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A two year mission, something I had prepared and dreamed about my entire life. It's now over and I often question if it was even real. It feels as if I awoke from a very vivid and detailed dream. Yet this dream changed my life. Four weeks later, I still remember clearly the morning I knew I would be flying home and seeing my family for the first time in 2 years! Let's just say I couldn't sit still and neither could the other 13 missionaries I was with. We had many delayed and cancelled flights due to winter weather that didn't help much.

Finally I arrived in the Dallas, Texas airport! I wanted to surprise my family by sneaking up on them but that plan immediately fell through the cracks when I walked out of the terminal and there they were, standing on the other side of the glass by the baggage claim. There went my plan :/ Haha I was so excited though and went through the revolving door, practically pushing it so it would go faster! I threw my bags down, did a cart wheel and gave my mama the biggest hug ever :) She was my rock as I was away and it was the greatest reunion! Tears continued to fill my eyes as I embraced the rest of my huge family and other friends who came. Talk about joy! :) I feel that is what it will be like when we meet our loved ones on the other side!

Driving home in the same vehicle with my family was hilarious! They thought I was so weird with how much I didn't know and how impressed I was with just about everything I saw being back in the "big city". I was quickly told what I needed to do right away! That I needed to listen to "RED", Taylor Swift's new album, get an iPhone, and this and that. haha We drove to the church before going home, where I was going to be officially released. With all the excitement, everything came into perspective really fast as the stake president had me take off my name tag that read, "Elder Parr". He informed me that I was not to put them back on and that I was released as a full-time missionary. Never thought that moment would be so tough. Tears filled my eyes as I realized that my mission was really all over. WOW!

Walking into my house was priceless. For the past two years, Montana had been my home and the people there were my family, but I was now HOME. With that, I will NEVER EVER forget those I met throughout my mission and they will always have a special place in my heart :)

So it's been four weeks now, what do I do now? I have decided what it is I must do. I must continue to serve God, His children and build up His kingdom here upon the earth. To apply the lessons I've learned on my mission into my everyday life and most importantly to thank God everyday for the many mercies that He bestows upon me in my life.

We are and forever will be, instruments in the Lord's hands to bless, lift, inspire, encourage and serve our fellow brothers and sisters. Whether a full-time missionary or not. I will strive to be one the Lord can count on when He needs something done and I pray you will too!

My mission has become the hinge to which the rest of my life will hang and swing on. Good thing it was in the "treasure state", cause It's mighty precious to me! ;)

Justin Parr

Seeeee you soon!

I'm pretty much speechless. I don't know what to say. Everything is beginning to become surreal and I'm not sure I like that too much. haha

Something that struck me from conference was Elder Uchtdorf's talk (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/of-regrets-and-resolutions?lang=eng). Something he said went along the lines of, "Do we say our prayers just for the 'amen' or end in mind?" he also talked about how we can be so focused on the finish line that we don't find joy in the journey. These thoughts have stayed with me this past week and will for the rest of my life. This week I thought about how I wanted to spend my last few days as a full-time missionary. Lots of thoughts and ideas filled my mind but one was only confirmed by the spirit. That was to lose myself in the work of the Father. To reach out to every person in need. To lift the burdens of others. To share the light and joy of the gospel. To express love and gratitude for others around me. I want to be one the Lord can count on until the very end and then maybe a little bit more ;) I believe the Lord needs disciples who will stay devoted regardless of time, circumstance or position. That is what I will be doing this week :)

I won't lie, this week has been a tender one :/ It's a special thing to serve and be amongst such a great group of people you never want to leave behind. I love the people here so much I can't even describe it. It's like I'm preparing to leave home again ;) I will NEVER forget the smiles and wonderful spirits that are here in the great state of Montana. They have changed my life forever :) I was asked to bear my testimony in one of the wards, unexpectedly, for the last time and boy was that tough! Words can't explain the lessons I've learned and the person I have come to become. I'm just so happy!! :)

Enough of a sob story though. This week has so much planned along with, literally my last week on the mission that I'm going to be living on top of the world! I'm so excited to finish strong and to DO WORK this week :) Sure love y'all!!!

-Elder Parr

Hmmmm...

I do have a few things I would like to share with y'all!

