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
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
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
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
Monday, October 11, 2010
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
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
Monday, October 4, 2010
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
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
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