¡Christmas Time is Here!

¡Hola familia y amigos!

This week has been hard and amazing. I hope I´m learning all that I need too. We´ve had a lot of long days, some great contacts and lessons, and plenty of letdowns too. We´re working with a woman named Cecilia, the guy she´s living with, Marcelo, and her daughter, Jennifer. We found them in our list of former investigators. They had been taught some things, but weren´t ready to hear it then. Now, like a year later, they´ve become dissatisfied with their current church and search for the truth. We´ve been blessed to find them again in this moment, and we´re trying to help them realize that this is the correct and true church of Christ. Elder Jetsel and I think they are getting it. They have started to read, they´ve felt the Spirit in the lessons, and even asked questions like "What commandments would we have to live to be baptized?". They just need to come to church! We have high hopes for them.

We found another family this week. Monica, the grandma, her daughter Noelia, and a bunch of other kids/grandkids. We had a great first lesson with the help of the Spirit, but our return appointment isn´t until Thursday, so we really hope we can find them again. They are special.

Got to go! I love you all. I hope you´re having a great time getting ready for Christmas. May we all keep in mind the first and most important Gift. The Gift that was given in a dirty, smelly stable, who walked the dust of Galilee, who was whipped, bruised, and nailed to a cross for each and every one of us.

His name is Jesus Christ.

Con amor,

Elder Blake

Thanksgiving, Bautismo, y Navidad// So much to celebrate

¡Hola familia y amigos!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! This week there is plenty to be thankful for here in Marcos Paz 1. I am really grateful that Jesus Christ knows us perfectly, because He suffered for us individually, and He carries each of us from day to day, from breath to breath. None of our lives are easy, and we are not even close to perfect. We need him. We need him. I challenge you all to stop right here for 1 minute, think of a reason why you are grateful to Him, write it down, and put it somewhere you see it tonight and tomorrow. I´ll do it too.

...

Done. Here it is: He gives me strength to do the things He commands of me.

Your turn! I know that through Him and His Atonement we can always do those hard things in life. What a wonderful message.

So, thanksgiving here was basically a normal day of studying and proselyzing. But to celebrate, we ordered empenadas and papas fritas (french fries) from a little restaurant around the corner from our apartment. They were soo good, and my comp and I had a good time together.

Then, on Saturday we had a baptism. Juan A. Campodonico, an "eternigator" recently truly felt the Spirit testify to him that this is true. He is amazing, and we´re sure that he will be a great strength to the ward, his daughter (reactivating) and his wife (investigator). We are so glad to see him make this step in His life towards salvation  -  for that´s what it is, salvation. We know it, and that´s what we preach every day.

Also, you all NEED to (1) see, and (2) share a new program of the Church. It´s called "He is the Gift".http://www.mormon.org/christmas. I wish I had more time to tell you all about it, but go there, read it, study it, apply something you learn in your life, and then share it. It´s amazing.

I love  you all and am so grateful for you. 

Con amor,

Elder Blake

Arrival in Argentina

Here are some pictures of Elder Blake's arrival in Argentina

Last night in mission home in Idaho 

At the temple with President and Sister Robertson

Awesomeness in Argentina//Week Something or Other

¡Hola queridos familia y amigos!

This week has been awesome, and hard, and some more awesome, and some more hard. But it´s always the work of the Lord. I have no doubt of that. He is there, He is God. We are His children and because of His infinite love for each and every person on this planet He has given us a message - a gospel - of hope, knowledge, and love. But unfortunately, not everybody knows about it. Some desperately seek it, not knowing where to find it; some search without even knowing; and some have accepted it and forgotten how sweet it was to them. That´s why I´m here. To bring to everyone this inexplicable light. That is my privilege and duty, and I must obey. (See también the last verse of 2nd Nephi).

Interesting activities for this week:

-Played fútbol with a bunch of boys. We saw them in the street and started to talk about gospel stuff, but they interrupted us and said, ¨When are you going to play fútbol with us?" "Why not now?" we responded :) We played for like 20-30 minutes, which was fun for us and also helped us gain their confidence, and then taught them about the Restoration. We´re hoping it planted a few seeds and we´re going to follow up with them this week.

