Fleas, Ticks, and Lice!!!

Wow, this has been some week! I know I say that every week, but this has been an interesting one. First off, holy cow! Can you believe I am already through my first month in the mission field? It has gone by so fast, and I'm scared that the next 17 will go by as fast as this one did haha. This week the Lord has shown to sister roper and I some really tender mercies, and dare I say, miracles. On Tuesday, we went out to Newport to do a little tracting and to contact some less actives and investigators. We went to visit a potential, Trisha, and again she couldn't have us over for a lesson, but we have high hopes for this week. Afterwards, we went and visited a less actives, named Brother Himes. Let me tell ya, this guy is the kindest, most spiritually in tune guy I have ever met. He had a really troubled young life, but he recognizes Gods hand in everything, and really knows God has saved him spiritually and physically on multiple occasions. Love him to death, and I wish he'd get to church! After that we went to a lass actives house, and found out they had moved, but, the lady who lived there now took a book of Mormon, so that was awesome. That night, we had dinner with a potential investigator who was a refferal from the ward. Her name is Amanda, and she is AWESOME. She is so ready for the gospel, whether she knows it or not. We taught her the restoration and she even asked to keep the pamphlet and a book of Mormon. We have very high hopes for her. Plus, she makes an out of this world peanut butter pie haha. On Wednesday we had a world wide missionary broadcast and there were some big changes made. Our schedule has now been changed so nothing is at a set time, except basically when we wake up haha. We now get an hour extra of sleep if we choose, an extra half hour to prepare for the day, and our planning and study periods are whenever we want them to be. The new schedule gives us the power to use our agency more and to have more time to proselyte. It's pretty sweet. They also reduced our key indicators that we report weekly from 9 to 4. So now all we report is how many baptisms, how many new members, how many on date baptisms, and how many investigators at church. That's somewhat discouraging to us out in little ole New Bloomfield, because we don't often have baptisms and most of our work is with less actives, but we know God will provide a way. Thursday was probably the weirdest day yet on my mission. We went to provide service for a potential investigator who has been in contact with us and wants to start up the lessons again. Anyways, she wanted us to clean her house. We drove down and what we experienced was probably the saddest thing I've ever seen. The house was very broken down. Everyone in Pennsylvania smokes, has a cat or dog, or both. And most people we visit are not the best house keepers, we are used to that. But, needless to say, we came home and took scalding hot showers for fear of bed bugs or lice, to say the least. All I could think and do was pray for her kids, and hope our message may bring them a better life. They are so kind, and I loved visiting with them, and I hope we can continue to. On Fridays we go to a food bank and that's my favorite part of the week. Service is the best and in our circumstances, it's usually the only thing people want from us haha. But we are working hard, and putting ourselves out there so people know who we are. Saturday was an awesome day. We went to visit the booth family, who recently lost a daughter to suicide. The mother and husband werent home, but the grandmother was and so for about 4 hours we quilted with her. She's not a member, but she's so fun and we had such a good time learning to quilt and talking. She really opened up to us about Dawn dying, and told us she felt like it was all her fault and the details about the days before it happened. It was heartbreaking, it still is, but we were able to comfort her and share a message of hope that hopefully helped her feel better. After that, we went to loysville for some tracting. I am TERRIFIED of tracting. As a missionary, I have lost a lot of confidence in myself I used to have, and in return gained some anxiety issues haha. So I had been dreading it all day. The very first door we knocked on, a girl our age opened the door and was so excited to see us! She knew a lot about our church, and let us teach her the restoration and she absolutely loved it! She ran upstairs and came down with a Spanish book of Mormon she had found in a park. It was tattered up, with some rain damage, and she told us that she has been wanting to read it so bad that she's been improving her Spanish just to read it! So we gave her an English one, exchanged numbers, and are meeting again very soon! I think the whole time we taught her my jaw was probably on the floor. God works in very mysterious ways and I think He really chastened me with that experience. Sometimes it's easy to forget that this is the Lords work, and we have to put our trust in him. He never ceases to put me in my place, and slowly but surely, I am learning to let Him guide me and becoming a more humble missionary. This week one of my favorite scriptures is from Alma 26:16, "Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." I love you all, and have absolutely loved getting your cards and letters, keep them coming! You're the best, and I pray for you all often! I hope Yins have a good week!

