Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day everyone. The library was closed yesterday that is why this is late and stuff. The weather here has been very rainy and cold this past week. Mostly rainy. It has been wet and overcast the past week with hardly any sun brakes. It has been a little more of an adventure in the rain but I have enjoyed it. This past week has reminded me a lot of home. This week it will be sunny and it is already warmer so things are going back to how they should be in Texas.
Last week was very productive. It was one of the best weeks in this area. We had a lot of lessons and follow up with our investigators. Also we have been meeting a lot of new people and have been getting to know them. There is an 18 year old man who lives a few houses down from us. He has a lot of problems and has had a rough past. But when we talked to him he expressed a desire to change. He told us that those things that he was doing are not bringing him happiness like he thought that they would. We talked to him about the Atonement and how he can change and put his past behind him because of the sacrifice of Christ. We meet with him every day and he is a great guy who I pray will be able to get over his past and choose a better future. He is an example to me that even if you sort of know what someone is like they still need the gospel. I would have never dreamed of teaching him or even him being receptive to what we talk about but the spirit can change the hearts of others and testify of the truth even to those who you would never think to be interested or even open. It is experiences like this that keep me on my mission. We try to give everyone the same chance in a hope to find someone who is open and willing to try the experiment mentioned in Alma 32 and plant the gospel in their hearts and to see if it grows.
This week I went on exchanges with Elder Nielsen one of the zone leaders. I went to his area which is Friendswood 2. We had a lot fun and taught a lot of great people. The people in the city of Friendswood are some of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. Even if they do not want to hear what you have to say they are usually extremely nice. I don’t think I will ever move back to the Houston area but if I had to I would probably live in Friendswood.
We have an investigator and his name is Brad. I may have mentioned him before but he is a great guy. He has a strong testimony and isn’t even a member yet. He does “home teaching” with Brother Williamson and this week at church I overheard him getting on Brother Williamson that they had to go out this week to see the families they teach. It was awesome. He is a great guy and he is a good friend. I look forward to the day when he is baptized into Christ’s church. He will be a very happy man.
Things have been a lot more busy but in a different way. The past while most of our business has been trying to find people to teach and meeting the members but lately it has been trying to make time and contact all of those who are interested in the gospel. We have a lot of people to teach just planning everything out is the tough part. I feel very bless that we have so many people to teach. It is definitely nothing that Elder Robertson and I did because we are not the best missionaries. I feel for the missionaries in Europe especially missions in Spain or Greece were a missionary usually doesn’t even have one baptism the whole time they are there. They in my opinion are some of the best who go through the toughest experiences but they stick it our because they know that the gospel is true and in a hope to let those answers they have found be found by others.
Yesterday we went putt-putt golfing. Elder Robertson destroyed all of us missionaries and beat us by far. It was fun but the course was pretty lame. We all had a great time though. The missionaries in this district are all very great and it is very easy to get along with them. Elder Nielsen and Elder Schwartzman are especially funny.
Well my emails aren’t what they used to be but I will keep trying to make them better. I love you all and I hope that you have a great week.
Love,
Elder Devon J. Marr
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
FREEZE
Hello EVERYBODY!!!! This week has been freezing!! It has been extremely cold for here with the temperature one day being 26 degrees with a wind chill of 11. So this week we have tried to get rides with some members who have been available. One day we were riding our bikes and we needed to go down a road that crosses over a bridge in a more residential area. We rode up and there was a sign blocking the road that said the bridge is being rebuilt and would be done by 1/30/10. The start date for the project was 8/?/09. We rode up to were they were doing construction but no one was there. All there was, was a huge gap and nothing built. I don’t think they will have it done by the end of the month. So we had a little extra riding which was no problem but for people who live there they have to take a long detour.
My writing skills have faded away as you have probably been able to tell over the past few emails. I am just not that interesting I guess. But this week was good. We have started to teach the lessons to some great people who we have met. One of them we met 3 weeks ago and then never talked to him since then. He came to our mind one day randomly so we thought we would try him again and he invited us in for a lesson. He is a really cool guy and he is going to school to be a cook. We are actually meeting with him again today.
