This Week's Email...

Hello... I'd like to order a pizza please. Oh wait, this is an email...

Well, it sounds like you got the right Elder Bervan. Ha ha. He definitely has a big SMILE and is a happy guy!  He is already one of my favorite companions. Really good missionary, good with people, really fun and happy and doesn't take crap from people, etc. which is good! He speaks PERFECT Russian, I swear. Dadgummit, how did he get so good?  He's only a couple transfers older than I am too.  Don't worry Mom, we laugh alot! You ask me that every email.... We laugh and we are happy and having fun! Don't worry about me. :) Really. That's really cool that you talked to Sister LeBaron. I didn't know her very well, and that is probably why she thought that I was a quiet kid because we never really had a chance to talk to each other. From what I know about her though she is pretty nice and friendly though! Last transfer was my first transfer with sisters in my district, so I don't really know any of the sisters in the mission very well.

That picture of Cody was awesome! I didn't know that his companion is African American and when I saw him, I immediately thought about the wonderful Ghana Africans that we taught here and got jealous of Cody. I know it's not quite the same, but that's what I thought of. Good people. I know that Cody is having fun teaching with his companion.

That is ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE what happened to Kelsey's mom! Tell her that she is in my prayers. How often do you talk with Kels? Truly, tell her from me that I know that everything will be okay.

This last week was a busy week, and an eventful week with a split with the Zone Leaders, meetings with President, and I got sick... I will explain in a minute. We had to go to St. Petersburg on Monday and it was super busy there with alot of people so we pretty much were at the office or traveling all day... I did get KB's card for Christmas while I was there though! Tell Kiddo thanks from me! We had a split, and I was in Petergof with Elder Beck from California. He is a really cool kid! I think I've told you about him already? He is quite a funny kid and good missionary. We had a meeting with a couple of older ladies who are investigating the church and we watched the movie about the Restoration with them. We shared our testimonies and read in the Book of Mormon with them. They are really nice, sweet little ladies but they don't really understand what we are trying to teach them. They really believe in God though and they are such wonderful people. Good lesson in general and I enjoyed it.

I got sick on Saturday with a migraine... first one in about a year. I jinxed myself last week when I was telling you that I had not got sick for a while. It quickly when away by the end of the day so I was up and doing missionary work on Sunday, but on Saturday we couldn't really do much. I think I will be fine, but please pray for me that they don't come back like they used to. I think I might have got sick from some anti-worm pills that they have us take every now and then, just incase our filters don't get everything out of the water. I've heard a few other missionaries had some side-effects too.

Tell Karl hi for me, and thanks for putting up with me, BP and Cody before we all went on missions! Also tell Cody P. and Heidi congratultions on the baby for me! BP is going to be an uncle again. That is crazy awesome!

I looked for a birthday card for dad, but I couldn't find one that I liked for him. I will be sending some letters soon. That makes me sad that you and Cole never got those two letters that I sent. I did sent them before I sent Lee's card, so I blame the mail systems. Haha.

Next week we will be in Peter for Zone Conference, so P-day will be on Friday next week,  just so you know and don't worry.

It's starting to get colder here after a period of a little bit warmer weather. Everyone says about now is when it is going to start getting really cold. I think these thermals I got will do the trick though. Thanks again for sending them.

Yesterday, Elder Bervan and I had a really cool meeting with Sergei. We planned on talking about the Plan of Salvation, but he just wanted to talk about baptism. He said he is still waiting for an answer if this church is true, but he wanted to know what he should do if (when, I say) he finds his answer, what he needs to do. We talked about how baptism is a promise with God, what it symbolizes, and what we get after baptism through the gift of the Holy Ghost. I KNOW someday that Sergei will find the answer that this is true. He is a good guy!

Don't worry about me at all. I'm happy and well. I promise. I love you and miss you all and know that Jesus is the Christ who died for our sins and through Him and Him only can we return to our Heavenly Father and enjoy the blessings of Exaltation.  

Keep Smiling! Peace be with you! Be of Good Cheer!
Love
Blake.

~ Double click on the background to start music...

Last week's email...

Elder Bervan is feeling much better now, so I know that your prayers helped him. No I didn't get sick either. It's crazy, before my mission I used to get sick with migraines all the time, but when I got set apart, President Eckman blessed me to be healthy during my mission. In the MTC, I got a bad migraine and Elder Andersen blessed me to not have migraines on my mission, and now the only thing that I have had on my mission is a head cold that didn't really even make me feel sick, but was just a little annoying.

I'm glad Lee got my card! I wasn't sure if I had put enough postage on it. I will be sending one soon for Dad's birthday, too, so be ready! ha ha. Maybe this time I won't translate the Russian on it and that will be your Russian homework assignment. ha ha.

The weather here in Petergof is still pretty cold, but it's warmed up a little bit than it has been.  Everyone always says they get a warm spell, and then the coldest part of winter comes at end of Januray or early February, so we'll be looking to see that. I want to see it! Bring it on! Those thermals that you sent are really good, lots better than the Under Armour. They were made more for standing and walking and I think the Under Armour is more for running. I haven't been wearing the 180's because I need to wear a hat to cover my head, and if I wear both it's too hot. They will definitely be worn when it is warmer.

Elder Bervan is a sweet companion! We have alot in common, and he has a good sense of humor. He works hard, speaks Russian WAY good, and just is a good missionary/person in general. We like all the same kind of music, hobbies, movies etc, too. He is very easy to get a long with and we are having a good time.  We haven't really been able to meet with any investigators yet due to the Elder Bervan was sick, I had to go for visa trip, and we had a missionary training in Pete's on Tuesday. We have a meeting with Alexander tommorrow though, so pray for Alexander and for us to be able to help him.

The scriptures you sent for Noble got here, but another missionary's mom sent some too, so the one's you sent are being given to another African here. (I think his name is Cheapo. no joke that is his name) Either way, they are being given to someone who needs them and will use them. :)

Poor Forest! Why is the surgery so expensive for his hip?  Forest is a tough dog, so he will be okay. Who knows, it might get better on it's own soon. Just gotta have faith to heal! (I hope you can teach a dog to have faith. The Gospel is for every creature you know)

That's crazy to think that Elders Poulson and McCleary are going home so soon! Elder Poulson trained me and Elder McCleary trained Elder Andersen... I remember being with him and him saying that is was his year mark, and I thought that was so long still to go and now he's already going home... Crazy. Are you going to go to Washington to hear Elder McCleary?

