Dear Mom and Dad,
 
So really I'm just going to tell you about one crazy experience this week...
 
I was on exchanges on LSU campus. We were on bikes and began biking to institute. It looked a little stormy but like it was a little bit away and we would make it. So we started biking. About 7 minutes into that, it started DOWNPOURING!!! There are no words. More like a torrential, windy, mini hurricane style rain. We were instantly drenched and there was really nothing to do but keep going. So bike we did. We felt so epic. Oh, except I'm pretty sure I got water up my nose. What? I don't know how long we biked like that. Felt like forever, but was only about 20 to 25 minutes. Once we were on campus, we were biking through it the shortest way (I think, it's kind of huge). We went to cross a street, I biked down off a curb (it's just about dark now) when all of a sudden I just stopped. And not just stopped... I kind of nose-dived. I didn't know what had happened! I kind of caught myself and didn't completely biff it or anything. I was so confused, and then I realized...my bike chain. Yup, I've gone off a 100 curbs, but on this one my chain just came right off. I flipped that bike over so fast to fix it. I've never had a lot of luck with fixing those, but my motivation to fix it was big, that plus some inspiration, and that was the fastest fixed bike chain ever! We should’ve won some medal or something! haha So I ripped up my left shoe pretty good from my foot slamming into the ground, and some sweet bruises I discovered later, but we made it totally fine. So there's my epic story for the week.

Most of my stuff got ruined in my "water proof" bag. There should be a disclaimer on those water "proof" tags that says something to the effect of, "anywhere BUT in Louisiana”. Is anything water proof in Louisiana!?! That unfortunately includes my camera... so (side note: William, how much do you love me? I forgot to put it in my note to you, but are you using your camera much these days? I just need one to last me a little longer! You know how I love pictures. However, if you are using it, don’t be afraid to say no. Seriously. I'll figure out plan B. And yes, it was in rice for quite awhile.)

Anyway!! Also, I carry scriptures in each language, even though I'd prefer to just carry my mission Spanish set. I tell you that because all my scriptures are side by side in my bag. I have a mini English Book of Mormon and a Spanish mini Bible that are even in the same pouch inside my bag. And guess what?! All my English scriptures were water logged like crazy!!!! But my Spanish ones, including that little Bible? Not a wrinkle. Ok, now that is a sign! Haha, so I was grateful those are intact. I don't teach much with them these days but they're important to me, and I figure I'll just get some other new sticks when I get home. :)

So that's my epic story. It's always an adventure with me! :)
 
Sorry I'm so short today. Know that I love you all.

Hermana Marks

P.S - Also, Claudia started to read the Book of Mormon right after I left! So exciting!! And I got to see her, and she came to church. I thought it would be forever before she picked up the scriptures but she's reading both and texting us questions!!! Figured you'd want to know. Other that that... on transfer day the hermanas found out that Rob got into anti and now doesn't want to be baptized, read the Book of Mormon, etc. And on it goes with people. But Claudia is that silver lining this week!!!!! Especially since anti has been one of her big problems. Hope!
 
k love you bye

English work is of course quite different. I've done it before, just in NO, so it's a little different here. The people I work with all of a sudden live in mansions, it's a bizarre change. I'm not exagerrating. I guess we're going somewhere tonight where it's gated (like everywhere here) but this time it's like security and they have to scan my drivers license. Crazy! We tried finding some less actives to bring them back. Instead, we met a now hardcore Jehovah's Witness (where I was invited in to read the real bible and learn the real truth), a now Catholic, and a now Baptist (her husbands the pastor). In the brief doorstep conversations with each one, they each referred to their baptism as if it was just this one thing they went to that one time way back when. Kinda sad.  I hope you all are doing well. What's new? When's the tradeshow? What all are you doing to prep for that? I hope it goes well!!! And when does school start? I hope everyone had a good week!

Lots of Love,
Hermana Marks

Morning!!!

