Week 32

Hola Everyone.

First of all, I hope you all had an AMAZING, Happy Easter and that your hearts are filled with love and joy for our Savior. What a blessing and opportunity we all had to listened to conference. I haven't felt the spirit quite so strong in maybe all my life. It was such an amazing experience and I hope you were all able to have the same or better experiences as well.

You know, I'm not going to lie to you all. I've been struggling out here and I think that's pretty normal. I've also had many thoughts about going home, because the mind, well really Satan, makes you think that everything will be good if you go home. So anyways, I want to share with you all the amazing experience that I was able to have this week.

So like I said, I've been having a tough time out here. The mission is not easy, but life is not easy either. But EVERYTHING is possible through this amazing gospel. So I had been thinking this week that maybe I needed to go home. But, I knew I couldn't make this choice without my Heavenly Father being on my side as well. So I went into Conference fasting and praying very hard - I even turned down BBQ wings and french fries to keep fasting. It was pretty rough!! So, I got my answer a lot faster and stronger than I thought I would get it. Through our amazing leaders of the church I was able to feel and KNOW through the Holy Ghost that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be and that this is where my Heavenly Fathers wants me to be!! I have never quite felt the spirit like I did during conference and I'm so grateful that I was able to receive this answer. I know the mission is not going to get easier and I know that life is not easy by any means, but I know that everything and anything is possible through this gospel and that with the help from our Heavenly Father who ALWAYS has his hand stretched forth for us, we just need to do our part and grab his hand and He will pull us to safety!!!!

Anyways, I always have another funny experience to share. Every week I think laughing and smiling are some of my favorite things to do. So we had just exited the church from watching conference and we were in the middle of the city. The girls here dress very immodest and there are a lot of crazy things that happen. My companion turned to me and said, "We just got done watching conference and we can see the apostasy with our eyes." Good heck it was hilarious. I was literally dying laughing for quite some time and I also hope you guys get a good laugh out of it!!

To end I just want to tell you all how grateful I am for this church and the fact that we're members of the ONLY true church here on this earth. I know without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ leads His church through our prophets and apostles. I know that because of Him we can and will live with our families again, but I also know that it's not easy. It's not easy because what Christ went through wasn't easy. I know that as we follow the teachings of the prophets and apostles and the things that we learn in church we WILL be happy in our lives. I love you all so much. Have an amazing week and always, always remember that HE LIVES!!!!

Elder Blake