Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Hello Everyone!

Everything is good hear in Harlem. Its hot, and people are angry. But thats just normal lol!  But no Greg did call! He needs to call again!  He had to go because we had to report numbers, because Huerta is District Leader. And then President Smith called about a mini mission one of the kids in the ward is going to have with us, Filipe . So after Elder Huerta got off the phone with prez I was waiting for Greg to call back,  but he never did :(  so you can tell him to if he wants. I don't like breaking rules at all, but I would like to talk to Greg about how his mission was and he could probably help motivate me even more. And its only a missionary calling another missionary right? lol! But also when is Aunt Cindy coming into NY? I need to know. I will be with Elder Mitchell another Elder in our District next Thursday I think and if she is only here that day I won't be able to see her, because I don't know him that well and yeah. But Wed would be best, but just let me know when she is coming. Oh and hopefully not FRIDAY SATURDAY OR SUNDAY this weekend as well. Because that is when Felipe is doing his mini mission with us. He leaves on the 18th and does not go to the MTC because he is illegal so we will be like his MTC. lol! But no I really don't like breaking the rules. I'm living with missionaries right now, who seem to constantly break rules. Love them to death, but its hard to be obedient when they are not :( Elder Nevarez, Stevens, and Martindale were super obedient and now that they are gone its harder, but I'm just trying to lead by example. Its hard. Really is. Especially with some rules! But no all is good! We have Elder B and Elder W living with us now! Elder B is from Fiji and W is from Tuskeegee Alabama! Haha they are both awesome! I'm the only white person in our Apartment lol! Weird! lol!  the Four of us had a way fun time on the 4th. We had to be in at 6 so we had a BBQ with a George Foreman Grill (Aparently we can't use a real one 19 floors up on our balcany :( Sad I know lol!) So I made Dads Hamburgers and some Gumbo! It actually turned out really really good :) Elder B is in love with it :) But we did get to see fireworks! On the 4th and the 3rd. I actually thought the 3rd was better. They had a show in queens, and our apartment looks out over the east side of Manhattan Island so we could see it from up there! Way pretty! I did not get any pictures though :( I missed being home on the 4th, making Sparkler Bombs, Dads cooking, hanging out with friends and blowing stuff up! lol! But its all good! We had a good time! Played cards and ate good food! So all was good! I will send home pictures soon! With a little piece of paper like I did last time!  I will try to send them soon! Maybe not till next Wednesday, but I will try to get them out sooner!

But yeah we still have a Baptism planned for Arlen this week! :) At Five o'clock! You all should come! Chiste! Pero... Uhm Yeah I'm excited for it! She is way awesome! She is so ready! She is actually the one who asked us if she could be baptized! So she is super ready!

But then what else has happened? Uhm... Oh actually some pretty cool things! So the other day we were out doing some look ups and we stopped at an apartment building and sat on the steps. Then this car pulls up and we look up and see this Guy and He looks at us. He called us over, and begged us to give him something to read. It sucked because I had just given away an English Book of Mormon so I had no more! Elder Huerta and I dug in our bags for like 2 minutes to find something in English to give this Guy. Ended up giving him the Restoration pamphlet. We got his number and told him we would call him to give him something else to read. So we call him that night and tell him to meet us at 85th street and Lexington to give him a Book of Mormon. This was a really cool experience. Both us and him were about 10 minutes late and we arrived there at the same exact time. He gets out of his car and before we can ever say "Hello Mike how are you doing?" He comes up and hugs us. He told us his story of what happened the day before. His son had just gotten arrested for killing a guy. He was distraught and went to a church and started praying. Asking for a sign. Anything. He told us, that nothing was coming while he was in church. So he decided to drive home. He said he had a weird feeling to drive by his old home. The apartment building we were sitting at.... Not but 1 minute after leaving the Church he saw us sitting there staring right at him. He took the pamphelt and left. Saw Jesus Christ holding the Lamb on the pamphlet. While he was in Church he read 1 Scripture and 1 scripture only. Pslms 23. The Lord is my Shepherd. Said he saw this (the picture of Jesus with the lamb) and started bawling, and knew that this was his sign and this was how God was going to make his life better. Even cooler part. He has a piece of paper right above his head in his car and It says Jesus. He has know idea how it got there. And he has washed his car 3 times and it will not come off. He believes its Gods way of saying he is protected. And I believe it too! But Yeah it was just like a mini miracle and really cool! Keep him and keep his son in your prayers please! He is a good guy, sounds like he is originally form Jamaica. He calls us his miracle and will not call us Elder lol! He forced us to tell him our first names lol!

