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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Brother and Sister Cranney Welcome Blake


Dear Brother and Sister Wight,

It has been wonderful for us to meet your son and get to know him and feel of his great spirit. We are confident that he will make a significant contribution to the Lord's work in Russia.

Initially, your son will be serving with Elder Morgan. Your son will learn a great deal from him. They will be serving in the Sokolniki area inside of Moscow.

As I am sure you know, uplifting and encouraging letters from home are as important as food and shelter for a missionary. Sharing with him your faith, your spiritual experiences, and your love will bless and sustain him tremendously. For mailing letters, the Church pouch is the fastest and most reliable method. LDS bishops have instructions for using this system. To reach the USA, letters from Moscow generally take at least two weeks, but can require more time. Preparation day is now Wednesday. You can expect to receive an e-mail from him each week. Here is the address for any correspondence you would like to send in the pouch:

Russia Moscow Mission

PO Box 30150

Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150

If you wish to send packages, address them to the following:

101000 Moskva

Glavpochtampt a/ai 257

RUSSIA

Packages generally require at least three weeks for delivery. USPS or DHL works best for mailing packages.

We send this letter to you with our pledge to do all that we can to help your son be safe, well and enthusiastic in this thrilling missionary adventure. Thank you for entrusting him to us for this important time of his life.

Cordially,

President and Sister Cranney


P.S. Every month our mission puts out a monthly newsletter called the Moscow Messenger. It usually includes our new missionaries, those we've had to say good-bye to, birthdays, excerpts from some of the missionaries' weekly e-mails, and other similar items.

Anyway, we thought that some of the parents might like to be receiving it as well. It might give you some more "insight" into what life is like for your son as you read it. If you'd like us to e-mail it to you each month, please just respond to this e-mail and we will see it gets to your home.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas Day


News:



12-25-09
I'm pretty sure we don't usually get to email this often... hahaha, but its the Christmas season and such. so why not?

I just got off the phone with you probably not even an hour ago, but I have nothing else so do to...

I'm trying to remember all the information you wanted that I didn't have. But I'm drawing blanks, so remind me when you get this.

This pochta is super hot every time we come in here!

Tell me things you want pictures of, except for gov. buildings and the actual metro, these are neel-za (forbidden). But I think I can take pictures of the museum kind of parts in the metros.

I still don't know how mail works here, but I'll figure it out so I can find a way to get you my memory cards when they fill up I don't have many pictures now so it will probably be a long while. I need to figure out how to send actual letters too.

Well I don't have a whole much more to say than I have already said on the phone just a bit ago.

-Blake Wight

Call me on Christmas!!!


12-23-09

OK, so this is just a short note. I got my new companion elder Morgan from Colorado. He is awesome so far, I've had him a few hours. On Christmas EVE call us at 8:45pm YOUR TIME, it will be The number is 7---------9. You could probably use skype, my companion says its the cheapest, but I don't know.

Moscow is warm right now, only -8 Fahrenheit.

And I think I will be using this email for all my emails, unless it starts giving me grief. Go ahead and put this email on the group so I can get email from everybody, its no longer only family.

Anyways, I love you all!

-Blake Wight

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Blake makes it to Russia!!!

Short little message:

I'm here! we went to red square, contacted, and ate. I get my companion tomorrow!

I talked to this guy on the metro, and when he replied I could barely even hear him, much less understand him. But he turned away from me after that, so i just took the hint.

Also later I contacted this other guy, and elder Varen (ap) kind of took over and talked and taught him. elder Varen told me later that he was really receptive, which is good. He explained that the bus was moving like a turtle and I recognized the word turtle, hahaha. pretty cool.

Well, I will talk to you on Christmas! I don't know the details, but it will work out.

I love you all!
-Blake Wight

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Blake leaves Monday!!!

News


12-1-09

Blake sent us his travel itinerary today.

