Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Congrats to Miles!
Just a little F.Y.I. - Miles was accepted to Brigham Young University and will start there upon his arrival home this summer. So when you see him, give him your congratulations!
13 April 2009
Dear friends and family,
This last week was pretty good. Elder Gill and I are getting along just wonderfully. We did something different everyday to have fun. One day we wrote a member in Periguex, we took pictures in the new t-shirts we had made, we made a cake for our ward mission leader and sang to Somaly Kim (Friday was their birthday), we had a pizza party and last night(Easter) we hid three eggs from each other in our tiny apartment. It's been fun. It's weird to think that a month from yesterday I'll be home. It's crazy how fast time flies. We found a sweet new amie name Vanina, she's from Tahiti and she is ready for the gospel. We had one of the best first lessons of my mission with her. Tomorrow will be my last Zone Conference and it will be presided by Elder Gerard Caussel of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy. I sure do love you and I'm excited to see you all.
Love, Elder Marsala
This last week was pretty good. Elder Gill and I are getting along just wonderfully. We did something different everyday to have fun. One day we wrote a member in Periguex, we took pictures in the new t-shirts we had made, we made a cake for our ward mission leader and sang to Somaly Kim (Friday was their birthday), we had a pizza party and last night(Easter) we hid three eggs from each other in our tiny apartment. It's been fun. It's weird to think that a month from yesterday I'll be home. It's crazy how fast time flies. We found a sweet new amie name Vanina, she's from Tahiti and she is ready for the gospel. We had one of the best first lessons of my mission with her. Tomorrow will be my last Zone Conference and it will be presided by Elder Gerard Caussel of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy. I sure do love you and I'm excited to see you all.
Love, Elder Marsala
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
25 March 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
...We had a wonderful experience on Saturday, at the end of a long hard day, we went to see Florencine, our very nice but stubborn ami that has always disliked when we talk about her being baptized. Well, the lesson was on baptism. We went with our ward mission leader, frere Ojeda, and it went super well. She had a hard time when the lesson turned from baptism to her being baptized. Elder Monson and frere Ojeda persevered and were patient. When we left, she was engaged to be baptized the 18 April 2009!
I am very happy to be in the Lormont Ward, the members here are wonderful and I love the people! Don't worry about me, I'm not really trunky at the moment, which is wonderful! Not to make you trunky or anything but I'll be home in only 7 weeks from when you read this.
Thanks for everything! I love you all!
Love, Elder Marsala
...We had a wonderful experience on Saturday, at the end of a long hard day, we went to see Florencine, our very nice but stubborn ami that has always disliked when we talk about her being baptized. Well, the lesson was on baptism. We went with our ward mission leader, frere Ojeda, and it went super well. She had a hard time when the lesson turned from baptism to her being baptized. Elder Monson and frere Ojeda persevered and were patient. When we left, she was engaged to be baptized the 18 April 2009!
I am very happy to be in the Lormont Ward, the members here are wonderful and I love the people! Don't worry about me, I'm not really trunky at the moment, which is wonderful! Not to make you trunky or anything but I'll be home in only 7 weeks from when you read this.
Thanks for everything! I love you all!
Love, Elder Marsala
Thursday, March 19, 2009
16 March 2009
Dear family & friends,
This past weekend we had Stake Conference and it was presided over by Elder Caussic of the First Quorum of the Seventy, acting under the direction of the Twelve to reorganize our stake, he was accompanied by Elder Kerr, an area Seventy from Scotland that knows Elder Call's family. During Stake Conference I had a "Tender Mercy." Before the main meeting started on Sunday, there was a little welcome meeting for new converts with Elder Caussic and Elder Kerr. For some reason, Elder Monson and I were in there listening and then in walked Hongora Sandag (I baptized her last year) We were so happy to see each other. Then I had the honor, privilege, and blessing to see her shaking hands and talking with two Seventies, one, a General Authority. It was one of the greatest things I've seen on my mission. Afterward we were able to talk and she told me about her trip last Autumn with the branch to the Madrid Temple, where she participated in baptisms for
the dead. She goes to church every week and know the missionaries very well, one being Elder Gill, my MTC companion. I was so grateful to see this young member staying strong and growing in the Gospel, being only 15 and the only member in her entire family. It was a most beautiful gift from on High.
I love you all and I thank you for all that you do.
