DECEMBER 2010 ELY, NEVADA
I found EGG NOG! I was able to buy a couple of jugs so I'm a happy camper.
Things were a little slow earlier. The Christmas rush was keeping people busy shopping on the weekends, cold weather keeping them inside, and basketball season is taking up almost all the time of our younger investigators. But, life goes on. If we work diligently, we'll be fine.
Spanish work out here in the Ely area is very scarce. I do get to use my Spanish still though, because my companion, Elder Reyes, speaks Spanish as well Elder Aguilar went back to Vegas. Elder Reyes and I were in the same district working in my first area in the Paraiso ward. It's awesome that we're now companions. We enjoy reminiscing about memories in the Paradise stake and have had quite a few laughs.
It's getting a little colder too. We wanted to build a snowman and take a picture with it so that we could make a Christmas card out of it, but there's no snow right now. We COULD bike here, except for the fact that it's so cold. Well, in all reality, I'm more worried about the ice instead. I'm pretty sure bike riding on ice is a little frictionless.
I am so sorry to hear about Mia William’s death. Please give her family my condolences, and tell them that I will pray for them. I'm so happy that we have a perfect plan from our Heavenly Father. While losing a loved one causes us to grieve so, aren't you glad that we know what really happens? Aren't you glad to know that our family is eternal? I love sharing that message with others. That's why I'm out here. I wish I had understood things as well before the mission as I do now. I know I will not fear death as I get older because of the understanding that I have now of Heavenly father‘s plan for us. I'm not saying that the thought of death wouldn't bother me; there are things that I'd like to do (having a family is on the top o' the list), but I do not fear life after death. I don't say that to boast. I say that to assure you and others as well that I KNOW death isn't the end, that Jesus Christ has made a way for us to live after death, and that through His power, our families can be sealed for time and all eternity. Death is not the end, it is the beginning. Please tell her family that I KNOW with every fiber of my being that they can see her again.
Anyways, things have been picking up the pace now that the Holidays are over. I think that if I had planned better, it would have been more effective. Just FYI, I got in an accident. We are fine and the other car received no damage. We were driving UNDER the speed limit when we hit a patch of black ice. I started breaking at 100 feet going 20 to 25 mph and we still rear-ended an SUV. They had a solid steel bumper and trailer hitch that caused $4,094.35 worth of damage to us. When I called the mission office no one was mad. The accident was pretty much unpreventable even though I was driving cautiously. I was driving slow and started breaking at the right distance. I still feel badly about it.
Christmas on your end sounds like it was great. After my phone call home, Elder Reyes and I went to the convention center to help out with a community Christmas Dinner. We served and helped clean up. Then we went to make a couple of calls, and went to our dinner appointment and afterwards went to deliver some DVDs to a member. That was Christmas for us. I enjoyed the gifts you sent me. I've already used some of the “ Hot Hands”, it's pretty cold right now.
Tell everyone that I said Merry Christmas and that I love them lots.
con mucho amor
Elder Parker
JANUARY 2011 1st through 20th
It's hard to believe that I've been out 14 months already, but it's even harder to believe Dad, that you've been in the stake presidency for 8 years already. I'm glad to know that you enjoy your calling. It disappoints me to hear someone say "Oh I can't wait ‘til I get released". Are they really miserable in their calling? Even though missionary work is hard, and I'll be excited when it is time to come home, I will TERRIBLY miss the service and opportunities that I have as a missionary. This is the only time in my life that I get to enjoy the power of this calling and it will be a very bittersweet moment when I'm released. So, I’m happy to know that you enjoy your calling, despite how hard it is. Thanks for being a great example.
Shelby's getting married in February, Kim in May and Amber and Russell are expecting. Tell them congrats. It's so weird how people I grew up with in youth are starting to get married. I’m starting to feel a little old. Growing up is scary.
Regarding my driver’s license renewal: Apparently, I'm not considered a resident of Nevada, so I can't get a NV license. We're doing some more research because other missionaries have gotten a NV license. We'll get this sorted out but I wish Alabama would‘ve considered a mission like they do the military and college and let me renew. I don't know why it's such a big deal.
Dad, I’m sorry that your brother David passed away. I'm glad that you were able to go to Texas for the funeral and see Grandpa, Aunt Donna and the rest of the family. I sure appreciate Grandpa giving me one of David’s knives. Keep it safe will ya? I really miss having a knife on me. It's against mission rules to have one, but I can see why because some missionaries do NOT get along. Why tempt them by letting them have a knife?
