I love my mission!!! We flew in and it was a rather hot day. We separated with the assistants to the mission president and went "running." That is when you go and talk to people and talk to as many as possible right when you arrive in the field. It was awesome. Then we went to the mission home and it is great there. Anyway so my trainer is Elder Voeks. He is a pretty cool guy. He has been in this area for over 6 months which is rather unusual. Anyway we have alot in common. He likes almost all of the things that I do. He is good trainer as well. He works very hard and has shown me many things. The people are generally nice. The culture is much different than I thought. We are in Rosenberg which is about 45min- an hour south of Houston. It is beautiful. The sky is pretty, the grass is very green, and the trees are huge and pretty. Things do feel a little trashy in some areas but the plant life is great.
Some of the cultures here a little sad to be around. Especially the ghetto areas. The way they are raised and the background they come from really shows that alot of it they are raised into and it takes so much courage to brake the cycle of their society and culture.
Some of our investigators come from these backgrounds. I tell ya I cannot judge others ever again. They are the strongest and most courageous people I have ever met. They shine in there surroundings and even though their lives are terrible they do not give up. It makes me feel like all of the times I have felt like my life is so hard makes me a baby. The things that one of our investigators went through in particular are shocking. Her life story and faith is greater than one of the conversion stories you hear about in conference or the Ensign. She is a marvelous person and builds my faith so much.
I love my mission. It is the greatest thing that I have ever chosen to do. I am stongly looking forward to the rest of my mission. Honestly if I knocked on a million doors and tought a million lessons and they all rejected me I would be happy, because of how many wonderful experiences I have had and the people I have met.
I'm sorry if these emails are so long but I can type alot faster than I can write. Plus I like rambling. Anyway life is good. The heat isn't actually that bad unless you are trying to sleep. Everywhere has air conditioning so it is pretty cool alot of the time. I will make sure to send home my memory card some time this week or next week so that you can all have some pictures. Well I hope that you all have a wonderful week. My P-days are Monday for those of you who are wondering but the library was closed yesterday for Memorial Day. Talk to ya next week.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Houston Address
This is Devon's new mailing address
Elder Devon Joel Marr
Texas Houston South Mission
4627 Austin PKWY
Sugar Land, TX 77479-2146
Elder Devon Joel Marr
Texas Houston South Mission
4627 Austin PKWY
Sugar Land, TX 77479-2146
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
MTC Week 2
Hello there!!! All goes well at the MTC. I love it here. There have been to many experiences to even start writing. Time is something I wish I had more of. It flies but at the same time moves really slowly. I miss you all so much but I know that I am here to help others and do God's work. I hope that all of you don't miss me too much cuz I will be back before ya know it.
Yesturday we were blessed to here from Russell M. Nelson. It was wonderful. I actually got a pretty decent seat. I was about 100 ft. away. It was awesome. He spoke of baptism and helping others with the spirit. I love hearing from the Apostles. I am so blessed to hear from them 2 weeks in a row. He told us that we need to spend time once a week finding scriptures of Christ's ministry and to pray and read about them for our studies. I think that this applies to all of you as well.
I have learned so much I can hardly convey the things which I have learned. I am starting to get more homesick but I will be alright. I hope that all of you are having a wonderful time. Thank you everyone who sent me letters and who have read my emails!! It means alot to know that you guys care about me and how I am doing. I hope that everyone's lives are going well.
Answers come in many shapes and forms. One of the best sources of answers to questions you don't really even realize you have are found through prayerful scripture study. It really does help. Being here really makes me realize that there is a God who has a plan and directs us. He knows us and cares about us more than we can care about anything. It really is amazing. The spirit is strong here. There are so many good people who would never be friends unless in this environment. It realy opens your eyes. I feel so much more accountable and mature than ever before and I know that it is because of the spirit helping me become a better person. Being here there is absolutally no doubt that God lives and that Jesus Christ is our savior and that this church is the ture church of God.
To end my remarks I would like to say that I love you all and that I miss you. I hope that you all are working hard and having a great time. Dont become distracted by unnecessary things. There are alot in this world. Focus upon what will make you a better person and then do it. Also I challenge all those who can go to the temple to go within the next 30 days. It will bless you. For those who cannot attend, read the scriptures and pray about them if they are true and you will get an answer. I promise you that. Thank you for taking interest in my mission. It means alot to me. Just remember to not get worried or discouraged but go to work.
