October 28, 2013

Dearest friends and family,

I´ll start with our investigators:

Victoria - gonna baptize her Saturday. Golden investigator. Reading the LdM (Libre de Mormon) on her own (randomly chose Jacob 5 as her first chapter ever hahahah). Super prepared.

Emmanuel - 15 year old kid who is super friendly and willing to act, at least it seems. He was on a fast track for the 9th of Nov until we saw him smoking something a little stronger than your average cigarette on Sat. He´s been hiding from us ever since and didn´t come to church yesterday. Pray for him. We´re gonna find him and help him, but we need all the help we can get!

Maxi - Boss. Hog. Got out of jail 3 weeks ago and is practically jumping into the waters of baptism. Problem is he works basically 10000 hours a week and we didn´t find him this week until Saturday, just randomly walking on the street. Nov. 16 is his date. Super willing and shows a lot of faith. Maybe not the most educated in the world and I wonder at times if he understands what we´re teaching him. 

These are our big three. Now brief story time. We received a reference and went and clapped this family's door at 9pm (1/2 hour before we call it a night - side note, our schedule is 30 minutes later than the standard missionary 6:30-10:30 because the culture here is one of laziness. Everyone lives like a teenager - stay up all night, sleep in, take a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. Best part, we missionaries still have to get up early and don´t get to nap). Anyway, someone opened the door and motioned to us to wait, so we did. 5 minutes pass and I give another super strong clap. Out walks a 40 or so year old man with his 1 year old son walking in one of those circular baby things (walker) behind him. Seems normal until he pulls out a 10 inch David Bowie hunting knife and starts to unsheath it. "Se va" he says (Directly translated - you leave. What he really meant - get lost before I stab you). Honestly, I was pretty scared, and then pretty embarrassed afterwards. My initial reaction was just to walk away, and I started to back away. My comp, however, asked him if we could share a message about Jesus Christ. "se VA." As I walked away, I regretted not standing stronger. I´m a servant and representative of Jesus Christ. Faith and fear cannot coexist. I wish I would have told him "no va a hacer nada. Sabemos que usted es un hijo de Dios, y estamos aqui a ayudarle a vivir con su Papá otra vez." Well, I didn´t. Lesson learned. Authority comes with the calling, but power comes with faith. Watch. It´s coming. 

S/o to Rory for the email. Keep doing your thing. Love hearing from you.

Everyone else that I haven't been able to write back, I'm thinking about you and your letters are MUCH appreciated.

Also s/o to Jesse Dimick for everything. You rock.

My message for this week comes from 1 Nephi 16, (Book of Mormon) and comes from an intense study I have commenced to help me reconcile and pack away thoughts and yearning for you all, my home land. I encourage ALL to read this chapter. Basically, the conclusion I reached (surface level) is that we all must enter our own personal "wildernesses" in order to really grow and progress. This takes many forms, mine being the mission. Don´t get me wrong, I love this work. But I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be more comfortable in the good old USA . Nephi and his family embark into the literal wilderness. It sucks. In the wilderness, we have 2 choices. Good attitude or bad attitude. Attitude is altitude. Because you know what? It´s almost certainly gonna get worse before it gets better. Adversity is inevitable. For Nephi, it was a broken bow. and thus now way to feed his family. Right now for me, its the knowledge that my brother and best friend is suffering. Literally, ACL surgery is the most pain I've ever experienced. But the benefit of a good attitude, coupled with the lesson of Nephi's eventual victory, is that with the help of our Father in Heaven, our wilderness will be bearable, and the result of having endured: indescribable joy. That's what I'm working for right now. Literally, it's to bring this knowledge and assurance to the people of Limache, Salta, Argentina. Long term, I'm working towards that day in 2 years when I see ya'll again, and 3 years when I see 52 again. "There must needs be opposition in all things." If we don't know pain and discomfort, how can we recognize bliss?

Now for some logistics:

P-day (preparation day - every Monday) is a literal renewal of motivation and energy. To be able to hear about how things are in my other life is incredibly satisfying. 

I'm gonna buy sunscreen, but its way expensive. Might need some more money later. 

