Nashville and Back

Dear Friends and Family,

This week went well. On Tuesday we went to Benton with the second counselor and brought food to a less active and went and confirmed the person we baptized. We got a call that day from the mission president to do it that day because they might be moving out of the Possum Trot area. We finally had district meeting again. It was good to see the district after so long (winter storm shutdown). We went to COOK OUT for lunch. Afterwards, we tracted Benton.

That night we went to the uppermost reaches of our area to drop off a Bible to someone who asked for it from media services. The husband was rude and slammed the door, Elder Nimmer was not going to take that because we used a lot of miles to get that book to him. So he knocks on the door again, and gives the Bible to him ... it was great, For the rest of the night we went to Calvert City Church of the City. The youth pastor we met the week before works there, it was a good service on 1st Philippians.

On Thursday we went to Reidland which is basically Paducah.  We tracted and looked for houses for rent. The lady we baptized and confirmed is getting kicked out of her rental this Saturday :(.  We met with her and a less active right before dinner. We had dinner at a member's house, The member had a problem with her computer, so we earned dinner. After dinner we receive a text from the zone leaders saying we need to get to Nashville now. So we leave, but first we had to run home, get our stuff, then run to Mayfield and get the Spanish Elders there. We got into Nashville around 10:00 p.m. and we drove though the middle of the city. It was so awesome. Broadway was cool and the music was loud and their were a lot of people out and about. We had to get to Nashville that night because the mission thought the roads were going to be bad. We stayed with YSA Green Hills Elders and played RISK all night.

The mission wide conference was good. They gave us the standardized rules for the iPads and the use of Facebook because we had 'whatever' rules because we were a trial mission. Another cool thing they are doing is a "six weeks until you leave" program which prepares you for post mission life and helps you make plans.

The person who got baptized found a home to rent and we helped them move in Saturday. Elder Nimmer and I did all the moving. Thank goodness we weren't busy that day. On Sunday church was cut short because there was no heat in the building and we were all freezing to death; we just had sacrament meeting. It was Elder Nimmer's birthday, so we had cake at a member's house. We then had dinner at another member's house. That night we went to a Christian Fellowship.

Thanks for the support and prayers, love y'all.

Moroni
40 And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?

 41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.

Love, Elder Garrett Blazzard

Snow and Sleet Week

Dear Family and Friends,
This week was like one big day. On Monday it snowed a lot. We stayed inside all day for p-day and around 6 p.m. we went outside and attempted to shovel the snow. I was just getting into it when Elder Nimmer tried to go back in to get his gloves, however, he realized that he had locked us out. We had no way in. We tried to use a credit card to unlock the door but no dice. We had to walk to the owner’s house, ill prepared and I was freezing. Good thing the owner’s house was only a half a mile away.  The walk was still long and very cold.

On Tuesday we walked to Draffenville. We were blessed for going out. We met a youth church of Christ pastor and he was very nice. Not a lot of people out and about because of the snow. We got a pinball machine from a member. We had to be back at 6 pm each night so we made half an igloo. A member took us to Walmart for food and another member brought us dinner. On Wednesday we went to Benton, by car thank goodness.  We were only allowed to drive on main roads. We had little success.

On Thursday we brought McDonald's to our new member who just recentrly was baptized.  We then visited Ledbetter where we met with an atheist.  He had a terrible attitude which was not fun and again we had to be back by six. On Friday we worked Calvert City. We meet with some less-actives. An old lady tried to send us right home with soup and cookies, but we were like we have an appointment right after visiting with you, so she let us stay for a little and we still received the soup and cookies. We had dinner at a member’s home in Calvert City. During the dinner it started to sleet. Upon leaving, our car and the roads were iced over, eek. The member loaned us an ice scraper. We drove home very, very slowly. We took Purchase Parkway home and it was iced over but we drove in the middle of the 2 lanes. We did hit a bad part of the road but we recovered, but the minivan behind us didn't :( … it hit the railing hard.

On Saturday we had to stay in all day. We moved our study room to the other room and reorganized. I read a lot of Jesus the Christ.  That book is very good and inspiring. On Sunday, church was canceled, but the Briensburg church of Christ wasn't ... so we went there. It is fun saying Briensburg Church of Christ in a southern accent. First you mutter Briensberg and then say church of Christ as one word. The experience was fun, the singing was bad, because no music, and the guy was really loud in the mic. We then went to Grand Rivers and talked/met with some investigators. On the way home, at 8:30 p.m., the snow was glazed, it looked so cool. The light on the snow was so beautiful. We are having a mission wide conference this week. We will be getting new iPads to keep; I get to take it home. The conference will be on iPads and using Facebook. Since we are being taught about how to use Facebook, we will not be using Facebook for about 2 months. Today we are bowling in Paris, TN, with a 25 ft. Eiffel Tower.

