Greetings from Atlanta!

Although I did not get an email/letter from Dylan today, I did receive one (plus a picture!) from his Mission President.

Dear Brother and Sister Blake:

We were so delighted to meet your son as he arrived in our mission on Tuesday and to be able to spend time orienting him to this new phase of his service. On Wednesday morning we had our transfer meeting which included instruction to the missionaries, inspirational talks, training, and assignments to their first companion and area of service. Following the meeting he and his companion traveled to Jackson, to his first assignment.

I know he will prosper here in the days ahead and assure you that we will do everything in our power to help him find joy in his service and success in his labors. Your weekly emails will do much to support him as he labors in this wonderful work. Thank you so much for your support.

I hope you enjoy the attached photo of your wonderful missionary. Look out Georgia! Hurrah for Israel!!

Wamest wishes,
John R. Harding
President, Georgia Atlanta Mission


Jackson, Georgia is located 40 miles sourth of Atlanta. It looks a lot like Blanding - full of trees and a population a little over 5,000.

Once I knew what mission he was in and city, I started searching. Yes, sometimes I can be a little OCD on things, especially when it comes to my family. And I found his mission Facebook page. It is awesome! I found a couple more pictures of Dylan on Facebook!

It looks like his companion's name is Elder Barraclough. I am so excited for him to be on this next adventure. Looks like he is doing great!

MTC Highlight!

If things were as they used to be, we would get an email from Dylan today. But, with him being in the actual mission field and not the MTC, his p-day will now be Monday. I can't wait to get his email!

It was so good to talk to him at the airport. A couple of things that stick out in my mind was he said that nothing bad happens in the MTC. That everyone is there to serve the Lord and everyone is on this spiritual high. And then he said, "Mom, I can't believe how immodest people dress and the language they use. And I'm just at the Salt Lake Airport." It is definitely hard going from a "nearly perfect" environment to the real world!

Then he said that some guy saw his name tag and one of his companions and asked in Portuguese if they spoke Portuguese. He told him they did. And so the guy starts talking to Dylan and his companion in Portuguese. He said, "Mom, I have no idea what he said. That is definitely NOT the language I learned!" It was so funny!! He is used to his instructors talking slowly so he can catch on, and not fast like everyone does. But, I know he will catch on and be fluent in Portuguese before I know it!!!

And since I am missing him today, I created a highlight of his first six weeks. No, I will not do this every month, but I needed a pick me up this week! Enjoy!

Leaving the MTC

Since Dylan flies out bright and early in the morning, today is his last day at the MTC. He, and everyone flying out, was given a P-day today so they could make sure they have everything ready to go. And a P-day means more pictures and an email - yea for me!!!

The boys, just being boys!

I have an amazing story that I want to share with you that happened to me yesterday. So it starts like this . . . So Saturday night I was talking to Sister Shumway and she started talking about things, and it got me thinking about all the bad things that I have done in the past years. Even though I went to the Bishop, talked to him about everything, and repented, I just started doubting. So when I got down and prayed Saturday night, I prayed to Heavenly Father, well I actually kind of tempted him (which isn't a good thing, but felt right at the time). I said, "Heavenly Father. If you accept me being out here and you forgive me for everything that I have done, then I will get an answer to this prayer. And the answer will be that I will talk in Sacrament meeting tomorrow.

So I went to bed and when I woke up in the morning I just had a feeling that I was going to be talking in Sacrament meeting. So I told my roomies that I was gonna be talking in Sacrament, and they were just like whatever. Ha ha. So without knowing for sure if I was talking or not, I went to class Sunday morning and I wrote a talk because I just knew that I was going to be talking. So I get to Sacrament and we take the Sacrament and everything - my name is not on the program. Then Brother Jeffs, who was conducting, got up and announced the rest of the program. So he announces a special musical number and the he says, "President Lisonbee felt it was right to have someone out of District E who is leaving this week to talk. And he has asked me to ask Elder Blake." At that moment, the spirit was so strong and I went up there. I had a talk all prepared in Portuguese and it was just the most amazing thing ever!!!

