How Great Thou Art

What a great week! To start it off, I got to go back to Geneva (often called the promised land) for a conference. When we got in on Monday night, elder Menzel and I went to eat with the Muller family. They said that I could sleep there when we come back. It's also kind of funny because you can find their 'I'm a Mormon' message. Before my mission, you told me, mom, "maybe you'll meet them!" I didn't believe you. But now you'll probably meet them too.

Muller's "I am Mormon" video I am Mormon, French-Swiss, & Blind Chocolate Hunter

We got to go on three exchanges this week. Nice- Elder Williams who will be returning home soon. Geneva - elder Hoffman who taught me a lot about talking to people. And Elder Wilkey - you know him. We had about 40 minutes to contact with Elder Hoffman. We talked to 4 people, got three of their numbers and gave two Book of Mormons. It was really great. I was so happy to meet those people.

Other than that, I would love to share one great experience. I don't know if you remember Amandine, but we stopped teaching her about 3 weeks ago because her husband didn't want to her to be baptized. She has read the entire Book of Mormon and she knows that it is true. It was really hard to make that decision because she is so ready. However, we couldn't hurt her family. We kept in contact and fasted and prayed with her. This Sunday, she showed up to church. That was a miracle because usually she works all Sunday. We were so happy to see her and she said, "before we go in, I need to give you something. Don't lose it." She took a folded paper out of her bag and handed it to us. "Je, sousigné, Mathias Badino, autorise ma femme, Amandine Badino, à effectuer son baptême au sein de votre église. Cordialement, (signed)" I can't remember any time when I have literally been speechless before this day. God is good. God is great, and He loves his children. I know that He knows her situation and that this was possible through Him.

Translation: "I, undersigned Mathias Badino, authorizes my wife, Amandine Badino, to carry out her baptism in your church. Cordially, (signed)"

Love,
Elder Marshall Underwood

The Way, The Truth, and The Life

I would like to share one experience for which I will always be grateful.

On Thursday, we left the apartment at 10am to start work. We sat down at the bus stop and said hi to a woman. We were just asking her a couple questions and after a minute she said, "What are all these questions for? I know you, you're the Mormons." We then asked, naturally, how she knew the Mormons. She said, "I just know about you. And I can tell you that you are wrong."  I've become pretty bold with this message by now, but the spirit led us to respond very softly. She shared a couple more choice words with us and then she got in a car and left. I thought, "Well, that was an interesting start to the day."

Within the next couple hours, two other people with whom we spoke told us things such as, "it's really too bad, what you're doing" and, "I feel so sorry for you. How did you allow yourself to get sucked up into this church?" Now, those remarks weren't anything out of the ordinary, but to have three people like that before dinner wasn't normal.

Just as I was trying to understand where this opposition was leading us, we talked to a woman. She started out with, "nope, I don't want to hear it. God doesn't exist." We asked how she knew and she shared a story in which she asked a priest if God exists and he was not able to answer her. We taught her many things, and I was so proud to stand with my companion and testify to her of the existence of God and of the divinity of Jesus Christ. When our testimonies ended, I saw her start to say something. Obviously, she wanted to refute our words, but we watched as she tried to speak and was literally unable. We stayed there for probably 10 seconds. After the silence, we invited her to kneel down and ask God if He is there. She said, "No. First of all, I will never kneel down. And second, I will never ask that question." That moment was really sad for me personally. I saw that we had been given the power that Néphi had in the Book of Mormon (for she was not able to deny the truthfulness of our words) but she chose to reject the invitation to come unto Christ.

To end the conversation, she stated, "I'm going to say one more thing and then this conversation is over. If God really does exist, why is there so much suffering in the world?" We explained, "We understand that that was your conclusion, and we respect that. We would like to tell you, simply, that we have the answer to that question. It is not unanswerable. So, if you are sincerely asking us for an answer, we will be overjoyed to help you find it. Would you like to see us again?" Sadly, she said no. She didn't want the answer. And she left.
I know that God lives and that he knows his children. I know that in 1830, the kingdom of God was restored upon the earth by the prophet Joseph Smith. I also look forward to the day when the kingdom of Heaven will be fully established among us and our Lord, Jesus the Christ, will reign.

Love,
Elder Marshall Underwood

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