Christmas Week

Dear Family and Friends,

I had a great Christmas. We served at the Bishop's storehouse and it was busy. I filled a lot of walk-in orders. We had Hawaiian haystacks for lunch. On Wednesday, we had district meeting and we went to Subway for lunch because we received gift cards from the stake president. After lunch a member took us to Joelton and Ashland City. It was fun, after dinner the tornado sirens started to go off so we had to stay inside. On Thursday, Christmas Eve we knocked a lot of doors and a nice family had us over for Christmas Eve dinner.  It was good and we had a fun time. Skyping was fun. Talking with my brothers, Packer and Brock was great ... just a little mission rivalry. We had lunch/dinner at the temple president's house and the food was more southern style and good. We weekly planned that day and my companion Skyped with his family at 7pm. On Saturday we had a great lesson, it was fun and spiritual. Church was good Sunday. Happy new year, this year went by to fast. Be happy and Fear not.

4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. (Isaiah 35)

Love,

Elder Blazzard

Christmas Week of Work

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was good for the work and we accomplished a lot. We worked at the Bishop's Storehouse as it is very busy with Christmas and will be doing more this week as they are pretty busy. On Wednesday, we had district meeting and I went on exchanges with Elder Stange and then we switched back on Thursday after grabbing some lunch together. We were super busy Friday and Saturday. We had a lot of lessons and it was fun.  We received a lot of dinner invites this week. The work is good and I love this season so I am happy. I am excited to see you Friday via Skype. I should be able to talk to you at 12:00 p.m. It was the Christmas program last Sunday it was really good.

Love y'all, Merry Christmas.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Love,

Elder Blazzard

Christmas Time in Nashville

Dear Family and Friends,

It is Christmas time, but it doesn't feel like it.  The weather is still warm and I am wearing short sleeve shirts. This week was busy. We had the Bishop's storehouse work to complete on Tuesday and our Christmas zone conference was on Wednesday. The zone conference was fun. I received a dragon for the gift exchange. This week we focused on teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and it went well because the gospel is so simple. Our investigators are doing well and are progressing. One is close to baptism. During one of our lessons an investigator told us that she knew the church was true ... but she didn't want to be baptized.  That comment broke my heart, however, we kept strong and had faith and now she has a baptism date. It hurt though when she said that. Things are good here and Christmas is in full swing. The music and the lights make it very merry and fun.

Love y'all. Hope you feel the spirit of Christ this season.

13 And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.
14 And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing--sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life. (Alma 28)

Love,

Elder Blazzard

Life of a Missionary

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was fun and very full. On Tuesday, we served at the Bishop's Storehouse. We tried contacting a lot of people in that area after serving in the storehouse. A member took us out after that and we met with a less-active member who was very funny. On Wednesday, we had district meeting, the first of this transfer, and learned about zone conference this coming week. The mission is getting black boxes put into the vehicles. This coming zone conference is going to be our Christmas zone conference so there will be gift exchanges and tie exchanges. Should be be fun.

We ate dinner with members that evening and had two great lessons. I got sick that night and didn't really sleep. When I did sleep I was snoring loud and my companion was not too happy. The next day I pushed through and we met a new member in the ward and worked on getting here a ride for church. She actually moved from the Cumberland Branch, which I served in for 4 weeks. That evening, we cleaned a recent converts house and there were a lot of bugs. We had a good lesson the next day talking about the blessings of keeping the commandments and about moving forward in faith. It went well.

Saturday, we stayed super busy working with a neighbor and having a member take us to a lesson which went very well and she loves the gospel. Then we ran to the church to fill the font for a baptism and helped set up for the Handel's Messiah concert that they were having at our church that night. We had dinner with the Spanish elders. Then a member went out with us and we tried some people, went to the first part of the concert, and then met with two new investigators and had short lessons with them.

Sunday, church was good and right after Church we went with a member out into the country to have dinner. He had made chicken parmesan. We ran to the church and watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. I had a tough time that evening and did not feel well with a bad headache. It was a good week full of fun.

