February 9, 2015, A little late, but better late than never, OH, and I kind of bled to death this week.

Hi Mom.

Thank you so much for the e-mails you write me. I love reading every one I get every day. This weeks been a lot better. 

We actually started the week with a lesson, straight off. We had a lesson last Monday at nine, so we extended preparation day an hour to make up for it. She's a referral we'd taught once before, but she's only available at nine on Monday mornings (talk about un-lucky). We were supposed to have another lesson with her today, but she fell through, so we went grocery shopping instead.

We had an exchange on Tuesday with the District Leader, Elder Rangel. He came to our area with me and Elder Gonzalez went to their area with Elder Gutierrez (I'm surrounded by natives, and most of them have names that start with 'G' Gonzalez, Gutierrez, Garcia, Guevara (the Elder That took me out on my first day.) We spent a good chunk of time finding people on the street or hunting (or in Spanish 'cazando' (the verb is 'cazar' and sounds a lot like 'casar' which is 'to marry')) for the members in our new area. Turns out the only two we hadn't run by yet have moved, so we don't need to try by again.

The next day we were going to run by J*, the referral who can only meet on Monday's, to pick up a Book of Mormon we left with her to read (she already had one but it was in the car which was in the shop) but we forgot until half way through companionship study and she wasn't there when we ran by. We then went to the other Elders apartment to exchange back, but they were running late, so we sat and cooked for a couple of minutes (their AC is broken) while we waited for them to come back. One of the things that Elder Rangel is doing is he'd trying to improve the eating habits of the missionaries under his steward ship, and Elder Gutierrez is a walking encyclopedia of how to eat and exercise well

(I'll send a picture and you'll see what I mean) so every time we go on an exchange with Elder Gutierrez we have a health goal we set. Elder Gonzales's was to watch his fat intake, so we've been counting how much fat we eat and looking at all the nutrition values on everything we eat.

The next day was Planning, That's about all we did, was plan for next week. We also ran by Hermano R*. He's a member of the precedency of the YSA branch in our stake. He's also a tailor so the elders use him for quick fixes on our broken clothing (speaking of, I have a few pants that could use some needle and thread). While we were there we talked with his step-son. He's not a member and so we invited him to listen, but mostly we just talked about his bike. (I sent a picture Dad, you should take a look. It's beautiful.) We asked them if the knew anyone we could teach, but the didn't so we tried to set up a dinner, they'll get back to us, and left to eat one for the day before we went to our lessons. 

Friday was supper fun and supper productive. We started with Zone Training Meeting. We had some really good role plays and learned how to work better with the members. We hope to improve a lot in this as a mission this year. After Zone Training Meeting we came home, had lunch, and ice cream (we bought two things last week and it was a horrible mistake, tell you why latter) and role played telling S*, you wont be baptized this upcoming week... that was a fun lesson. We then had exchanges... ok more like splits with the ayudantes, or in English the assistance to the president. One of the assistance is the Elder who trained Elder Gonzales, and they went out together. Elder Gonzales was supper pumped and nervous at the same time. He was only trained for six weeks before he was given his first trainee, so he was excited to work with Elder Lynford (the assistant) once again. I went with Elder Speth down to Hermano J*. We saw so many miracles, but I've written/am going to write them in my journal (I'm actually writing that day today along with Saturday and Sunday. I kind of got behind). The story I want to share is how I cut my finger with a card and started bleeding to death in the middle of a conversation. Yep, we stopped on the way to talk to this lady at a fruit stand (they sell fruit here like it's ice-cream) and I pulled out a card and cut my finger. I kept talking while I applied pleasure to the "wound" but I just kept on bleeding. I pulled my hand away and discovered that both hands were now covered in blood. we asked for a napkin and from that point on people were very weary to shake hands with me, especially because I cut the index finger on my right hand. I've actually got a paper cut on every exchange this week.

Saturday was slower. We had a few set lessons, but most of them fell through. and we spent all morning helping the familia S* (how ever you spell their name. I'll look it up for when I journal tonight) move. they gave us McDonalds and Obispo brought donuts, so we didn't do to good on the fat intake that day.

Sunday was also kind of slow. We were booked solid with activities, so we didn't have time for studies, but we did have a dinner with S* which was absolutely fantastic. (Muy Muy Rico.)

return and report

Spanish, super bad. 2/7

weight, even worse I gained 6 libras (pounds). I'm back at 180, and I might just kill my self. Looks like the goal is 160 by may. THIS IS WHY THE ICE CREAM WAS A BAD IDEA, I just got rid of the last of it and no more of it in my house on my mission. 

other news.

I've made a list of junk food I will eat on the mission out side of my "cheat meals" and I ask you only send me this in my packages. they are Pizza (if you can find a way to ship that I will die of shock) brownies, cookies/cookie dough (chocolate chip) Milano's/Oreo's.

Also, you want to feed me on my mission, send me a Costco card. We have a Costco in every zone here, so I can go there every preparation day, with permission, to buy food, like once a transfer, and it save a lot of money in the long run, if done right. If you can't send me a card, you could send me directions on how to get my own.

Oh, and one more thing, when you send packages, try to send them so they arrive on Thursday, we usually spend more time in the apartment on this day because we spend half the day planning.

Love

Elder Michael Blanding.

p.s. Next week I'm writing on Tuesday because it's presidents day.

Elder Michael Blanding's zone Van Nuys.
Elder Blanding is 4th from right 

Elder Michael Blanding's zone Van Nuys "Throw it up"

February 2, 2015, WOW, lots to do, no time to do it

Hi mom,

 Weirdly, I don't know what to write. Not much happened this week. No, nothing's wrong, I will just need a nurse if something is wrong and she could be at a lot of meetings as a mission nurse, I randomly met her at Zone conference, that's all.

This week was pretty slow compared to last week. We only taught a total of ten lessons, but we had our area extended, so we tried to spend some time in the new part of the area. We only really know one corner right now. We received four referrals this week, and two of them live in the new area, in the exact same apartment. We've been trying to get in touch with them, but one didn't have an apartment number (seriously, who doesn't send an apartment number when sending an address;)) so it's hard to get in touch, and the other we need to run by in the morning when we usually have studies. We did pick up another futuro (potential) in the same apartment, but we haven't been able to teach him yet.

The Super Bowl was a bit of a let down. I kind of smack talked with A* about it, and I'd asked him and S* not to let me know who won, I wanted you to tell me. A* didn't watch it and S* saw the last ten minutes. S* couldn't help but spoil it. She opened the door and the first thing she said, in her broken English, was "sorry, Wilson made a mistake" I was hoping she was joking, but we were having the lesson in R*'s house and the T.V. was still on. I heard the end score via the T.V. (the game had just ended when we got there) and was totally upset. R* is her next door neighbor, and probably her best friend. He's white and from (get this) Seattle area. In all honesty, he reminds me a little of dad. He was up in arms about the game. He explained what had happened through out the game, a lot of tripping of our receivers and the fact that we were up by 10 at the end of the third (How did we lose that lead in 15 minutes?) He is completely convinced the game was rigged, but he also has some interesting ideas about things, not far off usually, but still interesting. Do you think we should have run the ball in to the end zone? 

