Hi Mom
The scripture was 1 Nephi 4:1 but with the edits it read "Let us go [down] again unto [the world], and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord. And you can do what ever you want with it, I just thought it was really cool. Elder Hoyt shared that during one of our district "devotionals" and I thought you might want it to put over a door because our house isn't the world.
Sunday night they gave us all a lot of hope talking about what we are to do if an apostle or member of the first presidency were to come and talk to us, there was a lot of talk about who was going to come Tuesday, Elder Pudil and I played a popular game here called "what are the odds" where you ask someone what the odds are of them doing something, they give you a 1 in another number answer, you count down from three and say a number between 1 and the number and if you say the same number the person asked has to do it, if it adds up to the number that was chosen then the person who asked has to do it. Using this method we decided that Elder Holland was going to come and speak to us. Surprisingly, it didn't work. instead it was Elder Sitati of the quorum of the 70.
I bumped into Amanda Collyer, (now Sister Collyer) on Sunday but there wasn't much time and I wanted to say hi to the Hiltons, so we talked more on Tuesday during choir. I also managed to memorize the Missionary version of the first vision in Spanish, it is so pretty in this language, now if only I could under stand it when natives talk in it.
Thursday Hemana Keil and I tried out for a solo, again. They asked me to come back, this time with a different accompanist. Hermana Keil wasn't use to the song and didn't know it well enough. So I'll try for the last time this Thursday with a very skilled Elder on the piano. I don't remember his name. but I wrote it on a peace of paper and in my journal so that shouldn't be a problem.
Your welcome for the Birthday pictures. I only have an iPad for pictures now but that will change when I get to San Fernando and buy a new memory card.
After the temple today, we were walking up to the curb to main when Saydi walked to the same corner. I said hello just to be nice and we both were surprised to recognize each other. It was fun, we started talking while I waited for the light and she said the Ben was just behind her (they were both going to the temple) but I didn't get a chance to see him because the light changed and I wanted to have lunch. On an unrelated topic in the same paragraph, I go to the temple next Saturday at 9:10 and after a session we all go to main for lunch and wait for the light around 11:45ish.
Speaking about Ben. Before our session I ran into a couple of Hermanas from his mission. It was really bizarre to have Ben mentioned in two conversations today and still not see him.
It's good to hear about what's going on at home, although I'm still wondering about why you didn't give me the cancer news. Felizidads on the win and Buenas Suerte in all that you do Jess, Chris, and Matt. (sorry if the spelling on my Spanish is wrong, I have a English keyboard that doesn't know the right way to spell in Spanish).
WE GOT OUR TRAVEL PLANS FRIDAY!!!! I leave the CCM on Sunday night after the Devotional. 11:30 to be exact. I might even be able to call you from the airport. our flight leaves here at 8:30 (7:30 your time) and I think I can call you from the airport. let me know a good time, and in what time zone, to call. I've been made travel leader, so I'm going to have a lot of responsibility, I have to watch over seven other Elders and one Hermana, make sure they obey the rules and all get on and off the plane. I'm kind of stressing out a little. Oh and you might have sent me with one bag too many so I could need some extra $105 to pay for checking. and I also will need money for a nice iPad mini when I get to San Fernando. just a heads up because you asked Dad. Also I'm going to need a bike.
In other unrelated news, I have scientifically proven that the advantage human male does not have any growth in maturity between the ages of four and 20 (I think the last ones right, it might be a little high). our zone found out that when I get "shot" I die this week. I've been spending a lot of time on the ground. I'm just glad that the ones across the street leave Monday. It's hard to learn Spanish when you keep dying every two seconds from a gunshot, pistol, shot gun, grenade, knife and anything else they can think of. I will miss them though. They are a great group of Elders and really helped out when Elder Pudil had his panic attack.
I've got to go now. Elder Pudil and I have a meeting with an investigator soon and then we're going to Brigham's Landing with the district that likes to shot me. just want to say before I leave that, Mom, you were right. Putting your head into a iDevice is so unprofessional and rude to those around you. Elder A* can't seem to get his head out of his iPad sometimes. He's a missionary who's to busy writing his journal or E-Mails that he can't talk to anyone or help out.
Love,
Elder Michael Blanding
p.s. We get to see the Ogden temple dedication next Sunday
Elder Forsyth and Elder Michael Blanding
John Forsyth is an old friend from Redmond, he is going to Oaxaca, Mexico