Monday, October 5, 2015

Hark, all ye nations

As a result of General Conference this past weekend, I am going to take the challenge to PONDERIZE a scripture every week. This week, I have chosen Proverbs 16:7-9

7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

I will continue to tell the scripture I have for each week!
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Anyway, this week started with a nice night with Brother Karren. he is a really cook guy that kinda dresses like I would and has a sweet hairdo. Elder Martinez said that I remind him a lot of Brother Krren. He served in DC. His family is great and happy so I hope I'm like him - haha! Plus, his wife made Peruvian food for us @eldermaclainunderwood.

Tuesday was zone conference and they challenged us to write a 25 word message to our future children. Mine was this:

My children:
Your lives were given you by God, and therefore, shall your lives be given to Him. Build on Him. Let your light shine.

Letting your light shine is something that has been on my mind. People know who missionaries are. They can see the light of Christ in our eyes no doubt. They see us walk down the side of the street in pouring rain, smiling bigger than ever, and waving at every car that drives down the street (which is exactly how the rest of Tuesday went). I was smiling because I know that the Book of Mormon is true and I know that Christ is our Savior and friend. Some people don't know these things, but life gets so much better when we do!

I went on exchanges with Elder Stimpson on Thursday and it was fun and stress relieving, but I was happy to go back to my apartment and companion. We met Jeff the Jew who is very smart and gave me a funny dollar bill that says "one million prayers" with a picture of Jesus. Then we met a guy named Tom who said "Oh another one from the Mothership" when I told him I was from Salt Lake City.

On Saturday night, as we walked in the door from the priesthood session, we heard a loud crash from our room and the curtain moved to the side. We thought someone had broken in. However, we looked around and no one was there. No windows open. Nothing. However, my companion is of the tribe of Manasseh, and one of their gifts is that the veil is very thin. Sometimes we will be driving around and he will say "this place is evil" or "I really feel the adversary right now".

So, after we looked through the apartment, my comp said that he really felt darkness. So, we said a prayer and asked God to bless the house and we immediately felt better. It was a crazy experience for me, but you would be surprised at some of the stories I have heard from other missionaries. Satan works hard on missionaries.

This was a random pic, but it fit perfectly right here in his letter

General conference. Wow. It was amazing. We didn't get to see all of it because we were running around making sure that everyone else had the means to watch it. On Sunday, we watched the sessions at the Beebe family house. They were so nice and I loved watching it with a family. It was weird though because it wasn't just on normal tv like at home. However, to hear the voices of the prophet and apostles of the Lord was priceless and I can't believe that I ever took it for granted. If you haven't watched it, go ahead and watch some! Two of my favorite talks are from Elder Holland in October 2007 and April 2008. He talks about why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints is accused of not being Christian because we do not hold a necessarily classic view of the Godhead and the canon of scripture. He explains the beauty of the Godhead and continuing scripture. I also love President Hinkleys address in the October 2007 Priesthood session called "Slow to Anger."

I am coming to love finding new people to teach. Here, we talk to everyone. Because we have nothing to lose and everyone that we talk to has so much to gain from our message. It changes lives. Absolutely. So, my friends and family, Hark. Hear the voice of heaven and its servants. This message changes lives. If you don't believe me, try it out.

With Sincere Love,
Elder Marshall Underwood

P.S Probably no emails next week. I will be off to France!
P.S.S. We have 6 baptisms on Saturday. One guy and a family of 5.

Me and Elder Stimpson on exchanges
 An Elder had this in his apartment
Elder Martinez and Elder Underwood
Favorite chips - thanks Cary and Zach
The beginning of sweater weather
 Random chair. That is all he said.
These are the Pocono "Mountains"

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