1st Week in Mainz

Monday, March 2, 2015

Mom and Dad,

Happy Monday! Monday is my P-day. (and forgive me in advance for any typos, especially mixing up the y and z, German keyboards have some differences).

I got your letter when I got to Germany, I was too tired to focus very well on anything, but did my best. The first two days were still good and fun, just harder to focus. I'll try reply to some of your comments in the letter I got when I got here then talk about the week- organization. I'm glad that you're happy to read my letters! Start your Monday mornings with a letter before gym time ;) (Morgensport!) [Morning Exercise]

That is very true, Dad, there is always more that can be done to prepare, at some point though the day comes and the adventure truly begins! Yes Mom, Dad, Bishop- church member's and some people in the street that we've talked to have made sweet comments about my smile :D.

Yes. I Love the Book of Mormon, it is definitely my favorite book. So much more than the stories, it has power to bring people closer to Christ. A man can get nearer to God by ABIDING by it's precepts than by any other book. Joseph Smith. My Book of Mormon teacher at BYU, brother Sackett really liked to emphasize the 'abiding' part. Reading helps, but application, living what we learn is what really makes a difference. I'm excited to help people to come nearer to God, to change. to grow. to be happier. here in Germany.

Sooo, some highlights from the last few days:

The last few days at the MTC were packed. (Packed cause they were so full of activities and also cause we packed our bags- ba dum chee). Finished everything by 12ish on Monday night and got up at 5 the next morning, took the bus to the train station, walked to the airport and started to drop off our bags. Then Elder Garcia realized that he had his expired passport. He must have accidentally put the whole punched one in his passport holder and left his good one in his bags or at the mtc. After searching through all of his bags we still came up short. Elder Garcia would have to wait. (It sounds like he will be here by Tuesday, he's just coming a bit late in the transfer) . Made it through security with a kindof temporary companion/my-travel-group, made it onto the flight. On our the flight Elder Blau and I enjoyed chatting with Greg who sat in between us (unique experience, surrounded by missionaries on a plane!) Layover in JFK New York. We arrived close to 9 AM German time and lived most of a day after getting off the plane. (went to bed at 7, it was great) This really is the best way to get over the Jet lag. By Friday I was doing great with sleep, feeling well rested.

This email will probably be a little bit longer/detailed, lots of firsts this week. Wednesday consisted of a lot of orientation activities, bike and car safety videos, financial information, then talking with people at a street display. Interesting experience, lots of people weren't interested at all. A bunch were curious and we talked a lot. One man was really interested in our family history, genealogy programs and shared a lot of stories about his heritage, we told him about the church's family historz resources and invited him to visit familysearch.org. We chatted and had interviews with President Stoddard, met a lot of people, tried to stay awake slept great that night.

Thursday morning, after a pairing meeting with our trainers we went to the train station and our respective areas. For at least (likely more) the next 6 weeks I will be serving in Mainz, a large city between Rhein and Main rivers, pretty close to Frankfurt. Taylor's first area, Langen is right next door, I'll get to do exchanges there! After the meeting we took a train to our appointment then had an eating appointment with Tom, a man from Poland who is going to be baptized soon. He is so great! He has such a strong testimony, loves Christ, listened and enjoyed the lesson (the lesson felt more like a conversation/discussion, which was wonderful) and fed us so well! I maybe ate half of what was on the plate, I was a little embarrassed. (We had breakfast at the hotel and I wasn't very hungry by 2 o'clock, sitting a lot). I sat next to him at Sunday dinner and at church. I love Tom! We had dinner at the Himioben's home the same night and I wasn't very hungry yet but I did my best. They were lots of fun, love missionaries, love to joke, just great people in every way.

Friday was spent working on finding new people to teach. We posted fliers at the University inviting people to Family home evening, (young single adult Monday night activity, food involved) and talked to a lot of people in the streets. After a hard working day full of walking I ate A LOT when I got home, and I sleep great every night :).