Here is my scripture:  Matthew 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Love Y'all,

Elder Blazzard

Thanksgiving Week

Thanksgiving week was good. On Monday we went down to Opry Mills and I ran I to some members from the Calvert City and the Cumberland branches which was a nice surprise. On Tuesday, we had a meeting at the Sunset Ward building which is in Brentwood, an hour drive through downtown Nashville. It was a good mission meeting and they brought in Costco pizza for lunch. On Wednesday, we had district meeting and went to a Chinese Buffet for lunch. Elder Maxwell, my companion, lost his debit card, but after much prayer we found it at a gas station. The lady counter attendant was holding it for us. On Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, we had a missionary turkey bowl. It was all fun and a game until a couple elders got into it and we had to stop. Good morning overall and I got my McDonald's breakfast. We had thanksgiving with a great family. They had all my favorites including green bean casserole and mashed potatoes. After dinner we street contacted around the mall. We tried to head people off going into the mall but that was not very successful as shoppers were on a mission.

On Friday,  we weekly planned and tracted and on Saturday we tracted and tracted and it rained all day, but it was good because meet some really nice people. We went to Taco Bell for dinner with the Spanish Elders and Elder Maxwell left his iPad there and he didn't realize it until we got back to our apartment.  We ran back and, thank goodness, the iPad was still there.  They had it sitting up by the registers. Sunday we had an investigator come to church and she even payed tithing. Today we are going to give her a priesthood blessing. She called and asked for one last night.

Happy Holidays!

Alma 5:48 I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you, concerning that which is to come, is true; and I say unto you, that I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name.

Love,

Elder Blazzard

The Bible Belt of Goodlettsville

Dear Family and Friends,

It was another good week in Goodlettsville. We taught a lot of new people and some old, old former investigators. It has been a blast. Tuesday we got to see a great sunset while tracting. On Thursday and Friday we meet with some less actives. These folks have great testimonies and are just struggling with some things in their lives. It was great to get to know them. On Friday, after tracting it started to rain and it was very cold. The rain froze my head and I developed a bad headache. On Sunday night we met with our investigator family.

My scripture this week is Hebrews 13: 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

All is good in Goodlettsville. Have a good week. It is better to look up.

Love, Elder Blazzard

The Hard Lessons

Dear Family and Friends,

This week went well. We had a lot of hard lessons including people throwing their garbage at us. I really seemed like lesson after lesson we would have issues. A guy even prophesied that my companion and I would leave the church and unite the saints at last (sic?). I read a lot in the Book of Mormon this week including King Benjamin's speech. It really built my faith in the Book of Mormon. Elder Zwick come and spoke to us. It was very, very powerful. The scripture this week I am ponderizing is D&C 35:15 And the poor and the meek shall have the gospel preached unto them, and they shall be looking forth for the time of my coming, for it is nigh at hand.

Thanks for the support and love, love y'all. I know that Joseph Smith restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that he is a prophet of God, and no one can tell me otherwise.

Love,

Elder Blazzard

Thanks Be To God

Dear Family and Friends,

This was a good week. On Monday, we helped a member paint his house. The member is moving soon. On Tuesday, we worked at the Bishop's Store House. I went on exchanges with Elder Wright. My companion, Elder Maxwell, gave a training Wednesday. Brother Ford took us to Cook Out afterwards. We talked to our investigator family this week and they are doing well. They treat us like family and the mom has a hard time letting go of her old church. We helped paint some more on Saturday. Sunday we went to a investigator's church. It was a Methodist church. Then right after that we hurried to our church which is at 1 pm. This week was busy and that is good. My prospective is always changing and I am so thankful for the experiences I have gone through on my mission so far. I hope I don't lose faith in finding people to teach. People in the city are a little mean and distant, but we always find one who is ready, so thanks be to God.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119)

Love,
Elder Blazzard

Church Week

Dear Friends and Family,

This week went well as we are working with a family and hopefully we can set a family baptismal date with them. They are great and the mom fed us spaghetti and it was really good. We also met a lady in Millersville. She has been meeting with the missionaries since around 2000. The only thing is her husband doesn't want her to join any church. Things are slow but picking up, during are planning session, we called like fifty people. We know the area a little better and now know more members. It helped to have a regular Sunday. We went to a couple different churches this week; Baptist, Church of Christ, and Pentecostal. It was fun and loud. Have a good week.