Alrighty, I'm just going to cut to the chase. I'm being transferred, and that will never get easier. If I had the biggest desire of my heart I would have stayed here for one more and then finished up back in NO. Sis Wall talked to me Sunday night and told me she needed help with a bunch of stuff for go-homes Wednesday night in the mission home. That obviously made me think I was staying, but the call came last night and I'm out. As soon as it came, I called Sis Haro (they're the active family in the branch who are awesome! I worked with her in YW a long time, and she was just called to be the RS president) and asked if we could come over. She said of course. As soon as we got there she just hugged me, totally crying. So was Michelle, their 15 year old daughter (she requested you on FB last night Erika). She was so sweet and told me how much they'll miss me. But it was a happy thing after that, and we had a good little visit and message. I attached a picture [see below]. They said they are very excited to meet my family after the mission when we come back to visit. :)

After we left there we got a call from President. He asked me to be a Sister Training Leader. That's a new thing the church has with almost half of the missionaries now being sisters. I guess to help you know what that is, it's the sister version of being a zone leader. I'll conduct exchanges with all the sisters in the zone and I'm not sure what else other than a bunch of extra meetings I'll now go to. I've been pretty content being a worker bee in the mission and didn't really want to be called into leadership. But I just take it as an opportunity to serve, and a responsibility really. President told me "you won't be going far." In other words, it'll be here in the BR zone, where there are more sisters than anywhere in the mission. We're the biggest zone, and half are sisters. So yeah, there's that. It'll all work out fine. The only thing is he also told me I'll be salt and pepper. That means my comp is an English sister. Her area is the sister ward to the Spanish branch. It means I'll be in the English area and working all around the people I've come to love over the last 8 months, but not be able to communicate with, or work with them. I'd rather just leave. But I seem to have the opportunity on my mission to do each thing I don't want to do. :)

On a positive note, our musical fireside was a HUGE success!!!!!! It's been a lot of what I've been working on, especially this transfer, and it went amazing. We wrote up a whole narration to it, given in Spanish and English. There were videos and musical numbers. It all somehow worked out and completely followed the PMG lesson of the Restoration, just how I wanted it to. That was my vision in the beginning. There were lots of up and downs. Too many musical numbers, everyone dropping out, oh they want to be in it, this person will narrate, no they won't, oh now that person wants to be in it again. But God's hand was in it, and it all worked perfect according to what He wanted. This was for the BR area, which is five wards and 2 branches. We had musical numbers from every unit but one! And about half of those were members who are less active/returning members. And! This one family sang and they invited a friend to sing with them. He's a catholic music minister! And he did it, it was legit! He said he really enjoyed it. The whole thing was exactly an hour, just as planned, and ended with all the missionaries singing "Ye elders of Israel." We did this cool thing where the sisters started first with those lyrics: "ye elders of  Israel, come join now with me and seek out the righteous wherever they may be". And then the elders joined. We sang the chorus in Spanish. And on the 3rd verse the congregation joined in and I got to kick in some cool organ. The whole thing was awesome. Each number was so beautiful. No awkward, off tune moments. The spirit was so strong!!! That was the goal! Ah, it was so awesome! And SO MANY people came!!!!! The chapel filled up shoulder to shoulder until we opened it up into the gym. We ended up with about 250 people. Can you believe it?! All because of a little idea I had! Oh my goodness - so cool! Even this random person we met at soccer on Saturday came. And so did Dunia and David! (we also taught them this week and they're doing great :) So many people were involved and I think it was a great experience for all. People wanted to know when the next one is. Ha. Well... I'll help them plan it. :)

Thank you for the pics, I'm happy to see everyone is doing well. Thank you for your strength, faith and testimony. Eat a huckleberry for me!

Love,

Hermana Marks

Morning Everyone!!
 
Well, it'll be short one today. Sister Tanner got her Visa so she came up from New Orleans last night, stayed the night with us, and we've got to get her off yo the mission office so President can take her to the airport. I'm so excited for her! Plus it's been so fun to see her again! Even if it was only for 10 hours.  :)
 
It's been a good and crazy week. We didn't teach too much, and it's just plain hot. So there's always that, but we've had some cool things happen (no pun intended cause it definitely wasn't cool :). It seems like ages ago, but I suppose it was last Monday that we had our most recent miracle happen with Myara. I told you about her right? I seriously can't remember. We had this big roadblock of her husband (Nino) working 12 hour night shifts, which meant we were pretty much never going to be able to teach him or the family together. But! We stopped by Monday night and there was this guy standing outside with Myara and some other people. I introduced myself and it turns out that he's Nino - her husband! He just "randomly" got his work schedule changed. He now works a totally normal schedule and is home at night with his family. We know that he was the reason that Myara stopped going to church 5 years ago, so we weren't really sure what would happen. They live in this really nice trailer park, and after introducing ourselves he just invited us over to sit out on their little deck with them. It was great! So we got to know him a little bit, and we set a return appointment. Which they kept! We got to teach their whole family on Wednesday!!!!! I've never been able to teach a whole family!! (We thought we were gonna have one with Grisell, but that's still not working out.) So anyway, it was just so awesome. We all just sat outside. They have four kids, plus a niece that was visiting so it was totally loco but so fun. I literally was just so happy right then. Family is the reason I came out on a mission, but I've never worked with one. I work with lots who have families in Mexico or Honduras, but know they'll likely not see them again. Ok, well I could go off on my thoughts about families and how awesome this is, but no time. I'm super grateful to know them.
 
