Soaring over Clermont

This week started with the Mission Leadership Council. We talked a lot about finding new people to teach and helping them keep their commitments. My companions elder Menzel and Elder Bouaka did a great job of presenting! We did some fun role plays, which are always my favorite.

Right after the council, Elder Bouaka and I got to head over to Mont de Marsan. We didn't leave early enough to get there the same day, so we slept in bordeaux. We woke up early the next morning and got to Mont de Marsan. I got to do an exchange with Elder Sweet again. We met some really cool people, even one lady that started crying in front of us because we could tell that she wasn't having a good day. We left that night to get back to Lyon, but we also couldn't make it the same day, We we stayed in Clermont. When we were driving into Clermont, I stuck my head out the window and smelt the pine trees all while watching the city lights of Clermont come closer through the trees.

We taught Amandine on Thursday. This lesson was amazing because she was explaining to us how she felt. I didn't really understand, and then, at one moment, God allowed me to feel a part of how she feels. It was incredible. I have never had such a heavy feeling on me. I'm so grateful that I was able to feel that in order to understand her. The problem right now is that her husband doesn't want her to get baptized. The other day, something clicked in her head, and she realized that her husband might never say yes. She said that she hopes that one day she will be able to be a part of the church of God, and that will be the most beautiful day of her life. We still need to fast and pray with her, and I know that God will work miracles.

Love,
Elder Marshall Underwood

Wingman

This Monday was a tough one for me. The group that went home was full of a bunch of my friends. A spent a lot of my mission around some of them and I was so grateful to hear their testimonies. Elder Kelsey's family came to pick him up. I had the chance to see him reunite with his family and I was bawling. What a special night.

On Tuesday, since there were a lot of missionaries coming in, we got to go get them at the airport and ride the train with them back home. They were so stoked about the sandwiches that we got them. I was very impressed by a couple of them! They all were responding to me in French when I would talk to them! They're going to go great things.

We presented to them on Wednesday and the best parts of our presentation were when president interrupted us and added things to what we were saying. He really knows how to bring the spirit into a meeting. I am so grateful to be able to spend time with him.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of week one we often get out of the swing of missionary work. Sometimes that is hard, but as soon as I teach that first lesson or talk to at first person, I realize how much I love it. During a lesson this week, I realized that I only have 2 years to teach with power and authority. I never want to give up this calling.

Love,
Elder Marshall Underwood

 Mother's day flower run

 Sister Bright. Probably Elder Menzel's future wife but I'm not supposed to tell you that.

 Big boss MacArthur. He was my leader for the most part of my mission.

 Elder Kelsey's family

The House of the LORD

This week started with a beautiful transfer process. We got done hours earlier than normal and everything just felt great. Throughout the rest of the week, everything else just feel into place. We were expecting some problems because there is a big group leaving and a big one coming. However, all has been smooth so far.

I spent all week preparing myself for the temple consecration. On Saturday night! The cultural celebration was beautiful. I was so happy to see all of the youth, many of whom I know.

On Sunday, I was lucky enough to go to all three sessions. One of my favorite things that I learned from this sacred experience is that the corner stone of the temple is Jesus Christ. Without him, the temple wouldn't have meaning. It is the same thing for our families. The corner stone needs to be Jesus Christ. Everything that we do revolves around Him. Sometimes we get caught up in the culture and we forget about Him.

Remember Him.

I'm so grateful for this weekend. I worked for almost 2 years towards this moment. What a blessing.

Love,
Elder Marshall Underwood

Coup de foudre

This week we did a couple exchanges: one with Geneva and one with Besançon.

When I was with Elder Hall, we were teaching Amandine. We talked about going to church and she surprised us by saying that she would be going to the temple the next day! That's incredible! Later in the week, we taught her again and she prayed for the first time. She's doing well. A lot of struggles but she's doing well.

Besançon was beautiful. It was love at first sight. It was fun to be back with elder Moss and we talked to a lot of people. We stopped by the basketball court and they were so excited to play with the Americans.

We saw a lot of members this week too! At the Kusselings! Elder Menzel challenged one of the sons to an eating contest. He lost. The Heras's always make delicious food, and I was happy to meet Alexandra, of whom I have heard so many great things. Sister Barachant is always an angel to us.

This week was the last sacrament meeting before the temple consecration. I am so thankful for the sacrament and he chance that I have to take it every week. I didn't really understand it before my mission, but now I understand that the promise of being forgiven and having the spirit to be with us is real.

I was grateful to talk to my family yesterday. I was so grateful to talk to you, mom. Thank you for teaching me that mother knows best. I didn't get it for a long time. But now I know.

Love,
Elder Marshall Underwood

Timbuktu

This week we did a lot of traveling. There is a sister that got hervisa and we had to go get her bags. So, we spent last Monday drive to bordeaux. The elders there greeted us with two roasted chickens. Very good hosts.

We then did an exchange with another companionship in that zone and it was a blast. Elder Sweet and I met a lot of cool people and set multiple appointments. The worst part was a couple of drunk girls that came up to us. One of them was in love with Elder Sweet and the other one was about to punch me in the face. But, it's all ok.
The next day we drove over to Nîmes to do an exchange. I would love to live there because it is an incredibly beautiful city! We met some people on the street that said, "a living prophet? If that's true, it's a miracle!" They came to the church and we taught them!

The rest of the week was pretty normal. We are still teaching Amandine and she read all the way to Mosiah 19 in the Book of Mormon. She is really searching and I hope that she receives a testimony of it soon!

Love,
Elder Marshall Underwood