Howdy from little Ole new bloomfield! This has been a long and busy week, but let me just say, I am soooooo grateful to not be in the MTC anymore! Haha. I love it here, and am so grateful to finally be out in the beautiful Penn State. On Monday afternoon, after a long, anxious plane ride, I made it to pennsylvania. Sister and President Johnson picked us up from the airport and let me just say I LOVE THEM.I stayed overnight at the mission home in Pittsburgh, and then Tuesday I met my trainer, and where we would be serving. My trainer is Sister Roper and I LOVE her. I have never met anyone so kind, loving, and selfless as she is, and I know I'm going to learn so much from her example. She has just barely finished the three month training, and now she is training me! It's really overwhelming for her, but she's handling it like a boss. Our Area is called New Bloomfield and it is a huge area. Not many people, but tons of farmland. It's quite the distance to get anywhere else in our area, which hurts our mileage, so we have to work really hard to get rides and lessons with members. It's so pretty here, not too cold, and for the most part the people are nice haha. I have been told by a multitude of people that this is the hardest area in the mission, and so far it really is proving to be haha. But we have hope. Wednesday was a rather good day. We went to District Meeting in Camp Hill, which was really awesome. Our district is great, the elders are really funny, but very in tune with the spirit. Later that day, we went to two less active lessons with a girl from the ward named Kayla. She is AWESOME. I have never met someone so prepared to go on a mission, and she's waiting to get her call right now. She goes out with us every Wednesday. Anyways, they were really good lessons, sadly neither of them came to church, but we are working on that. Around this area they have what they call boot leg icecream that farmers make from fresh milk and sell in local markets and its THE BEST. Ill never be able to eat any other icecream again haha. Thursday was a rough day for us. Sister Roper and her old companion had an investigator, Melissa, who they have been working with for a while. She said she wasn't coming to church because of money issues, so we worked it out to give some money to her to come to church. Well, that morning when we went to give it to her, she had shut the blinds, locked the doors, and taped a typed letter to the door saying really hateful things about the church, about us, and how she didn't want to see us ever again. I was mad, mostly because sister Roper was hurt. It took all my energy to not slam down the door and ask her what the deal was, but I knew that wasn't right. We left a note saying we were sorry for any miscommunication there was, and still left the money for her. Hopefully she will come to her senses. That put a damper in sister Ropers mood, and after that we had a lot of appointments drop on us. So, we decided to do service. The best medicine for worry, is work! First, we went to a horse sanctuary. It's this big plot of land, with lots of Corrals and pastures. Beautiful, beautiful land. We just picked a few horse pins and scooped manure. I don't think I have ever been more happy and content picking up poop in my entire life. It felt good to provide service, and helped pull us out of our rut. Last week a girl in our ward committed suicide. No one knows why, and no one expected it. It's taken a huge toll on not just the ward, but the town in general. The people are hurting. The family, the booths, are very good people and after picking up poop, we decided to stop by and see what we could do. We cleaned, talked, and just tried to be there for them. It's absolutely amazing to watch them turn to the Lord for help in this hard time, when it would be so easy to turn away. We went to help them, and they showed so much kindness and generosity towards us. I really look forward to helping them more, and we have made it a goal to go by every week. Friday and Saturday were pretty uneventful days. We had lots of appointments cancel, people drop us, weekly planning, and more service. Saturday we put together a list of less actives to visit in the nearby town of Duncannon, and did so,even tracking for a couple hours. We had a lot of doors slammed in our face, and a few people who aren't interested, but were sweet anyways. We did get to meet with one referral and she was so sweet, and asked us to come back this week. I actually bonded with her over lularoe, because she was decked out in all the clothes, so who would've known that's how I'd get my foot in the door? Someone has got to tell Kylie Anderson about that haha. Being a missionary is HARD. And it's not always fun. You don't always have baptisms, progressing investigators, or the kindest people, and we have been learning that the hard way this week. But the Lord ALWAYS provides and blesses us for our efforts. I am so thankful to be a missionary, in the hard and easy times. There are big things coming for New Bloomfield! I can feel it! I would absolutely love to hear from you guys, tell me how you're doing! Send corny jokes and movie quotes and I'll love you forever! Thanks for the love and prayers, they mean a lot! Sister Parry

Sister Parry Has Made it to PA!!

