Starting Over

     It was my first week in my new area with my new companion and overall it wasn't a bad week, but there's a lot that's new. My first day in Clinton it felt like my first day in the mission again. I was very uncomfortable because I had no idea where I was, everything looked unfamiliar, I didn't know anybody in the area or even my companion and something that I've learned about myself is that when I'm uncomfortable I don't talk. So the first couple of days, Elder Raine ended up doing most of the talking. 

      I like Elder Raine, he's not toxic with his obedience. I really don't have anything bad to say about him, I just don't know him yet and it's kinda difficult going from being with one of your best friends to somebody you don't know yet. That's all it is really, I just don't know anybody in my new companionship, new district, and even really in my new zone. I'm just lonely, I miss the 4 man. I actually got to see my former roommates this week and it took about 10 minutes for me to realize how much I miss them, especially Elder Titus. The 4 of us were just so funny together, it was a lot of fun, and we made fun of each other so much. 

      The reason I got to see them was so exciting and the highlight of my week, we got to go to the Van DerSpek's baptism. It was awesome. When Aubree and Alivia first saw me they came up to me and gave me a hug. I adore these girls, I just love them so much and I'm so proud of them. They made us a baptism poster, I got to speak about baptism, we participated in the laying on the hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. It's all just so awesome and I can't believe how far they've come, the joy that I know they've receive, and the joy that I've receive watching them take this journey. I'm going to miss seeing them. 

      This seems to be a good area, it has the largest teaching pool that I've ever had, but at the moment I'm just trying to know my way around. We also don't have a car, it was taken and given to some sisters. Turns out I'm still really afraid of riding a bike after breaking my wrist. It's a lot better now having biked a week, but at first I was surprised how frightened I was. Even making a simple turn I would slow way down because it was scary. 

      I had a great week of personal studies this week as well. I studied all about peace and I realized that there's a very deep connection between the level of peace and righteous action. It's a connection I've never made before, but through my studies I'm learning new things. If you'd like to see the connection for yourself there's a great talk by Elder Quentin L. Cook in April 2013 Personal Peace: The Reward for Righteousness and you can also go to the topical guide and read scriptures under Peace and Peace of God. A greater level of Peace is the promised reward for Righteous Actions. 

My heart is filled with Love,

Elder Blacker