Final Thoughts

Jared’s Mission November 19^th, 2017

Final Thoughts:

I am happy with the service I was able to do.  I am looking forward to moving on with the next chapter of my life.  I am going to continue on doing most everything that I did on my mission except for the Bishops storehouse and Deseret Industries.  It’s going to be fun practicing my teaching skills to help my mom learn how to index.  And it will be fun for us to go to the Temple weekly when we can. 

I enjoyed getting to meet lots of new people at the Bishop’s storehouse and the Deseret Industries and being able to talk to them and get to know them better.  I think that’s what I will miss most.  I was the youngest person on my shift to work at the DI. 

At the Family History Center it’s always interesting to hear about their trips as they are trying to find names and information on family members.  They take trips to Scotland and Ireland and other places in Europe to try and find info about their ancestors.  I really find indexing to be interesting work.  All those I worked with were very kind and helpful.

I loved having my own one on one time with my Mom when we went to the Temple each week.  That was my favorite thing to share with her.  It was good to be able to help those that have passed to the other side.  And afterwards, Mom and I would get a dinner treat, either at the Temple or somewhere else we were craving.

I enjoyed getting to know the different missionaries that came and went from our ward.  We would sometimes go out to find people who wanted to learn about the Gospel.  Other times we would help people in need by doing lawn work, pulling weeds, and carrying off old fences to be built with new ones.  I plan to keep going out with the missionaries when I’m able.

Friday I will continue to work with the Gentleman in my ward that needs extra help.  I cleaned out his garden for the winter.  We also did some maintenance on his barn, and I helped clean out a small area of cow manure.   I am happy I get to continue working with him. 

Next Fall I plan on entering the BYUI Pathway program to continue on with my college degree.  And in the near future, possible getting a job at the Forest Grove Goodwill, or we might try the Gaston Library.

I encourage those who may not be able to serve in the traditional way to consider a Young Church-Service Mission.  It was worth every second of the time I spent with those people.  They all helped me to learn and grow, and I made new and great friendships.  There is a mission out there for everyone.  I know this church is true and I’m happy to be a part of it!

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Elder JJ Markham

PS.  Final notes from Mom:  

We are all so very proud of JJ and the way he worked hard without complaining about the task ahead.  He served his mission with valor and heart.  He never wanted to be late to an assignment, and tried his best every time.  I know those who got to work with him, could feel his love for the Gospel and Jesus Christ, and the love his family has for him.  He will go on to accomplish great things!  We will stand in awe of him once again, and try and stay out of his way, or help where we can, to help him reach his highest potential!  He is a special Spirit of our Heavenly Father that proved himself worthy in his pre-earth life before he came to this Earth.  And we are forever thankful to JJ for choosing us and for Heavenly Father for sending him to our family.  It would not be complete with him.  He makes us laugh, cry and rejoice when we accomplish a task!  He loves celebrating our accomplishments just as much as we love celebrating him!  Thank you for going with us on this journey and for all the love and support he felt from each of you to get him through it!  Go JJ! GOOOOO!

Back out with the Missionaries!

Jared Mission Oct. 15^th, 2017

I guess the only new thing I have to add is that I went out with the missionaries for the first time in a few weeks because we haven’t had missionaries in our home ward for a while.  We went looking for people that might possibly be interested in hearing the Gospel.  Then we stopped by and checked in on an older lady in our ward to see how she was doing.  As we were walking around looking for people, I talked to the missionaries and found out that all three of us have read and like the same book series… “Kingdom Keepers” as well as the “Percy Jackson” series.  It was really interesting to talk to someone who had not only heard of the “Kingdom Keepers”, but had read it as well. 

I’ve enjoyed helping a man in our ward do yard work, harvesting and making grape juice.  I’m glad that I can help him get some of his work done.

I like doing my work at the Family History Center and going to the Temple with my mom.  It makes me feel good that I can help those who have passed on and who may not have had the chance for Temple blessings here on this Earth. 

