I got y'all's Easter package! I appreciated the PEC, and the new gnome! His name is Gnolan Ryan. Bro Calaway named it after a famous Texas Rangers pitcher. I'll probably just call him Gnolan.
Anyway, first things first! Jennifer was baptized on Saturday! She is such a sweet woman, and was so prepared from the Lord. She was confirmed on Sunday, and has had a warm ward welcome. I've attached some pictures, and I feel so blessed to have been able to teach her before I leave! Sis Day and I were able to sing, Savior, Redeemer of My Soul for the baptism, and it went well! I was hoping to get a recording of it, but wasn't able to. Anyway, the spirit was so strong that morning, and if I wasn't singing, I would have been crying! What a miracle the first covenant on the eternal path is!
Speaking of leaving, I got a call from President Whitney last night, and I've been called to train again! I couldn't believe it! I've been called to "whitewash train" in Trophy Club. It's only about an hour to the north east of Azle, right next to Roanoke. I actually have a Roanoke address, so I'll send that to you later. Anyway, I'm super excited for the change! I can't believe I'm going to be whitewashing and training at the same time, I just plan on having an awesome new companion because she's going to have to be a full fledged part of our companionship right away if we're going to whitewash properly. I am super excited to train again. It'll be great to be able to really go back to basics with a new sister. I am also super excited to whitewash. I feel like it gives a great opportunity to start from scratch and form great relationships with the ward. If they have had bad experiences with missionaries, then I can change that, and if they've had good ones, then I can build on that. What's kinda nerve wracking, is that I'm doing both at once! My one consolation is that I am not really the one that is doing this, the Lord is. He has called me (and my new companion) and it is His work, which means that I don't need to be nervous. It feels overwhelming when I think about it all at once, but I know that whom the Lord calls, He qualifies. Pretty much faith will always overcome fear, and it's no different now. The Lord has called me, which means that he will qualify me as I rely on Him and remain humble! Haha Nah, I'm excited. ❤☀
I am going to really miss the people of Azle, though. They're amazing, and I love them so much. I have full faith and trust that everyone will be taken care of (even if my TypeRed personality is kicking in) haha! No, Sis Day is awesome, and I've been able to say goodbye to most of the people I really connected with, and got a good commitment out of Joe to keep on keeping on and work until he can be baptized. He is a good man, and I have high hopes for his future. I am excited to find how much I will love Trophy Club, because I really love Azle, and I can't wait to feel the love the Lord will give me for my new area. I already love them!
I guess the next topic is, "anniversary" haha! This week Sis Day and I had our 6 month anniversary! It was super fun to be companions for it, and we got some good pictures together. That night, we ate with the Wood's and it was so great! We weren't able to do a spiritual discussion, because they had boiled eggs for us to dye with them! It was so sweet of them to think of us, and it was so fun to dye eggs with them. I did an egg with "Sis Marks" written in it, since I couldn't do my classic, "E". I also did one that said "6" for out six month "anniversary" and another classes multi color one. It was fun. I'll attach pics. It's crazy to think I just have a little over a year left! (Transfers fall so I should come home early May).
And Easter. What a joy! I absolutely LOVED Easter as a missionary! When I really think about the miracle of the resurrection, my heart sings, and I wanted to cry out in praise through song! It's so amazing to think that He rose again! Literally. He did that do that we can all rise again, and to all come before the pleasing bar of God, and be able to be united as families for eternity! How can you keep your heart from exclaiming in joy? I can't believe I have the privilege to be a missionary at this time. I dearly love the spirit I have the privilege of feeling as a missionary, and cherish this time so much. I love the work! I love Jesus Christ! I love y'all!
It sounds like y'all are doing great. I'm so happy to hear it. And it's exciting you were able to get another queen bee and hive. Hopefully it'll live and you'll get lots of honey! It should bee great! And it's crazy to think sometimes how close William is to me. So close, yet so far away! Everyone down here is super polite, for sure! He'll love it. And he'll love the heat J
I love you all sooo much! I hope you have a great week! Pass my love to everyone, I don't have time to email anyone but you this week:)
❤U!
