Wednesday, October 22, 2008

I Always Keep My Chin Up

Mama,
How are you doing?! It feels like its been forever since I last saw you... oh wait it has. Isn't that weird? I miss you if you ever wonder, I just don't get caught up in it though ya know? I always tell people I am the biggest mama's boy ever, key word am, meaning I am still ha. I love you mom. I had heard that the house is coming along, thats exciting! I did hear about Chris and from him actually. He is doing good and was back to his old jokin' self, man I love that kid. That was so sad about Brother Walters. My prayers are with his family. Todd and Emilee at it again, thats awesome. Tell them congrats for me. I always keep my chin up mama! No need to worry. I love you dearly. The pants fit so good by the way! Thank you again! Also that Hawaii t shirt is so nice, I love it. Thank you thank you. I am so grateful for the sacrifices you have made are making and will make for me mom. I love you so much. You are the best!
Love Elder Jarman

I Love the Country Folk

Hey Dad,
Ya know, Wednesday is a happy day, thank you for saying that. I too always feel good after reading your emails. Ugh the West family still has not accepted the invitation to be baptized BUT we are not losing faith. They are having a hard time grasping hold of the authority bit. They will come around though. Alton (the dad) is making huge progress. We had the family over at the McDaniel home for dinner monday and Alton came! That is such a miracle! He is very shy and at first if you recall would just stay in his room while we would visit. Now he's coming to members homes to eat and talk about the gospel... It's wonderful. We will be seeing them again and again and will continue to pray they will accept the baptism invitation. In all honesty I hope I stay, I mean I will be fine if I get moved but I would love to stay. I have such a connection with the members here in Jasper. They are such great people. I love the country folk ha. Leaving an area is so hard, it really is. I don't want to have to say goodbye to all these wonderful people. I did hear about Chris and I indeed told him you said hi. He told me the in depth story and oh man would that be intense. I am just glad he's alright. What a stallion that one is ha. My deepest sympathy goes out to the Walters family. That was so sad to hear about but what a blessing the gospel is in our lives to know about what comes next. I cannot imagine how hard that must have been for Randy, I know I would definitely be shaken. It sounds like the Fall break was wondeful. Dad you are the perfect example of what a father should be. You really are. I was describing to Diggy how you always took time to play catch with me for hours on end and it hit me, once again, just how amazing a father you are. Thank you so much for all the sacrifices you and mom make for me and the kids. I love you for that. It's all good and under the hood that the pictures didn't get sent. I am working on my patience this week and so I am actually quite grateful for the delay. That's great to hear the house is moving forward! I am excited to see photographic evidence haha. What a birthday present that will be for mom. John 17 eh? I will be reading that for sure. Any meaningful scriptures lately? I have actually. A lot. The first would have to be 2 Nephi 4:26-35. Ali actually shared these verses with me and I really needed to read them. Also 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. Really the most meaningful scripture to me lately has been my patriarchal blessing. I read it every morning and have been disecting it very delicately lately. What an incredible document to have in my life. I also have loved 1 Nephi 19:9 and Alma 11:40. Just to name a few. Life is beautiful. I am so happy right now. I love you and am again grateful for your example to me of what a father and man should be.
Love Elder Jarman

Friday, October 17, 2008

Pants Is Such A Wierd Word

Mom!~ Hey mama!
So I did get the package with ties and pants inside, thank you so much. You have no idea what that means to me. I really am so blessed to have you as my mother. The pants fit! Ha. They are snug but they fit and that's what matters. I was so hoping you'd send my green paisley tie and you did, score! Thanks so much. I hope I don't ask for too much, I dont want to be a nag. I have done a lot better budgeting my money except for when the hurricane hit I ran out of MSF pretty quick and resorted to my home card, sorry. I only use it if I absolutely have to. The work is just starting to pick up. Our Zone Leaders, Elder Mcreavy and Wilson are amazing and we are implementing their vision for the Beaumont zone of 5 focus families to help the work progress. We are seeing the results of obedience and hard work. The members are starting to catch the missionary bug and it's great. The West family is still progressing and its an amazing sight. A miracle happened this last visit the father sat in on a discussion, and referred us his mother. He is a very staunch baptist but he's slowly opening his heart up to us. It's wonderful mom. My optimistic attitude I have is all thanks to you and dad. You have no idea how thankful I am for you both. This transfer has been hard I am not going to lie but it's been the most rewarding as well. The Zone leaders have been really good to me and Diggy especially and have made a great impact on my mission. There are these two sweet ladies in Jasper Pat and Granny, PAt is a member and 58 and Granny (Shirley) is in her 80's and not a member. Granny is PAt's mom, anyway, they are so sweet. Last night Granny was having an anxiety attack so she called us and we just talked to her. What a blessing it was. I love old people. I feel as though I took them for granted prior to my mission and i feel bad about that. Tell grandma Knell I love her and that I am praying for her. I love you mom. Thanks again for the pants! You make me happy!
Love Elder Jarman

The Gospel Is So Powerful

Mother Dearest,
You have no idea how overjoyed I am hearing that Cait is having a girl! February 26th... oh that is so exciting! It sounds like everyone is having a baby my goodness. Conference was so amazing. It's a totally different experience for me on the mission. I love it. My favorite talks were Elder Wirthlin, Elder Holland, and Pres. Monson's on change. I took like 20 pages of notes haha. I am so thankful that you and dad set the example to us growing up of the importance of conference. Its something I will do with my children one day too. With the whole pants dealio I just mean the ones you can find in the house. I swear I had more than just the pinstriped ones... oh and don't forget to send the ties I had too. Thank you for grandma Knell's and Abes addresses. I had a little mishap happen the other day while driving. I was going 77 in what I thought was a 75 but turns out at 7 pm the 75 turns into a 65... I was pulled over by a Texas State Trooper and now I have a $165 ticket to pay by the 15th... I am so sorry. You'd be happy to know that I taught him about missions and a condensed version of the restoration though, and left him with a pamphlet. Again, sorry. I have the worst luck in cars it seems. The West family is progressing. We actually might get them baptized come the end of October! That's the plan as of now but we'll see. I am just so happy seeing them more united and loving as a family. The gospel is so powerful and can heal any wound. the father Alton has opened up SO much and gave us a refferal even! That was a shock. So things are going great with them. I love you and pray for you daily.
Your Son Elder Jarman

I Love Service

Mama!
I bet that was a good time to have Cait in town. She's so cool. How did Danny do this time around? Ya'll are going to be at Grandma Knells eh? What's her address by the way, I have been wanting to send her a letter for a time or two. You best be sending pictures soon, it's been a while! haha. But for real. 11 years ago you had a baby girl. Olivia Jarman. She's your daughter, my sister and she loves us, the whole family. I have had a lot of tender moments to ponder about her and what she is like. I imagine she's beautiful just like her brother Warner (hahahahaha totalllllly joking) I bet she's funny, smart, and proud of her mom. I know that she is in the Celestial Kingdom and that she smiles more than any of us. Joseph Smith talked a great deal about infants that die before accountability and of them he said that they were too pure to experience this awful world or something to that affect. Mom you gave birth to a girl who was talked about by a prophet of God. That's so humbling to me. I love you and you are right we do have a great family. The service rendered has been an amazing experience for me Mom. Carlos Amado of the Seventy said in the April Conference that when we serve we better understand the personality and attributes of God. What a powerful and profound statement. I love service. To be able to serve for 2 years... wow. I am personally representing my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This brings me low. I often talk about the humbling experiences I have but it's true and I hope it does not lose meaning to you of the word. I have been humbled. Life is beautiful.
Love your Boy
Elder Jarman