Dear Fam,

... As one finding activity, we have been working off of Former Investigator forms from an Elder who was here about a year ago. So we basically have their name, address, and a few comments about who they are and what they were taught. We've prayed and read over all of them, and gone to the one's we've felt impressed to visit. We know that it's been over a year in some cases though, so it was almost as though we felt to go to the address. Sure enough, not once have we found the person who is listed on the sheet. But, every time we have found someone. Either at the apartment, or nearby. That's the happy part, the not so happy part, is that none of them kept their appointments....not super surprising, but I thought SOME of them would! Come on people! Haha.

One day, we knocked on an apartment door of an address and there was no answer. There were lots of doors, but two others we felt to knock on (there's little pockets of Spanish speaking people, and so generally speaking, there was a likelihood people around would be Spanish too). At one of the doors, we found Luiz, a high school student who was quite interested, and set an appointment. When his fell through, he actually called (HUGE-especially in this culture down here) and re-scheduled. We're hopeful we'll have a lesson!

At the other door was Merilyn, a woman from El Salvador a bit older than me. At first she thought we were Jehovah Witnesses. That seems to happen a lot... :) Get this?! Turns out she's a member! She was baptized when she was 11 in El Salvador. From what I could understand, she moved here some years ago, her records were never transferred, and she hasn't been to church for years. So basically, we found a "lost member." Each of her appointments have also fallen through, but she had such a wonderful feeling about her. We're not really sure what's going on in her situation, especially with her husband who I am sure isn't a member. She also has 2 little kids. So, anyway, just little miracles, but miracles in my book! I learned once that miracles are the natural result of the application of correct principles. The natural result. So as we do our best and work our hardest, working in the bounds the Lord has set, I expect miracles to happen. ...

On Saturday, we taught our first real lessons! One to Lucia Olibares, a 10 year old. The Kenner Spanish Elders gave her to us because we're sisters. Lucia's Mom, Claudia (a member who is working on becoming more active) kind of hinted that she thought it would be better. Plus, the Dad, not a member, recently decided to not give his permission, and that Lucia is too young to decide. So anyway, I think they didn't know what to do anymore. It will be interesting to see what happens. Our visit went great though!!! Plus, as a child, Lucia speaks English. So while we speak everything we can in Spanish, if we ever get into a bind, she understands some English. Kind of a stress reliever.

Our other lesson was a referral that I've been trying for weeks to contact, and she was finally home! Her name is Ana, and she is from Guatemala. She speaks no English. Nice lady, let us come in and teach. On a little side-note, something that I've learned these last two weeks, especially in the Hispanic culture, is that you've just got to teach on the spot! They're nice, and more willing to let you in than Americans. But you might never get another chance, so seize the opportunity! Anyway, we taught the first lesson- The Restoration. Considering, I understand about 50%, it was a miracle that I understood her questions or concerns, or at least I think I did. :) She doesn't believe that the authority of Jesus Christ was lost, and therefore doesn't see the need for a restoration. We read Amos 8:11-12, and she said she doesn't believe that prophecy has come to pass yet. She grew up Catholic, and I think it's going to be a pretty common concern, but I really didn't know how to address it, then combined with the language, and it felt like I was getting beat up a little bit :) I do know that I have conviction, and that hopefully she'll see that, and want to know why. We set an appointment for next week, which means she "counts" as a new investigator. So that's exciting, now we'll see if it happens.

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, I super appreciate it. I feel like I'm in the refiners fire all the time. Being pushed to just the right level of stress. Not too much, but enough that I am growing a TON. I can feel how it's going to affect me for the rest of my life. But at the same time, I don't think I can see how much it's gonna affect me for the rest of forever.

Everybody have a wonderful week. How is family Book of Mormon reading going? You all are right in the thick of having a super busy schedule, and you each have so many demands on you, and so it might seem like a sacrifice at the end of the day when everyone's tired to read together, and yet I know there's nothing else you could do that will bless you and actually make you more capable to meet the challenges of this life. You will feel increased energy, and you will be better equipped to withstand temptations and hardships that come along during the day. I testify that book is true. I know that each of you know it as well. As you do what Elder Bednar illustrated to Elder Marks last week, and have meaningful prayer and scripture study, you will feel an increased power in your lives. That's my little 2 cents for the week :)

Love you all so much!! Have a fantastic week!

