Ha ha. I thought you'd like that video, mom. I don't know why but for some reason while Sister Luna was recording me, I thought that it might not be allowed. After she did it though, I thought about it and now I realized that it is okay, but that is why I didn't really talk during the video. Nervous I guess. It just caught me off guard for a minute. Sorry, Mom! How on earth does Elder Andersen send so many pictures home?? I don't know how I can with this camera. I know you miss getting pictures.
Well, this week started off pretty crazy! We got our transfers, and Elder Gerard is now Zone Leader in Center Zone! (Not surprised he went zone leader) We met with some branch members and with Sergei, Vladimir, and Alexander to say good-bye. They were all really good lessons, and they all were reluctant to see Elder Gerard leave. He is a really good missionary, and I think they all really saw that he just wanted to help them all find happiness in life. It was good serving with Elder Gerard. I will really miss him.Elder Berven from Florida is now my senior companion here in Petergof. He knows Russian really well, and he is really funny. I think he will be a good companion. Nice guy!
On Thursday, we had a visa trip again, so that is why P-day wasn't the usual and is now Saturday. We just walked around Estonia and got some food and stuff. We even made a snowman. ha ha. We got back from Estonia really late because the roads were really backed up due to accidents and snow. It was too far for both me and Elder Andersen to make it back to our areas so we had to stay the night in Peter with the South Zone Leaders. Our companions were on a split too in Elder Andersen's area. On Friday I was stuck in Peter waiting for my registration to be completed, so Elder Andersen and I did some contacting and had lunch with the zone leaders. I would like to serve with Elder Andersen some time again. He is a really hard working missionary, and I laughed so much with him! Elder Berven got sick on Friday with a really bad sore thought and cold, and can barely talk right now. So Friday night he just went to bed about 7, and I just studied and worked on the area book and did all the phone calls for Elder Berven. He still is feeling kind of miserable today... Elder Luna and I gave him a blessing and that helped though.
I got your package! Thank you for the new thermals and the cereal! The soup will come in handy too because it also helps to keep us warm. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I also got your Christmas card and one from the Hammond's and a Christmas letter from Kels. It was all a great post Christmas surprise for me! I also enjoyed the Ensign in English that you sent from Oct. General Conference. I really liked the talk by Elder Uchtdorf about slowing down and focusing on the things that are truly important in life. I think I needed to hear that because sometimes I just try to stretch myself too thin here on my mission and I forget why I'm here in Russia. I don't remember what the message it is called you I think you should read it. I enjoyed it alot and took it to heart.
Lately I've realized just how Almighty God is. I don't know how to fully describe it, but I feel it. It's amazing for me to think about how we sin so easily, and when we repent God forgives us everytime, as long as we sincerely repent. It's amazing that He provided a way to return and live with Him, receiving the blessings of exaltation and glory that we can receive by living in His presence. All sinners and all indebted to Him, always. We can try all we can to do our best to repay God back, but we will always be indebted because He continually blesses us... And that is what love is. It's continually giving to others. It's focusing on others. It's sharing your time and your energy for others. Service for others.
Sounds like Cody is having fun in Conneticut. Tell him good luck for me! One year?!!!!!
Can you please do me a favor and contact B.P. for me somehow and tell him a little how I'm doing? Ask Karl to read my blog and pass along to B.P.? He emails me sometimes like today and tries to talk to me, I feel bad but I'm not allowed to email him back. I don't want him to think that I forgot about him though as I miss B.P.!
Well, gotta run.
Love you all. Miss ya! Keep smiling. Be of Good Cheer!
From Russia with Love,
Blake
From Russia with Love,
Blake
What a great letter. He's got a positive attitude and a sweet testimony. Thanks!
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