My Birthday Was Great

 

Hello family!

This week was great! In response to some of your inquiries: next week we will not have normal church in Arizona because of the Dedication. We will watch the broadcast in the Stake Center. Since you have to have a temple recommend to go to church we can't invite any investigators. Que raro! I am really excited though to hear from a general authority, see all the white clothes, and celebrate the work of salvation moving in the valley. People here are SUPER excited. It really makes one (one from Utah) think of the conveniences we have. I remember hearing sometime at home that the real challenge for us is making sacrifices in our time schedules. It sounds like you are all doing that already. Bien hecho! I have the goal to go once a week FOREVER, unless on vacation. It was stake conference yesterday and the stake president talked about the Top 5 things the General authorities are focusing on right now: retention and activation, temple work, family history, missionary work, and teaching in the church. It made me try to think about what the Church has focused on through its history. I wonder what it would've been? Now the focuses are obvious and we can see all the why. The Church is REALLY hitting these things hard. I feel like I just started noticing it when I came out here. The church just makes so much sense and there is a lot of work to do! So it is fun to learn a little about how to do this stuff while I am out here. 

My Birthday was great. In fact, It was like 9:40 that night and I was thinking to myself: ...There's no way it ends like this. I know my parents have something up their sleeves. I bet it is Jim or something.... It was funny because moments later there was a knock and I just knew. Jim was so great! I love seeing him. I showed him the bike he gave me (which I taped up), the apartment, the roommates, and his phone number that he wrote down for me 12 months ago. I also had the chance to give him a picture of Christ to take home! He seemed to enjoy it. Elder Ramos and I bought ourselves more Frozen Custards to celebrate. Other than that, it was pretty normal. Some friends from the zone called to wish happy birthday, sister taylor texted us on behalf of Elder Pollmeier which was nice! Not much else. Surprisingly normal. And even more surprising; I didn't mind at all. I know this sounds cliche but it really was a well-spent birthday being out and serving The Lord. I like to forget about myself as much as possible so I can know my time out here is well spent on other people. That was my only full-year so far in complete service to The Lord and, in retrospect, I don't have any regrets, I had a really fun time, and I think I have grown a lot. Seeing growth is hard for me to see in myself but I am looking at the mission to be an enabling event in my life for the rest of my life. I cannot expect to Become out here in the field. It will start me to what I can become in the rest of my life.

This week was kind of tough because there wasn't a whole lot of action with investigators. We visited a lot of members, those who are currently participating and those who are not. I found myself getting frustrated and impatient (not necessarily with not visiting investigators, but with things in general). I have been blessed with a very patient and loving companion and I learned some things this week that are a great help. The #1 way in which my mission is helping me is it is helping me to understand the Atonement better; how to apply it, experiencing a sliver of what Christ must've felt/feels, and what the Atonement can do if we allow it to help. I read a talk from Elder Bednar about the strengthening and enabling power. This goes so much farther than repenting. There are things that we can ONLY do with the power of the Atonement. And for the most part, we can only get the Atonement to help if we ask for it. I am having a hard time loving people down here. I honestly thought I would have this done in 3 or 4 months out in Arizona but I am still fighting for it here at month 12. I love a lot of people down here, but it is kind of selective love. I am trying so hard but I know that only the power of the Atonement can bring this real, sincere love and desire to serve these people. That is what I decided to do this week. I have even tried to put Christ in my shoes and see what he would do to serve this people. I think if we all imagined the SAvior teaching a lesson to someone then we would probably realize how different the lesson would be. This is helping me draw closer to the Savior for sure. As far as developing more love for this people; every person I come in contact with, I will exercise patience in figuring out how I get to that point. I am working hard for a love for this people.

Zone Conferences were a blast! I love missionary meetings. We were out in hickland (Buckeye). I spent a lot of time with Elder Dodd which was fun! He is doing great and it is hard to believe that he is at the point where I was when we became companions. Time is flying. Aren't there 2 weeks until transfers!? Crazy; however nothing will happen to us two. We will have a solid 12 weeks together. The meeting was awesome. They sang to me and some other missionaries at lunch. I got to see Elder Linkogle after his accident. He is fine! We learned great stuff. I liked President's thoughts on being a consecrated missionary. I thought about sacrifice and the role that needs to play in our life. Sacrifice needs to be everything. We need to put it all on the altar. Our fears even. What are we willing to give up or do for this to happen, or for that to happen. Then when we pray at nights we should remember that our prayers aren't to change the will of God (even if we have sacrificed everything for something honorable and righteous and may feel the right to push God into helping us with something that we deserve) but to put our will in line with His. 