But something else cool that happened this week is with our investigator Cindy. We brought her to Church and everything was going fine, then she turns to me in sacrament meeting. And says "Can I talk to you in the Hallway?" And I was freaking out because I thought she hated church or something. So we got in the hall and she tells me how she just feels terrible about being at church without her Daughter. Because it was because of her Daughter that she started taking lessons. Because her daughter was asking questions like "What is the purpose of life"  "Why did God let his Son die?" and ones like "What size shoe does God have?" lol!  Things like that. And then the elevator they were standing in opened up and there were two missionaries. And she said "They can answer your questions." lol!

But that was with other missionaries and somehow she fell through and was not taught again until Elder Martindale and Felipe found her when they were looking up some formers.

But yeah, she speaks spanish and English and she told me that she wants to go to the English Ward, because she wants her daughter to be a part of this also and she wants her to understand the importance of this. Because her daughter does not know spanish. (Most of the kids in our ward don't) She said the only reason she came with us is because she liked me and Elder Huerta Luna a lot. So then I was like well.... Actually you would need to be taught by two English Missionaries. then Elder B and W walk out the Elevator lol! And I was like "Well actually they can teach you!"

But we talked with her and all four of us will be going over there from now on! But she loves the Church. she loves it so much that she felt bad being there without her daughter. Which is way cool! She is a cool lady! She is funny, and the one I need Joseph Smith The Prophet of the Restoration... do you guys care if I order it and just have it sent to the Mission home? And I can keep it and watch it with Members and Investigators?

But yes she is way awesome! and will get baptized after she is done with nursing school in September! But I'm just happy we still get to go over there! :)

Then we got a baptismal date for Eric and Christina! they are a couple in there 20's not married. They will be baptized on the 23rd and we have another date for the 6th of August with a man from Mexico. His name is Silvano. He is a recovering Alchoholic... Spelled that wrong  I think lol! But he is cool! The sisters were teaching him, but they handed him over to us because he was always drunk and alone. They asked him to be baptized and he rejected, but I asked him in my broken Spanish and promised him that after he was, his problem would be solved! And he would drink no more! But first he needs to be baptized! The Spirt was so strong and I was blessed with the Gift of Tongue in that moment! I actually made sense and taught about half of the lesson! The Spirit testified and it was so cool to see that man change in just a twinkling of an eye! He is excited to go to church and excited to start on his journey to change his life once and for all! I love seeing the atoning power of Jesus Christ work through people! And it will be cool to see that promise come true! It was not me who said it! It was the Spirit! I could never promise someone something like that on my own! I am excited for him! We have a lot of good things going on here!

Teaching another guy named James with B and W. They want us to. We met him at church on Sunday. Got there way early for the English Ward so Huerta and I started talking to him and B and W came and taught with us towards the end. We taught almosst everything but the plan of Salvation to him lol! We talked for like 2 hours! He went to church and loved it! He loves the idea of tithing! Haha I never thought I would see someones testimony increase off of that, but its so cool that it will! He is an interesting guy with some interesting ideas, but knows the bible really well. And loves the way the Church works! He had some doubts about being baptized again, but now understands the importance. We have met with him once and are talking to him again on sunday! Its nice to be teaching some English!

Uhm, we have not talked to Carlos in like 2 weeks :( He Got a Job :) He has been looking for one for 9 months, and just seems to be when he started reading the Book of Mormon he got one! He recognizes that. And he wants to meet with us, but won't come to church. he wants to.. But yeah. I have a feeling his date will be pushed. But It is all going to work out for him! I just think it is going to take a little more time!

Still no word from Lissalo! :( Keep her in your prayers. then everyone else seems to be doing fine! We have a lot to do! Some days are slower than others! but its all good :) I'm doing good! How are you all! Crazy to think Greg will be home so soon! Miss that kid! I have had a couple dreams about him the past couple nights! Good idea to get new couches. Angel destroyed those things! I actually miss that stupid dog lol! I'm glad lindsay is having fun in UT! Glad she gets to see tre again before he leaves! I need to write him back! i am so slow at that! I have so many people I need to reply to! I need to put letters for Bryan And Nick in the Mail today! And Other people to write! I still need to write Mike Back and Granny first off! I got a letter from her yesterday!