-Hmm, what else. Oh yeah, we talked with a bandista family (i.e. nature/spirit worshippers). That was interesting. One of the guys there was super funny, joking about the U.S. and imitating a yankee accent.

We´ve also been praying and working "a fúl" ("really hard") to find new people to teach and helping progress those we already visit. We´ve been blessed to find some really great people and families. It´s a powerful feeling  to be part of a lesson, sharing this message with somebody, and then afterwards asking them, "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the proper authority of God?" There is power of the Spirit in that question, and that´s what we have to have every day. Honestly, there´s nothing I´d rather do right now than this work.

I love you all muchísimo. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers on my behalf. I pray that God will be with you in everything that you all do.

Con mucho amor,

Elder Blake

Week of Awesomeness and Miracles

¡Hola familia y amigos amados!

Wow, what a week. My compañero, Elder Jetsel, and I stay busy working with investigators and menos activos.One big lesson that I´ve finally sarted to notice that faith, without works, surely is dead. A missionary can pray and pray and pray for a baptism, a Christ-like attribute, or whatever, but unless he is truly "anxiously engaged in a good cause, choosing many good things of his own free will," and not expecting for blessings to be handed to him on a silver platter, he´s never going to accomplish anything meaningful. I hope and pray (and now work :) that I will continue to apply this in every moment of my mission, my stewardship here in Argentina. The Lord deserves it of me, and so I´m going to do it.

So, for a miracle. It´s been almost 5 months since this area has had a bautismo, and we were super bothered about this. We were trying to learn what we could from that trial, and just continued working and praying. Then, Tuesday night we got a call from the bishop telling us he had just talked to one of our investigators (who hasn´t progressed since he was found 5 years ago), and that he wanted to be baptized! We immediately ran over to his house, and saw a significant change in his appearance and countenance from what the older missionaries tell me: shaven, shorter hair, and a real desire to change his life. The Lord works in mysterious ways and in His own time, and we are grateful for the opportunity to help His child make covenants to bring him to Christ. We continue teaching him, trying to prepare him for his baptism, which is set for the 29 de Noviembre!

Also, we had a 2-mission conference this Saturday. All of the missionaries from the Buenos Aires West and North missions met and listened to none other than D. Todd Christofferson of the 12. Wow. That is something I will never ever forget. You could feel the Spirit as he walked into the room (literally 2 feet from my comp and I!), and his talk was amazing. Then he opened the time for some questions. It was there that I really felt the Spirit teaching me the lesson I mentioned above. I know that we have modern day apostles and prophets. They have indeed been called of God to lead and guide His true church for the benefit of all of His children.

It´s been a great week, and "because I have been given much, I too must give." I´ve got a lot to learn still, and a lot of work to do. Thank you all soo so much for your prayers and examples for me. I love you all very much and hope you have a wonderful week.

Con amor,

Elder Blake

A Different Part of the Same Vineyard// Greetings from Argentina

¡Hola familia y amigos!

Wow, what a week. I can´t believe how much has happened, and how much I have learned already. This week has probably been one of the most stressful of my life. But although it´s like that--bueno, BECAUSE it´s like that, how grateful I am, because it gives me the opportunity to push harder, exercise more faith, and through sacrifice become a better and hopefully more worthy servant of God to help bring about His work in this other part of the vinyard.

Last Sunday I was given the opportunity to bear my testimony in my Spanish branch in Boise. I love them so much, and many came up to me to wish me goodbye. That night I had a brief interview with President Winder. And the next day I flew out! In my travels on Monday (which were long, but not bad) I met a group of other MTC missionaries and visa-waiters all going to Argentina, including the three other visa-waiters from my MTC district! It was a sweet reunion. We all got there, met the assistants and President and Sister Robertson. Tuesday they took us to a park called Tercer de Febrero (3rd of February), where Elder Melvin J. Ballard dedicated the land of South America for the preaching of the gospel. So cool! 

After that we had a bunch of trainings, and then got our assignments and compañeros. I am with Elder Jetsel, a stud from nowhere other than Boise Idaho, and we are in a city called Marcos Paz, about an hour and a half south-west-ish from the capital. There are so many good people here, and we are working hard to bring as many of them as possible to the knowledge of the gospel that has made us so happy. With the help of the Lord, good things are coming to pass.

