December 26, 2022

 ***Elder Blankenbiller’s mission has a mission-wide activity Tuesday, so they had their p-day on Monday.***

¡Feliz Navidad! 

Christmas was definitely the highlight of this week, so we'll just get right into it! 

So on Saturday, being Christmas Eve, we had tried to get lots of appointments set up to go visit people. And wouldn't you know it, it worked! We had three family home evenings and two lessons that night. And we probably ate enough for a week between the two of us. :P 

It was really cool to see all of the different ways people celebrate Christmas here! One of their traditions is called 'pedir posada', and they sing a whole song about Joseph and Mary looking for room in an inn. Sort of a call and answer thing, with half the people outside, and the other half indoors. Kinda cool, I hadn't seen it last year, so it was new for me. 

We also got a lot of Ponche, which is a sort of hot fruit punch? I think that's the best way to describe it. Imagine Apple cider with a few more fruits and spices, and you'll have it pretty spot on. It's very good. 

Church on Sunday was a bit under attended, but that's just how it goes. :P I did get to play a little musical number though, an adaptation of 'Angels we have heard on high'. And I got to open presents from my family on Christmas morning, so no complaints from me. :) 

I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas! Don't forget to take advantage of the season and keep spreading the message of the Gospel! 

- Elder Blankenbiller

Photos:

- Christmas Sushi 

- My family sent me a countdown chain, so I can keep track of how many days I've got left. Time to be trunky, I guess :P

December 20, 2022

 Hey everybody! I've been running around a lot today, so this is gonna be a shorter email. Sorry about that. 

Lots happening these weeks, what with Christmas and all. Christmas, as mentioned in last years' emails, is crazy here. Everybody starts partying on the 12th, and it just kind of keeps going until mid February, more or less. It's a blast, haha. 

Last week we spent a ton of time trying to get people to come to our ward's Christmas party. It seems to have worked, because the chapel was packed. Oh, also, they started at about 5:30, and kept on partying until about 11:00 or so. We were already long gone at that point. :P Still, fun party. 

And today, I got a visit from Santa Claus! Well, kind of. Some friends from home who happened to be visiting Mexico City were enlisted by my parents to bring me some Christmas presents! So super grateful to the Hunsakers and Maddy Edwards for making my last Christmas in the mission a good one. :)

This week is going to be pretty full, we've got a ward temple trip, Christmas, and the mission Christmas party is next week. So I'll be sure to let you know how the holiday went for us! Hope you all have a great one!

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- Some snacks for the Ward Christmas Party

- District activity: sushi 

- The Hunsaker Family

- They took us out to sushi for lunch!

December 13, 2022

Hi again! Welcome back. On this week's episode: My last transfer call, Zone Conferences, and a baptismal date!

First up chronologically, Zone Conferences! This Zone Conference in particular was kinda emotional, a lot of my friends gave their farewell talks this time around. And I'm up next cycle. Plus, they put together a really powerful video of all us old missionaries talking about our missions, for the newer missionaries to watch. Very spiritual stuff. I'm gonna miss those guys. :/

On Sunday evening, we all got together as a Zone to receive the transfer news. Always more of a party that way. When all the dust cleared, I ended up staying in the same area, with the same companion! And it's here that I'll be finishing my time as a missionary! 

And lastly, we had the opportunity to extend an invitation to one of our friends, Carlos, to be baptized! He's got a date set for January 7th, and we're super excited for him. 

That's all for this week! Enjoy your Christmas break!

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- Temple lights 

- Temple lights photoshoot (it's convenient, having access to the nice camera in the offices ;)

December 6, 2022

 Hey everyone! 

I've been crazy busy this week! So I'm gonna have to keep this one short. This week, I simplified, changed, and translates A Christmas Carol to be a ten minute missionary skit for the Stake Christmas activity. We also got a bunch of referrals to visit, reorganized the ward missionary meetings, and somehow found time to squeeze in a bunch of lessons. Things are heating up for the Holiday Season! Enjoy your Christmas, I'll try and get a more coherent email out next week, haha. 

¡Feliz Navidad!

- Elder Blankenbiller 

Photos:

- Watermelon Bug

- Don't have too many photos from this week, so here's a Christmas meme *shrug*

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!