MoM,
Hey! It is always so good to hear from you. I bet you are just so excited to leave St George and head back to the world of responsibility! Fun stuff.
That is so crazy that Tyler is 6'1", I will believe it when I see it haha.
I will pray for Stanford and Mary that they will be comforted. What a blessing it is to know the great plan of salvation. Just yesterday we were tracting and knocked on a gentlemans door who lost his son 3 years ago. His son was 40 years old and healthy. He went in for a routine surgery at the hospital and was left unmonitored on a certain drug and after too long became brain dead, then dead dead. What a tragedy! I bore strong testimony that God loves us and has a plan for us all and that he'd see his son again, but he refused to believe. He chose to harden his heart rather than soften it. Agency is such a powerful thing. He blamed God and God alone. Knowing the plan of happiness brings me so much comfort in this life. I know that the Pursers too have that same peace and those tears of sorrow they shed now can be replaced with tears of joy when the great reunion takes place.
Things in Texas are good. I am doing well personally, a little frazzled at the fact that I only have 6 emails left but other than that I am just working hard and doing my best. I love you mom!
Love
Elder Jarman
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Do You Have What it Takes
Hey Dad,
That would be so cool to go to a mini boot camp! Are you gonna do it then? Do you have what it takes? haha. Things are well here. This past week we tracted Andy Pettite's house, that was pretty neat. It is HUGE! We didn't get to talk to him but we did meet his maid and his daughter. He pulled in as we were leaving the area so I can confirm that I saw him haha. That was exciting. Also we were able to see where the Majano family is at and the reality is not what I would have wanted but it really is where they need to be. They are attending a Catholic Church whereas before they met us they didn't attend church at all. Caesar really wishes the whole family wanted to go to our church but rather than forcing or causing contention about it he has accepted where they're at and so have we. The weather in Pasadena here lately has been perfect, low to mid 70's with a slight breeze- the only downfall is that it's Pasadena and the air quality is terrible and with the refineries most everything stinks. We typically go on 3 to 4 exchanges every 6 weeks. I was able to go last week with Elder Braithwaite, he's been out a year and is the DL in Baytown. He is such a good guy, really soft spoken and humble. I am able to learn so much by going on exchanges. Since I have been in Deer Park 8 funerals have taken place, crazy huh? We just attended one yesterday for a gentleman who we were taking the sacrament to each week and have another one to attend this Saturday, the ward has changed a lot. It reminds me of Helaman 12:6, not to the severity of course but just the fact that our ward is changing so much for the better and all this death is occuring around us- it's a humbling thing to have so many pass away. The ward has a greater sense of urgency and are really coming together.
Love
Elder Jarman
That would be so cool to go to a mini boot camp! Are you gonna do it then? Do you have what it takes? haha. Things are well here. This past week we tracted Andy Pettite's house, that was pretty neat. It is HUGE! We didn't get to talk to him but we did meet his maid and his daughter. He pulled in as we were leaving the area so I can confirm that I saw him haha. That was exciting. Also we were able to see where the Majano family is at and the reality is not what I would have wanted but it really is where they need to be. They are attending a Catholic Church whereas before they met us they didn't attend church at all. Caesar really wishes the whole family wanted to go to our church but rather than forcing or causing contention about it he has accepted where they're at and so have we. The weather in Pasadena here lately has been perfect, low to mid 70's with a slight breeze- the only downfall is that it's Pasadena and the air quality is terrible and with the refineries most everything stinks. We typically go on 3 to 4 exchanges every 6 weeks. I was able to go last week with Elder Braithwaite, he's been out a year and is the DL in Baytown. He is such a good guy, really soft spoken and humble. I am able to learn so much by going on exchanges. Since I have been in Deer Park 8 funerals have taken place, crazy huh? We just attended one yesterday for a gentleman who we were taking the sacrament to each week and have another one to attend this Saturday, the ward has changed a lot. It reminds me of Helaman 12:6, not to the severity of course but just the fact that our ward is changing so much for the better and all this death is occuring around us- it's a humbling thing to have so many pass away. The ward has a greater sense of urgency and are really coming together.
Love
Elder Jarman
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
I Seriously Laughed Out Loud
1/20/10
Dad!
I can't believe it, Emma is 10! Ha, crazy. I didn't forget January 18th and in fact told almost everyone while tracting that it was my little sisters tenth birthday, it really helped people to be a little nicer ha. I will be writing her a letter today that's for sure. It sounds like everyone made her feel very special on her decade mark.
