Love and Service

Hello Friends and Family-

Are you ready for General Conference?  I am looking forward to hearing the words of our Prophet and those other men and women who have been asked to speak to us.

I've already found some great material to use for district meeting tomorrow. One is about creating success I can't remember who wrote it though. I want to sit down around the table with everyone and we're going to discuss their areas and how we as a district can make a difference, and what we can do to have more success. I believe our district will lead the zone by pushing with love and service :)

I on occasion feel like I don't have enough time to be out here on my mission. I think it's going by to fast. But at the same time when I think about it I feel like I'VE BEEN OUT FOREVER.  The mission president has rules about dinner appointments, but the ward tries to feed us as much as possible. I'm still in the Odessa zone. I hope to never leave it, but it will probably come to an end someday. 

I really don't know to much about Elder Rose. I'm still trying to find out about him since it's only been a week. He's not much of a talker, but when he talks it's either hilarious or it means something. We're really loving serving together. I should have more next week to tell you about him.We are the only two in our apartment. There isn't a single apartment where two sets of elders live. Every companionship has their own place to live. I haven't quite got it done, but Elder Rose said it's the cleanest it's been since he's been there 6 months. I can't live someplace that is messy.

That's good to hear that the building is just about done with. I'm excited to see pictures of it and actually see it when I get home. Y'all could make a video if a tour and show me every single inch of the new place. I should be sending a box home soon with a couple memory cards.

That's exciting to hear that Ryan and Sammie are going to have a baby! I can't wait till they name it Devon ;) hehehehe.

MAN! Tell Zed and his family to come here! I will be so jealous if he and his wife come up for conference breakfast!  He loves the sticky buns!

The work here is going SUPER! Elder Rose and I are hoping to set the most baptismal dates here in our zone! We're already tied at 4 dates with some super solid people and then we're going to have at least 2 more by the end of the week. I love the people we're teaching. One guy Joe, told us the Book of Mormon is kinda like being a runner that has always ran on a dirt track, and it just got paved. SO SICK!

I love the ward here. I haven't quite met everyone there yet. But we're going to go visit several members during the week to get to know them and their families.

OH! who here is related to Grandma Fish?!?! I remember she said something about it when we went to visit.  I would love to know who so we can visit them! :D That would be so neat. Maybe if I get a minute I'll shoot her a quick letter!  I would love to hear from her.

Love,
Elder Marshall 

PS Thanks for everything :)

Moved to Midland

Hey Everybody,

SOO I've been transferred to Midland! There's other missionaries around here so it's nice. I've been called as a District leader. That's weird.. I have to find stuff to talk to other missionaries about for 45 minutes!  It will go well though.  I have absolutely no idea what to do haha I'm so lost. 

My new companion is Elder Travis Rose. He pretty tight. I'm enjoying being in a new place. When I left Big Spring I got about a million kisses on the cheek by the ladies in the ward. I also got some pretty cool things. I ended up writing thank you notes to just about every active member who helped further the work. I hope that gives them a boost and get the member work flying there. The members there are the best!  I felt very loved and taken care of...I know momma wanted to hear that, but it is true- members loving the missionaries is so important.

Elder Simpson stayed in Big Spring and he is comps with my last district leader Elder Harrison, who is still the district leader. I think they will do well together. 

P-DAYS ARE ON MONDAY!!! No more Thursday.  It broke up the week but I am excited for the change.

That's great to hear that Cameron is home and he enjoyed his mission.  Welcome home Cameron.

As for preparing for general conference I'm pretty much going to pray about things I need answers to and then write them down so I can receive revelation for the things I need. The Lord knows each of us and will give us all of the information we need and those we righteously desire.

My address is 3601 Andrews Hwy apartment 405 Midland Texas 79705.

I am so scatter brained this morning. I've been cleaning the apartment like a mad dog. It's the gnarliest place I've lived in so far. There are food stains all over and gross things... I feel like I should just choke and die.  I HATE messy things! I certainly can't sleep in messes. 

What's Matt's full name? I want to write him.

I love you - I've got like 30 emails..

Love,

Elder Marshall

PS... Don't forget to write me on Sunday so I get emails on MONDAY!!!

Fried Oreo Cookies

Hello everyone,

We love fried oreo cookies.  It's super easy and a delicious desert. Here is the recipe for you. It's pancake mix. I have one of those huge bags it's blue... I think it's Krusteaz? I'm not exactly sure, it's the one we always buy, oreos or twist and shouts from walmart, basically the same exact thing and oil about 300 or 350 degrees, we just turn the stove top to high let it get hot put 1 SMALL drop of water in wait till it starts popping and then turn it down to med high. Then you dip an oreo into the batter, use a fork to get the whole thing covered real well, then fork it out and drop it in the hot oil. you want to put the oil in a pot make sure the oil is like 2 and a half inches or 3 inches deep. after you drop the batter covered oreo into the hot oil you'll want to use tongs or something to flip it a few times so it cooks evenly and then pull them out and stick them on a plate with paper towels to soak up the grease. I'm sure you could look it up on line like on youtube and watch a video of how to do it. It's pretty simple.

I'm trying to keep it off the weight but it is , but it's tough.

