Fall? September 7, 2020

 Family and friends,

   Well it's been a while! The last few pdays I've just not had much time! But I'm glad that I can get an email out now haha. 

   And wow, it's already getting into Fall?! I was in Mexico almost six months ago which is approaching the time that I spent there. General Conference is less than a month away! Where does the time go? A lot has happened since I last wrote and I'm not sure if I can fit everything in! We've had some baptisms, two of them being by the branch. We are talking to more people! We have been able to visit other places. The temple is in our area and I still don't have any pictures from there!! Last week the APs (Assistants to the Mission President) took us to a GNC to get an InBody scan which was fun! We have been able to eat some great food like ribs, different kinds of potatoes, steak, different rice, and lots of Latin American dishes! The housing coordinator gave us a surprise inspection last week while we were out and he and his wife ended up buying Cafe Rio for us since they concluded that our house was the cleanest and neatest they've ever seen on the mission! On top of that, I was dubbed with having the best made bed in the mission! It's been great being able to still serve on a Spanish assignment and still get some of that Mexican culture. Yesterday we taught the adults' Come, Follow Me lesson and that was so fun! We used a powerpoint that another sister made. She thought she wasn't going to be able to do the lesson so she asked us to do it. We had a touching experience with one of our investigators the other night. He joined us for a Book of Mormon read with the branch president's family and we read the conversion story of King Lamoni's father. He really enjoyed it and he was able to notice key principles! Afterwards he cried while saying the prayer. Then later he texted us apologizing and said that it was because he felt so good about the sacrifice missionaries make to serve, doing it all for Jesus and the people. That was sweet and very touching especially since it came from an investigator. We took that moment to briefly explain the power of the Spirit of God. I couldn't help tearing up myself. That reminded me of the scripture, Matthew 19:29 which reads, "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." I'm receiving part of that hundredfold while I'm out here. I love the mission! Many say that it is the mission that changes the elder or sister. But in reality, it's the Lord's atonement that changes them. The mission happens to be one of His tools that He uses. But I learn things here that I never would have without serving. The opportunity cost of going out is nothing compared to what Heavenly Father has in store. That everlasting life spoken of in the New Testament is something beyond our comprehension. Imagine what makes you the happiest. Most would rightly think of their family. Now the blessings that Heavenly Father will give to those who correctly covenant with Him and keep those covenants, are heirs to all that He has. That is something greater than we could imagine. Because of our mortal and imperfect state, we cannot comprehend all that our Heavenly Father can comprehend. It is as if mortality itself is the veil. We learn, we struggle, we fight, we wait, we cry, we rejoice, and we progress. That is mortality. There are lots of people that have these great spiritual experiences that act as a pivot in their progression, and that is always so wonderful! But the Spirit speaks in a still small voice. So don't ever be too distracted looking for great experiences when the Spirit is trying to speak to you with little ones. We learn precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. In the end, when every experience is collected into one, it is our mortality that is the pivot in our eternal progression. 

  Last week I was asked, with other reassigned missionaries, to send in a letter explaining our story of being reassigned. Our mission president asked us to write the miracles we saw. He wants to put it into the mission history. I thought it appropriate to share it here as well! So this is it...

    My original assignment was to Mexico City, Mexico. I had been serving for just over seven months. I was just about a week into my third area. It was going so well! During the previous week, we had found nine new people to teach! My companion and I were in a cybercafe the following Monday, reporting on the missionary portal. We had a quick question for our district leader who we then called. Almost immediately he asked why we were not at home. Confused, we responded that we had to report for the previous week. Knowing that we were probably unaware, our district leader told us that the mission was being placed under quarantine due to the global pandemic of COVID-19. That stopped our heartbeats for a minute. We finished what we needed to get done and headed for home. Eventually catching our breath from the shock, we spoke with our neighbor who was an older sister from our ward. We told her the news and she did not act surprised. She told us that all missionaries world-wide were being sent to their home countries. I wasn’t quite prepared for that news. However, we tried to stay skeptical of that thought since we had not received word from any mission leader. But our district leader told us on the call that our mission president would be reaching out to us later that day. So I was still on edge. 

