Another Short One

Hey! Sorry about the memory card first of all! I know you all want to see my pretty litle pictures! Well not a lot of time today. The computers at the library give me a limit. We are in Manhattan today... I miss it a lot :( I would really like to finish my mission here. I saw a couple of members by chance today. And I went and got my hair cut from a member in the Harlem ward :) It was nice to see them! And we went to Central Park to show Elder Lewis's greeny. I love it here! I miss it SO MUCH! haha! I really would not mind living here when I am older.. I really want to finish my mission here... in Harlem.  

So hey I heard you got my package! Hide it and don't let anyone touch it!!! Seriously. Uh what else.... I really have to keep it short... Well Edwin will be getting baptized Sunday. We had a rough time last last week getting a hold of him.  Well the week was good! Things are getting better. :) And yes language study has been happening! :) And don't call me Greglike mom lol! You don't understand how hard it is to get to a post office lol! I HAVE TO WALK :P Lazy, I know.. But really it is kind of difficult.. The only time I really have time is P day. But I will do my best to get it sent off tomorrow. It has no more memory.... :( Well I am going to get going. To keep it short just want to let all of you know I love you so much! Nicole is in my prayers especially :) As well as all of you! You are all the best! I miss home!  Take care all of you! I will say more next week! These GAY computers limit me though! Have a great week! Talk to you all soon! MOTHERS DAY is just around the corner! :)

 

Love you MUCHO! Love, Mark! :)

A Little Short

Hey there everyone! Hey I am going to keep it a little short today! Don't have a lot of time. To answer mom's question, transfers were today. Elder Wilkey left for Harlem (not my area, Elder Lewis's old area) And I am jealous. lol! And I was with Elder Huerta for 4 cycles. Wilkey for 3. And looks like Elder Hellberg may be coming to visit next week! So that will be fun! :)

 

But my new comp is Elder Eliason!!!!  (one of Mark's MTC roommates)  Haha I am so excited! Haha such a goofy kid! But I am excited and so is he. He has been upstate since we left the MTC so he is excited to come to the City. And we have a baptism this week with Edwin. We just need to get a hold of him! So IDK I am pumped. this next six weeks are going to be awesome.

 

So what else. Wilkey said bye to everyone yesterday. Uh oh sorry to hear about the car... Speaking of cars... I lost my driver's license... lol! Not so funny...  My wallet broke and only my driver's license fell out... So can you guys find out what I have to do to get a new one... And if i can get a new one.. I have no idea where I lost it. I never take it out... so yes please do that for me :)

 

Uh what else - oh so is Nicole living at the house still??And hey do we have extra PS3 games?? haha I feel like my questions never get answered lol! But all good! and yes I will send the memory card tomorrow. It is full.

 

Easter was good. Nothing special. Went to a member in Elder Sayao and Topham's area. But it was good! Elder Clark and Elder Martin are coming to open up Elder Huerta's old area. So that is fun! We will have a distict of 8. So that is exciting! This is going to be a great cycle! :)

 

But yeah glad the wedding was good! Wish I could have been there! Hope you let everybody know how much I love and care about them! Well I am going to keep it short today. Busy day! I love you all so much! Have Greg write me sometime! :) I love you all! Give Garrett and Thomas a hug for me and let them know I love and miss them. Take care and God Bless! Love Mark! :)

Special Easter Message

Hey Mom and Dad and everyone else! What is up?? 

So right now I am really sweaty from playing basketball lol! But I am good! The Baptism went great! Chris was so excited! I baptized her. We did it in between the two sessions Sunday of General Conference :)_ General Conference was awesome! It is so cool that we can hear prophets speak in our day! I have grown such a love for it! Haha I am going to make sure that we all watch it when I get home! :) ALL OF US!   And all sessions. I had a lot of questions answered, and I just loved President Uchdorf's talk in the Saturday night Priesthood session! And I totally saw Spencer and Craig at Conference singing lol! I said something in the middle of the session and everybody we were watching it with just looked at me like I was crazy lol! :) v

So crazy you guys are all at Grandma's again without me :( I wish I was there for the wedding, but just tell Josh congratulations for me and I wish I could be there, and explain why I can't. Also let him know I love him! And I can't wait to come and see him and everyone else when I get home! So where are they going to be living at?? 

