5 days! Cinco Dias!!

Hello ALL!

Well here we are, we have 5 days people! I'm so excited to be able to serve my fellow brothers & sisters in Salt Lake City, Utah! Sorry for not really having a ton to post but I wanted to just post at least one more blog before I leave.

Thanks to everyone for the prayers, and sweet cards/more. I am so lucky to have such an amazing ward family and friends of my family to help me during this time. It was hard to be home, and will be just as hard the second time to leave again, but oh so exciting to be in a wonderful place teaching & loving the people of Salt Lake!

I leave for the field November 3rd and I'm in the central SLC mission. I will continue to speak in spanish, so I'll continue to keep the language :)

Well thats pretty much all I have to say, thats all I was told. Tons of new experiences and blessings are on their way! Thanks again for everything and for supporting me!

Con Amor,

(Soon to be) Hermana Blankmeyer

{My mom & I took new mission pictures yesterday for the new blog, check them all out of Facebook}

Farewell to President Trevino

We had an activity as a zone for President Trevino because he leaves July 10.   We had to go to another chapel and I didn't bring anything with me because I thought we would be going back home before writing so please forgive me if this email is short or scattered.

So during the week we had wonderful experiences.  Every day is a miracle here and we love to see the little things in our lives that Heavenly Father places for us.

We are teaching a 14 year old boy named Alejandro.  His dad basically said that his son wants to know more about our church, so we have been working with him.  He is totally your typical 14 year old.  He knows a lot and has tons of questions.  He loves video games and soccer.  We started teaching him and his uncle.  He has a different belief of the nature of God.  We started walking to his house and Hermana Guerra asked if I wanted to start the lesson by answering his question.  I knew that it would be hard and I knew he wouldn't want to listen to us the minute we explained what we believe.  I honestly was doubting, but we reached his door and I had prayed that he would listen and that the spirit would help him remember the things that we were about to teach.  I turned to the bible, and explained that if in Génisis 1:27, says that we were created in the image of God, then God has a physical body like us.  He sat there, and thought... I was afraid of the silence but then had peace.  I then asked him, "Entonces, Hermano Alejandro, ¿Cómo es Dios" (Then, brother Alejandro What is God like?) And he looked at my companion and said, "Pues, Igual Que Nosotros, ¿no? Y si nosotros tenemos Un cuerpo de carne y huesos, así es como el." (Well, just like us, right? And If we have a body of flesh and bones, that's how He is.)  I was so shocked.  I then smiled and testified that I knew without a doubt in my mind that He is like us, so he understands us physically as well as emotionally.  I felt so good and knew that the spirit had helped him in that moment understand more about the things he had known previously.

Diego and his brothers came to church again!  It is so wonderful to be in a huge ward, around 200, where the youth are so willing to go up and introduce themselves and include everyone we bring to church.  

 We held a special activity and program for president Trevino and we made food for him. The hermanas helped get the plates, utensils and table clothes.   I also helped make the pico de gallo y guacamole. The elders helped cook the meat and tortillas.  We came out singing a hymn and ate together.  We all said thanks for everything and helped them on their way.  We sang their favorite hymn as they left the chapel.  It sounds like a good couple hour program? Ha! Preparation was from 9 am and lasted until around 4... It was wonderful and we thought it was worth our pday. 

World cup is huge here!  Of course... but I didn't expect it to be this big.  But yeah, I only know when Mexico plays and that the U.S. won a game.  That is literally all I know about it.

This week I felt my Saviors love more than I ever have felt in my life, and in my mission.  So this week I was in the hospital for four days; my mission president was with me when I got some pretty big tests done and afterward we discussed what would be happening.  I was having sharp pains that no medicine would provide relief.  They finally resorted to strong pain killers.  Presidente Treviño is really amazing and kind.  He gave me two options.  I either go home and get better and stay in America, or I go home, get better and come back to Mexico.  I obviously don't want to come home but I need to be better in order to work.  The United States has a lot more opportunity for me to get better faster.  We came to the conclusion that I will be coming home, I think sometime this week. It was devastating to think about it at the time because I feel like in a way I'm giving up, but I have prayed and feel certain that He is okay with the decision too.  Obviously for me, I don't want to stop this wonderful work of salvation, so I will be coming back to finish my service to my Heavenly Father and my brothers and sisters here in Veracruz.  