I also lost my missionary name badge again this week.  But my mom and I prayed that I would find it, and I found it yesterday.  It had fallen between the mattress and the box spring.  We were very thankful that I found it.

I had my Regional Bowling tournament for Special Olympics yesterday.  It was fun!  My family came to cheer me on.  Our scores will be sent into the State to compare with the other regions around the area, so I will find out later if I qualified for a medal.

I tried out for our ward Christmas pageant and I got the part of a fireman.  It should be fun!

I have just started reading about the account of Zeniff, which breaks off into the people of Limhi and the people of Alma in the Book of Mormon.  I am currently with the people of Limhi, as they have just met Ammon, who is the descendant of Zarahemla.  I enjoy the accounts of the two groups of people who were able to make the necessary changes in their lives that ultimately lead them to repent of their sins and find their way to the land of Zarahemla to join the rest of the Nephites.  I encourage everyone to read the Book of Mormon to help understand the Doctrine of our church as well as to find answers for questions that you may have.

Elder Markham

** Mom's Note: I am having trouble transferring pictures to my computer to add to JJ's blog.  I just want to get updated for now and I will add pictures later!

Serving others is a blessing

Jared Mission Sept 10^th, 2017

On Thursday I worked with a man in our ward that I used to help with the missionaries.    We went to a lumber yard and we loaded up some saw dust into the back of his truck.  Then we took it to his house and unloaded it near his corral for his cattle.  He had me take a bucket of saw dust into his corral to make a bed for his cows.  We also trimmed a bush that he had, and put the branches into a wheel barrow so that he could use to feed his cattle the next day.  He also had me move some rocks around and lay them by the trough that his cattle used to drink from so that his cattle had something to step on to reach the trough.  I am going to go help him every Thursday now, even though the missionaries have been moved out of our area.   He is a very kind man and I am glad I get to help him.

On Saturday I started my bowling practices for Special Olympics.  I am really excited to participate in this.  The season is shorter this year.  Instead of going into November, we will be done by mid October. 

Everything else is still the same.  In my scripture study I am learning about different parables of how sin estranges us from God.  It teaches me that I want to try everything I can to stay close to Heavenly Father so that I can receive his blessings.

Elder Markham

Total Solar Eclipse of 2017

Jared mission August 27, 2017

The eclipse was fun (August 21^st, 2017)!!  I got to spend the day with my family because the Bishop’s Storehouse was closed due to traffic issues from a lot of people coming to Oregon to see the totality of the Solar Eclipse of 2017!  We played games and watched the eclipse from our driveway.  Dad and Areah and David drove to Amity to see the full eclipse.  We saw about 99.7 % of it from the driveway.  The whole experience of it was very cool because it was my first, and probably my last one to see.  I could tell it got “dusky” outside, but it didn’t go completely dark.  We wore special eclipse glasses so we could look at the sun without hurting our eyes.  We were able to see the dancing shadows of the solar rays, and the half moon shadows through the trees. 

The storehouse is closed tomorrow so I will go in later to work at the DI.  I have been doing the same thing that I’ve done the other weeks.  I help fill and get ready food orders at the Bishop’s Storehouse and I pull and hang clothes to be sold at the DI.  I’ve met some new people at the storehouse and DI.  One friend works with me at the storehouse, then goes and works with me at the DI.  He is a Youth Service Missionary as well.  I haven’t had a chance to talk to him very much as we work in different departments at each place.  Hopefully I can get to know him better.  At the DI there is one new lady that works there and I have enjoyed getting to know her. 

I still enjoy working at the Family History Center on Tuesdays.  The people there are all very nice and it’s been pretty busy.  There have been a lot of people come in to do Family History.  There are a couple sets of Elders that come in to do their numbers (track how there areas are doing).  I like hearing the stories the people I work with tell about the troubles they have finding certain people, because sometimes they are on one census recorded under one name, and on another census recorded under another name, then all of a sudden they seem to disappear without a trace.  The people at the Family History Center do the best job they can of tracking down records of these people to connect them with their families.  I’m so glad I get the experience to work with them and learn from them!

