Feb 17, 2014

Fam and Friends,

¿Como va todo? I hope you're all enjoying the frigid North American winter. Not sure I miss it. 

This week, we lost the light in our apartment. My old companion always paid the bills and it kinda slipped my mind. So yeah, we were just straight studying and I get up to turn the light on and boom, nothing. Hahaha so we go down to the owner of the building, and she asks if we've checked the mail. "Uhhh, no." Turns out we had gas and electric dating back to Dec. 600 pesos. That, we went to RapiPago, a place to pay bills. Not sure there's an American equiv because we pay by mail or internet. Here, its straight cash. Well, the RapiPago in our area wasn't able to reinstate the light, and they sent us to the RapiPago downtown. Anyways, 2 days later, after losing an afternoon of teaching, let there be light! 

The 2 days sans luz were pretty crummy. The freezer and fridge died obviously, and now thanks to the various perishables we were keeping that have since gone nice and warm, the whole apt smells like Brigham (j/k - Brigham only stinks after football). When we planned for the following day, we had to use the piece of junk flashlights we brought. Wasn't really that bad, but the combo of a bad day of teaching and no light, I was kinda down Thursday. 

Another brief, seemingly unrelated exp: We taught Rita Wayar and her fam 2 times this week. We'd basically given up on her for now, even tho she's come to church 4 times, because shes so freakin hard hearted and knows it. She wants to know "why." Why do we have to suffer? Why did we have to come to earth if we lived with God before? We helped her guide herself to some answers, concluding with the preposition that the Church is true and exists to guide us back to God better than we were before and that she must know for herself. 

Why couldn't we have just stayed with God? The answer: we wanted a body so we could live like God lives. (When this doesn't make sense, call the local missionaries - they'll fill in the gaps because they're not typing this profound doctrine on a crappy Argentine keyboard with 27 mins left on the email clock). We knew it was gonna stink on ice at times, but also that it'd be necessary to learn and grow. We also knew that we would each be sent to a different apartment with a different degree of light, but that these circumstances and knowledge of the Plan would shape the person we'd become for the best. 

The great challenge of life, the great blessing of the Plan, is that we are given our agency to decide what we want, what we'll do, where we'll go, and who we'll be. 

We often go along sitting in our apartments, subconsciously enjoying the light. We take it for granted and really don't even think about it. Life is good. The challenge, thus, is that we really don't comprehend that we have the ability and opportunity to have so much more light. Perhaps for some, we've just never been to Home Depot and seen the dope 50000w light bulbs marketed by God Inc. Maybe it doesn't matter to us what kind of light it is, as long as there's light. Perhaps we're just content with the light bulbs we have now. The point is, unfortunately we almost always wait for our lights to go out to go to Home Depot or RapiPago to get it back on. We only then realize how freakin lost we are. When times get tough and we can't see, we then go to the source. In reality, this fall or trial really stinks. It humbles us, changes our perspective, and opens the door to much more light. 

So in the grand scheme of God's Plan, where are you? Who cares right now. Don't wait for the lights to go out, whether for your own ignorance or forgetfulness, or for some natural consequences. Trust me, if they aren't already flickering or out now, they will be pretty soon. We all pass thru our own personal "valley of the shadow of death." Don't wait to go to Home Depot. Don't wait to go to the light. 

Jesus said:

"I am the ^alight of the world: he that followeth me shall not ^bwalk in ^cdarkness, but shall have the light of life." - John 8:12

Jesus Christ established his church, but it was lost when he was crucified by man. This Church has been restored again in our time, by Jesus himself. Joseph Smith is the prophet that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ chose to organize this restoration. He received and translated ancient plates written by American prophets into the Book of Mormon. This Church is the only true way to receive all the light God has for us. 

That sounds kinda far-fetched; I recognize that. It's either true or its not. I know it's true, and I invite all to get to know all that the Church has to offer, and then go to the source, asking with faith if it's true. Don't wait for your light to go out. 

I love all of you. Thanks for the many emails I got today. Keep fighting and go to the light!