Two days ago Elder Robertson and I noticed that he had run over a nail. Anyways he ran over a nail and it was huge. It completely destroyed his tire so we are going in today to fix it. I have taken pictures so you will get to see it eventually. Luckily it happened at the end of the day Saturday so we really haven’t needed to be on bikes since then.
This week was a little sad for me. Elder Olsen who is someone that I got very close to in Rosenberg is going home in 2 weeks and I will not see him again. He is so cool. There are a lot of missionaries that I am close to that are going home. Like him, Voeks, Cambell, and Manning. I love them all and they are all great missionaries who I will miss a lot.
There have been a lot of great things going on in this mission. The Lord is blessing us very much. I am sorry but I have to cut it short this week because we have a lot of stuff to do. I love you all and have a great week!
Love,
Elder Marr
My writing skills have faded away as you have probably been able to tell over the past few emails. I am just not that interesting I guess. But this week was good. We have started to teach the lessons to some great people who we have met. One of them we met 3 weeks ago and then never talked to him since then. He came to our mind one day randomly so we thought we would try him again and he invited us in for a lesson. He is a really cool guy and he is going to school to be a cook. We are actually meeting with him again today.
Two days ago Elder Robertson and I noticed that he had run over a nail. Anyways he ran over a nail and it was huge. It completely destroyed his tire so we are going in today to fix it. I have taken pictures so you will get to see it eventually. Luckily it happened at the end of the day Saturday so we really haven’t needed to be on bikes since then.
This week was a little sad for me. Elder Olsen who is someone that I got very close to in Rosenberg is going home in 2 weeks and I will not see him again. He is so cool. There are a lot of missionaries that I am close to that are going home. Like him, Voeks, Cambell, and Manning. I love them all and they are all great missionaries who I will miss a lot.
There have been a lot of great things going on in this mission. The Lord is blessing us very much. I am sorry but I have to cut it short this week because we have a lot of stuff to do. I love you all and have a great week!
Love,
Elder Marr
Monday, January 4, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is 2010!!!!!!
Just to let you all know I will not be able to get mail very fast so I might not be able to respond to a letter for a few weeks. Also after this week we cannot except emails from any non immediate family members. I wish I could but that is the rule.
This past week it has been cold. It has been in the 50’s during the day all week and this week it is supposed to have days with a high of 30. It is crazy cold. Everyone here is complaining a bunch but all of the missionaries are mostly from Utah and I am from Washington so we are used to it but the people are freezing. (Mom I do have a coat that I wear that keeps me warm so don’t worry).
This week we switched over to the 9:00am church time. It is a lot different than the 1:00pm time. A lot more people showed up for church which was actually really cool. I think that this time is a lot better for the kids and stuff because 1:00 is right in the middle of their nap time.
The members this week split up into committees to talk about missionary work for the ward mission plan. The members are very excited to share the gospel and help others know what they know. There has been a great spirit in the church lately that the members recognize and are willing to follow. That is one thing that I love about the church. When you seek the spirit and let it into your life it can tell you great things and can influence you to do things that you don’t even necessarily want to do but the Lord needs you to do them. I used to rationalize the feelings of the spirit and say that my mind could be making it up. I have seen how I have felt the spirit the strongest when it is telling me to do something that I do not want to do. Why would I trick myself into thinking something that I don’t even want to do? I have been a lot happier ever since I have understood at least to some degree the spirit and how to be guided by it. It will be a life long pursuit but it is worth it.
Yesterday we went to a baptism. Elder Robertson had taught this couple in Angleton. One of them is a member and he was not. He came to know it was true and they got married a few days ago and moved into the Friendswood 2 ward boundaries. He was baptized last night and was sooo happy. Elder Robertson really got his spirits lifted by that. It is so great to hear about a family that finds the truth and seeing them be blessed by the Lord.
So for New Years Eve we went to the Segrera’s. We ate dinner and got to play games until 9:00. The rule was that unless you had something to do or a place to be at you had to be in by 7:00. But we had dinner and could be around them. It was fun. Sorry if this email is really boring my good writing skills are gone (did I ever have them?). Bro. Segrera is a really nice guy and helps us out a lot. Him and his family are taking care of Magda’s dogs while she is out of town.
