mi hogar

8203 West Oraibi Drive #1025
Peoria, Arizona 85382

You are welcome to send stuff to my first place if anyone feels
inclined. Who knows how long I am here, at least six weeks I guess haha.
It is really nice and it is just me and Elder Pollmeier living there.
You can post this or give it to people too if you want. I'll talk to
you on Monday (P day)!

Love you. Thanks you all for the prayers. I need them :)
Love, Elder Parry

Last MTC Letter

February 22, 2013

Hello family!

The time has flown and it is finally here for me to leave. I am so excited. Although, yesterday all during ¨¨field day¨¨ I was very pensive about entering the field and doing all the stuff for real. Part of me kind of worried what I got myself into. I think it´ll be harder than I have always thought it will. The MTC was great and I learned so much, but I am sure that I am not completely ready and that the Lord will need to chip off many chunks of this block of marble before it´s a Michelangelo piece. Nonetheless, I am very excited. I can´t wait to drive up north, maybe see a little bit of Bountiful, meet my trainer, and most of all, to meet President and Sister Taylor!!!! I have been thinking about them a lot lately. And praying. I pray for the people of Arizona every day. I want some soft hearts that the Spirit can testify to through me. Oh and President and Sister Taylor sent me a handwritten birthday card! How cool is that?! They are thinking of me too. BTW, I report at the travel office at 5 am and my plane leaves at either 8:10 or 8:30. I don't remember. But look at that window and predict when I will be calling you with my $40 in quarters and that's when I will call you haha. Just be ready I guess, and if you have specific instructions then send me a Dear Elder.

My Birthday was awesome! Mainly because I was in the MTC though. I have never had a birthday in my life where I didn´t think about myself as much as I did last week. I think the only other birthday in my life that will be able to compare to it is the one I have next year haha. Throughout the day I often forgot that day was even special. The same went for Elder Hobbins. My teacher asked how my birthday is, I said BASTANTE MAS o MENOS (sufficiently more or less) and it's true, that's how it was. I didn't mind at all. I love being dedicated and committed to the point of forgetting myself. I hope to take that into the field with me. However, I did receive some very nice notes, letters, and packages. Mom and Grandma, thank you so much, those packages were a blast. Oh and be sure to tell Merissa Woodbury that she has the teacher I´ve had. Hermano Urquhart, and he is the best teacher in the MTC. She will LOVE him, as have I.

Thank you so much for being such great examples of giving and consecrated what the Lord has given us.

I have seen so many friends around here! It is quite nice. I am sending a picture in a few days that I hope Sue or Wilkey see, quisas. It is a super Bountiful picture. And it is epic! Anyway, friends just keep coming in, and Bountiful is a good representative here at the MTC. Richard, Me, and Elder Poulton all leave on Tuesday. So we´re pretty pumped. Needless to say. Sam got reassigned from Argentina to Charlotte, NC. In fact, six people in my zone got reassigned to state side. Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil. Not fun to get called there haha. Congrats to the Browns! WOW!!! That is such a cool time for them. Let Mike know that I really look up to him and know he´ll be a great missionary. I´ll see him at his homecoming!!

Grandma has cancer!? How did that even happen. She is in my prayers and thoughts. I bet the worst part of this for them is they just want to serve rather than go through this. That´s hard. I love them and am proud to be serving alongside them. If they end up not getting to finish serving in Hong Kong, I´ll work even extra hard to serve for them on my mission!

They´ve split up the Phoenix mission!? What the heck. Keep me updated on that for sure. I want to still have the Phoenix temple in my mission, and President Taylor, so let me know I´m a little nervous haha.

