Can't really describe how great this week
has been. Lo empanzo (it started with) with an amazing hour and a half with Isaac and the
Family, and then another 30 with Nick the Peretti. I feel awful at how
poorly I described the purpose of missionary work, but my excuse is
that I was feeling guilty for how long I skyped...gotta repent!
Talking
in Spanish with Isaac and hearing Dad's prayer and watching Mom start Christmas dinner was with out a doubt the highlight of Christmas. Da me
six months and I'll be a straight up Dominican thug Isaac. Man Spanish is
gonna be epic.
Anyway, I have very limited time, the one
thing I have really learned this week is that happiness is a choice. To
really enjoy any hard situation in life it is imperative to focus on the
things we can fix, turn outward like Christ would. A few examples:
My
Comp. He's a goof ball. He really only does the bare minimum
requirements as a missionary. For the first transfer I was with him this
really bugged me, he never does the dishes, studies language with me
etc. The things he does are very self-centered, totally fine but it was
really hard at first. We would fight because I would try to force him
to be more obedient...doesn't work! Service and submitting to his will has
really helped.
The people. Being the only gringo in a place
like here has its challenges, especially me being so new to the mission.
I've gotten to the Rubio comments and the comments about my hideous
accent etc. I can't control how the people treat me but I can control how
I respond. As I have thought (in Spanish Isaac) this past week, to be a representative of Jesucristo is very hard, but I will only change here
on the mission if I try to be a representative of him. Wearing the the
name tag isn't enough. To be a missionary means to live in a way that Jesus Christ would live.
I can't even begin to express how grateful I
am for this mission and for my family. Yeah, there are a lot of problems
here, it's dangerous at times and I don't agree with my comp a veces. But I
can't control that. As I have come to enjoy this people, country, comp,
it's only been through turning outward in love and service.
D&C 24 v 8 Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.
D&C 121 v 7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
John 15 v 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Sorry for no pics, I promise I'm still beautiful. Jajajaja
Con Amor,
Elder Blake
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