With this New Year I have allot of things that I want to improve about myself. I have already changed a ton. This mission has been tough at times so far but the blessings are sooo worth it. And to be able to see the gospel bless the lives of others is something that is hard to describe. I love every moment of my mission. It is so worth it. I wish that I could do it forever but I will be able to part time when I am home. Everyone is a missionary. Then when I am dead I want to do it full time again. I love the work.
Heavenly Father exists. Jesus Christ is His son. They love us and they have a plan for us. I know that because I have done the things that they have asked me to do and I am blessed and things always seem to be better than when I am not.
Love,
Elder Devon J. Marr
Just to let you all know I will not be able to get mail very fast so I might not be able to respond to a letter for a few weeks. Also after this week we cannot except emails from any non immediate family members. I wish I could but that is the rule.
This past week it has been cold. It has been in the 50’s during the day all week and this week it is supposed to have days with a high of 30. It is crazy cold. Everyone here is complaining a bunch but all of the missionaries are mostly from Utah and I am from Washington so we are used to it but the people are freezing. (Mom I do have a coat that I wear that keeps me warm so don’t worry).
This week we switched over to the 9:00am church time. It is a lot different than the 1:00pm time. A lot more people showed up for church which was actually really cool. I think that this time is a lot better for the kids and stuff because 1:00 is right in the middle of their nap time.
The members this week split up into committees to talk about missionary work for the ward mission plan. The members are very excited to share the gospel and help others know what they know. There has been a great spirit in the church lately that the members recognize and are willing to follow. That is one thing that I love about the church. When you seek the spirit and let it into your life it can tell you great things and can influence you to do things that you don’t even necessarily want to do but the Lord needs you to do them. I used to rationalize the feelings of the spirit and say that my mind could be making it up. I have seen how I have felt the spirit the strongest when it is telling me to do something that I do not want to do. Why would I trick myself into thinking something that I don’t even want to do? I have been a lot happier ever since I have understood at least to some degree the spirit and how to be guided by it. It will be a life long pursuit but it is worth it.
Yesterday we went to a baptism. Elder Robertson had taught this couple in Angleton. One of them is a member and he was not. He came to know it was true and they got married a few days ago and moved into the Friendswood 2 ward boundaries. He was baptized last night and was sooo happy. Elder Robertson really got his spirits lifted by that. It is so great to hear about a family that finds the truth and seeing them be blessed by the Lord.
So for New Years Eve we went to the Segrera’s. We ate dinner and got to play games until 9:00. The rule was that unless you had something to do or a place to be at you had to be in by 7:00. But we had dinner and could be around them. It was fun. Sorry if this email is really boring my good writing skills are gone (did I ever have them?). Bro. Segrera is a really nice guy and helps us out a lot. Him and his family are taking care of Magda’s dogs while she is out of town.
With this New Year I have allot of things that I want to improve about myself. I have already changed a ton. This mission has been tough at times so far but the blessings are sooo worth it. And to be able to see the gospel bless the lives of others is something that is hard to describe. I love every moment of my mission. It is so worth it. I wish that I could do it forever but I will be able to part time when I am home. Everyone is a missionary. Then when I am dead I want to do it full time again. I love the work.
Heavenly Father exists. Jesus Christ is His son. They love us and they have a plan for us. I know that because I have done the things that they have asked me to do and I am blessed and things always seem to be better than when I am not.
Love,
Elder Devon J. Marr
Monday, December 28, 2009
2010
Send stuff to my mission address Iam moving
Happy New Year!!!
Time is flying fast. It feels like I Haven’t been gone that long but it has been 8 months. That is crazy!!!! I really have a hard time realizing how long I have been out. It seems like so short a time but at the same time feels like forever.
I love you all so much and thank you for all of your gifts and letters and cards and everything. It was very thoughtful for all of those things especially the Prayers. So of all the gifts that I feel like I have been given in some way this Christmas my favorite is very special to me. We had our zone conference and Christmas activities this week on Tuesday. It was a lot of fun. Part of it was watching a slide show of people in white about to be baptized. It was Really nice To see it and Here peoples testimonies of the Savior. But at the end there was A picture that I never knew if I would see. It was from Rosenberg and a family of 3 were getting baptized who I had met and taught. It just hit me hard. Of all the things that I am grateful for this season one of them is that these three individuals have been baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. That they made the choices to hear the message and to act on the answers that Heavenly Father has given them. I am so happy for them. Also the family I have mentioned before that he changed and was able to baptize his wife and son. Their family is doing great. There other daughter is getting baptized along with her boyfriend, and Mark’s niece and most likely sister. All of them come to church and have felt the spirit change their lives. It is great news to hear.
