Well, its been a little while since i’ve done one of these wrapup emails for the site. Big news coming from the office today. Starting this next week, our p-day will be mondays from now on. President Monson and Elder Perry asked all the Mission presidents to change the day, so our president complied.
I’m kinda mixed on a monday p-day. I liked the mini-break in the middle of the week. However having a break after sunday is nice too i guess.

It’s been a good week, this 5th week of my 2nd transfer. My companion and I are getting along great, and having a lot of fun. We’re finding more investigators still and dropping others. Kerry is still progressing and gaining a good testimony.

I have recently started reading the book of mormon more. All of the sudden i can’t put it down. There is so much of the gospel in that book, plus i can imagine it all happening in my head.

This Monday or Wednesday (since we don’t know yet) is transfers. I’ll be sad if i have to leave St. Marys. I feel as if i belong in that branch. They have such a strong bond, and  i truly love the people here. I never thought i’d get so attached, but it happened.

This week we got to visit with an 82 year old couple who have been in the city of Celina, which is in the St Marys branch for over 50 years! We heard so many stories of them growing up, and how they’ve been married for 64 years. It’s quite amazing to listen to their stories and their testimonies. They still get around normally too, i thought they were maybe in their 60’s, but have since learned that they are 82 years old. Amazing.

This gospel is true, the book of mormon is the word of god and there are his elect looking to find the truth. All we have to do is give all our trust to the lord and our efforts and we’ll be able to find the elect. I love all of you guys so much, thank you for supporting me thus far.

-Elder Marini

Elder Marini notified us that The Church Presidency just announced that all missions should move their P-Day’s to Mondays. This will also effect transfers for Elder Marini. He is feeling a little nervous thinking he might be heading out of St. Marys soon.

Elder Marini sent me another card of photos and even a few short video clips. I uploaded them to Picasa and linked them off there to the right (Yeah, the one with his mug on it). I hope you enjoy!

-Tim

The following is a email conversation between Elder Marini and myself. Let me know if you like this as a way to post what’s happening. Be aware that there might be some casual conversation that may not relate to the work he is involved in. Email addresses have been <<edit>>-ed out for privacy.

Larry Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 9:43 AM
To: <edit>
i’m online now. let mom know too. Its been a really good week

Tim Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 9:47 AM
To: Larry Marini <<edit>>
Great! Tell me about it!

No I still haven’t done anything with your latest pics… Sorry I had a change in work schedule

Whats new?

–
“If it is to be, it is up to me.” - William Johnson
http://www.marinifamily.org
Larry Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 9:49 AM
To: <edit>
we’re super close to getting a guy who we’ve been teaching since january. He finally stayed all 3 hours at church with his wife. He contributed the most out of

everyone in the “allegory of the olive tree” lesson. He made some really good points. Then in priesthood his explained why its nessescary to be baptised and

confirmed by the proper priesthood authority. Needless to say, me and Nordin were pretty excited. His wife has made alot of friends too.

we’ve been smashing our goals this past week, and our teaching is doubling.

Tim Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 9:51 AM
To: Larry Marini <<edit>>
thats awesome!

Larry Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 9:54 AM
To: <edit>
have mom get online, i have some questions.

any new comments on the site?

—–Original Message—–
From: “Tim Marini” <<edit>>
To: “Larry Marini” <<edit>>

Tim Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 9:55 AM
To: Larry Marini <<edit>>
Umm let me check… she’s on now.

–

Larry Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 9:56 AM
To: <edit>
oh ok. So hows it been going back home

Tim Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 9:59 AM
To: Larry Marini <<edit>>
Been good.. I work 6:30 to 3 now… its a bit of a shift. i mowed the yard the first time the other day. Clinton and Obama are going at it… I might actually

vote democrat this time… not a fan of McCain and not Clinton…

There’s been a crapload of stuff in the news about the FLDS compound in Texas lately… Lot of polygamy charges and underage abuse… It’s nuts and the church

keeps telling the media to stop saying they’re mormons…

Not sure if you’re getting any blow-back from that stuff up there.

you get that new car?

–

Larry Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:02 AM
To: <edit>
who is runto?

Larry Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:03 AM
To: <edit>
we’ve gotten so much crap for that. I know whats going on because of the members and whatnot. It sucks because we always have to explain ourselves. I hate that

flds crap. Im getting tired of talking about it on every doorstep lesson.

