CHRISTMAS WEEK +

Sorry this email is so late. Our library was closed on Monday and yesterday we had no time to email. So we had to talk to some people and do it today instead. It is raining pretty good and we had our car taken from us for the day. The other missionaries needed it for transfer meeting. So we had to bike in the rain which is amazing. Elder Walker and I are staying together. Which is awesome. I love Elder Walker. There is still a lot to do here in the ward and a lot that I am looking forward to. He is a good missionary and has a lot of love for the people.
 
So Christmas week. Lets see. It was great. We did a lot. Sadly many of our investigators were not around. So we talked to a lot of new people this week. It didn't feel like Christmas week. Tuesday it was 84 degrees and then by Saturday it was 40. A big drop. One part of the week you are sweating on your bike and getting home and turning the A/C on and the next day you are shivering and get home and turn the heater on. There is no consistency with Houston weather. It keeps things interesting though so you are always on your toes. It adds some excitement to, with not knowing what the temperature or weather will be like the next day.
 
On Christmas we gathered as a zone and played games and ate food. There are a lot of missionaries that I am close to in this zone. Some of them are being transferred which is pretty sad but there are still some that I just love. Elder Cayas is here int he zone and is staying. Although I don't get to see him often it is good to see him some of the time. He is a great missionary and one of my favorites. I love that guy so much. He taught me a lot of things being with him.
 
Christmas morning started with gathering as a district to open presents and read scriptures. We had a good time and it was better than last years Christmas morning. I thoroughly enjoyed it. We had these green sweaters that we wore and we looked kinda goofy but it was fun.
 
We also gathered for zone conference last week. Half of it was like normal and the other half was games and the gift exchange. I ended up with this cool flashlight. It was so much fun. President Saylin's parents were there and they are not members. They enjoyed it and President Saylin was very happy that they decided to join us. It made me think about how important the gospel is and that we can never give up on anybody even if they don't want to hear it. My mission president is one of the greatest men that i know. He is one of the greatest examples to me of what I want to be when it comes to my standing with God. You can tell that he obeys the Lord in everything that he can think of and just glows with the spirit. I feel the spirit every time that I am around him and it just makes me more excited to feel what it will be like to stand before the Savior and feel of his countenance.
 
I love you all and I hope that this week goes well for you. Have a great new year and resolve to be better. I love you and I will talk to y'all next week.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR

Tiles, baptisms, and pictures of the sun

This week has been crazy busy. I cant believe how busy it has been. Then today has been even more crazy. With P-day ending early so that we can have some time on Christmas to relax as a zone. Ahhh P-day. So much to do and so little time. I cant believe that time goes by so fast. It always seems to go fast when you have stuff to do. It's good to though. At least we are always busy with important things to do.

So this past week was a good one. We had a lot of great things happen. The Lord has been so merciful to me in letting me feel of his love and showing me that this is not my mission but his and I am just an instrument in his hands. I know this to be true. I cannot express enough how much I feel like I don't deserve what the Lord gives to me. I am so flawed and all I have comes short of the mark. But he loves me still so much and is patient with me in all that I do. I love the Lord so much and I know that I can do better in all things. This time of year always makes me reflect on the past year and what has happened. I love you all and I thank you for all that you have done for me. I may not write letters or even shoot an email but know that I love you all so much. I wish that I could send you something for Christmas. The truth is that as all missionaries I have no money and I don't have any time to think of what to get people for Christmas. The greatest joy that comes to me is making other people happy. I hope that you all will be happy with what I can give. I cannot give much but I love you all. It seems like time and money are something that I do not have. But it reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas. This time is the time to celebrate and commemorate the Saviors mission and birth. Although he was not born on Christmas this is the time that we spend to think of Him. I try to love him with all that I have and I hope that one day I truly can have my eye single to His glory in its fullness.

I am going to tell all of you what I truly want for Christmas.

I want you to go to the temple.
I want you to find out if this Church and its teaching are the truth.
I want you to go back to church and start attending regularly.
I want you to spend the day with someone to cheer them up.
I want you to sacrifice your time.
I want you to repent and give up that sin that you don't want to give up.
I want you to pray.
I want you to love.

I am not perfect at all. I lack in so much and I know that unless it was the hand of God that I would not be out here on a mission. He has changed my life and I still want Him to change it some more. I have much to change and I have much that I can do for the Lord with more zeal and with more sincerity. I will try my best to give of myself this season and think of you when appropriate. I love you all.

I love you all and I wish you all a very happy and merry Christmas,

love,

ELDER MARR

This is my life.....

Again the weather cannot make up its mind. I have shivered this week and I have broken a sweat. There have been days in the high 70's and days in the mid 40's. Yesterday was in the 40's and Saturday was in the 70's. It is crazy. I looked at a pool this week and said to myself that it would feel good to jump in. Then a day later I looked at it and when I thought of jumping into it in my mind I shivered. It is cold today but should be getting warmer. I love being in this weather. You never know whatcha gunna get. Don't worry parents and grandparents I have a jacket. I stay warm when it is cold and I  stay cool when it is warm.
 
If the weather was like this every day of the year it would be a pleasant place when it comes to weather. Now sure there aren't the beautiful landscapes but it is good enough. I do miss the mountains and hills though. It is so flat. Now that I am up near the city more it seems a little less flat just because of the buildings. But it is still flat. There aren't any sky scrapers in my area so no camera shots of a ton of land but it is a nice place.
 
This week we have been teaching some great people. There is so much that we have been doing and that we have been put into. There are many families that we are teaching and that are progressing. This past week we started teaching a family of 9 and a few of their relatives. As well there have been some other families and single people that are showing sincere interest in the gospel and that are gaining testimonies of their own. We taught a lady this week who at first repelled the idea of additional scripture. Then she embraced the Book of Mormon after letting us explain a little about it. SHe loves that book now. When we went over and taught the family they had some of their friends and relatives over. She speaks Spanish and some English and her friends just speak Spanish. She taught them what we had taught her and she testified of the Book of Mormon and told them that they have to read it. It was so cool. She already has a strong testimony and truly wants to follow the Savior.
 
This week was full of great feelings. There have been people who are open to meeting with us, many great spiritual feelings and experiences, and some great things that I have been learning. I felt the spirit a lot in my life this week. Not necessarily the most intense experiences with the spirit but most likely the longest periods of time were I have felt the Holy Ghost in my life. I love being a missionary. Everything that you do has an eternal purpose. Everything is important. It makes me feel a lot more responsibility than I did back at home. I love it because then when we are wiling to give more the Lord gives more to us. President Gordon B. Hinckley once said that we shouldn't use the word 'sacrifice' as much as we do in the church. The truth is that when we sacrifice for the Lord it is more of an investment than a sacrifice. He never lets us put Him in our debt.
 
I love the blessings of the gospel. I look forward to this coming week as well as Christmas week. I would be lying if I said that I am not looking forward to being able to call home. It is going to be exciting. I love being able to talk with someone instead of through emails or letters. Sorry yall always have to read my letters. I am not a great writer and emails and letters really don't convey who I really am. If I was a better writer than maybe it would but for now this is all ya get.
 
love yall and have a great week.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR

H-Town

A cold week. The weather doesn't know what it wants at all. One day it gets up to 80 and you wake up the next morning and leave your apartment and it is in the 50's. It has been an unpredictable week for sure. You always have to pack some extra stuff in your backpack if it gets cold but you don't want to wear it out because it will be warm. So weird. I always liked that in Washington that when it was cold it was cold and when it was warm it was warm. Here it can jump so much from day to day that you never know what the next day is going to be like. And when people tell you what it will be like you can never trust it because the weather is usually wrong on their predictions. Anyone who lives by the coast knows that. It can change quick.

I love this place though. I miss Pasadena still but I love this area. There are so many people who are being prepared by the Lord and people who we are teaching that are prepared. I feel so blessed to be able to teach so many great people and help them on their path to get closer to Heavenly Father. We have a family that we are working with and the son is planning on getting baptized on the 18th. He is a great kid who shows obedience and is willing to do what is asked of him. He is aware of the spirit and is a good kid. i wish that I could of had the faith and spiritual sensitivity that he has at 9 when I was his age. I look forward to the day of his and his nephew's baptism. About the ages, I don't have time to explain. Luis is 9 and Sonny is 8. Luis is Sonny's uncle. Long story. Anyways, (Do I say that a lot?), I look forward to that day. They are great kids and their family is as well. There are so many people to talk about and so little time. We are working with many people and many who are prepared for the gospel. I love to have these people that we are teaching. Having people to teach is always a great feeling. Especially when they are so willing to follow the Lord.

A cool story from this week. We ate dinner with the Stanton family. With the Stantons who live with Sis. Stanton's mother. She is in her 90's. She talked to us at dinner about when she was a young member of the church. She knew every member that lived in the Houston area from part of Louisiana to Victoria. Now there are about three missions that cover that space. Which covers about 21 stakes if I am not mistaken. That blew my mind. I was totally shocked. The church has grown so much. It just makes me think that in 80 years there most likely will be at least 60 stakes in the area I have heretofore mentioned. That would be soo cool. To be a part of that expansion and helping all of those people is so cool. I love my mission and I love being able to help people do and follow what matters most.

love yall and have a great week,

ELDER MARR

P.S.

If Brother Brett Jensen is reading this congratulations on the engagement. Also Elder Breeze says congrats.