Time sure is flying by, and I will be home before you know it!  Soon it will be my year mark on my mission... What is going on? ha ha.  Time sure is a precious gift that we need to learn how to use while we are here on this earth. I don't think I realized that until I came on my mission.

 I've learned a lot of things on my mission, but it would take to long to write them, but all the things I have learned stems from the facts that God is our Heavenly Father and He loves us! He made a plan to learn and grow on this earth, He never does anything to hinder us, but only to help us grow. He knows everything and He is always there, even when we feel like we are far from Him. He loves us so much! He gave us the agency and ability to chose for ourselves, which means we have the ability in participating in our own creation... WE get to choose who we will become.  If we want to become a Son or  Daughter of God. If we follow His teachings, we talk with our Father through prayer, and we apply the things He tells us in our lives, just like a father here on earth teaches his kid to ride a bike or helps a baby learn to walk. I hope that someday I will learn to walk like God. Sin makes us crawl though, and we need to everyday repent of our sins, and ask our Father to help us stand, and to support us as we walk.

 Keep Smiling! Peace be with you! Be of Good Cheer!


Love,
Blake.

Crazy Busy Week!

Hello!!
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

NOT in any way affiliated with AZT or Mega Site Bible Group.

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Happy Russian Christmas!

Happy Russian Christmas!!!
Today is when the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas here.

Well, since New Year's is the biggest Russian holiday and they pretty much celebrate it for 2 weeks, transfers have been messed up and this transfer is going to be a week longer, next transfer will be a week shorter, so I will be finding out on Monday if I'm transfered. I truly hope that I can maybe stay here with Elder Gerard, because I feel like I just finally know the area and love it. It has been great being companions with him! We will see though...

All the kids loved the stickers, rings, bracelets, cool rubber bands, etc. that you sent, Mom! They thought I was the coolest missionary ever... I told them that you sent me all this stuff to give to them, and they said, well she is the coolest missionary mom ever then! Thank you!

New Year's was really fun here, but REALLY weird. We were allowed to stay up and watch the fireworks that EVERYONE does here at midnight, so pretty much everywhere around the apartment of the Z.L.'s we heard fireworks ALL night. We played Phase 10, and made ourselves sick on Christmas candy. Elder Gerard and I found out how to make a really good homemade pizza at the Z.L's, so we had homemade pizza too like you did back home!

New Year's day we went to one of the buildings the church owns here with our whole district, including Elder Punderson!! Happy he is back! The sisters made lots of food, and we just watched movies until 5, when we had to be back home. That was fun. The streets were EMPTY on New Year's, and I didn't feel like a missionary, for a minute. I then wrote Lee a letter, and I finally will be able to send it off today. (And I HAVE sent more than 3 letters... Probably didn't get to you?)

This week was pretty hard as far as meeting with investigators. Sergei said he didn't want to meet again just yet... He said he is still thinking things over and we gave him alot of information to think about. He said he wasn't meeting but just not right now, especially during the holiday season. Vladimir and Alexander both said no or didn't show when we set up appointments, so we did a LOT of contacting... ONE day we probably walked about 10 miles just for contacting....

I sure hope that K.B. is COMPLETELY over her croup!! That's awful! I'm very glad to hear that she is okay. I'll pray for her as I always do. Miss her!

Glad to hear that Lee had a fun birthday! Dance at the U.? Cool, cool! Who did she go with to dinner and the dance? I found a funny b-day card here in Russian, and translated it for her. HOPE SHE GETS THIS LETTER.

No I don't think that the hat, and scarf are dorky. They are plenty warm too. Thank you! You don't need to send more.  I usually were the scarf only wrapped around once and tucked in my coat, because since I'm already wearing a tie and the coat is also big, if I wrap it arond more than once it looks like I have a goiter or something! Ha ha.

Congratulations on a year mark, Cody!!! Mine will be in a month! That is so crazy!?

Don't worry Mom. I'm healthy, happy, and SMILING like Grandpa used to say to you! My letters are probably getting shorter just because I don't have as many things going on like I did, and also because President has been asking us to write more to him about our areas and investigators, so he can know how to help us better, so my letters to him have been a bit bigger.

Well, I love you all back home! I know that things get tough, but they just make me appreciate the small things in life more. Like when someone gives you a smile, or just realizing that I'm ME, and the Lord LOVES ME just the way I am. And since He loves me the way I am, I just want to make myself better and help others do this too, so we are more worthy of the Heavenly Love that He gives us! We will always owe him for this love, and I will always be grateful for that.

Peace be with you! Be of Good Cheer! Keep SMILING!!
LOVE,
Blake

Appreciate all the letters and support on my mission!

Yellow!! It was great to talk to you on Saturday. Everything is a blur, as our day was pretty busy on Christmas. I feel like I talked about nothing with you guys... Ha ha. Hope you liked talking with me anyway... Code said that you think I have an accent?... I don't believe it. ha ha. Often here people ask Elder Gerard and I if we are from Estonia or the Baltics, and say our accents are alike like their accents.  They think that my face looks like someone from the Baltics too... I still think I look very American and sound very American.

Please tell Grandma, Grandpa, and Liz "Spa-si-bah" for the Christmas cards. They came on Monday and were both very nice. I really appriciate their support for me on my mission, along with my family's of course. I don't know if I told that Paige Andersen also sent me a card? Tell her thanks too! That was really nice of her. Still waiting on your card you sent?

On Tuesday we had a really good meeting with Sergei. We FINALLY taught him all of the first lesson, as he is the kind of guy that asks a lot of questions. That's a good thing though. That means he wants to find the truth and wants to understand what we are saying. He really liked when we read the story of Jospeh Smith, and how he read in James 1:5 that you can ask God directly if something is true, or if you lack wisdom, that if we ask with real intent, we can all find the truth. He said he believes that our message is true, but he isn't sure if it is the only true church on the earth. We told him that we both have received this knowledge, and felt the power of the Holy Ghost testify that it is true, and that he can too. He said that he will definitely ask God if it is true. We haven't been able to talk to him since that meeting, but it was a really good.

