Dear Family,
Yes, I got the package. I introduced two Elders to the boiled peanuts and they both like them.
Thanks for supporting Jotty. He really IS changing. He's got a fantastic spirit and I don't think he's ever been this happy in his life. I'm glad he likes teaching with the Elders.
Enterprise ward had 4 convert baptisms in a month?...wow. I don't think that's ever
happened since I've been there. The missionaries there must be fearsome. Jotty says that he's becoming good friends with them.
Give Bro. Flowers my condolences if it's not too late. I didn't know his son Darell that well, but I definitely loved the Spirit he brought into the room.
Jotty told me about the Rifle Competition in Ohio. It seems like he had fun. I still wish we had gone to Daytona my senior year, but I think it's good that we didn't because I would've been so busy prepping that I would've ignored other things I needed to do. Maybe it was a blessing after all.
No, I don't print up the e-mails here. There's no time limit, so I can take time to read and think about what I want to say. I still try to stay on for only an hour-- maybe a little more. The rules say it's a guideline, not a limit.
Mom, I'm really glad that you're working on family history. I wondering though ... when you've gone so far back on both sides...will there be anything left for me to do? Maybe I'll marry a convert, then I'll work on hers. heh heh.
We're not supposed to get into politics as missionaries, but if you want to send some jokes, it'll be OK. I like the inspirational quotes you sent me.
Quick experience: Just yesterday, we were talking with a lady on the sidewalk. Out of nowhere, this other woman parks her car right next to us, gets out, and starts to "warn" the lady that we were talking to about the "evil, cultist Mormons." She went on for 15 minutes, yelling, cussing, insulting; she told me to shut up when I
asked if we could talk for just one minute,and she reared back to hit my companion when he tried to give the other woman(to whom we were initially talking)a card with our number on it. She claimed that we had a veil put over our eyes, and that we were anti-Christs. When she finished, she got in her car and drove off, still threatening to bring us down, continuing to yell at us while she drove off. Christ wasn't lying when he said that the "Spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil." She wasn't there to warn this lady, she was there to bring us down. But my companion and I rose above the attack, as we heeded to the spirit and decided to let her talk. We didn't argue, and we smiled at her and waved as she drove off. Because we did that, the Spirit of the Lord did not leave us, and in fact, gave us more strength for the rest of the day. We were filled with new resolve, because we knew that Satan noticed us, and he decided to pay special attention to us to discourage us. But if we
rely on the kind, peaceful, yet bold and powerful, Spirit of the Lord,all things are made possible.
Dad, I love the Archie Moore boxing analogy. I know that if we (missionaries) stay down and don't get back up, it's over. Period. No "extra lives" or "save and quit"; can't go back to our body and pick up our old loot like a video game. It's over. If I may, I'd like to add to the analogy...something I learned in the MTC: One of Satan's greatest tools (besides fear, pride, and pornography) is discouragement. Have you ever noticed what happens when a boxer finds an open wound on his opponent? He concentrates on that area, trying to make the wound bigger, until it gets to the point that the opponent can't focus because the pain is too great. Satan too, is looking for the cuts and scratches on our soul, and if he finds them, he's going to dig in and make it bigger. We cannot doubt ourselves. The Lord has called us to do "a great and marvelous work," and we can't do it if we don't have faith in ourselves. So we need to protect these scratches and let them heal.
Also, some people may think, "Oh...it's OK that I like to listen to this music with suggestive lyrics. I don't look at porn, I have high standards in dating, I don't talk dirty, I'm not gonna have sex until I'm married. I'm pretty good. This music is just a small thing. Maybe I'll change later." He's right. It is a small thing. But a small cut that Satan will find, and will attack until it's a gaping hole. No matter how small the cut is, Satan will find it and will bring us down if
we're not careful.
Oh yeah, thanks for the hot sauce you sent. I finished it up this morning, so now I'm using tapatio sauce. It's pretty popular out here...so is a type called Valentina's -- pretty good stuff if I do say so myself.
Thanks again for your love, support and prayers. I love you all very much and yes, I miss you, but it is wicked awesome out here!!!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Parker
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Second transfer, new companion
Dear Mom and Dad,
Notice that my new e-mail account is miles.parker@myldsmail.net .The Church had to update the myldsmail site so my address changed.
