It has been a MARVELOUS week! Jake got baptized Saturday!!!! Isn’t that awesome!!!! I love him so much, he’s amazing. I don’t remember how much I told you about him, but his story is so cool. Bishop gave him the opportunity yesterday to bear his testimony after his confirmation, and it was beautiful. He’s ex-marines, and life has pretty well thrown him everything it could think of. Yet, he’s here! A year ago, when missionaries first met him, he wouldn’t even come out of the kitchen or talk to them. They would just visit with his wife and daughter in the living room, and he would blow them off. Then, over the space of many months, his heart was softened (I would guess in part from his family being gone for almost 10 months now) and he allowed us in. When he spoke, it was clear to see how Christ had touched his life. It blows me away. He’s awesome.

Guess what though! This week for him was so bad! I was appalled at how blatantly Satan was attacking him right before his baptism. Seriously. He got rear ended, then while he was checking the damage, got straight up clipped by another car that was going 30+ and didn’t stop. Then he got the flu, which turned into pneumonia (the doctor said if he hasn’t come to the hospital, he would have died by Friday), then he found out the tickets were way more than he thought, so his family didn’t come home, and on the same day, he got laid off of work! And yet, he is so faithful, and he still went through with the baptism. It is such a testimony to me. He’s a good man. It was really sad that his family couldn’t make it, but he’s looking forward to the temple sealing, as the most important ordinance in one year. And there was a really good turn out and support from the ward on Saturday night. The ward is really taking him in as one of their own.

That was pretty much my week. Our whole lives tend to revolve around someone about to be baptized. It was a good week. We sang this beautiful song at his baptism called, “Lovest thou Me” and I got a recording of it, so I’ll send it. It is such a pretty song. I would love to have it as a musical number at my homecoming. I don’t have music for it though. Just the words and the recording... anyway, I hope you like it.

And as far as naming my poems, I decided to name my first one, either “Pleading Knees” or “Pleading on my Knees” or “My Plea in the Night” or something along those lines... what do you think? And I haven’t thought of a title yet for the second one (the one I sent last time) but I have been working on refining it, and have touched it up a bit for better wording and rhymes and stuff. When I finish and have a title, I’ll resend it. I’m happy y’all liked it. I find it fascinating to write these poems, because I really can’t just sit down and write them. They feel like they are inspired and not really me coming up with it. Maybe I think of actual words, but I truly believe the source is divine.

I didn’t know William and Mariam were coming to visit! That’s awesome. And it’s so good that you were able to redo the room! I was thinking about that the other day, and was wondering what the house would look like when I get home. I mean, it’s nice you have two extra rooms now. “EmptyNesters”. That’s such a cute idea they have for their reception with the video. It will definitely be a lot of work, but so worth it! It should be a beautiful little shin-dig   

I’m glad Dad is feeling better. That’s been quite the beast of an illness. ... Sis Mapa goes home next week, and so I’ll be getting a new comp. It’s crazy! But I’m excited for the change. It should be really good. We have a few more people we’re working with right now that I have high hopes for! With any luck, we’ll have some dates set soon.

One of those is a girl named Misty we found this week. We were following up on potentials, and there was one woman whose address didn’t have a house number. However, we asked one of her neighbors, and they pointed us right to the house. When we pulled up, she wasn’t there, but her two kids were outside. The daughter (Misty) is 18 and apparently has met with missionaries before when she lived in California. When we asked about meeting up again, she was open to it, and we set a return appointment for tonight! She was really sweet, and I’m excited to see what will happen.

As far as Jai... she’s been radio silent all week... seriously. She hasn’t responded to anything we’ve sent her. And she wasn’t home when we dropped by. We were worried this would happen. But, we keep trying! She really does know it’s true, she just needs to act. And she’s pregnant with her first child, Mom. I just keep praying for her, and hope we can at least stay in touch.

And Dad, I think I can manage without you (and William, lol) coming down to beat some people up. Thanks though . I just hit them with some “scripture power” in the form of a blue Book of Mormon, haha! Nah, this week has been a lot better. And now it’s the last week of the transfer! It’ll be great.

Well, I think that’s it for me! I love you sooo much! I hope you have a fantastic week!

