Perpetually Recovering from My Allergy to Cats

Mom,

Oh today I am perpetually recovering from my allergy to cats. Yesterday was probably the worst reaction I have had thus far haha. It's always a little funny to see my face swell up the way it does. I am A OK no worries, just a bit swollen and my eyes are killing me (I am squinting as I type).

I am so excited still for this dear girl to come into the world. I have been around children so much lately and I absolutely love them! I always ask what ages kids are in hopes to find a 1 year old just so I know what I will be able to come home to in my niece!

That is wretched news about the pipe bursting. I bet that was tough. I still don't quite understand what all you have done to the house but I guess time will tell right? Ha.

Missionary work here is going good! We have a very strange ward in the fact that most are from Utah and RMs and such but it's mixed with some of the more country native Texans, they don't mesh we'll just say. A lot of the less actives in our ward are former bishops and elders quoroms presidents, they just don't come because of the division that there is here. We are working to fix that problem though be assured. We have been working with an 18 year old young man named Steven Caldera and he has accepted the invitation to be baptized on March 7. I pray that this will work out and I would ask you and the family to keep Steven in your prayers.

I did get my package! I was so excited! Thank you so so so much! Those booties help out so much haha.

I love you Mom
Elder Jarman

"Iron Like a Lion in Zion"

Mom!

Still snowing?! Oh man that's rough. It's been so pleasent here lately. Sweating season doesn't hit til about May if I remember correctly. The spring here is to die for. This week I am doing really well. I am really enjoying where I am, who I am with, and what I am doing. I love being a missionary mom, moreso than I think I even know. It's an incredible time in my life. I am not taking it for granted that is for sure.

Sounds like you are loving being back in the house! That's good. Dad says you have done a great job getting things done. Your Sunday sounded lovely. I miss those gatherings ha. Great memories.

I am so excited to be an uncle! I hear Cait's about ready to pop haha, I still have seen no solid evidence of it but I do have faith haha.

I suppose I am getting the hang of things as a zone leader. We had an amazing zone meeting last week. Our zone is good but it has the potential to be so great. I spoke on obedience and told them I loved them and just bore testimony of what obedience has done for me. I quoted a Bob Marley song too haha, I told them to be "Iron like a Lion in Zion" and related it to Mosiah 5:15 which speaks of being steadfast and immovable, I felt that it applied. I love this work mother. I love you.

Love
Elder W. Dean Jarman

The Empty Pot

Hey Dad,

Do you remember that book you always shared with us as
kids? Ping and the Empty Pot? Well I do. I want you to
know that it taught me a lot. I was pondering during my
personal studies about why I am the way I am and what I
learned up to this point in life to make me that way and
Ping and the Empty Pot came to my mind. Thank you for
taking the time when I was in my youth to read to me,
and not just fairy tales but books that taught lessons.
Integrity is something you have, and it's a blessing to
look to you as an example of that, thank you for teaching
for understanding things such as integrity.

Additional responsibilities that I have I suppose are
taking phone calls from the DL's and having them report
on their districts, gathering all the weekly and monthly
numbers and progressing investigators then reporting those
to President, a lot more love for my mission and other
missionaries, and I probably left out a few things but hey
I am still new alright ha. That's so crazy that you had to
pick up money and stuff haha. So you were kinda like the
IRS? Did you notice that missionaries were different after
you were called into leadership? Like oh hey look here comes
the ZL everybody be quiet haha.

So back in the house eh? How is that going? Lots of small
stuff to do still it sounds like. I still can't quite
comprehend what has gone on to my house... but I am sure
it's great.

Tithing... hmmm... I guess use Malachai 3:10 and really just
stress that it is a commandment from God. God only gives us
commandments so that he can bless us. We are blessed through
our obedience just as D&C 130 talks about. Best o luck!

I love you
Elder Jarman

It's a Bother but Oh Well

Mom :)

I love you mom! I really got emotional this past week as mothers were discussed on a few occasions. President Moldenhauer in mission council talked about mothers and I just could not hold back the tears. I am so grateful for you.

10 1/2 months... you have been working on the house basically since I have been gone haha. That just is so strange. I can't wait to see what you have done with the place.

Zone leading is good mom haha. To be honest I didn't want to even tell you I was a zone leader but then realized that president probably sent you a letter saying I had been called to be a ZL. It's really a great opportunity to grow in love for everyone. The teaching is going alright, being white washed in is always tough because neither of us knows anything about the area. We have a few investigators who have a lot of addiction struggles. So Elder Wilson and I have gotten a copy of the church's addiction recovery program and are going to learn it so we can help our investigators work through their problems. You really learn to love the sinner and hate the sin while serving. My health is great except that I am still very allergic to cats. I have had a few allergy attacks in homes where cats are present, it's a bother but oh well. I have been working out a lot harder and so that too helps with feeling good, we have a bench in our apartment!

I love you

Elder Jarman

P.S.

I failed to mention that yesterday L Tom Perry came and spoke to our mission and the Houston mission. It was so amazing. He talked to us about finding our own way to have the spirit with us and also shared 5 principles of teaching. Which is funny because in Jasper a less active told us about the 5 keys to learning. I also got to see Kolby again and this time we were able to go to lunch together! I love you!

"I teach the men righteous principles and let them govern themselves."

Mom!

In the house this weekend! About time wouldn't ya say? That's exciting! Just in time for the baby shower, sweet! So is St. George going good? I hope so. I always loved that place. It sounds like you have all put a ton of effort into the house and one thing I have learned and have a strong testimony of is you get out what you put in and it sounds like the house will be a great example of that.

I am doing really good. Being a Zone Leader is so different. You really have so much less personal time. Lots of ministering and administering. It's a very different experience but still so wonderful. My philosophy I have taken on as a Zone Leader comes from Joseph Smith he once said "I teach the men righteous principles and let them govern themselves." I am not one to tolerate disobedience though so if something does get out of hand then proper correction takes place. President Moldenhauer is the perfect example of that, the way he handles things is amazing and always done in love. He definitely builds up to build up which is also something I am going to try and apply to my leadership role.

Thank you for the hug haha. I love you so much mom, dad too. I don't even know my new address haha. I haven't had any time to do really anything but work. I will get on that though ok.

I love you
Elder Jarman