As for the work outs; I could start lifting, and I might just do that soon. I'm down to 174 lbs., which was the goal this week!!!!! The P360X is a joke. I did math, yes I do that now, and found out that if I did P90X in 30min intervals, it'd take me about 360 days to finish, P360X. I don't care if you send me P90X work outs or work out's of your own design (in all honesty, it probably be best if you made them because then they'd be tailored to 30min rather then fit) I'm just keeping the phrase/name of P360X because it's funny. And, yes, please send me a back band work out thing (what ever that's called) in the next package you send (don't just send a package to get me a work out device).

Update on work. S* doesn't have a date. She never did. She wants to be baptized for the wrong reasons, so we didn't accept that she accepted, I wonder if she knows that. I just realized I started by telling you how work went... oops.

Ayunos (Fasts) update.

Sweet fast, completed to the full. I didn't eat a sweet until last night and I feel so good that I did it. The day I started the fast, Elder Gonzalez received a package in the mail with candy, and he gave me four candy bars (a Babe Ruth, a Twix, a Peppermint Patty, and (hardest of all) a Milky Way). I put them away, out of sight out of mind, most of the time, and even gave back the Babe Ruth and the Twix. Sunday night I had the peppermint Patty and I ate the Milky Way today.

Bread, still going strong. It's really hard to not eat it when Elder Gonzalez buy's a loaf and our rewards for completing companionship goals (this week was asking for referrals) is going to Sub Way, because they have really good deals, but I'm staying strong and giving my self a burger as a reward. It's also hard when all we have to eat is pasta and a little chicken (NO WE AREN"T STARVING).

Cake, Not a Problem.

Days in Spanish; improved 5/7.

Love 

Elder Michael Blanding.

you have about 50 min to respond and I'll still be on.

January 26, 2015, Transfers, S*, Work, Work, Work

Hi Mom,

Yes this is the week of transfers and I might be getting a new area. I'm not leaving, but one of the areas (the one right below ours) is closing, so they have to redraw the boundaries for our zone to cover that part as well. Best of both worlds really, I get to stay in my area with my Recent Converts and Investigators, but I still get to explore more of the mission.

One bit of advise to help with your... stress levels. STOP CLEANING OUT THE BASEMENT UNTILL YOU'VE PASSED THE FINAL AND ARE CERTIFIED!!!! It will do wonders for your stress levels and your study time. Focus on the STUDIES, and then AFTER you PASS clean out and set up your studio. Also, you have four (soon five) little helpers who can clean and cook and wash for you. I know they know how because you taught them, so USE THEM. I really do LOVE you Mom, that's why I write this.

Our schedule is still just as full as the last few weeks, and getting even more full (or "fuller", but that ain't a word). We found three new investigators last night, and they all seem really solid. We set up times to come back this week and hope to be able to not go by S* every day so we can take care of our other investigators.

Speaking of S*, Every Missionary that hasn't taught her loves her. Every missionary that has taught her (and isn't me, Elder Gonzalez, or Elder Garcia) gets annoyed by, but still loves her. The rest of us have moments of love for her and moments of frustration about how much she can fight us on everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. She accepted a fecha this Thursday of the 15th of Febrero. Her reason of accepting the fecha was because she wants to get money by paying tithing. We went back for lunch the next day and talked about it to make sure we under stood her right. We did. So we haven't accepted her acceptance of the fecha. For the last few days we've been talking about what the prophets have taught. We literally listed off all the prophets we knew, old and new, and she went through and asked us what was something that God revealed to each and everyone of them. We honestly didn't know much about the resent prophets, but we were able to tell her about the old testament prophets.

A* conformation was actually a little problematic. I accidentally said "Recibe el Don del Esptiritu Santo" because I'd never done one in English let alone Spanish, so we had to fix that this Sunday. The actual phrase is "Recibe el Esiritu Santo". The Difference is that "Don del Espiritu Santo" means "Gift of the Holy Ghost". Bright side, he now holds the Aaronic Priesthood at the office of Deacon. We also started teaching his brother (E*)'s Girl friend, K*. She only speaks Spanish and I honestly wasn't expecting it.

When does Spencer enter the CCM?

No I don't have regular access to weights. Right now, in the apartment I live in, we have two bench presses and some more free weights, but I'm focused on losing the weight, so I've not been using them. I do have a plan for work out's after I loss all the weight I want to. I plan on doing a VERY extended version of P90X, I call it P360X. It should start in abril and end the next year, IF I can stay on point with my weight loss. Elder Gutierrez, Elder Rangel's trainee, is a supper fit elder. He did something called Physic Body Building, which is all about being in good shape and being symmetrical. He's been going around teaching the Elders about good eating habits. He taught me on Friday, during our exchange, about eating and how to count calories, basically he taught me about losing weight and building muscles. Unfortunately it'll be hard on the mission, but I can still try my best. The whole sugar thing has been just that. I say no if it's offered, but if it's given to me I eat it. Saturday, I had both sugar and cake, the two thing's I gave up. We were having a member dinner and she offered us cheese cake. I said "no" right when Elder Gonzalez said "yes" so they heard yes and I had to eat it. I don't count that as breaking my fast. 

I've actually added to the fast. For this next transfer (so the next six weeks) I will not eat bread. This is going to be really hard because we have coupons for a half of a foot long at subway that expire this month coming up, Elder Gonzalez isn't joining me in the fast, and S* just gave us two loves of French Bread for free. Please pray for me.

Time to be needy:

Could you send me in the next package some work out bands. I don't need anything heavy to carry around the mission, but resistance bands would be nice to work out my back.

Also, let the Seahawks know that Elder Blanding needs two more workout/Preparation Day shirts, so they better win. We actually have a repeat of last year down here. A* is routing for the Patriots and so is Elder Gamble-Thompson (an elder from my CCM District) and I'm all Hawks all the way. I don't suppose you could send some stats on the game this week, just so I can smack talk with A* appropriately.

Oh yah, and for P360X, it'd be nice to have the work out sheets so I can plan the workouts appropriately.

RETERN AND REPORT

Weight loss. one pound, which gives us 176. so close but I wanted 174 this week. That cool though, I'll get it next week.

Spanish; 3/4. I need to work on it.

Love for my mission, my investigators, my leaders, and my Companion; off the charts.

Love, 

Elder "Thin'n Out" Blanding

January 20, 2015, Confirmation, TMNT, and everything be shiny

This week was pretty fun. We had a lot of work. We are either really good at planning or going to be really rusty at it really soon. We haven't had to plan for a day for a couple of weeks because our days just get filled up with appointments.

