Winner Takes All

Funny: Due to some strange circumstances we ended up at a reception for someone who had graduated high school (At first, I thought it was a wedding reception with how big it was). It was one of the most awkward parties I have ever been to. To start we were the only people who were white and for once we were underdressed. Well not to be distressed by the awkwardness of the party I decided that I was pull out the old charm. Well eventually I ended up in a discussion with an old Navajo cowboy about if white people can actually eat mutton. We decided on a little contest. I out-ate his whole family. I have never eaten that much native food-life!

Spiritual: We had zone conference this last week and it was a heavy hitter. This was my last zone conference and it was perfect. If I had to pin down a focus it was on having the Holy Ghost always in our lives. There were about 12 of us that gave our departing testimonies there and through the whole meeting the comments made were spiritually heavy and experience heavy. It was an interesting moment for me for sure. I wish I could express the emotions there over email but you will just have trust that when missionaries have served right and worked hard that the spirit they bring to their final meeting is a very powerful one.

Where I am at: It is always an interesting moment when you can see why you are put in a place for a reason. One of the reasons I am here is because we just learned that the Eastern Navajo Fair is going to be held here next month. Why am I here? I know almost exactly what to expect. It'll be a lot more challenging than the one in Window Rock because we don't have a senior couple and not as many missionaries. But I am excited to have the new challenge.

Enjoy living a full life.

Who Let the Dogs Out!

Funny: We went on a cookout with the ward and it was very fun. We learned through confession the one of our young men has a girlfriend and guess what? They held hands during a movie, so it's pretty serious. Haha. It was also funny to see everyone argue about the correct way to make frybread. Turns out there are so many different ways to make frybread. We had a contest to see whose is better, they all taste the same.

Spiritual: It is a very special thing when you are able to see heavenly protection acting. We were walking to a door and there was a very mean big dog that was in the driveway. He was on a leash but everyone told us that he would bite if he got the chance. We got to the door without a problem and unfortunately no one was home. We turned around and that mean dog had managed to pull his cement block closer to us and was now blocking our way out. We said a quick prayer and decided that we would put our faith in God. The dog barked and growled all the way us until we entered his circle, at which point he lunged forward and started licking our shoes. We walked through without harm and minute we left range he resumed snarling and barking. I know that the dog’s mouth was shut so we could go through safely!

Where I am at: Life is so good here in Crownpoint. It is hot down here but in love it. We have zone conference this upcoming week so that will be exciting. Other than that, all is well. We are just pressing forward and loving the work.

Love ya'

Elder Black

Rezy or Not Here I Come

Funny: yesterday I got to give a welcome talk in church. I decided that for my topic I was going to do fear. Well the talk went great and after I sat down (I was the only speaker) the bishop stood up and said " this talk has reminded me of one of my favorite bible heroes, Jonah." He then read this from the first chapter of Jonah

"1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me"

He then talked about how fear can cause us to run but if we trust God then He always will help us become better. The funny part of this was that he never knew that my first name is Jonah. Haha, I guess here I am to preach the Gospel to Crownpoint that great and wicked city.

Spiritual: We are teaching a man named Sampson and he is amazing! He used to meet with the missionaries when he was a kid but lost contact with them over time. Well, on his own effort he found out where the church is and walks every Sunday to church and has read most the Book of Mormon. Why? Because he remembers the feelings he felt as a child. I have only been here a week but I am filled to overflowing without for these faithful people here.

Where I am at: Crownpoint is incredible! I have missed the rez so much. It took me a few days to readjust but now we are getting back into the swing of things. There is so much to do here it blows my mind! I had also forgotten how great the people are out here. These are honestly the best people in the world they have such good hearts and such strong spirits.

Love y'all
Elder Black 

Back to Being a Rez Boy

Funny: This is one of those sad funny stories. Cortez 4th ward has made a full circle to where it was when we entered the area. Have you ever had that moment when you are carrying a bowl of something and you trip and you feel yourself falling? You try to stop it from spilling but it still goes everywhere. That was this week. Within the first two days we had all three of our most progressing people text us that they didn't want to meet with us. Then we learned that the other progressing person is actually a member and was just fooling us. Then the bikes broke, the mission office said they had some replacement parts they could bring at transfers and then the mission office caught fire! RIP! After all that has happened all I can do is laugh. God has prepared the area well for the next missionaries haha. And we did fix the bikes, a little rez engineering can go a long way 😉

Spiritual: we had a great church meeting yesterday; we had a returning member come and she stayed for both hours! In our Sunday school we were talking about the parable of the Talents and she opened up and talked about how she never understood how God had blessed her but after talking about how God gives us talents and stewardship over what we are able to handle she talked about how she now understands how our talents are an expression of God’s love for us. It was a beautiful moment in her progression 

Where I am going: I am headed back to the rez, hurray! I am going Crownpoint to be with Elder Viola. I don't know much about him but I am excited to finish off my mission strong there hopefully with him. Elder Barajas is going to my old stomping grounds of Farmington 4th ward and we are getting sisters here. It will be a fun adventure for the last few transfers!

This was what Jonah's mission president's wife wrote about the fire: We got the 5 a.m. phone call. The church is on fire. This is the church where our mission office is located. No official statement has been given as to the cause. Thankfully no one was hurt physically. Spiritually, this hurts! We love this old building! We are so thankful for the Farmington Fire Department and Police Department. @ Farmington, New Mexico

She also said: This is the stained glass art that is in the chapel of the church on Apache street. (The one that had the fire last night). The blessing is it was NOT destroyed!❤️ The work here will “go forth boldly and nobly until the great Jehovah shall say it’s done”.