Oh! Here’s my spiritual thought for the week: Helaman 5:30 “And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul”. I love the way the spirit works. I love that we have to choose to be in a place in life to hear it, I love that he whispers, and he have to open our ears. I love that he will always speak to us. I know he speaks to us. I love the Holy Ghost and am so grateful for his companionship. May we always listen to his subtle promptings!

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks     

Hey Mom and Dad!

So, first off, Dad: I’m sorry I didn’t respond to any of your email last week! It didn’t come through until Tuesday, even though it was time stamped as Monday morning! I was so annoyed that it didn’t come in time to respond. Anyway, I think you’re so right about astronomy! lol. Seriously though, people just need to remember a bit more about how big everything really is, and it makes it so easy to see how silly our human foibles are. And God sees the BIG picture, way more than we ever can, and so some of our things must seem so trivial. And yet, he still cares. That’s crazy to me. And honestly, your email was a good reminder to me. Sometimes, especially as a missionary, it gets too easy to have blinders (of a sort) on. Life just gets so wrapped up around these people we’re teaching, the sisters I’m trying to serve, and everything else, that sometimes just taking a step back is needed. To realize that this is only a year and a half, and life is much bigger. I mean, I think it’s good to be purely focused on what I mentioned, since I do only have a year and a half, and I don’t want to shortchange me or the Lord. But I guess an “eternal perspective” always helps.

This week was good. Jake passed his interview yesterday with President, so he’s officially good to go for this Saturday!! And his family wasn’t able to come in from Tonga last week the way they were supposed to. So, they’re supposed to be here by Friday. I sooo hope and pray so! Because if they don’t, I don’t think Jake will move forward with his baptism. He might, but I think he would want his wife and kids to be there, just as I’m sure they want to be. And yeah, his wife is a member. His three kids are 4 and under. And he has 3 older kids that live with his ex, I don’t know their status...

Jai ended up not being baptized on Saturday. She decided to push her date back so that she can wait for her less active husband to get worthy to baptize her. It breaks my heart that she’s stopping her progression. But I also see where she’s coming from, and it will help the family moving forward. ... anyway, we’re still working with her, and will be trying to set another date soon.

Not much really happened this week. It was good to hear from Garrett, and I’ll be writing back to him. I am so happy that he seems to be doing well. I’m not surprised at all that he is the district leader. He’s so good! I hope we get pictures this week.  

Also, big news for us out in Texas: we’re getting smartphones! Can you believe it! Apparently they’re going to start rolling them out beginning of Feb. The mission leaders (me) will be getting them on Feb 2nd. I will still get to keep and have my iPad, but the Samsung smart phone will be replacing our current flip phone, and missionaries will start to come out with phones instead of tablets within the next transfer or two. Apparently all US missions will have smartphones by the end of June. So, I’m sure your sisters are being affected by this also. I’m excited for the change. It’s cool to see the church moving forward in this way.

I love that y’all are always coming up with new ideas and pushing forward with them. It sounds like you have some cool things planned! That should help with being Empty Nesters. And hey, at least one of your kids is married, so you could be getting some grandkids finally! Lol   

And I’m so excited for Kylie to be able to go to Peru. We’re scheming to have me come down for a week and volunteer and maybe hike Machu Picchu... lol. We’ll see what happens.

I hope y’all have a great week! I love you.

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks   


P.s. here’s another poem I wrote last week, also not titled, but I hope you like it!
 
 
The night is dark and windy now
The rain does never cease
I need thy refuge from the storm
Lest I lose this earthly lease
 
The arrows and the slander flies
The soldiers in array
Where is thy fortress to protect
To keep these swords at bay?
 
The world in mocking posture, points
To crush the seed of faith
In thy haven I would rest 
For strength in every case
 
Though storms and armies, faceless hand
All try to intercede 
There’s only One to whom I will turn,
Fall on my face and plead
 
The One who is my refuge
The One who is my strength
The One who is my fortress
The One who goes great lengths
 
He is my redeeming Savior
My haven from the pain
He heals all wounded heartaches
For peace at last reign 
 
He asks of you, he seeks from me
To come and be perfected
He only wants our hearts, our wills
To rise with the elected
 
So will you follow faithfully?
Will you serve both man and beast?
Will you surrender all your sins,
To know the PRINCE OF PEACE?
 