Love,
Hermana Marks

Hey Fam,

Transfers happened this last week, speaking of, wow, that was something to experience. The area and everyone you work with have the chance of getting uprooted every 6 weeks. You're just waiting for that call to come the night before. And even then, President might call you Wednesday morning and change it. It's insane, nothing's ever for sure out here. But I did get asked to train (except one of my ZL's called me the day before and played this awful joke where he told me that everything I knew about transfers was changed, etc. He got me good. I only finally called him on his joke when he said they were just gonna transfer me to the Jackson, Mississippi mission instead :).

Anyway, so I'm training. And wow, is that a responsibility. It's pretty unheard of, to train after 6 weeks, and I've never heard of someone doing it in a language they didn't know, and basically opening a new area since there is no teaching pool here. So all the Elders at transfers were shocked. Some are skeptical, well, they all have their own opinions. But that's the circumstances of being in this mission when it's new to have Spanish sisters. I don't know why it was me, instead of the other experienced missionary (the one training Sis Walker) but someday maybe I'll know why. Right now, I'm just trying to dive into it.

I love my new companion, she has SOOO much faith! It's incredible. She is from Boise Idaho and her name is Hna Ward. We get along really well, she's awesome. We have still been doing service, and we have also been working in our area, although we still haven't taught a lesson. I have yet to teach an investigator in Spanish, but that will change in the coming week.
Yes, everyone understands the language of service, especially when they are in such dire circumstances. Hna Ward and I will hopefully be together 2 transfers, cause its a 12 week training program and it looks like I'll train her all the way through. And yes, Spanish is completely new to her.

It's just craziness. We're learning to navigate our way in Kenner, I can find our apt :). The office Elders even brought us a couch the other day so now it looks like someone lives in our apt :).

Mahala was baptized yesterday morning! It was so powerful. We've had 2 others, but this is the first person that I found and taught all the way through. We did have transfers so she was technically "someone else's" but I'm still in the area, just a different language so she asked me to speak. It was so amazing to be there. The Spirit was just so dang strong! And then I was there when she was confirmed in church, and she actually bore her testimony. WOW!! It was one of the purest and strongest testimony's I've heard. I didn't cry during her whole baptism, but she totally got me with the tears there. Tears of joy. She ended with the "I'm so grateful the sisters knocked on my door." Wow, you hear that in a lot of stories but that's the first time it was ever talking about me. I'm so grateful for her example of faith. It's only the beginning for her and it'll be hard to not be teaching her anymore, but I know those missionaries and that ward will take care of her.

Anyway, we gotta get out and start proselyting so y'all have a fantastic week!

Love,
Hermana Marks

Here are a couple of pictures of Kylie, other missionaries in her area, and some ward members on Hurricane clean-up. She said a lot of what they were doing were gutting houses: pulling up carpeting, removing moulding, and dry wall. She was on splits that day and is seen with Sister Ward, an English speaking sister who also entered the MTC on May 30, who just transferred into the Metarie area.

Hello Everyone!!

Alright, I am finally able to write a real email! Yay!! So much has happened I wouldn't even know where to start. Like we are officially Spanish sisters now. We moved over to an apartment in Kenner quick one night after being in La Place. ...

Its transfers week! We were allowed to go back to our areas yesterday, but will probably be back (serving - Hurricane clean up) in La Place this weekend.  Also, remember how I said the news has been all over? Well....go to:

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-helping-hands-clean-up-from-hurricane-isaac?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LDSNewsRoomTop15+%28RSS%3A+LDS+Newsroom%29

for the article, there's also a link to avideo that was on the WGNO news. All the people you'll see in it are people that I work with. Two of the elders are my zone leaders who live in La Place, and when I've been organizing I've been working with them, my mission president, and the stake president. Then the two or three other elders you'll see (one has dark hair, one has light...both tall ish) live in our same apartment complex and work in my English ward and I've been working in their crew when I've been out gutting houses, which was everyday, except for the day they shot that footage of them carrying stuff out :). Anyway, so you won't see me on there, but I thought it was super cool that you could see all the people I've been working with, both just as a missionary, as well as in La Place.

