¡¡¡DANG!!!!
Looks like after this week Michelle has a whole new bag of material to write a new book, lol!! (We had a family reunion last week with SEVERAL injuries...one with a fall, broken bones, surgery and long term physical therapy!) Mine wasn't anywhere near as entertaining lol, but I did have TWO more baptisms, WOOOOO! One of the guys name is Braulio, he has 72 years!! The oldest I've baptised yet and the other is called Leonardo, he has 17 years.
Today was pretty cool though because we got to go back to Reu. and play around at a private club down by where President Maravilla lives and play some sand volleyball and ping pong and later Elder Pictum and our companions are going to go play some pool at a resaurtant we found, I love pool!
Sounds like after this weeks letter I've got a lot of stuff I need to think about. I'm not really sure whats going to happen right now. But this past week I got a call from Elder Thorley, the new travel agent in the office and he hooked me up to come home early enough to where I can be home for school without losing a lot of time in the field.........I will be coming home on...........................................the 5th of January 2012!!
Today when we were coming back to San Felipe from Reu. I talked to a nice woman heading to Xela and just visiting with her and sharing parts about my life and what it is that we do here. She stopped me and just mentioned how good my spanish was and I'm not going to lie, that was really cool to hear that and it made me chuckle a little bit. I know that if it wasn't for the work that I'm here to do and for the blessings of the Lord and the prayers from all of you I would never have been able to communicate with these amazing people. I can remember the countless days and nights praying for help when I first got here and now it is just a blessing. You really don't see the blessings or receive a testimony of the trials of life until after the storm has passed!
But yes, that makes me very happy that I'll have a bed somewhere, whether in GOOD OLE TENNESSEE or CALIFORNIA!!!
A few thoughts Elder Marquis had on education and life:
I visit people every day, people who have never received the opportunity to receive an education and for this many of the people here cannot even read or write. Serving here and personally applying what I've learned throughout my time here, I have had the chance to overcome my personal disabilities and further more have gained an infinite appreciation for my education. Having come in contact with many of these unfortunate people and seeing the complete hunger that they have to gain any type of education has affected me deeply. Never again will I turn away from my studies and my education for foolish endeavors. I have a deep appreciation for education and learning and also of the gospel. The Lord has completely changed me through my mission.
One of the most fulfilling experiences for me was being able to attend early morning seminary. Although waking up early in the morning may seem like an impossible task for a high school student, the chance to increase my knowledge of the gospel was one opportunity I could't miss. It contributed a large part of making the decision to serve a full time mission to study of the scriptures during the four years of early morning seminary.
When I turned nineteen, the opportunity came to serve a mission for the Lord. This decision would be affecting the next two years of my life. I could either stay and continue my schooling or give this time to the Lord. I am eternally grateful and happy to say that I chose to serve a mission. On the 10th of February 2010, I reported to the MTC where I would be trained to serve in the Quetzaltenango Guatemala Mission. About seven months later though the Lord gave me a new set of plans and reasigned me to the new mission of Retalhuleu Guatemala. Serving a mission has been the highlight of my life and has completely changed who I was and what I want out of life. There is no greater joy than that that comes from being able to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord and to help His children make covenants and receive a remission of their sins. Not only that, but to be able to serve with the amazing people here in Guatemala is amazing and humbling. Sadly many people here have zero chance of a decent education and even worse for work. I've learned many things while here in Guatemala and have changed myself. Never again will I take my work, family, home, freedom, and especially my education for granted. While on my mission I have had the opportunity of being both junior and senior companion and a district leader, but by far the most rewarding opportunity that I've received is being a trainer. When I was chosen to be a trainer, my mission President, President Maravilla, asked to have a personal interview with me, where he explained that my companion was someone very special and that he had been praying and fasting over me and ten other missionaries, trying to decide who should train this Elder, and he chose me. This indeed really was a humbling experience for me. I don't know if he knew of my love and interest of the Polynesian people and culture, but he told me that Elder Hafoka Langi, was to be the first of many Polynesian missionaries to enter the mission and that I would be the best companion for him. During the next three months with Elder Langi we baptised and taught each other many things. I thought him the doctrine, culture, and language. He taught me the history of the Tongan and Soamoan people, the deep love and respect they have for the Earth, and I'll be honest I was hooked. The way he described his family, life, and home, I have a hunger to know more of his culture. His way of living is very similar to those of here in Guatemala and I love it and want nothing more than to make it apart of my life! Elder Langi is one of the kindest, most humble, and happy people I've had the pleasure to know and I am grateful to have been his companion and to have learned a small part of who he is and where he comes from.
Another of the greatest accomplishments or awards I've received is yet again, from my mission, which is learning a new language. This was not easy to do. I can remember many days and nights of praying, fasting, and studying, trying to get a hold of the Spanish language. Learning a new language is quite a humbling experience, especially when your'e in Guatemala. I've come to learn like most good things in life, vale la pena, it's worth the pain! Because I didn't give up and quit and say, I can't, this is too much for me, now an entirely new world has been opened to me and opportunities without end. Before I learned Spanish I was completely content with just English but now that I've acquired the Spanish language, I want to learn more, and I will!, I now have a hunger for all languages and cultures and little by little hope to learn of them and apply the very best parts to my life, because I know now that learning and gaining a great education realmente vale la pena, really is worth the pain!
Anyways, love you all, and hope everyone heals quickly from the family reunion!!!
Love,
Elder Marquis
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