28 January, 2008

Bonjour tout le monde,

So yesterday at about 9:00am I received a call from our member from Texas telling me the news, I was absolutely heart broken. It was a sad day for me, I like all of you, loved President Hinckley. He was defintately the Prophet of God on the Earth and he spoke for the Lord. I have no doubt that he was called of God and that he was truly His prophet. I remember at the MTC and here when Elder Richard G. Scott spoke to us, all the apostles bore testimony that he was the Prophet. I will miss him dearly. I don't know if I can express what I'd like to about him, so I won't try. I'm very happy for him however, I remember how much he missed his dear eternal companion.
I send my thanks to him and the other brethren for all their dedicated hard work and service.
I love you all very much, thanks for everything.
Love,
Elder Marsala

22 January, 2008

So as usual the actual move was kind of stressful, especially when my train to Bordeaux was an hour and a half late due to a woman going into labor on the train. But how cool to think that another one of God's children has already much such an impact on the world, I found that pretty neat. It also gave me the opportunity to talk with a younger missionary called Elder Archer, who told me all about how frère Crane has been telling crazy stories about me at the MTC and even shared my email about my poor stolen mailbox, I was very excited to know that he's still getting my emails, he's a funny guy.

So Périgueux is beautiful! I haven't really seen the sun, but it's very pretty. We have some old ruins here or a Roman city and others of a renaissance town, I haven't seen them yet but I'm excited to after I profit from SOLDES today.

We're teaching a beautiful family from Mongolia and they're fantastic! Sunday was the first time that the whole family had come to church together and it was awesome! The grandma doesn't speak French but she feels the Spirit and follows along in her Mongolian Book Of Mormon-the Church is so cool. They're full of love and they have a great excitement about the gospel.

Well everyone, I love you much and I hope you've had a great week.

Much love,

Elder Marsala

15 January, 2008

Yes indeedy! I've been transfered to Périgeux to be with Elder Coull from Scotland. I haven't met him yet because I'm going actually in Carcassonne again, trying to get my carte de séjour, but they didn't give it to me yet, I'm annoyed with that.
I'm pretty excited about this upcoming transfer, I've never been on that side of the mission before. Everyone tells me that it's really pretty so that should be fun. I don't know much about the ville or my companion yet so I don't have to much to tell.
I'm very excited for this transfer but a little nervous as well.
I love you all very much, have a great week.

Elder Miles Marsala

8 January 2008

Bonjour tout le monde,

Well as most of you probably know, I'm a person who likes history, I like time, and dates are something of importance to me. Which is why on today January 8, 2008 my thoughts are most definitely turned towards my family. For it was six years ago today that my family was sealed together for all time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. I remember as if it had happened yesterday, I remember being in the waiting room with Alyssa and Quinten. I remember sitting out side the door waiting to go in, and Elder Haight stopping for a few minutes just to talk to the three of us before entering the room (it made me feel special). I remember the family and friends there to join us. But my favorite memory was being there with my family and being sealed forever by the Priesthood. It is definitely one of my favorite dates in all of History and one that I am truly grateful for. I can still remember looking in the mirror as a family and "taking a picture" that I still have in my head. It's because of days like that that I am so grateful for the Restored Gospel, and the only true Church upon the face of the Earth, I'm grateful for the Priesthood. I'm grateful for amazing members and friends. I'm thankful for missionaries, especially two sister missionaries in particular. I'm grateful for Apostles and their service and love for the Lord. But above all that I'm most grateful to my mother, for it was her that was a constant in all of this, the example, the missionary, the friend, the member, and the most wonderful woman. I would have none of this to be grateful for if it hadn't been for her. And of course I'm thankful for my father and his decision to be baptized and to join the Church. For his diligence and love for his family, for his love for my mother and for his children. I wish you all a fantastic week! Know that I love you.

Elder Miles Marsala

2 January, 2008

Happy New Year... from Carcassonne!

Bonne Année!
Yes I did say from Carcassonne, because I'm currently writing you from Carcassonne! I'm back in town for carte de séjour stuff and I will be back next week due to the fact that I seem to have misplaced a needed paper...ugh! But all is well anyways. It's really great to see Elder Dearing again, he's one of my favorites, it's been fun. We've had a lay over so it's been nice to see my blue ville again.
New Year's was fine, I did sleep through it so it was very exciting! But in the evening the ward invited us to a party and gave us some good food and then took us home at the late hour of 9:00pm! PARTY ON! The week has been good.
The work in Vitrolles goes a bit slower than in Carcassonne but I'm trying, it gets a touch frustrating at times when amis start to disappear and people are too busy during this time of year, but I love the work! It is such a blessing and an amazing experience.
I love you all. Happy New Year!
Love,
Miles