Can you send my other journal? I finished my first one a week or two ago.
Dinners here are amazing. Everyone in the ward can
cook. I never knew that Mexican cuisine could be THIS good!
Weather here is pretty hot--the coldest its' gotten is in the 40s. I am in the desert though. They say in the summer, it easily hits 115 degrees. The cool thing is that the shade actually works. You CAN feel a difference as you walk into the shadows of walls, buildings, and the occasional tree. We had transfers this past Tuesday and Elder Couoh has gone back home to Mexico. My new companion is Elder Gonzalez. He is AMAZING! He's a convert of only two years, and his teaching and testimony are fantastic!
Well, I'm now starting my second transfer. I don't know if you heard, but we had our first baptism last Friday. We're working on two more. The problem isn't that they don't want to be baptized, the problem is that they want to be baptized this transfer. Let me fill you in on this mission. The Nevada Las Vegas mission is the highest baptizing mission in the US (next to Salt Lake) and is also in the top 90% in the world. You wanna know how we do it? LTMs (Lessons Taught with a Member present). This has been the key to our success. Last year, the NLV mission had 1100 baptisms. This is made possible through an increased focus on members present when teaching investigators. It is a good help to the investigators. Also, Preach My Gospel is a very good source. I would exhort you to use it. Start reading it as a family if you haven't yet. It's a fantastic guide to helping us understand the importance of doing missionary work, and also how to do it. Pres. Christensen is an inspired man and I can feel his Spirit strongly.
So here's my spiritual thought. Do you remember Cristina Mendoza--the one who lived with all sorts of people of bad influence? Well, we baptized her last week and she's doing fantastic. She's really happy in her new home, away from the bad influences. She's got a wonderful spirit, which actually brings me to my thought:
We went back to her old place to teach her friend who still lived there. I have to say, I did NOT feel good. When I entered the apartment, I got this awful feeling of bitterness, coldness, and anger. This goes to prove that people, when worthy, can become vessels for the Spirit. Even though the TV was always on,kids running around, and the grouchy old Cuban lady kept yelling every now and then;...when Cristina was in the house, there was a Spirit of hope, love, and peace that presided amidst the chaos.
That's why it's important to live right and be worthy. Not just for ourselves,but for the sake of our homes and families as well.
The reason why emails have been short(despite the whole hour that I have) is because I only have one hour to email all of you, and Pres. Christensen. The computer isn't timed, but I'm trying to be obedient...that's the key to having the spirit with you. I also know that you guys will be blessed if I am obedient as well.
I love you all very much. You are in my prayers.
Thank you for your love and support. Cuidate!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Parker
Notice that my new e-mail account is miles.parker@myldsmail.net .The Church had to update the myldsmail site so my address changed.
Can you send my other journal? I finished my first one a week or two ago.
Dinners here are amazing. Everyone in the ward can
cook. I never knew that Mexican cuisine could be THIS good!
Weather here is pretty hot--the coldest its' gotten is in the 40s. I am in the desert though. They say in the summer, it easily hits 115 degrees. The cool thing is that the shade actually works. You CAN feel a difference as you walk into the shadows of walls, buildings, and the occasional tree. We had transfers this past Tuesday and Elder Couoh has gone back home to Mexico. My new companion is Elder Gonzalez. He is AMAZING! He's a convert of only two years, and his teaching and testimony are fantastic!
Well, I'm now starting my second transfer. I don't know if you heard, but we had our first baptism last Friday. We're working on two more. The problem isn't that they don't want to be baptized, the problem is that they want to be baptized this transfer. Let me fill you in on this mission. The Nevada Las Vegas mission is the highest baptizing mission in the US (next to Salt Lake) and is also in the top 90% in the world. You wanna know how we do it? LTMs (Lessons Taught with a Member present). This has been the key to our success. Last year, the NLV mission had 1100 baptisms. This is made possible through an increased focus on members present when teaching investigators. It is a good help to the investigators. Also, Preach My Gospel is a very good source. I would exhort you to use it. Start reading it as a family if you haven't yet. It's a fantastic guide to helping us understand the importance of doing missionary work, and also how to do it. Pres. Christensen is an inspired man and I can feel his Spirit strongly.
