February 20, 2012 - Blake's last email! What a wonderful two years it has been!

February 20, 2012 - Week 1 of Reality...

This week has been a stellar week and it couldn't have been any better! I am so grateful and have been thanking the Lord over and over for all the good that has happened. Before I give you a outline of this past week let be start by answering your question in regards to my feelings about going home. Might I add I have been asked this question by every member of our stakes this past week! The best way to describe my feels is to say It feels natural and right. I was called to serve for two years and those two years have come to an end. I am not depressed and acting like I am the most hardcore missionary in the world and never want to go home YET I am not trunky and anxious to leave. I love what I am doing and I could easily keep going and I will just at home! I think all will feel normal until hands I am released, that will be difficult... I do recognize that there will be times where I will miss being so saturated in the Gospel. In the past two years I have become acquainted with the spirit and feel it on a daily basis, this I do not want to leave and it doesn't need to. This past week I had a general authority visit with me for awhile and he comforted me greatly, I love him. Regular temple worship, daily scripture study and praying always will be the key.

I hope that gives you a good idea of how I feel! Now as for this past week, lets begin. First President Miller called me up and asked for my thoughts about transfers for the district I serve in. There are three companionships in our district and each companionship is like our companionship, that is finishing be trained/training. All three of the new missionaries (including Elder Mayo) are excellent and well prepared to be 3rd transfer trainers! That is a big deal, basically since they don't have much experience they need to be exactly obedient and they are. Elder Stensrud one of the new missionaries who will be training,  President is considering to have him be the district leader so he asked me to go on a two day exchange and get a feel if he is prepared. So from Wednesday night to Friday night I was in their area while Elder Mayo stayed in ours. Elder Stensrud (by the way he is killer at basketball) is so receptive and willing to learn, its sad his trainer isn't the greatest. It was so fun to be with him for two days though! He just wants to learn and invites correction because he has a real desire to improve. I stuffed him with some goodies from Preach My Gospel and taught him how to plan, he caught on quick. Elder Stensrud will be a great district leader, especially with the zone leaders we have. They are the best, Elder Armstrong (New Zealand) and Elder Pence.

After the exchange we had a huge stake conference in our Draper River View Stake and Elder Keith R. Edwards of the Sevently presided. On Saturday there was a Priesthood leadership and adult session. We were invited by the stake president to attend a private dinner with just Elder Edwards and the Stake Presidency! That was special and it was nice to get some one on one time with Elder Edwards. President and Sister Miller were asked to speak at the adult session and everyone loved them! They are hilarious yet they can really invite some personal revelation by the spirit. On Sunday morning there was a youth session and we were able to have some recent converts attend. Then there was of course the main session of stake conference and some wonderful talks were given by the stake presidency, Draper Temple presidency and Elder Edwards. To start his remarks Elder Edwards stood up and said, "I would now like Elder Pizzey to please come forward and share a few remarks and his testimony," then sat down. I quickly snapped out of my comfortable position and marched to the pulpit. As most stake conferences the chapel, gym and stake were packed but even more they had this being broadcasted to other buildings! I bore testimony of what the Word of God has done for me these past two years and sat down after a few minutes. Elder Edwards then followed and gave a powerful 35 minute talk! He comforted me with his words and shared a story of a returned missionary he released while serving as a stake president. It was exactly what I needed to hear! It was a wonderful stake conference but was really sad to say goodbye to this stake presidency I love so much.

Sunday night was the greatest of the entire week! First we had Richard Neel (82 years old) get baptized by his son with Elder Mayo assisting in the font. We organized a bus to drive all of his friends from the retirement home over to stake center. We ended up having a "drive-in" baptism! Everyone scooted up on their motorized scooters to view the baptism fun fun! Richard is 6'6" and quite a big guy so we had him sit on the floor as he was baptized. Immediately following his baptism we had Melanie, Philip, and Sabrina Walter get baptized! It was a powerful baptism with great talks and musical numbers. Their uncle who has returned to activity while we have been teaching him with the family spoke on baptism, that was my favorite part. It took a few dunks to get Melanie under the water which called for some good laughs but she enjoyed it. We will visit this family when we return. The father, Randy, didn't end up getting baptized but yesterday softened his heart.

Then I was able to go back to the assistants area for the baptism of Jeff Mantels! I had Cameron Keys (19 years old) be my companion and drive me out there. We had really good heart to heart chat on the way out there and talked alot about a mission! Jeff was married on a BMX track saturday and baptized sunday night, I know legit! That gave me some good ideas about my wedding, just kidding. Jeff is one of the people that I taught where we just clicked and connected. He asked me to speak on the Gift of the Holy Ghost and I was pleased to do so. I bore down in pure testimony to him and taught how recieving the Holy Ghost will help him become more like Christ. Changing his character is something he has really focused on and something he needed to do. It hit me while singing the closing hymn that that was my last baptism as a set part missionary. I didn't cry but the emotion was there. I love what serving the Lord. My heart is filled with a fullness of joy when I see people come unto Christ and use His Atonement. I love the Lord and my mission has been perfect. Now my bags are packed and I am ready to go, I will see you shortly.

For the last time, Love Elder Pizzey.