tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10368073194556956022024-03-13T23:51:34.630-07:00From Indonesia With Love...Leah Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02064316338567233818noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-16537069250748187812012-02-21T07:31:00.000-08:002012-02-21T07:35:30.113-08:00Nov. 30, 2011 Selamat Ulang Tahun kepadaku!!! (Happy Birthday to Me!!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hello Family and Friends,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">How are things going there in Texas and everywhere else that you may be? I don't know if you can tell from my writing or anything but I am officially writing to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">y'all</span> as a 22 year old. I woke up today with a few gray hairs... actually that is true and it is only because I woke up to my companion throwing flour in my face. An <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Indonesian</span> tradition that I'm not quite sure about, but it is better than a raw egg broken on the top of the head which is more traditional. I was thankful that that didn't happen. Actually I have had a wonderful birthday ... with a few pictures to show you. But first I am glad that everyone had a great thanksgiving. I was fun to see all of your pictures, thanks for blogging. And Deborah... Your hair is so long. I'm shocked!!! And I can not even express my jealousy over <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">y'all</span> seeing the NBA championship <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">trophy</span>. That is ridiculous!!! I hope I get the Christmas card with the photo.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well, as for my birthday, like I said I woke up with flour thrown in my face, but that was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ok</span>. Then we quickly got dressed and I opened my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">presents</span> from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">y'all</span>. Thanks for all the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">vera</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">bradley</span>!!! What would a birthday be like without some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">vera</span>. The pictures were awesome and I love the necklace. Thanks for everything!!! It made today very special. Then we quickly went out and were off to celebrate as a zone at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Taman</span> Safari, a zoo here were you drive through the zoo and the animals are just walking around. We got pretty close to lions, zebras, hippos, camels, and lots of other animals. But the fun part was the baby zoo where you could pay one whole dollar and get pictures taken with baby animals. See pictures one and two to see me with a 2 month old baby o<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">rangutan</span>, Claudia, and me with a 5 month old lion, Java. It was a pretty surreal experience. And pretty much Claudia loved me. I got lots of pictures... Java was not too pleased and kinda scared me. The baby tiger was not chained up and scratched someone before me so I chickened out on that one... actually I couldn't fork over another dollar, but that is 4 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">angkot</span> rides!!! The zoo was awesome and definitely was a once in a lifetime experience. Then as we were leaving we came upon this picturesque view... see picture 3. Can you find that anywhere in America???? And then let me tell you how much I love senior couples... they found out it was my birthday and made me cookies. They brought them to the zoo with some candles so I could blow some out and make a wish. It was a great to be sung to in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">English</span>. My birthday has turned out to be a great day. Thanks for all the emails and blog posts too!! What an awesome family!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this week continued to be a little frustrating. We have been able to make contact with a few former investigators who seem interested in learning again so we are glad about that and are hoping things go well there. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Tinawati</span> is still our only stable investigator and she continues to read the Book of Mormon but it is going to be hard for her to come to church, she works Sunday morning selling at the market and apparently Sunday is her busiest day. It definitely will be a step of faith for her to come to church, but slowly we see that faith growing in her. We love her and keep working with her. But the most exciting part of these week was on Sunday when two less active ladies we have been working with for a long time came to church. We were so excited!!!! It pretty much felt like a baptism. They both seemed to have a good experience and hopefully they can keep coming and become active again.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well thanks so much for all the birthday wishes, presents, and packages. I was probably most excited about the advent that you sent me. My companion thought it was strange, but when I explained it to her... she still thought it was strange. But I love it!! I can't wait to start that along with the scriptures tomorrow. Thanks so much for being a wonderful family. I love you all and miss you all!!! Oh and I ate Thanksgiving dinner last week at Pizza Hut. A supreme pizza never tasted so good. Have a great week. I'm on the look out for a nativity mom, but I haven't succeeded yet. I just saw my first <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Christmas</span> tree so maybe I'm close. Pray!!! I know this church is true and I love you all!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">PS... For calling, yeah I figure I could call at like 5 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">o'clock</span> am on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Christmas</span> and all things would be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">ok</span>. No really, maybe like 7 am there. Is that 8 pm here right? With the time changes ya? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Umm</span>... I will probably be calling since I don't know anyone with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">skype</span> here. I figure just buy a calling card. I will try and figure that one out this week. Thanks!! <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Can't</span> wait!!! Love you all!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: '"Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; "><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-67910814654360492722012-02-21T07:27:00.000-08:002012-02-21T07:31:44.797-08:00I forgot<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hey so Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Groberg</span> told me that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">y'all</span> had emailed asking if you could do anything for the Indonesian missionaries for Christmas. She said that she felt <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">that it</span> might <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">just</span> be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">a little</span> too hard to get things for all of them here to Indonesia especially with no <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">guarantee</span> that it will actually get here. But she asked what I thought and I really feel that maybe if you could just write a note for all the sister <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">missionaries</span> in the mission. There are only 11, and 5 are American, so only 6 native. However, they probably wouldn't like it if they felt singled out or felt sorry for, so probably better to send something to all of the sisters. Probably just a letter with some stickers or picture of Christ of the temple. Something that could just <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">fit in</span> an envelope. I think they would all really enjoy it. And all the native sisters speak fairly good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">English</span> so you could write the note in English.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">The names are:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Suryono</span>, my current comp</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Nababan</span>, my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">trainer</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Tukijan</span>, my old comp</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sister Sari, I actually have only met her once, but she is the only member in her Muslim family</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Pontoan</span>, she has been out for almost 6 months and we are teaching her mom her in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Malang</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Tandiman</span>, she is really new and her dad is an old mission president here in Indonesia. I hear she is awesome.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Langi</span>, about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">to</span> go <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">home in</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">February</span> from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">SLC</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sister Collins, from Layton, UT</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sister Peters, from Idaho</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Nicholes</span>, my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">MTC</span> comp</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sister Blake, me</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">I don't know if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">y'all</span> will have time to do this, but if <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">y'all</span> still feel it is good I think they would all really like it. Thanks for being so awesome and giving. A great example to me!!! Love you lots!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: '"Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; "><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-87632567749624520902012-02-21T07:24:00.000-08:002012-02-21T07:27:01.524-08:00Nov. 23, 2011 Foto-foto(Photos)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hey Family,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hello from the other side of the world!! How are things going? I am glad to hear that Mom's surgery went well and that she has successfully managed to learn how to blog from her iPhone ... I don't know which one I was more worried about this week. All the blog posts were a great to look at today. It sounds like everyone had a great week and is now enjoying their Thanksgiving Break. I have yet to see one thing that has reminded me of Thanksgiving in the least, but technically we are P-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">daying</span> tomorrow to celebrate and are going to go eat lunch at an actual restaurant. I might actually get to eat with silverware!!! I don't think I will ever be more thankful!! I hope everyone has a wonderful day and I am pretty sure Bevan isn't really serving a mission in the least when he gets hand-delivered packages and gets to eat Thanksgiving with the Browns. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pssh</span>!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well as promised from a few weeks ago, here are a few pictures from the happenings of the past few weeks. I hope that you all enjoy ... and please notice how short my hair is!! It is so curly too. The ringlets are impressive. The first photo is me eating dog!! We usually eat at night at home so that is why I am in my pajamas. The dog was pretty delicious. I don't know why we don't eat dog for Thanksgiving and not turkey, maybe I will start that tradition when I come home. And yes we do have silverware in our house, but I opt to use my hands instead.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">The second picture is from a wedding that we attended. The bride is a member of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Malang</span> Branch and her mom is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tinawati</span> that we have been teaching lately. The groom is a member from Solo. It was a pretty low-key wedding but a great experience. I think the whole church celebrates A LOT when two members of the church get married. It unfortunately doesn't happen as much as it should, but when it does it is so fun to see. And yes, the groom is wearing make-up on his face to look more white. Kinda weird, but that is what they do.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">This is a picture of me trying to sneak a Book of Mormon into the drawer at the hotel we stayed at. I just didn't think the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Al'Koran</span> and the selected portions from the New Testament were enough. My companion didn't think it would be a good idea so I took it with me and then gave it to a nun on the bus ride home to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Malang</span> later that night. I don't know if she ever read it, but hopefully.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">And which one of these people are not like the other ... yes that is right I am the lone white person here. Actually one of the elders is from California but he is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Hispanic</span> and so no one ever thinks he is American, but rather just assume that he is Indonesian until he talks and people realize he can't speak at all... he's only been here two months. But, this is a picture of the missionaries here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Malang</span> with our Branch Mission Leader and his wife. We were enjoying <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">FHE</span> with them. They are both returned missionaries and just a fun couple. Some of my favorite people I've met in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Malang</span>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this week still didn't bring too much good news investigator wise. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Tinawati</span> is still learning but she is still far from really believing. She has a lot of doubts but she is still willing to learn and find out. It is a slow process, but we love her and want to help her so we are doing all that we can do to help. Her daughter on her mission frequently writes and bears her testimony so with that we are pretty sure she is feeling the spirit. Slowly but surely!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">But other then that our rejection record is getting pretty impressive. And people keep getting more and more creative with their rejection tactics. It is a little hard to take at times, but I have been able to see how hard Satan is working to try and discourage us, so we must be getting close to finding someone awesome. We have a few good contacts/<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">referrals</span> that we are hoping to contact this next week so hopefully things will turn out soon.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well even though I won't be eating any turkey or stuffing or pie tomorrow I have decided that it won't stop me from being so grateful for all of the things that I have in my life. These past 10 months on my mission have really shown me all of the blessings I really have and how much the Gospel really does bring into my life. This mission has changed my life and I will always be grateful for the experiences that I have had, even the really, REALLY hard ones that leave me questioning if I am really doing any good. I know that this church is true and I know that we are lead by a prophet of God.I know the Book of Mormon is true and I learn something from it each and every day that I read it's pages. Thank you so much for being a wonderful family. I love you all and miss you!!!! Please eat some pie for me tomorrow and drink some egg<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">nog</span>!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">P,S. I am also grateful for Justin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Beiber</span> who has given me numerous <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">opportunities</span> to explain to people what mistletoe is. I haven't heard this new Christmas song, but I already do not like it! Love you all!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-84109794105550081912012-02-21T07:22:00.000-08:002012-02-21T07:24:40.330-08:00Nov. 16, 2011 Sakit, Anjing, dan Seorang Ibu yang Berusia 100 tahun (Sick, Dog, and a 100 year old woman)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hello Family,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">It looks like things are going well there at home and all things are going well. Welcome to the world James! You are quite the cute little baby. You are lucky you are so handsome, because I don't just share my birth month with just anyone, but with you I am more than happy too. I will be excited to meet you in 8 months!! I am glad that Hannah is doing well and Avery and Sarah have adjusted to the new addition. Quite an exciting time. I am also glad that Mom will be able to to have her surgery this week and I will pray that all will be well. And I really, really hope that your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">chapstick</span> works Bevan. That just sounds awful!! How are you able to survive? It is a good thing that you have a car to help you cope. I will be having a special fast for you this week to make sure that you fully heal.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this week has been full with crazy events. Sorry, I don't have time to attach pictures. Next week, promise!! Well this week actually didn't start out very fun. It started out with me being sick in bed last Thursday and Friday. Apparently I ate a kind of food last Wednesday night that is a 'killer of white people' from what I learned afterwards. And believe me the food tried hard to kill me. It was not too fun and made me pretty homesick at times, but after about 48 hours of straight sleep I was able to make it through. And then my lips got chapped and that was just awful! Actually not really, but it was a rough few days, but I felt pretty darn skinny at the end of it!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Saturday I was back to normal and could work again and ended the day with really testing my stomach... that is right. I ate dog!!! It looked pretty gross, but I just couldn't give up the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">opportunity</span>. But I am here to report that dog is delicious!! YUM!!! My poor companion was pretty disgusted by the whole thing and would not even come close to trying, but she made it through. I even ate the dog with my hands. So whatever <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">etiquette</span> you learned at that mission conference last week <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Malan</span> and Hansen pretty much goes out the window in Indonesia. But just beware <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Zoie</span> when I come home, if you even try and lick me I will be willing to eat you!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">But the highlight of the week, and my classic Girl Scout moment, was when we helped a semi-active elderly woman in the Branch move. This Sister lives with her 100 year old mother, who is probably my favorite person in Indonesia. And this 100 year old woman is still as fit as a fiddle. But while helping them move, part of the process was helping this 100 year old woman cross the street. Pretty Awesome. The process was my companion going out and completely stopping traffic and then me and her walking across one side of the street. We then rested in the middle of the street for about 10 minutes and then crossed to the other side. I then realized how much I really am being watched over, when once we made it to the other side, no sooner than 5 minutes after that there was a pretty big accident with 6 motorcyclists falling on top of one another. Kinda scary, but in classic Indonesian fashion, no one was hurt and they all just stood up, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">brushed</span> off, got back on their bikes and kept going. I was flabbergasted!! But it was still a pretty cool moment of my mission.