—–Original Message—–
From: “Tim Marini” <<edit>>
To: “Larry Marini” <<edit>>
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:59:59 -0600
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: hey

Been good.. I work 6:30 to 3 now… its a bit of a shift. i mowed the yard
the first time the other day. Clinton and Obama are going at it… I might
actually vote democrat this time… not a fan of McCain and not Clinton…

There’s been a crapload of stuff in the news about the FLDS compound in
Texas lately… Lot of polygamy charges and underage abuse… It’s nuts and
the church keeps telling the media to stop saying they’re mormons…

Not sure if you’re getting any blow-back from that stuff up there.

you get that new car?

On Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 9:56 AM, Larry Marini <<edit>>
wrote:

Tim Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:04 AM
To: Larry Marini <<edit>>
Some inactive guy who blogs too.

Smart guy

–

Tim Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:06 AM
To: Larry Marini <<edit>>
Sucks…

You catch on to one of Satan’s tools yet?

Whenever you begin teaching about Joseph Smith’s First vision, there’s ALWAYS some distraction!! A dog barking, an ambulance/fire/police, a helicopter, a jet,

a baby crying… anything and everything will happen.

–

Larry Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:08 AM
To: <edit>
yeah, every time. Around here Semi-Trucks are popular. Everyone in ohio has dogs, so you can guess how that goes.

—–Original Message—–
From: “Tim Marini” <<edit>>
To: “Larry Marini” <<edit>>

Tim Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:09 AM
To: Larry Marini <<edit>>
So what car did you end up with?

DO you guys do reporting at District meeting with how many discussions, BOM’s, contacts, etc?? or is it all different?

–

Larry Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:13 AM
To: <edit>
We get the car on friday. It’ll almost certainly be an 08 malibu.

every night the DL calls us asking us if we got our daily goals (set for Member Present lessons,Other Lessons,Referrals and New Investigators). They used to ask

for daily numbers but now they just do it at the end of the week.

Other lessons are: teaching 2 or more principals on a doorstep, a contact, or in a scheduled appointment.

—–Original Message—–
From: “Tim Marini” <<edit>>
To: “Larry Marini” <<edit>>

Tim Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:14 AM
To: Larry Marini <<edit>>
Cool. I figured there’d be some reporting.

so what, in all honesty, has been your biggest challenge? Personally?

–

Larry Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:18 AM
To: <edit>
hey, idea. Why not put this “interview” on the site for this week. Starting with the quick reveiw i had.

Hardest thing so far? Probably staying focused on my study time. That and the crap we’ve been getting every 5 minutes from the FLDS.

—–Original Message—–
From: “Tim Marini” <<edit>>
To: “Larry Marini” <<edit>>

Tim Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:26 AM
To: Larry Marini <<edit>>
We can do that…

So what about like homesickness or sports withdrawals or anything that distracts you?

–

Larry Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:28 AM
To: <edit>
eh, no withdrawls from sports. Its like its there, but i’m doing something more important. I manage to keep up on sports from friends that email me though.

No homesickness yet. Still just livin the missionary life. I’ve considered St. Marys my home for a few weeks now, and when i think that i could go home, i just

realize that this is just so much more important then anything back at home.

—–Original Message—–
From: “Tim Marini” <<edit>>
To: “Larry Marini” <<edit>>

Tim Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:33 AM
To: Larry Marini <<edit>>
Cool man. I know I struggled with the music thing. I missed my tunes…. I didn’t care so much about current events or homesickness. The one thing I enjoyed at

the time but wish it was different was that I had this unlimited stream of money from Dad coming in. But it’s all good.

what’s your money situation like? is mom helping out?

–

Larry Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:39 AM
To: <edit>
i miss music too. All we get are hymns. By the way, hows that cd coming. Heh.
However me and the comp like the same music, so we sing to each other in our horrible voices.

Something fun happened last thursday. We were tracting in the town of “Uniopolis” (look that up and see how small it is) and we walked by an “old time country

music hall”. It looked like a tiny church. We walked in, sat in the pews and there were probably 5-6 old men playing different instruments on stage. They had

guitars, Steel guitars, Banjos, Piano, a snare drum, a mandolin and a bass. It was great. They invited us up on stage since we play and we got to play along

with there old timey country/bluegrass music. It was so fun.

—–Original Message—–
From: “Tim Marini” <<edit>>
To: “Larry Marini” <<edit>>

Tim Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:40 AM
To: Larry Marini <<edit>>
Nice! You get any pics?

That’s sweet! I heard you got a guitar? Do you have to wear your suits all the time?

–

Larry Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:42 AM
To: <edit>
tell mom to check her email again.
We are supposed to wear our suits if its under 65 degrees. I dont have a guitar yet. We might get cut off from this email in a few minutes. Time is running up.
Its been in the mid 70’s for a good week now.