So I was on team-ups in Corvallis with Elder Smithson. He is the greatest and reminds me of Preston :) So you can only imagine how much fun I was having :) Met LOTS of people walking around the small town and had a decent day. So as the sun was setting and the town was getting quite we were walking down some street heading for the alley when all of a sudden we hear, "By the power of the holy ghost! whoooaaoeeo!" I notice that behind us, kiddy-cornered across the highway were a group of about 3 teenagers who were the ones shoutin' and thinkin' they were havin' some fun. So I just yelled back, "WOOOHOOO!" and we kept walkin' and didn't think much of it since it happens all the time. As we walked though, I had the impression to go back, so we did! By the time we could see where they were previously, they were all walkin' inside. Perfect I thought. Can't run away now ;) So we knocked on their door and we found out who had yelled and then invited the rest of the guys out but only one other person came out. Of course you're probably thinkin' right now that I lined 'em up and gave 'em a little lesson huh? Well sort of, but not a physical lesson. We shared what we were out doing and how we could help them. We talked for a good 15 minutes but they ultimately said they weren't really interested. So I asked, "Well, what buddies do you have that you could send us to to prank 'em by sending us over there?" Of course they thought of someone immediately and gave us directions and said, "He is atheist and be sure you tell him we sent you." Off we went and came to the house where their buddy lived. We began to walk the steps up to the second floor apartment and realized there were two boys at the top, just sittin' and talkin'. We introduced ourselves and got to know them a bit. The greatest thing was that their buddy really wasn't "atheist". He believed in God as well as his buddy. They both described their rough lives at home and how their families are split and just fallin' apart and somehow we talked about the role prayer has played in their lives. They both said it played a great deal when things were rough and not well. So I asked, "How about when things are well? How is it then?" They said they usually didn't pray when things were well. So I asked, "So say you have a friend, and this friend only comes around when he needs money, or a ride somewhere or what not. How do you respond to him?" It was fun listening to their responses. "I tell him to get lost," said one. "I just sit him down and tell him how it is and that I would love to help, but he needs to do something himself." I then responded and said, "How does that apply to us and our prayers to God?" They were silent and said, "I've never thought of it that way." Anyways, we went on to have a great discussion about our relationship with God and how it needs to be a daily process, not just when times are rough. Moral of the story, ALWAYS follow the promptings of the spirit, and NEVER be afraid to share what you know with others. I've found, it's usually EXACTLY what they need :)

So we had to walk about 2 miles to get to our car from there, since it was time to go in. Well we get to the car and I check my pockets and no car key. Of course I begin by sayin' my favorite line, "I'M AN IDIOT!" haha Searched the church and no signs of the key. (It was just a single key) I begin to think, "We've been walkin' around all day, I have no idea where that key would be, I'm going to have to buy a new key which will take weeks to get, the elders won't have a car (It was the other elders vehicle), and we're going to be so late back home! I'M AN IDIOT!" Then I thought about the lesson we just had with those two boys. Well I was in need and I needed His help more than ever now. So I got Elder Smithson and we said a prayer together. I don't remember what we said exactly, but I'm sure something along the lines of, "Let us find the key, God." Well it was pitch black outside by now and we had walked along a 2 lane highway all the way back. We managed to discover that our cellphone had a flashlight on it which for some reason was SUPER bright! We began to walk with faith we would find the key. Just 5 minutes later we both saw the key and Elder Smithson grabbed it and jumped for joy! Immediately we bowed our heads and gave thanks for the miracle that we both experienced, as cars were flyin' by on the highway. I know God is in the details of our lives and is willing to show His hand in our lives as we invite and look for it :)

Lastly, Conference was AMAZING! The words of the prophet and apostles filled my soul. I loved how so many were focused on becoming better disciples of Christ and becoming truly converted to Christ, as well :) I have made some resolutions to do a little bit more each day!
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2012/10?lang=eng

I love y'all so much and am so excited to hear that all is well and sure hope y'all enjoy your day of celebration today while y'all are off of school and other things! I got to celebrate Canada Thanksgiving last night after conference which was GREAT! I'll tell y'all more later :)

LOVE Y'ALL!
-Elder Parr

WOOOOOOW!!!