Psalm 15: 1-2

1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

Love, Elder Blazzard

Transfer to Goodlettsville

Dear Family and Friends,

What a week as I was transferred (white washed) into a new area serving in Goodlettsville, TN which is about 13 miles north of Nashville. My new companion is Elder Maxwell. He is from Sandy, Utah and has four brothers, three older and one younger. The first Sunday here was stake conference so we didn't get to meet our ward officially. Oh, the sisters left the apartment nice. We received a washer and dryer on Friday. The apartment has two bathrooms and is in a huge complex with a security gate.

We have one investigator that has a baptismal date. The work is good here and it reminds me of Murfreesboro with a lot of well-to-do folks. We drive a VW Jetta. We are in the Madison Stake and zone. The members here are real good to the missionaries. On Sunday, we went to a house to give a blessing and the home reminded me of grandma's and grandpa's. It was on the bank of the Cumberland river. Things are good and the days are flying by. John 15: 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

 Love, Elder Blazzard

Last Week in Winchester TN

Dear Friends and Family,

This was my last week in Winchester I am being transferred (they do not tell them where until day of or abouts). I will deeply miss Winchester and the members of this branch. This week was great because we were able to get a ton of members to come out with us doing the work. We completed a lot of lessons with the members present. We almost killed two dogs with our car ... very close calls. Fall is coming in fast, it is getting cold.  In the morning it is freezing compared to 80 degrees and humid. I already miss the summer as it felt good to be in the heat. The work is moving on nicely and I am growing spiritually every transfer. New experiences are where you grow the most. This next transfer is bound to be a challenge, but I am set on being positive about it.
Thanks y'all for the prayers.

1 Nephi 4: 6 And I was led by the Spirit, not bknowing beforehand the things which I should do.

Love, Elder Blazzard

Winchester Work

Dear Friends and Family,

We are heading into the last week of the transfer and I will find out this Saturday if I am going to get transferred or not.  At this point I don't really know what is going to happen. It was a good week. On Tuesday we had interviews with the President. We helped a guy move. On Wednesday we did a lot as we rode our bikes to Winchester to work and had lunch at the gas station. We visited a lot of people that day and at night we had a member take us out for visits. By Saturday we still didn't had a lot of member presentations so we had to crack down.  By the end of Sunday we got that number back up. I really love the members here in Winchester. On Saturday we tracted a rich neighborhood and then we went to catholic mass and a guy was there that we just tracted into. He was a little rude, so it was fun to see him again. We also had a good Sunday.

D&C 122:6 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less;therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.  

Love,

Elder Blazzard

Recognizing the Spirit and Helping Others to Do So

Dear Friends and Family,

General Conference was great. We have two more weeks of this transfer and I will probably be transferred. We had district meeting in Winchester where I gave a training on recognizing the spirit. That training went well. We have received some significant referrals from the Cowan Fall Festival where The Church had a booth. We have been contacting those throughout the week.  Those visits have been positive for the most part.

On Friday we tracted this scary road by the lake, it was 6 PM and dark and misty.  I was freaking out. At the end of the road there was this manor building/area and that image just did it for me. Good thing it turned out okay. I was saying prayers the whole time. The many investigators we have are progressing slowly but we are praying and planning hard to help them feel the spirit, hopefully some of them got to watch General Conference. We watched General Conference in Tullahoma Saturday and at a member's house Sunday.

Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

This act of just believing and having faith even against adversity has really grown my faith in my Savior.