Then later last night all of the sisters wanted blessings before they left and so Sister Larson and Sister Phillips both wanted me to give them blessings. I told sister Phillips I would, so Sister Larson picked Elder Tagg and Sister Green picked Elder Palmer. But anyways, after the blessings were over we let all of the Sisters take time to bear their testimonies and Sister Phillips says, "Thanks Elder Blake for that blessing!! It was exactly what I needed to hear and I know that that blessing came straight from God because while you were giving the blessing, I felt the spirit so strong."

I love this gospel and I love the decision that I have made to come on a mission. I know that without a doubt in my mind that it is the right thing for me and I know for a fact that I have already been blessed significantly and I am only in the MTC. I'm not even in the field yet and I am already being blessed greatly. I hope that these blessings follow me out into the field - actually I know they will.

Pretty crazy, right? Yea, I know this church is the one and only true church and I know that Jesus is the Christ and I know that he lives. This gospel is amazing and I love it so much. I hope you guys know how much I love and miss you!

Eu Te Amo (I love you),
Elder Blake

Sister Green

Sister Phillips

Sister Larson

SIster Thompson

Irmao James

The MAPPPPPP - I get to point at 2 missions!!!!!

Week 5 Email & Reassignment

Has it really been 5 weeks - wow! I look back and sometimes it seems like he left yesterday and other times it seems like he has been gone forever!

This is the District of guys. Yes, Elder Palmer

is just being himself and untying my shoes. Ha.

Dear Momma and family:

I didn't get my reassignment last night, but we for sure get them today, so I will email you when I get them.

So I FINISHED THE BOOK OF MORMON!!!!!!!!!! To be honest, this is the first time I have ever finished it on my own and I did it in 5 weeks!! It means like so dang much!! Like once I got into Ether, it was just like I couldn't stop reading.

So the scriptures for the week is Ether 12:20-22. But first, in chapter 3 of Ether, when it is talking about the Brother of Jared and how he had so much faith that when he got done building the barges and there was no light in them, he just was so faithful. He went and prayed and got some rocks and said, "God, I know that you can do this," and then in verse 19 is says, "for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting." And I was really confused. It says that he has faith no longer.

Then I get to Ether 12:20-22 and it says that he had such great FAITH that the Lord himself couldn't even hide himself from him because his faith was so strong that it dimmed the veil. Then I went back to Chapter 3 and I was like - oh, I got it! He didn't need faith anymore because HE KNEW that god exists. He knew it!!! And I know it, too. I'm not like the Brother of Jared and get to see, but I do have FAITH.

And faith is things which are hoped for and not seen. The coolest thing is in Portuguese, HOPE translates into EXPECT. So in that scripture, it says faith is things which are expected!! And it totally is!! I love this gospel!! Dang, I'm excited to get out and teach the word of God!! Oh, yea, and we had the Sunday devotional by Vai Sikahema. Go look him up. He's a beast (which in Dylan language means he's awesome)!

But anyways, this week has been good! I'm learning and getting right along. This language is rough and it's gonna stink to have to go out and teach in English when I have learned everything in Portuguese. And then I'm not gonna have people to practice the language with me or anything. So please pray for my visa. I really need it. Everyone is getting them that went through LA except for me and it's frustrating as heck.

But everything is good and I am super excited to get my reassignment and to get out of here. I'm getting sick of the routine and I am getting sick of the cafeteria food. It's starting to give me stomach aches and everything. Like, I don't think I can take it much longer so it's good that I get to leave soon. Except there was a kid in the district that left last week to his reassignment and he had to fly by himself. I so hope that's not me. Ha ha. That would be scary!!

But thanks all of you for everything and I will email you tonight and let you know where I am going. Tell Jordan he is a stud. I'm pretty depressed that I don't get to be there for football and stuff. Thinking about that makes me miss school super bad!! But, anyways, I don't know what else to say other than tell everyone thanks for everything! Let everyone know that I love them. I gotta start packing and stuff. Love you!