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well beside from these events the rest of the week has been pretty disappointing with every single investigator, except one, deciding to reject us. It has been pretty hard to take and watch as people have decided to not listen and learn. We don't really know where to go from all this and what we need to do, but we aren't letting this get us down. We still have one investigator, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Tinawati</span>, and are pretty much putting all our efforts into helping her. But if she rejects us, I just don't know what we will do!! This week, hopefully will bring some new investigators. Hopefully!! But I've learned a lot about how much Satan works and doesn't want us to succeed. I know that he really doesn't like to see us working and helping people to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">receive</span> this gospel. But I am glad that we have been blessed with the knowledge that we win in the end!! Just gotta keep an eternal perspective!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I love you all so much and miss you all. Good luck Mom with everything this week. I will be praying for you!!! Post more pictures on the Blog, especially of the new additions in the family. Have a great week, and remember, 2 weeks till my birthday!!! I know this church is true and love sharing it with other people, even though they don't want to listen. It blesses my life so much and I just hope other people can have these same blessings. I love you all!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-33415627092221472712012-02-15T19:25:00.000-08:002012-02-15T19:29:36.741-08:00Nov. 9, 2011 Musim Hujan (Rainy Season)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Dear Family,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hello from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Malang</span>, Indonesian!! How are things going over there are on the other side of the world? I'm glad that everyone survived the earthquake. That is pretty crazy, in fact I'm a little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sceptical</span>. Maybe <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">y'all</span> are all making it up so you can feel like you live in Indonesia... Who knows? It sounds like you had a great week, filled with a trip to San Fran. That is pretty fun. I'm glad was able to stay out of the hospital while you were there. Did you at least take a ride to see the old Catholic hospital to relive the old times? Was Wicked there to go see? I'm pretty excited for Hannah and Chris tomorrow. I'm a little sad that I have to wait a whole week to see the pictures, but I guess that is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ok</span>. I'm sure I will survive. Good luck this weekend at state, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Malan</span>. I hope all goes well and that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">y'all</span> win. I think if you did it would be the first time I'm a little bit proud to have graduated from Smith and if you loose, well that would just be typical Smith.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I am writing to tell you that it is officially Rainy Season in the country of Indonesia. This past week it has rained 5 days out of 7, with the other two days very, very close to rain. Let's just say that my umbrella is my new best friend and I'm glad that I have one from America, because my companion has gone through 2 in the past 2 weeks. You would think that the umbrellas in Indonesia would be a little more reliable. It rains or threatening rain pretty much all day. If Heavenly Father really loves me, it starts raining when we go into an appointment and stops when we leave, but sometimes it doesn't always happen that way. And there is no drizzle here either... if it rains, it is always raining HARD!!! And since it is a 3rd World Country the drainage system isn't too good so there is the occasional flooding. My shoes so far have been holding up. So far it hasn't been too bad, but to think that this will go on till next May is a little ridiculous to think about especially since my tan was FINALLY starting to come and now the sun isn't even here. So it is going to go away. I'm pretty sad... 7 months of hard work and my tan is pretty pathetic. And I just don't understand why it can't rain at night or during the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">morning</span> while we are studying, but it never does. It just doesn't make sense to me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">OK</span>, Mom the international mail system decided to be really, really <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">efficient</span>. I got my Christmas package this week. I was pretty shocked. But the fact that I have to look at it for the next month and a half is not too funny. But it is sitting next to my Birthday Package just waiting to be opened. And I just have a favor to ask of anyone... Will someone send me some mail that I can open right when I get it? Please. I would greatly appreciate it!! For my birthday package is it one where I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">should</span> open on my birthday or like a week before or what? I need some instruction!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">OK</span>, Dad I have a question. During your time in Iran did you ever live through the Muslim holiday, the day of Sacrifice? I'm just wondering... if you did, did it scar you as much as it did to me? And if you didn't, be grateful. Gross!! I'll explain the rest when I come home.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this week, investigator wise, was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">ok</span>. There was still a lot of rejection, but that is to be expected. Indonesians aren't too good at just telling us that they aren't interested so they get pretty creative with their ways of avoiding us. We just laugh at them and tell them they are missing out on something awesome. We did find a girl named <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Meike</span> and her mother and gave them a Book of Mormon and they seemed pretty interested. The Dad is pretty sick and always wants us to sing to him to comfort him. Since he is sick they can't really go anywhere and so I think they are pretty excited to have company. We told them the Book of Mormon is the best cure for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">loneliness</span> ever. Hopefully it will give them some encouragement.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">We are also starting to teach <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Yusi</span> again, who we taught about 2 months ago, but was learning really just for her mom, who is a member in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Hong</span> Kong, and not really for her. She seems more ready to accept this gospel now and hopefully that is true.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">The work keeps going here. It is slow, but that is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">ok</span>. We know we will win in the end. In the mean time I teach English for free to anyone who wants to learn, so that keeps me busy. And I'm learning that I pretty much know nothing about English <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">grammar</span>. I hate the question, "But why do you use that verb tense?" Ms Harris and Ms Morgan would be ashamed.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I miss you guys a lot. Sorry there wasn't to much to report in this letter. I didn't score any more goals in soccer. I'll try an make this next week more interesting. If not I'll send some pictures home next week. I'm sure mom would love that. Well I miss you all so much and love you lots too!!! I'm glad everyone is doing well. Enjoy the new addition to the family. I will be excited to see pictures next week. Take lots of them. Good luck Hannah and Chris!! And Good luck <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Malan</span>!!! Have a great week!! I know this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Church</span> is true and love it with all my heart!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: '"Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; "><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-92166306280780759922012-02-15T19:22:00.000-08:002012-02-15T19:25:44.793-08:00Oct . 26, 2011 Pengalaman-Pengalaman yang Luar Biasa! (Amazing Experiences!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Dear Family,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">It sounds like everyone is having a great week and all things are going well. I am a little disappointed that the Rangers didn't sweep the World Series because now I have to wait a whole other week to find out what happened. Not everyone can be serving in a ward with native Texans living in it and have to luxury of having an in on the Texas Sports. Ridiculous!!! Bevan is spoiled! And I haven't <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">eaten</span> on Halloween Pillsbury cookie all <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">October</span>. That is so fun that you had a baby shower for Melissa. I actually just got the birth <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">announcement</span> she sent me last week. She is quite a cute little baby! And Melissa looked pretty skinny. You must be on the Indonesian Rice diet. Is everyone going trick-or-treating this week? Are you even going to hand out candy? Maybe I'll go trick-or-treating... I will actually get to knock on a door. HA! (I thought it was funny...) Is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Malan</span> almost done with his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">BYU</span> application? Where are you going to live? What class are we going to take together next fall <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Malan</span>? Let's make it more exciting than the geology class me and Bevan took!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this week has been a pretty great one. I'm enjoying my new companion and we keep working hard, hopefully something will come from it. But this week there have been two pretty cool, sweet experiences that would've had Dad crying if he were there. I thought I would share them with you. First, was this last Sunday when it was the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Malang</span> Branch's Primary Program. The 11 kids that are in the Primary did quite an amazing job and it was the best Primary Program I've seen in a long time. But I was honored to take part in it. The kids sung Armies of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Helaman</span> and they asked the 4 missionaries serving in the Branch to take part and sing with them. It was a very powerful experience that had more than a few people in the congregation with tears in their eyes. I was very humbled and grateful for this experience to serve my mission in Indonesia and strengthen the church here and help bring people to the light of the Gospel. It was just a cool moment and one where my testimony was strengthened even more. And it was probably the one time in my life that I enjoyed participating in a primary program.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">The second one happened yesterday, we went to go visit on of the pioneer members of the Branch here. His name is Brother <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Boiman</span> and his granddaughter loves going out with us to teach. This Brother, about 80 years old, has been a member for a little over 30 years, has always been active and strong in the church, and has brought and helped some of this children and grandchildren into the church. His wife, who was also a member, died last year and they as a couple were never able to go to the temple. Yesterday when we were there, he told us how he had just found out on Sunday that in January he will have to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">opportunity</span> to go to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Philippians</span> to go to the temple. He said it was a miracle and that he had pretty much given up hope and thought he would never be able to make it. There were tears of joy and gratitude in his eyes, and maybe in my and my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">comp's</span> eyes, as he told us this. His smile on his face was indescribable when he said that he finally would be able to be sealed to his wife. It was an amazing experience that made me so grateful for the blessings of the temple and how close we have one in Dallas. No doubt a blessing oftentimes taken for granted. I hope, after talking to Brother <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Boiman</span>, I never take it for granted again.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this week, finally <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Floren</span> will get baptized. It has been on long experience teaching her, but well worth it at the same time. I've learned a lot from her and love her a lot. She is a great 16 year old girl and has a great testimony. She is a great example to her family and her friends. I'm really looking forward to this experience. It should be wonderful.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">As for other investigators... It actually isn't too hard to find people to listen to us once, but that want to let us come back is the trick. We have taught a lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Pontoan</span>, who has two daughters who are members, and she has been taught off and on for the past few years. We are hoping to focus on her to help her and help her gain a testimony like her daughters. She is a very nice lady, who cooks really good, but that is besides the point. Hopefully good things come from it. Hopefully we can get some more investigators that are eager to hear this great gospel.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I love you all and miss you all. I am happy I got to share these great experiences with you. I know that this church is true and that it is the greatest blessing in our lives. I am so very grateful for it each and every day. Have a great week. Keep for those Rangers for me!!! I believe in them, all the way in Indonesia!!! And I will be anxiously waiting news to know if they won or not. Love you all!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: '"Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; "><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-64700695908832445232012-02-15T19:20:00.000-08:002012-02-15T19:22:40.424-08:00Oct. 18, 2011 Minggu Ini Gila Sekali!! (This week was Crazy!!!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Hello Family,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Well I am glad that you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">officially</span> didn't forget about me. That makes me happy, but it was kinda hard having one full week to wonder. We will see in 9 months if your story is really true and I have an email in my old inbox. But it was good to hear from you and get two emails this week. Sounds like you have had a few exciting weeks. I am so happy for the Rangers that is awesome. I hope I get a shirt again when they win the world series. I'm cheering for them in Indonesia, when I remember, but most of the time I don't. Hopefully they can when this time. Sorry Mom to hear that your foot is not getting much better. I hope the doctors can help and you can start feeling better. Just be grateful that you aren't in Indonesia, because what I have seen of the health care here it is not too good and most things are done with rubbing some oil on yourself, or using herbs, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">basically</span> crazy things Dad would just roll his eyes at.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Well this week has been quite the crazy, emotional one. Many things have happened and I couldn't possibly fit it into one whole email, but I will give you the highlights. First, I don't know if you heard about the earthquake in Bali last Thursday. I guess it was pretty big, at least big enough for it to be felt in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Malang</span>. yep, I felt my first earthquake. It wasn't big at all. I was just sitting on my bed studying language and all of a sudden it just started swaying. It stayed for only about 15 seconds and never got big, but it was still pretty cool. Most people in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Malang</span> didn't even feel it, but now I can say I've lived through an earthquake. And thankfully I was wearing my earthquake-proof clothing Sis Whitley told me to bring so I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">completely</span> safe. Thanks.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">The next news was my change in companionship. Yep, yesterday Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tukijan</span> moved to Jakarta and I got a new companion, Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Suryono</span>. She is from Bandung which is near Jakarta on the west side of the island and she has only about 4 months left of her mission. She is really good and I know I am going to learn <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">allot</span> from her. It was pretty sad to see my companion of 4 months leave though. I'll miss her a lot. The mission is in the process of getting about 30 new missionaries so there are a lot of changes going on right now. It is kinda crazy.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">And through all this I've been a little sick. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">accidentally</span> drank a little bit of the water when I was brushing my teeth and I have learned that even a little bit is not good. I have not felt too good all week. I've always been able to work but haven't been at my best. Thankfully I am feeling better now and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">have learned</span> my lesson. Do not drink the water.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">And the most exciting news is that I have reached my 1/2 way point. In fact it is today. I'm pretty excited about it, but in all reality it still feels the same. The past nine months have gone by fast and I've learned a lot, but when I think I still have 9 more left it still feels like a long time, so I still can't really think about home at all. But yes, happy hump day to me!!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">As far as investigators go, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Floren</span> is still good. She wasn't able to get baptized this week and she and her family has had some drama and sad things happen this week, so we are probably going to wait a few weeks until things calm down for her to get baptized. We can really see Satan working to not let her get baptized, but I'm confident things will all work out. We are just doing our best.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Hermin</span> is still good. Last week, the girl who rented a room in her house moved out so now she lives all alone. She seems really sad and lonely when we last saw her. Hopefully she will turn to the Book of Mormon, which she still enjoys reading, to give her the needed comfort. We still love her.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">We have made some good contacts this week, of which we are hoping and praying that good things come from it. We will see.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">As for Christmas presents, I would really just love more photos of the family and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">nieces</span> and nephew. This week I had a really strong craving for granola bars, so I would enjoy those. If you can find a portable, hot shower that you could send I would love that. Just kidding. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Umm</span>... yeah that is about it. I don't know. Honestly, it doesn't feel at all like the holidays are coming up since there pretty much is no Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas here so my brain isn't quite in the thinking of gifts mood. Whatever you send will be great. Oh, question? Was the phone mom washed my old cell phone? Does that mean I get an iPhone when I come home?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Well I love you all. Thanks for never forgetting me!! It means a lot. I hope everyone has a great week. I pray for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">y'all</span> everyday! I know this church is true. I love serving my Heavenly Father. I know He loves us and blesses us when we keep the commandments. I love you all. Have a great week!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; font-family:'";"><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-72518503466301380692012-02-15T13:52:00.000-08:002012-02-15T13:55:15.827-08:00Oct. 12, 2011 Kalian masih hidup-hidup?? (Are Y'all still Alive??)