This week was pretty chill on the crazy side, mostly just lessons and stuff, but it felt like a doubly long week because e-mail is on Tuesday. On the other hand this week will be twice as fast because I'm doing this on Tuesday. We did have Zone Conference again. It was super cool. We got the new mission training plan and we are super excited to see what we can learn this year. Sad thing is we didn't get the new I-pads yet, they are supposed to come in abril (april) now.

L* and B* are doing fantastic. They're really busy because of the holidays (I hate Christmas and New Years and Hanukkah ;) Best Christmas Ever!!!) but their lives should be slowing down now, so they will hopefully be able to come to church this week.

I got to Confirm A* this past Sunday. It was pretty fun and my Spanish was good enough to give the gift of the holy ghost, but I accidentally called him by his middle name during the blessing part (oops). 

S* is progressing really well. We've been reading with her from El Libro de Mormon (the Book of Mormon) and she's starting to get it. She doesn't ask nearly as many questions. We've also been teaching her daughter, G*. She's been in town for the last week and S* has had us teach her every day, sometimes when we are coming to teach S*. G* is like the exact opposite of her mom. She accepts it really fast and doesn't ask a lot of questions. We set a fecha with her and can't wait to send off this referral to the missionaries in San Francisco. We're teaching her Tithes and offerings to day in like an hour so it's going to be an easy baptism for them up there. 

This is a short e-mail, but hey not much happened to tell you about.

Weight; 177 (as of Monday)

Spanish: 4/7

New Commitments that I've made. No more sugar until February, no more cake until July 9th 2015. 

Oh, nearly forgot. One of the themes for Zone Conference was Faith compared to Seeds and trees only our faith and our tree. This is the Year of the Tree ;)

One more thing... okay two. Can you send me a eating/workout plan for a healthy body, and what does "heavy cream" look like? I can't find it anywhere and my companions have both wanted pasta and broccoli.

January 11, 2015, BAPTISM!!!!

Hi Mom,

As you probably guessed from the title, WE GOT A BAPTISM!!!!! A* made this blessed covenant with God last night, It was so freaking awesome! Obispo (Bishop) H* did the baptism. We took a lot of pictures and I need to send them on to Elder Garcia, if he'd ever just send me an e-mail so I can do that. It was also his birthday so that was super cool. We made cupcakes and gave him one the night before.

 S* daughter, G*, was in town. We re-taught the restoration with her and did a lot of reading with S*. She needs to learn to ask God for answers (not us) and keep reading. Seriously, I can't tell you how many times S*'s been reading and stopped to ask a question that is directly answered in the next line or the next verse. A couple nights in a row, we promised her that if she would read she'd receive her answer. The exact wording was (translation) "I Promise you [S*] that the answers are in the book." I loved the day she started the lesson by saying (translation and paraphrase) "You were right, the answers are in the book." She'd read like three whole chapters and even after that she still had questions. She did learn about the Great and Abominable Church being the Catholic Church on her own, but then she tried to fight it. She confuses me sometimes.

Familia C* still hasn't turned into anything. We need to call them and try to set something up. I can't remember if I told you this, but the mom is from Puebla, Mexico, so I think it'd be super cool to help her get baptized. We did have a really good place to start out from to. I think Jason needs to send me a letter with some pictures/descriptions of Puebla so I can have good conversations about some ones home over here. 

We needed two splits this week because we had so many appointments that we literally ran out of time in the day. BEST PROBLEM EVER!! during one of the splits we almost set up an appointment that would require a third split, but we decided to give Elder Rangel and Elder Gutierrez a break and time to take care of their investigators. 

Please pray for L* and B*. Pray that they can prepare for baptism, they are ready for it, but they just need to get married and listen to all the lessons. L*'s married to another man in Honduras, so pray that the divorce goes quick. That is a specific plea for help. 

I'm doing just fine. Health is good, eating could improve. I still lost my two pounds this week, but it was cutting it close. We talked all week in Spanish, at least the way I keep track. we're going to try and improve a little this week. Every week we are choosing a goal to work on and if we make it we can go out to eat on Monday (to see more about this read Adjusting to Missionary Life, it's money). Last week was focused planning, this week is Spanish. Wish us luck and pray I forget English.

I love the order of your questions at the end of letters. They are the opposite of how I want to answer them, focused on me and then on the people I teach. I DON'T MATTER MOM!! ;)

Got to go write Jason in espanol now.

Love,

Elder Michael Blanding

January 5, 2015, This week of Miracles

Hi mom

I'm going to start by talking about some of my investigators today.

Yes S* back on track. We are taking all our lessons to read with her, or answer questions she gets from her reading, when she reads. She likes to find weird books about the Bible and feels like she needs to read everything in the Bible before the Book of Mormon. She's right, reading the Bible is good, but right now she needs to read the Book of Mormon. 

A* didn't get baptized this week :( half our fault half his. He wasn't at a few of our lessons and we hadn't quite taught him everything, so he wasn't prepared. But he only has lesson five, the Laws and Ordinances, and we've already started them. He is happening on the 11th, HIs and Christopher's Birthday. Happy Birthday Chris;)

Time for our miracles. We started the week by running to Familia C*, they're a family of four who I found with Elder Buck on splits because we had to many appointments and not enough time (best problem ever!!!) The dad is from, I'm not sure, I want to say Guatemala but I'm not sure, and the mom is from, get this, Puebla, Mexico. I didn't even have to leave the country to find one. Take that Jason. The dad wasn't home so they couldn't meet, but the mom seems real solid. 

Next we had exchanges with Elder Rangel, the district leader, and his trainee (we don't use the term Greenie here) Elder Gutierrez. He's a native speaker and is super huge. Hight wise, he's smaller, but I wouldn't want to get into a street fight with him. He also knows a lot about eating healthy. The exchange went really good, I was with Elder Rangel in their area and Elder Gutierrez came here. I hate leaving my area because I never know what is going on, but I love to get to know new people and see new places. I don't know how I'm going to take my first transfer out of here. I left the exchange with a goal to Consecrate every hour of the day to the Lord while on my mission. That means that if I'm studying that's all I do, or finding, that's my only thought and focus. Best part is that the day after was new years, so I could make resolutions off of the exchange. 

That night, the 31st, Elder Gonzalez and I went finding in a new apartment complex (new because I'd never touched it before). We touched a few doors and weren't having much success, but we kept going and found a family of five. They're all teens, but they look like the youngest is maybe 19, and two of them already have a little kid. It's a pair of brothers and a pair of sisters and they are dating each other (one brother with one sister and the other with the other). We taught them the Restoration and set up a return appointment for two day latter. They didn't keep the appointment, in fact they locked the door on us, but it could have been the Dad, so we're going to try and call to set something up.

The day after, New Years, we didn't do much than plan. It was weekly planning and I hate being in the apartment all day, but it was cool to set goals on New Years. V* wasn't able to meet, so we lost a day with A*, but her husband (boyfriend) is starting to listen now too. We are focusing on A*, so it's almost all in English, and we are teaching the last lesson so he's getting it in reverse and in a language he doesn't really know, but he is in the room for all the lessons and he often comments that we should do it in English so he can understand it. That is good. They're starting to think about marriage too, so it's super nice.