My voice will praise forever!
His acts will become mine
For what else have I to offer
My Brother, pure and kind?
 
~Sister Erika Marks
January 2018~
 

Hello hello!

I’m gonna be up front: I’m a little pushed for time. Sorry! I’ll write as much as I can.

That’s so great to hear from Garrett a bit when he got there! It’s good to know he made it safe, and that he’s now rocking it at the MTC! It’s only been a few days, but I bet to him, it’s felt like forever already. That’s how I was in the MTC. I felt like each day was so long, that by the time the first p-day came around, I was an old-hat! I’m sure he’s doing great. And he’s probably being a big help to some missionaries who are struggling. That’s just kinda always been his way. Just steady. I’m so happy for him to be there. I already emailed him, which is probably why I’m low on time for you! Sorry  

I can’t believe they set a temple date! How exciting for them! March 16th sounds like a good day to me! And that’s so sweet of them to wait for me for the Sandpoint reception. It sounds like it’ll be a mad week when I first get home! Have fun planning for all that! Lol. I’m just gonna do my thing here, speaking of that, you should probably be getting information relatively soon from the mission about my flight and stuff.

Oh! Thanks for the RA info. That does look like something I would enjoy doing, and like a pretty low-key job. Plus, decent pay for an on-campus job. I’m gonna send you my password, will you please see if there is a deadline? Thanks a million!!

I’m sorry to hear y’all were sick! That’s awful. Probably because of coming off all the stress of getting Garrett off, and having people in for the holidays, and your wrist mom, and your immune system was just done! I’m happy to hear you’re doing better through. And it’s good it’s starting to warm up! Hopefully winter will subside soon for you. We’re supposed to get another cold flash, but I’m not convinced... it’s beautiful today.  

My week was better, but still intense. We had three exchanges this week! I’m sooo tired. We had two back to back on Friday and Saturday, and I literally didn’t even come home between them. Luckily, these sisters seem to be doing at least a bit better than the ones last week! Though there was still drama to deal with (always...). Turns out one of the sisters brought a phone on her mission. Why?! She said she doesn’t use it, but her comp said she has seen in charged... so not really sure what to think there. We told President, and he’ll handle it. We had to do another little mediation session with that same companionship because they don’t get along. I’m learning so many skills here that I didn’t think I would! It’s intense. Being an RA will be easy after this mess. I have hope moving forward though, that it’ll smooth out, and we’ll be good to go.

We have Jai’s baptism this Saturday!! She’s the Hawaiian girl I mentioned the other week. I’m so excited for her! She’s so sweet! And so prepared. She was a former investigator, then went to Hawaii for 6 weeks and when she came back, she said she was ready to be baptized! So, we’ve hurried through her lessons (she already believes it all) and she’s getting baptized this week! It is so exciting! Then next week is Jake's baptism! And with any luck, his family will be here on Thursday!!! Man, big things happening here. It’s such a privilege to serve here! I love the area. Even if it has been a hard one.

President Monson’s funeral was amazing on Friday. He was such a good man, and I miss him. That being said, he must be so much happier now, to push God’s work forward on the other side. President Nelson should be officially the prophet announced tomorrow. That’s will be exciting.

There was also a YA broadcast yesterday, and it was sooo good! If William and Kylie didn’t watch it, they should! I loved it. It was with Elder and Sister Uchtdorf, and something Elder Uchtdorf said, that I loved, was along these lines. “If we just do the small things as perfectly as we can, then God will take care of the big things.” I know that’s something we talk about a lot, but it really hit me. How blessed we are to have a Father who will do the big things for us, if we are faithful enough to do the small things for him.

I love y’all so much! I hope your week is amazing!

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks     

Wow, William and Mariam look so happy together! And that ring box is so beautiful Garrett! I am not surprised at all that William and Mariam are pushing for a fast marriage. William is so, “why wait?” Once he knows what he wants. He’s so ready to be married, lol. I am happy they’ll wait to do a reception is Sandpoint until I’m back! Then I can at least act like I was there for their wedding. Thanks for as much detail as you could about the proposal, mom! I’m gonna have to pester William and Mariam and see if I can get the full story. 
 
