December 23, 2008

Hey I am fine I love you guys so much. All is well at the MTC.Well I have been enjoying my stay here. I hope all is great at home. I had some great devotionals this week that I listened to, the Sunday one was by Richard I. Heaton (admin. Director of the Provo MTC) He spoke on " What needs to happen inside the investigator..." before baptism. He spoke of having a change in heart. Unless we know they have a testimony they can't be baptized, but just having a testimony they won't be. They need to have the desire to change, and that applies to me and you too. If I just have a testimony, that will not be enough. I have to have a change of heart and be really devoted to the work, it has to be an internal desire do preach the gospel and bring others to Christ. You must be absolutely willing to do your best with what the Lord asks you to do.

Well I want you to know I am thinking of you and love you! I know that there is nothing better I could be doing with my time. I love the mission but I learned that this is not my mission it's the Lord's.

I hope to hear from you soon

I am having a great experience so far. I have another companion now...so it's 3X3 everywhere I go. His name is Elder Wu, he's going to new York on his mission. Well it's almost been a week and I am barely starting to get the hang of this place! Sunday was the only time I felt homesick, but a great BYU men's chorus fireside cleared that right up. Well the language is hard but God will provide a way for me to learn it.

"...for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 1 NEPHI 3:7

There, I will learn Chinese, Ta Dah! He will make a way. I am learning some great things here at the MTC and I am so excited to go and spread the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My love of the scriptures has grown in just one week, I am so excited I have the opportunity to serve in Taiwan. It feels as though I have no time to breathe here at the MTC. My schedule is so packed with activities, meetings, and interviews. I must say, though it is hard, the tight schedule is nice. I can stay busy so it is hard to feel homesick.

I really am grateful for you all, I love you so much and I know life is precious. "Ye pass this way but once" so make time count. My first week has just flown by, but the days have been some of the longest in my life, Probably because I haven't slept much. Hey, dad you were right about the adjusting to the sleeping schedule it is hard, but I will endure!

I hope that you are all having a wonderful holiday season. I love you.

Elder Blackham (Bao Zhong Lao)

DAY ONE

Well I am here. The experience has been well.....different. I have an awsome companion though, his name is Elder Boshard, he is from Provo, Utah..cool huh! I think that I will always remember today. It has been humbling, I don't know where anything is and I keep thinking WOW I am a missionary. I wear the name Elder just like the General Athorities. All is wonderful. I have made a commitment to be exactly obedient. So, I will end my letter with I love you and I will try to bring honor to the family.

Your newest missionary

Elder Blackham

I am getting set apart today

I am getting set apart today at nine o'clock. The time of my mission is at hand. I know it will be hard, but I am ready to give it my all. I am ready to put my life in the Lord's hands and become an instrument to bring many people to salvation. I love my Savior and am so excited to go and serve, to do His work. I know that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and older brother. i know that He died to save us all from sin, so that we may return to live with him forever. i am so greatful for my support system of my family and friends. thank you so much for your friendship, honesty,kind and Love. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a happy Holiday season.

Elder Brigham Blackham