January 21, 2013

Hey mom and family how are you all doing? I am doing great here! The weather has been kind of cold actually!!! Woohhoooo!! Seriously, I have felt cold in the nights here around 7 and 8 walking around. It is weird, the weather here. But I am not giong to complain about it :) Well we had divisions this week, I went with the leader of the zone this Tuesday. We went to a members house and the dad started cleaning and shining my shoes. I felt a little like the disciples of Christ in that moment. It was a spiritual experience. We celebrated Marco, my convert, his birthday on Monday. We talked about the temple and gave him a picture of the temple so they can prepare to go there together as a family in a year. It was a really spiritual lesson. He has grown so much already, it is crazy to think that he is the same person, but has changed a lot. In fact, his wife gave her first talk on Sunday this week. It was amazing, and the spirit was so strong. This Sunday was so amazing, I always like Sundays. I am always so happy during the time I am in the church.

Nathan, I saw a peacock, and I took a few pictures of it :) I saw a sweet car and I was able to take a few pictures, the owner let me. I'll send a few pictures :) Well I guess there was a hurricane like an hour away from where we are at. That explains why it has been so windy here and cold. We were eating with the family Bruno again and their returned missionary and we made root beer floats for everyone in their family. It was really awesome. When he gets back from Mexico, his vacation, we are going to make smores together for his family. We have been running in the mornings which I forgot how much I missed doing. One morning, I guess Hermano Calimayor saw us, the old man that is so cute. And on Sunday he said he liked my shorts. hahaha He was serious, he said I like how your shorts fit and they make you look handsome. It was a really nice and sincere compliment. I told him they were from my high school.

So the office yesterday called me and told me I have a package there and letters. And the other missionaries from my area went today to get them for me. I will probably receive that stuff today or tomorrow from there. :) Well tell Jo dog happy birthday, I am working on sending letters for him and court! Well, there is a funny story, I have one shirt that every time I iron it, it smells like splash mountain and I think I am in Disneyland. :) yes... I do know how to iron!!!

I read a good article in the Ensign about the sacrament. It is by Elder Don Clarke. How is the weather over there? Are you liking it? Tell Tyler and his sister hi and good luck for me :) I am excited to hear where Colton is going. I miss my good old family. But I know this is where I am supposed to be :) We are close to another baptism. I am always feeling the spirit so strong here, and honestly, it is a crave for me. I want to do everything possible so I can feel the spirit because I love that feeling. It is such a good feeling. I cry at times, which I don't like doing, but I can't help it. I fasted for the family this Sunday, also :) I love you all so much!!! Love Elder Parker

January 14, 2013

Hi family and mom!! How is everyone doing? I am doing perfect!! I am not sick and I feel like a million dollars :) Well I found out that this transfer is going to be 3 weeks longer than normal. So I think I will be here until March 20 or something. That is a long time, but I am excited about it :) I hope all is well at home. Wow, it sounds like the weather is really cold, I wish I could be feeling cold weather :) It is getting so much hotter here already. In the morning I am already sweating in the house. So I can tell the weather is getting hotter, because I used to be cold in the morning, but not anymore. The sun is super hot, but hey.. I'll get a tan or something for once! I was talking to a good friend of mine in our stake here and he said my stomach is growing, uh ohh.. I am starting to gain some weight, which means I will probably start running soon!

I have had some really weird dreams lately, which most of them are in Spanish but I have been dreaming that I finished my mission and was home with the family playing games on a family night or something. Then I had another one about football. So Zach still doesn't have his visa? Ahhh I was looking forward to seeing him. How is Brian Scott doing? I am praying for him. I hope Bryan Lee is doing alright, also.

Well, Marco, my convert, it is his birthday today, so I bought a small pie for a surprise for him tonight. :) I feel so comfortable here in this ward. Seriously, I am treated so well, they all treat me like their own sons. Like on Sunday I was with the family Bruno in the morning , we had divisions, so I went with their dad and my companion went with their son. because we were bringing investigators to the church. Brother Bruno said that I am like his other son, I said I feel like I'm with my parents right now! Because I love my parents so much and they are everything to me! I know I am being blessed everyday, and I am working so hard, not only to help the people here but also to help my family that the Lord can bless you guys. I have faith that you are receiving blessings. I don't want any, I just want to have you guys safe, and Courtney, and I am happy :) Well I hope you are on right now so I can write back to you. Let me know how everything is going. I am really happy today because I have a lot of food!! hahah No but yeah, I bought some corndogs today. Love you all so much. Love Elder Parker

January 7, 2013

Well I don't have much time, we are running a little late today. But how is the family doing?? Woohoooooo I am staying here in my area!!! I will have the same companion too. Our whole district is staying in their area. Well I am really excited about that. I am glad everything back at home is going good. I bought some vitamins today at Walmart so that should last for a little while.


Well, Sunday was such a spiritual experience for me. We had church that started at 8. We had testimony meeting. I didn't feel like bearing my testimony because it is always a little scary and difficult in Spanish. But the spirit was telling me to go bear my testimony. So I went up there and waited in line. Well, throughout the testimonies it is always a little loud and kids going in and out of the room. But when I got up there and started talking, the first thing I did was start crying. The whole room went silent. I am not kidding, I didn't hear anything, everyone was staring at me. I started saying how I didn't want to get up but I knew I needed to. Then I talked about how lucky we are to have the sacrament each week and receive forgiveness. I talked about setting goals this year and then lastly, I talked about my family. How much I loved them. Then I told them, spend as much time as you can with your family this year. It is a blessing, don't take it for granted. Then I said a few other things. Then I went and sat down and just lost it and was crying really bad. I don't know why, I guess the spirit was so strong. Also I was looking out in the congregation and everyone was crying. There is one guy in our ward, an old bishop and he never cries he is the most strict member in the ward. I have been trying to gain his confidence these whole 4 months. Well when I was crying and bearing my testimony, I looked out in the audience and he was crying, tears running down his face. I couldn't believe it. I am so happy that I touched someones heart. Then we were eating with the family Bruno. They are one of my favorite families here. They said they want me to come to their house with my family. They will feed us Mexican food and give us a party. They want us to sleep there too, for free. They are so nice. He has your email and will probably write on dads Dixie High email sometime.


I don't need you to send me Ensigns because the mission gives them to us. So thank you :) I received the package on New Years Day and letters. Thank you so much, it was perfect timing and Elder Cortina loved his presents. Purple is his favorite color. The weather has actually been really nice lately. It is windy and feels a little like over there in the fall. We also celebrated the dia de reyes. Well I didn't celebrate it much but the people did. They have a huge cake of bread that they share with the family. It is about the wise men that came to Christ or something that they celebrate. I was able to eat some of that cake they call rasco or something like that. I am so sad to hear about Elder Jensen. I was looking forward to seeing him, but I'm sure the Lord has a purpose for this. Also, I haven't seen Elder Monson yet, but we should have a huge meeting soon and I could possibly see him then. Well, I love you all so much . Sorry I don't have so much time. If you need anything let me know. Love Elder Parker