We are excited to welcome your daughter, Sister Parry into the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh mission! She arrived safely on Monday afternoon and we enjoyed getting to know her at the Mission home that evening. After some training on Tuesday morning she was off to work! Thank you for helping her to prepare for this most important calling to serve as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ to invite and help people to come unto their Savior. We look forward to serving together with her here in the PPM. You can follow our mission blog at ppmmemories.blogspot.com Blessings to you and your family! President and Sister Johnson

Week Two of the MTC

Hello everyone!! What a week this has been. There have been so many ups and downs, I don't even know where to start. First off, before I forget, I leave the MTC next week on the 16th, so Monday! I have no idea what my P-day will be for that week, or if I will have one at all, but just a heads up :). Also, if you have been trying to right me on Dear elder, my box number is 106. Last Tuesday we had a devotional with the General Young Women's President, Bonnie L Oscarson. SO COOL! She gave an awesome talk on missionary work and all the places her family has served. and what some of their advice was to us. It was amazing. On Wednesday we got a new district in our zone, the girls are so awesome!! I haven't got to know the elders well at all, but they all seem great too. We also found out that day that Brother Coutu would be leaving our district and teaching another :(. I have loved him as a teacher and will miss him tons. Thursday and Friday were pretty uneventful days, I mean as uneventful as missionary life can be. We had some great lessons with our investigators, Patricia, Harper, and Daniel. All of them came so far this week in their faith, and have come so close to Christ and using his atonement in their lives. We also did some family history work and that was so cool!! People on both sides of my family have been pretty darn busy, the geneology records go back so far!! There is still much work to be done, but it is so fulfilling. The flu has been reeking havoc on our district, so keep them in your prayers!! On Sunday I went to choir and it felt sooooo good to sing again. I have missed choir and music so much! My favorite time in the day is when we sing opening and closing hymns :). We had a devotional by Kelli Mills, who is the director of all of the MTCs around the world. He made us laugh, and I think that was the best part. I needed a good laugh. We watched Legacy after, and boy, is it different watching it with 60 plus missionaries who have been deprived from the outside world for weeks haha. Saturday was probably the worst and best day of my mission thus far. I have been very patient, seeing gods hand in my life everyday, and trying to love everyone i meet. I have been pretty content and stress free thus far, but Saturday was my breaking point. The stress just hit me, i was angry and impatient with myself, and feeling completely and utterly alone. I am not one to cry in front of others, but I think I had been holding it in so long I couldn't take it anymore. So, I turned to the only person I could at that point, and that is god. I have never prayed so fervently and desperately in my entire life. At first, I prayed for understanding, and for a softer heart, and to feel like I was enough. I prayed and prayed, and while when I finished I felt better, I didn't feel as though my prayer was answered. Just after my prayer Sister Holt and I went into our final appointment with Patricia, and the spirit was so strong, and she committed to baptism. I was so shocked, she was so ready for christ to be in her life, but she had so many doubts. We left the lesson so full with the spirit, and I was feeling a lot better. After that, We went to our class with brother Griffiths, and my role plays throughout the class went PERFECT. And I am not good at Role Play, so that was so awesome for me. Then, Sister Holt and I had companionship inventory and since then we have been working amazing together. Our evening appointment with Harper went amazing, and she too committed to baptism! Holy Cow! We were so excited! And then, after that, our investigator, Daniel, also committed to baptism! We had our final lesson with Brother Coutu, and we spent the last hour reading Alma 7, and talking about God and Jesus' love for us and the atonement and sacrifice of him. I don't think there was a single dry eye in the room. I wept. I was so overcome with the love Jesus has for me, and a desire to use repentance more in my life. The spirit was so strong, and that night I truly gained a full testimony of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. God answers the prayers of those who have a sincere heart, and ask with real intent. I was at my lowest, and by his mercy, I was lifted up and answered in a miraculous way. I know he can answer all of our prayers, and if we just turn to him, he will open his arms wide to us and shower us with love and blessings. My favorite scripture this week is Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live; but not I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." I love being a missionary!!!! I Love you guys, and I miss you dearly. Thank you for all your prayers, they mean the world! Sister Parry