Elder Hobbins and I spent our last day at the temple this morning for who knows how long for the both of us. We decided to go early, and, reverting back to my Tuesday traditions, we got there at 5:30 to do initiatories before our session. Then after, we did a sealing session for an hour. That was so neat. We were in there like five hours again together. The leader of our sealing session told us to imagine our investigators in white. He said that baptisms are great, but we teach and convert so families can get sealed for eternity. That´s what I am after! I will look at every investigator as one who will visit the temple one day and take the covenants with the Lord. Elder Christofferson said that covenants are spiritual power. The more, the better. And if we live them right, we will be blessed endlessly. I also learned this week about how commandments are blessings in our lives. Be grateful for commandments! I am. I love them in my life and in ours as a family. There will be more commandments in the Celestial Kingdom because commandments make us happy. How great that is! Oh, and if some of the converts or investigators I work with down in the AZ get sealed in the temple sometime later, you know I´ll be coming back down there! I hope you don´t mind me heading down to my second home at least every other weekend for fresh tacos, my Spanish friends, and to relive serving the Lord! Of course, I have to earn this right first. And that starts Tuesday for me. Thanks for the permission.

Maybe, heading out into the Field may not be a big deal for any of you. You say goodbye to me once and I'm gone for two, it doesn´t really matter where if you miss me, I am just gone. But me leaving is such a huge deal. So much will change. It will be a whole other phase, not only to my mission, but my life overall. It'll be my first time living out of state since I was a little Sox fan. My heart lies with the D backs now though! Anyway, the field is white already to harvest, not brown ready to be burned--no more fake investigators. The Lord has prepared people and it is up to my faith and commitment that can bring them in.

I hosted new missionaries Wednesday. It wasn't very eventful. I saw Josh Cardinal and his whole family in their little white Acura. That was kinda fun, but I didn't get to host him. Elder Dearden from Bountiful is in my zone which is pretty fun. Lots of new missionaries though, every week. Beds keep piling up and up. I took some pictures of those. We got a bunk in our room. Luckily no new people til we leave. Then that week there should be six missionaries for six beds, four closets, four desks, and insufficient drawers. What will they do....

My Spanish is fine. I am confident. It´ll come. We´ll see in the field how it goes haha. Spanish isn't as important as teaching the Gospel or understanding investigators or having the spirit though. Don't worry about me.  I was so sick Saturday and Friday. But I feel so great now! Thanks for the medicine and everything you send. I love you all.

You´ll get a call Tuesday morning. Not sure exactly what time, I gave you some clues though. I hope this email suffices. I love you all. Thanks for the support and love.

Elder Parry

Travel Plans in Hand!

February 15, 2013

Helloooooooo Family!!

How is everything going at home? I miss B-town and you guys of course. But I love it here! And I haven't gotten any Dear Johns from anyone so that's always a good sign! Just kidding haha. No one is waiting. I can't believe how the time has flown in here. It is such a cliche to say, it really is... But it is true!! Tomorrow is my one-month mark which came way fast, and... I got my travel plans yesterday!!!!!! I am reporting to the travel office at 5 AM on Tuesday, February 26th. I will be in Phoenix at 10:15! HOW COOL!?!?!?! I have learned a lot, and I am excited to keep learning and recognizing the Spirit, but nothing will compare to the field!

Elder Hobbins and I taught our two favorite lessons this week. We taught the two hermanas in our district for one and Hermano Urquhart (meastro) role-playing as Christian as the other. The were both the sweetest feeling lessons. I loved the Spirit that was present in both of them. In the first one we committed one of the Hermanas to baptism. I extended the invitation and it felt so real!! I felt like she was an actual investigator. And she said yes!!!! Haha, first time a girl has said yes to me, but I owe it all to the Spirit anyway. The lesson with Christian was so awesome. I bore my testimony about how the Atonement can cleanse him and he can find joy in it. The lesson was so simple, we didn'tt do a lot of talking, he talked to us, he could barely read so we helped him with some verses, and he expressed a sincere desire to be baptized. I can't wait until this starts happening for real. Wow! And I want to hand out my first Book of Mormon in the airport--that is my goal!!

Thanks for all the love from home: The suit is useful, the addresses and newsletters are awesome, and the Valentine's box was so much fun! Big shout out to The Davis and Clegg families for their very loving Valentines package. All the cousins sent something to me. Each one! It was the neatest thing. I got very nostaligic after reading all them and looking at the pictures :D.

I keep thinking about Dad's friend Jim. The one holding onto my bike, who said that he would clear up his whole February 26 just so he could meet with me and drive me up to my first area even if it's in Nevada. I already love this person. I am starting to feel like it would be a true shame and failure if he didn't accept the Gospel, or if I failed to extend it to him. I want to share my testimony with him so bad. I want him to read the Book of Mormon so he can understand how true it really is. I don't know how it'll all work once I hit the field, but I want it to work out with Jim. Whatever happens though, the Lord will find a way!