—–Original Message—–
From: “Tim Marini” <<edit>>
To: “Larry Marini” <<edit>>

Tim Marini <<edit>> Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 10:43 AM
To: Larry Marini <<edit>>
Ahh ok… I don’t see mom online right now and I can’t call.

Weather’s nice then, finally?

Good. Alrighty, well good luck to you on your new ‘gater!

Hey friends back home.

Sorry i haven’t written in a while.
The work out here is great, i am on my second companion and we’re getting along really well. We’re on the hunt for a couple used guitars, and i’m learning the harmonica.

These past few weeks i’ve really learned that the testimony is the strongest thing i can have. People can’t argue with it, they can argue with doctrine all they want, but when you have a good solid testimony, its hopeless for them.

The weather has been good, then cold, then rainy then good. Its supposed to be in the 70’s this week.

I wish i had more time to write this out. However if tim wants, he can add parts of the letter i sent to him. I am so grateful i chose to go on this mission. I’ve learned so much here about the work, and about myself. THE OCM ROCKS

Continue to write me. I’ll have more next week

Well, after a very short 6 weeks, i am no longer a greenie. My trainer got transfered out of st. marys, and i am still here to take over the area.

I feel quite blessed that i am trusted enough by the lord  and the mission president to take over st. marys. usually you are trained for 12 weeks (2 transfers) but apparently i was ready. It’s quite an undertaking but i think im ready…

I’ve been up here in the city of Findlay all day today hanging out with a zone leader, and 3 other missionarys in the zone. I haven’t met my new companion yet, but one of the guys here has served with him.  The new comp is from Utah, hes been out 18 months, not a big sports guy, but apparently is really nice. I guess i’m looking forward to this.   My old companion, Elder Bergeson is now in the City of Elyria (west of Cleveland i think) and he is a Zone leader. He’s taught me so much doctrine and so much about the mission and being a missionary. I am very thankful

I’ll be sending Tim my memory card very soon, and Mom will get some pictures soon as well.

It’s just crazy how things are working out, people keep saying i’m going to do great things and i’m just taking things as they come. I know i just have to thank the lord, work the hardest i can, and everything will be alright.

But…  If you are interested in learning about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have many ways of helping you out!

• To request a FREE copy of the Book of Mormon, Click HERE!
• To request a visit from the Missionaries (Like what Chas is doing now!) in your area, click HERE!
• To read up on our Church and our basic beliefs, click HERE!

The above links are all from the Church’s website www.Mormon.Org. This is a great site to learn about our Church and what we need to do to return to live with our Father in Heaven.

-Tim

This past week has been the best week of my mission so far. The Lord is really blessing us for our hard work. I learned that if you have faith, the lord will give you confidence and when you have confidence, the lord will give you strength unknown to the world.  I realize that everyday im here. St. Marys has become one of the most active missionary areas in the mission over the last month. We’re getting alot of new investigators, and our families that we are teaching are raelly progressing. I know its not us thats doing this, but it’s the lord. We really have to thank him for all that he has given us, and continue to ask for strength.

So, joe and tim. I have some questions.
What assignments were you given on your missions? Stuff like District Leader, Zone Leader, Trainer.  I don’t know if i ever asked, so email me back with what you were.

There is a word going around that my trainer is a front runner to be a zone leader this next transfer (2 weeks from now), and that i may be left with the st. marys area. Apparently i’m ready from what i hear, so i’ll keep you posted.

TIm, do you want to do my a big favor? I know you have alot of hymns on your computer. Well, all we can listen to is hymns. So i was wondering if you’d want to send me a couple/few cd’s filled with hymns. Our car has a nice 6 disc cd changer and i’d be nice to have some more hymns.  You can put whatever songs you want on them, but there are 2 songs i want on there for sure. 1: We’ll bring the world his truth/As sisters of zion. The one where it goes from elders to sisters then both. Another song i’d like is a hymn that isn’t in our hymn book anymore, but we are allowed to listen to it. It is “come thou fount”.  If you would like to, i would love a couple more cd’s.  No instrumental only though, we have plenty of that.

I’ll be sending tim a memory card soon, and you’ll get some pictures too mom.

Well, things are going great in st. marys, as you’ve read. The weather has been pretty rainy lately, so it feels like home. Might have snow this weekend though. Yuck.

Alright, i have to go, but i look forward to your emails or letters.

Yeah, we’re all dug out here finally in St Marys.  We “only” got 8 inches of snow. Man it got ugly. Saturday we got a call telling us not to drive our car, and friday we got sent home early.  So saturday, after a short nap we went out and tracted…That really sucked. I feel sorry for the biking elders up in Lima.   Its 55 degrees now, so its nice out now. Almost all the snow is gone.

