Beautiful Russia!

Beautiful Russia!


Our great friend, Roma made dinner for us!

Our great friend, Roma made dinner for us!

Elder Rasmussen is very excited to see real food!

Elder Rasmussen is very excited to see real food!


Companion and friend, Elder Jake Rasmussen

Companion and friend, Elder Jake Rasmussen


Trifecta's Last Time In Estonia

Trifecta's Last Time In Estonia

With my wonderful friend, Faik.

With my wonderful friend, Faik.

Sunrise, at One P.M.

Sunrise, at One P.M.

Petrozadovsk District

Petrozadovsk District

Lake at Petrozavodsk

Lake at Petrozavodsk


North Zone Conference Nov. 2011

North Zone Conference Nov. 2011

Thanksgiving Dinner 2011

Thanksgiving Dinner 2011

First Zone Conference with President Clark

First Zone Conference with President Clark

Neva River Fall 2011

Neva River Fall 2011

Visa trip, Oct 1st 2011

Visa trip, Oct 1st 2011

Oh my aching jaw...

Oh my aching jaw...

Hermitage Museum on P-day!

Hermitage Museum on P-day!

Me, Svetlana and Elder Loskutov

Me, Svetlana and Elder Loskutov

Birthday lunch with Kostya

Birthday lunch with Kostya

My friend, Grisha

My friend, Grisha

Service for Babushka

Service for Babushka

MTC Missionaries in Estonia

MTC Missionaries in Estonia

Waiting in Estonia...

Waiting in Estonia...


Visit from Elder Russell M. Nelson

Visit from Elder Russell M. Nelson

Elders Larsen and Anthony

Elders Larsen and Anthony

Our MTC teacher surprise visit!

Our MTC teacher surprise visit!


Podvodov family gave powerful talks!

Podvodov family gave powerful talks!
Pskov, Russia Branch


Vyborg Castle

Vyborg Castle

St Olaf's Castle Where We Do Service Work

St Olaf's Castle Where We Do Service Work

Beautiful Vyborg on the Sea of Finland

Beautiful Vyborg on the Sea of Finland

Vyborg

Vyborg

Misty day in Kaliningrad

Misty day in Kaliningrad

Kaliningrad District May 2010

Kaliningrad District May 2010

Russian MTC Group

Russian MTC Group

Russian MTC Zone at Provo Temple

Russian MTC Zone at Provo Temple

02 July 2010

New Investigator

Wow. I got a lot of emails from you this week. At first I was a little worried... Ha ha. First of all, I wanted to tell you that I sent off another letter last week home. It will be there hopefully next week. And Second of all, I wanted to say that I guarantee that if our mission gave out awards for who laughed the most, it would go to me and Elder Poulson. I decided early on that I would just laugh at all the mistakes I make and work on them, especially in the language... and guess what... I laugh all day! :) ( Is that a good thing or a bad thing?) Ha ha! The Lord gives us weakness that we may be humble, so that he can work through us. The Lord is definitely doing the work here. Not me. I'm just merely an instrument, who He is sharpening and refining. But the instrument is nothing without the Master. Sounds like things are pretty busy at home. Tell dad good luck for me and he has nothing to worry about. He can take anything they give him! Ha ha, and he sounds like an EXCELLENT doctor so you don't have anything to worry about. You could just come to a hospital here and have them saw it off?... Sounds like mom's doing well too. And not surprised that Lee won tickets. Not at all, miss I-have-the-contest's-number-set-on-speed-dial. Ha ha! Aubrie had her baby? That's awesome! I want to see him! Send some pictures from home with some of him if you can soon to Russia, pretty please with Skooshonka on top. (Skooshonka is sweetened condensed milk. They drink it like it is water here) So Yuri has a baptismal date!!! July 26th. It's right after the transfer, so if I leave I won't get to see it, but that's not important. Its important that he wants to get baptized. We're working with him so that he understands what this means and preparing him for it now. Today we went with 2 members (Kristina and Jenya (a he) and some twins from English club (Pasha and Allyeg) to The Spit. That's were all those twisty, dancing trees are near the sand dunes and the beach. Pasha and Allyeg are identical and they are both really funny guys. They are only a little bit interested in the church, but we are befriending them and teaching them and they are slowly becoming interested. It was really cool. That's how the work goes here in Russia. Slowly but surely. We met a bunch of Germans who rode here on a bus and speak a little english. That was cool. We have a new investigator. His name is Allyeg. Sorry about all the spelling when it comes to names! Just sound them out like the letter is usually said and that's how you say it in Russian. He lived in Colorado with a Mormon family on a foreign exchange program so he is familiar with the church and wants to learn more. He is really interested. Surprisingly because usually most people don't show that much interest. We are excited for him. He said "I really want to find truth. I've been looking for truth, have found some truths, but I'm still looking for more truths." We are really excited to teach him! Package? Won't that be kinda expensive? Don't spend too much money on me, okay? If you could send me another shirt or two (maybe a long sleeve) and a jacket that would be good. If you want, you could just send me that black zip up jacket I had before my mission. That would work. Sometimes we just want a light jacket when we are doing service work. It should still be in my room. Well, if you haven't changed it. What did you do with that room? Now I'm curious. Ha ha! Do not worry about me one single tiny bit. I'm being blessed more than I thought I could be. As the scriptures say: Angels are on my right side and my left. God has gone before me and is behind me. I'm filled with His love and His spirit. What else more do I need? Love you all! Miss you! Blake

1 comment:

  1. I loved reading the last three letters and so enjoy the descriptions and experiences. Really like that "God painted a picture..." and appreciate the sweet spiritual insights. I hope the Larsen/Andersen team happens, too. Maybe they can throw Elder Gerard in for a threesome. Thanks for sharing!!

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