Love,
Elder Blake

Me and Sister Barr (we met her and her family at the Provo temple before we went to the MTC) and our companions. She is one of the lucky ones and got her visa yesterday.

 

The district - we decided to all match!

Coolest picture you will ever see in your life!

Another one going straight up Matrix. I miss Elder Way, ha.

Elder Tagg

Ha ha. Elder Way and Elder Rigby the night before they left.

Ha ha. We were trying to pose like the Stripling Warriors on our t-shirts.

 

 

 

So I go back to work from lunch and I have several emails. I am so excited, I can't wait to find out where he is going. Here are his emails.

 

Mom . . .

 

 

 

New email:

 

Are you there . . .

 

 

 

New email:

 

I got my reassignment . . .

 

 

 

New email:

 

Answer and I'll tell you . . .  (Like I can answer him. Silly kid!)

 

 

 

New email:

 

I am going to . . .

 

 

 

New email:

 

Atlanta Georgia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Leave Tuesday at 2:30 am

Fly out of Salt Lake at 6:25 am

Arrive at Dallas, Texas at 10:05 am

Fly out of Dallas at 12:00 pm

Arrive at Atlanta at 3:10

 

Elder Stevens lives there and told me that it is the rainy season there and it like rains every day and it does in Sao Paulo too. Ha ha. And I have no rain gear at all. I'm so stoked!! I'm going to the South!! I'm going to the heart of the South. I'm so excited!! Pretty nervous, though, but I'm excited!!

 

The crazy thing is there have been four people in these two districts that got their call to Farmington, New Mexico. So I am happy I didn't go there, ha ha. Me and Kennedy are both going to Atlanta and we are on the same flight, and my companion, Elder Palmer, is going to the same place too, but he is on a different flight!

 

I think we are going to pack now. It's our P-day and we are supposed to pack. I love you all!



Week 4 - Part 2

If you haven't read the previous post, you will probably want to go down and read that post first. This is sort of a continuation of that one. So Dylan's email today was awesome and he is doing great. But, I checked my email again tonight, and I had another email - and of course I'm crying reading it. He is growing and learning so much!

I definitely forgot to tell you this. When Elder Scott was walking out of the Marriott Center, he looked up at the crowd, cupped his hands over his mouth, and shouted, "BE GOOD." ha ha. It was super funny. That man is amazing and he shared an experience with us. He said that before he came and talked he just had a really strong impression that his wife (who died 18 years ago) was going to be there with him. And at the end of his talk he said, "I know that she was here with me." I know how he feels because I have felt Grandpa in my life so many times since I have been out here. It is truly amazing how the spirit works and how you know that it is just there.

There has been a scripture stuck in my mind all week long and I have really been pondering it. It is I 1 Nephi 4:6 and it reads, "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand  the things which I should do." That really has stuck out to me. The Lord will lead us in the ways that he wants us to go.

In the MTC so far the main focus has been "TEACH  PEOPLE, NOT LESSONS." That is so true because if I just went into someone's house and am just teaching them the doctrine straight out of the book and I'm not teaching them to their needs, then do you think that they are going to feel the spirit? No . . . The only way to convert someone is through the spirit. You hear all of the time how there are people that are getting converted because of their love for the missionary and then he leaves the area and gets transferred and then what happens? They fall away from the church. You have to convert people to God, not to yourself. They truly need to have that love and testimony of O Pai Celestial e Sua filho Jesus Cristo (Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ). That is crucial to the conversion to your investigators.

So there has also been another scripture stuck in my head and I have been looking for it all day and I can't find it. It's in the O Livro de Mormon (The Book of Mormon). It talks about how "just men" went out and they did many "just things," but they had a huge impact on people. You don't have to be a superstar to have an impact on people. You just need to get out and make yourself known and have the spirit with you as you do it. Things aren't always going to go the way that we want them to, but you just gotta keep your head up and remember like it says in Alma 24:14, that he has a plan for us and he has made things known unto us beforehand. And if we remember these things and we go on with life with the light of Cristo with us then we will be saved and we will have nothing to worry about.

