Eternal Friends 2/16/2015

Hey fam,

This week we had leadership meeting in Salta. Got a letter from the Brajeda family (Leandro) in Jujuy. They let me know that Norma and Alberto, his parents, got baptized!!! The best part was that Leo missed the baptism because... he went to the temple in Buenos Aires to do baptisms for the dead!!! Lets'sssss ggoooooooooo.

It's news like this that brings me true joy in the mission.

Mom, please send a message to Leo via Facebook and tell him to write me!

I've been thinking a lot lately about the importance of the GIFT of the Holy Ghost, something we members take for granted a lot. In accordance with our worthiness aka obedience, we have the right to be guided in all that we do, especially in order that we might be instruments in God's hands to bless His children. I've been really motivated lately thinking about the Marcantano family. There are so few sincere seekers of truth that seek, find, and then persevere. In my experience, they are an excellent example. I'd love to hear from Bro or Sister Marcantano a bit (a lot) more about their conversion. I'd like them to know how much I love and respect them for their dedication and sincerity.

Well, my search marches on. We had a great young family in church yesterday. About 3 weeks ago, Oscar, the dad, flagged us down in the street. Told us he was looking for the nearest Jehovahs Witness church. We're like, “No clue, but we know where the Church of Jesus Christ is...”

We set a date, and went and taught him, his wife, and 9 year old son the Restoration. Their son is a BOSS. Knows the Bible better than I do, seriously. Well, long story short, they kinda fought in their family, and told us Sunday that they were gonna stick with the Witnesses. We challenged their son to read 3 Nephi and said we'd come back in 2 or 3 weeks to see how it went. Well, last Sunday we went back and whoa.... They let us in and Oscar says “We never found a JW church, and my son likes your book, so we're gonna stick with you.” Meta.

I was on splits in another area, but Edwards went on Thursday. Well, yesterday (Sunday), at 9 on the dot, they rolled up, Lucas (9) in a tie and everything. The members were excellent fellowshipping and they loved church. They want us to visit them with members, and they seem very sincere seekers of truth! Let's hope the seed has been planted in fertile ground.

Saturday, we had 2 incredible baptisms, highlighted by 78 year old Hugo that I mentioned a few weeks ago. He was in tears afterwards and is the straight definition of “tender little fellow.”

I love the work and am striving to dedicate myself 100%. I'm not perfect either Brigham, but am confident that God sees my effort.

Love ya'll

Elder Blake

How Bad do you Want it?

Hey fam and friends,

I've been doing a lot of studying and pondering lately, especially yesterday in Sac meeting. The more I'm here, the more I see that the missionaries in the zone don't always go on a mission to serve their purpose to invite others to come unto Christ through the Gospel. Who knows what motivates them, but at the end of the day, I think it is and should be different for everyone. Regardless of what drives you, both in this divine work and in life, one key element to success is dedication. I need to be more dedicated, and see and feel that the rest of the zone does as well.

One of the best examples of dedication that I know is my dog Matt Lawrence. Going in to his senior basketball season, he decided that no one would get in his way of becoming the best player he could be. His vision was incredibly high and he dedicated himself to achieve his goals. I don't fully understand how, but this got him thru a summer of grueling workouts, and hours in the gym. He really surprised the whole town of Wellesley, as he came out flying and was one of the best players in the Bay State. What I admired most about his season was his pure grit, and his disappointment when the team fell short in the playoffs. I've never seen a brother so devastated. He was completely consecrated to the cause, and naturally it hurt when he fell short.

Alright, now I can't express myself as well as I was thinking, and given that I've only got 7 minutes left, here's the takeaway.

Preaching the Gospel is the most important cause in the universe. Moses 1:39 - His work and glory is the eternal life of His children. But what about our work and glory? DyC 11:20 - ""

GOSH DARN IT I don't have time. I feel it in my bones that to really achieve what He expects of me in this work requires that I give EVERYTHING I have - heart, might, mind, and strength. 100% exact obedience to his commandments and standards. Nobody is perfect, and He doesn't expect perfect servants, but he expects a complete effort. DyC 123:17

I'm working on my patience, but it's really starting to get on my nerves just how many people let selfish things weigh them down in this work. We think about OURSELVES way too much. This is called trunkiness in the mission - slacking off because you're close to going home and doing worldly things. DEJÁ AMIGO. Dejá de pensar en vos!!

