Email...May 25, 2010

Well Hello Family!

Last week just flew by!! I can't believe it has been almost two weeks.
I leave next Tuesday at 11:30, and you're not supposed to come see me off.
But anyway, it has been a really good week. I have learned a lot. We are getting so
much better at teaching. The main focus has been teaching the investigator and not a
lesson. We are supposed to find out the needs of the investigator and teach to that instead
of just teaching them a lesson. It is so much more effective that way.
I can't wait to get out there and try it! I did get the packages, thank you very much!
And I sent a few letters home this week so you will get them soon. I don't know how it
is all going to work next week because we get there Tuesday, so I don't know if I will
be able to email. But keep the letters coming. It is really nice to get them. I did get a dear elder
from Sister Curl. So if you would tell her thank you for that and I will try to write her back
as soon as I get a chance. Tell Bjorn to write me a letter! It's weird how the days seem to take
so long while you are here but at the same time they go so fast. I heard someone say the other
day, the weeks go by like days and the days go by like weeks and it is so true. We have a devotional tonight,
our last one before we leave so I hope we get an Apostle. That would be
awesome! So on Sunday night after the devotional we got to watch The Testaments. It was so
weird watching a movie for enjoyment! I think even if I came home right now, it would
be weird watching TV again. So is 24 over yet? I don't remember when it ends. How about
Biggest Loser? And I'm interested in hearing about the NBA Finals and what's going on
with that. So if someone would let me know that would be great! We get to go to the temple
again today, I'm excited! It might be our last opportunity for a long time so I am going
to cherish it! I have taken a lot of pictures so I will send home the memory card soon now that
I have the other one. Oh by the way, thank you for all the presents! And thank you Amy for
that package also! I'm working on a letter right now. I will send it to you soon! It's going to
be tough to leave. I have come to love this place and all the time I get to study the Gospel.
I'm going to miss all the people too. I love our district. We have some awesome Elders in it.
And our zone, and our whole building. Ha ha. I have come to love them and only 4 other guys
from all of our zone and building are going to Oregon so I don't even know if I will see a lot
of these people again. One of the districts left yesterday morning and that was really hard.
It has been weird without them already. They went to Santa Rosa California. I met someone
the other day who was going to Fresno, Spanish speaking I think. Did Eileen and Jeff move
into their house yet? They need to write me a letter! Tell Traci and Troy to write me one soon
too!! And Matthew, you're the only one I haven't heard from yet. But congratulations on
becoming a Teacher. Just remember to take your responsibilities seriously. And Happy
Birthday! I sent you a letter last week. I hope you got it in time bit I doubt it. I'm sending a
letter to the house that's for Mckay because I don't have his address so will you just forward
it on to him for me? That would be much appreciated! Oh dad they said they were going to
send one more phone bill for the little bit of May that I used it, so that should come in the
mail next month I think. Sorry I forgot to tell you about that. Well my 30 minutes is about up,
but I love you all. Remember who you are and who you stand for. Be examples of Christ
at all times.

Love,
Elder Erickson

Email...May 18, 2010

Dear Family,

How is everyone? Sorry I didn't email sooner, they didn't say anything about us getting to do it that first night. It has been a crazy week, I can't believe it has already been almost a week. It feels like I have already changed so much. The first couple days were pretty overwhelming because it was just so much information to process and it felt like I would never get it. But classes are going good now. We actually have a lot of time where it is just us. Its called missionary directed time, its where we choose what we do. It's like personal and companionship study. I like my companion and district and zone a lot. They are all really good guys. Half of our district is going to Phoenix and the other half is all Eugene, its five and five. All I can say is that I'm glad that I don't have to learn a language. Being in here for twelve weeks would be crazy. I feel like I am ready to just go now. I just want to get out and start teaching. We do a lot of teaching exercises here. We had one last night that was amazing. We were just teaching one of the companionships, who was pretending to be an investigator. But the spirit was so strong we all almost started crying. It is an amazing feeling to have the spirit with you all the time and learn to teach by it. Its so different than I thought it was going to be here. Sounds like everyone is keeping busy. You all need to keep writing me letters! A package would be nice too ;) But its a very good feeling when you go in and get the mail and there is a letter there for you. So thank you Megan and grandma and dad and mom. Those are the only letters I have gotten so far. It really is crazy how much has gone on here in such a short amount of time. The second night was the hardest, but it has just been getting better everyday so don't worry about me. So apparently Elder Holland was here the night before I got here and gave an amazing fireside. I was pretty bummed. We have firesides every Tuesday night on our p day though so maybe I will get to see an apostle while I'm here. We just got out of lunch and are heading over to the temple in a little while so that will be good. Everyday just seems like it is going faster and faster. I only have 14 days til we leave for Oregon. The food here is great. Mckay you were right about the cordon bleu, its amazing, we had that for lunch on Sunday. Mom I could use a few more pairs of socks, one of the pairs got a hole in it the first time I wore it. I have a ton of pictures so when you send me that other sd card I will send the other one back to you guys. This really is an amazing experience and I am glad I am here. I am so thankful for the example you have set for me. Oh I forgot to tell you my companion is our district leader so that is pretty cool. But I am senior companion somehow. And Mckay if you read this I could really use that backpack it would be a great blessing. That's crazy about Johnny tell him I said congratulations! And I'm really excited to hear where Randy is going. I got some envelopes and a few stamps here but I could use some more. Well it was good to hear from those who wrote, I did get that letter mom thank you very much. Well I love you all very much.

