New Zone But Still a ZL

Well it looks like my time here in San Francisco is finished. I didn't quite accomplish my goal if Baptizing the entire city.. but we had quite a few! By the time I leave this area I will have had something like 7 Baptisms. In the mission we call San Francisco "The City of Miracles". It really is a city where miracles happen. The people here are beautiful. Even though there is so much turmoil and destructive things happening in the world (especially in San Francisco!) I know that God lives and that He loves all of us because we are his children. In the midst of this worldly city there are humble people who hunger and thirst for righteousness. I have been so blessed to be a part of the lives of so many wonderful people.

So it's on to the next area of the vineyard. I will be serving as zone leader in the Antioch Zone. I am super excited to see the new area and begin serving. I'm really excited for the missionaries I get to serve and help. I will miss the zone here. We have had some stalwart missionaries in this area! We have been able to achieve our goals as a zone many times and we have been blessed to see a lot of people step into the waters of Baptism in the San Francisco West Zone.

This last week I had the opportunity of participating in quite a few priesthood ordinances. I had the opportunity to Baptize Lilly Liang and perform a Confirmation for Mindy Lew. We also gave multiple priesthood blessings and ordained one of our recent converts with the Aaronic Priesthood. Over and over in my mind I gave gratitude for the Atonement. I thought about how it was that I was able to be a part of those peoples' lives and how I was placed in a position to exercise the Priesthood authority. I thought about the choices that I had made that allowed me to be worthy of the priesthood and how grateful I was to be ready willing and prepared to perform such sacred ordinances. I know that it is only in and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that makes it possible for us to be worthy of the blessings and opportunities that God has in store for us. How grateful I am for the companionship of the Holy Ghost in guiding me and protecting me in the choices that I make. How grateful I am for the blessings of the Priesthood.

Love, Elder
Blandon