A few important acontecimientos (events) of my first week:

-The most dirt and mud I´ve ever walked through. I hardly care anymore.

-Gaining trust with a young investigadora and her friends. They call me "Flaquito (Skinny)". Yep, that´s fun I guess, but very true. I´ll roll with it.

-Some of the best food I´ve ever eaten, including yogurt from a bag, cookies for breakfast (that´s kindof how Argentinos roll), asado (ribs), and milanesa.

-Gotten sworn at for being American.

-Gotten yelled at by a drunk guy with a hammer.

-Given a talk in sacrament meeting about the work of salvation.

-But most importantly, having the opportunity to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ all day, every day. There is nothing I´d rather do right now, because I know it´s true. I know it´s true.

Love you all so much! I think about you and pray for you. I want you all to remember that whenever you´re having a bad day, just say a little prayer, think something good about yourself, and then do something good for somebody else. Always works :)

Así se empieza en Argentina.

Con muchisimo amor para todos,

Elder Blake

Off to Argentina!

Elder Blake left Boise early Monday morning for Buenos Aires (via Salt Lake and Atlanta). He had the opportunity to call his parents for a brief moment and all is well! He should have landed by now and we look forward to hearing from him soon!

To make up for the lack of news, here are some pictures he sent last week!

The family with whom I had my first dinner in Boise

My early Christmas package from my family

Hola from Boise// Last Week!

Hola familia y amigos!

Wow, so it's really happening. I am going to Argentina, and I can't lie to say that I'm soooo incredibly excited :) However, I have learned a lot here in Boise. It's an experience that I can never forget. I consider it one of my two "real missions".

So, for this week Elder Shade and I have been trying to be exactly obedient and to seek the Spirit more in finding and teaching. Honestly, it's hard at times, but the blessings always come. We have been blessed with many opportunities to serve members, less-actives, and non-members, and with some good potential investigators. We're still lacking in baptisms and people with baptismal dates, but as we trust in the Lord AND do our part, those will come.

Also, someone threatened to call the police on us when we tried to talk with his wife. That was fun :P

I got the early Christmas package. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I cannot express how happy that made me to have home-made granola balls, new music, the wallet (badly needed), and especially the photos (badly wanted). You are the best.

Ok, so travel plans. The mission secretary has all of my travel papers. Sometime towards the end of this week I'll have a final interview with my Mission President, then stay overnight in the assistants' apartment, then be driven by the President to the airport at like 4:30a.m. I fly from Boise to SLC Nov. 3, from there to Atlanta, and from there to Buenos Aires, arriving at about8:00a.m. Nov. 4. Total flying hours: basically an eternity. :P (I assume I'll probably send a short email when I get there. And I don't know about calling home at the airport again; probably not, but I'll ask and just plan to call Mom's phone the same as last time if I do get that chance.)

Anyway, I got to go and write some personal emails. I love you all. With the Lord, I'm going to make this the best week Boise has ever seen.

Les quiero muchisimo,

Elder Blake

Tacos, Exchanges, and...a VISA!

Hola familia y amigoooos!

Ok, so I know that the final word in the Subject line has caught your attention, and since you wouldn't sincerely read about the rest of my week if I mentioned my visa last, I'll do it now.

I just got an email from the Idaho Boise Mission Secretary. She says that my visa to Argentina has been approved and I will get to enjoy that extremely long flight on November 3rd (2 weeks! the end of this transfer cycle). AAHHHHH! I'm so excited; but I'm so not ready. I have so much to learn about the missionary work and Spanish. I don't have any travel details yet, but now I know that I'm going. It will be a blessing to go to Argentina, but it's also been a blessing to be here in Boise. I've learned to love a new people, a new place; this mission has become my own as well. I guess whatever is in store for me I'll just trust the Lord and do my best. And I'm grateful for your continued prayers in my regard. They always help me.

Ok, so the rest of the week. On Friday my companion, Elder Shade, and I went on exchanges with another companionship, so I was in a much smaller, English-speaking area for a day. It was fun, and a good opportunity to focus on learning the missionary life more than I normally can because of the language. 