Love,
Sister Erika Marks ❤☀
Anyway, first things first! Jennifer was baptized on Saturday! She is such a sweet woman, and was so prepared from the Lord. She was confirmed on Sunday, and has had a warm ward welcome. I've attached some pictures, and I feel so blessed to have been able to teach her before I leave! Sis Day and I were able to sing, Savior, Redeemer of My Soul for the baptism, and it went well! I was hoping to get a recording of it, but wasn't able to. Anyway, the spirit was so strong that morning, and if I wasn't singing, I would have been crying! What a miracle the first covenant on the eternal path is!
Speaking of leaving, I got a call from President Whitney last night, and I've been called to train again! I couldn't believe it! I've been called to "whitewash train" in Trophy Club. It's only about an hour to the north east of Azle, right next to Roanoke. I actually have a Roanoke address, so I'll send that to you later. Anyway, I'm super excited for the change! I can't believe I'm going to be whitewashing and training at the same time, I just plan on having an awesome new companion because she's going to have to be a full fledged part of our companionship right away if we're going to whitewash properly. I am super excited to train again. It'll be great to be able to really go back to basics with a new sister. I am also super excited to whitewash. I feel like it gives a great opportunity to start from scratch and form great relationships with the ward. If they have had bad experiences with missionaries, then I can change that, and if they've had good ones, then I can build on that. What's kinda nerve wracking, is that I'm doing both at once! My one consolation is that I am not really the one that is doing this, the Lord is. He has called me (and my new companion) and it is His work, which means that I don't need to be nervous. It feels overwhelming when I think about it all at once, but I know that whom the Lord calls, He qualifies. Pretty much faith will always overcome fear, and it's no different now. The Lord has called me, which means that he will qualify me as I rely on Him and remain humble! Haha Nah, I'm excited. ❤☀
I am going to really miss the people of Azle, though. They're amazing, and I love them so much. I have full faith and trust that everyone will be taken care of (even if my TypeRed personality is kicking in) haha! No, Sis Day is awesome, and I've been able to say goodbye to most of the people I really connected with, and got a good commitment out of Joe to keep on keeping on and work until he can be baptized. He is a good man, and I have high hopes for his future. I am excited to find how much I will love Trophy Club, because I really love Azle, and I can't wait to feel the love the Lord will give me for my new area. I already love them!
I guess the next topic is, "anniversary" haha! This week Sis Day and I had our 6 month anniversary! It was super fun to be companions for it, and we got some good pictures together. That night, we ate with the Wood's and it was so great! We weren't able to do a spiritual discussion, because they had boiled eggs for us to dye with them! It was so sweet of them to think of us, and it was so fun to dye eggs with them. I did an egg with "Sis Marks" written in it, since I couldn't do my classic, "E". I also did one that said "6" for out six month "anniversary" and another classes multi color one. It was fun. I'll attach pics. It's crazy to think I just have a little over a year left! (Transfers fall so I should come home early May).
And Easter. What a joy! I absolutely LOVED Easter as a missionary! When I really think about the miracle of the resurrection, my heart sings, and I wanted to cry out in praise through song! It's so amazing to think that He rose again! Literally. He did that do that we can all rise again, and to all come before the pleasing bar of God, and be able to be united as families for eternity! How can you keep your heart from exclaiming in joy? I can't believe I have the privilege to be a missionary at this time. I dearly love the spirit I have the privilege of feeling as a missionary, and cherish this time so much. I love the work! I love Jesus Christ! I love y'all!
It sounds like y'all are doing great. I'm so happy to hear it. And it's exciting you were able to get another queen bee and hive. Hopefully it'll live and you'll get lots of honey! It should bee great! And it's crazy to think sometimes how close William is to me. So close, yet so far away! Everyone down here is super polite, for sure! He'll love it. And he'll love the heat J
I love you all sooo much! I hope you have a great week! Pass my love to everyone, I don't have time to email anyone but you this week:)
❤U!
Love,
Sister Erika Marks ❤☀