December 14, 2015- "This City, is my CITY!"

So transfer calls came in Tuesday night and I am now serving in Yerevan with Sister Steele as a Sister Training Leader! Woohoo!! I don't have a lot of responsibilities in leadership, just splits with the sisters and some more meetings to go to. But this week was crazy. We had 3 new elders, a new Georgian sister and a new Armenian sister come in this week! So Sister Steele and I went to the mission home with the APs to do interviews and transfer meetings and the works! It was soooo much fun. And then the next day was transfers and we were in charge of some meetings that day as well. Woohoo! After that things have settled down and I'm back in my new area! The area: We live in an area called Erebuni and we are serving there, and in Center, Malatia, and a couple other areas I'm not sure about... There's only one other set of sisters in the city. We cover over half of Yerevan and they cover the rest. We have a ward in Malatia and a branch in Kentron so we will switch off sundays depending on investigators. I've come a long way since my little Hrazdan villages. The city is full of commotion! There are people and stores and things everything! We have to take so much transport and I'm feeling so lost! But the work is so good here. The companion: Sister Steele is AMAZING! She is a transfer ahead of me in the mission, so she came with my trainer! She is all about missionary work and she has a super positive attitude about everything. She's from kind of all over the place, but claims Missouri. We've been working super hard together so I'm way excited for this transfer!!!! The investigator: On Saturday, early afternoon, we didn't know exactly what we were going to do. But our elders called and said they met a lady on the street when they were doing a finding activity with the new missionaries and that she was waiting for us at the metro! And so we ran out of the house like crazy people to go meet her! And guys, she is so prepared. We talked about our purpose a little bit, she had read the pamphlet that the elders had given her and had questions we were able to help her answer. We said next time we could talk about more but then she wanted us to teach her the first right there! So we taught her and I know the Spirit touched her heart. And that is an amazing feeling. To know that I could be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to touch this woman's life. She came to church the next day on her own and stayed all three hours! And she loved it!!! I am so excited for her. I can testify that God is preparing His children to receive the gospel. Never shy away from sharing your love for Christ to others. It always yields great blessings and happiness. The funny moment: So I was at my last appointment in Artashat with a member and her daughter and I was wearing this colorful thick cardigan I had just found in my suitcase. And we're sitting with this lady and randomly she just goes, "Hey you give me that sweater and I'll give you a different one! So that I can wear it and remember you. hang on, I'll go get one" .... So she goes and I'm like, whaa? But she brings back this boxy brown sweated with black squiggly things on it, super retro. So I said... ok! haha She was so happy. Armenians. They sure love ya. :) I think that's all I got! Sorry this was a lot and just kinda all over the place! I love you all and I love my Savior! Quyr Blanchard © 2016 Microsoft Terms Privacy & cookies Developers English (United States)

December 7, 2015- "It's not the mountains fault."

So I feel like I don't have a ton to say today. I'll just give you all a few main points. We had our first snow here in Artashat this week. It didn't really stick.. It just turned into more mud and ice pretty much. We watched Meet the Mormons in armenian with our ward too! It was way fun, they all loved it! We had zone meeting on Wednesday and we talked a lot about our ward lists. I don't know how it is in other parts of the world but they are huge mess here. We have been giving specific format and been asked to redo them before transfers next friday. So we've been putting a lot of time into that. After the meeting we picked up a mini missionary! She is about 26 and preparing to serve a mission. She's been a member for about 12 years and she's been through a lot. It was really fun to have her and she's going to be a great missionary. It was also great because we basically had a mom with us for the week she would cook and clean all the time for us. So nice . So, for various reasons, we're missing her a lot. Also, we had STAKE CONFERENCE yesterday!! Yay! It was in this fancy hotel in Yerevan and it started an hour late and everyone was just so excited to see all their friends for other wards. It was really fun though. And three returned sister missionaries spoke so that was really cool. [I hope this next story makes sense] One day, we were on our way to a village and Sister Frank and I were admiring Mount Ararat and saying how beautiful it was. Then, Sister Frank: When is it not beautiful?! Me: I guess just when you can't see it. Sister Frank: Well, that's not the mountian's fault. She's so right. It's not the mountain's fault. Even when it's cloudy, or dark out, the mountain is still beautiful! My mission is SO beautiful, sometimes more than others however. But it's not the mission's fault. Furthermore, the blessings of the Gospel often shine very bright in our lives. We see them and marvel and their beauty and influence. But sometimes, we don't see that. It doesn't make those blessings any less real or amazing. We just need to have some patience. Wait out the couldy dark skies until we see the magesty and briliance of the love of our Father in Heaven. His love is always there. I testify of that with all the sincerity and fervency of my heart. I love you all. Sister Blanchard

