Elder Bloxham - Hello Family!!!

Ahh man this week has been pretty interesting! It's weird being in this huge area compared to small Winchester. We have been biking like crazy people and I realized how much of a waste of time biking is compared to a car... But i guess it is what it is, and maybe we'll drop a couple extra Lb's :)

             I have been thinking a lot about gaining a testimony as a little kid. At church yesterday we went into a class, with about 9 to 10 year olds, and told them about missionary work. And as i was telling them i was thinking, how crazy would it be to have the fire of half the testimony i have now, as a 10 year old. Church really is a great thing and i feel i took advantage of it. A lot of my learning came from church but i don't think i really gained "my own" testimony of this gospel. So dad, as you teach those boys, make sure you aren't just teaching them, help them gain a testimony. Do things that can strengthen their testimony early, and before their mission. :) I am so so so thankful that i have the testimony that i have now and wouldn't trade gaining it now on my mission for anything, but now that i have this, i want younger kids to gain it now.

            It is very weird to be in a ward, but it gets me excited to meet someone new every time i go to church :) Not this Sunday, but last, we sang Hymn #26 Joseph Smiths Song, (i forgot what it's called exactly) But it really hit home to me. As i was singing i was getting choked up thinking about the words and what they really mean. Joseph Smith was truly an amazing man. I know that he was a Prophet. No doubt. Singing that song brings the Holy Ghost straight to my soul and i know that Joseph Smith seriously did what he did. I love that i know this and can share this with everybody around me.

            I love this Gospel. Any person who wants happiness in their life can have it. If they just give it a chance and pick up that book to read it and then pray, just pray... A new world will open up to them. There is so much power in the Book of Mormon. Any man can grow closer to Jesus Christ by just reading this book. Yesterday we read with this man named Maxwell, he is from Ghana, and we read the first 2 chapters. Just those first 2 chapters opened my eyes again! Every time i read from the beginning, again and again, it makes it known to me that it is words from Prophets, & of course God, of how we can better our lives and bring even more peace into it. It's not just a book, it is God letting us know that he is there, and he wants us to be happy!! I love our Father in Heaven so much. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and is at the head of this work. The Holy Ghost will testify to anyone who reads the Book of Mormon with real intent, willing to act on the answer you receive, and it will change their life. Like it has mine.

I challenge everybody to read the Book of Mormon every day and pray about it after each time you read it. Through the Holy Ghost, God will give you another sure answer that it is true. :) I promise it will give you a renewal of testimony, and a new light in your life!!

I love you all so much,

-Elder Bloxham