Today we have a meeting with Vladimir, a long time investigator who can't give up smoking/drinking. He has a good testimony and accepts everything, just needs help with his addiction. I admire people who are trying to give addictions up. I've never really realized how hard it was until I came on my mission and saw peolple struggle with that kind of thing. I never was around that stuff before my mission, and I realized how much of a blessing that was. We know Vladimir can do it, and we know that the Lord will help him.

Tomorrow and the day after we will be staying with the zone leaders, as New Years here gets pretty crazy. We aren't allowed to be on the streets, so it will be a day of studying, writing letters, etc.

Just barely got your letter and only have 10 minutes left to type. Don't worry mom, I'm staying warm as I can be. I'm usually hot from all the layers, except my legs. They usually are still pretty cold!! Thank you for the other package, and I know you like to do that for me, but really you don't need to send me lots of stuff. I'm okay.

Well. Gotta run. Tell Lee HHHHHHAAAAPPPPPYYYY BBBBBBIIIIIIRRRRTTTTHHDDDDDAAAAYYYY!!!! on New Years!!! Remember, you are all in my prayers, and that the Lord is always around. I love you all alot and miss you! We'll see each other again before you know it.

Love,
Blake
aka....
Elder Blake T. Larsen

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hello!!!

First I must say a MERRY CHRISTMAS to Dad, Mom, Cole, Meleea, Cody, Kallie, Millie, Forest, and even Gracie... ha ha.

Well, it's Christmas time!!! I think that I will be calling about 10 AM YOUR TIME or so... If I can we will earlier, but we don't know. On Christmas, Elder Gerard and I will be in St. Petersburg for a baptism, since Elder Gerard is District Leader. Nobel, one of the Africans is getting baptized!!! He is a stud. We were in Peter yesterday for his interview, and he passed with flying colors. Then later we had a lesson with him and his roommates, and they are all SO blessed!! What great people! They have a great spirit about them. Then David, another African said the closing prayer in Twi, one of the languages in Ghana. That's a CRAZY language. It is SO COOL! Nobel is SO ready to be baptized. All of them are, they just need to get the documents. Then we are heading straight back to Petergof because The branch is having a Christmas Party which we are trying to get some investigators to come to, but if they say no, then we will be calling earlier. Expect my call about 9 or 10 in the morning for the time range... As far as I know I'm not allowed to call Cody and that makes me sad... :( Elder Gerard and I are buying some international calling cards today, so it shouldn't cost you anything.  Can't wait!

We had a very nice Christmas Party on Tuesday! We had some training before, and then we had a great dinner of potatoes, vegetables, porkchops, and a fruit/jello dessert thing, all done by Sister Podvodova and Sister Luna.  It was really good! They are good cooks!  After we had a white elephant. I gave a rechargeable flashlight,  I received some Christmas lights to string in the apartment, and some chocolate. Then each district performed a musical number.  Our district sang Jingle Bells and We Wish you a Merry Christmas and we danced. I'm sure Sister Luna got a video and will send it to you. Ha ha! Sisters Bryshtel and Wise bought all the Elders in our district Christmas ties that play a song, and we wore them while being dressed up like Santa Clauses. It was really fun! We saw Elder Andersen too!! GOOD day! 

MOM! You sent way too much stuff! You didn't need to do that. Of course I will be sharing with everyone.  All the packages got here, including the one you sent for Sisters Luna/Bryshtel. They were both very surprised and pleased. Thank you for everything! THANK YOU... I worry that you spent too much on us here... :)  Thank you for all the candy and the warm clothes you sent! I might be giving the PJ's to someone else, because they are a bit short to be honest... maybe I've grown a little on my mission... Elder McCleary and Andersen are putting together a gift box for Nobel... maybe I'll give them to him.

That is absolutely terrible what happened to Kelsey's mom, and her whole family! Tell her that she is in my prayers and give her my love!. I wish I could talk to her and help, but the most I can do is send this email. I do know that Christ is always there for her to lean on if she will ask Him. ALWAYS.

Remember the Lord is in control. He loves all His Children. Remember that Jesus Christ came into the world to provide a way to save all of the children of God. He has all power, and He shows His power through service and love. He is our perfect example. He set up His church, and His doctrines. When people changed His doctrines, and there was total confusion about what the true teachings fo Christ were, He again established His chruch on earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and He still leads this church today, and forever. I'm glad to be a missionary during this Christmas to help my Lord continue the work that He did when He came into this world over 2,000 years ago.

Love you all! Stay strong! Remember the Savior! Peace be unto you! Be of Good Cheer!
Love
Blake!!!

Be of Good Cheer!

Hello! I'm happy and doing well here in Petergof!

Well, what to say about this week?... It was kind of uneventful to tell you the truth... Except yesterday. We had a meeting with Sergei, but then he called and said that it wasn't going to work out today. So Elder Gerard and I called for a long time former investigators/ members who hadn't been to church in a while to see if we could meet, but we couldn't find any home. So we went out contacting for a little bit, when the Zone Leaders called and said that we had to be home because there was going to be a riot in St. Petersburg or something, and police we going to be involved. So we were just inside playing chess and studying the whole night, because we had already called practically everyone in the area books... We haven't heard anything about the "riot" or if it actually went through yet. It was still really quiet in Petergof.

Next week on the 21 will be a mission Christmas party.  North and South zone are going to all be together, and then center zone will be on 22. That means Elder Andersen will be coming down from K-grad. He's jealous that Elder Gerard and I get to serve together. Ha ha. :) It will be funny to see his reaction. Ah, we love Elder Andersen! Elder Gerard is a really good missionary. He speaks Russian well (or at least better than me!), works hard, is organized, and happy. Good companion!

Wow, that's crazy that Bishop Rose is now 1st Counsellor. ha ha. And my "Pa" is 2nd counsellor? (President Chidister was my Trek Pa). Tell them good luck for me! I know they will do well. Let me know who the new Bishopric is going to be too! Things sure are changing back home. I don't know if I'll recoginze anything when I get back. Kallie will be bigger, backyard is (more) done, friends will be married, new people in the ward.  It will be exciting to see.