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Dear Family and Friends,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this officially marks the 3rd time that you have not sent me an email or sent me an incorrect letter since I have been on my mission. A little ridiculous seeing as how I haven't even hit my hump day yet! I probably won't ever hear from you in 4 or 5 months when I am about to come. And I will probably have to catch a taxi ride from the airport to come home. Did you write to Bevan this week and just forget you had another missionary? I hope everything is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ok</span> and this is just an email error or something... Really I'm going to bet that the reaction from mom when she realized you forgot to send me my email is going to be pretty funny. Good thing I am strong and I guess I can wait another week to hear from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">y'all</span>. Thanks for all the blog post by Annie, Deborah, and Hannah. I can't believe how big those girls are getting. I miss them a lot. And Viola and Ezra are both pretty darn cute. I'm glad the Rangers are doing good and I'm cheering for them here in Indonesia. I bet the Tigers have no fans here!! Well I hope all is well at home. I really have no idea. I better get an email from everyone next week to make up for it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well, the highlight of the week was definitely general conference. That extra week that they make me wait here is pretty killer. But it was a great experience and the talks on missionary work definitely made my day. It was a nice thing for me to see how much I've been able to progress language wise over the last 6 months. Seeing as how last conference I didn't really understand a thing and was a pretty discouraging <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">experience</span>, I was looking forward to know if I have really learned anything and guess what I have. I was pretty much able to understand every single talk. When they would start telling stories it was a little hard to follow seeing as how there is no <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">guarantee</span> that I know that vocabulary, but overall I was pleased to understand it all. However, at the end of the weekend I did have a pretty big headache from all the concentrating. My goal for 6 months from now is to be able to listen and understand as if it were in English. We will see. My favorite talks were the two talks by President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Uchtdorf</span>, on Saturday and then in the Relief Society session. I also loved President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Monson's</span> talk of course. And a new temple in Provo is pretty exciting. I actually don't know what the other temples were because the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">interpreter</span> decided to cough during that point and not interpret it. Rude! I also have no idea about this new Relief Society book. And I'm sure it will be another year or so until the translation is completed so I guess I will wait until I get home.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this week I had a fun experience when on Sunday night we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">received</span> a text message from a professor at a university here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Malang</span> that had just come back from spending a week in Provo and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">SLC</span> touring <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">BYU</span>, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">MTC</span>, the Humanitarian place, and attending a few sessions of conference. He was so impressed with all the hospitality of everyone he met and all the things that he saw he wanted to meet the missionaries here. So we went out to lunch with him on Monday. There is pretty much no chance that he will convert, he is pretty hard-core Muslim (he has been to Mecca twice). But he is just one example of how hard the church is trying to make good bridges between the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">muslim</span> world and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">mormon</span> world here in Indonesia. This guy was also pretty funny. When he was talking about his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">opportunity</span> to meet president <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Monson</span>, we all commented on how cool it was and he said well of course I had to meet him. I don't have the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">opportunity</span> to meet my prophet so I guess the Mormon prophet is the next best thing. And as we were driving to the restaurant he pointed to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">every</span> mosque we passed and said it was a Muslim temple. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Basically</span> he made all the jokes that we as missionaries want to make but don't because we don't want to offend anybody. And I was shocked too, I passed up the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">opportunity</span> to order a steak at the restaurant and opted for a traditional <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Indonesian</span> dish, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Nasi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Rawon</span>, which is my favorite. I guess this mission is changing me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well as for investigators, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Floren</span> continues to be going well. She should get baptized this week if she can get out of a school function. School pretty much goes 7 days a week here so it is kinda hard. We are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">partying</span> she can get baptized this week, but if not I guess next week will suffice. In the big span of things one week isn't too long. And her testimony she bore to us after general conference of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">President</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Monson</span> and all the things she learned in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">GC</span> was a pretty powerful moment for me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Hermin</span> is pretty much awesome. We love her. She loves reading the Book of Mormon, saying it is so much easier to understand than the Bible. Needless to say the Indonesian translation of the Bible is pretty hard to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">understand</span>. We are meeting with her again tomorrow and hoping she will come to church this week.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I love you all and miss you all. I hope you will remember to write me next week. I'm assuming you didn't really forget me... I hope. I love this gospel and know that it is true. I love that we have prophets and apostles on the earth today to give us guidance and direction. It is truly a great blessing in our lives. I know this church is true and love teaching people about it each day. Love you!! Have a great week.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-68895627789327106662012-02-15T13:48:00.000-08:002012-02-15T13:51:45.928-08:00Oct. 5, 2011 Hari Biasa (A Normal Day!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hello Family and Friends!!</span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">How are things going in the good USA? It was great to hear from you and it sounds like you have had a good week and that conference was a success. Needless to say, I am looking very forward to it this weekend and am hoping that I will be able to understand it all and enjoy more fully the spirit of it all. I'm sorry to hear about your foot mom. I will no doubt keep you in my prayers and am confident things will work out. And I will be very excited to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">receive</span> my birthday box. I was going to remind <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">everyone</span> that since it is now October it is getting closer and closer to my birthday... just so everyone knows, but I guess I never have to remind Mom. She is always on top of things. And I just love that I get <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">separate</span> Christmas and Birthday boxes. Awesome. Pretty much I would love anything food wise that is American that you can ship here and socks, nude colored. What else does a missionary need? I'll think this week if there is anything else.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well per Rebekah's request I am here to explain what a normal day for me is here in Indonesia. Now, if I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wasn't</span> so busy this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">would've</span> included pictures. But preaching the Good Word of Christ takes a lot of time sometimes. So here it is, I hope you enjoy Rebekah. I get up each morning at 6:30 a.m. and start the awful process of heating up water and filling up the bucket to take a shower. This is probably the only time now that I ever get homesick as I picture a hot shower waiting for me in America. This process takes about 20 minutes and during that time I either exercise a little bit or sweep the floor to rid it of the volcanic ash that fell over the past couple of days. Then I shower, then I eat breakfast. And since there are no good cereals here my breakfast is usually bread and fruit, sometimes noodles if I have enough time to cook. Then I study, and study and study some more. This lasts until 11 o'clock and then we finish getting ready for the day and then we go out, usually eat and then start working. We try and have at least two appointments each day with our investigators, less-active members, or new members. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sometimes</span> we get two, sometimes we don't. If we don't and have time we proselyte. Now since we can't proselyte like the rest of the missionary world can, because we would really prefer not to get arrested, we usually spend time in parks talking to people or searching for addresses of non-active members that have long since moved away and no one knows where they are. We have to just start the conversation with them and then from that try and bring up the church. It they are Muslim, which is what usually occurs, we invite them to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">English</span> class or ask if they have Christian friends that might like to learn. It isn't the most effective way in the world and can get frustrating at times, but occasionally you find people who are ready. We eat dinner, most of the time out and about. Usually delicious. Some days we teach <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">English</span> as service and try and search for other <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">opportunities</span>. We go home at 9 o'clock, plan for the next day and are in bed, usually pretty dead tired by 10 :30. And then we get up and do it all again the next day. Pretty awesome. I love it!!! Any questions Rebekah? I hoped that filled your curiosity.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well investigators are doing well. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Floren</span> continues to be awesome and I have loved to see the changes and confidence that this gospel has brought to her life. She is really excited to get baptized next week and if things go as planned it will happen.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Pamela's baptism will probably be postponed again. She tends to take 2 steps forward and then 1 1/2 steps back. Frustrating and we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">don't</span> quite know what to do but we just keep working with her and helping her out. Hopefully one day things will all work out for her and she will just get it.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">We met a great lady this week, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Hermin</span>, who met with missionaries about 4 years ago but at the time had just barely become Christian and so was just a little confused and didn't understand. But we made contact with her again and she seems ready and more prepared to learn and accept. We are very excited about her and are hoping she really is as great as she seems. We met with her once and have another appointment tomorrow with her. We keep praying for her. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">All things keep going well and we keep working hard and not getting too discouraged. It is crazy that it is already October, especially since the weather hasn't changed at all and there are no signs that I am used to to show the change of seasons, so to me it still feels like July. But this mission has really gone so fast and things keep going well. The language can still get frustrating at times. I'm pretty much at the point that I can understand almost everything and stay with things in church and lessons, but talking is still a struggle at sometimes. I pretty much have it all, but there are just some days that it seems that my mouth just can not speak Indonesian, but I keep praying, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">working</span>, and studying. One day it will be second-nature to me. I love this gospel so much and am so grateful for everything that I have been blessed with. I don't know how we got so lucky but I will ever be grateful. I love you all so much. I'm excited for my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">opportunity</span> to listen to our prophet and apostles and know they are truly called of God. Have a great week.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-29293941331239665882012-02-10T08:20:00.000-08:002012-02-10T08:23:31.426-08:00Sept. 28, 2011 Siapa Mau Es Krem Kacang Hijau? (Who wants Green Bean Ice Cream?)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hey Family!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">How goes things? I'm glad you finally got my envelope. I sent that about two months ago and the lady said it would only take 3 or 4 weeks to get there so I was getting a little worried and thinking that it had gotten lost or someone just really wanted to steal random pictures of me in Indonesia. But, phew! It made it!! Good to know. I hope everyone enjoys their letters even though some are from May. I started the process right after Mother's Day and it just took awhile. We have quite a large family I have decided. Well it sounds like everyone has had a good week. I'm glad Mom and Dad made it home safely and enjoyed their trip. I also enjoyed the pictures that you blogged. That place looks nothing like Indonesia... much too clean! And Indonesia would've had a soccer match or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">badminton</span> going on on the beach, not Cricket. And Congrats to the Rangers! That is awesome. And clearly the Mavericks just don't want me to miss too many of their games and be too sad so they are postponing their season for me. How nice of them! And I'm glad Newman Smith is returning to their glory days. All is right in the world when they are 0-4.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this week has been a good one. We have started teaching <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">English</span> at a Muslim School once a week. It is really fun and a great experience. I'll include some pictures to help illustrate. It is a pretty poor school and the kids <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">English</span> is not the best but they enjoy trying with an American. They are actually more interested in learning about America than anything else, but I make them ask me all their questions in English. So the first picture is me and all the girls in the class. The class has about 40 kids and most are girls... The boys were really too shy to take pictures with me, so they just took out their phones and took pictures of me. Awkward? Yes! The girls are more than happy of taking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pictures</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">with</span> me and the consensus was that I look like Emma Watson from Harry Potter. The class then gave me a gift to thank me, see picture number 2. The gift was a Batik purse which was really cute and I am very grateful for and also a stuffed tomato, of which I am still confused about. It might be the gift I give <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Zoie</span> when I get back but until then what do you did we do with it? See <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">picutre</span> three. A daily reminder of my service here in Indonesia. Kinda crazy. The whole experience was great and fun and was one of those moments were I thought of how crazy it is that I am doing this. I really enjoyed it until... We were invited to meet the headmaster of the school after we taught and guess what he served us to eat. GREEN BEAN ICE CREAM!!!!! I think it was the closest I had gotten to throwing up food that I had been given to eat. It was more disgusting than <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">durian</span>. I still don't like thinking about it. But I know Heavenly Father blessed me to help me eat that with out offending this man. But I did eat it all and I am a stronger woman because of it. But <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Malan</span> you can not come on your mission to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Indo</span>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well, investigators are still going well. Pamela is still doing good and if she keeps going like she has been doing lately her mom will let her get baptized in the next couple of weeks. It is all up to her and what she wants to decide. But she seems pretty dedicated and really wanting to make life better for herself and set a good example for her family.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Floren</span> made a great turn for the better this week. She told us at the end of the last week that she knows the Book of Mormon is true and she even started going to seminary with Vito. Needless to say me and Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Tukijan</span> were shocked but very, very happy at the same time. She came to church again on Sunday and even practiced <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">with</span> the Branch Choir. And then yesterday when we taught her she told us she wanted and was ready to get baptized. We are working for the 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">th</span> of October so she can get baptized with Pamela. We are really excited about it and are glad that we gave her the time that she needed to work things out and make the progression that she needed, despite the fact that it just took a little bit longer. It has also been great to see how the gospel has changed her life and how much more confident and happy she is from when I first met her. And also, Vito, her brother, passed the sacrament for the first time last Sunday. He was quite nervous but did a great job.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">And after they are baptized me and Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Tukijan</span> are kinda confused what to do next. We have a few good potential investigators who hopefully will progress, but we will be starting from square one kinda in a few weeks. But we will just keep working and see where the Lord takes us.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well my funny story for the week was the green bean ice cream. I don't really think I could ever top it. There have been 3 eight year old kids that have stood in front of me staring at me as I email you. Kinda weird.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I love you all. Enjoy Conference this week. I will watch it next weekend after we get the translated version. So I will be a week behind. But I'm hoping this time I will be able to understand and get some sort of spiritual <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">upliftment</span> from it. But it is always a great blessing and gift we have in our lives to get the words of living prophets and apostles. I'm so grateful and excited. Have a great week. I love you all!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-52403722621852457332012-02-10T08:01:00.000-08:002012-02-10T08:24:16.518-08:00Sept. 21, 2011 Belajar Membatik!! (Learning Batik!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Dear Family and Friends,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">How are things going there in the USA and Barbados apparently? That sounds like quite an amazing trip that you and Dad are on right now. I'm kinda jealous because we never pay extra for the air conditioned buses. Be careful what you say Dad or you and Mom are going to be serving your mission in Indonesia strengthening the branches here, but that is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ok</span> because I would totally come visit you if you did. All the buildings here have air conditioning and it is usually on at the beginning of the meeting, but by the end they are off because all the people get too cold if the air gets under 80 degrees. I still haven't figured it out. No, I haven't played the piano yet in a single church meeting because there have always been people who can. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">YW</span> in the branch I am in now have actually made it part of their personal progress to learn and play the piano for sacrament meeting. It is pretty awesome. Well, I hope you are enjoying your trip. I hope I get a good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">souvenir</span>!!! And I hope everyone is surviving at home. Don't worry Rebekah, what doesn't kill you, including <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Malan</span> and Hansen, only makes you stronger. You can do it. And you can always write me letters if you get bored. Wink, Wink!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Well I am still quite impressed with this family's ability to keep a secret. I actually thought that we couldn't do it, but the fact that EVERYONE kept it from me for 7 months that Hannah was pregnant is impressive. Really, no one had the desire to tell me. Ridiculous!! I'm still just shocked. Well just so everyone knows, you are all finding out that I am engaged through a wedding announcement you get in the mail just a couple weeks before!! I hope you will all be able to make it to the ceremony... I'm still really excited but just shocked out of my mind.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Well as promised here are some pictures from our Batik adventure last week. I'm still waiting for Bevan to send some pictures home. Maybe one day...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Well here I am learning how to make batik. First we had to draw out the pattern we wanted. One picture is me helping the Sister who taught us trace her batik... It would be much too advanced for me. And then we went to town with the wax and drawing and trying it out. And then here is a picture of the finished product. Really not anywhere close to being able to sell it, but I'll keep trying. Well then we celebrated by buying some batik and we were walking around at a shopping center here and look what I found!!!!!!! (see the last picture attached) Holy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Moly</span>!!! I almost cried with excitement. I couldn't handle it. It was so exciting. Even Indonesians are fans of Dallas Sports. I always knew I loved this country. And yes Deborah, that is a new shirt I am wearing. It is an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Arema</span> jersey which is the soccer team here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Malang</span> that everyone is fans of. I bought the jersey really because of the number, 41, but I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">might</span> be becoming a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Dendi</span> fan... whoever that is!! Hope you enjoy the pictures!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Well as for investigators, Pamela is still doing good. She is slowly being more obedient to her parents and not going crazy with all things teenager and you can see how it has made a difference in her life. It really has been a great testimony builder to me to see her change. We just keep praying that it will keep up and she will keep going in the right direction.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Floren</span> came to church again this week and enjoyed it and is making friends with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">YW</span> but she hasn't been in the learning mood of late. We are more on her terms and are just waiting for her to be in a good mood to learn and until then we just keep waiting and praying for her. She will have to make a decision one day and we just hope she makes the right one.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Things continue to go well. I'm doing good and loving this work. I have learned so much over the past 8 months it is kinda ridiculous and I just hope the next 10 months continue to be the same. I'm sure they will. Sorry I don't have a funny story to report this week. I did have someone ask if Obama was my Dad. And another person asked if I was from Canada. I just have to shake my head at these funny Indonesians. But I love them and love serving them. I hope everyone has a great week. Enjoy the rest of your trip mom and dad! Love you all!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; font-family:'";"><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-84264415219943895042012-02-10T07:58:00.000-08:002012-02-10T08:01:26.810-08:00Sept. 14, 2012 Belajar Membatik!! (Learning Batik!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hello Family!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">How are things going there in Texas!! I'm so sorry to hear about the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BYU</span> loss. I actually remembered about the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BYU</span>/Texas game this week but wasn't sure when it was. I always am thinking a little bit about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">BYU</span> football each Saturday and cheer them on. Hopefully they can bounce back and have a great game next week. Sorry to hear about those Trojans too. I don't think about them too much at all. But I hope the band is good. Congrats Melissa!!!! That is so exciting and I bet she is really cute. I will be anxiously waiting pictures one day. Or I guess I will see her one day in a few months. I am so happy for you. I hope you recover well and that she sleeps through the night for you. I am glad that everyone liked the picture of the bald eagle. It is a highlight of my mission so far. I had no encounters with any wild animals this week and didn't eat anything weird. (The place was out of pigeon when I finally got up the courage to eat it. Bummer. So I ate duck instead... with my hands. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Malan</span> would've loved it. Mom would not have.)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this week wasn't too exciting. We actually had a pretty full schedule and quite a number of appointments so it was a lot of work and not much time to search for the crazy things of Indonesia or the crazy people. And the rainy season is slowly beginning which is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">absolutely</span> no fun for those missionaries who can't ride around in their cars like those in CA. But P-day today was pretty exciting. Me and my comp learned how to make batik. Well really we learned the theory behind making batik, the actual process is really hard and I now know why handmade is always so expensive. But it was really fun. We didn't get to the part of adding the color, so it is just white and brown right now. But maybe we will continue next week. If we can't get tickets to the circus that is in town... Are you jealous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Malan</span>? Maybe I will try and get really good at making batik so I can teach everyone at the next family reunion. I was thinking the whole time how jealous Mom, Annie, Deborah, Hannah, and Rebekah all would've been. I am also sure that Bevan, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Malan</span>, and Hansen are sad that they missed out. Maybe on your missions you can do things like this... maybe. I will try and remember to send pictures next week on the batik making process.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this week we had some good progression with Pamela, the crazy teenage girl. We had a nice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sit down</span> with her and her mom and talked about what she needed to do and change in order for her mom to give <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">permission</span> to be baptized. Pamela agreed and we have set a goal date for baptism for the middle of October. We are hoping and praying that everything works out and she continues to make the necessary changes in her life.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Floren</span> continues to be doing good and will continue to need time. She has a great desire to find out the truth but doesn't believe that she has gotten a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">definitive</span> answer. But she was early to church and actually spent the whole time with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">YW</span> at church and not right next to her mom's side. She is slowly becoming more confident with herself and happier and it is fun to see the changes the Gospel is slowly making in her life.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Yusi</span> we don't quite know what to do. She wants to learn and believes that the church is good but isn't willing to do anything about it. She doesn't like coming to church and feels not too comfortable, which is kinda sad and we hope we can help her get over it. She still is a little hesitant about a modern-day prophet but is beginning to believe it. We just keep working with her and helping her progress.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">We met a really awesome lady in an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">angkot</span> a couple of days ago, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Yudit</span>, who was really interested in learning about the church, which made us smile. We are hoping to meet with her on Friday and hoping all things go well because of it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well sorry there isn't too much to report this week. It wasn't the most exciting, but still was a week of a lot of hard work and progress. My funny moment of the week I am still actually really confused about. We met this lady and were talking to her in her house and she keeps going on about how pretty I am. And she says, "You are just so pretty... You must be related to Michael Jackson! Right?" WHAT?!?!? Is that an insult or a compliment? I don't understand!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I love you all and hope you all have a great week. I'm sorry the emails are too long for you Hansen, but you have a whole week to read them so I don't feel too bad. Miss you!!! I know this church is true and love sharing it with the people of Indonesia. I am so grateful for all the blessings we have been given. LOVE YOU!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: '"Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; "><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-88857573362861817612012-02-07T18:39:00.000-08:002012-02-07T18:43:16.355-08:00Sept. 7, 2011 Elang Botak (Bald Eagle)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hey family!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">How are things going? It sounds like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">y'all</span> had quite the trip up to Utah and enjoyed your time there. I am jealous of your constant <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">j-dawgs</span> eating and wish <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">y'all</span> would stop reporting it, but I found a place that sells pigeon to eat we will see if I get the guts up this week to try it. Everyone I've asked has said it is really good. Thanks for all the pictures. Ezra seems like he is doing good and he has quite the load of hair, maybe he was sent here to break the bald streak in the family. And Deborah those pictures are Alice on top and Viola on the bottom. I will plan the trip to Indiana in about 11 months ... sorry I can't make it any sooner. I'm a little busy here and I don't think my mission President will give me permission to head to Indiana.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this week has been filled with crazy stories and happenings that leave me thinking "that would never happen in America" at the end of each day. Probably the craziest was this past week when we were walking to a member's house and I noticed that a random house on the street had a HUGE bat and raven in cages just hanging outside of the house. Of course that is different so I took a picture. The guy who lived there noticed and came out and started talking to me and my comp and the elders who were with us. We started talking about his animals and how cool they were and he said, quite matter-a-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">factly</span>, "Oh I have one that is even cooler," enters his house and brings out a freaking bald eagle!! Needless to say my jaw dropped to the ground. Where else does that happen? It was crazy. So I got to pet and hang out with a bald eagle. I included a picture because I didn't think anyone else would believe me. I tried to get the eagle to sit on my arm but it wouldn't. The guy said the eagle wasn't used to white skin. But his guy just lets the eagle have free reign of his house. It is not kept in a cage. This guy also had a baby leopard in his house and two stuffed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">kamodo</span> dragons on his wall. It was the craziest house ever. I just wanna know if that has ever happened to anyone else on their mission before!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sorry mom we didn't do too much for P-Day this week. We were pretty wiped and so stayed in, but last week we went to the beach with some members in the branch. Really fun and probably the most modest beach in the world. Mom would've been really happy there. There are some pictures from the beach too. Enjoy!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Question: Has Melissa had her baby or not? Please send me an update! Thanks!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well actual missionary work wise things are going well. Vito was able to get baptized this week which was really exciting and a great experience. He actually has spent a couple of days going out and working with the elders and teaching with them. Really fun. And also exciting is that we have been able to meet with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Floren</span> a couple times this week and she came to church this week. She has decided that she is ready to really learn and give things a chance. We totally support that decision.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Yusi's</span> life has finally calmed down enough that she can meet with us again. We met with her at the beginning of the week and had a heart-to-heart kind of discussion. She confessed that she has yet to pray about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and so we gave her the challenge of doing that this week and coming to church. We are praying that she does both.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Our other investigators are not much to report. We can usually find a new person to teach each week and we will teach them the first lesson and then they don't want to learn after that. It is always disappointing, but they have their agency and I have to respect that. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">My funny story for the week was on Monday we were searching for the house of a less active member and met this really nice family. They were Muslim but nevertheless let us enter their house and talk to them for a while. We were talking to the mom and dad when their little 8 year old girl came out of her room, saw me, and completely stopped! She was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">absolutely</span> stunned. And the only thing she could say was, "Mom, is she from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">tv</span>?" HA! I'm a movie star!!! And then her mom responded, "No, not from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">tv</span>. But she is like a real-size Barbie." .... I don't even know what to say...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I love you all at home! I'm glad everyone is doing well and enjoying school. Keep blogging pictures, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"> </span>for me or Bevan I still love them. I know this church is true. Thank you so much for all your prayers for me. They help me and strengthen me each day. Love you and miss you!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: '"Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; "><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-82448523847945578102012-02-07T18:34:00.000-08:002012-02-07T18:38:46.723-08:00Aug. 31, 2011 Aku bingung... (I'm Confused...)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hey Family and Friends who also receive this email!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">How are things going for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">y'all</span>? I'm sad to hear about the hot weather you have been having, sounds brutal. It has actually been pretty hot here too and people say that it is the sign that the rainy season is about to start of which I am NOT looking forward to. But I have my umbrella all ready and am praying that my shoes will be able to keep up, hopefully we have a few more weeks of dry before it starts. It sounds like things are going good at home and everyone is enjoying school. I'm glad that there is a trip to Utah planned in the future, if there wasn't this family wouldn't know what to do with ourselves. Enjoy being there with Ezra and Maren and I guess their parents, but who really cares about them... Just Kidding. In fact Happy Birthday Annie and Happy Birthday Deborah in a few days. I hope <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">y'all</span> each enjoy your days and have fun with whatever things you have planned. And I'm sorry I forgot to wish you mom and dad a happy anniversary last week. I'm glad it was good. Wait, so if Edward putting in his papers or has he gotten his call already? Tell him I hope he comes to Indonesia!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well and now for my confusion... You see, I live in the biggest Muslim country in the world. The mosques on every corner and pretty much every woman wearing a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">jilbob</span> is a constant reminder and so you would think that there would be no confusion over what day <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ramadhan</span> ended on, but there is!! In fact I'm still not even sure when or if it ended. All the calenders (of which Indonesians love, there is always at least 2 in each house) say that it was supposed to end on Monday but then as we got nearer and nearer to Monday is came out that maybe it was supposed to end of Tuesday. I don't know how it happened, but some people celebrated on Monday and some on Tuesday and now the celebration continues. Right now it is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Lebaran</span> which is the two day celebration to the end of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ramadhan</span> which pretty much the time that everyone goes back to their roots and gets together with family and hangs out. Yesterday we celebrated with a less-active lady who is half <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">muslim</span> half <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">kristen</span>. It was pretty fun with a lot of food. I think I gained back all the weight I have lost! And then last night I was kept up all night with fireworks going off in all directions. It was crazy but not fun when I couldn't fall asleep. It has been a great experience to see the true <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Ramadhan</span> but I will be grateful that places to eat will now be open in the middle of the day! Something I've missed!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well the work has been a little slow this week with everyone going out of town and just busy with the holidays and will probably be slow for another week too. But that's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ok</span>... I bet Indonesia is probably the only mission that has no setbacks at all in December. But the miracle this week was that Vito decided that he wanted to get baptized. He says he got his answer and feels that the gospel is true. It is pretty exciting and just goes to show what a blessing time can be. He was hoping to get baptized on the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span>, but I don't think the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">ZL's</span> can come into town to interview him (since the elders/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">DL</span> also teaches him too) this week so we might have to wait another week. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Floren</span> still needs time and only likes to learn when she wants to. We just keep praying for her.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Pamela has taught me that I'm sending my kids to grandma and grandpa's house to live during their teenage years. She has decided that she doesn't need to learn with the missionaries until she gets permission and is being a little unreasonable. She I guess is just a typical 16 year old girl... they are all the same whether from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">America</span> or Indonesia. Hopefully we can reconnect with her again and help her continue to progress.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">We met with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Wah</span> this week and she seemed very open to the idea of eternal families and very excited about that. We think she is great and hope we can help her understand, but we are a little scared because she said she has to ask her preacher from her church if she can meet with us... which when that happens it doesn't usually turn out good for the missionaries. But we just keep praying for her.