Congrads on the new job Tim. I hope it works out for you.

Dang it, i was going to answer a bunch of questions mom sent me, but i lost the letter. Thanks for the sports update too mom.

When the Mariners 08 preview comes out in a few sundays, mail it to me somehow.

No mom, we don’t have a computer in our apartment, im not sure what you saw.

Tim, call mom, and tell her how to manually reset the router and settings so she can get the laptop online.

Shoot, i might only have 5 minutes left, its really busy here at the library, so i might not be able to extend my computer time to an hour.

Mom, i guess i’ll write you a letter answering all your questions.

I’m on later today, because we went up to Lima for a zone p-day right after study. My feet are killing me after 3 hours of basketball, but it was worth it.

Well, i cant think of anything else now, so i guess i’ll go.

Ask me some questions

Well, im still alive. I finally sent off that insurance stuff mom, and sorry about the postage due.
Interesting week i guess. We taught a guy who was drunk, another who prophesyed to us and got a few hundred doors slammed on us i suppose. the weather was cold, then we were in the 50’s for a couple days, saw some rain and yesterday we got hit with a huge ice storm. We got a call while in a dinner from the zone leaders telling us to get home. We were in a town about 20 miles away, so we took our time, stopped at a walmart then went home. there is a good 3 inches of ice on the ground, and it looks like it snowed hard, but it was all freezing rain and ice pellets. By the way, that stuff sucks to tract in. On saturday we set a record for us, and tracted 7 hours. We got 1 investigator out of it, but nothing else. Its hard to get appointments around here, because everyone is so steeped in their religious traditions. Its not even beliefs anymore, its just tradition. We share a message on a doorstep about how our families can be together, and be with god again. They agree with us, but before the door closes they say they are catholic. The catholics don’t even believe in that.  All the members of this branch just have the biggest heart though. We eat at members probably 4-5 out of the 7 days, and they are so nice to us. These people travel up to 30 miles every sunday to goto church, and they are willing to do anything for anyone, i just wish more people were like that.

We’ve really been learning a ton about the atonement, we have these 2 talks that we’ve been reading from a member of the 70 named bruce hafen. He is renound for his knowledge of the atonement. For district meeting i had the assignment to take these questions that everyone had been given, and summarise what everyone in the meeting talked about. I learned so much from everyone. The best part is that tomorrow we are driving up to Toledo, and we get to listen to Hafen speak to us on the atonement, and he’ll answer the questions he gave us. I’m really looking forward to it.

Alright now im going to answer questions joe gave me.
Can we use the computers for more than email?
No, were not supposed to, and my companion is pretty strict about that. So please! send me articles. I really really want to see Bedard in a Mariners uniform.

What is my apartment like?
We’ll, i’ll get out some pictures soon.Quick description. Were in a nicer neighboorhood, its not really an apartment, but like a 4 plex thats in a long strip. We have 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, big living room. The 2nd bedroom has a bench press in it and a couch. We also have a washer and dryer. No dishwasher though. I’ll send a video tour of it on a memory card sometime.

My companion?
he reminds me alot of tim and joe. Hes a pretty funny guy. He has epilepsy, but its controlled. Its hard to describe him. He loves sports, we play catch alot now and we have the most random conversations. He has a really good knowledge of the book of mormon too.

Money?
i should have made it more clear. We get $160 every month. I only got 40 because i came in on the last week of the month.
It goes fast though.

My area?
we cover roughly 15 towns. there are 2 other towns that are bigger than St marys. Wapakoneta, and Celina. Celina sucks for tracting so far, and the other is a pretty good town. Otherwise the rest of the towns are 1000 people maybe.

Do i have an accent?
Ohioans dont have an accent. They do have their own language though. They like to “dumb down” words if you will. They shorten words alot too.
Example: Diabetes. in ohio, its it only known as “sugar” so you hear people talking about how they cant drink or eat something sweet anymore, since they have the “sugar”. Its kinda dumb. any town with an I in it is pronounced like the letter I. Celina, rather than being Suh-leen-ah, is really Suh-LIE-nah. Lima sounds like the bean. Vacuums are not vacuums, but Sweepers. I could go on, but im getting tired of typing. they say “yuns” instead of “you all” or “yall”
Mumbling is really common too, its hard to understand what they are saying. Probably has to do with the fact that they all have horribly bad teeth.

We’ll, im gonna get going. We’re going to Lima to play basketball with the district. I’ll get some more pictures home. TIM, I NEED MY MEMORY CARD.

Hi gina, Mom said i should email this to you too.

Joe, mr. money maker, should i assume that i’ll have that car in the garage waiting for me when i get home?

Alright, im out.