One Transfer Wonder - Nashville, Tennessee

Dear Friends and Family,

I had a week of exchanges. On Monday, after P-day, I went out with one of the zone leaders and Elder Powell went to their area. It was a fun exchange, doing the bus thing by myself. I made us walk a lot...the zone leader was not too happy:). I got to do some cooking this week; it was great and relaxing. We have been teaching this black couple like every other day, they are so wonderful. The wife is pregnant and will be baptized after she delivers in July.
On Friday, Elder Ashton came with Elder Powell and I. It was fun to be his companion again for a little bit. This less active we have been teaching is now fully reactivated.
So now the news...we got transfer calls and I am being transferred. So much fun to be moving again - not! Four weeks in Nashville is all I get I guess. It was an awesome transfer though, the branch was so good to me. I gave a little farewell testimony on Sunday.
Thanks for y'all's prayers and support.
10 ¶Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. - Isaiah 41:10

Love,

Elder Blazzard

Get 'em - Nashville, Tennessee

Dear Family and Friends,

Nashville is a great city and I am glad I am here serving. For the first part of the week I was in Donelsen, which is the part of Nashville by the airport. Tuesday we walked a lot and we tried to contact a lot of people and had some success. We talked with a single mom who is a great investigator and who loves the Book of Mormon. She told this story about her house cleaner throwing away her Books of Mormon and trying to cast the devil out of her. It was a great story.  Some people are crazy.

After that lesson we walked home and in order to get home fast we decided to take a short cut.  We had to travel through a little forest on the edge of our greater neighborhood. As we got to the end of the street and started into the forest, dogs began to bark like crazy. We then hear a women say, "Go get him boy!" We were like, 'Crap!' and we ran through the forest, jumping the creek, and getting to the other side as fast as we could.  It was a rush, but we got home safely.

On Wednesday, after district meeting, the missionaries did a service project at Sister Mickelsen's  and Sister Young's house because they are getting ready to move. The rest of the week went without much incident. We played capture the flag with some members on youth night and it was fun. Oh, btw, I tried Fat Mo's this week which is a burger joint. It was really good.

Y'all have a good week.

Love,

Elder Blazzard

Public Transportation - Nashville, Tennessee

Dear Friends and Family,

This week we were without our normal mission vehicle, however, it was a good week because we were able to use the bus. The bus is fun and with careful planning we are able to get anywhere that we need to be. It is also a good excuse to go to the Central downtown station in order to connect to any bus that we need. I love seeing the skyscrapers of Nashville.  The AT&T building, or the 'Batman Building', is the tallest at just over 600 feet. There are a lot of row houses being built and so it is fun to see the growth and city planning.

This area has a lot of less-actives and we see a lot of them each week. We spoke with one that has been less-active for about 20 years and then decided it was time to come back this week. She attended church yesterday.  It was great to see her there.

It is definitely spring here. There is green everywhere and it is just going to get greener and more wet, yuck. Good thing it is beautiful or I couldn't deal with it. Sometimes I don't feel like I am in Nashville, because you can't see anything as the trees and greens trap your vision. Oh and the smell, sometimes it is very pleasant, but sometimes the humidity makes it smells gross, like sewage.

Right now I am on exchanges in the Donelson area of Nashville which is across the Cumberland River. Thank y'all for everything. The support and prayers, it means a lot.

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. (D&C 78:18)

Love,


Elder Blazzard

In the City - Nashville, Tennessee

Dear Friends and Family,

What a week in a new area with so many different things and changes. On Tuesday we took the car in for an oil change and to get the tires rotated. While the car was getting worked on we walked across the street and met with Austin a famous barber. He has cut NFL players hair and some famous country singers hair. He cut my hair for free. I was shocked when he was done because he cut my hair very short while the top is a little longer, I held back my horror and put on a smile for this famous barber. Good thing interviews are this Friday, man oh man.

On Wednesday we had district meeting, we took the bus. The first bus was the Central to downtown Nashville and then we transferred to the Nolensville Pike bus. It was a long bus ride but very cool. Downtown Nashville is awesome.

We meet with a lot of less-actives. One wanted his name off the records, stating that the Book of Mormon was all about Joseph Smith, oh boy, it was so silly. I read him a scripture but he just asked us to leave.

I am reminded of The Help (movie) all the time. The people are so funny, cool, and even say things like, "that boy is a terror, he is!" which is an example of a grandma talking about her great grandson who is two years old. She said it just perfect.

One night we had to drop off a Book of Mormon to this lady in an apartment complex. We walk up to the door and knock but receive no answers or signs of anyone being home. We leave the Book of Mormon at the door. The whole time other residents, who were hanging out, were giving us looks and asking us to pray for there friends. I all but ran back to the car for safety, I am the worst person ever but I couldn't help it.

Later that night went to this rich Italian guy's house. He has nice classic cars, very cool. We helped plant some flowers with his assistant. He is a singer and songwriter. They made us burgers and fries. The Cumberland meetinghouse is nice, and the members are friendly. The building is in phase two like in Calvert but a bit newer. Dark woods and blue walls. Thanks for everything, love y'all.

2 Nephi 7:7 For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

Love, Elder Blazzard

Special Transfer - Cumberland, East Nashville, Tennessee

Dear Friends and Family,

I have been emergency transferred to Cumberland, or East Nashville. I am right in the middle of it all. It is the hood. I was transferred down last night, right after General Conference.
So the week was crazy. On Tuesday we had zone meeting and Elder Nimmer did a Burrito Challenge which was three big burritos in 30 minutes.  If you did it you get them for free. He did it (Bravo Elder Nimmer). Elder Hunsaker is from Idaho and has been out for 15 months. On Wednesday we worked Benton and that is when I got the call. On Thursday we had district meeting because zone meeting was on Tuesday.  My MTC companion, Elder Danielson, is now in Murray. It was fun to talk with him.

