Happy Birthday to ME.

[His 19th birthday]

ITS ME! AND I AM NO LONGER A TEEN YEA!

"But that's cool I guess"

Yea y'all. It's a cold windy day today and the weather man is calling for snow. So it's time to bundle up and head out! Well I stayed in my area. Let's see if I could stay for three ( can I hear four anybody) and I got a new companion. Yes indeed I did and Elder Goodrich is home in Utah. I wish the best for him. Well let me tell you a bit about Elder Buanburger. He is from St. George Utah and loves to make pots, like clay pots of all things? But that's cool I guess. He is 6 months old on his mission and he is a pretty good teacher. He is a good missionary has that go and do attitude which is good. I like that so that's him. He has a twin and he also likes making pots, I don't get it but that's okay. Pot making is not really my thing. Anyway enough about him, I want to talk about me!

Okay well today was kinda a bust because I wanted to go see Brother Forny but I don't think that is going to happen because it's just to far away and I don't know if Brother Forny wants to drive all the way down here to come get us. So anyway I will try next week to set that up. Anyway that's what is going on today, absolutely nothing.

So anyway on to Tuesday: well I was still with Elder Goodrich, I miss that kid, anyway we went to his last district meeting (Pam you should know what that feels like) then me and him went to go look for a box to put his bike in so we could ship that home. Oh man what a disaster that was. It taught me a lesson I wont forget. 4 days before I come home I am finding a box that will fit my bike. Then that someday I will ship it, if we have to bike that day tough! I will walk. Anyway, my rant is done. It just was kinda a stressful day for the both of us.

Moving on to WEN. Well that was transfers, it was hard for Elder Goodrich to go home. I did not want to see him leave and I know he sure did not want to go, but he had to and I am sure he is well adjusted by now. That or he is still shell shocked.

Well Thursday was the first full day with Elder Buranburger and he loves this area. I do too. I hope I get to stay. I actually want to out live one of my companions and I really hope it is in this area. Well I got sick this day and I was in bed most of the afternoon, but I am a little better now.

But Friday we went to go see a bunch of people and we taught 7 lessons in one day. That was awesome.

Well that brings us up to Sat. We just went around to see people and to see an investigator named Brenda. She has had a hard life and her 13 year old daughter might be pregnant. That girl is a problem child. I don't think that she is all there anyways.

Well Sunday we had church then we went to the Christmas devotional from the first presidency and that went well, and that brings us up to now.

Well I thank all of you for all that you do for me thank you for the gifts and for the support most of all. I love you all so much,

love elder black

ps. i turn 20 in 23 days and my birthday is on a p day how cool is that!!! woot woot!!!

Happy Birthday Brittany!

Hi all! I am sorry I am so late with this, I will be writing to you all more next week, so hang tight! PLEASE oh and I am not getting transferred.

AND

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRITTANY BLACK
I LOVE YOU

"so engaged, so in tuned"

Dear family and friends, how are things? Well it's just another pday morning and the weather is starting to cool off. This morning I could not see my hand in front of my face, the fog was so bad! Then I heard all the sirens and I thought oh boy, that's probably not good! Well anyway I hope your week has been well. I will tell you all about mine... So just sit down, cool down, and shut down (OK don't do that) and I will tell you all about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So lets just jump right to Tuesday because Monday was spent here at Brother Young's house. Anyway we had D.M. as always. Had to shoot right over to David Love's house and that was with a member who is preparing to go his mission to Spain. His name is Cody and after that we had lunch and saw some old P.I.s. We saw Brenda and that lesson went well. I felt the Spirit and I felt like I needed to be bold with her. She has a lot on her plate and I know she has it rough but if she would stop smoking and give her life to God, I am more than sure He would help her out more. Well anyway we had dinner at the Hernandez and that was fun. Then we saw Sammona and Klee.

So Wednesday we went on a team up with brother Cole's and we went out to lunch and had pizza. we tried some names that were not there. We also went to go see Sister Brooks and she was home so we taught here a lesson, which went good. After that we had dinner then went out with Brother Running and that was the end of Wednesday.

Thursday we went out biking for morning exercise and took a short cut, got all muddy. It was fun. Came back washed up and W.P., had lunch, knocked a street called Crane and then went on a team up with Devin Corri's. We went to go see Devio Singhus, had dinner with the Steels. Then we had to pick up had another team up with Brother Young and we went to go see Franky and that was a way cool lesson, let me tell you. Wow! I did not ever see Franky so engaged so in tuned than when Brother Young bore his testimony. So I see some progress there. Went to bishops house and then home to plan.

Friday- We did service for Brother Norton. We chopped up some wood for him and then we had lunch, saw Dallis and that was on a team up with Brother Leusis. We also saw Dianna. We were suppose to have diner with the Holmes but they had to cancel on us, so instead we got deer meat from Brother Sweeny. Oh yea baby! I was in hog heaven, man that was good!

Saturday we had service with Brother Polkie and we or I helped him drop a transmission on his jeep and we also are going to help him with his fence. He has horses and I want to ride them very much, but I can't as a missionary. Went on a team up with Brother Risher saw Joe and Jessica. Went well, had dinner with the Zollingers.

Sunday had PEC, church, then we went to see some P.I. Had lunch, had a lesson with the Donelsons, tried to see Dallas, had dinner, and saw Rosa and Mary Pland.