I can't believe how time is flyin' by sooo fast! I just try to work harder and harder every day and the time just continues to slip away faster and faster :/ This week has been filled with so many small miracles that have left no doubt in my mind that God is aware not of just my life, but of ALL of His children's lives :)

To start out, my birthday and mission tour were amazing! It was well worth the 7 hours spent in a truck that day and sitting in a 10 hour meeting pretty much! Road trips on the mission are just the best! I'll just say that and to be taught by a member of the quorum of the seventy is another amazing experience! I learned so much from Elder Robbins and Elder Echohawk! It was funny because I REALLY LOVED what Elder Robbins talked about and then the next day while I was on lds.org I realized that he was the one that gave the talk, "What manner of men and women ought ye to be" (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/what-manner-of-men-and-women-ought-ye-to-be?lang=eng&query=manner+men+women+ought) and I loved him that much more because that talk helped me out SOO much when it was given :) Had probably the biggest birthday lunch you could say, except I kept it a secret and just about no one knew it was my birthday ;) hahaha What topped the night off the best was when we arrived home, there were 2 packages in front of our door for my birthday! One from y'all (THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH!!!!) and the other was from Elder Thawley's family! Let's just say this week with all the cookies and cakes I got I gained 2 pounds :/ haha Don't think I'll be eating sugar for the rest of the time before I go home haha.

So now a brief moment on some of the miracles that occurred this week! One of the happiest was what my blog was directed towards about the smoke here in the valley that has been so bad :/ Well last Sunday, the entire stake here in the valley was encouraged and asked to include in our fast that the Lord might ease the smoke and clean out the valley pretty much. Fasts and prayers are answered because by Sunday morning the smoke began to disappear and is currently still gone! Just a witness as we gather together in a common cause and join in fasting and prayer with faith, miracles WILL happen :)

http://elderparr.blogspot.com/2012/09/smokey-sky-wish-you-goodbye.html

Another began earlier this week, but we didn't become a part of it 'til Friday. We were out tracting in an odd spot of town and had no idea why we were there. We knocked and knocked and many people weren't home and for those who were, said they loved what we were doing but that they just weren't interested or had time. So we didn't think much of it and had a few appointments we needed to get to afterwards. We saw one of the ladies as we left the apartment complex and simply said, "Bye Bonnie!" Well, fast forward to Sunday at church and here walks in miss Bonnie with a friend of hers it looks like. We were both shocked as she was one we remembered and didn't even invite her to church! She stayed all 3 hours and we talked to her after church but didn't seem like she was too interested in meeting with us so we just told her it was great to see her and said goodbye. Well, that evening we got a phone call from the friend that came with her who ended up being the stake presidents wife and this is briefly the story... The stake presidents wife used to get her nails done pretty frequently from Bonnie for years. She would take her kids with her and it would just be a great visit each time. She eventually gave Bonnie a Book of Mormon and didn't think much of it. At some point she quit getting her nails done, for no apparent reason, just had. It had been years since she had them done and just this past week thought, "I'm going to go have Bonnie do my nails." That happened earlier this week. Well, then we knocked on Miss Bonnie's door Friday and she told her that 2 sweet young men knocked on her door earlier that day and she didn't let us in because she had laundry everywhere but when she went to take out her trash we had remembered her name and said goodbye and she thought to herself, "Those boys have met so many people today and they remembered my name!" Well, then she called the stake presidents wife and told her about the experience and asked if she needed a sponsor to attend the LDS church. She said no but that she would need a friend so she got a sub for her class and came along. When she called us last night she said Bonnie had left church and had been reading the Gospel Principles manual our teacher gave her all day and that she wanted to meet with us! HOW CRAZY IS THAT! I don't know if there could be a greater witness that God is in the details of our lives than that! A miracle indeed :)

Lastly, I would have to say Gary Creswell's baptism was a miracle in itself! We were busy helping somebody move early that morning and were just all over the place trying to get everything in order and ready to go. Many people attended the baptismal service and the spirit was just super strong :)

Have to say, one of the families here is from Mexico and we had dinner with them this week and she made the BEST green chili enchiladas I've EVER had! Yours are still the best though, mama :)

I just love EVERY second I've been blessed with and the time I still have left to be a missionary and be an instrument in God's hands! I tell you there is no greater feeling than knowing you were where you were supposed to be, at the time you were supposed to be there, and doing the right thing :) It's just great!

I love y'all so much!

-Elder Parr

Flu shot exchange...mom lost ;)

A fun email exchange I had with Elder Parr this afternoon. It's a rare occurrence to catch him online when he's writing his email but I responded and he was still there. It's "almost" a conversation. :)

We received their missionary newsletter from the mission home and in it it said that they were encouraging all missionaries to stay healthy and prepare for the winter weather by getting their flu shots!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Justin,

One more thing.......Go get your flu shot! I will send you money if you need it. Do you have a pharmacy or some place offering them?