New Area

New adress

8100 Stone #307
Houston, TX
77061




That's right a new area. I was shocked this week to receive a phone call on Tuesday from President Saylin. He talked to me for a few minutes and told me that he had an assignment for me to fulfill. He asked me if I would accept an assignment to go to the Broadway area. It was quite a shock. A few days before Thanksgiving in an area that I love and with a companion that I work great with. But the Lord had a different plan. One of the apostles once said that "this is not your mission, it is the Lord's." So things happen that don't make sense to the natural mind. But I know that the Lord is in charge of this work and that he will give revelation to those whom he has chosen to let them know His will. In this case President Saylin followed the Lord and has sent me where the Lord needs me to go. I already miss Pasadena. I border my old area so that makes me miss it even more. I pray that Pasadena keeps growing and building. This area has great hope for the future as well with many people who are prepared for the gospel.
 
I am now in Broadway. It is a fairly large area bordering on the east side the whole of Pasadena 1st ward. It is a little nicer in spots and also closer to the city on the other end. It is different and a lot more populated. I enjoy it from what I have seen of it so far. This area has had 21 convert baptisms in past year. That is quite a bit for this mission. I am so excited to be int his area and find more people who are prepared for the gospel. There are so many people who are sincere and willing to meet with us and listen to our message. We spoke to a man  this week on the street named Carlos. After talking with us for a few minutes he told us that he is interested in being baptized. Upon coming back and having our first lesson with him he told us that he knows there are things that he must do so that he will not continue in sin after baptism and will stay clean. He is making large strides and he is a sincere man. He is just one of the great people whom we have just met this week. There are people who we are working with and many others who we haven't met yet who we are excited to meet and help progress in the gospel.
 
My new companions name is Elder Walker. He has been out for about 8 months. He is a good missionary and loves the people. We both get along very well. He has my same dorky sense of humor. He is willing to work and we both are looking for ways to help this area explode. I am excited for the future. Sadly Elder Richardson however is no longer my companion. I will see him on Friday though so that will be sweet. He is a good guy.
 
We had a good Thanksgiving with the Sifuentes and Franklin families. The Franklins are wonderful. He is a temple worker and is so strong in the gospel. He told of his conversion story at dinner and it was awesome. He was looking for all of his life for the church which had prophets and apostles. Then he found it and followed it with all of his heart. There family is awesome. So loving and kind. The dinner was good too.  Yall know that I love turkey.
 
So it has been cold and rainy this week. it was really raining hard about 2 minutes ago but now has slowed down a little. It reminds me of home a little how the weather is here in the winter time.
 
Well I love yall and I hope that all is well. I care for you all and I wish that I really had time to write letters. I don't just say that I really never have any time. But know that I would write to you all if I had the time.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR
 
P.S.
HAPPY WEEK AFTER THANKSGIVING

HUO JI DAY!!!!!!!

Cold, hot, cold, hot cold, cold, cold, hot. The weather here will not calm down. It won't make up its mind either. I never thought that the temperature could be in the high 70's low 80's and then you wake up the next day and walk outside and it is in the 50's. It has been crazy. You never know what to prepare for. It could be anything. today it is in the 70's but it is extremely humid. So weird. Texas just wont calm down. It keeps life exciting though.
 
This past week was a good one. Elder Richardson got sick though which was not so good. He is doing better now. Luckily I haven't cough what he has yet and he has been sick for a few days. My immune system is pretty strong so I hope that I can fight off whatever is in the air. He has been pretty messed up the past few days. But like I said he is doing good now. It is starting to go away. Besides his sickness there have been a lot of people getting sick. Probably because of the crazy weather. Who knows.
 
This week we had a fireside in Friendswood. It was really great. The speakers were wonderful and hearing their testimonies always touches my heart. Being in the Friendswood building also touched my heart. As we drove through Friendswood on our way to the church my mind went back to one year ago when I first arrived in Friendswood. The memory of eating Thanksgiving dinner at the Livesay home is still fresh in my memory. It literally feels like last month. I can remember the food and where I sat at the table. It is such a strong memory and it feels so recent. My life seems to be flashing before my eyes. Not that I am dying but that time just goes fast. I ,almost can't believe that it was a year ago that I was in Friendswood. I spoke to the missionaries who are currently serving in Friendswood and spoke to them about the work that was going on there and I asked them how the a family that I worked with while I was there were doing. They made me feel such joy when they told me that they are extremely active in the church. It made me so grateful that the Lord has giving me these experiences in my life to be able to help others join the church and receive testimonies of their own. I am so grateful that I am able to be out here sharing the gospel and doing what matters most for these people.
 
With Thanksgiving this week I want to end my email with some of the things that i am most grateful for. I am so grateful above all else that Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for me. That because of him and what he has done that I can be forgiven and that I can change my ways and be able to live with God forever. The fact that someone loves me so much that he was wiling to take upon himself all of my pains and all of my problems and help me with them. I am also so grateful that I know the truth and that I have been privileged to be a member of Jesus Christ's church. What a blessing as well to have direction from Him through prayer and through a prophet. I know that this is the true church and that you can get closer to God by following the teachings of His church than any other way. This is the Church of Jesus Christ and I am so grateful that I have it in my life.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR
 

DISTRICT STAYING TOGETHER!!!!

This is the first time on my mission that the whole district has stayed together. We thought that some of us were gone for sure. But we are all together. I am sooo happy. This district has been one of my favorites. They all love to study and love the gospel so much. I have learned a lot from their examples and their knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel. I am sooo happy that we will be staying together for at least one more transfer.
 
This week has been crazy. The weather has been just like Washington. Cold and rainy and overcast. It is highly abnormal for the weather to be the way it is here in Pasadena. I have enjoyed it. Makes me feel like I'm at home. Plus no humidity. That has been a huge bonus. The rain though does get cold. I wish it didn't rain as much as it is has been. I don't mind it, but I do when I am on a bike.
 
This week we had several exchanges. Elder Oliver spent a day with me because Elder Richardson had an interview in Sugar Land. We had a good time and taught some great lessons. I love Elder Oliver and I look forward to hanging out with him after the mission. Utah is filled with so many of my close friends. I have also been hearing from Elder Jensen. My companion in Angleton. He is doing well and is planning on going to school. I heard from him last week.
 
On another exchange we exchanged for 48 hours. It was with the Broadway North missionaries. Elder Breeze was with me. He trained Elder Richardson. He is a good missionary and we clicked. I had a great time.
 
To be honest I spent all of my time in other emails and my email to the mission president so I have no time left. This past transfer it has been one of the greatest of my mission. The people are progressing and we have to much to do. So many things that we still must do to expand the kingdom of God here in Pasadena. I pray that this transfer goes as well as this past one. I love how much work we are doing and how much we have been able to accomplish.
 
Even though you all really don't get what I have done this week it was a good week. It would take far to long to say everything. I look forward to being able to share stories when I get home and have time to talk.
 
On my exchange with Elder Breeze we taught a man that has such a good heart. His health has been very bad lately and he is doing his best to follow God. It strengthens my testimony to see someone so service oriented even when he has every right to sit and not meet with us or at least to do nothing. He gave us a pint of ice-cream each that he had picked up just for us to have. He does not have much money, his health is bad, he is older, and he went out of his way to do something for us. The greatest attribute of all is love. He didn't take thought for himself but for us. I wish that I could have more of the love that this man showed to me.
 
I love yall,
 
ELDER MARR
 

A week!? It felt like a day to me!

This week went by faster than any week I have ever had on my mission that I can remember. It slays me how fast this past week went and the many things which happened. There have been so many things happening that it seems out of the norm if we have a normal week. I love it.
 
This week our car had some troubles. We had to take it into the Toyota dealer in Sugar Land. One hour away. On the highway to the dealership it broke down and the alternator stopped working. Luckily we were next to an off ramp. So we exited the highway and coasted to a business parking lot. We had a tow truck pick us up and take us there. Our whole Tuesday was shot but it was an interesting day.
 
Our ward had a huge Thanksgiving dinner at the church on Sunday. I love turkey. Always have and always will. It was a great dinner. Most of the ward showed up for it and we had a good time. I really like this ward even though i do not know many of them very well. Most of the ward lives in the other Elders area. I do like the members though. There are a lot of couples in the ward and families that you would not guess to be husband and wife. It is really cool. Everyone is very different from one another but all seem to get along just fine.
 
I don't have too much time this week so this will be one of my shortest emails. P-day is always a rush. Our plan for this week is to actually do something other than chores or all the other stuff we have to take care of. I love you all and I hope that this week goes well for you all. I know that this church is true and I know that Thomas Monson is a true prophet and that the twelve apostles are really God's apostles. They either are or they are not. I know that they are. This is not just a church. It is so much more than just a church. It is a way of life. I love you all and I exhort you all to read the Book of Mormon and really ponder it's message when you read. And then to pray about it. It is the word of God.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR

"Have no fear Silvano is here!"

This week was a pretty good one. It was a busy one that's for sure. It seems like time doesn't exist and you are always doing something or have something that is taking your time. We have not stopped going for a while now. There is never a pause. Take this morning. We go to take our laundry to a washateria and our car starts acting weird. We lose power steering and then it starts going in and out of power. We eventually get it close to our apartment and push it into the lot. The battery was leaking acid, and we were stuck. So we called upon the great Brother Dimmick. The Dimmick's house the south Elders, so he came with the south Elders and we got the battery out and took it in. They ran tests on it and an hour later we received a new battery. By the time it was all said and done it was about 12:50. Crazy. Not even P-day is a safe day anymore. But today we are going to head down to League City for our Zone activity. So that will give us some time to play.
 
This week went well like I said. We had a stake conference with Elder Roberts of the Seventy and the Saylins. It was great. The children were really loud in our section so it was hard to hear but overall it was a good conference. Then later that night we had to go in early. Nothing too exciting on Halloween. One of our investigators has a nice motorcycle and he dressed up like a zombie ghost rider and was scaring a bunch of kids. That was pretty funny. He has a good heart though. He hates making kids cry, but he loves to shock them or creep them out momentarily.
 