I'm really trying to look ahead and focus on getting better so I can work with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.  Being sick has brought frustrating moments and hard times, but at times I could close my eyes and feel Heavenly Fathers presence right there as if He was giving me a hug.  Something I really needed to cheer me up!  The days go by so fast! Many of my zone leaders, district leaders, presidents, are going home soon!  It's crazy.  It is wonderful to be apart of this magnificent work!

Love you and miss you all!

Con Amor,

Hermana Blankmeyer

Be Ye Doers

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." -James 1:22

I have never been so excited to write you all about my week here!  I don’t even know where to begin and I pray I don’t leave anything out – so please bear with me. 

We are teaching a girl named Ana.  She doesn’t know how to read and write in Spanish.  After she said a prayer one visit she told us that she wants to learn how to read and write so that she can serve a mission like us.  Literally, the feeling I had was indescribable when she told me that, because less than a month later she was baptized which only confirmed my feeling. 

Also, in our English class, after expecting no one to show up we had a lady with four boys attend.  She asked where the English classes were held and we ended up teaching them. Their ages are 12, 6, 4, 3 and I am in love with this family!  The boys are so sweet and polite and their sweet mom said that she wants to go back to the U.S. and live there again.  She said that she had gone to church before, but since they are from Predios (poor area) they don’t own clothes appropriate for church.  We told her that it doesn’t matter what she wears, and I offered my clothes so that she would feel a little more comfortable.  She said she could find something.  We continued talking with her after her two boys started playing soccer with other guys from the church.  We went to her house and taught them some more about the gospel. She ended up not being able to make it to church, but three of her boys came and it was so great.  I even gave them pass along cards to entertain the younger two during the meeting – my companion thought that was brilliant. 

We had three contacts that I have to tell you all about. One was found when we were walking.  We passed by a lady that said, "wait, you’re the missionaries, right?"   We were shocked and at the same time said "yes!"  She told us that she knew a little about the church and she asked if we would pray for her son-in-law who is in bed dying and doesn’t believe in God. We absolutely prayed with her in a little alley where we met, and then she left.  After our prayer, there were two large dogs messing around and finally came running after us.  The owner got them and put them away and the neighbor came out and started to tell us how pretty we were and how nice we looked in our skirts, etc. She is a sweet grandma who had cookies – now whoever said don’t take candy from a stranger, I’m sorry but this rule didn’t apply for like five minutes when we ate her chocolate chip cookies!  The first I’ve had in months.  It was her birthday, too, that day so we gave her a mango that Hermana Catalina gave us, and left.  

The other was a friend of Diana Laura, but she asked if she could practice English with me; she speaks well!  Then my companion asked me to contact her in English and that was literally the weirdest thing. I don’t speak English anymore, haha but it was good and we will follow up on those. 

Another miracle happened; we were able to get into a less active member’s home. The husband actually served a mission here in Veracruz!  He has a little girl and she is really sick and they don’t know what it is.  In Mexico you go to the doctor, get your test done, and wait a week until they know what you have, then another week until they know what medicine will work best, etc.  It’s a long process.  We went into their home and sang, Count Your Many Blessings, and we shared D&C 121:7-8.  "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." He then asked if the elders would come give her a priesthood blessing.   It was amazing that he had the faith to ask for one! 

I’m working this week on my faith.  I’m identifying an attribute of Christ and applying it more in my daily works. I know that this will help me represent Him and help me find more opportunities and work as He would. Hopefully I am successful in this pursuit. 

I love and miss you all soooo much!  It’s crazy that we are already in JUNE! June will be an awesome month; we are excited for it. 

Con Amor,

Hermana Blankmeyer 

Elder Schrieners birthday! Chocolate cake with strawberries and just a fork to cut it. Yumm

my district 

Elder Hourigan, Elder Schriener, Hermana Guerra, Hermana Blankmeyer, Hermana DeFriez, Hermana Aretega 

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.)