Honor the Name You Bear!

Howdy Momma & Poppa and friends,

Things are good. We've still been doing quite a lot of knocking while attempting to not go insane. We found a potential investigator!  We saw him working on his car when we pulled into our apartment complex, and I walked up to him and asked him if he needed help. He looked really confused. He said he had just replaced a tube to his radiator and couldn't figure out if he had fixed the leak he was having. I went and sat down in his seat and turned over the engine and told him he'd never see the leak if the engine wasn't running. It was still leaking, so we gave him some water to add to his radiator until he could get to an auto store. We were able to have a really good lesson with him and then he gave us his number to come over and teach him some more. I can not wait! :D

I'm glad things are going well for you. :)  The building seems to be going well, I am glad Austin is reading his scriptures and preparing lessons for Priesthood.  Mom I am sure you are loving teaching  in church again. That's great that you are the church Bus. We have an 80 year old sister here Sister Menges who is pretty much the bus. She's wonderful!  I love her.

Elder Simpson and I are getting along great. We are still finding things to laugh about and have fun. Some days are rough, but we give it our best positive attitude.  HE WOULD LOVE MAIL.

President Uchtdorf talked about a military base in his talk, "You matter to Him" in this past General Conference.  The military in base Big Spring base is closed down now. It's been closed for several years now. But I think it is important to remember that every one is important.  The members here didn't know that he would one day be an apostle, he didn't know it.  But God knew who he was and he knows who each of us are today. :D

This story is incredible. I was in tears when I read it. 

“A number of years ago I was seriously ill. In fact, I think everyone gave up on me but my wife. … I became so weak as to be scarcely able to move. It was a slow and exhausting effort for me even to turn over in bed.

“One day, under these conditions, I lost consciousness of my surroundings and thought I had passed to the Other Side. I found myself standing with my back to a large and beautiful lake, facing a great forest of trees. There was no one in sight, and there was no boat upon the lake or any other visible means to indicate how I might have arrived there. I realized, or seemed to realize, that I had finished my work in mortality and had gone home. …

“I began to explore, and soon I found a trail through the woods which seemed to have been used very little, and which was almost obscured by grass. I followed this trail, and after I had walked for some time and had traveled a considerable distance through the forest, I saw a man coming towards me. I became aware that he was a very large man, and I hurried my steps to reach him, because I recognized him as my grandfather [George A. Smith]. In mortality he weighed over three hundred pounds, so you may know he was a large man. I remember how happy I was to see him coming. I had been given his name and had always been proud of it.

“When Grandfather came within a few feet of me, he stopped. His stopping was an invitation for me to stop. Then—and this I would like the boys and girls and young people never to forget—he looked at me very earnestly and said:

“‘I would like to know what you have done with my name.’

“Everything I had ever done passed before me as though it were a flying picture on a screen—everything I had done. Quickly this vivid retrospect came down to the very time I was standing there. My whole life had passed before me. I smiled and looked at my grandfather and said:

“‘I have never done anything with your name of which you need be ashamed.’

“He stepped forward and took me in his arms, and as he did so, I became conscious again of my earthly surroundings. My pillow was as wet as though water had been poured on it—wet with tears of gratitude that I could answer unashamed.

“I have thought of this many times, and I want to tell you that I have been trying, more than ever since that time, to take care of that name. So I want to say to the boys and girls, to the young men and women, to the youth of the Church and of all the world: Honor your fathers and your mothers. Honor the names that you bear.”

I really have been trying to apply that to me personally and as a missionary. I want to honor my grandfathers name, and I want to honor My Saviors name. I bear it on my chest for the world to see. I want all I meet to know that Christ is central to our message. I want to honor His name.

We should all remember weather we have His name on our chest or in our hearts it is important for the world to see what we do each day with his name. 

I love you!
Love,
Elder Marshall :D

True Charity is Love in Action

Hello to all of my family and friends and those who come upon my blog,

Well  this week was full of knocking and not to much happening. I did get the letters you sent us. Elder Simpson was very joyful about it.  (Thanks Jessica for the beautiful doodles!) We really needed the uplifting. Letters make us happy!  

We had interviews with President this morning. They went really well. We had a lot to talk about but there wasn't quite enough time.  I love talking to my mission President.  He makes me feel good about myself and helps me refocus on the important things about serving the Lord.

I'm sick right now. Elder Simpson was sick earlier this week and then I caught it yesterday. I was in bed all day, and I didn't want to be. I have never been a good sick person, or good when others are sick.  I think I get it from Momma (Kidding...sort of....love ya momma) 

There's not to much going on with our area right now. We were told by our AP's in district meeting to get solid commitments and how to get the work going.

There's two types of missionaries. Do-ers and Almost-ers. I know what kind I want to be. I've resolved that I want to be a more positive missionary and get the most out of the work. the more I put into it the more I will get out of it.  I'm tired of surface level conversation and small commitments. I want more.

I have more to talk about, but we need to get going. I miss you all.  Happy Birthday to Sarah on the 13th...sorry I missed you last week,  Liz on the 22nd,  Linda the 25th and Tyler the 27th.  Some of my favorite people were born in February.  

Thanks for all of the letters this week...I guess you put that in the blog...glad it worked....I love hearing from so many people!

I know this work is divine, and inspired of God. I know our Father in Heaven loves us with the most pure love.  President Monson said "There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere."

You are all in my thought and prayer. Be happy!

I love you,
Elder Marshall

Staying...

Family and Friends,

I'm staying in Big Spring for another 6 weeks. We got our transfer call this Monday. I will have been here for 6 months at the end of this transfer. Four and a half with my comp, who I still like. 

Oh I'm learning sign language. I'm would like to find a deaf community or person, I can work with or practice with but it's going to take a lot of work.

I got the package you sent. I saw all the pictures. It was really nice to see everyone thanks, but there was only like a couple pics of you and dad.  

That's great that the office building is almost done. Are you thinking you'll be in there by the end of the month if not sooner? Moving is so much fun:)

B.. is still as awesome as it gets.  I feel so close to him. He continues to learn.  My biggest problem is I don't want to leave because of some of the families here. But I am sure that this is my last transfer here.

That's crazy to hear that Julia is coming home so soon.  Times flies........

It's true what people say about the mission. You get your highest highs and your lowest lows. 

The church is true.  

Happy Valentine's Day!!
I love you all.
Love,
Elder Marshall

PS I NEED more letters.  I am feeling ignored by my friends.

Teaching, Learning, Happy

Hello family and friends,

Still teaching, still learning, still happy!

I bear my witness that this is the true church. This is Christ's church restored to the earth. I know that our Father in Heaven loves each and every one of us. I know that with out a doubt in my heart. God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten son, Jesus, to die for us. He loves us so much that He asked His son to sacrifice himself for our eternal life. What incredible charity. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet. I know that through the power of God Joseph was able to translate the Book Of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It will draw anyone who reads it with an open heart closer to God than anything else. It is a Blessing to have it in my life. I rely on the comfort it brings me. Nothing else brings me more peace than when I'm feasting on the words from it. I love this Gospel. I love knowing that I will be able to return to my Father in Heaven, and live with my family once again.

I love you,
Elder Marshall