A few random things:

You would be so proud of me being ready and getting places. We are not late to anything. And I get dressed and ready soooooo fast!! It's like I have matured to that point already haha. Anyway, I get ready for everything much faster than Elder Hobbins so I wait, and now I know what it has felt like for you all, all these years. Props to you the most Mom!

Elder Hobbins' cousin got his Visa and after 5-plus months in the CCM and he left this Tuesday! It was a cool experience to have known both of them. What heroes they are in my life. I will send pictures of these studs sometime. I love them!! And be sure to warn all Brazil and Argentine missionaries preparing to go: Visas are a nightmare. Not Chile at all though. Elder Lant from Alta HS and my friend from BYU just got reassigned from Brasilia to Salt Lake North--our mission haha.

I was carrying a bunch of dishes for some people in my zone the other day and a bunch of Koreans talked to me while I was in line to drop them in the kitchen. One was trying to play rock paper scissors with me. I was so confused and surrounding. It was very very embarrassing, but I dropped the dishes to the floor and they shattered. The whole cafeteria went quiet. It was awfully embarrassing. I don't even know why I'm typing this haha... Maybe it helps with my humility to get it off my chest.. But I even repented of it.. haha Just don't let a bunch of Koreans try to distract you with dumb American games when you're busy doing something else.

Could I get some more stuff:??? Please..

The Raising the Bar talk? I got two talks about preparing for a mission and being worthy pre-mission. didn't seem to apply to me haha. Aren't there talks on this be SWK or Gordon B. Hinckley?

The Line of Authority paper? It has all the names on there, but it's Dad's paper. It has his member number on it.

Stuff that could be sent straight to the miossion:

More wash pouches (those are money and the smell so good!!)

Spiral notebooks (I bought like 50 with extra meal plan money, in your sewing room.) can u send exactly two please.

MY brown sheets/ bedding

BHS 2012 Phone and address directory. Caroline should have a new one this year. and I can stop bugging you.

Isaac!!! Keep reading the Book of Mormon and staying involved in the Missionary work by sharing your testimony like that to my friends/your friends who are serving. That is way cool. Also- You are in a GREAT spot in the Book of Mormon. Enjoy Isaiah's beautiful poetry, and ask Dad to explain (simply) about some of the history in 600 BC Jerusalem, then get excited for 2 Nephi 25-31. Keep in mind that these scriptures basically define everything I teach as a missionary and everything we believe in as far as returned to Christ is. It is said pretty simply. Study hard :D especially chapter 31!

We sang Faith of our Fathers for our choir song this week. How cool! It is such a powerful hymn.

I have had a sore throat for most of this week. I really don't know why. I am paranoid about being sick because it basically paralyzed me for half of fall semester and so many people here are getting sick and thrown off their routine that I want to stay far from it. I am taking about ten Advil a day and going to sleep as soon as I can. I will not miss a day of work or learning for it though, not worth it. The point is, you don't need to worry! I am doing so well here and getting fed (well)(too much), I feel great and I love it, of course. Don't worry about me :) thanks for the prayers though, I can feel them!

Elder Hobbins and I decided that a day (half day actually) off of basketball was enough for us to cool down and realize it's not worth getting competitive about. I scored all seven points in a game I played and I'm starting to do even better. It's so fun haha. I rock. Con humildad.

I read MSH 28:3 the other day. And I am trying to develop this love for my investigators. It is true charitable love. So it'll be tough. But what a magnificent feeling I can have for them!

Well time is closing in on me, like the walls in the Star Wars movie on Han Solo, Lea, and Luke. Yeah? Anyway, The sky was so clear last night and it was warm.. .I saw so many stars in the sky and it was beautiful. So beautiful!!! It reminded me of the world around me and all the REAL non-members the lord is preparing for to hear the Gospel through me and others. I can't wait to get out there and declare the Gospel. I can't wait to see the sunsets, be warm, and walk around real neighborhoods. The stars reminded me of the verse in Moses about how all things testify of Christ. Find that verse, it is great! I love this work I love all of you! Keep in touch :)

Con amor Elder Jacob Karl Parry.

