Hey y’all! 
 
So, I’ve been debating all day about if I want to send a long, sentimental letter, or if I just want to say, “hi, see ya in a few days!” Lol. I think I’ll shoot for something in between...
 
This was a fun week. I had a funny experience on Saturday. We went to the buffet with three Less Actives and one nonmember (all family). Sis Walker said I should try the crawdads (knowing full well I did NOT want to eat it). Immediately, all four Tongans jump on board and team against me to try to eat it! So, Sis Walker says, “I’ll eat it if you eat it”. But I’m over here thinking, “I’m not eating this for anything short of a new investigator!” So, I turn to Sa (the nonmember) and say, “I’ll tell you what Sa. I’ll eat this if you have one lesson with the missionaries”. She then backs down a bit, “it’s okay Sister, you don’t have to” lol. But then, after I eat it, she says, “how about Tuesday? I need to do the lesson before you leave!” What?! How cool is that? I’m excited to teach her. I hope it is a spiritual lesson, and she wants to meet for more after that. This is a potentially life changing lesson for her. 
 
Honestly, I can’t believe I’m coming home. It is so weird. In some ways, it feels long overdue, in other ways, it feels like I am just getting ready for another transfer, and I have a ton of time left. I love this gospel. I love my Savior. I am so grateful that I got to serve him for the last 18 months. What a joy!
 
I love you each so much. I look forward to seeing y’all soon.
 
All my love,
Sister Erika Marks

Hey everyone!!!

I hope that you’re doing amazing! I know I am! Wow. Time flies. It doesn’t seem real that in a week and a half, I’ll be stepping off a plane and closing this beautiful chapter in my life. What a rush! Lol

Honestly, I’ve been thinking about that analogy a lot recently. About finishing a chapter. Because throughout my life, I’ve always noticed a pattern that once something comes to a close, I’m usually okay with that. Now, that doesn’t mean that I didn’t love that time, but I’m also always ready to move forward and continue to progress. Because if I never turned the page, then it wouldn’t give God much to work with, now would it? It’s the same way as when I actually read a novel. I always love the chapter I’m in, but I’m also always looking forward to the next one, and seeing what it brings.

I’ve felt that way throughout my life. I guess just kinda always ready for the change. Now, that’s not to say that I didn’t love any particular thing as it happened, but when it’s time to change, then it’s time to allow God to change you. I’ve absolutely loved every second of my mission. Even the ones that really were lame as they happened, I wouldn’t trade. Because they helped shape me to who I am, and who God needs me to be (well, to start that journey). If Heavenly Father asked me to extend, or to give two years instead of 1.5, I would have in a half a heartbeat. But that’s not what He asked. He’s asked me to go home. To go back to school, and yes, to eventually date and marry (  lol). So, as I draw to the close of my mission, I do so with a full heart, and with wet eyes, but with footsteps of faith, knowing that I “left it all on the court”. I have no regrets about my service, and so I am pleased to offer this time to my Lord, and then to continue forward in my life, doing my best to give Him every day.

So, now that I’ve waxed sentimental, I don’t really have much to say! Teehee. We had an exchange this week where both Sis Walker and I went with Sister Gorley (as in, my old companion) in a trio, and it was so fun! We did that because her companion went home about a month ago. It was so fun to be with her and that day was great! Good memories.

I am so excited to get home and to rock it with y’all. I am absolutely sick of how I’m eating and stuff here. I feel so gross, and I’m excited to shape up and eat right! It’ll be such a nice change.

Mom, I am looking forward to helping with the reception that day. It sounds like you have good plans set in place!

As for a bed bug update: we are in the clear! Euless Tongan wards are officially back up and running! We got back into our apartment on Thursday, and we got our car back on Wednesday. And boy, let me tell you, I’ve never been so grateful for a house, a car, and a lack of bugs! I unpacked everything back into the apartment just in time to pack it all back up and send it home.

I did take the liberty of buying my boots today! I also couldn’t resist and went to Ross and bought a few really cute outfits to go with it    

Other than that, I’m good to go! I am so excited to finish strong and to see y’all next week! I love you each so much!

