Hey Family!
Well first things first, changes. Ready - I am still in Las Margaritas. I was really hoping that I would get another change with Elder Fogg, but he is now serving in Lo de Bran as the zone leader. So we are still in the same zone, just not companions. My new companion is Elder Segovia, he is from Chile. I really do not have enough time with him yet to say what I think of him. I’m sure the change will go well. He has just over a year in the mission and has been a DL for the last five changes.
This last week was kinda a tough one. It felt a little slow and we had some problems with the parents of Henry and with Brandon. Last Thursday when we were talking to Henry’s dad, he said that he would not sign the paper because Henry’s grades were down and the dad wanted to make sure that the church was something that he really wanted to do. Then we went to visit Brandon and his mom was saying that she did not want him to get baptized yet, and that she feels like he needs more time going to church and making sure that this is something that he wants to do. Which is unfortunate, but we knew that Brandon wanted to be baptized so we invited her to talk with Brandon and see what it is that he wants to do. So all of that put a damper on things but we were still feeling good.
The next day we visited Henry again and it was no problem to get the signature from the dad and everything went smoothly. Then we went to talk with Brandon, and we could tell tat the mom did talk to him, but really just filled his head with a bunch of doubt, that he was not ready and that if he sins or does not go to church for a week, then there are huge punishments. So then he was not sure if he wanted to get baptized or not. After talking for sometime with the mom, she said that Brandon had her support but that it is his decision. But all of the thoughts of his mom were already in his head. So were weren’t able to baptize him this last week, but he accepted the seventh of July to work towards his baptism.
But we still were able to baptize Henry on Saturday! We should be able to baptize Brandon and Mariela this month. Honestly the whole baptism run around experience was a good reminder of where our success comes from and the need to be humble in all situations of our life.
Kylie, I love getting the pictures and it sounds like everything is going really well for you in Fiji! Keep me updated ;P
Overall people really are short, I do feel tall at times which is really nice because in the states I’m average height. Now we always just write here at the church so we do not have to pay to use the internet. We just have to pay five quetz for a taxi. I write in my journal every night. I have the goal to write every night for my whole mission. Usually the entries are shortish, but sometimes they are longer.
Dad, I love the little Spanglish that you threw in there. Mucho bettero now! Made me actually laugh out loud. Thank you for the pictures and the music. The shop really is looking better, starting to look like a really nicely set up shop. That is awesome that you modified the sander a little. It really should be mucho bettero now. The new mower looks sweet! I’m looking forward to when there is grass to mow again! The yard is looking amazing, that new tree is going to be sweet! I think that you should wait to paint the truck till I get home! I have always wanted to try to paint a car or truck. Speaking of trucks... Mom’s truck is looking awesome! It is so shiny, and it looks brand new again.
I had forgotten that we bought the tile for the bathroom last year. What color did Erika paint the bathroom? That is one of the last things that needs to happen in the house, that bathroom and maybe the masters (Yes, the masters not the master) :) bathroom.
Happy Anniversary! That is awesome that you guys are going to the Oregon cost! That should be fun for you guys to have some time to chill over there. It is probably a good thing that you guys are taking Erika and not making her stay at home. :) I cannot believe it has already been a year since you guys went to Alaska!
Keep doing what you guys need to do. I love you all so much!
Love your brother and son,
Elder Marks
P.S What is up with the spider in the jerky. I even saw the cut in the back but just assumed it was an accident. Totally caught my funny bone, I know that that one must have came from dad. It didn’t startle me too bad but it was a little shock to see a big yellow and black spider in my hand.
Well first things first, changes. Ready - I am still in Las Margaritas. I was really hoping that I would get another change with Elder Fogg, but he is now serving in Lo de Bran as the zone leader. So we are still in the same zone, just not companions. My new companion is Elder Segovia, he is from Chile. I really do not have enough time with him yet to say what I think of him. I’m sure the change will go well. He has just over a year in the mission and has been a DL for the last five changes.
This last week was kinda a tough one. It felt a little slow and we had some problems with the parents of Henry and with Brandon. Last Thursday when we were talking to Henry’s dad, he said that he would not sign the paper because Henry’s grades were down and the dad wanted to make sure that the church was something that he really wanted to do. Then we went to visit Brandon and his mom was saying that she did not want him to get baptized yet, and that she feels like he needs more time going to church and making sure that this is something that he wants to do. Which is unfortunate, but we knew that Brandon wanted to be baptized so we invited her to talk with Brandon and see what it is that he wants to do. So all of that put a damper on things but we were still feeling good.
The next day we visited Henry again and it was no problem to get the signature from the dad and everything went smoothly. Then we went to talk with Brandon, and we could tell tat the mom did talk to him, but really just filled his head with a bunch of doubt, that he was not ready and that if he sins or does not go to church for a week, then there are huge punishments. So then he was not sure if he wanted to get baptized or not. After talking for sometime with the mom, she said that Brandon had her support but that it is his decision. But all of the thoughts of his mom were already in his head. So were weren’t able to baptize him this last week, but he accepted the seventh of July to work towards his baptism.
But we still were able to baptize Henry on Saturday! We should be able to baptize Brandon and Mariela this month. Honestly the whole baptism run around experience was a good reminder of where our success comes from and the need to be humble in all situations of our life.
Kylie, I love getting the pictures and it sounds like everything is going really well for you in Fiji! Keep me updated ;P
Overall people really are short, I do feel tall at times which is really nice because in the states I’m average height. Now we always just write here at the church so we do not have to pay to use the internet. We just have to pay five quetz for a taxi. I write in my journal every night. I have the goal to write every night for my whole mission. Usually the entries are shortish, but sometimes they are longer.
Dad, I love the little Spanglish that you threw in there. Mucho bettero now! Made me actually laugh out loud. Thank you for the pictures and the music. The shop really is looking better, starting to look like a really nicely set up shop. That is awesome that you modified the sander a little. It really should be mucho bettero now. The new mower looks sweet! I’m looking forward to when there is grass to mow again! The yard is looking amazing, that new tree is going to be sweet! I think that you should wait to paint the truck till I get home! I have always wanted to try to paint a car or truck. Speaking of trucks... Mom’s truck is looking awesome! It is so shiny, and it looks brand new again.
I had forgotten that we bought the tile for the bathroom last year. What color did Erika paint the bathroom? That is one of the last things that needs to happen in the house, that bathroom and maybe the masters (Yes, the masters not the master) :) bathroom.
Happy Anniversary! That is awesome that you guys are going to the Oregon cost! That should be fun for you guys to have some time to chill over there. It is probably a good thing that you guys are taking Erika and not making her stay at home. :) I cannot believe it has already been a year since you guys went to Alaska!
Keep doing what you guys need to do. I love you all so much!
Love your brother and son,
Elder Marks
P.S What is up with the spider in the jerky. I even saw the cut in the back but just assumed it was an accident. Totally caught my funny bone, I know that that one must have came from dad. It didn’t startle me too bad but it was a little shock to see a big yellow and black spider in my hand.