April 29, 2013

Hey family!!! How are you all doing? I am doing great, I am now better from my health!! Well... I am now leaving tomorrow to a new area!! I will be going to a stake called Mactumatza the area is called Terrazas. I will be the District leader there also. It is a different stake but still in Tuxtla, which I am really blessed. Because Tapachula, Arriaga, Tonala, Pijijapan are really really hot and humid. And the food isn't too great. So inside the city is always the best. So I was lucky to stay here in the city. I don't know how far away it is from here probably like 30 minutes or something. I don't know who my companion will be but I am excited. The ward is a lot smaller than the ward here supposedly. I will be leaving tomorrow in the morning. So today I have been packing and enjoying my last day here. I will say goodbye to my converts and the members. We ate pizza with two other elders, like a going away party or something. It was fun. I will sure miss this area. I am sad and happy.. Because we have 3 for sure baptisms already set, which I won't be able to see them get baptized. Two this Saturday and one the next Sunday. Then we have a lot that had dates to be baptized in 3 weeks. So I am pretty sad about that, but happy they are getting baptized. It seems like right when we were having the most success, I ended up leaving. But I have learned alot. I am really excited to get to my new area and get working!! I am going to work so hard right from the start, it is my first transfer so I will have to get "cracking like honeybadger" :)
I got the package last night and the letters!! Thank you so much, I loved that so much. It was a great surprise. I also got a letter from Court. Jo dog wrote a really good letter with a cool poem. That was really nice of him. Court wrote a really good letter also. I also got your dog card and a dear elder! I got a few letters from some friends also. I think I will be in the same Zone as Elder Gaytan again. So I will be giving that beef jerky to him! Thanks so much for everything. Please, you don't need to keep sending packages, I know it is expensive, and I am fine here. This week we worked so hard, one of the best weeks we have had. I am loving the mission. Thanks for everything. I love you all .:)

April 22, 2013

Hey family!! How are you all doing? It sounds like you had a good week!! I also had a good week up until friday night... Well it had to happen sooner or later, and I was blessed so long. I finally had the chance to experience the sickness.. It was a killer. I am still pretty sick, but I feel a lot better. Friday night I was feeling some really bad stomach pains. So I went to the bathroom... well. yeah. Then I went to bed, and not kidding every 5 minutes I would go to the bathroom, then return to the bed then go back to the bathroom. I did that like 25 times in the night. Then in the morning my head was hurting so bad, I felt like my head was going to explode. My muscles were aching. I was sweating really bad. And so I just layed there. I told my companion to call the President's wife. She then called the doctor and they called a member to go get the medicine for me. This was like at 7 in the morning. I just layed in bed waiting for the medicine because I felt so bad. Finally.. at 10 they got to the house with the medicine. I was thinking it was like 4 in the afternoon but it was only 10. So I took some and I felt a little better. But my companion left with another Elder to visit some important lessons. So I stayed in the house with a different Elder. Then all of a sudden I had the matazuma's revenge... I then exited the bathroom and I was dripping in sweat. The Elder said did you throw water on your face and I was like, no that is sweat!! So I just layed in bed all day. We didn't get to work Saturday or Sunday. But I managed to force myself to go to church, because I really wanted to go. Today I feel a little bit better, well a lot better. But I still don't feel a whole 100 percent. Now I know what it is like to get sick here in Mexico!!! But don't worry, I had to experience it one day or another. This week should be my last week here in my area. I should be leaving this next Monday or Tuesday!! I love you all!! Love, Elder Parker P.S. I am loving the mission, learning quite a bit. Thanks for the scriptures!! I am trying to read the Book of Mormon in Spanish in 3 months. I am in Mosiah already!! I am highlighting every time it refers to the name Jesus Christ. I am learning a lot about Him. I love you.

April 15, 2013

This week went by really fast. We had some really good lessons. Sunday was really good. I felt the spirit a lot, and gave my testimony and I definitely just talked like I already knew Spanish. It was a blessing. I am learning a lot about the language also. I am really working hard. I am enjoying the mission so much. I have learned so much, I am so glad I chose to serve a mission, because I am growing and learning so much. I am realizing I didn't know a ton before I came out, which I think every missionary feels the same. I was thinking about the day I left the mtc to come here to Mexico. That night I stayed up just scared to death. I remember talking to Elder Jones and Elder Petersen. We were just talking in the hall a few hours. We were all scared. I remember how my stomach hurt because I was thinking so much. But now that I am thinking back on that experience, I have realized how much I have grown. I know the Lord knows how much potential I have. I didn't know I had that much potential before I left, but now I know I can trust in the Lord and I will do miracles :) How is the family doing? I love you all so much :)