19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have... Mosiah 4:19

Love, Elder Blazzard

Snow Day

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was great. On Monday we emailed, and went to Benton for groceries and to browse Walmart. On Tuesday we walked to and worked in Benton. The walk was so boring so it was a good thing I am a master at whisking myself away in my own mind, because of school. So it is a nice time to daydream of my mansions above, ha-ha. The walk is a good hour and a half.

On Wednesday we had district meeting, and met the two new elders in our district. For lunch we went to Taco Bell, instead of Cook Out, because Cook Out was packed. After district meeting a member dropped us off in Draffenville, he has a Toyota Camry that is black, nice, and all ricered up. In Draffenville we had a good, productive today gaining two new investigators.

On Thursday we worked a street near our house and we knocked into a guy who was very interested to learn more about the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. On Friday we went with our district leader to Calvert City in order to complete a baptismal interview. We had to set up this baptism in like three short days and it was crazy. We met the D.L. in Hardin, then took him and his companion the rest of the way to Grand Rivers which meant a a lot of miles on our car, but it was worth it. Elder Nimmer went with the D.L. and I went with Elder Rasmussen, We tracted Grand Rivers and had a lesson with a less active member of the Church.

On Saturday we went to a Catholic mass where there was so much singing and standing up and down. We worked Calvert City and met with this online investigator to whom we were referred. She looks like she has potential to truly investigate the truth of the Gospel. On Sunday we had the baptism, it was great. We setup four devices so sisters that taught this investigator could participate. I helped with the actual baptizing, it was a little weird, but the new member's dad baptized her but I was in the font as well to support and help her back up out of the water. After church, we went to a Baptist church where they were all very welcoming. I think I might convert, ha.  They talked about being saved and asked me if I was saved.

Right now it is snowing like crazy and we were going to have p-day on Tuesday because of President's day, but the mission switched it back.  W weren't going to get out anyway.

27 And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen. Enos 1:27

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/enos/1?lang=eng

Love,

Elder Blazzard

Contact City

Dear Family and Friends,
     Sit back and enjoy reading about my missionary life. On Monday, we went to the Wildflower Bed and Breakfast for FHE. We had ______ cheese sandwiches, basically shredded cheese, mayo and stuff. It is not too good, but I didn't show that. On Tuesday, we went to Benton, walked and talked a lot. After a day, an older couple picked us up and took us to Subway, then we went to a part member, older couple's home. They talked a lot! On Wednesday we went to Murray on the way to Hardin. We picked up the zone leaders, I gave a training on how we should use the Book of Mormon. After District Meeting, we went to Fazolis...yum. After that we loaded wood and delivered it to a single mom to keep warm in the winter. It was actually quite warm this week. That night we visited a part member family...well, the mom is the only member. It was a fun visit, we did the six saltine crackers in a minute; I got five and a half, ha--beat that! We got them to commit to come to church, and they did...yay. Thursday was a terrible day; I wanted to quit, but I pushed through. We worked Draffenville just a few miles up the road. We tracted and did some potential follow up. It was a very cold day. On Friday, we were up in Calvert City. We hit some less actives and recent converts. We also did some tracting. We had dinner at a members house, then went on exchanges with the dad. We went to Ledbetter, and met one more less active and her friend. We invited them to church. This week we invited so many to church. On Saturday, we worked Symsonia, we talked with a referral from church headquarters. She is crazy. Oh, last week on Sunday, a branch member gave a testimony about Joseph Smith jumping planets and talking with him. We had an investigator at church who said he never wants to come back, but don't worry Elder Nimmer and I have it covered. He will come back, ha ha. Back to Saturday, we also talked to a less active family and they reminded me of books about families living on farms in the old west. Kids climbing trees, a very dirty two year old also trying to climb trees, and dogs & cats everywhere...oh, and a mom yelling at them from the kitchen window. That day it was a nice 72 degrees. It was so nice, I walked around in a short sleeve shirt and loved it. On Sunday, we had the normal stuff, PEC and church. After church we went to our investigator with a baptismal date. She didn't make it to church because of a flat tire and being threatened to be kicked out of her house. We directed them to help and lifted their spirits. We had to push back her date. That night, we went to Christian Fellowship, a nondenominational ( I call the, mumdemums).  It was fun, good music. We got a lot of, "Oh, do come backs." This morning we went to Benton and I mailed off a charger for a Elder who left his here. Cost me money, err. Now I am writing this to y'all: 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8) Love, Elder Blazzard

Cutting the Blog

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was great. Sorry that this email might be short. My hands are still shaking from cutting wood in the cold this morning. I can't really control them. On Monday we had FHE at a sister's house. We watched the Brad Wilcox talk, 'His Grace is Sufficient'. I love that talk.