I’m enjoying doing proxy work on Wednesdays at the Temple.  It may not be a direct line, but at least I’m connecting someone’s family together and that makes me feel good inside and it makes me happy to know that I am helping in the work of the Lord! 

I find it interesting that no matter where I’m reading in the Book of Mormon, or the Bible, that it talks about a small group of people being preserved by the Lord. Whether it’s Nephi in the Book of Mormon talking about his vision with the mixture of his seed and the seed of his Brethren (Laman and Lemuel), and how they were preserved to keep the promised land of America.  Or in the Old Testament talking about the Jews being invaded by Babylon and other countries, and being taken captive, and a small remnant of them being left to keep the land of Jerusalem, that was promised to them. 

I know as long as we are righteous, Christ will continue to help us and our leaders make the right decisions. 

Elder Markham

Family Reunion and Garrett's wedding

Jared’s mission August 20, 2017

We had written about the reunion and Garrett’s wedding, but it somehow got lost on my mom’s computer so we will rewrite about them.

We had our Johnson Family reunion (My Mom’s side of the family) from July 3-6 in Garden Valley, Idaho at the Glenwood Girls camp.  It was fun to see everyone that could be there.  For the 3 days we were there, we played games, ate lots of food, talked and caught up with each other.  I stayed in a cabin with my cousins Kyle and Dustin.  We had different activities like water baseball, water balloon games, bingo, and group games.  I got to give a report about my mission to everyone.  And my Uncle and Grandpa led us in a ceremony to retire 3 flags.  It’s always fun when we all get together.

At Garrett’s and Maddie’s wedding, it was fun to be a part of the sealing session and I was best man.  I felt good that I could be in the Temple for their sealing and I was honored that Garrett asked me to be his best man.

I went to a basketball camp at Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation Center.  It was fun to see a lot of new people and some of the friends that I see at my Thursday night basketball games.  Terrance Jones was there as a special representative from the NBA for the Special Olympics.  It was cool to have an NBA player there. 

The missionaries in our ward got transferred out of the area and now we don’t have Elders in this area, so I won’t be able to go out with them on Thursdays.  My mom and dad will check to see if I can possibly go out with the Elders from our old ward.

I’m thankful for all the opportunities I’m getting to serve as a missionary and be home and participate in my family activities.

Elder Markham

Working hard and serving well!

Jared’s Mission June 4, 2017

It’s been quite a while since I have made an entry.  Everything is going well.  We have moved into our new house.  It’s very nice and large.  I am no longer working at the Bike Shop because they hired a new employee to work there full time.  They couldn’t get the larger working area they wanted so they had to cut back on volunteers to make room for the employees.  I am still waiting to hear for another opportunity to fulfill my Friday assignment.

We moved into our new home in April and I like that we have more space to do things and have big group gatherings.  We have a shop area that we have set our ping pong table up as well as a pool table and other fun things to do there.  This move put us into a new ward and Stake.  I have still been going to the Forest Grove Young Single Adult ward, but when Garrett gets married in July, I will transfer to my family’s home ward. 

I still love my missionary work.  The one change that is coming is happening at the DI (Deseret Industries).  Two of the job coaches are switching places.  One is coming to run the clothing department and the other is going to move out and run the sales floor.  I still like talking to my co-workers.  We’ve had a few new employees join our group and I’ve liked getting to know them.

They are remodeling the Bishop’s Storehouse all this last week so it should be different when I go in tomorrow.   I didn’t have to go to the DI or Storehouse last week since they were closed on Memorial Day, but I still fulfill the meat orders and normal food orders, if we finish the meat orders.  One of the other volunteers had his last day there a couple of weeks ago, as his mission ended.  He was an older gentleman.

I am still enjoying my time at the Family History Center on Tuesdays.  I do indexing and find names and dates of births, deaths and marriages etc.  This helps families put together their genealogy and helps them find names of their ancestors who need their temple work done.  I like working with all the people at the Family History Center.