Hahah forgive my lack of coherency - let's just all try to lose ourselves a but more in our cause. If we do, not only will others be blessed, but we will as well. It's a LIFELONG battle, but it can be fought and won. Lucas 9:23-24. John 3:30

Be great, DON'T SETTLE - Many are called but few are chosen - 3 Nefi 27:33

Elder Blake out

Keep Pressing On

Fam and friends,

Had a pretty solid, standard week. We had zone meetings on Tuesday, did service on Wed, splits with another area Thurs and Friday. Our pool of investigators is somewhat stagnant, but expanding and moving along.

ahahhaha I'm in the middle of reading your letters as I write this and I can't help but acknowledge that the Pats won the Superbowl. I was trying to get refocused for the week to come but I guess that'll have to wait a bit... As Chris Sarni always says, "Goooo Pattttssssss." Not gonna lie, I kinda fist pumped here in the church where we're writing.

Back to the letter - Mom, don't worry about the music - my comps have hooked me up good and I'm all set for the last stretch. A lot of MoTab, piano hymns, and modern versions of our favorite hymns. While we're at it, I'd like to request that if you're gonna send a package (and this goes for EVERYONE), please ask me first. It's really expensive to pick them up here... I'm good with matieral goods for now. Thank you all though.

Mom, to answer your Q from a few weeks back - it's not looking like I'll be having the opportunity to train again. You never know and I'd totally do it if the Lord called me to, but with 4 transfers left it's just not looking too likely. There are a lot of Zone Leaders heading home in 3 weeks and that will leave me one of the more experienced leaders in the mission (funny because I've hardly had much experience).

This week, I've been able to strengthen my relationship with Elder Edwards a ton. We had a rough day Tuesday but we talked it out at night and that made all the difference. Like Elder Zwick said last Apr - "What do you think?" Or maybe in Eng it's "what are you thinking?" I love using this question with everyone - helps clear up a lot of confusion and really strengthen bonds. We spent the rest of the week conversing, laughing, bonding.

Apart from that, I've been trying to buckle down and live the Word of Wisdom better, including early to bed early to rise like it says in DyC 88:124. It's really tough here in ARG because every doggone meal features chicken or meat, but I'm trying to eat it sparingly. Trying to eat less in general, sleep on time and eliminate the 15 power naps that we're technically allowed to take if necessary, but have become not so necessary. I studied a chapter in the Teachings of Brigham Young on self control and love it! I'm out of time to include quotes, but I think it's chap 24 or something like that for those interested! Saturday Luis is getting baptized - let the work march on!

Elder Blake

Me and my boy Luis

 

 

Our outside door doesnt work so I have to hop the fence every day!

Open your mouth!

Hey fam and friends,

We set my personal record this week for contacts, shattering the previous week. My mouth was literally dry at the end of the week from so much talking (and a LOT of Santiago sun.) It's really fun to talk with everyone, meet them, hear their stories (and their excuses, not so fun) or their straight up rejections. We are finding a TON of people to teach.

I'd like to highlight a few conversion stories!

Maria Victoria Camacho Paz is a 9 year old girl, the daughter of Miriam, a woman who has reactivated herself in the last 2 months! I had the priviledge of baptizing her on Sat! She is golden - says she loves going to church every Sunday and if it were up to her, she'd never miss. ALso, she plans on serving a mission in 10 years.

Fabiana More, who I've mentioned, is really one of the most converted people I've ever taught. She spends her day reading the scriptures and is really starting to find a ton of comfort and solace in them. SHe's a warrior, and has had a really hard life, especially with her ex husband etc. When I got here, she was honestly full of pure anger, and for a few weeks each "lesson" was us listening, almost like a therapy session. ALl of the sudden when we finally were able to visit her with a few different members, she's changed completely. She tells us that every day, she feels more and more like getting baptized. We're hoping she'll have the faith to take that step soon!

