It's so amazing to hear from you all, even though I've only read my mom's email right now. But every time I read everyone's emails they send me, I'm filled with the spirit and they truly do touch me. So thank you guys so much for that. I hope you all will continue to email me when you have time because you have no idea how much it helps me out reading your emails - even when I don't have enough time to email you all back. Just know I would if I had time and know that I love every single one of you so much.
I want to share an experience I had this week that was very hard for me. So we had splits this week to teach an investigator - an investigator that we've never taught before. But I was teaching with a Latino companion and my companion was Elder Soldani, an American that is basically fluent in Spanish from taking it before his mission for 4 straight years. Our Latino companion is Elder Mendez, so we were in a trio. Anyways, I can't even understand much Spanish at all right now, so I wasn't really able to talk to them a whole lot planning, but we only had a 15 minute lesson. So we all got to talk a few times during the lesson.
I had the assignment of introducing us as missionaries at the door and asking the investigator if we could share an important message with him centered on Jesus Christ. Anyways, so I did that and then I gave him a few commitments towards the end of the lesson and I bore my testimony and ended with a closing prayer. This doesn't sound like it was very difficult, but as I was doing this, my Spanish is so bad that the investigator is basically trying not to laugh at me and when the lesson was over I was extremely humiliated.
I'm so very grateful for this experience I was able to have because I haven't let it take me down, even the littlest bit. I have a fire that is lit inside of me and I will not stop working as hard as I can until I can speak Spanish - with my hick accent of course. Heavenly Father is letting me struggle very much right now, but I know that it is because He loves me so much and He has to break you down before He can build you up. I haven't had a single easy experience since I've been here, but I'm so grateful for that.
Just a quick story to end with that hopefully will make everyone laugh a little bit. So every Wednesday night, we meet the new district that comes in and we go around the room and say our name, where we are from, where we are going, and one thing about ourselves. We always try to say funny stuff to make it a good time. Anyways, a little background on the story is that no one in my district knows where Blanding, Utah is - which totally doesn't surprise me at all. So they are always messing around, asking me if I have an antenna TV and stuff like that. It's hilarious. So I said, :I'm Elder Blake and I'm from Blanding, Utah. I'm going to Oaxaca Mexico and I ride my horse to school." It was hilarious and everyone was laughing really hard. It's always good to have fun when it's the right time. I have to find ways to have fun in between classes here so my mind can breathe a little because it is constantly going - which is awesome.
I'm so grateful for everyone of you and I love you all so much. Never forget that Heavenly Father is there for you, no matter what. And He's waiting to bless you with so many things - you just have to ask. I'm so grateful for the humility I've felt since I've arrived here, like I said He has to break you down before He can build you back up. Have an amazing week everyone. I love you all so much!
Elder Blake
Don't worry, Mom. I sent this picture just for you!
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