Friday was super nice. We found most of the day, because we didn't have anything planned. S* asked us if we could come and teach her early this day, so we taught her at four and she asked us to do the same the day after if she didn't have to work. We told her yes, if we had time. She looked at my planner and saw it was completely empty, but that didn't last. We filled up the planner with in the few hours we had until dinner. We also had ZTM (Zone Training Meeting), our monthly meeting as a zone. We talked about what we want to be, as a zone, for the year of 2015. We had a lot of things, one was speaking Spanish entre los otros misioneros (between the other missionaries). 

The next day we had most of our appointments drop. We wanted to have seven other lessons, but we only had two, both with our investigators. But we found a member family that goes to the wrong ward. We set up a lesson with them for Sunday, the last one, at five and hopefully a dinner too, because it was fast Sunday. We taught S* at four and committed her to fast and we started teaching the laws and ordinances to A*. We also got back in contact with Familia A*

Sunday was really long. we started with church, they didn't change the time, so it's still at 9 o'clock. After church we taught A* and V* a short lesson about service and then we walked home to do studies. we then started going around to our many appointments. We went to a potential. He was drunk so he told us not to teach him today, but we set up a return appointment. We then ran by the part-member family. Yes the family we found yesterday was a part-member family. The wife isn't a member but acts like it, and the husband is a less active member who's trying to come back. They only need to start coming to Van Nuys and they'd be set for baptism and re-activation, but his mom goes to Arleta, so they like to go there. They also fed us dinner, and it was sooooo good. We set up a return appointment for the same time this week and they're going to feed us again. She is really friendly and I think you'd love her mom, she said she couldn't hide from us, she'd have to ask us in to eat.

I over ate last night, so I didn't lose any weight, but I've changed my goal to 2 pounds a week so I can get back on track.

Spanish wasn't half bad. we did 5 out of seven.

S* took us to Costco again today and we bought food to feed an army for two months, if it was an army of two starving teenagers. All I need to do now is show self control.

 I've got to go write Jason now, so I'll just say good buy and apologize for no picture today, I forgot my camera in the apartment.

Amor 

Elder Blanding

December 29, 2014, Hello again,

Hi mom,

It was super cool to Skype with you. A little weird, but super cool none the less. You've all changed a lot since the last time I saw you like six month ago. Thank you for the Christmas card. This will probably be a shorter letter because we talked just last Thursday.

Something I forgot on Thursday. The family we had dinner with on Wednesday, Familia S* (I think I butchered that name), had a little yorkie. I had to get a picture with it, so I sent that home. He was no where near as cute as ours, but it was still nice to have a yorkie for Christmas. 

About the lie... S* did not get baptized this last week :((((. She was all set and looked good until the day before her baptism. She told us that she'd drunk a little on Christmas and then started trying to justify it. Elder Gonzalez and I are at a lost for how she can be so solid and not keep the commitments.

Good news, we have one lined up for this week coming up. His name is A*. He's the 12-year-old son of V* and is super excited. The rest of the familia is not quite ready for baptism, V* needs to get married and E* just isn't 100% sure he's ready to make the commitment, but they're all preparing and really excited to get baptized. What's super cool is A* is rushing us to get him 100% ready for this Sunday because his birthday is the 11th (just like Chris's) and he'd get the Gift of the Holy Ghost on his birthday because it's the next week.

Weight loss: up 3lbs, but it was the holidays, so I will hopefully make up for it in a few weeks. Not an excuse, just a reason.

Spanish four out of seven, super bad, but we'll do better this week.

Love

Elder Michael Blanding.

Sorry I forgot about this little bit of geniuses by my Companion.

So S* wasn't baptized this Sunday, but two other investigators were and I finally got to go to one because S* and V* both said they were coming (you need to have an investigator at a baptism in order to attend). Only S* showed up, but that still meant we could stay. Elder Neff and Elder Houmond (Think hound man, I don't know how to spell that, which is super sad because he is sitting right next to me), who had the baptisms, asked us to give the missionary minute, where you stand and teach the Joseph Smith story while the people are changing. We said yes and Elder Gonzalez had the brilliant idea to ask for referrals right there after we shared the story. We passed out little sticky notes to everyone in the congregation and had them write a name and address of someone they knew, didn't matter where they lived. We probably got about twenty referrals and the Obispo's wife gave us one for her sister. We need to try and teach her tonight.

p.s. you have until 12 to send me an e-mail, after that I know I won't get it.

keep forgetting things. We also went caroling on the 24th and people kept asking us to come sing to them. It was super sweet and we shared the gift with a lot of people. It was really fun because we did all the singing in Spanish but most of our potentials/referrals were in English. Just shows how powerful the spirit of Christmas is in translating from one language to another.

December 25, 2015, SKYPE CALL

Elder Michael Blanding

December 22, 2014, Good bye Elder Garcia Hello Elder Gonzalez, S*'s ready!

Hi Mom.

 I actually got two packages on Tuesday (Transfers), one from the ward and one from you. I opened both, but I don't know all that's in yours. Thank you for the music and for the rice crispy treats. It's killing me to not be eating all the good food you sent me, but I need to wait for Christmas.

My new companion is Elder Gonzalez. He's from Argentina, but lives in Utah, and yes we are getting along.\ 

Sleep hasn't been a huge problem. I slept for most of Sunday because I was a little sick. Nothing to worry about, just aches and pains.

I don't think we have anything special planed for Christmas eve, but I look forward to Skype this Thursday. The timing is perfect. I'll Skype you at 4:30 or 4:35. just a heads up, I'd like to speak to Jason in Spanish for the little time we have before he has to leave, but I will talk to ya'll in English after that.

This week was rather busy for us over here. We talked to 167 people about how Christ is the Gift of Christmas, and had a few lessons with our supper solid investigators. Familia C* dropped us, but we have a baptism scheduled and possible for every week this month coming up, and for every week this transfer. S* is this week, she solid. She's trying to tell us she's not ready, but that's not true. I think she's just nerves that she won't have friends to support her if she does this. We had her pray about it over the weekend and will see what she says tonight. Her daughters in town, the other one, for Christmas. Hopefully this will make it easier for her to accept it's her time to make this covenant.

We also have familia H*, V*, E*, and A*, set up for the week after that. we plan on doing the interview right after S*'s baptismal service. They're also supper solid. we shouldn't have any problems with them. V* still needs to kick out or get married to her boyfriend, but that shouldn't be a huge deal.

I got to go E-mail Jason now and shopping after that. We're doing a Wite Elephant Gift exchange as a Zone today.

Love you all so much and can't wait to see you on Thursday. 

Elder Blanding.