November 30, 2015- It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We had a normal day. But we did have food at our ward mission leader's house to say we are so grateful for him. He's the beeesst. About 27 ish, served a mission in Ukraine and he just gets it, you know? We (Sister Frank and I) made baked chicken and peach cobler. And the Elders made mashed potatoes and gravy! So America! Be proud of me!!! It was really fun. This week was so good! We've done a looot of trying to find inactives this week. And we will keep on trying! It's been really cool to see how the Lord really multiplies our efforts. We had a meeting with our Relief Society president this week and talked to her about a few of the people we are/are trying to work with. She gave us some good direction and a few people of her own to meet with. All but one of the sisters that we have been working with came to church yesterday!!! I felt like I didn't even get the chance to do that much for them, but the Lord saw those efforts and softened hearts! So cool. We also had a relief society activity this week that was really great. Not a lot of people came, but we all went around and shared favorite scripture or spiritual experiences. I didn't expect it so be very great, honestly, but the Spirit was very strong. I think the sisters felt a stronger bond between them. We had a very inactive sister come with us and she was very well fellowshipped by the sisters. They are already talking about when we are going to do it again. YAY! Another less active miracle. We have a tatik that's been inactive for around a year maybe and she can't hear very well and she's scared to open her door. So we've been trying to see her for MONTHS. And everytime it doesn't work out. This week we had gotten some flowers for someone and we really felt like we should take them to this tatik. It was already dark out and we thought there was no way she would answer, but we could just leave them for her. We are heading up the stairs in her shenk and there's a couple in front of us. They turn around a minute later,,, it's Bishop and his wife!! They were on their way home from Yerevan and decided to see this Tatik! With their help, we were finally able to get her to open the door!!! God put us all in the right place at the exact right time to finally meet with this woman. She also came to church on sunday! ANOTHER miracle. We were walking to an appointment one night around 5 or 6. and the sunset was beautiful. So we walked down this random road to get a better view of it. The sunset by itself was a miracle, but then this awesome lady walks by and just wants to meet with us really bad! God just gave me a freaking sunset AND an awesome new contact! So many miracles. I've been seeing more and more of them everyday. And I think it's because my faith is being strengthened and my vision broadened. I've been thinking about what makes a successful missionary a lot. And I've realized again just how personal it is. It is between the missionary and the Lord. He is where my focus needs to be always. On Him and His great work in Artashat. I love Alma chapter five when I feel like I need to do a little personal evaluation. Verse 26 says, "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" If I have witnessed great miracles and felt the true joy of missionary work, do I still feel that way? A successful missionary should alwayts be getting better. I'm reflecting on my previous transfers and sometimes I feel like I was a better missionary in some ways my first transfer. I should NOT feel that way! I need to keep on improving and continuing to feel that same joy and satisfaction that comes from the work. Jesus Christ has truly strengthened me and continues to do so. And as long as I continue to let Him, even when it's hard, I feel like that is success. I feel like I just ramble lately in my emails. I hope they aren't too long and boring. It's hard to relay truly how much I love my mission in an email each week. But I really do love it. And I love you all and I love my Savior. Mets Sirov Sister Blanchard

November 23, 2015- It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

This week flew by... I feel like it didn't even happen! I also feel like I say that every week. We had a ward activity on wednesday. It was supposed to be a relief society activity but the bishop sort of hijacked it and turned it into a "let's all clean the church" activity. Soo we swept dirt from off the sidewalk... But it actually turned out really well. We had a lot of members come that I wasn't expecting to be there and built some good relationships with more members. Afterwards we ate Khash. It's basically cow hoof boiled in oil and water for like a long long long time and then add some garlic. The armenians loooove it. It was okay.haha But after the dumb soup we had a dance party! And that was great.

