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