I am so thankful for the Atonement . .  just imagine our lives without it. Just think of what Jesus went through for us. He has felt our pain and our sufferings. I was struggling really bad with the language just yesterday and Elder Tagg told me "Just think, Elder Blake. God has felt everything we have felt. He went through the trials of learning the Portuguese language just as we are right now."

And that's when I thought to myself. Everything he has ever done . . . EVER . . . has been for us. I can't sit here and complain because I don't think that the language is coming fast enough because that would be completely selfish of me. I would be so ungrateful if I did that. Is what I can do though is every night that I get down on my knees and pray, I can thank him for all that he has done for me. And I can also thank Him for the progress that I have made thus far.

I know for a fact that "MY REDEEMER LIVES." I know for a fact that he did everything he did for US. I know for a fact that if we do all that we can in this life, the next life is going to completely be worth the trials that we went through here. And if you ever get down and think, "Why me?" I think the better question to ask is, "Why not me?" And then you can look back and see all that he did for you and say, you know what - He did all of that for me, so if he wants me to go through this trial so I can show him the love I have for him, then BRING IT ON. Because I know that He lives and that He loves each and everyone of us.

I love all of you guys and really miss all of you and can't wait to see you again. But, ya know, He did all He did for us, so I think that I can do these 2 small years for HIM!! I love all of you guys and hope that you have and awesome week. Let me just leave you with this, Ether 12:27, "And if men come unto me, I will show them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." That is honestly a favorite!! We all need to remember the role that God plays in our lives and remember all that He went through to get us where we are today!!

I love all of you guys and miss you. And I tell you what, I sure do miss them Blue Mountains. Jordan, you really need to get your Hunter's Safety so when I get home we can go hunting!! I pray for you guys everyday and I hope all is well. Let Maquel know that I pray for her and lil baby Porter every single day at least 10 times. And keep her updated. Tell her and Lyle that I love and miss them!

MOM . . . You are straight up the Greatest. I have gotten a letter from you every single day since I have been in the MTC. Now that is a faithful momma. You are honestly the best ever and I don't know what I would do without you. Thanks so much for everything - the packages and the letters and the money and the love and just everything that you do for me. It means so must to me. I miss you so much!! Keep the love coming my way. I really appreciate it. And if you can, you should really get me a Brazil shirt. I really WANT/NEED one, ha ha. Just make sure you pick out a good one, if you decide that I deserve one. Ha ha. And if not, it's completely cool, too. LOVE YOU SO MUCH!! YOU ARE THE GREATEST MOMMA EVER!! KEEP IT UP AND REMEMBER HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU!!

Love,
Elder Blake

P.S. Dad. Thank you for writing me all of the time too!! I miss you and really wish that we could have gone golfing and had that father-son time before I left. But when I get home, we're just gonna have to go golfing all the time. Because you're just gonna be an old man anyways and not even have anything else to do but go golfing, huh? Ha ha. You had better get practicing because when I get home, I'm gonna have the Lord on my side and the spirit is just going to lead that ball into the hole every time. Ha ha. I'm just playing with you, Dad. I miss us joking around with each other all the time. Ha ha. We had some good times. I LOVE YOU DAD! How are the Cowboys doing? Keep me updated on all the sports and everything. I know you're a sports fanatic so make sure to keep me updated!! I pray for you every day and I know without a doubt in my mind that you can keep that promise you left me with. You are the strongest man I know and even though we have had our rough times, I love ya to death. I pray that you can find a job also. I know you can!! Love ya!!

P.S.S. Yo, Jordan. You are a stud man and thank you for writing me!! I freakin miss you, bud!! I talk to all of these Elders about you and tell them what a man you are. You truly mean a TON to me, dude, and you have shown me time and time again what a strong kid you are. Remember what's right man and GO HARD in high school and show everyone what's up . . . Alright? But don't do nothing too stupid. I love you, man and you definitely are my best friend. I think about you all the time and hope you are doing alright. Go out there and work your butt off in football so that you can get that ring that I never got, alright? If anyone deserves one, it's you. I LOVE YOU BRO!!

