January 22, 2024

t's been an amazing couple of weeks up here in Washington, there's been a little bit of change so I'll get into it. 

They kicked me outta Seattle after I had served down there for about 6 months, which honestly I'm going to miss it. The ward was amazing and I learned so much being in that area. It tested me at times cause I'm not really a big city type of guy so It was a bit hard to enjoy being in the city but meeting new people made everything worth it. 

Now I'm here in Mt. Vernon and it's amazing! My comp's a stud, he just got outta training but he's crazy ready to share the word and his Spanish is already nice. We get along real well, we're both pretty chill. We've already put someone on date!! His name is Christian - I love the guy. He's getting married the 14th of Feb and then baptized the 17th. He's got an amazing testimony. Super ready to receive the gospel. 

I love being back in nature. The city had me feeling a bit locked up but I love it up here, the air, the farms, the mountains, the Islands. 

God is good. Being back in nature I've seen so many of God's details in the world. So many things that point right back to Him and his attention to detail. Made me realize too that everything that happens in my life is also perfectly placed and planned out by a God that knows me and loves me perfectly. I love my God and I know he will always provide for me in whatever I do amd wherever I go. 

1. Jambalaya from a Louisiana elder I live with.

2. Car got towed 

January 8, 2024

I feel like they took a few days off of this last year. Mission life has severely damaged my sense of time, part of me is still thinking Mexico was like...a couple months ago. Transfers are my main method of time telling, which I am hoping doesn't carry over to after my mission, but I guess we will tackle that when we get to it. 

Also some exciting transfer news...They're moving me outta Seattle!! I have spent 6 months of my mission in the Seattle are which to me, is WILD. A fourth of my mission has been spent in this one area. I loved getting to know so many unique people and especially connect with all of the members of the only Spanish ward in the whole mission. I am going to miss this ward! There are so many amazing people I've gotten to know, and I have seen their impact on each other and also on me. I'll miss it, but i'm excited for this next step in my mission. The area I'm going to is called "Mt. Vernon". It's just a branch there but it is said to have SO many Latinos that live there so I'm pumped. I'm excited to see what God has for me to do there and how I need to grow. 

A quick spiritual thought before I wrap this up; As we are studying the Book of Mormon this year I have made it a goal to mark every single time the name of Christ is mentioned in the book. On the title it says "Another testament of Jesus Christ", and of course I know that it talks of him, but I want to try to find Christ in my life even more and I feel a good start will be the scriptures. I am so happy to have this amazing guide to life, one that points me directly to my Savior. I am blessed to be able to share this book and so much more with those who need it. And to learn from it for myself fbecause I know there is so much I still need to learn. God has given us this gift to use, to read, and to find out for ourselves, that it is the truth. I can't wait to rediscover the truths that I may have missed, or that I need to pay attention to. I love the Book of Mormon so much, as well as my Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Elder Blankenbiller