MISSION PICTURES!

I have to give a Huge Thanks to JENNY HANSEN and SAM HALVERSON for dolling me up and taking some Awesome Pictures! 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

1 down 2 to go

Today Miss Kelsey Karen Lewis (Hunters Lady Friend) had her farewell. She did such a good job! 

Kelsey is a very gentle soft spoken girl. she is so kind and always willing to help someone out! I already know she is going to make a fantastic missionary. I look up to that girl so much! I love that girl like a sister! Watch out NYC she is coming for you!!!! 

I Love To See The Temple

February 9th is a day I will remember for the rest of my life.

That day started off a little rocky, I was having a bad hair day and kinda grumpy. We were running late, and it was snowing. after getting all ready we headed to Salt lake. As we passed Provo hunter informs us that he had left his garments at home. My mom and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes, we now had to turn all the way around to go get them.  

At last we finally arrived at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. as we walked in we met up with my Uncle Shawn who was escorting hunter (my dad couldn't because of his broken leg). This old cute man checked our recommend to make sure everything was correct. As we were talking to him he was telling us that him and his wife had served a mission in Accra Ghana! SMALL world right? Just wait it gets smaller! Anyways back to the story..  Hunter and Shawn when one way and my mom and I went another. I wasn't sure what I was about to do but I was so excited and ready for what came next! A nice old lady walked my through every step. Come to find out her neighbor was called to serve in Minneapolis Speaking Hmong.. My mom and I couldn't believe it! The Temple Matron came in to this room and talk to me about the Temple and the things that go on in the temple! She told me that what I was doing that day I would never do again, and that it was MY day. She asked me where I was serving and I replied Houston Texas, she Immediately  said thank goodness for Texas missionaries... ( She was converted in Houston Texas). We met someone who had a connection to all of our missions! It was totally meant to be! ;) 

I walked in to the chapel and saw Hunter,Shawn, Grams, Gramps it was so fun to see them! we waited and a bunch of friends showed up to support us. Smiths, Woods, Robyn, Bishop, Adrie and Laurin and her husband Brock. 

All I can say is the Temple is amazing! really guys! if you haven't gone through the temple

 MAKE IT A GOAL!!! 

I feel like the temple is home... It feels so familiar but so new at the same time it so weird! I am so excited to be able to go and do temple work. It really is amazing! I am so grateful for everyone who has supported me and been great examples I honestly don't think I would be where I am now if it weren't for you all!  My uncle gave me great advice before we started the session. he told me not to stress out and try to understand everything,  it will take a life time to understand everything. He said just to relax and enjoy it. BEST ADVICE ever!  

PEEPS GO TO THE TEMPLE!  

Get yourself worthy if your not I promise its worth the hard work!! 

. I love to see the temple.

I’m going there someday

To feel the Holy Spirit,

To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God,

A place of love and beauty.

I’ll prepare myself while I am young;

This is my sacred duty.

2. I love to see the temple.

I’ll go inside someday.

I’ll cov’nant with my Father;

I’ll promise to obey.

For the temple is a holy place

Where we are sealed together.

As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth:

A family is forever.

 This has been one of my favorite primary songs since I was little! I really do love to see the temple and I'm so excited to go back!! 

xoxo Kel 

Mom and Dad

Hunter and Uncle Shawn 

Love these peeps! 

My grandparents are amazing examples! 

Siblings 

My sister from another mister! ;) Besties

4 Weeks 6 Days 15 Hours 43 Min's

4 Weeks

6 Days

15 Hours

43 Min's

That may seem far away but I'm secretly freaking out! I have so much to do and so little time.

shopping, packing, shopping, marking things off the list, more shopping, more lists. I don't think the list will ever end.

lately my emotions have been SO bipolar! One minute I'm super happy and excited to go on a mission, the next minute I'm depressed, grumpy and nervous.

A lot of people told me that when you decided to go on a mission Satan works on you harder than ever.

SERIOUSLY SO TRUE!!.... ever since I made my mind up on a mission I feel like the temptation and discouragement is never ending. I try not to dwell on all the bad things, but its hard! 

Satan doesn't want me to go on a mission, he doesn't want me to touch people life's and teach them about Christ and his church. He doesn't want me or anyone else to be happy. He doesn't want people to learn about the plan of happiness. That is why he gets under missionary's or future missionary's  skin. He knows how much of an influence just one missionary has. That is why I have to be strong. I want to tell everyone about the happiness that the gospel gives to me and my family!

I heard a quote from a girl and I'm not sure where she got it but it really had an impact on me

" The Gospel gives me more Cans than Cants"

I love this quotes so much because it is so true. Latter Day Saints follow certain rules and commandments. by following these things we are promised SO many other things. I am grateful for family and friends who support me and my decision to serve.

WE ARE THE LAST GENERATION.

The lord is providing ways for his work to move forward. 

I am ready to get out in the mission field and work hard.

By April 3,400 new Sister missionary's will be out serving, by Oct there is expected to be 90,000 Full time missionary's, how amazing is that?  This is why Satan is working so hard on all of us, trying to get us to give up or fail. I'm not about to give up.

One of my favorite primary songs is, We'll Bring the World his Truth. one of the verses really made me emotional. I have sang this song for 22 years and this verse has just stuck out to me in the last couple of days. 