Yeah, I know you missionaries have been encouraged to get one so I'm just checking up on you ;)

Love you!!
~mom
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Mama, I don't need a flu shot! ha ha (I'm just picturing this in my head as if I were home right now). I'm deciding to NEVER get a shot again. Just so you know ;)

I love you MAMA!
..............................................................................................................................................

JustiN, if you bring the Montana flu home with you.....you'll be sorry!!

Just go get it done so I don't have to take you. ;)

~mom
ps....you make me smile :)
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I really don't want to mom. Got to build up my immunity! Plus breathin' in all this smoke, I got lungs of steel now!! ;) haha

I can't fathom how fast time is going by...

This week has been FANTASTIC! I can't fathom how fast time is going by, and people keep askin' me this ridiculous question. You ready for this?! ....

"Elder Parr, are you excited to go home?"

How in the world do they expect me to respond to that kind of question?! No, I'm pretty ticked I have to go back to Texas. I'm so mad I have to go home. I'd rather jump off a bridge. You know what, I'm so devastated I'm going home I think I'm just going to stop working. DUH! Of course I'm excited I'm going home! I get to be with my family again! BUT that doesn't mean there isn't work to be done right now! I just think it's a funny question people ask. haha :) Just think. What if I did say I was ticked I was going home. What would they say next? I think I might try it ;)

There are so many stories to tell y'all I don't know how I'm going to tell y'all all of them. I'm sure I will be able to; some way or another. This week was wonderful! We're preparing for a baptism this weekend which is going to be just fantastic! The man is AMAZING and blows my mind every time we teach him! He is so excited to get baptized and has a remarkable story!

So Elder Thawley and I were asked to speak in sacrament meeting this past week which was a BLAST! Probably one of the best sacrament meetings EVER! 2 of the gals that were twins who got baptized about 3 weeks ago spoke first and then their grandfather and then Elder Thawley and I was the last speaker. Kind of a weird experience being the concluding speaker but was a wonderful privilege. It was a special subject for me, "Showing Love Through Service", because that has been the exact thing I've tried to do my whole mission and to be speaking in one of my last Sundays amongst a group of people I've come to love and care so much about was a VERY special thing. It was interesting as I sat on the stand and reflected back on the first day I walked in that chapel and thought, "What am I doing here? I don't know any of these people and especially their names! I'm a missionary and have no idea what I'm doing!" Up 'til now when I looked out and knew just about every person and what made them who they are. I just love Montana and ALL the people here :) Just a great Sunday! What a blessing it is for me to be able to finish my mission in my first area. It's pretty special!

You ask what will I be doing for my 21st birthday?! Funny you ask because Elder Thawley and I were talking about it last night as we prepared for bed. "Elder Thawley, you know most kids on their 21st birthday talk about how they went to Las Vegas or went to the bar or did this or that. Well, when someone asks me what I did for my 21st birthday I will be able to say, "I took a road trip for 7 hours and in between I was with 80 missionaries along with a few of the General Authorities of our church"! No one will expect that will they? haha I'm pretty stoked! So, more than likely I'll be up at 5am getting ready to drive to Helena and won't get back 'til 9 or later that night. Hopefully I can find some birthday cake somewhere in that time ;)  So there you go!

Hope all is well and y'all are havin' lots of fun and doing well! LOVE Y'ALL!
-Elder Parr

Everyone needs someone...

What a week it has been. Happy to say I've completely recovered from

my sickness, but Elder Thawley got the tail end of it so that was kind

of a bummer this past week, but other than that, our week has been

AWESOME!

Last P-day we found out that it was one of the young mans birthday who

we played golf with the week previously and have been able to get to

know pretty well. He plays for the Hamilton High School golf team so

we thought the last thing he would expect from us was golf balls

right?! Well, we got him 12 bright pink, lady precept balls and when he

opened them (which we wrapped in a New Era Magazine cover) he was

laughin' so hard and he has actually used them and done quite well

with them ;) The members are great here!

We've been able to meet lots of new people this week, one of

which was referred to us, by one of the members here. The lesson we had

with her REALLY opened my eyes to the importance of the gospel of

Jesus Christ and the perspective it allows us to have while we live

here on earth. This woman has a 10 year old son and has been going

through some SUPER rough times. Thank goodness that she hasn't hurt herself! 

As we taught her, you could see the hope that began to come into her eyes. The

message about Jesus Christ is not just some clever thing we talk about

or a way to trick our minds into thinking everything will be okay. The

message about Jesus Christ is as real as anything else in this world.