April 8, 2013

Hey Mom and family. Como estan? Estoy muy feliz. I sure did love conference!!!!!! I got to watch it in English!!!!!! Woohoooo!! And in a room with air conditioning!!! It was the best two days!! We got to watch it and stay in a cold room and sit on soft chairs and actually eat a few snacks. :) hahah like how we always used to back at home. We had about 6 Americans in the room with us only. The 6 missionaries. So it was really nice to be able to listen to it, and the other Elders were really excited also. I really loved the talk on Saturday morning. By Brother Cardon from the seventy. He talked about how Christ wants to forgive us. He is waiting. How we can receive forgiveness for whatever thing we have done and will do. I also liked another part that one of the leaders said, God didn't make this plan so we could fail it, or he could torture us. He made this plan so we could accomplish it and get help and comfort. Something along those lines. Wow, I did learn so much about conference. They talked a lot of the families!! About problems with family members and problems in the home. But they always had the positive side! I loved that part. The home is the most important place. I loved the talk that said that he asked the maid to take care of his kids more than the house, and how she later went on and her daughter got married in the temple and everything. We have such a good family, and our home has always been a refuge from the world. I have always felt so comfortable in the home and safe. I could always share my thoughts and feelings. There is always peace in our home. So thank you, mom and dad for the peace and comfort that we have in our home. I, too, am trying to have our little house here in Mexico to have peace :) We had a great week this week. The conference was outstanding. I will never forget the experience I had.


We also had another fantastic lesson. With that same family before. The dad is the only non member. We are working so hard with them. He really wants to change. But he is so scared. He has a lot of doubts. But I can tell he wants to change. The family needs him. So I am just so grateful that we have dad, who is a member of the church and who served a mission, and has the priesthood.


The weather is okay. It has been really hot, but not really really hot yet. We went shopping at Walmart today :) I am doing good health wise. I am working really hard in the language, and the doctrine. I still have a lot of room for improvement, but hey.. who doesn't? haha :) I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!! Thanks for the example you are all for me. Did you get the package yet? Love Elder Parker


(We hadn't gotten the package up to this point yet, but right when Elder Parker was on the computer the same time that we were, we heard a knock on the door. It was the post man delivering the package Elder Parker sent us and he even delivered it in the pouring rain!!! So we were able to receive the wonderful package and open it while we were on line with him!!! What a wonderful miracle!! He sent some soccer jerseys for the boys, some cute Mexican keychains for each of us, a fan for mom, a cute big poster from the primary children to him---with the cutest picture of the primary kids, a picture of him, and notes from each of the primary kids on it---, a letter and pictures to the family from his friend Elder Gaytan, and a hat and letter and things for Jacsons birthday. What a wonderful blessing that it arrived at the exact time he was on the computer with us!!!)

April 1, 2013

Hi mom and dad!! How are you all doing? I am doing great!! We are having a great time over here in the area. We had the baptism on wednesday. It was a really spiritual experience. We had over 50 people from the ward show up. That nevers happens here. There are always like 10 members that go to the baptisms. It was so many people, and they all contributed in the program. The primary sang a song about when they were baptized. It is called "When I am Baptized" It was really spiritual. Then we had some talks and then the ordinance. It was so nice when we were talking about families and they were feeling the spirit so strong. It was such a good baptism.

We are working really hard here in the area.We are giving lessons to all the members like Elder Dehoyos told us to do. He is from the 70. Then they invite a friend to the next lesson when we go to their house. That way we find a lot of people who we can teach. My companion is great. We are learning a lot. We had a lesson where 6 of us were crying. It was powerful!!

I really love the atonement. The Savior atoned for us because He loves us. He did it out of pure love. I am so grateful for His sacrifice. I will do everything possible to pay a little piece back for what He did. I can't wait for General Conference. We watch it in the Stake Center on a big screen.

Well I don't want to write a ton, because I want to talk to you all. I love you so much. We ran this morning :) I want to stay healthy. We ate s'mores with the family Bruno. It was really good, I have missed smores. I can't wait until the cabin when Court and I get back! Love you all so much!! :)

March 25, 2013

We were in the occ this Tuesday receiving companions.