He has to report at the Travel office at 5:00 AM. His flight is on Delta Air Lines Flight 94 Dec 21st at 8:35 AM. He arrives at JFK at 3:10 and leaves there at 4:35 straight for Moscow!!! Delta Flight 30. He arrives in Moscow at 10:10AM on the 22nd.

(Family and friends should not plan to see him off at the airport or at the MTC.)

He is very excited. It bigger than Christmas to him. From what I understand, he will be able to call home for a few minutes in between flights.

Six Days!!!!

Dear Family
Sounds like the house is undergoing some major changes, which is pretty cool. So have you thrown away the old computer? I guess it doesn't really matter, just curious.

Yeah, the white handbook is very nice tool to have. We call it in our branch the book of blessings. by obedience to the white handbook we are blessed. Obedience is an opportunity to receive blessings, and show God our love and willingness to submit to his will.

So is the family going to do a Christmas time ski trip this year? What's the deal on that?

I sent my flight plans vie snail mail, which you should be receiving soon. The times on the flight plan are LOCAL. I would guess I would be calling you from JFK. And as for Christmas phone call, I don't know whether it would be on the 25th of Dec. or the 7th of January. Europeans celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January. I would guess it is up to the mission president. 3 calls in a week? I though just layover and Christmas, when else?

As for email in Russia, I don't know which one i will be using. BUT I'm pretty sure once in Russia, everyone will be able to email me, not just family like it is here.

About pictures, please only send a few that i either suggest or you want to send. you can expect to have that big thing of letters sent back soon, sorry. I have a weight limit, and a lot of them I took so you could see what goes on here, I don't really care to have them with me all the time. Which reminds me, I am going to send a package home of things that won't fit in the weight limit and I don't really need. there is some deal here where I can send any size package to somewhere in Provo and people pick it up for 5 bucks, or I pay, I forget. or I can just send it home? maybe grandma could pick it up? but I don't want to be a burden on her, I'm sure she is busy.

I did get my nose cauterised yesterday. just as terrible as the first time, hahaha. my nose dripped that nasty goo for awhile. It was weird to ride in a van and see people without name tags. I felt like i should be teaching everybody, but everyone was Mormon, hahaha.

It totally doesn't seem like the Christmas season here. its so weird, I hope that it turns out to be a pretty cool one. Elders have said that Christmas' on their missions are the most memorable. I hope they are right. Its like ten days away, but I've only been looking forward to my flight into Moscow I haven't really noticed how close it was.

Remember the brother in the branch presidency that I had the amazing interview with and that is going to be a mission president? Well he got moved to a different branch, and is the Branch President of branch 53 now. Pretty crazy.

I am so ready to out of the MTC. I weighed myself at gym the other day. 171. hahaha. tell that to Kearsley. I loved hearing about the team, please keep me posted. It sounds like a lot of the littler guys got bigger, I was surprised to see that the team's line-up was stronger in the mid-heavy range.

anyway, I have 6 days! woohoo!

помните кто ты!

remember who you are!

Love you all!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Swine flu, watches, and Reading

12-08-09

Snail mail letter...


Dear family

This week was uneventful, so I apologize if it is short.
We had our SYL (speak your language) meeting, where they talked about how we should only speak Russian.

Our lesson last Wednesday went really well I thought. I feel like I can kind of express what I really want to say during a lesson. Outside of lessons though, I know nothing.

Guess what? My watchbroke...me and timepieces. I don't know why. My watch was falling apart, it just finally busted.

I finished the Book of Mormon, the talks at General Conference (except relief society), and Our Heritage this week. I feel pretty good about that. I have started D&C and Jesus the Christ.

I'm over that cold I had, everyone seemed to have picked it up, but we are all healthy now. My roommate had swine flu, but we all got vaccinated, so it shouldn't be a problem anymore. The memory card was labeled I think? I've heard stories of people having slits in their mail and their cards gone. I will definitely try doing what dad suggested.


That's all for this week.

