The Taylor Stealth Bomber

I am so pumped to report on this week! It went super well. We will
start at the top; our ward has baptized the last two weeks and are
scheduled for more the next 3 out of 4! We hope to keep adding on to
the list as time goes on :) It is fun being here with Hermano Murrietta, some very strong and loving leaders, and the 4 sister
missionaries. I have not my entire mission felt the work hastening as I feel it here--LEAD by the members. That is true urgency. When these families catch the wave and not just the clueless teenager
missionaries haha. Jessica's baptism went very well. A lot of her
family are recent converts so they were all their, emotional, and
excited for her. Many, many people from the ward came to support and
we all went over to the Patinos after to eat cow-head tacos with them. It was there how much I realized I love this ward. I am having so much fun with them. I didn't think I would like anywhere as much as Rama Estrella, but this place is pretty cool. Jessica is very determined.  She wasn't nervous or indecisive at all. That is what I loved. She had received answers to her prayers before we came. She knew she was ready to get baptized before we came. We just reaped what had been sewed--primarily by her faith, with the help of her family and other members and missionaries. This is a cool family. Her dad, Pepe, baptized her.

Elder Ramos went with President Taylor today to downtown so I didn't
get to road trip :( I am on a tri-panionship right now with the
apartment members. It is fun. Our new roommate is one of the Hawaiian Elders I played basketball with on Christmas! Elder Ramos has had some hard core preparation the past couple days. HAsn't eaten for 36 hours and he is on some laxatives. Interesting Sabbath Day and Baptismal service. He is a trooper though.

Cool Spiritual end to the week: I finished the Book of Mormon that I
had started in January--yesterday before the baptism. I was nearing
the end and had decided to do Moroni's promise again when I finished
just for the heck of it. However, as I was reading verses 4 and 5 I
felt the Spirit and it kept coming so I just stopped reading so I
could focus on how I was feeling. I flat out couldn't deny any of it
ever. I was just so strong. I know it is true. I knelt down after not to ask anything but just to say that I knew it was true and that I always would know it. I shared how I felt later that night at the
baptism in the missionary presentation. The Spirit was very strong in that room when Elder Ramos and I shared. It was sweet. Mariana and Ernesto were there.

Mariana and Ernesto are SO COOL! She is the one who came to the
Pastorela with us on a whim. We went with Hermano Barrera on Thursday and by the end of the lesson she kept asking what she needs to do to be ready for baptism. Anyway, they are both locked in for May 25th. Rosa didn't come to church this week! She missed her interview too! She had to take her kids to the hospital. We told her that Satan works hard when people are about to get baptized. Sometimes God even backs off a little so make one stronger before they are baptized. Rosa is so strong. Her husband is not too strong but he is working his way back. She is soo coooool. I love her. She will be baptized this weekend.

Mariana and Ernesto are good to go. The Spirit has guided us and her
member friends every step of the way and will continue as we visit
them. Remember the lesson with Jaime? He came to church on wednesday
('coincidentally' he decided to walk to the church that night when all the members had their activities so he walked in and Hermano Rene gave him a tour) and he came to church, met everybody, wants to go do visits with us on wednesday! However, just like Karina, he lives in the Sister's area. ay caray lolz.

Dad: To follow up on some of your emails. Yes it is getting hot here
but this past week has been very pleasant. It is too bad it is going
to start getting a lot hotter. I loved being in the heat on bike. You have an excuse for being sweaty, tired, thirsty, hungry, and to get into people's houses. Now, it is hotter in car. I guess I could apply what I said in my farewell talk and use the seat belt to iron my clothes :) I like the heat though. It makes me feel cool; like what you said. Also-President Taylor loves the "7-minute-lesson." He has trained us all mission on the "Taylor Stealth Bomber" which is a
less-than-10-minute walk in to the person's home, don't ask for water, ask what needs they have, offer a prayer on the home and the family, state authority, ask for specific blessings, pray for people by name,take some moments of silence after (some have been very long), then ask them what the Spirit has told them or who the Spirit has told them that we visit. Then we schedule up a follow-up appointment with them or with their friends and them. It is a very powerful Spirit. It is one reason my current area is so alive right now. I love the Taylor Stealth bomber! He wants us to do it when he's gone too haha.