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks     

Hey y’all!

Well, the saga continues, and this has been a crazy week! So, we’ve been living with the Davis’ all week, and we thought we could move back in today, but found out we can’t until tomorrow. So, we’re still homeless! Then, this week we’ve also been car-less! The car has been making funny noises, so we decided to be responsible and tell the office elder over cars. Well, no good deed goes unpunished, so on Thursday we had to turn the car into the shop, and we don’t know when we’ll be getting it back. We’re hoping tonight!  

The main cool thing that happened this week is that we moved Ulu’s baptismal date up! She’ll be baptized May 12th. A week and a half after I leave. I wish I could be there, but I’m just grateful she has decided to enter into this covenant and progress in life.

I’m feeling back to myself, it’s a good feeling! I had a really special moment this week when I could feel God’s answer to my prayers very powerfully, and it was quite a tender mercy to help me get back to where I should be. I’m better than I was before though, and am grateful for God’s trust to allow me to grow in this way. I think the whole thing was really an answer to my prayers. For I want to be better, and more like Him, so I loved the privilege to grow. I love My Father.

Okay, I’m just gonna send this off. Sorry. I just didn’t have much to tell this week again. I’ll tell ya in person soon!

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks    

Okay, I’ve officially put off emailing for as long as possible... sorry about that! I just have no idea what to say this week, not much really happened, so sorry it’s short.
 
Really, nothing happened this week. All of our lessons that I would tell you about fell through, and so we did a lot of “finding” and trying to work with members.
 
Though, of course the main thing that’s been on my mind recently is Deadliest Catch starting tomorrow! I’m so sad that I’m missing the new season NOT! I cannot believe that show is still on. Wow. Dad, I laughed so hard when I saw your post in my wall, but I’m not allowed to respond to it!
 
We had Stake Conference this weekend! It was a good conference, but it was kinda lame to not have the sacrament for 2 weeks in a row... not the best timing. We did have Elder Douglas come! He was one of the new 70s that was called last weekend. So, that was pretty cool to get to hear him speak at his first Stake Conference assignment. He did super good. Honestly, I thought he did better than the other 70 that came, that was supposed to be “training” him... lol. The other one just had an awful speaking style that made it almost impossible to focus on his message because he was almost yelling as he presented it... I bet if I could get a transcript, I’d like his talks... lol. 
 
Friday was my last MLC (mission leadership council), which is a Council of all the zone leaders and sister training leaders, along with the assistants and president of course. It was a super fun day. I got some cool pictures with a few different people, so I’ll send those separate. 
 
The bed bug thing is under control, but still not done. They sprayed once, and will a second time next Monday. Just in time for me to unpack all the black trash bags and pack all my luggage! Lol. The Davis’ said we could just stay with them until everything is officially done, so I’m grateful for that. We’re still chillin’ with them for another week! I love them. I forgot what it was like to live with a “dad”. Elder Davis sometimes does things that remind me so much of stuff you do Dad! Like the other day, Sis Walker was taking a bath, so he pounds on the wall. Then, when she gets out, tries to blame Sis Davis! lolol. Sound like anyone?
 
And Mom (talking about bed bugs…), you’re right. I was calm in the outside, but DEFINITELY NOT on the inside! I have made a conscience effort this whole time to remain calm and level headed about everything...

It sounds like you have some good changes happening in Westmond. I bet Rosi will be a great RS President! How did the change go with the EQ? I bet that is a good change. I’m excited to see the difference the combined force of the priesthood will make in the world. How exciting!
 
... I will definitely be happy to join you in your healthy eating, because I am soooo sick of eating out! Which is pretty much all we do with the Tongans... it’s a struggle.
 
Dad, yeah, I still remember how to make a mean brisket. The trick is, I need a smoker to do it... so, I’m not quite sure how to do it without, but I’m willing to try!
 
3 more Monday’s! Isn’t that crazy? I love y’all so much, see ya in a bit!

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks
 

Hi everyone!