December 15, 2014, WE GOT ONE!!!! BEST SUNDAY EVER and (on the sad note, goodbye Elder Garcia

Hi Mom,

I have no idea where to start today, so I'm just going to respond right now. Thank you so much for your support. I love you and wish you the best. Yes the tight budget helps with weight loss, but I've also been eating healthier and thinking about what I put into my body. I haven't gotten the package yet, but we'll be getting it tomorrow at transfer meeting. I'm staying in the area but Elder Garcia's going  home:( I've learned so much from him and we've had so many fun experiences it will be hard to say good bye, but I look forward to my next companion. I'll see what I can do about the Skype call. It shouldn't be hard, I've asked a family in the ward that is super cool and totally get missionary life. Best part is, at that time I can turn it into a cena (Dinner). Thank you for the marriage advice, I gave it to Elder Garcia, because that's his next mission.

This week was amazing. We started with a goal to have 140 Finding Opportunities, we ended with 122, and only because we had temple trips and planning to do. The temple was wonderful and I have some picture to send, but we have to get Elder Garcia ready to go home, so I might not be able to send them all, sorry 

Tuesday Elder Garcia had his departing interview, so I spent the night with Elder Neff, it was cool, they had a dinner and we found a lost sheep. He actually found us, but the point is the same.

The next day we helped S* string up her Christmas lights. It was really fun and S* has some cool pictures, but I don't have them so I hope we find a way to get them home to you.

After that we had a temple trip with the mission. This was a lot less crazy then our last trip. It was lovely and then we taught L* and B*, two of our fechas (Dates) and then prepared S* for her Interview the next day. We also taught V* and her family with Hermono M*, he's a lot of fun, and thoughts with A* and E*, V*'s two oldest, it was a riot.

Friday I spent with Elder Neff and Elder Rangel because Elder Garcia went to the temple for his departing temple trip. When he got back we went to teach L* And B* for the last time with Elder Garcia. It was sad, but we got some really good pictures. We then ran to the church to start the interview. Elder Buck conducted it and it took forever. The Young Single Adult branch was having a Christmas dinner and invited us to join, we couldn't say no, so we had a little while we waited. When they finally came out of the interview, Elder Buck said she passed. We were over joyed. She had a little problem with saying no to her family about alcohol, but she said (quoting Elder Buck, quoting her) "I don't want to say no, but I want to be baptized." !!!!!!!!!!

That Saturday was the ward Christmas activity. It was another dinner. We took a lot of pictures and saw Santa Claus. 

Then Sunday came. We had only five at church, R* couldn't make it, but B* was there for the first two hours before he had to leave for work (it only count's if they are there for sacrament, which happens in the last hour here). We walked to church talking to people, so we walked back to the apartment for a slice of cake, provided by S*, and to watch the last two videos for 12 weeks. We then walked back to finish the 12 weeks role play because, ELDER NEIL A. ANDERSON WAS COMING TO TALK TO THE YOUTH.!!! We have two youth investigators who came so we got to stay and listen. I have fantastic notes. My big take away was I am a child of God and he will support me if I stand for what's right, even if I stand alone. A* fought his way through the crowd to get a picture with Elder Anderson, he only got to shake his hand, but it was cool to see. I also got to shake his hand!

We then went to the visitors center with S* to see the lights. It was cool. We also caught a concert in the center. Look up the Christmas song "real", it was the one that touched me and Elder Garcia the most. So Beautiful. Talk about a way to end your mission!!! so jealous that Elder Garcia got to end that way.

Missionary challenge. GO CAROLING. We're going to do that before Christmas and it's so fun to sing.

Days in Spanish: 6

Weight lose: 1.8 lbs

Love for you all: un-measurable.

Love 

Elder Michael Blanding 

December 8, 2014, Something more to say

Hi Mom.

 I am SOO sorry about last week. We took forever to get back from the temple, but I'll explain more later in the e-mail. This will only be the biggest highlights of the two weeks.

First, S*. S* is still fighting it hard. She had her youngest daughter come to town last week for Thanksgiving, but her eldest didn't have break until Thanksgiving day, so they left on Wednesday to visit her. We got to teach her daughter a little before she left and she's pretty cool. Her Ex-husband was in the lesson on Monday. We were teaching the Restoration and S* started HELPING TEACH!!!! we had exchanges the next day, but they talked to her about it to figure out what's going on, she said she wasn't helping, just sharing. She also said that she believes the Book of Mormon, but not that Joseph Smith is a prophet, can someone explain that to me. We fixed that problem and then she wasn't sure about the Prophets after him. Now she wants to be able to say that she KNOWS all the things we taught her are true before her baptism. She is a struggle. We left her to read on her own and let her know we won't be coming by every day this week.

THANKSGIVING. This was a really fun day. We had two member meals that day. One was with a less active we taught once but he isn't in our area, so we gave him to Elder Buck and Elder Rangel and then got special permission to go have a meal with him, because we have almost no members in our area, at least until two Sundays from now!!! We over ate that day and then ran to a less active members and taught her and found three new investigators, Her daughter and two grand kids. After this we went to Hermana L*'s, one of our few members and my first Cena in the mission. She gave us a second meal and Elder Garcia wasn't having it, but he couldn't say no, so he started shoveling all the food onto my plate. I tried my best to eat it all, but with the meal before still in my stomach, I couldn't do it. I got most of the way through the meal, Elder Garcia cheering me on, and then asked if we could take it home. She said yes. Elder Garcia, at this point is in the bathroom. I start putting it all away and then I get a really bad feeling. I know exactly what's about to happen. I stood up from the table, (it was outside) walked to the left a little, just out of sight of the door, and lost my cookies. Here's where it got real fun. The member only spoke Spanish and I didn't know how to say "bowl" in Spanish. So I start asking in Spanglish for a bowl, "Tiene un 'bowl'?" and she has no idea what I'm asking for. Luckily, Elder Garcia decided to make a timely appearance from the bathroom and I make a straight shot for it. I threw up twice more and then we left after I tried to apologize for getting sick. I don't think I'll ever forget that Thanksgiving.

IT RAINED SUNDAY! super fun, we did service all day for a member

Elder Michael Blanding loves the rain!!

 V* is progressing super well. She needs to get married and her boyfriend just started taking the lessons. She's the one with the little Monstritos, and boy do I love them. They never seem to have clothes on. We brought the Relief Society President to a lesson with us and were lucky they had clothes, real lucky. One sat on the couch with V* and The Relief Society President. The other was hiding in the back room for a little bit. He peaked his head out and I saw that he had on a SEAHAWKS SHIRT. He went to rummage through the fridge to get food and ate it, but I just needed that picture, so we called him over and the result is below. 

[I can't publish the picture for the safety of the child, but he is a cute little monster!]

