Biking On the 146

Dear Dad,
This past week has been incredible to say the least. Elder Nelson and I were informed that we had 270 miles less than normal so we hit up the heel toe express. Biking on the 146 is ludacris. So we walked the highway, saw a huge wreck happen 20 yards away (don't tell mom) haha, got flipped off a bunch, and the best part we saw things from a much different view. While Walking on Memorial Day we noticed a lot more smaller streets which led to some trailer parks. I have seen some poverty stricken areas in my day but nothing like this. It really made me look at my life and put into perspective just how blessed I am to have lived the way I have thus far. I am SO thankful for you and mom and the way you raised us. So we continued tracting and we came to an apartment complex in the which we found two families who were beyond poor. The first was a single man with disabilities who's family abandoned him and he was on his last can of beans and the other was a family of three. The father of the family of three looked run down and really on the verge of giving up. He and his family are living off $1100 a month he gets from disability. He asked us for toilet paper. I felt so bad for the situation they were in so I said you hold tight we'll be back once we're done knocking your neighbors doors. So we finished tracting the complex then ran home and cleaned out ALL of our food in our cupboards and gathered some toiletries as well. We gave two full bags to Lee Stratten, the single old man, and then we gave three full bags to Michael and Cindy, the family of three. The looks on their faces rivaled a 6 year olds on Christmas morning. Michael fought back tears and thanked us from the bottom of his heart and told us he didn't think we'd really come back. What an amazing feeling it was Dad. We also in that same complex knocked into an ex con who wants to learn more about our church and accepted Joseph Smith's vision. He's way open and loved for us to discuss the "Good Word". So that was what I did on Memorial day, all the while thinking of Olivia and how amazing it is to be a member of this the only TRUE church. I love it! I am so thankful to be on a mission right now. It puts everything into perspective, everything. I am a changed person already and can't wait to take what I learn in the field and apply it to my everyday normal life back home. I just finished reading the account of Abinidi. It makes me want to be a better missionary when I read things like that. The courage he had...woah. I love reading the Book of Mormon and re reading it. It's such an inspiring book. All those nights that I would come home late and see you at the table studying... I SO wish I could go back and pull up a chair with you Dad. I can't wait to study with you when I get home. You in? well dad I didn't do a good job in replying to your email but I did read it and loved it, thank you so much for writing me. You still need to send me a letter with pictures of the fam though! Don't think you are off the hook haha. Love Elder Jarman

Time Is Flying

Mama,
Seriously can you believe it's already over 2 months? Time is flying... ugh. I cannot believe it. I will pray for Ben, that is scary stuff. I hope he is doing alright. I have a feeling he's just fine though, he's a choice son of God. I was thinking that same thing about Pres. Warner! Seriously. What an awesome man. I love Stake Conference! Seems like just yesterday Cait was scratching my back on the top row... weird. I was glad to hear you sang in the choir. I joined our ward choir! haha. We start next month, I am so excited. Skyler Stice even though he's younger than me has always been one that I look up to. The way he carries himself is incredible. He is my definition of immovable and steadfast. I love that kid. He will be an amazing missionary. David Ridge! You gotta get his email address for me haha. He's a stud! The work here is going just the same. We set a baptismal date with an elderly woman, Mary Hartley, who is living with a man but in separate rooms who has had a few strokes and lives the law of chastity and all the other commandments but the fact that she is living with someone of the opposite sex is getting in the way. Poor thing. So the Stake Pres. said that he would pray about it to know what to do... I really hope it gets approved. She's really a sweet old lady is all. I love you so much and love hearing from you! Thank you so much for the package! I was beaming upon opening it. Tell Tyler I exist would ya? Maybe that would get him to write haha. LoveElder Jarman

It Can Change Your Life

Mom,
Hey! It was so nice being able to talk to ya'll this past week. I thought maybe I would feel my first bit of home sickness but in truth it just boosted my spirits ten fold. I loved hearing your voices. Elder Nelson understood what you meant by it mom haha. He says thank you! Oh mama haha. I love you. So the girls made it to Chi town safe eh? Thats good to know. Emma Emma Emma... what a little woman she always has been haha. I was glad to hear you had a coming to Jesus talk with her mom haha. You should really get her involved in dance. Chris is going to the same mission as Scott?! That's so cool! Tell him congrats! So this past week we were tracting and we had three houses in a row tell us they would pray about the Book Of Mormon and for us to come back! That just doesn't happen. So I am really excited to see what comes of it. I made this one woman,, Rosetta, promise me she would pray about it, she laughed and said "You're a persistant one aren't you." I just gave her a big smile and said "I just know that it can change your life." So I hope she went ahead and did it. We are gonna check back tomorrow. I love you! Elder Jarman

Goodness Gracious

Hi family,
To start off I would just like to say thank you for your letter Dad, that meant a lot to me. And that Dr Seuss version of the Book Of Mormon was hilarious haha I loved it. As I read the scriptures more and more I find lots of humor in them, is that bad? Like when the Lord tells Nephi too zap his brothers haha, it's funny. Anyway on to my email... Thank you so much for searching out the items I asked for, if it's too much of a hassle I will understand but those things would be muchly appreciated. Haha Andrea's cooking eh Dad? That sounds like it would be tough to pass up haha, oh man. Yeah I am gonna try and call around 230 your time so... 330 here? Yeah. I can't wait! Again tell Toby wonderful things from me because he is a wonderful guy. That was awful to hear about Jim and Wendy, I hope they are going to be ok. I will keep them in my prayers. That is just too sad. And Stanford is ill too? Goodness gracious. I will pray for him as well. Congratulations on the Bike excursion! I knew ya had it in ya. Got any other sweet rides you're shooting for besides the LoToJa? Keep me posted. We have a few members in the ward that do Ironman stuff and were talking about how awesome the LoToJa would be. I won't comment on what mom is getting for mothers day cause I don't know if she knows but that is an awesome idea! Kudos to whoever thought that up. Mom you are a very beautiful woman! I wish I had some fancy something or other to send you but I will just send a card I hope it's up to par... The work is going alright. We don't have any investigators which is always frustrating but we work really hard and do a ton of tracting. We have made lots of friends that are of other faiths that absolutely love us. The Tice family is one of them. They are SO kind and supportive of our work but aren't even of our faith, just good people all around. Texas is full of nice people. This one woman asked if I was single cause she wanted to set her 18 year old daughter up with me hahaha I just laughed and explained what our policy on that was, she was a little bit confused but oh well. I love you all and can't wait to talk to you!