So I don't know if I can call Cody either for Christmas... I was talking with Elder Andersen when I was on the split with him. He also has a twin on a mission in the Moscow West mission, who right now is in Kazikstan. Last year he asked President if it was okay to call him seperate than his family and he said no.  I think to be able to talk to Cody, the only way is to both of us call at the same time and have a 3 way connection on the phone and that may be impossible... Any other ideas?  We have one more P-day inbetween then, so let me know what is going on. Sad!

Scripture of the day: 3 Nephi 5:13. (Elder Gerard and I are trying to memorize one verse a day in Russian) :)

Tell everyone Hi for me!

Well, I gotta run. Thanks for your love and support from everyone back home. Your letters and emails mean a lot to me! Please tell everyone to write more! I know that God loves all His children, and that when we try to do what is right, with all our heart, God makes up the rest and we can accomplish miracles. It's important to  recogize the miracles in our lives everyday, because a day you don't recognize a miracles from God is the day your faith is weakened, and miracles cease only because of lack of faith.

Praying for you all, working hard, learing a lot. It's hard sometimes, but we can't know joy without pain, and we can't receive a result without putting something into it.

"...You cannot bear all things now, but be of good cheer, I will lead you along..." - Jesus Christ (somewhere in doctrine and covenants seventy something)

Love!
Blake

St. John 16:33

Howdy! Well this last week has been a little warmer than the weeks before, but only because it hasn't been straight snowing and blowing everywhere... And we live right by the water, so the wind from the ocean can just blow straight through your coat, no matter how big it is... I got a nice, good coat that goes down past my waist. It is warm, don't worry, Mom! Also the boots I brought are good too, in fact sometimes a little too hot... They are probably the biggest boots in the mission, and President makes fun of me for it. :) Ha ha! This past week was pretty good! I served two days in the city with Elder Christopher Andersen from Magna, UT. (There are 3 Andersen's here) He is our zone leader along with Elder McCleary. It was really good! Elder Andersen is a really good missionary, VERY happy and polite and laughs alot. We went and had a meeting with 3 African investigators (in English!)and with an African member. They are all from Ghana, and waiting to receive their documents so they can all get baptized. They understand the Gospel really well, and you can just feel the Spirit so strong when we were there! We talked about Faith in Christ, and it was probably one of the best if not the best lesson I've ever seen. They are all so excited to be baptized! Afterwords, one of them told us "You know, thanks for comin over all dees times an sharin da good word o' God to ma brudas. You guys don't see color, just soul, and we all ar' brudas in soul." (I love African accents. Wish I had one.) They are so right, we are all family in Soul... :) Great people! Me and Elder Gerard had a good meeting with a former investigator who has recently wanted to learn more again. He wants to get baptized, but has problems with giving up alcohol and drugs, and he doesn't want his repentance to be fake, but a true, full repentance where he will never do it again. He said he wants to get baptized, but he is not ready. He will meet with us often he said though. We talked about Christ overcomeing the world and that through Him, we can too. We shared with him St. John 16:33, which has become one of my favorite scriptures~ "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  I love the book, Jesus the Christ by James Talmage. I've only a chapter and a half left and then I'm done with reading it. He does just an extensive study of the New Testament, comparing scriptures and showing the importance of the Book of Mormon and the true doctrine of Christ. I've read the Book of Mormon again twice so far on my mission, and I'm attempting to read it again, but this time only in Russian. The Book of Mormon is amazing!
ANYONE who will ask God with a real intent to know if this book is true, will receive without a doubt an overwhelming joy of emotions, telling not just the brain, but the SOUL, the heart, that it is true! And if it's true, Joseph Smith was a prophet, and if that is true, than our Church is run by God, proving that the scriptures are true, that God doesn't change, that He lead His church in ancient days, but also leads His church today, thus He is an Unchanging God, like the scriptures say. I can testify of this with all my heart and being, but when it all comes down to it, every person has to choose to find out for themselve and ask God. What better source to go to?! When we are sick, we ask a doctor, when we want to learn to cook, we ask a cook. When we want to find God, WE ASK GOD! Amazing the power of Prayer in our lives!!!! God talks directly with us through the Holy Ghost, and we can literally say that WE KNOW THE TRUTH because GOD has told us. 


Well, My time is up... I want to wish you all the best of luck. I would say "God be with you til we meet again", but I know that He is ALWAYS with us, WE just forget to be with Him. Remember faith brings miracles, miracles don't bring faith. Love you all! "Peace be unto thee!"

Merry Christmas!! 
Elder Blake T. Larsen Старейшина Блейк Т. Ларсен

Branch Made Thanksgiving Dinner for Us!