I am learning a lot out here don't worry about me. I am eating a lot
too. This week I had Panvasos again finally, Chile Relleno (entire
green bell peppers stuffed with food)(I ate 3), and some other stuff. Elder Ramos is teaching me a lot. Most importantly of all for me; I have felt the Spirit's influence on a more regular basis. Elder Ramos and I agree that we have felt it the most our whole missions the last 2 months together. Keep it real family. I am going to be honest, sorry I am not very motivated about replying back about all the specifics going on in your lives at home. I like to share what is going on with me (Selfish right?), but I really do relish everything you have to say about home and what you are up to. It makes me happy. You are all doing great. Sounds like you are having fun. Things are getting down to the wire for Caroline aren't they? :D

Love you, Elder Parry

Nada!

Dear Family, so I am going on my first companionship of three transfers and am here to stay in Barrio Estrella. Not going to lie, it was kind of a relief! Today and yesterday (like all weekends before possible changes) were kind of a whirlwind of hair-brained conjectures--as much consciously as subconsciously. I had frantic thoughts of getting shipped off to the Mexican-free Flagstaff and other stuff. It is all good though. I am happy and Elder Ramos is really happy too.

 

This week made me so happy. I don't remember all of it but let me hit the highlights. Ward Mission Leader #6 for me was called this week and he is a WINNER. Absolutely fantastic. He has done more in a week then 5 previous WML put together. Hermano Murietta is a STUD. Really, the faith of these Saints just astounds me. He gets off work then takes his three kids and wife with him on visits, to baptisms, to meetings, to this, and that, and he has made me laugh almost more than any other member. Good, bright future here. Our ward is baptizing weekly. Jessica is SO STRONG for this weekend :) Her dad will baptize her. We told her today we were staying and she said "hip hip horray!" OHYA! Rosa is still strong too! We are finding new people; Mariana and her husband loved church. They loved how we don't worship saints. THANK YOU! That was nice to hear--finally hearing it. #Hispanics #whoisthe"virginofGuadalupe?" While Jessica was getting interviewed we brought Leo, her boyfriend, into the chapel to get down to earth with him. We had a great lesson and some King Lamoni type prayers. He knows he should be baptized. He has felt the Spirit. HE will come to Jessica's baptism and feel ready after that #Sunday. Last night we taught Sonia--she is a returning member who now has unwavering faith, she is so cool and I just love learning with her because of her great faith--and her nonmember brother. He has a dark past and has regular bad encounters with dark forces. Anyway, it sounded bad. We gave him a priesthood blessing and he got up after and started crying bad. He said he wanted to feel something but felt nothing at all. I was shocked. I didn't know what to say. Sonia and I kept trying to follow the Spirit and reason with him. About the 4th or 5th time I opened my mouth to talk I said something about patiently waiting for the Spirit and the Spirit hit me so hard! I am sure it hit him too. Kind of funny how the thing I was saying to him and the point I was trying to get across was exactly what I needed to hear to help me understand what happened in the Priesthood Blessing. I bet he needed to hear it too. Jaime will be fine. He is in the Lord's hands and we are sent to help him. I can't remember what else happened this week, just that I am having fun and having new, rewarding experiences on an hourly basis. Looking forward to the next six weeks. Don't blink now, I will be home soon! 

 

Love you all, Elder Parry  

Because of Him

 

This week was eventful like all the weeks before. It was nice to see the Jenkins again. They are loco but a lot of fun! They keep trying to line me up with women which is weird because.. Well for obvious reasons. They told me (you told me too) that you are already lining up everything for school (You're trunky) and that I am going to school 4 days after I get home. Ughhhhhhhhhhhh. It took two days to accept that. But it is kind of a weight off my shoulders to having accepted that. I guess it is nice to know that I won't have time to think before going. Who knows? Maybe I will be married next April!  Jajajajajajaja Ojala que NO. Elder Ramos and I have visited the doctor this week. We had adventures. I would have to let him approve the telling to you of what the adventures actually were. But he is getting his stomach checked a lot. In two weeks he has an appointment in Phoenix.  So if we stay together; ROAD TRIP!!   Thanks for the package; it is wonderful. We shared all the chocolate with the great Estrella members.