 And the spanish is frustrating! Its scares me at times lol! Elder Huerta does not give me much time for language study... It stincks. Something we are trying to work on. He never plans it in. And I always tell him I need language study. But I rarely get it... But oh well. Its something that I think will come faster with my next companion. And I always try to speak to him in Spanish and he replies in English which does not help... Thats like our only problem though! Well I hope todd has fun at EFY tell him to write me and tell me how it was! Tell him to tell me everything! 

 But I'm good! I hope everything is good at home for everyone! How are the Cards doing? And Mom Yes I did get your package! Thank you so much! I got Blue Bearry again :) :) Elder W gets annoyed that I always squeeze his hand but deep down I know he loves it!  (the bear is a gift from Melissa, that says "I love you" when you squeeze his hand."lol)

So also saw a gun fight a couple nights ago right outside our apartment. Two Kids were firing back and forth at each other. Long story. But it was at four in the Morning! I'm just glad no one got shot! You think its so cool in movies and stuff till you are watching it in real life... Scary stuff! I don't know how anyone could pull a trigger with another person on the End of the Barrel... don't worry about me. This stuff always happens at like 2 or 3 in the Morning. I'm 19 floors up. So much Drug problems here. and people say Weed does not kill. I beg to differ. That is why everyone is getting shot up down here.

Harlem Smells like Mary J. You cant go anywhere and not smell hash on the walls. Its either Marijuana or Pee. I can't really tell the difference. It smells terrible. And people just walk by you and you can smell it on them. Weed sells like Eggs and Bread here. People put it on there grocery list. Not even joking. Just got to love the people though :) Everyone is nice to missionaries :) Well for the most part! Its weird to be looked up to by some people. Then again others look at us like dirt and talk behind our backs like crazy! You get the best of both worlds here. With everything. 

But really Marijuana is stupid. People are dying because of it everyday. But eh its whatever. People get to choose. Met tons of great people here that do it. Just a big problem for them in their lives. Most people here are addicted to it and will admit it.

But mhm... what else.. Nothing really! Just want to let you all know I love you and that is why I am here! and The Lord loves you! And that good things are happening in my life and the lives of other people here! I am serving around some great people! And things are hard, and I miss home a lot at times, but I'm okay and I know this is where I am supposed to be! Harlem is a depressing place, but I do all I can to walk out everyday and make the best of it! Put a smile on, and just be happy and everything turns out okay! And thats really all there is to it! If something is not right! Just be happy! Thats why we are here! 2 Nephi 2:27! It really is! God wants us to be happy and that is why we are here! Well part of it anyway! He wants us to find true happiness! And I know that is only possible through the Lord Jesus Christ! All other things can make us happy in the moment. But its through him that we can be happy for all time! And I know that! Its all through him! John 3:16 says it best! Well I got to go! Just know I love you and miss you and hope all is going good! Miss you! Love you! :) And Can't wait to see everyone soon! have a great summer! :) haha okay love you all! :)

Oh and please pray for everyone here! I love them so much! No matter who they are! Its crazy weird to think about, but each one is special! and They need the prayers! God really did send me to the right place that would try me! Its hard here! But I love everyone and just keep them in your prayers, they need them so so so so bad! Not just the people I am talking to. these people in general. They have it rough and need all the help they can get. This part of the city is crazy. Not the things you see in the movies. New york to me is not everything the movies and TVs show. Not even the News. Its much worse. Just head north. Starting at about 90th street... It gets bad. Real bad and I feel for these people! Remember them. I don't care if you pray about me or think about me! Just do it for them! And always remember how good we all have it! Because seriously... You have no idea. Love your life and love the people in it! And just make the best of it! Okay now i will go! I love you all again! Stay safe! :)

"I would have thought the Rocky Mountains would be a little rockier."

"That John Denver is full of . . . ." (quote from "Dumb and Dumber) haha, heard that yesterday and made me laugh lol! okay love you all bye!

Love Your favorite son (Except for Moms other favorite... Hey mom remember when I almost ripped up the picture of Greg on a stick and you almost started crying??? Haha that was funny! Please don't put me on a popsicle stick lol!)

Mark :) 

Interesting Food

Hey Mom I Love you! I Will Try to Address Everything Both you and Dad said! I dont have much time today!  