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">And now for the funny moment... So Indonesians usually get pretty creative when they guess where I am from and usually the older and less educated a person is the crazier the guess. I get China a lot, which I don't get. Mexico comes up occasionally. England, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Holland, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Hong</span> Kong, Canada, and Italy have all been guessed. Only once has someone actually guessed America. But this week I had someone ask me if I actually came from Indonesia!! I still am confused... But I guess take it as a sign that maybe my accent... and my tan are getting quite impressive!! I still don't know. And then right after that I got proposed to... again!! It is pretty awesome!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I love you all and am glad everything is going well. Enjoy school and work hard!!!! I know this gospel is true and love it a lot!!! That is exciting to hear about Bishop Mayne's daughter and son-in-law. That is awesome. This gospel blesses lives. I love you all! Have a great week!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: '"Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; "><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-65585763467288163672012-02-07T18:32:00.000-08:002012-02-07T18:34:54.241-08:00Aug. 23, 2011 Aku di Solo!! (I'm in Solo!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hey Family,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">How are things going there in the good USA? I hope the kids are enjoying being in school again. I can't believe Mom, or someone she sends, won't ever have to pick someone up from Good Elementary? Did it ever get torn down and rebuilt or not yet? And is it weird to not have someone starting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BYU</span> and having to help someone move in? But I guess Simon and Annie are still up there so Provo isn't totally without David Blake children. Phew!! Just think next year <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Malan</span> will be heading up there with me, how exciting that will be!! I hope everyone continues to be doing good and enjoy their new schools. Hansen and Rebekah write and tell me all about it and your teachers and if you are getting lost or not and how riding the bus is, I wanna know. And Rebekah, not to scare you or anything but my worst moment of my life was riding home from the bus in the sixth grade. So my sisterly advice for you is if you are feeling sick after school just purposely miss the bus and have Mom come pick you up. And <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Malan</span> good luck with you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">calc</span> 3 class, that is so awesome! I wish they would've done that when I was there. I'm sorry I won't be there to help you with your homework!! And the Living Room looks great. I like the color, I approve. And I lost the bet with myself that the living room would still be in disarray when I come home, darn!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well right now I am actually in the city of Solo, which is in the center part of the island of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Jawa</span>. Don't worry I didn't get transferred or anything, but we had a mission tour meeting with Elder Perkins of the 70 and Asia Area President and his wife yesterday. It has been quite the trip. We left Monday morning for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Malang</span> on a bus, which at least had air conditioning and a toilet (but never used it) for supposedly 7 to 8 hour bus ride. About 10 and a half hours later we finally made it to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Malang</span>. I guess the bus company didn't take into account the stopping time for Prayer into the schedule. And the bus ride would've had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Malan</span> pretty sick the whole time, just to give you a picture of it. But we made it to Solo just fine to have a wonderful meeting with Elder Perkins, and after seeing him and talking to him about his responsibilities I don't feel too sorry for Dad and your long day of meetings on Sunday, sorry. But, it was a great meeting all about helping investigators keep commitments and helping them progress faster and more effectively which is something I definitely have needed to work on, so I'm excited to go back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Malang</span> and improve in that area and do better. Elder Perkins actually used to live in Dallas, at Preston and Belt Line for like 7 years before he moved to Asia for the church, so for all I know Dad knows him and Elder Perkins already told Dad everything I just told <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">y'all</span>, because we all know how those general authorities like to tell the family stuff before I can! I'm very grateful for that experience and a great opportunity that I never would've had if I hadn't served a mission. But now after I finish emailing we get back on a bus and head back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Malang</span>. So this P-Day is pretty much spent on a bus. Pretty Darn exciting let me tell you. So I won't have any time to wash our clothes. Which by the way mom, we do have washing machines, but no dryer, and I'm pretty sure though that it just swirls my clothes around in dirty water so I never actually feel like my clothes are clean, but that's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">ok</span>!! But I will be back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Malang</span> tonight and ready to work hard again tomorrow!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Our investigators are doing good, but aren't progressing as much as we would like. They are all still really busy because right now in Indonesia is like Christmas time in America with the end of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Ramadhan</span> coming up, lots of people go out of town and spend time with family, even if they are Christian. But we just continue to pray that they will still want to learn and progress when they get back.\</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Pamela is still doing really good and coming to church, but still hasn't gotten permission to be baptized. Heavenly Father really wants this girl to learn patience through this experience. Hopefully she is willing to endure and keep progressing until she can get baptized.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Yusi</span> wasn't able to come to church this week because she was out of town and we don't know if we will be able to meet with her this week. We don't quite know what we need to do to help her because we feel like she is only doing this because her Mom wants her to and not for herself and we are wanting her to do it for herself. Hopefully when she comes back in town we can start again with her and she where she is at.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Floren</span> and Vito are doing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">ok</span>, they come to church and attend the meetings but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">seldom</span> want to actually learn with the missionaries because their mother is always with them and they don't feel too comfortable and their mother doesn't want them to learn alone which I think is the best solution to the problem so we don't quite know what to do with them and how to help them the best. This week we are hoping to help their mother understand how it might be good to really let them do this themselves and learn along and see where that goes.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">We met a women this week <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Mbak</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Puput</span> who has great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">potential</span> and has a lot of good questions about religion and how it can bless her life and family, however her whole family, including her family, is pretty hard-core Muslim and we aren't quite sure whether it would be safe for her to learn about his church with us which is really sad because I feel like this gospel would help her so much, especially considering the poor circumstances she lives is, it is pretty sad. We are praying for her a lot this week and see what happens this week.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I'm glad everyone had such a great week and is doing good. Enjoy school and enjoy the quiet Mom!! I love you and miss you all!! I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family!! And say hi to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">AJ</span> for me that is crazy that he is home already, those two years went by fast!! And tell him each week I try to make my emails as funny as his, but I fail!! One of my mission goals! Have a great week!! Love you!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: '"Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; "><span style="color:#666666;"><br /><br />NOTICE: This email m</span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-13532460910473886932012-02-07T18:28:00.000-08:002012-02-07T18:32:20.196-08:00Aug. 17, 2011 Selamat Tujuh Belasan!! (Happy August 17th!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hey Family!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">It sounds like everyone has had a great week. It took me a couple minutes to get over the shock of Dad getting a nap, that is crazy!! It sounds like your life is getting a little less hectic. I guess that happens when you send almost every member of your family across the country, or world!! I'm glad that you enjoyed those pictures I sent home. This week I held a chicken. They are incredibly lightweight. I was surprised. And then I really wanted to eat it!! I enjoyed all the pictures that you sent me via blog. I almost didn't recognize Maren she had gotten so big. And Lillian's hair gets crazier and crazier in each picture I see. Holy Cow!! I'm glad Ezra and Viola are both doing good and had time to hang out together. Does school really start next week? That is crazy that summer is already over and even more crazy that Hansen is starting High School and Rebekah Middle school!! Good Luck everybody and be sure to let me know how everything goes. And just think if you were going to school in Indonesia you would already have been in school for a month and have to go to school on Saturdays and have to wear even worse uniforms. So be grateful!! And then I just wanna tell <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Malan</span> that I am sad that I don't get an update on the latest Rangers happenings. I have no idea what is going on!! Just putting that out there!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">So today is Indonesian Independence Day!! It had been quite the affair. Actually I feel a little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">jipped</span> off because this year it falls right in the middle of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ramadan</span> so it is not as crazy or exciting as usual. I won't ever get to see the celebration for real. Next year the last day of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ramadan</span>, which is the second biggest day of the year here, falls on 17 Aug. I can't even imagine the parties that will be going on. I bet I will probably be able to hear it in America next year. But it has been quite the week leading up to the holiday. Actually it has been a little frustrating because everyone is busy and so we haven't been able to meet with them, but hopefully things will calm down soon and we can get back to the real work. Yesterday we spent part of the time celebrating at a block party-Indonesian style with our neighbors. Pretty much nothing like Block Parties in America. But I still got to meet some of the neighbors and explain to others what the random American was doing at an Indonesian Independence Day Party. Then today we've been at the church for the 6 hour Branch Party. It was quite the ordeal and really fun. The members here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Malang</span> are really great and love to just have a good time. The only disappointment was that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">nasi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">goreng</span> (fried rice) cook-off didn't happen. It is really disappointing because the missionaries were gonna be the judges!! We were excited all week for it and it didn't happen. Probably the biggest disappointment of my mission so far!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Like I said before things have been just a little busy with all our investigators lately because of this holiday so we haven't been able to meet with many of them so their isn't too much to report.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Pamela still hasn't been given permission to be baptized and has been really worried about not being a real member of the Branch but all the members have done a really good job helping here feel accepted and included while she waits. She is trying to be patient and mature about all this but that is really hard for her. We are now just kinda playing the waiting/praying game while her parents think about it all.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Yusi</span> came to church this week and so did her younger sister Desi, which was really exciting. But we haven't been able to meet with either of them for about two weeks which has been really hard. We have tried to keep connected by sending text with scriptures to read and stuff like that but it has been hard, hopefully she is still doing good while she is so busy. We are hoping we will be able to meet with them this week.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Vito and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Floren</span> are doing good. They both came to church this week and attended all three hours and were more with the youth rather than their mom. Their mom has been doing better being calm and not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">forcing</span> them and giving them time to sort things out on their own which has helped a lot. Vito actually defended the church to one of his teachers who was not saying good things about it, which is good and I believe a step in the right direction. With them the key has just been patience and letting them feel comfortable and not trying to force them and overtime things have gotten better.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Fifi is good. Her baby got pretty sick this week so she wasn't able to come to church. And she doesn't want to really start learning until her life settles down with everything going on which will be a few more weeks, which is understandable. But we still have contact with her and are helping her out little by little. She is really nice and sweet and her baby is adorable.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">This week we got two really good contacts and they both seemed a little bit interested in hearing what we have to say which is exciting. So hopefully in the next week we have a few more investigators... Pray really hard!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Funny story for the week actually happened a couple of weeks ago, but I still think it is funny. So we were at the house of a less active family and this was the first time I had met them. So we were sitting there talking to them and the teenage girl asked me where I was from. I say America and shes gets really excited and asks if I know personally Justin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Beiber</span>. I say no. And she tells me that we are both from America and that because of that fact of course we would know each other. I smile and try really hard not to explain the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">fallacy</span> in this girl's thinking and reasoning over the matter. That Justin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Beiber</span> is actually from Canada!! But she was really, really disappointed that I didn't know him. Poor Girl!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">So this week I was reading some old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">GC</span> talks and came across the one where President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Monson</span> asked us to pray for areas that aren't yet open to missionaries and areas where the church and missionary work doesn't have a strong influence. As I thought about this I thought about how really people just think this is for China and that is really what we are praying for, but then it hit me and this prayer is also for Indonesia!! And suddenly this commandment seemed a lot more personally. I would love to see the day when actual <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">proselyting</span> can happen in Indonesia and missionaries can be more open with how they talk to people. Now I don't know exactly how this can happen, but with Heavenly Father it can happen. He can preform miracles to help this work. I now am much more fervent in praying for what President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Monson</span> asked us to and I hope those of you at home are too. I love these people and want them to have the Gospel and know that Heavenly Father can help in that. I love you all and love this Gospel. Have a great week!! Love you!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: '"Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; "><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-57666477429820674222012-02-07T18:27:00.000-08:002012-02-07T18:28:49.865-08:00Sister Groberg<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Blakes</span>,<br />President and I visited the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Malang</span> missionaries and Branch last weekend. Sister Blake and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Tukijan</span> look good. They are working and teaching well together. You can be proud.<br /> Sister Blake is already speaking in Indonesian! <br />She translated for me when I went out teaching with them. <br />Enjoy a few pictures. <br />Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Groberg</span> <br /><br />1-missionaries in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Malang</span>: Elders <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Radianto</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Garnett</span>, Sisters <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Tukijan</span>, Blake<br />2-with new member, Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Sugiyarti</span><br />3- street with red and white Independence Day banners<br />4-ladies selling sticky rice on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">kampung</span> street<br />5-with children on the street</span>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-10977865846196063312012-02-07T18:22:00.000-08:002012-02-07T18:27:16.017-08:00Aug. 10, 2011 Saya dan binatang-binatang!! (Me and Animals!!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hey family!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">It sounds like it a quite an exciting week at home and I can't possibly keep track of where everyone is right now, but really that is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ok</span>. I'll just remember that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">y'all</span> are somewhere in the USA and I am somewhere in Indonesia for the next year or so. I'm glad things are going well with Deborah and Jon moving and also with Ezra. Good luck Dad with just you and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Malan</span> at home. That sounds a little dangerous. Try and make some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">exotic</span> meals for him to eat to help prepare him for his mission, something like mashed potatoes or turkey sandwiches with lettuce and tomato. I didn't eat too much weird food, but I did get served this absolutely disgusting green bean and coconut milk drink. I almost died!!! But I am getting good at not using my taste buds and just swallow. The most exciting thing was that we found a place that serves pork!! That is where we ate on Sunday to break our fast. (The irony did not escape me that we were eating pork to break our fast at the same time the Muslims were all breaking their fast for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ramadan</span>.) Yeah it made me laugh.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I thought I would share with you a little bit of the wildlife of Indonesia. I've gotten quite a bit braver when it comes to animals. For instance I have gotten really good at killing cockroaches without even blinking an eye. I don't even need a little brother to do it for me!! But here are some of the pictures of all the animals I've seen.