I love you all.
Sincerely, Elder Marr
P.S. mail takes 4 days to get here. Don't send anything to me that won't get here by Monday. I will be in Houston. Ask my parents for the mailing address if you do not have it. Thank you!!!
Yesturday we were blessed to here from Russell M. Nelson. It was wonderful. I actually got a pretty decent seat. I was about 100 ft. away. It was awesome. He spoke of baptism and helping others with the spirit. I love hearing from the Apostles. I am so blessed to hear from them 2 weeks in a row. He told us that we need to spend time once a week finding scriptures of Christ's ministry and to pray and read about them for our studies. I think that this applies to all of you as well.
I have learned so much I can hardly convey the things which I have learned. I am starting to get more homesick but I will be alright. I hope that all of you are having a wonderful time. Thank you everyone who sent me letters and who have read my emails!! It means alot to know that you guys care about me and how I am doing. I hope that everyone's lives are going well.
Answers come in many shapes and forms. One of the best sources of answers to questions you don't really even realize you have are found through prayerful scripture study. It really does help. Being here really makes me realize that there is a God who has a plan and directs us. He knows us and cares about us more than we can care about anything. It really is amazing. The spirit is strong here. There are so many good people who would never be friends unless in this environment. It realy opens your eyes. I feel so much more accountable and mature than ever before and I know that it is because of the spirit helping me become a better person. Being here there is absolutally no doubt that God lives and that Jesus Christ is our savior and that this church is the ture church of God.
To end my remarks I would like to say that I love you all and that I miss you. I hope that you all are working hard and having a great time. Dont become distracted by unnecessary things. There are alot in this world. Focus upon what will make you a better person and then do it. Also I challenge all those who can go to the temple to go within the next 30 days. It will bless you. For those who cannot attend, read the scriptures and pray about them if they are true and you will get an answer. I promise you that. Thank you for taking interest in my mission. It means alot to me. Just remember to not get worried or discouraged but go to work.
I love you all.
Sincerely, Elder Marr
P.S. mail takes 4 days to get here. Don't send anything to me that won't get here by Monday. I will be in Houston. Ask my parents for the mailing address if you do not have it. Thank you!!!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
First Email 5/6/09
Got our first email from Devon.
Hello everyone out there. I am so happy to be here. The MTC is a great place and i have learned so much just in my little stay here. There is so much to talk about but I do not have long to type so I will make it as breif as possible. The MTC is a great place. My testimony and faith has grown at least 20 times as much as it was. I am so excited to be here doing the Lord's work. So I can cover as much as possible I am not going to tell of my feelings about these things but just know that I love them all and I am so excited and touched by all of them.
First, my compannion is Elder Jones. He is a great man. He is 22 he was inactive for a while but has been active the past year. He is a fun, cool, and leader like man. I am so blessed to have him as my companion. My district has all great people this consists of Elders Jones, Peterson, Brower, Curtis, Deitrech, Tanner, and Brower. We are all very different. we have a love for eachother and can get eachother laughing quite a bit. My companion was called as district leader with me as senior companion. We a day or so later were called to be zone leaders which will start this sunday. i am very excited for this assignment. There have been a large amount of deeply spiritual experiences. I have learned so much through the power of the Holy Ghost. Last night we got to here from M. Russell Ballard.
It was amazing! He told us that we need to have a great desire and everthing will be fine for us. He also said quote; "You need to be the greatest missionaries ever sent out."From reading this I thought back to 1 Nephi when it says God giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. So if we follow the rules, show obedience, faith, and desire then we will be the greatest missionaries to walk this earth. He also gave an Apostalical Blessing. It said something like this; By his power we can have desire to find teach and baptize. Bless with Health, strength, wisdom, discernment increased, Holy ghost as constant companion and that if we kindle the power of God that we will know the true thing that other's hearts need to feel and hear.
