Aug. 16, 2011

Hello Family,

It has been quite the week, here in wonderfully temperate San Juan Capistrano. I am sorry to hear that you didn't break the record, I was cheering for you guys. Oh well. This last week was one of the harder weeks that we had on our mission. First a lot of our investigators went out of town, and the appointments that we did have all of them but one cancelled. Just a little bit discouraging. But not to worry, because yesterday made up for it all. First we went over to help Phil out on his house again. Which just as a side note, in the time that it's taken y'all to finish the living room ceiling we have been able to completely gut this house down to the studs, and then build it back up, including wiring, insulation, and we are about half way through the dry-wall. Helping him out has definitely been the best experience so far on my mission. Even better though than helping him out and learning so much has been the opportunity to teach him. He is even insisting that we take a picture of the three of us, so that he can hang it up in his home. he has started reading the Book of Mormon through and has committed to come to church once he gets moved in. He is so awesome and we feel pretty confident that he is going to get baptized. He has even said that he is coming up to byu with me after my mission to go to a byu football game. So yesterday while we were over there helping him, he asked us if it would be appropriate for us to pray over his home, once they get moved in. We told him that we would be honored if we could do that. He then said that he wouldn't let any other religious figure touch his home but us. That was one of the coolest things that we've heard.

We then went over to a lesson, with a new investigator named Andres. We then proceeded to have one of the coolest lessons ever. One of the first things that he told us, was that he felt like God had led us to him, and that he wants to change to be a better example to his family. Turns out that he had taken the lessons in North Carolina with his cousin, who eventually got baptized. He said he was really close to being baptized but then he had to move out here to California. Where about a week ago he met both us, and the Spanish elders in the same day. We talked to him about the gift of the holy Ghost and how that will help him to become the father and example he wants to be. He said that is exactly what he wants. We invited him to baptized and he accepted, we are working with him to set a firm date, but he will get there. It was definitely a tender mercy from the lord that we found him. And strengthened my testimony that the Lord knows best whom he is preparing and will make that we will find them. It also strengthened my testimony that the Lord not only prepared his children to hear the wonderful message of the Restoration, but he also prepares his children to teach it. I am so thankful for the gospel, and a loving Heavenly Father who knows his children and knows this work. It is true, all of it. And nothing is going to stop it. Love you all and hope that you have a great week.

Elder Blake