Just Believe

Well.  A few things have happened since last Thursday.  We had a Ward Thanksgiving party that we invited all of our investigators to.  The one family that we helped with all their garage sales came.  Also, a new investigator that is Jehovah's Witness (he is very open though and asks a lot of questions AND is keeping our commitments... AWESOME) came with his less-active girlfriend.  Anyway, I was EXTREMELY disappointed with the ward members.  They didn't even talk to our one family and Dee Summers (our way cool ward member) was the only one that really talked to our JW investigator.  These people just don't get it!  We spend all this effort to try and get these peole to a ward party so that they can meet the ward and the ward doesn't even talk to them!  What the heck?!  So that was very frustrating.  We went over to the family's house and hung out with them and played games for the rest of the night.  I really love them.  They are so fun and I love being around them.  They feel like my family.

Another little update.  We got a car until tomorrow!  WOO!  A missionary in our zone got swine flu and his companion broke his knee recently so they are pretty much worthless as missionaries right now.  Today I was driving and we were both thinking "We really bike this far?  Wow."  Haha.  God blesses us not to notice the distance or the time that it takes to get from place to place. (except when we are running late for appts!)

We taught a lesson to a family yesterday that is active, but on the edge of less-active/jack mormon status.  I realized then, that having a good family is so important.  I can't remember where it is found, but Nephi and his brothers are charged to raise up posterity in righteousness, and that is the purpose of having children.  I don't think this family that we taught has a solid testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  If people could just believe and try to live the Gospel and expect the blessings that come from it, they would realize that it's not worth it to Not live the Gospel.  If God is really God and he promises us Eternal Joy through keeping his commandments, then what do we have to lose?  Just try it.  Just believe.  If you can't believe, have a desire to believe and let God help with the rest.  Like the man who saught Jesus to heal his son, we can say, "I believe, help thou mine unbelief."  I can believe some, but Heavenly Father, help me to believe the rest.  He will answer your prayer and will pour blessings.  Obedience without faith leaves us blinded to the blessings that come through obedience.  We must have faith to see those blessings and I wish I could make people understand that.  Anyway, I'm happy that everybody is well and that my favorite kids (my nieces and nephews) are having fun.  I love the Gospel.  It brings happiness.
-Elder Matt Blakemore