Wednesday, February 13, 2013

WEEK TWO IN THE MTC - ANOTHER AMAZING LETTER


Wednesday, February 13, 2013
FAMILY and FRIENDS

Another week in the MTC and everything here is great! If I was out in the field I would have had 2 baptismal dates set. (Ill tell you about that later)
This week one of my teachers said something that I just loved. He said that we are not required to run faster than we are able to but we are expected to run. Everything in the MTC moves really fast and it is so important to work hard. I cannot believe I only have 4 weeks left here! The most important thing I learned this week was that once you have studied, prepared, and prayed all that you can, the Lord really does take care of you.

So last week we had our very last lesson with one of our investigators, V. Honestly all I can say is that I truly am an instrument in the Lord's hands. Our last lesson was focused on re-emphasizing the basic foundations of this gospel. We studied a lot to figure out the Spanish we needed to say in order to say what we wanted to say and we prayed to make sure that the spirit would be with us. We made it very simple and we decided to not take in any notes with us. We worked only with the scriptures. Luckily I have been able to really remember where certain scriptures are- that has truly been a blessing and makes teaching a lot easier. Anyways, I remember coming out of that lesson and not knowing what had just happened. My companion turned to me when we came out and said that she didn't even know that I knew those words that I was saying in the lesson. And guess what, I didn't. All I do know is that I was testifying how true the Book of Mormon was and that this book is the closest way for us to get to God. It was so powerful. Right after I asked if he would follow the example of Christ and be baptized. He said of course. It was the best feeling ever. You know how they say in the scriptures how great will be your joy if you bring one soul unto me, well its true. Ever since then I have been so motivated.

Yesterday we taught a new investigator. It was our very first lesson with him. His name is R. His wife died about 3 years ago. He was absolutely a mess when we first arrived. He was so sad and just had trouble believing in God. I shared the experience about when Amy died and how our family was just devastated because she was only 26 and pregnant at the time. From that moment on the spirit seriously took over the lesson. We explained how God has a plan for us. I expressed how ya sometimes bad things happen but God made it possible to be happy and find hope through the plan of salvation and the sacrifice of his son. I love reading Alma 7:11-12 with investigators because it talks about how Christ knows how to succor us because he has felt every pain on this planet. We asked him how he was feeling and he said how we were helping him to feel really good inside. I told him that was the Spirit testifying to him that the words in the Book of Mormon and that we were sharing were true. I told him that he could have that always. I then popped the question of baptism and he said yes! On, the first visit. Can you believe it? The Spirit really does testify to investigators and helps them find hope that there is a way to be happy in this life and live with our families forever.

On Sunday I listened to Elder Holland's talk "Missions are Forever." It has FOREVER changed me as a missionary. Go watch it please. I have been studying a lot about the conversion of Alma the Younger in Mosiah and he was talking about how we have the power and authority to astound people just like in the Book of Mormon. It is amazing. I know I have been set apart so I have the authority but the power comes from obedience and studying. So my new goal is to live my life so that the Lord can work through me so I can teach at the same level as the sons of Mosiah and Alma and astound people with the spirit.

My companion and I have had some great teaching opportunities. I really lucked out with her. I think its kind of a bad thing that she is so awesome because it is setting the bar for companions really really high. I love her to death! And ironically we are practically the same person. We decided to make a list of all the ways we are similar. In 2 minutes we already had about 50 things- for example we love eating Andes mints after meals and our moms are our best friends.

Im sorry if these emails don't make much sense. We have hardly any time on the computer here. But I just want all of you to know that I love each of you and am so thankful for all the packages, letters, love, and support that you send my way. I have the best support group ever!

I know that the Book of Mormon is true and I am so grateful for the strength that it has been for me in the MTC. I have especially enjoyed reading El Libro de Mormon. Somethings just sound so much better in spanish and the Book of Mormon is one of those things. The words that they use have so much meaning and there are exclamation marks and it is all just really wonderful.

Hope everyone is having a swell week! I am too happy to be homesick but I do miss being able to call you up and tell you about every little thing that happens here. The Spirit really is in the MTC and with all the missionaries here. The Lord is so happy that we have all chosen to give up ourselves for His purpose to bring people unto Him. I am grateful for this opportunity.

Mucho amor,
Hermana Parry

PS 2 districts are leaving this weekend and I am so devastated. I do not know how I am going to handle being transferred while I’m actually in Houston. I have attachment issues. I love everyone way too much.

Also, I do not know if you saw Elder Macdonald's email but he said how we have the exact OPPOSITE schedules. And it is true. I hardly ever see him. It does however make seeing him that much more exciting. He seems happy! I sure miss him a lot but it is really awesome to see both of us as missionaries in the MTC. I still can't get over the fact that I am here. Missions are awesome. If any of you are on the fence about whether you should go or not, do everything you can to get yourself out on a mission! It is so life changing. Ive only been gone for 2 weeks and I can already testify about that. Ya the days are long and things are hard, but its suppose to be hard. It wasn't easy for Christ while he was on the earth so why should it be easy for us.

Ok now I am signing off! Time is up. LOVE YOU!!

HERE ARE SOME FUN PICTURES OF HER SECOND WEEK IN THE MTC!! 

THIS ONE IS AWESOME BECAUSE YOU KNOW THERE WAS SOME HUGGING AND SCREAMING WHEN THEY SAW EACH OTHER! THIS IS HERMANA PARRY'S COUSIN ELDER MATTHEW MACDONALD, WHO ENTERED THE MTC A WEEK AFTER HER.  WHAT A NICE REUNION FOR TWO GREAT KIDS. IN MATTHEW'S LETTER HE MENTIONED RUNNING INTO HER WAS A TENDER MERCY FOR HIM, IT CALMED HIS NERVES.
SISTER PARRY AND HER WONDERFUL COMPANION - IT IS NICE TO SEE HER WRITING LETTERS HOME...

 SHE LOVES ALL THE PACKAGES PEOPLE - KEEP THEM COMING... 
AND A BIG THANK YOU FOR THINKING OF HER.

 ??? DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED
 THE APPLE HAS I "HEART" U ON IT.  
MACKYNZIE IS SO GRATEFUL FOR THE WONDERFUL SUPPORT SHE HAS...  SHE HAS BEEN BLESSED IN HER LIFE WITH WONDERFUL FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
ANOTHER WEEK DOWN AND SHE SEEMS HAPPY AS CAN BE.

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