Today is one of the best days of the year -
I'm gonna try not to think about watching the Marathon and the Sox and
chilling with the Gang. But to all of you in the good ole USA and
especially MA, disfruten (enjoy!)
Yesterday was a really good day. Had some really
great spiritual experiences, as well as a little taste of Relief Society
drama. We'll skip the drama, just a little misunderstanding about us
changing lunches.
Antonio (big boss) came to Church again, and killed
it in every way. In our small Priesthood class, he didn't say a word. Felt
kinda awkward because he doesn't know how to read, so he kinda just
listened as we read from the manual. However, at the end, he got called
on to say the prayer. Wow. Incredible prayer. I'll give some
background.
Given his processing difficulties, we've been
focusing on simple things, and taught Joseph Smith a few times this
week. We invited him to pray, and he forgot the first 2 nights. Well,
you know how they say the 3rd times a charm. Every day, he's been saying
he wants to have a revelatory dream about Joseph Smith. I tried to
encourage him and not put out his fire, but I could tell Herm and our
members, and myself included, were a little hesitant to promise
anything. Well, we come back, and he says, "Brothers, you'll never
believe. I had the dream!"
He proceeds to tell us about his dream in which
Jesus appeared to him and said, "Fear not! I am." Unfortunately, his dog
woke him up and he said there's more that he missed. He took this as
his answer about JS. Every time I hear this dude talk, and have to hold
back my laughter but at the same time marvel at his spirituality and
profundity. He's just a boss.
Alright so in his prayer to end the class, he
basically says this, "God, thank you for my family, the missionaries
that never fail at visiting me, this Church, the brothers. Father, I
know you will speak to me. Thank you for visiting me in my dreams, but I
still want to dream the rest. I know the Book of the Mormons is true. I
want to quit drinking, it's really weighing me down, and I know you can
help me. In the name of our Savior, amen." He repeated about every
thing 2 or 3 times, including his declarations of testimony right to
God. I was almost in tears. Incredible.
Another great experience: I was sitting next to him in Sacrament meeting, and on the other side, Marcelo, whose leaving for Brazil on Wed.
I didn't catch it all, but I guess Marcelo gifted his Bible to Antonio.
Antonio was awestruck, and broke down in tears as Marcelo handed him
the Bible. He kissed it, and looked up and thanked God.
I would like to love and value something as simple
as the Bible as Antonio does. I think we take things like that for
granted. I think Antonio is a great example of becoming "as a child,
submissive, meek, humble" (Mosiah 3:19).
This is really why we're here, to humble up and simplify our lives,
becoming more and more like Christ every day. For Antonio, the only
thing stopping him from formally taking upon the name of Christ is his
wine, but I know he's close to liberation.
For some logistics etc:
1. Hahahaha Dad Lincoln's comment about you being the #1 nerd killed me. I laughed hard. Keep it up Linc
2. I got a few shots in the MTC. Not sure what other details there are, but just vaccines I needed
3. You can erase anything and everything on my old
phone. Consider it yours. That being said, not sure why you'd want to
delete my dope tunes.
For the Christlike
attribute - This week, I wouldn't say I was super super diligent, but definitely saw a difference. When I found myself walking a little slowly,
I asked myself, "What does Elder Blake want to do right now? But what
does God want Elder Blake to do right now?" That, without fail, got me
cranking it up a bit more.
This week, I'm gonna focus on virtue, specifically thoughts. Inspired by a scrip (DyC 121:45) and a 1st pres message:
45 Let thy abowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let bvirtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy cconfidence wax strong in the dpresenceof God
Coming up on 17 weeks with my comp. I need to
look for the good in him as I'm starting to get a little sick of so much
time together. Do the same in you associations, especially marriages.
This week, look for the good in everyone. Try and
ask yourself what the will of God is in your life, and align your
desires and appetites with His will in righteousness. May we all purify
our hearts and become more like Antonio this week.
Love, Elder Blake
| Me and Marcelo |
| An Empty Bus - Happy Easter! |
| Elders in the District - Me, Herm, Durrant, and Baldwin |
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