We had our branch activity I've been planning last Saturday. It was just another movie night; we watched The Testaments on the big screen in the gym. Super fun, and SO MANY people came!! Way more than came to church yesterday.  :) haha. Most weren't members. Now I just wish our members would come so they could meet these people. After all, that is the idea! Myara and Nino all came! So did Dunia and David. It just warmed my heart to see them all sitting there. Unfortunately, again no one came to church on Sunday, even though Saturday night they said they were excited and planning on coming. Baby steps I suppose.  :) I'm ok with it though. You know, some people talk about not seeing many baptized on their mission, some talk of not seeing many reactivated. Well, really, just ordinances in general is what it comes down to. I'm realizing that I really may never see many do so much as participate with the ordinance of the sacrament. And while I suppose it could be sad because of how much I care for them, it's alright. I'll just keep hoping and having faith, and working with them, and also finding those who are ready to take those steps. And with those who don't seem to be acting much right now, I'm not worried. I'm urgent in doing all I can to help them to come to Christ, but I know that mine is just a part in the miracle that God will work in their lives to bring them unto Christ. My mission is learning to be content with, faithful to, and grateful for that part that the Lord has given me to play in the lives of those I love so much here. Transfers are next week, and who knows where I'll be. I would hope here because of all the in and out this area has seen with Hermanas in the last little while, but I'm not sure. I think that it is Myara and Nino's time right now. They're ready, they have the desire, the kids do too. This branch is going to have an awesome family join them! Just like with Rob and Brenda! So I don't know if I'll be around to teach them like I would give almost anything to, but it'll all be ok in the end. The Lord will give them what they need. And He'll do the same with me, as not-fun as that is sometimes :)
 
How was the family reunion? I hope it was wonderful. Were there many their to celebrate grandpa's 90th? Any fun plans for your b-day Will? I hope it's a good day!
 
I love you all! Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Hermana Marks

Morning Everybody!
 
Mom, thanks for your email! Do I just have the BEST FAMILY or what?!?!?! I was so surprised to get your package! That was so fun! Oh my goodness, I loved reading everyone's letters! That was such a treat. And good idea on the food. What a blessing! We now seriously only have to go to the fruit market today for groceries and we should be good! I'm so grateful, thank you. And I don't think I've had Captain Crunch since...well probably last Christmas. So thanks for letting it go in the box Dad :)  We're totally going to make fettucini alfredo with broccoli. mmm, it'll be so good :) ...
 
I absolutely loved reading about everyone's trek experiences. Thank you for taking the time to write them down. Those are special. I'm so grateful it was a good experience for you all. I'm so proud to call you my family!
 
....
 
We went out with our branch president and his wife one night this week and we were able to see both Rob Wade and Myra. It was so awesome! Rob Wade is just a rockstar. We always call him by his first and last name... not sure why haha. It just sounds legit. He's out of town for the week, but is committed to read one chapter a night from the Book of Mormon, and I think he'll do it. We went over and saw Brenda last night. Did I mention they are getting married? Yup! The date is September 6, and Brenda is pretty much making and doing all the decorations and food. She wants to do a lot of it this week so we're going to help her, and she's also asked to be retaught the lessons. It's a great opportunity because with Rob, we sometimes have to Spanglish it, and she really doesn't speak any English. Rob speaks Spanish, but gospel terms are so new, even in one's native language, so it's just a bit of a challenge. We're excited to spend some time with her this week, teaching and helping. Her two little kids are quite the handful, and she hates being alone, so it'll be good.
 