 

Elder Blake

Familia,

Its great to be able to write ya'll today on my half b-day and official 25% completion date of my mission. Wow. How freakin wierd it is that I'm already 1/4 done. It feels like just yesterday that I got here. 

This past week was the last of the transfer. The norm for this mission is 3 transfers in your first area, so I was ready to get shipped somewhere else. I said goodbye to some converts and members and snapped some good pics. However, when the time came for transfers last night, surprise! -- I'm staying. My letter will be largely comprised of the premature farewells I gave yesterday, as well as some personal growth from the thinking I've been doing about perhaps leaving my birthland.

Yesterday, I said goodbye to Cesar Miguel Palma, and his mom, Patricia. She has been inactive for 10 years, but has started to come back since we baptized Miguel Dec 15. However, it has been and will continue to be a rocky climb back to full activity for both. Miguel is a semi rebellious, popular 12 year old kid. He feels like she pressured him into being baptized, even though we witnessed that it was all his choice. Anyways, I went there yesterday to make sure that whatever happens with the missionaries, he will strive to be active. I gave a bit of a sermon about how important the commandments and the church is for a kid between the ages of 12 and 18. I felt the Spirit strongly as I testified and warned him of the time ahead. 

He and his mom have grown a special place in my heart. Apparently, he looks up to me a lot, although he's your typical 12 year old punk and doesn't show much affection. Anyway, I left off with a contract. The terms: he will pray, read the BoM daily, and go to church every Sunday, with the promise that he would grow to become a strong, faithful Priesthood holder, and would be the happiest he's ever been. I left my address etc, and my signature, but told him to sign in when he feels ready. I told him to make a decision between him and the Lord, and no one else.

The other powerful farewell was with Lila. She's 69 and we've taught her everything. She has accepted and completed every requistie to be baptized, but has denied many invitations to be baptized because she has already been baptized 2 times. She changes a lot, but ultimaltely has an incredible heart. We've grown super close this transfer, and is so fun to be around. Bueno, last week she basically told us - no, I've made my choice. However, she said she'd come to church and told us to come get her. She's slept thru the last 2 Sundays and always resisted us coming to fetch her. Suddenly, she's giving the orders. Boom! Sunday morning she's up and waiting for us. She loved the service and many members were chatting with her. She even asked a sister when the baptisms are. We snapped some pics becuase I said I might be leaving, and she told me "hey I might actually get baptized." Here enters one of the most powerful moments of my mission. So it's clear, we almost always are light'heartedly joking around with her, always laughing. Well, when she said this, I got really serious. I didn't say much,  but IMMEDIATELY felt the Spirit say thru me really powerfully, "Lila, I don't know if I'll be here to see it happen, but I know you'll get baptized. I KNOW this Church is TRUE." Nothing more. 

 

Elder Hermanson, Lila and Isaac

 

It's truly a priveledge to be a vessel in the hands of the Lord. We've STRUGGLED this transfer. The people here are hard. We had 8 people in these 6 weeks prepared/or willing to be baptized that for some reason or another all basically became eliminated as options. There is hope for a few (like Lila), but Hermansen says he's never seen so many people fall off or back away after being so willing or prepared. People don't want to come to church becuase Sunday morning is sleep time or drink time or time to go on vacation. Man. We consistently teach the most lessons in the zone, have good numbers, but FIGHT to baptize. 

My 2 big takeaways: Man, I'm so blessed. 1st off, Vanessa was a tender mercy of the Lord. We were blessed to take part in her conversion, and really didn't do anything. 2nd, Limache is such a blessing. I've been thinking about how much agency has to do with progression. We all have problems, and can make decisions. For us here, God could either take away our problems (give us baptisms), or could test us, lift us up to be able to meet them (make us labor to be more capable in His hands). Either way, the problems will be taken care of and the baptisms will eventually come, but the difference lies in the personal growth. Man. I have learned sooooo much, grown soooo much, because of this blessed area. We have improved our quality of teaching soooo much, and still are striving to improve. I've learned to live in the fire. I know the God is making a precious gem out of the stubborn, ugly piece of coal that is the natural man inside of me. I can't be grateful enough. 