We have been saved for these latter days

To build the kingdom in righteous ways

We hear the words our Prophet declares

Let each who's worthy go forth and serve

We are as the Army of Helaman

We have been taught in our youth

And we will be the Lord's missionaries

To bring the world his truth

I am really excited to be a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that this Church is the only true church on the earth today. I know that Joesph Smith was a prophet and that he saw God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ.I know that the Book of Mormon was written for us to use as a guide.  I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet. I am so grateful for amazing examples in my life. I know that My Heavenly Father has an amazing plan for me and that he listens an answers my prayers. I am extremely over come with the love that I feel each and everyday, I am very blessed.

Xoxo- Markel 

Mission Scripture

I have been Searching for the PERFECT scripture to put on my plaque. I had a few of my favorite scripture written down. The other day I was reading different talks and I noticed the same scripture at the bottom.So I decided to look it up and this is what it said,

Alma 29:9

I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy. 

After reading this scripture I was so Excited! This was It, MY Mission Scripture! 

Time is ticking and I go to the MTC in just 6 WEEKS.. yes I'm kinda freaking out!!

Minnesota, Texas and Ghana

"A Missionary leaves his family for two years, so that those he teaches may be with their families forever."

13 months ago my bigger younger brother (Kelby) left to teach the people of Minnesota. Everyone says that a mission goes super fast, well I was looking forward to a "super fast" 24 months. Well the more I started thinking seriously about a mission it sounded like something I really wanted to do. I hoped on a plane moved back to Utah. well as you know alot of "things" came up. I had lost the desire to serve. long story short 9 almost 10  months later I started on my papers. My poor parents would have 2 missionary's out! Then came Oct conference the age had been lowered boy 18 and girls 19. Guess who has a brother that was 18 and waiting to turn 19... yup me. Hunter and I turned our papers in the same day. we got our calls a week apart.

He was called to Accra Ghana and I'm going to Houston Texas! We leave March 13th and 22nd. The above quote is perfect for our family out of 4 siblings 3 of us will be serving full time missions at the same time. Kelby will return November 2013 I will return September 2014 and Hunter will return March 2015. What a blessing it is to share this exciting time with my 2 younger brothers. My moms new quote is "The bank account will be empty but the blessings will be plenty." I'm grateful to my parents who are SO willing to support 3 missionary's. Y'all know how expensive one can be, now Times it by 3! I'm so grateful for Kelby and his example to our family. I can not wait to get out and find those people who are looking for the truth.

Kelby Minnesota Minneapolis Speaking Hmong

ME! Houston Texas Speaking Spanish



Hunter Accra Ghana Speaking English





Kelbys Farewell



WE LOVE OUR SPORTS even if we cheer for different teams

yup thats my missionary badge I use to wear EVERYWHERE!

little clayci will be writing alot of letter in the next 2 years

Facts About Houston

Houston Texas Temple

HOUSTON

• Houston boasts more than 40 colleges, university and institutions - offering higher education options to suit all interests.
  
  
• Houston is the fourth largest city in the nation.
  
  
• With nearly two million City residents and 4.5 million in the metropolitan region, Houstonians will attest that Houston is a fun place to call home.
  
  
• Each year more than 38 million people zip in and out of Houston's two major airports.
  
  
• Houstonians eat out more than residents of any other city. While here you can choose to indulge in one of the more than 11,000 restaurants ranging from award-winning and upscale to memorable deli shops.
  
  
• Houston has a Theater District second only to New York City with its concentration of seats in one geographic area. Located downtown, the 17-block Theater District is home to eight performing arts organizations with more than 12,000 seats.
  
  
• Houston has a unique museum district offering a range of museums, galleries, art and cultural institutions, including the City's major museums.
  
  
• Houston has more than 500 cultural, visual and performing arts organizations, 90 of which are devoted to multicultural and minority arts.
  
  
• More than 90 languages are spoken throughout the Houston area.
  
  
• Houston has professional teams representing every major sport.
  
  
• Houston is home to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The largest rodeo in the world, it attracts more than 1.8 million visitors each year.
  
  
• Houston has a young population; 37 percent of Houstonians are 24 years old or younger and 34 percent are between the ages of 25 and 44.
  
  
• Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, with a local economic impact of $10 billion. More than 52,000 people work within its facilities, which encompass 21 million square feet. Altogether 4.8 million patients visit them each year.
  
  
• For Houstonians, 2000 was a banner year economically. Employment growth was 3 percent, or 63,000 new jobs. Per capita income rose 5 percent.
  
  
• Home to 18 Fortune 500 companies and more than 5,000 energy related firms, Houston is considered by many as the Energy Capital of the world.
  
  
• The Port of Houston ranks as the nation's largest port in international tonnage and second in total tonnage.
  
  
• For three consecutive years, Houston has ranked first in the nation in new business growth, according to American Business Information. The most recent survey shows that more than 31,000 new local businesses were started in Houston. Los Angeles was a distant second with 16,780.
  
  
• Houston has the most affordable housing of 10 most populated metropolitan areas; Houston housing costs are 39 percent below the average of 26 U.S. urban populations of more than 1.5 million.
  
  
• Houston has the second lowest cost of living among major American cities.

I HEART HOUSTON

God Bless Texas