And no one came to church yesterday but Greysi and Claudia!!!!!! We saw them this week, finally! Poor Claudia lost her dog that was basically like her child. That dog was with her even when Greysi's Dad had stolen Greysi from her. And she just let Greysi's dad recently come and see her, but it was stressful because her and Carlos (her husband) won't allow him to know where they live because it's too likely that he would one day try to take Greysi again. So they all awkwardly had to go and stay in the same house so he could see Greysi. He just did so many awful things to Claudia, and yet she sees that he's not a horrible dad to Greysi and Greysi wants to see him so... she's trying to do what's best. I met him at soccer and it was so hard just knowing what had gone on. But Greysi's doing great, and she even convinced Claudia to let her stay for an hour of primary so they stayed for two hours yesterday, which is a first in a long time! We're trying to set up a lunch lesson with her and Patricia Hernandez this week. We'll see how it goes.
 
Last Monday we met this AWESOME family while tracting (because all our appointments fell through again :) The mom's name is Mari and she's from El Salvador. As I walked up the stairs
 to knock on her door this guy came outside. He immediately looked at me and asked if he knew me. His brother came out and said the same thing. We realized that several months ago they came to soccer a couple times and I know them from there. Turns out Mari is their mom (even though she looks so young!) She is just the happiest person ever! Her husband and her were in an accident 5 years ago, and he passed away, leaving her here with 3 kids who would have been around teenage years at the time. But she's just amazing. They had us come right in as though we'd been friends for years. There's always so many people in her house, it's crazy. But it's a good crazy, like it reminds me of when we're all at Grandma and Grandpa's. Mari's daughter has 2 kids and lives there too. And Mari has actually met someone knew, his name is Simon. She had us over for Papousa's last night and we got to know her (even though there once again seemed to be a 100 people there!) We found out that Simon actually does not live there! That's... HUGE! It was such a good surprise. He's just a really good guy who still has his own place. He wants to marry Mari, but she’s not sure. It's just a big step, and it's just been five years. He actually ate dinner with us, and was so nice. I know it probably sounds like such a small thing, but we just rarely ever meet decent Hispanic men. Ever. Let alone one's who are good around family. It was so awesome! As we were eating, Mari suddenly opened up to us and told us that her mom passed away 5 months ago. Ah hah. There it is. With people like her, the one's who welcome you in when you have no idea why - there's usually some burning question behind it all. For her it's, "where is my mom?" So we began to teach her about that until her niece got really sick. I think it's appendicitis. Anyway, they had to leave to the hospital, but she set a return appointment with us!

I'm to the point in my mission that when I meet people, especially a family like that, I just quickly have such a strong vision for what they can become that I don't know how I'm ever supposed to leave these people. I know that I won't see it come about while I'm here, and I just feel like I have to stay until it does! It's a hard thing. I only have 3 transfers left and it's totally freaking me out. Three transfers!! That's no time at all. None. You always just feel like you'll always have more, and then they're just gone, and you're being put on a plane. People think you're the seasoned missionary when really you literally feel like you know nothing and just got here.

Maybe the hardest thing for me this week (although I suppose it's been coming for awhile) is that I realized that I won't speak Spanish like I want to when I come home. I don't want to be fluent, just proficient, but I'm so far away. You know, your whole mission you work and work on the language and you see how all the older missionaries seem to finally get the language and you think that with time and hard work you'll be there too one day. Then you're just four months from going home and you find you still often, very often, can't understand people, and you can't express things the way you want to. Then Satan likes to get in there and sow little thoughts of, "what have you been doing for a year?" Uh, I've been struggling to do the best I can! "Have you?" he says. "Yes!" I think. But it's so far away from what I thought that it seems like surely it can't be my best! I can still study it after the mission, but if I can't get it speaking with people every day, how am I ever going to get it? I feel like I bang and bang my head against my grammar books and I still don't understand concepts that I should fully understand. So I thought I might be a learner who just needed to learn by listening and talking, but ... I don't know anymore. This week Judy told me, "tu no hablas espanol. tu no hablas espanol." "you don't speak Spanish. you really don't speak Spanish do you?" It was so upsetting! She's the nicest lady on the planet and didn't mean a thing by it but oh! It's just so frustrating! ... Sister Burns is quite fluent and I humbled myself enough to tell her my weakness and concern and ask her for help. She of course graciously agreed to help. We don't have a plan yet but we're going to make one. She's the first companion I've ever had who knows some Spanish!! Like there's two people to pull the handcart in the Spanish department for the first time. All of the rest of our transfer together, we were just focused on helping Sis Tanner not lose it about Spanish. So we'll see what happens!
 
Mom, that is SOOOO cool that you did that race! That sounded so hard. And you did it!!! That's so amazing! Three tires?! That's crazy! Way to stick with it, that would have been so difficult. You're such an awesome example to me!
 