Other interesting experience for this week. Saturday night we went to look for a menos-activo (less-active), but he wasn't at home. There was a big fiesta/BBQ going on next door, so we decided to ask if he was there. We did find him there, but before we knew it we had been handed tacos and expected to eat them (I should have declined when I had the chance). They had straight chile salsa on them...not good. I think my face is still sweating from them, haha. But also we found a great potential investigator whose boss has talked to him several times about the Church and has given him a Book of Mormon. Wahoo! 

Well, that's all for this week. I love you all. Keep doing the wonderful things you're up to and know that you will receive the blessings for them. Although it may be hard sometimes, Jesus always knows how you feel and reaches out to you. Access Him through prayer. I know it works.

Con muchisimo amor,

Elder Blake/Andrew

Week Something or Other in the Field

Hola familia y amigos!!! Como estan?

Wow, what a week. It went by super fast. It's so great to read all your letters and hear of all you're doing. And please, don't be afraid to write details :) I'm sorry if I don't always have time to respond to everything you say, but I always read and love to hear what's going on.

We weren't as "successful" as we should have been as far as numbers go. That definitely needs to improve. But this week we've tried to focus a little harder on the people behind the numbers, and that has helped us remember our purpose for being here and try harder to help them come unto Christ. I know as we have faith and continually do all that we possibly can, the people and the numbers will come.

I love the people here. Even though this is not my "real" mission, it's so cool to start feeling an increase in love for all people around me. Being motivated by a true desire to serve them and bring them the happiness of the gospel is sooo important to successful missionary work (see also pg. 10-11 of Preach My Gospel). There are a lot of Mexicans here, with some Hispanics from other countries in the mix. Even if they aren't interested or are busy, they are always friendly, like to chat with you, and will usually offer you food if they happen to be cooking. And who am I to turn that down? Haha. That happened last night when we walked up to a family fiesta/BBQ trying to proselyte, and they gave us grilled meat in corn tortillas and "sopas", which is kindof like a thick tortilla that has beans inside it and topped with lots of more beans, guacamole, salsa, queso, and other stuff that's super delicious. True Mexican food is so delicious.

My Spanish is coming. I can usually understand the general theme of what people are talking about, although the individual words can be hard to follow. And of course I still always have those moments when nothing registers in my brain :) especially on the phone, or when somebody talks in a Cuban accent. However, the gift of tongues is definitely real, and I pray that I will always be worthy of it.

Agh, I tried to add pictures but couldn't figure out how to do it. Hopefully next week.

I sure love you all! I'm grateful for you and pray for you in all that you do: family, school, missions, work, and everything else. A key part of the message I get to share is that Jesus Christ and His gospel help us in every way, every day. He helps us feel happy, overcome our weaknesses and trials, and eventually reach salvation. His power is accessed through faith, repentance, baptism/sacrament, the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. My testimony is not the strongest out there, but I know that is true. I pray that we will all apply it every day.

Os amo muchisimo!

Sincerely,

Elder Blake/Andrew

Week 2 in Boise Spanish

Hola familia y amigos!

Hoh it's good to write to y'all once again. I'm always excited for P-Day; the only bad thing about it is that it's a day away from proselyting.

Anyway, I guess I should tell you all what's going on, and try to remember anything I might have missed in my first e-mail from the field.

OH YEAH! First my mission address. It's

1111 So. Cole Rd.

Boise ID 83701

That's the address of the mission home, and when you send letters/packages/money/apple pies/cookies/or whatever you want there, they'll forward it to me.

This week went faster and felt better than the last. I think some of the first-week-stress is starting to wear off. My trainer, Elder Shade, continues to lead me in the right direction and is constantly patient with my Spanish. I still don't know probably half of what people are talking about, but I'm getting better bit by bit. Prayer, study, the Spirit, and the gift of tongues are all very real and very necessary.

Last Monday night we had a great lesson about the Plan of Salvation with a husband and wife who are expecting a new baby. We had a member there about their age, and the Spirit was strong and peaceful. Their names are Adan (Adam) y Junuen, and they're awesome. I can't wait to meet with them again. We've been blessed to talk to many other people too, and one of our investigators came to watch Conference with us!

