I'm Leaving Mainz: Mainz Week 22

August 3, 2015

Mom and Dad,

This week was a lot of fun, and yes, it was my last full week in Mainz. On Thursday I will be headed to.....Wetzlar! Mainz is the city of Johannes Gutenberg and Wetzlar is where Goethe was born, or so I am told, fun cultural side note for you :) I`ll be with Elder Domine (not totally sure about the spelling of his name) who is from Northern California, Walnut area. He was with Elder Rowe (from the Rancho Santa Margarita) in the MTC, so just 6 weeks less than me on his mission. I´m excited for new fun experiences and good things in a new area. I will miss this ward and the people here SO much though. ahh.. Yeah, they are so good, supportive, loving, just awesome.

To answer you´re questions, the families who came last Sunday (2 ago now) just came, nice surprise for missionaries and members alike. We have appointments with members often enough, but as far as investigators we don´t have anyone right now who we consistently teach. On Saturday though the missionaries in our area- my companion and I, the sisters and the Langen Elders- had a street display. As a team we distributed close to 20 books of Mormon and talked to a lot of friendly people. Yesterday Elder Cloward and I found someone with whom we will be soon meeting. Well, he and his new companion.

Since it was fast and testimony meeting at church I also shared my testimony, love for the ward, and gratitude for my time spent with them. A huge foundation of my testimony is the happiness that the gospel brings to my life. Reading the scriptures, prayer, and doing my best to live according to what I know. I love sharing that and being a missionary, loving people and doing my best to do God´s work.

Thank you as well for the update or trips and family fun, even though I don´t respond to all the little details I do appreciate it :) 

Love

Hayden

Desire to Learn: Mainz Week 21

July 27, 2015

Subject: desire to learn

Hello Family!

Weddings! Sarah and Nils, so good [note: Hayden’s Cousin Sara’s wedding was end of July in Utah] ! Elder Cloward´s older brother was married last Tuesday. While he´s been on his mission his brother got engaged then married, totally possible for Taylor. Keep me updated :) We were in the temple in Germany at the same time they were probably in the temple getting married. Have a fun trip and a good time in Utah then. Thanks for the update on Emily too, glad to hear she´s having so much fun out there.

On my side of the world: Unfortunately we haven`t had contact with Marco for a while, we don´t really know what´s going on in his life. Elder Cloward and I are still together for at least another week and a half. Transfer calls are on Saturday this week [8/1], don`t send anything to Mainz.

Actually, as a rule for anyone sending me packages (don´t be shy) Send them to

    Elder Hayden Blanchard
    Corneliusstraße 18     

    60235 Frankfurt am Main

    Deutschland/Germany

       [for us Americans a ‘ß’ is a double s or ss]

We´ll see, should I stay or should I go? Other things going on, 2 small families came to church on Sunday and are interested in learning more so that was exciting for our ward. Today I worked on setting some goals and making plans for my study time. Preach my Gospel talks about how getting good results from your study depends on having a strong desire to learn, studying with “real intent” (Moroni 10:4), “hunger[ing] and thirst[ing] after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6) and searching for answers to the questions and concerns of those whom you teach. So much of that simply has to do with having a desire to learn, grow, and improve. I want to be a better missionary, to teach better, to work harder and really do what God would have me do out here.

Till next week,

Love,

Hayden

I lost our phone: Mainz Week 20

July 21, 2015 1:59 AM

Subject: die Hitze!  [The Heat]

Hello Family!

Happy Tuesday! Having not received an email from me yesterday I´m sure you´re aware that I´m going to the temple today. The Frankfurt Temple is closing on September 5th for renovations, so I´m pretty blessed to have been in an area so close to the temple while it´s been open.

Austin is doing so much this Summer, man. Round 2 of scoutcamp, done. Success.

Ah, going to the beach, having air conditioning. Nice :) That, really, as far as physical life circumstances, is the hardest thing going on over here. Getting nice and hot and not having air conditioning. About 3 weeks ago we got up to about 40 degrees [celsius], which is about 104 in fahrenheit. This last weekend it got fairly warm again, but not up there.