WHOA!! Lightning just struck RIGHT above me! Holy schnickies. There was no gap between the lightning and thunder. Ok, it was sunny when we came in the library. Gotta love Louisiana! I'm about to get soaked! Of course, my rain jacket is safely in my closet.  :)
 
I better go! I love you all TONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hermana Marks

p.s - I forgot to include the news about the toe torture... it's totally fine! Although it's kind of a funny story... the podiatrist I was sent to is from Vietnam, with broken and hard to understand English. Numbing one's big toe these days includes 3 or four needle injections. The first one that this lady put in my toe, my whole foot started convulsing as she injected the numbing! It felt like fire. What the heck kind of numbing was that! At first it wasn't funny, but it is now. Just picture me sitting there, helpless, in the conversation room. No, my companions did not come back with me. The doctor puts these needle so far in my toe I swear the needle is going to poke out the other side and then as my foot starts shaking she's yelling, "no move! no move!" Uh, what?! I'm trying! I literally was holding my shin with my hands, gave myself a bruise. It was like she thought I was just shaking for fun while she had the needle in there. And it just felt like fire was shooting through it! It got better by the time we got to the third one. But it did make me cry (I didn't cry at all the last time!) and then she started incredulously asking, "why you sweating?" "why you sweating?" I tried to jokingly respond that, yes, my eyes were sweating, but she didn't get it. So finally I said, "I'm crying!" "Huh," she said. "I no know why. Maybe have sensitive foot nerves." Yup, I guess that's it. Haha anyway, the rest of it I hid behind my Book of Mormon reading a favorite verse. But she got right in there and got the deed done. Since then I've been diligently on my antibiotics, creams, and soaking in epsom salt twice a day! It'll heal great I bet. She only ended up taking maybe the outside 1/3 of my nail. It won't grow back, or at least hopefully. On the way out the door, the doctor chimed in that that deadening stuff works 90% of the time. We'll see :) By the time I get home though it should look great!

Hey Everyone!
 
Ok, so this will be kind of shortish this week cause we don't have too much time. But, I have to say, before reading any of your emails, the first thing I did was open up the pic dad sent because I've been thinking of, and praying for you all week and have been so anxious to see pics (from the Trek). Anyway, so I open up the pic and to my surprise, I see FIVE people standing there!! William! what the heck?! Haha, oh my goodness. I have one thing to say about that: you would. You would! Last week I hear that you can't straighten out your leg much, next thing I know you're just out there walking and walking and walking. (like those pioneer children! :) That's so sweet! It must have meant a lot to Christian, and also to you to be able to go. Talk about hard though! You must have totally been a hero to the rest of the those kids. I can just see it! And Erika and Garret, what about you? What was your favorite part? What was the most difficult thing? And mom and dad, you survived! Haha, I knew you would! I'm so glad to hear it was a positive experience. I prayed for you all week that you would be strengthened, and you were all in my thoughts each day even more than usual. So, in a way, I just kind of tried to "be" there with you. Haha. Do you have any more pictures? No rush, once you get settled back in and caught up on everything, then send them my way!
 
I'll just tell you about two experiences this week. One: Rob Wade. Last week an American man, Rob, showed up at church with this latina lady and two little kids. We didn't know who they were, but got their info. We went and taught them this week and it was the awesomest thing! His fiance, Brenda, is a member but has been inactive for years, and the two children are hers from a different relationship. Rob is not a member, but is such a rockstar. They both are! As we were first getting to know them, Brenda apologized for changing the topic, but just jumped into their goals, and what they want, which is he really wants to learn about the church, change, learn about the Book of Mormon, the temple, and if all is right, go to the temple together. It's already in their sights! Basically, they were just for real. Real intent! They say they want to go slow, but if he reads the Book of Mormon like it looked like he was going to, he'll get there faster than they think. He explained how he's been skeptical of organized religion in the past. But he's come through things that have given him a different perspective.
 