Rosa Machuka accepted a baptismal date for May 4th! Remember her? I asked for her on the prayer list a couple weeks ago. I appreciate your Faith in Christ in making it happen and her for her Faith too! we are very excited for her and working as close as we can with her. We went to her house on Thursday with Hermana Sepulveda to give her a birthday cake and more support. It was perfect. She is sponging in what we are teaching and she wants her 10-year-old son, Johan, to be baptized with
her. The only doubt is that Sergio is FLOJO (LAZY). So we need to get the less-active husband to catch the wave or something. It is a very wonderful family and I would love to see her and her son make covenants with the intentions of keeping them for all eternity. Whether I am here for it or not, it matters not to me, just that we see her there in Heaven one day! I will introduce you to her there.
Jessica is so on board for the 27th still. We had a great conversation yesterday with her mom, sister, and brother-in-law when she had to leave. A year ago when her parents got baptized, she said that she had to work so she couldn't go to the baptism and that she would never be a mormon. She actually pointed her finger at her mom and said that very emphatically. Then she told her mom a few months ago that her prayers are getting answered and that she knows she should be baptized. Then a week later we knocked on the door to ask to borrow some utensils to eat our takeout food. Here we are! The only doubt is that she works Sundays. We are working hard on that. And we need Leo, her boyfriend, to catch fire soon too. The investigators are doing well. Our district has 14 people preparing for baptism. Most I have seen since coming out here. The names are much more important though; Victor, Victor Jr, Rosa, Jessica, Johan, Melissa, Maria, Ben, Mickey, Rusty, Mow, Ramon, Eric, and Margarito! The work is hastening mis amigos!

The Easter Pageant was a blast! Our plans actually all fell through around 3 that afternoon and we started getting sad. Then we called Hermano Barrera and asked Hermana Tienda if she had any non-members going. She said that she did and that she (Mariana) needed a ride! We all went together with Hermana Vega too (Recent Convert from last year who read the Book of Mormon in 8 days!). It was so fun. Mariana loved it and Hermana Vega cried the whole time. Hermano Barrera actually dropped her off at her house and shared a scripture on tithing with her because she had some doubts about. I saw ALL the Spanish missionaries! It was a good reunion. We had waxed strong in the service of The Lord so it was good to catch up with people and make fun of them for gaining weight. I got a picture with Elders Dodd and Fife. Good old friends. I suspect that Elder Ramos will be leaving in
8 days. But I don't speculate haha and it really doesn't matter. I sincerely pray and hope that the Lord's will for me is that I am in a smaller role and I can do hard, loving, respectful work far away from too many missionaries and what not haha. But I am ready and willing to do whatever the Lord's will is and I won't try to change it!

The Open House was....slow. But you know it, with all the time and money put into it (even though the Mayor, city council, fireman, and others cancelled) it could still be worth it for the few nonmembers that went. There was a man named Cecilio who came and said that he wants to take his daughters to young women and church and that he felt very good there and he loved it. We were happy to give him some supplies after he walked through. He could not make it to church the
next day but he sent his 9-year-old daughter with some members. She wanted an English BOM, a children's version, a second one for her sister, pictures of Christ, and many more things. She loved it. The Hermanas that cover that area will visit them soon. Wouldn't that make the open house worth it?! Speaking of worth it--maybe we all learned a lesson about church activities and ideas (especially those kind of out-there stake-wide activities): They don't just appear out of thin air. They are all willing to put in work to make sure that it happens. But people don't just come because they post about it on facebook or leave invitations on doors or hope the missionaries invite enough
people. It takes serious commitment by everyone. Kudos to the Stake President; he brought someone! Another key learning; just because people say yes they will go doesn't mean they will; especially latinos ay caray. But it was worth it!!

You want to hear about the next big thing going on with the Church if you haven't heard about it yet? It is the video that I put on my Facebook wall; "Because of Him." It is VERY powerful. Personally, it
is very powerful to me because I have felt the Spirit almost every time I watch it. I am sure you will all love it too and feel inspired to share it with someone! The Church is hitting the video, along with
the Mormon.org page they want people to see, very hard before Easter on Sunday. They bought the rites to Youtube's homepage for that day so they could advertise the video hard core. They want millions of people to see it. So I would like to encourage you all to take a part in it!!!! Check out the video and think of the people throughout the week that would benefit (Everyone right?)!!!!!!

