Let your light so shine before this people...

Hello everyone! I heard that many things are changing and I really want to say that God knows what we need and how His children will help others to find His divine home.  The bonds we all have created can't be broken, no matter the distance. So lift up your heads and be of good cheer, for He is with you all.

In my studies this week I was thinking of all of you and I was also thinking of the many things I could have done to help you all more. I am ashamed that my weakness didn't allow me to show you how much love and gratitude I had for each one of you. I am giving my all here and I know that all of you are giving your all over there as well. You are truly Spiritual Giants, for you have found that serving God, and not the world, is one of the most rewarding things in life. I found a scripture that describes all of you and the covenant that you have made with God. It's in 3Nephi12:14 and 16.  "I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven." I know all of you carry a special light within you, so never be afraid to let it shine! Never hide who you are or what you believe in, for God is with you. I testify that there are many ways to show our light and that when we do, our own life will change and we will show our families the way towards eternal happiness.

Elder Blanco 

I can testify that He listens!

This week has been amazing and I know its because of all of you that with your prayers keep me going! I am blessed to have you all. I learned in the scriptures something great and that is that we all have the honor of talking to our Heavenly Father. No charges, no waiting, no appointments needed. Isn't this wonderful? In Alma 34:18-27 it helps us see this. We all have the need to cry unto him with all our heart. I love the part that says "cry unto him for mercy for he is mighty to save, yea humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him." And its true if we keep on seeking Him, if we pour out all the things that we might not be able to tell someone else, He will listen. He will assure us through our feelings, that He is beside us.  And even when we cant pray out loud, when the sounds of the world, when everything seems to take us far from Him, even then He lets us know that in our hearts a prayer should remain. I can testify that He listens, that He is all powerful, and that there is nothing that can ever take us away from His presence and from our families if we seek His loving words. I testify that when any of you kneel to pray, alone or with your family, He stops and listens because He knows you one by one and knows the best way to sooth your troubled hearts.

I love you all!  Keep on going, keep on praying, and let the spirit of His love guide your way!
Elder Blanco

Families can be together for ever through our Heavenly Fathers Plan!

Families can be together for ever through our Heavenly Fathers Plan! This week was amazing! I saw the love God has for all the families on earth and for the blessing that Mothers are for all of us. On this special day I would like to thank all those true daughters of God!  Its because of all of you that we can keep on fighting.  Like it says in  Alma 56:47 "Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives;yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt,God will deliver them." You all have been the source, the pillar of strength of our commitment to serve Him. Know that all of you missionary moms taught us that as long as we trust in Him, even if we have to go through sacrifice its all worth it! Never feel sad or alone, for God is with you. All of your kids are safe. Its better for us to be here than to be lost in the world. I thoroughly admire all of you for the suffering and the tears that all of you have given for us. God said he will transform them in happiness,  in everlasting moments of Joy! Love all of you strong Moms! You are truly a gift that nothing can take away and for all of you brothers and sons and daughters make sure you make this day a day that you will remember for ever. Time goes by so fast! Don't waste it!  I testify that if we show our love to others and we truly take each special moment with our families, as a delight in the future, we wont look back with regret but we will say "I am glad I was able to do all that with them and to know the treasure of those moments will be with us through all eternity!"

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!  LOVE YOU ALL !!!

Elder Blanco

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified...

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified.....that for me a sinner he suffer he bled and died. This hymn truly pierced my heart this week as I felt like my prayers weren't being answered and I felt alone. That is when the image of Jesus in the garden came to me and how he himself felt alone and like the Father had forgotten about him. This made me realize He needed to feel this way or else he wouldn't have been able to suffer all our pains. This made me see that He LOVES ALL OF US! For like it says in the scriptures, there is no bigger love than for someone to give his life for his friends. I remembered the scripture where Jesus tells the disciples that he is talking to them like friends now. I can see now Jesus is not only our Savior but our friend. I can testify that you can open your heart to Him. He LISTENS, He CARES, He LOVES YOU to the point that he was willing to suffer for you. I know we can all know this through prayer. I know it works. I was being put down but this morning he answered me and I felt something big in my heart testifying to me that he was and forever will be our Savior. In John 5:9-12 he shows us his deep love, and in John 17:12-23, He lets us know how we as families can be one like Him and The Father are. My advice is trust, have faith that He will answer, never give up, and like in 4Nephi1:17-18 says, they were in one the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God and how blessed were they for the Lord did bless them in all their doings.

Elder Blanco

With tears on her face, asked us if we had seen her small boy that dissappeared from his kindergarten school.

I was transferred to a new area this week. I'm back to the confused moment when I first arrived to my mission. I am in the jungle and many things here aren't being done, but I have learned to love areas like this. They make me so happy for I know it means I'll have to give even more of myself to God to make people here learn of Christ.

I miss all of you. Thanks for all the love that you have shown me to get to the point where I am. This week I learned much about the love that my Savior has for me and I learned that Christ really did suffer through everything. I saw this on our way home from our daily work and we saw this mother that was just broken. She stopped us and with tears on her face asked us if we had seen her small boy that dissappeared from his kindergarten school. This destroyed me, for I did not know what  to say or how to help her. This is when my prayers changed. They now had a deeper meaning, for I told myself that I did not know how losing a kid feels, but that I knew really well God knew, for he gave His loving son so we would be saved! Oh how deep my love for Him grew this moment! I know now that He loves me and He loves you all and truly knows how to help you.

Elder Blanco