But yeah just let the family know I miss them and am doing well! Also get them to go to Church with you guys Sunday! :) And tell them I am the one inviting them to go :)  I am jealous of the Crawfish Boil! That sounds like a lot of fun.. I really would like to go live down there when I get older.. I really do miss it a lot! 

So yesterday we set a baptism date with Edwin! For the 14th! It is going to be great! He is a great kid! :) He opened up a lot as we were teaching him. We brought Fernando Reyes along with us, he is really cool. He is 25 and recently has just been helping us out a lot. The Reyes family is probably my favorite family here. Sister Reyes feeds us every week, and she is really nice. I like her a lot! They are from the D.R. 

So yesterday we did some of the most humbling service ever. We helped this lady clean up her house .... There were about 10 missionaries that came. She is an investigator of the sisters in the English Ward.. We walked in and she just started crying... Sorry Mom and Dad but I dropped like $40 to help her... she really needed it.. She had about 58349068984568690 Cockroaches.... probably more.. no exaggeration... and about 40 holes in her wall and about a 10 foot hole in her ceiling. So I bought some wall putty and we started fixing that... And they had a pet ferret! But I felt so good after! Nothing makes me happier than helping someone else :) It makes me feel so good! And we got so much done, and we are not even close to finishing... Mom don't ever freak out about the house being messy again... haha I might just laugh.. lol J.k... but for real. It was so sad how bad it was.. and she is a single lady, and has a health problem so there was not much she could do.. and 5 kids, and a husband that walked out about 6 months ago.. oh and to top it off the super of the apartment left and cannot be found... So it felt really good to help her out :) 

Sorry I am going so fast today but so much is going on! I love this place and I love the people here! I love the language and everything about it! The language is going good! I understand about 95% :) And I speak fairly well!! I need to slow down a lot when I speak. But other than that it is really good. some days better than others. It will be good when I get a new comp and can get a better language study. But I am doing great and it sounds like everyone else is doing good! 

So things are still going great with Melissa! Sounds like she is traveling home for Easter. And going to the Blues game tomorrow! :) I am jealous. She is awesome! Did you guys know that! Tell her hi for me some one please! Just text her :) 

So during General Conference I don't remember who it was but there was a talk in the Sunday morning session that helped me finally realize the importance of the Sabbath Day... I remember the story of the girl playing the soccer game and feeling bad about it.. Then I thought back to all the activities I had done on Sunday and felt bad about it... I remember saying a prayer right there and asking for forgiveness of not keeping the Sabbath Day as holy as I could have, and I just had this overwhelming spiritual feeling come over me...  It was amazing.. And it is sad that so many people have forgotten what the Sabbath Day really is.. With this Sunday being Easter it is really a time where we should remember it, and really a time where we should be in church.. No matter what religion we are. God has set apart the day for us to rest. He makes it perfectly clear in the Scriptures. "Thou shalt do no work on the Sabbath" I also realized how it said we should not make anyone else work on the Sabbath. "Nor thy servant, nor thy maid servant." It is for rest and worship.. and not just Easter Sunday, but every Sunday is a day to celebrate the Victory of over Death. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. And each time we take the Sacrament, renewing that baptismal covenant or promise to follow him, promising that we shall live also :) He really does live and because he lives, it is important that we treat his holy Day as it should be. Especially this Sunday. So whoever is reading this if you were not planning on joining in your religious congregation this Sunday, please do it. Because the Lord will love you for it. And it is what he asks. That we rest from our labors :) It's a day to be with Family :) And Love one another! :) 

