October 25, 2022

 Hey everybody! Hope you all had a great week, and if not, enjoy hearing about mine, because I did. ;)

First up, we had companion exchanges with one of the companionships in my district. I stayed in my area, and Elder Barrios came to visit. He's from Guatemala, and he's got about six months in the mission. And we had a great time! We had a great lesson with a new investigator, a Family Home Evening with one of the best families in the ward (don't tell the ward I said that), and the Hermana is actually from Guatemala too, so they had a grand old time talking about stuff from home. I also got to try a drink that they simply call 'cafe', but isn't actually coffee? It's a grain based drink, and it was honestly really good. I'll have to see if I can find some more somewhere. All in all, successful exchanges if I do say so myself. Also last week, we had Zone Conference! Always fun to see people from across the mission, it isn't too often that we get to do that. Plus, a whole bunch of people gave their farewell testimonies at the end. Eight people are going home in two weeks! Crazy. 

The work has been going really well, at the moment, we have eight people in teaching, with several potentials lined up for this week. Without too much trouble, we should be able to keep things going strong. We've also seen a lot more effort on the part of ward members to be actively involved in missionary work. They even send us messages sometimes asking if we have any lessons that they can help out with! It's really cool. (Also, go help the missionaries in your ward. Trust me, they'll appreciate it a lot. And make them wash dishes or something, they're there to serve, after all ;)

Have a good one!

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- The best tacos in Mexico City 

- Photogenic Bridge 

- Family Home Evening during exchanges 

- I'm something of a celebrity myself

- See above explanation

- Chocolate cake for five bucks 

October 18, 2022

Hello again! 

This week was absolutely crazy, we did so many things, I'm not even sure where to start. :P 

For starters, we had an amazing temple trip with a recent convert, where we managed to sneak into the session with a bunch of MTC missionaries. It was very strange, seeing so many white people in one place again. :P On the way out of the temple, I actually bumped into my MTC teacher, Hermano Gallegos! It was cool to catch up a bit, especially now that I can talk to him in Spanish. ;)

Also this week: We made pizza with the Elders Quorum, had interviews with President, and one of our baptismal dates almost gave us the slip by moving to Aguas Calientes. (She called us on Saturday, and told us that her sister came to get her, and she wouldn't be able to see us anymore. And then on Sunday, she called us again to say that actually, that's not true, she couldn't leave because work. So... we're still good!) 

Also, I tried a new food this week! They're called Tlayudas, and they're from Oaxaca. Imagine a burrito, but folded like a quesadilla, with a toasted flour tortilla, and cooked in lard. In short, they're delicious, and you should try them. 

Lastly, a spiritual thought: This week, I was studying about studying. (Redundent, but hey) Something that really stood out to me was the emphasis on continually learning no matter what stage of life we're in. And an important part of that is building on precious learning. Of course, in order to do that, we need to remember what we've already learned. And something that really helps with that is keeping a study journal. So. Do it. :) 

That's all for this week! 

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- Making Pizza 

- The Pizza 

- Pumpkin Spice pancakes 

- Tlayudas (a dish from Oaxaca)

- Temple trip!

- My MTC teacher who I randomly bumped into at the temple  

October 11, 2022

 Hey everyone!

 Another busy week! We had exchanges with the Zone Leaders, had an incredible number of miracles in our area, and this week might top it! So let's get right into it, shall we?

On Friday, we had companion exchanges with the Zone Leaders; I went to their area to work with Elder Santos. It was a pretty great day, we found a handful of people willing to listen, a couple less-active members, and even bumped into their baptismal date while wandering around the area before lunch. And, as is now sort of tradition, we slept over at their apartment and played Catan. (With a bit of illegal gambling on the side between Elder Santos and I. And that's the story of how I won a Tamale and Atole by winning Catan twice. ;)

Sunday was awesome. We had three of our investigators come to church, and by the end, they all had baptismal dates! One of them, Hermana Elizabeth, gave the most powerful testimony, and the members were practically falling over each other to offer her a ride to church, or to go visit her, etc. We're super excited to see that the ward is finally starting to pull its weight. :P

That's all from me, have a great week!

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- Mario's looking a bit out of it

- District Catan

October 4, 2022

How's it going everybody? 

Welcome back to the soon-to-expire series of weekly emails in the life of Elder Blankenbiller. They're basically limited edition, so enjoy them while they last. ;)

Anyway. While everyone else was dealing with the chaos of a new area and a new companion, my companion and I just kind of carried on with business as usual. It was kinda nice, not gonna lie. Plus, we've got lots of plans for this ward, and I'd have been really put out if I wasn't around to see them through. We even put a baptismal date this week! The work is going well. :)

Also, we had general conference this week! (I mean, I'm sure most of you noticed) We got a whole bunch of temples announced right near the city! Obviously, I won't be around to see even the foundations laid, but still. :P 

I hope you were all taking notes, there was certainly a lot to get out of this conference. One of my personal favorites was the talk by Elder Schmitt, about learning the names of Christ, and applying them to ourselves. (Fun fact, Elder Schmitt was the San Diego mission president several years ago). 

Anyways. I've got to go play volleyball, so enjoy your week, and I'll see you later! 

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- Conference meme

- That's it, I didn't take pictures this week. :P