Dear Everyone, Thanksgiving here in Russia was pretty good! We were able to eat with the branch, where they made chicken and salads and stuff. It was quite different than an American Thanksgiving, but it was still very good!! So nice of them! The branch shared there testimonies about why they are thankful to the Lord this year, and I felt the Spirit so strongly. The branch here is only about 20-25 active members, so the majority shared their testimony. I really like the branch in Petergof. Sister Aumister (the Branch President's wife, they are from Estonia) even knew how to make a pumpkin pie!!!! Awesome!! Elder Gerard is a stud, and speaks straight fluent Russian!! We noticed that we learned a lot more when we had Russian companions, so we are trying to only speak in English when absolutely necessary. Elder Gerard knows lots of words, and he is a great missionary! I'm glad, grateful to be serving with him right now. I don't want to hear anyone complain that it is cold unless they are living in Russia!!! It's so cold and humid here that your face just stings from the cold after a while, and I swear even my boogers are frozen!!! I bought a good coat, had to buy another scarf because I lost mine in the Metro, (maybe stolen) and bought a good hat. The only thing that I am still looking for are thermals. I'll keep looking. Don't worry Mom, we are eating well. I do have to say I have lost 15 lbs. since I came to Russia, though. I lost all the MTC weight and then some. We actually have a Mission Rule that we have to eat 5 vegetables a day, so we eat a lot of vegetables and fruits and stuff. I will do the math and figure out the time differences when I will be calling for Christmas. I want to call when K.B. is there. Tell our cute little monkey thank you for the monkey E-card. It made me laugh! Also tell Kelsey thanks for the pics. She sent me a few with just a quick note. Is that Liz? She looks different to me. Oh and thanks for the picture of Nate. That's last week in England? Here EVERYWHERE is frozen! I sent a letter to Cole the other day, so hope he gets it soon. I never hear from him. Dad? Pancakes!! That would be pretty cool! How long would that be? Well, the work here is hard because we don't really have any investigators who want to meet with us, and we contact alot in the freezing cold weather. We did have a good meeting with a man named Sergei in the next city over who is really interested in the message though, and is already reading the Book of Mormon and the Bible. He had been sick after that though, and haven't been able to meet with him again. Pray for Sergei and his wife! They are really cool people, and the Gospel would bless them so much! We're trying hard to find people, but sometimes you have to search a long time I guess. I know that this church is true and that God loves us. His power and mercy are incomprehensable, and His love is insurmountalbe. He is the God of the Living, and all who come to Him will live again, on this side of the veil and on the other side where people have gone through the ordained change we call death. He loves us ALL! I'm glad to be a part of sharing this love with the people of Russia, who I am coming to love with all my heart, even if they are a little rough around the edges at times. They have the same heart as anyone else if you can break the walls down they sometimes put up. That might not just be a Russian thing, I think that is everywhere around the world. Remember I love you all back home too though!
 Peace be unto you! From Russia with Love, Blake

Happy Thanksgiving!

Alrighty. Well, I had to leave Vyborg, which was really hard! I really grew to love the people there, and I'm going to miss them a lot... I felt like I was saying goodbye to a second home in a way. But this transfer is going to be good here. :) I'm serving with Elder Gerard from the MTC Trifecta!!! Way excited!!! He's a stud. Also there are lots of parks, old castles, famous palaces like Peter's Palace and the Summer Palace. We are near the water seperating Finland and Russia too. I've only been here a day, but I already like it here... Maybe I'll like it as much as Vyborg... Maybe. ha ha. Nikolay is the Elder's Quorum President in Vyborg. He's a very nice guy, and a really strong member here in Russia. He and his wife just recently had a baby. It meant a lot to read what he said... Makes me miss Vyborg already! ha ha. Ha ha. -2 degrees? That's everyday right now here in Russia... I bought a scarf and gloves here already, when me and Elder Gerard were buying groceries, and after internet I will go and buy a coat. Winter is just starting! ha ha. Random side note, they play American Christmas songs in the store here. :) Snowing constantly here, and ice is everywhere. Tell Kallie to she's just so sweet, she's rotting her teeth! ha ha. (Bu-dum ching). Seriously though, not good to hear. Did you take her to Tom? Tell Lee sorry about the doctor appointment! That sounds horrible!!! I miss her too! I pray for her often, and I hope she gets feeling better soon! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our thanksgiving dinner will be sausage and bread and cheese. ha ha. The branch is actually celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow here, but me and Elder Gerard can't eat with them I think, due to the rule because so many missionaries had been getting sick... Rule still hasn't changed. We will find out though. I got a letter from Liz, a letter from Booth, and a letter from a Sister Hemelinina that I met in the MTC from Vyborg. Her mom isn't a member of the church and isn't really interested in joining, but she misses her daughter a lot and Elder Domansky and I made friends with her. Sister Hemelinina wrote to say thanks for just being friendly missionaries with her mom, and that she mentions us a lot in her emails. :) Cody in a new area? I see he has a new companion. When is he planning on calling for Christmas? We can call either the 24th, or the 25th here in Russia. Could you tell Karl to pass a long some info about how I'm doing to BP, or maybe you could? He emailed me and asked me how I'm doing. It's been forever since I've talked to him. Things aren't always easy on my mission, but the Lord blesses me a lot, and I'm happy! Since it's Thanksgiving, just wanted to say thanks to everyone at home and who have supported me. My family, friends, and even complete strangers have helped me on my mission.
I love you all! Love you! Be of good cheer! Love, Blake

S*N*O*W*!

I woke up with that song in my head and looked out the window to S*N*-Y*E*G!!!!!!!!!! (That's SNOW!) It made me happy. I love snow!!!! Right now the weather is like what we usually have in January back in Utah. I will buy a new coat soon though for the winter... Just haven't had time to yet! Yesterday we were in Peter because Elder Domanskiy had a meeting for all the district leaders, and I was on a split with Elder Justin Jacob Way from Casper, Wyoming. He is a redheaded, cowboy version of B.P. I miss B.P.!(Even looks a little bit like him. Ha ha!) We went and tried to have a meeting with a guy in his area, but he dogged us, so we just contacted. Elder Way is a funny guy! LOVES to tell stories and has a story for everything.... So I heard you met Yana... She says she sees you comment on a lot of stuff and she "thinks you're a cute mom." She is a nice girl here in the branch who speaks almost perfect English. She helps the missionaries out a lot. I love it here but still miss home. Sometimes people can be gruff. Russian culture- don't say please or thank you or "will you", it's always, hurry up, speak up, give it to me, etc. (Welcome to Russia) VERY direct, demanding people, but they don't think anything of it because that's how they grew up... I hope I don't pick that up here though...Still they can be wonderful and I have great friends. I got your Thanksgiving card! Thank you so much! It feels like forever since I have seen something Holidayish. I know I'm going to miss Thanksgiving and Christmas this year back home! Russian Christmas is on January 6th (because the Russian Orthodox Church said so), but the Church here still celebrates it on December 25th. Please don't send me too stuff to Russia for Christmas, as it is expensive. I want you all back home to do something fun instead of worrying about sending stuff to me! I already have the greatest gift of the Spirit with me right now. My emails have been getting shorter because President wants us to include more in our letters to him, because missionaries aren't giving him enough information. My emails home are still 3 times longer than Cody's. ha ha! That's GREAT to hear about Dad with the (potential) job(s)! Also it's cool to hear that Code is district leader! Millie was hungry, wasn't she? ;) How are Lee and Cole and KB? I just wanted to say thank you and a hello to all the people who have helped me before my mission. Special hello to Sandy Mustell in Alaska! Oh rats, time is almost out dang it! Gotta run!! Love, Blake

Click on a post to start music...