Fun Russian fact...I don't have one...it's hard.
Christmas wish list (*Some I need)
*Alarm clock (maybe shock proof?)
*Watch (anything will work. I've seen good looking watches for $12)
Ties
Sweater vest?
face mask deal so my face doesn't freeze off.
Scarf or two
Any other goodies
I might add some stuff in P.S.
a few pictures of Thunder

я люблю вас!
Blake Wight

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

100%

The whole carpet deal sounds pretty cool. I can't wait to see what my old room looks like. when mom asked for six, did she cry? I have been wondering, is it cheaper with me out of the house? how much milk do we go through now?

Casey is going to be a force to reckon with in high school. Too bad he had the diseased arm last year.

The card sent was in the little case thingy. I have heard stories about people with slits in their mail, and their memory cards gone.

I can't wait for the opportunity to give priesthood blessings, but in the white handbook it says that we can only give blessings when asked, so i don't know how many opportunities i will actually get.

I don't have a lot to say about this week, except it was a good week and that my russian lesson last wee went pretty well. I was surprised at how well we did.

I have been thinking about how hard my mission is going to be, but when i look back at all the hard things i have done in the past, they are the things i enjoy and remember the best. Looking at it this way makes me excited to get on my mission and keeps me from thinking about my doubts and short-fallings. I just know that when all is said and done, the hard things I have done, and will do, are the things that I will treasure most. "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." I want to say at the end of my mission I had no regrets.

Anyways, that was on my mind a lot this week. Thought it was a good little thing to share with you.

I love you guys!

-Blake Wight

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Pre Thanksgiving snail mail

11/24/09
Blake's snail mail home....

Dear family,

I'm just going to write to you all. If you want a letter just to you, you're going to have to put in some overtime and not write when mom makes you ;)

Uh...No card? I hope I just forgot it. I'll look. Bummer. Just know they were good. (In his last letter he sent his memory card and I didn't get it. I've look everywhere. UGHHHH)

I don't think the gingerbread house is going to work out, its tooo messy. I appreciate it though. I'll just keep the candy.

Casey, sorry to ruin your parade, but my mission boundaries no longer include Kazakhstan anymore. I hope that's not why you chose it. (It was, but oh well. If any of you are interested in visiting Kazakhstan Casey has made a cool travel brochure you can take a look at.)

Samantha, MTC is good, except the food. Campanion is good. And I have learned SO much Russian, but only enough to teach discussions.

Carissa, I'm glad your teeth are doing well, hahahah:) (She has been loosing some teeth, like 4).

I don't think the room is mine, I don't even remember taking that picture.

Dad, I loved the e-mial/Dear Elder, hopefully I'll have replied via e-mail by the time you get this.

I hear Elder Holland is coming on Thanksgiving with probably some other apostle!

Russian fun fact:
Every verb has perfective/imperfective form. So for every verb I have to learn 2 words, and there are 6 verbs for "to go"!

Anyways, love you all

я люблю вас!
Blake Wight

P.S. Dallin H Oaks spoke tonight, it was amazing!

P.P.S. I didn't end my e-mail because I looked and I had 12 seconds left. My bad.

Thanksgiving in the MTC

12-01-09

hahaha. Sounds like you had a Thanksgiving. I had a pretty good one myself, there was a morningside with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland! It was super good. That makes three apostles so far here at the MTC. I have found though, that just because they are apostles doesn't mean they will answer all the questions I have in mind. I have found that some of the best personal things for me, are not always from apostles, I do learn a lot, but sometimes more from others. I have learned that it doesn't really matter who it is, as long as you are listening to them, and the spirit, you have the opportunity to learn. I love receiving whisperings of the spirit. It is a huge testament to me of the power of the Holy Ghost. I might suggest the first general conference talk in the ensign, I am almost done reading the whole thing, and that has been so far, my favorite.

Its a bummer that Casey doesn't have eagle eye vision like myself (hahaha) but he is the one that has shot a deer... I might suggest to Casey that in addition to wrestling practice, he should run and do workouts like pull ups, push-ups, and workouts without weights. Some really good wrestlers here no of good wrestlers that weren't strong enough to finish moves, greater strength will really help his game i believe.