I miss Garrett so much, especially as I think more about him leaving. I am so beyond proud of him though, and happy for him. That’s nice that y’all will recreate Provo as close as possible for Garrett. That will be quite the experience, dropping him at the airport tomorrow. He will love Guatemala, and the people, and his whole mission. I’m so proud of him! It will be so weird for y’all to be empty nesters now, officially. At least Kylie still lives close. And when she leaves, I’ll be home! So don’t get too used to it. It sounds like you had a good little shindig for Garrett. Everyone here calls American Tacos “Frido pie”. Isn’t that weird? I just call them “quesadilla with fridos”.

Man, sometimes I wonder what impact the Marks family alone has had in the world. It makes me proud to be a Marks, and very humbled at the same time. To think that I can try to do a bit of that here in Texas is awesome. And Garrett will get to in Guatemala. And William in a new family, and Kylie saving lives in Peru! Dang, we’re good! but really, I’m so happy.
 
Our winter here is over. We’re in spring now. Thank goodness! One week of cold weather with these crazies on the road was enough for this Idaho girl! Texans can’t drive! Seriously though, I’ve heard it called “Winter whiplash” and that’s pretty much what it is. Comes out of nowhere, and leaves just as sudden. But it sounds like y’all’s snow needs to: Calm. Down. I’m sure it’s beautiful though. I miss snow.

Four months till I’m home. Then, I’ll join in on the “eat right, be active” thing because heaven knows I have some weight to lose after the Texas incident I’m excited to be back in full control of my eating and activity level. I’m excited to go hiking and swimming and biking and just be active again. We’re really not that active here, we don’t walk too much because no Tongans live by each other (we cover 4 stakes...) so it’ll be good.
 
President Whitney reminds me a lot of Grandpa. Just in having a simple faith. I remember I tried to engage him in a conversation on faith a while back, since I couldn’t have it with you dad, and he pretty much was just like, “a God wants to bless us. Be faithful.” It’s been such a blessing for me to have him as my president. It’s helped me become more true to my simple faith for the last 18 months, so that I think moving forward, I can deepen and expand that. I’m excited. 
 
As far as how I’ve been this week, not too hot. It’s been a rough week. I was sick Tuesday night, and threw up five times between 12:30-4:30. Then all day Wednesday I was out of it. Luckily, sis Mapa was able to go out and work with an RM, and I went with a mom in the ward, and just slept all afternoon. It was a rough day, but luckily it was just a 24 hour flu bug. Then Friday and Saturday we had exchanges with some sisters, who are struggling. My exchange with one of them was not good. She seemed to dislike me before the exchange even started, and it just got worse as the day went on. I don’t feel like rehashing it, but pretty much it was very emotionally draining, and really made me question my value as an STL, and even a missionary. I just felt like no matter what I did, it wasn’t right. I just feel like over and over this week it was shoved in my face. All of my weaknesses and shortcomings that I have been trying so hard, since long before my mission, to overcome, were thrown in my face this week, and rubbed in, and used against me. It hurts to know that even though I felt like I was doing better, my growth wasn’t far enough, fast enough. But hey, that’s life, right? I guess I just have to keep on keepin on. Trusting God and working hard. And I really am working. I really am trying. For all my shortcomings, I really, really try. I can honestly say right now that my whole desire is just to do the Lord's will. I think that’s why it hurt so much this week. Because I so clearly fell so far short of where God's will for me is. But I’ll keep working.

So, thank you for your loving words and support today. Sometimes it helps to just hear from home. And I’m doing better now. The sacrament is such a blessing and miracle. As I had the opportunity to partake of those emblems, I had a deeper understanding of how Christ's atonement doesn’t only cover our sins and weaknesses, but also any hurt or feelings of pain and inadequacy. I’m so grateful for my savior.

Well, I’ve already written a novel. And I still need to write Mariam to try to find out more of their engagement I love you all so much!

