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

08 February 2011

Miracles don't bring faith...Faith Brings Miracles.



Well Hello There!
How is everything at home? Sounds like things have been pretty quiet back there other than blizzard's/ weddings and stuff. That's super weird that Brock and Maddie are getting married. I did not know that they were even dating? I just barely got Steph's wedding invite in the mail after 2 months because it had a big stamp on the envelope that said  "MISSENT TO SIERRE LIONE." The guy is either really tall, or Steph is standing on a lower step than he is in their picture? ha ha.  Tell her thank you and a big Congratualtions from me, and also to Brock and Maddie. Marty is in Houston? Isn't that were Ricky is? Maybe I'm confused. Either way, that is really cool that he is out on is mission now.

I pray for you all back home, and my friends on missions often. I know that things will work out, we just need to show our patience and faith in the Lord so He can bless us. God will not bless us if we don't show faith. Christ himself said among the people of Nazareth that he could not do any miracle among them because of the lack of their faith, and we learn in the Book of Ether that miracles come after the trial of your faith. Miracles don't bring faith, Faith Brings Miracles.

Keep on plugging with those resumes, Dad. I'm really sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well, Mom. Wish I could help more than just my prayers. How's news with everyone else? Meleea? Cole? KB? How's Forest Gump doing? Is his hip feeling a little better? How's my Millie? I'm REALLY glad to hear that Kelsey's mom is doing better! I was really worried for there for a second.

This last week was a busy week. We had a really good meeting with Sergei about baptism, what it means, why we do it, etc. He told us that he has a desire to be baptized, but doesn't want to rush in to things quite yet. He wants to gain a testimony that is strong first, because he still doesn't quite know for sure yet if this church is true. He asked us how we know, and we shared our testimonies about the Book of Mormon, living propehts and personal revelation that comes through prayer with our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. He said he will read more and pray, and he is already reading it, so we are excited. I know that SOMEDAY he will come to the knowledge of the Gospel. I Know It.  Also an investigator who has been having problems with alcohol, has finally made a plan to quit and is working with us to do so. We are really excited about that! I'm glad to be serving with Elder Bervan. He is pretty much my clone because we like all the same things and have the same personality. Good team we are.

On Tuesday, we couldn't get a meeting, so we were contacting and trying to find members of the Church that hadn't been there in a while when an little old lady came up to us asking us where an address was? We soon found out that she had a bad memory (maybe Alzheimers or something), her name was Katia and had wandered away from home and was looking for it. We helped her find her house, but it took about an hour. She kept getting confused and wanting to turn back, even though we knew exactly the address were she said she lived. Her neighbor saw her coming and helped her the rest of the way home. I worry what would have happened to that grandma if we hadn't helped her, as it was getting dark by the time we brought her home and that night was really cold... I'm sure that wasn't an accident, and I thank the Lord for showing me that He remembers every one of His children, from the youngest baby to the oldest grandma Babushka, and wants us to help Him bless them and keep them safe.

On Wednesday we had a great Zone Conference, and we had President Manjas (don't know how to spell his name in English) come and talk to us about the importance of working with the members to of the wards to do missionary work. It was really good! I want to invite everyone at home to work with the missionaries in your wards and branches, because you are all very big assets to the missionaries, and I know I that I want to help the missionaries after my mission. I know the importance of it now.

What else is new here?  Elder Berven and I successfully made carrort cake the other day, along with tacos and pizza. I'll be sending Dad's birthday letter in the mail today, so be looking for it!

I've got to wrap it up. I love you all! Stay safe! Peace be unto you! Keep smiling! Be of Good Cheer!

GOD BE WITH YOU TIL WE MEET AGAIN.

Love,
BLake

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