20th Anniversary.

Privyet!!! (Hi!!!) Here I am on yet another wet and rainy day in Vyborg, sitting in the library. It doesn't feel like P-day already. Sunday was the 20th Year the Church has been in St. Petersburg, so the Vyborg branch was there for church. It was cool! Some of the first members of the church in Russia bore their tesimonies, as well as the President of the Helsinki Temple. It was also cool to see and hear how the church started here. Made me realized how young the church is here, about the time I was born was when it was started. Weird to think! Got your letter with info about Nate R. and Elder Andersen. I laughed really hard when I read his story! It's SO Russian! ha ha. Also finally got a letter from Nate Booth. It takes over a month to send letters, since he is on the complete opposite side of the world in Chile. Do you talk to his mom at all? I wish I could hear from him more... It's starting to get colder here, and today we looked at coats for me to buy. Coats here range from 2000 to 3500 rubles. The coat I brought here is definitely not going to be warm enough... I'm really excited for our investigators Igor and Elena! Igor is progressing really well, and I hope he will be ready for the baptismal date next week. Elena still needs to work things out with her living situations, as she is not married to the person she is living with, but she is a great lady and really understands the restoration of the Gospel and wants to be baptized. The man is not interested in learning the gospel... Please pray for them. To be completely honest, I've been a little home sick lately... I'm happy, just miss things at home. Russia isn't the same as home. People are a lot more gruff and direct here... Not to mention I don't perfectly speak there language, if at all adequately. I know the Lord is with me and I am happy though! Sorry to here about Code. Tell him that I'm rootin for him! He's in my prayers. I'll send him a little letter real quick after this. So the other day we went to the hospital because one of the members requested that we come and give his mom a blessing. First of all, must say that Russian hospitals are pretty clean, but pretty GHETTO. We came in and there were 6 beds in this tiny room, each with an elderly lady on them. The member asked everyone if it was okay if we gave his mom a blessing, and explained what we would do. Everyone said that we could, and that was fine. So I annointed and Elder Domanskiy blessed. Some visitors were there and wanted to watch. The spirit was there during the blessing and it was a cool experience. One of the ladies wasn't happy that we didn't cross ourselves, but we explained why we don't. Overall is was a good experience. Well... Gotta run. Sorry about the less eventful letter... I just don't want to write the same old thing everyweek. Any questions for me to answer about Russia? Gotta Run. Times up! Love, Blake

Busy! Not much time this week.

From Russia with Love... Bond. James Bond.... Er... I mean Elder Blake Larsen. Hello! This has been a pretty good week! On Tuesday we were in Petersburg for Zone Conference and it was really good. President Podvodov talked about the importance of showing love and showing faith when you are teaching and contacting people. It was very good. It was also the first Zone Conference where I felt like I understood everything that President Podvodov said. :) My Russian is coming along slowly but surely! I even understood what Sister Podvodova said, and she talks really fast! ha ha. Elder Domankskiy and I are already seeing better success talking to people and during the few lessons we had by applying what we learned. In essence, it was a good Zone Conference. I got your letter and the Halloween card! Thanks a lot! I can't wait to see pictures you talked aout the back yard. I also got my first letter from Nate Reidhead in Grimsby, England. It sounds like he is having a blast, and his companion is from WB Ha ha! We have 2 really great investigators right now: Igor and Elena. Igor is from Latvia and works in Italian restaurant. He loves our church, and we set a baptismal date with him! I think I might have told you about him already. Elena is a woman who we taught the first lesson to last week, and today we watched the First Vision DVD at the branch with her (and that is why we are late sending emails). She totally accepted it, and she already has been reading the Book of Mormon and says that it is true. She is living with someone who she is not married to though, but she said she would talk to him about changing that. She has a 6 year old girl named Masha who reminds me of K.B. Very polite little girl who loves to draw. :) (Miss our K.B.!) Please keep them in your prayers! They are such great people. Today it was raining and the wind was blowing so hard that it broke my umbrella. I had to buy a new one today. Also we have to start using P-day time to contact, because President doesn't want us to contact in the dark, and we have a goal for each companionship to make 20 contacts a day. Sorry to hear everyone is sick at home. :( Wish I could help somehow, but the only thing I can do is keep you all in my prayers, which I will of course. That's MY MILLIE. She'll still be ready to run with me when I get home!... Get me back in shape. I'm slowly losing weight... Don't know why. Maybe I'm losing muscle or something... Or fat, but everyone says I'm too skinny so I don't know if it is that. Keep me informed on Elder Punderson. Knowing him, he will be up and back here before we know it! He is a really good guy, good missionary. Very good leader! Sister Bryshtel is now my sister? She was already my sister... That's why we call her Sister Bryshtel... Ha ha. Bu dum ching. She is really a really cool missionary. Strong testimony. Don't worry about sending me things for Christmas. I'm happy as I am right now. Use the money on something else. Send cards and pictures! I've had 2 ladies this week try to set me up with their daughters when they found out I was American... I don't even know what ot say to that...Yikes!!!!!! Tell Lee good luck with R.S. She will do great as secretary. I know there was more I wanted to write, but I forgot my planner where things were written at the office elders apartment... Sorry. Remember that I love you all and miss you tons. I will see you before you know it, but right now I am doing something great for the Lord... or I should say the Lord is doing something great through me. It's amazing the impact I see the Gospel of Jesus Christ has on others lives, and it's also so amazing to see how the Gospel keeps effecting me. Just when I think I know something, I learn that there is so much more to learn about the nature of God. We cannot fully comprehend it now, but we will someday. Thanks. Gotta run. Love you. Miss you! Love, Blake

Many have wrong impression of who Mormons really are....