I am so so so happy for Garrett! I’m so proud of him! And this experience y’all are having right now. I wish I could be there. It’s so happy, and sad to. It’s amazing. I love it.
 
 
All my love,
Sister Erika Marks
 
P.s. love you more!

So, I figured I should actually email y’all this week, rather than just the one sentence from earlier... haha. How exciting though that William and Mariam really are getting engaged today! What does her ring look like? I’m so curious for pictures! Also, the ring box Garrett made. That’s so cool. I bet William could actually get romantic if he wanted to, haha. And that would be super cool if they could wait until I was home to get married, I would love to be there! That being said, I’m fine and totally understand if not. Heck, we’ll be together for eternity now, so it doesn’t really matter when the sealing is... I just want them to do whatever is best for them, and if I can be there, great. If not, no problem

Has he proposed yet? Cause I want to email Mariam, but how awkward would that be, if he hasn’t made it official yet?  

Mom and dad, thank you for everything you do to make it possible for me to be where I am today. Thank you for your sacrifices to bring me and my siblings up in the gospel. I am forever grateful for our eternal family, and for the gospel in my life.

As the new year comes, my mind is blown that it is already 2018! 2017 was an amazing year in the service of God, it was such a privilege to be a full time servant for a full calendar year. This year I experienced and saw things that brought be more joy than I can imagine, and also things that broke my heart in ways I didn’t know were possible. I am so grateful for the joys that made the pains possible. For if it weren’t for them, I couldn’t have felt so happy when I saw God's miracles. I don’t really want to get long-winded and into detail, but it suffices me to say that I am forever grateful for the mission thus far. I can also say that when I look back, I can feel the joy of the past year, but I can only remember the pain. If that makes sense. The joy is still alive and well in my soul, and all else is a foggy recollection.

That is so fun that you got to shovel off the roof! I always love doing that. Mainly because afterword you get to jump off the roof into the snow. It sounds like Mariam had a fun time with it, which I love. If I were there, I would have made you hot chocolate! And I sure miss the snow! It’s gotten super cold here (like, real cold - teens. Not just Texas cold) and if it’s cold, there might as well be snow! But Texas hasn't figured that out yet...  it sounds beautiful!

I have been thinking a lot recently of Garrett leaving, and I am so excited for him! I emailed and asked him, but I’m gonna submit the request here also, for a copy of his farewell talk, along with the talk of anyone else who spoke. I’m sure he did so great. I’m so proud of him! He will be such an amazing elder. And that’s so cool that you got to go to the temple together. It will be a happy day indeed when we can all be there together, and an even happier one when we are in heaven together!

Not much really happened this week in Tonga, Texas. But it has been good. Sis Mapa and I have found a new friendship, and I am really starting to love this companionship. It had a rough start, but overall, it’s great.

It has crossed my mind that I would like to be a RA in Heritage Halls when I go back to BYU next fall, and I was wondering if you could send me information about that? Would it even be an option since I’m here right now? What is the pay/work load, etc. would I have to work during some home football games? Ya know, the important stuff... lol.

Thank you! Love you so much

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks    

Hey Family!

So, I’m just sending one email to all of you today. Hope you don’t mind I’m kinda cheating!   

I loved talking with you yesterday! It sounds like y’all are doing well, which makes me happy! I’m so sorry I couldn’t talk as long as I wanted, but I talked for longer than I should! Lol. It was so good to hear your voices. And it was good to meet Mariam, I’m excited to meet her in person.

Thank you again for all the amazing Christmas gifts! I am currently wearing my bright pink Sandpoint sweatshirt, and though it’s almost bright enough to hurt eyeballs , I love it! Dad, I scared the Mission nurse with the scarebox, she’s a good sport. I’m bringing it today to p-day, and hopefully more missionaries will open it!

I didn’t get to tell y’all about Jake on the phone yesterday. His family is coming home! They’ve been in Tonga for the last 9+ months, and he said they should be home January 14th! Which is perfect timing for his baptism on the 27th. He’s doing so well. He texted us on Christmas Eve with a really sweet text, talking about how excited he is for his baptism, and how grateful he is that he let the sisters in. It makes it all worth it, ya know? I’m excited for his baptism.