So I know that this email is very short but we are all really pressed for time. Sharing a car doesn't help much either. They want tot get to the activity really soon so we are all trying our best to make sure we get done with emails fast.
 
I just wanted to make a quick note about some of our new investigators. One of them is a referral who was meeting with missionaries in Nebraska and told us that he wants to be baptized. He knows that the church is true and is excited to be here. He has also been talking with his mother and his mother is very interested in the gospel. He is great. Then one of our other new investigators is a member referral. He told us in our first meeting that he wants to be baptized and that he wants to learn more. We have taught him twice and in one week he came to church and he is in 1 Nephi 20. Things just seem to be falling into our laps. It is great. I feel so blessed from my Father in Heaven who just wants what is best for me and who is letting Elder Richardson and I be a part of his miracles and His work. I am soooooo happy. I would give anything if I could be a missionary for another 2 years. I just past my 18 month mark of my mission. I don't want to have any letters or emails telling me that I am coming home soon. It is not soon. That is a long long long time away. That is the way that I want to think of it. I wish it could last forever.
 
I love ya'll and have a great week.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR

I can't come up with any other good titles

This past week was great. We did so much and had so many times that the Lord led the work. It is truly a blessing to see His hand in this work every day. He puts people in our path and lets us know what to teach and how we can help His children. There is nothing I would rather do than be a missionary. It is the best. It just feels great to be able to help these people with their problems and give them the tools they need to get out of their ruts. I love it!!!
 
It has been rather windy this week and it feels sooo good. It has been in the low 70's and it is perfect. Sunny sky with scattered clouds all week and plenty of wind to keep us cool. We have been on bikes to which helps. I love this weather. It is amazing. However we do need some rain soon. It hasn't rained here in about a month and a half. Before that rain it had been about a month. So really in the last 2 1/2 months it has rained once. So I miss the rain. Plus the plants need some pretty bad. It is weird to see dead grass here in Texas but I have been seeing a lot of it. The grass here is all crabgrass. It isn't that beautiful Washington grass that feels great on your bear feet. It is crabgrass on people's whole yards. It was weird when I first got here.
 
This week we had a lot of people show up to church. It was so cool. I just wish that they would have come last week. The week before last at church President Saylin and part of his family spoke. And this week the speakers were less than magnificent. It wasn't bad it just wasn't as great and intriguing as President Saylin's. But I am a little biased. Church went well. There were some older members who like to talk with us after sacrament meeting. So it is always hard to get to class. I like them though. They are nice guys.
 
Our mission President told us that we could ask him any question about the gospel and he would answer it. It has been so hard to find the ultimate question. There is so much that I have learned and so much that I still have to learn that I just have no idea what to ask. Lately in my studies I have been learning for myself the answers to some of the questions that I have and he has already enlightened me with the answers to one of my biggest questions. It has been challenging finding the ultimate question. I still don't know what it is. I hope he doesn't answer 42. (Anybody who got that joke is awesome) Anyways I just thought I should say that my mind is going crazy trying to find the ultimate question.
 
Anyways, the ultimate questions aside. I am having a great time this transfer. There is so much going on and so much that we still have to do. I feel like sometimes we don't have the time for everything but the Lord knows our flaws and knows that we are trying our best to do what he wants us to do. I love my mission and I am so blessed that The Lord guides Elder Richardson and I. That he literally knows me and my needs. And that he loves His children and does so many things for them. It is a miracle that even though he is running the universe and has so many things that he does he cares about each of us and leads us and gives us direction in ways that are coincidences. There are so coincidences. I have had FFFFAAAAARRRRRR tooooooo many for it to be just chance.
 
I love you all and I am sorry that my writing skills stink. Don't hate. I haven't been to college yet.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR

THE BUSIEST WEEK EVER!!!

It was great!! Soooo busy. We had so many lessons with people and so many great experiences. This past week lessons and the usual stuff aside we had our temple trip. It was great. I love the temple. Especially the Houston temple. I always learn so much while I am there. There is so much that I still have to learn and so much of the gospel that I still need to study. It always blows my mind how much stuff is in the gospel. No other church has the understanding that is available in the true church of Jesus Christ. I love learning. That is one of the largest things that has changed about me since I have been out. I know a lot more about the gospel and I am a lot better at studying and learning. I love learning. There is so much out there that you can learn you just have to take the time and figure it all out.

Anyways, the temple was beautiful. I loved it. Sadly there was no time for pictures seeing how we were the last ones out of the temple. We had to leave and go back to our areas an hour away. So it wasn't too long of a drive. It would have been about a 2 1/2 hour drive from the temple to Bay City. So I was lucky. The temple is so great. I wish that everybody would just go more. I would go every week if I could but we can't. It is such a great place where the spirit is strong and there is so much peace and reverence. I hope to be able to live close to a temple when I am older and settled after school and such. I just love it. It is worth all of the sacrifices that we have to make for worthiness to be able to enter into the Lord's house.

On top of the marvelous temple trip we had our interviews this past week with President Saylin. He is a great man. I love him so much and he has done so much for me. He is so service filled and every time I talk with him all I see is a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. He lives the gospel to it's fullest and you can tell in his behavior and his countenance. He is a great man. He reminds me of my father.

Our interview went well. We had the interviews at the Friendswood building. There was an activity that night while we were waiting for the other missionaries to have their interviews. So I got to see a number of members from Friendswood that I have not seen in about 6 months. It was so great to see so many members that are close to my heart. As well as Patience Stodard. She was baptized just after my leaving the area. We taught her for 6 months and she is doing soooo great. Her and her husband are coming to church every week and now she has a calling in the primary. They have been coming to church for about a year now and it is so great to see what the gospel has done for them. Their testimony all began when they made coming to church a priority in their lives. I saw their family come closer together, more happiness in their marriage, and a stable life all come from coming to church every single week and making the Lord and his commandments a priority in their lives. Church is that important. I love to see what the gospel has done for those who I am privileged to work with. I see the Lord's hand in changing peoples lives for the better if they just give up living the way they think they should live or want to live and follow the Savior in all things. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and what it has done for me. It has saved me from problems that I never thought I could get away from. I know that God lives and that he is willing to forgive us if we repent and change for Him. I love that he loves us.

There are many things that I could talk about in this email. A lot happened this week. But to cut on time I will just say this. The Lord is behind everything that he needs to be done. He made what we thought to be impossible this week possible and he led us even when we did not know it. It was easily one of the best weeks of my mission. I know that God is real. I know that the promise in the Book of Mormon is a promise. It is not just an idea. If you ask God with a sincere heart with faith in Christ and be willing to follow that answer than the Lord will answer that prayer through the Holy Ghost. The same feeling that we get that encourages us to believe in Jesus Christ. I know that this promise is true. It is not a frenzied mind that gives this feeling. I know the difference. You cannot force the spirit. But it will come to you when you ask with a sincere heart. I know that this promise in Moroni chapter 10 is true because I have done it myself and others have done it and they get the same answer that I do.

I am sorry that this is so short. I love you all and the work is going great here in Pasadena. I love you all and have a great week.

love,

ELDER MARR

A new companion

Elder Leishman is gone. It is a little funny on the way to transfer meeting as we thought of who was going where. Nobody ever guesses what is going to happen and it always shocks everybody who is going where and with whom. So on the way to the meeting our district is deliberating about it. I said that if I could be with Elder Richardson than I would be the happiest man in the world. He was my #1 choice of the people that I knew. We told Elder Oliver that he was going to be going to League City to fill Elder Law's spot. And we told Elder Leishman that he would be with Elder Buttars. Well of it happened and I am now able to be with Elder Richardson. It reminds me of something that has blessed me my whole mission. I have not told this to many people and I have not told it to my mission president who decides prayerfully who goes where.
 
When I was set apart as a missionary I received a blessing. In that blessing I was told that I would love all of my companions and that I would be close with them. I have had that blessing come true on my mission. And not even that it has been hard to love my companions. They have all been great missionaries and friends that I hope I will have correspondence with after the mission. I was so thrilled to have Elder Richardson with me here in Pasadena. I wish I could have been with Elder Leishman longer but the Lord had other plans. I am so excited for this transfer and the great blessings that are coming to us. This past week has just been filled with miracles and the Lord leading us exactly where he wants us to be and when he wants us to be there. We have so much work to do this week and I am so blessed. Between today and tomorrow we have 14 scheduled appointments that are pretty legit and we have more later in the week. Hopefully the pace will not slow down but keep picking up. People are very interested in this area and are willing to listen and to change.
 
Elder Costa talked about that a little bit when he came to visit with our missions. He said that he does as much missionary work as he can when he is away from Utah. He says that he almost always shakes a persons hand and asks if they are a member. They then usually say "no" and he says "why not?" He told us a lot about how easy it is to talk with people in the U.S. People do just want to talk about the gospel and talk about God. I have seen it a lot in this area. There are so many people in our area that we have MANY people that we are teaching. i haven't taught this many people my whole mission. I am loving it! I love when people actually want to listen to you and your area just builds and builds and builds. The best part is that this ward has two sets of missionaries so they are having many new members join this year. It is exciting. Our mission is doing far better that it has in the past as well. We had 50 baptisms last month and many more planed for this month. It is pretty cool.
 
Sorry this email will be short this week but it is Columbus day so it is packed with youth on computers and I don't have a ton of time. I love you all and I hope that you have a good week. I love my mission and ever minute of it. I love you all and I will keep doing my best. Let me know how life is with you. I know that I do not send very many/ any letters but I would if I had time. I am hopefully buying a piece so that I can use an electric typewriter which would help in sending more letters.
 
talk to yall later! Love,
 
ELDER MARR

GENERAL CONFERNCE WEEKEND!!!!