Dad that story about you almost missing your plane was hilarious! I seriously laughed out loud in the library to the point of tears hahahaa. I am hoping you can look back on that experience and do the same haha. I know I have had plenty of those moments, and I am glad I have had them. It keeps us humble that's all :)
You know I am more excited than you for the summer time haha. Utah summer's are the best, Texas... not so much. You are gonna have to whip me into shape when I get home so I dont die hiking the Uintahs.
The zone activity turned out alright, not the best but it was good to be around other missionaries on p day. Nobody really plays basketball anymore so we ended up playing a card game and I shot around.
I went on exchanges with a couple of new missionaries this past week and had a blast. Those greenies I tell you what hahaha. They were just in awe at how long I'd been out, "You haven't even seen the Dark Knight?!" haha oh it was funny. I love being around new missionaries and partaking of their great faith and goodness. It helped me out so much to go on those exchanges. The one I went on with Elder Fife (Pleasonton, CA) was one for the ages. It was pouring down rain and freezing cold! We were on bikes all day and I not ever really being on a bike had some struggles haha. Elder Fife kept me moving. He is six four so his strides are much bigger than mine. We had a very spiritual lesson with his investigator Cameron and were able to invite him to be baptized, he accepted! It was great. Now I just gotta do that in my own area.
This area of Deer Park is changing dad, it's going to be a very fruitful area of this mission in the years to come I just know it. I hope that I can see more miracles as I labor here.
Love
Elder Jarman
Dad!
I can't believe it, Emma is 10! Ha, crazy. I didn't forget January 18th and in fact told almost everyone while tracting that it was my little sisters tenth birthday, it really helped people to be a little nicer ha. I will be writing her a letter today that's for sure. It sounds like everyone made her feel very special on her decade mark.
Dad that story about you almost missing your plane was hilarious! I seriously laughed out loud in the library to the point of tears hahahaa. I am hoping you can look back on that experience and do the same haha. I know I have had plenty of those moments, and I am glad I have had them. It keeps us humble that's all :)
You know I am more excited than you for the summer time haha. Utah summer's are the best, Texas... not so much. You are gonna have to whip me into shape when I get home so I dont die hiking the Uintahs.
The zone activity turned out alright, not the best but it was good to be around other missionaries on p day. Nobody really plays basketball anymore so we ended up playing a card game and I shot around.
I went on exchanges with a couple of new missionaries this past week and had a blast. Those greenies I tell you what hahaha. They were just in awe at how long I'd been out, "You haven't even seen the Dark Knight?!" haha oh it was funny. I love being around new missionaries and partaking of their great faith and goodness. It helped me out so much to go on those exchanges. The one I went on with Elder Fife (Pleasonton, CA) was one for the ages. It was pouring down rain and freezing cold! We were on bikes all day and I not ever really being on a bike had some struggles haha. Elder Fife kept me moving. He is six four so his strides are much bigger than mine. We had a very spiritual lesson with his investigator Cameron and were able to invite him to be baptized, he accepted! It was great. Now I just gotta do that in my own area.
This area of Deer Park is changing dad, it's going to be a very fruitful area of this mission in the years to come I just know it. I hope that I can see more miracles as I labor here.
Love
Elder Jarman
Life is Good
1/20/10
Mom!
Oh that Emma girl, a decade old now. Is she really that tall?! Holy smokes! I hope she had a great day, she can be thankful she wasn’t raised Jehovah’s witness or she wouldn't have celebrated her day of birth at all.
Berk is a mom eh? That's just adding to the events that I can't yet fathom. I hear Emily Ojuka is set to tie the knot in August, that is crazy ha.
This past week has been so amazing. We had a meeting with the Stake President, President Moldenhauer, and all the ward unit leaders and ward mission leaders in the stake and set some goals for what we want to accomplish in 2010. The houston east stake plans to baptize 120 people this year, more than doubling the 54 of 2009. I am so blessed to be a part of this laying the foundation here. Then we had a meeting as stake priesthood holders on saturday and were spiritually fed. I have been able to strengthen my testimony of the basics of the gospel so much here lately, namely faith and the Book of Mormon. To cap it all off in our ward correlation meeting on Sunday our Bishop powerfully rallied the leaders of our ward together. He had each auxillary come fasting and with goals they would accomplish in 2010. It is a testimony to me that we are a goal setting and keeping people on top of a covenant making and keeping people.
Life is good. I am just doing my best to stay focused and working hard. It's a blessing to be around youthful missionaries.
Love Elder Jarman
Mom!
Oh that Emma girl, a decade old now. Is she really that tall?! Holy smokes! I hope she had a great day, she can be thankful she wasn’t raised Jehovah’s witness or she wouldn't have celebrated her day of birth at all.