I know He lives and loves each one of us.. He died and took upon himself each one of our sins and sorrows so we could rise with him in the resurrection. He is everything to us.. And if you don't know him. Please... Find out who he is for yourself. Talk to him. Get to know him. You have a Heavenly Father who answers your prayers...  He really is there... and it means EVERYTHING to us.. I did not understand it before... And I still don't completely understand it. And the majority of the world never will... But He is there, and He is listening.. And He suffered. HE SUFFERED EVERYTHING! Many think he just died on the Cross, but as important as this is... It is not everything... He bled from every pore in that Garden before he was betrayed and he took upon him the "Sins of the World" Many people don't know what that means, He did it there..As Luke writes "He bled as if it were from every pore" He took it all! He has felt it all!! ANY LOSS, ANY HEARTACHE, ANY PAIN, ANY WEAKNESS, DISABILITY, OR AFFLICTION HE HAS FELT IT. He knows you. Better than yourself. He knows your past present and FUTURE.. Because he has already gone there and already taken all of it upon him. The Doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is everything. It is what makes Faith possible, It is what makes Baptism Possible, and it is what makes Repentance possible.  Without it to be quite blunt - WE ARE SCREWED! He lives and I dont know why I am saying all of this, but love him and know him. That is my challenge for each person who looks on this, this upcoming week. Find out who He is. and why it is important to you. Don't just take my word for it.. Find out. :) 

So mom and Dad.. And the whole family for that matter! You guys are great! I love you so much! :) You guys really are the best! And I am talking to the extended family as well! and friends, because a lot of you might as well be family! :) You guys are amazing! And I am lucky to know all of you! I Miss you all and I hope all is going well! Can't wait to see you all again! Hopefully I won't be fat or bald when I get home (And dad no hair products recently) lol! So far I have stayed the same weight since I left. I have definitely lost some muscle tone though.. but I can get that back :P But oh before I go... 

But  anyway... So yeah all is good! Hey do we got some extra PS3 games that no one plays? There is this kid Elder Sayao in my District who is from Brazil.. He is really poor, and he is buying a ps3 here because in Brazil they are $1000 in American money.. Freaking ridiculous right??? haha! so yeah if we have any old/extra games you should send them, because he wants to get it but has like no money for games... so that would make him really really happy! :)  Okay well I love you! So much! You all are all so important to me and you are each in my prayers! :) I miss you guys! I am still me for anyone who thinks otherwise! It will be a blast when I come home! And it will be before we all know it! I miss you guys and all of you take care! God speed and Stay Classy Sandiego!

Love, Mark 

I heard they are making an Anchorman 2!! Yes! haha that makes me happy! Okay Love you all :) You guys are the best! 

He is Listening!

Hey mom! :) How are you doing?? haha well I guess you already answered that....

 

So glad to hear that you all are enjoying yourselves! :) Sounds like you have a great week ahead of you! Crazy that Josh is getting married! Feels like just yesterday we were running around in Grandma's orange trees. Tell him I said congrats. That is so cool for him! and tell Uncle Donnie and Aunt Cindy I say Hi! :) And Meagan! I was thinking about all of them this week! I miss them a lot! :) So just let them know they are on my mind!

 

But so yeah we have a baptism with Chris this Sunday! She is really excited and we are really excited for her! It will be between the sessions of General Conference! I am so happy! Plus we are teaching this 18 year old kid named Edwin! He will be getting baptized on the 8th of April! Hopefully he will serve a mission! haha! That would be so cool! That is something I really want to see is one of our converts go off and serve the Lord and helping even more people! That is when you know you have really made a difference! :) 

But yeah I am good! Weather has been a little worse this week but still pretty good! Haha tell Greg that he really needs to learn to drive the Jetta lol! It really is not that hard.

