November 29, 2022

Hi everyone! How are we all doing this week? Well, I hope. This week went pretty well for me too! We had a couple fun adventures. So let's jump in, shall we? 

Today (we just got back, actually) we went to Chapultepec, which is basically the Central Park of Mexico City. Lots of cool museums, a palace where the old presidents of Mexico used to live, and with a fantastic view of the city. 10/10, recommended if you ever swing down here. It's a bit expensive, but only if you're used to paying in pesos. In English, it's about $4.25. So you know. Pretty good for a museum. 

Also this week, the members really came through! We've been having a bit of trouble finding new people to teach, but the members all suddenly decided that this was the week to send us all of the referrals they've been saving up. So now we're going at full steam. Good times. 

And lastly, we had interviews with our Mission President this week as well. He's got lots of good advice, especially for us old missionaries who are going home soon. Such as: Don't worry about it. You're here, not there. ;) Seriously though, he's awesome, and I'm super glad to have him as my President as I finish up. 

That's all for now! (Also, it's officially Christmas now, so listen to some Christmas music for me!)

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- Tamales are delicious

- Taking advantage of Black Friday 

- We went to a castle 

- The view was nice 

- Also Ikea! 

November 22, 2022

Hello again! This week was pretty interesting, we had a lot going on! Let's skip the pleasantries and get right into it!

We started off this week having companion exchanges with the Zone Leaders! The one who came with me, Elder Barranca, is an old District Leader of mine, and my companion went with Elder Taukeiaho, an old companion of mine. It's a small world in the mission when your old. XD We had a good time, we were able to visit several member families, since we're still trying to get to know the ward better. And it was fun to reminisce about old times, nearly a year ago when we were in a District together.

Also while on exchanges, a gas main exploded. Yep, you heard that right. Right on the edge of our area. Apparently, a bunch of schools closed down, since the fumes weren't exactly very healthy for children. :P The best part? This wasn't even the first time this has happened. XP

Also this week, people magically fell from the sky so we could teach them! We found three people at the end of a day of no luck, because we just happened to take a different route from the chapel to the apartment. God knows what He's doing with this whole trust the Spirit thing. The members have also been super helpful, pointing us to friends and neighbors that we can visit. I get the feeling we're gonna keep seeing miracles here!

Anyway, I gotta run, we've got a Zone Activity. See you all again next week! 

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- A gas main exploded. I'm not kidding :P

- We were on exchanges when it happened 

- We did get bread though, so that's good

- All parts of the city here have signs for some reason 

November 15, 2022

Alrighty everybody, we're back!

After a little less than a week in my new area... everything is chaos. :P I received the assignment to manage the Facebook Page for the mission. So I'm now doing that, on top of training, on top of being a District Leader, on top of whitewashing an area. I've got a bit of a full plate, you could say. So forgive me if this email is a bit short. Also, no pictures, because yeah. :/

Although this week has been pretty crazy, it's also been full of cool experiences! We were able to find two new people to teach last week, and we've got a great ward here, they're very supportive, and have helped out a lot with getting to know the area, who we can go visit, stuff like that. Hopefully we'll be settled in real soon. 

To wrap things up, I haven't shared a spiritual thought in a while! (I know, I'm a terrible missionary ;) The other day, while going over Preach My Gospel to plan companionship study, I was reading a part in Chapter 10, about Teaching for Understanding. And the thought struck me that taking time to truly understand the Gospel is quite probably one of the most essential things that we can do. But how, exactly, do we come to understand? Well, obviously, we need to study. But also, we need to experience it! So what can you do to experience the Gospel? Go think about it. That's your homework this week.

Anyway, thats all out of me. See you next week! 

- Elder Blankenbiller 

P.S. You can start the countdown now, there's only ten more of these emails coming!

November 9, 2022

Hey Everyone!

Surprise! Bet you didn't see this one coming. Due to circumstances beyond my control, yesterday was actually not P-Day. But today is, so you get an email one day late. Hope that didn't cause too much of a panic. ;)

Anyways. The reason we have P-Day today is because yesterday, we had transfers! And this time, President had us wait until Tuesday night. So yesterday at about 4:30, I went to the temple to pick up my trainee (oh yeah, I'm training now), and then we got in a van and headed off to drop off some other missionaries. And yeah. That’s about it. :P I'm in a new area now, we're whitewashing the area of the old Technology Specialists. (Fortunately, that assignment did not pass on to me) And we'll see how it goes. 

Last week was kinda crazy. On Tuesday morning, the AP's stopped by for a visit, and called my companion as a trainer. They had their meeting on Wednesday, which I didn't get invited to. And then on Friday, President gave me a call, and said that he had forgotten to tell me that I would also be training. So. That happened. 

We got the actual transfer news on Saturday, and, as always, that made Sunday kind of painful. Too many goodbyes. :P But hey, I can always visit again soon-ish. But yeah. Crazy week. I'll let you know how this whole training gig goes. Have a good one!

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- The temple

- A sunset

- A few goodbyes

November 1, 2022

Hey everybody! Happy Halloween, Feliz Día de los Muertos, whatever you decided to celebrate this year! It's been an eventful week, so let's run it down, shall we? 

First up, we had Stake Conference this last weekend, which was really cool, because I got to see a whole bunch of people from the other wards I've served in here in the stake! They were all quite surprised to realize that I've only got three months left, haha. It was nice to see old friends again. Plus, our Mission President showed up, and gave some great advice to the members about helping out with the work, and letting us wash their dishes. (Speaking of, let the missionaries wash your dishes or something. They'll thank you. :)

Also this week: A service project! We went and helped clean out a member's seafood restaurant, which had gotten rather... greasy. :P But hey, we got to throw water around and use brooms to clean the ceiling, so who am I to complain? ;)

Overall, a great week! Looking forward to this next one, to wrap up the transfer strong. See you around!

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- Tall dead lady #1

- Tall dead lady #2

- My companion opens a pizza shop

- <3

- Expensive Chocolate tastes better 

- Don't ask what's in the bag

- Zone Halloween photo

- More Día de Los Muertos decorations