 Okay So dad Asked about what kind of food I have been eating... Well Lots of different stuff... Good, and well not so good. Uhm you guys know how I don't like tomatoes, or any vegetable for that matter. That's why I have gotten my burgers plain at Mcdonalds for the past 20 years. Well Hispanics love tomatoes... Uh and other gross stuff! They also like a lot of good meats though. But there have been about 3 times where we have eaten at Members houses and I almost threw up! One time Elder Huerta scooped my (uh i don't know the name, so lets just call it gross) gross into his bowl while the The members were in the kitchen. haha! But really you can't eat everything and if you tell someone you don't like their food, in the Hispanic culture they get way offended! But then another time yesterday I was on a split with Elder Lewis in his area and uh well we had a last minute lunch appointment where we ate in the hall of the apartment home because her husband had to leave before we got there. And we can't go in if its just her so it was funny we ate on two chars in front of us in the hall. But anyways she made some nasty gross stuff. Both Elder Lewis and me were gagging! It was terrible! Eww! But I would stick it in my mouth then immediately follow it up with juice as soon as she left to go into the kitchen! She made so much food! I only ate lunch yesterday! But Then we were like we are done with this stuff. So I took the spoon and mashed it down to make it look like we ate more lol! But the Chicken and meatballs and rice were good :) But just not the ... Yeah. Stuff. 

So Carlos skipped church on Sunday. But he loves meeting with us and said he will go this week. He has already read like half of the BOok of Mormon! Crazy! Bap date for the 23rd!  Arlen wanted to get baptized sooner so now she is being baptized on the 9th! :) It will be great to see her life change because of that. she told us we were put into her lives for a reason and I know for a fact that is true! :) But yeah she is way excited! She is such a happy lady! I can't wait to see her make that step in her life :) It really is going to change and she is going to be a great member of the Church! Also she said she wants to come out with us and go proselyte.* lol! But she is awesome! I remember the second time we saw her it was just me and Elder Lewis and we taught her the Restoration! She loved it :)  Uh Patricia was met with Yesterday by Elder Huerta and Elder Mitchell (Elder Lewis's Comp) She was basically taught everything lol! But She took them to taco bell, the week before she took me and Elder Huerta to Applebees! I want TACO BELL! haha but no she really liked it and said she will pray about Baptism! Lysalo is still working a ton!!! We never get to meet with her! She is so close! She knows its true! She just needs to pick a date! Uhm quien mas? Oh Eric and Christina, we are meeting with them tonight! Thats why I don't have a lot of time! We are ending p day early to talk to them! But they want to talk to us about Baptism! So say a prayer its a good thing! They just have a couple issues they are going to need to resolve before! they need to really make some big changes in their lives! And its going to be hard for them! But I know with the Lords help they can do it! :)

 Oh Jesus... We stopped seeing him.. :( He wont keep commitments. So we decided in like 2 weeks we would stop by again. I pray something changes! Uhm cindy! Oh We showed her the Restoration and she said it was too "Disney" like that is was too happy, that the first time she met with the missionaries that the part that really got her was Joseph Smith and all he did for the church. That he would not do all that for something that was a  Giant lie.  He Would not let friends and family and himself suffer! But that she believes his story, she just wants the whole thing :) So Mom. Dad! I need a favor. The Mission office does not send us "Joseph Smith The Prophet of the Restoration" I think it is the same one they show in Nauvoo! So if you could. Could you order it online so I could show Cindy? Please? She really wants to see it and The Joseph Smith Story is where her testimony comes from! I love his story and that movie and I know it would be really good for her to see it! 

Uhm Crazy to think Greg will be home so soon! that stinks I have not gotten to see him! I miss home a lot. Especially yesterday! Ugh! But no I am good :) I know I am here because I know the Church is True. And I like what Mckean said! I would not be here if I didn't! I am here for me and for the people here and for the Lord. And for no one else! and to give you all blessings :) But yup yup! Crazy! Will I have a room when I get home? lol! That sounds pretty cool what you are doing with the basement! So tell todd not to complain about having to go to efy on the 4th! I have to be in by 6!  

 I'm glad he had fun at Youth Conference!  That was cool of the Tuttles to bring him! I miss them! I miss the whole ward actually! But I love the Ward I am in right now! But mom you asked if there are any members we are really close to. I would say definitely the Munoz family. The ones with the 6 kids and tiny house! She is awesome! Her son just got his mission call to Pittsburgh.  Most of the people we talk to and teach are illegal. lol! But I love them! The Munoz are awesome! She is like my mom here! She takes care of us! She also speaks a little English so its good! :)

That is scary about Liam though! I hope he is okay! That really is scary! I will definitely keep him and his family in my prayers! 