Dear Everybody,
 
This weeks weather has been magnificent. Cool air has been blowing and it has been lowering the temperature by a considerable amount. It feels like a perfect mid-summer Washington day today. Especially this morning. It felt wonderful. I love the weather this time of year. It is perfect. I hear that it is nice and cold up in Washington. I can't even imagine it being cold right now. Not this time of the year.
 
So this week was a basic week. Except for General Conference. That was great. I loved the Saturday afternoon session and the Priesthood session. They were both sooo great. For those who did not attend the Priesthood session I would encourage you to read Elder Uchdorf's talk when it comes out in the Ensign next month. It was great. He talked about Pride and it was a humbling talk (no pun  intended). But I loved Conference. It is so great to feel the spirit and see a real Prophet and real live Apostles. I wish that all of my investigators would have been able to see all of the sessions and feel the love that these men have for all of us. It always testifies to me that they are truly Prophets and apostles. In the book of Mathew, I think chapter 24, the savior says that there will be many false prophets and teachers. He tells the disciples and us who will read it as well that the way to know if they are true Apostles or Prophets is by their works. President Monson, Eyring, Uchtdorf, Elders Holland, Oaks, and all the rest are either "wolves in sheep's clothing" who are their to deceive and then destroy us or they are truly Apostles and Prophets. In other words they are either false prophets who look like real prophets but inside they are evil or they are true Prophets. The Savior says that the way to know if they are his prophets or "wolves in sheep's clothing" is by their works. "By their works ye shall know them." Look into the life of each of these men and see if they are wolves in sheep's clothing or not. Do they do evil things or good things, help build up or tear down? I know that these men are truly Prophets, seers, and revelators of God and that they are his servants. I know that every talk that was given this past conference was not to pat ourselves on the back or to puff us up above others but to help us to know how to be better and what we can do in this life to change ourselves for the Savior. They are here to help us to change and to repent. I know that they spoke on exactly what the Savior would say to the church if he were here. I am so grateful for the great opportunity I have had to hear the words of the Lord through his chosen servants at Conference. I have looked into their lives and all I have found is service and love. However they are still mortal men but they are great men who live lives of service.
 
Sadly we received our transfer call this morning. Elder Leishman is leaving as well as Elder Manoa. I wish that they could both stay in this district for one more transfer but the Lord has other plans. I will miss Elder Leishman. It seems like my past few companions have all been very fast. Not even being a full 2 transfers long since Elder Robertson. I was with him for 3 and I wish that I could be with him again but he is home. I will most likely have a companion who I have never known before. There are a lot of missionaries in the mission who I have never met before. Many new faces and many new people coming in with a extremely large group of veterans in my eyes who are going home. The mission is Dear Everybody,
 
This weeks weather has been magnificent. Cool air has been blowing and it has ben lowering the tempurature by a considerable amount. It feels like a perfect mid-summer Washington day today. Especially this morning. It felt wonderful. I love the weather this time of year. It is perfect. I hear that it is nice and cold up in Washington. I can't even imagine it being cold right now. Not this time of the year.
 
So this week was a basic week. Except for General Conference. That was great. I loved the Saturday afternoon session and the Priesthood session. They were both sooo great. For those who did not attend the Priesthood session I would encourage you to read Elder Uchdorf's talk when it comes out in the Ensign next month. It was great. He talked about Pride and it was a humbling talk (no pun  intended). But I loved Conference. It is so great to feel the spirit and see a real Prophet and real live Apostles. I wish that all of my investigators would have been able to see all of the sessions and feel the love that these men have for all of us. It always testifies to me that they are truly Prophets and apostles. In the book of Mathew, I think chapter 24, the savior says that there will be many false prophets and teachers. He tells the disciples and us who will read it as well that the way to know if they are true Apostles or Prophets is by their works. President Monson, Eyring, Uchdorf, Elders Holland, Oaks, and all the rest are either "wolves in sheep's clothing" who are their to deceive and then destroy us or they are truly Apostles and Prophets. In other words they are either false prophets who look like real prophets but inside they are evil or they are true Prophets. The Savior says that the way to know if they are his prophets or "wolves in sheep's clothing" is by their works. "By their works ye shall know them." Look into the life of each of these men and see if they are wolves in sheep's clothing or not. Do they do evil things or good things, help build up or tear down? I know that these men are truly Prophets, seers, and revelators of God and that they are his servants. I know that every talk that was given this past conference was not to pat ourselves on the back or to puff us up above others but to help us to know how to be better and what we can do in this life to change ourselves for the Savior. They are here to help us to change and to repent. I know that they spoke on exactly what the Savior would say to the church if he were here. I am so grateful for the great opportunity I have had to hear the words of the Lord through his chosen servants at Conference. I have looked into their lives and all I have found is service and love. However they are still mortal men but they are great men who live lives of service.
 
Sadly we received our transfer call this morning. Elder Leishman is leaving as well as Elder Manoa. I wish that they could both stay in this district for one more transfer but the Lord has other plans. I will miss Elder Leishman. It seems like my past few companions have all been very fast. Not even being a full 2 transfers long since Elder Robertson. I was with him for 3 and I wish that I could be with him again but he is home. I will most likely have a companion who I have never known before. There are allot of missionaries in the mission who I have never met before. Many new faces and many new people coming in with a extremely large group of veterans in my eyes who are going home. The mission is a lot different now and I will have to get accustomed to being one of the older missionaries.
 
There are a lot of excited things to come the next two weeks. This coming weekend Elder Costa of the Presidency of the 70 will be speaking in a tri-mission conference up in Houston. He spoke last year and I am really excited to see what he talks about this week. HE gave a talk in General conference that was really fast. He gave the 14 points of a prophet which was pretty cool. Anyways we have that this weekend and then the coming weekend we have our temple trip. Which is always amazing. I am lucky to have the new temple Ensign (with the Houston temple in it) to help me have an even better temple experience in two weeks. It will be a busy few weeks.
 
This past week we started teaching a great family. They are both very interested but the daughter is extremely interested. She said that she would like to read the Book of Mormon so we taught them and gave he a copy. Usually when this happens the sad reality is that they usually do not read it or "didn't have time to." But I was pleasantly surprised. We gave her the book on Wednesday and by Sunday this 15 year old girl had read the first 4 chapters of the Book of Mormon and asked us questions about it. She understood everything she read. IT was pretty cool. If everyone showed the determination to read from the Book of Mormon like she has then there would be many more members of the church and many more active members of the church. The power of the Book of Mormon can never be underestimated. On my mission it has always been a focus of my teaching and it really is one of the most important things to have in the gospel. I just wish that more people read and prayed about the Book of Mormon. I cannot stress it enough. It has the power to change a persons heart and prepare them for the next life. I love the Book of Mormon and the testimonies of the Savior that are found in it. It is truly the greatest book on earth that will "draw a man closer to God than any other book." I wish more people would read it diligently. I love it!
 
Anyways, I never thought that I would type this but I have seen a hill. It is a fairly large one in the park. I have a few pictures that I will have to send home soon. I keep saying I will send pictures. I really will but my time is never with me. Like today I am emailing and it is already 2:39. We still have to shop and do a few more chores like getting haircuts. P-day never seems to go by slowly.
 
I love you all and I hope that this week goes well for all of you. I know that this gospel is true and that the Lord loves all of us. I look forward to telling you some good stories that I am sure will be shared by Elder Costa. And who my new companion will be. Stay tuned.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR

Hot with a Cold front

It has been hot this week. Very humid and very hot. I have been sweating like a pig. I just can't seem to keep the sweat in. But it's not the end of the world. It has also been more humid than I can ever remember. We had a little rain in the beginning of the week that caused a lot of humidity. It has been humid most of the week except for today. This morning when Elder Leishman and I left our apartment the second that we left we felt a cool breeze. It felt sooooo good. I can't tell you how good it felt. It was about 70 degrees outside. It felt just like home. It also smelt fresh for some reason which is not a common smell in Stinkadena. At least that is what some people call it.
 
Anyways, this week was a very good one. The Lord has been dropping things into our laps it seems and we are being so blessed. On Sunday a companionship from the Texas Houston East mission handed off an investigator who is getting baptized in mid October. Just out of nowhere tells us about them and that they live in our area. Also many of the people that we have contacted that we are starting to formally teach are very prepared. Many of them have a desire to learn and a desire to change. Pasadena is a rougher place. There are a lot of people who are living in some pretty serious sins. SO they either don't want to change at all or they want protection from the world, or they want out to be saved from the world they are in. It has been a special experience being here. I really get to see what the "good things" in the world do for people. Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and immorality bring no lasting happiness. Sure I have been taught it all of my life and I believe it to be true but being here I have really seen what these things do to people and how it destroys their lives. It doesn't make any of them happy for any reasonable length of time. It is very sad. But the best part of all of this is that we have the gospel. The Lord is merciful to everyone who wants to be saved from their sins and guides us to people every day. He also has given us the gospel to tell to them to help them find eternal happiness. I have seen it change lives and bring happiness into those lives. I just wish more people would except the gospel. But like the scripture says the members of the church will always be a small number in comparison to how many people are in the world.
 
It really does make me very sad and frustrated sometimes at the things people do to themselves. But there are great people who change and live a better life. One of our new investigators is making some serious changes in his life. He has spent the last 13 years in prison for a bank robbery. He wants to change. He is a sincere man who has been humbled and has felt the love of a member of the church who cares for him and his happiness. This man that we are teaching is so excited to join the church and has changed everything about himself to be a stronger person. He is an example to me and someone who I need to follow more in his commitment to give up doing his will and turn it over to God and follow him.
 