Hey mom!! And family!!! Well I finally have a companion!! I went on Tuesday with the meeting with the President and then I met my companion! I almost started crying when we hugged because I felt the spirit and that I finally had a companion. He is really awesome. He is from Puebla Mexico. He is 18 years old. He isn't very tall. He is skinny. He is really spiritual and really nice. For example, one morning I got out of the shower and he had pollished my shoes. He does a lot of nice stuff for me. He is really nervous in the lessons, but he is getting better. I am doing all I can to help him improve. It has been a good experience so far. We are having a lot of success. And we will have a baptism this Wednesday. :)

Tell Kim and Brian Lee congrats. We had a meeting on Saturday with Elder Dehoyos. He is a spiritual man. I saw Elder Jensen, Elder Taggart, Elder Stevenson, Elder Petersen and Elder Jones. I saw a lot of my friends. Me and Elder Jensen sat next to each other in the meeting. :) It was really nice to talk to him and catch up on a few memories. I sure do love writing you and the family. I catch myself thinking in the morning during Mondays that I will be able to write my family!! :) How is everything going over there? Well if you could send some beef jerky. An Elder in my district wanted some beef jerky, and he will pay me. I am fine with ties, I have a lot. You don't need to send anymore :) I sent a package today, so I hope it gets there soon. I am really enjoying the mission, I am learning so much about the Lord and myself. I really am changing so much. I can feel it everyday. I am so thankful for this gospel that we have. It is truly the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is the most correct book on the earth. I am doing a challenge that Elder Dehoyos asked us to do. We are to read the Book of Mormon in 85 days and highlight everytime it refers to Jesus Christ, when it says his name. Because we can realize that it talks about Jesus Christ and not just Joseph Smith like everyone thinks. I am already learning a lot from this activity. Thank you for everything!! I sure do love you all so very much. Take care. I am doing great :) Thanks for all your help. Love Elder Parker.

March 18, 2013

Hey Mom!! How are you? I am doing good!! WEll.... I get my new companion tomorrow!!! :) I am going to train again. It will be a new missionary. I don't know who it will be, but I will get to see him tomorrow!! I am so excited!! I am staying in my same area again!! But I am doing really good. Thanks so much for the emails |:) you know those two oil holders that say faith on them. If you could send two more that would be great. Two members want them. They are going to pay me and you can send them. Please :) I got the easter package!! Thank you so much! I loved it. The mini Preach My Gospel too! And all the pictures. The candy is my favorite and I am already eating a lot :)

Well this week we were walking at night next to the junglish area. It was night and all of a sudden these dogs started barking real loud. Then we heard a really loud growl.. And the dogs stopped barking and ran away, we think it was a jaguar. It was so loud and we were so scared! Because we have heard that there are jaguars here. It was a scary moment.

I was in the church yesterday, and all of a sudden the sisters called us in to the primary room, the primary then gave us a huge paper with signatures from them and pictures. The primary kids are so cute and they were all happy. I couldn't help but cry a little when I bore my testimony to them. It is one of the best gifts that I have received. Also there is a brother named Hamada. He is Japanese and his wife is Spanish. They have like 3 kids. They are the best. The parents speak English. The dad speaks 5 languages. They are in our ward. But they are moving to Tijuana. They invited us over for some food to say goodbye. And in the night they gave us some pizza and they are going to leave. The dad left today and the mom and her kids on April 11th. The mom is really nice and they want to visit our house. She wants her son to stay a week or two with Nathan and Josh. He is a really cool kid. He is part Japanese and Spanish. But I told her I would give her email to you. She is really nice, and you can email her. She wants you to email her quick and also my blog she wants.

I am learning a lot. I have realized how lucky I am to be here on the mission. We had the district meeting last Tuesday. We started then all of a sudden the zone leaders and the assistantes to the President entered. Which they are never in the meetings. I gave a really good meeting, and at the end I shared a little story and couldn't help but crying. I tried not to, but you know me. Then I noticed that the zone leaders were crying and all the sisters also. It was a really spritual moment. Then after the meeting we had splits. The assistent worked with me in my area all day. So I got to learn a lot from him. It was a good experience.

Sometimes it is hard to speak English or write. But that is a good thing! I can't remember how to spell a lot of things. On Saturday I get to see Elder Jensen!! That is really cool that you went to California. Sounds like a blast. Well I want to end this quick so I can talk to you. I am going to send a package on Wednesday. Thanks for everything. :) Love you all!! Love Elder Parker