The work here is going well as well. There are a lot of people we are teaching and talking to every day. The problem this week was most everyone was out of town and those that were in town were busy. It has also been cold so hardly anyone is outside. Except on Saturday a TON of people were fixing their cars. It was strange. It was wet and cold and we saw about five people fixing their cars all in the same neighborhood. It was strange. But most people have been staying inside.
Our zone conference was a lot of fun and I really had a great time there. I got to see several people who I have been pretty close to. There were also missionaries who were visiting the mission who have been home that I know and it was great to see them at lunch at the conference. It was a lot of fun.
Christmas was awesome. Christmas Eve we went to the Gladwell’s home for dinner and games and such. They put out almost everything that we have every year for our traditions. It was spooky. The food was great though. They are a large family and they are really great. When I send home pictures I will send some of them. We had a fun night and played games then went home. On Christmas we got together as a zone at the church building. We talked and we were going to cook pancakes but half of the building’s power was out. You see there was a storm that came through about 3:40am on Thursday that we actually got a tornado watch for. No tornadoes but the storm woke Elder Robertson and I up. It was really windy and it was a thunderstorm. So we think that the storm might have something to do with the power. Anyways we got together at the church and played different games. We played scrabble and had a lot of fun. I never thought that Scrabble and fun could be in the same sentence but I guess it can be.
Then we bounced around different member’s home’s we visited the Coopers and we saw the Oliver’s and the Horman’s. At the Horman’s we had the opportunity to call home. That was awesome. I was so happy to be able to call home and talk to so many people. Thank you all so much for talking with me and for even wanting to talk with me. It was great. I talked about a lot of stuff on the phone but I do have to say that Kira sounds a lot older and it is weird. Time flies by so fast.
There really isn’t that much that has happened out of the ordinary. We taught people this week and we have been trying to come up with new ways of finding people to teach and talk to. We did hug a drunk guy but that is a story for another time. I love you all so much and I hope that you enjoyed Christmas and you will enjoy New Years.
love
Elder Devon J. Marr
Happy New Year!!!
Time is flying fast. It feels like I Haven’t been gone that long but it has been 8 months. That is crazy!!!! I really have a hard time realizing how long I have been out. It seems like so short a time but at the same time feels like forever.
I love you all so much and thank you for all of your gifts and letters and cards and everything. It was very thoughtful for all of those things especially the Prayers. So of all the gifts that I feel like I have been given in some way this Christmas my favorite is very special to me. We had our zone conference and Christmas activities this week on Tuesday. It was a lot of fun. Part of it was watching a slide show of people in white about to be baptized. It was Really nice To see it and Here peoples testimonies of the Savior. But at the end there was A picture that I never knew if I would see. It was from Rosenberg and a family of 3 were getting baptized who I had met and taught. It just hit me hard. Of all the things that I am grateful for this season one of them is that these three individuals have been baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. That they made the choices to hear the message and to act on the answers that Heavenly Father has given them. I am so happy for them. Also the family I have mentioned before that he changed and was able to baptize his wife and son. Their family is doing great. There other daughter is getting baptized along with her boyfriend, and Mark’s niece and most likely sister. All of them come to church and have felt the spirit change their lives. It is great news to hear.
The work here is going well as well. There are a lot of people we are teaching and talking to every day. The problem this week was most everyone was out of town and those that were in town were busy. It has also been cold so hardly anyone is outside. Except on Saturday a TON of people were fixing their cars. It was strange. It was wet and cold and we saw about five people fixing their cars all in the same neighborhood. It was strange. But most people have been staying inside.
Our zone conference was a lot of fun and I really had a great time there. I got to see several people who I have been pretty close to. There were also missionaries who were visiting the mission who have been home that I know and it was great to see them at lunch at the conference. It was a lot of fun.