Love,
Elder Marsala
This past weekend we had Stake Conference and it was presided over by Elder Caussic of the First Quorum of the Seventy, acting under the direction of the Twelve to reorganize our stake, he was accompanied by Elder Kerr, an area Seventy from Scotland that knows Elder Call's family. During Stake Conference I had a "Tender Mercy." Before the main meeting started on Sunday, there was a little welcome meeting for new converts with Elder Caussic and Elder Kerr. For some reason, Elder Monson and I were in there listening and then in walked Hongora Sandag (I baptized her last year) We were so happy to see each other. Then I had the honor, privilege, and blessing to see her shaking hands and talking with two Seventies, one, a General Authority. It was one of the greatest things I've seen on my mission. Afterward we were able to talk and she told me about her trip last Autumn with the branch to the Madrid Temple, where she participated in baptisms for
the dead. She goes to church every week and know the missionaries very well, one being Elder Gill, my MTC companion. I was so grateful to see this young member staying strong and growing in the Gospel, being only 15 and the only member in her entire family. It was a most beautiful gift from on High.
I love you all and I thank you for all that you do.
Love,
Elder Marsala
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
2 March 2009
Dear family and friends,
How is everybody? I hope that you're all doing just lovely. I'm doing pretty good here in Bordeaux. We had another pretty good week, which finished with Fast Sunday, meaning there are only two more on my mission - CRAZY! I remember leaving the MTC only having had two.
We were able to teach Elisabeth (our investigator) again, and this time with her husband and her father-in-law. It was so wonderful. They're a beautiful little family with lots of love for each other, it's refreshing to see. They seem to be accepting the restoration and we have high hopes for them.
A few more miracles we've witnessed this week, mostly on Saturday. After the rendezvous with Elisabeth and her family, we went to another rendezvous, he wasn't there so we went to our back-up plan, to pass a guy we met and then do some "porting". We arrived at the beginning of the street and we noticed a young lady in her car. We approached her to see if we could help with some of the groceries, she declined but continued to speak with us. She had remembered Elder Monson from December when he and his last companion spoke with her. When we asked if we could explain our message another day she replied, "Tell me some right now" Veranique listened intently and seemed touched. She is 19 or 20 and doesn't drink or smoke! That is almost unbelievable! We asked who else she knew that might be interested, she wasn't sure but said she would make photo copies of our card and hand them out, we just gave her more cards!! She was born in France but her
parents are Portuguese. Tell Matt Torgersen that he should love the people in Portugal - I do. Half the branch in Periguex is Portuguese, Elisabeth and her family, and Veranique are also Portuguese. There is a member here from a Portuguese family and served her mission in Portugal. She said the work is kind of like France, except - the Portuguese believe in God and don't hate religion like the French.
Friday and Saturday we helped somebody move, the work wasn't bad except for the place was disgusting. Upon returning home on Saturday, we saw a man and young lady standing next to a van full of furniture, we offered a hand and to our astonishment we were able to help them. There were eight people in all and about five of us emptying the van. We got the whole thing done in an hour. It was quite tiring, going up and down the flight of stairs, but it felt good.
Love, Elder Marsala
P.S from his Mom: Miles birthday is March 23rd - I'm sure he would love a card or letter.
Elder Miles Marsala
France Toulouse Mission
4, Rue Alaric II
Compans, Caffarelli
F-31000 Toulouse FRANCE
How is everybody? I hope that you're all doing just lovely. I'm doing pretty good here in Bordeaux. We had another pretty good week, which finished with Fast Sunday, meaning there are only two more on my mission - CRAZY! I remember leaving the MTC only having had two.
We were able to teach Elisabeth (our investigator) again, and this time with her husband and her father-in-law. It was so wonderful. They're a beautiful little family with lots of love for each other, it's refreshing to see. They seem to be accepting the restoration and we have high hopes for them.
A few more miracles we've witnessed this week, mostly on Saturday. After the rendezvous with Elisabeth and her family, we went to another rendezvous, he wasn't there so we went to our back-up plan, to pass a guy we met and then do some "porting". We arrived at the beginning of the street and we noticed a young lady in her car. We approached her to see if we could help with some of the groceries, she declined but continued to speak with us. She had remembered Elder Monson from December when he and his last companion spoke with her. When we asked if we could explain our message another day she replied, "Tell me some right now" Veranique listened intently and seemed touched. She is 19 or 20 and doesn't drink or smoke! That is almost unbelievable! We asked who else she knew that might be interested, she wasn't sure but said she would make photo copies of our card and hand them out, we just gave her more cards!! She was born in France but her
parents are Portuguese. Tell Matt Torgersen that he should love the people in Portugal - I do. Half the branch in Periguex is Portuguese, Elisabeth and her family, and Veranique are also Portuguese. There is a member here from a Portuguese family and served her mission in Portugal. She said the work is kind of like France, except - the Portuguese believe in God and don't hate religion like the French.