 

So we have this really cool family in our area. The Reyes! They have 2 kids, Deosfer and Fernando who are cool! Fernando is like 25 and Deosfer is my age. But they are cool! We go over there every week and Sister Reyes always cooks for us! They are awesome! Probably like my family in the Ward. Either that or Sister Tahatta.! She is the sweetest old woman in the world!  They are a really cool family as well! I am finally starting to like this area a lot more! Not that I did not like it before, but it is starting to match up to what Harlem was/is. but I don't think it ever will. Harlem just has a really special place in my heart! :)

 

So it sounds like Jackson is doing really good! I am so happy for him in his leadership position! And I thought I had it somewhat tough being District leader! I hold Jackson in such high regard! I am so happy for him!  He truly does set a great exaple for me - a better reason not to complain, because I know he has it a lot more rough than I do.

 

So I don't know if I already told you guys, but President and Sister Smith only have 2 more cycles left after this one. At Zone Conference last week President showed us a picture of President and Sister Morgan, our new mission president. So it will be an exciting change.. But also a sad change. I love President Smith so much! :) He is such a great guy! I am happy and content with all he has done! I hope you all can meet him one day! He and Sister Smith are just great, they show so much love to all of us! And to everyone for that matter! :)

 

Oh and Mom haha I made a video I will be sending home soon.. It is really stupid..... haha really dumb.. But you asked for it! So what can I say! :P So I am sure you will like that! :)

 

So yeah that is what is going on in my life! Haha I am still full from Papa John's yesterday :P My belly hurts! We eat Papa Johns a lot! Like a ton! :) It's nice spending time with the Guys in the Apartment! They really know how to lift eachother up! It is a ton of fun! :) I wish you guys could see it! :) But other than all that! I am great! Heavenly Father is there and he is listening! I KNOW  THAT! :) I love you guys so much! and I am so grateful for everything all of you do! You guys are the best! :) I love you so much! Love, Mark! :)

Don't Waste a Moment

Hello there everybody!

What's up? How is everyone doing! I miss and love you all a ton! You are in my prayers! I think of you often.

So yeah the weather here has been really nice! I love it! I hope to start going running here soon! The only thing is I am terrified as to what summer is going to look like! I don't even want to think about it!  

So sad news, Chris dropped her baptismal date.. She needs to come to church a couple more times. It was more bad planning on our part. Her Dad just got a job so we are going to have to find a way to get her to the Chapel! So that will be a challenge, but gives us something to work with so I am happy :) She will for sure be baptized but we will have to see when! It will hopefully be sometime soon!

 I miss home just as all of you miss me (at least I hope you all do, or else I am just talking out of my butt right now) :P But yeah I am good! You all have no need to worry! :) I am doing great! Staying busy and helping other people out gives me plenty of other things to keep my mind on, and it really does just bring peace to my soul,that I am doing what I am doing, and that I am where I am.

So yeah politics I know nothing about them, so I am just going to skip that part of your email lol! Only one question, how am I going to vote from out here when November rolls around?

So it sounds like Todd is living it up in Hockey! Keep him active like that , he will love you and Dad for it later! I know I do! Sounds like he is doing good though. I can't wait to go to one of his games. That will be fun when I have the oppurtunity to watch my little bro play again. How is he doing with everything else? School, life, friends, Church? Let me know. I need to write him again soon.

That is one thing I have found my self really bad at is writing letters. I just feel like it takes so much time! haha. But that is something I am trying to improve on. Do you know if Tyler Nash and Brother Lenahan ever got my letters?/

So how is the Ward doing? I miss everyone a lot! I was thinking about the Gonthiers a lot for some reason this week and if you could just let them know I miss them and love them that would be awesome! Also how is Amiee Jewkes doing? And the Russo's? I hope all is well with them! I miss everybody so much!

I think I have found that besides the people, and experiences with people, one of the things I miss the most is Music.. ah... I just heard some Eminem the other day on the street and it just make me think back to hanging out with Mckean right before my mission lol! Good times! I never ever hear country music playing on the street here lol! It stinks! I think I have heard it like 1 or 2 times my whole mission!

Well Blues sound like they are doing good! I wish I could go to a game! What if they played the Rangers in the Stanley cup?? Ah.. That would be awesome, but stink so bad! I would want to go! haha... Probably would not have money though... Nor would I.

