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Nuevo Ano

Christmas was AWESOME!! People have so much fun here with loads and loads of fireworks, the sky was lit up all night. We had an amazing zone conference and Elder Blanco gave a really inspirational talk about our purpose especially during this time about the birth of Christ. Christmas Eve we had dinner twenty times and ate the same thing every time, noodles, banana chips, and a chicken leg or something.

Really good but I almost threw up it was so much. We were running late every time and eating so fast that they thought we liked it so much and wanted more. Overall lots of teaching and lots of fun!! The next day I woke up with a raging headache and it lasted all through the weekend. Taught Veronica again on Thursday and she has changed so much, she almost made me cry but I held it together, and she came to church for the first time yesterday too!

A perfect day to come because we had four confirmations for the four people we just baptized. Three of them were on Saturday and that was a crazy process. Water can be a very difficult thing here at times and we had no water to fill the font with so we spent the whole day getting water from anywhere we could. We got some from across the street with a hose we found and the majority from a water source on the other side of town. We used a members moto and barrels going across the most uneven roads ever. I was drenched and covered in dirt just in time for my first baptism as a missionary.

What an awesome experience though, I may have slipped because the font was so small and Francheska was super nervous but it worked out!! I love the youth in my ward, they're so cool and have the best investigators for us. Work is going well, four baptisms down and I think we have four more ready to go. Hope everyone had an amazing Christmas, and did not spend too much money. Always be looking for ways to serve, it helps you just as much and maybe even more than the person so just do it.

Feliz Navidad en Cristo

Christmas is almost here and I'm so excited to be here in another country. Kinda doesn't feel like Christmas at all because its blazing hot and no snow but its still super hyped.

I am so grateful for the teaching opportunities we have had during this time where families are open and willing to learn of Christ. On Saturday we performed a giant Christmas show that I got to be a part of in front of a bunch of people in the town plaza. We practiced that a ton during the week and during crucial teaching time so that I was getting a little anxious not meeting with our investigators.

All is well though and 3 of them with dates got interviewed and are ready to go this Saturday. It will be my first baptism and her name is Francheska, she is 13 and very smart. I have seen so many miracles in people it's crazy. Gave a few blessings again this week and I always love doing that because I know it truly does help them. I really love being with the ward youth too and talking to them about any friends they have from school that would want to learn about the gospel.

Been playing a lot of piano for the ward as best I can and I Sunday I sang with them because there was an English part and they needed some help. The work is going well overall and we always try to stay a month ahead so I as of now we have 4 or 5 baptisms lined up. Hope everyone has a great Christmas and are spending as much time with their families as possible, and that is what its all about. 

Ilumina El Mundo

The Luz

One month down in the field, and one transfer of training done and over with. Looking forward to focusing on the work rather than training so much but it will be over before I know it. On Tuesday we had a 5 week conference for all the trainees and I got to see some old friends from the group I came here with, great laughs.

The Light the World activities with different families has been great and we have gotten a lot of new investigators. President chose a few missionaries to do the Christmas show at a plaza in Piura Central and so we have been practicing for that, not sure why I am there when I just got here a month ago but its really fun.

Another intercambio with Elder Paredes and he is super cool, got to talking about the importance of having fun as a missionary so that you have fun teaching the gospel. Other than that, I forgot my journal so I will just some it up with baptism stuff. We baptized Brayan yesterday and he isn't so used to the water so after 20 tries he finally entered the Kingdom of God, I was dying laughing but it was great.

On the 28th we will baptize David, Diana, and Francesca so that will be amazing. The bishop came with us to talk to Fransecas mom last night and it was great, she is a great investigator for us now. We have a ton more lined up for next year so all in all the work is going great. I am having tons of fun with the teens and the ward is awesome. Hope everyone is doing well, share a gospel message with someone this week, dare you.