I went on splits this week! I went up to Center and it was a really fun split. I've never ran into so many people on the street that wantedto know what "news" we had for them. I just wanted to yell out to everyone WE HAVE A PROPHET ON THE EARTH TODAY!!!! Our news is the best news there ever was! It is the marvelous work that has been prophecied about since the beginning of the world! And I am a part of that?!? Are we blessed or what?

Also, the city is just awesome. It's so big and there's so many people and things to do. Also I found The Fault in our Stars in armenian. So I really like the city. One day I'll serve there maybe. Also, after the split, I just felt really good about coming home to Artashat. I can't explain it, but I know this is where i'm supposed to be.

We had a stake cultural event on friday too! One of our investigators came with her family. It was pretty much like a big talent show. There were singers, dancers, poets, other musician things, and a bunch of traditional foods and clothes and things. It was so fun. We got to dance and sing altogether. I loved it! And I finally got to see my little branch from Hrazdan!!!!!! It was the world's best reunion.

Also, last night Sister F and I went Christmas crazy. We found a little Christmas tree and made a little Christmas corner in our living room. I'll send home some pictures. It's been giving me so much joy. I went to bed smiling last night and thinking about how great life is! Seriously. There are so many little fun awesome things to be happy about every day! I just love it. 

This is Christ's true church. We have the authority once again on the earth to save the souls of mankind. Thanks to the mercies and love and atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. I testify that He lived a sinless life on this earth, died for us all, and lives again for us all today. He leads and guides His children. The blessings Heavenly Father has for us are beyon our comprehension if we even try to do what is right. 

I love you all. 

Sister Blanchard

November 17, 2015- Another Week

I'm feeling sooooo much better this week. I was thinking back to what happened this last week and I didn't think that much happened. But then I remembered, either everything is a miracle or nothing is. THIS WEEK WAS A MIRACLE. I am serving our Savior, Jesus Christ in an amazing country with a remarkable people. What's not a miracle about that. We took a marshootni (the little van things) to a village the other day and a woman got off at the same stop as us. She had a little girl that looked about 2 and a bunch of bags to carry. Armenians don't always like to take your help so we got off and took her bags from her to help her home. We talked just a little. And she asks us if we are mormon. To which we say yes. And she says I used to go to that church. Turns out she and her two sons got baptized a few years ago and have fell into some trouble and haven't been back. We got her phone number and she said we could come back and talk to her!!! I can't wait to help her come back to church. In other less active news, we've been working with another woman since I came to the area, and I'm sure before that too. She is a long time member and just doesn't come. She is has a testimony, reads her scriptures, just wouldn't come to church. This sunday, she came. And her husband, a former investigator, came too. It was great. They came in while I was conducting the opening song. I just got so excited and couldn't even sing I was smiling so hard!! Our ward mission leader asked us to do a musical number during sacrament meeting. I was nervous to sing and kinda not excited. But I just stood up there and bore my testimony as much as I could through that song. And I am so grateful to our Father in Heaven for shedding His Spirit out upon His children. It was such a great feeling in that room. If for no one else, I know that He was bearing witness of His love to this sweet sister and her husband. Our meeting with Elder Kacher was amazing. I've been reminding that the Holy Ghost is truly what converts people. I want to always be worthy, willing and ready to yeild to the Holy Spirit. My goal for my whole mission is just to have as many people feel and act on the Spirit as I can. I feel like I am refocused and seeing clearly now how to really help people. God knows His children. Through the Spirit, He can and will meet all of their needs. I am just the instrument By which the Spirit is brought to these people. I am so grateful for my calling, for the miracles I am seeing every day. I love you all Also to my loving family. Our stake president spoke to us yesterday and said he is grateful to you for your sacrifices so that we can be here serving in Armenia. So thank you. Have an amazing week. Look for the miracles all around us. Sister Blanchard

November 9, 2015: Week 41. What?