So this past week not to many thing happened. probably the most exciting thing was going down to Odessa to baptize Becca! :D I was about ready to cry when we were in the font. It was so great to see her make the decision to get baptized. Oh there is a book her husband needs to look up. "The Little Book of Book Of Mormon Evidences" - John Hilton. If you post it on the blog she'll make sure he knows about it. 

Besides the baptism not to much has happened. We've found someone new to teach. He's brilliant about the bible, and super hard to teach. He has read the New testament over a thousand times. Literally. He quotes scriptures like a BOSS. The hardest thing is he's developed his own views about certain things, and we can't convince him of anything so we're really pushing him to pray about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He said he should have it read all the way through in a week or so! that's ridiculously fast. haha 

We got a package yesterday!  It was great.  We loved opening it :) Elder Simpson was in heaven especially with the zingers and ding dongs.  He loved the apron.  

Next Monday is transfers so if you send anything before then send it to the mission office and it'll get to me.

I love you and I hope everything is going well. I appreciated this spiritual thought. It was really good.

D&C 64:33-34 "33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

34 Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the lad of Zion in these last day." 

"The major work of the world is not done by geniuses. It is done by ordinary people who have learned to work in an extraordinary manner." Gordon B. Hinckley

I love you,
Elder Marshall

Super Exciting News!

Hey Family and Friends,
Sounds like some exciting things are happening in up there! I am excited Austin is starting his papers!  Soon there will be no one at home, except you and dad.  

Our transfer call is Monday the 19th of March so we have one more good week together. :) at least one more for sure week. Elder Simpson and I need a package with treats in them. Actually I am trying to eat better so I can loose some weight, but a package would be awesome!  We really appreciate you mailing us stuff!  We love mail and stuff :) !

Yeah I got the package with the apron. I love it! I use it all the time especially when I'm white ninja and I don't want to make a mess of myself :) My comp needs one too!  He is always trying to wash stains out of his clothes...kidding...really he does need an apron.

It so so sad to hear about Sister Black's passing, at least she'll be doing much better up in heaven. :) But we will miss her quick wit. 

Happy Birthday last week to Evan!  Happy Birthday this week to Grandma C!  

SSSSOOOOO!!! I have some super exciting news! So this last Saturday I got a call from my Zone Leaders and they had the GREATEST news EVER! So remember we were teaching a girl in Odessa-- R --- my very first area, she has accepted a baptismal date!  We let the sisters who took over 2nd ward in Odessa know who she was and when we moved out they went to visit her.  SO the best part of all is she wants me to baptize her! Saturday E. Simpson and I get to drive down to Odessa! I"M SO PUMPED!

That's so exciting to hear the progress on the office building! I can't wait to see the pictures! HINT!! I'm sure it looks great and dad is probably excited to be moving in soon! :D

The weather is so weird here! Yesterday, Wednesday it was 84! and today it is 39 with a good mist! What is wrong with Texas. It has hot flashes and cold sweats... 

That's not good to hear that grandma isn't doing well. Tell her to feel better! And to be happy!  

We've been really busy knocking a lot! Tuesday Elder Simpson and I went on exchanges I was with our district leader up here in Big Spring. I was with Elder Harrison. We had a great exchange.

OH! what's the recipe for the pizza casserole and any other quick meal? Will you see if any one has any like 15- 20 min meals I can make. I'm pretty sick of eating fruits and veggies raw and  freezer food. I wish there was a missionary cook book that had healthy meals for cheap that don't take most of the hour to prep and make. HINT!

I love you. Thanks for everything. 
Love,
Elder Marshall

Studying A LOT

Howdy Momma and Poppa and Family and Friends.....

I was listening to the talk Profile of a Prophet, by Hugh B Brown. MAN! That is a great talk! I would definitely recommend ANYONE to read or listen to that talk. It is another testament that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. The whole talk just proves that Joseph Smith is a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is true. I've been trying to use it in my teaching.

Lately I've been studying a lot on the atonement and I read a talk by Jeffrey R. Holland. I want to Quote something out of it.   "When you struggle, when you are rejected, when you are spit upon, and cast out, and made a hiss, and a byword, YOU ARE STANDING WITH THE BEST LIFE THIS WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN, the only pure and perfect life ever lived. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions."   I would have to recommend to every single missionary to read the talk entitled "Missionary Work and the Atonement"  20 June 2000

That's great that Miah is home! I'm glad he loved his mission! :D Ask him to write me and send me any pointers :)

I love you :) Thank you for your letters and emails :) I really can not tell you how much they mean to me. I truly appreciate them.

Love ya,
Elder Marshall

PS  I love this..
This was in a talk by Henry B. Eyring, but I believe he was quoting someone else... and made a few changes?

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED

I

---

"Fellowship of the Unashamed" by Henry B. Eyring.

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

The die has been cast.

I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tainted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I don't have to be first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean on his presence, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast and my goal is Heaven.

My road is narrow, my way is rough.

My companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided, diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the fare of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up and paid up for the cause of Christ.

I must go till He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.

MY BANNER WILL BE CLEAR!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of GOD unto Salvation to ever one that believeth... " Romans 1:16.