Something funny that happened. On Tuesday or Wednesday night a member took us to a Chinese buffet. It was sooo delicious, but I ate way too much. Not long after we were visiting homes and a member was accompanying us. We knocked on one investigator family's door, but they said they were too busy. But I, being sick from dinner, asked, "Can I please use your bathroom???" They said yes and my comp. and the member entered the home to wait for me. It took me a little while to feel better, and when I came out the others were being fed, and we were able to teach a lesson about prophets :) God works in mysterious ways, right? Haha.

Speaking of prophets, wasn't la Conferencia General awesome? I wrote down some questions I had and they were answered in many marvelous ways. There is nothing like listening to prophets of our very own in our day. I can't wait for the conference-edition Ensign magazine to come out so I can study the talks again, and I hope you all do the same, even if you only have 5 minutes a day to do it. I especially liked all that was said about how, through the love and power of Jesus Christ, we can overcome all sin, change all bad habits, find the strength to continue on when things seem impossible and our own strength is wasted. I know this is true. We access His power by repentance, faith, work; also by prayer, diligent scripture study, weekly family home evening, and attending the temple. Please do these things, as I try to do them too. They will bring us peace and success.

The final line of Conference impressed me too: "May we return to our homes with a resolve to be a little better." ~ President Thomas S. Monson. God doesn't expect perfection out of us right now. Just strive to be a little better every day.

I love you all. Thanks for your prayers; know that you have mine. God be with you in every moment.

Les amo

Elder Blake

First Week in the Field

Hola a todos!

Wow, this week has been crazy. I don't think I have much more time to write (decided to start with personal emails today), so here's the lowdown.

(P.s. I'm not sure if my family posted this on the blog they made for me, but I've been re-assigned to the Boise, Idaho Mission while I wait for my visa to Argentina.)

Got up at 3:30am Tuesday morning and drove in a bus to the SLC airport. Called home using an iPhone that a nice lady at the gate let me use. 

We were greeted by President and Sister Winder of the Boise Idaho Mission, and afterward had a wonderful "welcome/orientation" meeting with them and the mission staff. I got my new companion, Elder Shade ("Shaw-day"), originally from Mexico, but most recently from Utah. He is a great companion and helps me a lot with my training and with the language. We are in the Spanish-speaking area of Boise, which covers 3 English stakes. We work mostly in trailer parks, since that's where most of the people who speak Spanish live. And it's great. The first Sunday in our branch was really good, and I was strengthened a lot by the testimonies of the members. They are really good people; very kind, generous, and humble. It's great to be around them every day.

This first week has been very long--probably in part because I haven't had a chance to write normal emails for a week and a half. We study hard in the morning, and then go work hard in the afternoon, and we have dinner with a member just about every night.

I have to tell a really quick, funny story. As we were tracting Elder Shade told me something he heard from another missionary, that if there is an onion on the grill (BBQ), the residents are probably Hispanic. But since we had just been talking about cars, I thought he meant the front grill of a car. I was so confused. Why on earth would anybody--Hispanic or not--put an onion in the grill of their car?! haha, he straightened me out and we had a good laugh.

God bless you all. Thank you for all the good things you are doing. Keep going and never give up! The Lord will always provide.

Les amo muchisimo!

Elder Blake

I'm Alive!

Hola familia! I just have a minute to write you and say that I made it safely to the great state of Idaho. I've met the Mission President (President Winder) and his wife, we've had the big welcome meeting for all the new missionaries, and now we're out doing the work! My trainer is Elder Shade ("Shah-day"), who is Mexican but has lived in Utah for the last 8 years and has 1 year in the mission. We cover the Spanish-speaking part of 3 stakes here in the Boise mission. Honestly, I feel like a deer-in-the-headlights :) I know it will be hard, but I know too that if I give my all, the Lord will support me.

I love you all lots! P-day is Monday. I'll write then.

La Iglesia es verdadera!

Con amor,

Elder Blake

Pictures!

Packing Up

Saying goodbye to Dad

Last goodbye with aunt Jeri 

Entrance day pictures at the Provo temple

My first companion, Elder Murphy from Utah. We haven't heard from him since he had to leave due to serious medical issues, but we still hope and pray as a district that he'll come back sometime, even though it may take several months to get things resolved, as is what often happens with medical concerns.