P.S.S.S. This is for Kolar. Keep studying in school, buddy and get good grades, alright? And when it comes time to get out there and play football, listen to what dad and Jordan and your coaches say because they know. Stay cute buddy, and remember how much I love you. You are the best buddy!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

Week 4 Email

Thanks for the picture, Linnae!

So as a preface to this email, here is a little of what I sent Dylan in my email yesterday:

I want to see how good you have learned the language, so here goes.

Eu sei que a igreja é verdadeira. Amo o evangelho. Sei que o Presidente Monson é um profeta chamado de Deus. Eu sei que através de ensaios que são todos feitos mais forte e que, se contamos com a nossa fé, podemos obter através de qualquer coisa!

I have no idea if the translator translated this right, but it is supposed to say, "I know the church is true. I love the gospel. I know that President Monson is a prophet called from God. I know that through trials we are all made stronger and that if we rely on our faith, we can get through anything!"

So here is his email.

Ha Ha. First of all I have to say that your Portuguese from the translator is a little off, ha ha. But I know how that is because when I was back home, half of the things I learned on google translator was wrong, ha. But, it's pretty good!! :)

But anyways, this week was amazing/difficult. First of all we had the best Tuesday devotional ever. So we get to the Marriott Center to practice for the choir and the set up for the speaker is like way nice, like it's General Conference or something. So I was like I know that someone cool is going to be here. So the choir director stands up and says that right now will be a good time to put our jackets on. So we get up and get our suit coats on, and then all of the sudden everyone starts standing up and Elder Richard G. Scott walks in!!!

It was an amazing devotional. One of my favorite things I've every heard in my life was said in his talk. He said, "To do things you never thought you could do, you must go places you never thought you could go." Holy cow, is that a great quote or what!?

But anyways, the Portuguese is getting harder and harder the deeper that we get into it. And my brain is getting fuller and fuller and it's starting to pour into the overflow because there is no more room to hold it. But, it's going alright.

Then on Wednesday, we went outside to play 4 squares for gym and I ended up hitting the ball weird and then hitting my other arm with my right hand and my thumb got dislocated, ha ha. I wish I would have had my camera there so I could have taken a picture. But when I got it popped back into place, the palm of my hand was just swollen up all nasty and left a pretty gnarly bruise. I took a picture so that I can send it to you.

One of the guys that got here the week before us, his name was Elder M. Him and his little brother are in the MTC together and they are both the happiest kids ever. But yesterday, the older brother went home and I guess he has been battling depression. I honestly could have never guessed. He was the happiest kid ever. It's super weird seeing people going home. I don't even think about that, ha. If I get down (which may not seem like I do much from my letters, but I'm not always this happy), I look for ways to boost myself up through prayer or just anything.

But anyways (yes, he says this a lot) a week from yesterday, we get our reassignments. Can you believe that!? I'm almost out. I'm super excited. I just can't wait to get out and meet new people.

Kolar and Jordan look like studs (I sent him pictures of their first day of school) as always and tell them that I love and miss them and hope that they're doing good.

Um, I get to go to the temple today and they have the new video. I am so excited! I get to talk to Gramps, ya know! I'm really excited. But life here is good and I really just can't wait to get out in the field. I'll send you some pictures and stuff in a sec. I love all you guys!!

Love Elder Blake

P.S. I swear that during the week I feel like I have so much to tell you, then I get here to email and I don't remember anything, ha. Love you guys and let everyone know I'm doing amazing. I got the package on Wednesday and I got Grandma Blake's on Tuesday. Thanks so much and tell grandma Blake and Grandma Balch thanks so much. Love you guys.

Here is the stupid bruise from my dislocated thumb. (Ouch, that must have hurt!)

 

Ha ha. Elder Way, Elder Rigby and Elder Robinson all put 100 chairs in this room for their senior prank - since they are leaving.

 

Me and Elder Tagg on a rainy day . . . and yes, he had the idea to put my hair up so we could be twins. Pretty sexy, right?