Mom, my feet are doing much better, I've been diligent with the cream, so I don't have "swamp feet" anymore :) Also, Metairie didn't have really bad flooding, just really bad power outtages. And there's the looting. It's mostly bad in La Place because there's just big trash piles in front of every house, so big you can't hardly see the house. But it happened a little in Kenner. We were supposed to move into that apartment earlier, but couldn't because someone came through and stole the stuff that was in it. So they cleaned it up and now we live there. Sounds scary, but I promise it's a safe place now and we're being smart. There's just nothing in it :) But that's one of the fun things about being a missionary...you don't need much! And you can pack all your stuff and move in 30 mins! Although we might ask the office elders for a microwave... :)

We got the "official" call last night from President that we are coming to transfers and that we are both training. So we'll go to Baton Rouge tomorrow. It's so crazy how it happens! Seriously, this whole area was uprooted. It's like you just start to get to know and working with missionaries in your district or area and then you're all moved around. I'm pretty nervous about what's happening, and my DL told me he'd help me out in Spanish meetings and just questions in general. Well, he got a call last night that he's leaving so, it's a bummer but I'm not too worried because I know that these transfers are inspired and that they each go where they're needed at this time. And we all talked last night and figured out that almost every companionship in our district will be training. So I hope everyone's coming ready to work because this Spanish ward is really struggling.

My challenge, along with my new companion, is going to be to build a teaching pool! We know nobody. I seriously feel like we're getting whitewashed into an area. But Dad, just like you said, it doesn't matter how many balls we are juggling, or how fabulous we appear to the world. Real success comes from feeling inner peace. We will be successful because we will do everything we can, and that will bring peace. The week of the hurricane, when I was in the mission home, I started getting really worried, and scared, about how I'm going to do what I'm being asked to do. I've read the scriptures and I believe things like that when we are meek, His grace is sufficient, and that through man's faith, miracles can be worked. My fear is that I won't have the faith or meekness necessary to qualify for that help. I didn't express all that to President Wall, but I did a bit in the kitchen one night, and in his relaxed and calm manner, he talked about some commandments like tithing where we just need to write the check. So I think that might be my motto this transfer: "write the check." :) Haha, and then figure out the specific ways I do that each day. Any other thoughts? I'm always open to them as you know!

I just forwarded an email with some pics in it that one of the elders have. I was on exchanges that day with Sister Tuft, she's awesome!! She also entered the MTC May 30, we just didn't know each other. So we'll serve our whole missions together, which is super sweet. She's one of the Metairie sisters who just moved into our old apartment.

She and her companion are now teaching Mahala, who's baptism did not happen because the apartment she was supposed to move into fell through. So she doesn't qualify for baptism. She was super sad, and to be honest, I was super sad when we handed her over because you just get so invested in these people! The great thing is I don't have to worry because she was being converted to the gospel, so everything's gonna be fine :) It's just a heart tug. I really hope everything works out and she can be baptized either this weekend, or the next.

Thanks for all of your encouraging words, I really appreciate it! I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love y'all!!
Hermana Marks

Hurricane Isaac hit the coast of Louisiana the last week of August. Kylie and her companion were sent to Baton Rouge during the storm, and then returned to New Orlean's area at the end of the week. Power was out through much of Metarie, and with the storm, things like emailing on P-day were out of the question. However, we did receive a picture through text from Bishop Thompson. President Hiatt's son (Troy) lives by New Orlean's and is in Kylie's English speaking ward. The morning of Sept. 3, the day Kylie would normally email, she and her companion were meeting at the ward building with other members to organize into groups to help serve and do clean up. Troy took a picture of Kylie and her companion and sent it by text to his Dad, who sent it to Bishop, who sent it to us. So though we didn't get a letter, we knew she was safe and busy serving the people in Louisiana. Kylie was able to finally email on Friday the 7th.Kylie's Letter:

Hey Everybody,

I am at a members house right now in La Place, which is the area that was flooded the absolute worst and they're letting us use their computer so we can email. I've been here in La Place every day doing awful crazy work, ripping houses apart in mold and water. Tons has happened, I wish so bad I could tell you about it. I just have no time. Mainly, I was glad Troy thought of the idea to send that text, but I still just wanted to let you know that I'm o.k. I have probably never worked harder. All the missionaries in the mission have been here every day this week, plus we have up to a 1000 volunteers coming from all over this weekend. Today President had me stay at "command central" (at the La Place church building, which was totally flooded and is being ripped up) and basically was involved in organizing what's going on. There are 100's of houses we haven't gotten to, and keep hearing of more, so I was working on organizing the logistics of the work combined with the people coming in from stakes from surrounding areas and other states. Which was actually really complicated, but I took it by the horns and got stuff done. You know how i am with organizing :)

Tomorrow I'll go to the New Orlean's Stake Center at 6am to help organize. There's been news crews all over, it's just crazy to be right in the middle of this huge thing going on. But I haven't been on the news, so not famous yet :) I don't know what you've seen on the news, well probably nothing actually, but it's just crazy here. But if you see any yellow Mormon 'Helping Hands' shirts on anything, know that that's me :)

And....my brain is fried because I'm so exhausted so I know there's so much to write, but I can't even think straight. After a few days here of wading through flooded streets helping people, I got what we now call "swamp feet" which basically means that the bottoms of my feet were so waterlogged, that it became permanent and I got blisters on the bottom where the wrinkles were. Gross, huh? So I called Sister Wall and she called the doctor and found out some creams and stuff I could use. So I used my emergency cash I had to buy those creams and a cheap pair of dry work shoes.

We also moved late one night to an apartment in Kenner (I've never packed and moved so fast) because there are sisters for Metairie English now, which means I won't finish teaching Mahala, but I'll still get to attend her baptism. So I'll probably use the rest of that money to buy stuff for the apt (food) because its new so its empty. But still just send whatever packages to the other address for now because the new sisters live there. I'll be super stoked to get that gps, transfers are wednesday and I am training so it'll be nice to have at least one thing I know how to do, which is how to get home to my apartment! :)

Well, I probably sound super disjuncted and tired in this email, but I really am doing well! I'll be doing this service Saturday and Sunday and then proselyte next week for the first time in two weeks, and then we'll do service again the following weekend.

I love you all so much! It'll be fun to write you a real email next week but here's at least a small update on whats going on with me. And Will, you're a rockstar, 28 LESSONS?!?! And I'll look that scripture up :) Erika and Garrett, don't have too much fun in school :) Mom and Dad, I love you so much, you've made me who I am today. Not perfect, but striving, and doing lots of good and helping lots of people. And I can't imagine doing anything else!

Love,
Hermana Marks

Hey Everyone!  

I'm on email earlier than usual today because I am in Baton Rouge! There's a hurricane that's been forming (Hurricane Isaac) and the governor issued voluntary evacs, and it was looking like he was going to issue a mandatory evac of New Orleans, so President Wall called us yesterday after church and told us he was gonna pull us out last night so that we didn't have to deal with traffic, and just to be totally safe and outta there. I'm glad because on our way out we passed tons of buses and trucks that were going in to help all the people who don't have cars. President told us last night that they're watching it closely to see what it does because there's a possibility that even here in Baton Rouge we'll get winds above a 100 mph. Anyway, a lot of missionaries are in nearby apartments with other missionaries, but we were lucky enough to be assigned to the mission home.

It's a beautiful day today bur I'll probably be here until at least Thursday. The sad thing is that it's slated to hit New Orleans for real on Wednesday, which  is the seven year anniversary of Katrina, to the DAY. Needless to say there is a lot of tension and fear among the people. Overall the are is a lot better prepared, and this hurricane won't be as bad, maybe it won't be bad at all. We'll see. Sister Wall said that when she went to the store to get some extra groceries, that the shelves were almost empty! She took some pictures, its crazy! And people wonder why we have food storage. ha. Anyway, prayers for the people here will be appreciated. We have so many people, ok well everyone we know, is right outside New Orleans, and a lot of them were here 7 years ago, so we're just really praying for their safety, physically and spiritually.