Okay well I hope I am here  when Sawa comes! That would be way cool! ALso I am way happy for Jackson! So Crazy!! I am so happy for him! :)  Uhm not much time what else?  Oh the packages! Still have not got them! Hopefully next district meeting (Monday) But all is good! Uhm I will read over your letter and see if I left any thing out! 

Greg will be home soon! He just needs to finish hard and strong. So no worries there! 

But I also got letters from Mike, Tre, and Bryan! I need to reply lol! I was doing that but then the computer opened up! So I will probably finish that later! 

I love you all! And I hope you know I really do love it here! It is really hard work! But I love it! and its a good tired feeling! And being obedient to the rules is worth it! Im so happy to be here! And I know this is where the Lord wants me to be! I know the Church is true and I don't know where I would be without it in my life! It has saved me, and I am glad to have the opportunity to see others lives be saved and changed as well! I have such a strong testimony of Joseph Smith and I wish I could share it with you! But I will in two years! Well I got to go I love you all Mucho! You are all in my prayers! Mom if I did not reply to anything just ask me :)

I love this place but I love you all more! And I can't wait to see you! Got some work to do first! Ok Bye! Be safe and have fun! Tell todd to take EFY in! It changed my life! And I want him to get something out of it! I know he will if he just opens up his heart! Okay I love you all! Bye Bye! 

Love Your son and Friend and Other stuffs

Mark! :)

Interesting Confrontations

Hey Dad How are you doing?  I am glad you have been trying to follow the spirit, i am trying to do the same as well! I have had some pretty cool experiences. Just things to say and things to do. Really kind of random stuff lol! But the Spirit is helping me out a ton and it is really nice to have its presence with me! I can really feel its influence in my life! I feels its presence and power in my life and I can see it becoming a big part of a lot of our investigators lives as wel


Dad I am glad you had that oppurtunity with the lady at your work! Its a huge help in missionary work to give referrals. So whenever you can you should. If there is ever anyone that comes to your mind do not hesitate! 


I have not sent you a fathers day card yet! I am waiting for money so I can get you a gift lol! Don' t want to be a lame son so I am going to get you something! The card is made, I just need the present. It will probably get to you in a week or 2! I'm also going to be sending home a small gift for Greg as well!


About Todd! For sure when Greg gets home have him do that with Todd! I loved doing that with him and I think it will help him a ton! Tell Todd I love him and to be a good boy.  Youth Conference and EFY should be good for him! I know that will be good for him! Where is he going to EFY by the way? Mizzou? Crazy kid! Is he going with Conor?


And Aunt Cindy for sure can see me.  Just tell her to call! I am with Elder Huerta so it is all good for me to see her! But no I cannot go into Time Square. Number 1 out of my zone :( 2. No missionaries are because it is supposedly of the World... Well the whole city is... lol! But no it stinks. I would love to go there but we cant :/  The Statue of Liberty is out of our mission! Its in the South Mission so nobody ever gets to go. I will just have to go with you and Mom after my mission. The only reason we are allowed to go to Time Square though is for 2 reasons... 1. For the new Mormon Ad Campaign 2. To see a broadway play at the end of our mission. Other than that we cant! But if you and Mom come pick me up we can! But just have Aunt Cindy call me ! I could possibly have her meet me at the Temple, but IDK I will figure it out! And let me know before time. Huerta is totally cool with it!


The Spanish is coming... It will be better now that I am just here with Elder Huerta Luna. When Martindale was here the two of them would pretty much teach and I would give my little schpele every once in a while. But now that it is just two of us it will force me to speak and the language will come much faster! And yeah I dream a little in Spanish. Like small parts. That started at the MTC lol! It wont happen fully as much, because I still speak more English than Spanish sadly. Huerta and I are going to start trying to speak more Spanish more often in the street and Apartment. But it makes it hard in the Apartment because we are with Elder Nevarez and Stevens and they are English. so yeah. But the Spanish is slowly coming! I can understand a lot more now than what I could! I can communicate and have conversations with people! It will come I know it will and I know the Lord is helping me and preparing me :)


Question really quick.. Romney and Huntsman are running for President right? Thats pretty cool. Two Mormons running for office! But yeah that will be cool! Let me know how that is going!


But yes I have had a couple of interesting things happen the past couple days... Last Week Elder Martindale and I were cursed out by some racist guy in Harlem.. Huerta was on a temporary exchange for a French Lesson (he knows french took 3 years in high school. Originally called to Quebec Canada, but could not get his Visa that is why he is here!) But yeah we were in a Chinese restraunt and the guy just started yelling at us! (Okay I'm omitting everything he said.) I just stood there and smiled at him lol! :) I actually felt kind of bad for him though. He was also screaming about how the doctor just told him he had 9 months to live. i felt way bad for the guy. I just wish he knew his potential and that his life did not have to be that way!