Last Sat, we visited an older woman who's been inactive for a while - shared a powerful message on the Atonement. She came to church the next day and invited us over for lunch whenever we wanted. Well Saturday, she made us asado (the best lunch there is) and bonus, her husband was there! He's like 80 and is struggling healthwise, which kinda discourages her and is the reason she went inactive. Out of nowhere, Hugo, husband, breaks down crying because he misses his deceased family members. We testified of the Atonement and resurrection, and invited him to be baptized. Luisa tells us that missionaries have insisted with him for 20 years to no avail. He immediately said yes, and they went to church together yesterday.

I can't describe the happiness I can see in their eyes. It fills my heart with joy. I LOVE this work and this Gospel, and I know it's true. There is not a single doubt in my mind.

Love, Elder Blake

PS- Brig - keep your mind on your mission, 100 percent!!

SERVICE - I went a little hardo with the machete, but the tree didn't live to tell anyone

The Piano Man is Back

Hey fam,

Running out of time, but it's been a fantastic week. I'm gonna copy paste a few conversion stories of a couple of our investigadores, and I'm sorry ahead of time, the translation won't be too clear. Try and learn Spanish to understand it better. 

Nuestro amigo Luis tiene 25 años y ha tenido algunos accidentes, algunos golpes a la cabeza. No capta mucha informacion, pero tiene deseos de seguir a Cristo. Ha ido a la Iglesia 3 veces con un miembro a la vuelta. Me encanta enseñarle y ver cuanto ha progresado en algunas semanas. Hemos enseñado L3 5 veces para que aprenda bien el Evangelio, y va recordando mas y mas.

Fabiana es una mujer mayor, con 2 hijos. Ella hace un mes estaba dejando de progresar, aunque nunca dejo de leer el LdM. No sabiamos porque ella "no se hallaba dentro de la Iglesia" hasta que le enseñamos con la Pte de la Soc Soc. Ellas estan en situaciones familiares muy parecidas, y sacamos todas sus dudas en cuanto a la vida eterna como mama soltera etc. Desde ese dia, hemos ido con muchos miembros diferentes y de repente, Fabiana se animo muchisimo y llego a la Iglesia sola, y esta a punto de bautizarse! Hace un mes, cada leccion ella estaba llorando etc, y fue muy dificul tenerle paciencia, pero persistimos y hicimos la obra en la manera del Señor, y fue toda la diferencia. Es una de las investigadoras mas convertidas que he conocido. Lei 1 Tes 2:19, 20, y 1 Tes 3:8 esta semana, y asi es como lo describo yo, tener conversos reales. 

Tambien, enseñamos una hermana investida inactiva que vive con algunos problemas. Esta bajoneada por la salud de su marido. Compartimos Mosiah 14 sobre la Expiacion y sentimos el Espiritu fuerte. Se comprometio asistir, y nos ofrecio almuerzo cualquier Sabado. LLego sola a la Iglesia ayer.

Elder Edwards came focused and fired up and we got after it this week. In few words, I love contacting and being guided by the Spirit. We're finding a ton of new people that have desires to follow Jesus. The members are getting involved and we're organizing a ton with them to get out and teach!

Hey, wanna know something really trippy? I'm the oldest missionary in our zone of 28. Whoa. 

Mom, get on google and find out where Santiago del Estero ranks in terms of hottest cities on the planet. The people here say it's top 3. 

I'm finding a lot of joy in this journey, and the work is way more than worth it. Keep pressing on everyone!

Love you all,

Elder Isaac Blake

PS - I'm the new branch pianist again. (Branch means small congregation - Ward is larger congregation).

New Page

Hey fam,

I'm here writing on the tail end of my first all-nighter in the mission!! Hahaha wasn't nothing like an all-nighter in the den with the gang, but something along those lines. Last night we had transfers, and I had to make sure everyone made it out of here to their new provinces on the right bus at the right time. That included my good friend Elder Vera, who will finish his mission in Tucuman. Elder Edwards, from San Diego CA, has recently joined me to lead the fold in Santiago. His last comp was... Elder Miño, my beloved hijo!!! I'm pumped, I don't know much about him but I'm sure he works great.

This week, we headed to Salta for our leadership council. A really good, spiritual conference helped me renew the fire. Also, I received really great news about previous areas! Aldana and Gabi (Limache) are active. Victoria (Limache) is still inactive because her fam got mad, but she's feeding the Elders etc. 

