Family and Friends,

I hope all is well there. I am doing fine. The MTC is pretty cool. There is always plenty of food and always lots to do.

I am slowly catching on to Spanish. The spirit here is great! One of the best times of the week is Tuesday when we get to have a General Authority come and talk to us. When a General Authority comes, all (about 2000) missionaries gather in the Gym. This large group of Missionaries can really invite the spirit when we sing hymns. The testimonies of the General Authorities and their wives are awesome. I can really tell and feel that they really know that the Church is God’s Church. They don’t doubt a bit that Joseph Smith was a prophet or Christ is our Savior.

The presence of the Holy Spirit is so comforting, it brings so much joy and peace. It is the only reason that us missionaries can study different languages without crashing under the stress.

One thing I suggest to anyone thinking of serving God as a missionary would be “study the Gospel well”. Know it. Study out of Preach my Gospel. But not only that, practice teaching it. Practice in Family Home Evening. You may think you know the gospel, and you probably do, but try teaching it to someone who doesn’t know it. It is a little challenging at first. I promise if you study and practice teaching the gospel, you will benefit one way or another. One way you can benefit is that your understanding will get better. Another, is you will get better teaching. Which will help you share it with others.

The one thing I can promise if you study and practice teaching with the right attitude is you will feel the holy spirit tell you it is true. You can feel the spirit whisper to you it is true.

I can feel the spirit so often here. It helps me so much. It comforts me incredibly. I know the holy ghost has been testifying to me that Joseph was a prophet, Jesus is the Savior. He loves us, he atoned for us, and we are, in reality, amid the progress of God’s plan of happiness.

I am so happy that I have the opportunity to serve God and take the truth to some of His children.

There is something the missionary dept has found. That is that the missionaries have more success and converts have stronger faith if members help the missionaries. Members can help testify of truth. As people testify, the Holy Ghost testifies as well. Members can fellowship investigators. When investigators feel welcome it is easier to get them to come to church.

Thank you everyone who has helped me get to where I am so I can help others in this vital work.

I hope we will all remember the greatness of our blessing-to know the Gospel.

Mark Runolfson 5/27/08

5/27/2008

Family,

Thank you for your e-mail. I don’t want to get distracted but I do miss you and love you and I love to hear from you and get all your news.

The news about the Martinusens is incredible! Thrilling! They are in my prayers. I actually can hardly keep in my excitement!!!

We have worked at the Call Center (referral center, aka RC.) We have gone twice. Mom: I don’t think I will tell you when we go so that you don’t try to call. Our District is a designated ‘Chat District’. We are to primarily chat with people on the church website-one of the websites at least. Our first visit was only a review but our second visit was a bit better. The first visit, 10 mins of Available Status, there was only one call. Everyone got all excited just because it was a call. Elder Orchard took the call and had to counsel a member to her bishop for a blessing. Twice that night we got calls for our ‘prayer line’ which we don’t have. Oh well.

The second trip was a lot better and we had a handful of chats. I got one call shortly after we got started. I think the guy got up on the wrong side of the bed. The rest of the hour and a half we were there I was on chat with a girl named Natasha. It was hard trying to figure out how to help her. She wanted to know about the church and if it was true. However, her Dad hates the church. I do look forward to going again but hope I can maybe talk to or chat with more people and be of good help. But whatever the Lord wants.

Our time is split up pretty well with language study; spiritual, personal and companion study; class time and practices in the TEC or TRC where we can teach Teachers or Volunteers and get feed back.

If you want to send me something, I would like a small snack box for the room especially crackers like Wheat Thins. And a family photo.

The MTC does make me laugh sometimes. Our dist. has two awesome teachers and we get along great. We do have serious moments, but usually the day is all good.

I would love to get some stories of some of our ancestors. If you would like we could maybe trade talks. Write a talk about something and I will keep writing and we could switch. Each week every missionary writes on one of the selected Christ-like attributes.

I want to get some photos from here to you.

I love you all,

Mark

5/20/2008

Kristin-

I have been gone for almost two weeks but the time has just disappeared. They say missions bless the while family, I hope it certainly does. Could you read the letter to the family? I have limited time to write so I don’t want to repeat a lot.

My companion, Elder Jensen, and I get a long well. His most prominent strengths are singing and he’s not shy. We both do well at keeping the peace. I’ve gotten to know my district pretty well. They are almost family.

I need some duct tape. My scripture case needs some adjustments. The MTC is comfortable enough. I feel like I am living like a King! At least compared to where I am going. I have seen some pictures, heard some real letters and some rumors. But whatever the case is in Argentina, I know the Lord will provide. As Nefi [Spanish spelling for Nephi] said, the Lord doesn’t command anything unless he shall provide a way.

Thank you for the journal you gave me at Christmas. I am putting it to good use. Thank you for the cookies. I enjoyed them. Maybe there were too many at a time, but still enjoyed them. Everyone says they are gaining weight. People will probably lose some in their walking areas.

My residence is on floor 1 but class is on floor 5 and no elevator for our use! But I should be grateful for the extra exercise. Tell Mike thank you for the Hymn book again. It came in handy quickly. Especially the English Index in the front

There was one more thing for the family if you could relay the message. Check to see if the Tuesday MTC Firesides are available on the BYU channel. I will be there and they are cool!