The second miracle is all about rescuing. That's truly where my heart lies. I think there's a part in all of us that needs to be rescued. This is all about Myara Galeas. I met her in March, nothing really came of it. She's an inactive. Last couple weeks, I have really felt like we need to find where she lives (I couldn't remember) and help her. Like we need to bring her back!! Before meeting her, we actually included her in our vision for the area for this transfer. I've just felt so strongly about her, but didn't even know her or her situation or anything. Friday we finally found her home and we had a really spiritual experience with her. First we got to know her, and found out she was  baptized 10 years ago without her husband (yes, legally married, legit husband. Rare in Spanish work!). Five years ago her marriage was on the fritz. She was about to leave her husband when she said they should try one time. That he had to shape up, start going to church or gain a relationship with God, spend time with the fam, etc. He said ok, but any church but the Mormon church. So she just stopped going and they went somewhere else. And that's how it's been for 5  years. They've been going to the Healing Place, a HUGE church. Like huge is not the right word... gargantuan!!! Typical south. Rumor is there's ATM's on the outside, and they have concerts. I think maybe Enrique Iglesias performed there. That's a pop star and apparently just because Iglesia means "church" in Spanish, they think it's a good idea to have him there for a concert. :) Ok, exaggeration. Anyway, you get the idea. Literally the great and spacious building. Fancy, pulls pretty much everyone in from BR. But, Myara said, they haven't been going for a little while. She said she sees how it's all a show, she sees it as a stage. She then said lately she's been praying a lot for help, and to know what to do. Then we show up. As soon as I heard that, I just knew I had to tell her how impressed we were to come and find her. I just was straight forward and loving. That made her cry. Then my eyes got a little teary and I was so happy because the Spirit was touching her heart. Then, she said through her tears, "We need to come back. I know we need to come back." Say what?!!!! It was so awesome. She was just touched so much. The Spirit had already been working in her, she just needed to someone to come find her and tell her we love her and we want her back! And that is exactly part of what we said. People just need to be told why you're there! I have such a strong testimony of that. Show them through your actions, but also tell them! It's all part of rescuing. She, before we extended the invitation, said she was excited to come to church, and asked for us to call her Sunday morning just to make sure she was up. I gave her a hug when we were leaving, and she just held me there. Just held me and thanked me. Those are the moments. Those are them. The one's I pray for, and work for, and hope for, and have faith in. The one's that make it all worth it.
 
Ok, this is not shortish! Ah!! But you have to know... Judy. We taught her and she told us all this new stuff her husband had told her. Of course it was all about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. That's the easiest thing for ignorant people to attack. She sat there, after tell us all that he'd said and basically was just pleading to know the truth. She wants to understand. For real. She wants to study out all those issues and truly understand. So we taught. I rarely get to teach in detail doctrine about the BoM and Bible, but she was ready for it, and the spirit said do it, so we did. We taught out of Ezequiel and 2 Nephi 29, as well as some others. It was powerful for sure. When that kind of truth is being discussed and hearts are open, the Spirit is powerful. Many times in my mission, I've wanted to open to those passages: "a bible! a bible! We already have a bible!" Especially with some Jehovah's witnesses. But anyway, it was never from a good place in my heart, it was always definitely because I knew it would put people in their place. But here, it was to increase understanding. And it was so awesome!

While we were teaching, it hit me so hard at one point, just how strengthened my testimony is of the Book of Mormon through constantly going through experiences like this. I don't really know how to explain it. It's just that nothing could shake me from this faith and knowledge. It's, well, there aren't words sufficient. I read a quote that said, "God builds us to accomplish His work." I feel that. For so long I've been wondering if I'm changing, and have just kind of tried to forget it, and have faith I would see it. Part of the “if I lose myself, I'll find myself promise” :) I see it every so slightly. I'm changing. God is building me. I've always had a pretty strong testimony of the Book of Mormon, but it's becoming unbreakable. I'm being built to accomplish His work. Here, as well as the rest of my life. Anyway, Judy. We'll see what happens as she continues to study those. She had us write those down, but she was definitely liking what she was hearing. She told us she didn't care about what Jimmy did this Sunday (yesterday) she'd walk for real if she had to. Ok, she lives a good 20 miles from the church. But she had it all figured out. What bus stop she's go to, and take, where to get off. She said to not worry, God would help her and she'd make it. I fully expected to see her yesterday walking up the road to the church.
 