Christmas was awesome. Christmas Eve we went to the Gladwell’s home for dinner and games and such. They put out almost everything that we have every year for our traditions. It was spooky. The food was great though. They are a large family and they are really great. When I send home pictures I will send some of them. We had a fun night and played games then went home. On Christmas we got together as a zone at the church building. We talked and we were going to cook pancakes but half of the building’s power was out. You see there was a storm that came through about 3:40am on Thursday that we actually got a tornado watch for. No tornadoes but the storm woke Elder Robertson and I up. It was really windy and it was a thunderstorm. So we think that the storm might have something to do with the power. Anyways we got together at the church and played different games. We played scrabble and had a lot of fun. I never thought that Scrabble and fun could be in the same sentence but I guess it can be.
Then we bounced around different member’s home’s we visited the Coopers and we saw the Oliver’s and the Horman’s. At the Horman’s we had the opportunity to call home. That was awesome. I was so happy to be able to call home and talk to so many people. Thank you all so much for talking with me and for even wanting to talk with me. It was great. I talked about a lot of stuff on the phone but I do have to say that Kira sounds a lot older and it is weird. Time flies by so fast.
There really isn’t that much that has happened out of the ordinary. We taught people this week and we have been trying to come up with new ways of finding people to teach and talk to. We did hug a drunk guy but that is a story for another time. I love you all so much and I hope that you enjoyed Christmas and you will enjoy New Years.
love
Elder Devon J. Marr
Monday, December 21, 2009
CHIRSTMAS!!!!!!!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
I love Christmas time. It is so nice. The people are so happy and the spirit is in more abundance with people. If everyone thought of the Savior as much as they do during this season then the world would be like this all the time. That would be very nice. That is something that I like about the general authorities in trying to tell us to keep the spirit of Christmas year round.
Life has been good. I am in Friendswood for at least another transfer. We will have a car once a week which will help a lot. It is actually a van. Which is kind of funny. But at least it is something. Elder Robertson is still here. The only change in our district is Elder Persian went home. So Elder Schwartsman is our new district leader. He is an amazing missionary and a great man. On Monday we went to Sugar Land to drop Elder Persian off at the mission home. On the way he wanted to go to Buffalo Wild Wings. So we went and four members of our district took the blazing challenge. That is when you eat 12 of the hottest wings in 6 minutes and you get the meal for free and a free tee shirt. They all did it. Elder Persian got 4:23 which was crazy fast.
About the actual missionary work it has been good. An investigator who hasn’t been to church for quite a while has started to come back again and noticed that things weren’t as good without church. He is a great guy. He may not be a member but he already does his home teaching and he does a lot of stuff that a lot of members don’t even do. He is a great guy and friend. One thing I have noticed is that it is so easy to love people. Even if they give you grief. I realized it is a choice not just something that happens. You can choose to love someone and care about them. That’s not to say that it won’t just happen but it is a choice.
This week we saw Santa Claus on a truck. He rides around on a fire truck before Christmas. He goes through the neighborhoods and throws candy to the children. We just saw him. I didn’t get any candy. But it was nice to see him. Do you think he is a member? Hmmm….I wonder….Oh well.
Life has been great. I know that this is very short but for some reason I am really slow at typing this week. I just want to tell all of you that I now that Jesus Christ lives. I know that he has a perfect body of flesh and bone. I know that he was born almost 2009 years ago and that he loves all of us. I know that He loves each of us more than we could love anyone or anything. He wants what is best for us and he is willing to take upon himself the punishment of our sins if we turn to Him and do His will.
Love,
Elder Marr
P.S. I will be calling at 6:00 Washington Time. I will be calling on a member’s phone so if it is a number you don’t know then answer it. We should try to keep it within 45 minutes and I want to talk to Mom first and last. Figure out times for yourselves and what to say if you have anything you need to tell me or ask me. I love you.
I love Christmas time. It is so nice. The people are so happy and the spirit is in more abundance with people. If everyone thought of the Savior as much as they do during this season then the world would be like this all the time. That would be very nice. That is something that I like about the general authorities in trying to tell us to keep the spirit of Christmas year round.