Soooo Many Missionaries

Familia! Como estan!? I am loving it here. Let me try to type as fast as I can for you with my weekly happenings.

This morning Elder Hobbins y yo served in the temple! (my first time!) Some ladies pulled us aside after our session and asked if we had time to help with clothes. We went in the laundry room and ran some of the clothes through a machine to fold them up. It was cool! We are going to do it every week now. I love serving in the temple.

Elder Hobbins has a cousin on our floor back at the rooms who is waiting for his visa to Argentina. He and his companion have been here since AUGUST 23!!! But good news, they got their visa two days ago!! We are so excited for them. They leave next week. They are such valiant and great examples to us of serving the Lord no matter the circumstances. Que WOW!

I have seen so many missionaries come in who I know. Elders Hansen, Seljass, Murdock, Bell, Hulet, and many more. No sign of Rock yet--very disappointing. I talked to Elder Murdock for a couple hours on Sunday night because we had time. There are SOO MANY missionaries here. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Everyone outside the MTC says it is the greatest time to be a missionary in church history and everyone in Salt Lake wants to get inside the MTC to see what it is like. It is cool. Great time to be a missionary. We got 820 missionaries this week and from what I hear, they are only kicking out about 1/2-2/3 of all who come in weekly. The MTC is barely staying afloat. There are new cots stacked everywhere across this concrete jungle that is my home. It is cool.

I did see Cepta Eyring this week. We got a picture! So you'll probably see it. And there are a lot of calls to Japan tha'ts right. Two people on my BYU floor just got called to KOBE, leaving the same day in May. Let me know about the Browns' calls for sure! and any other calls from the class of 2013 that you hear about. I understand that process is underway for them already! Caroline should know what's going on with people. 

I was reading the last section of the D&C a few days ago in Personal Study. WOW!! I wonder where this stuff has been my whole life. Read this section and pray about it because it is SO cool and SO applicable to us. Verses 30-35 are so perfect for Scott Monte and Karl. I thought of them the whole time reading. My imagination of them and my feelings for what they could actually be doing were never as strong as they were when I read this. Oh and also--we sang Come Thou Fount in a devotional together as an MTC and I thought of this song being at Scott and Monte's funeral. With each new line and verse to the song the Spirit hit me so strong. Each time it did, it was so cool to have them in mind as I sang. I love singing. I wish I were good at it haha.

More homework! You know the best story of the Atonement in the Scriptures? It is the Story of Alma's conversion (in my opinion--(not the Alma with Abinadi; the naughty Alma). Alma 36 is where he retells the story to his son. It was amazing to see how quick Jesus Christ was to forgive him. Because he had the desire to repent, and he did it with his whole heart, he was forgiven. I loved reading this story. Read the whole thing one night :D But..... The best verse out of them all, the one that says the most, is 24! That verse hit me with such force as I read it. It applies to me personally and perfectly as a missionary. The Atonement is such a great gift from God and so beautiful, but how much more beautiful is it that we can share this gift with the world. I cannot wait to show people, who are prepared to hear about it, the gift of the Atonement and the wonders it entails. My Patriarchal Blessing says I will testify of the Atonement with a strong conviction, something along those lines, So I have been studying it and looking for examples of it in my own life. I know the Lord will prepare ways for me to testify of the Atonement to the people of AZ.

My Patriarchal Blessing is phenomenal. So many beautiful promises and warnings. I have read it several times since coming here. I like that I can be delivered from danger on my mission. I am sure I will see this blessing fulfilled in numerous ways as I serve. I am working so hard right now to have the Spirit with me always or I won't have the help that I cannot live/teach without. That's why I excused myself from basketball earlier this week. Haha. I got too competitive and it wasn't something I wanted to think about. Foursquare now!!!

I got a birthday present of money from grandma and grandpa! Hahahahaha!!! Yes. I cashed it and it is mine now. I feel so independent. But it reminded me that I do have a birthday coming up. Wow. HAHA.  I forgot I even have one, I guess it is a good thing I am having so much fun and learning so much.