I am working hard and still fighting out here! Elder Ramos told me in the middle of Personal study yesterday morning that he had repeatedly felt inspired to tell me he loves me. May sound kind of cheesy, but it was nice! He is good for me. I told President at Conferences that I am learning more than he (Elder Ramos) is, and he said, "that's what he said, that's what Elder Pollmeier said, that's what they all say!"

Love, Elder Parry

Birthday Tomorrow!

Today at 1:45 PM

Dear Family,

So I don't know if I told you about the Berrelleza family or not, but they are WAY cool. We go over their sometimes. The Hermano is a recent convert and the Hermana is a returning member. Hermano woke-up one night and said "we need to go to a church!" And his wife told him "we could go to mine." So they came and he got baptized a few months ago (by Elder Linkogle; car crash Elder) and the rest is history because they are REALLY strong and excited about the Church. All the recent converts I have met out here are the best! I love learning from them and being with them as they learn. They are so humble, they just take things in so humbly (Mosiah 3:19). The Berrellezas are so awesome though. Climax of the story: They got a call from "Elder Perry" last week. He spoke poor Spanish and asked them if they had done a church survey for recent converts. They figured they were talking to me and they said they did. The number was actually a Utah number and when we showed them a video of THE L.T. Elder Perry they were like "That is his voice!" They were so happy. We were too, it was funny. So we printed a picture of him off and gave it to them. I think they said they are going to frame the picture haha.

Elder Ramos and I had a really fast week. We taught the most that we have since being together so that was really nice. We finally taught the Olivo family. They are prepared by the Senor. We went with Hermano Murrietta and they are going to pray and read and they will know pretty soon! We also had a good experience with Leo and Jessica. Elder Ramos REALLY wanted to go to the Gilbert Temple. It didn't look like it was going to work out though, but we pulled it out of a hat last minute (like last time)! I couldn't go so Elder Ramos went with HErmano Barrera (did I tell you about him? He is soooo goofy I love him. He always says "Elderes de Israel como estan?" and he tells us his love stories from his childhood and says that "es que el corazon no tiene leyes! {the heart has no laws}" He also sings us Mexican love songs with his guitarra. He is so much fun and has very strong faith.) They had a fun time though. Leo and Jessica went with them and they expressed desires to be baptized, shared their feelings in the temple (the Spirit) and have even defended the Mormon Faith against friends on facebook! We are looking forward to meeting with them when we can get the chance to. While they were at the temple I was in a tri-panionship and had to go to 2 district meetings. Ugh.. haha. We taught many lessons this week to a lot of "less-active" members. It is nice to be teaching again! We had exchanges this tuesday. I went to the La Hoya ward (Elder Cardoso's old ward) with Elder Garcia-Cecenna--the best part about the West Maricopa zone is there is so many SPANISH missionaries. There are 6 Spanish elders and 6 sisters. So I went up with Elder Cecenna in his bike area. He is from Mexico and can't speak english and he is being trained. It was fun to be back on bike. We had a blast together! We were joking around in Spanish all day and we drove our bikes 5 times through Marijuana park (being closer to the city is crazy). I learned a lot from him and from Elder Ramos this week.

The ward is still great. They feed us well, help us with lessons, and even coordinate pretty well. Obispo Cid is a boss.

Elder Linkogles and Jenson were the Elders in the car crash. Elder Linkogle actually came out with me and we served together in Surprise for three transfers (I don't know who's fault the crash was--doesn't really matter to me). They are serving in North Phoenix. It sounds like they are both going to be fine.

I am cheering hard core for you at your presentation Mom! It will be a good birthday present to me to hear that things went well and that the Relief society enjoyed your good counsel. It sounds like I need to prepare a presentation for some Seminary class. I facebooked Brother Beynon like 5 months ago about it and haven't heard anything from him. PResident Taylor chatted with me for a minute about it during our Zone activity last week. I was caught super off-guard... Still don't really know what I am doing and didn't know that it would be this week! MAybe someone who goes to Bountiful could tell Bro Beynon to facebook me back. Nevertheless I am excited to do it and will prepare something worthwhile for the great opportunity.

Sounds like home is going well for everyone. Even if I don't reply or write to people I still pay attention to what is going on, cheer and pray for y'all. Caroline- if you don't make it to BYU you can come to the Air Force Academy with me! But you will don't worry. Although--what is Evan doing? Flying under the radar? "grown-up adult?" haha jk.

