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

December 31, 2012

Hola familia!! How are you all doing? I am doing just great!! Well my stomach doesn't hurt anymore. I just have a runny nose and my throat hurts a little. My companion and I both have it. I think they call it gripe or gripa. But we will talk to the mission wife if it lasts two more days or so. How is everyone? I loved talking and seeing the family on Christmas. That was the best present I could ever ask for. It was amazing how clear the skype worked. I actually felt like I was there at grandpas house with you all. I will never forget that phone call. Thanks for all that you have done for me.

I went to Walmart today to buy the one a days but they don't have them there. Should I buy a different kind or what? I bought some good food. Well the next transfer is next Tuesday. I will find out next Monday if I am leaving or not. Wish me luck :) I will be getting some 2 packages and my letters tomorrow in my meeting with the zone. Well that is what the zone leaders told me at least. So I am excited for that. Yes, we celebrate the New Year here. We had like 4 member families invite us to their house tonight. But we will be going to two. We are going to work before, so we had to tell the other one we don't have time. We are really excited to eat more food and hang out with the families. One of the families is one of my favorites. Lauren, I am in the works of making a surprise for you. I hope it all works out :)

We had such a good lesson the other night. A man named Felipe. He was a Jehovah Witness before. He studied the Bible very hard and a lot of years. But he later found he wasn't having any happiness. They can't celebrate Christmas or birthdays or anything. So we showed up at his house and started teaching him. He is so hungry to learn more. Two nights ago we asked him a question. How do you think we can become closer to Christ? He said read the scriptures and pray. And we said later on, also baptism. It is the way we can become closer to Christ. He said, what do I need to do to be baptized? I was like, are you serious? It was the perfect question. He accepted to get baptized. So we are just going to finish the lessons with him, and he will get baptized. He is definitely a chosen one. Thanks for all that you do. I wish you the best with the New Year. Yes, there are fireworks going off every day. There are like no rules here. hahha

December 24, 2012

Mom, thanks so much for the wonderful miracles that you shared with me!! I felt the spirit so much, thank you! I love you all! I am stoked for tomorrow. Today we had a zone activity and we actually got to play sports!! I got to throw a football, play basketball, and play soccer. It was so much fun, but I got a little sunburnt. Hahaha Well thanks for all the packages and everything that you sent for Christmas. We will open it up tomorrow. We have been eating so much food over here. It is crazy, the members all of a sudden are giving us tons to eat.

We had two activities this last week. First, we had the stake one. We had 9 investigators show up. It was really neat. There were the wards that each did a talent. There was tons of food after, also. Then we had our ward activity the day following. Us 4 missionaries sang a song, then the Elders quorumn sang a song. The Elders quorum was terrible. Hahah because no one showed up to practive the day before besides us. It was so embarrassing. I just wanted to walk out the door. haha But it was a good memory. Then they had other talents and guitar and all. Then food. It was really fun. Well we also had the Christmas activity with the President this Tuesday. It was so awesome!!!!!! We went in the temple, which was flat out amazing. I understood the first part, it was a miracle, I thought they were talking in English at first. I was truly helped out. Then we had a little conference after and then we ate a ton of good food. We all sang Christmas songs and they gave us a bag of treats. I also received my letters there! It was so amazing. I also got to see my old district. Besides Elder Petersen and Elder Prudhomme. But it was so awesome!!!! Elder Cortina is going to stay another change. He just barely found out, he was going to go home, but he asked the President last week, they just barely called!! Well the other day I was walking and saw like 30 parrots in one tree, there were so many!! Well I don't want to write a ton because I want to figure out a time to call. Love you all!!

December 17, 2012

Hey family!! How are you all doing? I am doing just great! Tomorrow I get to go to the temple at 7:30 in the morning! Then we will have a huge meeting with the President and a big lunch and everything. Then that night at 8 we will be going to a members house because their son gets back tomorrow from his mission, so we will dine with them tomorrow.

Wow, I heard about the shooting actually. A family was telling me about it here. It is so sad... But the good thing is that they can live with their families forever. So I want to call on Christmas day. Is that fine? Around what hour is good for you guys? I need to know. I am way excited for this!!