Love, Elder Blazzard

Without Vehicle - With Members

Dear Friends and Family,

It was a slow but productive week in which we completed a lot of work because of circumstances. For preparation day, the district went to Alabama to visit the Russell Cave National Monument. The cave system was cool. They say that prehistoric people lived there a long time ago. This week I went on exchanges with Elder T. We switched back on Wednesday. We had district meeting in Winchester. The car is in the shop because someone backed into it while parked. So we have no car for like a week :(. We had over eight members out with us this week which was wonderful. The stake president came down to look at a space to convert into a meetinghouse for this unit. Getting their own building is a big priority (instead of using the funeral home). We didn't get to see the super moon but we did walk all last night doing visits and returning home.

Proverbs 11: 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Love,

Elder Blazzard

Linear Half Way Service Mark

Dear Family and Friends,

This week we had zone meeting and the regional fall festival fair where we have a booth. All went well. On Tuesday we had two great lessons with our branch mission leader. On Wednesday we had district meeting in Altamont and then ate a Mexican restaurant. We had a member work with us and then we went to the Agope Church for bible study about casting out the demons in our life. It was a fun night. Thursday we had two members work with us and we had good lessons and a lot of traveling around the county. Friday we had are zone meeting up in McMinnville, we got back at 4 PM and went straight to the Heritage Fall Festival in Cowan, TN. We did that Saturday and Sunday as well.  It was fun manning the booth and talking to people about family history and The Church. Fall is coming in fast and the leaves are already starting to turn colors. Y'all be good now.

Alma 5: 26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

Love, Elder Blazzard

Service in the Branch

Dear Friends and Family,

This week we did a lot of service. On Tuesday we worked all morning and then we had a member take us all over the area. This member testified a lot during our visits. Afterwords, he took us to a Mexican restaurant. On Wednesday we had district meeting down in Jasper, TN. We had a lot of members working with us that day too and they treated us very well. I know your prayers are working. We are talking to this guy that dislikes Jews and he believes that Jesus Christ is just a story that was made up. However, he will listen to us about the spirit world; he loves the idea of the spirit world. On Saturday we had a service project with some of our local branch members out in the country and it was fun. Hope you all have a great week.

Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Love, Elder Blazzard

Baptism

Dear Friends and Family,

This week went well. I will be staying in this area, Winchester another 6 weeks. On Tuesday we had a great lesson with our investigator who was baptized this past Saturday. On Wednesday we had district meeting in Jasper, TN. We played jeopardy with the Pikeville district. Our district leader got us district shirts, very cool.
We got the member who owns the gas station to take us out and it was great fun. He is from India, moved to Canada to manage a multimillion dollar company, then moved down here for a less stressful job. We had a great lesson with a lady from Virginia. Her father worked in the mines and he was in some mine accidents. Very interesting stories.
On Thursday we had the car so we tried a lot of people and contacts. We had a good lesson with an investigator, he committed to not buy anymore vapor stuff. On Friday we did service of moving and spreading gravel into a driveway. Then we did weekly planning. On Saturday we had the baptismal for the dad of a part member family and the service and spirit was good.  The baptism took place in Tullahoma, TN because there is no font in Winchester. That day we went to a gospel concert called Singing in the South. The funeral home put it on and they did a great job and it was live on the radio, so that was cool. Sunday was good we had a member take us out all day, he is very nice to us, and he fed us dinner at his house with his wife. This week was good with a baptism and all and hearing that I will be in Winchester another 6 weeks making it six mouths here, love it here. Thanks y'all for the support. Well I gots to go.

John 14: 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Love,

Elder Blazzard

No Building Yet and GA visit

Dear Family and Friends,

This week went well. On Tuesday we had service in Trenton, Georgia so that was cool. On Wednesday we had district meeting in Winchester and I helped make a survival game to play.  The meeting went well and then a member took us out that night to work. We had a couple of good lessons with him. On Thursday we had a member take us out again after working and riding bikes all day. We met a lot of people and an investigator had us mow his lawn.  We taught with a member that night and the lesson went very well.. On Friday we had a lesson with a guy that is getting baptized this coming Saturday. Our discussion went well and he passed his interview on Sunday. This past Sunday was Branch Conference, in the funeral home :-), and all went well except that some of the members really want their own building. So there was a little tension.