WeeK One of the MTC

Hello to the other side! I don't even know where to begin, my first week at the Missionary Training Center has been such a crazy one. I've laughed, I've cried, I've had little sleep, but most of all I have felt the spirit the whole way through. I am so happy to be here, I am so happy to have this gospel, and I am proud to call myself Sister Parry, a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The only true church on the face of this earth. Wednesday, the 28th was a crazy one! I don't think I've ever been so nervous in my entire life. But the moment I stepped into the MTC I was filled with peace and a willingness to start working immediately. When you first get your name tag they put an orange sticker on it so other people can distinguish you as a newbie. We call it your dork dot. When people see that they are so willing to help with your bags, where to go, and EVERYONE says "welcome to the MTC!". Everyone. But it's really nice, makes you feel right at home. As everything settles down you meet your companion and district. Sister Holt is my companion. She is a short sister of Jewish descent with a very sweet spirit. We are definitely alike in some ways, but our many differences make us a good companionship. After that, you go to a meeting and meet the heads of the MTC. We sang songs like called to serve and army of heleman and I cried like a baby. Music always gets to me. We also had a meeting that evening called "people and my purpose" where we taught a new investigator, who could be a member or not. That was scary, getting thrown to the wolves the first night, but it was a great meeting. Thursday was another mad rush day in the MTC, packed with classes galore. On average, I spend easily about 10 to 11 hours studying and in the classroom a day. It's so easy to get overwhelmed and stressed, but surprisingly I haven't felt too stressed. The Holy Ghost has helped me so much to just know this is where I am supposed to be and I can learn everything I need to with him. We met our teacher ,brother koutu (kuh-to), and he is so spunky and fun. He teaches so strongly with the spirit and has such a passion for the work that it motivates me to do my best. It's weird to think just abut every teacher here is about the same age as me, just fresh out of the mission field some of them. Gives me hope of how much I'll change. Sister Holt and I gave our first mock lesson to our investigator John and it went better than I thought it would, but needs much improvement. We met our branch presidency, who we go to church with on Sundays and they are AWESOME! President Metcalf is the nicest guy you'll ever meet. Sister bird and sister Metcalf are so awesome, and love us so much it hurts. They want to help as much as possible. Friday was a very tough day. I found myself getting really mad all the time and I can't explain it. I just feel angry. But after a lot of praying and reading the scriptures, I realized that it was a sign I was really stressed, and I was taking my stress and getting angry at those around me. The MTC is no walk in the park. I am not going to lie to you. Some days it is so tempting to just jump out the window and run away, and sometimes you will not be able to stand your companion, but it gets better. When we strive to be christ like and love others even when it's hard, we are blessed. Friday we had our first exercise time and it is by far my favorite part of the day. It's fun to just relax and hang out, and helps to relieve stress a ton. Sister Robison, a sister in my district, loves volleyball just as much as I do and we have some killer games with other missionaries, even though we can't keep score lol. The only think I remember about Saturday was that Sister Heiders mom sent the sisters in our district a box of sparkling apple cider, cookies, and poppers and it was the best. We had our own little new year celebration and it was so comforting to get something from home, even if it wasn't my own. If you have ever heard the phrase "make it to sunday" as it pertains to missionary work, it is soooo true. Sunday was an awesome day! We had fast and testimony meeting and that night we had a fireside by a brother who is in charge of church proselytizing. It was a great message, and later that night we watched a devotional by David Bednar which I quite honestly tell you what was about because I fell asleep haha. we also walked to the temple and took pictures and that was really nice, to not be inside for once lol. Yesterday Sister Holt and I received our first two real investigators to teach. It is really satisfying to know that your message, and your words could change someone's life. It's really big shoes to fill, but the knowledge that I am set apart and that god trusts me with the salvation of his children is a huge comfort to me. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! This morning we got to go as a district to the temple and that was much needed. I love the temple and the blessings we receive from going, and it's even more fun to go as a missionary. I am going to tell you one very important truth about the MTC. Most of the food is pretty much like what I imagine prison food is. If your mother ever cooked even remotely decent for you, the food is not very good to you haha. To get my point across, I have a scripture to share with you and it's Jeremiah 4:19-20. I know you'll get a crack out of that because I almost died laughing when someone shared it with me. Overall, I am loving the MTC. It's hard, but this has been the most fulfilling week I have ever had. All the hard times are worth it because I know if I work hard I will know how to help so many other people when I am finally in Pittsburgh. My other teacher, brother Griffiths, shared this quote and it goes "in a comfort zone, there is little growth, and in a growth zone, there is little comfort." How true that is. But I am so grateful for all the things I have learned so for and will continue to learn as a missionary. I love all of you so much, and I know God loves you ever more! Love, Sister Parry PS. I can read your emails through out the week whenever I want to, I just can't respond until Tuesday. Also, there is this really cool site called dearelder.com where you can respond to my emails on or send packages and it gets hand delivered to me every day :)