New Year 2015 Letter

Hi Loved Ones!

We are celebrating the New Year today by catching up on our letter writing, Elder Blunck gave a blessing to man in the hospital this morning and we will be having dinner with the sisters later.  We have had a very amazing and full Christmas season and have loved every minute of it.  The experiences we are having are a treasure to us and we know we could not learn the things that we are learning anywhere else but here on our mission.  This is where Heavenly Father wants us to be and we are grateful that He is willing to trust us with this sacred responsibility.

At our district meeting this week we were asked to write down three things.  1.  What is my most sacred experience on my mission?   2.  What Christ like characteristics have I developed?  3.  What do I need to improve on or what Christ like characteristics do I need to develop?  I would like to share one of my most sacred and special experiences with you.   I received a blessing with all the elders laying their hands on my head while Elder Blunck gave me a blessing. We have 12 missionaries here in our district.  4 Elders in Preston and 2 Sisters, 2 Elders and 2 Sister in South Ribble.  Elder Blunck and I are in Preston and that adds up to 12.  Elder Blunck and I serve in 8 wards or branches in our zone but we live in Preston.  We spend most of our time during the week with the Preston Elders and Sisters and have come to know them and love them.  They are in our home often and we have activities together.  At our district meeting in November the sisters were preparing for transfers and so they asked if they could have blessings.  We all gathered around the baptismal font and one by one the sisters received blessings from one of the Elders.  Each sister had a different elder give a blessing so that all the elders and all the sisters either got a blessing or gave a blessing.  When the entire group of sisters had blessings one of the Sisters asked me if I would like a blessing.  I said “no, that Elder Blunck could give me a blessing later.  I was fine and didn’t need one.”  They persisted and so I agreed to a blessing.  I am so glad that I did.  Elder Blunck gave me a beautiful blessing of peace and comfort.  All the other Elders stood in the circle and laid their hands on my head.  I could feel the spirit very strongly and recognized the power of the priesthood that was there in that room through the faith of so many servants of the Lord.  Later Elder Blunck was also given a blessing which was so beautiful.  He rarely gets blessings.  These Elders and Sisters have dedicated themselves to serving the Lord full time right here and now.  Their humble service is such a great example to us.  We are so blessed to have the power of the priesthood in our home, in our church and in our communities that guide and protect us from the evil that is all around us.  It doesn’t matter where we go Heavenly Father knows where we are and what our needs are.  We are never alone and we always have protection from sin and evil.  We will face trials and difficulties but everything will be okay.  We can feel peace and trust that we are being guided and strengthened through our faith in Him.  Even when we are weak we are made strong.  Even when we turn away from Him he is there to bless us.  Also we are promised that angels will be round about us to bear us up.  I believe that with all my heart.  I know that the work I am doing here with my sweetheart is the best thing that I could be doing for my family and for those we are serving here.  Sometimes I expect big amazing things to happen as a missionary but I am realizing that it is by the small and simple things that we do each day are how we make others strong and how we do all that we can to return to our Heavenly Father.  I am grateful that I can learn this at this time.  I may need to be reminded from time to time throughout my life of the blessings that I am given through the priesthood but I hope that I can always communicate to others my trust in my heavenly father and my faith in the priesthood power.  It is real.  It is God’s power and authority here on the earth this very day.  We are never alone.

We love my family and we are here serving at this time to strengthen and testify to them of the truthfulness of the gospel.  We know they will be blessed far more by our service here and by our example.  Yes, we miss our family terribly.  We love them all so much and want to be with them but we know Heavenly Father can take far better care of them far better than we can and that our sacrifices are consecrated for their good.  We sacrifice and serve for our family because we love them.  We know that only through faith in Jesus Christ.  His atonement is the greatest gift of all.  By our serving a mission and giving everything to the Lord we are still unprofitable servants.  He blesses us far beyond anything that we can do but it is a small gift we can do for others, our brothers and sisters here in England. 

This is a new year and a new beginning.  Recommit yourself to reading the scriptures, double your prayers and focus on knowing the Savior better, to know His will for you.  It will bless all that know and love you.  We promise.

We love you all!  Keep reading your scriptures and saying your prayers.  Trust in His redeeming love for you!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Elder and Sister Blunck

England Manchester Mission