Saturday was spent primarily doing service. Suellen (pronounced soo ellen, not sure on spelling), who is from America originally (not sure where), needed help around the house. We cut a lot of bushes and raked them. I broke a rake... yep. Helped fix a few cabinets. (Herk!). One of the cabinets had a countertop that was too much longer than the cabinet without having support, so Elder Gubler (senior missionary who had been an electrician and was directing us) had us go find a piece of wood. we needed a 32 inch piece, found a 35 inch piece and needed a saw. After checking with neighbors, Suellen brought us a saw, but it was one of those long saws for cutting tree branches, shaped like a bow (maybe a bow saw, not sure). Anyways, Elder Fitzgerald and I managed to cut it fairly straight. We found a post, braced at against that and I sat mounted on this board as Elder Fitzgerald cut a few inches off. Wish I had pictures, it was a funny scene. Also got to climb into a cool attic, eat lunch (tasty Broccoli soup and home made pizza) and share a spiritual thought. A set of sister missionaries was there, my companion and I were there and the Gublers were there. The Sisters shared Moroni 10:32, talking about coming unto Christ and being perfected in him, and I shared part of Alma 32 (I think 21 and 22) talking about faith. The spirit was really strong, such a privilege to be there and serve.

Sunday- not much time left and I want to send some pictures. Sunday was awesome. First fast sunday in Germany and I blessed the sacrament at church. I met a lot of ward members, made friends and really enjoyed hearing the testimonies of the members in Mainz. Such a strong ward, such strong, faithful and supportive people, so glad to be serving with them.

My trainer is also great. He is obedient, he works hard, he has really good German. I prayed that I would have an awesome trainer who I could learn a lot from, God answers prayers. Hoping that we can learn a lot from each other in the next 12 weeks. It's been great so far. In the Book of Mormon, we learn from Christ about prayer:

3 Nephie18: 20' and whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing you shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you. 21 Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.

I know that Heavenly Father loves us, his children, and wants us to speak with him through prayer, to really build a relationship with him.

Pray :)

Till next Monday, probablz won't write so much next time.

Love,

Elder Blanchard

Elder Blanchard has Arrived (Frankfurt)

February 25, 2015 

Subject: Elder Blanchard has Arrived

[we are still waiting to hear what area of Germany Hayden is in...next post. This post is just what the family received letting us know he arrived. We spoke to him between planes in JFK on the 24th.]
 

Dear Blanchard Family,

We're happy to inform you that Elder Blanchard has arrived safe and sound here in Frankfurt, Germany! He looks great, and we're thrilled to have his Positivity and talents here among us in this mission! He'll change many lives.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Alles Gute,

Germany Frankfurt Mission Office

KIRCHE JESU CHRISTI
DER HEILIGEN DER LETZTEN TAGE
Deutschland Frankfurt Mission
Missionsbüro: Corneliusstr. 18
60325 Frankfurt am Main

 

Dear Brother and Sister Brian Blanchard,

We are happy to report that Elder Hayden Robert Blanchard arrived safely today.  Sister Stoddard and I met all the new missionaries at the Frankfurt airport, and your son looked good and was happy to be here.  We are always grateful to have new missionaries come into the field as they bring a sense of excitement and a spirit of great faith.  It inspires and energizes the whole mission.

After their arrival in Frankfurt, the missionaries were transported to the Frankfurt Stake Center, where they completed paperwork so they could register and obtain their Visas to stay in Germany.  They also received their debit cards. This allows them to access their missionary support funds.  They also learned about mission transportation and apartments.   Later, Sister Stoddard and I both spent some time getting acquainted with your son.  I also took a few minutes to conduct a brief interview with him.  He is a wonderful young man; and, we are so grateful to have him here.  After a light meal, the missionaries were taken to a nearby hotel for the night.  On Thursday, Elder Blanchard will spend the morning in a meeting with the other new missionaries, where they will be introduced to their new companions.  They will have some more training and then head off to their first areas of assignment.

There is a blogspot at http://frankfurtmission.blogspot.de Shortly, photos will be posted and updated periodically.  Please refer to it throughout the mission and feel free to distribute it to family and friends.  A map of the mission, so you can see where your son will be serving, can also be located on the blog.

The mission office address is up above in the header.  Please send ALL packages to the mission office address; and, please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.  When sending Christmas packages, post them before Thanksgiving.  For special packages to arrive in a timely manner, please allow 4-6 weeks.

Letter mail can be sent to the address where your missionary is serving.  However, we recommend that you send packages to the mission office; and, we will deliver them as soon as possible.  It is easier for the mailman to deliver packages to the office because there is always someone there to receive the mail.  The missionaries email their families on their Preparation Day, which is Monday in our mission. Make sure when addressing envelopes or packages to your missionary that you include “Elder” or “Sister”, their first name, and their last name, because sometimes we have multiple missionaries with the same last name. There are a lot of these at this time.

Elder Blanchard entered this mission at an especially important time.  We pledge to do all we can to insure that he  has a chance to grow spiritually and develop a strong testimony.  We feel confident that he will be effective in this important work of teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have been prepared by our Father in Heaven.  We know that your family will be richly blessed for your sacrifice (D & C 31:3-7).  Thank you for sharing your son with us.  We will keep him constantly in our prayers; and, we promise to do all we can to help him fulfill a successful mission.

