Conrad V. Blake

Sept (Nov)1977 - Sept 1979

I hope I can convey my feelings through the written word.  I learned many things from my parents, including how to work hard and a little on finishing what I start.  One of my biggest challenges in my young life, was that my parents went less active when I needed them most, as a teenager.  I went to all my meetings, more for the young ladies, than anything else, this included early morning Cemetery...[No it is not misspelled, full pun intended!~  (everyone is "dead" at that time of day)]  During this time I was inspired and decided to read the Book of Mormon.  As I went through that great book, I felt the influence of the Holy Ghost many times to make course corrections, which I did.

The greatest desire of my life, at this point, was to get out of my parents home and as far away from them as possible.  So as I graduated from school and seminary I found, like most young men of this time, I had a year before I would be old enough to go on a mission.  So, I decided to go to the only school that had responded to my ACT:  Snow College in Ephraim, Utah.

  In Oratorio class I met my wife to be.  By January we were joined at the hip.  She was the biggest reason I served a mission, she encouraged me in so many different ways.  In a funny side story, my future father-in-law asked Lorrie to come home, ALONE,  at the end of second quarter in  February, I believe.

It was here that I also met Kathy Evenson.  I did not know that she had served in the same mission until I saw her picture in the missionary photos.  She probably doesn't know it, but she influenced me along with everyone in my Family Home Evening group.  One of my roommates, Robert Crosland,  greatly influenced me. He exemplified what  I wanted to be as a returned missionary.  So I decided  to go and did all that was necessary to get my papers in.  it was a looong summer... Pres Kimball signed my call on my 19th birthday in July, but I didn't get to go until September.  Oh the Impatience of youth...

What I learned in Bolivia was to keep going no matter what obstacle is in front of  you...from the moment of being there and getting everything Bolivia had to offer (bichos).  The way I remember it is that I was super sick for a couple of weeks and spent that time in bed.  But I have come to realize, as I have gone through my journal, is that we even moved to  a new apartment in the middle of all this.  (Pres Allred came to visit at our old apartment...cause we had forgotten to tell him)

  As I remember it, I went from 160 lbs. to 125 lbs.  I came home at 145 lbs. It took me three years to get back to 160 lbs.  I also found that North American doctors were totally unaware of Bolivian Bugs...Especially crazy for the Utah area.

Like the story of the boy whose father keeps saying "get up and win that race" (see Especially for Mormons), I have learned to get up, dust myself off, get going again, and strive to finish the race.  This is and has been applied to all aspects of my life.  This is especially true since I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2003 and "forced" into medical retirement during 2008 and the  persistence  I learned in Bolivia has come to help me through this.

Although I must say that my only regret is not doing more with my family, when I could do more, I do not really regret it.  I would not change the disease or anything else, because of what my 24 hour companion has taught me about myself:  my weaknesses and how to overcome them thru our Lord and Master Jesus Christ... all based on the solid foundation of the Book of Mormon and the testimony I gained of it and it's divinity before my mission.

Then to be called to serve in the La Paz, Bolivia mission and to learn to love these decedents of the Lamanites were truly a capstone of testimony for me.  To be a participant and to bear witness to so many choice sons and daughters of God and to participate in a few baptisms as well!  I count myself very blessed.

Then to come home and marry this choice daughter of GOD and to be a part of bearing and rearing  all six of our children, is a big blessing and has provided me with many special memories.  Am I perfect?   No,  as my children like to point out my foibles as often as possible. Is my life perfect?  No, for one, I have two daughters still not married and I also have a lot of repenting to do.  will I conquer?   It is my hope that thru Christ I will be able to conquer all and to return to live with HIM and our Parents in Heaven:  when it comes down to the bottom line - nothing else matters.

Jack B. Nimble (sample) Lee Martinson