Well, this week had a lot of shoe picking, and coo-coo knocking, unfortunately! Guess what I found on Wednesday? ..... A BEDBUG!!! We had just started comp study, and I pull up my blanket, look down, and see one! I very calmly (actually, I was pretty calm. Very proud of myself ) set the blanket down, take a picture, and spray it with the poison we have for bugs. We then take a trip down to the apartment office to show them the picture, and the week just kinda went off the rails from that point on! All of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we were “prepping” our apartment for the people to come spray today. This prepping entailed (but is not limited to) removing everything from our walls, shaking it out, and putting it in sealed plastic bags, washing ALL of our fabrics (including clothes left by old sisters, extra bedding, and our entire wardrobes), shaking out each Book of Mormon and pamphlet before bagging it, and moving everything a foot or two from the walls.... it was a crazy ordeal.

The silver lining in this is the Davis’ (a senior couple). They offered to let us stay with them for a few days while we get this all figured out, so luckily, we haven’t had to sleep at home. Thank goodness! I kinda feel bad for imposing on them, but am so grateful for their willingness. I think I mighta had a mental breakdown if I had to live in that apartment the last few days. We’re planning on moving back in on Wednesday. By that time, they will have sprayed once, but they have to spray again in two weeks. Then a few days later, there’s another inspection, then we get the all clear. It’s a crazy process, and one I’m fine never to repeat in my life.

Dad, that saying you always told us at night is taking on a whole new meaning, in way too real of a way recently! I wish bedbugs were still fake, the way I thought when I was young...

I have also decided that bed bugs must be one of Satan’s greatest tools. Because they pretty effectively shut down our area down about 3 days as we have been dealing with them. It’s frustrating. Especially as I get so close to the end of my mission, I wish I could just DO THE WORK. I feel like there are so many things pulling for my attention, that it’s hard to be staying focused like I want. E.g. bedbugs, exchanges with our sisters, RA application, apparently class registration is tomorrow, and still recovering from the last few transfers. It’s been a lot to take in. But, I just take it in stride, and trust it’ll all work out. It always does. Luckily, God is in my side, so everything else can just deal with it (bed bugs included)!

Can we just take a moment to talk about conference for a second? Um, wow! I was so amazed by everything! Yes, the changes, but the messages were so powerful and pertinent! I am sooo excited to read these talks and start to understand more of what the prophet is asking us to do, so that I can follow it more closely. President Nelson gave many promised blessings if we follow specific commandments. What a powerful force for good in the world - prophets. I am so grateful for the blessing of having a living prophet today!

We did have a cool miracle on Saturday! We went to the stake center for conference, and when we pull in, we see some random dude in the parking lot. We figure he’s probably waiting for his elders or something, so we decide to go talk to him. As we walk closer, we tried to bike away, but Sis Walker flags him down! As we talk for a few moments, we find out he just lives nearby, and wasn’t there for any specific reason. So, we invited him to conference, and told him the two times it started both days. His name is Dominic. Then, guess who shows up that afternoon! Dominic. He enjoyed the Saturday afternoon session, and afterword, we hooked him up with the correct elders (he wasn’t Tongan) and did a mini lesson with him. But then, it gets better. He shows up again on Sunday for the afternoon session! This time with his little girl. Isn’t that cool? I feel so blessed to have had that opportunity. Especially because we were both feeling pretty bad, due to what I mentioned about not being able to do much missionary work with the bed bugs the last few days. What a magnificent showing of God’s hand!

Well, that was pretty much my week. It’s been a crazy one. But I am so grateful for the guided instruction by living prophets today, what a miracle!

I love you each sooo much! I hope you have an amazing week! Sorry for another novel!  

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks     

... if they do, pick up a shoe and knock them kookoo!