Another strange thing about this week has been the sicknesses. There have been a huge number of people who have become sick. Elder Oliver in our district was one of the first and after him many people have become sick. From all across town. Half of the ward was not at church this past Sunday most likely because they were sick. Just one of those bugs have been going around I guess. I am a lucky one. I have always been blessed to not have much sickness in my life. I have been a pretty healthy person. I don't get sick easy. Neither does Elder Leishman.
 
I know in my emails I just around a lot but it's because I need to cover a bunch of stuff and I really am not that fast of a typer. But those are the main highlights of the week. This coming week I am excited for General Conference. It is going to be great. Then the week after that Elder Costa is coming to do a tri-mission conference again as he did last year. that will be SWEET!!! He is a great man and a very funny person as well. As are all of the general authorities. I am excited. General Conference always helps me out with what I can do better in my life and what I need to change in order to do the Lord's will. I encourage everyone to watch all 4 sessions of conference and to learn from them and listen to them with an open heart and an open mind.
 
May the remainder of this week go well for all of you. Have a wonderful week.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR

From the south

It's been pretty busy this past week. Sadly there have been a good number of appointments that have fallen through. But we have talked to some GREAT people. Take Virginia for instance. We were walking around this rather ghetto apartment complex and she sees us. She asks us if we are going home or if we are preaching. It is dark so I thought it might be one of the staff at the apartment complex getting ready to kick us out. Then we came up and started talking with her. She had had missionaries talk to her before on the street and she told them that she didn't want to listen because they worship Joe Smith. Then at work the day before we talked with her she started a new job. Her co-worker started to talk about her beliefs and about our church. This made Virginia very interested and helped her understand that we do not worship Joseph Smith but God and the Savior. She told us that she wishes she could have gone back in time to talk with those missionaries but she was happy that the Lord sent us to her. We will be teaching her tomorrow. That is just one of the many great people that we spoke to this week. We have a lot of sincere people that wish to know more about the Lord's church.
 
On a different note. This week we had a ward activity. It was a lot of fun. We ate BBQ and potatoes. Most of the ward showed up for the activity. We had a man named Brian come with us. He is a good guy. With a great heart. He is staying here in Pasadena until his construction job is over on this new building. He has been here a few months. He is very interested in the gospel. He has a very strong testimony and is very active in the church.
 
Something kinda funny that happened this week while I was on exchanges with Elder Oliver. We stopped by for an appointment at the end of the evening Wednesday. We taught Devin and Jaret. We also ate dinner there. It freaked me out. There were also others there. Being from age 34-83. But we taught them. They are a year apart and Devin is 17. He is also the older one. But every time I heard his name spoken by someone for a split second I would freak out in my brain. Nobody has called me by that name in a long time. I also think it is crazy that his brothers name was Jaret. So close to Jared. Anyways, it was a great lesson and they will hopefully be reading the Book of Mormon every night.
 
Another interesting lesson that I had with Elder Oliver this past week was one with the Morgan family. We prepared to talk a little about the Book of Mormon. The Morgans are a part-member and less active family. The son (who is 21) is not a member while most of the family who are the proper age are members. The son had a lot of questions about some things that he read on the internet. All of them were so far out there that I can't imagine how anyone can seriously believe that that is what we believe. It was ridiculous. But it was a good lesson. We talked about the Book of Mormon and how we can know if it is true or not. As long as we read sincerely than we can know if it is true or not. It was a powerful lesson and the spirit was there in abundance. Something that I feel a lot of people bring up to me when I bring up reading and praying is that I am choosing to get the answer in my mind of what I am leaning for. That is not true. For most people we teach they doubt. They need to know that this is true and to ask sincerely they have to be open to both answers. That if it is true they will follow the revelation received. Or if it is false then they will follow the revelation received. When I wanted to know if the Book of Mormon was true or not I had to be sincere. For a long time I read a little and prayed to know. I was not sincere in the beginning. Because I believed it and I was not willing to sincerely ask. When I finally realized how important this all is and that I am needed to do allot of difficult things than I needed to know whether or not to follow those teachings. So in order for me to ask sincerely I had to be open to receiving an answer that it is not true. I had to be sincerely looking for the truth not just what I wanted. And that is what all people have to do to receive an answer. The Lord is gracious in his answers to many people if they are willing to ask. I have been blessed to receive an answer if the Book of Mormon is the word of God or not. That is why I am out here. I know that this church is true and I know that, because of the Book of Mormon and the direct revelation to me through the power of the Holy Ghost that this church, Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and every teaching is the truth.
 
I hope that this week goes well for all of you. This church has in it all of the happiness that you could ever want and more than you can imagine. I know that the teachings of this church are the teachings and doctrine of Heavenly Father. I have seen this gospel change people lives.
 
I love you all and have a great week.
 
ELDER MARR

A week of strangeness

It was an interesting week what with P-Day on a Tuesday and then zone conference on Thursday. P-day was a good day to start off. We did a lot. Our district went shopping at a bunch of stores then we ended the day with getting haircuts. It is kinda girly if I say it that way but it was a little girly I guess. They cut my hair too short. It was my fault. Down here they ask you what number you want your hair cut at. I said a 4 on the top and a 2 on the side. I forgot how short that was. Now I still don't look too great but right after Elder Leishman and I got our haircuts we looked a little like thugs. It was kinda funny but it is just us that think that. I have never had my hair this short. to be honest I actually miss my old haircut before the mission. But I don't miss how it looks just how it feels. Elder Oliver was the smart one and remembered the sizes and his haircut looked really good. Elder Manoa didn't need a haircut.
 
SO that was P-Day. Like I think I said in my last email Monday was full of rain and other things. But Tuesday went pretty well. We had a study at the church and then we had a good lesson with that family that we are teaching. They came to church again this past Sunday and really enjoyed it. There kids are more reverent than most of the active members. It is sooo cool. They are good parents to those kids and you don't see very many couples as young as they are who are so responsible or who are such good parents. It makes me happy that they have their priorities straight. But they are doing well. They have been reading from the Book of Mormon and have been keeping their commitments. I am excited to see how they progress and I am excited for the day when they receive their answer that the Book of Mormon is true.
 
Besides Amanda, Gilbert, and their kids there are many other people that we are starting to teach. But not very many are easy to stay in contact with. But that is how the work goes. We are trying to find more people to teach though. This area is packed with people but most of them just speak Spanish. I wish I knew a little more Spanish but I don't know much. Elder Leishman knows even less than I do. So we are giving a number of people to the Spanish missionaries but luckily they seem to find all the English people for us and refer them to us. Like this lady Jan for example. She is a really nice lady and very intelligent. She has been reading from the Book of Mormon and is very into it. We haven't taught her in about a week but we will be seeing her tomorrow.
 
SO this week was zone conference. It  was really good. I didn't know closely too many of the missionaries but I knew a few very well. There was a group of maybe 13 missionaries that gave their departing testimonies. Which means that this was their last zone conference. There are so many great, strong, and spiritual missionaries that will be going home. I feel like almost all of the missionaries that I look up to are going home. It has been so sad to see so many of them leave. But that is the mission. You also get to see many wonderful missionaries enter into the field. It's weird being one of the older ones though.
 
Anyways the zone conference was great. President Saylin is a loving mission president who always seeks the will of the Lord for the mission and for what he should talk about. He is a good man, leader, and friend. I wish sometimes that I would be able to get to know him a little better but he is a busy man and I have always been in areas very far from him. I know him well though. I want to be more like him some day. He is a prime example of what the gospel can do for a life and for a family if you live all of the principles, seek the will of the Lord, live a clean life, and go to the temple often. He always reminds me of my father and Sister Saylin always reminds me of my Mom. I swear if they know each other they would be good friends. Especially Sister Saylin and my Mom.
 
Anyways, I have to end. This week looks like a good one and I hope that it was allot like this week just with less rain. It did rain a ton this week. Anyways again, I look forward to next weeks email. I love you all and I hope that life goes well for all of you. Keep the faith and stay strong. The gospel is true. I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith was a prophet. As well I know by the Holy Ghost that Jesus Christ walked this earth and payed the penalty for my sins.
 
I love you all and have a great week.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR

PASADENA NORTH (2)

So I resigned in and it usually doesn't work but I have more time. So I will tell you more from where I left off.
 
Rhett actually was companions with Elder Leishman while his foot was healing. So we both knew Rhett and became friends with him. His foot is still not healing very well. He was told by his Mission President to just go to school. So he is going to LDS Business College in Utah. He has already left which is why he came and took us out to lunch.
 
SO a quick update for anyone that wants to know about Ex-Elders Robertson, Maw, and Schwartzman
 
Tallon Robertson is now playing basketball in Wyoming and is doing wonderfully. I guess he is really happy (even in Wyoming, go figure) and is having a great RM life. He is not dating anyone so if anybody knows anyone in Wyoming let them know that he is around.
 
Jake Maw, my zone leader in Friendswood for a number of transfers, is in Logan at Utah state university. I don't know too much fun stuff to share from him other than something you will learn from the next person.
 
Steve Schwartzman , my district leader while I was in Friendswood with Elders Robertson and Maw, is roommates with Bro. Maw at Utah state. They always said that they would but nobody believed them. He is doing very well. He has actually written a book since he has been home that is supposedly pretty good. He was a journalist before the mission and has won national awards for some of his writings. He is a very good writer. I have read some of his stuff.
 
So that is a random update on the lives of those now back in the world.
 