I don't know anything about my visa. I had it already before I came here. I don't know if it is good or not.

Exciting news! I got my Russian name tags yesterday! It is spelled (OO-AI-T) they don't have a W. so it was either a V sound, or an OO sound. It kinda of tricks them into saying the w sound, and it sounds pretty nifty. So I chose it that way.

I'm at 21 days. I leave the 22nd. Its pretty nuts, I have already started Spreak Your Language 100 % of the time. It is difficult. My roommate elder Waite is fine now, quarantine he said was not that bad. I am getting a cough but it is not that bad I don't think, I can't imagine it evolving into anything nasty.

I have looked high and low for the card. No bueno. I am almost positive I sent it.

I love you!

Blake Wight

p.s. please don't send anymore m&ms I have only eaten five pieces of the two bags you sent at Halloween. Pretty much anything else would be nice though.

p.p.s. I was gonna ask for you to send something but I forgot. It'll probably be in the snail mail I send.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Testimony



11-24-09

I don't feel ready to leave in some ways, but in others i definitely do. Russian i don't know any conversation phrases besides a few that will get me so i can teach lessons. that is pretty much what my vocabulary consists of, is gospel words and phrases. I am so ready to move on and go to Russia, I love being here, but I also just really want to get out there and do the real thing.

I also hope that my mission flies by, kind of. I know that my time in the field will be amazing, but I also can't wait to get home and move on with school and such. I have mixed emotions and i know i shouldn't be thinking about anything other than my mission right now. so I won't:)

As for the Natives, we haven't had that many oppurtunities to really talk with them because they are sisters, and also it was their first week, and they don't go to a lot of the same activities as we do. But we did go through an endowment session with them today, which is always cool. the other natives, we went up to their room and talked a lot, which is why we knew them better than we will probably know these sisters.

It's great you were in the temple so much this week. I love having the oppurtunity to go to the temple every tuesday, its really a good experience and break from the MTC.

Which of M.'s friends saw me? I didn't see anybody i recognized.

I miss Chukar hunting, and thunder. I hope that puppy figures out the whole hunting deal, because i'm sure that when she does she will be amazing. I remember thunder shelling pistachios, Mom also said that she found a stash of candy and brought it to her. I love that Dog. Could you send a Picture of her? maybe a few?

About the memory card, I have no idea where the card is, i'm almost positive i sent it in the mail... bummer. you'll have to send a new one. I didn't back up the pictures because we don't have any way to here. There were some classics.

I'd just like to share my testimony real quick, but before I do, i'd like to say that I've learned so much here, more probably about the gospel and about missionary work than Russian, and I thought I knew A lot before i came out here. I can't wait to see the person I will be after my mission.

I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, I know that he atoned so that we may return to our Father in Heaven. I know that God loves us, more than it is possible for us to imagine. I know that Holy Ghost is key towards conversion, and that through the Holy Ghost we can know all things. I have a personal testimony of personal revelation. I know that I can recieve personal revelation and priesthood power by being obedient, faithful, and listening to the spirit. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. i know that we have all the keys, and authority of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. I know that the Book Of Mormon is the true word of God, and that a man can grow closer to God by studying it, and applying its teachings. I know that I am called of God to serve his people in Russia. I know that key to my success as a missionary is patience, diligence, knowledge, charity, love, faithfulness, obedience, and work.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Russian Lessons


Dear Family,
E-mail wigged out, so it didn't send, AND I ran out of time. SO it's just the letter this week. For my schedule on an average day, I wake up, get breakfast, sower, and head to class, with wither Brother Burgess or Sister Jenson, it's always the same classroom. Then lunch, and back to class for either more class or MDT (I'm not sure what that is, maybe exercise?) Then dinner, then either class or MDT, but we only have MDT once a day. I'll see if I can copy my schedule to send you. (I requested this info, because I have no ideas what he does in the MTC)

This week is kind of crazy, almost all of the older elders in our branch have left, which make us the older group. Also, next Wednesday we get about a dozen new elders plus 2 native sisters. It is going to be pretty fun.