So, this was an exciting week! First: the headline story. So, on Wednesday we get a note on our door, marked “urgent” and were told that someone in our building has bedbugs, so Friday they’re coming around to do an inspection, and everything needs to be one foot from the walls. We’re not too worried about it, and Friday morning we move everything away from our baseboards (a real pain, for the record), and head to the church for studies so we weren’t there when they came in. Then, around 10:30 we get the call. Our apartment has bedbugs!!!!!!!!!! I wasn’t freaking out at all.... you know me, just totally calm at the prospect of bugs infesting my apartment.... that like to eat human blood.... NOT. I was probably not the calmest I have ever been, and was mini panicking...  lol. I was about to ask the Davis’ if we could move in with them till this was over.  So, we gather up the courage to go home (I almost didn’t, honestly, I probably wouldn’t have if it weren’t for Sis Walker) and we check out the walls, and we didn’t see anything.... Sis Walker was like “they’re lying! We don’t have them” and I’m over here like, “I trust the professionals more than myself, and if they say we do, we probably do.” Turns out, Sis Walker was right. About an hour later, we get another call, saying they had the wrong apartment number, and we’re actually clear! Phew! #TenderMercies. I’ve never been so grateful in my life to not have bedbugs... so, that was an exciting day!

Friday’s #2 excited event: President Whitney called us and asked if we could go into an emergency trio for the weekend, as one of the sisters in our zone was going home, and it would be Sunday before they could get a new sister up here. So, Saturday and Sunday, we were in a trio! It was super fun, but I’m also glad that it was only two Days, I wouldn’t want to be in a trio for a long time. That’d be so weird! But, it was a fun two days.

Man, this week had a ton of funny small moments, like when one of our members we were bringing to a lesson gives away a Book of Mormon at a stoplight, getting out of the car to give it to the guy! Or when we met a random dude at a YSA FHE and he is totally interested and comes to institute the next day. (We had to refer him to the YSA elders ) or when Sis Walker locked the keys in the car (something that should be impossible with the new Malibu). Or any other small moments that were just funny or rewarding. It was a fun week.

We ended up not getting the matching dresses this week, but also didn’t remind or ask the sister who said she’d make them for us, because of the emergency trio. We thought that might be awkward... so, hopefully that’ll happen soon.

As far as all your projects go, it should be super fun to tackle when I get home! But Kylie said she’d make sure there wouldn’t be buddy bombs for me, so I’m not tackling that project! Lol. Are y’all going to get hogs this year? I hope so! I would love to help with those.

Mom, please can we go see Sherlock Gnomes? That makes me so happy that they are making that!   We also need to re-watch Gnomeo and Juliet because I’ve been laughing to myself for the last 18 months about “I am not illiterate! My parents were married!”  

I’m excited for my package! And for the gnome. I can’t believe I’ll have 17 of them... that seems a bit overkill. Lol! But it also just makes me so happy every time I look at them

Well, I just realized (shocker for me too, Dad) that the world doesn’t revolve around me, so I guess I’ll let y’all go! Please keep getting outside with the blow dryer for me.   I love you oodles!  
All my love,
Sister Erika Marks     

Hi!

First off, the wedding sounds beautiful! And I’ve been able to see a few random pics from it, and it looks beautiful too! I was thinking of them that day, and even wore black and red, just for good measure.   It sure was strange to not be there, but I am predominantly just so happy for them. I am super excited to meet Mariam when I get home. She sounds amazing, and like she’s really made William happy, which is all I could ask for. Dad, that video was amazing! I cried. But I always cry... the engagement pictures were so pretty. They look great and happy together. It’s cool that so many people were able to make it. I’m sure Sherry missed it, and I know all the grandparents definitely did. But what an exciting time in our family’s, life!

They will have fun in Oregon, I’m so jealous! Lol. I’m just joking, but I do miss the coast. It’ll be nice to be able to go back over there soon. It’s nice of Mariam’s grandma to set that up for them. And Mom, it sounds like you have your work cut out for you with the Sandpoint reception! I would help if I could! I guess I’ll just pray it all goes smoothly  

I am so grateful for our eternal family. And I am grateful for the opportunity I have to be in the work of helping make them right now. Because even though I missed the chance to be there on Friday, I’m getting to try to help some of our other brothers and sisters figure out their own way to the temple. What a joy!

