March 14th, 2013

I'm so happy right now! It's 5 AM and i'm smiling.. mom probably doesn't believe that. But i am :) I love it here. I love this work. I love the Book of Mormon. I get so excited just thinking about sharing this Gospel with everyone in San Antonio. We had a great lesson from our teacher Hermano Henderson yesterday. He shared a cool mission experience then we started talking and I felt like it was a pre-game speech. All I wanted to do when he finished talking was get on the plane and go! I was fired up and ready to get to work! I really am so grateful that I've been able to be in la CCM por seis semanas, but I want to get to Texas. My mission prep teacher at BYU told us that "it takes one missionary to change the mission. For the better or for worse. Be the missionary that changes the mission for the better." I want to be that missionary. The one that changes it for the better. I'm going to work hard every single day to bring everyone closer to Christ. I pray everyday for my family and friends, that you all will strive to come closer to Christ. I have never been so excited and motivated about doing something. I want to share this message with everyone I meet. I got my travel plans and I leave on the 20th at 6 AM. My flight leaves a little before 10 so i'll be calling around 8 or 9 i would think? Mom and dad, will you be home? Or are you still traveling the world? I will also send my new address later today, for Texas. This week has been really good. I've learned a lot. And Spanish is making sense now. I know it'll be rough for the first little while when I get out in the field, but i'm up for the challenge. We've had lots of really neat experiences this week.. I had a meltdown on Friday and was able to ask the elders in my district to give me a blessing. I was able to feel of my Heavenly Father's love for me and as soon as they laid their hands on my head, I felt His love and comfort come over me. At choir this week, the director shared a story with us all, he said.. "So you're in a foreign country with several of your friends. You're touring the city and you see a wall with graffiti all over it. You all talk about how fun it would be to go spray paint your name on it. But there's a sign that says 'No Trespassing.' You decide to come back that night and all paint on the wall. When it's dark, you all come back and begin spray painting the wall. Before you could finish your name, flashing lights come from around the corner and the police jump out of the car. All your friends get away but the police arrest you. They tell you that they are putting you in prison forever. You sit in your cell for a few hours, crying, thinking what have I done? Then one of the officers comes up to you and tells you that if you have a family member who would be willing to come and have their hand nailed to the wall, they would let you go home with them when they decide to pull their hand off, the nail ripping through their hand. You contemplate the idea for a little, but the thought leaves your mind. You think 'no one in my family would do that.' Before you can give your reply, your brother walks in. The police beat him and whip him. They torment him. You sit there yelling at them to stop, but they don't. When they are finished they walk you and your brother out to the wall. They take his hand and nail it to the wall. He cries out in anguish. You yell 'no! stop! i'm sorry i'm sorry!' You run to your brother and tell him how much you love him. You thank him and cry while you hug him...  So my question to you, elders and sisters, is this. What have you done for your brother lately? Do you let others use his name in vain? Do you live your life as if He were standing next to you? Do you have a picture of him in your room?"
WOW. It was so powerful. I think that was the turning point for me here at the MTC. Prior to the story, i was learning patience and love and charity.. but after hearing this, I had a new sense of commitment to the work, and especially to my Savior. He did more for us, than we ever could for Him. I guess that's one of the biggest reasons I'm here.. to repay Him in even the smallest way. To bring our Heavenly Father's children back to Him. I know the Atonement is real. I know that our Savior suffered for all of us. All of our pains and sorrows. I don't want anyone to have to live with those feelings. This Gospel offers hope. It offers happiness and joy. I'm so excited to share that with those in San Antonio. The next night at dinner, Brian came and ate with my companion and I. He asked me how I was doing and then asked how I've changed since being here. It made me realize that I have. I know I will continue to learn and grow, and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me in San Antonio. If you get a chance, you should look up "feed my sheep elder holland-mtc" and listen to the last 15 minutes or so.. Elder Holland tells the story of Peter and the disciples when Jesus asks "do you love me" three times. It's so powerful. I love it. It's going to be a rough weekend, saying goodbye to our zone and our branch presidency. They are incredible. I play the piano a lot, which I love. Except the branch presidency decided to changed the sacrament hymn on me after the meeting had started.. the power of prayer is real, I can testify of that much. Haha he asked me to play a hymn I didn't know. But Heavenly Father answered my prayer! Hermana Lund and I have been locked out of our room 3 times this week.. twice of which i was in my towel-straight out of the shower, standing outside my door until someone could come unlock it. The joys of being at the MTC.. I'm trying to beat the records in the gym one more time before I go. My goal is 20 3's and 40 free throws.. haha it's a long shot, but we'll see. we'll see if Dad's coaching will pay off!
I feel like I have so much more to write, but I think i'm going to have to call it good. We're heading to the temple for the last time as a district. I love you all!!! Thanks for all your support and prayers. I pray for you each night. I'm so thankful for my family. I couldn't do it without you. Be safe!
Love,
Marissa

I just received an e-mail from my mission president that says there's a new rule from the mission department that missionaries are allowed more time to email and write friends and family. As well as the fact that we're now allowed to e-mail whoever we want.. so i'm going to! It'll be easier to communicate too because letters take a really long time to write.. (Marielle will you still put them on the blog, i only have a few of my friends e-mails) Sorry you're going to get even more e-mails from me now!! LOVE YOU ALL!

Hermana Van Wagenen and me. I want to send this picture to my sem teachers at brighton. we had seminary together and we thought it'd be cool to show them that they made a difference for us :)

I saw Kim's brother Steve and he said he's never been so happy! He is totally changed and is happier than i have ever seen him. he loves it. The sun was really bright. Ha ha. 

all the boxes from the packages i've gotten.. haha