It's really the only thing that will save the world from calamity and

bring hope to those who are lost or have no future! We've got to

share what we have with others! If we don't, no one else will, and

there is no time to waste!

This brings me to another woman that we've been teaching. She has been

so confused with everything she has learned growing up and is just

trying to figure out just what is true and what is right. Well, she was

able to make it to church this Sunday and it was an amazing experience :) 

I don't think she stopped smilin' the entire time she was there and

everyone just enveloped her and wanted to get to know her. Fellowship

is huge in the work we do. Everyone needs someone they can rely and

lean on, especially when they are pursuing something that is entirely

new and different! So don't be offended when I come home and find

someone new to sit by at church ;) JK I will just have them sit WITH

us! So I hope y'all begin to take a look around on Sundays and find

someone who may need someone to sit with and invite them to sit with

y'all!

I don't think I mentioned last week, but President Mecham challenged

us as an entire mission to do a facebook fast! So from September

10-20, we're not using facebook AT ALL, and in those 10 days we're

reading the entire Book of Mormon! What a challenge! I think my heart

has changed because before my mission I would have said, "No way!"

but President asked me what I thought about it and I thought for like

5 seconds and said, "Shoot! Let's do it!" So I'm committed and will be

through Helaman by tonight! I tell you there is real power in reading

the Book of Mormon straight through! My testimony of the Book of

Mormon is TOTALLY different than it was just 6 days ago. I LOVE

reading it and searching for the principles that I can apply in my

life everyday! I can't wait to finish it and read it again now. I

sound insane huh?! I actually enjoy reading the scriptures now! haha

So some exciting news! I just received word the other day that Brother

Shepherd will be able to drive me down to Billings and we can go

through the temple before I go home! It's actually pretty remarkable.

I'll tell you a little about the story. So after they were baptized

and we helped them set a goal to go to the temple the following year

(this was when I first started my mission here in Hamilton) I made

them a promise that I said I wouldn't break. That promise was that I

would go through the temple with them before I went home! haha I had

no idea what I was promising! I was just brand new and just SUPER

excited. This is just a testimony that God really does answer the

desires of our hearts when we're sincere though! A year came around

and things came up in their schedule where they weren't able to make

it to the temple as a family. Well a few months later I got a message

from Brother Shepherd saying that they were going to the temple as a

family but they were going Rexburg. I begged them to come to Billings

(I was serving there at the time). But it just didn't work out for

them. So now I'm coming to a close of my mission and remembered the

promise I gave them. I asked if they could give me a ride to Billings

before I went home and we could go through then. Well they were

doubtful because Brother Shepherd's boss was taking a vacation the

same days he needed off. 

Well, to say the least, prayers are answered and we're going!!!!!!

Last thing, I had a brilliant idea that I wanted to run by y'all ;) So

the other night, Elder Thawley said, "So Elder Parr, you only have 5

more weeks of free dinners. What are you going to do when you get

home?" Good question I thought. Well I'll have moms home cooked meals

but then I thought, "Well I'll just send around a dinner calendar in

my own ward at home Elder! It will say, 'Invite Justin Parr over to

hear of all his wild adventures in Montana.'" 

He just laughed but what do you think?! Hahaha!!

I love y'all so much and I'm just so excited to be with y'all again :)

-elder parr

I attached a few pictures for y'all too!

 The fire here in Hamilton. As you can see it's SUPER

close! Now the entire town is just in a huge cloud of smoke. Just like a super thick fog, but it's smoke ;)

The famous monkey face of course with the cutest little girl ever!

Got mauled by a cat at one of lessons the other day as I reached in my

backpack to grab my scriptures. Cat was lucky I didn't kick it after!

haha

A little glimpse of sunshine yesterday!

WOOOHOOOO!!!!!

What a week it has been!! Last Monday, as I said, I went and played

golf with Elder Thawley and 2 of the young men who are on the golf

team here in Hamilton. Let's just say it was a great game! We played

best ball and by hole 3 we were 4 strokes ahead ;) Dad, you would be

proud because in the first 3 holes I was puttin' for birdie! BUT

failed to get them in the hole! :) I was so excited, especially because

at the range just before I didn't hit ANYTHING past 10 feet! Haha! We

beat them by 2 strokes at the end and I hit under 100 for the second

time in my life, both of which have been on my mission! I think I

should get an extension just so I can get better at golf ;) JK

A miracle happened this week I wasn't expecting AT ALL! We were just

minding our own business, doing our studies, when we got a phone call

from this man! He was someone I had taught when I was here last time

in Hamilton and have tried to make contact with but showed little

interest. Well, I answered the call (HE HAS NEVER CALLED US. EVER) and

he expressed how he was in a rough spot and wanted us to come over.

