Matt, the Devil-Worshipper. .... RIGHT.

Nice update from Matt this week!  Somehow Missionaries seem to run in to all the CRAZY people!  I'm glad Matt has such a great attitude about it all.  It certainly helps to be able to laugh through situations instead of be offended.  

Well, saturday 2 kids got baptized that we have been teaching for the past couple weeks.  They were child of record baptisms but their parents are less-active.  It was a really cool experience.  They asked me to give a talk on the holy ghost.  Before hand I felt really inadequate and I wanted them to succeed and excel in the gospel so much and I wanted them to be able to feel and recognize the spirit.  Before the baptism, I went into the bathroom and prayed that even though I was weak that I would be able to have the spirit with me and that the kids would realize the significance of the Holy Ghost in their lives.  I felt a peace and calm come over me and felt forgiveness for my sins because of my sincere desire for these kids to do well in the gospel.  The baptisms went well.  I got up to speak and I was inspired with an idea that I have never thought of before.  I asked the kids to stand up and for them to close their eyes.  Then I asked their Dad to come up and give them a hug.  When he did, I could tell that we had had an impact on him and that he wanted his kids to succeed and that he loved them so much.  I'm so glad for the opportunity to be the tool to change people's lives.  I felt the Spirit so strong.  I then used that as an analogy that we can't see Heavenly Father but we know that he is there because of the Holy Ghost and that when we follow our Heavenly Father and keep his commandments, that he will give us hugs and comfort us.  I was so glad that I prayed before because I was able to bear honest and heartfelt testimony of the power of the Holy Ghost.  I love this Gospel because I know that it is true and that you can see real power in your life when you live it.

Another highlight.  We went out with one of the APes (Assistant to the President) to work.  We had nothing planned for that day and it was a very long day.  We did pick up Jeremiah again and he is willing to have us over again, but he wants us to teach from the Bible.  I'll have to study up on my Bible scrips.  I like teaching from the BoM, because it has a special promise that goes with it.  But I will take anything that I can get.  That day, we tracted a lot and some crazy Mexican guy that was like 5'5" started yelling at us from like a block and a half down the street.  He kept on telling us to go f ourselves and get away from his house or whatever.  So we went on to the next house and ignored him.  He got closer and started yelling at us telling us that we are devil worshipers and that John Smith was the devil and such.  Well I sure am glad the Joseph Smith isn't the devil because then I would be scared.  He told us to get off his block because they were all good Christians.  Good thing we are good Christians... probably better than him.  We left anyway cuz he wasn't listening to us and if anybody answered the door, they wouldn't have felt the Spirit at all with him there yelling.  So we went to the next street and had a really good conversation with a guy walking by.  So thank you crazy Mexican for yelling at us because we were able to help someone come closer to Christ because of you.  Your reward will be in heaven... or hell.  heh heh heh.

Emily, I am really exited to hear from you.  You were only 8 hours away!  Grr.

Thank you Steve for the slide show.  That was awesome.  I'm glad that everybody had fun.  Congrats on your calling.  Glad it's not me.  haha.

Congrats to Brianna on her baptism.  I love you.

It's snowing today.  There is about a foot outside.  I shoveled the snow this morning for our members.  I wanted to shovel more and help out their neighbors but my companion had an appt. with the chiropractor, so I wasn't able to.  Maybe it will snow tomorrow and we will be able to help some people.

I love you all and hope that you are doing well.  The Church is true the Book is blue.
-Elder Blakemore