Every day I have prophets and apostles of old who sacrificed everything to get the book of mormon into my hands to deliver its message to others pray for me. I am the fulfillment of the covenent that God gave to Enos. There is far too much to talk about. I do not have nearly enough time to tell you everything. I have written at least 40 minutes every night in my journal. This and my study journal is were I am going to keep most of the things I experience and learn. i will share them with you when I return but for now you will just have to get what I send and what I type.
I want to leave you all and tell you that I love you all. This church is 100% true. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that if we but love Christ and Heavenly Father and show them our desire to want to be with them then we will be more happy than ever before. I know sometimes it is tough. This mission is the hardest thing I have ever had to do but it is by far the most rewarding thing to ever happen to me. I know that working hard all of the time will bring you more happiness than anything esle. Heavenly father loves you and want you to be with him. I am sorry if I didn't say enough.
Love, Elder Marr
Hello everyone out there. I am so happy to be here. The MTC is a great place and i have learned so much just in my little stay here. There is so much to talk about but I do not have long to type so I will make it as breif as possible. The MTC is a great place. My testimony and faith has grown at least 20 times as much as it was. I am so excited to be here doing the Lord's work. So I can cover as much as possible I am not going to tell of my feelings about these things but just know that I love them all and I am so excited and touched by all of them.
First, my compannion is Elder Jones. He is a great man. He is 22 he was inactive for a while but has been active the past year. He is a fun, cool, and leader like man. I am so blessed to have him as my companion. My district has all great people this consists of Elders Jones, Peterson, Brower, Curtis, Deitrech, Tanner, and Brower. We are all very different. we have a love for eachother and can get eachother laughing quite a bit. My companion was called as district leader with me as senior companion. We a day or so later were called to be zone leaders which will start this sunday. i am very excited for this assignment. There have been a large amount of deeply spiritual experiences. I have learned so much through the power of the Holy Ghost. Last night we got to here from M. Russell Ballard.
It was amazing! He told us that we need to have a great desire and everthing will be fine for us. He also said quote; "You need to be the greatest missionaries ever sent out."From reading this I thought back to 1 Nephi when it says God giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. So if we follow the rules, show obedience, faith, and desire then we will be the greatest missionaries to walk this earth. He also gave an Apostalical Blessing. It said something like this; By his power we can have desire to find teach and baptize. Bless with Health, strength, wisdom, discernment increased, Holy ghost as constant companion and that if we kindle the power of God that we will know the true thing that other's hearts need to feel and hear.
Every day I have prophets and apostles of old who sacrificed everything to get the book of mormon into my hands to deliver its message to others pray for me. I am the fulfillment of the covenent that God gave to Enos. There is far too much to talk about. I do not have nearly enough time to tell you everything. I have written at least 40 minutes every night in my journal. This and my study journal is were I am going to keep most of the things I experience and learn. i will share them with you when I return but for now you will just have to get what I send and what I type.
I want to leave you all and tell you that I love you all. This church is 100% true. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that if we but love Christ and Heavenly Father and show them our desire to want to be with them then we will be more happy than ever before. I know sometimes it is tough. This mission is the hardest thing I have ever had to do but it is by far the most rewarding thing to ever happen to me. I know that working hard all of the time will bring you more happiness than anything esle. Heavenly father loves you and want you to be with him. I am sorry if I didn't say enough.
Love, Elder Marr
Saturday, May 2, 2009
First Letter
We got our are first letter from Devon in the MTC.
"Hello family! I am so excited to be here. I got here fine and it is a wonderful place. My companion is Elder Jones. He is a great man. He has had it tough and is 22. His family is inactive but he accepted the gospel. I am so excited and have already learned how to follow and listen to the Holy Ghost. There are Elders here who have learned how to carry conversations in Dutch there first week. I will learn so much and I am so excited. I love you all and I will write you again in a few days."
"Hello family! I am so excited to be here. I got here fine and it is a wonderful place. My companion is Elder Jones. He is a great man. He has had it tough and is 22. His family is inactive but he accepted the gospel. I am so excited and have already learned how to follow and listen to the Holy Ghost. There are Elders here who have learned how to carry conversations in Dutch there first week. I will learn so much and I am so excited. I love you all and I will write you again in a few days."
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