Could you email me some family pictures?

Also, could you try hard to find some different pictures/paintings of Isaac and Abraham at the alter and email them to me?

Please specify to everyone that I print my emails and read them throughout the day before I write!! Don´t hold back. Email is the fastest and easiest way to communicate!!!

I'll send you a list of stuff I'd like in a package next week.

Pic:

Wall next to my bed with dope quote and my boys. Family pics are bookmarks in my scrips :)

Love ya'll,

Gang love

Go Raiders

Keep the Faith

Elder Blake

Julia here: Here's the quote from the pic.  Jeffrey R. Holland is one of our church leaders (one of our 12 Apostles, to be more precise).  He gives the MOST amazing talks.  Look him up on youtube or your favorite search engine.  It will be worth your time!) : 

“The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead; we remember that faith is always pointed toward the future.”

― Jeffrey R. Holland, Created for Greater Things

October 21, 2013

Family and Friends,

Life is great. I'm adjusting perfectly fine to the newness of it all. There are dogs everywhere you look (in fact, there is one climbing on my back in this cyber cafe as I write!) but in general they aren't bad. Also, its not an uncommon occurence for someone to scream ¨hello¨or ¨how are you¨ immediatley upon seeing my white skin and light brown hair. Quite fun. The only thing right now, apart from the language of course, is the killer heat. Must have hit 100 yesterday. I'm sure you aren't loving the cool fall air but know I miss it dearly! I can't say I'm looking forward to spending Christmas in a puddle of sweat!

As for the Raider Card story Mom, you'd be surprised how similar Raider Cards and the mission is! Let's just say I get rejected my fair share! Side note, s/o to the Superkos for hooking Brigham up!

Your questions:

1. I would love if Brigham used my PFs! Write a 40 and 52 or something on them!

2. I´m looking in to contacts here. It's unsurprising very difficult to talk prescription and length of supply in Spanish and in pesos! I'm gonna hold up but I'll let you know when I get around to it.

3. PLEASE make a binder of my emails!

4. Keep the blog open! It will be far more effictive that way. 

5. Doug sent me an email that I need you to help me with. I'll forward it to you!

Side note for DJ - Still haven't had a traditional steak. Only thing I've really had is milanesa, chicken breast, empanadas, potato salad, and rice. Every meal is some combo of that.

Hardest thing right now is not the language. I can communicate and understand well enough in lessons. On the street, its coming. The hardest thing these last few days has been motivation/distraction. Nothing major but this p-day has already been a huge blessing in terms of getting some real world info and putting my purpose back in perspective. Will admit though, knowing Brigham is under the knife as we speak and will be suffering these next few weeks isn't easy. I'll address that in his email.

Last side note, love the sports updates! Go Sox! Perfect amount of info, though I would like to know how the Pats are doing. 

Not a lot of time but I wanna share some experiences from this week. I read a talk from Elder Bednar, in Spanish, in the Liahona (a church magazine in Spanish). We have every Liahona from this last decade! Anyway, the theme was that through the healing power of the atonement, we can be lifted to overcome and withstand anything. God isn't gonna lift our burdens, but rather strengthen us so that we can lift them! How great a knowledge! There were some great scrips from Mosiah and Alma but I don't remember them! Brigham - *D&C 103:36 - recovery will be tough but you can get through it!

*Doctrine and Coventants (Mormon scripture) 'All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith.'

Mom and Dad, very cool experience you had with Michelle L. Had a very similar one with an investigator named Victoria. We've been teaching her for only a week now. She is super golden and willing, but doesn't feel prepared or sufficiently changed to be baptized. I shared Alma 7:15-16  with her and she accepted a date for this Saturday!  

(from the Book of Mormon) Alma 7:15-16

15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin which doth easily beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness if unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.

16 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me.

Not a lot of time, but the Spirit was strong! Michelle, you are ready now!

Looking Sunburned :(

Sorry - I can't figure out how to rotate this.

Bathroom

Bedroom

Study Area

See 2 Nephi 26:24 'He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the , even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not be partakers of his salvation.'