Unfortunately, neither of those people showed up yesterday. Actually, none of the people we worked with this week came to church. But it's ok. And afterward we went out to visit and find people. And it was raining pretty good. Ten doors in a row we knocked. Members, less actives, and investigators. Ten! Start naming 10 families in a branch, it's a lot of people! Not one answered! Some just weren't there, some looked through their blinds and then didn't answer. You just have to laugh! I mean really, what a sight we were, standing, dripping wet, on all those doorsteps. But I didn't really have to fight any discouragement. That's just missionary work some days, and it doesn't phase me much anymore. Because I know who I am, I know God's plan, and I know He sent me here to Louisiana. But I also know that in a way, He came with me. He works with me. President Eyring recently said, "We are never alone in the Lord’s service. We always work with our Master." How benefited each of us would be if we worked each day and each hour thinking that! Take the promise literally! I only know the promise is true because I've come to know the Savior. I know Him. I might have appeared wet and repeatedly rejected on the outside, but He kept me dry and a light of joy burning in my heart on the inside. What a blessing. Then we went home, dried off and made pancakes, did our planning, and figured today was a new day :) Pancakes always make things better. Too bad we were missing those magic potatoes you once gave us :)
 
Ok, great, now I really have to go!! I'm pretty sure there was something I needed to tell you that I can't remember. Oh, my toe. I go to the podiatrist torture chamber Wednesday. I'm totally nervous, but it's just one of those things. What can ya do? Thanks for letting me blabber a bunch about me today! Well, I guess you didn't really have a choice :) You all make such a difference in my life with your letters! So thank you! So much. I hope you each have a wonderful fulfilling week! Make it count! We never know what tomorrow will bring, but we always know we have this day. So make it a good one :)
 
Love,
Hermana Marks

Goood Morning!!!!!!!!!!
 
Bless all y'alls hearts for each writing me! :) That definitely made my day!!! It was good to hear about your trip to Blaine. I was wondering if you ended up going. It sounds like a good 4th of July. Things were pretty normal here. Although we did go to a breakfast that the English ward did that morning. It was nothing like Westmond's! I missed Jack Winget and Grady's pancakes! We did a bunch of service that day helping someone move. It was good. I left to go on exchanges that night and we saw a firework from the apartment so that was pretty exciting! Literally, one. But we sang the star spangled banner when we found it, so we got to have a moment. I certainly had a full heart that day thinking of the wonderful heritage of sacrifice that I have. It gives one a renewed strength to continue that lifestyle of sacrifice.
 
I'm am so excited about your trek! It's gonna be so great! I'm glad to hear it won't be too hot. It'll be hard though. It'll be neat to really have the pioneer experience just like our ancestors did before us. We are all pioneers in our own way, aren't we? I've felt like that on my mission. The hardest things are always the best. When I did it, I had a boot cast on my foot the whole time because of a fracture. They wanted to make me ride, but I remember walking all the way, including when all the men were called away for the "Mormon Battalion," and we had to push these handcarts up this huge hill. I remember pretty clearly us pushing and struggling and my awkward foot driving me crazy. I remember us slipping back down that big hill on the desert grass, exhausted beyond anything.  And yet in the end we did it. I was totally enabled physically that whole trip, and so I have a deep faith that you will be too. And Mom and Dad, the opportunity you have with your youth! Wow, it can and will make a lot of their testimonies. Those spiritual experiences out there can really have an impact on them, and you get to be apart of that! Pretty awesome.
 
I've some good news and some bad news :) the good news - we had a great week. I get along with my companions. We taught a bunch. We found a cool new investigator, Grisell (she's even married and has a family!). We had a great testimony meeting yesterday, and our district has come up with a sort of "rescue" plan specific for our branch. And we've invited our branch president to our district meeting tomorrow to align the keys on that and talk to him. We basically took everything we've heard from him, plus the stuff we can do on the missionary side, and put it into a simple laid out plan of what we're going to DO.

The bad news - I'm going on antibiotics for my toe today and have to get the toenail re-removed. So lame. But, it's nothing like what Dad's dealing with, so I'll keep the whining to a minimum. :) Basically it's been healing so awesome these last months. The nail had even grown back a little over half way. Somehow, all of a sudden it's so infected (some of those Mississippi pathogens probably traveled up there!) and the nail has grown under the soft tissue. I went to the doctor this morning (I seriously should get some sort of award for most trips to the doctor and antibiotics prescribed for missionaries in the field!) and he gave me options. Said he could just re-remove it right there, but there was a good chance I'd have the same problem again. The other option is go to a podiatrist where they'll still remove that part of the nail, and I can have them deaden the nail bed so I'll just never have that part of the nail. That and apparently I should have regular pedicures to manage that nail, and all the others because of how predisposed they are to problems... maybe I'll go with Kristina for our birthday's when I get home.
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