Monday, February 13, 2017

Hey there! It's been a great week. Andrew got baptized and it was so
awesome. His nonmember parents came and they loved it. His dad seemed
really touched. His mom drove from Susanville or something just to
come see him be baptized. The only member in Andrew's family is his
Grandma and she loved being able to see him be baptized. Andrew was
baptized by a Brother in the Ward who Andrew has always looked up to
named Brother Hagge. It was a great baptism and I'm so glad I got to
be there for it. The next day we confirmed him and he asked me to be
voice for it. I was nervous because it had been a while but once it
started I remembered that I didn't need to be nervous because the
spirit would let me know what to say.

Friday we had ZTM so we had to drive up to Oregon. It's so weird to
say that being in California and all. It was a great meeting but there
is so much flooding going on that we had to drive through a couple
rivers just to get up to Klamath Falls. I love the Zone we have here
and I wish we got to see them more. It's always a treat to be with
them all. This Friday we have interviews with President and we are
excited for that.

Besides that we have just been working hard. We found a new
investigator named Dane who seems really interested. He said he'd come
to church but got sick and called the church phone to let us know. It
was very nice of him. Mark is making his way toward baptism. He's
regaining the trust of his Wife and son since he is sober now for
about a month. If he can just keep off everything and stay away from
the chew he's going to make it. Brandi is struggling. I knew that when
Elder Willits left she would struggle. She loved him a ton and after
he left she got pretty sad. We are working with her but had to take
her off date until she is ready to commit. She is such a good gal and
we hope we can help her.

Great week and fun times. Elder Ross is a great comp. he's so funny.
Anyway have a great week!!!

~Elder S. Jackson Martin

Monday, February 6, 2017

Well Elder Ross is my new companion and he's great. He's from
Roosevelt, UT and has been out six months. We have a lot of fun
together and are just super happy to be working hard.

This week was pretty good. We had to push back Andrew to this weekend
for baptism but we had his interview and he is ready to go. Brandi who
is on for February 25 is not doing so well. We kept telling her she
couldn't smoke and she said she would quit but still hasn't so we will
have to push her date back. She's having a hard time without Elder
Willits. She really liked him and she always said I was too hard on
her. I try to be as loving as I can but I'm also trying to be bold
because she has to understand how serious it is. Anyway I'm kind of
torn up about that because she was making great progress. Mark is
doing awesome. He has quit drinking and tobacco and is on track for
March. We are working hard with all of our other people so we are
hoping they can commit. In missionary work I've found we can only do
so much and once we've done our job it's between the investigator and
the spirit. Too many investigators don't read or pray so they don't
have the spirit with them. It's hard to make it when your not letting
the Lord in.

Besides that we had stake Conference. It was great and President
Russell and Sister Russell spoke. Sister Russell cried when she told
everyone that they were going home in June. I wanted to cry too.
Andrew went up for Stake Conference while most the Branch stayed here
and had it broadcast. I was so pleased to hear when the Zone Leaders
Called us and said that he was there and seemed like he was just
excited as can be. He looked like one of the members is what they
said, soon enough that will be true.

Anyway we are having some good times. Last transfer we tracted like
all the the streets so now we are looking for other ways to keep busy.
Anyway more to come next week! Love you all

~Elder S. Jackson Martin
From 1/30/2017
Today is super busy. I got a new companion. His name is Elder Ross
from Roosevelt Utah. He is a way cool guy! Sorry short on time but
I'll email better next week! Love you all!!!

~Elder S. Jackson Martin

From 1/23/2017
We had a great week with a lot of great stuff getting done. We have
been working hard on our investigators on date to make sure they make
it. The people that we are focusing on the hardest are; Brandi, Mark,
and Andrew. They all have dates for baptism in February so we are
praying that they will make it happen. They all seem solid and
committed but sometimes when it gets close I get nervous because of in
Oakridge when someone backed out of baptism a couple days before. I
want them to feel prepared and ready so hopefully the spirit continues
to work with them and they don't give into Satan's garbage.

Friday we had another meeting in Klamath Falls. It was Zone Conference
and I really enjoyed it. That night we went on an exchange with the
Zone Leaders. They changed the way we do exchanges so now instead of
one person from each companionship going to each area now you all just
go to the leader's area. It was kind of interesting but not as much
awesome as the old way. I feel like an old man sometimes because I
tell young missionaries, "Back when I came out..." anyway back to the
exchange! We had some good times and I went out with Elder Thibault.
He has to be one of the best missionaries out here in the Oregon
Eugene Mission and I've always looked up to him. Elder Willits went
with Elder Borden who is a big buff Hawaiian with a football
scholarship to the University of Hawaii. We all went to dinner at this
house with and older couple who were watching the news from the
inauguration and wouldn't turn it off. The lady kept screaming,
"THAT'S RIGHT HILARY BITE YOUR TONGUE!!! IT'S TRUMP TIME BABY WOOT
WOOT!!" We kept trying to talk about the Gospel but haha they were
kind of interested in other things. Great dinner though, we had steak.
The rest of the night Elder Thibault and I did some tracting and we
got yelled at a lot. Not a lot of people like you knocking at 8:00
i've learned but whatever you just have to fear no man.

Saturday we went shopping in KF and then headed to Lakeview so Elder
Willits could give the Sisters' investigator a Baptismal Interview. He
was so happy and I was glad that he had an uplifting experience.
Sounds like he might be getting transferred Monday. We don't know for
sure but President hinted at it. I was also made designated driver
this morning for the last week of the transfer so it will probably
happen. I'm excited for Elder Willits because his whole mission so far
he has been down here in isolation and hasn't gotten to know many
people in the mission. I'm also worried about it because he is one of
the best missionaries I've worked with and I'm worried a lot of
Missionaries will try to put him down for being so obedient and hard
working. But he can take it.

Well good luck to you all! Talk to you later! Have fun!!!!!!!


~Elder S. Jackson Martin