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

Trust in Him

"There is only one thing more contagious than enthusiasm, and that is the lack of enthusiasm." -Thomas S. Monson 

Wednesday we had a W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L. meeting with around 4 or 5 zones with our president and his family, since they are leaving for Monterrey on July 10th. It was a meeting that started with a group picture at the Veracruz Temple and started with the videos from the new missionaries, the missionaries leaving in this transfer, and some surprise videos from every zone. They're were funny, and really sweet ones. Then testimonies from the missionaries leaving really touched my heart. I have a long time until I'm there in their shoes but I know that I need to take their advice and really cherish every moment, good and bad on the mission. Everything is sent for us for our progress and learning. There are times when we don't understand why the trial is in front of us. But if I've learned anything from the mission so far, its that I need to TRUST IN HIM. He knows exactly why we are placed in our situations, and we should pray to try to understand the reason or find the way that He would have us face them. 

The kids of presidente and his wife spoke to us. They had us all crying. We sang "Para Siempre Dios este con Vos" (God Be with You Till We Meet Again) and it was a struggle for everyone to sing the song. There were parts where we just couldn't sing the notes because we were all crying, especially Presidente Trevino. He gave us some advice. 5 important points that we can be successful missionaries. 1. Be a worthy person, with virtue and have controlled thoughts. 2. Obey all the mission rules. 3. Have a divine companionship 4. Be diligent teachers and learners. 5. Have desire, faith, and love. 

On Wednesday I went to go say goodbye to a special family to me. We shared a scripture, my favorite one, Helaman 5:12 "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."  
I explained that I love this scripture because it says "WHEN" the devil, its a certain thing that we will all pass through. Sometimes its hard and we don't want the hard times that we are given, but we should be happy in ALL our circumstances and try our best to keep going forward. I explained that I wanted to share something so special to me because they are so special and it would be the last time I'd be with them. Not a dry eye was in that house. They are so much like a family to me, they have done so much for me and it finally hit me that I would be leaving this wonderful people and this wonderful work. I told them my plans were to come to the States to get better, than go straight back to the mission. But I wouldn't likely serve in that ward again. They cried with me and my companion. The spirit was really strong in that room as we were saying the final prayer. 

The next day we went to our food, and right after we were done eating we got a call from President saying Hermana Guerra would be leaving that ward too. Today would be our last day in Magisterio and so we ran back to our home and grabbed our journals and had about 3 hours to get everyone we wanted to write in our journals and take pictures with. Even though 3 hours sounds like forever trust me, emotions were everywhere and it was so hard for us to meet with everyone. I felt like we were running around crazy that day, from one side of town to the other every 5 minutes it felt like. When we finally got home we felt a little relaxed than realized we had SO much to do. We had to pack and get rid of practically everything. We were up really late cleaning and packing. 

On the plane, I sat by a man who spoke spanish, but the flight attendant didn't. I helped him order a drink and then talked about the church with him and about his family. At first I was a little hesitant which isn't like me, especially as a missionary, but after we started talking everything felt right. Then I had a flight from Houston to Dallas, in the airport after our flight was delayed for about an hour. I was feeling really down and then a lady and her sweet daughters came up to me and started asking me questions. We took pictures and talked in spanish. It felt really good to speak in Spanish and help her out. She is a recent convert with her two daughters and they are visiting her mother in Fort Worth and wanted to know where a church building was that they could visit on Sunday. 

It is so weird being home. Being released was hard too. I love being a missionary, I want more than anything to get better so that I can get right back to work. I'm doing my best to live like a missionary, so weekly emails are still the way to communicate with me and I'll be updating my blog in the meantime. 

Saturday we went to a baptism in the morning! A young women in our ward has been taking the discussions and she had made the decision to follow Jesus Christ and be baptized. I wouldn't have asked for a better way to come back. I didn't know her but I introduced myself and told her how proud I am and He is with her decision. I was pretty much in tears because I felt the spirit so much in that baptism service. Her words were so powerful and I finally realize how important baptism and the covenants that we make, thanks to the mission. 

Sunday we went to the Spanish Branch, which made me feel at home. Everything was in spanish and it helped bring peace and comfort to my heart. I said hi to some of the hermanas that I went with Hermana Munyer and Cattich before the mission. Then we went to my ward, and I was able to see my old building and people in the ward that I have known for so long. Then I went to another ward for a friends mission farewell. It was crazy to see him get ready to go and see some friends who are home for the summer. I kinda forget that life keeps going while youre on the mission. People grow up and schools out. I really miss everything about my mission. Every minute Im reminded of how much I miss the mission and how much of a desire i have to get back out to the field. We will see this week what the doctors feel we should do and see what can I do to get back as quickly as possible. 