The temple trip was fun, we got up at four and started for the bus stop to take us to the next stop where we could buy day passes. We had a guide, A*, the new member I took out with me three Sundays ago. This was the biggest mistake we made. He got us down to the temple just fine. we missed the earlier session, but that wasn't a huge deal. He then got into the cafeteria and we had lunch there, none of us (Elder Buck and Elder Rangel came to) had planned on that. It then took us THREE HOURS TO GET BACK. This is why I had no time to write you last week. When we got back we only had an hour to e-mail, shop for food, and get what we needed for the rest of the week. We needed to make a decision, and, unfortunately, e-mail had to suffer, because we had no food and things that we needed.

Doing really good on the weight loss. I hit below 180 this week, but it didn't last. right now I'm just over 180.

Spanish is good, we had five days this week, but this week coming up we're going to do paisa (Hispanic) week. Basically it's going to be really fun to act like a Hispanic.

i-Pad's are happening, probably this next month. I probably won't have to pay for it, but if I do I'll let you know.

I have a place to SKYPE, time is unknown, let me know what time Jason's doing it and I'll try to plan accordingly, they know the deal.

I probably will stay this round of transfers, but send it to the mission office anyway. It's best that way because then I don't have to wait in the apartment all day to get it. 

And the Kids had better helped with Christmas. Tell Chris there is more to life then Video games.

love

Elder Michael Blanding.

Oh, and P.S.

If you think I like it down here and don't want to come back look down

December 1, 2014, Stay Tuned and December 2, 2014 NO TIME

[December 1st]

Hi mom. 

Elder Garcia and I are going to the temple tomorrow, so this isn't Preparation Day. I'll write home for real tomorrow on Preparation Day. YOU WANT TO HEAR THIS ONE, IT'S REALLY GOOD. 

Also, I sent a Birthday Card for Kray. Can you make sure he gets that? It'd also be really cool if you could send me family names so I can build my Family Tree.

Elder Michael Blanding

[December 2nd]

HI mom

I literally have no time. Temple was great, tell you about this week next week.

Love Elder Michael Blanding

[He's a dead man!]

November photos

Elder Michael Blanding loads photos into my dropbox account and I get to look at them. Today I'm going to share a few that he dropped in recently.

Elder Garcia & Elder Michael Blanding

Elder Michael Blanding and Elder Garcia

Elder Michael Blanding & Elder Garcia

Elder Michael Blanding and his favorite little monsters

OOPPPS! Bike accident! 

November 24, 2014, Activity, missionary department and much, much, more

Hi mom.

I'll answer the questions at the bottom but...

This week was the best. We had a thanksgiving vario (Ward) activity on Saturday. Elder Garcia and I might have over eat a little, but we were celebrating because, we had so many investigators attend the activity, and all of them have Fechas (Dates). S* came and sat with Elder Neff and Elder Blakely, the Zone Leaders. L* also came and brought her whole family, B* had to work, so he didn't make it to church ether:( V* also came and she brought her kids and their friends. It was real hard to sit with them. I turned back into the garbage disposal and after I felt awful. I couldn't even stand up straight. 

The day before the activity, S*'s daughter came to town from San Francisco, where she is attending college. We taught her the first little bit of the Restoration and then we went to a lesson with V*. We made a calendar and then we had to run because that day we were being driven around by the Missionary Department.

So about the Missionary Department. We were picked to be observed for a day by a representative of the Missionary Department, Sister Porter. Apparently, they like to pick on me. It was really cool. She came to nightly planning on Thursday and then we did studies Friday at the church so she could come and watch us do companionship study. it was super weird, but kind of cool. We then got treated to lunch by the Missionary Department, so we had to make it good. We'd gotten an advert for a new Chinese place on Sherman way a day or two before, but we figured we were never going there, so we tore it up and threw it in the trash. We dug it out and it was so worth it. it's kind of like Golden Chopsticks, only it's called Dan's Kitchen. It was really cool because Sister Porter served her mission in Taiwan (how ever you spell that) and talked to the server in Chinese. After that she dropped us at home and we walked to S*'s for the lesson. S* asked to meet her after, which is really new. They talked for a bit and I found out that you don't have to worry, S*'s going to take real good care of us. So Sister Porter dropped us off at V*'s and then joined us for the rest of the night. She can't speak Spanish but she could follow it and read it pretty well, so we read with Familia C* (because they need to read) and went finding (because our other lessons fell through). At the end of the day Sister Porter took a few pictures of us and sent them to us (I'll forward them shortly) and then said "I can see that you have {The Missionary] Propose written on your hearts". Elder Garcia and I got so pumped to hear that.

I walked into a fire hydrant on Wetness. it was fun. I couldn't walk for a little bit and biking was agony. I've got a really nice bruise on my leg now. We also ate at least 12 Eggo waffles a piece Tuesday, so we're sick of them and have recommitted to eating healthy. 

Sunday was good to. V*, S* and L* all came. It was awesome. V* has these two little boys she calls her "monstritos" which translated means little monsters. They were so fun to watch at church and Elder Garcia and I are in love with them. We also went out with Obispo Hernandez (The Bishop) and a new Hemano, Aron. I went with Aron to V*'s and then finding and then we went to Obispo's for dinner. The District was doing a fast for an hemano K* (the secretary of ward mission work), and so Elder Garcia and I broke it in style. 

Return and Report.

Weight loss up 0.4 libs. This is actually really good because I had like two pounds to lose after the activity to stay within the same weight range.

Spanish (Drum role please) ALL WEEK!!!!

Missionary assignment.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, share one thing about the Gospel you are grateful for with five friends. (Your whole family only counts as one). 

1) iPad mini, and I think they are providing covers for them.

2) Not yet, we're really busy so it's hard to find time for that.

3) Probably best to refill them all. It was a cold and if I tell you something that could be bad, It's probably really nothing at all. If it is something to make your worry, I wont tell you.

4) FANTASTIC

5) Send all packages to the office anyway, the apartment is really hard to get because we work all day outside which means we miss the mail. I can't think of anything except one of the dogs, your choice which one ;)

6) Yes we have a really good CD player, just send me all the music that is Mission appropriate, especially Christmas, I promises to listen to it all

BTW—Sorry, my espanol is showing. In Spanish all the vowels only have one sound and "I" makes the "E" sound.

Love Elder Michael Blanding.

P.S. Mom, STOP FREAKING OUT. we have a book in the mission field called "Adjusting to Missionary Life." It's all about managing stress. One of the most common ideas is take things one step at a time. I'm sharing this idea with you now. Priorities your life and say, "All I have to do right now is___." This is going to sound weird coming form me, but studies come first. Get ready for your test and forget about cleaning out the sewing room and Christmas. Matt, Chris, and Jessie are there to help. You don't need to hire a wife they just need to step up and see that you need their help right now. 

P.P.S. Matt, Chris, and Jessie. GIVE MOM A HAND. She's trying to get ready for her life after we all leave the nest, and that (sorry mom) is real soon. So step up and help. Be in charge of your life. Cook dinner, do Christmas, clean up, Find/give rides so Mom has a break, and most important, STUDY, college and schooling are expensive. If all of this is too hard, and trust me, it you think this is hard you don't know hard, at least don't add to her stress levels.