I haven't heard from any of my past companions in a long time. Hopefully I will have an update from Brett Jensen soon though. But he just got home.
 
Anyways life has been pretty good. We really want to find some new people to teach and get our pool bigger. I don't think that there are any missionaries who are satisfied with how many people they have to teach unless they are in Chile.
 
Last P-day our zone gathered for a large activity in League City. It was a lot of fun. I didn't know too many of the missionaries but I saw some that I have not seen in some time. Elder Demile for one. He is going home at the end of this transfer and it was good to get to talk with him a bit at the activity. I also saw a member from Friendswood who is now at the branch because of being in school. He got married 4 months after getting home. To a girl that he met a month after being home. Kinda funny. Bu the activity was good. We ate a bunch of food and played sports and other activities.
 
I just want to thank everyone for everything that they have ever done for me. I appreciate all of the prayers and help that you have given in my behalf. I know that the church is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that a man will get closer to God by reading the Book of Mormon and following it's teachings than any other book. That is a promise. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Not of himself, but he was called of God. I know that the Prophet and Apostles are truly Apostles and Prophets. I know that the doctrine we teach is true and that without it there would be no purpose in life. I challenge anyone who has even a little doubt to cast it aside and find out if this is the truth. I know that it is and that you can find the answers that you have in your heart in the gospel. It is not just good philosophy. It is the truth. Test it as the Savior challenges you too. I know that the Holy Ghost is real. I know  that revelation is real and that any person may receive it.  I know that I have received far more from the way i have lived my life the past year and a few months than any other time. I thank the Lord that he has been merciful to me and that he is merciful to everyone that I meet.
 
I promise all of you that if you want to know what to do in your life. Ask your Heavenly Father because he knows what is best and will help you "find yourself" a lot quicker than you can on your own.
 
I love you all and I hope that this week goes well for all of you.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR
 

PASADENA NORTH

First I will talk about the weather. It has been absolutely crazy how rainy it has been. Today we have a flood and tornado warning so that is exciting. Yesterday it rained so hard. We were on bikes but luckily were seeing someone when the rain hit and they gave us a ride home through the flooded streets of Pasadena. The water got as high as about 1-2 feet on the sides of the road. It is crazy. There has also been much lightning. This weather always is nice when it hits, (unless your on bikes), but afterward the humidity kills you. That is the part that I don't like.
 
Elder Leishman and I this week started teaching an awesome family of six. Gilbert and Amanda. I still can't remember all of the kids names so to keep from confusion I will include that in my letter next week. They are amazing. We met with them on Tuesday of last week and they were very interested. They have committed to be baptized. They love our visits and show a determination to know the truth and find it out for themselves. They were a text message referral that we received and they are great. We followed up with them the next day and they had read their assignment in the Book of Mormon and asked questions about it. That always makes you happy. If someone is reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it then that will do more for them than hearing me talk with them. It is a tool of conversion for every soul on the earth. It is an amazing record. I am excited to see this great family progress and continue coming to church as they have this past week. I will keep you all updated on their progress.
 
Other than that there has not been very many exciting things going on. It was a little slow this week but that is the way it goes. We took our P-Day today so that we could work on Labor day with everyone home and stuff. But it rained very hard so we didn't find any new people to teach.
 
This past week however Rhett Oliver from Friendswood 1st ward took Elder Leishman and I out to eat and told me how my old missionary buddies and companions are doing. I would tell you more but for some reason today the computer is only giving me 30 minutes instead of an hour. So I actually have to end my email. But I love all of you and have a great week.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR
 

PASADENA TEXAS

NEW ADRESS:

1000 E. Curtis #503
Pasadena, TX
77502


That is my new area. It is just outside of the city and I feel claustrophobic here. Coming from my last two areas, which were very small areas, this area is way more packed. I got used to more open spaces. But here it is rather compressed. It is good though. Our area is small compared with my last areas. We have a mall and a Walmart and a ton of stuff though. It seems like they tried to put too much in too little space. It's all good though. I am with Elder Leishman who has been a good friend basically my whole mission. We have wanted to serve together or around each other our whole missions. He is a good guy. Even though he is from Canada. I always make fun of him and he always makes fun of people from Washington. He only lives about 7-8 hours away border time included. So he is the closest companion to me that I have had yet. He is a good guy. He is 23 and a stong person. He has a good sized family and he is younger in his family. He is a good friend and Elder. It was sad to leave Bay City but I like it here as well. I hope that Elder Cayas does well in Bay City. 
 
So this week was good. It was sad saying goodbye to everybody. I really am going to miss some of the people in Bay City. If I visit anywhere it is going to be Bay City. I love the area and the people. It's kinda sad to think about Bay City. Life there was good. I am still getting used to this area. There are hardly any people who speak English that we talk to on the streets. It is weird. Our ward actually meets in the same building as three other wards. Each ward is in a different stake. And two of the wards are in another mission. And we share a ward with some other Elders. ELder Oliver and Elder Manoa from Hawaii. He's a greeny. He is good though I like him. So it is weird to see missionaries from another mission and be able to talk with them. One of them is David Archuleta's second cousin. He is a cool guy actually. They cover our area but in Spanish. So we get lots of referrals from them and we give them a lot of referrals. 
 
So we haven't been able to teach very many people this past week that are in our investigator pool. So I don't know much about the people here. there are a few people that are potentials right now and there is a recent convert who is awesome. She is sharing the gospel with a ton of people and is trying to help other people know what she knows now. If everybody shared the gospel like her than the church would be growing like crazy.
 
I love my mission. If there are any who are reading this I would never tell you to not go on a mission. It is the best and hardest time of my life but definitely the greatest. I wish that I could do this forever but I am starting to realize that it will not last forever. I want it to. I love it very much and I just wish sometimes that I could clone myself so I could share the gospel with more and more people. But that is not possible so I have to do what I can. 
 
Today we are having a big activity in League City , with the whole zone. I haven't had an activity like this in a long long time. If you tried to have an activity in Bay City then people would have to drive like an hour just to get to everybody else. So I am happy about this activity. 
 
Sorry this is short. They always are. I am just not the best writer and I get writer's block every time that I type. I just can't think of much to talk about and stuff so I always have to call it quits early. I love yall and hope that this week goes well for all of you. Keep the faith and stay strong. I love you all and I know that the church is the truth. And that by knowing that it will change your life if you follow it.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR 

OFF TO MY 5TH AREA

I'm getting transferred. I don't want to go. I know it is the will of the Lord but I love it here out in the country. I have a feeling that I will be sent to the city. Which will be pretty cool. I haven't been out there yet. I am also very sad to be leaving Elder Cayas. He is a good missionary and one of the many missionaries that I care for very much. He is a good guy and we were sad to hear that I would be leaving. But that is the way things go on a mission. The Lord has somewhere he wants me to be and a work for me to do. Bay City is a good place and I will miss the people dearly.
 
Now for the update on this past week. It was a pretty good one. People start school today so it was a little hard to pin down people to teach what with their children having to get things for school and the like. There were a few people who we normally teach one to two times a week that have been very busy. This week look like it is going to be going very well. With School in session nobody can go anywhere and they are stuck in town. It makes things more convenient for everybody. I came into Bay City the week that school got out and I am leaving the week it starts again.
 
I saw Elder Hansen on Thursday in Sugar Land. He is doing very well. He has lost a considerable amount of weight. He looks very healthy. I on the other hand am just starting to loose weight again. I put on just a few pounds but some areas do that to ya. Luckily we have been on bikes a lot. Yesterday was the hottest day so far this year. It was 101 not counting the humidity. Being so close to the gulf it gets very humid down here. A lot more than my past areas. So needless to say it has been very hot. If you are outside for a minute your whole body is sweating. It is strange to me now if I am outside and not sweating.
 
We had a number of great lessons with some of the people that we work with. One of them told us after we shared our message that he wants to be baptized and that he wants to know what he has to do in order to be baptized. He is a good guy. I hope that he is able to join the Lord's church soon. Besides the heat and many people not being around it was a good week. Good people and a lot of people that Elder Cayas and I talked to. We usually don't talk to more than 60 people a week on the streets during the week, because our town is so small. But this week we talked with about 130 people. Which is alot better for out here in Bay City. The people here are nice. I just hope that I don't get transferred to somewhere like Friendswood again. The people here are so much kinder than people who live there. But Friendswood was my favorite area so I guess I still loved it. Anyways now I am thinking out loud. Or typing. Which would it be? Anyways back to business.
 
I look forward to the change. I like change. Even though I feel like nothing can be better than where I am and who I am with there are things that the Lord wants me to do and Bay City is no longer the place he needs me. He needs me somewhere else. I wish I could have been here longer. iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// sorry I fell asleep. Not really though I just thought it would add some excitement to my email. Because let's face it they are not too exciting. 
 
Anyways this week went well. I am excited to be able to tell yall about my new area when I get there. I know it will be a good place and I am excited for it. Thank you all for your prayers and support. I love you all and I continue to encourage you to share the gospel with your friends.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR  

Where to send mail

4627 Austin Pkwy
Sugar Land, TX
77479

Spiders, snakes, and crazy dogs

Yesterday we had an investigator fireside. It was one of the largest that I have had. It was sooo cool. The speakers were great. One of the speakers was a man that I taught in Angleton that joined the church shortly after I left. He has been around for 20 years on and off. His wife joined the church and he just put up a wall that he us catholic and was going to die a catholic. Then he told of how he finally took it seriously and prayed and read about the Book of Mormon and got his answer. He encouraged everyone there to not put off  joining the church and just find out if it is true and follow your answer now. He said that he feels like he wasted 20 years of being confused in his mind and wishes he could go back and tell himself that he should join.
 