Elder Ramos and I enjoyed our Valentine's Day! It was probably one of the more fun holidays of my mission. We didn't stay in at all of course, but we had dinner at Pete's Fish and Chips (Free for missionaries!) and at the end of the night we ate at Culver's Frozen Custard (It was no Nielson's but it had been awhile since I had one! And it is starting to heat up--here goes!). Elder Ramos and his sweet tooth are in love with that stuff so I told him when he comes to Utah we are going to Nielson's.

Elder Ramos and I are working on following the Spirit better. That is one thing I will have to be fine working on the rest of my life--but I can learn a lot about it in these two years! We have noticed that our best days, experiences together have been when we have humbly followed the Spirit. I know the Spirit is there to guide us and what it takes to follow it is the right balance of using the formula we are taught and letting it all go when the time is right.

Ran out of things to say! Love you all and hope you have a great Jake's Birthday tomorrow!

Love, Elder Parry

Following the Spirit

We got the packages and the mail. Thank you very much! I LOVED mine. and Elder Ramos LOVED his!! He really was so happy so last night was a great night. He is going to enjoy all that candy. I just know it. You asked something about if he needed anything else? Well he sends like five letters a P-day and slaps like $2 of stamps on each. If you ever were looking for something to send I think it would save him money if we knew what it costed to send stuff to San Salvador and if he had some International stamps. The packages were great though; our apartment had a big pancake breakfast this morning! 

 

Elder Ramos and I are working hard at following the Spirit. It is a mission-long goal I have. I still don't have it figured out but it is kind of nice to celebrate successes. Yesterday night we were going to eat with Hermana Parra and her nonmember husband. He had to work so she gave us our food to go. It was rotten. We took it to a park and started to eat but realized we needed utensils. Elder Ramos was prompted to knock on the door of a less-active that I hadn't met yet and ask them. We did that and they let us in to eat. We talked with the daughter and her boyfriend and they had a lot of very good questions. I was prompted to turn on the Restoration video on our Ipads. The Spirit was VERY STRONG! I felt it running through me at some of the key parts. I thought that if I was feeling it then for sure Leo and Jessica were. I just knew it. Why else would I feel it? I don't need to Spiritual witness that it is true. I figured they got the witness. Well, we are going to start teaching them both and they had it planned to go to the Gilbert Temple Friday and Elder Ramos hasn't gone yet so I think we will be going. Hopefully it works out!

 

I focused hard on my studies this week and I learned so much. I was so engrossed in conference talks this week that I probably read a dozen from April 2012 just during lunches and breakfasts. It is amazing how much we don't get out of them if we just watch the talks when they come out! Having them in print is such a blessing. It was a great conference. President Eyring and President Monson's talks during Preisthood were right up my alley. They talked about becoming. Think about the potential that others have. Those two speak with such clarity and love. 

 

I also really enjoyed the Book of Mormon Doctrine of Christ reading this week! I added another little feature to my study in the Book; I am writing simple questions in the margin that are answered by what the prophets are saying in the text. I want to be able to give this copy away to someone who is investigating who can see how well this Book answers questions! The Book of Mormon honestly has every answer that we could look for. 

 

Yesterday was a lot of fun. If you ever find yourself wondering what I am doing on Sundays think of all the cool people I am meeting and talking to. Barrio Estrella is so great! The ward leadership is outstanding. Obispo Cid was a bishop in Puebla Mexico and in the La Joya ward here in Pheonix before here. He is SO knowedgeable. All the other leaders are great; Hermanos Figueroa, Cid, Bencomo, Ramos, Martinez and a lot more. I am not too personally connected to any of them yet, but I could admire every thing they do in the church from a distance. The Hispanic Arizona Saints are so dedicated! It really has blessed my life to know and work shoulder-to-shoulder with these people. We were with the Berelleza family this week. Just another recent convert, on fire family that you love to be around. They remind me of Ignacio, Luz, and the Sanchez family. There is a lot of work to do here and a lot of lives to bless. I know The Lord knows how it is to be done, I am to put my trust in him and show him my complete faith in His purposes. It is hard, but I am loving it here and Elder Ramos and I are living it up together!

 

Love Elder Parry

Goodbye to Surprise

GOOOOOOOOODBYYYE SURPRISE  And just in time too, a lot of maintenance was being done on the Rangers' Ballpark and people have started to play catch in the field in front of it.