Love, Elder Jacob Parry

Conference

Wonderful wonderful news from home! Thanks for the email y'all! I learned a lot this week and was fed spiritually by conference. It is always good. I couldn't possible pick a favorite but I really loved Elder Perry's talk on obedience. He really took a great angle on it. I got some good revelation on "self-assurance;" I can know that I am doing fine if I am being obedient to the prophet, the Gospel, and my testimony of it. It is as simple as that. Priesthood was one of the best in years! This was good because our investigator, Leo came and sat next to me! We had some delicious Mexican food with the two Spanish wards in the stake in between sessions on Sunday. Elder timm, apartment mate, and I went out together one night because our companions were sick. It was one of the coolest nights of my mission! We met a lady who told us that she would never change and she was happily catholic but that she would listen. Francis listened and at the end was crying, asking if she could pray, describing how the spirit felt to her, and committed to praying about Joseph smith. We are NOTHING in our efforts without the Spirit. That gives me good comfort that I am doing my best. I know that my best effort is acceptable because the Spirit has to do the rest. Also- we wouldn't have been able to help her be touched by the spirit if we didn't let her here and say a few things in Spanish so it was good that The Lord planned things out for me to be there in elder timms area. The Lord is mindful. I love my mission. I love Rosa Machuka--she is humbly committed to being baptized on May 4th!!!! and Jessica is set for the 27th still (Mario and Glenda's baptism date in 2013). I love meeting so many people and I love trying to grow. I say trying because it is hard and you can't do it on cruise control. It is really tough out here and quite often I want to just relax and forget all I need to do. But every time that happens I use the Atonement to shut it down and move on! Keep being missionaries, not because you feel obligated, but because you love sharing the Restoration with others. I love you all and know that The Lord has a wonderful place prepared for us all, including those working in the Spirit world alongside us, as we continue to do what we are doing :D

Jr. Companion to my Wife

I had an interesting idea this week. You will have to bear with me as I try to explain it: I don't really remember having a whole lot of fun on my mission. I don't remember it being worthwhile either. As I look at the mission a day, week, or even a month at a time, I don't see a whole lot of fulfilling progression. But, in retrospect, my mission as a whole has been SO FUN and SO FULFILLING. It is hard to explain why because I just can't think of anything specific. I think I could do a little better at having fun on a daily basis, but overall, I have learned a couple things. People don't change in a day, week, month, year, or two years. In fact--I feel like people don't even know how to listen anymore. If you want my take on it-- if you are looking for ways to serve others and be more Christlike, it is not going to be found as much in raking leaves or snow shoveling as much as it is in LISTENING. It is something that I feel people--all of us--don't know how to do anymore in this world. Everyone is just trying to get their own opinion out there and nothing else. That is why the Spirit plays such a key role. People aren't going to change if they don't feel it.  They won't feel the Spirit if we don't listen either. I have also learned that this fun and fulfillment that I have enjoyed has been provided by the Grace of the Atonement of Christ. He wouldn't expect us to serve Him out here for two years of our lives and not let us have fun for them. That doesn't sound very Christlike. He has provided great fulfillment for us when we do our best. I feel like Grace has been the caulk that has filled-in the difference for my entire mission. Sometimes I feel like, even after getting 98% wrong and 2% right, if I have done my best, the Grace of the Atonement helps me feel good. That is why I feel like I have had fun and even made a difference in something (who knows what?): The Atonement. It is true that you learn a lot about the Savior out here in the mission. I can tell you that hardly any of it is learned through study; it is living, applying, praying, and observing. Grace does the rest.

We had interviews with Pres. T this week. It was good and the usual very quick. Flashbacks to my first interview with him last April make time seem to fly by quick. He told me something I need to work on; that is self-assurance. He was basically telling me to stop looking for stuff to work on, I think. I guess it is okay to think I am doing fine rather than stressing about doing better all the time, just as long as nothing falls into cruise control. Thanks for teaching me that Mom ;-)

We had 3-4 productive weeks in the work in our area until this past week, which wasn't super busy. Our lessons cut in half because of some (a lot) of cancelling. But that is okay. It sounds like people are as busy here as they are in Utah! Haha ay caray. Keep being busy but be careful about cancelling appointments with church people. Sometimes it breaks our hearts if we are weak right? haha. I forget out in the field that we, not really having normal lives, are weaving in and out of other people's [normal] lives. Rosa Machuka came to church this sunday and brought her kids, Johan and Sergio! It was a miracle.  Frankly, miracles happen every day that we miss. Do we understand what miracles are? What miracles are we missing every day? When I think of miracles in the mission field I can't think of anything specific.  Sorry, I don't think I will have many specific stories to share at the homecoming (excuse the trunkiness), because I just don't remember them! I try to be true to writing them down at the end of the day--but I haven't baptized any families of 6 the first week I met them, or had someone tell me they had a dream that the Book of Mormon was true, but I am seeing miracles every day! I have learned to look at things at such a grander scale; these small-every day-miracles are what bring about God's purposes. I have seen the Lord's hand make these happen my whole time out here. Rosa coming with her two kids was a miracle. It was a miracle that she made some friends too! This is what builds my faith.