District Selfie

One of my trio companions, Elder Ward from SLC. He's so much fun, loves outdoor sports, and is a good person to be around.

Me and my other trio companion, Elder Donelley from Alabamy! He is a huge example of diligent effort and Christ-like service. I am very blessed to have him and Elder Ward as companions.

First Devotional on Main Campus

Me and one of my good friends from BYU, Sister Carle (next to me). We were in the same FHE group and two classes. She's going to Budapest, Hungary.

Statue on Main Campus

Two districts from my zone after a Devotional. The outgoing zone leader was my friend from FOL (before BYU).

Playing in the rain

Re-Assignment: WHERE'S A MAP???

Quierido familia,

In light of the fact that my visa for Argentina is taking the scenic route, the Lord has seen fit to send me to a temporary mission. Yep, Kirby-Heyborn-style, I am going to (drumroll por favor)

Boise Idaho!

I'll probably be there for 1-3 transfers while my visa is processed. I hear they'll try to put me in a Spanish-speaking area, if possible (i hope so).

I leave the CCM on Tuesday, Sept 23 from the SLC airport. I believe I'll get to call home while waiting at the SLC airport. I don't know all the details about that, but my plan is to find a payphone and call Mom probably and hour or two before my flight leaves.

That's all I know for now. I'm excited.

Love you all so much. God bless you.

Elder Blake

MTC Final Full Week!

Hola familia y amigos!

It's so great to hear from you all. I love reading about your lives, and your love and support strengthen me. Les amo tanto mucho!

So, a rundown of this week:

Classes every day continue to be challenging and exciting. Our teachers really make it a great experience. Hno. Norton gives fantastic language instruction, and he's super friendly and funny; Hno. Wolfe is like a Jefferey R. Holland just for our class; he's so spiritual and really makes us think about the importance of our callings and how we perform them.

Oh, speaking about apostles, Elder Richard G. Scott spoke at devotional last night. He taught about prayer (so probably the same talk that Cam and Dana heard a couple days ago). He challenged us to study DyC 6, 8, 9, and 88, because they teach us a lot about the sacred blessing we have to talk to the very God who created all things, and is our Father. One thing he mentioned is that we should learn to turn our prayers from asking for what we want to asking for what He wants. "As you pray," said he, "the Lord will indicate to you the things you need to do to be a successful [missionary/whatever you are]. Write them down, and do them." Answers seldom come directly after or during your prayer, but if you are faithful, God will tell you in the quiet and reverent moments of your day. It was so cool to hear an apostle of a 15-million member church talk about having a personal, intimate relationship with our Father in Heaven. I know that we can all have this kind of relationship, and to truly succeed in life, we need to. I'm working on improving my prayers, and I challenge you to do the same.

Funny story: The other elders in our district keep running out of toilet paper in their apartment. I don't know how it happens, but they go through it like 5 times faster than my comps. and I, and so we've supplied them multiple times. But this week we had only one roll left as well when they came knocking at our door. We had to settle the situation like the mature men that we are. So the obvious method of choice was... Rock-Paper-Scissors. :P I was so scared, but my companionship won! (Sweet victory!)

And now for an interesting piece of good news:

I get to serve the children of God in TWO MISSIONS! Yep, my visa has not yet arrived, so I will be temporarily re-assigned to a mission within the States until it comes. I'll receive my assignment either tomorrow or Friday. I heard a rumor (though I'm not sure it's true), that I'll get to spend 2 minutes on email to notify you of where I'm going. If not, then you'll just have to take guesses :) It would be a lie to say that I'm not bummed, because I truly want to go to Argentina. However, my teacher took me aside and thoughtfully told me that I was called to preach the gospel, and assigned to Argentina. There is a big difference there. I have faith that I will get to wherever I need to be. See DyC 61:3.

Today was fun, being the last P-day in the CCM. The temple was really awesome today, as always. It's the House of the Lord, His Spirit can always be felt there.

I need to go. I'll do my best to answer all of your private emails. If I can't get to you all, know that the Lord loves you and that I love you. He is always aware of your situation, thoughts, trials, needs, and deep desires. He can and will help you as you continually turn to Him through prayer, scripture study, and faithful action. This I know.