P.P.P.S. Dad, be good to Mom. She needs your support now more then ever. Don't add problems she doesn't need. 

P.P.P.P.S. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE LETTERS. I've already read my Patriarchal Blessing like ten times and I still don't know what it's telling me. mostly what I'm getting is work had and trust the Lord.

November 17, 2014, Week of Let downs, week of work

Hi mom, 

It's been a real hard week, And don't tell me it's cold there, I miss the cold.

We started the week by getting what was needed to fix my bike, it wasn't much. We then went and bought the necessities, the Costco run saved us a bundle because we didn't need much to make it through this week.

We found a ton of new investigators and were planning on 18 of the investigators we have (They are almost all families) coming to church. Unfortunately only three made it in the end. 

Being sick took a lot out of me this week. I couldn't focuses on Tuesday during District meeting, and it was really hard to get going again after that. We spent a lot of time in lessons, but getting members there is a struggle. NEVER SAY NO TO HELPING THE MISSIONARIES WITH A LESSON. Epically if it is missionaries of your gender, they might not be able to teach them without you there. We actually spent most our time in lessons after we finished our studies up until studies.

We also spent a lot of time finding the members in our area. We are supposed to spend Thanksgiving in the members homes in our area, but they're all either less active or we don't know where to find them. 

Elder Garcia still expects perfection from me, it can be a little annoying sometimes, but it makes me work hard. I'm learning the language better and becoming more comfortable, but it's still an uphill battle. We did real bad with Spanish this week, only one day, but this week coming up we'll do better.

We had a lot of lessons with S*. She's so close to baptism. Her Fecha (Date) for baptism is this Sunday and we only have one mandamiento (commandment) and las leys y ordinansas (Laws and Ordinances) left. She believes that we worship the prophet, so we have to teach that one. She could be ready by Sunday if she would just study on her own and stop asking questions that don't matter and aren't true. She also goes out of town for Thanksgiving and won't be back for a week, so she would have two weeks with out the Gift of the Holy Ghost, we're trying to decide whether to go with the fecha set or to postpone for a couple of weeks. 

UPDATE ON THE IPADS. If we get iPads this year we will get them the first week of December. For this reason I don't want to set up a time right now to Skype, because if I get an iPad before it becomes a lot easier to set up a call. All I need is WiFi. also set up a time with Jason first and I'll try and work it out over on this end. I'd love to have a little bit of an over lap with Jason. It feels like I haven't seen him in years and what better way for me to practice Spanish then with a missionary in Mexico.

 return and report

Libras; 182.4 that's 3.2 less!!!!!

Spanish; 1 day:( 

Missionary work invite (please return and report)

Go out with the missionaries one day

Elder Blanding 

Thank you and I love you all

November 10, 2014, Church Attendance, Miracle Finding, Families, Families, Families

Hi mom.

I love that you are thinking about missionary work. I'm going to speak more on this later.

So, Elder Garcia and I had a FANTASTIC week. WE had six investigators at church!! we almost had 12, but L*, one of our investigators with a fecha (Date) for Baptism, didn't have a car because B*, her boyfriend who also has a fecha for baptism, had to go into work and it would have been to hard to walk to church with her young daughters (Yes she thought about that) and a new family, Familia A*, where sick and slept through the alarm. We are going to fill the chapel next week!!!!!! Familia C* came to church for the 2nd time (YES) and we changed their date/made one for the 25th of January. With this date it is very possible I will be there for the baptism and not the confirmation, because transfers is that Tuesday and it isn't likely that I'll be transferred out this up coming round in December because that's the one that Elder Garcia goes home in. He's putting in so much work to get his family, and he goes home before he can see the fruit, and he is still working for it. Hermana C*, the mom, watched the restoration video on lds.org and got supper pumped. She seems a lot more solid now. She's also believes that I look like Joseph Smith. 

This area is so prepared. We are finding nothing but families right now, and they are all supper solid. We had one day where we went to look for an investigator we'd lost but we couldn't find her, so we began knocking doors. That's how we found Familia A* and we also found a woman from Puebla (I need to know where Jason is/has been so I can talk to her about it) and her family.

We taught S* the Word of Wisdom this week. We felt a little chastised by the spirit so we have committed to live the Word of Wisdom as a companion ship. We failed pretty bad this week because we had the Six Week Training with President Hall and we kind of over ate.

 Elder Garcia and I are sick, so a few prayers for our health would be greatly appreciated.

Return and report time.

I still lost 1 lib (FYI Lib is short for the Spanish word "libra" which means pound) so I now weigh 185.6 libs. my goal is 160-165 before I start working for muscles.

hablada 5 dias en espanol (I spoke five days in Spanish)!!!!!!! We're going for a whole week this week, but we had four straight days in Spanish :D

Time to give you an assignment. I promised my self that I would give you (and by you I mean ya'll) an assignment to do missionary work that can be measured and reported every week from now to the end of my mission. I do expect a report.

This week's assignment is to invite three friends to lesson to the missionaries.

Christmas package/next card.

We are getting ipads real soon, which means that we won't be going to the library every week to do emailing (Yah) but it also means that we won't have a real keyboard to do emailing with. If you could send me an iPad keyboard that would make emailing much better.

Also, It's a thing to have ugly Christmas sweaters in this mission. If you could find one in the ward that someone doesn't want and send it to me in the package that would be cool, DON'T BUY ONE, IT'S NOT THAT IMPORTANT. 

In the next card you send me, could you add a copy of my Patriarchal Blessing. I'm kind of missing it and would love a chance to reread it. Thank you.

Love

Elder Michael Blanding

November 3, 2014, Halloween, dates, new investigators...

Hi Mom.

 Today is the start of a new planner and a new transfer. I'm still with elder Garcia and we saw some good success as a zone, district and companionship.

As a zone we not only met all our goals, we destroyed them. we wanted to get 200 new Investigators this month, we got 214. 15 of which came last night. we also destroyed the finding opportunities this week. Elder Buck wanted a week of 700 finding opportunities this month. it was a rare moment of five week month without a transfer. we got close this week, 600 and something. As a companionship we set two more dates and almost had another two last night, but they said they wanted time to think about it.

The costumes were a smash. Elder Buck and Elder Rangel (I've been spelling his name wrong this whole time) were the only other people with suits, spidy and cap. America, and you are getting known in the Great San Fernando Mission. Let us just say when I have cool stuff others wish they had it's not strange to hear the phrase "mama' Blanding". 

S* took us to Costco. today to do our shopping. We bought a lot of food and stocked up for the winter. We also are trying to stay in shape so we bought healthy rather then tasty. If you have any suggestions on getting/staying in shape send them my way.

If you could send me my prescriptions in my Christmas package that would be fantastic. I think that if you send two I could have one as a back up and just send home when I finish one, rather then timing the packages.