I came into the MTC with Spanish scriptures already engraved and everything. It turns out my zeal for the work and excitement to get ready got me a little over prepared. One example of this is that they gave me a Spanish set my first day here. Guess what though!? I bought a cool case for them and I am going to give them to one of my converts on the mission! How cool would that be!? I am going to find someone who I really truly love, and maybe if they are preparing for their own mission the present would be perfect! :D you dig?

How come no one in the world told me you have to wear a suit every day here at the MTC? If any of you knew this, shame, because I was completely left in the dark. Haha jk. But seriously, if you know where that not too good brown suit I had is then can you please send it? I'll wear out whatever is left of it. Thanks.

There is a new elder in our zone. Elder P from Holladay (I think I already talked about him). But anyway, he comes from a family of antis, and he's in the same ward as President Monson. I love him so much. He is 6'5 and about 300 lbs maybe? But I have grown really close to him. His dad sent him a mean letter a few days ago and I tried to console him. I told him to read D & C 31. I thought it applied well to him, especially his family part. But I wrote him a letter (I will always love writing letters) and we hang out a lot. I pray for him.

Terrible news about the St. Johns and the Manus. I put them both on the prayer role today and pray for them nightly. They are both such awesome families. What a nightmare that is right now! I love them.

Check out 2 Nephi 25:26. I have always known about it, but I read it once and studied about the Book Of Mormon and I am convinced that it is the thesis for the whole book. A perfect verse to describe the Book. LOVE IT.

We had an impromptu lesson last week. The investigator asked about grace and Elder Hobbins and I didn't know what to do. I whipped out verse 23 of that same 2 Nephi chapter. Not too shabby?

I love you all. I really do hate only 30 minutes on the computer, but I don't break rules for anything. It's been a stressful half hour, but I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for all the letters, thoughts, news, dearelders, I'll try to do something cool this week so you can hear more about me haha.

Love,

Elder Parry

The CCM

This place (CCM, it is called that in Spanish ((say-say-emmay)) not sure exactly what, but it's the Centro de something de los Misioneros) can also be called the Garden of Eden, because there is not any progression, and you are close to God, and it isn't until I can partake of the fruit on February 26 that I can start to enjoy myself and be tried. I can't wait. But I am learning so much here and I love it. Not many bad days. Hardly any bad times at all. Just tough work, and fun learning.

So our Branch President (Dennis) just happens to be a scholar of Welsh Mormon history haha! It was way cool to talk to him in our first interview a while back. He was drilling me on some of my ancestors (because apparently they are famous) and I am pleased to say that I knew most of what he asked me about. He also taught me some cool stuff. But President Dennis assigned me as the music coordinator for our zone. I love it! I get to pick the hymns for meetings and choose people to play the piano and assign special numbers out. I have always wished that I had special talents in music but unfortunately I never did develop them. I love to sing; I always have, and I have loved it even more at the CCM. Elder Hobbins and I have gone to every choir practice and have performed for both Tuesday devotionals. We sang "Lead Kindly Light" and "Jesus Once of Humble Birth" --very powerful songs I loved both. I am not a great singer, but I enjoy singing me heart out and getting better at it.

So my teacher in class went to Pheonix, Spanish speaking and got back in August! She is our second teacher and was primarily our first investigator under the alias of DORIS. I love talking to her about Phoenix. It has been getting me soooo excited. Her Spanish sounds great and she was only out there 18 months so that made me feel great.

Man there is a lot of snow falling everywhere. I wish I could get one last ski day in! Haha. Oh and I thought of what Dad said about eating and sitting a lot here at the CCM and he was right: Sunday we had lunch before Sacrament Meeting at like 1:30 and then after Sacrament Meeting and before choir and the devotional we had dinner at 4:00. It is ridiculous. I am eating okay though. I'm tearing it up at basketball during gym time, I can lose weight in the field easy, and frankly, I don't really care what I look like haha. So it's a win-win-win-win. I got my "spirit animal'' from the zone leaders this week. they choose a character from a famous show or something for every missionary in the zone. I am CRONK from The Emperor's New Groove. I really like that character so it is awesome. They say I am nice, I look like him, but I'm not dumb like how he is. I have enjoyed trying to make people laugh by impersonating him. Apparently my scar is really showing through my hair because a lot of people have asked me about it. A lot of people seem interested and concerned. I'm just glad I survived so that I can serve the Lord on my mission, and have a rad scar. Oh and a new missionary came in Wednesday into our zone--Elder Porter, he is so fun and cool. He one-upped me though... He's from Holladay and lives in President Monson's home ward.