That reminds me, mom, will you please reach out to Victoria on FB and tell her I'm praying a lot for her and that I know the BoM is true and will bless her life as she keeps reading. I don't know what God's plan for her is, but I feel strongly that I will see her again in this life or the next and the reunion will be sweet.

Also, I'm not sure how much I talked about her, but an awesome investigator (her partner is (was) an inactive member) named Cinthia Barrancos in Jujuy, got married and baptized by her husband at the end of Dec! She's a miracle, and just finally made it to church my last Sunday there, after battling with a pretty tough sickness. It made me really happy to get this news, and I hope to keep hearing good things from my friends here in Argentina.

I'm not sure what much else there is to share from this week. We keep talking with everyone and are seeing progress in the area as a result. On Sat, E Vera and I had a good old companionship inventory to shake out a few things that were bothering us, and we ended up feeling a lot of brotherly love, coming out of it a whole lot closer. He's great and I'm gonna miss him. He taught me a lot about service and humility, and it really feels like it was yesterday that I came here. 

I'll close with what I spoke on in church yesterday. They asked me to give a talk last minute, in large part because we only had 30 people in attendance. I spoke about the power and influence of our words, and how the Atonement can help us speak more lovingly. Countless times in my life I've seen other people interact without the Spirit and it's really sad the biting affect can have a thoughtless word or 2. I shared scrips like Eph 4:29, 32, I John 4:7-9 , 2 Nefi 33:1, and Galatians 6:10. I've been loving my NT studies lately. I know that if we seek to always speak by the Spirit and full of love, everyone will be happy. 

Shoutout to all my friends and family. I've got 7 short months on my ticket and I've had some dreams/experiences lately that have scared me into working harder because I know that after these 7 months life will never be the same. I don't know if I'll ever have the same calling and authority to teach and testify of Jesus Christ as I do now, and this time has grown to be one of the most precious gifts I have.

Love, 

Elder Isaac Blake

Happy 2015

Hey fam and friends,

This week has been really great - stressful but very rewarding. We're pressed for time because we're here in the bus terminal waiting for our bus to Salta for leadership meeting, so I won't have time to read and respond. Sorry!

Kinda weird writing after a short week. Since Wed, we've kept the fire going, talking with everyone!! This week, we did 154 street contacts, which is the highest week total I've hit since I started keeping track about 6 months ago. They weren't in vain! We're exploding the teaching pool here in Autonomia and had 7 investigators in Church yesterday. That's the most E' Vera has had in his 4 months. We're really excited because 6 of the 7 are people we've been working hard to get to church, and the 7th is a friend of a member that wants to learn more about the Gospel!

We're focusing here and in the whole zone on talking with everyone. About a year ago, Elder Ballard came to ARG and talked about just how important it is to do so, using some very strong words. He essentially said that if a missionary doesn't talk with at least 20 people per day and ask for refs from everyone, he or she wont have success on the mission. Those are harsh biting words, and that can certainly be overwhelming for some, but if we trust in the scrips, like DyC 24;12, we will be given strength and courage to open our mouths. I KNOW that if we do what the prophet and apostles council us to do, we will be blessed! 

It can be tough to help the other companionships build their faith in this work and in the promises of the Lord and His servants, but its possible. I've been studying every Sunday in DyC 121:34-46 about how to better influence for good. 

1st: gotta clean out the closet of ALL pride and selfishness

2nd: Seek to cultivate Christ's attributes, most of all, CHARITY (TPLOC - s/o Sister Shearer!!)  The pure love of Christ

3rd: Follow the Spirit in reprehending and exhorting and praising

I love the work and the Gospel. Sun's coming out but the Autonomia Express is also picking up the pace, so watch out Satan! Hahaha ok but seriously, I feel really good about what we're trying to do, 'seeking to establish His Zion' (1 Nefi 13:37), and can see the Lord's hand guiding us. I've started to realize just how important it is to trust in His Spirit in all that I do so that I can be sure I'm on His errand, and I hope to keep following it more faithfully. 

Love yall,

Elder Isaac Blake

PS - check out this tractor tire we lifted from a soccer field and wheeled like 2 miles to our house one morning. I'm doing the classic Jesse Davis tire flips along side the house in the AM to stay light on my feet and strong in the hole. GO Raiders!!

Monthly Leadership Meeting in Salta