Wednesday, December 16, 2009

We Have Alot of Work Before US

Hey Dad,

Yeah, I can't believe of all the states in the union to have a gay mayor. They have lost it I'd say.

I so wish we could teach more, like they do in Utah. I hear they just have teaching appointments alllll the time. I enjoy the finding process but teaching is what it's all about, and of course baptizing. We have a new stake president who really has a great vision of missionary work. He is a man of great faith and I am excited to see how the work progresses under him.

My release date is indeed St. Patrick's Day, March 17th. That's still a ways away, but it's fast approaching.

For some reason I thought Tyler was going to be having surgery on his back on November 30th, but now it's January sometime? That must be tough on him. Of course Danny and Cait are in Hawaii ha haha. Lucky you being able to have baby Elle! I'll be pleased to meet that young one some day.

The Smith's are great. They offered to feed us lunch on Christmas Eve so we'll be going to their place for that then also they are feeding us on the 21st. They are just such good people. We have committed them to read in the Book of Mormon every night and they said they'd do it so that's exciting. Terry is still caught up on needing proof, but Kerry is so opposite relying on faith alone. It's interesting to see how different people are, that's another testimony to me that we have a loving Father in Heaven. Yeah I was on clean up duty for the doody that was left last Sunday ha, of course you liked that! We do have a lot of work before us at the moment and it really is such a blessing. I have never been in an area where I was able to use the Priesthood as often as Pasadena-- it's been such a blessing.

I love you Dad,

Elder Jarman

I Swear People See Us as Mirrors

December 16, 2009

Hi Mom,

Oh just cause Dad covers everything doesn't mean you can't give me your side haha, just teasing. You'll have to tell Abe happy birthday for me please, he's a good man. It's funny how coming out on my mission has helped me to see people in a different light, especially people from back home.

The investigators are coming along pretty well. We hit a little road block with the Majano family, the wife and oldest daughter are kind of resenting coming to church, but we are still very engaged in bringing them into the waters of baptism. They are such a great family. Caesar, the dad, has come a very very long way. He really opened up to us yesterday and told us all about his past and how he wants his kids to have a better life than what he went through. I swear people see us as mirrors, they feel like they're just talking to themselves and can tell us every little detail-- sometimes it's a little too much ha. The Smith's are doing good. They are a very busy family so we only get to see them once a week. Terry is very much into facts and proof whereas Kerry is into faith. We are making progress with them though and they have committed to read from the Book of Mormon every night before going to bed, also they should be at church this week. In other news, we were tracting and tracted into a very less active member who has an unbaptized daughter who she wants to be baptized, we are going to try and re activate the member first of course and then work with the daughter. Christmas is a little better as far as kindness goes but people seem to be so busy. Things with my comp are about the same. I am not really hoping to get transferred to get away from him though, I want to be able to work through differences with people and I feel like I can put so much more into that with him. Our apartment has always and will always stink. I remember going on exchanges with the zone leaders in my first area in these apartments and it smelled then. It is what it is.

I will probably call around 5 or 6 pm your time if that is when you guys will all be together. I can't wait to talk to you!

Love
Elder Jarman

20 Year Olds Leading 20 Year Olds

December 9, 2009

Dad,

You better believe it snowed here, it was quite a surprise to say the least. We had our zone meeting that same day and so traveling was quite a scare since these Texas drivers aren't use to that type of weather, but we all made it safely to our destination. Zone meeting was really powerful and the zone is doing really well. I love the missionaries I am able to serve with. It's incredible to me that there is a mutual love and respect for one another as we serve. 20 year olds leading 20 year olds?! Where else does that happen? The church has to be true or, like Elder Holland says, "the missionaries would have ruined it years ago." haha.

It sounds like you got a lot more snow than here haha, naturally. Oh a little side note yesterday it was 77, just to give you a taste of how sporadic the weather is. I apologize I didnt comment on your wreck last week I was in too much of a hurry and I should have taken more time to assess what you had written. That is no fun that you got in an accident and even worse that the car wont be done for so long. I hope you are feeling 100% by now though.

It sounds like Stake Conference was great. Chris Monday is an amazing speaker, I remember he spoke to us at Pinnacle before I went out for the Summer.