May God be with you,

Your faithful missionary,

Elder Blake

Week 4

Buenas Tardes, familia y amigos!

Agh, I felt so bad after my email hour last week because I wrote almost nobody personally. I'm going to do better today. Just know that I love you all, I read your letters, and I love to hear from you.

As for this week, it's continuing to be both hard and great, and great because it is hard. Here's a brief-ish summary:

Our investigators: My companions (Elders Ward and Donnelley) and I have two investigators right now. One is Javier (played by our teacher, Hno. Wolfe). He is a Catholic from Mexico living in the states. At first he wasn't interested in hearing about the Gospel, but we gave him a Libro de Mormon and he began to read it, and he's felt a strong need and desire to change. Last time we talked with him he was afraid he wasn't worthy to be baptized and live the gospel because he had been involved in some kind of sketchy business in Mexico. We couldn't understand him very well, but we think it involves drugs or mafia or something like that. Fun, right? We're not entirely sure how to go about teaching him, but if we prepare the best we can and follow the Spirit, things will turn out right.

Our other investigator is Adrian from Peru. We've tried to teach him about the Plan of Salvation, and he believes it, but he always demands scriptural proof for every question he has. It's good for us because it helps us become more familiar with those sacred books.

Other stuff: Classes are great. We are learning a lot of Spanish and much about missionary skills and attributes. I definitely need lots of practice with all of those things, but with hard work, goals, and the Spirit, they can be done. And my district is great also. Elder Ward's mom sends him enough bagels for the entire district every Friday, so we have "Bagel Night" every night to try to finish them all. It's pretty amazing. One night as we were about to pray, some of the elders weren't paying attention, so our solo sister missionary tried to set the example by kneeling. But she kindof sunk/collapsed to her knees King-Lamoni-style, so everybody thought she had fainted. It was hilarious!

Also, we expect to get our travel plans this Friday! Estoy tan animado (I'm so excited)!

The temple today was awesome. I had a few questions in mind that I really wanted answered. We did an endowment session, and afterward in the Celestial Room I was praying for answers. As I prayed, I felt a calm come over me, telling me that all was right, and even though I'm faaar from being the perfect person, missionary, or district leader (I forgot to mention that new assignment last week), the Lord knows how to help. I testify that prayer works. You can always receive an answer to any question you have. I know that the Temple is the house of God, and in it are the saving ordinances we need. It is a house of peace and comfort. Most of all, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that the restored gospel is real, and that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.

Have a wonderful week! Be safe, be good. I love you all and so does the Lord. 

Con mucho amor,

Elder Blake

MTC Week 3!

Hola familia y amigos! Cómo estan???

This past week has seriously gone by so fast, I can't believe it. In one way I'm glad, because I can't wait to get to Argentina. At the same time, I'm even more anxious because that means I have so little time left to prepare!

Anyway, this week has been great. Plenty of ups and downs, but when I humble myself and rely on the Lord, their is an upside to everything.

We started TRC (Teaching Resource Center) this week. It's basically another investigator that we teach everyday for two weeks who is not our teacher, and possibly not a member (though we don't know for sure). Our TRC investigator is Adrian from Perú. He is super friendly, studies English at BYU, and loves movies/tv shows. We are currently teaching him the Plan of Salvation, although it's kindof hard because I need to be much more familiar with the lessons and with the language.

So in essence, things are great! The Lord has blessed me so much during the past three weeks. I love and pray for you all.

I'm going to spend most of my time trying to upload pictures today, since I didn't get to it last week or the week before.

Les amo!

Elder Andrew Blake

MTC Week 2

Hola familia y amigos!

This week went by so much faster than the first. People said it would, and I was a tad skeptical, but it's totally true! Anyway, so about this week:

We have 3-hr class blocks three times per day, with meals/exercise in between. We use one of them for personal, companionship, and language study to prepare for our investigators. During another we teach and investigator and study more. And at least one full period is a "class" taught by a teacher (who will only speak Spanish). One of our teachers, Hermano Stallings, plays the role of investigator for us. Last week he was Miguel Angel (and at the time we didn't know he was our teacher too; we were all at least partially mind-blown when he came into class with a shirt and tie and introduced who he really was), and this week he is Calisto.