GOOD MORNING BALTIMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear family and friends:

To tell you of another wonderful week: This week was rather long for me this time and I will tell you why shortly, but before I begin my spiel, I would like to tell you that I am always reminded about who's work this is everyday. And I know that we have hard times in the mission because in a way it gives us more appreciation for the atonement. I sometimes ask myself why is this so hard sometimes, why can't the only problem be in missionary work be that we keep getting sick because we can't get out of the water? The only thing I can think of is why should it be easy for us when it never was easy for Him? We ourselves need to drink out of cups we would rather not, I am not saying that what we experience in this mortal life will be anything like He had to go through but we sure get to taste it. I love this gospel I love being called ELDER BLACK. I wear that name tag loud and proud. I know who I am and I am not ashamed to be a missionary and to be a member of this church. What I am trying to say is that no matter how hard the struggle, no matter how hard the trial, the Lord has been there and He knows what you are going through. So may we all stand a little taller and lift those with feeble knees. May the Lord bless all of you and I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

So lets talk about Monday: what did we do? Well we stayed at the Thompson's like all day and helped them do some service. It was fun. We helped him cut down some trees and the trees on the burn stack. That thing is so big and monstrous that I don't think I would want to be anywhere near it when it goes off, but talk about a bonfire! Well, after that we had to get cleaned up for dinner and dinner was at the dinner was at the Castagnettos. That family is way awesome and he is Indian, he has Navajo in him, I am not sure how you spell that though? Well moving on we did not get to teach a lesson there because I was not feeling so hot so we came back and I laid down.

Now for Tuesday: aww good old D.M. I love District meeting. We all get together and talk about our investigators and receive revelation for our investigators. We had dinner at the Young's and then we tried to see some people like David Love, but he was not home. So we went to go see some more peeps and then headed off to home. Kinda not a very eventful day, but we did eat at Buffalo Wild Wings that was good but, oh so bad. I was in pain afterwards because of the hot and spicy sauce they put on my wings.

Wednesday was very fun. We were going to see some of our investigators, Samoana and Klee who we found by knocking and who seemed really interested in the gospel. So we were on our way there and we got there and were so tired we almost just collapsed right there. We were so out of breath and they were not even home. Well after that we were not excited to go up that big hill again and now we had some time to kill so we got creative. We had always seen this trail that I don't think was supposed to be one, but I always wanted to check it out. So we did and it lead right to our house and we totally went around the hill. It was AWESOME! Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all winter!

Thursday, lets see what happened on Thursday? We went out with Brother Young and we saw Ray, Rose, and Mary. Nice family. I just love them to pieces. Talked about honesty with Mary. Then we went to go see Frank, he was not home so then we went to go and see the Polkies. He owns some land and has horses on them and so naturally I want to be buds with this guy because I want to meet his horses. Well my plan worked. He asked if I knew anything about working on a ranch and I said I did. He asked if I knew how to work on trucks, I said I did. He said you want to help me out around here? I said I would love to! (trying to hid my excitement inside) After that we went to see some more that were not home, so we called it a night. Had dinner at the Barns.

Friday we were on an exchange with the D.L and I was in charge of the area for the first time (o boy). Let's just say we did a lot of knocking because none of our plans worked out. We went on a team up with Brother Wasson and saw all of his home teaching family's. Then we had dinner at the Traxlers.

Saturday we went on a team up with Bishop and we did not see very many people but we did fix Brother Hernandez car tire. That was fun, we put a plug in it; aw the good old days. I remember when I had to do that all the time with a Chevy truck that I had. Elder Garfield I hope you heard that I never had a flat on my Dodge! (inside joke ) Well anyway we had dinner with the Ngamsamith's and that was so good. the best weird soup I have ever had.

Sunday: well church (Obviously) then we went over to the Floyd's for dinner and after that we had to do some weekly planing because we have just been putting it off for just to long. After that we saw that we were low on lessons taught, so we scrambled to teach as many lessons as we could. And you know what?, we taught 3 in less than an hour. So we made it not quite to our goal but high enough to be happy with it.

Well now that brings us up to now and what am I doing now. Well I am at Brother Young's house and I am emailing all you. I hope you have a great week and you will here from me soon. I know I have not been the best at writing letters. ha ha ha It seems like one or the other. I am really good at emailing or at writing letters, but I can't do them both. I don't know why that is, but I will try to get both down. well i got to go i don't mean to make this a novel but i do want you all to know how much I love you guys and that my prayers are with you. God speed!

love you all,

ELDER BLACK

"the church is true, the book is blue"

[1-17-10]

Dear family,

I decided to revise my strategy of this whole emailing thing. I have received many concerning emails about me not writing everyone, so I decided to try the mass email thing again. The problem is, I like to chat with y'all (west Virginian for you) and if I do the whole mass email it will cut sufficiently into my chatting time. But as it turns out, no system is working so there needs to be some reformations made. So I propose that we vote on this and I will need everyone to participate on this voting or it will not be affective: So would you rather me to chat with you or a mass email with all of the updates? This will be affective immediately after all the ballots have been cast, so please be sure to get them to me soon. Anyway that is the end of my speech (did I rush it? - Oceans 11)

Well on to other more important business today, we are not doing anything too exciting. No we are going to shop and write letters all day. Just a side note, know I feel so stressed out and it's all my fault because I feel like I need to record every ounce of my mission and I just discovered this yesterday: that I don't have to do that! You think I would learn (lets face it I will never learn) that you do NOT have to KILL yourself to remember your mission. I will still take pictures and things like that and what I am saying is not to be confused with me having a hard time on my mission or anything like that. But what I am trying to say is that I am trying to record every memory, every little detail of my mission and I just can't do that, it's not fun for me (sorry to anyone that was counting on that). It just won't work anymore. Well anyways, moving on. I don't mean to drag on and on and ramble so I won't try to do that now.

Lets talk about about Tuesday shall we? Lets see what did we do..... Well unfortunately this was the day that Elder Goodrich was not feeling so well and we did not plan. So I don't really have anything written down, probably because we did not do anything. hahaha Oh well he is better now, that's good right?

