Happiest place on Earth...

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

         -Matthew 26:41 

The 14th was a special day, IT WAS ELIZAS BIRTHDAYYY! She is now 15.. (C.R.A.Z.Y.) but it was super fun to spend the whole day with her, because we needed her out of the house. Why you ask? We decided to get her a trampoline for her birthday to help her with gymnastics! So Mom & Erik jr helped set it up and Eliza and I went to the mall and shopped, had birthday lunch, and then we let her open her other presents and she went outside to see her trampoline! It was such a fun day. 

I went to another GI this week. She was a lot better than the first one I went to, but my parents couldn't get an appointment until now and decided more than one doctors opinion is better. Although I'm so tired of doctors appointments, I know its the only way for me to figure out whats wrong and how to treat it to get back out to the mission field. I had to get an endoscopy the morning after the doctors visit and that was a long and tiring day, but results came back and everything is fine.  

"If you are lucky enough to live by the ocean... You are lucky enough..." -Unknown 

Our family spent our weekend in California for my dad's high school reunion! (Main reason why this post is late) We landed in LAX (with my dream and my cardigan) We grabbed our rental car, (its peak tourist season y'all) and we were off! We drove to San Diego (La Jolla Shores) so we could stay at my uncles house for a bit. We ate some true mexican food, (Delicioso) and finally arrived! His house is the best because its so close to the ocean. The distance from his house to the beach is around 20 yards. AKA at night when the windows are open, you hear the ocean like surround sound because its right there AND you can even smell the sand and feel the mist. Its perfect! We stayed there for 2 days. The first day we went to walk around the shops and town. We went into a couple stores and found a place to go to lunch. We went to the beach for awhile and then THE. BEST. PLACE. EVER. 

SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA TEMPLE 

THIS IS MY HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH, sorry Disneyland 

 Since I was a little girl I have dreamed of getting married in this place and today I would be able to go inside and see how gorgeous it was! It was basically a dream come true. The best part was my mom came with me AND we got to go into a spanish session!

The next morning Dad, Mom, Erik and I went to the beach to walk and take pictures of the sunrise, it was overcast (so no great pictures) but Erik and I had fun walking on the beach and getting stuck in the sand.

We then left San Diego and headed for Mission Viejo to my aunts house! It was so nice to go and see her and my uncle and to spend some time for them! We talked and played with their cats & dogs. Spending time with family is time well spent. We went to the hotel where we would be staying that was close to my dads high school reunion. 

It was so fun to have all the kids together. MANY new inside jokes came out of that hotel and the hours we spent bonding together. We got to watch some movies and wind down from our many travels. Sunday came around and we visited the La Mirada Ward and sang some of my favorite hymns, and heard some awesome speakers. One was a returned missionary of 3 weeks from MEXICO CITY WEST! He didn't speak any spanish while up there (which he probably could have and people would be able to understand) but his talk was on Finding Faith in Christ through our Weaknesses. I loved it because he talked about the mission and the fears he had there and how he was able to pray to The Father and gain strength and make his weak things strong. I have a strong testimony about Heavenly Father being with us every step of the way, its our job to pray for Him to be there and recognize when He is reaching out to us, whether it be by a friend, or in my case, better health. We saw some people my dad knew, which was pretty cool. 

We went to East L.A. It really made me homesick for Mexico. Erik had to stop and use the restroom so we went into a market place and everything was authentic and from Mexico. I asked a worker where the bathroom was and she looked surprised that a white girl like me could speak spanish! We went around an alleyway and saw some graffiti it really reminded me of mexico because its not your typical kind. Its actually talent. 

Afterwards we went to China town & Olivera Street. It was THE BEST to be in a place where everybody and everything was from Mexico. I really loved it because it was like being home. It is really hard to explain but when you live there for a while you become apart of it, you love the people, culture, food, and language more than your real home sometimes. We ate at a yummy mexican restaurant on Olivera Street and it tasted so right. We also visited a place called Philippe's a famous place and a restaurant my mom ate with her family a ton. (She even told us that it was the place where my grandpa got his car stolen...TWICE!) 

We decided to end off the right way by visiting the Pier. We did a lot of things this trip that we hadn't visited before so it was really neat. It was so cool to see the sunset on the pier. I loved it. It was breathtaking. It was fun and we took a TON of photos, (well abby and the parents did) 

Beach Volleyball anyone?

So that was this week! Oh and before I forget there we are taking pictures, some normal some not so normal, and we noticed there was a little girl staring at us like she didn't know how to blink, so naturally Abby took a picture of her...

Here are some more photos (THANKS ABBY) and I hope all is well, remember you are loved, and I am here with whatever you need. 

Con Amor California,

Sophia Blankmeyer 

Discoveries and our Destiny

"We make our own destiny...We can satisfy ourselves with mediocrity. We can be common, ordinary, dull, colorless, or we can so channel our lives to be clean, vibrant, progressive, colorful, and rich."-Spencer W. Kimball

This week I was able to go out with the hermanas. And we went to go find new people for them to teach. We went to see if the lady they had scheduled for was there but turns out she wasn't, so we continued talking to people on the street, and around where she lived. It was super hot outside so we really wanted people to teach so that we could focus on that rather than the heat. We went to help an elderly lady pay her bills through her phone. She is leaving this week for Mexico but has a strong testimony of the church. The hermanas kept telling her how amazing she is and how she needs to reach out to the missionaries in Mexico so she can continue learning. She is wonderful and super amazing. I had a love for her too just in the 20ish minutes we spent with her. I hope she arrives safely in Mexico and everything goes well.