Finally, as you can see from the pics, I had my first baptism Saturday! Sadly the attendence consisted of 6 missionaries, 1st counseler of the bishopric, and the relief society pres. Regardless, it was a really cool experience! 

Hopefully I haven't set the bar too high for deep, profound emails! Can't think of much else to say. I've reached the end of the honeymoon stage - time to roll up my sleeves and get to work for the next 22 months!

Love you

Raider Pride and Gang Love for life

Elder Blake

First Week in Argentina October 14, 2013

Ok Familia and friends - here goes! I have sooooo much I could say but I obviously only have an hour (45 mins now that I've finished printing my 10000 emails - thanks!!!)

Details first - I've been assigned to labor in Limache, a neighborhood in the very south of Salta Capital, only 20 minutes from the offices and mission home. My comp is Elder Ramirez, from Sonora Mexico. He's been out 10 months and mas que nada, an answer to much prayer. He's honestly the best trainer I could have asked for. Barely speaks English so I have to speak Spanish but he knows enough that he can help me out with new words. He's a super hard worker! Doesn't dilly dally and really knows his stuff. I'm in a pension (apt) with him and two other elders - Elder Alvarez de Honduras and Elder Durrant from Idaho. Both are great. 

Here´s the scoop on the mission: I was skeptical before about how this could be any harder that preseason in football or some strenuous task like that - only took 2 days to realize I was dead wrong! This is and is going to be the hardest 2 years of my life, up to this point, hands down. I'm talking physically, emotionally, spiritually - the whole nine yards all in one 2 year marathon of WORK. But, the good news is this - I know without a doubt that it easily has the potential to be the best 2 years, just as the movie goes, IF everyday, I work harder than the day before. If everyday, I am more obedient than the day before.  It´s how the mission works, its how life works.

One really cool thing I´ve been able to see already is the coming to fruition of the blessings and necessity of basically every piece of advice I received as I´ve been preparing. Work hard, be obedient, trust in the Lord - the keys that everyone says are imperative for success, I´ve really been able to see that they´re true.

Another realization, one a little more powerful and a liiittttllleeee more important, is the impact of these last 7 days on my testimony of the Book of Mormon, The Atonement, the Church. Honestly, I was laying in bed my first night in the pension, window open and dogs barking, cars, motos roaring, and people yelling, pretty down emotionally. It was the most lost I´ve felt in years. I started to question for the first time sincerely - why am I here, do I really wanna do this for 2 whole years, without rest, can I even do it. I was scared. I was, quite simply, sad. But, there´s also hope to this story. I said a prayer, quite simply (in Spanish of course), and asked Heavenly Father for a firm witness of the veracity of these things, the work I will be doing these two years. I didn´t doubt my faith, but I basically told myself - if by any means possible its not true, I´m freaking getting out of this strange place. If it is true, I vow to work my tail off to bring this message to as many people as I can in two years, setting aside all other worries and fears. The next few days, in the midst of constant walking (feels like 10+`miles a day), talking (trying) with people in the street, and more than anything, listening (most of this insane Argentine Spanish flying right over my head), I´ve received my answer. Little by little, I´ve been able to feel the truth of my words as they come out of my mouth in broken, Gringo Spanish. I KNOW these things are true. I EXHORT every single person that reads this email to give them a shot, ask God if the Book of Mormon isn´t His word, that it isn´t true. This is what I spend my days doing, bearing my testimony and inviting others to ask for themselves. I promise you all, as I promise these people in Limache, that this is true, that this is the path to ultimate happiness.

Running out of time so I´ll plan to disperse my thousand thoughts among the coming weeks. I´ll finish with some logistics/weird details:

1. The address my mom sent out for letters will work great! Please send stuff by pouch or whatever. 

2. Saw Leah Fessler (don´t know her but recognized her from WHS ´11) in the Buenos Aires airport. Super weird. 

3. Ned, Matt, and Dario - heard an Argentine version of Another Day in Paradise straight bumping from this run down slum house made out of cinder blocks and tin roofing. I´ll try to get a pic.

4. Can´t send very many pics today - this pc stinks

I know I can be a bit over the top at times with my emails and my love for this Gospel and this work, but I plead with you to understand that the only reason for my overbearance is that I KNOW its true and at times, I just feel like finding some higher ground and screaming for all to hear.

