Six Month Mark

Sunday March 13, 2022   

Email #24

 

Aloha Family and Friends and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Laine!

 

Today marks exactly six months that we have served as missionaries.  One third of our time has come and gone.  Time is going more quickly now than in the beginning and according to Ken—time will accelerate even more during the next year.

 

Our Monday night ukulele classes continue to be something Scott and I like doing together.  I will begin to help with the teaching in a week or so.  The Scovilles who normally teach the classes will go home in seven weeks and then I will be the main teacher.  I’m not sure I want that responsibility.  I didn’t feel like attending the class last Monday night.  I can’t really remember why now.  I was probably tired and had had a long day at work.  But I went and enjoyed it a lot.  There is something about getting together with other people to play and sing that brings such fun.  I left the class that night with my spirits feeling a little brighter and lighter.  I still haven’t figured out why going to ward choir practice doesn’t do the same thing for me.  Maybe it’s my attitude?  

 

Our devotional talk on Tuesday was exceptional.  It was given by Aaron Shumway who happens to be our bishop and the director for religious education at BYUH.  You might want to check it out.  It is titled “Nevertheless”.  Loved it. 

We were invited to eat at their house this evening along with some other missionaries.  They are a wonderful couple and we enjoyed getting to know them on a casual basis and meeting their children as well.   

 

Scott did his “temple presentation” for the senior missionaries Wednesday night.  There were about 80 people in attendance.  The presentation was really fun for me to see again.  Because of covid--it’s been over two years since he has presented it.  I think the missionary group really enjoyed it.  They clapped for him at the end.

 

I had two “small world” experiences on Thursday.  I had just finished my morning walk and went to the point to enjoy the view and stretch.  As I was walking back home I heard someone calling to me saying something like—are you a missionary?  I went back to the couple who said they were from Santa Clara, Utah and were here on vacation.  He asked how we pronounce our name—“Blake or Bleak” knowing that in St. George area many are “Blakes”.  We continued talking and they were curious about serving a mission here and then he asked me what my husband’s name was.  When I said Scott, the wife said, “wait—Scott Bleak.  Is he from Oregon? (yes) Was he a BYU gymnast? (yes) I know him! In fact I dated him at BYU!”  (And I thought to myself—but I won—haha) I went back home to get Scott to come and meet them and we talked for another 20 minutes or so. 

Second experience:  A couple came into our store to buy a particular ukulele which at that very moment I had picked off the rack and was playing.  They mentioned they were from Lehi and my co-worker who taught school in Lehi for many years asked about the closest cross streets.  When I heard that I asked if they knew the Van Noys and their faces lit up immediately.  The man said—you mean “diamond eye”?  They are in Kristen and Andrew’s ward and live very close to them. 

Things like these two experiences happen to us ALL the time.  It is definitely a small world and little tender mercies that manifest the fact that we are all connected. 

 

We felt very blessed that we got to listen to Valerie’s funeral Saturday morning.  I got up early to get a little exercise in before the funeral began at 7:00 a.m.  Scott had the computer all ready to go, but it kept shorting out.  It would only play about five seconds and then we would lose connection and have to begin over again.  It was so frustrating and I was getting panicked that I wouldn’t be able to watch it.  I texted Jane and found out that they were watching it just fine.  Scott and I had a prayer and then switched to my phone and we were able to see it without interruption.  Unfortunately, the screen was really small but we could hear just fine.  I so would have loved to be there in person but still believe that I made the right choice in not flying there. Here are a few things that I loved about Valerie and that have had a great influence on me.  *She loves the temple with all of her heart.  She is happier inside the temple than any other place that exists.  *She loved to admonish people to always follow the prophet.  She preached that and she lived it.  *She loved serving people more than about anyone I know.  She often served by giving home-made gifts.  *She loved playing games.  *She loved, loved, loved Mexican food. *She loved hearts and owned more painted heart-shaped rocks than you would believe.  *She loved the Savior with all her heart, mind and strength.  I will miss her so very much!  One quote from her funeral service that I want to remember: “The only pain we take into the next life is the pain for the love we didn’t show in this life.”

 

I had a two hour PCC training Saturday morning after the funeral.  I grabbed my crocheting at the last minutes to take with me thinking that I might be able to crochet either during the presentation or during a break.  On the walk to the building where the training would be held, the bag was under my arm and somewhat upside down—unbeknownst to me.  At one point I realized that the fabric had fallen out and my crocheting was being undone as I walked.  I quickly gathered it up and realized that I was missing my scissors and crochet hook—both had fallen out of my bag.  I re-traced my steps and found the scissors but not the hook.  That caused me to be late to the meeting.  After the meeting, I retraced my steps again but-- NO luck—no hook.  It was quite a long path I had to retrace and part of it was inside and part of it was outside.  Normally, it wouldn’t have been a big deal but I don’t have a replacement hook here and there are no stores that sell them within an hour’s drive.  Dear Stephanie sent that one to me and although I know she would do it again, it would take some time to get it here.  I finally gave up and went home and told Scott. We decided together that we would go back and look again.  Still no sign of it.  Even though I had been praying silently to be able to find it, Scott stopped on the walkway and held my hand and we bowed our heads and prayed.  We walked back into the building and down the hall—much farther than we had gone before, and Scott looked behind a door—and there it was!  It had rolled quite a ways after it had fallen out.  I know that was a little thing but it was quite a big thing to me at that moment.  I needed it and we were led.  God is SO good! 

 

We are very happy here and feel so blessed to be able to serve this mission.  We love you all and are grateful for your prayers.  You are in ours as well! 

 

Much love,

 

Sister Bleak, grandma, mom, Gayle

 

 

How I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life this week:

*I listened to an inspired devotional and felt the spirit.

*I needed to talk with the Gateway manager away from the students.  I hoped for an opportunity one particular day and she happened to be walking right in front of me.

*I was reminded how blessed I am to be married to someone who loves the Lord and has devoted his life to follow Him. 

*After having a prayer, we switched devices and were able to watch the funeral.

*I have been blessed with such dear friends in my life.

*Scott and I found the crochet hook after having a prayer together.