On the other side of it, we had such a good week planned with tons of appointments SET with possible Spanish investigators. They were so hard to get so that was really disappointing! But I'm sure starting next week, we'll have lots of opportunities for service, so hopefully that will help to soften up people's hearts, and just show some love. People are kind of bunkering down, they don't really people knocking on their doors right now.  

In other news, I'm doing well :) It looks like by the end of this week I might be working solely on the Spanish side of things because of some temple square sisters that are coming in. This means that I don't get to finish teaching Mahala, which is sad. I have so much love for her! They'll take care of her though :) And I'll still at least get to attend her baptism. She is doing amazing! We taught her the Law of Chastity and out of no where, the day before we taught her that, a girl friend asked her about moving in together. I wasn't surprised! She has faith to move mountains! We also talked about modesty, the thing is is that she has the desire, but no money. She told us all she has for clothes is the duffel bag she brought with her when she came to New Orleans. However, she will be starting a job this week. Oh I just wish that I had clothes that would work for her! But it will all be fine.

Earlier in the week, President Wall talked to us on the phone and asked me how I feel about training this next transfer (Sept 11) instead of the following transfer. This would mean that Sister Walker would stay with her and that Sister Palmer and I would each take one of the new Spanish Sisters coming. So I wouldn't get the 7-12 week part of training, but I would get to train the 1-6 week part so I guess I'd learn that pretty well :) It was funny because the day before he asked us had been pretty overwhelming as far as the work we have right now, but here's another opportunity to learn and grow. He's not sure what he's going to do yet, and he asked me to think about it. At first all I could think of was the initial thoughts. Imagining me sitting in a meeting with Bishop, or the RS president, or an investigator or less active member, and not being able to understand them, and having my companion looking to me to communicate (let alone phone calls :) Scary. But this kind of goes along with everything I've been working on since I arrived at the MTC. Letting my doubt go, and building my faith in myself. Since "in the strength of the Lord, I can do all things." And then I was thinking what an opportunity to serve! What a way to exercise faith! And maybe I need to be with this sister for some reason, who knows.

Then this morning in my studies I read about the stripling warriors. We all know the story. But I learned something new this morning. They were fleeing from the Lamanites, and they knew that Antipus' army was behind them. They were fleeing for their lives when Helaman asked them if they would turn and fight. They didn't know what was going on with the Lamanites and the army of Antipus, but they showed more courage and faith than Helaman had ever seen among the Nephites when they said yes. When they got to the battle, the Army of Antipus was about to fall, all of their brethren would have died, and basically they saved them. They showed their faith without knowing the miracles that would come from it. Or, when they were asked to do something insanely hard, their instinctive response was that of Nephi, "I will go and DO!" It says they had no fear. Anyway, it's been interesting to think about and ponder that. I've heard the story and hundred times, I've read that a witness comes after the trial of my faith, I've believed that. I've said I've known it was true, but I haven't done the action part. I mean I have in some ways, I am on a mission. But this is a very specific scary thing, and I think that miracles could happen that I can't even think of now. And it's kind of a big deal for me to say that when I think back to my Spanish :) But I am a missionary. I strive to be exactly obedient, and I come pretty close. I was set apart, this calling is one of power and authority, and whether I train my second transfer or my third, I know the Lord will provide a way for me to do that which He asks.    

Jeff Jones was baptized on Friday. It was SO awesome! He is just going to be an amazing priesthood holder and member of the church. I accompanied a special number that his girlfriend (who is about to leave on a mission) sang. Jeff even brought a friend (visiting from Texas) to his baptism, then again to the ward BBQ/Talent Show on Saturday, and then to church on Sunday. He even asked us for a copy of the Book of Mormon to give to John (which I saw him reading during church :). What a missionary already! His confirmation was also wonderful. I can see the change in him. It was Ward Conference yesterday and they asked him to come give the closing prayer and he did a wonderful job! I'm so excited for what lies before him. An even better feeling is that he has some awesome friends and support in the ward, so even though he's worried about us never seeing him again, I know that he'll have support.  

Love to you all! I hope you have a wonderful week! Please keep us in your prayers, as I'm sure you do :) Also, Will had 29 lessons last week?!? What a boss! haha, anyway, love you all, have an awesome last week of summer :)  

Love,
Hermana Marks