So I just ahve a little cold right now. But I've had it for like two weeks! And yesterday I thought I was getting over it and ended up with a fever. Yes, Sister Kindt did leave me. She had been in the area 7 and a half months so it was time for a change. She's moving up to the big city! Sister Frank came down with me. She was in my district first transfer, but I didn't get to know her that well at that time. Some things about Sister Frank: -She has a HUGE heart. always thinking of others -She's from Hawaii but she's lived all over the world! -She's got this crazy infectious loud laugh that I LOVE -She is teaching my how to play the piano because she is SO good. -She's been out a year now I love her so much. Surprisingly, I know the area better than I thought I would and we are both feeling like we are getting great work done! We are also helping some of our members build a pig sty... Never thought I'd be doing that! I don't feel like a lot has changed this week. We have one investigator that is doing great. She comes to church, she's had all the lessons and everything. We're just waiting for her to get a marriage lisence. That's a problem here for a lot of people. I think they are expensive or something and so a lot of people just don't get them... I know she wants to get it, but they're pretty poor and her daughter needs surgery soon, so it's been hard for them. We just keep praying for her! Some super Armenian things: -they say if you put chili powder in your hair that it will grow faster. -they say that when a woman is about to have a baby, if she steals an egg from her mother and eats it, her baby will have dimples. (so my mom is a thief) -they say if you eat straight kiwi for two weeks you will be able to see 100% -they say if you eat honey and melon at the same time you will be poisoned -they say if you eat a lot of sweet potatoes you will have twins That's all I got. Just a heads up, next week Eler and Sister Kacher, from the Area Presidency, are coming to do a meeting with us on monday. So I won't be emailing until tuesday next week. Thank you all for your support. I am so happy here. Jesus Christ lives! He is our Savior and best friend! His Gospel is the way to happiness now and for eternity! He loves all His children no matter what. He made EVERYTHING possible for us. And He is calling us all to come unto Him and find peace. "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12 The world is getting dark. We can all see that. But when we focus on Christ, we don't feel that darkness. His light and love is is stronger, greater, and more abiding than all the works of darkness. In everything we do, let's focus on Him. He will light our way and carry our load. Through Him, we are all enough. համբուրում եմ, քույր Blanchard

Sunset and Ararat! 

Guys, yesterday was my hump day. Half way done. Yikes!

I broke the faucet and got water everywhere. 

November 2, 2015

So we are doing half transfers! We had no idea. President called us on Sunday to say Sister Kindt is leaving tuesday... We're sad, but it was time for her to go. She has been here forever. Hopefully I don't get too lost here!!! This week has been so so good! We've been a little under the weather, but besides that it's been awesome. And being sick has honestly taught me an important lesson. I've been ponderizing mosiah 4:19 this week. "For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?" I've been asking God in my prayers this week to bless me with health and energy to serve His children. And then I would continue the day complaining about how tired I was, how cold I was, how bad my head hurt... And I realized that I was praying to the Lord to help me so I could help others and I needed to trust that He would take care of me and quit worrying about myself. Here I am crying about feeling bad and Sister Kindt is also sick. Why not help her? Is she not also a beggar unto God? Aren't other people's problems as important, if not more important than mine? This realization changed my heart. I'm looking out more easily and with more faith. In other news, we had 91 members at church this week!!!! It was so cool! We are really cracking down on the ward list business/ less-active hunting and it's been going super well! I was so excited with all the great people we saw at church this week! I really love less active work. Helping people remember their conversion has become really special to me. We called one of our investigators this week. Her husband said he sent her away for a vacation for ten days without a phone... Kinda weird. And then we heard from some neighbors that she''s still here... We're confused because she has a baptismal date, is reading, and loves having us over. I don't know why they would say that. So we're probably just gonna go over and see them one day. I don't know! I also hit my NINE MONTH mark this week!!!!! What the heck... Other fun news... hmm... We still have cockroaches in our house like crazy... and now we have some weird larva/worm things on our ceiling... I never thought I would live in a place like this before... We dressed up as tatiks (grandmas) for Halloween. No one really knows what Halloween is here. So we were wearing these vest things. And people would come up to us and say "you know, only tatiks wear those..." Yeah, we know. haha. we also learned how to make gata!! It's this dessert thing that is basically a bunch of butter and sugar, so basically a bunch of perfection and happiness. That's all I got folks! Love you all, Sister Blanchard

The tatik life. 

Studying by the heater because of winter. 

And we're coming up now on Armenia's majestic Mount Ararat. You'll recognize this as the landing spot of Noah's Ark at the time of the Great Flood. 

Gata!