Berk is a mom eh? That's just adding to the events that I can't yet fathom. I hear Emily Ojuka is set to tie the knot in August, that is crazy ha.
This past week has been so amazing. We had a meeting with the Stake President, President Moldenhauer, and all the ward unit leaders and ward mission leaders in the stake and set some goals for what we want to accomplish in 2010. The houston east stake plans to baptize 120 people this year, more than doubling the 54 of 2009. I am so blessed to be a part of this laying the foundation here. Then we had a meeting as stake priesthood holders on saturday and were spiritually fed. I have been able to strengthen my testimony of the basics of the gospel so much here lately, namely faith and the Book of Mormon. To cap it all off in our ward correlation meeting on Sunday our Bishop powerfully rallied the leaders of our ward together. He had each auxillary come fasting and with goals they would accomplish in 2010. It is a testimony to me that we are a goal setting and keeping people on top of a covenant making and keeping people.
Life is good. I am just doing my best to stay focused and working hard. It's a blessing to be around youthful missionaries.
Love Elder Jarman
Not Much Time
1/13/10
It sounds like things are consistently hectic back home haha. I don't have a lot of time but I do want to tell you about these two Baptist women that pounced on us yesterday while tracting. They told us we and all other religions were going to Hell. I got pretty fired up about that. One of them was from farmington NM so I asked her if she knew the Foutz' and she said "Everybody knows the Foutz'!" Small world. Anyway I love you and I am doing good. Just staying busy tracting.
Elder jarman
Dad,
Hey! This is going to be a short one, we had to help a member move out this morning and need to be in Baytown in 20 minutes for a zone p day and so I only have a little time to email. I am doing good though. Oh! ha. the other day we got ambushed by two Baptist women wanting to bash. They told us the jews, the muslims, the buddhists, the catholics, and the Mormons were all going to Hell... pray for them. I love the south...
Elder Jarman
It sounds like things are consistently hectic back home haha. I don't have a lot of time but I do want to tell you about these two Baptist women that pounced on us yesterday while tracting. They told us we and all other religions were going to Hell. I got pretty fired up about that. One of them was from farmington NM so I asked her if she knew the Foutz' and she said "Everybody knows the Foutz'!" Small world. Anyway I love you and I am doing good. Just staying busy tracting.
Elder jarman
Dad,
Hey! This is going to be a short one, we had to help a member move out this morning and need to be in Baytown in 20 minutes for a zone p day and so I only have a little time to email. I am doing good though. Oh! ha. the other day we got ambushed by two Baptist women wanting to bash. They told us the jews, the muslims, the buddhists, the catholics, and the Mormons were all going to Hell... pray for them. I love the south...
Elder Jarman
Thank You for...
1/6/09
Dear Dad,
Thank you for raising me to believe in God. Thank you for giving me a knowledge of my Savior. Thank you for telling me about the restored gospel. Thank you for being a man of great faith. Thank you for treating mom with the utmost respect, always. Thank you for being patient with me. Thank you for being a worthy priesthood holder. Thank you for telling me you love me. Thank you for teaching me temporal things. Thank you for giving me an ideal childhood. Thank you for being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I had the opportunity of meeting a young lady last night who wasn't raised with religion at all and it made me think of how blessed I am to have come from where I come from and know what I know because I have parents who knew and in turn shared that knowledge with me. It is no coincidence that I came to you and mom when I did. I know that the gospel is the good life. This young lady we are hopefully going to start teaching is a Judeo-Christian now because that's what she has found on her own to be true, but she is open to learn new things. We have been putting a large emphasis on talking to everyone as a mission and so last night I was able to teach this girl the plan of salvation as she waited on our table at dinner. The environment wasn't ideal but the feeling of peace still was there. If anything it was an opportunity for me to exercise my faith in the principle of talking to everyone and also gave me a chance to reflect on the blessings I have.
I have been praying mightily for Tyler and that all will go well. Tell him I love him when you see him. Grandma Jarman fell, ugh. I hate that. I hope she has a swift recovery.
I am still serving in the Pasadena 2nd ward, area of Deer Park. I have 1 and a half transfers left so I will more than likely be laid to rest here. Like I stated earlier we have really been doing our best to talk to everyone. Elder Robertson and I tract a lot. We are still working with the Majano and Smith families but the holidays have taken a toll on our ability to keep as much contact as we'd like. It's a very surreal feeling becoming old in the mission. I am just working and wearing out in the service of God. I love it Dad, I really do.