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Number One: Me holding a really, really big snake. I think it was a python but really I have no idea. This was quite awhile ago in Jakarta. And really all I remember is the guy who worked there kept wanting to put it on my shoulders. I was not for it at the time, but maybe if I went back now I could do it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Here is me and a baby turtle. One P-day a bunch of missionaries went to an island off the coast of Jakarta (don't worry we got permission) and while we were there, there was a turtle breeding place. And because half of us were white they let us in and we got to hold all sorts of turtles. I enjoyed the little ones the best but there were some pretty large turtles there also.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ok</span>, so this isn't me, but an Elder in my district pretending to eat the little lizards that are EVERYWHERE here in Indonesia. The elders enjoy catching them and playing with them, but I have yet to have the desire to touch one. Maybe when I've been out a year. But literally they are everywhere, but they eat mosquitoes so that is pretty exciting. One time an elder catch one and kept it in his shirt pocket. It reminded me of Saved By the Bell and Slater with his friend the lizard. I laughed but no Indonesian ever got the connection, go figure.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Here I am with the monkey, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kliwon</span>, that lives next to our house. He actually is pretty evil and it is a good thing he is chained up because he would probably attack us. But we feed him bananas quite often so maybe one day he will be our friend and we could give him a pass along card or maybe a Book of Mormon if we didn't think he would get offended.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">The last one is me at the zoo last week here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Malang</span>. The zoo was pretty cool and I'm pretty sure had the biggest collection of albino animals ever, including an albino raccoon. But they had parrots that we could hold. He was pretty awesome and kinda heavy, too many crackers I guess. HA! The zoo usually has baby tigers that you get to take pictures with and maybe hold if they are calm that day. I was pretty darn excited for that, but the tigers needed a rest and were not out when we went. I actually think that they were fasting for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Ramadan</span> and therefore just couldn't handle the stress of being out to display. Whatever the reason I'm still a little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">disappointed</span> about it all.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Really from all this I have decided that Indonesia just has no laws about animal and human interaction. And whatever goes, goes. Because I'm pretty sure the snake, turtles, and parrot were just because I'm white and they don't actually do that. But whatever the reason, I enjoy the experience.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well as for our investigators, Pamela is doing well. Her mother has said that she wants to see real improvement in Pamela and a real desire for her to actually commit to this church. Something that as missionaries we can support so we are working with Pamela on reading the Book of Mormon everyday, not just when she remembers. It has actually begun to work and she is changing little by little. Hopefully in the coming weeks she can keep improving and doing well.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Yusi</span> didn't come to church this week. We were disappointed and don't quite know the reason. We are meeting with her on Friday and so hopefully we can help her.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Vito and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Floren</span> are still doing well but still feel like they are being pressured by their mother to get baptized and so don't want to get baptized. It is a little frustrating and we are working with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Hanawati</span> to calm down and let them gain a true and sincere testimony first before they get baptized. But in her mind they can get baptized first and then get the testimony afterwards. So in response, yes, we taught the third lesson about the Gospel of Jesus Christ to her.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">This week we had something happen that almost shocked us. We had a former investigator, who learned with missionaries about two years ago but couldn't get baptized because she wasn't married legally, come to church and tell us that she is in the process of getting a divorce and wants to get baptized. (She was married through the church, not the government). We were both pretty excited about it, not the divorce that is sad, but the fact that she just showed up to church on Sunday and stayed the whole 3 hours. We are going over to her house tonight to meet and asses the situation. Her name is Fifi and has a pretty darling newborn baby. I'll keep you posted in the next coming weeks.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well things are going well here. The work is hard in Indonesia and a little discouraging at times, but I'm learning that as long as I keep working and doing what I can they Lord can send miracles in the form of people who just come to church and say they want to learn and be baptized. I just have to do my part and let the Lord do the rest. This is his work so there is absolutely no better way to get it done.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">And now for the funny story: So last week in English Class we learned about family so of course I brought a couple pictures of my family and showed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">y;all</span> off. Here are some of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">consensus</span> from my class. One: Chris you are the most handsome, followed by Hansen. Two: Mom and Dad, apparently you look like my grandparents ... sorry!! Three: Sarah apparently looks like a boy. This one I can't figure out because she was wearing a bow. Four: They guessed that each brother and brother-in-law was my husband. This class can't believe that I am not married. I tell them I can't believe it either, but strange things happen occasionally. And then the Indonesian Elder asked if every single man in America was bald. It was quite the entertaining time!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">I love you all!! Have a great week!! Enjoy the last few weeks before school starts. Blog some more pictures of Ezra and Viola!! I love you all!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-36846588080629803372012-02-07T18:17:00.000-08:002012-02-07T18:22:24.017-08:00Aug. 3, 2011 Saya tidak bisa Bahasa Jawa!! ( I don't speak Javanese!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hey Family!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">This week went by so fast that it was hard to believe it was time to write <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">y'all</span> again. It is hard to think of what I did to write in the letter. I'm glad to hear things are good in America and everything is going well with Deb and Jon moving up north. I hope everything goes well. Be sure to blog about you new digs so I can see it. I'm sorry to hear about Ezra. It came as a bit of a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">surprise</span> to me but I know he will be fine and healthy. I am always praying for him (as with the rest of my family) and I am glad to know that he can go home. Keep holding up Simon and Annie. I am sure he is just scared that Maren is going to squish him with all her love when he goes home. It is a fright for most of us!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">So here in Western and Central Java there is a dialect called Javanese which was the main language until about 40 years ago when Indonesian became the national language and schools and all government things were done in Indonesian. So most people know <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Indonesian</span> except the old people who refused to learn <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Indonesian</span> and just wanted to stick with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Indonesian</span>. That's all fine and dandy except for the white person that is still trying to learn <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Indonesian</span> and doesn't have time to learn another language. Let just say it is frustrating. Especially because it is the old people who usually freak out about my white skin so when you have an old lady following me around blubbering something that i don't understand, petting my white skin I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">decide</span> i don't like Javanese. I've learned a few words and it is pretty hard, so I think I will just stick with Indonesian. There are actually quite a lot of dialects and most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Indonesians</span> know <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Indonesian</span> and another language, but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Javanese</span> is most definitely the second most spoken language after Indonesian.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">This week I had the fun pleasure of trying some good new food: duck and eel. Duck is actually really good, kinda expensive, I mean I spent about a dollar and ten cents on the meal. But I really, really liked it. It is kinda hard to eat with your hand (only one, because it is rude to use your left hand for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">anything</span> so you have to eat rice and meat and everything else with one hand) but I'm learning. I plan on being a pro when I come home and teaching everyone how to eat rice with one hand. Eel on the other hard was not the best. It wasn't terrible but it was weird. From what I could tell they just took the eel out of the water, waited for it to die, and then fried it and gave it to me to eat. I tried not to look for it's eyes but I think I saw them. I don't know if I will ever try it again. But a happy memory and don't worry I got a picture. Sorry I forgot the card reader today, I'll try to remember next week.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">I'm glad that you enjoyed the pictures I sent home last week. I hope they made it on to the blog and all have been able to see and enjoy. Are you still keeping up on my blog or was that lost about two months ago? And yes that was me that took money out of my account. I plan on using it to buy some fabric. It is really cheap here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Malang</span> and I am pretty <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">excited</span> about it. Maybe I will buy something for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">y'all</span> too... still no nativity mom, sorry. I could find you a nice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">al'koran</span> or picture of a mosque if you want but nativity is proving to be a little bit harder. Sorry!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well the investigators are still doing good. The exciting thing was that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Yusi</span> finally came to church this week! We were very excited. She even brought a friend (who by the way was wearing a Texas sweatshirt. Crazy!) but then she has been in the middle of finals or something like that at school so we haven't been able to meet with her at all this week or talk to her at all about her experience so we are hoping that she still wants to come next week.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">There wasn't a baptism at all this week, which was a little disappointing but at the same time has proven to be good to allow each of them a little more time to prepare. Pamela's parents really want to see a big change in her actions so that they know that this church is actually good for her, before they will let her be baptized. And that has proven difficult for the quite emotional 15 year old. Slowly though she is changing and it might take awhile but hopefully one day she will have permission to get baptized.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Vito and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Floren</span> aren't quite ready to get baptized. It is a hard situation because their mother is really <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">pressuring</span> them to get baptized and the more she pressures the more they don't want to learn and come to church. So we are working with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Hanawati</span> to try and get her to basically chill out and give them time, but that has also proven difficult. We are just trying to take it slow and work with these two teenagers also and not ruin the delicate situation with them. Over time I am sure they will come around, they are just acting like typical 15 and 16 year <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">old</span>. These teenagers!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well now a funny story!! So we were teaching this less active lady and we were sharing a part from a conference talk from the last conference. We had the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Liahona</span> with us, the one with all the snowy pictures and everything. Well after the lesson she was looking through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Liahona</span> and finally stops and says 'Sister Blake I have a question. Do all of the trees in America look this weird?" "Well what do you mean Sister," was my response. "Why don't they have any leaves and why are they all white?" She couldn't figure out the snow!!! She had just no idea what it was! Oh so funny!! But I guess to them who have lived in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Malang</span> Indonesia their whole lives and aren't that educated snow would be quite foreign. I try and tell them it is really not that exciting and pretty miserable and they don't believe me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I hope everyone has a great week and I will be praying for Ezra all week. I hope everything will turn out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">ok</span>. Of course it will with our Heavenly Father in control how could things not turn out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">ok</span>. My testimony on that matter has certainly grown over my mission. Heavenly Father is always watching over us and all things are to help us learn and develop. I know and am so grateful that He loves us so much, each person in America, each person in Indonesia, each person everywhere. What a blessing!!! I love you all! Have a great week! Miss you!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: '"Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; "><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-53093006560990457782012-02-06T19:31:00.000-08:002012-02-06T19:34:50.745-08:00July 27, 2011 akhirnya biru! (Finally Blue!!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Dear Family!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">How are things going there back in Texas? I am glad that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">y'all</span> are all back safe and sound and had a wonderful trip! I am especially glad to be the proud aunt of my first nephew! I've wondered the whole week when I officially became a new aunt and it is great to finally know. He looks quite handsome and has quite a bit of hair! I love him already! Maren you be sure to tell him all about me so he is not scared of me when I come home and try to play with him. Congrats to Simon and Annie that is so exciting!!! I hope all things keep going well and that he sleeps better than Maren did when she was little. Keep blogging and posting pictures about him so that I can see his growth. I don't want to miss out too much on his first year of life.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well pretty much everything I did this week pales in comparison to that news, but I guess preaching the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is worth something. This week has been good, lots of work, and lots of searching for investigators and not too much results, but that's Indonesia! So to make up for the fact of lack of big news I thought I would send home some PICTURES!!!! I thought Mom would like some proof that I was really alive and well. Here are 4 pictures and I will try and do better from now on sending pictures home with my emails.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">A little explanation of the pictures: The first is me with some random Indonesian girl that is quite adorable. But we were eating lunch at someplace and she was eating at the table right next to me and was pretty hypnotized by my white skin so she just came up and sat right next to me and stared at me. She was pretty cute and finally asked if she could have a picture with me. It was really funny. This was just a couple of days ago so this is my current state of being.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">The next picture is from my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">English</span> class in Jakarta. I taught <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">English</span> at the church once a week to a group of kids. It was really fun and I loved those kids. They were all really good at <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">English</span> and loved to learn. My <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">English</span> class in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Malang</span> is pretty awesome too. I'm sure I'll send a picture of them later on.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">This picture is me, Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Nababan</span>, and a set of elders with one of the really strong member families in Jakarta. They were awesome and loved to have us over for Family Home Evening and tried to give us <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">referrals</span>, but nothing has happened YET with their friends. One day it will, because this family is so dedicated to sharing the gospel, one day they will be blessed.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">This last picture is for Nan and the pink house. Me, in Jakarta, holding something Vera Bradley!!!! I hope I win the next contest and get to buy some Vera when I come home!!! This is also I think the ONLY day I ever saw the blue sky in Jakarta!! I got sunburned because of it and all the Indonesians were so confused with why my skin was red!! So funny!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">I hope these pictures work and that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">y'all</span> enjoy them. I am sure Bevan has taken a total of 4 pictures his whole mission and one day <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">y'all</span> will see those pictures. Probably in two years!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well this week we are hoping to at least have one baptism with Pamela if we can get permission from her parents. They have to sign a letter and even though they have said she can get baptized they are being a little forgetful with the letter or the appointments we set to meet with them. We have one last chance on Saturday and we are hoping and praying that the parents will sign the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">letter</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">because</span> Pamela really wants to get baptized and has been looking forward to it forever.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Vito and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Floren</span> are probably going to wait a couple more weeks to get baptized. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Floren</span> is ready and willing and could get baptized this Sunday if she wants but might wait to be baptized <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">with</span> her brother. they are still struggling with a few things and feeling comfortable with everything. But we keep working with them and praying for them. Their mom <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Hanawati</span> who was baptized a few weeks ago really, really wants her family to join the church and I think the kids feel a little pressured. We met with them all last night and their father even joined for a little bit which we were really excited about until we found out that he was really trying to be nice and butter me up so I would translate something for him into Indonesian, but I am not allowed to do that for people so I had to say no. We are hoping that it didn't offend him or turn him off.