This week is going to be my first time teaching a lesson in Russian. Can you believe that? It's pretty crazy. The socks and garments are MUCH appreciated. For future refernce, I like socks higher that the ankle for athletic socks and whose two kinds are very nice. The thick wool socks are a little too big. I'm a size 10. (He goes on to give his garment sizes and preferences, but I won't bore you with that.)

If you could , would you please send a FEW international stamps so I can send some letters to Mitch?

Dad, watch the talk "Forever a Missionary" by Elder Ballard. It might be hard to find because it is a MTC talk. It's really goo though.

Love you all!

Blake Wight

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Getting "older"




11-07-09
Dear Family,
This last week has been pretty normal until Sunday. Because the older group shipping off this next week, we nneeded new Zone Leaders. Our District Leader's and companion became the new Zone Leaders and my companion is our new Disrict leader. (One of the old Zone Leader's was I think that state champ wrestler from Georgia, he is a pretty cool guy). So now I get to follow around my compaion, while he does... whatever he does.

Today I have less P-day than usual, due to the fact that we went to a sealing session with the natives and the older group. Me and my companion were the wintesses for a while. It was very interesting.

Well the older group leaves in a week! I can't believe that in a few short weeks I will be one of the older Elders that will be giving talks in 100% Russian! Also blessing the sacrament in Russian and teaching lessons! Next Wendesday we will be teaching the first lesson in Russian which is just nuts!

I decided to include a Russian tid-bit this week, here goes.

ALPHABET
Then he goes on to write the alphabet in Russian and then a word that has the correct sound in it. It is with a bunch of Russian letter or I would type it all out for you to have your first Russian lesson. I still haven't gotten the alphbet thing figured out. I guess, I need to do that.)

Anyways, I love you all! (Pronounced in Russian Ya Lyoublyou vas)

Blake Wight

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Candy Galore




Dear mother,
Because I have already written you a real, letter, I won't repeat myself.

I have not yet received socks or underwear yet, (I told him I sent it, but I haven't yet. ooops) I think the MTC post room is a little slow, because I got grandma Carter's Halloween package late, by a few days, and she sent it from the BYU bookstore.

I found out some things about customs this last week you might want to know about. Don't send expensive things, customs people steal. if you really want to try though, put stickers of Jesus and the sort on the box, if they are superstitious they won't want to mess with it. Or send in smaller packages, its more expensive, but then they probably won't steal small packages.

OK, I'll repeat myself this once, my companion is the new District Leader, our DL became the Zone Leader because the older group is leaving soon. exciting huh?

I know you might have to type up some of the things that I put in my real letter, but please do it, I'd like everybody to know whats going on over here at the MTC.

One of the Elders in my room had a cousin that just left to the field, and he donated all of his candy, we are packed with candy. We have decided to start hiding it in all the wall sockets and in creative places for the new missionaries to find. But keep sending! =)

I have been writing in my journal every other day, and the days I miss, I make up for. My entries are getting smaller and smaller though because it is the same thing every day.

I love you!
-Blake Wight.

Wanted



10-29-09
Dear Mother,
Like I had said before, not a lot to say about this week. I forgot to ask for a couple pairs of socks 2 reg/2 insulated and for a couple more sets of garments. I have been wearing my socks twice and am down to 0 garments come P-day. I am sending a check from some friends. If you could deposit it that would be delightful. AND Pictures please! I have no family/ any pictures, make sure to send my pic of me jumping over the creek and also Mitchell's afro one. The Elder who was sick didn't have swine flu, he was just sick. Oh it snowed a little today, but I already mentioned that...I hope this week is more eventful for ya, love you.