Well sounds like Tre' is having a crazy time... I thought this place was insane lol! It sounds like the crazy things I have seen are next to nothing compared to his experiences.. Let's just say I am proud to be an American.

Well not too much else going on. We found 2 news yesterday! Both from people we had tracted into. One is an 18 year old kid named Edwin! He was really cool! He told us that he felt somthing as we were talking to him! It is so neat to see the spirt work through you! ah.. It was there really strong. He is really cool. He skateboards, so Elder Wilkey was able to relate with him pretty well. And also we started teaching a lady named Anasoli. She was really nice. She is in her 30s. We just taught her in her doorway but we are going back again tomorrow and we are going to teach  her  the restoration. From the little bit of time we have already spent with her, she just has a sweet heart and is trying to do what is right in her life. She was really really cool.

And also we are teaching a woman nambed Maritza.. She is an interesting lady. She was investigating the Church like 25 years ago.. She walked into the Baptismal font to be baptized and then left as she entered the water. The majority of her family are members, and it was by a miracle her son had with missionaries that she came to us and started asking questions again. But she has so many questions, SO MANY! Every peice of doctrine we have she has tried to disprove it with an appeal to the Bible and she can't... She keeps asking us questions and we continue to answer them, but she refuses to see reason... She does not have faith. She admits it herself.. She does not even really know if there is a God, but she wants there to be one. I also think she really does know she is there and that the Church is true, she is just refussing to accept it.. We have been teaching her for like 2 months now. And I was just thinking the other day, it is obvious what we are doing wrong.. We are answering all of her questions for her.. I think it's time we let her find some out by herself. She needs to read the Book of Mormon, and she needs to understand that all of her questions have already been answered and not by us, but by the spirit.. She feels it.. Now we just need to make sure that she knows that that is what she is feeling. It does all the talking for us.. and I think that has been our problem with teaching her, is that we are not letting her know that she has felt the spirit and it has told her. Because I know without a doubt she has felt it! And what a great feeling it is! It is something I desire for all people to feel! It really is life changing and it really is the Power of God! And He loves us.. He really does. I have felt that over and over again.. I felt it the other day when I was studying about the Restoration... I just started crying. It just touched me so much.. Joseph Smith really is a prophet of God.. And not because I blindly believe that.. I believe that because God Himself has told me so. This really is Christ's Church and I know he lives. He lives and I see his hand in my life each day. Miracles have not ceased and neither have visions. Revelation is a real thing... I firmly believe that . I know it's true.. I just know it and I cannot deny it. Too many things have happened in my life that tell me so. My life really has changed.. I don't thnk I really have all too much.. Maybe just an improved version of who I was before.. But my life has definitely changed.. The way I view my life and the way I view other people.. They are worth everything. So don't waste a day of yours. Get on track and do what you've got to do now, and don't waste a moment of it.

Well I better let you guys get going! I miss and care for you all so much! Wish I could give each one of you a giant hug! :) But I can't but you can expect one a year from now! Take care everybody! I love you all so much!

Love, Mark!  :)

Hump Day

Hey there eveybody!

How is everyone doing this week?
So sorry if I sound a bit like a bum while I am talking. I am just really drained, I just got done playing basketball and all I want to do is sleep! haha! But anyways! I am so happy for Nicole! Sounds like her baptism went great! :) I am so happy for her! And sounds like the Spirit was there to confirm it... :) Ahh!! that really does just make me so pumped for her! :) 

So yeah with our baptisms this weekend! Gisela and Jordi were baptized! Ahh! Such a great baptism! What was even better was the confirmation. I baptized Gisela, Elder Wilkey baptized Jordi. But when the Bishop was confirming Gisela we could all just feel something.. She told me after church that she just felt the warmth all over her body, and comfort and peace... The same feeling she felt when the Lord answered her prayer about the Book of Mormon! God acts in the smallest ways.. But it's by small and simple things that he is going to touch us! :) It was just really special... If I did not have another baptism my whole mission, I would go home feeling.. No not feeling - knowing that I was successful, just because I have already seen what the Gospel.. what Jesus Christ has done for this family's life... She is always smiling now... Before it was only every once in a while. Now you can't wipe it off her face! :) She is just so happy! :) And you can just feel the difference and see it in her eyes! :) 

