July 28, 2014

Hey fam, 

Lot of news at the end of this transfer!! 1st and foremost, we'll be welcoming a new son into the family! Elder Blake has been called to become a papi! I'm going to Salta on Wed to pick him up, and yeah, that's that! Super pumped!!

 On to some buisness.

Mom, I have friends and converts from Limache writing emails but I cant respond because they're women! Can you send them an email or find them on Facebook to let them know I'm thinking about them!

K. and T. Co. - 

 

Then, thru them or however, will you also send messages to V G, and A. and 

G. Ya. Tell them to keep going strong and never forget to read the scrips, pray,

and go to church!!

That transitions me to the highlight of the week and perhaps the mission. 2 of my strongest converts, Ald and Ga, are going strong! T C, a member in Limache, wrote me to update me on the work there. I can’t describe the joy I felt knowing that these 2 have gone strong thru the trials and are active in the church! It’s hard to get baptized here and stay active, it’s hard to retain. The fact that they’re going strong makes all the time and effort worth it. Well on the way to exaltation!!

Elder M. died with much honor yesterday – we worked all day and even taught a few lessons. He was a great example to me of repentance and determination. He taught me a lot, and was really the perfect comp for me. Now, it’s my turn to be tested as I will have the responsibility of a brand new missionary. I’ve seen how much a comp influences one’s life, for better or for worse. I commit myself to his progress as well as the progress of the ward. Nothing else really matters. Anna, Noah, Brigham, Linc, Coop, it’s important that you all prepare for your missions now. You can enter the field and hit the ground running, already with a vibrant testimony and conversion. May we pray for your trainers and for me as well that no one gets corrupted by an old missionary with debilitated faith, because there is nothing like the strong greeny faith. Get ready now.

Brig, I realized that we’re on the same transfer schedule – today you start your last 6 weeks as a civilian! Make it count, get ready!

I’m progressively getting more stressed out with more responsibility, but don’t worry, I did 70 burpees on Saturday and the exercise and scripture study helps a ton. Our baptism turned out great, tho very stressful! Noelia came to Church literally 10 mins before her confirmation, and 20 mins before still hadn’t picked up her phone. I don’t like at all the fact that we have to stress about a person showing up for their confirmation. I feel like we often rush people too much, and now with more pull, we’ll see if I can help the people convert and not just get baptized.

Remember the tea party in Toy Story? I don’t really remember much, but I imagine every time someone serves us mate it’s something like that. I’m growing to hate mate – it’s a waste of time and has way too much caffeine. They Argentine people are loving and hospitable – great for anyone but a missionary on a short schedule trying to invite ALL to come unto Christ. Again, we’ll see how I do now that I’m in charge.

They key to success that I’ve found is what I’m going to instill in my hijo – love, obedience, and diligence. I’ve seen these attributes in each of my comps, but have yet to see the 3 together. I haven’t yet seen it consistently in myself either. This will be my challenge from here on out – AMOR, OBEDIENCIA, DILIGENCIA! I’m so stoked. Watch out for big things in Alberdi, as well as, I’m sure, many trials. 

Now, for you member missionaries. Remember that Elder Ballard wants us studying PMG/E together (I’ll be studying PMEvangelio, not sure about you). Please, let me know what you’re learning.

I’m diving into lesson 5 for new converts, because it’s now a requirement pre-baptism. The section on missionary work applies to all. Read it.

Our responsibilities are basically to take advantage of chances to answer questions and bear testimony, and pray, pray, pray! Look what I found in my personal study! Helaman 5 has a great example of a member missionary (who started out inactive!) who simply took advantage.

  35 Now there was one among them who was a Nephite by birth,who had once belonged to the church of God but had dissented from them.

 36 And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did shine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes to heaven; and they were inthe attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld.

 37 And it came to pass that this man did cry unto the multitude,that they might turn and look. And behold, there was power given unto them that they did turn and look; and they did behold the faces of Nephi and Lehi.

 38 And they said unto the man: Behold, what do all these things mean, and who is it with whom these men do converse?

 39 Now the man’s name was Aminadab. And Aminadab said unto them: They do converse with the angels of God.

 40 And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him: What shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us?

 41 And Aminadab said unto them: You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed  from over shadowing you.

 42 And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed.

I’d like to invite you all to study these 2 passages and search, ponder, and pray over what it means for you. Let us all be missionaries!!

Loving life here in Jujuy. There’s no better work or cause. I LOVE all of you. Stay strong, finish strong!

Elder Isaac Blake

PS - The pianist gets better every week Mom!