Dad, thanks for your insights and comments about submitting our will to God’s. I love your line, “We give up nothing when we give up our will. We gain everything, in fact.” I have definitely seen that in my life. Though, I’m still learning so much. I think a lot about what it really means to be humble and to submit ourselves to Him. Especially when we feel like we are, but things are still hard. How he blesses us at times by allowing us to hurt.

Everything has been going so well this transfer. This week we had a few more cool miracles, and felt a lot of joy in that regard. Jake’s family finally got home, and they’re so cute. I’m excited to get to know them more.

We did get transfer calls this morning, and I’m officially staying here with Sis Walker until I go home. I’m happy about that. There’s a really sweet lady here who is going to make us matching Tongan dresses for next Sunday, so I’ll try to remember to get a picture:)

I hope you have a great week! I love you so much.

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks     

I just wanted to send this real quick. It’s another poem I wrote this week. Mom, you’ll be proud of me, I’ve actually titled it   

Love ya!


Because I Love My Lord

For many years, I prayed, I studied
To know the truth for me
And with this knowledge, came this duty,
My sacred responsibility.

So I prepared, I grew in favor
The truth became my sword.
For when He called, I would be ready
To labor for my Lord.

With quiet apprehension,
The time finally arrived,
I sent in my application
To wait for His reply.

A trust, a letter
A formal call to serve.
His voice rings in the eleventh hour-
I’m called to His vineyard.

The day finally arrives,
My future waiting at the curb.
I hug my parents one last time,
And gather up my nerve.

They place the tag upon me
My future now to start.
It’s on my shirt awhile,
But forever on my heart.

I wish I could describe the honour
To wear Christ’s name each day
For when I don that little tag,
I pledge to serve His way.

His was isn’t easy.
There’s thorns along the path.
But these thorns are much smaller
Than the plaited crown He hath.

The deeper valleys bring higher peaks
And joy like none before.
I see light pierce the darkest lives,
And feel, with them, to soar.

“How long is left” a dear friend asks
“One month” is my reply.
Yet, wasn’t it only yesterday
I hugged my parents ‘bye’?

For while I lived to serve each day
The clock was ticking on.
The highs, the lows, I felt them all,
But now my time is gone.

I step off the plane with honour
And hold my parents tight.
The tears express my feelings,
As my words are trapped inside.

After years of labor side by side
With The Holy One
It seems a flash of lightening,
He smiles and says, “you’re done”

So I take off the beloved name tag
But find things are quite the same.
For while I was busy helping others,
I’m the one that changed.

In years from now, I’ll reminisce
And smile at how I’ve grown.
With joy I’ll teach my little kids,
To love Christ in their own

~Sister Erika Marks
March 2018~

Hey hey hey!

Okay, first off, I’m sooo excited for William and Mariam! I can’t believe they get married in 5 Days. Wow. That is so exciting. I still can’t believe sometimes that I have never actually even met Mariam... it feel like I have. And I am so happy that they get start their own life together. I am forever grateful for Mariam bringing back the old William and making him happy again. That alone makes me love her. And how exciting to have another sister! I’m happy for them.

Thank you so so so much for making that video! It was better than I thought. I figured it would be because you are #BOMB   at that type of thing, lol. I shared it with the zone and they loved it, and we showed the stake RS President and she loved it too! So, it was a hit. I kinda wish I would have asked the elders to record in their proselyting clothes though... it’s kinda weird to have them in street clothes. Oh well! It’s cool. And mom, you should totally memorize one of those beautiful documents! I’m planning on memorizing the entire Proclamation now that I did the paragraph. So, it should be cool! I was going to try to memorize The Living Christ, but never did. So that’ll be next for me!

So, Jai was able to come to church, but she rescheduled her lesson (again) for tomorrow. So, hopefully it’ll work. But she’s doing well, and it seems like she and her husband are acting again to be able to work toward the temple sealing. That would be an amazing day!

Dad, I think it’s so great that yesterday was calm enough that you got to minister as the Lord would on that individual level. And also, way to follow a prompting. It has to be one of the best feelings in the world, knowing that God asked you to do something, and you did it! I have had a few really powerful experiences with that this week, and am so grateful for His guidance. Sister Walker and I have been working really hard on being as open to spiritual prompting as possible, and acting in them as fast as we can. Let me tell you, it has been an amazing week! There’s probably a cool story from almost every day that I could tell y’all about when we decided to just DO everything we thought that Heavenly Father was prompting us to do.