Tuesday what can I say about Tuesday lets see...... We went to go chop wood for Sis. Hillflinger and that went well. Got to show off my impressive wood chopping skills (watch out when I get home, I will blow you all away that's all I do here (not really)). But I do do a lot of it here. We also had a media referral and it was going well when we contacted him. His name was Micky, but while we were contacting him, his wife ran in bawling, the poor thing, throwing up in a bag and running up the stairs. Well I know whats that's like! Well anyway that was about all that happened this day.

Weekly planing, Joe/Jessica, some of my favorite investigators thus far, all that is holding them back is they need to get married. So they said they would be for thanksgiving and they will be baptized shortly there after. I am so stoke, he would of been to church but his son had pink eye and we were so bummed out. But he will be there next week for sure he told us, he is committed 100% and not to give up on him. Oh we won't!

Actually weekly planing was supposed to be today but we had to move it up a day. Today we were around in the neighborhood of a l.a. named Sis. Brooks who is making a remarkable come back to church and then we saw this moving truck and these men who looked like they were having a hard time with this heavy bed so we thought we would give a hand and thought it was just a normal Uhaul truck, but we found out that it was a company and that they really would like a hand. So we did help and then we met Tori, she was the home owner and she wanted to know more about us so we have an appointment with her tonight!

Friday we cleaned the car and really needed to do some laundry. Went to go see Tammy, she was not there so we decided to go see Charley Huff. Now interesting story, one of those "only on your mission" stories, but Charley Huff is a drinker. A heavy one at best and so is his , his wife told us over and over again "I am so messed up, I am smashed- don't come today it's not a good time for me." Really sad, I wanted to so badly shake her and say are you happy?! Do you like were this is going?! You want to live a better life? Then stop drinking! Well there is a lot to work on there, I will let you know what happens.

Saturday we had a "missionary breakfast" and then went on a long team up with Brother Coles. We went and saw Franky. Now Franky is my project, he is such a cool dude, he loves the whole cowboy thing and loves to hunt, drives a big dully dodge 3500 and owns his own rock excavating business and has really big trucks in his drive way. But his company is not doing to well, in fact he has no work , he is kinda depressed. His wife left him and his daughter, his only daughter who I think he spoils way to much, won't talk to him and when she does it's only because she needs something. Well he has had a hard life and pretty much his life has been a country song if he had a dog it would be run over by now, but he is a good man and tries hard to do good.

Anyways, I better wrap this up. It's getting to long. Sunday church, it was good then we had dinner at the Running's, homemade lasagna, that was good. Then we went over to the Thomson's and had a party over there for their family. Well we were invited to it, we did not stay long knocked Flagstaff Lane, I thought that was cute taste of home. You know, Flagstaff AZ, anyway that about sums up Sunday. Love you all, have a wonder full Monday. I know I will and I hope I here from you soon. Remember that the church is true, the book is blue and Jesus is in fact a Mormon.

Love Elder Black

"Well we are super busy and I love it!"

Dear family,

[1-1-10]

How are you? I am sorry you are getting this so late, but I will give you a better idea of what's going on in this area. I know I have not been the most informant person in the world. I let the letters and things go by the way side, but I just need to get back in to the grove of things so give me some time. I am trying to get adjusted to the area I now am in. It's coming along, I am sure I will have the hang of it by no time. Right now I am at the Thomson's and we're emailing. Sorry it is so late, but i had to fit this in. I know how important it is. Well let's get down to reporting shall we? Lets see...................................................

Monday- We went to Harper's Ferry where I last served and we climbed Maryland heights, something that I think we should do as a family some day. We came back and had dinner here. So that was Monday.

Tuesday- We had D.M. and then we ate lunch but we were in so much of a hurry here, we had hardly any time for any food besides dinner. I cannot live with out food! Well we are super busy and I love it!

Wednesday- We had Brenda, she is an investigator that we have here. We are actually going to drop her soon if she does not come to church, which she did not so were going to give her the (drop talk) again and hopefully things change. Then we changed the car because we share it.

Thursday- Was W.P which was fun. We have W.P party's here! Saw a bunch of people and had lots of fun. Had dinner at Harrison's.

Friday- We saw Joe and Jessica (gators) and they flaked on us, so we had to fall back to our back up plans and they failed so we just had lunch and then knocked a lot. And we don't have to do that a lot here! I was happy about that! Had dinner and called it a night. Planned and went night night!

Saturday - We had a trunk-or-treat and (this was so much fun) we dressed up as early missionaries. I was Joseph Smith and Elder Goodrich was Dan Jones. It was lots of fun.

Sunday- We helped hand out candy and had dinner with the Gilbert's.

Monday/ today we had lunch with Brother Forny. Oh yea we went to Hancock, it was a blast from the past. I love that old man!

Well got to go. Love you all. Goodnight!
Elder Black

GOOD MORNING BALTIMORE

"Oh the places you will go."

[8-12-09]

Monday- We stayed inside and watched the rain. It has been raining all week and it is still raining.

Tuesday - We had district meeting and then we went to go out to lunch we did some tracking. After that it still was muggy and humid so it made it hard to do any thing on a bike! Yes for those of you who don't know, I am in an all bike area and I love it!!! Anyways that was Tuesday!

Wednesday- We had dinner over at the Chapman's, nice family. Their son is l.a and there fine with that, which beats the heck out of me. If that were my son, I would make him get up and get going. The fact that he is over 300 pounds does not help either, but whatever its not my place right? This is also the night we did exchanges, I went to the seven park area.