On Sunday the Smith family that we've been teaching showed up at church! It was so good to see them! I have also come to find out that they know the Tice family so that has helped in building a relationship with them. We also had two less active families that we've been working with that came to church also. One of which I sat with and the 3 year old boy that belongs to the less active member, Sister Cassidy, had an accident all over the pew. I was left to clean up the urine haha. It was hilarious. I am sure parenting is going to be wonderful. The other less active family we've been working with we were able to teach how to have family home evening and memories of home flooded my memory. I was such a punk, but now I know the importance and true power that FHE holds. Also we have been volunteering at this old folks home and it is so much fun. We played uno and bingo with the seniors this past week, what a hoot. The Majano family continues to progress and it was such a blessing to teach them about prayer and to hear the father pray with his family for the first time, it was a very tender moment. I suppose that is the good news I have to share.

About the package situation that is alright. I just assumed you combined my birthday and Christmas so I already opened my Christmas package haha. The next day I found out the office had my birthday package though and had had it for over a week. So I did get both packages, thank you thank you. I love the PJ's haha. You are too good to me.

My favorite scripture this week is Matthew 11: 28-32? The last 3 or 4 verses haha. Those are so powerful! The Lord just wants us to be happy and to feel secure. It's up to us to come unto him though, the invitation is always there.

I really haven't eaten any crazy foods. I've had crawfish, bouilldan (spelling?), sourcrought (YUCK!), and just a lot a lot a lot of really tasty unhealthy southern cooking. The holiday foods are your typical pecan pie, sweet potatoes, and dressing (stuffing).

Under the Wire

December 9, 2009

hey, haven't heard from you quite yet. just wanted to let you know that i am doing well. im excited to talk to you on christmas! love you
elder jarman

well well well look who it is, just barely made it in time haha. i did get the bday package, it was awesome. the mission home is who sent me my christmas package but i just assumed you had combined both in one so i opened it ugh haha.

...but i do love this work

December 2, 2009

Dad,
hey just a short note to let you know im alive. i just got back from the funeral of mark tice's mother, she passed at the age of 79 on 28 nov after a fight with cancer. so if you feel so inclined to send them a card of sympathy or what not you can. i love you dad. you are the best man i know and i am so sorry for all those times i went against your judgement because it was always better. i know i've said things like this in past emails but it's because my mission has humbled me. i still am going to need humbling after this two year period but i just want you to know that i have been able to take a look at the way i treated you as my father and i am sorry for any disrespect i've done you. things here are going really well. i don't like my companion but i do love this work and just because i don't like him doesn't mean i don't respect him because i do. i have come to terms that you cannot like everyone, but you can love them because they are God's child. elder robertson and i work really well together and are seeing much success. i hope all is well in provo. i miss you.

love
elder jarman

I Can't Wait to do Chores Again

December 2, 2009

Mom,
my week was good! i did enjoy thanksgiving yes. we have yet to set the date with the majano's but it's going to happen soon. things really are going well. i wish i could be there to help out. i can't wait to do chores again haha, mainly in the yard- crazy i know. i will be a better son than i was mom. i love you and i love that you instilled in me at a young age to love people because it's what we should do. i attended a funeral this morning for mark tice's mother and was reminded how blessed i am to have the gospel in my life. i love you mom, i hope you know that i am doing my best.

love
elder jarman

"I Will Give Thanks Unto My God Forever"

November 25, 2009

Dear Mom,

Hey! Nope, haven't gotten a package yet from you. I did have an amazing birthday though. It was really a memorable one. During our PEC I had this prompting to call a less active member so I asked if we could be excused, which I never do. Just as we went out to make the call a man walked in the church doors and asked what time church was at. We came to find out he hadn't been to church since he was 14 and now at 32 has 4 kids and a wife. They all came to church and we taught them on Monday in there home, it was incredible. So we will be setting a date for them to be baptized tomorrow most likely. Also just yesterday I went to the temple for the last time as a missionary. I have been able to strengthen my understanding so much of what goes one there. I am very grateful for the temple. For Thanksgiving we will be going to a few dinners, the big one will be with that family I told you about that came to church on Sunday- the Mojano family. The work is coming along great. We are having a lot of success finding new investigators. We are working with the Mojano's, the Smith's, and Sandra really closely with a few others that have a lot of potential. Also we are doing a lot of less active work. This ward has 500+ on their ward list and only about 90 to 100 that come regularly, lots of less actives. Our apartment still stinks. We think that an animal died in the wall because the maintenance guy came and checked the disposal, the dishwasher, and the fridge and they were all fine. I love you mom! In the spirit of Thanksgiving I will share one of my favorite scriptures on being thankful, it's Alma 26: 35-37 35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.
36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.
37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

Love
Elder Jarman

I Love This Work and Being a Missionary

November 18, 2009

Hey Dad!

Of course Mom opened the letter I wrote before she was suppose to haha. I should have known better than to have even said anything about it haha. Oh mother.