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Yusi</span> we are still working with. She keeps reading the Book of Mormon and meeting with us, but still hasn't come to church. We are hoping and praying that she will come this week so she can be a little more progressive and understand more about the covenant that we make when we are baptized.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">We have met with one woman, another <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Wahyu</span>, who when we first met her told us that she believed that the true Christian church would have prophets and apostles and no preachers. We were really excited about that fact and think she would love to learn, but she is really really busy and hasn't been able to meet with us. hopefully this week.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well my funny story this week is actually a joke I made up. So I'm sure you know by now that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Ibu</span> in English is Mother and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Bapak</span> is Father. Good because it helps for this joke:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">What did the Indonesian Father take for his headache?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Bapak</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Profen</span>!!!! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">HAHAHA</span> I crack myself up!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well I love you all and love reading the letters you send me, even if they are addressed to Bevan!! I understand. At least I got a letter! I know this church is true and feel so blessed with this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">opportunity</span> to share it with the people of Indonesia!! I love you all and miss you!!! good luck to Deborah and Jon and their move I hope everyone survives!! Have a great week!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-22464322706584704282012-02-06T19:25:00.000-08:002012-02-06T19:31:03.017-08:00July 20, 2011 Mate Nyamuk!!! (Die Mosquito!!!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hello Family!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Sounds like everyone had a pretty amazing trip and I'm glad that Dad was able to make it home safely. I also hope that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Malan</span> and Hansen have one good week at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">EFY</span>!! I think my favorite year at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">EFY</span> was the one that I went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">BYU</span>. But it still doesn't beat living in Indonesia!!! This week has been good. Dad is right, yesterday was my 6 month mark. A little surreal to think that I only have a year left. It really has started to go fast, but only when I don't think about it. The second I start it goes pretty darn slow. And as I think over the last 6 months of service I am amazed at all the things I have learned and how I have changed. Not only am I more or less fluent in another language (I don't actually know at what point I get fluent...), but my testimony has grown so much and I have learned to rely so much more on the Savior for help and guidance. But I would say that the way I have changed the most is the development of one impressive talent... killing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">mosquitoes</span> out of the thin air with my bare hands. I'm pretty darn good at it. In Jakarta there weren't too many <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">mosquitoes</span> and I really didn't wear bug spray, but here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Malang</span> they are everywhere. I wear bug spray everyday and still manage to get bit once a day. I wear it to bed too or I wake up in the middle of the night itching like crazy. I sit there in our house at night and I can catch four or five <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">mosquitoes</span> in a manner of minutes. Let's just say by the time I leave <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Indo</span> my plan is to have the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">species</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">mosquitoes</span> extinct!! It will be a great and marvelous day!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">This week has been a good one, not too much exciting things have happened. To answer Mom's questions the missionaries from Indonesia all go to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">MTC</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Manilla</span>. They have sessions there that start every 3 weeks in English and if the missionary is good enough in English the missionary can start whenever he is ready. If not they wait until a group of 8 or 10 missionaries are ready to go and they send a teacher from Indonesia to teach them. Sometimes when this happens the missionary will start serving his mission and can serve 3-4 months before he goes to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">MTC</span> and the only reason that he goes to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">MTC</span> is so that he can go through the temple. And before they formed the new stake in Jakarta they also got their patriarchal blessings there, but now there is a patriarch in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Indo</span> so that's hopefully already taken care of. The missionaries can serve anywhere in Indonesia except in the branch/ward they come from. Which means that for my current companion even though she grew up just a few hours outside of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Malang</span> since she left for her mission and her records are in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Hong</span> Kong she is able to serve in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Malang</span>. We have run into her little sister a few times. I think that would be pretty darn hard!! But missionaries from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Indo</span> often see their families at church meetings or often are given permission to go home for family events such as funerals or weddings. Pretty sweet!! But at the same time I don't know how much I would like serving in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Denton</span> while everyone is in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Carrollton</span>!! But each missionary from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Indo</span> is pretty excited to serve in their county and help the church to grow here. They are also pretty determined to learn <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">English</span> well enough before their mission so that maybe they can serve in the States. It has happened for 5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Indos</span>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">The church here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Malang</span> is pretty small. Just one branch. It used to be two but was condensed about 4 years ago. It has been a pretty hard transition since I don't think the two branches liked each other very much before the change. It is a pretty interesting branch with quite some strong personalities. It is like the Indonesian version of the branch from Baptists at our BBQ. They also love to teach about how they become like a Branch in America. One Brother taught from the pulpit that all American member families have at least 6 kids and he wasn't going to the Celestial Kingdom because he only had 2. Oh dear!!! It is quite an adventure in this Branch.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">As for investigators this week: Vito and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Floren</span> are still hoping to get baptized. They are still wanting to learn and wanting to get baptized. I'm still not too convinced whether it is for the social aspect or for their own personal testimony. But they are always at church and at all the youth activities. There has to be some belief inside of them. I'm really impressed with the youth group in this branch. They are strong and have great testimonies.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Pamela is still good. She is hoping to get baptized on the 31. She even has invited her parents to come to the baptism which would be great. She has a great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">opportunity</span> to be a good example to her family and hopefully one day they will want to learn and follow suit.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">We are teaching a pair of sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Yusi</span> and Desi. Their mom is living in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Hong</span> Kong and is a member and really want them to get baptized. They <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">basically</span> started learning with no actual desire to do anything just get baptized to please their mom. We have started teaching them and helping them understand the importance of the baptismal <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">covenant</span> and it is not just something you do. They are still willing to learn and we are hoping that they come to church this week. It is pretty hard since Desi is Muslim and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Yusi</span> has only enter Christianity for a few years. Their knowledge of Christ and the Bible is limited. But hopefully they can keep understanding and progressing.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">The funny story this week is in answer to Dad's question of if I have eaten any weird things lately. Yesterday we were at a member's house and they bring out this purplish soup thing for us to eat. The Sister explains that it is a purple sweet <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">potato</span> and banana soup with "a bit of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">durian</span> just for taste." I have no idea why you would add <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">durian</span> for a taste of anything. I couldn't believe it! It was so gross and awful and I don't think I will ever be able to eat sweet <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">potatoes</span> again!!! The whole time I just thought <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Malan</span> should not be called to serve here because there is no way he would've been able to eat that!!! I was able to eat the whole thing, but my stomach hurt the rest of the day. Gross!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">I'm glad things are going so well at home. I hope Ezra is born safe and sound this week!!! I will expect a lot of pictures. I love you all and know this church is true. It is an amazing blessing!! I miss you and love you! Say hi to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">BYU</span> for me. Not the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">MTC</span> I don't care to go there ever again!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-31249593508524153552012-02-06T19:21:00.000-08:002012-02-06T19:25:49.365-08:00July 13, 2011 Tahunya enak sekali! (The Tofu is really Good!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Hey Family!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">How are things going in Canada? I love all the blog posts Hansen! They are so cool and great photos of the trip. I feel like maybe I was there. That's cool that you got to go to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cardston</span> temple. I have always thought it looked pretty cool and would be a cool one to visit. It sounds like you have had one exciting trip so far, not nearly as exciting as living in Indonesia, but as close as you could get. The bears looked cool as did the rodeo. And isn't that the third time the Blake family has been to the mammoth place? That's crazy!! Well things here are going well. I realized this morning it was Alice's birthday which means one year left for me, which is kinda crazy. It has gone by pretty fast and I hadn't really noticed how much I have changed through out this experience until I said the sentence in the subject line with a straight, serious place. That's right I complemented someone on their tofu, because it was good. It was crazy!! But I guess I am beginning to like tofu. That being said, I am looking forward to a year when I do not have to eat it anymore. And I also imagine that this will happen again one day when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Malan</span> writes home from his mission telling us that he can now eat a potato without gagging. I don't know which will be more of a miracle!! I also ate chicken feet for the first time this week. It was really good and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">surprisingly</span> tasted like chicken. Who would've thought?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICE!!!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well don't worry I am not feeling too homesick because of the road trip because we went on a zone trip to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Bromo</span>, the volcano national park that is near <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Malang</span>. It was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">absolutely</span> beautiful. We got permission and left early so that we could watch the sunrise there. It was amazing!! I looked everywhere for a stamp so that I could start my own stamp book but they didn't have one. I did by a postcard so I am keeping Dad's legacy going. I tried to buy a magnet or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">keychain</span> for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">y'all</span> (sorry no spoon or cards or hats) but they were quite expensive, only because I was white though. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Indonesians</span> tried to buy them also and the price was cut in half for them. Crazy!!! No but it felt like a real Blake vacation. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Malan</span> would've died on the way up the mountain. The roads were curvy and the incline was steep. He would not have made it. And I freaked out at each turn just like Mom would've done. And the driver kept assuring me that he was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">okay</span> and knew what he was doing just like Dad would've done. It was a really fun trip and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">definitely</span> a place that is prettier than anyplace in America. I felt very grateful to be in Indonesia and see that. Definitely a once in a life time experience.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">The other exciting news was the baptisms this week. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Hanawati</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Sugriarti</span> were baptized. It was amazing because they both have been investigators off and on for at least 4 years. And in their testimonies at the baptism they both talked about all the missionaries that have taught them, from the ones who found them to me and Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Tukijan</span> who were here when they got baptized. It was amazing to just realize and feel the everlasting effect that the simple acts of missionaries can have, even without us knowing it. I think it is especially true <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">because</span> so many investigators learn for a number of years before they are baptized, just <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">because</span> most of them are newly Christian and are still struggling with who Jesus Christ is and what the Bible teaches and then to add in the need for a restoration and the Book of Mormon is oftentimes overwhelming for them. But at the same time there are a few success stories and occasionally they do get baptized. But it was a great encouragement and testimony builder to me that even when I think that my actions aren't doing much, and probably I will have no idea, but I am doing some good for God's work.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Hanawati's</span> kids, Vito and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Floren</span>, are still learning and are planning on getting baptized on the 31 of the month. They just still have a few <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">hesitations</span> with the word of wisdom and all the commandments. But they are trying and really have a desire to be baptized. They both do feel a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">sting</span> of guilt for not staying with their father, who is a pastor in another church, but they know that it is right to be baptized and want to do it. We keep praying and asking for the softening of the father's heart to be more open and accepting of the faith.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Also planning on getting baptized on the 31 is a girl names Pamela. She is 15 and is definitely not the brightest bulb in the box and has been learning and coming to church for the past 6 months or so because her two best friends are members. She has been asking to be baptized for the past 6 months but missionaries have always postponed it because she hasn't understood anything about the church. It has been a long process but slowly and surely she has started to read and pray each day. She has stopped drinking tea and is living more of the commandments. She is doing good. We think the 31 will give us enough time to really make sure she is ready. She really wants to get baptized and one day she will when she really truly understands it is a covenant with God and not something you do because your friends did it. She also saw a picture of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Malan</span> and decided that she is going to learn English so that she can write you a letter. Don't be too flattered <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Malan</span> that is just what Indonesians do!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">To answer your questions: Dad yes I do use my flashcards and they have really helped me. I would love some more. Mom the bathroom in this new house is actually pretty nice. It actually has a shower head, but no hot water. So rather we heat up water and take a scoop bath each day. It is pretty depressing to see the shower head and not be able to use it. But it is really cold water!!! I can't remember if there were anymore...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Funny story of the week: So we were walking down a street leading into a neighborhood and trying to talk and contact people on the street when a lady saw me and asked me to sit next to her. I asked her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">what</span> she was doing and she said that she was stringing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">badminton</span> rackets. That is really source of income. She offered to teach me so I could help her. I sat there are strung <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">badminton</span> rackets with her for like 15 minutes while I contacted her. She was Muslim and not interested at all, but she offered me an opportunity to be her assistant and do that for my job too. I said I think about it. I guess if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">BYU</span> doesn't work out and I never get married I have a fall back plan. It is very comforting to know. And don't worry I took a picture with her and my racket.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">This week has been a great one. I have had a lot of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">opportunities</span> this week to share the gospel and what i believe to people on the street which is a rare <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">opportunity</span> seeing as how I can only tell people I am a spiritual builder and not a missionary. But it is always a great feeling to tell people what I believe and see their reactions. And while none of these contacts gave me their numbers or said I could come to their house, I hope and pray that they will read the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">pamphlets</span> or church material I gave them and one day decide to learn more about Christ and His Gospel. Who knows maybe they will be baptized in 7 years or so. I know this Gospel is true and love it so much. I always feel so blessed and so loved when I think of this gospel and who it has allowed me to be. I love you and miss you!! Have a great rest of your trip. Keep Blogging Hansen!