On Friday we worked Calvert City, but not really there was a tornado watch and we had to stay in a member's house for around two hours. We had dinner at a member's house that evening and they made me a cake for my birthday. I said a lot of goodbyes this week and it was sad.

East Nashville is cool, right by downtown and the skyscrapers, and lots of African Americans which is different from rural Kentucky.

I loved conference, it brought me peace. My favorite talk was by Elder Clayton, he talked about the little girl who was in the plane crash in Kentucky. That was my favorite because that happened 10 miles away from where I live, so I already heard the story. I hope everything is going well.

Conference Thought:
Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and
Just serve and look at the whole picture or plan.

Love you all and please pray for me,

Elder Blazzard

Companions Tres

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was rough because I was sick with a cold. I am still feeling a littlee sick, but it is not as bad. On Monday we had dinner in Grand Rivers. We roasted marshmallows and had hamburgers. One of the kids rubbed his face on my white sleeve which left a huge mustard stain on it. His mom was not to happy with him, but I said it was fine, so she stopped getting on him about it. I did get most of the stain out later. Another member came by and brought me four caffeine free coke bottles and some cereal. I am spoiled here in Calvert.

On Tuesday we went to Nashville with the same older couple that takes us every transfer. This transfer meeting was extra long with four musical numbers, probably because like twenty sisters went home. The mission had to close a lot of areas because around 40 sister missionaries are going home between this and the next transfer. On the way back we stopped at Golden Corral, of course. Things are looking greener all around.

We had to get another bed for the third elder (Elder Hunsaker), for a joke we got a cot and put it between my queen bed and Elder Nimmer's full bed. It was pitiful looking. The member who owns the house did get a bed for him. Just a twin but it is nice.  I still have my queen bed but I now have to share my bathroom. (we are sobbing for you Elder)

On Wednesday we had district meeting with our new District, the Paris District, and the district leader works in Paris, TN. We worked Calvert City after and had some good lessons. We then had an early dinner in Grand Rivers with some members which is a nice resort-like place and supposedly the water is 80 degrees in the summer. I really want to try that water out someday after the mission. We had a member take us to Smithland and try some referrals, with no luck. We did have a good lesson with a part member family and then the night was up, there is not enough time.
On Thursday, I was feeling the sickest, we went to Symsonia and then on to Reidland. In Symsonia we had a lesson with a crazy cat lady, who always says, "Next!" I laugh inside every time. We tracted before dinner and I was drunk on my sickness, could barely think. The last house we knock a rude baptist mom comes out and goes on and on about the bible. I probably was standing there with a sad, sick face, that wasn't to fun. The night got better though because we had dinner at basically grandma and grandpa's house. The old couple remind me so much of them. I feel so much at home there. We then had a great lesson with a part member family, it really was great and about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Elder Ashton's kids - mortensen, daines, and blazzard

On Friday we stayed in, enough was enough, even Elder Nimmer was sick, we didn't want to kill everyone. That night we did go out with a member though, got our phone, it got left at the part member family's house. We then had two lessons with less actives, and guess what... they both came to church on Sunday.
On Saturday we worked Benton. Benton is getting ready for Tater Day on April 6. Tater Day is basically a redneck get together. Everything is going to be fried and have rebel flags. It is going to be amazing. Good thing I fit in.

On Sunday we had church and we had a lot of less-actives show up. We worked Calvert City and of course a person tried to bible bash with us. I was like not today not again about your misconceptions of faith and works. Then a member came and picked us up for dinner. I think they live in Sharpe. We had lasagna and orange juice. We then watched the new Easter video after I took a little bit to put it on the big screen. The grandpa was amazed that I would put so much effort for just a 2-3 min. video. It was funny. Today the sun is shining and it is a perfect 72 degrees outside it feels wonderful. We did stay in Briensburg today because we have no miles.

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. Alma 37:37

Love, Elder Blazzard

Kentucky = at least Six Months

Hello Family and Friends,

This week was another great week. On Monday we went in for an oil change on the car and were late picking up the car in Paducah. The guy was upset, but we got the car, thank goodness. On Tuesday we worked Benton. We tracted a trailer park which was very sad and desolate, however we met a couple of new investigators from that work.

On Wednesday we had District Meeting, the last one of the transfer. We went to Favoli's for lunch, it was good. On Thursday we worked Calvert City. That night we went on exchanges. It is always strange to be away from my companion for any length of time. On Friday we woke early and drove to Murray. A member, who is a former Bishop, drove us down to the temple in Nashville. The session was great and I love the temple because it is so peaceful.  Afterwards we went to Chick-Fil-A and that place was crowded. The trip back was good, but long. We drove straight to the church for the YW fundraiser. The YW raised a lot of money. There was a dessert auction, people were buying forty-five to eighty dollar cakes.  It was crazy.

On Saturday we completed our weekly planning and then worked Reidland. We received transfer calls that evening. We are both staying for another transfer AND we are receiving another Elder. It is going to be a blast. We go to Nashville, Tuesday, to pick him up.

Today we are in Paducah, for P-day, we went to downtown, and had a great lunch, at a deli. Then went to the waterfront and looked at the Ohio River. The work is going great, and the members of the branch in Calvert love the missionaries. They are so nice and supportive.

All week we have been teaching the plan of salvation to like almost all our investigators. I love that lesson so much. It really gets people to start thinking about the bigger picture, and what they need to do in this life. I love y'all and thanks for the support.

Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me. - Mosiah 26:30

Love,

Elder Blazzard