Finally, I've always had trouble reconciling the selfisness that it seems to focus on what my mission can do for me. However, the conc I'm slowly reaching is that because of the nature of agency, the only person I can really be responsible for is myself. HOWEVER, the key to self improvement will always be the selfless striving to help others along their own journies. I hope I have touched you in some way thru these letters, and my prayer is always to grow more and more worthy of transmitting the Spirit of God to my fellow man. 

Godspeed this week,

Elder Blake

Feb 3rd, 2014

Familia,

Keeping it real?? Let's hope so. We're cooking down here in good ol Limache. Had a nice break from the sun Tues - Thurs with a fantastic cats and dogs rainstorm Tuesday. What made it even more fun is that the people that saved us from the rain!! We were running through the streets (rivers), sharing a borrowed umbrella, when were arrived at the house of Ariel and Gabriela. They're a young couple who we've been teaching 3 or 4 weeks now. Elder Hermansen found them on splits with the subtle impression to clap their door no mas. They let us in and we taught them a really powerful lesson. I bore my testimony at the beginning, sharing an experience I had in the Sacred Grove a few years back when it started to pour amidst a solitary moment. Attached are some pics of us after we arrived at the apt. It was actually kinda cold (I'm sure nothing like what ya'll have now).

 

 

For my letter, I'll recount yesterday - a wild Sabbath Day to say the least. We had so much stuff on the plate, and I on my mind, that I completely forgot the Superbowl was last night. Anyway, so we had planned and firmly committed an investigator, 18 year old Nico, to walk with us to church at 9 am. He said all week he knew he needed to come, and wanted to come. We were/kinda still are planning his baptism for Feb 9. Anyways, he wont get out of bed at 9. He supposedly worked from midnight to 7am and passed out an hour before we got there. We came back at 10:30, and he was up, but after 10 mins of back and forth, we couldn't convince him to come. He said he had to go to a back-to-school meeting.

At this point, we were sitting pretty with literally no one at church, and our most sure candidates out of the picture for some reason or another. The only ones left - Ariel and Gabriella. They had missed church the last 3 weeks for this, that, and every other excuse. I was standing there in Nico's door praying for guidance and understanding. It was a pretty low moment. We decided we'd walk to Ariel's and remind them. As we walked, I was a good mix of angry, frustrated, confused, and exhausted. We made it down about half a block when guess who rolls up on his motorcycle. Ariel, Gabriella, and their 3 children!!! (5 on a motorcycle doesn't turn any heads here -7 perhaps is out of the ordinary). Wow, talk about a powerful answer to prayer. I smiled so big man. We were overjoyed. 

Had a great great great fast and testimony meeting. I've been thinking this week about how I'd literally never gotten up a regular fast Sunday to bear my testimony, before I slapped on the title "Elder." Yesterday, I shared the influence my parents, especially Robin (Isaac and Brigham's nickname for Jonathan), have had on me through their public testimonies. Anyway, during the Sacrament, I got a little overwhelmed thinking just how freaking lucky I have been to be born of goodly parents, in a Gospel-centered home. I can't imagine accepting the Gospel growing up and any other circumstance, for the influences of the world that I've steered clear of as a result of the Gospel surely would have led me down a different path. Anyway, I was impressed to bear my testimony, and coincidentally (not coincidence, but inspired), had what sounds like a similar experience to you (Mom). Here's the Spark notes version:

There are varying degrees of happiness. Many worldly happinesses can blind us to the true happiness that is God's love. For me, this happiness manifests itself here on earth in the form of the relationships were cherish, our love for others. God gave us a way to have these relationships completely bonded together for time and eternity: Jesus Christ. He gave his life and comfort so that we can be happy. It's a simple, yet profound equation. I know that He lives, He loves, and He wants more than anything to cele with us as we accept His doctrine and reap the blessings.