I loved the pictures of family you took out there. You’re right, Dad and Mary do not look 80. A return trip to Texas when I am back sounds awesome. I'd love to see Grandpa Parker and Mary again. I can't believe that it's been that long since we made that trip for Paulette’s wedding. That means that I had just been made a deacon and had just ended my first year of baseball.
Yep, we still have plenty of snow. It barely gets above freezing even in broad daylight. Yesterday was pretty warm though..... 40 degrees. Honestly, I wasn't expecting this when I learned I was going to the Las Vegas mission.
It seems to me that your stake conference was awesome. I've really come to enjoy meetings and conferences more.... especially General Conference. Remember how I would always fall asleep? Not anymore. Not to say I don't get tired, but I try my hardest to stay awake so that I can get more out of it.
Love you all!
con mucho amor
Elder Parker
JANUARY 2011 (3rd & 4th week )LAS VEGAS
I'm back in Vegas now, so there's no more walking. I'm on bike, which is great. As comfortable as a car is, I enjoy biking and the exercise that comes with it. My new companion is Elder Vega. He's only been out two months, but he's seems to have gotten the hang of things already. He's very easy to get along with, and we have quite a few things in common. He's very diligent and obedient too. I'm very blessed to have had nothing but awesome and kind companions throughout my mission. I'm hoping it's stays that way. Things are picking up. We have a baptism planned this Saturday, and another one for the 13th of February. We are also teaching several other investigators that are on their way.
I want to say thank you for being diligent in emailing me. You have no idea how much it means to me to have the unconditional support you guys give me. Thanks of keeping me updated with the things back home too. I'm proud of your work ethic too. You still give it your all when you work. That's always stuck with me. I hope I can be HALF the worker that you are.
Take care and be happy! I love you very much and hope all goes well with you.
con mucho amor,
Elder Parker
FEBRUARY 2011
Regarding our investigator I told you about: Elder Vega and I were discussing it, and we think she HAS felt the Spirit but hasn't recognized it, or won't admit it. We have an appointment with her today. We left her with the assignment to read from the beginning of the Book of Mormon. She lives with a member family, so she has some help with that. We'll keep trying.
So, I finally had menudo. You know, the soup with cow stomach? yeah........... the flavor was actually good..... I just couldn't handle the texture or the heinous smell.
We ran into a man yesterday who turned out to be a pastor. To put make a long story short, he went on quite a rant about how we were preaching a false doctrine, and how the water in John 3:5 refers to actual birth and not water baptism. He then claimed that baptism isn't a requisite for salvation. I asked him why Jesus was baptized then. He said to fulfill all righteousness. Then I asked, "Doesn't that mean that it's a commandment?" He then said yes. I don't think he caught that he just contradicted himself because he kept on ranting and showing me different scriptures. I just stayed quiet. He looked at me and said "I just blew your mind didn't I?"
I replied, "eh..... Not so much, no."
Then he kept going on and said that he could prove it to me and yadda, yadda, yadda.
I finally told him "Sir, you are just a man. You can NOT convince me what you say is true. Only the Holy Ghost can."
He kept going and I just stayed quiet. I did what I was supposed to do..... I testified and avoided contention. As we rode away, I thought to myself "Well, that's someone I am not
responsible for."
To respond to your question on what your friend ought to read, I would suggest Alma 36. In this chapter, Alma is telling his son Helaman about his conversion experience. He describes his anguish for his sins, and then describes his joy at his forgiveness. Even though they have sinned, they can't have been as bad as Alma the Younger. He lead people astray, and deliberately tried to destroy the church. I think that's the best thing for them to read. Don't give up on them, just keep up the support. I've seen those with addictions out here, and the best thing to do is to just support them and tell them that they CAN BE FORGIVEN!!!! It's true. I KNOW that it does heal the broken and wounded soul. Don’t let anyone feel that they are beyond the reach of the Atoning power of Christ.
Also, I’ve heard that if they can attend the addiction classes they will get extra help since the classes focus on the Atonement of Christ and teaches them how they can apply it.
Sister Mozzo’s death was a shock…give them my condolences will you?
Love you lots and am inspired by your hard work and example. I mean it. I really do.
Take care and be happy!
