My Dear Mother and Father,
It made my heart so happy as I read from both your emails today. I am so grateful and blessed to have you all back home praying for me and living worthy lives. I love each of you so much.
"Surreal" is probably the best word I could think of as I finish these last few weeks. It's been strange pondering about my mission and coming home. I took the opportunity a few weeks ago to re-read my mission journals. I still haven't missed a day. Those are a real treasure to me and I'm so thankful you gave me the advice to keep a journal on my mission. It helped me a lot to read about many of the experiences I've had on my mission that I already forgot about, and realize that I actually have served for as long as I have because sometimes it feels like I just came out last week!
That sounds good talking in the ware on the 26th, and reporting to the Stake before then. I think that kind of stuff would have had me feeling worried or anxious prior to my mission, but not anymore. I have tried to think about what I have really learned most on my mission, and there is a lot I have learned and strengthened my testimony, but I feel like the biggest area of spiritual growth is that I have learned to trust God and the promptings of His Spirit. Therefore it feels suiting that I am coming home early - haha, because I really do trust that it's where God would have me be. Things don't happen by mistake! There are far too many people on earth, but especially in the church, (considering the perspective we have) who worry worry worry way too much! Learn from the past, LIVE IN THE MOMENT, and plan for the future. I believe if we regret our pasts or worry about the future too much then we're not enjoying life as much as God would like us to and we're missing the point!
... Good grief I just saw Kylie’s email, idk how she types that fast or that much - lol.
Mom, thanks for telling me about going out with the people from work with Dad. I think that's so interesting to hear about the social aspects that most people deal with. I am sooo glad we don't drink. There has never been any temptation there for me and I'm so grateful for that. It is also neat to hear about Erika and Garrett. I sure miss those guys! I have really felt everyone's prayers. That means more than you all know. Thank you.
There is a guy in the ward here who has been serving in California for the past 6 months or so who had to come home last week because his appendix burst and got infected really bad. I've been able to help him out with the transition back home and he has helped me as well. He's the son of the Arsenault family, who we are pretty close with, so that's been cool to relate a bit with him about the trial he's going through. He plans on returning within the next 2 months or so once he heals up.
Well, I look forward to talking with you all on Sunday! I cherish each one of you and love you dearly.
Your Son,
Elder W. Marks
P.S. I actually really do love "humble circumstances"! I love where we live and look forward to seeing my mountains and the lake again! ... ain’t nothing wrong with a bunk bed - haha. I've become a lot cleaner on my mission and so Garrett is gonna have to straighten up his stuff LOL!
It made my heart so happy as I read from both your emails today. I am so grateful and blessed to have you all back home praying for me and living worthy lives. I love each of you so much.
"Surreal" is probably the best word I could think of as I finish these last few weeks. It's been strange pondering about my mission and coming home. I took the opportunity a few weeks ago to re-read my mission journals. I still haven't missed a day. Those are a real treasure to me and I'm so thankful you gave me the advice to keep a journal on my mission. It helped me a lot to read about many of the experiences I've had on my mission that I already forgot about, and realize that I actually have served for as long as I have because sometimes it feels like I just came out last week!
That sounds good talking in the ware on the 26th, and reporting to the Stake before then. I think that kind of stuff would have had me feeling worried or anxious prior to my mission, but not anymore. I have tried to think about what I have really learned most on my mission, and there is a lot I have learned and strengthened my testimony, but I feel like the biggest area of spiritual growth is that I have learned to trust God and the promptings of His Spirit. Therefore it feels suiting that I am coming home early - haha, because I really do trust that it's where God would have me be. Things don't happen by mistake! There are far too many people on earth, but especially in the church, (considering the perspective we have) who worry worry worry way too much! Learn from the past, LIVE IN THE MOMENT, and plan for the future. I believe if we regret our pasts or worry about the future too much then we're not enjoying life as much as God would like us to and we're missing the point!
... Good grief I just saw Kylie’s email, idk how she types that fast or that much - lol.
Mom, thanks for telling me about going out with the people from work with Dad. I think that's so interesting to hear about the social aspects that most people deal with. I am sooo glad we don't drink. There has never been any temptation there for me and I'm so grateful for that. It is also neat to hear about Erika and Garrett. I sure miss those guys! I have really felt everyone's prayers. That means more than you all know. Thank you.
There is a guy in the ward here who has been serving in California for the past 6 months or so who had to come home last week because his appendix burst and got infected really bad. I've been able to help him out with the transition back home and he has helped me as well. He's the son of the Arsenault family, who we are pretty close with, so that's been cool to relate a bit with him about the trial he's going through. He plans on returning within the next 2 months or so once he heals up.
Well, I look forward to talking with you all on Sunday! I cherish each one of you and love you dearly.
Your Son,
Elder W. Marks
P.S. I actually really do love "humble circumstances"! I love where we live and look forward to seeing my mountains and the lake again! ... ain’t nothing wrong with a bunk bed - haha. I've become a lot cleaner on my mission and so Garrett is gonna have to straighten up his stuff LOL!