Why does everyone keep telling me that this is happening so fast?

Hey! I totally didn’t think that I would get to email today so this is quite a treat. I just have to tell you what a fabulous week this was. We learned lots and worked hard. 

First news first, DOMINGA WAS BAPTIZED! It was incredible. We had some great lessons with her leading up to her baptism this week. She even gifted us some bracelets and called us her daughters. There was one lesson we had with her where she does completely opened up to us about all the problems that she has been having with her children. She posed the rhetorical question: why did I even come to America if they don’t even want me here? That was when we just testified that she came here to find the restored gospel. She came here to get baptized and set that example for her children. It was so powerful. The spirit really testified to all of us that that was true. 

The baptism yesterday was perfect. I can’t even begin to put it in to words. Everything fell into place so perfectly. For example, a baptismal dress literally just appeared in the chapel so that Dominga didn’t have to wear a jump suit! That only could have been the workings of God. Her 2 children also showed up to the baptism (totally surprising all of us). They got there at perfect timing and were all so touched with the service and Dominga's testimony that she shared after her confirmation that they all want the missionaries to come over and teach them. It is amazing to see how much of an impact one person can have. Generations will be changed because of Dominga. 

Literally the best part of the whole service is when Dominga whispered in my ear, why does everyone keep telling me that this is happening so fast? She was genuinely so confused. We then just talked about how great faith she has and how people are so amazed by her. She smiled and just replied I think everyone should have some faith. Wise words from a very wise lady. We would all be very well to listen to her words and have some faith. It was amazing to see how her faith literally brought miracles- practically instantly- to her family. God really does work by faith! 

(Quick interruption, our phone just went off and gave us a tornado warning! haha that’s awesome right?)

We had some other really neat experiences this week but I will be brief. It is sufficient to me that you know that Juana and Ashley have decided to get baptized June 21. Please pray for them. This is going to be a long hard road but it is totally possible.

We also had a zone conference this week-- our last one with the Pingrees. The topic was exactly what I needed to hear. It is funny how the spirit really does prepare us for certain lessons and meetings. 2 weeks ago I was thinking a ton about sacrificing to the Lord and how we can know if our sacrifices are worthy. Well, it hit me during zone conference. For me it is all about your motivation behind it- are you trying to please God or man? I'm so grateful for my mission because it is helping me develop this attribute now. I know that by dedicating myself now to serve and love God, it will be a blessing to me in the future when I get home. Go read Acts 4 and 5 when Peter and John are in front of the council. They are the best examples of committing their lives to God rather than man. Bottom line is: serve and love God- that is the only intelligent thing to do. 

Love you all!

Hope you have a great memorial day. We will talk next week! Sorry I didn’t catch you online. 

Keep smiling, 

Hermanita Parry

Last time I will see my President and his
lovely wife on the mission

Dominga's Baptism

We found a dress!

The importance of having an eternal perspective

Ok to start out I just want to update you on the marvelous Dominga. She will get be getting baptized this Sunday and we just got permission to have her confirmed during the baptismal service as well. She has to return to Mexico in 2 weeks and we want her to be prepared. If everything goes as planned we just be headed to the temple the week after. Remember how I have only known her for 2 weeks? Ya she is that prepared. This week when we talked about all the commandments she willingly committed to leave behind her cherished coffee. She was so impressed to find out that God has a law of health. She loves it and just keeps telling us how it makes sense! Then last night going over the baptismal questions she got all emotional. She then just shared her whole side of the story on how we came into her life in the precise moment. She had been praying and praying that she could find the right path and then there we were outside, helping her daughter. She explained how she was in a dark place but now she can see the light. I also love that she refers to us as her hermanas, not just to us but to everyone. For example, every time her nieta opens the door for us she calls to her grandma and says "Aqui estan sus hermanas!" She is very determined to get baptized this Sunday. She has already invited all of her family and she is trying to get us to start teaching them. We have all these little strategies that we are going to try to get to them. It’s ridiculously amazing how much Dominga loves this gospel. It inspires me to go search for all the people in Katy that are waiting; just like she was 2 weeks ago.

On that note, Hermana Saenz and I did a ton of tracting this week. But it was probably some of the most enjoyable tracting on my whole mission. We spent hours knocking on doors and discovering new areas. Sure the first day we did it we found 3 Hispanics that whole day. We were differently in the wrong part of the area. But because we were so diligent, the Lord the next day led us to a whole neighborhood of Hispanics! We have a million return appointments this week so we are ready to get a ton of new investigators! They all seemed super receptive.

One of the people we talked to just loves all the churches on the face of this planet. But when we started talking to her, her son came up and started asking us questions. He does not believe in any church because he thinks they are all commercial. Right then and there we put a Book of Mormon in his hands and testified of the restoration. He started reading the introduction of the book while we were talking. As we were leaving, he continued to read. He is going to be hooked. That is the best book there is!

Also we have another baptism next week with a little girl named Kimberly Arias. It will be on the 29th of May. Pray that everything goes smoothly! She is the one who always wants to sing Titanic. Love her!