 In order to make my decision on yah or nay to six more [weeks] I need to know when school starts normally. My release date is the 25th of July, but if I stay six more weeks I come home the first Wednesday of September (all flights home are on Wednesday). I also wouldn't mind having more then one option for school when I get home, so reapplying to BYU might happen.

In our companionship we are obsessed with return and report, so I lost just one pound this week!!!  I also only managed three days straight in Spanish, but we are going to work on it.

One last thing. I was reading in the Book of Mormon and came across a really cool scripture about missionary work. It's Moroni 10:31. And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled. 

Just so you all know that Missionary work is a commandment and we are all required to work, not just young men and those who wear a name tag.

love
Elder Michael Blanding

Greetings from President Hall

I love getting notes from Mission Presidents! Especially when they are so uplifting. I know they are mostly form letters because they are so busy, but I also know that a lot of personal through and prayer goes into helping the missionaries do their job. President Hall sent us a note and two photos! 

Elder Michael Blanding and Elder Garcia

President and Sister Hall with Elder Michael Blanding

October 27, 2014 A day in Spanish

Hi Mom.

This week was really busy. We went to the mall Monday. It was super cool. We bought some new clothes and found some nice places for shopping if we have a problem.

Tuesday was upsetting, we had a couple Member Presents set up, but the lessons fell through. We spent a good bit of time finding because of this. We also got a costumes on Tuesday and mom... THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! They are sooooo cool. We didn't expect this. We are going to send you a picture when we get a good one.

Wednesday I got a car. We went on exchanges with Elders Baker and Blakely, the zone leaders. I went with Elder Baker to their area. We first went to the Hermanas (sisters) area to give a blessing and then we had a fantastic cena (meal/dinner) with a Less-active-Member. Chicken, marinara sauce and rice. Super good. At the end of the Exchange, Elder Baker told me that I had really good Spanish, listened for understanding, Have a desire to talk to everyone, and give really good prayers. I don't know to much about him. His brother served his mission abroad and spoke a different language (I can't remember what) and I think he's from Utah. I also think he is the youngest.

Thursday was slow again. We taught R*. She still waiting for her mom to give her the go-ahead to get baptized. Please remember this in your fast. we didn't really do much else beacause we do weekly planning on Thursdays. We tried to do it in super suits, but couldn't focus so we lost the super suits.

Friday was a day of miracles. We had a member present that was our of this world good. His name is Hemano M*. He got Familia C* pumped and to accept a date for baptism. That made 5. we then took him to S*, our first date, and controlled her, which is impossible. We didn't get out of that lesson until 10:00 p.m. so we went straight to bed. We also taught Al* M* (Not related). He's the man from Peru who was only in the country for 2 hours before we contacted him. He went back on Sunday, but we sent his referral and I know he will be baptized.

Saturday we spent all day in service. It was sooo nice. Elder Garcia and I helped with the registration for the free flue shot. We also got close to four boritos for free there. This Sunday was our fast Sunday, so that's how we started our fast. We then went contacting and found a girl named F*. She's kind of shy, but I hope and pray that she is ready. Before we found F*, the YSA Hermanas texted us to see if we could give a blessing at the church. We said we could and biked like mad to get there. We gave the blessing, saw a referral we sent to them who was attending church begin his fast with the YSA and resisted the temptation to eat with them.

Sunday I talked all day in Spanish. It was so nice. It was a little difficult, but I managed to increase my faith that I can do it and will try and speak to Elder Garcia only in Spanish for this week. Let you know how that goes. We had a miracle last night when we tried to find a potential and instead found a family that was ready to listen. We tried to get in touch with N*, our second date, all week, but couldn't do it. We dropped his date and might drop him if we can't make a lesson with him this week :( We now only have 4 dates.

How’s the companionship coming along? Fantastic.

Are you being a good companion? "Yes" Elder Garcia

Are you working hard? Trying to with all my heart

 How’s your health? Good

Do you have a release date? Yes, but I have the option to extend another six weeks. What do you think I should do? please pray for this answer.

Have you gotten the two boxes I’ve sent? Yes I did. Thank you so much. It is much easier for us if you send it to the mission home, the other way we have to spend time in our apartment waiting for them

Did that gal you taught every week commit to a baptism date? She was every day and we cut that down to get her reading. She also already had a date, Her name is S*. Please keep her, Fam. C*, and R* in your prayers

Losing weight? Good! keep it up! I lost another four pounds.

Elder Garcia is ready to go and rushing me out the door. We still have one more thing to buy to complete the Thor costume, but it is still the best.

Love.

Elder Michael Blanding

October 20, 2014 Temple Trip

Hi Mom.

This week was packed. After I e-mailed you, we started our exchange with Elder Buck and Elder Rongel.  Elder Buck is the District leader and I had him for the Day. Elder Garcia got Elder Rongel. Elder Buck and I spent most of the day Finding. They had lessons but they all fell through. Elder Buck is soooooo cool. I hope to have him as a companion some time before he leave in six months. He's only a few days older then me and did Tech for Drama in high school. We talked far to long that night, but it was nice to have someone to talk to about Drama, Doctor Who, and Super Heroes.

After the exchange Elder Garcia told me that S*, one of our investigators with a Date, asked us to teach her every night. She likes to ask questions, so we're thinking we might have to move her to seven in order to get back to the apartment so we can have a member present with her the next night. We also took her to the LA temple Visitors Center. It was really cool. She brought her neighbor R*. Poor Hemanas at the Visitors Center weren't ready for R*. He tells you what he sees and knows and nothing else. Everyone keep's telling me that my Spanish is good. I'm not sure how much I can believe them.

This week was also interviews with the President. It was really nice and I learned a lot. It felt like I was conducting the Interview because I had a paper full of questions and he asked one or two. I love President Hall! Here is an exert from his e-mail to us this week. "We have the very best missionaries in the world in this mission! I have been so impressed with your courage, your faith, your dedication and your commitment. It is truly the missionaries the make The Great California San Fernando Mission the greatest mission in the world! I am so humbled and honored to be able to work shoulder to shoulder with each of you!"

We found two miracles from Peru. The first was only here for the week and we found him within his first two hours of coming here. He provided equipment for the church in Peru and wants to know more. The other is a cook who we didn't think was too solid but already knew a lot of what we have to teach. He offered to make us Peruvian food for the next lesson.

I'm losing weight! I have a goal of 1 lb. a week, but this week I lost nearly 4 lbs. Now to keep it only to one pound I need some help from you. If you could send me recipes for your Dutch Oven Triple Chocolate Cake and Sloppy Joe's that would be fantastic.

As for prayers in specific. S* needs help in reading the Book of Mormon. If you could pray for her to have a desire to do this and ask God if it is true, that would be a tremendous help. We also have a Family, Familia C*, that need the same desire and to come to church, they came last week, but this week they'd partied the night before.

Striving for Consecration

Love

Elder Michael Blanding

Elder Michael "The Boxer" Blanding 

Elder Michael Blanding is far right.