Taylor did so much while he was over here, such a fun Summer trip for him. Going back to school and friends at home though. Sarah´s wedding is here, wow! That came fast, congratulations to her and Nils.

Other things from my side of the world. I lost our phone this week! That added some excitement, working on getting a new one, borrowing the sister missionaries´ phone to call a few people who we needed to get into contact with. There were a lot of things that were complicated by not having the useful tool which we call the cell phone, or das Handy [say that with an ‘ah’ sound for the A]. It is a very handy tool. As a missionary though, our most important tools are the Book of Mormon and a personal testimony. A personal witness that these things which we learn, live, and teach, are true. The Book of Mormon is "the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by it´s precepts, than by any other book"- Joseph Smith. I know that this book, powerfully witnessing of Christ, is true, and it is a significant part of my own personal witness. We may not have had a phone for the past few days, but we still have what matters most.

Have a great week!
Love,

Hayden

Apostles are just awesome: Mainz Week 19

July 13, 2015

Mom and Dad,

Thanks for the play by play of camp, from yours and Emily's sides it sounds like it was so much fun :)  [Emily’s Young Women's camp in Santa Barbara] Yep, I have been canoeing, I have the canoeing merit badge too.[Reference to Austin doing that MB at camp]

We unfortunately were not able to meet with Marco this week, we're helping him to overcome some concerns. It's really important, especially when it comes to faith and important questions of the Soul that we go to our Father in Heaven in prayer. As important as parents, friends, and other people in our lives our, doing God's will is most important.

I was really impressed this week when I was reading Acts, Peter and the other Apostles being thrown in jail, persecuted and told not to preach in Christ's Name.

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

As simple as that. I really liked verse 41 as well,

they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name.

The Apostles are just awesome.

Anyways, we had a good week over here. Carry on at home, have a fun mini-break before you go to Sarah's wedding. [Hayden’s cousin]

Love,

Hayden

Happy Monday: Mainz Week 18

June 29, 2015

Hallo!

Frohen Montag! Happy beginning to Summer break :) Sending Austin and Emily away already, off to the East coast and off to Santa Barbara.[Dad note: Austin NewYork, BSA camp 10 mile river- Camp Keawo and Emily to Especially for Youth] My vote is for a long walk on the beach then a temple date. Have fun! Classic Austin, he loves looking out windows for long car rides too [Dn: Unfortunately we did not know Austin would need a “mobile device” to enjoy the in flight entertainment and he forgot his book on the stairs]) Does he have an email address that you could send to me?

Yep, working on taking more pictures too, glad you liked what I sent you. We visit castles and old churches, the zoo, eat ice cream, other good things like that on p-day [Preparation Day, one day per week]. Still do garden work every once in a while, meet with church members, try to find people who are interested in developing their relationship with God further and teach people. We also have missionary meetings, at least one a week, and church. I just try to focus on weekly highlights or cool things that I learned or focused on within the week.

"20 Questions" About my companion:

Elder Cloward is 20 years old, from Salt Lake (born in Arizona). He's been on his mission for almost a year and 1/2 and has served in Bomberg and Duisberg. I cut his hair last night (I did a good job I think, I hope. I cut my own hair too, just like in college). He's funny and fun to work with, looking forward to more good things in Mainz together. He's also very patient with me trying to introduce him to the area, people and good stuff like that. We got lost once trying to find someone’s house, took the right bus but couldn't quite find the home. Elder Fitzgerald knew his way around :) and questions that I didn't get to?

Speaking about good things in Mainz, a man who we are teaching has a baptismal date. Pray for Marco to be prepared to be baptized, August 1st. What at times isn't understood is that baptism is a sacred covenant, not just getting wet and joining an organization, but making a very important promise between you and God. People need to understand the significance of it and really prepare before they enter the baptismal font.

I also attached my talk that I gave a few weeks ago. There were a few more edits that didn't get added in on the typed one, but there you go :) 

Have

[that’s where it ends]