Hola a todos! I would like to take this opportunity to apologize. I have not been very diligent about writing emails of late, but I hope to do better. This past week was a very tiring but an amazing week. We had transfers! It was hard to say goodbye to Elder Bartlett, as we had been together for 3 transfers now. He did get off okay, and he sent me a picture to let me know he had arrived safe in Salt Lake City. Saturday and Sunday have been my first days with my new companion, Elder Rowland. He is from O'ahu, the main island of Hawaii on the north shore. I speak Spanish and he speaks a little bit of Hawaiian and almost fluent ASL, so we've had a fun time practicing and communicating and praying (very basic) in four different languages when we have the chance. I've already been learning a lot from him, and I am excited to see how we can help the mission during our time together as companions.
Apart from that, I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve in Clarksville more and more. It is a tougher area, but I have enjoyed watching not only my testimony grow, but my relationship with my Savior as well. I want you to know that I know that He lives. I have felt His love and I know that it is specific and unconditional. He does not love two people the same, but He loves each of us perfectly. I know He loves you, and I know there is nothing you could ever do to disqualify you from that love.
This past week I had the opportunity to re read some of my favorite verses quoted from the prophet Isaiah. "Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrow; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he has wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all." (Mosiah 14:4-6). In Clarksville I have learned more about the enabling power of the Atonement than I have throughout the course of my mission. Over the last two years generally I have experience the Atonement of Jesus Christ on a personal level. I have made many many mistakes, and have felt the harsh excruciating consequences of sin. But I have felt the power of the Atonement work in my life to take that weight from my shoulders. I have felt it change me: my desires, my hopes, my dreams, and my understanding of the divine potential we all have as children of a Heavenly Being. The enabling power of the Atonement, however, is different. I have felt here in Clarksville more than any other time in my life the strengthening and uplifting additional and divine help of the Savior. I have felt myself, as weak, simple, and unqualified as I may be to represent the Lord, given strength, words, and reassurance beyond my limited mortal capacity. I know now that who we are, what we've done, and what we have to offer is nothing compared to the assistance that stands available to all who seek it.
I will leave you with a favorite quote of mine: "I have watched men (and women) filled with potential and grace disengage from the challenging work of building the kingdom of God because they had failed a time or two...because they stumbled and became discouraged, they withdrew from their...commitments and pursued other but less worthy endeavors. And thus, they go on, living only a shadow of the life they could have led, never rising to the potential that is their birthright. As the poet lamented, these are among those unfortunate souls who 'die with [most of] their music [still] in them.'"(You Can Do It Now! Oct 2013). My dear friends, if we fail to access the uncomprehensible enabling power of the Atonement, we will of a surety fail to measure up to what we are meant to be. Do not hesitate to rely on or seek this real power. Do everything you can to live worthy of it. I know it is real, and I know it is worth it. As you do so, I promise that you will find in the workplace, the home, the sports field, and the church, that your efforts will be magnified and you yourself will change and evolve to become the disciple and instrument the Lord would have you be. Trust me, as I am living this great miracle and privilege every day.
Con amor,
Elder Blackburn
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