We also set a date with a woman named Jai! She is married to a LA, and so prepared! We talked the other day, and she said something about wanting to be baptized in 2018 so they could be sealed I’m 2019. What?! Does that even happen? As soon as we said January 20th, she was so excited! And she even said she’d put it in her phone, so it’s official. Plus, she wants her husband to baptize her, which means he needs to shape up. But, what better motivation than to baptize your wife? She’s a little Hawaiian girl, and she cracks me up. She always jokes around about beating up her husband, but she’s tiny, lol. I love her.

Umm... don’t really know what else to tell you... I loved talking with you yesterday! I hope you have a Happy New Year! I’ll be emailing on Tuesday next week also, because of the holiday. So don’t panic when I don’t email Monday  

I love you all sooo much!

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks    

p.s - Also, no I missed Jai's first lesson, and some other small interactions, but I’ll b there for most of it. Well, she’s been meeting with missionaries for a long time, but I’ll be the one that actually gets to teach her the discussions.

p.p.s - And Jake’s family does know about his baptism, and they’re so excited! He said Aina (his wife) started crying when he told her. Isn’t that cool?!

 

Merry Christmas! I’m getting so excited for Christmas! I love love love this time of year!!!  ☃

First off, phone calls...  I’m looking forward to talking with y’all. Then, the next time I see you will be in the airport, crazy!

Also, cute picture of William and Mariam. They look good together. It should be a fun Christmas. And that is pretty fast, it’s good to know y’all weren’t just holding out on me, lol. I’m happy to hear you have snow! But also kinda scary with William and Mariam on the roads. I hope they travel safe. I had the worst feeling the other night as I went to bed, that William got in an accident in his way home, and it was a scary feeling. At any rate, I pray that they travel safe. At least William is a good driver.   .

I’m excited to see what Garrett made! He was already so good at the forge stuff before I left, I’m excited to see how he is now. I bet he’s super good. He really latched onto this blacksmith thing. It’s pretty cool. He’s awesome.   Must get it from me, lol ☺

This week was good, but not really much to tell about. We did have our fun Christmas conference on Tuesday. We ended up doing a short haka as a zone, and we sang How Can I Be. It was fun. I’ll see if I can send a video. We also made gingerbread houses, and I made one with a window! It was cool architecturally (if I do say so myself) but was lacking on the decoration side... haha. I ran out of time. But it’ll never be as cool as the one we made a few years ago. Haha, man, that was fun.

Jake came to church yesterday, even though he was sick! He said he woke up, and figured, “why not” so came. It was so good to see him. He’s really doing amazing.

Also, transfers were today, and I officially am staying here one more transfer!! I’m excited, I love these people so much.

I’ll talk to y’all soon!       

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks    

Hi!

Okay, big news first: William is dating someone!?! And he didn’t tell me!?! Ugh! I’m so mad at him right now, and so happy for him at the same time! It’s exciting she’s coming up for Christmas. It should be super fun. Man, I wish I could be there. It’ll be weird. It still feels so wrong to not be with family during the Holidays. Not really in a homesick way, just in a natural way. I think our divine natures as God’s children, and as eternal families, pulls us back together, especially in times of the year like these when family is together. Since we are an eternal unit, it feels foreign to our souls to be apart. It is so good though, since the reason I’m not there is to make it possible for other families to have that same blessing. And to give Heavenly Father just a tiny portion back of the immeasurable blessings he has already given me.

It’s nice that everyone can be there for Garrett’s farewell. I hope the passes are clear enough for grandma and grandpa to make it down. It’s good that Garrett can go be with them for a few days. I had a great time visiting before my mission. I love that trip, and remember it with great fondness. I love my family!

That’s awesome dad, that you were able to make the crèche! I would love a picture of the completed nativity. It sounds so pretty! I love nativities so much. And it’s good that you’ll, be able to make it a tad taller for Joseph to be seen. You know, he’s kinda important... haha.

Thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement. It means a lot out here. These past few weeks have been more difficult than I supposed they would be when I got the transfer call. Not necessarily in a bad way, just in a new way. It’s been quite the learning experience, for sure. Though, I could probably say that about my entire mission.  Each week I feel like there has been new challenges that allow me to grow in ways that would be impossible anywhere else. Every week I have to turn anew to God and Christ, and acknowledge anew my plentiful shortcomings and weaknesses and ask God to cover them, to be enough when I am not, to go the distance when I fall short. The miracle is that He is. He is perfect, and He knows exactly where we each are, and wants us there for His will to be done. The faith that that is true has carried, and will continue to carry me.

Man, as far as my week here, it’s been good. We had interviews with President this week, and that was great. I love him so much. He has a pure, strong faith that has been a huge blessing for me throughout my mission. I’m honored to have him as my president. Tomorrow is our Christmas party with the mission, and that should be super fun. We’re doing a talent show! I don’t know what our zone is doing yet, but I’m excited. I love this type of thing.

We also had a baptism on Saturday! It was of a 10 year old, and his 8 year old sister. His name is Mosese, and was a convert baptism, while his sister's name is Esther, and was a child of record. We’re now working with their parents to try to get them to baptism. The mom's a nonmember, and the dad lost his records, so needs to be re-baptized. I really think they will be baptized soon! Then in a year, they can go and be sealed. How cool will that be?! The reason you have’t heard about the kids before is because I wasn’t really here for any of their teaching, just a bit. I’ve mainly been working with Ulu (the mom) and will now start with Leni (the dad).

We’re also working with a man named Jake, and he’s too cool. His background is crazy hard, but he’s changing, and sacrificing so much to progress! His wife is a member, and he has 6 kids. The kicker is that they’re in Tonga, and he doesn’t know when they’ll be able to come back, because they don’t have money for the airfare...    Plus, they’ve already been over there for 8+ months, so he’s having a hard time with that. But! He set a baptismal date for January 27th. And we’re hoping his family will be home in time, or else we’ll have to push it back. He’s awesome though.

Well, I have to go. I love you so much! Merry Christmas!    

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks     

Hey Hey!

It’s so good to hear from you! I’m sorry that last week I didn’t respond as much as I usually try to. Specifically dad, I loved reading about what you were saying with the quantum physics. I do find that type of stuff so fascinating as well! I get really excited when I start to think about some of the stuff that I might get to study in the future! I think the whole field of science is so interesting.    

I was thinking of y’all on Friday when you got to go through the temple with Garrett. That is so exciting, I wish I could have been there! It’ll be an amazing experience to go through when William is home. I look forward to going with all 6 of us when Garrett gets back from his mission.

Also, I found out what it is that upset my stomach, and now I’m hoping to be able to avoid it. It’s called Lu, and is the cooked luau leaves... it’s extremely fibrous, if you know what I mean...   Sis Mapa said that there will be times when lu is served as the only dish for a dinner, so I might not have too much of a choice..l but at least now I know!

I hope you can get the inside of the house decorated soon! I love the grinch. I was just thinking that I was wanting a picture, he’s great! And Garrett's pie looked good!

Also! Oh my goodness, thank you for the care package! The USB is perfect. I can plug it in directly to the car, which is sweet. Also, I was smiling so hard when the "Happy Happy Happy" song came on! I can’t believe you sent that. I  don’t think Sis Mapa found it funny.... that’s okay, I did! I love it:) And I couldn’t believe it when I opened my advent calendar and it had sour patch in it! I was just going to bag the chocolates and give them to someone. But when I saw the sour patch, I was so happy! It made my day. Thanks:) with the Scarebox, I’ve just put it on the counter, and am waiting for Sis. Mapa to open it... soon.... 

This week has been good for me. I’m sorry I don’t write as much now as I use to. I feel like it’s all just kinda running together, all my weeks are blurring, and time just flies so fast! I’m starting to get excited to call on Christmas! And p-day will be moved to Tuesday for both Christmas and New Years, so that’ll be good. I’m grateful it’s not on the holidays.

I got to be a part of my first Missionary Leadership Counsel this week. That was cool. It was all the zone leaders, Sister Training leaders, and the assistants. Then, of course President and Sister Whitney. We talked a lot about the Facebook thing, and how it’s going with the missionaries implementing that. It seems to be going well, but there’s still a lot of missionaries being disobedient with it. We’re just doing our best though:) and we also talked about #LIGHTtheWORLD a lot.

