Hey everyone!
This week has been full of exciting events and miracles!
Smokey’s baptism went great, it was a powerful service and he shared his testimony after he got done changing and the Spirit was strong. He would have been confirmed yesterday but church was canceled because of all the snow! :( I was super bummed because I got a call Saturday night that I am being transfered. They are keeping me as a ZL but putting me somewhere else. So I didn't really get to say goodbye to a lot of people in the ward, but it is what it is! I feel right about the transfer, it is hard for me to leave this area more than any before but I think I'm kind of used to the style of life and I knew it was probably coming, so I actually really am doing fine with it.
Cinda still hasn't smoked and is getting baptized on Saturday! R.J too. So next Sunday Smokey, Cinda, and RJ will all be confirmed! Then on the 30th Diedre will be baptized.
So I would call Joe (Hongye's boyfriend) about every other week just to check up on her and have him let her know we still cared about her and were praying for her. And last Tuesday we got a call from Joe saying Hongye wanted to meet with us, so we set up an appointment for the next day. (This was the first time we've met with Hongye for a couple of months). We had no idea what to expect. After asking us a couple questions and just catching up a bit she told us how she had been thinking if she was baptized she could pray with greater power and be close to God. Her family is going through something really hard over in China and she has been asked not to tell so we have no idea. She was kind of beating around the bush and I just asked her if she was saying she wanted to be baptized and she said yes! She will be baptized on March 16th. She asked me to baptize her and I didn't know what was going to happen with transfers so I called President right after our lesson and he said I would be here for the baptism so I know I am at least staying Metro...
...There is one ZL companionship that opened up on the Metro side and so I assume I am going there. It is the Arapahoe Zone and I will probably be serving with Elder Meeks. Another Canadian - hahaha. It's not guaranteed but that’s probably where I will go. They are forming a new mission in Colorado (58 worldwide!!). It will be the Fort Collins mission. They are dissolving 2 of our Zones into the North Mission and Arapahoe is one of them. That will happen July 1st. So there is a pretty good chance I will be moved to the North Mission in a few months. We'll see!
Dad, I am sorry to hear you are still suffering from the accident. I really admire your efforts and ability to move forward despite adversity. Thank you for that example. I will pray for more specifically for your recovery. Transfers really are a riot! haha thats a good way to describe it - lol. I appreciated your thoughts about our circumstances physically and spiritually. We really are in control of our agency and how we choose to react. Thank you for your insights on that. I heard one time... maybe from you - haha that "Satan don't kick no dead dog". He is actively making efforts to be engaged in our lives and it can be hard. Our responsibility is to do things in our life that will cultivate building our spiritual walls and armor so his affects are dulled and limited.
I hope you all know I really do love this Gospel so much. I am happy to serve my God as a full time representative of His Son and I am doing my best. I love this work. I felt so much emotion the other night as I pondered the work I have performed in this area and thinking of the people who have repented and either renewed covenants with God or entered into them. And then I reflected on all of the children who have chosen not to and I felt like my heart would burst. I feel I leave part of my heart with the people here. I truly love them.
I sure love you guys. Keep finding areas to improve and become better. That's really what repentance is. God doesn't expect immediate perfection but I do believe he expects immediate progress. Take joy in the moment. Choose not to get upset. Find people to help, I know we are happiest when we do that and I pray I will be able to hold onto the conversion I have gained as a missionary. You all mean the world to me.
Your Son, Brother, and Missionary,
Elder W. Marks
This week has been full of exciting events and miracles!
Smokey’s baptism went great, it was a powerful service and he shared his testimony after he got done changing and the Spirit was strong. He would have been confirmed yesterday but church was canceled because of all the snow! :( I was super bummed because I got a call Saturday night that I am being transfered. They are keeping me as a ZL but putting me somewhere else. So I didn't really get to say goodbye to a lot of people in the ward, but it is what it is! I feel right about the transfer, it is hard for me to leave this area more than any before but I think I'm kind of used to the style of life and I knew it was probably coming, so I actually really am doing fine with it.
Cinda still hasn't smoked and is getting baptized on Saturday! R.J too. So next Sunday Smokey, Cinda, and RJ will all be confirmed! Then on the 30th Diedre will be baptized.
So I would call Joe (Hongye's boyfriend) about every other week just to check up on her and have him let her know we still cared about her and were praying for her. And last Tuesday we got a call from Joe saying Hongye wanted to meet with us, so we set up an appointment for the next day. (This was the first time we've met with Hongye for a couple of months). We had no idea what to expect. After asking us a couple questions and just catching up a bit she told us how she had been thinking if she was baptized she could pray with greater power and be close to God. Her family is going through something really hard over in China and she has been asked not to tell so we have no idea. She was kind of beating around the bush and I just asked her if she was saying she wanted to be baptized and she said yes! She will be baptized on March 16th. She asked me to baptize her and I didn't know what was going to happen with transfers so I called President right after our lesson and he said I would be here for the baptism so I know I am at least staying Metro...
...There is one ZL companionship that opened up on the Metro side and so I assume I am going there. It is the Arapahoe Zone and I will probably be serving with Elder Meeks. Another Canadian - hahaha. It's not guaranteed but that’s probably where I will go. They are forming a new mission in Colorado (58 worldwide!!). It will be the Fort Collins mission. They are dissolving 2 of our Zones into the North Mission and Arapahoe is one of them. That will happen July 1st. So there is a pretty good chance I will be moved to the North Mission in a few months. We'll see!
Dad, I am sorry to hear you are still suffering from the accident. I really admire your efforts and ability to move forward despite adversity. Thank you for that example. I will pray for more specifically for your recovery. Transfers really are a riot! haha thats a good way to describe it - lol. I appreciated your thoughts about our circumstances physically and spiritually. We really are in control of our agency and how we choose to react. Thank you for your insights on that. I heard one time... maybe from you - haha that "Satan don't kick no dead dog". He is actively making efforts to be engaged in our lives and it can be hard. Our responsibility is to do things in our life that will cultivate building our spiritual walls and armor so his affects are dulled and limited.
I hope you all know I really do love this Gospel so much. I am happy to serve my God as a full time representative of His Son and I am doing my best. I love this work. I felt so much emotion the other night as I pondered the work I have performed in this area and thinking of the people who have repented and either renewed covenants with God or entered into them. And then I reflected on all of the children who have chosen not to and I felt like my heart would burst. I feel I leave part of my heart with the people here. I truly love them.
I sure love you guys. Keep finding areas to improve and become better. That's really what repentance is. God doesn't expect immediate perfection but I do believe he expects immediate progress. Take joy in the moment. Choose not to get upset. Find people to help, I know we are happiest when we do that and I pray I will be able to hold onto the conversion I have gained as a missionary. You all mean the world to me.
Your Son, Brother, and Missionary,
Elder W. Marks