Thursday- I was on an exchange with Elder Motts. It was fun we tried (well he tried) to give some old man his umbrella but he said no. He also drives like a crazy man, ran a red light and started to run from the cops. I tell you it was a crazy day. "Oh the places you will go." Well then we had to find every big puddle and drive through it. You think he would learn but no, he keeps on doing it, so never the less, I all most died! But it was a good exchange we had fun and p.s it rained all day.

Friday- We studied, had lunch. I forget who we ate dinner with. It is like I have amnesia and forgot everything, but I do think we were productive.

Saturday- We woke up studied and then off to G.C. baby! Oh yea, best part of my week! I loved every speaker.

Sunday- G.C. again. Who could not like getting instructed by the Lord's servants! But I liked when Uchdorf lost his voice, it was funny. I cant wait to read the ensign when it comes out!

This Monday we are going to the mall so Elder Black can get a smaller back pack. The one he has is to big and everyone keeps making fun of me so its time to switch.

Well got to run see ya,

Love Elder Black

[Elder Black's favorite person. 2009]

Hey guys!

I love you all so much! I have lots to tell you lets chat for a bit and I will give you the scoop.

PS. I have two words for you.............................................. biking area, yea no fun!!

Dear Family

[right before Elder Black's graduation. 2009]

So the reason I am emailing you all today is to inform you of my new address.
That is:
1223 scots manor ct. # a
odenton md, 21113

And to wish dad a wonderful and Happy Birthday! I love you all so much and I just have to say I am missing you all a lot right now. Well I got to go, so Happy Birthday dad, and know that I love you.

love elder black

Dear Family,

[The whole Black family! 2008]

Dear family-

I am sorry I have failed to send you all a letter before this holiday hit, but rest assured that I have not forgotten about you and that a letter is on the way.

Love Elder Black

It's That Time Again

So let me tell you of the week I have had! This story I am about to tell you is FULL of excitement that will keep you on your toes for the entire email!

How did that sound did it get your attention? Well good!!!! So the highlights of this week are:

# 1 Monday, We had the Koncrets for diner then we stopped over to see the Halsy's. After that we just wrote letters and talked.

#2 Is we went over to the Holms to do some service and that was a disaster. I will fill you all in next week. I have to run.

love Elder black

GOOD MORNING BALTIMORE!

Good Morning folks! Its another fine P-day here in the East part of the states!!!!(I still love the West!)

Well its that time again. P-day! Everything here is going great! Funny story, I thought I lost my camera. I thought it had gotten stolen this past week (don't panic! I found it.) But the story I want to share with you is HOW I found it!

Well it was a week ago I was looking for the said camera, and I had no idea where I put it. I looked every were for it: I looked under the bed, in the coach, even in the refrigerator! Well I lost hope, I decided to bring in the big guns. It was time to turn to the Lord for help. I did and when I got up I looked in my backpack in a pouch that I did not even know I had and there it was looking right at me. Well the church is true and the power of prayer is real!

Well I was sitting in sacrament and this sister named Sister Matson got up to give a talk and she talked about charity and gave a very moving talk on it. It touched me very much. She told a story about a dad and his daughter. His daughter wanted a bike she said, "dad everyone on this block has a bike except me, can I have one?" The dad knowing that he could not fit that in to his budget said cleverly to the little girl, "if you save all of your pennies you will have enough for a bike." So she did, bound and determined to get that bike she went away. Well the dad was in the living room one day when he over heard the mom giving this little girl 50 cents. Well she went skipping off to her room were the dad heard "Clink, Clink!!" Well the dad called to his daughter and asked her what she was doing so she ran back to her room and showed her dad the jar that had kept the money that she received as she did household duties. It was a jar that was used to can cherry's in and she had cut a slit in the top and was putting money in it. Well the father knew that she would never have enough to pay for the bike and buy the time she did she would want a car so he said, "alright we will go and get you a bike go get in the car" and so she eagerly got in the car, jar in hand and off they went. Well they went to the bike store and they walked in and she immediately saw her bike. It was pink and it had silver strands coming from the handle bars. She saw the price tag and turned it over and she began to cry. The dad asked whats wrong and she said, "I will never have enough to pay for this bike" and the dad asked, "How much do you have?" She emptied the jar and counted 61 cents and she began to weep. The dad said, "Now, now. Look here, I tell you what? You give me your 61 cents and I'll pay the rest." She nodded in agreement and the two of them bought the bike and the dad drove real slow all the way home because he could not get her off the bike. She compared that to us and Christ's atonement and how we fall short of the mark so we need him to cover the rest and he will as long as we ask for his help and obey all of his commandments. Well I just thought I would share that with you. It really opened my mind about the atonement and what it does really mean to me.

Well Monday was a bit different. We wrote letters all day and then we just hung out until we had dinner. It was with Sister Jordan and that is always interesting. Then we came home and planned. (I was wondering if any one has the Book of Mormon in Spanish?) I am trying to read the Book of Mormon from English to Spanish and I need some audio to hear the words. (just asking)

Tuesday we had breakfast with the Palacios. I love that family they're awesome. Brother Palacios calls us his brothers. And everytime I call him he says to me, Brother Green, Brother Blue, Brother Yellow, anything but Black it's funny. Well we were in a three sum today. Oh yea rockin' the three sum, it was so much fun. It was with the Z.L. and their are three of them so one came with us and the other two went with the Winter Run Elders. Elder Wolly was the name of the Elder that was with us he left home Saturday. It was sad to see him go, but it was his time to go.

and Texas rocks!!!!

Go Spurs!!!

Well I love y'all. Hope all is well and I will talk to you soon!

love elder black

Dear Family and Friends

Well it is just another great Monday afternoon and I am writing to y'all.