Thanks for all the support and prayers. Love u'all
Love, Elder Blazzard

Funeral Home = Church Building

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was great. We ended up teaching over thirty lessons ... hard work pays off. Next Sunday is branch conference and we are hoping to convince the stake to buy the funeral home and make it into an actual church building. It is hard to hold church with funerals every other Sunday. We had a lot of great lessons on getting answers from God. Teaching this concept was great because my understanding now is a lot better. I sang at church this last Sunday. ... I know, what!! It went okay though. I guess I will do anything for the sister missionaries, ha. A future from Kansas went out with us Tuesday and Thursday this week and he drove us to district meeting in Jasper, Tennessee. We had a lesson Tuesday with a family, the dad is going to get baptized. He had been going to church for ten years now and thinks it is time he makes the plunge. This Monday the Jasper missionaries came up to our area because we gave the car to the sisters because one of the sisters is being emergency transferred. It has been a great summer. Hope you all are doing well, best wishes.

Love,  Elder Blazzard

Food for Thought

Dear Friends and Family,
 This was a good week. Monday's pday was boring however a member bought us some groceries. Be nice to the missionaries and you will be blessed. This week we went to the temple in Nashville. A member drove us missionaries and it was a great experience. Later that night while sleeping, I had a dream about the temple in that I was working in the temple throughout the night and I just felt great. It was sad to wake up.
On Thursday we had district meeting in Altamont and then went to the only restaurant in town, a Mexican one. I then started my exchange with Elder Tuita down in Jasper. That day was his birthday, so we ate and ate ... Pizza, Mexican food, fast food, and shakes, I was dying slowly, my stomach was hurting so bad. My companion was glad to have me back in Winchester. I know Winchester like the back of my hand. Church was good but it was just sacrament meeting again, so it was short. Thanks for the support and prayers! Oh, yea, our car got backed into but the accident just a dent.

 Love, Elder Blazzard

Tracting and Meetings - All for Experience

Dear Family and Friends, What a week ... it was great but a little slow. We had two road trips this week, but first let me start with Tuesday. On Tuesday we had the car and we had a good lesson with this investigator. We brought a young man with us and we contacted a ton of people. It was a good day. On Wednesday much of the same, but on Thursday we had zone conference up in McMinnville, TN it was a good meeting and lasagna for lunch so..., we didn't get home until 5:30 p.m. ... a long day. On Friday we biked all over, we got a lot of lessons in and the weather wasn't terrible but still super sweaty. On Saturday we tracted at 10:00am and it was fruitful. We met a nice old lady and she said her grandfather had the missionaries stay over on the weekends. It was interesting to hear about how long missionaries have been in the South and in these areas. On Sunday we had three hours of church, yay it has been awhile. We also had a Priesthood meeting up in Cookeville. It was a two hour drive in a cramped car. The the meeting was good. Remember why you are going all these hard things ... it is for the Lord. Thanks y'all for the prayers. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Love, Elder Blazzard

Building Character with Change

Dear Friends and Family,
This week was a whirlwind of changes including Tuesday which was transfers. I received Elder Brown. He has been out about 17 months out and is from the San Francisco, California area. A member took us to a nice deli and then when we got back to Winchester and this member took us to Walmart.  We had a meeting with our branch mission leader. On Wednesday we had district meeting here in Winchester. We have a new sister and her trainee in our district. We talked a lot of folks this week and came away with nine new investigators. It was great. Members here help us so much.
On Thursday we stopped by Taco Bell and the lady who took my order payed for my food. Her mother is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Mormon :-). We talked to a old black guy that was super nice we taught him the restoration. He liked it and we invited him to get baptized he said he would if he received an answer. On Sunday we just had a hour of church. Unfortunately,  I developed a bad headache while tracting in the sun, probably because I was fasting. It was a good week and we saw many changes but change is good for building your character.