Then the next day a Lady yelled at me in the Elevator lol! This one was way awkward! She was complaining because 3 out of the 4 elevators were not working. and they had just given me a paper saying the Elevators were out because the Elevator tower was struck by lightning just the Day before. So she is talking about it, and I was just like "Mam I actually heard that it was struck by lightning thats why they are not working" or something like that and apparently thats the wrong thing to say to some people! Then she just looked at me  and started screaming at me lol! Mind that this is in a full elevator... She tells me they are paying me to say that... Uh what? lol! She was crazy! This lasted the whole way down, and these Elevators move really really slow... (Don't know why I keep putting a capital e on elevator lol! I guess part of me thinks elevators are important for some reason ) But yeah just yelled at me! Whole way down and I was trying not to laugh. I was just shaking my head and agreeing with her. Then just 2 days ago some guy was telling me we worshipped Joseph Smith. So I turned around and corrected him, in a nice friendly manner that we worshipped Christ (Huerta and Martindale said I should have just ignored him, but I don't think so. If someone does not know something correctly you correct them. Chirst would not just let people say stuff like that. Would he? No so I just want to follow that example and help people understand what we believe) But yeah as soon as I told him we Worship Jesus Christ. He then Changed his statement to we worship Satan, and then I was just like. okay read this card this tells you what we believe. Its the 13 articles of faith one. Just like Grandpa told me to give people lol! It is actually my favorite one to use. And after I gave him the card I just walked away, before I got mad and started bashing with him lol! But yeah so that was interesting!


Walking in the streets in Harlem is fun! Everybody is Black or Hispanic. Some white... But very few! Lots of homeless people! We get asked a lot for money. Back home I would give people money, but here you can't. Because we get asked like 10 times a day. I would be broke if I gave everyone money. And it gives people the impression that missionaries have money, which really is not true. I am broke :( I need to learn to manage my money better next month. so sorry if I am using the AMEX :( Wont happen agian. but I think someone overcharged me for something though. The Lord has really blessed me with getting food though! Some lady bought me 20 dollars worth of groceries the other day! Then Elder Navarez gave me some gift cards, and we ended up with 6 extra pancakes at Ihop yesterday some how lol! I was not getting food either so I just took them all! lol! I ended up eating more than anyone else! And we also have had a ton of meals with members! We had 3 meals in 1 night like on sunday! It was ridiculous! He has really blessed me on this stupid situation I am in!


Okay now about investigators. Here are all the names and something quick about them. Erick and Kristina, a really solid couple that love what we are teaching them. 2 problems- not married and work on sunday. Are really considering Baptism! Carlos, Loves the Book of Mormon! He reads it possibly more then I do during the week and that is hard to do! Has a Baptism Date for July 23rd. Said he will go to church sunday! Arlen, went to church! Loves the Gospel and has a Date for the 23rd as well. Asked to be part of the church before we even asked her to be baptized! :) Lissalo saw her yesterday for the first time in forever! We are talking to her Friday about Baptism! Wants to be baptized and is ready just needs to pick a date! Jesus, still not reading or praying, does not want to change :( We will have to drop him most likely! Cindy took lessons 2 years ago. Had a baptisimal date, but the area was white washed and she fell through the cracks. We found her in the Area book, and visited her! Loves the things we teach and says they make complete sense. 1 problem - has classes on sunday until November :( In nursing school! Ugh, once again wants to be baptized but can never go to church! Uhm Patricia have not met her yet. Lesson tomorrow already said she wants to join the Church because of what she had read on her own :) So yeah thats about all I have for now! I really got to go so I can email mom really quick! 

Not much time! Spent most of it replying to Dad. Uhm things are good we had transfers today! I am still with Elder Huerta!! Yay! Im happy about that! He helps me out a ton! Elder Martindale is gone :( Good kid but all will be good! Uhm what else I told Dad about our investigators I love them and I love being able to see lives change! To be honest I really just love people in general! 