I want to share only one of those stories though. It was Friday night, and literally EVERYTHING had fallen through... we had had two appointment that night we were excited about that both canceled, and the afternoon hadn’t been much more of note. So, by 7:30, we were out of set plans and was about to commence drop-bys to try to find someone home and willing to talk to us. The first person that came to my mind to visit was Ulu.

Side note: have I told you about Ulu? She’s in her 40s, has 5 kids (which are all baptized) and she just separated from her “partner” which has been a really hard time for her. She’s Samoan, from Hawaii, and has been coming to church for many years. But, she’s never been baptized... she has a date for mid June that we’re trying to push up for her...  anyway, I love her. It’s hard to keep set lessons with her. So, drop bys tend to work best.

Anyway, back to the story... we decided to just do it, even though we were also both not sure if she’d even be home. But she was! And more than that, we knocked on her door at just the right time as she and her oldest daughter were talking and struggling to process everything that has happened lately. Really, they were looking for peace. We talked for a bit, and shared a few verses from Alma 58 (one of my current favorites chapters. It’s about deliverance from our enemies, and the patience it requires, you should go check it out). Anyway, we ended up calling the senior couple in the ward, and he came over with the bishopric second counselor and gave them both blessings. It was Ulu’s first ever, and the spirit was so strong! It was such a special moment. Especially because we knew it was exactly what the Lord wanted. And though it wasn’t what we had planned for that evening, it was so much better. I am so grateful for the Lord guiding us and for seeing his hand in my life to bless others that way. It has to be one of my favorite parts of being a missionary!

I’m excited to watch some of those home videos when I get back. And tell Gned I miss him  also, tell Buddy “hi”. I’m so happy he is still doing well. I’m pretty sure he’s never going to die. He will just be with us and our family forever.

Do y’all think you’ll get a new puppy when Buddy passes? You know, for the grandkids?   Especially now that you might actually have grandkids in a few years?

I hope y’all have a good week. I’ll let you go now. I love you so much! And I pray for y’all every night.

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks     

P.s. “ Mawage. Mawage is what bwingth uth together today”   

I’m so sorry my letter last week was such a skimpy email. I’ll do better this week. How is Buddy doing? Will he still be there when I get home? I hope so! I miss him   

I can’t believe that William and Mariam are getting married in 2 weeks. That blows my mind, actually. I so so so wish I could be there, but I’m predominantly just so so so excited for them! Did Will and Mariam make wedding announcements? And if so, did they send me one? Because if they didn’t, will you please have them do so? I really want one  

It’s kinda fun because on the 16th here, one of our recent converts is getting engaged. But you know how the Tongan people are, nothing, even an engagement, is small, so they are naturally throwing a huge eating just so he can formally get down in one knee. They are planning on going to the temple next November (her one year mark), and I’m sooo happy for them! While I’m at the party, I can act like I’m at William and Mariam’s reception! Speaking of eatings, yeah, Vaitai was there at the one a few weeks ago, but I didn’t get a picture or anything with him. He’s not LDS, but just related to half of Euless, lol. It was fun.

Jake is doing great! He got a job this week! And his family is officially coming home on March 16th. I’ve pretty much decided that March 16th is an amazing day.    He has the tickets and everything, so this time it’s real!

I cannot believe how bad the weather has been up there! Doesn’t it know it needs to stop snowing, and warm up?! It’s in the 70s again today, and I am loving it! At this rate, it’ll be in the 90s by the time I come home though, and I’m gonna FREEZE up there! I really thought that it wouldn’t be too bad by May, but it’s looking like I’m wrong. Dang. But at least it’s kinda starting to act like it’ll warm up. I mean, a full 50 degrees! Don’t melt! Lol

I have a special request. Last week I challenged my zone to memorize The Family: A Proclamation to the World. The way we did it was each companionship memorized one paragraph and videoed it, then I was going to put them all together as a single video. However... I don’t actually have the tools (a Mac) needed.... so, I was wondering if I sent the videos and stuff to you, if you would mind putting them all together for me? And maybe adding some soft music in the background? (Maybe Families can Be Together Forever, and Love at Home, if you can find them as instrumentals?) Thank you soooo much! You’re a life saver! I’ll send the videos in a different email. And I can check my email during the week, so whenever you get it done, please send it. Thank you!!!    