Wow... this week was such a powerful week for me. I will never forget this week. We had a baptism on Wednesday. It is a man, his wife has been a member for around 6 months. He was Catholic and never wanted to be a member of the true church. During the baptismal service, I couldn't stop feeling the spirit. Because I have been working with this brother for 3 months. When he was baptized, by a convert also, I am not joking, the baptism was in slow motion. It was like a dream. I don't know how it was so slow and graceful. But the spirit was so so strong. And I am about to cry right now. When he went under all the way I started crying. And the brother next to me was crying also, because it is his best friend. It was so powerful. Then we had a testimony meeting after while he was getting dressed. His wife gave her testimony, then Enrique, the brother we baptized, gave his testimony. It was so amazing watching those two converts give their testimony. Because they are enduring to the end and doing what is right. Then my companion gave his testimony. I wasn't going to give my testimony before, but I was touched that I should give my testimony. So I gave my testimony after my companion. I started, then couldn't... Because I started crying a ton. I couldn't talk for about 2 minutes, just standing in front of everyone crying. I finally was able to bear my testimony, with the somewhat decent Spanish. I didn't say much, but I bore what I thought I needed to say. Then after the service ended, a brother came up to me, the one who will receive his son from his mission tomorrow. I was sitting in the corner half crying still, just feeling so happy. He came to me and whispered in my ear. In spanish of course "you are amoros. Your little bit of words are powerful. You are a powerful and strong testimony. I love you. I love you. I love you. I will say it again, I usually don't say things twice, then he repeated it again.. Wow that was such a powerful experience also. I was so filled with the spirit. Everyone during my testimony was crying also. Then on Sunday, after church a lady in the ward came up to me. She can speak English. She said I wanted to tell you this after the baptism but I couldn't find you. She said, ''I loved your testimony. You made me cry. I love when missionaries make me feel good. You always make me feel good. You don't know a lot of Spanish but I can still feel your spirit. Thank you so much.'' That was really nice of her.

I had a lot of good blessings this week. A young man in our ward gave me a Jaguar jersey. from their pro soccer team down here. So I received another package. It is a little smaller, not in a box. I don't know if I should open it or not? I also received some letters! We got a microwave and a table and blender in our house. For the first time we have a microwave!!! So I went to the store, bought some popcorn and popped it!! It was so nice to eat some popcorn. Well I hope all is well at home. Let me know how everyone is doing. I love you all so very much! Look for the blessings we have in our life. we have many. And when you can think and be grateful, you will feel the spirit and know that we are loved. Love Elder Parker

December 10, 2012

Hey family!!! Wow, mom that dream is so awesome, I felt the spirit so strong and got tears in my little blue eyes. I love you all. Thank you for the spirit that I can feel through your stories and experiences. Wow, I miss Tanner Butler, he is a really awesome guy. I had some good experiences with him. Thank you for sharing that with me. How is the family doing? I am doing just great here, I have been really happy this month, because of Christmas I guess. I absolutely love this time of the year. I have been listening to those cds like every single morning and night. Not kidding. Thank you so much for the Christmas tree and packages and presents! We took tons of pictures and are loving it. We opened the present last night. It was awesome. We are both really excited! My companion leaves in January, the 7th or something. Every time I listen to the song "We Can Be Together Forever", I think of our family, and almost half of the time I start crying. Because we are so blessed. We have the best and closest family in the whole entire world.

Last Monday was a day of blessings. First I got to write you guys. Then we were walking home after we shopped at Walmart and an old investigator gave us a ride to our house which was really nice of him. Then we got free chocobananas from this lady, which she has never done that, and we were talking and she used to live in South Jordan. So we will teach her this week. She is really nice and every time they see me they say, we have chocobananas! Because they know I love them. She is going to teach me how to make them this next week. Then, we were teaching an investigator, which his wife is a member. Recent convert about 6 months. Well, he drinks and stuff, and I have been teaching him on and off for about 3 months. The Saturday before, he said have patience with me. Then we had the lesson on Monday night, we were bearing our testimonies like crazy about faith. Finally, we invited him to be baptized, and he said yes!!!!! Wow. It was a miracle. I have no doubt. It has taken him 6 months to agree to be baptized . And he is as sure as ever that he wants this in his life. Then he fed us dinner afterwards. The whole time after when we left his house, the spirit was with me. I probably felt the spirit for 10 minutes nonstop. Seriously. It wouldn't leave me. I had goosebumps and I just kept on thanking the Lord. He will get baptized this week!!

We were at lunch eating some pizza, which is a first. Haha. And all of a sudden my companion starts laughing. There were two jovenes or young kids with us about 18 and 14. Then we all started laughing. We all couldn't stop laughing for about 10 minutes. My stomach hurt after because we laughed so hard. Everyone was crying. It was so funny and a good memory. There is a family in our ward, the two sons love to fish. They are 14 and 12. We visited their house to give a short lesson and they started showing me all their equipment and how they made all of it. They loved it. I told them i used to fish with my little brothers and dad. They thought that was the coolest thing. Now every time they see me we talk about fishing.

This week went by really fast, and I am loving the mission. Of course, there are hard times, but it is possible. This is nothing compared to what Jesus went through. Thank you for raising me to be the person I am today. I owe it all to mom and dad. You have no idea how much you have influenced my life. Words can't describe it. Thanks for all that you have done. How is the family?

Love Elder Parker