Hello! I think I always start my email with that... Oh well. So let's see... what's new here in Vyborg. This last Saturday we helped clean up all the leaves at the branch, along with sweep around the church and clean out the gutters and stuff with the branch for a ward project. They had salad and "sausages," but Russian sausages are nasty hot dogs... I tried one... Never again!! On Sunday, the branch had a day to help fellowship less active members of the ward that haven't been in a long time. Elder Domankskiy and I went with Evgeni Nadelev, who is soon going to be 18, so he is close to getting ready to serve a mission. He's a really good example to me. He is like most teenagers, or 20 year olds named Blake Larsen. He likes music and all the things I like usually, but he has a great testimony of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. I wish I could see him on a mission! On Tuesday after service at the castle and with Yawna, we had a meeting with a family in the ward who has a son who is 12, but didn't feel like he wanted to be baptized. We talked about baptism, what is means, and why we do it. We talked about how Jesus Christ who was perfect, was baptized by immersion and by one holding priesthood keys. He said he wants to get baptized, and we set a baptismal date with him! That makes 2 baptisms set for November 20th! Yesterday was an interesting day. We had a meeting set with an investigator who works at the castle. He finds the church very interesting and asks lots of questions, but I'm still not very sure how much of the message he accepts. He was pretty active in the Russian Orthodox church at one time. He is a really cool guy, though and has LOTS of wood carvings he has done at his house. They look like folk art. If I was a tourist and had money, I would buy one from him. We went to his house yesterday, but the wife said that he was drunk and sleeping... That was depressing. We got a meeting with a man that I met on the street when Elder Haggard was here... About 3 months ago. I contacted him on the street and he was pretty much the only person that talked with us that day. After that I hadn't heard from him until this last Sunday when he showed up to Church. He loved it! We had a meeting with him before English Club yesterday, and he really enjoyed our meeting too. He then stayed for English club. I'm really excited for to see how things work out with him. His name is Igor, and he works for an Italian restaurant here. Today we already had a meeting with another lady who we met on the street on Tuesday. We are really busy lately, so we even had a meeting on Preparation Day! That's a good thing though, right? She told us even when we were on the street that she is very interested in our church. We had a great meeting today, talking about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and baptism after we showed her around the church here, showing her all the classrooms and the sacrament hall. She accepted everything very well, and said she will be there on Sunday. She's not sure how here husband will like her going to "the Mormon Church" though... We get that a lot here... People don't even know who we are, but they have heard "false things" about us and instead of seeing for themselves, they just assume that we are bad. I am really starting to realize just how much God is helping all of us here on Earth. He has always been helping us, and always will... We just forget that sometimes. God loves us very strongly. His whole heart is full of love towards us. We know this by his words, which we can find in the Scriptures, and from revelation from Latter-day Prophets and Apostles. Every word found in these things are words of love. We can see how strongly someone loves their family, their neighbor, their friends, their enemies, and their God through the words they say and do... "... for out of the abundance of thy heart the mouth speaketh." (Matthew 12:34) Do we truely love everyone? If yes, our actions and words will mirror out heart. I want everyone back home to know how much I love them and miss them, and I hope to better mirror my love through my actions and words. The more I serve the people of Russia, the more I love them, and the more I love them, the more I serve them. I've been taught this before, but I didn't understand exactly what that meant... I'm just starting to learn exactly what the scriptures mean when they say the will of God is one eternal round... Again... Words don't come to me when I want to explain the feeling..Like Ammon, "... I cannot explain the smallest part of which I feel." I hope we all can learn to feel this unexplainable love... even if just a part. I know we can't comprehend or even feel the fullness of joy that Christ gives in this life, but one day, we will. I know that things will be okay, no matter what the challenges we are facing in our lives. God is always there. Times about to end. Dang it. I want to say so much more. Just remember I love and miss you all, and so does our Heavenly Father! Love, Blake

Viva la Vida!

Listen to the song "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay. Someone translated just the words for President Podvodov, and he liked it! New mission theme song!

Adventures Continue.....

Hello! It's good to hear from you again... I can't believe that it is already P-day again. Time is going by way too fast. So let's see... What's new for this week... This last week I had a Visa Trip to Estonia and that was fun to say the least. This time the driver didn't go across the boarder with us, so it was just me, Elders Gerard, Andersen, Hill, and Sister Lane. The Estonian government didn't like the fact that we were all Americans with 2 passports and tried to tell us that we couldn't have both of them. We told them that we weren't doing anything against the law and if they had any questions, they could check all the dates in our visas and see if they were correct, and they could call the mission visa department with questions. Elder Gerard and Sister Lane seemed to be a little worried when this happened, Elder Andersen seemed normal, and me and Elder Hill were trying not to laugh to be honest. Elder Hill's dad is the mission president in Croatia, and he said that this was the "first time" someone had a problem with that. We told them to check the dates on our visas on the computer, and they did and everything was okay... so they had to let us through, but they didn't seem too happy. We just crossed the boarder and came right back. This story is probably more entertaining to me than anyone else just because it happened to me! I think I set a record of how many people can flip me off in a day while I was in St. Petersburg... The city is definitely a lot different than Vyborg. I'm glad that I serve in Vyborg! Monday through Wednesday the Zone Leaders were in our area and I was on a split with Elder White, while Elder Domanskiy was on a split with Elder McCleary, both are from Seattle. It was the first time I've ever really met Elder White, and he is a cool guy too. I haven't really met anyone I don't like here serving on a mission with me. Both the Zone Leaders loved Vyborg and want to serve there sometime. I've been lucky to serve in Vyborg and K-grad. So our investigator who has a baptismal date named Roma I don't think is going to work... After we set the baptismal date with him he ignores our calls, and while on our split, Elders Domanskiy and McCleary saw him down the street and he quickly hid himself when he saw them.... It makes me sad because Roma is a really cool kid. I don't know why he doesn't want to talk with us, but I still pray for him and wish the best for him... Elder Domanskiy and McCleary did however set a baptismal date with an investigator named Katia for this transfer! Missionaries had met with her before I came to Vyborg, but she hasn't been living here up until just recently and that was our first meeting with her. While they were on a meeting with her, Elder White and I met with Vladimir, and investigator we met through English Club. He is in his 50's and comes to English every week. He is very interested in the church, but is very scientific and can't understand why people believe in God because he doesn't see the evidence. We talked about faith and how we can't see everything, but we can see the outcome of them. For instance, we can't see gravity, but we all stay on the ground because of it, and science has done experiments to help show gravity exists. It's the same with faith in God. We can't physically see Him, but we can see His works all around us, and we can experiment on the words in the scriptures to see if they are true... He listened to us and said we had a good point, but he didn't seem ready to try, it seemed to me. He wouldn't let us try to give him a commitment. I hope this interest that is growing in him about the church will soon turn into a desire to experiment on the word of God. So today Elder Domanskiy asked me to only speak English in the apartment to help him learn. I agreed to do that of course! ha ha. My Russian is no where near perfect, but Elder Domanskiy has helped a lot with the Russian, and people are saying that my Russian improved a ton last transfer. Just remembered a story I never told you. A couple weeks ago one of the 8 year olds in the branch was getting baptized, so we had to go and fill the font. Elder Domanskiy forgot to turn off the silent alarm and the police came... 2 1/2 hours later. If you think that Mormons are bad at being late to things, wait until you meet a Russian Mormon... ha ha! I'm kidding of course!! I love Russia! Just made me laugh that it took so long. Thanks for the pictures of Code!!!! He looks WAY different to me! I started writing a letter last week to send home with a couple pictures, but I still haven't finished it. Hopefully I will send it today... How does my blog have people from Germany and Brazil and stuff on it?... I'm confused... I thought it was a Facebook blog... I've been praying for dad to find a new job. I hope it all works out soon (of course you know that already) I know that it will soon enough. Shoes are still okay... I switch them back and forth every now and then seeing that I brought two pairs, but I know they aren't going to last my whole mission. Soon I can wear my winter boots. It's getting really rainy here, and colder, but still not as bad as I thought it would be. I will have to buy a better coat for winter probably. I'll find out how much they are? Only bought a normal winter hat. The only Russian hats I could find were half fake leather and half fur... I want one that is just all fur. I will keep looking! Well, got to run. Know that I love you all back home and that I am happy to serve a mission!! I'm learning more than I thought I would, especially about myself, and my relationship with my Father in Heaven and elder brother. Still haven't found the words to describe the feelings I feel that come from this Gospel, but all I can say is that God lives, LOVES us more than we can understand right now, and that he provided the way to not only find strength, peace, solace, joy, on earth, but to continue onward into eternity and become His eternal Children. Love, Blake