It's really fun to be immersed in the language, but sometimes your brain just begs for English :) It's awesome though, and I know I couldn't have learned as much as I have without the help of the Lord. Our teachers remind us that every missionary learns "poco a poco" (little by little). 

Since Dad told me that he and Liz went swimming the other day, here's a joke for you all:

Q: "Qué hace un pez todo el día? (What does a fish do all day?)"

A: "Nada." (look it up if you don't know :)

It really is a privilege to be here on a mission. I am constantly strengthened by the testimonies of my district, leaders, teachers, and devotional speakers. It's easy to think "This is hard. Why am I here?" We are here to share the message of Jesus Christ; the message that no matter what life throws at us, we can be happy and hopeful; the message that no matter what mistakes we make or what weaknesses we have, they can be cleansed or made strong through His Atoning grace. This is a message of hope and joy to all nations. Cool note: "Gospel" in English means "good news." "Evangelio" in espanol means "good news brought by angles." (Evangelio). I love the verse in DyC: "Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause?" (DyC 128:22).

I know this is God's true church restored again on the earth. We are God's children. Christ is our Savior and Brother. I love Him.

Allmyfriends: Keep being awesome! Love you all.

Thank you for your love and your letters. It's so good to hear from you all. Keep writing me what you're doing in life/school/work/etc.

Te amo,

Elder Blake

First Week in the MTC

Hola, familia y amigos!

   Well, I'm still alive :) Wednesday is my P-day and Temple day, fyi. The CCM (MTC) has been a very wonderful, challenging, and fun experience so far. THANK YOU ALL so much for your prayers and your letters to me, I know I'm being uplifted by you all, even from afar. I love you all so mucho!

   So after we said our goodbyes at the curb I was whisked off with all the other newbies through the MTC's main campus, where we got all of our study supplies, gospel materials en espanol, apartment keys, etc. Then a huge (and actually quite comfortable) bus took all of the Spanish-speaking missionaries to the West Campus, which is at BYU's Wyview housing. We only had time to dump our stuff in the apartment before walking to class across the street, where I met my new district. And then--SPANISH. 

   Our teacher, Hermano Norton, teaches the language and missionary teaching principles only in Spanish, except for a few words to clarify. It's so awesome. It's hard and fun at the same time. Rosetta Stone definitely helped me at least become familiar with what the language was like, but I think I've learned more here in a week than I have in the summer. And yes, we do already teach in our mission language. AHHHHHHHHHH! It's crazy, I am so terrible, but if you're humble, do your preparation, and have the Spirit, you can somehow muddle through. Seriously, the Spirit is so important. I know this is God's work because in no other thing have I felt the need for the Spirit more.

   My first companion, Elder Murphy, was and is such an awesome person. Very humble and also has a good start on the language. We in the district are all super sad that he had to go home temporarily for medical issues. But we pray that he'll be able to come back out as soon as possible. So now I'm in a trio with the other two Elders in my apartment. Their names are Elder Donelley (from Alabama) and Elder Ward (from SLC). They are fantastic, very friendly, and great examples to me. I'm truly blessed to have them.

   Other interesting things about the CCM:

The food is good. We have exercise activities in large inflatable buildings, used because of the recent influx of missionaries. If your name-tag somehow gets crooked, it's because "someone's thinking about you" :). Devotionals on Sunday and Tuesday are amazing. Sunday we heard from Jenny Oaks Baker and her family, and they played some amazingly spiritual musical numbers to go along with her talk. Afterwards we watched a recorded MTC devotional by Elder Bednar called "The Character of Christ". Seriously, go find it and watch it if you can. It will change the way you think and work every day. I've seen so many friends here, including Hermana Bowler. It's been wonderful.

   I forgot my camera at the classroom, so I'll have to send pictures next week. I'll try to answer everybody's personal emails today. I am blessed with so many! Thank you again for your love and support. I love you all.

   Yo se que el evangelio de Jesucristo es verdadero. Yo se que el Libro de Mormón es la palabra de Dios. Jose Smith fue un profeta de Dios en estos últimos dias. Y Jesucristo es el Salvador de el mundo--nuestro Salvador. Mediante Su expiación, familias puede ser eterna.

  Te amo ustedes todos!

Elder Blake