 

Dear Family,

 

This week was hectic. Saying goodbye to my pals over there was bittersweet. I say 'over there' because Surprise is really isolated and I am more in the mix of things now. I am the closest to the city you can get in the mission. Since we lost the pure Phoenix stakes this is the closest. In fact, our chapel burned down here a few months ago so we are relocated at a different chapel on 59th and Indian School that is in the Tempe Mission. I am in the Maricopa Stake, West Maricopa Zone. There are 2 spanish units in the zone and 3 companionships each unit! This is the only zone with Spanish Zone Leaders so it is kind of fun having them around. My Ward is called the ESTRELLA ward. Kind of lame huh? Haha. Mabe I will serve in Estrella my whole mission. This area is a lot like my first one in Peoria. It is HUGE. The Spanish work is really sparse in the area, in fact, even most all the members are in the two Sister companionship areas. Our district is Me, Elder Ramos, and 4 sisters, 2 of which came out on the mission with me. All of this is a lot of adjusting for me. I think it will really help me to be a flexible and adaptable person. Life as I knew it on the mission has kind of been turned upside down. But it is okay, I will learn a lot and a lot of the good, basic things of being a Representative of Jesus Christ are always the same. Elder Cardoso served in the zone for 14 months so since the time we were together in May talking about it, I have wanted to serve here, so here I am!

 

I definitely miss Surprise though. For a few days this week I was missing it hard core! Everything I loved over there is just gone so fast. I felt a little pathetic for about a day too haha. I missed my roommates, Elder Fife, the members, Elders Nelson and Jones, the investigators, knowing the directions, the church building, the food in the pantry. I kind of just missed everything. and again, I had just gotten things under control in my brain then it all changes. But I had some great good-byes over there. Tuesday night, most of the branch was at the church so that was very nice. I said goodbye to Mario, Glenda, and Cassandra, Brother Handley, Hermana Mata, President Aguirre's family, Hermano Zayas, the Sorianos, the Hammonds, all the other Elders, Hermano Godoy, the Flores family, Hermana Lopez, the Jenkins, and more. The next morning on the way to the meetings I called Clemente, Jose Hernandez, the Cobos and a few others. I wish I had more time! I will cherish all the memories I had with my companions, friends, members, and investigators there. I learned a lot of good things from the Branch and my experiences over there. However, I have not a doubt in my mind I am where I am supposed to be. I am excited.

 

Here in Barrio Estrella there hasn't been a lot to do so far. I feel like I was busy every single day from April to January in Surprise compared to what we are up to right now over here. I am in the cities of Avondale, Tolleson, and Phoenix. Again, there isn't very much Spanish. Most of the neighborhoods are pretty established in middle- to upper-middle income houses. Elder Ramos is my companion (We didn't have time to get to a computer this weekend so I texted sister Taylor. You got the address right? I feel like most missionaries are really scared of her and President Taylor and they don't really understand that they just want to help us...) . He is from San Salvador. He was in the MTC for almost 4 months because of a heart condition and he just got finished being trained by Elder Arave, one of my great friends serving with me in the Agua Fria ward in Peoria. He and his family are converts to the church. His older sister served in Uruguay. Just like Elder Cardoso, all of Elder Ramos' friends and family and anyone he knew served in South America and he got sent here. It has been really cool my first week with him. I see a lot of similarities between Elder Ramos and Elder Cardoso as they both adapted to the English and the States. It has been funny to see the typical 'foreigner things' I call them. I can't think of anything specific, nor are they negative, but there are just funny things done in a certain style by those two. Elder Ramos has a heart of gold. His testimony is very strong and he is indeed very humble. He prays like Enos and Alma on a daily basis. He was taught great things by Elder Arave and, to me, he basically looks already converted. I am learning a lot from him already. He didn't know any English before the mission so communication has been fun. We understand each other fine in both languages but I am already getting better in Spanish and I am really challenging him in English. When I saw the transfer text I decided that I wanted to be much better at Spanish and speaking it regularly so i commited to talking it in 100% with my next companion whoever it is. It was funny because once day 2 hit I told Elder Ramos I would rather that we speak 100% English for him. Haha. He is learning though. One sec, I think the computer is going to shut down. I might write a little more in a bit. 

 

I know it is your job to spoil me and send me stuff and I am so grateful and happy every time you send packages and goodies. Really, they are fun; but could you make the one you send this week and in the recent coming weeks a little less extravegant than usual. My companion and his family had to live off of food storage and canned food for over a month so that he could serve. It has been a big adjustment for him in the states seeing people live in abundance. You could replace stuff you want to give to me with stuff for him if you want, he LOVES candy. The Elders in our apartment call him Willy Wonka. Thanks!