Speaking of, have y’all been doing the #LIGHTtheWORLD calendar? You should! I love doing it out here. Though, I don’t like the way it’s cluttering my timeline... #goodsacrifices lol. It’s been cool to see some miracles from it, and people really rallying around his Christmas service. If you’re not doing it, start! Today is “love thy neighbor as thyself” and there are some cool ideas in gospel library.

I don’t really know what else to tell y’all about... sorry! It’s been a good week, I’m just doin my thing, teaching repentance, and baptizing converts!   I feel like I’m starting to connect with the wards a little bit more, though I still feel kinda "outsider” because of the new culture and language.

Oh! I got to play the piano (well try) for one of my Ward’s sacraments yesterday. I wish it would have gone better, but it wasn’t bad. I did my best with what time I had to practice.  It was nice to be able to help the ward though, as they have no other pianist. I think I’ll be doing this the rest of my time here. I just trust God to "multiply my talents" and I’ll do my best and practice when I can!
I hope y’all are having a merry Christmas!   I love you so much!         ☃  

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks     

Malo e lelei,

So, this week has been much better than last week. Of course, I’ve still had my ups and downs, and Sis Mapa and I continue to learn how to work together, but overall, it’s been much better.

I seriously love these wards and love these people!   I don’t know if it’s because they’re Tongan, or these are just great wards, but everyone is so generous and wanting to help and serve. It’s amazing. We have an almost impossible time finding service to do, because no one will let us!

Everyone here is dye-hard rugby. Seriously. There was a big game this weekend, and Tonga lost, and everyone is in arms about it. Apparently there was a questionable play at the end of the game, that would have made Tonga win, but the ref didn’t call it. Rumor is the Tongans government is actually suing... they’re pretty intense in their love of this sport!  The teams name is Mate Ma'a Tonga, which translates into "die for Tonga" and  seriously, everyone has been saying it this week. They really will die for Tonga, I’m pretty sure...  

My Thanksgiving was amazing! We had three thanksgiving feasts. Let me tell you, by the last one, I was sooo full! I don’t think I could have eaten another bite if my life depended on it. I wanted to sleep for a week! Of course though, we got up at 6:30, as always, and got to work on Friday! I had a fun mix of traditional thanksgiving food, with enough Tongan thrown in there to make it interesting. We had a turkey, right next to a full pig, and crab, and some other weird Tongan sides... I got to try some of it, but luckily there was enough normal food, that if I didn’t want to try some of the more mysterious looking stuff, I didn’t need to!  

I’m so excited for Garrett to get to go through the temple on Friday! What an amazing opportunity! I wish I could be there, but I know that the whole reason I’m out here is so that others can be sealed to their family, the way we are already sealed together. It makes these couple of years pretty insignificant, huh? When you compare them to eternity... Every time I think of Garrett going to Guatemala, I get so excited for him! He’s going to love it. But dang, it’ll be a far different experience than any of us three had!

I’m trying to think of anything else cool to tell y’all about... it’s been a pretty normal week, I guess. Oh! I did have my first exchange as an STL this week. That went well. I love exchanges, so I’m excited that now I get to do four every transfer. While we were in exchange, we had a cool experience. We visited one member’s home (to drop off the #LightTheWorld calendar, and a nativity magnet we made for all the members) and we just talked for a moment in the doorstep with the husband, before we turned and were walking away. We got about half way to our car when he came back out, and caught our attention, saying his wife wanted to talk to us. So, we turn around and head back... we go inside this time, and find her on the couch, in tears. Turns out, they’d been having marital problems, and she was just about to pack a bag and leave, when she decided to say a prayer. Not a minute after she said it, we knocked on the door. Isn’t that amazing? Pretty much story status. She said she knew we were the answer to the prayer, and we talked for a few minutes. I don’t know what they’ll do, we of course recommended they talk to bishop, but I hope it works out for them. It was cool to see the lord work through us to help his children.


I think that’s if for me this week! I hope you have an amazing week! Love you soooo much!

'Ofa atu,
Sister Erika Marks  ️ ️ ️ ️