Love, Elder Erickson

Some thoughts from Mom

This week was a hard week & my heart hurts.
It feels like there is a big hole at our house.
But even as my heart hurts, every part of my heart knows that
Marshall is doing what God wants him to doing right now.
I've thought a lot about sacrifice this week.
Jesus Christ sacrificed His all for us & he expects us to sacrifice our all for Him.
I've noticed in my life that as I sacrifice for God & for Christ, great things happen
because of it.
I know that will happen this time as well.
As our family gives up two years of our time with Marshall, many wonderful
things will happen, to him, to our family & to those he serves in Oregon.
I've also done some reflecting on Marshall's life & the many people who have helped
him get to where he is today. I am so very grateful to all of you family, friends,
teachers, advisors, Bishops, other moms who have influenced his life for good.
Thank you for sharing his journey with him & for making an immeasurable
difference in his life.

Tender Moments (by Mom)

*I walked into my bedroom one day last week & Mike was showing Marshall slides from his mission. Very sweet!

*Matthew & Melinda laying on Marshall's bed laughing & talking with him as he did his final packing the morning he left.

*Watching each of my children say goodbye to Marshall...almost harder than saying goodbye myself. (Nice to know how much they really do love each other!)

*Megan & Marshall having lunch together every Wednesday the last few months.

*I told Maggie that it is okay to cry when she feels like crying because she misses Marshall. So yesterday, I heard her telling Mike not to worry if she starts crying randomly, she is just missing Marshall & "it's perfectly normal".

*Mckay-crying his eyes out as he left for Chicago.

*Mom & Dad & Amy & Rodney & Jacob & Alyson taking the time to travel all the way here so they could share this special experience with us.

*Jonathan & Julie, Emily, David, Josh, Ryan & Benjamin spending pretty much the whole farewell weekend with us. We had so much fun together!

*Watching Marshall walk through the MTC doors.

Setting Apart

Marshall was set apart as a missionary by President Evans on

Tuesday May 11, 2010 at 9:00 pm.

Farewell

Marshall's farewell was on Sunday, May 9th, 2010.
Happy Mother's Day Mom ;)
He spoke about Mothers & his talk was really great.
The best part was that he quoted Backstreet Boys :)

"It takes a lot to know what is love.
It's not the big things but the little things
that can mean enough.
A lot of prayers to get me through.
And there is never a day that passes by
I don't think of you.
You were always there for me.
Pushing me & guiding me
always to succeed.

God has been so good
Blessing me with the family
who did all they could.
And I've had many years of grace
And it flatters me when I see a smile on your face.
I wanna thank you for what you've done.
In hopes I can give back to you
And be the perfect son.

You showed me how to love.
You showed me how to care.
And showed me that you would always be there.
I wanna thank you for the time.
And I'm proud to say you're mine.

You showed me
when I was young just how to grow.
You showed me everything that I should know.
You showed me just how to walk without your hands.
'Cause mom, you always were the perfect fan."

The bishop got up afterward & said he
never thought he would ever hear Backstreet Boys quoted in
Sacrament Meeting.
Ha ha ha!

After Sacrament Meeting lunch was prepared for
everyone at our house.
Lots & lots of family & friends were there to support Marsh.
We even had family who came all the way from California to hear his talk :)

Last picture of the whole family for two years!

What a WONDERFUL day!!