Week 4

Hola Everyone.

This week has been so awesome. I didn't think I'd be involved in two earthquakes in the MTC, but I have been and it's been quite the experience. So me and Elder Porter were sitting in our classroom alone studying and we felt the room start to shake pretty bad. So we looked at each other and kind of just sat there. Then we stood up and looked out our classroom window and the palm trees were swaying. It was pretty crazy. Then the alarm for the MTC was going off so we ran outside and gathered up where we were supposed to.

It was me and Elder Porter and a bunch of Latinos together. We all knelt down in the middle of the pavement and said a prayer together in a big circle. I don't know if you've seen the picture on Facebook of the people kneeling down and praying, but if you have that picture is us. It was such an amazing experience to be a part of that.

I can't believe how bad Mexico is getting hit. I know Oaxaca got destroyed and now Mexico City is pretty bad too. So I'm sure we will be doing an extreme amount of service when we get to Oaxaca. I think that will be a great opportunity to spread the Gospel through service so I'm super excited about that.

I leave the MTC on October 2nd and we take about a 40 minute flight to Oaxaca. I haven't got the flight information or anything yet. My Spanish is coming along but it could always be better for sure. I know I'm improving little by little, but I still don't understand much of the Spanish the Latinos speak here, including our teachers. So it's pretty tough for sure. But nothing good comes easy in most situations.

This week has been good. We're working hard and I'm still loving it. I know once we hit the field the mission will get 80 times harder for sure, so I'm worried for the people that are already struggling in the MTC. But they are good people and I hope everything goes great for them.

I just want to finish with a quote by President Eves, the Second Counselor in the Presidency here at the MTC. President Eves is a retired fighter pilot in the Air Force so you can only imagine how straight forward and serious he is. I absolutely love this guy. He's so awesome. Anyways, he told us this and he's referring to missionary work and spreading the Gospel. "Doubt and fear can't exist with faith - It's impossible." I love this quote so much. It's so powerful and so true.

I want to challenge you all to share the gospel and your testimony every chance that you get. And never be afraid to do it. I love you all so much and I just have to say I'm so extremely excited for Dylan and Generra. I was overwhelmed with joy when I heard that. Have an amazing week everyone. I love you guys so much!

Love,
Elder Blake


Pictures from our trip to the Temple last week.