August 24, 2021

 Hey everybody!

Later in the day than usual, I know, but here I am nonetheless! Honestly, kind of the same report as last week, tons of phone calls, member lessons, and planning, and not a lot of progress to speak of, unfortunately. :/ 

But we press onwards anyways! After all, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a few steps. And the journey to baptism begins with... lots and lots of phone calls. XD 

Seriously though, it's really just all about those small things we do. Even if it doesn't make any sense, when we're doing the little things, we will eventually see results. For example, I think I've shared this story before, but a while back, we were having a really hard week, nobody was answering the phone, our messages, nothing. But we just kept on trying, doing everything we needed to do, and that next week, we got a ton of referrals from members, and were able to start getting to the real work again. So somethings, even if our efforts seem to be having no success, the Lord will provide. That's definitely something I've seen in the mission so far. 

That was kind of a spiritual thought and a summary of the last few weeks all rolled into one, so now, a funny story. My companion and I are both still rather new to this whole "speaking spanish" thing. Fortunately, I've gotten pretty good by now, but my companion is still learning. Anyway, we were talking with an Hermana after we dropped by her house to return some of her dishes, and she asked us if the food was too spicy. My companion thought she was asking if we *liked* it spicy, though, and so started nodding enthusiastically, and saying 'si, si hermana!' After a brief moment of confusion, I clarified the question for him, and he quickly turned around, saying no, no, it was great, we like it spicy! I thought the whole thing was hilarious, and the Hermana was rather shocked that I had understood her. Anyway. Just Mexico things I guess. :P

I think that's about all for me, so enjoy the only picture I took this week, because I totally forgot to take any of anything else. Until next week!

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Pictures:

(Yes, I know, I'm really bad at taking them. Maybe next week :P ) Until then, here's some sushi. Yes, I have a problem. No, I'm not stopping :)

August 17, 2021

Well. It's now been a full six months since I started this whole mission thing. Only gotta do it three more times, and then I'll be home already. Kind of crazy, huh? I bet you didn't even notice I was gone. ;) 

In all seriousness, I can't believe it's been that long either. But here we are. Honestly, I don't have much to say this week, I hope you'll forgive me for it. I think making it to six months has made me realize that I've still got a whole lot of mountain left to climb. So this week, I'm gonna have to take a break from the usual humor, and just get straight to the point. That doesn't, however, mean that I don't have time for a spiritual thought. (Because let's face it, as funny as I am, that's always the most important part).

As I've been continuing my study of the Old Testament (yeah, still. It's kinda long), I recently read through Hosea. Now, I'm sure most people have no idea who that is. Suffice it to say, he was an ancient Israelite prophet. Anyway. He compares the Abrahamic Covenant to a marriage, between Jesus Christ, and His people. An interesting metaphor, to be sure. But the point was, our relationship with Christ isn't just a contract. We don't just show up to church, pay tithing, etc. It's about the relationship we have with Him. He loves us a whole lot. The very least we can do is love Him back, right? 

Anyway. I really liked the comparison, because it's very true. Sometimes it can feel like a chore, all the assignments and things we do as a church. But when we have that love for Christ, and for our fellow men, it all feels a lot more like what I think Christ had in mind for us. 

And yeah, that's all for now! I'll be here again next week. :)

- Elder Blankenbiller

Photos:

1 - Waiting for interviews with President 

2 - Some sushi. It was delicious

3 - Our very safe, totally mission approved staircase to get to our apartment

August 10, 2021

 Hey, how's it going?

This past week has been a bit of a blur, so bear with me here as I try to remember what's happened. First up, obviously, it's been a full week in my new area! Pretty exciting, it's always nice to see a different part of the city. Keeps things interesting. Either way, some cool things about this new area, there are, not one, but two massive shopping malls. So we are definitely never bored on P-Day. 

Also, as mentioned last week, it definitely feels much more city-like. Lots of people, everything is much more packed together, stuff like that. There's even a metro station down a few streets from our apartment. Also, lots of airplanes taking off and landing in the airport. Kinda reminds me of home a bit. 

Either way, the work continues same as ever, even if I'm not in the same place. We've got lots of great people to teach here, and I'm excited to get to work with all of them! We've also had lots of opportunities to teach members, and get them involved in the work as well. Even if we don't get to have meals with them (I know, it's sad), we can still do our best to help them invite people to learn, to come to church, etc. The dream being, of course, that the members do the work, and we're just here to support them. But that might just be wishful thinking. :P

Anyway, a quick spiritual thought, and then I've got to head out, we've got a lot of running around to do today. The thought I wanted to share today is about service. Every calling in the church is a call to serve, in some way or another. And our responsibility is to do our best to serve people. That doesn't change. However, the way in which we serve people is subject to change. Whether that's due to individual circumstance, or an everlasting global pandemic, the way we serve is always changing. So don't get to focused on the things you can't do, instead, try to find the new ways that you *can* give service. 

Just some food for thought. :) Anyway, enjoy your week, keep on keeping on, eat some great food for me, and I'll see you all next week. 

- Elder Blankenbiller

1 - I found ramen!
2 - The view from the rooftop is pretty nice 
3 - Oh look, I'm there too. What a surprise.

August 3, 2021

Wow, another week already? I could have sworn I wrote my last email just yesterday. Huh. Well, since we're here now, I might as well tell you a bit about what happened this last week! 

First up, and probably the question on everyone's minds: what happened with transfers? Well I tell you. Having been in the same area for three cycles now, the powers that be finally decided it was time to kick me out. So I'm in a brand new area now, closer to the mission offices, called Aguilas. It's much more like what I expected from Mexico, to be honest, lots of small streets with houses packed together haphazardly, and a good deal of... questionable wiring jobs. But hey, we've got a huge mall in our area, so I can't really complain about that one, now can I?

Either way, I haven't really seen too much of the area yet, I've only been here for a little over a day. So by next week, I'll be sure to have more pictures and stories about where I am now! But to tide you over, I'll tell you a little bit about my new companion. His name is Elder Taukeiaho, he's Tongan, taller than me, and could probably take half of México in a fight with one hand tied behind his back. In other words, I think he's awesome. He served for one cycle in the States, in Oakland, and then another cycle down here in Mexico, so I'm only one cycle older than he is. Should be quite the adventure, as we're both still learning Spanish. We'll see how that one goes. 

Lastly, a quick spiritual thought. Honestly, I try to keep a pretty positive attitude about everything that goes on here, but getting transferred for the first time really hit me hard. It's difficult to have spent so much time coming to love the people of an area, and working with them, only to get sent somewhere completely new, and have to figure it out from scratch again. But we can take comfort in knowing that this isn't our first time doing something like this. Before we lived here on Earth, we all had a pretty good idea of who we were, and what we wanted. But when we got sent down here, to live our lives, we lost all of that knowledge, and had to build it back up from square one. And hey, look where we are now! So whenever you feel like you're lost in a new place, and you'll never get the hang of it, remember that this is the first thing you ever did in life. You can do it again. :)

Anyway, that's all from me, I can only write so much before my fingers get tired of trying to type on a Spanish keyboard. (it's not that different, but it's different enough) So for now, I bid you all farewell, and hope you have another fantastic week, I'll see you in the next one! 

- Elder Blankenbiller

craig.blankenbiller@missionary.org

Photos:

1 - Me and the boys on the last night of the cycle

2 - My new apartment

3 - Some crepes I made one day