Thanks for all the love, love y'all

D&C 78:18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

Love, Elder Blazzard

Filled with Love - through Service

Dear Friends and Family,

 This week went well. On Tuesday we went contacting and that night a went with us. We had a good lesson with one of our investigators. He has a little trouble with the word of wisdom, but he is doing great. On Wednesday we had district meeting in Jasper, a member down there treated us to Cracker Barrel. Another member that night took us a little out of our mission we crossed the Lincoln County, and we told him we need to turn around, ha. On Thursday was a good day, we had many lessons, that night we took out a less active teen, we went to a lesson , then we played basketball with another less active teen, they both want to get back in church they just have difficult home lives. On Friday we had a great lesson with this guy as we talked about our church and answered some questions he had. On Sunday Elder Weaver and I gave talks, I spoke on the pure love of Christ, it went well. So Elder Weaver is leaving and I am receiving someone new. It will be exciting.

Moroni 7:48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.


Love,

Elder Blazzard

Week 10 in Winchester, Tennessee

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was good and we did a lot of work. It was fun but also stressful. We had fun trip up in Altamont last p-day as we hiked to Greeter Falls. It was very humid and hot, but it was worth the view. On Tuesday we got a less active member to take us around. We had a couple of lesson with him that night. Then a deeper lesson with a ex-Mormon. Those lessons are difficult

with the questions being stressful to answer. He wanted good answers you see, and I tried to keep it simple. The gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't have to be complex to be true.
On Wednesday we had district meeting in Jasper ... the trip was fun and the sisters drove. We ate at Arby's after the meeting and did some service at a member's house where they fed us afterwards.  We even had a lesson with their nonmember son, the lesson went well, it was about the Holy Ghost and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thursday was tough, we went everywhere, with nobody talking to us. We had a good lesson right before dinner and then a member took us out and we got two lessons with him. On Friday the member who owns the restaurant on the square had us for dinner again and I tried catfish, it wasn't bad. I had it with coleslaw and hushpuppies.
On Saturday we had a miracle, a less active recent convert who is 15 years old went out with us to a lesson, and he opened up about the gospel. Usually we try to teach him while he plays video games. Yesterday we had an investigator come to church.
1 Kings 19
 11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:
 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Love,
Elder Blazzard

Week 9 - Winchester, Tennessee

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was good. On Tuesday, we had interviews with both President and Sister Andersen. The interviews took place in Altamont so the drive was long. That day we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant. A member took us out that night and we had two great lessons with him. Wednesday we dropped the car off for the sisters and had lunch at the gas station. We had a lesson with this family. We met the boyfriend at Walmart, but now we are teaching the whole family, it is great. That night a member took us out, he will only drive on roads he knows apparently because he drove all the way to Estill Springs then back to Winchester and then up the back Hwy to this guys house, oh well. We had a good lesson, nevertheless, found this guy who was taught by missionaries some time ago.
On Thursday we had a member take us out in the middle of the day to take us to this two lessons, both lessons went great. That night Elder Weaver had a prompting to go to this member's house, we get there and the son we are teaching just left, but the mom wanted us to teach him so she had her husband take us to his house so we could have a lesson with him. The lesson went awesome, he asked good question and he read some of the Book of Mormon, The Lord works in His ways not ours.
Friday we had weekly planing, we had dinner at the restaurant owned by a member, he is a recent convert and is preparing to go to the temple, he asks some hard questions, but it was fun. That night we had a member meet us at a lesson, I clean his computer of viruses and malware, then that member helped us find this address of a former investigator. It was a good night. On Saturday we had service at a member's house but before that he got us breakfast at Hardee's and he didn't even have to pay for it, the guy before us in the drive through did. It was cool. The service wasn't bad but getting back to correlation in time was tough. We had a good day with lessons here and there, lots of going around to people. That night we had a lesson in Cowan, the lady is a talker, she told us of the mountain men coming and murdering her neighbor, and that she sees them for time to time, I got a little freaked out but... what are you going to do. On Sunday we had just sacrament, there was a funeral for a two year old boy who died of cancer, it was sad to see. The funeral was supposed to be packed so we had to get out right after sacrament meeting. We tracted right have church, we didn't have too much success. We had dinner in Cowan and at member's house, baked spaghetti.  Later that night we had a great lesson with a guy the sisters found for us. Today we are going to Altamont to hike with the other elders, pray we don't run into any mountain men. Love y'all.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. (3 Nephi 13)