Blake Wight

P.S. L Tom Perry spoke at our Devotional today!!!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

10/27/09 Flags and snow


10/27/09
Dad,
I don't know whats up, but the picture (of Samantha) didn't go through.

I also already know about mom's moment, because she told me as well as Carissa.

And speaking of pictures, I have zero pictures of anybody, so next package, make sure to send some Wight Family Classics. As well as my mission pic of me jumping over the creek.

Pretty normal week this week, nothing much to say, except the older Russian elders started SYL which is they have to Speak Your Language 100% of the time to other people that know Russian. and its for the last two weeks. NOT THE WHOLE TIME. (Jeff bet Blake that he would have to speak Russian the entire time he was there after a couple of days), hahaha. I win. Life is good here.

I think I will be sending a memory card today, so you can download those pictures and sort through them. I can't think of anything more to say at the moment, so, until next week!

Love,
-Blake


Mom,
I think i will send the memory card today, I don't have, like perfect pictures of everybody, but you can at least see the people in my district.

I really appreciate that last package, I used the tape to finally put up the flag in our room. I hope it stays.The daily box deal is pretty exciting everyday. hahaha .

If you could get me the address of the Clint Carters, that would be nice, they got me a package, and I threw away the box. Same thing with a letter from Grandpa Sensenbach. If you could send those in the next letter so I could write them back, that would be nice.

Today it was snowing when we left the temple, so our district photo shoot was shortened to just jumping pictures outside. Next week we plan on having a stylish winter picture shoot, so we'll get some good shots. Pretty normal week otherwise. not much to say.

Oh, the older group started SYL yesterday, read dad's email to find out what that is, I only have so much time.

I'd like this part I'm about to write to go out TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SAID THEY'D WRITE. Letters are exciting, and its like Christmas morning getting letters, especially from your friends. SO GET OFF FACEBOOK RIGHT NOW AND WRITE ME A DANG LETTER. hahaha =D

I love you mom... everybody too... and even those who haven't written yet.

я люблю вас!

-Blake Wight

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Broken Alarm Clock, What?! Already?


Dear Mother (crossed out) ...Family,

I don't have much to write to you about, outside of what is in my e-mails, which also isn't much. I really am loving the package though.

It's starting to get winter-cold here as of today, yesterday and Sunday were pretty warm, but today it just keeps getting colder. Which reminds me, MY JACKET (which I have already sent to him, don't worry) please send it! And the other few things I asked for besides stamps, thanks.

Russian is coming along, but I'm no pro. My companion, is remembering words and keeping up, but his accent needs some work. I'm trying to remind him of pronunciation and stessing the correct vowels of words, overall- it's going well.

I broke my alarm clock already. I'm on the top bunk and I put my alarm clock on the closet. One night I put it too close to the edge and in the morning, it fell and broke. Crap. (My mom and dad were down in Provo and bought him a new one and dropped it off at some MTC drop box).

Anyways, love you MOM! and Dad! And children. hahahaha
Then he wrote I love you in Russian.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Roommates and Blaze's death


10/20/09
This first letter is to Jeff the second to me (Rachael)
Hope you enjoy..

I thoroughly enjoyed the joke. After I received your message about Blaze, I had some trouble not crying. It made me really think of home, and I think brought my first bit of homesickness, hopefully the last.

Things are great here. I'll tell you about the other elders in my district. Elder Breedlove- super happy guy, that wants to be a freelance "navy seal trained" spy-like guy. I dunno, he is really funny though and is one of my roommates.

His companion is Elder Waite- played lacrosse for SVU, has a girlfriend he expects will not wait for him, no matter how much she says she will. I don't think he will be too disappointed when it happens, not because she isn't great, just because he knows it'll happen. hahaha. He is very realistic.

Elder Brown- this guy has some amazing experiences, super responsible, and my DL. His dad died three and a half years ago. He visited China for two weeks just before he got here. He has worked one of those "Deadliest Catch" boats, and has some pretty cool experiences about that. He made 15 grand in two months!