Sincerely,

President Ronald A. Stoddard

Germany Frankfurt Mission President
 

last MTC email (Provo Week 6)

February 18, 2015

Yep, shipping out soon. We leave from Salt Lake City at 11:30, arrive in New York at 5:55 and Leave for Frankfurt at 7:45 arriving at 9:50 in Frankfurt, Feb 25th. Assuming nothing changes of course. I bought a phone card so I can call either before, in between, or both, I'm really not sure yet. I'll call on Dad's phone. Berliners and Frankfurters [Missionaries going to Berlin or Frankfurt Missions] have separate flight plans, they stop in Paris as well I believe.

[Reply to a comment I made to Hayden about me/us needing to respond to invitations from people or Heavenly Father] 

I totally agree, just as much, maybe even more that the people we invite, we need to respond to invitations and come closer to Christ. If you invite someone to pray for an answer about something you've taught there is no way that you can do that powerfully without having experienced the power of prayer yourself. The same with reading assignments, repentance, anything that you help people to do to come closer to Christ you should be doing yourself as a missionary.

Glad that Austin having fun, good reading and playing hard as always :)

I haven't done one on one tutoring or call center actually, I've been able to help out companions a lot and in my last district I taught the lesson on conversational past tense. The teachers sometimes turn to me for confirmation on grammar principles. I've been blessed with the ability to learn and understand language and with a head start in German, it's a cool opportunity to help other missionaries learn. Elder Garcia speaks Spanish as well and I heard that there are a lot of Spanish speakers in Heidelberg or around that area, who knows, he could end up there, tri-lingual skills. It is so cool to watch the missionaries learn and grow, from a slightly outside perspective as pertaining to language. They progress so fast, study hard and have a lot of faith. The analogy of "drinking from a fire hose" language wise is very true. They teach them SO much! An impressive amount sticks, but usually it just hurts they say :) They do well and have great attitudes; everyone is excited to go to Germany.

I got another Journal specifically for setting goals. I set a lot of goals and grow a lot, but often I forget to check back on them and see how I progress/ if I'm accomplishing them well. Memorizing German scriptures. (I sent Taylor a list). Personal scripture study, companionship study, Language study, things to work on in additional study time, fitness goals, Christ-like attributes that I'm working on. Luke 2:52, wisdom (learning goals) stature (physical goals) favor with God (spiritual) and man (social). The "well-rounded square" that we talked about in Sunday school, setting goals within important broad categories. I have learned, am learning, and will continue to learn and grow a lot, there is always so much more! One scripture that I really liked about humbly accepting what you don't know but really knowing what is important is 1 Nephi 11:17 "And I said unto him: I know that [God] loveth His children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.

Just like Nephi said in that verse, there may be a lot that I do not know, but I do know that God loves his children. (Romans 8:16 "the Spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.)

Love it! Love the Scriptures and so excited to share this message with the people of Germany! Thank you again for the email and package,

Love,

Elder Blanchard

P.S. Read 3 Nephi 27 for family scripture study this week, let me know how it goes in an email.

Imagining that scene (Provo Week 5)

February 11, 2015

Mom and Dad,

YAY!!! That's awesome to hear about more friends getting mission calls, so exciting. I also see a lot of BYU friends at the MTC, both missionaries and people who work here. - one of cousin Mariah's old room mates. Sorrell Dumas, a BYU friend from German class, people from my singles ward, saw Travis Clark when I was walking back from the temple 2 weeks or so ago. Ashley Elliott and I are in the cafeteria at the same time, and many more. Fun encounters :)

I get my travel itinerary tomorrow and will definitely pick up a calling card, expect details in a coming email :)

The family is staying really busy, keep up the good work, go for a run together of something good like that too. So much busy-ness, doing good things over there.

Yep, so much change! I have a very unique situation, 5 companions, 3 districts and 2 languages. Elder Garcia speaks some Spanish too (didn't grow up speaking but learned in the last two years from his parents and the sister missionaries) so I'm learning a bit of Spanish as well as I help him with his German. It's sweet. He is so awesome, such a strong testimony and great love for the gospel, baptized October 28, 2013. He's a champion. We work hard, teach with the spirit, and have a lot of fun (yes, Austin, I'm having fun).

Elder Prom from my old district was also a pretty recent convert, sister Helmick was about a year ago too. We have a strong group with lots of young, burning testimonies.  