It was a good fireside. President Whipple, the stake president, spake as well. He had a similar experience to President Saylins. But he joined when he was 19. I like our stake president down here. He is a good man and a good speaker. He really cares about others and I am happy that he is so enthusiastic about missionary work in the Bay City Stake.
 
So this week was a pretty good week. We had exchanges again and I got to go up to Wharton with Elder Sharp again. I did this before a few months back. We had a good time and taught some good people. We had some funny highlights from our exchange that in looking back made us laugh. The first is that we were riding our bikes and came across a HUGE spider. I would send home a picture if I would have had my camera on me. It was the largest spider I have seen in the wild that isn't a daddy long leg. It was big and the fangs were big so we didn't get too close. It was cool.
 
Anyways the second random thing is that there was a poisonous snake that this lady had hid in this ladies garden. She was working on her garden and was scared that it would bite her. SO she asked us if we could kill it because she was older and scared. So we helped this lady and tried to shoo it off but it wouldn't leave so we killed it. It was kinda weird that it all happened.
 
Another story is that Elder Sharp almost got ran over by a car because a dog was chasing him and he was trying to get away and he just missed the car. So we turned around thinking sadly that the dog was going to be hit but the car just barely passed it. We felt so relieved. I would be so sad if a dog died chasing one of us. After that the dog left us alone.
 
SO those are my quick storys about his week. I can't think of any other funny ones right now but I am sure that there are many. I am just used to seeing and hearing funny stuff or seeing weird stuff.
 
Elder Jensen is entering into his last week as a missionary. I am so sad that he is going to be gone so soon. I remember the day that he became my companion. Good times. I hope that I see him again. He told me that he would stay in touch and that he would be sending me letters. He is cool so I bet he will. Elder Jensen is one of my best friends and I was so sad to see him at the fireside because it will be the last time I see him until I go visit Utah, when I have money. But he will probably get married before I get home so I might not get to hang out with him right when I get home. He is a good missionary though and I will miss him very much. I learned a lot from him and he is going to be very sad to be home.
 
We have talked to many good people this week. There is one man. He is a reverend at a non-denominational church in Needville. He is a nice guy and knows a lot about the scriptures. We talked with him on Tuesday and he likes to talk a lot. He talked to us about things that he says that he has learned from the spirit. He taught us on things that he had discovered and that nobody else teaches. He talked to us and "taught" us about the pre-existance, the purpose of life to be more like God, the spirit world, the third heaven, and resurrection being body and spirit uniting. It was pretty cool. He is someone that already not knowing believes in what we believe. We are going to see him tomorrow. He is a great guy.
 
I love my mission and I loved this past week. I really hope that things start to get better and better. It seems kinda up and down lately. I don't have much to update on for this past week but life is good. The church is true. And the savior really did come to this earth. I know he did.
 
I love you all and wish you a happy week.
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR

})=WEEK=({

This is a week that has been rather good. Elder Cayas and I have been having some rough times though. Nobody seems to be around and the prepared people that we are trying to find seem to be hiding. We have had some great things happen this week though. There is one I will talk about. We started teaching a lady named Velma. She is a sweet lady in her 50's  she lives alone and is so kind. So much like a grandma. We taught her this week and on the first lesson told us that she wants to be baptized and to prepare herself for that. She came to church as well and stayed for the whole three hours. She liked church and loves the people. It's people like her that make me want to talk with everyone.  You can never judge who is ready for the gospel. Most of the time the people you think that will not want to know or listen about the gospel are the ones who will and who just need the truth so they don't go looking down strange paths that lead them nowhere in "finding" themselves. On that note. I know this is a little off topic but I will say it anyways. What I have found on my mission is that member's friends are the best investigators and the best place to find people to teach. EVERY person that I have had the privilege to teach that got baptized when I was in the area or right after I left have been part member families and member referrals. EVERY. And they have a lot higher chance of staying active in the church. So I implore all of you to share the gospel with your friends. Not only as being an example or answering questions but by sharing truths of the gospel, inviting to pray or read the Book of Mormon, and inviting them to meet with the missionaries in your home. I have seen when members loose their "fear of men" the wards in which they live are strengthened and many people join the church. So I invite all of you to pray for the opportunity to share the gospel and to pray to know who with. The Lord will answer your prayers and will prepare someone for you to be able to help. This also works for those who are members of the church but may be struggling with their testimonies or who have lost their testimonies. The Lord loves all of his children and is willing to help you. Member missionary work. There is no better way.
 
Those are my feelings about member missionary work. Please do not forget them. But now I will talk about what has been going on in the work this past week.
 
We had interviews with President Saylin yesterday. He is a great man and I really loved talking with him. I am realizing that I have been on my mission for  a year and three months. It is scary. I feel like I have been out no time at all yet at the same time when I think back to my first transfer it feels like ages ago. I just hope that it slows down so I can get more done with what little time I have left. It is crazy.
 
Elder Cayas and I got our haircuts last week. We searched again for a place to get our hair cut. We found a place and got our haircut by a nondenominational preacher. Kind of random. He was a really nice guy and we are going over to talk to him again this week. He was very kind and gave us haircuts for a discount. There are so many kind and nice people in Texas. It is very friendly or very unfriendly. It's either or. Kinda weird.
 
Elder Cayas has been cooking alot of rice. It is soooo good. But I am riced out for a few days. I had soooo much yesterday for dinner. It was crazy. I really do like it now. Just not steamed rice. But the way he cooks it it is good.
 
There are a lot of small paragraphs in this email.
 
So my week was pretty good. We are trying to teach some of the new people that we have. Also some of the people that were progressing have been sick or out of town. So it has been slower. But with school coming up we have more people back in town getting ready for school. I hope this week goes well.
 
Elder Carol and I went on an exchange in Wharton. It was really great. I thought we lived in a small town. But we talked with alot of great people and I learned alot from his example. It is weird how much missionaries change. I remember meeting Elder Carol long ago in Rosenberg my second transfer. It seems like so little time has passed but he has changed quite a bit the past year. He is a great missionary and is far better that I feel I will ever be. I look up to him as a great example. There are so many great missionaries in our mission right now. And so much going on. Sadly we don't hear much about other missions. I hope that they are finding some of the success that we are finding. OR maybe we are starting to be more like them.
 
Well I have a couple other emails to write but I love yall and I hope that you have a great week this week. Keep strong and always let the Lord guide you.
 
love,
 
ELDER DEVON JOEL MARR
 
P.S.
 
 
I luvh yall

A YEAR AND THREE MONTHS

This week was not the best. Not terrible but just no body has been home. Elder Cayas and I have used up all of our miles for the last week of the month. So we had to be on bikes except for some things. And it was hot! Crazy hot. The humidity has been outrageous and then all the clouds left and there have been no clouds in days. It has been in the mid 90's most of the week. It is crazy. But sometimes sweating profusely is good for you. Gets all that junk out of your system. Besides lunches and dinners and other drinks given to us by members or investigators I drank 3 and 1/2 gallons of water this week. It felt good. I don't really like soda much anymore. Also when I drink a lot of soda it just doesn't refresh me like water does. But I have to have at least a glass every week or else I get sick of the taste of water. I have come to love the one drink that I hate. DR. PEPPER. I love it. But I can't drink it too often because it doesn't taste good if you have too much. Anyways back to the good stuff.
 
This week Elder Cayas and I have found several new people we are teaching as well many potential people who are interested in the gospel. Elder Cayas is a great guy with a wonderful testimony. He is a great Elder. Some of the new people we are teaching I do not know much about. We have taught them once maybe twice each so far. Also the investigators whom we did teach before these new people have almost all been out of town this week, in the hospital, or "busy." So this week we taught a lot less lessons that usual. But it was still a great week.
 
President Saylin came down from Sugar Land with most of his family for our Zone Meeting on Friday. It was Elder Jensen's last ZM so it was a little sad. He is staying focused but he is excited to go home as well. He has a girl that has been writing him that he plans on dating when he gets back. He's a good guy. Anyways, President Saylin came down and taught us how to use the Book of Mormon more effectively and shared his testimony of the gospel with us and a part of his conversion story that I had no idea about. He testified of the Book of Mormon and the power it has to change the hearts of others and let them be free and know the truth. It is the greatest tool in missionary work along with the spirit. I love the Book of Mormon. There is absolutely no way that it is false. There is no way to disprove it, there is only evidence that it is true, and even those who wrote the book know that what they are sitting and writing it so they dare us to ask God himself if it is NOT true. He even uses the word 'not' to show how much faith he has in the Lord that if you really ask and you are willing to follow your answer that even if you tell the Lord to show you that it is false that he will answer your prayer that it is true. I have been reading over Moroni's strong encouragements and how he is practically screaming at us to just follow what the Lord has told him to write and if you don't believe him to ask God.
 
Anyways, Elder Cayas and I have another busy P-Day. We have to get haircuts, shop, clean, get our oil changed and write letters. No time to nap. Sadly. But it is going to be a good day today. I am excited for this week and for the people that we will meet and the people that we are going to teach and the experiences that people are going to have over time that I am looking forward to. I just pray that everyone that I teach will just read the Book of Mormon and know that Jesus is the Christ. It is soooo important to realize how BIG that is. Sometimes I even take it for granted what the Lord has given me and that he has revealed himself to me through scripture.
 
I hope that this week goes well for all of you guys. I love you all with all my heart and I thank you for all things that you have done for me. 
 
love,
 
ELDER MARR 

BAY CITY: The Movie

July 26

About the title. I wish it were true.
 