Love you all and your love for me! Thanks for the many hugs and comforting words y'all have given me! Im thankful for the many prayers and know that they will be answered and I will be able to return and finish what I have started. 

Con mucho Amor,
Sophia Blankmeyer 

Hermana Guerra and Hermana Blankmeyer at the Acuario 

Elder Hourigan, Hermana DeFriez, Hermana Arteaga, Elder Schriener, Hermana Guerra, Hermana Blankmeyer, Elder Gonzalez and Elder Bonilla at the last district meeting with Hna. Guerra's birthday cake 

Hermana Blankmeyer and Hermana Trevino at the conference 

Hermana Blankmeyer and Presidente Trevino at the conference 

Hermana Blankmeyer and Sinai Cisneros 

Hermana Blankmeyer and Hermana Cisneros 

Family Gomez Cano with the hermanas 

Hermana Guerra, Diana Laura (first convert), and Hermana Blankmeyer 

Now is the time!

"It is accounted unto you for righteousness if you proceed according to the best light you have."- Wilford Woodruff

It is crazy thinking that it is already past fathers day now! Time flies here.The prophet taught us in general conference that now is the time, we must hasten the work or we will stand before God at judgement and regret that we never worked with ALL our heart, might, mind and strength when we are fully capable.  I'm doing everything possible to be worthy of these promises. One of my greatest desires is to inherit eternal life in the celestial kingdom of God. I have learned so many things that I wish I could pick up the phone and tell you all about them.  Reread the Ensign from general conference. Study it daily. That is scripture for us now. 

This week was magnificent because we did a lot of service.  I had divisions which were kinda scary.  "Divisions" is going off on my own with another member in the ward teaching investigators the whole lessons in Spanish.  I relied on the Lord and He sure did His part in helping me. We taught new people and it must have went well because they came to church! There was another baptism and we were invited because we had starting teaching him.  But technically he was in another ward's boundary so we introduced him to the missionaries in his ward. But he invited us to his baptism and it was such a wonderful time! 

Crazy lightning storms happened that made Hermana Guerra and I have to hold each others hands for comfort, but we are safe, no worries.

We went to the aquarium today because it was Hermana Guerras birthday on the 14th! She is now 21! 

My zone saying goodbye to our mission president. Our last pday with him.  After we made him a video.

Hermana Guerra and me

Practically the whole bus was filled with our zone.  We got in trouble because apparently we aren't allowed to have so many missionaries out together like that.
 

Hermana Guerras birthday was the 14th and the family Cisneros bought her cake and we celebrated her birthday.

Sorry my blog entry is super short today. Keep being strong and super wonderful examples!  I love and miss you all and will promise to write more next time with more pictures. 

Con Amor

Hermana Blankmeyer

TODAY is the day to get it done!

This is the Huerrera family on the day Veronica got baptized.  I feel a lot of love from them. The Dad always makes me feel like what I am teaching or saying is the most important thing because he repeats it to everyone.  I love this family so much.

"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." -Alma 34:32

So this week I had interviews with the President! I saw the huge stack of newbies that come in tomorrow! Crazy how time flies, and how that was my last interview with Presidente Treviño. I have learned so much from him and his family, and they are like my own. It is sad to see him leave but I know many great things are ahead as he will serve as an Area Seventy. 

My "miracles" this week are Paola, Ruben, Armando and familia, and finally Mario y Glatis. I feel like I am here for them specifically.   Each one has a unique need or circumstance and I am sure that I am a tool in the Lord's hands to help each of them for a different reason. 

Paola can't put the Book of Mormon down! She is my age and has 2 sweet little boys. Her boyfriend and her are working on getting married! She is so excited to be baptized. 

Ruben, is the dad of Diana Laura, when we met him he said there are 2 rules in his house. The first one is NO ONE talks about religion and the other no one talks about politics. But look at where we are at, his 13 year old daughter is now a member; baptized last month.  Amazingly he is trying to learn more about the gospel. He is really a great dad and he even offered to have us over for a meal. They are a great family and I feel incredibly happy for them. 

Armando it is actually hard to find time to teach him, but his wife is ALWAYS home and listens to our message. She really wants to have her family for all time and eternity, and she should because she has a wonderful family. Even a sweet 2 year old girl. 

Mario is 13 and really is a great kid. He reminds me of Erik and that is why I love teaching him. 

Glatis is also a wonderful lady. She really wants to learn more about the church, and does everything she can to learn more and fulfill the commitments she makes with us. 