Well let's break it down for you. Let's see here, (opening the planer): Monday we went to a really cool place. It was where the film Tuck Everlasting was recorded. Well that was fun but I had a fear of heights on one part of the trip, it was this cliff and lots of people die on it every year. Needless to say that did not make me want to go out there, I don't care what movie was filmed there. Then we went to this cool water fall (now I did not go swimming, however it did look fun), but I resisted the temptation to swim. Tuesday we had district meeting and then had lunch. We did lots of knocking this day and we found a new investigator, his name was Charley and he is 95 years old. Well, that brings us to Wednesday was a grate day. We taught 4 lesson and that never happens. Well Thursday we did weekly planning and then we had lunch, then we went to go see mostly inactives and that went well. Then we had dinner with an investigator and that went well also. After that we did some tracking in down town Bel Air. Friday we saw mostly active members, did lots of knocking and we were suppose to have dinner with the Medina family, but there son had to get rushed to the E.R because he had kidney stones, so we did not eat there. Instead we went to down town Bel Air where there was this big party going on and we did not think that it was a good idea there was lots of drinking going on and things like that. So we went to go see some members and went to write the progress record. Well Saturday we had a really cool lesson with Justin, one of our investigators, and then we went to see the Luber family, a part member family. And then Sis. Matson asked us while we were there if we had a dinner appointment and we said no because our dinner appointment called and said that they could not make it, so we ate there. Sunday we had the Brans for diner and before that we talked with the Lamoth family and shared a message with them. We met with Charley and the lesson went great. Well I have to go but I love all of you and I will write very soon.

love elder black

I love to track.

(first temple trip)

Well it's that time again. It's a lovely Monday morning and the sun is up what, more can an Elder dream of... Oh Pday!!!

Well lets break it down for y'all. Monday was way boring, I mean it was lame!!!! But I got to talk to you guys so I guess that was a plus. I don't even remember if we did anything? Well I guess this week will be better because we are going to Baltimore oh woot woot!

I know this will be fun.

Well all I can remember is Wednesday we saw the Sanns they love to talk. They're an older couple and love the missionary's. It was hard to leave there house. We taught a lesson with the Muller family. they were super nice and that lesson went really good. Then after that we went a tracking down in Bel-Air. That is always fun, I love to track.

Thursday we did weekly planning then got a phone call from Vince (one of are investigators) and he said that he was going to have to cancel on us. I was like, no way that is going down, so we had lunch with him and he talked about all of his problems with authority.

Well I have to go. Know that I love you all and you're in my prayers! I will update you next week.

love Elder black

p.s write me!!!!

WHAT'S UP!!!!!!!!

(at his farewell)

Well family and friends its TRANSFERS and I am going to..................................... Just kidding I am not going any were. I am staying right were I am AGAIN and I am happy about that. I still have my great comp. Elder Garfield to be my companion as well, so it should be a great next transfer. I am excited about the changes that have taken place. We have a new bishop, his name is Bishop Mercaferty. I tell you what that must be so hard to do. I have only seen this happen twice, but here you are you are having all these great spiritual experiences and you know the members so well and now you have to leave it all. I know that it has to happen but I am just sad to see Bishop Rueckert leave. I just got to know him and he was a great man, what am I saying? He still is a great man. He made a joke saying that now he could grow that handle bar mustache that he has always wanted. Well he will be missed because not only is he not the bishop anymore he is moving also, so I won't get to see him. Anyways that sacrament was the most spiritual sacrament I have ever attended. I felt the spirit so strong, I was just a mess at the end of this song. It was called "My Lord My Redeemer." I really felt the spirit testify to me that what just happened was for good and it needed to happen. I can't wait for this new change, I really can't. I can feel it deep down in my bones some thing good is about to happen. I want to thank you all for helping me on my mission. You all have been wonderful in helping me and I know that you will be blessed for that. I want you all to know that my mission means every thing to me and I never want there to be day that goes by that I regret or ask myself, could I have done better? No I will work work work, and I will never look back. I love this gospel and I know it is true by the power of the Holy Ghost. I will keep you all in my prayers and again thank you for all you do, your hard work will not go unnoticed. I love you all and hope to here from you all soon.

(A little shout out to Simba and now I guess Patrick, the goat, welcome to the family. Simba you take care of your self and get up and move around get that blood flowing you need to move. And I love you to you are a great dog. Be good and take care of yourself.)

love you all love elder black

It's that time again.

(beach '07)

Dear family and friends,

Well not to much to report here. I have recently written to you and there not much has happened since. I am loving my mission. I love the people here they are so nice. I love my comp.

There is this boy that is in the ward that is in my ward and he is going on a mission soon. He leaves next week and he is going to Madagascar. I think that would be a lot of fun, that is were I wanted to serve my mission. Anyway we are going to work him hard though before he leaves for his mission. Well like I said not much to report. Well there is this man who after 30 years of investigating the church he finally will be baptized. He came to a baptism and after wards said that he wanted to do the same and now he will be baptized this week. I am so excited for him and I know he is stoked too. It will be grate.

Well hope all of you are doing well. I love you and miss all of you.

love elder black

Elder Black Is Great.

WOW Elder Rock Black Is a great companion i just wanted all of you to know that He's doing great. I'm elder Garfield. His current companion he's doing great. He has been getting allot of great support from the Whole family. Keep up the great work. He's told me all about you You are a great family he's showed me all of his pictures of you all you all look great. A family ordained of god. GREAT KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!. He loves doing this work. I'm so thankful i have this opportunity to work with him in the mission field. Elder Black And I along with the Spirit are very excited. I Just wanted you to all know He's doing great.

Elder Garfield

I will go find that bush and destroy it.