As I walked up to the mic, I wasn't nervous at all. I had thought a bit about the words beforehand, but can say without a doubt that the Spirit spoke thru me and touched many people. In fact, a few members afterwards gave me some weirdly-worded Spanish farewells. I think they thought it was my last Sunday here or something. We'll see, next Sunday could be my last. 

The rest of the day, we taught some lessons and did the good old stuff. Overall, it was a dope dia de reposo, minus the reposo. (reposo means rest). 

S/o to Big Mac for being the only person besides my parents to write me this week. My faithful friend, you have shown me much love!!! I cherish your rich words and always laugh at your letters. I'm happy you're leaning towards English - I hope to join you in 18 months in the same studies, but who knows. 

 

 Mom - don't worry about my future. Just for you, I'll throw it in my prayers etc. Know that you and Dad will for sure be consulted. **Original Letter**

PLEASE SEND ME SOME JOURNAL PROMPTS. Send me some general missionary ones, but also some life** prep type deals. As your heart desires.

Dad - how do you make banana milk?

Mom - all good with the packages. Still haven't gotten number 2. The things you're sending are perfect. Will you and Dad please look for some good LDS music and put it on one of the flash drives? Dad - load up the other with your favorite talks and BYU speeches. 

As for the future packages - the best thing I can receive is photos and painting/drawings, plus handwritten notes. Can you send me hard copies of the snow, as well as a few of each of my baptisms?? As for other pics, send stuff that would be good/cool to show investigators.

Love Ya'll

Elder Blake

 

 

Jan 27, 2014

Hola Familia y Amigos (Familia),

I love you. Another great week here in the 387. It was mega hot unto Friday when it poured overnight and then rained off and on until Sunday. We woke up actually a little cold Sat and Sun. Weird.

Hmmm, lets work backwards. We had 3 investigators in Church, 1of whom is this 10yearold boss whose gonna get baptized Saturday - Santiago. We went on splits to hunt the 'gators and my comp spent 15 minutes trying to wake him. He lives the teenager schedule already. 

Saturday we had a dope baptism of the niece of our 1st Councilor. She basically taught herself - super prepared because of the rest of her fam. Watch out for a handwritten letter coming soon with more details. All in all, it was probably the best baptism I've had. She left the water crying and the Spirit was just so strong. There is a difference between baptism and conversion - baptism is just the first step. She's already being converted.

 

 

The rest of the week was business as usual. We taught a bunch of lessons and the work is going great. Time is FLYING.

I wanna touch on something Brigham mentioned in his letter. He said that he's been a little worried about his mission and that it'll be an eternity. I think he even had a dream that I came home and we were just talking, and that I said every day was like a year. He said that just after that he read my email from last week, where I said time flies, and that calmed all his fears. His testimony of the experienced hit me hard: 

"The comfort and peace it just gave me is outstanding. I really don't think this was a coincidence. Even though it wasn't a vocal prayer, the way you're living was an confirmation I needed desperately."

I'm so grateful to have been able to be the medium of the Spirit to help a brotha out, and I know that it wasn't a coincidence either. 

We had interviews with Pres Friday, and mine was awesome. I was impressed with how friendly/normal he is. Many missionaries are scared of authority. Frankly, I have no clue why. Perhaps my years in the company of Coaches like Davis, Griff, and Magpiong have gotten me used to being around authority figures. Hahaha not sure where that's going. Anyways, he helped me a lot to realize that the Spirit almost always works so subtley that we can barely discern it from normal thoughts etc. We have to diligently search Him. I can say with surety that I am guided by the Spirit literally every second of the mission. It's incredible, and I quite frankly don't really look forward to having to take off the badge in 18 months (wow). I'm so grateful for all of you and your love, but I'm starting to not miss you so much. Not because of you, but really because of how incredible it is to be immersed in this Spirit and to be able to see the fruits of repentance in our investigators. So, lets keep enjoying life. It's tooooooo good.

Questions: 

I would LOVE the raincoat from Donkey Wonkey. The sentiment means much more to me than the material. Quite honestly, I miss him sooo much even though I barely knew him. Seeing the growth of a mission in myself, and then imagining Tonga in freakin 1950 WITHOUT the MTC, I have too much respect and admiration for him. Please, I would be honored to wear his coat on my back.