So one funny story, we were at an investigator's house. She is an older lady. She has this dog and we were playing fetch with it. It was getting tired, so it went and got a drink. The lady predicated that the dog was going to throw up and 5 seconds later it does. It looked like diarrhea (sry.) on the carpet. The lady gets up and right away starts putting it into a ball with paper towels. It was so gross. I was holding back laughs, but it was hard. I was in a slap happy mood all day. She is the best investigator.

This week we were at the Village Road apartments and after teaching a less active, I needed to wash my hands, because ... well, you know. We see this water spout and I went to wash my hands, turned on the water and it was brown and yellow, probably rusty, but still, gross.

I know short but, my brain hurts. I am now on Facebook, yay more responsibility.


   11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
 12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

 13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

 14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.

Good I know...

Love,

Elder Garrett Blazzard

Plan of Salvation

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was much of the same with the missionary work. On Wednesday, we went down to Murray for our weekly district meeting. We then went to a restaurant named Cook Out as a district. I went on exchanges with Elder Adams, the district leader. We had dinner that night at a members house, I helped get their email on their tablets because their computer was out of whack and I don't have time for that type of work. It appears that I shouldn't have let the Branch know about my tech skills ... LOL, but it is all good.

Another member picked us up and we visited some less actives and one investigator that night. The next day, Thursday, we worked in Benton (KY) all day. We taught many lessons, strangely all the lesson were plan of salvation, but I didn't mind because that is my favorite lesson. On Friday we went back down to Murray to do exchanges with other missionaries. We did our weekly planning in Murray. We are struggling on allocated miles again, yeah! Murray is too far!

On Saturday we worked in Calvert City, we ran into two less actives, crazy. We helped an investigator, an old lady, move stuff from one room to another, she may be a hoarder. This week was tough, but are numbers were good so ...

I have been reading 2 Nephi, Isaiah Chapters. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints truly is the ensign to the world.

26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth; and behold, they shall come with speed swiftly; none shall be weary nor stumble among them. @ Nephi 15

Love,

Elder Garrett Blazzard

Service, Sickness, and Success

Dear Family and Friends,

I forgot to tell you p-day moved to Tuesday this week because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Elder Nez, my first trainer, is now the Zone Leader (ZL) of the Paducah Zone and he attended our District Meeting (DM). It is always good to see him.  It is funny that both of my trainers are now ZLs. Elder Ashton is the new ZL of the Hop-Town Zone.  , it is always good to see him. It is funny both my trainers are ZL's now, Elder Ashton is the new ZL of the Hop-Town Zone.

So this week was tough, on Wednesday after District Meeting (DM) we tracted a township called Fairdealings which is near Aurora. Elder Nimmer was feeling off. It was a long two hours of tracting. We got home and a member brought us pizza. We ate that and then got picked up to go to basketball at the church because we had five investigators who came out to play. It was great to have so many young men there, because usually there are just two. We dropped off the boys then headed back to Draffenville. We stopped at a church on the way back to conduct some business. Elder Nimmer by this point was feeling very sick. At that church he stepped out and threw up right on the spot. Sister S. called her doctor husband. They took us home and Brother S. got out the good medicine and gave Elder Nimmer a shot of whatever in the bum. He had a rough night.  I am glad that Sister and Brother S. took good care of us.

On Sunday we had three investigators at church and two less actives, it was awesome. That morning I called a guy I meet last Sunday after church, at a gas station waiting for a ride. The guy said he would come and he did, it was great. Yesterday we were working in Grand Rivers, we had a couple of less actives, new investigators, and potentials to visit. Some Investigators moved into our area and their records were send to us about 3-4 weeks ago, we tried the house a couple of times before but no luck. Yesterday we tried this house again, we heard music and we're excited because someone was home. We knocked and there was no response.  We knocked again and agin, no response. We walked away and at the bottom of the drive way we were studying the map on how to get to the next person. We started walking when from behind us a woman yells, "Did you just knock," we were like yes and we started walking back toward her. I said, "Are you the (their name) family." That is when she knew we were missionaries. We talked and we came to find out they were about to get baptized in their last area but it didn't happen. So with that visit we set a new baptism date. Yeah! What is even more crazy is she and her husband decided the night before to try and get back in contact with the missionaries.

With every set back, I see opportunities to come back even more dedicated, the trick is to have the courage to gab them when they swing around....

P.S. Sick days can make you lazy, get back on the horse.

I have this scripture tagged under publish peace... Duh.

40 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)
Publish Peace

Love,

Elder Blazzard