Life has been good. I am in Friendswood for at least another transfer. We will have a car once a week which will help a lot. It is actually a van. Which is kind of funny. But at least it is something. Elder Robertson is still here. The only change in our district is Elder Persian went home. So Elder Schwartsman is our new district leader. He is an amazing missionary and a great man. On Monday we went to Sugar Land to drop Elder Persian off at the mission home. On the way he wanted to go to Buffalo Wild Wings. So we went and four members of our district took the blazing challenge. That is when you eat 12 of the hottest wings in 6 minutes and you get the meal for free and a free tee shirt. They all did it. Elder Persian got 4:23 which was crazy fast.
About the actual missionary work it has been good. An investigator who hasn’t been to church for quite a while has started to come back again and noticed that things weren’t as good without church. He is a great guy. He may not be a member but he already does his home teaching and he does a lot of stuff that a lot of members don’t even do. He is a great guy and friend. One thing I have noticed is that it is so easy to love people. Even if they give you grief. I realized it is a choice not just something that happens. You can choose to love someone and care about them. That’s not to say that it won’t just happen but it is a choice.
This week we saw Santa Claus on a truck. He rides around on a fire truck before Christmas. He goes through the neighborhoods and throws candy to the children. We just saw him. I didn’t get any candy. But it was nice to see him. Do you think he is a member? Hmmm….I wonder….Oh well.
Life has been great. I know that this is very short but for some reason I am really slow at typing this week. I just want to tell all of you that I now that Jesus Christ lives. I know that he has a perfect body of flesh and bone. I know that he was born almost 2009 years ago and that he loves all of us. I know that He loves each of us more than we could love anyone or anything. He wants what is best for us and he is willing to take upon himself the punishment of our sins if we turn to Him and do His will.
Love,
Elder Marr
P.S. I will be calling at 6:00 Washington Time. I will be calling on a member’s phone so if it is a number you don’t know then answer it. We should try to keep it within 45 minutes and I want to talk to Mom first and last. Figure out times for yourselves and what to say if you have anything you need to tell me or ask me. I love you.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Christmas is coming. Elder Marr is getting fat. Please don't send him icecream or candy in a hat. If you don't send candy some pictures will do if you
make sure to send your stuff to
701 Mary Ann Dr.
Friendswood, TX
77546
A family from my last area has had some great blessings. The member in the family, who is the father, stopped going to church when he was 15. He is now in his mid 30’s. He has had a rough life but when the missionaries found him he changed. He gained an early testimony of the gospel and wanted to know and do everything we asked him to do. When he found out that he shouldn’t drink tea he was surprised. He drank, not exaggerating, almost a gallon a day. But when he learned he shouldn’t he stopped. His main hang-up was smoking. Meanwhile we were teaching his family. Mainly his wife and one of the three kids. The wife and son would come to church and listen to what we were teaching when we would come over. This man changed. It was a testimony to me that if you do everything that you are supposed to do than the Lord blesses you. He progressed very fast and his family saw that. It was amazing. So I get a call the other day and his wife and son are getting baptized. Also that the rest of the family and some of the family’s friends are very interested in the gospel. I was also told that the father had been talking with Elder Garcia and Elder Whippy about getting off smoking but that it would take him a long time because he had been smoking since he was I think 16. One day he went to the store to buy tobacco because he making his own cigarettes. So he reaches for it and feels like he shouldn’t buy it. So he doesn’t. He hasn’t smoked for about 3 ½ weeks. Since he is committed to be off them for good he was able to be ordained a priest on Sunday and baptized his wife and son. It is a testimony to me that if we do what the Lord asks us to do and we are obedient that he will bless us. There is no if and or buts about it. Blessings may come a lot further down the road but he always blesses us for the things that we are asked to do.
This week has been going well. We had our ward Christmas party which was a lot of fun. The food was really good as well. There are a lot of great people in this ward and one of the families that we have grown close to is the Olivers. Their son is the one who is home because of medical reasons from his mission and will be going back in February. Also we have been over there for several dinners. Two in the past week as a matter of fact. They are great. Last week on Monday we rode our bikes over to their house to watch “The Testaments” and to eat dinner. They are all so nice and so friendly.