"So many questions and you have so little time to answer. District leader, now Zone Leader, food, exercise, sleep, pictures. Have you tried to upload pictures wifi or other. Did you get the memory stick of stuff from Taylor? Gaining weight or losing? People you know...have you run into Ashley Elliott (Portugal)." [list of questions from Dad]

District leader and zone leader have been good. On the onset of my mission, my attitude about leadership positions was: I hope I don't get called to do those, I'd rather teach/train. If I do though I'll do my best and do so willingly and happily. My attitude now is more: I'll do whatever I'm asked to do, trusting. Striving to be a tool in the Lord's hands and doing whatever I'm asked. The food isn't bad, it actually tastes pretty good. It sticks to the teeth though, so Listerine was an important purchase.

I sleep great! I'm used to the schedule now and it's really good. 7.5-8 hours is more that I got during a lot of high school, just a more packed schedule in the day to go with it. I tried to upload pictures today but struggled, maybe next week. I got to the cannon web site, got onto the account but couldn't figure out the rest. I got the memory stick from Taylor, my weight is the same as when I left (lost at first, gained it back, now maintaining).

I love Christ so much and how the Gospel is centered on him, the Rock and foundation. We have awesome scriptures study personally and as a class, the other day we read 3 Nephi 11, so powerful. Quick part of that:

14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

 15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

Imagining that scene is so touching. Christ invites people to feel him physically and feel of his spirit. He invites us all to come unto Him and partake in the peace and happiness that His Gospel offers.

Also, have you read 2 Nephi 31 yet? This is the follow up on that commitment :) Also, I invited Austin to read 1 Nephi 8, draw a picture of Lehi's vision, and send me his picture, maybe a good FHE activity :)

Thank you for the email and love! Keep up the good work,

Love,

Elder Blanchard

SO much change this week (Provo Week 4)

February 4, 2015

Mom and Dad,

To quote Taylor, "are Austin and Emily dead?" [Dad note-Emily and Austin owe Hayden a letter]

Dad is staying really busy with his calling! Lots of analogies for the spartan race, good lesson. Thinking about doing hard things, check out 1 Nephi 20:10, trials making us stronger, refining us!

Lucky Austin, I LOVE COOPER, what fun. The Packs are moving again? It seems like they just barely moved, hope they can stay in the ward, such a good family. 

Emily is a champion, way to go! getting good grades!

Fun with the family, I didn't even realize the super bowl was happening haha, same with ground hog day and MLK day the other week. The days blend together at the MTC- hard studying, eat, sleep, pray (always, prayer is so good) repeat. Temple visits, church, meetings. Oh and I'm a zone leader now in my new zone, so more meetings :) more on that soon.

Hope the beehive activity went well, busy overall between preschool and Dad's work!

That's cool for Talyon, I'm actually getting a Dutch Book of Mormon from someone I met at the MTC, apparently it's REALLY similar to German. [Talyon Perry called to the Belgium/Netherlands Mission-friend from home]

I can't think of anything I need, and the package is a bunch of Finnish stuff from my old friend in my distrikt. (he gave me pmg, scriptures, dictionary, other Finnish things he didn't need cause he already speaks English fluently)

The MTC! SO much change this week. 2 Mondays ago I switched from the international district I was in to the German district, companions with Elder Klingler and Elder Barnhill, fun stuff. I went from being the youngest in my district to being the oldest. The new district is also a lot of fun and they work hard, the type of work is different. Being in the international district and speaking English, we did a lot of scripture study/doctrine and a lot of teaching. In language districts, it seems like there is a lot more time for study on our own time as missionaries (in companionships, personal, as well as language and "additional study") I had a lot of fun with the new group, But, I was just switched to another district. A missionary in another German district went home, so there were two tri-panionships in the zone. The Branch President talked with us about the situation and now I've moved to the other district so that the companionships are normal 2 missionary sets. 3 people together can be fun, but it makes comp study, teaching, and  going places for personal things (restroom, errands, whatever it may be, we go together) a bit harder. So, today I have my first day with the new district, they're a nice group, haven't had any lessons yet because it's p-day, but they seem friendly :) My companion Elder Garcia was baptized about a year ago, he's awesome. He has such a strong testimony, works hard, and doesn't stress about what he doesn't know. He really has faith that he'll be supported as he does his best here and in the mission overall.

We also moved apartments today. The building I was in was converted to a girls building....

no time to finish, off to class!

I love you all! thanks for the updates,

Elder Blanchard