Conferencia de Zona

Perú en el Sol

Another great week in the field with more and more miracles. Did a lot of service this week which I always love. We had a Christmas multi-zone on Thursday and had lots of fun with games, a great lunch, and gift exchange. Great to see some guys from my group and see how others are doing, lots of fun. Friday was a great day of teaching first with David who is 17 and has a baptismal date for the 21st, he was asking a lot of questions and is ready to go. Later we went to Christians with his friends Junior and Ying who are members. Also taught Brayan a lot and got him all set to go with the bishop and will be baptized next week. 

Other than those two we have Diana and Francesca on the 28th. Francesca is a 13 year old who we contacted recently and she is very excited to be baptized. Yesterday during our lesson with her, her mom started to cry in the other room and she explained her story to us and we were happy to give a blessing of comfort, the spirit was strong and we look to talk with her more in the future. Had a Medical Campaign on Saturday at the stake center where people could come in and receive free medical help as well as meet us the missionaries. Really fun and a great opportunity to improve my speaking. 

Went to the bishops later Sunday night to watch the Christmas Devotional and tried to understand as much as I could. Really enjoyed the Choir because that was still in English. Spent the night with the Zone Leaders, Elder Blanco from Gilbert is super cool, had a blast playing soccer together today and hanging out. 

Last week of my first transfer here as a missionary, on more transfer of training for me, learning a lot. Hope everyone has a great week!!

La Obra Del Senor

Another amazing week here Peru with a lot of success and lots of fun. Gave a few more blessings for the sick this week which is always a great way to practice my Spanish and use my priesthood authority. We have a few people lined up to be baptized soon and its amazing to see the gospel work in their lives. Just yesterday we had six new investigators at church with us and they were so happy to be there. After we went and taught a young girl Francesca and I explained baptism and its importance. Then I asked her to be baptized and she couldn't have been more excited.

Went on exchanges with Elder Flitton Friday too and he is a gringo so that was fun. The way he teaches is different than my companion and he had me do a lot of contacting which was a great experience for me. That next morning we helped the Hermanas move to a different apartment and then ate some fried fish for lunch. I realized after the first one that their were bones in them so I ate a whole fish bones and all but oh well. Also I will be playing the piano for the ward Christmas show and also our zones Christmas skit.

An Elder from the mission office gave me a guitar and so I can play now and that should be fun. Today at Pichanga (the soccer place) we played for a while and I got super sunburned. Ate a bunch of great food after with the zone practicing for our skit. Failed at taking pictures this week. I will try to get some for next week, hope all is well for everyone and I will talk to you next week.

Elder Blazzard

Breaking Barriers and Chairs

I must already be getting into the swing of things because this week was super fast. When you are busy with the work, time flies by. My companion and I have met so many people and seen so many miracles. Taught a kid named Christian a few times this week, his family is very catholic so I don't get why his name is Christian, lol just kidding, he is really cool, wants to be baptized. Went to a couple birthday parties this week and had the opportunity to give four blessings too. It is amazing to see the gift of tongues work as I gave the blessings for these people who were sick. Also taught Francesca and she is really interested in baptism as well, besides the fact that I broke my chair in the middle of the lesson, it went amazing. The food is amazing here, as a matter of fact they have hamburgers here and they are so good. Zone conference was on Saturday and the church had a piano I could play after so that was great. The weekends are the most successful because people are home and we see a lot of miracles as we teach them. Its amazing!! Had a blast at Pichanga today (soccer place), scored six goals so I think I am ready to go pro(reference to Nacho Libre). Pray for this week to go a little slower so I can keep up with the miracles that happen, good luck all, see ya next week.

Sandy Living Conditions

These are some pictures of Elder Blazzard's living conditions in Piura.

Week 1 in Area

Made it to Peru safely and my luggage eventually came later, great story. I don't have a lot of time but I´ll give a quick run down. Traveled all day Monday to Peru and stayed in a nice hotel with hot water, only slept for three hours though. Did legal stuff all day Tuesday (in Lima), the culture is interesting.