Some elders were joking about Hermana Guerra (my companion) leaving the area.  Then they said that it would be a "whitewash", which is when we both leave in the middle of the training and new people come in. It was a joke but I feel so attached to these people here that I felt sad at first when they said that.  I AT LEAST want to be here for the wonderful miracles we have seen in the people and families lives as they come unto Christ.  I would love to continue to see the lives of all that we teach change and to see them baptized.  But I know that The Lord knows whats best for me, even if I don't get to see them get baptized.   I am pretty sure I will be here for at least 6 more weeks! 

On Saturday we worked like DOGS. Ironic because many dogs were angry with us this day too.   But, anyway we literally had SO MANY people to meet with that we left 2 hours earlier just to have time for everyone.   We even had NEW people to meet with. It would take forever to write about each experience but, that's what my journals for, which is almost full already. 

I love it here more and more each day. Especially the rainy days, weird huh? (most of you know I'm not a fan of rain) I mean its a break from the sun, not from the sweat and humidity but still something about rainy days on the mission makes me really happy. 

The ward is outstanding and I can feel my love for each member increase as they start to have more confidence in me.  I know this is exactly where I am needed.  I try to live everyday as I should so I may be able to help others from the minute I leave the apartment until I return. 

Love you all, you are in my prayers and hope all is well! 

Con Amor,

Hermana Blankmeyer 

(I was told I was an honorary Mexican, pretty much the BEST compliment you could ever receive as a gringa.  They also say I have "blonde" hair, funny I guess the Mexican sun has bleached it a little.)

President Harold B. Lee said, "There is only one day that you and I have to live for, and that's today. There is nothing we can do about yesterday except repent, and there may be no tomorrow. The thing for us to do when we arise from our beds as God gives us a new day, is to take whatever comes to our hands, and do it to the best of our ability." -Harold B. Lee

So I hate to say it but again this week was us getting sick. We still continued to work, because we basically will work until the day we work ourselves to death because that is how strongly we both feel that the people here need to feel Christ and our loving care for them. 

We ran into Paola (the 19 year old with 2 sons and a boyfriend) and she said her boyfriend wants to get married! yeah!!  We are trying everything we can to help plan the wedding and such. I love her so much. She is such a sweetheart. We just need her sister Jazmin (18 with 2 sons and a boyfriend) to have her boyfriend agree to marriage. He says he doesn't want to because divorce papers are a lot to go through... (wrong thing to think about when you are wanting to get married)

We did a lot of service this week. More like random acts of kindness to people here. It really helps me think of what the Savior would do if He were walking the streets of Mexico. 

I got the package y'all sent me on the 14th! It had everything in it and THANK YOU!!

I shared a scripture with America. (1 Nefi 3:7, And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the thing which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them)  She is preparing to go on a mission and she started her papers. I told her about how I felt kinda nervous about being called anywhere- because the world is a big place- but then I read that scripture before opening my call, and when I read Mexico I felt peace and a sense of "I can do this". She will make a great missionary.

We ended up going to the hospital one day.  My companion felt nauseous for 4 days straight and turns out she has an infection in her kidneys. She is fine now and has medicine but that took 2 days out of the week that we would have worked. I have a rare type of sore throat but they have me on meds and it doesn't hurt but I still sound like a man so that's fun. However, that night when we were home listening to hymns, I read Alma 26:30, "And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some." and it really helped us both. The spirit was super strong in that moment. 

Sunday we got ready for church.  The elders, Hermana Guerra and I had a baptism! We were super happy for her! It was cool too because since we didn't work on Saturday, we didn't have anyone to walk with for church. But while we were in companionship study before church a lady called us on the phone and asked where everyone was for church. She was a contact from the elders they had given her our number, she was there 30 min early. So we quickly finished and went to church. I love the ward here. There was this one day where the food appointment canceled on us, after we spent 30 min walking trying to find it. But some other Hermana in the ward heard about it and told us that no matter what, if there is a day we go without food we go to her house and eat. The love that the ward members show us has been amazing. 

There was also a Young Women meeting last night in Pachugo, Mexico with Sister Reeves. It was broadcast to the church building and we were able to attend. The things that Sister Reeves shared were marvelous. 

Windy and hot days are what we get here.  But I'll take anything as long as I am here sharing the gospel with the Latino people. 

Love you all. Miss you all. Pray for you all. 

Con Amor,

Hermana Blankmeyer 

Mother's Day

This week was different. We had divisions and I was RIGHT on the beach. Like literally we ran on the beach in the morning, but it was only for about a day and a half. The next day we had a sister meeting where all the sisters of the Veracruz mission met.   It was a celebration because of Mother's Day and all that good stuff. It was super spiritual and beautiful. We even got to watch a little bit of Frozen and the story of Esther. 

Unfortunately my companion and I were pretty sick this week, but we still saw miracles and progress with our investigators. We had 2 girls come up to us and say that they want to be baptized. We are so thankful for the people and experiences the Lord blesses us with. 