So anyways before I forget, I have not got a package yet and yes I am still DL. We have a meeting with President Smith up in Scarsdale this Friday! So that will be fun/interesting! I will get to see a lot of people I have not seen in a while. Well maybe.. It's a leadership meeting so it depends if anyone I know upstate is in leadership! But anyways I am still living with Elder Kropf and Elder Lewis! Haha our apartment is awesome! They always keep me laughing! Elder Kropf is really funny! haha.. Don't judge a book by its cover. The first time I met him I thought he was going to be a total dork.. But not at all. haha... We just got a bunch of weights and we are trying to beef him up. He is taking a weight enhancement supplement called "Russian Bear".  Haha he weighs 125... So we are trying to fix that. So we are working out pretty hard core every morning. 

So Elder Scaife is in my ZONE!! :) It made me so happy when I got to see him last week1 It had been like 10 months. He has been exiled to upstate his entire mission! (Ah... I really don't want to go up there lol! Just because of that I probably will) I love the city... I could never live here.. But it is so fun being here as a missionary.. And just so many awesome/ interesting people! :) But for real.. the mission is weird.. You make so many close friendships and then phoop! They are gone like that.. Saying bye to Huerta last week was really hard. I had been around him my whole mission... when he left me as my companion I was OK... But when I came to be in the same District as him I was so happy, and we became such good friends.. Not gonna lie I cried just a little. Just stinks seeing so many people you love go... Many of which I may never see again :/ Welll not in this life anyways.. but for sure after this life We will be partying up in Heaven! lol! 

But I just want to commend you and Dad on all the stuff you guys put up with from us kids.. We are Dumb.. Lets face it! We know it! We are just to prideful to admit it! You 2 are the bomb! You guys have been working our butts off from Greg hitting me in the face with a lightsaber, to me punching holes in the wall, to Todd just about killing Thomas, to the stuff you guys are putting up with now!  Mom, Dad, I am so happy that the two of you get to take a vacation here soon! You 2 deserve one! For real! You guys have worked hard for such a long time! Have fun! :) 


So Blues are on fire! They are going ot take the Cup this year! ah!! I am so excited! I So hope they do!.. Saints.. Gash that ticks me off.... I really hope that this all just blows over... And Peyton.. :( well I discovered something this morning when I heard that.. I am not a huge Colts fan after all.. I mean I am I still like them.. but it was realy Peyton Manning.... That makes me sad that he is leaving. I hope wherever he goes he does really well! I am sure he is just going to continue putting up numbers and breaking records!

 And Melissa is doing good!  But she is just peachy! :) She has finals this week and  Spring Break the next!  She really is just awesome! :) Seriously.. for real there is just something about that girl :) :) 

Uhm what else to say??  oh hey did Greg ever get the shirt I bought him?? Did you get that package?? .. Could you send me some Spanish Disney Music?? Haha I think that would be a fun language study lol! 

But yeah other than all this I am great! The Work is great! And I am just loving life like usual! We have a bap date with a little girl named Chris for the 18th of this month! Miracles just keep coming! Can't wait for next cycle though... I just really want to start working hard again! But we are pushing forward ya know?? :) Well I love you all so very much and I hope you have a great week!!! :) 

Love, Elder Marky Mattei! 

Don't miss me too much!! !1 more year! !!! :) Excited.. / Disappointed that I only have that much more time! But I got 369 more days to make the best of it! :) And it is going to be awesome! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT!! :) 


This week marks Elder Mattei's halfway point, often called the HUMP week.  It's all downhill from here!  Here's an analogy I have found that I sent him to help commemorate the occasion ~


The Camel is the Symbol of the Seasoned Missionary

 As you come to the one-year mark of your mission, I am sending you a camel
 to remind you how far you have come, and where you are going.  There are
 many similar characteristics of a great missionary and a camel.

