Week 3 of Blake in the Guatemala City CCM

Hola! This week has been all sorts of different things. I've changed so much in such a short amount of time, and I´d like to share some transformative moments and experiences I've had this week. First of all, I've developed a strong witness of fervent, personal prayer. I know that we are children of God and we have the amazing opportunity to pray and receive personal revelation for our lives. From now on, my goal is to always pray with the deepest questions, intents and desires of my soul. As I've done this, I've been spiritually strengthened and I've received the answers I need. 

Second of all, I've developed an almost undeniable testimony of the restoration of the Gospel. If you are reading this blog, then that means that you, in some way or another, are aware of my decision to spend two years of my life in the service of God: preaching His gospel and building His kingdom. This isn't a small decision, and I am not the type of person that makes big decisions without first taking deliberate caution and analysing -in depth- the implications of my decisions. And yet, here I am. I testify with all the credibility that I've posses, that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored and that the Book of Mormon is true. Everything I am doing here, everything the thousands of missionaries around the world are doing, in fact, everything that the I believe hinges upon the validity of that book. The Book of Mormon gives me hope. It's proof that God loves us enough to once again reveal His truth to the world. It means that the cannon of revelation is not closed and that God is still the God of miracles. It has already changed the course of my life into more exalted routes and I know that that book is true. There is a way to know if it is true. It's simple: Read it; pray about it. 

Lastly, this week I´ve gained insights that have changed my life. As I watched the restoration movie, I was moved with a feeling of purpose and ínspiration. I've made a goal that I think I will keep the rest of my life: 

Everything I will do in my short time here on Earth, I will do 100%.

If it's Spanish, I'm going to study as hard as I can. If I have a desire to play guitar, I'm going to study every free second. If it's poetry, I'll memorize a poem a day. If it's growing my relationship with God, I'm going to dedicate my two years of service by completely losing myself in the work. If it's real-estate, I'm going to search everything I can about it. Rest assured, I'm not going to be watching TV or idly use my time anymore. There are so many things in this world and such a short amount of time to do them. Our purpose on Earth is to experience and overcome, and that is my goal for my life. 

On to the more secular parts of the week haha. It has been wonderful. I can speak in Spanish fairly well (I memorize 50 words, 20 phrases, and 1 spanish, 1 english scripture everyday) and I've already mastered all the required material (including D&C 4....) My plan is to continue this habit for the rest of my mission. This might sound strange, but I've really taken an enjoyment to talking to people. I genuinely enjoy learning other people's perspectives and experiences about life. I've learned that everyone is my superior in one way or another, and if I'm not learning anything from others, then it's my own fault. 

The latinos are really starting to open up. I can tell because now they like to sing songs with me in the hallways. We make up songs in Spanish as we wash our hands in the bathroom: it's pretty hilarious! 

I've had hardly any time to write poems except for a window of about five to ten minutes a day. It's not much time for a quality poem, but It's enough to get my thoughts on paper. Here's one from yesterday. 

The Tone Deaf Singer

I sat deep in meditation 

In my class at the CCM

When I heard a grumbling something

That sort of sounded like a hymn

Perking up my ears

I located the source of the tune

And realized that the choir

Was singing in the adjacent room

With my attention fully captured

I tried to focus on the words

Amidst the undulating tempo

And accidental minor thirds

In that moment of condescension

As their tritones proudly rang

I almost doubted whether God

Would approve of how they sang

But I was humbled short after

When the spirit whispered to my soul

It's not about how well you sing

It's about what you're singing for

After all, if we are God's children

And he designed our vocal chords by choice

How easy would it be to bless all

With a Godly, angelic voice

But in all of God's Heavenly courts

I'm sure the voices he lets linger

Have much less to do with the tempo and pitch

As they do with the heart of the singer. 

I love you all, 

Elder Young