I have been going with the new missionaries from my family’s ward on Thursdays.  We have been doing service projects for the past 3 weeks.  We have helped a man with yard work, stack wood for the upcoming winter, move rocks to make more parking space for him.  We also pulled weeds for a couple getting ready to sale their house.  Last week we helped paint some of their house.  I have liked being able to do these service projects with the missionaries.

I have been practicing with my Special Olympic Track team.  We had our Regional meet yesterday.  I got third place in the 200 run and First place in the Long jump!   One of our relay team members for the 4x100 wasn’t able to come, so we had to scratch.  It was a lot of fun and good weather for it.

In my scripture reading I have learned from another author who wrote a Book of Mormon Study Help manual that the way Joseph Smith wrote about the destruction in Ancient America is proof that he could have not written the Book of Mormon, instead translating it, due to the lack geological activity where he lived at the time, as well as the books that he would have had access to, along with the little formal education he received, would not have given him the ability to write about such things.  It helped my testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  I’m thankful that this opportunity came to me to serve in this capacity because it would have been more difficult for me to serve away from home in the typical mission setting.

I have 5 months left to serve and I will put all my heart and soul into the service of the Lord and my ward and community!

Elder Markham

JJ, Elder Gordon, Elder Beckstead getting ready to do some service.

I'm grateful for my Savior

Jared Mission March 19, 2017

It’s been a while since I have written.  I have had lots of interesting things happen like one time at the Bike shop, we had to take down a lot of bikes just because they were not worth selling because they were super old and beat up.  And it wouldn’t be fair to those who buy them.  There was one bike frame that was super sturdy because we tried to do all the different stuff to it, including taking two people and stepping on it, and the combined weight still would not bend the frame.  We take those bikes apart and recycle all the pieces for money to help run the shop and pay for expenses.

At the DI I have been working on hanging clothes onto racks so they can be tagged and put on a rolling rack to be moved out to the sale floor.  These clothes replace other clothing items that are pulled because they aren’t selling.  I like working at the DI because it’s fun talking to all the people I work with.  We talk about books we like to read.  We also talk about stuff that’s happened in our lives and we all have immense trust in each other.

At the Bishop’s storehouse I have been continuing to fill food orders and sometimes we have to fill dock orders which is everything that’s not fruits, nuts, meats and dairy.  It is set up in rows and it’s anything from canned foods to hygiene stuff that needs to be put in bags and then we put them in bins for people in need.  In the back of the warehouse where we work, there is a refrigerator area that has food items that might not sell well at Costco and we get to take it home to our families.  I have picked cake rolls, and cookies and my family always loves the treats I get to bring home.

I have been able to go to the Temple with Garrett, and my Mom and Dad.  We usually switch off doing an endowment session and initiatories every other week.  It’s a great experience and I love going to the Temple.

I have been visiting investigators with the missionaries and have enjoyed being able to go out and teach with them. 

I have been enjoying YSA activities.  Last week my team won 3 out of the 5 big prizes in the Jeopardy game.  I like spending time with my friends there.

My Special Olympics basketball is over and I’m sad I didn’t get to play in any of the tournaments since they were on Sunday.  But I enjoy going to my basketball scrimmages on Thursday nights.  A couple of weeks ago, I was awarded Player of the Game because I showed great leadership skills and team work.  I am also enjoying listening to my books on tape.  I re read “Kingdom Keepers” series 1-7 and I’m waiting for number 10 to come out on audio book.  I am also enjoying watching March Madness NCAA basketball tournament. 

I have just begun Matthew in the New Testament because I finished the Old Testament.  I just finished Matthew 27 which is the end of Jesus’ mortal ministry and His suffering in Gethsemane and His crucifixion.  I’m glad that Christ loved us enough to go through that for us because it wasn’t easy and He did it for each and every one of us.  It’s interesting that it doesn’t mention in Matthew how one of the thieves that was crucified with Christ tells Him that if He is the Savior, then why doesn’t He save Himself.  Then the other thief says that Christ has to do this and asked Christ to please remember him when he gets to Paradise.  But then Christ tells him not to worry because he will be in Paradise with Him.  This is recorded in another book of the New Testament, but not in Matthew.  This shows me that even after we commit a sin, He will allow us to return to Him through Faith that we can be made whole again and be forgiven of our sins.  I love my mission and all the things that I get to do.