Thanks for all the prayers. Honestly, I can't even begin to tell you how much they help. You literally can feel them carry you. This week was great. We are working hard. We are finding, teaching, and baptizing and it feels great. I love this work. I love my Savior. I love these people! I am so grateful to have been permitted to work in this cause!

The biggest thing for me this week was just remembering the importance of having an eternal perspective. Even this morning as a companionship we reread the talk "Your Four Minutes" and talked about how we can help people feel the urgency of the importance of this life. If what we are doing will not help us in the eternities, why are we doing it? Now is the time for us to perform. We will have all of eternities to reflect back on what we did. I pray that we will all be pleased with the performance. One part of the talk was my favorite when it said how Christ will make up for the imperfections of our performance. I know that to be true. After I have given my hardest here in the mission, He also takes my effort to heights I didn't know where possible and guides me to fix problems. It’s never to late to change the outcome. I love Him for the love He so freely gives me. I know He lives.

Keep Smiling,

Hermanita Parry

ALL OF YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS!! THOSE FIRES LOOK CRAZY!!! STAY SAFE!!!

I tried making carrot juice that really did not turn out at all

cute puppies!!!!!

twinkies for church

TRANSFER WEEK!!!

Ok this was just the craziest week. You already know that Hna Townsend left me. So while I waited for my new trainee I was with Hna Knappen. This week I had 3 different companions. It was insane. I now have my companion who will most likely be my last. She is Hna Saenz from Juarez Chihuahua Mexico, but more recently lives in Chicago. Ok, definitely think God is trying to tell me to push myself with the Spanish these next few weeks. She is pretty great. She loves to talk. Literally, the whole hour and a half home, she talked! So that is good. Never a silent moment.

Transfer meeting on Tuesday was probably one of the highlights of my mission. I WAS REUINTED WITH "THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM" as President Pingree liked to call us. I finally saw Hermana Burnham and Hermana Koch again. It has been 9 months since the 3 of us had all been together. The best part was that Obispo Marin was also at the meeting. I just about cried. I imagine that is how Alma felt upon seeing the sons of Mosiah after their many years separated. I love those Hermana’s so much. They are the best of me.

It is really weird to be in Westgreen without Hna Townsend. It just seemed so right for us to be here together but I am really excited to be working with such a fresh missionary. It makes me really excited about trying to get a job at the MTC after the mission because she just tells me story after story. Makes me remember back to 15 months ago. Wow.

Anyways, this week I took Hna Knappen to meet Dominga. Even though we were only together for 3 days, I knew she had to meet Dominga. EVERYONE HAS TO MEET DOMINGA!! You just walk into her house and you feel it. She is so ready. When Hna Knappen met her she made the announcement that she officially quit her job so she could come to church. She then bore testimony that she knows God will give her a better one. Remember how we didn't even tell you to quit her job and she just did it? That just proves that the spirit is the real teacher. Hna Knappen now loves her too.

Then when Hermana Saenz got here. Dominga was also the first person I took her to meet. Hna Saenz just started crying when we walked in because you can just feel God's presence there. There is no doubt He is working to prepare her. When we sat down she told us how much she is loving the Book of Mormon. She then told us all about Lehi's dream and how she feels like Lehi. She is hungering after that book and it is amazing. She then proceeded to tell us that we should just come over everyday. She really believes and recognizes us as God's servants sent to her at this particular time.

On Sunday Dominga came to church and in Relief Society announced that she was a new member to the church. She is obsessed. We talked about temple work and family history as well as the book of Mormon. They were super great classes for her. She is excited to come back next week. I LOVE DOMINGA!!!! Ill take a picture with her this week so you can see her. She is beautiful! She radiates the light of Christ more than anyone I have ever met.

We also had an amazing lesson with the Medina family on Friday night. It was a huge crowd. We watched the Restoration with about 25 people. It felt so nice. There is nothing else that I would rather be doing on a Friday night! haha We got a new investigator out of it and we are quite excited to answer all her questions.

On Saturday night we had a stellar mothers day activity. You should be getting an email of the performance the missionaries did soon. I enjoyed myself. Westgreen is just my favorite.

Cute story. I was playing the prelude in Relief Society and this little old lady from El Salvador just started belting out the lyrics while I was playing. It was awesome.

MANUELITA CAME TO CHURCH. It has been months. And she came to the activity. Next stop: the temple! Hopefully.

So being a trainer this is what I have learned this far: The essence of leadership is expressing your weaknesses openly! You cannot let these new missionaries think that you are just this perfect missionary who knows everything because then they are going to think that you are doing all this work. Rather you need to show your weaknesses, because we all have them, so that all the glory goes to God. Lets face it; He really is the one in charge. It is amazing too because then they can see how God really does work through us and enlarges our abilities. The atonement is great. We have to turn everyone towards it and there is no better way than by our examples of us using it!

I met this man on Wednesday in Oakcrest that changed my life. We literally just sat there and had an intense scripture study with Him. He just kept flipping from page to page expounding the doctrines to us. It was so much fun! I learned that when we speak of the gospel we must speak slowly, powerfully, and well pronounced.