Love,
Elder Blazzard

Week 8 in Winchester

Dear Friends and Family,
This week was good. I went on exchanges with an Elder who is a Pacific Islander. We ate well and it was crazy how everyone was just feeding us. It rained all week and there is so much water it is like we we are swimming. On Thursday, we rode our bikes in a torrential rain. We were able to teach a lot of lessons that day though.
This week was about fireworks every night and very loud, but it was all fun. We had district meeting in Winchester this week. Today we are bowling in Tullahoma. On the Fourth of July we went to a members house as they were hosting a branch party.  I felt like I was in the Hannah Montana movie with people singing, and the landscape was pretty cool as well.

The work in southern Tennessee is going quite well. Oh an investigator family feed us this week, they are very nice to us. Thank y'all for all the prayers, I am truly blessed. Thanks be to God.
And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy God reigneth! (3 Nephi 20)

Love,
Elder Blazzard

Rain and Bike - Winchester, Tennessee

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was good. We had zone meeting up in Sparta, TN, the name is cooler then the actual town. We went to Hardee's for lunch, then drove back, it was a long ride, including waiting for a train. Who knew there are still many trains running around the country. Fireworks have been going off for a while now ... no laws on that down here, I guess they don't think any fires will start.

We had many storms with week, a lot of rain and flooding, it was cool to see, though. I need to stop putting on sunscreen it reminds me to much of the lake cabin, haha. We rode our bikes quite a bit this past week and I enjoyed it.  On a hot day we had the car, but we saw the Sisters and gave the car to them ... and they gave us cookies. Our dinners with members has gone down, because of the sisters, so my pasta diet has gone back up.  Good thing this month is almost over and I will be getting more money. Since we have been riding our bikes more we have become a lot more famous in Winchester. A lot of people call out to us, some nice, but some mean, mainly the teenagers. We met a bunch of people this past week, and they are all so nice to us, we talked with a family, who took pity on us and is going to feed us this Wednesday.

My spiritual thought is the song "How Great Thou Art," many Southerners have wind chimes with that song on it. Love y'all, life is hard, but having Jesus it's not so bad.

Love, Elder Blazzard

Pink Washed - Winchester, Tennessee

Dear Friends and Family,

It was transfer week, the Spanish elders got pink washed, meaning we have Spanish sisters with us now. They took one of our cars away :-), a Corolla dark silver is now what we drive. So we share with the sisters, we are only allowed to ride with them to district meetings. So it is going to be fun coordinating the car. We rode the bikes a lot.  We have zone meeting tomorrow in Sparta which is a hour and a half car trip.

My district is made up of Altamont (Elders), Jasper (Elders), Winchester (Spanish Sisters) and us, Elder Weaver and I. It is fun. Elder Weaver has been getting mad at me for blowing through stops, but come on it's a small town.

The area book app has been updated, and it is really good now.  The people page is better and easier to look through and they built in the referral manger finally. Yay!

For the 4th of July we have to be in by 6pm, but maybe we will see some good fireworks on the 3rd of July. : ) This week was tough with all the changes made to the area, but we never had a better week number wise. It was great.

On Saturday we went to a restaurant that is owned by a local member in Fayetteville.  We did service early in the week and on Saturday he fed us and the food was excellent. These weeks we have been focusing on the atonement of Jesus Christ, I feel that it will help motivate the people we are teaching to change and become better people.

The church is growing down here and it is great.

1 Nephi 14:14  "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory."

Love,

Elder Blazzard

Plan of Salvation - Winchester, Tennessee

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was good. It was the last week of the transfer and it ends up that the Spanish speaking elders are being reassigned. I don't know if we will get sisters or elders this coming transfer. It will be interesting. On Tuesday we did some regular missionary work. We talked with a guy who had contact and discussions with missionaries back in 2007. We taught him the Plan of Salvation and the lesson went very well. On Wednesday we had district meeting in Jasper, TN. I followed the GPS on the drive over but it took us a weird way. We went through the back woods and down a mountain on a road called Stage Coach Road which was very steep. It was a little scary.

