January 5, 2009

Dear Family,
I'm loving it here! On Sunday, I got the chance to usher before the fireside. The speaker was brother Stephen Allen, who works in the missionary department for the church. Because I ushered, I got to sit on the front row. He said a lot of great things....one of them was "when everything says you can't, listen to the part of you that says you can." I liked that alot. After the fireside, I watched the "Joseph Smith; Prophet of the Restoration" movie. It is such a great film. There is a part in the film where brother Brigham asks Joseph, "why would the Lord choose me of all people to be an apostle?" and then Joseph says to Brigham, "you have been called to serve and have been chosen, you have great work to do." However the quote goes in the movie, I really felt like he was talking to me, at least it felt like it.

Well family, the MTC has been treating me well so far. I do miss you all and hope all is well at home. I know that I am doing th right thing.

With all the love I can express!

Elder Blackham

Happy New Year 2008

Hello Family,

Wow! The Christmas Holiday was packed with things to do. I loved it so much. I got to listen to so many great talks and the food was amazing! On Christmas day I had one of the best experiences ever. I missed you of course, but I had so much fun and joy on Christmas Day. I had the chance to participate in the missionay fireside on Christmas afternoon. I read some slides because of the speaker...it was Presidnet Earl, my Branch President, he is so awesome, but guess what? I had my zone combined with the other district and the Branch Presidency was reassigned. So, we still have Brother Lio but Brother Stoelton is gone and so is President Earl.

This whole week we didn't have a teacher because of scheduling problems....every day they said, "this will never happen again"....but it happened four times. It's ok. On friday my teacher showed up. She is Sister Chung. My other teachers' name is Brother Moore. They are great!

I have been singing in the Choir and I love it. I have only missed one practice the whole time I've been here. Oh the coolest part of the choir is that we are singing "Consider the Lillies" the same arrangement that I sang in NSHS Choir two years ago.

You know I love it out here. The MTC is a world of its own, a paradise on earth. It is almost like the temple, it's in the world but far from being of the world!

Well, I love you more than I can express in words. I miss you, but I am greatful to serve. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Elder Blackham

2008 Christmas Day Email

Hello Family,
I had a great time at the MTC this week. I learned so much. The spirit has been so strong here. I want to tell you the funniest thing that happened this week, I was in the health clinic with my district and we all had to give stool samples...gross huh...well this was one of the funniest things that happened so far here...when the nurse came out and announced "Welcome to my white bag party!" She went into detail well, I can't tell it....but believe me it was very funny.

The devotional this week was by Elder Glen L. Pace of the 70. He spoke on "Omni-Love" which was so spiritual. I liked this quote: "Until we love all men, our love of the Savior is incomplete." He also quoted Lorenzo Snow: "As man now is, God once was, and as God now is, man may become."

I am so greatful for you and your love and support of me. I can't wait to go out and serve.

I love you all so very much. My study of the gospel is really making me learn to love you more and appreciate more what I have. Thanks for your examples to me. Thank you mom and dad for the wonderful parents that you are to me. Thanks Bryce and Brenden for trying my patience....I know now why I needed more patience. Thanks Brett and Britt and Zac for the examples you are and the love you have for me. Thanks for your love and support of me on a mission Brad, it means alot to me. Thanks John and Emilee for all of the times you let me stay at your house and especially thank you Em for doing my blog. I am so greatful for ALl of you. Thanks! I hope you have a Joyous and Merry Christmas. I love you all very much! (Sorry it was late, I didn't get it sent right.) I can't wait to hear back from you!

Love, Elder Blackham

Merry Christmas 2008

December 25

Merry Christmas! I love you ALL! Thank you for the presents. I enjoyed getting the packages. My Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so far have been wonderful. I have been thinking alot about home and when I heard Elder David A. Bednar speak last night I was so greatful for my calling as a missionary. He said that if I focus on the work that YOU will be blessed for my service and that I won't have to worry about you. (Just like what Pres. Arnoldson said.) He also spoke about the symbols of Christmas, the tree, the lights and the shepherds...I want to share an experience about the light....Please read this as a family.....Read in Helaman 14:28 about Samuel the Lamanite, when he prophecies of the birth of Christ....there would be a day, a night and a day as if one day and no night. Then read 3 Nephi 1:4-15 This was one of the most spiritual experiences that I had had up to this point at the MTC, and maybe in my life! Now, picture the Mormon Miracle Pageant, keep the thought that the believers were going to be killed if the sign wasn't given that night! Do we have that FAITH? Many have had to give up all for their faith. (Count me as a member who will give all, as I am here until the end, Christ knows!) Then, when the sun went down and the sunlight stayed, THE LIGHT had saved them! Now, Fast forward to 3 Nephi 11:10-11 "I am the light and life of the world." When Christ came to them, He had done the will of the Father, Christ Loves Everyone. I know that He loves me and you ALL. During this whole experience I kept having flashbacks of the Pageant, where I was there and I saw Christ come and I felt his love. I saw and felt his hands. He came as He was surrounded in light because Christ is the Light!

This morning I heard from Elder Jeffery R. Holland and his wife. She said "Go find Christ." It is what I want to do. He said, "You are what you teach!" and "Be Strong." His grandchildren sang to us. I couldn't help but think of the wonderful brothers and sister that I have, watching them grow up helped me so much. I remember the spirit so strongly testifying that God approves of what I am doing and He is proud of me. This Christmas I will always remember and cherish. Elder Holland also said this isn't my work or my mission and it's not done my way..."this is not Burger King!"

Well, I am thinking of you and I love you more than I can express! Have a very Merry Christmas Season and a Happy New Year!

Your Devoted Missionary,
Elder Blackham

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