His companion is elder Weihing, said like "wine" he is a short guy that is pretty good at basketball, although he broke both wrists playing once. One wrist has metal plates, screws, the whole nine yards, pretty gnarly. He is a really nice guy.

There are two sisters in our district, but I don't know much about them though. Sister Dungan is from Hillsboro, is a teacher and has taught in Russia and Ethiopia. sister Hanson's dad is an archeologist, and she herself has led some digs, pretty fun stuff.

Dear elder is probably best, but both is better. if you have to pick one, definitely do dear elder, because I only get 30 minutes on the computer. Loved the picture.

Love
-Blake


Mom,

I remember that one time at DQ, , and I don't know if I'd trust it either. ( I wrote him about our FHE and how we had gone to Dairy Queen afterwards, but I was a little weary because the last time, when I took Blake and Mitch, the icecream was spoiled and tasted horrible)

Life is good here, I haven't gained any weight... I don't think. Today I got the chance to go to an endowment session with some "natives" from russia/ukraine that come here to help us learn. They don't have temples over there, so it was pretty cool because they received their endowments. There are I think nine of them, five sisters and four Elders.

That package with the date things is a really good idea, and it will be a good extra little boost to look forward to the next day. Here the days seem to fly by, it seems that just a few days ago, I was writing you my first letter, and BAM, I'm already on week two!

I hope Braden is having fun, you will have to keep me posted on how things are for him up there in the far north. hahaha.

I got my first taste of homesickness when I got the letter about Blaze dying. It made me realize how much I miss Thunder. There is nothing like the feeling you get from a dog here, and I definitely miss it. Anyways, I'm about out of time, I spent most of my time on dad's letter, so you'll have to read that one too, I forgot to CC that one.

Love- Blake

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Sundays... and finally, "the code"


10/13/09
This is Blake's first "letter, letter" home. It is so great to hear he is having a great experience. Enjoy...

The MTC is awesome! I'll answer some questions you asked. Sacrament meeting is cool, one elder and one sister each give a talk in Russian! They are 3-5 minutes long. Oh and we are a branch, all Russian/Ukraine Elders/Sisters. The sacrament prayers are in Russian also, but you receive the assignment earlier in the week. After the Russian talks, one of the branch Presidency's wives speaks, and then one of the Branch Presidency. Everything but announcements and the Presidency's wife's talk are in Russian. It's very cool. Sunday is by far the best day, it's more relaxing, but still we learn a lot. We have devotionals on Sunday and P-day (Tuesdays). The one on Sunday was very good. After devotional we can either study or watch some church films. We watched The Testaments, which in my opinion, is amazing.
Next, the phone code is my birthday, hahahaha, but you already figured that out... (A little explanation is in order. Blake ceremoniously handed the "kids phone" over to Samantha the night he was set apart. He had put a security code on it. He never had a code on it before, so the first week everyday I would ask Blake to make sure and tell me the code so Samantha could use the phone while in San Fransisco. She finally figured it out on the last day of her trip. The stinker....)
Also my companion's address is exactly the same as mine, you just address it to Elder Daniel Mount, instead of me. (I asked for it for surprise package I was sending)
Some things I could use here-stamps and envelopes and a jacket for p-day, that's it for now I believe. And pictures!
My district is very cool, they are all great Elders and Sisters. Sister Dungan in my district is from Hillsboro, which was cool.
Some things we aren't allowed to say here, "dude", "guy", or "awesome". I didn't realize how often I say them. The branch is very "delightful", (delightful is our district's substitute for awesome). Our theme is 100% obedience, which is very cool. Our Branch President came into our classroom during MDT (Missionary Directed Time) and talked with us. I'm glad we have him. Anyways, the language is coming along great, the spirit is strong here, my companion and I get along, its great!
Just a reminder, put up my address and box number on the group and make it clear I have no addresses. (That means he can't write you until you write him.) E-mail is also JUST (underlined 3 times) for family, which I didn't know. Tell people I would love to hear from them!
Well I love you Mom, & also everybody else.