The elders had a baptism and we were there to help.  After the service we taught her how to read and write in Spanish! She is so sweet and such an example to me. 

Mother's Day here was BEAUTIFUL. Flowers, cards, candy EVERYWHERE! It is always celebrated on March 10th no matter what day of the week it falls on.  So I got to Skype with my mom a day early, Saturday.  The holiday is HUGE in Mexico because they associate the day with the virgin Mary.  We bought some little treats for some ladies in the ward that are our "mommies". 

I love you mommy and thank you for everything you do for me! Thanks for being my hero everyday and for choosing me to be your daughter! 

I want to thank everyone for the prayers and hope you know that you are always in mine! There are hard days, but they are there to make you appreciate the next day better. I love the people and the gospel! 

I was able to bear my testimony on Sunday, in church, on the Book of Mormon. I know that it is the most accurate book in the world. I learn something new every time I read it. It was written for our day and we should abide by its teachings. Joseph Smith translated it through the power and authority of God. He was a prophet of God and through revelation he restored the church. The same church that Christ had established when He was on the Earth. We are so lucky to be able to have this knowledge. 

Many investigators ask us many different questions but the most common this week was more about why we are on missions. It was really impactful for them to hear that we leave EVERYTHING for 18 months - 2 years to be here for them. The spirit that we felt was indescribable when they really realized what that meant. 

I love you all, hope you are enjoying life, and staying healthy and strong. Keep up the good work and be the best you can be! Remember that everyday is a gift and we should do all we can to make the BEST of everyday! 

Con Amor,

Hermana Blankmeyer

There can be MIRACLES

Well here I am again folks!

We have soooo much happening here in a week its crazy to know where to start and what to say! 

Lucy  is an investigator that we went to and just balled our eyes out crying. Her daughter is SUCH a great example to her and she is having difficulties with her marriage. Her husband is really aggressive and its heartbreaking to see this all happening. But we love and pray for her daily.

Catolina... where to begin?! I mentioned her in the last blog post.  She is the sweet abuela that repeats what I say when I pray with her. She is one crazy, hilarious lady and literally she changed, like full on every article of clothing in front of my compie and I. We tried so hard not to laugh at this crazy old lady that we love, we went to her sons house, because his son is 17 and not a member but everyone else is. She talked the ear off of the poor taxi driver then started saying who knows what in our lesson with her grandson. It was great because everyone was laughing at her in the end. 

Diana Laura.. She just needed her dads signature on her baptism papers since she is only 14 years old. Her dad seems pretty wishy washy on the whole thing but we continue to have faith and pray. 

Jose was baptised before I came here but has yet to receive the Holy Ghost, so we went to his house (His dad is Urbano) and we sang a hymn and invited him to come to church to receive the holy ghost. 

Oscar is an 8 year old spunky kiddo. I love him! His mom is a less active member and he has 2 twin brothers that are 4 years old. They are a crazy, but awesome family. He is the man of the house because his dad actually died a couple months ago. He wants to be baptized and you should have seen him beg his mom to go to church! Also, at the end of every lesson they ask me how to say ____ in English. 

*Side note: I teach English every Tuesday and Thursday at the church, and the kids usually bring old tests or homework, and the material they learn is not proper English, so I may be coming back to Mexico to teach English to these kids*

Thursday both me and my compie were sick. So we went to the doctor, lunch with a member, and tried to rest so that tomorrow we could get back to work. We went to a lady named Diana Sedeno. She has already been taught by the missionaries and had a kinda awkward experience. She felt like she never got an answer and that they didn't care about her. There was a million things running in my mind when I heard her story. But the one thing that stood out to me was a hymn. Mas Cerca Dios de ti. (Nearer My God, to Thee). I sang it (solo, scared out of my mind) but once I finished the song, I looked up and tears were in her eyes and I know that she received an answer. That was an experience I will never forget.

WE HAD ZONE CONFERENCE!! It was way cool to see some of my friends from the MTC, and everyone. Lots of pictures were taken, videos were shown, and many spiritual lessons were shared. I felt like I could literally move mountains afterwards. 

There are days here where we meet someone new and teach them and see potential but they call and tell us that for whatever reason they can't meet with us again. It breaks our hearts. 

But then there are days where exact obedience comes in, testimonies are strengthened, and I think to myself, GOOD LUCK trying to get me on an airplane home in 2015! Diana Laura was baptized after church on Sunday! She is SUCH an example and she is my first baptism! I felt the spirit so strong and I remembered my baptism day. 

I love you all and know without a doubt that this church is true! Exact obedience leads to miracles, and that I'm exactly where I need to be right now. 

Con Amor,

Hermana Blankmeyer