Love
Elder Jarman
Dear Dad,
Thank you for raising me to believe in God. Thank you for giving me a knowledge of my Savior. Thank you for telling me about the restored gospel. Thank you for being a man of great faith. Thank you for treating mom with the utmost respect, always. Thank you for being patient with me. Thank you for being a worthy priesthood holder. Thank you for telling me you love me. Thank you for teaching me temporal things. Thank you for giving me an ideal childhood. Thank you for being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I had the opportunity of meeting a young lady last night who wasn't raised with religion at all and it made me think of how blessed I am to have come from where I come from and know what I know because I have parents who knew and in turn shared that knowledge with me. It is no coincidence that I came to you and mom when I did. I know that the gospel is the good life. This young lady we are hopefully going to start teaching is a Judeo-Christian now because that's what she has found on her own to be true, but she is open to learn new things. We have been putting a large emphasis on talking to everyone as a mission and so last night I was able to teach this girl the plan of salvation as she waited on our table at dinner. The environment wasn't ideal but the feeling of peace still was there. If anything it was an opportunity for me to exercise my faith in the principle of talking to everyone and also gave me a chance to reflect on the blessings I have.
I have been praying mightily for Tyler and that all will go well. Tell him I love him when you see him. Grandma Jarman fell, ugh. I hate that. I hope she has a swift recovery.
I am still serving in the Pasadena 2nd ward, area of Deer Park. I have 1 and a half transfers left so I will more than likely be laid to rest here. Like I stated earlier we have really been doing our best to talk to everyone. Elder Robertson and I tract a lot. We are still working with the Majano and Smith families but the holidays have taken a toll on our ability to keep as much contact as we'd like. It's a very surreal feeling becoming old in the mission. I am just working and wearing out in the service of God. I love it Dad, I really do.
Love
Elder Jarman
I Have a Sense of Urgency in Sharing the Gospel
1/6/10
Hi Mom!
Getting to be aged in the mission is very strange mom. I have more of a sense of urgency in sharing the gospel, but at the same time I am becoming excited to come home. I know that this 2 year fast from those things back home will bless me for eternity. My companion and I have been working really hard to find new investigators to teach. This mission is about to have great things come to pass and I am grateful to be able say I have a small part in it. Anytime I get asked if I have any good stories I get scared that I can't remember any, I literally sprint my memory. I don't have anything spectacular mom, I am sure when I am home I will be able to tell stories left and right but at the moment all I have to say is that I better understand charity after serving for this amount of time and that faith without works is dead. You have got to want to better yourself and then do something about it. Talk is cheap. Things are really going well. I am a stranger in a strange land as I come to the last few months. I am surrounded by missionaries that I don't know and a lot of them are brand new. It's weird but it's good. I fear if I were around my good friends I wouldn't be as focused on the work. I love you! Tell Ray he better tell me where he's going or I am gonna snap.
Love
Elder Jarman
Hi Mom!
Getting to be aged in the mission is very strange mom. I have more of a sense of urgency in sharing the gospel, but at the same time I am becoming excited to come home. I know that this 2 year fast from those things back home will bless me for eternity. My companion and I have been working really hard to find new investigators to teach. This mission is about to have great things come to pass and I am grateful to be able say I have a small part in it. Anytime I get asked if I have any good stories I get scared that I can't remember any, I literally sprint my memory. I don't have anything spectacular mom, I am sure when I am home I will be able to tell stories left and right but at the moment all I have to say is that I better understand charity after serving for this amount of time and that faith without works is dead. You have got to want to better yourself and then do something about it. Talk is cheap. Things are really going well. I am a stranger in a strange land as I come to the last few months. I am surrounded by missionaries that I don't know and a lot of them are brand new. It's weird but it's good. I fear if I were around my good friends I wouldn't be as focused on the work. I love you! Tell Ray he better tell me where he's going or I am gonna snap.
Love
Elder Jarman
Best Part of My Christmas
12/30/09
Hey Dad!
I must say talking to you and the family and Ali :) was by far the best part of my Christmas. It gave me a really good and needed push to finish strong talking to you, not that I wasn't already planning on it or doing it but it really was just what I needed talking to you.
Oh how fun you get to chaperone a new year's party. The stake dances and parties down here are where it's at for the youth, they all love them. My new year will be brought in by going to sleep at 10:30 on the 31st and waking up at 6:30 on the 1st, it should be a blast :) oh and then on the 1st we also have a zone meeting, I am pretty excited for it.
I wont even recognize the house when I see it again so much has been done to it haha.
Love
Elder Jarman
Hey Dad!
I must say talking to you and the family and Ali :) was by far the best part of my Christmas. It gave me a really good and needed push to finish strong talking to you, not that I wasn't already planning on it or doing it but it really was just what I needed talking to you.