That is so crazy that Dad got two tickets from France. HAHAHAHAHA! I tried to think of when that could have specifically happened. But I can't. I just remember 20 red lights that we slipped past and 10 times where we had to speed up for some reason. Haha two tickets sounds pretty okay. Thanks for the trip. Wonderful memories. And thanks SO MUCH for all the DEARELDERS, packages, the stuff I needed, prayers, and love. I feel so loved at the CCM and it is nice at the end of the day to unwind with a Dear Elder. Hearing about home is fun. I am not home sick at all really. It is way nice. But I know my heart lies in Bountiful (Until FEB 26 when I'm in Phoenix). I got homesick very briefly twice yesterday. Once when someone was singing a Killers song :( and the other time was when I was using the new towel you sent down this week. Great towel, but every time I see it I am reminded me of Balboa and Hawaii haha.

This week I was taught a lesson on leadership. It was very cool and very humbling, and is still kind of a process. Elder Hobbins is the District Leader and everyone loves him. It's weird to say that he reminds me of myself, but let's just say it's like I'm watching myself befriend people and be a leader and being happy. That doesn't sound very humble, but the experience I am having is a humbling one. I am learning what it is like not to be a leader and to cooperatively work with someone with the same strengths as I. Everyone loves Elder Hobbins, and people like me too, but I am being humbled. Does that make sense? I am enjoying this experience for one reason: it is exactly what I need. I want the Lord to know that I can be teachable and that, like the rough block of Marble that Michelangelo made into the Pieta, I can be made into a masterpiece by our Heavenly Father through trials and lessons. I am not a leader right now, I am learning how not to always be one.

A person from the Seventy named Whitney Clayton spoke to us. He went to the U of U. I'm pretty sure he's not the one who we know from Duke basketball/Boston. Right? Haha anyway.

I am ROCKING the parted hair in the CCM here. I do it every day. I feel so classy and I just love the way it looks. I don't think I've parted my hair since like 5th grade, but I throw gel in every day and swing my hair over the top. Richard makes fun of it but who cares haha. I will try to send pictures one day haha, but as you can see, I am in a HUGE rush.

I saw Mackynzie (Hermana Parry) on Wednesday!!!! It was so neat!! And surprising because she saw me and just yelled my name. We hugged in front of the whole cafeteria which was funny. But it was so cool to catch up with her. she is a little worried about the language, which I realize most people over-react about in here, but she was so happy, and It was lovely to see her. Still no sign of Elder Murdock and a couple BYU friends. Next week is when they all come in. Oh and Elder Thompson told me that Griffin Clawson (one of my friends) just got called to Stockholm. How cool!

The two Christlike attributes I am working on every day here are humility and patience. Probably not a big surprise to any of you, but those are the two I need! I am happy to say that I am working hard on them though. It is important for me to be able to have those skills in my life. ETHER 12;27!!!!

I wish I had more time to talk about the spiritual aspect of the CCM. I really think we should get 60 minutes to email. I will try to write more about it next time. But I love it here. I understand there is a lot I need to learn from stuff here before Arizona. The investigators are great practice. My favorite part about them though: I am starting to have a genuine love for them. That's what it's all about--loving them. Oh and yesterday I had a very great lesson!!! Best one yet. Elder Hobbins and I actually had a real long great happy conversation!! The language is coming the Spirit is strong and the church is true!!!!!

So Elder Trusty was telling me this week about how he gave his "farewell testimony" at his Maryland ward then he drove to the Ravens-Colts game to catch the second half. He said that the whole stadium went nuts for RAY. Everyone was yelling RAY!!!! RAY!!!! RAY!!!! He said he teared up while he was there. No doubt I would've too. Go Ravens. Love you all.

Love you family.

Elder Parry