Hey Everyone!

Alright, so I'll do my best to reply to everything but no promises, we are a little short on time today.

Last week our appointment with Joe, Donald and Debra, Smokey and Hongye fell through. Joe, Nubia, Smokey, and Hongye were at church again. We did have a really awesome lesson with Nubia and she got her answer and really wants to be baptized. She still hasn't drank any coffee or tea and is excited to be baptized on the 22nd!

We found a couple really solid new investigators last week. Both through Mormon.org referrals! The first ladies name is Marilyn and we have 2 set appointments with her this week. We extended the soft baptismal invitation and she accepted and committed to read 30 minutes a day from the Book of Mormon. We contacted another Mormon.org referral for a lady named Cinda. We called her and she said right then wasn't a good time because she was super sick but wanted us to come back. We offered her a blessing and she accepted. We went straight over and gave her a blessing and we have 2 set appointments with her this week. We also called Savannah and set up an appointment this week. So next week I'll have a lot more to report on with these people hopefully!

We got a 4 ft Christmas tree and it's all decked out and lookin’ sweet! We have it on top of a table so we aren't looking down on it. I love it! That's super funny that you guys ended up getting a huge tree lol!

I wish I could have some of Garrett’s venison. I think that's super awesome that he got a deer!

... I'm super sorry to hear about Doug's mother passing away. My heart goes out to that whole family. I agree with what you said in your email. I too want to just live as good and honorable life as I possibly can and then be happy with those I love into the eternities, enjoying the blessings of whatever else that entails.

Sorry to hear that Erika's basketball team is struggling. Tell her to just keep playing her heart out and keep her chin up. There are valuable lessons to be learned in a losing situation.

I'm sure grateful for the time of year. I'm going to be sending off some packages as soon as I can, some with Christmas stuff and some stuff I don't need out here anymore. I'm excited about everyone’s gifts except I'm having a hard time thinking of something good for Erika :/ I'll think of something.

I love being a missionary so much. I really don't want it to end. I feel that my mission has actually converted me to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know I've expressed this before but I am truly grateful that I am a member of this family and that I was raised in such a way to make it where I am today. God Bless you all. You're in my heart.

Love,
Elder W. Marks

Dear Family,
 
Yesterday at church Ellen was confirmed. Idk if I told you this or not but a couple of weeks ago on the way to the lesson with us, on the bus Ellen talked with a guy and invited him to come to church and yesterday he came!! We have an appointment with him on Friday. His name is Joe. Also, yesterday a recent convert named Kyler brought a friend of his to church and we talked with her, her name is Andrea, and we are going to set up an appointment this week.

We received a referral last week through text from Mormon.org for a lady named Savannah who was given a Book of Mormon back in August from a friend, Savannah is in her 20's. We called the friend, Lauren, and talked with her about Savannah. She told us she lives with her Mom and to stop by and ask about her Book of Mormon reading and see how receptive they would be. She didn't know if the Mom would be friendly or not. We went to the house and the Mother answered, her name is Melissa. She was very kind and we spoke with her for a few minutes, Savannah wasn't home but she wanted us to come back. Melissa had the Light of Christ in her countenance and we're excited to go back!

When I was serving with Elder Bradley he told me about some people he used to teach in the area named Donald and Debra, they're a black couple in their mid 30's with a couple of children. I never got to meet them but we received a prompting yesterday to call Donald and we have an appointment with them on Thursday!
 
We haven't had any luck with Joseph or Eric in a while. We'll keep trying! :o) I just texted Matt to invite him to a dinner we're having with a group of students from the ward on Wednesday. We haven't had any contact with him for a while.
 
Smokey is doing great! He's come to church for the last 3 weeks and we taught lesson 1 last week. We're going to pray for a baptism date for him and invite him to be baptized this week.
 
Hongye and Nubia both feel like the dates we set are too soon but they both still want to be baptized. Nubia quit drinking coffee and tea, I don't remember if I told you that last week or not. After the Word of Wisdom lesson she went to her car and dumped her coffee out and hasn't had any since!
 
I just got a reply from Matt. He said he's been super busy with projects and getting his car fixed. He just told us he got in a car wreck and totaled his car. We'll hopefully be able to set something up for an appointment this week.
 
I'm sorry I have to keep this short today but I sure am grateful for you all and I love you a lot! Remember who we are, where we came from, and where we're going.
 
Love ya,
Elder W. Marks