Steven's letter Dec 28

Dear Family
Hey how was everyone’s christmas?  It was great talking to yall this last week.   It was good to hear everyone’s voices.   Christmas was great here.  We went around and saw 4 or 5 families in the ward and then went caroling.   We had a Christmas eve party with the Darby family.  They had a few of their neighbors over and we got to talk to them a little.  One of the families was a Hindu family from India.  They were really nice people.   They have a little girl about 5 years old.  They had never celebrated Christmas before, they really enjoyed the party.  The Darbies kids had a nativity play.  It was a lot of fun.  They invited us over for Christmas breakfast too.  They are a really nice family.  Then we went over to the Jessop’s.  That’s where we called home from.  They have a really young family.  Both of them went on missions.  After that we went to the McBride’s for an early Christmas Dinner.  All of their family lives in the Memphis area, so they had a full house.  I think Brother Harris said they had about 40 people there.  They invited a recent convert over to eat to.  His name is Brian.  He is from Simbobway.  He is going to University of Memphis for school.  He lives in the other ward.  He is a really neat guy.  His Wife is moving here this next week, and she wants to be baptized.  The elders that cover that ward are really excited.  After that we went around and saw a few more families and went caroling.
So I don’t know if you remember Kelly.     Elder Perza and I were working with him a lot trying to get him and his girlfriend to get married.  He got married the day I left Pocahontas and baptized that same Saturday.  Any way.  I got a call from him Christmas night.  Last Sunday,  he got the aronic priesthood.  And he is now a Sunday school teacher for 13-15 year olds.  So awesome!  It was great talking to him.  I miss being able to see him.  He is such a great guy.  There are a lot of people I miss being able to see in that area.  I’m sure its going to be the same way when I leave here.
   Elder Morris is getting transfered.  We are pretty bummed about that.  I guess it would have happened sooner or later though.  He is getting moved on Wednessday so half of this week we are going to be going around so he can say good bye to everyone.    He has to pack everything up today.    We are going over to the harris’ tonight.  They are having us over for dinner and then we are going to show them how to have Family home evening.  Things have been going a little slow this week.  Its been hard to catch people home over the hollidays.  Elder Morris and I have really been trying to find people are ready to hear and accept the gospel.  I’m a little nervous about him leaving.  I don’t feel like I know the area or the people very well yet, but I know that God will help me.  I have come to rely on that help with a lot of things since I’ve come out to Arkansas.    Well I hope everything is going good there.  I hope you have a great week.  I miss you all. 
Love Elder Marshall
Quote of the week
“Whenever we are inclined to feel burdened down with the blows of life, let us remember that others have passed the same way, have endured, and then have overcome.”
        -Thomas S. Monson