I'm good for winter - bought a pea coat in an American Fair (literally Savers clothes that gets shipped here). I think I'm good without boots - it hardly rains in the winter, never snows.

I paid $50 more for the first package, the second one still hasn't come (i think). Our registrar in the offices, the missionary in charge of packages, isn't very friendly nor organized, so we'll see. I basically never know.

Alfajores are nothing special. I almost don't even like them. Milanesa is plain but actually quite good.

The dude I'm duking it up with is a semi-pro soccer player who lived in our ward but moved. He went inactive from 18-30 years, but last year his wife got baptized,he re-activated, and this week they're at the temple getting sealed. He's a boss!!

I listen to conf talks by downloading them onto a flash drive. I bought a music player thing that has a usb port and plays them. I listen to the talks while I'm getting after it in the mornings, cooking, and showering. 

Brigham, you're in my prayers as we await the BYU app. I'm confident God's plan for you will lead you on the path to true happiness, regardless of the school you attend. Always remember to pray, study the scrips, and keep the commandment. Thus, you will prosper in the land!!

Love ya'll

Bomb Week

Maybe I said that last week, but life really is starting to get incredible. We've basically cleaned house here in Limache in 3 weeks, with a pool of about 10 solid investigators that we've found, really due to the work/spirit of Elder Hermansen. It's frickin fulfilling to see people actually progressing towards conversion instead of just meeting the check-off-the-box requirements for baptism. 

The more I work, the more I have to cede to agency. The people that we're teaching actually want us to come over. We don't need to beg every time to get led in. Agency, the ability of choice, a gift from God, is incredible. Yeah, it means that people will unfortunately dwindle in unbelief, but for those that choose to exercise faith, the reward of a personal journey to meet, know, and follow Christ is indescribable. Man, it's just toooooo fun to teach these good people. 10 hour work days feel like literally 1 hour. Right now, that's way fine with me. However, I'm sure the rapidity will bite me in the behind in a matter of years when I have to be a real person. 

I was thinking the other day how blessed I am to be out here. I sometimes wake up and look at the calender of Wellesley, the pic Anna drew of me, and the painting my sweet mother did of me and 52 hugging after my 1 meager TD of Senior Year, and miss my other life. Then, I remember that every freakin day I get to work out while listening to 3 General Conference talks, eat a nice old omelet, study the freakin scrips for an hour, plan the lessons and the work with Herm, and then save souls!!! Every single freakin day. College will be sweet, but this is the life. 

That reminds me: THANKS FOR THE PACKAGE!!!! Wow, last Monday was the best p-day ever. I cooked up a nice 3 dollar steak (better than anything in the States for $20) with Mom's steak rub, read letters, looked at pics. Also got like 10 Christmas cards which was dope. I love you all and your thoughts, prayers, and most of all letters are much appreciated.

Alright, logistics:

1. In the next big package, can you send gold bond, family recipes, a good quality rain jacket, lots more pics, including of the house with snow, a veggie (carrot) peeler, and 4 .20mm (the smallest) black architect pens. The one you sent is exactly what I need, but the tip was a bit messed up. Also, in the future, the granola is incredible with the yogurt here, and you can save space by just sending the powdered cheese from Annie Shells. I can buy good pasta.

2. Make sure everyone know my letter address. Also, starting now I have a deal. IF YOU WRITE ME BY HAND, I PROMISE A RESPONSE BY HAND.

