July 24, 2023

Big news. Bellingham kicked me out. I was doing too good of a job up here, the branch couldn't keep up so they had me booted. Not entirely the truth but hey, makes me feel better. 

So yeh my president called me and told me that he was moving me all the way down to Seattle! The complete other side of my mission. At first I was sad cause that meant I'm gonna leave all of my friends, and I was ready to lead this area, and do all that good stuff. But I guess sometimes...we get thrown for a loop. I had to say bye to my friend, Jesús. And so many other wonderful people that I got to know here in my first zone. 

Our apartment is a mess as we are trying to pack up all three of our things. My comps are both going home, which is strange cause like, I'll never see them again as missionaries. They'll just be normal people, doing regular things...wild. They've taught me so many things that I hope I can pass on to anyone I may train later on.

The craziest part about this transfer is that I have better Spanish than my companion will have...which will be FUNKY cause my comps are basically fluent, and in the process have taught me a lot of words which has helped immensely to grow my Spanish knowledge. So I will be leading most of the Spanish sides of things. 

All of this drama of moving places so suddenly, has been a testament to me that sometimes, we have a plan all set up, ready to do things our way. But God will always have his plan for us, one that will always be better if we allow him to take charge. Even though my plans were taken down, I know that God will make sure I am placed in the exact place I am needed. Follow God in all things, trust in him. Ponga su confianza en Él. Para siempre jamás. 

- Elder Blankenbiller

July 18, 2023

Sorry I missed last week, I blanked on it and we were rushing around a lot. I'll give you a quick rundown of what we have been up to. 

We ate with some people from Oaxaca, who only speak dialect except for the dad, and we had some very authentic food which was very good too. We had boiled squash in a bowl, and we had a plate of beans with a jalapeño. Which were bomb. The squash was hard to get down because the texture didn't sit well with me after the second bite, but the flavor was good. 

Jesus is still the goat, our member friend. He takes us on runs and gives us breakfast every pday. A true man. Un hombre del senor. 

I have a week left with my trainers (“parents”) before they leave me forever. They leave the mission a week from Wednesday!! I'll get a new companion, hopefully stay up here in Bellingham, and I won't have anyone to give me corrections on my Spanish! It's weird thinking I'll never see them again as missionaries. I've known them for 12 weeks and then boom, they're back to normal life. 

I won't write more due to lack of time, but I'm doing so well up here, I've got so many great friends, they're progressing amazingly and I'm having such a good time. Speaking Spanish, eating great food, meeting people, serving the Lord, all of it. It's such a privilege to be called to serve and gather Israel at such an important time. 

Esté es todo, Ciao 

Elder Blankenbiller

July 3, 2023

So another pday has passed by and my email is probably going to be another short one. But hey, at least I got one. The Lord loves effort. 

This last week was a long one, not horribly long but long enough, yknow what I mean? Yeh, I'll give some quick highlights, just what I've been up to, the works. 

Alright so we had a combined zone council in the middle of the Woods, and the theme was the restoration. It was a gorgeous day to do this - sun was out, birds were out, scriptures were out, we were just out. I love it. It was a super cool experience because we all got to have our own first visión type experience. We got to find a spot in the Woods and pray about a question we have. It was crazy peaceful, I loved it.

On another note, we hit a jackpot for Latinos. We met this guy from Nicaragua, Nelson, he's a baller, and he sent us his address. This man just lives out in the middle of nowhere in the raspberry fields, a place where no missionary would've accidently found. It was hidden among the berries. But we found em. Nobody is hidden from the sight of God. So we got em. And we have access to free raspberries too. Bonus. 

A scripture thats been on my mind recently, one that weve been sharing a lot with our amigos, it's a basic one so that's my fault, but I still love it. It's 3 Nephi 11:11. And it says " And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning" this scripture is so powerful to me. Just the way it sums up so simply, the greatest feat of love ever, and ever will be performed. And we are all on the receiving end of this light. Of his sacrifice we are all recipients, as long as we're wiling to accept his sacrifice. I can testify that Jesus Christ is the light, he has given us the way back to our Heavenly Father, illuminating the steps with his light so that we can more clearly see the steps we need to take. I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Entonces, hasta la próxima vez,

Elder blankenbiller 

-Yo con el arándanos 

-Yo con la frambuesas 

-Jesus 

-El mejor fruta en todo el mundo, no se el nombre. Pero son fuego. Me creen.