Dedicación del Templo de Córdoba!

¡Hola familia y amigos!

This week was super! Why? Because yesterday the second House of the Lord in Argentina was dedicated in Córdoba. Now with two operating temples, the wonderful Argentine saints can more easily receive ordinances of salvation that are necessary for them and for their families already passed away. The dedication was transmitted to chapels in all of Argentina (and maybe other parts of SudAmerica?), so we got to watch it with the members here. There was a special spirit while watching the dedication. President Uchtdorf and Elder Christofferson came to dedicate the temple. Elder Christofferson served as a missionary here long ago, so he speaks Spanish very well. it was cool to listen to him. President Uchtdorf tried, and it reminded me of myself 9 months ago in the MTC. But their talks were really awesome. Pres. Uchtdorf made mention of the Sol de Mayo (May Sun) that is centered in the flag of Argentina, which shines brightly for all Argentinos. Then he counceled us to make the Temple our Sol de Mayo. I really liked that imagery, and it´s true. Temples and Jesus Christ, whose house they are, are what bring light and life to us. Without them we would not exist nor could we gain salvation.

Well, that´s all for this week. Les amo a todos! I hope you have a great week.

Con amor,

Elder Blake

1. Puesto del sol in campo

2. Junín

3. Toilet in the chapel. Gotta love SudAmerica where toilet seats seem "optional" after they break off

4. Elder Kelley with a recent convert, Matías. Matías has reserves of energy, and sometimes he´s a little annoying, but he´s such a great person and I love him.

5. Biking behind Elder Kelley

Hola de Aldo // March 23

¡Hola familia y amigos!

This week has been one of much thinking and learning (let´s hope). I´ve been learning about the Atonement of Christ and I think this time it´s more through experience than straight book-learning. I start to realize how much I need Him. I often forget Him, often don´t work the way He deserves, but I know He loves me. I like the quote from the Scriptures when he calls Peter and Andrew to leave the life they were used to behind and follow Him. But he didn't stop at "come and follow me", He added the promise, "and I will make you fishers of men". It´s only through Christ that we really become better people, better missionaries. Christ and Christ alone can reach in the deepest recesses of our human, imperfect hearts and make changes. It reminds me also of Moroni 10:32-33, which says "Come and perfect yourselves in Christ", or something to that effect in inglés.

Edson, our Peruvian investigator, came to church for the third time. He accepted as well the Word of Wisdom, though we forgot to follow up to see if he´s living it. We´ll make better plans to help him avoid temptation this week, and if he does well and reads the LDM, I think he´ll be baptized in April.

We also are teaching an evangelico investigator in the city proper of Aldo Bonzi, se llama Hugo. He´s reading well but we´re unsure of his actual testimony. However he has great desires to bautizarse so, if we help him, he´ll make it as well.

Thank you alls for the birthday loves and wishes. They were wonderful and very meaningful to me. Will you please send me the email of the Foutz so that I can thank them for bringing me the package?

Con amor,

Elder Blake

Bautismos // March 16

¡Hola familia y amigos!

I don´t have much time to write this week, so I´m sending a few photos (worth 1000 words a piece, right?). Thanks for everything you do. I had a good week. I love you all.

Baptism! //Feb 16, 2015

¡Hola familia y amigos!

I have hardly any time to write this week. We went to the cyber late. HOWEVER, there is one piece of fabulous news: Roxana Luna se bautizó! She is a great mother of 3 who was blessed a lot to learn the gospel. Her baptismal service was great and she felt the Spirit strongly. She´s already involved in the Relief Society and will be a great asset to the ward. 

Con amor!

Elder Blake

Another Week

¡Hola familia y amigos!

This week finds me writing from no other place than--WalMart! Yes, there is one. There are actually two in my ward boundaries, and they´re kindof like Walmart plus shopping mall. Jaja, it´s weird.

I can´t believe this transfer is almost over, and also that my compañero goes home in a week. This week we plan to work as much as possible amidst the final meetings, goodbye dinners, and everything else. 

A miracle happened this sunday in church. There were like 12 non-members in church! Many investigators from the other sister missionaries in our ward, and a bunch from us. And what was even better, most of them felt the spirit and they were all well fellowshipped by the ward.  Two of them were Roxana and her son Bruno. She is a very intelligent and sincere single mother who´s had a hard life. She also es habladora (i.e. a talker to the max). We have good hopes for them. They need the gospel, just like all of us.

We´re still visiting Mariano Mendez. He´s a little difficult to teach because of what drugs have done to him, but he´s a good person at heart. Again, we all need the Gospel. "The church" said some apóstol or somebody, "is not a museum of perfect people. It is a hospital for imperfect saints." Algo así.

I hope you´re all doing fantastic. Les quiero muchísimo, y oro para ustedes.

Élder Blake

A part-member family with whom we are working. We brought them to the templelast week eternal families, baptism, and the law of chastity. There is a special spirit in teaching at the temple.

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

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

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