I Love the Vyborg Branch!

Hello again!... From Vyborg!!!! :D I didn't get transfered to the office like everyone thought I would... Elder Anthony did. :) ha ha. I'm still serving in Vyborg, and I'm still with Elder Domanskiy. It is good. :) Elder Domanskiy really helps me a lot with Russian, and is a really good missionary. I think my Russian is really improving. I LOVE the branch here, and am really happy I'm staying. I had all the youth write in my journal just in case I was leaving, and they all wrote such nice things in there. Their friendship is genuine, and you can see the light in their eyes. I look forward to seeing the youth here become the leaders of the Church and seeing it grow here. Yeeeahh. The Code-man in the Bronx!! I can't really compare, because I've never been there, but I think the Bronx would be kind of like downtown St. Petersburg... but bigger. He has nothing to worry about. He's got angels on his right hand and his left, and the Almighty God has gone before him, the God of Israel is behind him. The only thing he has to worry about is getting толстее (fatter). Блинь! (Dang!... literally translated means "Pancake!") Just kidding!!! Cody does look a lot different though. So we are a little worried about our baptismal date with Roma... before we set it with him he was meeting with us 2 a week or so... But then we were in for a week and this week he is not answering his phone when we call... He answered once and just quickly said "I'm busy this week and hung up..." We haven't given up hope yet, but we are a little worried about it. I got your birthday card/letters! Thanks a ton! I showed the card to Elder Wilde from St. George, because he is a big hunter... Made him want to go hunting. ha ha. Tell K.B. she is becoming a little artist. :) So this Saturday I have a visa trip again. This week end I will be companions with Elder Andersen!!!!! :) (He's going to K-grad too, so I will have to tell him to say hi to people from me and have him check on a couple people, like Youlia for example.) I don't know where we are going yet. We will see. The driver will be either Brother Nekiferov from Vyborg, or Igor... Both really cool guys, but only Igor speaks English. Tell Kelsey thanks for the pictures she sent for my birthday, and tell both Kelsey and Liz thanks for the letters. They both like you guys back home a ton. Kelsey told me about Meleea offering her a ticket to Brad Paisley, and she said she almost cried because it was so nice. Also tell congrats to Amanda Wignall, Kels told me she is engaged! Have you heard much from Karl about BP? I heard he lost a ton of weight, and he sent me a birthday email, and said he STILL hasn't gotten a letter from me?! GRRRRR. Still haven't bought anything for my birthday, but we are going to look for a Russian hat today. The youth knew it was my birthday and they all wished me a good one. Elder Andersen also called to wish me happy birthday, and the Luna's told me happy birthday when I was in the office. My birthday was good! Don't worry! I think one of my happiest birthdays... because I celebrated it with the Lord. One of my favorite scripture passages right now is Ephesians 3:14-21. I love the apostle Paul. He was one of the worst of sinners, but became a great disciple of the Lord. He tells the Ephesians why he does the work he does for the Lord... "that they may know the love of Christ, which passeth all understanding..." (or something like that... don't quite have it memorized..in English) I miss my dog!!!! The other day a golden retriever that is the same color as Millie was walking through the park with his owner and he stopped and stared at me and started chattering his teeth and twisting his head like Millie does. You should send Millie to Russia!!! I'm having the greatest time on my mission. I can't believe it has already been 8 months!!! Before I know it, I'll be back at home and won't know what to do. I WILL come back to Russia someday after my mission. I know this Church is true. I know that Heavenly Father loves everyone of His children, and He is just waiting for us to look for Him. He wants us to learn things on our own, and that's why he doesn't do everything for us. The gift of free agency is a great opportunity, and the one of the greatest gifts, lower only to His Love, which is Eternal Life. I know that Satan exists, and that he uses all manner of ways to destroy us. I know the Savior will help us overcome anything though, if we believe in Him. Gotta run. times' almost up Love, Blake