WHAT?! That NEVER happens! We left right away and he was definitely in

a rough spot. I won't say any details but he is just ready to make

some changes in his life and wants us to help him. 

I'm so glad he called us and not anyone else.

Some other good news is that my man Merlin is back in town and doing

SOOO much better! I don't think I mentioned earlier but Merlin had a

sore on his leg that had been causing him LOTS of pain and I was

worried that he might pass. Well, he left for Spokane about 3 weeks ago

and they said that it was cancerous and would probably have to remove

his entire leg. Well a miracle happened and they ended up just cutting

a foot long gash in his leg to remove the tumor and were able to save his

leg. He is back and walking around now and is just as happy as could

be again :) I call him my grandpa. I love him so much ;) haha

Well, mom mentioned that the weather here must be glorious but I'm sad

to say it's nothing but the exact opposite :/ There are soo many fires

around and we're gettin' all the smoke, so Hamilton is just a big

cloud of smoke where you can't see the mountains or ANYTHING! Last

night coming out of our dinner appointment the entire sky was yellow

green, kind of like it is before a tornado and ash was just fallin'

out of the sky. Funny because we get home and we smell like we've been

around a campfire all day ;) Haha Well, I think the smoke has finally

gotten to me because since Saturday morning I've been stopped up like

no other! Hasn't been fun at all but I'm just truckin' along and feel

like I'm on the tail end of it now :)

Interesting enough, Saturday was probably the best and worst day of my mission combined! Haha We had 4 baptisms that morning which was just incredible and so uplifting! Probably one of the BEST baptisms I've ever attended, besides my own ;) JK It was just grea, but during and afterwards I just felt awful. So that night as I was preparing for bed and just going to take a hot shower to get some of this nasty stuff out of me we got a knock on the door. You have to remember that I'm completely out of it and just brushin' my teeth ready to hit the sack and crash. haha Well Elder Thawley answers the door and I hear, 

"Is this the Jehovah Witnesses?" "No." "Well I want to get baptized!" or

something like that and I just grin thinkin', what knuckle head kid

told this kid that we lived up here? Haha! as Elder Thawley introduces

himself. Well, I walk up to the door with my tooth brush in my mouth,

pajama pants on and say, "Hey, I'm Elder Parr." and shake his hand and

hang on and he says, "I'm Chris McCleve." My mind goes nuts tryin' to

remember some former missionary because he looks familiar and his name

is familiar and then it clicks! "NO WAY! GET IN HERE," as I yanked him

into our apartment Haha. Probably the BEST way to meet my future

brother in law for sure :) Well, I'm sure y'all are all wondering what I

think and I just have to say we're going to get into a lot of trouble

together ;) haha No...he seems super awesome and I look forward to

getting to know him better at Thanksgiving!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY QWAZI! Probably the first time EVER that I

haven't been able to wish you happy birthday on your actual birthday and only an early and belated one ;) LOVE YOU LIL' SIS!

So to end, know that I LOVE Y'ALL!

-Elder Parr

LAUGH OUT LOUD

This week was a HUGE one in Hamilton, Montana. If you weren't here you totally missed out on what everyone here thinks is the BEST thing ever! Haha The fair was here along with LOTS of smoke! :)

So Monday, as we said, we hiked up Canyon Creek up to some lake which was gorgeous! Elder White was in Corvallis for a few days and he got to come too, so I got to be with 2 of my so called "sons". Haha! So much fun! I'll have to tell you all about it later! When Elder Andersen came to talk to us he told us to watch that NBC special on the LDS church. So we got to watch that at our dinner appointment that night. Let's just say, people make me laugh! Don't know nothin'!

