So this week has been a good week. It's our last week and that's super awesome because I'm so ready to get out there and serve the people of Oaxaca. It's so crazy that we have had three earthquakes in 5 weeks, but it's super awesome at the same time. It was a cool experience being able to feel the earthquake, but I'm thankful it wasn't bigger because Mexico is hurting very badly right now and I feel so bad for all of them.
This week in sacrament meeting we had the opportunity to sing a special musical number with our district. Since it's our last week we have a tradition in our branch to sing a song your last week. So we sang God Be With You Till We Meet Again. It was amazing and the spirit was very strong. I was very thankful for that.
I want to tell you all an amazing experience I had this week. So the Spanish has been tough and it is still no intends Espanola. I still don't understand Spanish so it's super hard for me. The thing is, if I could understand it, I could most likely reply because my Spanish vocabulary is a lot better. But, anyways I've been struggling with my Spanish and it's been really hard.
So Thursday I hit my knees and I poured my heart out to Heavenly Father. I just asked him to let me know that everything would be okay and that everything would work out. I didn't get an answer that night, so I just went along going to classes on Friday. And right toward the end of the day, one of the Hermanas (sisters) in our district came up to me and asked if I could give her a blessing. So right before we had to go back to our houses that night I gave her a blessing.
The spirit completely took over me and I was hit so hard with just the love of our Heavenly Father., This was the first time I've gave a blessing where the spirit completely lead me what to say the entire time and I knew my prayer had been answered. The spirit comforted me so much that night and I know and I want you all to know that everything will be alright. Ya, my Spanish is horrible right now, but the amazing thing is that I know if I continue to work hard and do my absolute best to be exact obedient, Heavenly Father will bless me with the gift of tongues. I'm so grateful that he answered my prayers and I know He will always answer our prayers - we just have to be looking for that answer because it may not always come the way we need it to.
Another amazing experience I had was reading 1 Nephi 17. I had the opportunity to teach my district on this chapter and it just blew me away. The more I read the scriptures, the more I understand and the more knowledge I get that I never thought I had. I want to invite all of you to read this chapter. But, don't just read it. Dig deep into the chapter.
One quick thing on this chapter that just amazes me is how Nephi went through the wilderness for 8 years - literally 8 YEARS! And then they come to this land, the land of Bountiful, and they think this could possibly be the Promised Land. Then out of nowhere, Heavenly Father asks Nephi to go up to the mountains and pray. There he is asked to construct a ship. Just think about that for a second. This is like 590 BC or somewhere in there and he is asked to build a ship, This is after 8 heart aching years in the wilderness. And what blows my mind is instead of complaining, Nephi asks Heavenly Father where he should go to find ore to make the tools he needs in order to build this ship. As I read this the spirit touched me so hard I was in tears. I love Nephi and his example so much.
One last thing. I always like to tell a funny thing that happened in the week and this is literally hilarious. So I came to class on Monday and there was a paper on the door that says go to reception and find out more about your travel plans. Anyways so me and Elder Porter, Elder Soldani, and Elder Boyack go to reception. All they tell us is we have our travel meeting on Wednesday. So we head back to class and right before we walk in the door, we decide to play a prank on our district. So we plan it out for about a minute outside the door. So we go in and tell them that reception told us we were here for a another whole week because the earthquake damaged the runway and they will be repairing it for about two more weeks. The thing is, we all said this with a ticked off look on our faces and we all acted mad.
Some of our district didn't believe us so we told them to go ask reception. So two of the Hermanas (sisters) go ask reception and they come back to class just fuming. Both of them were so upset. It was absolutely hilarious! But then I felt bad, so I apologized and we're all still friends - so no worries. I wish you all could've seen it. Then Hermana Walker just blew up on us telling us if we don't all apologize to her she was not going to say a word to any of us. It was so funny. But we all apologized, so it's all good.
Also, thank you Grandpa and Grandma Balch for the treats. You all know I love treats! They were awesome.
Anyways, have an amazing week. And I also want to invite all of you to go into conference with a question - something you are struggling with in life. I know that if you do that, the spirit will answer your question. I love you all so much. Sorry I don't have time to email hardly anyone today, just know I love you guys.
Love,
Elder Blake
P.S. I leave at 4:00 am on Monday to the airport to fly to Oaxaca. Our flight leaves at 7:00 am, so I think I will be able to call and talk to you guys for a minute. I'm not sure if it's in Mexico or when I get to Oaxaca. So mom, have your cell phone by you. I know it's super early in the morning but I'm so excited to be able to talk to you guys!
Oh and I've gained like 14 pound in the MTC. Is all we do is eat and sit all day. But don't worry, you can't even tell I've gained any weight. And I know I will lose it all in Oaxaca so I'm not worried at all.
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