Elder Markham

JJ and his Dad at the Temple

Watching a basketball game in his down time

A Foot injury and reading the Old Testament again.

Jared Mission Feb. 26^th, 2017

The past couple of weeks have been about the same, though this last week I was slightly down and out because on Thursday the 16^th, I bruised my heel playing basketball.  So by the time Saturday came, I was in a lot of pain and my dad took me to the ER to get an x-ray.  Luckily there was no serious damage, but they gave me a walking boot to help ease the pain.

So I couldn’t go to the Bishop’s storehouse or DI on the 20^th because I spend most of my day there on my feet.  I was able to go to the Family History center on Tuesday and I did more indexing.  On one document there were mostly Irish and Scottish people but there was one immigrant from Japan and one from Peru.  It was interesting because that was the first time I had come across a name from either of those two countries.   

On Wednesday I went to help the missionaries help a lady move some stuff off her counter into her dining room area.  She likes to collect some interesting things, and it was fun being able to visit with her.  I couldn’t go out with the missionaries on Thursday because of my foot.

On Friday I was feeling better so I went to the Bike Shop.  I took apart bikes to recycle them.

On Saturday we went to my brother’s basketball tournament, and then came back home for hot dogs and smores.

Sunday I went to YSA and we are doing a mini mission experience.  I have been assigned a companion, but haven’t been able to participate with him because he is busy with flight school and I am busy with my mission.  But the YSA is seeing some great results with baptisms and investigators.

In my scripture study this week I am working my way through the poetry chapters of the Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.  It is interesting that there are a lot of books dedicated to poetry because you don’t really think of that when you think of the scriptures.  It is kind of hard for me to get through, especially Proverbs and Ecclesiastes because a lot of the chapters are the same, so it feels like listening to the same words over and over.  But I like that it is poetry because it is special and unique to the Old Testament.  This will be my second or third time reading the Old Testament all the way through.

I am happy with all the new people I get to meet on my mission and it is strengthening my testimony because I get to hear other people’s conversion stories and how they deal with trials and challenges that they are given.  I am thankful that I have a chance to do a lot of different things because I get to look at the Gospel through several different points of view, and each of them are unique in their own way.

Elder Markham

JJ with a basketball injury to his foot

Continuing to learn and Serve!

Jared’s mission February 5, 2017

Monday I worked at the Deseret Industries only because the Bishops storehouse was closed due to it being a 5^th Monday.  I like working there because I’m able to get to know lots of interesting people and about their life experiences.  I hope I’m able to be a good friend to them.

Tuesday at the Family History Center I indexed names to be processed from people looking for their information.

The Temple was closed this week for maintenance so I listened to two conference talks by our church leaders about Temples.  I enjoyed them.  One talked about how the Temple shouldn’t be separated from Family History.  That is one of our main focuses for the Temple.  To help those who have passed before us.

Thursday I went with the missionaries to teach a lesson to an investigator.  It was a good experience for me and the family was very nice.  We then went to another lady’s house to help her move her AC unit out of her window.  She talked about how her two year old likes to be outside and if he sees a crack in a door he will take advantage and work until he gets out.  That reminded me of the stories my parents tell about me of when I was growing up and my active nature. 

Friday I showed up for work at the Bike Shop, but it was closed due to weather (ice storm). 

Saturday I didn’t have basketball practice because the tournament was today.  I have chosen not to play sports on Sunday.  I hope the Special Olympics will change the tournaments to another day during the week so that I can play in the games.

Today we got more snow!!  And it’s possible that I may not be able to go to the storehouse and DI tomorrow if it snows through the night. 