So here's my spiritual thought. Do you remember Cristina Mendoza--the one who lived with all sorts of people of bad influence? Well, we baptized her last week and she's doing fantastic. She's really happy in her new home, away from the bad influences. She's got a wonderful spirit, which actually brings me to my thought:
We went back to her old place to teach her friend who still lived there. I have to say, I did NOT feel good. When I entered the apartment, I got this awful feeling of bitterness, coldness, and anger. This goes to prove that people, when worthy, can become vessels for the Spirit. Even though the TV was always on,kids running around, and the grouchy old Cuban lady kept yelling every now and then;...when Cristina was in the house, there was a Spirit of hope, love, and peace that presided amidst the chaos.
That's why it's important to live right and be worthy. Not just for ourselves,but for the sake of our homes and families as well.
The reason why emails have been short(despite the whole hour that I have) is because I only have one hour to email all of you, and Pres. Christensen. The computer isn't timed, but I'm trying to be obedient...that's the key to having the spirit with you. I also know that you guys will be blessed if I am obedient as well.
I love you all very much. You are in my prayers.
Thank you for your love and support. Cuidate!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Parker
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Don't have much time right now so I'll make this quick.
You got it on the first try Mom...Elder Foote and I both have Tourette's Syndrome.
I don't know if Elder Foote takes meds for his Tourette's--I never asked him. Yes, he was in the MTC with me.
I'm really sorry to hear about Bro. McClean. I think he did miss his wife--he changed a lot after her death. Hopefully he is happy right now.
A quick spiritual experience: We finished visiting a less active family and had a little extra time, so we needed something to do. I suggested that we go to the house of one of our investigators (who is set for baptism) to see how she is doing. When we got there, she told us how her friend has been very evil to her lately and had been calling her a "bruja" (witch). Then a man came in to talk to someone else that lives there (she doesn't own the house), and started talking very obscenely and grossly. She started to get upset and frustrated, which led later to tears. Elder Couoh started to comfort her and shared a scripture with her. After a little more talk and support, we left. Elder Couoh said that we were there at the right moment. She needed that support. If we weren't there, we wouldn't have known how bad her condition was at home. The people that live around her are bad influences, and she's trying to be faithful. Through combined efforts with the Bishop and Relief Society, we found her somewhere else to live. She has been an amazing example to me, and has showed an incredible amount of strength and faith. The gospel has the power to change people. I can't wait to have her accompany us as we teach lessons. She will touch the lives of others, just as she has touched mine.
There is much joy to be felt when you teach people about the gospel on your mission. When you teach a single mother who is abused by her ex-spouses about how Jesus Christ has forgiven her sins, and that He knows how to help her; when you teach a young man about how he will be able to see his dead father again; when you teach two little children about how their mother is ok, and that they will be able to live with her for eternity...these experiences have been most rewarding to me.
Dad, that is so cool that you get to meet with Elder Ballard! I love hearing from the general authorities.
I love you all very much. Take care.
Elder Parker
You got it on the first try Mom...Elder Foote and I both have Tourette's Syndrome.
I don't know if Elder Foote takes meds for his Tourette's--I never asked him. Yes, he was in the MTC with me.
I'm really sorry to hear about Bro. McClean. I think he did miss his wife--he changed a lot after her death. Hopefully he is happy right now.
A quick spiritual experience: We finished visiting a less active family and had a little extra time, so we needed something to do. I suggested that we go to the house of one of our investigators (who is set for baptism) to see how she is doing. When we got there, she told us how her friend has been very evil to her lately and had been calling her a "bruja" (witch). Then a man came in to talk to someone else that lives there (she doesn't own the house), and started talking very obscenely and grossly. She started to get upset and frustrated, which led later to tears. Elder Couoh started to comfort her and shared a scripture with her. After a little more talk and support, we left. Elder Couoh said that we were there at the right moment. She needed that support. If we weren't there, we wouldn't have known how bad her condition was at home. The people that live around her are bad influences, and she's trying to be faithful. Through combined efforts with the Bishop and Relief Society, we found her somewhere else to live. She has been an amazing example to me, and has showed an incredible amount of strength and faith. The gospel has the power to change people. I can't wait to have her accompany us as we teach lessons. She will touch the lives of others, just as she has touched mine.