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-78768441607288305282011-09-29T09:00:00.000-07:002011-09-29T09:09:48.621-07:00July 6, 2011 PLD di Surabaya (Zone Conference in Surabaya)<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Dear Family,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Hello everyone! How are things going in South Dakota or Kansas or where ever <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">y'all</span> are? It sounds like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">y'all</span> have had quite the fun trip so far. I'll be excited to hear all about it. Not to be outdone, I went on my own summer (or I guess winter) vacation this past week. It was zone conference so we got to go to Surabaya, which is the second biggest city in Indonesia and is about 2 hours north of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Malang</span>. So, me and my comp and the 3 elders here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Malang</span> got to ride in a stinky bus for 2 hours on Sunday after church with probably the least amount of leg room known to man. But it was all made up for when we checked into our hotel. Since there are no sisters serving in Surabaya, my comp and I got to stay in a hotel and since it is vacation from school right now and all the other hotels were booked, the hotel we stayed at was nicer than any Hilton we've ever stayed at. Boy, it was nice. Really, I just loved the fact that it had a shower with hot water. I took two! And the dinner that we ate there with our mission president and mission mom was pretty nice. I ate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Gado</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Gado</span>, which is an Indonesian dish that I can buy here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Malang</span> for about 4000 Rupiah (40 cents) but at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">restaurant</span> in the hotel it was about 30000 Rupiah which is still only about $3 but still pretty darn expensive. It was quite the fun experience. However the sign on the TV in the hotel room that advertised the American channels it carried including ESPN was pretty hard to handle. But don't worry I overcame that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">temptation</span>! Zone Conference was also pretty good. It was all about unity and working with the branch and ward leaders which is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">definitely</span> a challenge here in Indonesia, but hopefully we can make it a little better. After two hours of playing indoor soccer and then eating at A&W Root Beer we were back on the road to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Malang</span>, which decided to have crazy traffic which made us not get home till midnight. I was quite tired the next day to say the least, but it was a great trip all together.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Other than that, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Malang</span> continues to be great. Me and Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Tukijan</span> work really well together and we pretty much never speak English which is nice. We have 4 baptisms planned for this Sunday but aren't too confident they will all pan out. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Hanawati</span> is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">positively</span> getting baptized this week. She has been looking forward to it for a long time and can't wait. It is exciting to see how excited she is about the Gospel. Her two kids, Vito and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Floren</span>, also are planning to get baptized. They really want to and have a lot of good friends here in the branch, but how much they know about the gospel and the commandments is a little iffy. I think the social aspect is what draws them a little bit more to the church. Their baptism might get postponed a couple of weeks. We will see. Also <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Sugriarti</span> also is planning on getting baptized. She is ready and prepared and has a good strong testimony. Scheduling an interview is just the problem. She is really busy and also who is interviewing her is really busy. It might be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">proposted</span> another week just because of that. But I know it is worth the wait so that's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">ok</span>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Our other investigator <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Ibu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Wahyu</span> is doing good. She didn't come to church this past Sunday and we don't know why but she said that she has started to read a little bit in the Book of Mormon which is exciting. I learned this week that I guess her daughters who are members aren't the most active so she will only come when her daughters come. I think we might change our focus a little and work with her daughters at the same time and see if we can't strengthen them all at the same time. It is a great family that I love and I hope that she continues to progress and all become really strong in this gospel.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">There aren't as many investigators here so we spend a lot of time visiting less active members. There are a lot here! And they are have different reasons for why they aren't active but they all come back to the fact that they feel like they don't have friends or feel accepted in the branch. It is sad to see, but I've gained a strong testimony of why we have home and visiting teaching. It isn't too <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">prevalent</span> here and I think if it was a lot of people would come back to church. But we had a couple come to church on Sunday which was exciting to see.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">I'm glad that Elder and Sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Merideth</span> emailed you. That District Meeting I taught to 22 missionaries including my mission president and mission mom. A little nerve-wracking but I think it went good. And I was wearing a new shirt. I've bought two here and a pair of plastic shoes to wear when it rains. So not too much. It was all really expensive in Jakarta but here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Malang</span> it is not so much. One P-Day might just be spent buying batik. It is like the Vera Bradley here in Indonesia! Mom would love it. Yes Mom the necklaces were still in the box. It didn't seem like anything was taken from it. The next package just send to the mission home in Jakarta and they will get it to me. My comps first name right now is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Tri</span> (pronounced Tree).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">I'm glad everything is going so well on your trip. That salt mine looked pretty fun, but I don't think I could have handled the elevator. Good thing I'm in Indonesia. And that bathroom looked a lot cleaner than some of the ones I have seen here. At least it was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">toilet</span>! I'm sad though that I am missing the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Medora</span> Musical, a priceless treasure from my childhood!! Keep having fun and be safe!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Funny Story of the week: So on Saturday we went to a wedding of the daughter of our landlord, who has been taught the gospel off and on for a couple of years. It was a pretty nice, fancy wedding. The outfits were pretty traditional, including a flower head dress for the bride and a skirt, slippers and sword for the groom. The food was amazing and delicious and it seemed like nothing was overlooked and the price was not thought about. So what would the give as the hostess gift for all the guests? That's right you guessed it: Fingernail Clippers!!! I'm still confused!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Thanks for all the love and prayers!! I pray for you each day too. I know this church is true and love being a missionary sharing the gospel. It is such a great blessing in our lives!! I love you and miss you!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:medium;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Helvetica","Tahoma","Arial","sans-serif"'; font-family:'";"><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-40749849930541613542011-06-29T21:51:00.001-07:002011-06-29T21:51:56.353-07:00Saya Sangat Suka Malang!! (I really like Malang!!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; ">Hey Family,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; ">How are things going over there in the USA? As for things in East Java they are pretty good. Everything went smoothly with my transfer on Saturday. There was no hitchhiking involved, just one airplane ride from Jakarta to Malang. It was pretty exciting, even though the lady next to me had no interest in talking to me at all. But the nice thing was that even though my luggage was about 3 kilos overweight I didn't have to pay a single rupiah because I'm white. I think airlines in America should adopt that policy. It would make flying for me quite a bit easier. Even though it was a little stressful having to show my proof that I was actually allowed in this country to every single person, but I made it safe and sound and am now enjoying Malang. Yes, I got my package last Thursday. I loved it as did Sister Nababan. She was really touched that yall would think of her. I especially LOVED the Mavs shirt, and even though the box got searched by the mail people and I had to pay a $20 tax on the shirt I still wear it with pride. Maybe the Mavs champion shirt should just stay at home for the next year... just don't let anyone wear it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; ">Malang is great. It is situated in between three volcanos and we have to sweep each morning so our tile doesn't darken from the volcanic ash that is just in the air. It was nice to see that the sky was still blue and that clouds can be white... I had forgotten those two facts during my time in Jakarta. It definitely can get pretty chilly at night when the wind blows, but I would not say it is cold. I imagine that it is just a lot like Southern California. Just in Indonesia!! My compaion is Sister Tukijan and she is actually from about 2 hours outside of Malang. So she is pretty close to home. But she has a similar story with Sister Nababan. She joined the church about 10 years ago when she was 20 years old while living in Hong Kong. She has quite the amazing conversion story which all started with one pass along card. She converted from Islam and told the missionaries when she first met with them that she had no interest in learning about Jesus Christ, but she only wanted to know how Families can be together Forever. Kinda Funny. But she also has pretty much no family support since her family is all still Islam. But she is a great missionary and a hard worker. She also loves to cook and I think I'm going to gain back all the weight I lost in Jakarta while I'm with her. It is also nice because she forces us to speak Indonesian all the time. She can speak English enough that when I get stuck she can help me, but I'm pretty much in Indonesian mode. Hopefully it will help me learn a lot more and pretty fast.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; ">As for investigators, we have a few that have baptisamal dates for July 10 which is pretty exciting. Ibu Sugiarto has been learning for while and has always wanted to get baptized but has always waited because she hoped that her kids would join her, but she decided to stop waiting and just get baptized. I actually haven't met her yet since she has been out of town, but I hear that she is great.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; ">Another is Ibu Hanawati. She has been learning for about 6 years but her husband is a preacher in another church in town and he has never let her get baptized. But through a series of miraculous events, which included her getting cancer and branch members here donating blood when she needed it, her husband's heart was softened and gave permission to get baptized. He even asked for a book of mormon so he could see what's inside. Her two kids are also learning and what to get baptized but still have a little longer to go.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; ">We also teach Ibu Wahyu (which actually is Indonesian for Revelation) she has three kids that were baptized a couple of years ago and she has recently started coming to church with them. We taught her yesterday and challenged her to read the Book of Mormon, she said she would. It is amazing to see how her kids have set such a good example for her that she has been given the desire to learn. Hopefully she keeps going on that path.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; ">That's about it. The work is definitley a little slower here in Malang. The branch is pretty small with only about 50 or 60 members that come on a regular basis. We spend a lot of time looking for less active members and talking to people that way. You most definitley meet some crazy people that way, but it is great.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; ">Here's a funny story, so I've definitley gotten a little tanner over the past three months being here, but I didn't think too much until I met a man in the branch and he asked where I was from. I said Texas and she said that he thought I was from Mexico because I looked like I was a latino. Either he has never really seen a latino ever or I've gotten pretty tan. I would say the first. But it was still kinda funny.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; ">Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers this week. I have definitley felt them this week. I always feel your love with me and I am always grateful for it. I know this church is true and am so grateful for it in my life. I love you all and miss you! Have a great week!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; ">P.S. I know you are reading this Melissa... I hope that you had a wonderful birthday last week!!!!!!! I also hope things are going well with your pregancy with your little girl. I still don't know what you are naming her so I'm still assuming Leah Palmer! Awesome!! Love ya!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036807319455695602.post-61454515117771395372011-06-21T22:29:00.000-07:002011-06-21T22:30:55.967-07:00HEBAT MAVS!!! (WAY TO GO MAVS!!!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Dear Family,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">When I thought of all the sacrifices I would be making when I decided to go on a mission, I really, really hoped that the Mavs winning an NBA Championship and me missing it wouldn't be one of them, but nevertheless, even though I didn't see I single bit of the playoffs, this is probably one of the most exciting things of my life!!!! And I am trying really, really, really hard not to think that I missed a chance to actually go to one of the games in the Finals. But still that is so awesome!!! I got really, really excited when I found out when one of the elders told me at FHE at a members house, the members did not understand what was going on, neither did my companion. This whole time she thought it was a cricket team that I was rooting for. Kinda funny. Well I hope that I get a NBA champions shirt, maybe two since I didn't go to the game, and possibly a hat or something, or maybe a hand written letter from Dirk Nowitzki telling me that he his sad that his most trusted fan missed the playoffs. I am so proud of my Mavs!!! I hope they know it is all a blessing from my service as a missionary!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">This week hasn't been too bad, not as much teaching as usual, but still a good one. The most exciting thing was that this week was the first ward conference ever in Indonesia in the Indonesian branch I serve in. Everyone in the ward was so nervous they were all in their seats about 30 minutes early. But the funny thing is that I think the stake president was more nervous than anyone else because it was his first experience doing this too. But it all went off without a hitch and the bishop gave a great talk about his goal and desire to get every worthy adult member of his ward endowed in the temple. Last year they had a record 53 adults go to the temple for the first time and he wants to repeat that. It made me very grateful for the temple that we have so close by in Dallas and also very impressed with the faith and dedication of the saints here in Jakarta. It was a great Ward Conference!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">This Sunday I get the exciting adventure of giving a talk... in Indonesian!! Needless to say I am quite nervous and anxious. I'm pretty sure it will be a lot of quotes from conference talks that are already translated and then my testimony. But who would've thought that after 5 months of learning this language I could give a talk in it. Pretty incredible, but still... Pray for me!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Oh, Happy Birthday Maren!!!!!!! I can't believe you are going to be 3 this week! But I hope that you have a wonderful day!! And Happy Father's Day Dad! I'm sorry I won't get to call you for your day, but I love you and am so very, very grateful for your support and love for me as I serve! (Are you impressed that I actually remembered? Do you think Bevan will?)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">So, where in Indiana are Deborah and Jon moving to? That was quite the surprise for me, yet everyone in their letters said it so nonchalantly, so I guess this isn't huge news to everyone else, but it is quite big news to me! That's crazy!! What are Mom and Dad going to do without any grandchildren near by? They might go nuts! I think with all of them away and me and Bevan on missions all Mom is going to be doing is mailing off packages. Speaking of, I got the package from Sister Whitley this week. I loved it and have enjoyed it all and the thank you note is already in the mail. You taught me well Mom!! I hope all goes well at Girls Camp this week Mom and that you don't die of heat exhaustion. Sometimes I feel like I should still be going to girls camp but that's ok. You just be sure to tell those girls that you never know where life could take you. In a few short years you could be serving a mission in Indonesia like me!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Our investigators have been doing well... I think. At least the one's we have been able to visit are well. Riyanti and Ibu Linda have both been sick so we haven't been able to visit them. But Riyanti keeps asking us to tell her different chapters in the Book of Mormon to read so that's comforting to now. Raz, the investigator who is pretty much a member but just can't get baptized, is going to Australia for 3 months in a few days. Kinda sad, but she has already looked up the church nearest to where she will be and knows where to go for that. So that's good. And none of our other investigators want to come to church. So this week we have spent a lot of time visiting less-active members. There are a lot of them here so we do that which always allows us time to talk to people on buses and on the street and hopefully get some referrals. Sometimes it works and a lot of times it doesn't. A lot of people just say that they have no Christian friends. But hopefully our investigators return to health soon and we can start teaching them again.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">I also hope that Bevan made it to California safely and is enjoying his home for the next two years. I'll be excited to read his first letter next week. Be sure to send it to me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">My funny story of the week: So, a little cultural background information, Indonesians do not like sweet foods at all. They much prefer spicy foods. All the cakes and sweets that they do have here I don't think contains any sugar as to make is as bland as possible. It's crazy, I don't understand. But last week when we were teaching our English class to kids about the ages of 7 to 11, I was teaching them basic adjectives. Two of the ones that came up were rich and sweet. Just as a FYI note for them I told them that something that was really, really, really sweet could be described as rich also. I asked one of the boys what was the sweetest thing he could think of, he thought about it for about 30 seconds and then replied, "Ketchup!!" Oh dear, these Indonesians!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Well it sounds like everyone's summer is off to a roaring success! Don't forget about me, Hansen and Rebekah, as you play. Keep writing me! When and where are yall going on your summer vacation? No one has ever told me since Alaska fell through. I feel like it is really, really good and yall don't want to tell me because you feel bad I'm missing it... But anyways, keep having fun. I love you all! I know this church is true. I feel so blessed each and everyday that I have the gospel in my life and I am a little more determined to share it with those around me each day. Always remember to be a good example to those around you and be a good missionary in all that you do. I love you all!! Miss you too!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; ">Leah</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span>David and Stephanie Blake Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17120661632782303116noreply@blogger.com0