This week in church we talked about the pioneers and about people who have made big pioneering efforts for the church. There were a lot of really funny and interesting stories but my favorite was a story about how the members got the land for the church.
 
Many years ago there was a branch in the little town of Bay City. They started to grow and eventually needed a meeting house. So they started looking for land to purchase to build the church on. There was a perfect area of town just outside the center of town. It was in a great location and would not be on the main street but it would not be too far from the center of town. However this piece of land was owned by an old lady who would not sell the land to the members of the church. The members went over constantly to try to persuade her to let them buy the land. The woman would always refuse saying that the land was given to her as an inheritance and she would not sell it. The members strongly felt that this is where the church building was to be built. This happened for some time. The members were willing to pay a very reasonable price for the land but still the woman would not sell. So one day, one of the members who goes over frequently to try to purchase the land wanted to go over top talk to lady and was determined to purchase the land. He went up to the door and knocked. The same thing happened that always happened. She would just not sell it. Before leaving the member said that if she would not sell the land then something bad would happen. She would not listen.
 
The member now tired of his seemingly useless efforts returned home. Upon arriving at home he received a phone call from the old lady who refused to sell the land. She told him that she was going to sell them the land. He asked why the sudden change of heart. She told him that after he left a storm came through. A lightning bolt struck the dry grass and lit the field on fire. The field they wanted to buy was now completely burnt away. So she sold them the land and the church now stands in the field where this occurred. And that is how Bay City got it's church building.
 
Now to the missionary work. My bike is up and running again thanks to a great member. He fixed my bike for free and put some new nice parts on it to help it run better. He is really good at riding bikes. He rides with a group and last week went 105 miles without having to stop. He is pretty intense when it comes to biking. That family is hilarious as well. They have the same humor that I do and like the stuff I do. Pretty funny.
 
Anyways, this past week was really good. We found more people and taught some great lessons. We had a missionary with Elder Cayas and I for a few days. His name is Elder Richardson. He is in Victoria and he was with us because his companion was in Sugar Land for meetings back and forth for a few days. He is a great missionary. So it was a little different having another missionary in our companionship for a few days. But this week we had a number of very special and spiritual lessons. I am so privileged to be able to be a member of the true church and have all the answers to the questions that are on people's minds. It is such a blessing. So many people have so many questions about the purpose of life and many other things that you just can't find answers for unless you are talking about the restored gospel. I love it so much. Many people just do not understand how true, real, and applicable the gospel really is. But when you apply it to your life and truly live the gospel then your life changes. You can tell. The gospel is true. I know it is. Know, not believe.(ALMA 32)
 
The work goes wonderfully. Elder Robertson is home now. He got home July 21st. He is going to school in Wyoming for a year then back to Saint George, Utah. Then Elder Jensen will be going home the end of this transfer in 4 weeks. Everyone is leaving me. I don't like being the old or older missionary. I don't feel like I have been out for a year and three months. It's crazy. I don't like thinking about it. I wish it will never end. There is nothing I wish I could be doing more than inviting people to be truly happy. Mission = THE BEST.
 
So that is my life. I like it. I hope you all have a great week. LOVE YALL,
 
ELDER DEVON JOEL MARR

GOOD OL BAY CITY

July 19

This week there have been a couple of interesting things. We have found a lot more people to teach. We are trying to constantly find more people to help and teach about the gospel. Bay City is small but the people are nice and willing to talk with us. Some of the past missionaries really set a good example for the people in the area and it helps people be more open to talking with us. The only problem about Bay City is that it is filled with churches and other beliefs. Most people have been raised in these churches and have never experienced something else. It becomes a tradition or something your raised with and then they don't want to change. But the people have a strong belief in God and The Savior.

So this week on Sunday something really funny and surprising happened. Elder Caya's Aunt, Uncle, Cousins, and Grandmother showed up to church. They live in San Antonio about 2 hours away. Elder Cayas emailed them and told them not to come and visit him on his mission and that the mission president was going to let them see him at the end of his mission. But they showed up to the one place that we can't run from. The Church. They stayed through church and took 3 pictures afterward then left. They also brought him a bunch of Philipeno food. It was actually really good. Anyways he was in shock because that is not supposed to happen and all the members saw them. They were even relatives on his father's side so their last name was Cayas. Luckily the member's didn't judge him. They understood that he really didn't have anything he could do but to talk to them and stay at church. He wished they would not have come but he did like to see family none the less. He has talked with them a lot over the phone but never met them in person besides his grandma and uncle.
 
So there is the most exciting story from this week. Soooo funny. But Elder Cayas is a good missionary and it isn't making him trunky.
 
The church has a set of DVD's called "THE DISTRICT." It has been around since 2004. I think. Anyways it talks about how to use preach my gospel and how to be a missionary. It follows real missionaries teaching real people. Like a reality TV show. But it's a little different. Anyways The District has been around for a while. They just came out with the District 2. San Diego mission. The first district is as if everything goes perfect and the missionaries are robots. But the ditrict 2 follows missionaries how they really are. They followed pretty good or ok missionaries instead of the 6 most perfect missionaries like the first district. If you know any R.M.s tell them about it and that they have to see it. It is awesome.
 
I need to quite saying awesome and anyways.
 
It has been hot and humid and rainy. at 12:00am it will be 93 then it will rain and two hours later be 81 then by the time the rain goes away by 5:00 it will be back to about 91 plus 89% humidity. So rain cooled you off a little but after it passes things get worse. Many storms have been rolling over us so they look scary and big and thunderous but we don't get hit by most of them being so close to the coast. Yep rain. Yep.....
 
My bike is being fixed by a member who is way cool. It made me a little sad last time we went over there last week. They have the exact taste of TV and comedy especially as I do. They were talking about Firefly, Arrested Development, and Strong Bad emails when we got there. I miss that stuff. But I really am not going to care about it as much when I get home. I got a letter from Elder Garcia telling me that life at home stinks compared to life in the mission field. I have heard that it just isn't as cool and the work you are doing isn't as eternally important. I love being on a mission. This week went by WAY TOO fast. But that is good. It means that you are busy and keep busy.

I love you all and I hope that all goes well wherever you are.

love,

ELDER DEVON JOEL MARR

TRANSFER XI

I have a new companion. His name is Elder Cayas. He is from the Philippines. He speaks Tagolag, Mandarin Chinese, and English. He is really cool and a nice companion. I was sad to see Elder Hansen go but Elder Cayas is a good Elder. Elder Hansen is in Herman Park(Houston). Basically a part of Houston. He is going to like it there. He does already miss Bay City though. I would too. This is a good place.

So more about Elder Cayas. this is his first time in America. He got to the MTC in December and was there 3 months learning Chinese. He is here in Bay City were there are hardly any Asian people. Anytime we see someone Asian he tries to talk with them hoping that they are Philipino or Chinese. He is a good missionary and a hard worker. He loves the people already and he will be a great companion. I would be lying however if I said that I did not miss Elder Hansen. He is a good friend and one of my best friends I have ever had. President Saylin told me yesterday that he feels like we will be serving around each other again in the future. I sure hope so. If I could pick any missionary to be the one that kills me I would want it to be him. (Kill is a term for the missionary that is with you in your last transfer in the mission.) But luckily Elder Cayas is a good man and we already get along great. I never thought I would like rice this much but he makes it really good. I am not the best cook but he is real good.

So some big stuff in the ward here. This week all of the youth in the stake are going to be gone to Youth conference. It is a week long and they are taking buses up to Navoo. Pretty cool. They will be back on Saturday. So alot of the sisters in the ward are going as chaperones and to run it. So that means not alot of meals this week because the brothers don't cook that much or work. But not everyone is gone. Our investigator, Daniel, got permission to go on the trip with the youth. He is 17 and he is gunna love it. He is a great kid with a stronger testimony than many people. He is even an example to me at times. He has great faith.

My birthday went well. I received some packages as well as some really great cards and letters. Thank you everyone who sent me something. I loved it all. Hopefully Mama's birthday went well as well as Jared's today. Wish him a happy birthday if you haven't. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

This week our apartment was inspected. We weren't that scared because it was pretty clean. Imagine that. Elder Marr clean. But it was clean. Elder and Sister Dunning are couple missionaries and take care of the apartments and inspect them. They are really funny too. They took us out to lunch afterward. Anyways that stuff isn't that cool. I thought it was but for normal people it isn't that cool I bet.

FUNNY STORY:

Our gospel principles teacher is a nice guy and a good teacher. However he is really nerdy. I mean that in the nicest way possible. He is just a little geeky. Anyways he wares glasses and always talks about deep things or scientific looks on things. Anyways, we go over to his house because he is the person to turn to when you have a bike problem. So we went over and knocked on his door. We had tried to call before but nobody picked up the phone, so we just stopped by to see if he was home. We knock. Then he answers the door. He just got back from biking so he is wearing under armor. He is ripped! Elder Cayas and I were shocked. Upon leaving his home we both said that we have found a real life Superman. (Except his glasses were on.) It was really Superman. I am still shocked at what I saw. Then on Sunday he told us that he went for a 100+ mile bike ride with some other people on Saturday. THAT IS AMAZING!!! I wish I was that good on a bike.

Besides all of that stuff the usual. We taught a couple of good lessons and we are teaching some new people. Today earlier we painted a kitchen with some other people and helped them out. It took a while but it was fun. I like to paint. It really doesn't bother me all that much. I would rather be a painter than work at a fast food restaurant if that is all that is available when I am forced to go home.

There was more that happened this week but I can't remember. I wrote it all down in my planner but I left that at my apartment. Sooooo this week's email will not have alot of great stuff. Next week I will try to remember to send an email with more stuff from this past week.

love yall and have a great week,

ELDER MARR