Life definitely has its ups and downs, and that doesn’t stop just because you’re serving God. How eternally grateful am I though that He trusted me enough to give me a year and half and so many of his children to help home. Something that I’m growing to love more and more as I draw closer to coming home (under two months now - officially #crazy!) is how that service will never end. I have friends now, and friends I will make, who God has trusted me with, someday I’ll have children and a family, and God doesn’t want me to go home, and just sit around. I’ve been thinking about my Patriarchal Blessing recently as part of a program called MyPlan that the church has for missionaries preparing to return home. Anyway, it continually stands out to me how much God wants me to do! Before my mission I focused a lot in the line that indicated God wanted me to serve a mission, but now, I realize my work in my life will be so much more than just these 18 months. I’m excited to see what the next chapter will hold, and what new things God will ask of me. All the while, savoring and loving every last word on the few pages I have left in this chapter of my life. Because I’m never going to get to come back and rewrite these sentences. My life, my service here, will move on, and then I keep writing. I just hope to make it a good one. ✍

Also, we finally got in touch with Jai! And then she came to church again!!! We set an appointment on Wednesday that I so pray doesn’t get canceled! Lol. She’s finally past her first trimester, so hopefully the nausea will stop. Because that’s a big reason she couldn’t meet with us.

We also have an investigator named Jeri we finally got in touch with again. She’s super awesome and open. Doesn’t really have a religious background, but as we teach her, just seems to absorb it. She’s Samoan, and hasn’t been to church yet, but is super sweet. We are hoping to set a baptismal date with her this week. Fingers crossed!

I tried to make this email bigger since last week was lame... so, I hope you like it! Lol. Sorry it’s still not much. I just feel like an email cannot begin to capture so much if what I am feeling and experiencing and want to share. But, I do my best! And I am so grateful for y’all emailing every week, it means the world. I love y’all so much. You are continually in my prayers. Keep up the good work in Idaho, and don’t have too much fun without me! I love you.  

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks     

Hi everyone!

So, I’m totally going to cheat today and send one email to everyone, because I don’t have any time today! I’m sooo sorry! We ended up actually doing something fun though for p-day, so I’m sorry.

And dad, I feel the struggle of finding stuff to write about... I feel like so many weeks I just write the same thing over and over. But I really do cherish your emails, and am so grateful you email every week!

This was a good week. We had the amazing opportunity to have a mission conference with Elder Uceda of the Presidency of the Seventy. It was so good! He continually emphasized teaching by the spirit, and doing more, talking less. He also stressed the importance of praying from the heart, and also reading the scriptures with your heart. It was super amazing to hear his insight, and to take a minute to really ponder the way I pray, and to recommit to ensuring that each prayer is a real conversation with my Father. Since then, I have felt my prayers become far more meaningful and my relationship deepen with my Lord.

Sis Walker is amazing. We had a really good conversation the other day, and since then, I feel like a weight I didn’t know I was carrying is off my shoulders. I feel happier and more determined in the work than I have in weeks, and am so excited to finish like a champion, with all my effort, strong and fast. That being said, I’m also excited to be home to help with projects and do a list of other things I’ve been compiling!

I can’t believe y’all are still getting snow! It’s 70 degrees and sunny today! But it was RAINING all week. Seriously, a downpour every day. I have some cool pictures (I think) and will send them.

Lol with the curling... what the?! I didn’t know y’all had gotten into that... but it sounds fun. And I wish I could have watched these Olympics. I love winter Olympics. But, that’s life. It’s a small sacrifice!

Sorry I’m out of time. I love y’all soooo much! Have an amazing week.  

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks