Brock - October 24

So this week was pretty rushed. We had to do more interviews again, so we´ve been running back and forth between Indaiatuba and Salto. We did manage to help out our recent-convert´s brother, and he and his son were baptized on Saturday. It was a little tight, considering that the other ward had a Halloween party like ten minutes after the baptism, but the kids got to have a little fun and get some treats. Unfortunately, some of the members are now under the impression that we stay at our recent-convert´s house all the time. They´re treating her pretty poorly and us not much better. It´ll take a little bit of work to take away this bad perspective they have. 

It´s good to hear so much from you guys every week. I think of you guys often (but not too often!) and about how you´re all doing. I´m glad to hear about all of the progress that everyone is making--it´s very clear to me, even if it isn't on your side. I can´t really judge myself-- I feel the same, but I hope that I´m changing too. Each of us is born with naturally good qualities--gifts from our loving Heavenly Father--that we need to develop in our life. We are also born with weaknesses. These weakness, surprising as it may seem, are also blessings from God. Our weaknesses help us to be humble before God, to know where the true fount of strength lies. He also promises us that, through the grace of Christ, these weaknesses may become strong things for us. But most important is the difference between a weakness and a sin. Those with weaknesses may enter into the kingdom of God, as long as they are without sin. Weakness is knowing that we are susceptible to temptation. Sin is succumbing to that temptation. We must be pure in order to enter into the celestial kingdom. And, as was spoken about in General Conference, the way to be pure--and the intended way for us to be pure, not a back-up plan--is repentance. Repentance isn´t something we do, it´s something we are. We must be repentant--continually. 

I love you guys all so much. I´m praying for the best for all of you. 

Elder B. Blaylock