On Thursday we had a lesson with these cool African American people, however, they are really into and love ISIS, and think they are on the right track. hmmm. We talked about why we are here on earth with them and that discussion opened the door a bit for them to trust us given the truth of the message. The guy just took my Book of Mormon without even asking and my Jesus pictures. That night we went with a member into the country to meet a less active and this guy was cool. On Friday we meet with a investigator, I fixed his bloated malware computer and he was thankful. That night we played soccer with a ton of Hispanics. They were a little intimidating. I was goalie.

On Saturday we had lunch at a less-active's home and ate some good, homemade pizza. That day we tracted a ton and then met with a less-active family and they had no A/C in their house. A hot, hot and sweaty discussion. On Sunday we had the Wendy's investigator come again, it was great.

Congrats Derek and Gabby. Love y'all.

Alma 37:6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

Elder Blazzard

Food and Spiritual Storage

Dear Family and Friends,

On Monday we attempted to visit a cave in the region but could never find the entrance. We walked down the side of the hill for a while but with no luck. That evening we had dinner with the usual members and it was good. On Tuesday we worked through the people on our various contact lists. It was a good work day overall. On Wednesday we had a district meeting in Altamont, TN. We had the pleasure of having President and Sister Andersen in attendance, Sister Andersen brought a treat. I went on exchanges with our district leader Elder Orr. He is Spanish speaking. The day went well as we met many new people. On Thursday we tracted a African American majority neighborhood and came away with some success. On Friday we tried a lot of people with out a lot of luck. Many of them slammed the door in our faces and a grandpa told us to move along ... ouch grandpa. On Saturday we worked and in the afternoon we played some soccer with some people it was fun. On Sunday we had a guy from Wendy's show up. Thank you frosty night. I think members here are starting to trust us a little bit more. One funny thing about this area is everyone talks about the last days and the second coming, I know way to many theories about what is going to happen. Mom and Dad, I hope you have food storage, Ha. Brace yourselves!

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Love, Elder Blazzard

Working Tennessee - Winchester, Tennessee

Dear Friends and Family,

On Monday we hiked a little at Tim Ford's State Park. It was fun and I hopefully took a few good pictures. We had dinner at a member's home that evening and then we taught a lesson with a less active. On Tuesday we did a lot of contacting and tracting. We did review our contacts and investigators from the area book and purged the list which was a good thing.  Now the list is a little easier to focus our work on people are that are interested. We had dinner with the Branch President. He has a hawk army to get rid of other birds for people on their properities. That evening we went with the Branch Mission Leader and taught a less active family. The husband actually came to church yesterday.

On Thursday we had great success with talking with everyone we met. We obtained three new investigators and they all are reading the Book of Mormon. That night we had a lesson with two progressing investigators and both of them are smokers. We went over the stop smoking workshop with them and gave them some stuff like grapefruit juice and vitamin C. We even got a member to come out with us to the lesson. After that lesson this member took us to one of his home teaching families. It was a good night.

On Friday was weekly planning and we helped out at the Funeral Home.  We went to their son's graduation party and then we had activities with the youth and less actives. On Saturday we went contacting and tracting. We had a lesson in Cowan and then drove back to Winchester to grab the other elders for dinner at a member's house. After dinner we went to the investigators that are smoking to check on them and teach them a lesson. Saturday was the day they started the challenge and they are still going strong.

On Sunday, an investigator to come to church as did many of the less-actives with whom we have been working. There was  a total of ninety-two. After dinner in Cowan, with some members, we had a lesson with another less active family.

Today we are going to a cave in the mountains, don't worry we will be safe. Much work to be done, but you can only go one day at a time. Love y'all.

 D&C 19:28 And again, I command thee that thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.

Love,


Elder Blazzard