Elder Blackham's Mission Blog: Well it was a wet one this week...

So to start everything off this week it poured on us Wednesday night for 2 hours. When the sky started to turn black and we heard the thunder and it started to rain we headed to the nearest gas station near by. Lucky for us it wasn't that far away. As soon as we got inside the rain started to come. As we sat there and watched the parking lot and street flood and the sky get darker and darker we realized that there was no way we were going to be able to bike home. We called some other missionaries and they said they were on the way to help other missionaries that their car flooded and they were stranded in the middle of the street flooded up to their knees. So we called some others and they came to pick us up. When they got there we loaded our bikes on in the rain and headed to the church. Traffic was crazy. Every road was flooded and there were cars that were stuck flooded out all over. It was a super eventful night and I'm glad that we were all safe and there were no major problems from it. Within 30 minutes after the storm most of the streets were clear. It's crazy how fast it rains and how much all at once. I never thought that I would have to worry about flash floods in Southern Texas.

On Saturday I went on my first exchange. That means I get to be the senior companion for the day. We went around and visited some people. It was interesting to find out how much I knew about the area. I was actually kind of surprised and was able to get around really well. There was even a road that was closed because a power line had fallen over earlier and we had to go around it. It's cool to see how much I have learned in just 6 weeks of being in Harlingen.

One thing that stands out to me from this week is a poem that I read.

The average runner runs until

The breath in him is gone,

But the champion has the iron will

That makes him carry on.

For rest the average runner begs

When limp his muscles grow,

But the champion runs on leaden legs.

His courage makes him go.

The average man’s complacent when

He’s done his best to score,

But the champion does his best and then

He does a little more

I'm not sure why this poem has stuck out so much to me but it has a really good message. In all things we do whether they be spiritual or physical we can always put in the effort. Albert Einstein said, "the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting the same results." Be different, go the extra mile, put in that effort because it will all be worth it in the end.

Always remember the power of prayer! It is incredible! I have seen many prayers answered recently. One mom we are teaching needs a divorce but can't find her husband because he is in Mexico. He has to be notified of the divorce so it can happen. She had tried many times to call him and the number didn't work and at church we called him and the whole time I was praying that he would answer and he did!!! It sounds like he is going to send her the address also! God answers prayers never forget that!