My family told me that they are so proud, which for me it was the best Christmas gift!!!

Dec 26, 2016

This week was full of changes and there will be many more changes. It was great because I got to be part of three conferences! When the president asked me to come back to Santa Cruz, I got assigned with the assistants of the president and got to learn so much from them by planning,organizing all the conference, helping out here in the offices and so many other things. The only thing is now I see that the assistants don't sleep at all...so tired but happy to be beside so many amazing missionaries. The Christmas conference was awesome! We ate pig and turkey 3 times for each conference but the greatest thing for me was seeing all these missionaries happy and willing to show all their talents. I also got the chance to talk with my family which was great! I know now that my decision to serve was correct, for I am seeing a great change in them! They are together more often and they told me that they are so proud, which for me it was the best Christmas gift!!! So many things are happening that I have no idea what changes will come my way! All I know is that I will trust in God! 

MERRRYYY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE AND IF I DONT SEE YOU SOON,HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We also got attacked by this swarm of bees but now the memory of us running around fills our hearts with laughter!

Dec 19, 2016

This week I was assigned to another mini missionary, which is only 17. Although he is young, I am learning so much from him. We got to do service again, which was great, but sadly now I am sunburned so much... but it was worth it... we got to see their smiling faces. We are also having many activities so that the members and the people here feel the love that we have for them. Although not many want to listen, through prayer and the scriptures I'm finding the strength and the motivation that I need to keep on trying. I know that we will be blessed here and all of you will surely receive what your heart has been wanting, for its a time of unshaken hope. We also got attacked by this swarm of bees in the service! It was horrible but now the memory of us running around fills our hearts with laughter! So many things are happening here and I know this year will bring even more memories that will transform us.

I love you all! MERRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY CHRISTMASSSSSS! ENJOY THE WARM! 

LOVE TO ALL YOUR FAMILIES and here are the pictures of the last email.

Elder Blanco

I got to feed the cows and to even MILK THEM!!!

Dec 12, 2016

This week was great!  We got to serve so much and I was waiting for this! No one wanted me to serve them here but I kept on asking and I think the Lord answered my prayer! I got to help this family on their farm. I got to feed the cows and to even MILK THEM!!! ha but it was just great. I helped this little boy carry the soda and groceries and it made me remember when I was young and would also do that for my mom. I remember the soda and groceries, where everything felt so heavy and the walk home felt so hard, and to me now, it all felt so light and the walk felt short, IT taught me something! This experience made me see that this also happens in the gospel. We also struggle! We carry the burden of our pains, our afflictions, our sins, even the sadness of losing someone and all that weight makes us want to give up on our road to our Father. But as we keep on going, as we let our Savior help us with our weight, our burdens will be lightened. Our spirit will remember how once before we came to earth, we fought beside Him, we were victorious and we conquered. 

May these Holidays be a remembrance of not only our victory in the heavens but of a Savior that was born for us and that in the same way as He came, delivered to us a new beginning! I love you all and though I'm far, I will remain with all of you throughout this mortal journey!

....Yes things here in this area are so different. I'm beginning to love the people here, though I'm scared. I have been leaving pieces of my heart all over and I wonder how many I have left. I've been thinking and one of the things I would want the most is a picture of all of you...my ward family! I really miss all of your smiling faces! I think that's what I want the most for this holiday, other than that I don't have a clue. Thank you for the things you all tell me and send me! I am really blessed to have you with me and for you all to be part of my mission.

Elder Blanco

I send all my love and gratitude to all of you courageous women.

This week was great!  We did several activities for our small church and it brought the Spirit into our hearts. I have always seen that the strongest people we have in our gospel are all those brave mothers who fight along with their work, house duties, and callings... plus take care of their families with all that they have. To all of you courageous women, I send all my love and gratitude. I saw this week the power of the Relief Society as they visited and brought souls back to church. As we knocked doors and talked to many, we learned that the Lord needs us to work in His vineyard. Sometimes we think that others will do it for us or that He will send the prepared souls to us, but that's not how it works. We need to show Him our efforts and after He has tested our faith, He will then reward us.

I miss you all!  It is hard to see that Christmas is coming and I wont be there with you, but know a piece of all of you is planted in my heart!

Elder Blanco

In this pictures we went to the museum and got to be part of this traditional event where they celebrated Jesus being born. It was great! That big guy next to me is one of the characters from ice age, Sid the sloth, I think!  Ha yea these mammals were the biggest of them all! As we learned that many species that we have in the states, had also been around here, makes me see how God truly created perfection!

It is in the refiner’s fire we are purified and prepared to meet God... It was a hard week.

This week I was in the oven.Like it says in the video, "The refiner’s fire is not a comfortable place to be. It involves intense heat and repeated hammering. But it is in the refiner’s fire we are purified and prepared to meet God." It was a hard week. Many doors closed in our faces, many laughed and cursed us, and when it seemed like we didnt have any strength, any motivation to keep on going, we found strength in prayer. I remembered my dream that I and my companion were in an endless hall of houses and he asked, "How are we going to knock all these doors?" and I said "We should put on the armor of God." So we did and kept on going, Now I see that our trials are worth it. He trusts us and His armor is prepared and molded just for us. Even though this week was hard I trust that God is preparing the hearts of many to hear His sweet voice calling them by name..... I love you all, your advice and love keeps me going! 

Sincerely, Elder Blanco
here is a link to the video
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-11-010-the-refiners-fire?lang=eng

Wow being here I totally forgot it was Thanksgiving!

This week was sad. I got transferred from the jungle and away from all my loved ones once more to a farther part in the mountains where it's super cold or super hot depending on the mood of the day. Although its sad, I truly saw the Lord's trust in me and how much He loves His children. I was sent to Tarija to open a new area in this family group that is striving to become a branch. It is truly amazing! I feel like I am in that same place where the church started with only a few members that soon became a blessing to all the earth. I know that with all the help of God, of the members, and through my diligence, these members will gain an answer to all their hard work and prayers. I want them to have their branch and soon there ward so much. I received several impressions that this is truly going to happen for I saw their desire this week and the sun made a circle around the house where the church is... I don't know, it could be a sign! ha ha

I love you all and I will be praying for all of you here.

Wow being here I totally forgot it was Thanksgiving! No turkey here or mashed potatos,  just vegetables and beans!  Hope all of you can enjoy this time together and that you can partake of the greatest thing, which is the love of all the family! I'll surely be praying for all of you!

Elder Blanco

Change is coming and I really don't want to leave my jungle.

This week was a little sad for the time of changes is coming and I really don't want to leave my jungle.  Its amazing how we go from knowing someone, to loving them, to the point that we know when they are happy, when they are sad, and when they are mad. This is how I feel about this area and the beautiful people that have become my family. Although we enjoyed this week as well. We did a missionary activity that consisted of us, the missionaries, planning everything and letting the members and other leaders relax and enjoy the activity.  It was great.  My companion and I did sandwiches and a cake and made small shirts and dresses to decorate the whole event.  It was an amazing activity that we all enjoyed. That someday we celebrated a b-day from a convert we have and made him another cake.  It was truly chaotic but worth it. Sharing all the different moments with every person in my ward made me see that its true, when we help others we are rewarded with smiles and laughs! This area is amazing and I don't want to leave my little companion... he is the best. I'll surely let everyone know if I leave the jungle.

With love,

Elder Blanco