William at a Zone Leader Counsel in Oct. 2012, he is in the center standing next to his mission president, President Maynes.
Hey Everyone!
Well, we didn't email yesterday because we were climbing Grey's Peak! Grey's Peak is 14,270ft. High! Elder Bradley and I went with L.T, we started at 11,220ft. It took us exactly 5 hours (on the way up) and it was a 4.5 mile hike one way! It was so intense. One of the hardest things I've ever done, but very worth it! I got a lot of great pictures. It was so beautiful on the top of that mountain, and it was such a clear day. Other than the lack of oxygen I just felt such clarity of thought up there. There is a reason that often in the scriptures prophets would go to the tops of mountains to communicate with God. I was thinking of you all up there.
I'm so glad that Garrett is having such a great time with football and staying safe! And that he's getting bigger and stronger! Wish I could see him play.
I want to go on bike rides when I get home with the family and with individuals. When I start to think about it very much I really miss doing things with the fam. Just the simple stuff! I love your saying, I've heard you say it a few times "getting caught in the thick of thin things" That happens more often than not. That's something I love about the way we view life is that we keep a grand perspective. So many people are so caught up in things which will not matter in the long run.
Dad, you should send me a pic of that tool cabinet you built! It sounds a lot more efficient...never a bad thing :D I really admire that gift and talent that you have developed over the years of having the ability to work well with your hands and figure hard things out. Weather it be working with wood, fixing the washer, putting up drywall, fixing electrical problems, landscaping, etc. etc. It is a real gift!
That is quite a compliment from Grandma! You (Dad) have always had a way of communicating clearly what you are trying to say and it makes me feel good to hear someone say that the way I talk reminds them of you. I feel like that is something my mission is teaching me a lot...how to communicate clearly what I want to.
We have been teaching Matt Mapes for about a 1-1/2 months or so. We found him through tracting. We've had a member at every lesson so far except one. He has a Lutheran background. Since we've started teaching him he has just loved our message! We had a lesson with him last Sunday and L.T. came with us to the lesson! (L.T. was confirmed earlier that day!) It was so neat to watch someone we had just taught and baptized testify with such power about the truths of the gospel. We are going to take Matt on a little church tour this Wednesday and have a lesson with him at the building. He has been hesitant up till now about coming to church because of things he was told growing up about "the Mormons". Once he goes in and feels the Spirit there and sees the pictures of Christ all over the place he should start coming to church! During the first lesson with him I invited him to be baptized as he came to know these things were true and he accepted. We have talked with him more about baptism and he wants to talk with his parents and his preacher about some questions he has of the Doctrine we have taught him. All of it is backed by the Bible and he wants to get their take on some things. He is reading the Book of Mormon on his own and continues to progress. That would be really awesome to keep him in your prayers! We both feel he has been prepared to recieve the gospel at this point in his life.
Alright, I'm going to try and shoot Kylie a quick Email. Thank you all for your prayers of faith and for your goodness. Don't forget to study your scriptures! ;o)
Love,
Elder W. Marks
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