Oh how fun you get to chaperone a new year's party. The stake dances and parties down here are where it's at for the youth, they all love them. My new year will be brought in by going to sleep at 10:30 on the 31st and waking up at 6:30 on the 1st, it should be a blast :) oh and then on the 1st we also have a zone meeting, I am pretty excited for it.
I wont even recognize the house when I see it again so much has been done to it haha.
Love
Elder Jarman
An Absolute Treat
12/30/09
Mom,
Oh I couldn't agree with you more on the phone call being an absolute treat. It was my favorite gift as well. I love my family more now than ever, that's for sure.
I am sure there is a bittersweet symphony playing in Hillary's room now that Carrie is gone. She's a tough girl though, right? She was when I left anyway.
I will continue praying for Tyler and Courtney as he prepares to have surgery. I am confident that all will go well.
It's interesting to sit back and think about all the experiences I have had over the past 21 months. All the things people have told me and taught me. I have grown to love people in a way I never could have known unless I came on my mission. I love the fact that we are all different.
I love you mom!
Elder Jarman
Mom,
Oh I couldn't agree with you more on the phone call being an absolute treat. It was my favorite gift as well. I love my family more now than ever, that's for sure.
I am sure there is a bittersweet symphony playing in Hillary's room now that Carrie is gone. She's a tough girl though, right? She was when I left anyway.
I will continue praying for Tyler and Courtney as he prepares to have surgery. I am confident that all will go well.
It's interesting to sit back and think about all the experiences I have had over the past 21 months. All the things people have told me and taught me. I have grown to love people in a way I never could have known unless I came on my mission. I love the fact that we are all different.
I love you mom!
Elder Jarman
Temple Square
12/23/09
Hey Dad,
We were visiting with a member last night and they shared with us the Obama psalm, if you haven't heard of this before I thought it was pretty funny so I'll share it with you. It's Psalm 109:8. Anyway, just thought you'd get a kick out of it.
I can't wait to talk to you on Christmas! I will probably call in the morning to confirm an evening call. That is pretty neat that Ray and Calvin visited, I do miss those chaps.
That's funny that you went to Temple Square for FHE because a family we were visiting this past week asked if I had ever been to see the lights at Temple Square and I told them how we tried to go every year for an FHE activity. I always loved going up there at this time of year.
I too am looking forward to the call, it feels like it's been forever.
Love
Elder Jarman
Hey Dad,
We were visiting with a member last night and they shared with us the Obama psalm, if you haven't heard of this before I thought it was pretty funny so I'll share it with you. It's Psalm 109:8. Anyway, just thought you'd get a kick out of it.
I can't wait to talk to you on Christmas! I will probably call in the morning to confirm an evening call. That is pretty neat that Ray and Calvin visited, I do miss those chaps.
That's funny that you went to Temple Square for FHE because a family we were visiting this past week asked if I had ever been to see the lights at Temple Square and I told them how we tried to go every year for an FHE activity. I always loved going up there at this time of year.
I too am looking forward to the call, it feels like it's been forever.
Love
Elder Jarman
I'm in Texas
12/23/09
Mom!
Things in Texas are just splendid. Sometimes I forget that I am in Texas then I'll get this thought of "Holy crap, I'm in Texas." I just had one of those moments when I read your question of how are things in Texas haha. I am sooo glad I get to talk to you on Christmas, what a blessing! My last phone call home, woah! I will probably call you in the morning around 10 or 11 to confirm that evening. I'll try not to take too much of your day away from you though. The members that are having us over for breakfast will have phones-a-plenty and I figured that I might as well take advantage of the less formal setting, that night we'll be at an older members home and the setting will be more formal so i don't want to miss my chance ya know? In other news I have been asked to inquire about my departure from the mission, if you and dad were planning on picking me up or if i should request a flight home, so there is something to think about between now and the 25th.
Love
Elder Jarman
Mom!
Things in Texas are just splendid. Sometimes I forget that I am in Texas then I'll get this thought of "Holy crap, I'm in Texas." I just had one of those moments when I read your question of how are things in Texas haha. I am sooo glad I get to talk to you on Christmas, what a blessing! My last phone call home, woah! I will probably call you in the morning around 10 or 11 to confirm that evening. I'll try not to take too much of your day away from you though. The members that are having us over for breakfast will have phones-a-plenty and I figured that I might as well take advantage of the less formal setting, that night we'll be at an older members home and the setting will be more formal so i don't want to miss my chance ya know? In other news I have been asked to inquire about my departure from the mission, if you and dad were planning on picking me up or if i should request a flight home, so there is something to think about between now and the 25th.
Love
Elder Jarman
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