We helped paint a gentleman's house on Tuesday' which was a BLAST! I should have taken a picture of it! It was this NASTY white because it had sat there for years, but painted it this brown gray and it was awesome! Reminded me when I painted for Aunt Berri! Haha

Wednesday was the opening day for the big BITTERROOT FAIR! I can't remember ever going to a parade before so it was awesome! Everyone knows EVERYONE here; it's so funny! Tons of candy was thrown at us and we had a pretty good time! The guy on the bike is Billy, The Wizard of Hamilton! He is so awesome! The first Friday of every month he puts on this HUGE concert RIGHT in front of our appartment building on Main street. I'm so looking forward to it this week. You can check him out on Youtube for sure! Just type in "Wizard of Hamilton". We see him all the time and talk to him a lot :)

Everyone tried to get us to go to the fair this week and I REALLY wanted to, but we had so many appointments and lessons that we just didn't have time to go! We met a man this week who blew my world! Probably the most prepared investigator I've ever taught! Met him and he asked when he could be baptized and wanted us to teach him right away and everything! It was hilarious because in our first visit Elder Thawley just sat there with a blank face, just AMAZED! Haha He came to church on Sunday and he just absolutely loved it! He was introducing himself to people and everything. Haha We will be having a baptism this Saturday and 4 individuals will be baptized! We are preparing for that and just thrilled because there are SOO many people who want to learn more right now and follow Christ! It's ONLY because of the members though! With awesome members working with us, it's amazing how much more effective sharing the gospel can be! So grateful for great members and examples.

The fires in Idaho have been smokin' us out but it really hasn't bothered me much at all. It's so thick we can't even see the mountains from our place any more :/ It's settled down a bit and golf today looks nice and sunny :) I'm actually going to be playin' golf in about 2 hours! We're going with 2 of the young men who are on the golf team here in Hamilton. I don't know if I've told y'all, but Elder Thawley is a HUGE golfer and has a scholarship to play in college at San Jose State, so we've been talkin' smack to the youngmen for some time now, and it's about time we show 'em up ;) Elder Thawley will do great, I'll just get in their heads ;) Haha That's all I seemed good at back home! 

This week was just INCREDIBLE! I would say one of the greatest on my mission so far :) I'm just stoked with everything going on and can't wait to keep it going! I sure love y'all!

I love puttin' on my tag everyday! As much as I think I represent our family, all I'm really representing is Jesus Christ :)

-Elder Parr

p.s. Just an early birthday wish for Mattie! HAPPY BIRTHDAY QWAZI! You're 19!!!!

:)

So this week was AMAZING! Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I
start every email out this way. Hahaa! Well, I would say the highlight of the week was on Saturday when we left at dark thirty to drive to
Helena! Luckily I didn't have to drive and got to take a little head
nod for a bit ;) Anyways we had half of our mission together in
Helena; which is always an amazing sight. What gets even better is
that Elder Neil L. Andersen, one of the apostles, came to speak to us!
Along with Elder Gonzalez and Elder Smith of the Seventy and Bishop
Cose, of the Presiding Bishopric (just newly called). What a
remarkable experience that was! To have an apostle of the Lord Jesus
Christ and others who live and serve Him in your presence. I tell you
there is nothing like it! He talked about how we need to deepen our
conversion and conviction in the Savior, Jesus Christ and begin to
"know" Him. To study His words, read about His life, memorize words He
spoke, practice what He taught, speak how He would speak, serve as He
would serve. Let me just say it was remarkable and that it made me
want to go see conference live that much more!

Elder Gonzalez talked about the important role that the Book of Mormon
should be in our lives and in sharing the gospel with others. He
brought up an interesting point. He said, "In 3 Nephi when Christ
appears to the people in America, He asks for their records and
reviews them. What other book can you say has been reviewed by the
Savior Himself? I don't know of any other." What a remarkable book!
That was witnessed to me as we met with a gentleman we had got to know
just a week previously. In our latest visit with him as we asked if He
had read the pamphlet we left him he replied, "Nawww. I don't need to
read that. I just want to talk and lift each other up and hear what
you have to share." He went on talking most of the time and showin' us
his preacher tapes he enjoys listening to and what not. Then I said,
"We would love to share something with you, for the Lord Himself. May
we read it with you?" I handed him the Book of Mormon to a specific
section and asked him if he wouldn't mind reading 2 verses. Well what
happened next was pretty neat. He read the 2 verses then paused. Then
read the rest of the column. He continued to just read until he had
finished 2 pages! We told him he could keep the Book of Mormon and he
responded, "Good, because I want to do some homework!" WHAT?!!! Just
before he had told us he didn't want to read anything from us. I
testify that the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God and that one
can really strengthen their faith and conviction of the Savior through
reading its pages, along with gaining a testimony that Joseph Smith
restored Christ's original church! I LOVE reading it every day :)

I love y’all SOOO much and love hearing about the kids first day of
school and what not! I can't wait to go to their games and practices
and have them teach me all they know from school because I've lost
EVERYTHING it seems like! Haha!