Then he writes I love you (plural) in Russian and his name in Russian. (I have GOT to get a fancy language program so I can type in Russian because it looks way cool!)

P.S. Send a roll of clear or masking tape.

Mom writing again...
I know he would really like a picture of all of his friends and family, so would you please send me a 4x6 picture of you to our home. 7973 SW 189th Ave. Aloha OR 97007 I am putting together a small, friends and family photo album. I would like to send it soon. E-mailing me would work too. Rachael.Wight@gmail.com

THANK YOU!!!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Blake's first P-day!

Hey mom!

1st p-day here in the MTC, which is tuesday... Anyways, the MTC is great, the first few days are pretty rough, but definitely good. Sunday is by far my favorite day here. On P-days, I only get an half hour to use email, and email is for writing to family only. So everybody will have to just write me regular old letters. BTW i hope you have put up my address on the Facebook group. And if you would, send the group a message letting them know you posted the first letter, and that I would really like letters, it really is great to hear from home. I recommend Dear Elder. I miss everybody from home, but I haven't really felt home sick... yet. I have already written a real letter before using this email, so i will probably write the same things twice.

So far my favorite letter is the one that dad wrote explaining casey's hunt. The part when he wrote out the monologue. that made me laugh. I read it out to my district and they thought it was pretty funny too. That is SO Casey.

Melinda was right about food here, it seems like we are CONSTANTLY eating, dinner and lunch are like 4 hours apart. The food here is alright, but the choices are not the most healthy, its hard to try and find the right things so eat so i dont swell up like a balloon. It also stinks that we don't get a whole tone of time at gym. its still fun, but it feels like i don't get a good enough workout sometimes...

I am grateful to you and dad for getting me out so i love doing other things besides living a lazy-mans dream. My companion is twenty one, and decided life stunk, and decided to serve a mission. I try and help him out a lot.

Anyways, I'm sending my letter letter today, so we'll see how long it takes.

I love you mom... and everybody else.
Blake

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The Beginning....


Well, Elder Blake was successfully snatched from Delta Airlines this morning at 9:05 a.m. He looked just like a missionary should! He had a grin from ear to ear and you could tell that he was excited. He was starving and tired however. We took him to breakfast and brought him up to our house for a quick snooze. Then, we zoomed out the door and booked it to Provo. We met Blake's Uncle Gary Wight and had a QUICK lunch. Elder Blake inhaled his hamburger and we were off to the MTC. It looked like a traffic jam as we pulled into the designated spot. There were missionaries everywhere directing traffic and welcoming the new Elders. They were wonderful! They had great smiles and just had a loving spirit about them. There was no Huge rush as we had been told. Elder Blake gave them the paperwork they needed and they helped Grandpa Carter and Gary lift the suitcases out of the trunk. (Grandma Carter was crying) (This was an integrual part of the goodbye) The MTC Elders were happy and told Elder Blake how happy he would be here. We all were able to hug him and take this last picture before they walked away toward his new adventure. He was truly in God's hands at that moment. It was wonderful and I am so grateful that Grandpa and I were able to be a part of it! Love, Mom (Grandma Carter)

Monday, September 28, 2009

Last week before the plunge

Hello Everybody, this is Blake, I'm going on a mission to Moscow Russia. I report to the Provo MTC October seventh, and will be there for 12 or 11 weeks. My mission includes Moscow, surrounding areas, and also all of Kazakhstan. I feel like my life STARTS October seventh, this limbo stage in my life is getting old. Its pretty exciting, sad, scary, and about every other emotion you can think of, that I'm going for two years. Anyways, most posts from here on out are going to be by my mother, hopefully she will post some letters i send, and also new addresses so you can write! I have a facebook group the URL is http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=288106450625&view=all#/group.php?gid=288106450625 if that doesn't work just search for "Blake Wight's (Official) Mission Group"