(clean car awards)

Hey family and friends hope all is well!!! Well news to report..... first off I hope every one had a good forth of July. I did the most you could do as a missionary. We stayed up tell 12:00 pm and cracked glow sticks with your comp. (very lame) and even that was pushing it we are supposed to be in bed by 10:30 pm. Well we had to party after all it was the forth of July!!! So anyway I saw a really cool parade (spelling?) going through down town Bel-Air it way cool my fav. part was the police force.

Well I can't say it enough, my comp. is awesome. I make his bed every morning (if that's not love I don't know what is I, even make him breakfast) he tries to help me out, but I won't let him. He just bought a grill so we have fun using that. We just bought fish, burgers, hot dogs, and steak. We will eat like kings for this month. Well what else can I talk about? The mission is starting a new way of teaching and our mission is the dummies for it. I guess that's OK but this all so means that president interviews are only going to be once every quarter, that means only four times out of the year will I be able to talk to my mission president! That is insane I need to talk to my mission present at least once a transfer. Well I will have to do what he said and that is to "buck up" and "quit my belly akin." What they are trying to do is have us rely more on the lord and teach with more "power and authority." So I guess that's a good idea.

So we have some new investigators. We have 5 total (not a very big teaching pool), but we're working on it. We just found 2 new gators (that's what we call them for short). They're names are Tammie and Pete and both are way solid. We are going to have Kristen, one of our older investigators, come with us to the temple. That will be so sweet!!!! I pray she will feel the spirit there. I got attacked by a bush the other day and my arm is pretty cut up, but I was able to mend all my wounds and I will go find that bush and destroy it. That bush is so going down!!! By-the-way, this was during morning exercise.

So many of you may wonder why I am writing to you on a non-Pday. Well I will tell you: THE STUPID LIBRARY'S WERE ALL CLOSED AND THE MAIL WAS CLOSED TOO!!! SO why I am writing to you today is because I had zone conference and had a crazy day also flowing that thus, this is why I am writing to you all today! Also we won the clean car award in zone conference. This would be the second time for that. Also Vince, one of our investigators, is getting interview for baptism! I hope and pray all goes well with that. He is a really sweet guy, he needs to be baptised! I wont be there though, but I know all will go well even with my presents not there.

So I want to know whats going on? Tell me every thing!

I want you all to know that this work is so true and that it is the best/hardest work I have ever done. Not only is it challenging mentally, but also spiritual and physical. But I know that whom the Lord calls he qualifies and I know that when the Lord calls my name I will answer the call of the Lord. May the Lord bless you all.

love elder black

"Lots of walking this last week"

Well it's just another Pday down here in old Bel- Air area.

[Elder Black at the library with his COMP.]
Well I stooped doing this and I thought I would start again.

Well let me think about what happened this week? Well me and my comp. Elder Garfield did lots of walking this last week and we both have cool sun tans (well as tan as a missionary can get). Anyways we tried to visit as many people as we could this week. We challenged ourselves to see how many people we could teach in one week, it went good but we did not reach are goal. We will reach it this week for sure. I have a new awesome comp. his name is Elder Garfield. Me and him get along great together. We have so much in common its crazy! Well any way we have three people on date for baptism and just in this last week we had to take Bro. Shock off because he just was not progressing. It was sad but we are still continuing to teach him the importance of baptism and the importance of the Holy Ghost. Well President Bellistion and his wife talked in sacrament yesterday, that was cool. They talked on missionary work so I hope that got everyone exited about missionary work and we will start to see some referrals coming in. Well that's all I have for this week. I also had the chance to bear my testimony yesterday. Me and my comp. I was glad to do that because I know that this church is true and I know that this gospel is true and I know that I have a loving Savior who loves me enough that he was willing to subject himself to all kinds of pain, just so he would know how the rest of us would feel when we felt such pain. I know that my Redeemer lives and I know that I can live with him again.

I love you all bunches,

love ELder black

" like it is crazy!"

So its a new transfer and guess what 3 on date!!!!!!!! I am so stoked so News from the mission world: Well I have a new companion, his name is Elder Garfield (like the cat). Well he is awesome. He loves to work and and has fun while doing it. He is so hyper I love it!!!! Anyways Elder Ellingson, my last comp., is doing great in his new area. I really do miss him, actually he changed a lot at the end of the transfer but I know he will do great with his new comp. But I just love Elder Garfield. Me and him are so much a like it is crazy! Anyway I just love this work. I love you guys. Thanks for all you do for me. I hope all is well with you and I will talk to you all very soon. I just want all to know that I have a testimony of this gospel and that I know that this church is true. I love teaching little children the gospel because there so understanding, like I was teaching a boy named Tyrone and he was about 2 or 3. And we were talking about baptism and he whispered in my ear, "I want to be baptized just like you." It was awesome because he was understanding and it was so cute. Anyway I hope I hear from you all soon.

LOVE YOU BUNCHES

ELDER BLACK

I AM NOT GETTING TRANSFERD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WELL I AM NOT LEAVING, FINALLY I CAN STAY IN ONE AREA AND NOT MOVE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SO I CAN NOW CONTROL MY OWN AREA WOOOHAHA!!! ITS TIME TO LEAD THE MISSION IN BAPTISM'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WELL WRIGHT ME

I LOVE YOU ALL

AND AS THEY SAY OUT HERE

Y'ALL COME BACK NOW YA HEAR!!!!

LOVE ELDER BLACK

put the gun down!

So I have a funny story for y'all. So we were teaching this new investigator Nick and his friend Justen comes over (this will come back to play later on in the story). So were teaching Nick, we hear "put the gun down! put the gun down that's how people get shot," so we look over and see that there are like 5 cops. And there were these kids that were shooting airsoft guns in the park. Well we got Nick's attention again and we got our lesson refocused. And then Justen came over and we then started over and Justen said he wanted to know more. It was cool. So anyway I love this work and I love to teach this gospel. I love you all and hope to hear from you soon. I am praying for all of you.

love elder black

I bore my testimony there and it was just awesome.

