Heyy remember that promise I made a couple weeks ago to send an email every week till I'm home?? Remember last week's email? Me neither, I forgot to send it. Short lived goal but hey at least I tried.
Anyways lemme fill you in on some highlights
- I've been going on SO many exchanges which is so rad, I think it's my favorite part about being zone leader. I get to see all the Spanish elders, serve em, and just see how they're doing. It's my favorite thing. I revisited my baby area (place I was trained in) up in Bellingham on an exchange and I loved it. So wild going back to visit where I started.
- We had a Spanish conference on Friday. I directed the meeting - a little nervous but I pulled it off. President Oakes said I killed it (he doesn't speak a word of Spanish). We had every single missionary share something or at least bear their testimony. The spirit was so strong. I thought it was one of the coolest experiences. We had a blitz after that and it was so rad! A blitz is where a buncha missionaries go out in one area and knock and find everywhere so as to help find new friends and all that. Me and my temporary comp got a flat tire and bashed by some dude named Chris...we testified about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and the spirit carried the convo. He still said the book was of the devil, but in a nice way than he did before. Fire contact.
-Elder Ashby (my trainee) is killing it. Adjusting well to the work, not fair cause he's already got cracked Spanish, but I'll survive.
-I'm back on that Portuguese grind, 3rd language is slowly downloading, but I'm getting it. Another Elder inspired me to keep going, so we're kinda doing it together so that's sick. It's hard, especially not being able to talk to many native speakers, but I like it. Another challenge.
We've recently dropped all of our progressing friends because they're no longer progressing. It's always hard doing that because I want them to see the peace and joy that comes from progress in the gospel...but I can't control agency. It's hard seeing them go, but I know God had a reason for putting them in our paths and in contact with the gospel. Planting seeds has been a huge part of my mission. I've been studying a lot in the first chapter of Preach My Gospel which talks about my purpose as a missionary. It says in one of the sections;
"Your success does not depend on how others choose to respond to you, to your invitations, or to your sincere acts of kindness. People have agency to choose whether to accept the gospel message or not. Your responsibility is to teach clearly and powerfully so they can make an informed choice that will bless them."
"When you have done your best, you may still have disappointments, but you will not be disappointed in yourself. You can feel assured that the Lord is pleased when you feel the Spirit working through you."
Amen, right?? This chapter has really spoken to me, as we struggle amd work everyday to find people to share this gospel message with...we don't always succeed. It's dark, cold, rainy, a lot of people grow colder as well. But knowing that what we bring to their lives is joyful, and warms the soul, even if they don't see it, they've been presented the oppurtunity to know where to search it out. A seed has been planted. A good seed, I'd say the best seed. The seeds of the gospel of Christ. I love sharing it, even when it's rejected, even when it's cold and people slam doors in my face. Jesus walks with me, and I know he's smiling at me as I do his work. I love my Savior. I'm lowkey tearing up writing this testimony, because of how much I've changed, to follow Christ. He's my miracle, I know he will always lead me, guide me, walk beside me, and help me find my own way in life. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Love you guys!!! See you soon,
Elder Blankenbiller
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