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
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
})=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
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
Monday, August 2, 2010
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
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
Friday, July 30, 2010
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
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
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
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Not much new
This past week was the coolest rain I have ever been in. we got a little of the runoff from the hurricane that hit Mexico. So it rained a lot. We had a little flooding and all that. We were actually knocking on door for 2 hours when the rain was the worst. the water got up about a foot on the streets. It was crazy. I have never been that wet and not cared before. I figured I was going to be soaked so no reason to try and stay dry. It was fun but nobody let us in to talk to them because we were so wet.
Really this week was pretty normal. Nothing out of the normal besides the rain. Life is good. we have been trying to find some new people to teach which is going pretty well. The youth down here next week will be going to Navoo in a bunch of buses for youth conference. Which means that half the ward is going to be chaperones. So meals will be little next week. My companion and I are doing very well. We are trying to stay out of the heat that has randomly appeared after the rain. Yesterday was 97. It was hot. I wish it didn't get so hot but that is just part of Texas.
We are teaching a new lady named Charlotte. She is way nice and kind. We set an appointment with her and she told us she had somewhere to go. Then we came back later when she told us to and she wasn't there so we left a note. We had a few more people to try in this apartment complex so we walked around talking to a few people. Then we felt like we should go back and knock on her door. She answered and told us that she prayed and asked God to send us back to her if she needs to hear what we have to say. It was a really good lesson and she is a really sincere person. I look forward to being able to teach her more.
This week has been filled with deep doctrine. I love deep doctrine but it is mostly unimportant things. But we have some members here who know more about the gospel than i think anyone I have ever met before in my life. It is crazy. The gospel has so much that you can look into if you want but you have to look for it. That is what I love about the gospel. It is simple or as complex as you want. Hours upon hours can be spent studying a simple principle if you want to go deep enough.
Anyways on to more important things. My life is good. I am excited for my birthday this week on Saturday. I think I might go out to eat lunch or something. It will be fun. Birthdays are different on the mission. Not as exciting. You don't really do much different.
Well sorry this was so boring. My life really is good there just isn't that much to talk about that is new this past week. I love you all and I hope that this week goes well for yall.
love,
ELDER DEVON J. MARR
Really this week was pretty normal. Nothing out of the normal besides the rain. Life is good. we have been trying to find some new people to teach which is going pretty well. The youth down here next week will be going to Navoo in a bunch of buses for youth conference. Which means that half the ward is going to be chaperones. So meals will be little next week. My companion and I are doing very well. We are trying to stay out of the heat that has randomly appeared after the rain. Yesterday was 97. It was hot. I wish it didn't get so hot but that is just part of Texas.
We are teaching a new lady named Charlotte. She is way nice and kind. We set an appointment with her and she told us she had somewhere to go. Then we came back later when she told us to and she wasn't there so we left a note. We had a few more people to try in this apartment complex so we walked around talking to a few people. Then we felt like we should go back and knock on her door. She answered and told us that she prayed and asked God to send us back to her if she needs to hear what we have to say. It was a really good lesson and she is a really sincere person. I look forward to being able to teach her more.
This week has been filled with deep doctrine. I love deep doctrine but it is mostly unimportant things. But we have some members here who know more about the gospel than i think anyone I have ever met before in my life. It is crazy. The gospel has so much that you can look into if you want but you have to look for it. That is what I love about the gospel. It is simple or as complex as you want. Hours upon hours can be spent studying a simple principle if you want to go deep enough.
Anyways on to more important things. My life is good. I am excited for my birthday this week on Saturday. I think I might go out to eat lunch or something. It will be fun. Birthdays are different on the mission. Not as exciting. You don't really do much different.
Well sorry this was so boring. My life really is good there just isn't that much to talk about that is new this past week. I love you all and I hope that this week goes well for yall.
love,
ELDER DEVON J. MARR
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