Flew to Piura (Mission Headquarters) late and slept in the mission office, met some cool guys. All day Wednesday was at the mission home where we ate super good food like ceviche and lomo saltado. Learned about the mission and the zones and got my padre, or trainer, Elder Monroy. He is quite the fletchon(works really hard) and does not speak a lick of English. He is awesome though and helps me as best as he can. Thursday was the first full day and it was the longest and most productive day of my life. We focus a lot on Preach My Gospel and I do okay with the gospel phrases, just need to work on the regular conversation.

I have seen my Spanish improve already but do not have to do much during a lesson since they just stare at me the whole time. They have never seen a tall, blonde, white guy before so it is pretty funny. I do lots of magic and all the neighborhood kids chase me around for more. Love the people, it is amazing how open they are to the gospel. I cant think of much more to write, really difficult at times but I know this is the place to be right now. So grateful for the opportunity!!

Arrived at the Mission Home and First Assignment

13 November 2019

Piura Perú

Arrived in Peru and Mission Area

Elder Blazzard,

Message: Made it safely, spread the word. Flights were fund and mad it to Lima late. Slept for 3 hours in a cool hotel and did legal stuff all day Tuesday. Now in Piura and everyone is cool. Don't have our suitcases til tomorrow the 14 but it is fund. Lovin the adventure.

Elder Blazzard

carte de la mision peru piura

Last Week at the MTC

Final week is already coming to a close and I leave on Monday early in the morning. I'm so excited to get to Peru and serve the people. Had amazing devotionals this week with one from Elder Uchtdorf on Tuesday. He taught to control what you can like your feelings and actions, a humble confidence. We had about 10 TRC lessons this week which was very helpful in improving my speaking abilities. This whole week was also an Ayuno de Ingles which means we did not speak English all week and got real deep into the language, great preparation for the field. I feel comfortable with the language and can't wait to knock on some doors.
Yesterday was our last class with Hermano Andreason and I'm really going to miss his lessons. A few things he taught this week are to work hard for the most joy and tear your "spiritual muscles" to grow stronger, "the world needs the best missionaries". He also taught to love your investigators first, then be sharp, this is found in D&C 121. Stand with God and face the people, I am a representative of Christ. Last trip to the temple with my zone was this morning and it was amazing, I read in Mark 6 verse 34 about Christ teach the sheep without a shepherd.

I can't wait to get to Peru and start doing the real stuff, gathering the lost Peruvians.

MTC - Closer to the End of Training

Learning more and more here at the MTC headed into my last week. Everyone got their travel plans except for us Peru missionaries so we'll see what happens. They are all freaking out and want to know where they're going except for me. I don't care where I go, just want to get out of here and start preaching. I've permanently taken the role as the calm and joyful group member that keeps everyone level headed and happy which is very needed here as people are freaking out about the language. Trust in the Lord is super important. Now get this, I actually started keeping a journal so I kinda know what happened this week. It snowed Thursday which was awesome, Elder Smith from SoCal and Elder Holmes from Tucson were not having it, it was funny. Hermano Andreason taught that our missions are like "mini-vidas" and we need to live to its maximum potential. I raided another floor of rooms that missionaries just moved out of and I'm up to $10 in change I think, plus a ton of candy, laundry detergent, shampoo, and a box fan. Brother Bassett taught about being a representative of Jesus Christ at the devotional on Tuesday and an Elder had a seizure in the middle of it which took a while to take care of. Elder Holmes had mustaches for us to where for Halloween Thursday so that made the day better having had service in the early morning and late night class. Been officially a month since I've gotten here apparently, think someone is messing with the clock or something because that's crazy, I'll share some pics. See ya next week right before I ship out!