Well I watched Glenn Becks Conversion story yesterday that was awesome! :) Really powerful! I loved it! Uhm what else! Crazy to think Jackson is in Russia! He will be in my prayers tonight! I am learning Spanish I cannot even imagine how difficult it would be to learn Russian! he will do Great! The Lord will bless him and he is just a smart kid over all! I hope RJ is doing good! Mom put a link to his blog on my blog, along with Mckeons! Thats cool for Lindsay! Mom I hope you get to see Jackie, Kaden, and Kieara! tell them Hi for me :) Uhm what else do you want me to say not much time! Ugh lol! I dont feel well! Thats cool about CAmeron H. Tell him Congrats for me! Keep me updated on that kind of stuff! 

Uhm No not talked to anyone but Kay and Veater who will be in a new zone this cycle because the zone is splitting :( They are in inwood and I am in Midtown :( So I will not get to see them as much :( Okay well Tell everyone I love them! And Send the GUmbo REcipie!!!!  But Tell everyone I love them! Everyone is in my prayers! I'm safe, I'm happy and I really got to go! Love you all MUCHOI!!!! :) 

Love Mark

First Pictures from New York

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Looking for Pedro?

Glad to hear all is going good! Tell Aunt Cindy the next time she is here I will see her for sure (Well as long as Huerta is my companion) Martindale is the one who did not want me to see her, but I just talked with Huerta and he said if she is still here we are going to for sure see her! I felt so bad last time and not going to lie I just would really like to see her!

Well home definitely sounds different! Thats so crazy to think that Greg will be home soon! Good for him I am happy for him! Sounds like all is good! Harlem is, well Harlem! I love it though! Its all black and Hispanic people and very much different than south Manhattan. A lot of homeless people and people living on the streets! A ton of people though! Very Depressing at times, but all good. The thing I have noticed most about Manhattan is it smells like straight weed all the time!! Everywhere you go. We hear gun shots everynight! uhm... yo no se.... uhm what all do you want to know? there is the subway, a lot of cheaper places to eat than South Manhattan. Part of our area is nicer, but there are no hispanics there so we never go there. We also go down by the temple to teach a recent convert of theirs, and we have special permission to go down there. South Manhattan is awesome as well. I love going into central park. Its so pretty. The first like 2 weeks here I had allergies for the first time in my life. When we came into the mission home it was so green, and so are all of the parks and stuff it is crazy! I really do love it! If we were not on the 19th floor and it did not take so long to get out of our building (because the Elevators don't work half the time) Trust me running up 19 flights of stairs is not fun! But I would love to go running in central park in the morning, but it takes like 10 minutes for the elevators to get up to our floor because they stink lol! Haha but we threw a mouse out the window yesterday lol! I have a video of Elder Lewis chucking it out lol! It was really funny! Stupid of him, but funny lol; :) Okay I think this will just be my email home today, unless mom finishes writing soon, but yeah... Uhm well a lot has happened here the past couple of weeks!

Our New investigator Carlos has a baptismal date :) July 23rd! It is pretty awesome! We teach him in English, he is a bit slower but a great guy and really sees how God is impacting his life. Next time we teach him we are teaching the Plan of Salvation. His father has passed away so I think knowing this will play a huge impact on his life! Also Elder Lewis and I taught the first lesson to Arlen our new investigator as well! That was another good experience. Right now we have 13 investigators so it is really difficult to talk about all of them! But Lysalo is good. She does not have a baptismal date yet :( But she wants to be. She is having a lot of family problems. We are talking again with her tomorrow and she will hopefully tell us something good and when she wants to be baptized! She is ready! haha she just does not realize it! I'm just happy to see that this really will help her come closer to God!

The main thing I have grown to love is these people here! More than anything I want to understand every single thing they say to me! But they are awesome! I really know who they are and what they care about, and it is great to see them making a change in their lives. They understand what their potential is, and I just get to know so many awesome people. I feel my relationship Growing with God as theirs does. In all reality when God blesses them, he is really blessing me too. Because it makes me happy to see them happy and doing what is right!

I have been thinking about home more lately and thinking just about how awesome of an experience it will be to come home in 2 years and see everyone again! I know that it will be a happy time in my life, but just like when I left home, when I leave my mission as well it will be a very bittersweet time in my life. I really do love it here. I can't help thinking about home sometimes and you all and Melissa and my friends, but I know this is where I am supposed to be. How is Melissa doing? I have not heard from her in a while. Also how are my friends doing? You said you saw them not long ago. That must have been weird having them at the house, without me being there.