(working on the house 2009)

Sorry family, I have limited time on here so I have got to be quick. but know that I love my mission and that things are going great. I love getting letters from everyone and I am working on sending every one a letter a BIG one. Know that your all in my prayers and that I love each and every one of you. The highlight of my week was zone conference. I love getting together with my fellow missionaries and I love Pres. Belliston. He is the best. He is truly an inspired person and he works hard at his calling. I bore my testimony there and it was just awesome. Well I really don't have much more to say than that. We had our area blitzed and that was fun we had 6 missionaries in Bel Air (and dad it is a richy area) but people are still humble and still want the gospel and that is awesome. Well I will continue to work hard. Thank you for your love and support. I love you all very much and will do better at the letter writing. I have more time to do that. Anyway so farewell for now.

love

elder black

I thought that was something we just joked about.

(christmas eve 2009)

So what's up? I gave you all break down yesterday. And I hope that I did not seemed to rushed. That phone call did really mean a lot to me and I really do miss you all! I am now looking forward to Christmas and the best gift I could get would to here all your voice's again. That will come faster than we all think, so be ready! Well nothing is new here, I am still just so shocked that my mom has a goat now! I thought that was something we just joked about. Oh well I guess not anymore. Hey now that we have a goat we need some chickens and then a horse. I will expect all of this by the time I get home (horses are only 500$ at that rescued ranch it was called the love shack). Anyway I love this mission and I love all of you. I am sorry for this lame email. I just don't know what else to say. Next week will be better, I promise.

love elder black.

fight over the phone

I will be calling home! That just gets me excited just talking about it. Anyway I will be calling home at like around 3 or4pm our time, so I don't know when church is. That is the question I ask here? And I have no idea how to find this info out? Anyway grab steal and fight over that phone! Do everything you have to save it, kill one another! ha ha ha I would love to hear all your voices. So again, this is my plea, that you are home around these times. And if it is later. I am sorry. But be patient with me and know that I am just as eager to talk with you all. So I love you all and to all (that are moms) happy mothers day! And a quick shout out to my mom: your awesome and I love you and I thank you for everything you do for me!

love elder black

aka rocky

PS you don't all have to fight over the phone that was a joke.

To be continued......

Okay Black family and others. Today is Pday. Okay, you already know that. Well just to get it out of the way, I am being transferred. To where? I know not. But I will inform you all on my location on Wednesday, in my next letter. Anyway today was not too exciting because, oh this bad news. But we had some fun regardless. I will update you on last week though. Okay here is how it broke down....

Monday was Pday. We really did nothing too exciting. It was really just shopping and jamming out to MoTab, I love that stuff!

Tuesday we had lunch and then we went to see some potential investigators. That went well, even though we did not get in to see any of them, for they were all not home. Had dinner with the Jonson's. I am going to miss them so much. That family is going to be so hard to say goodbye too. I came to truly love that family.

Wednesday we had studies at 7-10 (pam are you still doing that)? Then we had Terry. It was a sad day. We had to drop her, she just would not keep any commitments. We had lunch then got a call from Sis. Burton that she was sick so we had to cancel that lesson. We went to Bro. Suberts home and we are going to stop visiting him so much because he is not keeping commitments either, but he does come to church. We had the Cole's for dinner and I ate a crawdad and almost threw up. It was not good at all. So that was kinda a bust day. But lunch was fun at least.

Thusday we tried to help Bro. Robison with his book. We had lunch, did some knocking, went to Bro. Nottingham's house. He is 99 years old and that man is still as active as can be! Well after that we had dinner at the Kerr's and then had Elder Larose's bday party, that was lots of fun.

Well I will have to finish this up later. I have got to go to dinner.

To be continued......

Letter time!

(on his 19th birthday)

Well it's that time again. It's Pday and you know what that means? Letter time! Well lets break it down for you......

Monday- Nothing new, just did lots of tracking and finding people. It was fun, but long and hard.

Tuesday- It was my first time in charge of my area all by myself. We went on splits and I stayed in my area and my comp left. It was hard at first, but after a while I got the hang of things. I was on exchanges with Elder Smith.

Wednesday- We had an amazing lesson with Artie Bagor and he wants to come back to church. He also had his friend their that sat in on the lesson. His name was Richard and he was way interested. He said he was glad we were not like the other churches that try to cram religion down their throats. We told him we would never try to do that and it was up to him to decider if he wanted to be a part of our faith or not. We had dinner and we had a good lesson at the Johnson's their awesome. I love them, they're so nice to us. We also went to Bro. Keatlily's house and we also had a good lesson their and we played with his great Dane. That dog is not only fast, but huge! He is a monster!

Thursday- We did lots of knocking and lots of walking. We had dinner with Robison's and ate some WV mexican food. It was okay, but what was funny was Bro. Robison was making fun of the guys that were working there and was telling Mexican jokes and everything. We were trying to tell him to be nice, but you cant tell old people what to do! We weekly planned and then we got the car back, yea! I love having the car!

Friday- We went to Bro. Ketly's and had another good lesson. Then we went to Bro. Robison to help him do something with his computer. I don't know, Elder Meese knows all about that stuff. I just played with their dog Tiger! We went to Bro. Shubert's house. Got attacked by bugs and they all just laughed at me! We did some service at the Gunns, we helped her make a chicken coop. It did not go very well. She did not have her materials she needed, nor did she know what she was doing/wanted. Do you remember when I offered to held Bro. somebody? in our ward before they left, and I helped put his new roof on, and there was a note: you got all the stuff you need get started and I will be there soon. And I had no idea how to put on a roof! Well that's kinda how this went! After that, we went to the Van Valets for diner and we had some true Mexican food. It was so good. I had to pack my stuff too because I had to go on yet another exchange with Elder Hardman.