Que Estan Pasando

A speedy week here at the MTC. Feels like so much has happened but as soon as I sit down to write, I forget what happened. On Sunday we had a great church meeting with all the districts leaving for the field. They are all in Finland, Iceland, and Japan now and we're all sad to see them go but know they're doing well. We got new missionaries this Wednesday to replace them and they seem pretty cool so far, just need to warm up to the MTC life still. On Tuesday during the devotional review with the district, Bishop Murdock and his wife sat with us and the discussions were amazing. By the end they both said we are the most unified district they've seen after just three weeks and I thought that was funny compared to last week when one of the counselor's  wife thought that none of us liked each other. The TRC appointments have been going pretty well but according to our "investigator's" responses, we are not doing well. But on Friday she was gone and we got someone new and it went amazing so I think we just have a difficult person. A missionary in our district, Elder Ellsworth, left for home yesterday as well after struggling for a while. We all supported his decision and were sad to see him go. But his companion, Elder Holmes, might be joining Elder Taylor and I to make a trio so that should be a blast. This morning on our way to the temple at 6:30, Elder Taylor forgot his recommend but he thought he wouldn't need it so we went in and the front desk person said he would have to go back and get it so we sprinted the mile there and back trying to make it to the session with the rest of our district. Of course we arrived literal seconds after they left the chapel and then had to wait for the next session but it's probably for the best because I was huffing hard with sweat pouring down my face. All in all having a great time here with these guys and learning the language pretty well I think. If the weeks keep going this fast I'll be to Peru in no time.
Elder Blazzard

MTC Teaching and Learning

Great week here at the MTC! I'm having tons of fun with these guys and have gained some life long friends for sure. The Spanish is coming along well enough for me I think and I'm not too stressed because I have 100% trust in the Lord and receiving the gift of tongues. We had 3 TRC meetings this week which means we teach an "investigator" and I would say it went pretty well for the most part having only just learned Spanish. The Tuesday devotional speaker was Elder Cook and he spoke about the importance of the Book of Mormon and how meaningful it is in the gospel. He brought real documents such as Alma 32 which was amazing to see and boosted my testimony a ton knowing the strength of Joseph Smith's faith. The classes are long at times, especially the late night ones that go past 9 but it awesome to see the improvement in myself. I'm also already super eager to just go to Peru and all the Finnish neighbors in my building are leaving Monday which is sad because those guys are super cool. I should probably keep a journal or something so I can remember my week a little better but that's just not me.

MTC Pattern

Days are starting to go a little faster now and the Spanish is coming along as well as I think it should. Not worried about the language much and just having lots of fun with my district dudes, gift of tongues is real. Hermano Andreason is an awesome teacher and pushes us super hard. We've had quite a few substitutes but all have been great. The food's kinda killing me and an hour of exercise is definitely not enough. These guys I'm with are pretty cool and we bounce off each other pretty well. I'll try to get some pictures to send soon. Can't think of much else, I'll try to get better at this through the weeks. Hasta luego!

"The" District

First Email from MTC

HOLA TODOS! Starting here at the MTC has been pretty crazy with a whole new schedule that's packed from six in the morning to ten at night. Everything is following a schedule which I'm going to have to get used to fast but all is well. My companion is Elder John Taylor from Brigham City, Utah and no I'm not joking. He's really awesome and keeps it fun around here along with the rest of my district that is great overall. Our teacher is Hermano Andreason and Hermana Beard and they do a great job with us. I've already memorized Moroni 10:5 and can give a prayer easily so I am feeling pretty comfortable with the language. I found to simply trust in Heavenly Father and the words flow out of my mouth, pretty cool I know. The food here has been alright but I can't seem to stop drinking the chocolate milk, it's killing me. I also see someone I know probably every 30 seconds while we're either walking to class or in the cafeteria and my companions hate it. Yesterday we went and played soccer at the fields which was amazing since we could actually run around, turns out we're all still a bunch of kids. We're about to head to conference soon and I'm super excited to experience it here at the MTC. Probably should have packed some warmer clothes as it's pretty chilly around but I'll make due. Hope everyone's muy bueno at home, thanks for the support.

Entering the MTC

Elder Blazzard was assigned to the Lima Peru MTC, however, his visa had not arrived in time of his report date so he was reassigned to the Provo MTC.