Things are getting very exciting here, for me, and I guess all of us.  The open house is still getting pretty hyped up by all the wards, Jessica is still good for April (parents out of town the 20th, so probably the 27th), We are excited for conference--Elder Ramos and I had the idea of watching it in the house of some less-actives, we will see how that goes--, Easter is coming up too, TRANSFERS? I guess those are coming up, I love President Taylor very much--but I feel that he is stressing out just a little before leaving haha, the Easter Pageant is soon, and Elder Walker (temple guy) keeps teasing us about the PHX temple but still no dates! Before Dec-30 for sure though :D Also--we had a random stake meeting yesterday and I just have some thoughts- I know this Church is perfectly organized but sometimes I feel like its administration is too cautious and time is lost. Yesterday in our group of 6 missionaries and 2 stake representatives as we met to talk about the work in the stake I felt like some lame peace treaty was being signed or something because each side was trying to appease each other. Aren't we on the same team? Why can't all of us just take initiative rather than print off meeting agendas and try to convince each other that we are using our time wisely? Ay caray. PS- be looking for prospective wives that are willing to be Sr. companions (i.e. bring home the bacon, tell me what to do lovingly and I will do it) because I think Jr. Companion would be so much less tiring! (also--try to find a latina!!!)

Love, Elder Parry

The Spirit is Everything

Hello Family!

I can't believe it is time to write again. I wish I knew where the time went. I think I have told you this before; but the Spirit is EVERYTHING. I have learned out here that you cannot succeed without
it. You cannot do missionary work nor do it right without the Spirit.  We cannot see success with the people we teach without the Spirit. I personally feel like I can't convince people. Lately I have been SO dependent on the Spirit in lessons. It has to be that which does the convincing. It is so key. Elder Ramos and I continue to be guided by the Spirit. Jessica committed to being baptized on April 20th! We are pumped. She is 18 and her parents were baptized hace un ano and we are teaching her boyfriend too. She FINALLY came to church. The new church continues to bring in the presently-known-as-cold people. Haha. It is really nice. When we report to Obispo Cid about who we need help with, he usually says; Ok Elders We go! so He is very good. It kinda helps that we visit a lot of members and less actives. Just so you know; we are staying busy and teaching non-members too! This week I became completely converted to the fact that the best way to do missionary work is through the members of the church. No member is ready to hand over referrels of friends because they typically just aren't that outgoing about it, but we are teaching them because we strain their friends out of their brains by using the Spirit! Seriously. It is working. And because we help members they invite their friends to talk with us because "they helped me be happier." It really is simple like
this. Elder Ramos and I have knocked about 10 doors here and it was BRUTAL haha. No more. He said he knocked almost 2 hours a day with his trainer here. Ay caray. He hated it haha. This is the best way to do the work. It is what we have been told and taught and I have always believed it but I became converted to it in this area. I KNOW. We had dinner with the Morenos yesterday. They are sweet. They are pumped to invite their friends to the Easter Pageant in Mesa. They wanted us to go with them so we already have plans for that. I can't believe it has been a year since I went! I am starting to make the second and final round on everything in the mission. President is still preparing
(wigging out) to leave the mission. He definitely wants things to be going smoothly. Ay caray. Love that man! Glad you got to see him. I hope you noticed some more of his humor which is exactly like Dad's. Dry haha. I am in my third area with a Spring training ballpark in it! We passed by the Dodgers park on Camelback and 110th when there was a game last saturday. SO MANY MEXICANS. There are already a lot here, but for a Dodgers game too!? We did another Temple run this week. It was good to be back. I have been having withdrawals. I will have to survive another 3 months now. We went with the-one-and-only Hermano Barrera. He told us that he doesn't want to get married again because he likes doing whatever he wants and he knows he wouldn't be able to
make little house figurines and paint them until 4 in the morning with a wife. He also said that his life is helping the"Elderes de Israel" so, aqui estamos. Elder Ramos and I finally went to the doctor this
week. His stomach is eating him alive. He has Gastritis and the garbage we eat in the states is destroying him. It was in my first area! I saw many memorable sites. Elder Ramos is wild haha. He is
telling me more about his growing up. El Salvador was a wild place. Every man for himself. Lots of gangs. Elder Ramos would still be in a gang as a hard core leader if he weren't baptized. Haha. Kind of cool. Something I learned this morning in studies: Captain Moroni was wigging out about the war/liberty situation at the end of the Lamanite war so he writes a letter (kind of ignorantly) to Pahoran, the chief judge. Well, he didn't know what was going on so he reproved him
greatly. Pahoran responds ever-so-benevolently. HE says that he does not delight in Moroni's situation. He then sends troops and provisions despite his own plight. WOW. Moroni then frees himself from the situation and goes to the aid of Pahoran. Then they both go and win battles together. How many of us as members of the church can respond like Pahoran to an offensive situation such as that one? What if Pahoran got offended, gave up, got ticked off, and left the judgment seat or gave up the fight? Our responses to others are important.  Remember that life is 10 percent what happens and 90 percent what we do with it (Evan taught me that quote). I room with a couple bible-bashers too and I have learned in my mission that the BOM is everything. There is a section in PMG that says that we use it to respond to objections, rather than the Bible. I am so much happier relying on the BOM, the Spirit, and honest invitations to act, than on Biblical knowledge. Granted, I am not ignorant (because how could I be saved if I were?) but our best means of bringing the Spirit is the
BOM. So let's drop it! (get it?) Great week. Love you!

