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