We have a couple that we are teaching that I just love. They are so fun yet reverent for the lessons. They are a great family and so easy to get along with. Sometimes people are too gloomy or not happy but they are always happy and friendly. I have realized on my mission that doing good things brings happiness and choosing to be happy makes you happy.
So this email is pretty lame I know but I have to send something. For my call home… as of right now we don’t know a specific time but I will be sending that in my next email. Plan on 3 or 5 your time. (If in Washington). I am so excited for Christmas. Try not to cry.
Love,
Elder Devon Joel Marr
701 Mary Ann Dr.
Friendswood, TX
77546
A family from my last area has had some great blessings. The member in the family, who is the father, stopped going to church when he was 15. He is now in his mid 30’s. He has had a rough life but when the missionaries found him he changed. He gained an early testimony of the gospel and wanted to know and do everything we asked him to do. When he found out that he shouldn’t drink tea he was surprised. He drank, not exaggerating, almost a gallon a day. But when he learned he shouldn’t he stopped. His main hang-up was smoking. Meanwhile we were teaching his family. Mainly his wife and one of the three kids. The wife and son would come to church and listen to what we were teaching when we would come over. This man changed. It was a testimony to me that if you do everything that you are supposed to do than the Lord blesses you. He progressed very fast and his family saw that. It was amazing. So I get a call the other day and his wife and son are getting baptized. Also that the rest of the family and some of the family’s friends are very interested in the gospel. I was also told that the father had been talking with Elder Garcia and Elder Whippy about getting off smoking but that it would take him a long time because he had been smoking since he was I think 16. One day he went to the store to buy tobacco because he making his own cigarettes. So he reaches for it and feels like he shouldn’t buy it. So he doesn’t. He hasn’t smoked for about 3 ½ weeks. Since he is committed to be off them for good he was able to be ordained a priest on Sunday and baptized his wife and son. It is a testimony to me that if we do what the Lord asks us to do and we are obedient that he will bless us. There is no if and or buts about it. Blessings may come a lot further down the road but he always blesses us for the things that we are asked to do.
This week has been going well. We had our ward Christmas party which was a lot of fun. The food was really good as well. There are a lot of great people in this ward and one of the families that we have grown close to is the Olivers. Their son is the one who is home because of medical reasons from his mission and will be going back in February. Also we have been over there for several dinners. Two in the past week as a matter of fact. They are great. Last week on Monday we rode our bikes over to their house to watch “The Testaments” and to eat dinner. They are all so nice and so friendly.
We have a couple that we are teaching that I just love. They are so fun yet reverent for the lessons. They are a great family and so easy to get along with. Sometimes people are too gloomy or not happy but they are always happy and friendly. I have realized on my mission that doing good things brings happiness and choosing to be happy makes you happy.
So this email is pretty lame I know but I have to send something. For my call home… as of right now we don’t know a specific time but I will be sending that in my next email. Plan on 3 or 5 your time. (If in Washington). I am so excited for Christmas. Try not to cry.
Love,
Elder Devon Joel Marr
Monday, December 7, 2009
SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s right boys and girls snow! It snowed on Friday in the morning and afternoon. In the morning it stuck on the ground and covered it with a small layer. Then in the afternoon it snowed very hard but didn’t stick much. The snowflakes were very large and it was very cold. I took plenty of pictures so you can all see the snow. I will send them home soon. It was the earliest snowfall in Houston in recorded history. Thanks “global warming”.
So this week was all right. It rained allot and many people were busy or out of town. It was slower but it was good. One of our investigators is showing a lot of interest in the church and is willing to try it out. She came to mutual on Wednesday and liked it. It was one of the first times that a younger person has done something they said they would do. It built my faith. Not to say that younger people are flakey or anything but people get busy and usually religion gets put on the back burner. Her parents are not that interested in the church and are very catholic. But the spirit can touch anyone. There is a member in our ward who wad married a member for I believe 20 years and he said that he would never join the church and Catholics were right. He was like this for a long time and would run away from the missionaries. Then a few years ago the spirit touched his heart and he joined the church and loves having the Holy Ghost and the blessings of the gospel. His wife told us that she did not want to pressure him and he should join because the Lord told him it was right not that she told him. It is true that anyone can change because of the Holy Ghost and the change it can bring to your heart.
