Cali Missionary

Hey Family,

How is it going? I don't think things could be any better here in San Juan Capistrano. It is absolutly beautiful, and amazing. This week has been amazing, to finally feel like I got my head above water. Even better, right when I felt like I wasn't being drowned by the adjustment, the Lord has decided to drown us in the work.

The first thing that happened, was I was able to teach my first real lesson instead of just introducing myself to everyone. It was to the Duncan family, who are a part member couple. Sister Duncan is getting reactivated, and Brother Duncan was born a Catholic, and determined to die a Catholic. We were able to teach them about baptism though, and I challenged him to be baptised. It was an amazing lesson, and the spirit was definitely there. Unfortunately, Brother Duncan refused but I have a feeling we might be able to get him one of these days.

Our second investigator, is Phil Hong. He is the guy that is remodoling his house, that we are helping. We were able to teach him that he really is a child of God, and that, that isn't just a nice saying. He was pretty overwhelmed by the concept, and it was a testimony to me to never take that fact for granted again. We are so excited for him and his family, because, it is becoming more and more apparent just how much the Lord has prepared him. Interesting fact about Phil, the band Linkin Park set him up with his wife, and he wore a bolo tie to get into a stake dance as a teen.

Nancy, is a girl we inherited from the last elders, who we are teaching as well. She is 18, so we might have to pass her off to the YSA elders if we can't get her family involved. She is great though, but doesn't see why our church is so special. We keep telling her that she needs to pray and ask God if we really are special. Hopefully she'll do that.

Chaz is an 18 year old boy that was also inherited from the last elders. He is a really bright kid in drama, so most of our lessons consist of him waxing philosophical. It's a little frustrating, but he has come to church a couple time, and seems genuinly interested so we hope he can stop talking, at least long enough for us to bear our testimonies.

Jairo is another investigator we are teaching, unfortunalty he is moving soon, but he is really great. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets baptized one day.

Now on to the miracle section of the letter. First we tracted into the Liz Ellis equivalent of SJC. She told us she would be Mormon except she was Catholic. She then gave us ice cream. We also recieved a call from a random number this week during morning studies. We called him back, and it turned out to be a kid named Nico. He apparently talked to the last elders about a month ago. They gave him a pass along card with our number and told him to call if he wanted to learn more. They didn't think anything of it though. Well apparently he got a Bible not too long ago, and decided it was a sign that he should finally start thinking about religion, and called us first. He seems really interested, so we are really excited.

This week has been a whirlwind in the best possible way. The Tanakas continue to do well, although I don't think brother Tanaka will make it much longer. It has been amazing to see just how much the ward is reaching out to them, and to be in the middle of it as well.

The Church is true, Jesus is the Christ. He is the one who is directing this work, I have no doubt about that. I love being a missionary. Love all of you.

Love Elder Blake

Also tell President Smith thanks for the letter, it was great. And tell him thank you for all of the missionaries that I have been able to learn from. I'm finally begining to realize what a blessing they were.