The plans for my birthday are to go to church, take the sacrament to Sis. Berry and Bro. Hurst, and maybe have a glass of milk I suppose. It's gonna be a good one. I am excited about receiving a package, those are always nice to get.

Jon is home! Woah! Tell him I say hello. It's getting to the point where I am feeling old out here, it's kinda scary.

Elder Robertson is from Idaho Falls. I am doing my best to look for the things he does well and in fact write them down in my planner each day. It seems to be helping. He is just really eccentric, and I am realizing that there's a time and a place to be silly and it's not all the time and in all places. We really do work well together though in reaching our goals and having spiritual experiences. It's already been a great week and a half. We have found some new investigators that I am so excited about. First is a 21 year old girl who is a friend of a part member family. We went over actually this past week to see the non member husband but he had the flu and Sandra, the 21 yo, just so happened to be there. We had a great conversation about the gospel and then she really opened up to us about her life and the struggles she is going through being a single mother. So we are going to start working with her and it should be great. Second we have a family we are working with, the Smith's. They were referred to us by a family from Vegas who are their close friends. The family from Vegas recently lost a son and the Smith's were in attendance at the funeral and asked what they could do to help, the reply was "Meet with the missionaries." So they are now. We will be seeing them at the ward social this Friday then again at church Sunday. We met with them two nights ago and taught them the Plan of Salvation, they had so many soul searching questions that were answered by using the Book of Mormon. It was wonderful. Also we have been working very closely with a few less active families and this past week all three came to church! It is such a good feeling to see people come back to activity.

I love this work and being a missionary. I know that I have benefitted so much from the great examples that you and Mom are. More and more I am asking myself "why did I not listen to dad more?" I know I could have avoided so much hardship if I would have. Thank you for always being there for me.

Love
Elder Jarman

My Spirits Are High

November 18, 2009

Mom!

Happy birthday yesterday! The 47th of your life, wow! I was telling everyone that your birthday was on the 17th haha, the Sister missionaries in our district (who are a little crazy to say the least) called and sang happy birthday to you to me, I had a good laugh about it. In all honesty I didn't think you would wait until your actual birthday to open the letter haha, that's just not your nature-- point and case my mission call, I think it was opened like 4 minutes after it arrived haha. Oh mama, I love you.

Before I go any further I just wanted to let you know that our kitchen and now apartment smells like the bog of eternal stench. I swear some animal has died in there, but what's the worst is we cannot find the source of the stink. It is so awful, even now being so far away from it it is haunting me. We are going to talk to the apartment manager about it here shortly.

The new comp is still kinda crazy yeah, but it's ok. We are working really hard and having a lot of good things happen. I really would not like him one bit if I weren't on a mission but because of that fact I respect him, serving a mission is hard I don't care who you are. If it was an easy two years then you did something wrong. It's been the hardest but also most rewarding thing I have ever done. I am doing really well! My spirits are high, health is good now, and life is grand. I was feeling really sick last Sunday actually and feared I was getting the flu, well we went over to the Febbo's house that night and I was so privileged to be a part of a Priesthood blessing for Bro. Febbo and then also got a blessing from him, it was a wonderful blessing and the next day I was feeling so much better.

Love you mom!

Elder Jarman

A Week of Miracles

November 11, 2009

Hey Dad,

You are very welcome for the birthday letter. I was glad to hear that you have not just a day but a week to celebrate your birthday, good for you!

I must say that this past week has been one of miracles. The ward I have mentioned previously has been quite disengaged and at times seemed to flat out dislike us, but that all changed after this week. We were asked by so many members to help do service for them and in doing so, just like Ammon serving King Lamoni, we were able to see a change come over them-- they in turn began to open up to us and some of which have really caught the vision of missionary work. I am so blessed to be able to be a part of so much goodness here in Pasadena.

I got a new companion this week. Elder Robertson is his name. He's very peculiar and eccentric, I am sure we'll have a good time serving together though.

What's new with me? I am coming out of what I guess you could call a slump, I am happier now than I have been over the past few weeks. A lot of times I will get caught up in this and that and lose sight of the purposes of missionary work. Well I am so grateful for the Atonement and the power it posesses. I was reading in 1 Timothy today can't remember the exact passage of scripture but Paul is relating his conversion and how Christ came not to call anyone but sinners to repentance, he came to save fallen man- which of course includes everyone. It really hit me that everyone is so much the same as they are in their pursuit of happiness, we all rely on our Savior for saving. I love this work and being able to testify of the restored gospel. I love you and am so blessed to be a part of the family I am a part of.

Love
Elder Jarman