So last Monday we had a nerf war in the gym of the Alvin church. Our whole zone showed up and it was a blast. Some of the missionaries borrowed Nerf guns from members that had been modified and they dominated. It was fun.
SO this week I got my haircut. Elder Robertson cut it for me and I like it more than when I go to cheap hair salons. It is shorter than it has ever been but I like it. My hair got pretty long for being a missionary. But I got it cut so it is good now. Elder Robertson cut his hair as well. On a completely different note the Oliver family in our ward has a son that just got sent home from his mission on medical leave for 2 months. He is a really nice kid. His name is Rhett Oliver and he has been driving us around lately. He is taking us to lunch today actually which will be awesome. There are some nice restaurants around here. A lot more Italian than in Rosenberg. Anyways He is very nice and has put my mission in a different perspective. I would never want to go home from my mission early! He doesn’t like it and he can’t do much except watch TV. If I got sent home for a time on medical leave I would read as many books to find answers for people as I could. Like parts of the “journal of discourses” or “Mormon Doctrine” or “Day of defense”(I think)
They are literature I can’t read that I will when I get home. He is helping us a lot and I am glad that he is willing to still be as much a missionary as he can be.
I really loved the devotional last night. If you missed it they should play it again sometime on BYUTV or have it on lds.org. I loved it. President Uchdorf’s talk was my favorite but they were all great. The music was great as well like always.
I love you all and I am sorry that this email is so much shorter than usual. There was not much that has happened this week. But next week will be a lot more busy and we will be having our ward Christmas party this Saturday. I am really looking forward to that.
Love,
Elder Devon Joel Marr
So this week was all right. It rained allot and many people were busy or out of town. It was slower but it was good. One of our investigators is showing a lot of interest in the church and is willing to try it out. She came to mutual on Wednesday and liked it. It was one of the first times that a younger person has done something they said they would do. It built my faith. Not to say that younger people are flakey or anything but people get busy and usually religion gets put on the back burner. Her parents are not that interested in the church and are very catholic. But the spirit can touch anyone. There is a member in our ward who wad married a member for I believe 20 years and he said that he would never join the church and Catholics were right. He was like this for a long time and would run away from the missionaries. Then a few years ago the spirit touched his heart and he joined the church and loves having the Holy Ghost and the blessings of the gospel. His wife told us that she did not want to pressure him and he should join because the Lord told him it was right not that she told him. It is true that anyone can change because of the Holy Ghost and the change it can bring to your heart.
So last Monday we had a nerf war in the gym of the Alvin church. Our whole zone showed up and it was a blast. Some of the missionaries borrowed Nerf guns from members that had been modified and they dominated. It was fun.
SO this week I got my haircut. Elder Robertson cut it for me and I like it more than when I go to cheap hair salons. It is shorter than it has ever been but I like it. My hair got pretty long for being a missionary. But I got it cut so it is good now. Elder Robertson cut his hair as well. On a completely different note the Oliver family in our ward has a son that just got sent home from his mission on medical leave for 2 months. He is a really nice kid. His name is Rhett Oliver and he has been driving us around lately. He is taking us to lunch today actually which will be awesome. There are some nice restaurants around here. A lot more Italian than in Rosenberg. Anyways He is very nice and has put my mission in a different perspective. I would never want to go home from my mission early! He doesn’t like it and he can’t do much except watch TV. If I got sent home for a time on medical leave I would read as many books to find answers for people as I could. Like parts of the “journal of discourses” or “Mormon Doctrine” or “Day of defense”(I think)
They are literature I can’t read that I will when I get home. He is helping us a lot and I am glad that he is willing to still be as much a missionary as he can be.
I really loved the devotional last night. If you missed it they should play it again sometime on BYUTV or have it on lds.org. I loved it. President Uchdorf’s talk was my favorite but they were all great. The music was great as well like always.
I love you all and I am sorry that this email is so much shorter than usual. There was not much that has happened this week. But next week will be a lot more busy and we will be having our ward Christmas party this Saturday. I am really looking forward to that.
Love,
Elder Devon Joel Marr
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