Friday and Saturday we helped somebody move, the work wasn't bad except for the place was disgusting. Upon returning home on Saturday, we saw a man and young lady standing next to a van full of furniture, we offered a hand and to our astonishment we were able to help them. There were eight people in all and about five of us emptying the van. We got the whole thing done in an hour. It was quite tiring, going up and down the flight of stairs, but it felt good.
Love, Elder Marsala
P.S from his Mom: Miles birthday is March 23rd - I'm sure he would love a card or letter.
Elder Miles Marsala
France Toulouse Mission
4, Rue Alaric II
Compans, Caffarelli
F-31000 Toulouse FRANCE
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
16 February 2009
16 February 2009
This week we had Zone Conference and it was weird to think that I only have one left.
Friday after Zone Conference, I went to Agen on exchanges with Elder Miles from Phoenix. He is super nice and one of the most charitable missionaries that I've met. On Saturday we were using the bikes in Agen, we had to go up a curb and I guess I was rolling to slowly for I fell and I didn't think much of it, naturally I scraped my knee and my hands, then I looked and I had done a number on my hands, especially the left one, with pebbles in it and a large cut. I went to the supermarket and cleaned it and got some bandaids, it's still a bit tender though. Later while returning to the apartment we were stopped by a "drunk". He harassed us and then called us American Spics. At one point while he was talking I checked a tear in my pants and he thought I was making an offensive gesture, so he kicked me! What a weirdo. I didn't think he kicked me that hard for it didn't hurt, but currently above my left knee is a bruise of considerable size and a
bump, oh well...
Love,
Elder Marsala
P.S. A note from his Mom: Quite a contrast from the previous letter of baptism and confirmation. But we must accept the bad with the good, I guess. My current countdown is now 11 weeks!!!! I'm getting pretty exited to see Miles again.
This week we had Zone Conference and it was weird to think that I only have one left.
Friday after Zone Conference, I went to Agen on exchanges with Elder Miles from Phoenix. He is super nice and one of the most charitable missionaries that I've met. On Saturday we were using the bikes in Agen, we had to go up a curb and I guess I was rolling to slowly for I fell and I didn't think much of it, naturally I scraped my knee and my hands, then I looked and I had done a number on my hands, especially the left one, with pebbles in it and a large cut. I went to the supermarket and cleaned it and got some bandaids, it's still a bit tender though. Later while returning to the apartment we were stopped by a "drunk". He harassed us and then called us American Spics. At one point while he was talking I checked a tear in my pants and he thought I was making an offensive gesture, so he kicked me! What a weirdo. I didn't think he kicked me that hard for it didn't hurt, but currently above my left knee is a bruise of considerable size and a
bump, oh well...
Love,
Elder Marsala
P.S. A note from his Mom: Quite a contrast from the previous letter of baptism and confirmation. But we must accept the bad with the good, I guess. My current countdown is now 11 weeks!!!! I'm getting pretty exited to see Miles again.
9 February 2009
9 February 2009
Wow, what a week we just had. The ami we were teaching from Talence was baptized on Saturday. We saw her every single day in the week in order to finish teaching her. She had been well prepared by the Lord and had a great understanding. She understood her decision and was willing to live up to this commitment. She was Buddhist, her parents are Cambodian and Chinese, and she now has a great faith in Christ. Thanks to our wonderful members and the Lord, all was accomplished and Somaly Kim was baptized in Talence and the following day was confirmed. The service went very smoothly and the spirit was very strong. A weight was lifted off our shoulders when frier Fourtina said "Amen" and we took our hands off her head.
The other ami we are teaching, Florancine seems to be humbling herself and sincerely asking in prayer now, GOOD SIGN!