I just miss doing a lot of stuff back home, but it can wait till later :)

I really want Melissa to meet Greg when he comes home. She would always say "Its hard for me to imagine that you have another brother" Well now I would like her to meet him.  Getting mail is awesome! I love opening the mail box and having something! Its nice to see how people back home and friends are doing. Because I really do care about how they are doing so SEND LETTERS!!!! :P But I have gotten 3 from friends the past 2 weeks so thats been good! I have to catch up on sending a lot of mail!! I'm so slow! I'm doing that today so it will be all good! Oh I need to use the Credit Card to buy more socks today. I am getting more so I only need to do laundry every other week so I can save money. Laundry is expensive here!

Okay Dad PLease! I have asked for the Gumbo recipie like 209382590848094384095904385 times from Granny and Mom lol! Please have one of them send it! My Bear as well!!!!

But here you go just so you know how a day runs here I will give you a quick run down..

6:30 Wake up and Try to work out! I always do at least 100 dips before I get in the shower, but 5/7 times a weeks I will work out I would say. Its really hard to make myself work out in the morning Its just really hard.

7:00 Wait to get in the shower... there are 5 of us it takes forever. Normally I just lie down and close my eyes and try not to fall asleep. Sometimes I will make pancakes... If we have milk and eggs... Seems like I am the only one in our apartment willing to buy them.... lol!

8:00 Personal Study which I love! Always learn something new!

9:00 Comp study

10:00 Language study

11:00 Lunch/ Sometimes we do service at the food shelter!

12:00 go out and go to appointments, Meetings and other stuff! Going to appointments and meeting with members and investigators is my favorite!

Then do that till about ten! Sometimes get dinner and stuff in between! Last night we had dinner with the Kegans who are some senior missionaries and we were doing service by translating a Boy Scout Manual into Spanish for the BSA! So that is pretty cool! I like having dinner with the Hispanic families and having the new kinds of food! We eat rice and beans a ton though! lol! Sometimes they order Pizza and that is always fun too. But like yesterday we taught our investigator Cindy (she is new) she has been taught before, but this area got white washed like a year and a half ago and she fell through and the missionaries never came again (how, IDK she had a baptismal date) She is a way cool lady she has a 7 year old daughter too and she told us yesterday she wants her daughter to serve a mission! We also teach her well Spanglish lol! We meet with her again Monday!

Well just some funny things that have happened... Did I tell you I made steak like 2 weeks ago??? Sister Tabone (A Sister in our District) bought it and I made it! It was way good! I told her I had made it tons of times, but really it was my first! She was impressed when I told her it was my first time! lol! It was good though... Thing is we had no knives or forks so we ate it with our hands :) haha! Oh and yesterday Elder Huerta called the house lol! We were sitting around in the chapel waiting on Elder Martindale to come back from a split and I was like "You know how easy it would be to call home?" And he was like "yup let me see the phone!" So I gave it to him and he asked for our number and I told him in Spanish completely joking around! So then he acted like he was saving it and I was like "What are you doing?" Then he acted like he pressed talk and I tried Grabbing the phone to hang up and his cheek actually really did press "talk" and it rang for 6 seconds lol! So then like 10 minutes later Mom called back lol! And He was like "You estoy buscando por Pedro?" And I was like "No" Because I realized he was freaking out lol! And he was like Pedro! Pedro! And mom was talking to him lol! Then Ten minutes later the A.P.s called and we freaked out lol! but they just needed to talk to Elder Martindale about him going to the temple today. But Elder Huerta felt so bad and was really worrying that he worried mom! Haha it was funny, But I'm just glad I didn't have the phone, because I always answer then look who it is lol! But yes! So sorry about Elder Huerta being an idiot lol! Okay Well not much else to say!

I need to go! Well I love you and hope all is great! I love being here, and I love being able to help other people! Oh yeah I got some funny pictures to send home soon! Okay well got to go I love you all! Glad to know all is good! Well I will talk to you all soon! Love you very much!

Love Mark!!! or Elder Mattei I don't care I'm still Mark to you all! lol!

Oh last night I fell off the top bunk trying to grab my blanket from Elder Huerta lol! It was funny! Don't know why I am telling but whatever! Okay I got to go! Love you all :)

And regarding the Book of Mormon musical winning the Tony: We get to have really positive conversations with people about it! People see it and obviously know its a joke and become interested! aparently the temple is running out of Books of Mormon to give to people because they want to know more about it!  Any Publicity can be good publicity I guess :)  some guy tried hugging me yesterday cuz it won lol! I also met a guy who played in it lol! 

Pictures from Mark's last days in the MTC

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Mark with Brother and Sister Smith