Letter Mailing Address

Elder Isaac Blake
Argentina Salta Mission
Casilla de Correo 429
4400 Salta
Salta
Argentina

Package Mailing Address

Elder Isaac Blake
Argentina Salta Mission
Los Eucaliptus 75 B Tres Cerritos
4400 Salta
Salta
Argentina

Sounds like we've all had a fantastic week.  I wish I'd known Lin'cs big day was yesterday, but I think even in the absence of that knowledge, I was blessed with the Spirit of his wonderful covenant. Yesterday was one of the best days I've had on the mission. We had 4 first-time investigators in church, all of whom came on their own (NEVER happens here in lazy ARG). We started working at 5, and we visited a less-active sister whom I've been trying to get back to church. I'd had 2 or 3 really spiritual visits with Elder Ramirez, but didn't realize just how big the impact was that I personally had on her. She told me that in the course of the visits, she had looked into my eyes and seen Jesus Christ. She said something about the Spirit I brought "opened a flower in her heart," and after 10 years of inactivity, she's been 3 weeks straight. I say this not to brag, because quite frankly I was dumbfounded, without words. I can only give credit and glory to God and his marvelous, mysterious ways. I had been battling some inner feelings of disappointment/inadequacy stemming more from impatience than anything, and this was really the 1st experience I've had where somebody has been touched to accept the Gospel by means of Elder Blake. I hope to be worthy to touch many more hearts and (re)open the channels of love and animo (not sure the English word) to participate actively.

The rest of Sunday flew, which is the sign of a good day. We went from house to house basically without problem getting in, which always makes me happy. Nobody likes getting the door slammed in their face (that'd be just an expression, because here, the polite ones just yell thru the window "I'm busy, I don't have time." The rest either aren't home or are asleep). Funny side story from that: yesterday in the bus, I started to talk to this old man. It was super crowded and there was no escape (physically)! However, when I segwayed the small talk into the invitation to talk about Jesus, he cut me off and said "No tengo tiempo para escuchar - I don't have time to listen." This obviously is viable if you're at home or walking or doing something, but this crazy old man staring out the window pulled out a too classic excuse. I laughed a bit and accepted that he just wasn't feeling the love. I wanted so badly to be cheeky and say something like "bor, you're riding the bus, doing absolutely nada, you've got time to chat a little." But, I'm trying to be like Jesus, so I didn't.

As for the rest of the week, it rained a little (Mom, we forgot to think about the weather - don't have an umbrella, or raincoat, or quite frankly anything. Not mad though, I laugh. I'm working on acquiring the needed essentials. We found a handful of really quality investigators, with the backdrop of weeks of nobody new progressing. The signs right now with an equally yoked companionship striving to work in the way of the Lord are all pointing to much success and happiness. 

Bueno, I guess I'll answer miscellaneous stuff from letters.

1. Can you send me my priesthood lineage??

2. The next package you send, will you throw in a few usb flash drives? Super expensive here - not urgent, but wanted

3. Brian - thanks for the advice. We're tossing tons of pucks on net!!

4. Brigham - love to see you're getting in the scrips. I'd offer the generalized interpretation that I've learned quite a bit about. Satan has power over the hearts of men. Things like pride, selfishness, complaining, and generally just being narrow-minded, are little traits he loves to plant and grow in our minds and hearts. No one is exempt, but I invite you to search the BoM (ask Gpa Bringhurst too) for the way  in which we can shield ourselves completely from Satan's influence. At the end of the day, God has given every single one of us our agency because the good choices we make because WE make them, will bring the sweetest fruit. Hard work always pays off. 

Also, congrats on the SAT. Keep praying and trust in God's will. Next time you go to Longfellow, at least say whattup to 34 from me. 

5. Kim  - died with the story about you and your Bishop. Great stuff

6. Dad - thanks for the letter as always. I loved the candid interplay about Linc{s latest escapades. I can relate a ton to football video games obviously, and although I regret wasting some (not all) of my youth on things like that, it makes me happy to picture him getting a kick out it them. 

I'll leave my testimony of the importance/power of the family. I miss ya'll, but I love showing these investigators the pic of us outside of the house right before I left. They all say how cute Anna is, and everyone is jealous of our hair. We hunting for families because it's sincerely the most joyful relationship any of us can have. The family is the reason I've made it this far spiritually, and now the reason I get up, excited to work everyday. Enjoy your families!!! As for mine, we'll be together again soon!