 The first is the "hump"
 Yes, you have crossed the mark and now are over the hump of the first year.
 But remember, the hump of a camel is used to store food for the long
 journey.  Camels can go far for long periods of time without food, but a
 wise missionary will store the knowledge he has gained and put it to
 greater use the second half of his mission.

 Another important characteristic is what the camel does to be prepared to
 carry his load for his Master.  A camel sometimes protests his heavy load,
 but he drops to his knees for his Master and once started, he patiently
 carries his load.
 As a missionary, sometimes the load seems heavy and difficult to carry.
 But when you drop to your knees and succumb to the Master's will, he will
 carefully lead you and you can bear the load patiently, and do your Father
 in Heaven's work as he would have you do.  This is why the camel's knees
 are heavily padded, as a missionary, your knees are calloused from many
hours of kneeling in prayer.

 The camel has high set eyes, which enable him to see long distances.
 A missionary has his eyes set on higher things, he follows the Spirit that
 enables him to see the Children of God, those who are seeking answers, and
 he teaches them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 The camel has broad, two-toed feet, which keep it from sinking in the
 desert sand.
 A missionary has a broad knowledge and a firm testimony of the Gospel.
 This enables him to teach with boldness and stand steadfast and immoveable.
 The people you teach do not yet have the blessings of such a sure-foot,
but as you teach with love and the Spirit, you will help them gain their
own testimony, that will help them walk on firmer ground, the path that
will lead them back to their Father in Heaven.

 So you see, a Missionary has a lot in common with a camel.
 Put this camel where you can see it often.
 Dedicate yourself to do as the camel does. (no spitting)
 Serve your Master well and patiently over the long journey.
 You have come a long way, there is still much ground to cover.
 Continue to move forward, serving with love, until your mission is
complete and your Father in Heaven will say, "Well done, thou good and
faithful servant." 

...

Upcoming Baptism/Still in the Bronx

Well I am doing great!! Gisela will be baptized this Saturday!! Yay!! SO I am excited! :) Well so yesterday we went to a member's house and she definitely gave us tea... uh... lol! But they claimed it was not. haha! But like I said Gisela and Jordy are getting baptized this week! :) And we found a family who just moved here and the parents are members but the daughter is not. The Veles family! They are from Ecuador! They are really cool! We set a baptism date with the daughter, Chris last night! :) yay! Sorry I did not say much to everyone! Just know that I am good and you are all in my prayers! The Lord is blessing me now more than ever! Please keep me in your prayers! :) Tell the Ward I say Hello! I miss them all a lot! Sounds like Jackson is doing good! He is awesome! He is totally prepared for these experiences and God has put HIM there for a reason! Well Love you all! I am great! Hope you all are too! I promise to say more next week1 I just had to write my little bro Today! Take care! May God Bless you all as he has blessed my life! :)

 

Peace out!

Love, Marky Mark!!

 

Oh and Elder Wilkey and I are together for cycle # 3! yeah boy!! :)

Well just a quick add on to my email! I did not say much!!

 

Sorry, just really flustered.. So Elder Huerta Luna left today :(  (This was Mark's first companion/trainer who returned to his home in Puebla, Mexico.  He has Elder Barnes' phone number, who is serving in that mission and will be contacting him soon) I was really really sad! And I SAW ELDER SCAIFE AGAIN!!!!!!! :)  (his companion in the MTC) He is in my Zone!! IT has been 10 months since I have seen him! That was so nice! But yeah that is pretty much all that is new with me! :) But yeah all of you take care! You are all in my prayers. This life is about progression, so just keep going even when you think you cannot continue any longer. There is an end. and it will be well worth it! :) Love you all! Love, Mark! Again! haha! :P LOVE YOU!