Hello! (You should watch the first few seconds of Pres Monson's talk, "as we meet again" from the October 2011 conference. It's funny. At least, it is to missionaries...).

So, I feel like I have a ton to tell you this week! Hopefully I've enough time to:) last week I honestly, and probably obviously, didn't have time to proof read, but I'm trying to do better!

So, big news: Jen is getting baptized!!! I mean, I knew she would be, but we've made it official. It'll be Saturday the 15th at 11:00. Transfers are the next Wednesday, the 19th, so I'll be there! I'm so excited for her! Plus, she'll be confirmed on Easter! We're so excited!

Oh my goodness, Conference was so good his weekend! We were able to watch all 4 sessions with different members, and Jen was able to be at all of them. She had a warm welcome by the ward members, and we were so thankful to see that. I loved so many of the talks, and it seemed to me like there was a lot about charity, and I especially loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk. One of my favorite lines though, was from Elder Rasband, when he said we should be a, "spiritual first responder" I love that idea! Especially in the field, everything I do is to try to help others, and to do and be what Heavenly Father needs, so if I can be a spiritual paramedic, then that's pretty cool.

Last night, we had a cool experience. We were told of this woman that we should "tract" into (we call it targeted tracting) because apparently a lot of ward members know her and her family, but she'd never talked with missionaries before. We went and knocked in her door, and she was sooo nice! She and her husband have 5 kids at home, and are devout Catholics, but was happy to see us. They invited us in for hot chocolate, and we were able to visit for a bit and share the Book of Mormon. She accepted one gladly, and the oldest two daughters downloaded it on their phones. In her own words, she said she was a, "cradle Catholic, and not going to convert". However, the Book of Mormon has a lot of power! They invited us back for dinner this Friday, and were open to hearing a message as well. They said they'd start reading before then, and I'm excited to work with the family! Even if she doesn't convert, her older daughters seem interested.

As far as other investigators, Joe is still Joe. He says he knows the Book of Mormon is true, but still has a hard time getting to church and acting on that knowledge. I mean, he definitely understands, he just has a hard time transitioning that to acting. He's doing his best though, and going through some hard stuff right now that definitely plays into everything. Then Breanna is doing okay. She asked us to stop coming out as frequently, and to slow down. However, her reasoning behind it is sound. Since she doesn't have any Christian background, she feels like she wants to understand some of the stories and stuff first. To that end, we'll be going over occasionally to read scriptures with her, and to teach her. Slow and steady.

However, I had a really cool experience with her (well, about her) the other day. I was kneeling down saying my evening prayers right before bed. In the prayer, I was praying for my investigators, and specifically Breanna because I didn't know how to help her. (Mainly because it's so different teaching someone with no Christian background). As I was praying I got this distinct, and sacred feeling. It came powerfully, almost as words to my mind. I heard, "she's my daughter. I love her. She's in my care." And I just had this overwhelming feeling that when the time was right, she would know the truth and be a strong disciple. Because of that experience, I wasn't surprised when she half dropped us, but I have total peace and confidence that she will come to know the truth, even if the time is not now for her. I can think of only two other times in my life that I've had something that distinct happen, and I feel so blessed for each of them.

I love you all so much! I hope you have an amazing week. You are always in my prayers.

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks ❤☀

Hey y'all!

Thank you so much for your letters of encouragement and support. I have definitely been trying to find ways to healthily process my emotions and stress from the last few weeks, and think I've done pretty well. Sis Martin got ET'd (Emergency Transferred) back home this week. My companion is now Sis Day. We were actually MTC companions! So it's super fun to serve with her again, even though unfortunate circumstances that led to it.

On Wednesday, Sis. Martin was still recovering from the concussion, though she was doing a lot better. We were able to do service that morning, but when we came back she was fighting one of her worse migraines yet. I studied for a while, then laid down for a rest. When I got up, I checked the phone, and there were 6 missed calls from president, with a text that said, "call me ASAP" - oops! We both knew what was coming from that conversation, and it was one of the hardest things to call him back. We found out that Sis Martin was to be sent home so that she could get the help she needs. When they decide to send someone home, they act fast. She was going with President and Sister Whitney the next day (Thursday) after Zone Conference, and would be on a plane Friday.

Wednesday night we went over to the Calaway's to say goodbye and ask for blessings. Bro Calaway kindly gave us each one, and they gave more peace than anything else could have at the time. We were both assured that we've done our best. Sis Martin was told that the Lord was proud of her effort, and she gave all He expected. What a blessing in that time of turmoil! I was blessed with peace about what I did with and for her, which has helped me a lot to feel at peace as I process having to send my companion home. I know I've done my best, so I can move forward with my head high, and my trust in God. This is His work, after all, not mine, so there's nothing that happens that is not in accordance with His plan. What a comfort when something that is contrary to our mortal wishes occurs. Of course His eternal will and perspective is so much more important. Trust in that.

So, I'm with Sis Day now. She was in a trio that they were able to split. I'm so grateful I didn't have to leave Azle, and for her willingness to come over. She had less than 24 hours notice of the transfer, and I am so grateful to her. We met up at Zone Conference, and have been companions since. It's nice being able to get out and work, though I do miss Sis Martin. We're keeping in touch of course. I heard from her today, and she's doing well! She was able to give a Book of Mormon out on the plane ride home, and so had an awesome last few hours with the tag.

It was hard not being able to call y'all when this was all happening, it definitely felt like I should last weekend when the concussion happened, but I know that it was good I couldn't. There are amazing people here who watch out for us, and I'm so grateful to them.

Then, this weekend I got to hear from Elder Rasband twice! On Saturday he did a mission conference, and on Sunday he was at our Stake Conference. I got to shake his hand on Saturday, so that was awesome. He really is a great man, and a true prophet, seer, and revelator of the Lord. One thing he said which stood out to me was that if Christ were speaking to us that day, the very first thing he would say is how much He loves us. That's so true, and hit me hard. I'd never thought about it like that, but of course that would be he first thing our Savior and big brother would say. He loves us each so much, and would want us to know that, to internalize it.

We had an awesome lesson with Jennifer this week! She's the one who just came to church last week, with nobody there! She said she wants to be baptized, and we'll be working toward that with her. We're meeting on Tuesday morning, and are hoping to set a baptismal date with her! No word from Joel. We're meeting with Breanna again tonight, so that should be good. Then, this Friday we have a dinner with a part member family, and I hope that goes well! It should.

I love seeing those pictures of Garrett. It's cool he got a job out at Home Depot. That's right up his ally, so that's cool. It's good that it's finally getting to be spring! After the winter y'all have had, you deserve it! It's already pretty much summer here. It's 90 degrees today!

Thanks for the ECP (Emergency Care Package)! It was good timing, it got here on Friday, which was an interesting day. Also, I love the napping gnome! I don't have a good name for it yet, so any ideas would be appreciated. I'm wondering about Gnappster (from The Italian Job) :)

Well, that's about it from me is week. I love you sooo much! Thank you for your letters and stuff of support and encouragement, and please pass that on for me tonight to all the family, as I've gotten lots of support from them but haven't been able to get back to them as much as I wish I could. I love y'all so much!

All my love,
Sister Erika Marks ❤☀