There is much joy to be felt when you teach people about the gospel on your mission. When you teach a single mother who is abused by her ex-spouses about how Jesus Christ has forgiven her sins, and that He knows how to help her; when you teach a young man about how he will be able to see his dead father again; when you teach two little children about how their mother is ok, and that they will be able to live with her for eternity...these experiences have been most rewarding to me.
Dad, that is so cool that you get to meet with Elder Ballard! I love hearing from the general authorities.
I love you all very much. Take care.
Elder Parker
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Feb 4, 2010 and...Any guesses?
Aw...I'm surprised no one wants to guess what Miles and Elder Foote have in common-that makes them so unique. Go ahead...guess! (in the comment section at end of this post)
So, from Miles this last week...
Dear Mom (mother, mommy, mammy, matriarch, boss, queen, person, etc.)
This week has been quite eventful. Recently, we've been able to work with the members a lot more. We've also set two other people for baptism. This should make three baptisms for me and Elder Couoh by the end of this transfer.
I'm currently in Paradise Stake, Paradis Ward (Spanish)
I haven't sent anything home yet. I'm gonna go through some of my stuff and find out what I don't need. I'll probably be sending some shirts and a pair of jeans too (not the ones you sent for Christmas-those are nice). As for music, the EFY cd's are alright so I won't send those home.
I'm glad Jotty and you are involved in Music Man. I hope when I return that I can be involved in the community productions. I love to entertain and make people laugh.
I don't have a spiritual experience to share this week. I can't think of any right now, and I'm running out of time. However, our lesson with one of our investigators was fantastic. We felt the spirit very strongly. The gospel is changing her life; I can see it. She's more happy and she looks forward to our visits. One time, she took the bus to come to church, 'cuz she didn't have a ride...she wanted to come that badly. I love seeing this change in her life, and I hope she'll keep it.
Yeah, sometimes we have to eat on the run but not too often. I haven't been eating much either...I don't get that hungry (or bored) like I used to - no time to.
Yes, I got JaNae's e-mail. Tell her I'm sorry I didn't respond to her. Sometimes our time is so short we can only respond to parents. Can you give me her e-mail address so I can try to send her one every once in a while? Sometimes I forget how great of a relationship we have with each other. She's an awesome sister.
I love you too Mom. Take care and be safe please.
Con mucho amor
Elder Parker
So, from Miles this last week...
Dear Mom (mother, mommy, mammy, matriarch, boss, queen, person, etc.)
This week has been quite eventful. Recently, we've been able to work with the members a lot more. We've also set two other people for baptism. This should make three baptisms for me and Elder Couoh by the end of this transfer.
I'm currently in Paradise Stake, Paradis Ward (Spanish)
I haven't sent anything home yet. I'm gonna go through some of my stuff and find out what I don't need. I'll probably be sending some shirts and a pair of jeans too (not the ones you sent for Christmas-those are nice). As for music, the EFY cd's are alright so I won't send those home.
I'm glad Jotty and you are involved in Music Man. I hope when I return that I can be involved in the community productions. I love to entertain and make people laugh.
I don't have a spiritual experience to share this week. I can't think of any right now, and I'm running out of time. However, our lesson with one of our investigators was fantastic. We felt the spirit very strongly. The gospel is changing her life; I can see it. She's more happy and she looks forward to our visits. One time, she took the bus to come to church, 'cuz she didn't have a ride...she wanted to come that badly. I love seeing this change in her life, and I hope she'll keep it.
Yeah, sometimes we have to eat on the run but not too often. I haven't been eating much either...I don't get that hungry (or bored) like I used to - no time to.
Yes, I got JaNae's e-mail. Tell her I'm sorry I didn't respond to her. Sometimes our time is so short we can only respond to parents. Can you give me her e-mail address so I can try to send her one every once in a while? Sometimes I forget how great of a relationship we have with each other. She's an awesome sister.
I love you too Mom. Take care and be safe please.
Con mucho amor
Elder Parker
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)