Love y´all

Go Raiders

Go Pats

Go Bs

Go Sox

Go Cougars

The Church is True!

Elder Blake (40)

 PS - Elder Ramirez just made the best tacos I´ve ever had. My cup runneth over!

Pictures from Salta

With President and Sister Levrino

Isaac and his first companion

Dinner with the new missionaries and their companions

October 9, 2013

First pic from Salta!

Isaac left for Argentina Monday morning.  We got to talk to him while he was in the SLC and Atlanta airports.  We are so happy that Facebook allowed us to get this picture because now we know that he made it to his destination (or at least to the Mission Home).  Salta is 1000 miles from Buenos Aires and he didn't know how he was making that last leg of the trip. He'll likely not be in his first area until tomorrow.  Waiting is like watching grass grow.  We can tell he's happy though! 

October 5, 2013

Isaac received an email that Wellesley football lost to Walpole.  This email came right after that:

Noooooooo. 

I bought a phone card that I'm hoping will work in ATL. I'll call in SLC for sure and I'm sure El Senor will provide a way in ATL.  I can deliver a message for sure. Also, make sure EVERYONE stays awake tomorrow (for General Conference). I received a ton of revelation from today's 6 hours (and through the power of prayer, despite getting up at 5:45 to do service, was awake for all 6). There were a number of talks that gave specific direction to Brigham's current trial, especially both Uchtdorfs. Make sure he studies those!  But tomorrow is gonna be awesome I'm sure. I wish I would have taken notes and gone in with specific questions I had in mind in the past. Pass along my strong exhortation to all please! 

Can't wait to hear your voices!

Elder Blake

October 4, 2013

Family (Brigham),

Devastating to hear about the injury. 52, hope you got my letter that I sent off Monday morning, where I said most of what I've been thinking and feeling. It was torture from Sunday afternoon when I found out via Thira Christensen and fam who I "bumped into" at the Temple clear till Tuesday night when they finally delivered my first DearElders (for some reason they didn't print them Monday). I had been on a bit of a small-scale, slow decline, which culminated in one of the worst talks I've ever heard at the Tuesday Devo. Luckily, I got to read your letters right afterwards. Brigham - that was the single greatest thing I've ever read. Every prayer from Sunday-Tuesday was answered through that letter. I really can't put it into words. There's something about the combination of brotherhood, football, and the Gospel that goes into our bond that I could never give enough thanks for to our Heavenly Father. It doesn't seem fair and honestly, it probably flat out is not fair at all that it happened to you, but like Adam said to you, (thank you!!) there really is so much more to life than football. I promise that everything ahead of you is better than what's behind. As much as it sucks to lose your senior season, I believe that you will come to know that the introspection and new perspectives that come from a (seemingly) life-altering event like a torn ACL are a tremendous blessing. At a certain point in everyone's career, they won't be able to go back and rewrite even a single sentence of their story (unless you're in the movie Touchback, more on that later). It's the one thing about high school sports that is both glorious and heart-breaking at the same time. However, you will gradually come to find more and more blessings that will come out of that early ending. As for another thing Adam said - cherish the relationships you have on the team. It sounds like there was an overwhelming amount of support from the BoB last weekend. That's one thing no one will ever be able to take from you. Ask anyone on last year's team; very few of us hung out much outside of football, but those guys will always be some of my best friends. On the field or not, you are still a leader and still a Raider. Keep your head up and do always those things that please Him. There isn't a play we can't make.

As for Touchback, I'm sure Matt is gonna crack up at this reference. There's this low budget film about a dude in a similar situation as you. I will admit it was one of the cheesiest, poorly made movies I've ever seen, but the message is golden. I'd check it out in the next little while. Pay attention to the things most important in life.

I have little time to answer everyone individually, so I'm gonna send some quick s/os. Hope you understand!

Ned - Brotha! So good to hear from you! Sounds like life is great and you're starting to sort out the most important things in life. Keep doing your thing - proud of you!