Saturday- I was on exchanges with Elder Hardman. Went well, I learned a lot.

Sunday - Sunday was so much fun. I rode in a semi-truck and it was hauling about as round as a quarter. And we were inside most of the day, but I rode in a peter built 18 wheeler! Is that not cool or what!

Well give my love to everyone!

And I will let you know how transfers look because there coming up fast. The question is do I stay? Or do I go?

love you guys love elder black

"I just need to track him down."

Dear family, lets talk a moment about me. I love this part of my day! Today is Pday of course, and we as a district are going to play min golf and climb Maryland hights again. That should be a riot. I don't think we have anything else planned. So that is my day today besides shopping, which is all ways fun with the Charleston Elders. I have started making a tape and you have the privilege of meeting them. Anyways on to my week, just to warn you all it was not all that exciting and most of my week was spent in meetings. Okay we shall move on now that you know that.

Monday went to Rittas, that was a ice cream place/ shaved ice. It was good, I loved it. Best ice cream I ever had (well besides nutters). We went to a store called Gabreal Brothers, it was like Good Will on steroids. But I like Good Will a lot better, I think it was more organised and stuff. And that was about it. Yea moving on.....

Tues. District meeting. Love a good D.M. I gave a workshop on good planing and why we do it. It was fun/ up lifting and you could really feel the spirit in the room. We had lunch together and then me and Elder Berad, who is are D.L ,went on splits together. We met this really cool lady (forgot her name (good thing she is not in my area)) but she had a Dalmatian (a dog with black spots all over it he was cool first time seeing one). And we saw Bro. Jonson, he reminded me of Perry a lot. That was about it for Tues.......

Wed. Wednesday and Thursday can almost be combine so here it is: Wednesday I got back from splits and we exchanged the car so we were on bikes (PS dad I sill have not looked at my tires but I will do that soon). We taught the Gunns about the plan of salvation and it went well. The Gunns are a part member family, the boys are members and so is the mom but the dad is not a member. But he will be, I just need to track him down. He is never around when we teach them.

Thurs. We had Pres. interviews and that was great. We had a good time and I love President Belliston. He just is so funny but more than that, he could quote a scripture at the drop of a hat. And I am pretty sure he has the BOM memorized by now and I want to be like that!!! Awesome guy, love him to death. Even though he won't give us a car (I cant see why though). Saw Sister Burden. She is like 90 years old and is still got a sense of humor that would amaze anyone. She is just to cool for school, as she would say! We did not have a dinner appointment, so we talked about life, me and Elder Meese over a frosted beer mug at A&W. It was a good man talk. Love that guy. He is quiet, but when he does get talking he is so funny.

Fri. This also marks the day for a new planer. I am still on MTC time and it kinda mess me up, but I am to lazy to change it so I just deal with it, I roll with the punches.

We tried to see Terry, but she flaked out on us. She is like the queen of that. We did lots of knocking and then had lunch. Had dinner with the Johnson's. They are a newly baptized family and there awesome. The dad reminds me of Cody Villarreal. We saw Brother Nottingham, who just celebrated his 99 birthday. He is so cool and he always tells us that he is only on blood pressure meds and that he is going to live to be 105.

Sat. We went to the flee market to find people and it worked some what. We found some solid people. We went to see Terry once again, flaked out on us. We went to historic Harper's Ferry and we did some tracking there. I placed a Book of Mormon and that was cool. Then we had dinner with the Elsworth's. Cool people, we use to live with them, well Meese did, I did not.

Sun. We had pec and then we saw Brother Ketley. He's is so cool, he is a fire man going through a divorce. He has had a hard life. He is a member but he thinks God has abandoned him. We work hard with him and he said he will try to come to church. We saw the Charleston's crazy investigator. His name was Chris and he is so funny. Well that's about it. See you guys next week.

love elder black

"well apparently I missed this or Hank for got to cover it"

So family this is my week:

Monday we went to Maryland heights, which is the tallest mount. in Maryland (its only like 100 ft tall), there is no such thing as a mount. here. We ate icecream at nutters (which is like the best icecream in the world) then we saw the battle field, that was cool but we did not take pictures because we had to get going to meet with families and do missionary stuff. This was also the time were I had a minor panic attack I then found it in (of all places) my back pack (yea I felt dumb) that was about it. I will be sending those pictures as soon as I can!

Tues. well we saw the Guns and a few other families but nothing new. We did lots of knocking and we did lots of tracking but I will let you know if anything changes.

Wednes. This was a fun day. We went to the auto car wash and it was like these elders have never been thru one. They were screaming and carrying on, I got a video of it. It was funny!

Thurs. was zone conference. This was awesome. I love zone conference. It is such a boost, I love it!

Friday- OK this was a OK day. It started out good we had dinner with the Wards, which was good. We did some off roading in the car. My comp. does not know how to drive off road, so I had to take the wheel. We will not be returning to that members home again without a 4 wheel drive truck! And then I was still driving when I was in the city and the corners at the intersection are really sharp, (well apparently I missed this or Hank for got to cover it) because I bounced off this curb and was like oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo crap. Well let me tell you the next 20 min was spent changing this tire and I was not a happy camper!

Sat. we went to a excommunicated members re-baptism. That was cool. Then we spent 30 minutes at the repair shop, the whole time I was complaining that I could do this so much faster myself all I needed was a new tire!

Sunday. was fast and testimony meeting. I bore my testimony and it was cool! I got invited to talk to the primary kids to talk about missions and that was cool also.

Well sorry this was so lame. I will do better next week. I for got to write stuff down as you can tell.

love elder black