Mortality is a place to learn and grow amongst opposition. But as long as we plant ourselves with a strong foundation in Christ, we cannot be tossed to and fro. Having grown up with the gospel and given a strong foundation in Christ, I never had any such doubt that the Lord knew where I was nor did I ever doubt that He directs His work. All the preparedness that I learned from my parents, other family members, and church leaders allowed me to stay under control without fear of what might happen next. That was the first blessing among many that would follow. One of the thoughts that quickly came to mind was Elder Bednar’s talk, Called to the Work. My companion and I sat down at our study table as I opened to the Ensign that contained Elder Bednar’s incredible sermon. I read the talk allowed without lifting my eyes off the page. As I read some of his last words, “To be engaged in their service (Heavenly Father’s and Jesus Christ’s)  is one of the greatest blessings we can ever receive.” I looked up to see my companion’s eyes filled with tears. He then nodded in confirmation that everything will be alright. Some long hours followed as we waited patiently for our mission president’s call. The telephone then rang and we answered in the best attitudes we could mustar. It was then confirmed that we would be sent home sometime soon. Our mission president and his wife expressed their love for us which was comforting. I was never worried about what would happen next. I was only concerned with what I was leaving behind. The five days that followed were full of joy and tender mercies from the Lord such as the sweet Spirit we felt each night while singing hymns. After those five days passed, I found out that I would be flying out the following morning. I packed up and said goodbye to anyone I could at the time. I went home relatively early compared to the rest of the missionaries in the mission. Another nice blessing was being able to return home with my companion from the Mexico City MTC. He was also from Oregon and lived less than an hour from me so I had that sweet blessing of having him as a traveling companion. We arrived at the Portland Airport later that evening. My parents were there to greet me, and what a grand experience that was which I get to have another time! The airports were empty and that made it easy to retrieve luggage. The roads were also quite clear so it was a faster drive home. We ate burgers along the way back which was satisfying since I felt like it had been forever since I had one! We arrived at home where I was able to see most of my family! After conversation exchanges were settled for the time being, I took luggage upstairs to get unpacked. It was then that the true reality of what was going on really started to set in. After seven months of serving, I was home. My luggage was sitting on the bed that I thought I wouldn’t see again until after two years. I had no idea what was next. I knew, however, that I was going to be able to go back out. I didn’t know when, but I knew I was going to be able to. I was just doing what I was told. I had no problem with that. In fact, I had no problem with anything that was happening. I was blessed with enough experiences to allow me not to get worried when things were out of my control. I was told in a blessing that my mission president gave to me the hours prior to departing for home that my labors had been sufficient in the eyes of the Lord. That was comforting enough. I knew that I had to take everything one at a time in order to process what the Lord had for me next. All of these thoughts ran around in my head in this moment I was taking in the reality of what was going on. Yet, I was at peace. A few days later, I was with my family on a walk down our road. My dad caught up after finishing some work and he then told me the new situation for reassigned missionaries about waiting or going right back out. I made my decision and asked Heavenly Father if it was the right one. I had to consider many different things such as my deferment for BYU where I planned on attending after the mission, the people back in Mexico City, and possibly working instead of going back out right away. These were just a few thoughts that I was considering. But the thought that was most important and which occupied my mind more often was about the people the Lord was preparing for me to come in contact with. After contemplating these things for just a short time, I felt the need to be decisive and quick so I wouldn’t delay any further organization that would be needed. After thinking this over, I knelt in prayer and felt the confirmation that going back out as soon as possible would be best. I felt the peace that I had recognized before. It was from the Holy Ghost. With that confidence, I was soon reassigned to the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission. During that time at home, I was able to receive such a warm welcome back from my ward and other friends. My mom set up an event where all the people stayed in their cars as I walked through the church parking lot waving. I did not know about it before it happened which made that extra special. And what a wonderful blessing it was to be with my family for three months. I was able to watch General Conference with them, we celebrated my mom’s birthday, and all of my siblings who lived elsewhere were able to visit home and we were together again in full. Although I had many more blessings in that duration of time, I believe that probably the greatest blessing that I received, as well as my family, due to serving was the final adoption of my two youngest brothers. For over 16 years (about half of my parents’ married life), my mom and dad had battled a long and stressful course as they did their best to complete the adoption of four children. The first two were cleared to be adopted about ten years ago and they were later sealed to us by our Grandfather who has that authority to seal families together. Now, my family will soon be able to participate in the sealing of my two youngest brothers, hopefully again by our Grandpa. 

I do not think that I can say that I have ever had a very difficult trial. Perhaps that is because I enjoy counting my blessings more than counting difficulties. I realize that recent events have struck people in very different ways. I am thankful to be able to serve during this time to help those who are struggling more than I am. I do not think life is easy, but I do believe Jesus Christ when He said that He would ease our burdens and make them light. I can testify that He does do that. I am aware that I have been given much. And I feel it in my heart that because I have been given much, I too must give. I made it to the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission safely and quickly without problem. In fact, one of the last blessings I received while traveling was that my bag was well overweight but they still allowed it to be transported. So here I am on the mission enjoying every moment! I love it! After everything that has happened or will happen, I see reason to stand before the Lord and sincerely say, “I am happy.”

-Elder Markham

I will get some pictures sent out a bit later! I know I haven't done that in a while haha. I love you all! Have a wonderful week!