I am the Gardner Here and I Know What I Want You to Become

Preparations are getting even crazier for the Tolleson open house. We
are excited. The stake gave our district 1200 invitations to flood the
neighborhood surrounding it. We hope to see some great results for the
April 12th open house. It will be weird because as missionaries, we
just stand at tables and only speak when spoken to. We will see how it
goes! The building still looks really nice, smells good, and is
bringing in new and old visitors. We were busy this week. It was nice.
We were going from lesson to lesson for the most part. We found many
opportunities to teach and invite to church. Unfortunately, Rosa
Machuka still has not gone because her husband is lazy (her words).
Victor Olivo, his wife and three little kids came! They are such a
beautiful family!!! They had their hands full with kids and had to
leave early because one was sick but they seemed to like it. We cannot
see them until Saturday so they are really in the Lord's hands this
week. Karina came with Fabian and their kid!!! It was so awesome.
Karina is special and she has a sincere desire. We will get to the
bottom of how committed she is this week.

Our District is HUGE! Transfers were wild. Two new spanish sisters
came to the district and our district added two companionships,
including our apartment mates. It is based on who goes to church here
so we are all together now. It will be a lot of fun together. All the
Elders and Sisters are cool. Now I am not in the "sister
district" anymore. Man, that was wild haha. Let me explain before you
jump to conclusions on what that means haha. Working with Sisters is
just a lot different than working with Elders... They both have
different strengths--Sisters have more--and their challenges are very
different Ay caray. I learned a lot in one transfer with the 4
Hermanas. It was a blast! They made my life easy.

We visited a lot of fun people this week. I don't know if you saw the
pictures of me on Facebook with the Waldos and the Berrellezas. I love
these families and they are strong in the Gospel so it feels good
being in their homes. I hope to bring the same Spirit to my future
home that I feel here in the field in the homes of so many awesome
people. The Spirit really guided us AGAIN this week to visiting and
teaching the right people.

I am learning a lot about the Atonement still out here. Man! There is
not a better place to learn about it out here. I know that sounds
vague, and this is going to sound cliche, but you would just need to
be out here to realize how much the Atonement is really hit on. Every
thing we feel about our investigators, members, and less active
friends--he has felt. I got so frustrated this week. Saturday night I
was letting it all out so Elder Ramos could hear haha. I think he
enjoyed listening. I feel fine because I know I am doing my best and
that is all that is asked--but it is so frustrating to see so much
lethargy in the people who have separated from the church a little. It
hurts to see good people disrespect sacred covenants, put off
worshipping God, and just be pathetic. I know that sounds cold, but I
want people to realize they need this Gospel BACK. It is hard, but I
know Christ has been through it all and that he says the same about
active members of the church and missionaries like me. Elder Ramos and
I feel like we go through things that only 3 people in the world are
at the time; us two and Christ. It is a really nice thing to fall back
on--all-the-time 24-7. We have been showing the Elder Christofferson
Mormon message on the Gardener to a lot of people. Probably daily. We
are cut down so we can grow and only the Gardener knows what we can
BECOME. "Why could you have done this to me?" "Look little shrub, I am
the Gardener here, and I know what I want you to become." Take that
into account when communicating with our Father in Heaven. Do we
invite correction?

I love you all!