This week I learned that due to the wickedness of the Kings, the ten tribes were split and formed into their own kingdom separate from Judah and Benjamin.  And that Christ keeps His promises to David that he will always have a righteous King to rule in the kingdom of Judah.  (Second Kings 1-17)

I’m grateful that people are trusting me with personal information and just as a friend in General.  I can’t wait for this next week to see what it brings.  I’m looking forward to the next 4 weeks because of the service mission that I will be doing through the YSA branch.  I love that I get to meet lots of interesting people on my mission that I otherwise wouldn’t have.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve!

And also I’m getting a new book on CD in a couple weeks.  I enjoy reading good books in my free time.

Elder Markham

Still a great Missionary!

Jared’s mission January 29, 2017

There’s not much to say.  It’s been a pretty standard two weeks.  I was able to go to the temple on the 18^th with my brother in law Stephen.  He then took me to get my favorite choice, Taco Bell.  It was my birthday and we took it home and ate with my Mom and Sister Jessica.  We also had pizza for dinner and Jessica made a delicious Peach Cobbler.  I was able to open my presents and it was a fun day!  This last Wednesday I went to the Temple with my mom and then I went to Institute that night.

I am enjoying my scripture study and I am reading the Old Testament.  I am in First Samuel.  I am learning that you don’t always have to return railing for railing, and just because someone does something mean to you, doesn’t mean you have to do something mean back to them. 

Today I gave my first talk in the YSA branch.  It went well.  I talked about having Hope in Christ.  I am excited for the mini-mission program they are doing in the branch that will be going on for the next few months.   Each member of the branch will get an opportunity to serve for 3 weeks if they choose to, and live like a Youth Church Service Missionary.  I’m excited I get to do this with the members of the branch because they have done this in the past and have gotten good results.

At the bike shop I was able to talk to a new volunteer about what he believed in and his feelings about whether or not there is a God.  I told him that there was and that even though it might seem like at times that He’s not there, He’s always there.  And that He’s there to help us when we’ve done all we can.  It seemed that the conversation went well and that he was curious.  I hope I can be more help to him!

Elder Markham

Snow Days!!

Jared Mission January 15th, 2017

So these last 3 weeks have been filled with A LOT of snow!!  After Christmas our family went to a beach house for a few days.  It was so much fun!  We played lots of games, ate a lot of food, went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory and the Blue Heron Cheese store.  We went to Cape Mears lighthouse and the Octopus tree.  The weather was great!  My favorite place was the Blue Heron Store, where I got to sample many delicious dips and sauces.  After we got back from the beach house all the boys got to go to Top Golf and that was lots of fun.  Then last Saturday we went bowling as a family and that has become on of my favorite things to do, since I started bowling for Special Olympics a couple years ago!

It was sad when my brothers and sisters and their families had to go home, but we created a lot of memories this Christmas Season.  Last Wednesday, I got to go do a session at the Temple with Brad and Stephen.  I was so glad they got to take me.

The last two Mondays I wasn’t able to go to the Bishop’s Storehouse or DI because of the snow and ice that we have had. 

When I went out with the Missionaries this past Thursday we went out to North Plains and talked to a man who served in the Air Force. 

I went to my work at the Bike Shop on Friday, but I guess the roads were still bad and so it wasn’t opened.  We went sledding instead.  Although, I sat in the car the whole time since I don’t like to play in the snow.  But it’s been fun having all these snow days because I get to spend time with family!!

I will have my first Special Olympics basketball practice for this season this coming Saturday, if the weather is not too bad.  The skills day and my first practice got canceled these last two Saturdays because of the snow and ice.  All this week we are suppose to get lots of rain on top of the melting snow we already have.

Stephen is taking all of us boys to see the new Star Wars movie and my birthday is on Wednesday!!  I’m glad that I get to have Garrett home for the first birthday in 2 years and that Jessica and Stephen are here to celebrate with me!

Elder Markham

PS...Mom's note:  JJ lost his mission badge a few weeks ago...so we are waiting to hear if Salt Lake City will replace it...  :-( Mom is becoming very impatient!

At Cape Mears Lighthouse

Tillamook Cheese Factory

JJ getting ready to bowl!

The Evening Snowfall begins

Charlie, Garrett and Blake...just before the wipeout!