 

Sister Green. The picture I drew looks just like her, don't it?! Ha.

This is the devotional set up.

I adore Fridays! I can't wait to see where he is reassigned and when his next adventure will begin!

Week 3 Email

B-town Gang!

Dear Family:

I love it here. The spirit is unreal! But anyways, I am so sad about Chappy. That had to have been the worst letter that I have ever received. Chappy is like my favoritest dude ever. I just started bawling when I read that. That is so crazy. Me and my whole district have prayed for him since I got that letter. My district is amazing! I just have to ask them to do something and they are more than willing!!

I showed them all of dad's woodburnings and stuff on my camera and they think that he has some amazing talent and I told them, yea he does. But I also told them that we are struggling as a family with me out here on my mission because you guys have to pay a lot and dad got laid off. They said, "Don't worry Elder Blake. We will pray for your family and for your dad and he will get a job." My district is like the best ever.

We have a sister that just dislocated her shoulder while she was in the shower and so she ended up having to go to the doctor and she now has to be sent home to get surgery. And then while checking her for her shoulder they also found that she has scar tissue in both of her ears so she has to get hearing aids too. It's so sad, but when she found out 2 days ago, she asked me to give her a blessing. It's so amazing, the power of the priesthood and the way the spirit works. I have never gave a blessing before, but when I started, words just started to flow out of my mouth like I just had no control over what I was saying.

I love this gospel. It is so amazing!! I have been reading like crazy and am now on page 325 and this book is definitely my favorite!! It's the best ever. I love it so much!!

So I have seen Simone and talked to her alot and it's awesome being able to talk to someone from Blanding. Especially Simone. She is always so happy, ha ha. I just love it.

The language is a work in progress, but it is coming. It's so weird because this language is so confusing. So like for every word, there is like 10 words because there is a masculine and feminine and then there is like imperfect and prederit and all this crap so you can say a word one way in a sentence, but then in the next sentence it's completely different word but it means the same thing. Ha ha. It's so hard, but I love it and I love the challenge.

I'm super excited that Jordan loved boot camp. It seems like just yesterday I was preparing to go to boot camp. Tell him to just live it up and to work his butt off because time flies. It seems like just yesterday I was a freshman. It's super weird ha ha. But, I wouldn't trade where I am right now for anything in this world. I love my mission and it hasn't even started yet.

Holy cow, time has flown by here. Days feel like weeks, and weeks feel like days. It's super weird, but it is super true. And I am not even worrying about my visa. I put that completely in the Lord's hands. I will go where ever he puts me and I will do it with a huge smile on my face and a heart ready to convert the world.

That's awesome that Kolar signed up for football. Tell him to get out there and tear it up for me. I can't wait to see baby Porter. I can't stop thinking about Maquel and how she is doing. How is she doing? I hope she is doing good because I know that she will be an amazing mom, and ya know I'll be the most amazing uncle, ha ha. It just makes me happy to think that there is going to be a new baby in the family. I can't wait to see the little stud.

We got the chance to see Jenny Oaks Baker (Elder Dallin H. Oaks' daughter). She is one of the most advanced violin players in the world!! She was amazing. She talked and played a lot of songs and she is so great. Then she has a daughter that plays the violin that is 12, a daughter that plays the piano that is 10, and another daughter that plays the Cello that is 8 - and they are all on high school levels! I can't remember exactly how old they are, but those were just my guessed. I guess that you could look them up. Then they have a little tiny son that plays the guitar. And they all played together and it was so cute. Ha ha.

All that food that you sent me was amazing and tell everyone thanks. I always think of stuff I need during the week, but then when I email you, I always forget, ha. Keep me updated on all the sports and everything. I love hearing about that. I can't believe that the Bulls traded Nate Robinson. Who did we get for him?

But anyways, I love you guys and think about you guys everyday. Don't worry about me because I am doing amazing and I am loving life. If you come upon a really cool Brazil shirt or anything you can send that to me because I am in need of one, ha ha. The one I'm wearing with Elder Way is his and I totally jacked it from him, ha ha.