Also Jacob 4:13. New favorite scripture. This is what I am focusing on this week. Saying things as they really are. We have the truth and we need to be confident when we present it. We must say things how they really are. No sugar coating nor beating around the bush.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Keep Smiling,

Hermanita Parry

Sorry I typed so many random things. ENJOY!

this week i learned that if you coupon you can actually get money back-
its like you get paid for shopping! a lady in hna knappens ward gave us a ton of extra stuff that she has from couponing

"I find your lack of faith disturbing."  -Darth Vader  

KATY with Hna Townsend

Musical Number

 

HORCHATA!

Before I forget I have to share with you the best recipe for HORACHATA. It was divine and it is from my favorite guatemalteco.

1/2 cup of oats

1 spoonful of vanilla

sugar to your liking

1 cup of milk

1 spoonful of cinnamon

Mix all of that in a blender and serve with ice. Enjoy!

Transfer calls were last night and Hermana Townsend is leaving. I am so devastated. Obviously I saw it coming but it never makes it any easier. We just have way too much fun together and I’m not quite ready for someone new to come. I love how Hermana Townsend and I just talk. I don't think I have ever talked more in my whole entire life as I have talked with her in these past 6 weeks. I learned so much and we grew so much too.

Ok there were a ton of funny things that happened this week and I just have to share two of them.

1. At English class this man from Ecuador was trying to explain about his family. He ended up saying "Here I am single and at home I am married."

2. We were eating with a member and her son who is 18 who apparently is amazing at singing. After lunch we wanted to share a message and begin with a song. Well Hermana Townsend just was laughing so hard that we couldn't even get through the whole song. It was terrible. It made us all laugh. And instead of saying "I am embarrassed" she said "I am nervous" and so the mother blurted out "SOLO ES UN NINO!" ha-ha She totally thought that Hermana Townsend was crushing on her son and it was hilarious.

It was a stellar week. I just love being a missionary! I am content being here forever. I really am. I love teaching the gospel because I have realized that the gospel is more important than any other thing in this world. I don't want to loose this vision. I can’t even begin to explain to you the feelings that I have inside. I know that through the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, God restored knowledge about the plan of salvation. With this knowledge I have been able to be empowered with the grace of God through His son Jesus Christ. I know that Christ is my Savior and my friend. That He literally carries me when I repent, humble myself, and cry out to Him. It’s beautiful.

I studied a lot about the plan of salvation this week so I really feel overwhelmed with love at the moment. If you want to know how much you are loved, study the atonement and the plan of salvation. That will change your perspective on things. I know it has changed mine.

This week we had one of the most amazing miracles. It was one of those things that doesn't happen all too often:

On Friday we planned to make a pit stop at a trailer park to contact a referral that we have not had any contact with since, well ever. The thing about this trailer park is that you cannot park in it because they will tow away your car. So we parked really far away and began our walk to the back park of the trailer park. Well upon walking, we noticed a woman trying to lower a gas tank from her truck bed. We ran over to help her- quick insight, DO SERVICE, it softens hearts and shows people you are true Disciples of Christ. We then got talking a little and introduced ourselves. We asked if she would be interested in listening to the message that we carry and all that good stuff. She unfortunately had to work but her mother, who I swear popped out of nowhere, motioned us to follow her so that we could share it with her. We sat down and had a powerful first lesson. There is power in the powerful first lesson! We taught the restoration and she just understood it perfectly and was so excited about the Book of Mormon. That is when we knew she was one of the elect. Her reaction to the Book of Mormon was so pure and she was so excited to read more testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ. Then when we invited her to be baptized she immediately said yes and asked what she needed to do to prepare. We told her about church. The problem is she has a job on Saturday and Sunday only. She said she is willing to leave it so she can come to church. This week she was not able to come but she should be there this coming week. PRAY FOR DOMINGA MARTINEZ! Oh, another really cool aspect is that her husband passed away in December. I literally could feel that her husband has been praying and preparing Dominga so that all this would fall into place; so that she could discover the joy of the restored gospel and so that they could both do those saving ordinances. THERE IS STRENGTH BEYOND THE VEIL. I have come to learn that very rarely does someone get baptized, here on earth, who does not have someone who has already passed, praying for them so that they can get their own work done. This is the case with Dominga and it is amazing to be apart of it.

I love the gospel. It’s so real! It really will carry us to our Heavenly Father and it can assure that we stay there with Him.

Keep reading the Book of Mormon! It is true!

Love you all.

Pray for me and my new comp!

Keep smiling,

Hermanita Parry

I FOUND A TURTLE!!! 

we actually almost ran over it. 

obviously we had to pull over and save it which also meant PHOTOSHOOT.

sun burnt... its a good thing you cant tell just how bad it is in this photo... sorry mom  

watermelon is our fav!!!

mi bebe hermanita Koch.

matching skirts for zone meeting...

homemade with love from Hermana Pedersen's mom...

supporting Juana's daughter Ashley at her race!!! perfect place for contacting...