Love,
Elder Marsala
Wow, what a week we just had. The ami we were teaching from Talence was baptized on Saturday. We saw her every single day in the week in order to finish teaching her. She had been well prepared by the Lord and had a great understanding. She understood her decision and was willing to live up to this commitment. She was Buddhist, her parents are Cambodian and Chinese, and she now has a great faith in Christ. Thanks to our wonderful members and the Lord, all was accomplished and Somaly Kim was baptized in Talence and the following day was confirmed. The service went very smoothly and the spirit was very strong. A weight was lifted off our shoulders when frier Fourtina said "Amen" and we took our hands off her head.
The other ami we are teaching, Florancine seems to be humbling herself and sincerely asking in prayer now, GOOD SIGN!
Love,
Elder Marsala
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
2 February 2009
2 February 2009
Things are alright here in Lormont, like typical Bordeaux, it rains a lot and is a bit chilly. The ward is very nice and seems to be quite strong and unified. We have some amis that are doing fine. We have an amie from Talence, which is the other side of the river, she has recently moved in with her parents over here. She is supposed to be baptized this Saturday, we now have to teach her a handful of commandments and make sure that she is ready by Saturday. I'll let you know how it all went next week.
We did find a new portuguese amie, Elizabeth. She's a young mother, her daughter, Carolina, is 1 1/2 months, we're pretty sure that her husband is interested as well, so that should be nice.
I will keep you informed of our progress.
Thanks again for everything, I love you all!
Elder Marsala
Things are alright here in Lormont, like typical Bordeaux, it rains a lot and is a bit chilly. The ward is very nice and seems to be quite strong and unified. We have some amis that are doing fine. We have an amie from Talence, which is the other side of the river, she has recently moved in with her parents over here. She is supposed to be baptized this Saturday, we now have to teach her a handful of commandments and make sure that she is ready by Saturday. I'll let you know how it all went next week.
We did find a new portuguese amie, Elizabeth. She's a young mother, her daughter, Carolina, is 1 1/2 months, we're pretty sure that her husband is interested as well, so that should be nice.
I will keep you informed of our progress.
Thanks again for everything, I love you all!
Elder Marsala
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
27 January, 2009
> I'm heading to my last ville. I'm being sent to
> Lormont, which is part of Bordeaux. I'll be with Elder
> Monson from Texas, we know each other quite well, we were in
> the little district in Periguex together for three
> transfers. He is a diligent/obedient/hard working elder.
> I'm excited. This transfer will be nine weeks instead of
> the standard six due to new scheduling requests by Pres.
> Carter to align our mission with other French Speaking
> Missions and the MTC.
> On Saturday the 24, January was all about wind! A
> tempest came through the southwest of France and northern
> parts of Spain. It was an incredible force of wind. Winds
> were about 60 mph with gusts above 90 mph, there were a lot
> of gusts. The city was on Red Alert, which basically means
> don't go outside, but we were out - and it was strong.
> I think at times I could have seriously flown. The
> aftermath was like after tornado, it was crazy.
> Hundred's of trees were completely uprooted, not little
> trees but enormous trees with large root systems that were
> old, went down. Many trees snapped at the bottom. Some
> fell on apartment buildings, or houses, or the streets, and
> the power lines. Some of the smaller surrounding cities
> were without electricity, heating and some without water.
> There was debris all over. Many signs had been blown away,
> fences flattened, street signs that were cemented came up,
> others snapped. Some bus stops had glass panels
> blown out. Absolutely no buses or trains were working.
> Trains were closed until Monday. It was quite an
> experience, they haven't had any winds close to that
> since 1999.
> It's weird to be leaving Toulouse, I've truly
> loved it, especially the ward I was in. Last night we did
> FHE with my favorite family in the ward which would be the
> first family I met and the last I'll see. It's hard
> to think how close the end is, I try not to think about it,
> but it does pop up.
> I hope all is well with everyone.
> Thanks for everything.
> Love,
> Elder Marsala
> Lormont, which is part of Bordeaux. I'll be with Elder
> Monson from Texas, we know each other quite well, we were in
> the little district in Periguex together for three
> transfers. He is a diligent/obedient/hard working elder.
> I'm excited. This transfer will be nine weeks instead of
> the standard six due to new scheduling requests by Pres.
> Carter to align our mission with other French Speaking
> Missions and the MTC.
> On Saturday the 24, January was all about wind! A
> tempest came through the southwest of France and northern
> parts of Spain. It was an incredible force of wind. Winds
> were about 60 mph with gusts above 90 mph, there were a lot
> of gusts. The city was on Red Alert, which basically means
> don't go outside, but we were out - and it was strong.