I had a meeting with my stake president. He and I figured out what I want to do while I wait for the doctors advice. We decided I would be working in the temple, bishops storehouse, Dallas Texas mission office, and then whatever time I have left over I'll be with the hermanas teaching. I'm really excited to be working as a volunteer and continue to do service for others while I'm here. I love helping others so if anyone needs anything, I'M HERE TO SERVE YOU!

My mom and I went to the doctors on Thursday morning. I had to get an ultrasound so they could try to see if there was anything they could pick up from it, I had one done in Mexico but I don't think they actually took the photos, so we had to redo it here. After the ultrasound was completed we took the notes and went to see my doctor . When we sat in his office, I was a little confused when the doctor shut the door and asked my mom, "Do you know how big it is?" I thought he was kidding, then my mom replied saying she took a picture of the notes with the dimensions. I was so confused because I can't make anything out from a sonogram and the lady doing the ultrasound didn't tell me anything about what it was. My doctor then told me I have a tennis ball sized complex mass in my uterus.  He gave me some medicine that should help shrink it down, but he needs to check on it in a month.  So I will be here for at least another month while we wait to see if it shrinks down.

Sunday I was able to go to the Spanish Branch before my ward, and it was awesome! The talks were on the Word of Wisdom, Service and Sacrifice. I sat next to one of the Hermanas recent converts, who I had actually met before my mission when I was with Hermana Munyer and Cattich! I knew she looked familiar, but at that time she knew very little about the church, and here she is now baptized and helping in the church! I talked to some more of the people we visited before I left. I really miss Mexico and speaking in Spanish daily. I miss the humble people and the wonderful spirit I always felt there. Then I came to my ward. I was a little early and so I sat in the pew and started to read my scriptures, the ward choir was starting to practice and I continued reading. Then they started to practice the song, Praise to the Man, (which is my favorite hymn) and I figured now I know I'll be here for another month, I might as well sing in the choir and help out! I also helped with primary! I was able to play the piano for them for a little bit, and I got to interview some of the kids for an object lesson! It was super fun. I love helping out in Primary and being with the little kids. Again, if anyone needs any help I'll gladly be here for it!

Thank you all for the MANY prayers, and concerns I have received. You all are amazing and I love everyone of you! Thanks for helping me in whatever I need during this time. I feel my Saviors love when I pray and ask for help and strength. There are days were I feel okay, and others were it really is painful but you all really do inspire me and keep me moving forward with your sweet words of inspiration! I'm super excited for all the mission calls I've heard of people getting since I've been home. You are all still in my prayers, and especially those who have missionaries in the field. They will be protected and given the guidance on where to go and what to say to have the most success.

AGAIN IF ANYONE NEEDS SERVICE OR ANYTHING I'M HERE TO HELP YOU! 

Con Amor,
Sophia Blankmeyer

Oh Creaciones del Señor

"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 18:3

Well another week has passed, filled with spiritual experiences, laughs, and jaw dropping experiences. I went out with the Hermanas from my stake, in the spanish branch, and we were able to contact a lot of people and share messages with some, and offer service to others. These hermanas are so sweet and have such pure hearts. It was a little weird at first not being able to introduce myself as Hermana Blankmeyer, but we hopefully don't have to wait too long until thats my name again. We went to one house for dinner and we had a funny experience with some movers that came to help them with their car, and they couldn't believe that 3 white girls on the side of the street knew how to speak spanish with them! It was quite the contact but they were all really nice. We ate at a members house, some yummy authentic enchiladas and then we were late for another appointment so we had to leave and the elders gave the spiritual thought.

We went to the other appointment and it was a house with 5 guys! All over 16, and all from...VERACRUZ! NO PUEDE SER! They worked together and all left their families around 4 months ago so they could have a job here and be able to help their families out. When I told them that I was in veracruz I think the earth shook a little when they screamed, shouted, clapped, and cheered. The hermanas made them chili, since its against texas policy to live here and not eat Texas Chili. But they provided the tortillas, agua de melon, tortilla chips, and their home. We talked a lot about veracruz, and missions. Only 2 of the guys are members, so it was super cool! We taught them about having a question and giving a sacrifice in order to gain the answer to their question. It was really neat!

For the Fourth of July we spent it as a family. We went to Colorado and had a family reunion. So many years have passed since we last got together so it really was a blessing. I love spending time with family and sharing my experiences that I was having on my mission! It was a wonderful experience, especially in Colorado on Ralph Lauren's (yep the famous designer Ralph Lauren) ranch. It was beyond gorgeous and everywhere you looked took my breath away. I love looking at nature and seeing the gorgeous Earth that our loving Heavenly Father made for us so we could live here to become like Him and gain in understanding. The weather was beautiful, everything about it was gorgeous. Going through the mountains listening to vocal points "All Creatures of our God and King" really helped me feel the spirit of peace and thanksgiving.

Im thankful to live in a free country, I'm thankful for the many people who are fighting or have given their own lives so we can celebrate our freedom. Im thankful for the beautiful Earth we have been given, for this beautiful land that we have to live in. Im thankful for my family and friends who have been given me so much support in these times. Im thankful for the missionaries around the world who are teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Im eternally grateful for the gospel in my life and the blessings I have received personally, and as a family we have been given. I hope everyone gets the opportunity to understand the importance of the message that we have to the world.

Con Amor,
Sophia Blankmeyer

Fourth of July 2014