I don't know what else to talk about. This week has been great, and I really love receiving a letter from you every day, momma. It's awesome getting to hear from you every day. Love you guys! I pray for you guys every day!! I pray for each of you individually and hope you guys are doing amazing!!

LOVE YOU GUYS,
Love,
Elder Blake

The elders in the district.

 

The district.

 

Ha ha. Elder Tagg. He is such a clown. I love this kid -

and yea, I know I'm a great photographer.

MOM, you should be proud, ha.

 

The district before Elder Ence and Huch left.

 

Elder Ence.

 

Elder Huch before he left to Brazil. The lucky kid got his visa.

 

 Me and my buddy, Elder Way.

He was supposed to head out, but he ended up not getting his visa.

 

Elder Moeler before he headed out to Portugal.

 

Me and Devin before going to choir over at the Marriott Center. 

 

Me and Mason. He felt dumb because he didn't have a jacket on.

 

 My pen blew up everywhere, ha ha.

 

 Me and Simone.

 

First hair cut. So dang short :/. I didn't get a chance to say anything, they just buzzed it all off :( ha ha. Oh, well. I have no one to impress here.

 

So short, ha. 

Portuguese

I love that Dylan is learning Portuguese and doing so well with the language. He wrote a letter to us this week and here's how he ended it:

Eu sei que da Igreja de Cristo e verdadeiro!
Eu sei que familias poder junto para sempre!
Eu sei que o expia cado de Jesus Cristo poder trazer nos devolta para deus.
Eu sei que nos vai ver GRAMPS novamente!

I am trying to learn how to say what he is writing, but I am not learning nearly as fast as he is! So, of course I turn online and use a translator.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is true!
I know that families can be together forever!
I know that the atonement of Jesus Christ will bring us back to God.
I know that I will see GRAMPS again!

I can already see how much his testimony has grown. He is doing amazingly well. I used to love Fridays because I knew the weekend was almost here and I would have some time off. Now I love Fridays because I get Dylan's letters! They make my whole week!!!

Letter to Granny - Awesome Experience

On Friday after I received Dylan's first email, I received this one too. It seriously made me cry (but most of his letters and pictures do). I am so glad that he is having all of these spiritual experiences and feeling the spirit so strong.

This is a story that I sent grandma and I forgot to tell you about it. I want to share it with you guys too. It's honestly one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Love you guys.

GRANNY!!!! How's everything down in big ol Blanding? I love hearing from you. It's super awesome!! I am doing amazing and I'm so happy that you remember me in my prayers, because I definitely feel the love from not only you, but from grandpa too. I know he is with me, like all of the time. Since the time I arrived at the MTC, he hasn't left me. It's crazy the spirit I have felt since I got here. I have never felt the spirit so strong in my life.

I know he is here too because we finally got real investigators and me and my companion just got stuck. And our investigator (Haiane) only speaks Portuguese and all of the sudden we just got stuck and had no clue what to say. So I just started bearing my testimony in Portuguese and I really have no clue what I was saying, but the spirit was super strong and me and my investigator with tears in our eyes just had our own little conversation. I didn't know what she was saying, but I know that grandpa did and he was telling me exactly what to say back. I couldn't believe that happened.

Right after we finished the lesson, she prayed for us and the spirit was super, super strong and it was a super, super good prayer. We had just barely told her how to pray that day and she did an amazing job. Then, later that night I got back to my room and I had a letter from Jordan and I bawled the whole way through the letter. Jordan is my best friend and his letter was so powerful to me and such a blessing.

Then I had one of my roommates take me outside and he told me a story, kind of like my story - where he just knew that something was going to happen. He told me not to share it with no one else because I'm the only person that he has ever told, but I wrote it down in my journal and I will always remember it - but it was exactly what I needed to hear.

Love ya granny and I remember you in my prayers.

Love,
Elder Blake

Almost halfway through the MTC!

This is me and Elder Tagg (the funniest dude on this earth). We both traded ties with random people and ended up with new ties and clips.