> I think at times I could have seriously flown. The
> aftermath was like after tornado, it was crazy.
> Hundred's of trees were completely uprooted, not little
> trees but enormous trees with large root systems that were
> old, went down. Many trees snapped at the bottom. Some
> fell on apartment buildings, or houses, or the streets, and
> the power lines. Some of the smaller surrounding cities
> were without electricity, heating and some without water.
> There was debris all over. Many signs had been blown away,
> fences flattened, street signs that were cemented came up,
> others snapped. Some bus stops had glass panels
> blown out. Absolutely no buses or trains were working.
> Trains were closed until Monday. It was quite an
> experience, they haven't had any winds close to that
> since 1999.
> It's weird to be leaving Toulouse, I've truly
> loved it, especially the ward I was in. Last night we did
> FHE with my favorite family in the ward which would be the
> first family I met and the last I'll see. It's hard
> to think how close the end is, I try not to think about it,
> but it does pop up.
> I hope all is well with everyone.
> Thanks for everything.
> Love,
> Elder Marsala
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
13 January 2009
13 January 2009
...It seems like things are going smoothly enough. A lot has changed in the last week, due to the fact that Elder Mendenhall, my replacement, was completely trained and I had nothing to do at the bureau all day. I've been moved! I didn't go to far, I went back to Colomiers which is the part of Toulouse I was first in when I came here. I will be companions with Elder Nolan for two weeks until the end of transfer, which suits me because we get along great. Elder Nolan has been in my district my whole time in Toulouse.
We'll see where I end up in two weeks.
It's really hard to believe that I'll be home in less than four months, it's a rather scary thought, I'll have to live by faith.
I love you all very much and can't wait to hear from you.
Thanks for everything
Elder Marsala
...It seems like things are going smoothly enough. A lot has changed in the last week, due to the fact that Elder Mendenhall, my replacement, was completely trained and I had nothing to do at the bureau all day. I've been moved! I didn't go to far, I went back to Colomiers which is the part of Toulouse I was first in when I came here. I will be companions with Elder Nolan for two weeks until the end of transfer, which suits me because we get along great. Elder Nolan has been in my district my whole time in Toulouse.
We'll see where I end up in two weeks.
It's really hard to believe that I'll be home in less than four months, it's a rather scary thought, I'll have to live by faith.
I love you all very much and can't wait to hear from you.
Thanks for everything
Elder Marsala
Air Mail!
Dear Friends and Family;
Miles has decided to write only letters for the last four months of his mission.
I will continue to post information from the letters I receive each Tues.
As always missionaries like to receive mail, so if any of you have a moment, write a quick note I know he would love it.
Quoting from Miles letter:
6 January 2009
"...Things are going pretty well here, we've been finding new amis and they've been sticking around. The other day we were with our ami Mohammed and he had already read 100 pages in the Book of Mormon and he understood it well. He said, "it's not Lehi, Nephi or Mormon speaking, it's God, and you know it from the first page" That was pretty neat to hear.
Just for your information, President Carter has changed return days from Wednesdays to Tuesdays, so I'll be flying home on the 12th of May..."
Love, Miles
Miles has decided to write only letters for the last four months of his mission.
I will continue to post information from the letters I receive each Tues.
As always missionaries like to receive mail, so if any of you have a moment, write a quick note I know he would love it.
Quoting from Miles letter:
6 January 2009
"...Things are going pretty well here, we've been finding new amis and they've been sticking around. The other day we were with our ami Mohammed and he had already read 100 pages in the Book of Mormon and he understood it well. He said, "it's not Lehi, Nephi or Mormon speaking, it's God, and you know it from the first page" That was pretty neat to hear.
Just for your information, President Carter has changed return days from Wednesdays to Tuesdays, so I'll be flying home on the 12th of May..."
Love, Miles
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
6 January 2009
Bonjour tout le monde,
I hope all is well back home. It is snowing here again in Toulouse and that is never fun. This is a quick email to thank all of you for your love and support and to let you know that I will not be sending eny emails for the rest of my mission. So I encourage and ask all of you to WRITE LETTERS! I don't want to lose contact with any of you, and I would love to here from you all very soon. Have a great week! See you in May.
Love,
Elder Marsala
My mailing address remains the same:
Elder Miles Marsala
France Toulouse Mission
4, Rue Alaric II
Compans Caffarelli
F-31000 Toulouse
FRANCE
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