desutters, Dowlings for Christmas cards. And to the Clites/Romos for the Christmas care package. I know I've forgotten some people but please just know that any letter I have gotten has been like a little piece of gold.

Anyways, much love from the DR

Stay humble and be grateful for our great fortune but also afflictions!

Love Elder Blake