Brian - s/o to the most consistent writer! Seems like life is great with you too. Thanks for always letting me know whats up and whats down. Means the world to hear from you (all of you!)

Riley - Love getting the BYU low-down from you. Did you honestly expect things would even be kinda the same without half the DRC? C'bannn. We got to go to the JKB on BYU campus to get fingerprints this past Monday. We stood on the sidewalk between Helaman and the HSFB for close to 20 minutes waiting for the shuttle but no dice! Didn't see anyone I even recognized. Good and a bad thing I guess. Thanks for writing me though - best of luck with Rugby. Sounds... interesting. 

Hugh - write me bro

Before I sign off, just wanna share a few scriptures with Brigham, first and foremost, but everyone really: 

1 Nephi 11:17, Nephi says "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."

          Pretend like I'm saying this. I KNOW God loves you bro. I know He loves all of us. Every single person that reads this letter is a child of God. Think about how much your own parents love you, and then know that's not even close to how much God loves you. That being said, I certainly don't know the meaning of even some things. I have no clue why a torn ACL had to be in your story. But, I know He loves you and there IS a reason for it. 

1 Nephi 20:10 10 For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of ^aaffliction.

I wrote something like this on the outside of the envelope I sent you, and coincidentally, that was before I came across this verse in my study. I said, "Don't let it define you. Let it refine you." I think we often view trials and afflictions as "the end of the world" type events. We let them weigh us down and oppress us, convincing ourselves that nothing could make it better. We let them 'define' us. I think if we were to change one letter in that word, flipping to 'refine,' and in the process change our perspective and attitudes, we would see that afflictions are merely just Heavenly Father tossing us in His furnace, heating and cooking us so that we can emerge out the other side a perfected gem or precious metal. It takes time and a lot of patience to acquire the perspective that will allow us to embrace the furnaces were are all tossed in every now and then. They really stink. If we persevere, though, I testify that we will be able to look God in the eyes after this life and hear him say about each one of us, "I have refined THEE."

Ok, so by way of logistics: Family, please be by the phone between (all east coast times) 11 AM-1 PM and 5 PM-11 PM. At these times, I will be in the Salt Lake and Atlanta airports!! En route to, guess where?!?!? BUENOS AIRES! Yep, that's right! Last night, our whole zone, minus poor Elder Padgett (heading to Colombia - Robin represent!) got the pleasant surprise of travel plans in our mail boxes. I guess they didn't stop the wave of tourist visas after all! 

I will be leading Rogue Squadron 7 (Me, and 6 West Campus Elders going to Salta as well) as we embark from SLC to ATL and ATL to EZE. We're flying from 11-5 to ATL and then 9 PM - 8AM to Argentina! Gonna conk out on some sleeping pills. We're supposed to meet the Mission Pres in BA, but after that, I have no clue how we're getting to Salta. After having my expectations bounce all around like a beach ball at a Nickleback concert, they've settled on the original plan all along. 2 days of General Conference (yee yee!) and then just like that, I'm off. Peace out America! 

What does this mean?

1. Totally forgot up till now - Mom, can you order me some more contacts and send them to the address in my call packet? I have enough for about 6 months but I'd love to get a stimulus package when I run out. 

2. No more DearElders! That site only works for the MTC (or at least I'm pretty sure it doesn't work for my mission). Please don't send anything through there, cause the only one who's gonna get to read them are by buddy Padgett. From here on out, I'm banking on email as being the only source of communication. I think letters take about 4+ weeks between ARG and the USA. To be completely honest, I'll probably only ever be able to make time for this family email and maybe one other. It would mean the world to me if y'all would continue to fill me in on your lives via quick emails, even though I probably won't be able to respond to most!

Before I forget, a few requests:

Mom/Dad: could you email me a list of the best conference talks ever, or something along those lines? You can probably find something on google or something. I don't know how it will be in the field, but we can use LDS.org through our missionary login so I love listening to talks when I can. 

If possible, could you send me any/all info you have on G-Pa Donkey Wonkey's life? I can also go on familysearch.org and it's pretty cool to see who I come from.

I think that's all for now!

Cuanto más cuesta, cuanto más vale! 

Love, Elder Blake