Well I guess i have a lot to tell you today and these computers don't have like auto correct and stuff, so that's why the grammar and everything is horrible - ha. But anyways, I am so happy that Jordan had a good time on the trek and really felt the spirit. That is amazing to me that he went and actually had a good time. He usually doesn't like going to things like that. I am super proud of him and the testimony that he has. That's crazy that he is going to have boot camp next week. Give him a huge hug and a huge good luck for me. He is going to do awesome and show everyone up like he always does. He is straight up a stud. Then they have their first game in 3 week - that is so crazy. Make sure to keep me updated on how everyone is doing and everything.

I'm happy that Kolar is actually having fun at football camp. He usually doesn't like that. I'm really happy that he is playing because he is a stud and just needs to keep working at it. and I am super glad that the family is doing good.

Today me and Elder Palmer have our first real investigator. I am super nervous because he is from Brazil so he has the native accent and he speaks super fast. So we're definitely going to need the gift of tongues in this lesson.

Since I got here I have read so much of the Book of Mormon. They challenged us to read it before we leave the MTC and I am on like page 247 or something like that. I don't really remember. But it is so good to read it and actually understand what is going on. Because I can now have like a movie in my head when I am reading it. It's crazy how stubborn the Lamonites are. I mean they just love contention more than anything. King Lamoni can just have mercy on them and give them their King back and then like two days later they all of a sudden just want to go and attack the Nephites again. Goodness they're crazy.

But so you probably don't know this, but they changed the size of our mission. You can go look at it online. The Sao Paulo South Mission doesn't have any coast any more. They split it up into three missions. Sao Paulo South, Sap Paulo Interlogos, and Sao Paulo Santos. So our teacher went and let us look at it yesterday and it is now like one of the smallest missions in brasil or anywhere. The land mass is the size of Salt Lake City. We can drive across our mission in about an hour. But in that little area, there are like 10 million people. Crazy, right?

I don't know if you know this either, but you can go onto the Brazil website and see what the status of my visa is. So you should go do that and then Dear Elder me or something so I know.

Um, so Elder Madson is super fun ha ha. Like I didn't even realize it until we went and played basketball and sand volleyball. It's funny. And Elder Tagg is honestly one of the funniest dudes ever. Without him in our district we would all probably be super depressed or something ha ha. The showers here are super nasty. Like they have hair all over in them and they like clog up so when you have to get in the shower you have like nasty water up to your ankles.

The language is coming along and I am learning a ton. But I am doing super good and just can't wait to get down to brasil so that I can learn the real language. Like everyone tells me that the language down there is completely different so the teachers say what we learn here is just getting us ready for what's down there.

So the Elders that go their visas are flying out on Tuesday morning at 6. Ha ha. So you know Sister Barr, like who we were talking to when we were chilling under the tree before I came into the MTC and we were like talking to her dad and mom, too? She is always talking to me and we exchanged emails so we can email in the field. She says that her dad is asking how I am doing and everything. Ha it's super funny.

But I love you guys so much, but I know I can't really say that I miss you too bad because the spirit that I feel is something that I wanna have with me as much as I can and I'm super excited to just keep learning and teach people of the truth. I have so much more to tell you, but ya know I don't have much time.

We got to hear a talk from Elder Holland and it was amazing, but I have no time to tell you about it. I just might have to write you or something. I love you guys. Don't forget to check my visa status and write me a dear elder or something. Tell dad I will try and write him back this week. Tell everyone I love them. You guys are awesome. Chou!

Eu sai que igreja de jesus cristo e verdadiero. (I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is true/real - something like that.)

Com amor (with love)

Elder Blake

Me and Bri at dinner.

Yes, I fixed most of the grammar and spelling mistakes. But, notice Brazil and Brasil. I did not fix those. Brazil is how we spell it in America, but people from that country spell it Brasil. He is definitely starting to learn tons! I can't believe how good he is doing. Unfortunately his visa status just says received. It doesn't even say processing yet. That's a little discouraging, but I know that he will go where he is supposed to go when he is supposed to.