Love ya'll (you're all my family)

Elder Blake

 

Happy Birthday Linc - eating a Happy Meal for him

Happy Birthday Mom - taken on your Birthday

 

Chasing that 10

Good day all,

Its been a fantastic week. Elder Hermansen is a boss hog and we work extremely well together. Let's just leave it at that so I don't say anything bad about my papi. 

It's been great, but it hasn't all been fun. It's been tough. It's been super long and at the same time super short, just like all time is. The number 1 focus this week has been going by the book, specifically -- Preach My Gospel. 

If you are prepping for, or just thinking about, or even have completed, a mission, YOU NEED TO STUDY THIS BOOK. This is literally a missionary´s best friend. Every recipe for success that we are given to share the true happiness and abundant blessings we have with others, lies in this guide. BRIGHAM - STUDY PMG INSIDE AND OUT. My first 3 months I learned to do a lot of things "our way" instead of by PMG, and it's been a tough transition. Elder Hermansen only has 6 weeks more than me in ARG (served 5 months in Houston). We're two awkward gringos (I speak better Spanish) running around Limache trying to baptize, but luckily, he's teaching me to use PMG. We're implementing a lot of new things like lesson plans, baptismal calenders, and simplified teaching methods, to do this work much more efficiently. I absolutely love working with him, especially our comp studies (wild brainstorm sessions). The work is a lot more FUN with him. 

Now for the title reference: I will liken missionary work to chasing after the perfect girl. Every day, were hunting for girls that will go out with us (people that will LISTEN, for the very least). Every girlfriend (investigator) is at a different stage, with different level of potential and interests (problems like religious diffs, amount of time listening). At this point, we're meeting tons of fun, flirty dames that tell us to come back later, and hanging on to that one that you can't seem to shake off even after 4 breakups (Matt has experience with this, me not so much). Carlos and Maricel are breaking our hearts, dragging us through the mud every day. They've each respectively accepted firm baptismal dates and than a week before straight up dumped us. I'ts killing me inside because every person we meet is like that girl I liked soooo bad but could just never seem to pull (def have experience here, but I think my metaphor is dying). Ahahahah I think what I'm trying to say is that I'm learning to open my mouth and ask every girl out, and to not put all my eggs in one basket. We have to love every investigator, but can't get attached. 

This kinda segways into another bit of revelation: the power of the Spirit in conversion. It's tough to know how the girl (investigator) feels about you. It's kinda awkward to straight up ask, but at the same time you can't waste time with someone that's not for real. Basically, we have to put all our trust in God, not these flaky girls. He knows how they feel, and if they will progress. He knows what they need to feel and know in order to do so. What we'll do is create the best environment and avenue for His Spirit to work miracles with as many of these people as we can. I hope I didn't lose you all (I think I lost myself), but if there's a takeaway, it's that I've learned that whether or not ANYONE accepts the message of the Restoration doesn't depend on us individually, but rather how well we invite the Spirit, and at the end of the day, 2 big things: the will of the Lord, and their agency. 

 

Now I'll answer some misc Qs and logistics.

Not sure how New Years is here. Conked out at 11pm exactly. 

Its sweet that your art is displayed at the lib, Mom! Keep it up!

Not sure exactly what I said, but the perfect time to pray together will be right around 11-11:15PM Salta. I think thats 9-9:15 Boston. That's when Im saying my night prayer. I get up right at 7 here

Please type up the letter if you want

I've already kinda reached the same conclusion on parenting as your friend. I think we should model the way God does it, and trust in His way - room for personal growth (with the added risk of falling) is much greater.

 

How's the pension (apartment)? Oh yeah. It'll be a bit of a challenge to not speak English (4 gringos, one BRAND NEW), but we get along great. I like this group way better than the last. We finally get to bed on time, there isn't any contention at all. Elder R and Elder A were big personalities, and didn't mesh very well. todo bien now!!!

Piano - I'm too rusty right now and there's literally no time to practice ever. Sorry - I promise I practice any spare minute in the church (aren't too many)

I'll close with a shout out to Linc and Mom this week - Feliz Cumpleaños!!!! I'll be thinking of y' all the 9th and 11th. 

 

Love you all soooo much

Elder Blake