"Dear Mom,
I'm so glad to hear you're ok! That's a pretty crazy experience, it really was a miracle you weren't hurt more. There were some men in the ward who baptized the Woodruffs. Each of them were baptized by a different person. It was so cool to see each of them take their turn going down into the water and witnessing the ordinance. Their family has truly changed! We've visited them a couple times and seen them at church since the baptism and they have a different countenance about them...especially Clint. He seems genuinely happy now instead of just putting on a smile. Alan is the same way, and he knows it! He's been so grateful for the change in his life.
A lot of the 14 investigators we found last transfer kind of flaked out. None of them have told us directly that they don't want to meet with us but it's almost impossible to get an appointment with most and whenever we stop by they're too busy or aren't home.
Kristi is doing alright as far as I know. We have permission to talk to her from her Mom but we're still keeping the communication to a minimum. She's still coming to church every week and we'll text her reading assignments sometimes. I've talked with Elizabeth and she would get baptized if her family was on board with it. It's been super hard to get in to teach her and especially her parents. When it comes right down to it I think a lot of the people we try to teach aren't really willing to change...what if it's true!? :) Elizabeth and her parents are a good example of that.
Last week we passed this parked "Allstate" car on the side of the road and I noticed it had a CDA plate! I spoke with the man out my window for like a minute and then we drove on our way. I pulled over a little way down the road and turned around, drove back and parked behind him, got out and talked with him for a few more minutes and gave him a Book of Mormon...he said he had a church and talked with his pastor a lot and he probably wouldn't read the book. I believe someday he will.
Elder Brown and I have had challenges lately as a companionship, I think it's mostly because of a bit of a language barrier and cultural differences. He isn't willing to budge or compromise on stuff that he wants so it's tested my patience a lot lately. I think we'll have a change up come transfer meeting on the 26th.
I really appreciated something you said at the end of your letter. "He will bless you if you keep him close" I think you're exactly right. It's been hard lately for some reason to feel as close to him as I have in the past. I think it's because when you're focused on spiritual things ALL THE TIME you can get a little numb to it in a sense. It is my desire right now to feel as close as I have in the past.
I got a letter from Denver last week and found out that her older brother, Ben, just got his mission call to the Colorado Springs mission! He reports to the MTC in September, so we'll be like exactly a year apart and in the same state!
.......
Please send my love to the rest of the family! I miss you all like crazy! Thank you for your prayers and faith, I hope you all know you have mine as well.
With hope, desire, and faith,
Elder W. Marks
------
Dear Dad,
Hey so we're about to leave the church and I thought I'd check my email one more time before we left! Thank you so much for your email. I don't have a whole lot of time but I thought I'd shoot you a quick email.
I was sure thinking a lot about you yesterday as well. It was a bit hard going through 2 fathers day sacrament meetings. I hope you know that you are a true example to me Dad, I don't know why these last few weeks have been a bit hard...I think a lot of it is challenges with the companionship, hopefully we will see some change up come transfer meeting on the 26th. I love Elder Brown but we've been together 24/7 for the last 3 months and that brings some challenges naturally.
Well we have to go now, I look forward with hope and faith right now and I have a real desire to continue improving. I don't believe we're ever flat-lining in this work...or really in life. We're either getting better or worse. The whole family is an inspiration and motivation to me. Thanks for everything Dad.
Forever Your Loving Son,
Elder Marks
I'm so glad to hear you're ok! That's a pretty crazy experience, it really was a miracle you weren't hurt more. There were some men in the ward who baptized the Woodruffs. Each of them were baptized by a different person. It was so cool to see each of them take their turn going down into the water and witnessing the ordinance. Their family has truly changed! We've visited them a couple times and seen them at church since the baptism and they have a different countenance about them...especially Clint. He seems genuinely happy now instead of just putting on a smile. Alan is the same way, and he knows it! He's been so grateful for the change in his life.
A lot of the 14 investigators we found last transfer kind of flaked out. None of them have told us directly that they don't want to meet with us but it's almost impossible to get an appointment with most and whenever we stop by they're too busy or aren't home.
Kristi is doing alright as far as I know. We have permission to talk to her from her Mom but we're still keeping the communication to a minimum. She's still coming to church every week and we'll text her reading assignments sometimes. I've talked with Elizabeth and she would get baptized if her family was on board with it. It's been super hard to get in to teach her and especially her parents. When it comes right down to it I think a lot of the people we try to teach aren't really willing to change...what if it's true!? :) Elizabeth and her parents are a good example of that.
Last week we passed this parked "Allstate" car on the side of the road and I noticed it had a CDA plate! I spoke with the man out my window for like a minute and then we drove on our way. I pulled over a little way down the road and turned around, drove back and parked behind him, got out and talked with him for a few more minutes and gave him a Book of Mormon...he said he had a church and talked with his pastor a lot and he probably wouldn't read the book. I believe someday he will.
Elder Brown and I have had challenges lately as a companionship, I think it's mostly because of a bit of a language barrier and cultural differences. He isn't willing to budge or compromise on stuff that he wants so it's tested my patience a lot lately. I think we'll have a change up come transfer meeting on the 26th.
I really appreciated something you said at the end of your letter. "He will bless you if you keep him close" I think you're exactly right. It's been hard lately for some reason to feel as close to him as I have in the past. I think it's because when you're focused on spiritual things ALL THE TIME you can get a little numb to it in a sense. It is my desire right now to feel as close as I have in the past.
I got a letter from Denver last week and found out that her older brother, Ben, just got his mission call to the Colorado Springs mission! He reports to the MTC in September, so we'll be like exactly a year apart and in the same state!
.......
Please send my love to the rest of the family! I miss you all like crazy! Thank you for your prayers and faith, I hope you all know you have mine as well.
With hope, desire, and faith,
Elder W. Marks
------
Dear Dad,
Hey so we're about to leave the church and I thought I'd check my email one more time before we left! Thank you so much for your email. I don't have a whole lot of time but I thought I'd shoot you a quick email.
I was sure thinking a lot about you yesterday as well. It was a bit hard going through 2 fathers day sacrament meetings. I hope you know that you are a true example to me Dad, I don't know why these last few weeks have been a bit hard...I think a lot of it is challenges with the companionship, hopefully we will see some change up come transfer meeting on the 26th. I love Elder Brown but we've been together 24/7 for the last 3 months and that brings some challenges naturally.
Well we have to go now, I look forward with hope and faith right now and I have a real desire to continue improving. I don't believe we're ever flat-lining in this work...or really in life. We're either getting better or worse. The whole family is an inspiration and motivation to me. Thanks for everything Dad.
Forever Your Loving Son,
Elder Marks
RSS Feed