Love y’all!
-Elder Parr

p.s. Off to hike in the bitter root again!

YAY!

Let me just tell you that I can't get enough of this work! Even when weeks
are tough or feel super long, by the end of the day, I can't help but
lay down at night and think to myself, "Wow! This work is hard but
it's soo much fun!" I absolutely LOVE being out among people making
them smile and sharing the most remarkable message that has brought me
so much happiness and joy. I JUST LOVE IT :)

We've had a ton of sweet experiences this week but I would like to
just share 2 thoughts with y'all today!

This first is about the names that we represent throughout our lives.
Everyone has a name and that's who they are known by for the rest of
their lives, unless they decide to legally change it, like one guy we
met a few weeks ago named Dancing Bear! HAA! Well, you may think your name
doesn't mean too much, but it means a lot to everyone else; that's for
sure. I can't tell you how many people I've met that I've asked if
they've known someone and they either get super excited because they
are a great person or get ticked because of something they did to
them. Haha! I think anyone who is ticked is hilarious, though ;)
Anyways, I feel it is important that we remember who we are and that we
represent ourselves and our families ALL the time! A name we often
forget that we represent though, is that of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Each of us, when we were baptized, covenanted with God to take upon
ourselves the name of Christ and to be a witness of Him. It's
especially important to remember that our actions should represent and
be in line with the things the Savior would do. So always remember
that you represent Jesus Christ and your family in all that you do!

The second thing I wanted to share kind of goes along with the whole
name thing and that is about our family motto, "Parr's Never Quit!"
I've thought a lot about this motto of ours this week and received
some added insight, besides that we finish all that we do and we never
give up. I think one of the major things with this is that...

Parr's never quit on each other!

We're a family and will always be one;
regardless of what happens. I've seen so many families who are broken
or split up and who fight and bicker and all that lame stuff. We're
not like that. We support each other. We lift each other. We're
patient with one another and most of all we love each other. Families
are ordained of God. If they are to be successful we must keep God in
them and do what will allow us to receive the spiritual strength that
we need. So know that I'm never givin' up on any one of y'all :) I love
y'all so much!

So I'm sure y'all are countin' down the days and it's just drivin' y'all
bonkers that I'm almost finished but you'll just have to be patient a
little bit longer ;) hehe Trust me, I can't wait to see y'all again
though! As I haven't thought much about what I will do when I get
home, besides start back school in January, I wanted each of y'all to
start making a list of things I need to do or places I need to go
with y'all, or really just ANYTHING you think I need to do when I get
home. The reason is so I don't get into trouble when I get back! haha
I'm gonna' need things to do so if all of y'all want to make a big list
that would be awesome! :) Then y'all can give me them when I get back
sometime, if I ever do ;) JK

Well, we're going to go hike up some of these sweet mountains here
today, so I hope all is well and that y'all are having an AWESOME day!

-Elder Justin Parr

HALLELUJAH!!

Anyone who says they don't believe in miracles...get out of town! haha
I've seen SOOOO many miracles in the past few weeks it has been
incredible :)

1. A young lady from Mexico City, Mexico was visiting her Uncle and
Aunt here in Hamilton and had gone to church for the past 4 weeks
previous to our arrival here in Hamilton. Well, after church last week
on Sunday we set up a time to visit her. What an experience it was!
She has SOOO many questions and was so sincere about seeking truth.
She was raised in the Catholic church along with her entire family and
she said that there were just so many questions that she had that were
never answered, so as we taught her, her eyes would just light up and
she was just soakin' it all in. Short story, she was reading the Book
of Mormon like crazy and left to go back home and has the missionaries set
up to visit her when she gets home to Mexico!

2. Visited a young man who you could say was off the path big time
when I was here last time. He has cut all his hair off and sat there
and talked to us for about an hour. He opened up and told us how he
had never prayed personally in his life and didn't really even believe
in God. We had one of the greatest lessons ever (I think partly
because I had to relate the gospel to video games) because you could
see things begin to make sense to him. He said that he was going to
read the Book of Mormon and that he would think about praying this
week! That would have NEVER happened when I was here last!

3. Knockin' on doors early last week and got to the point where I was
like, "It's blazin' hot out here, no one is answering and I want a
sandwich," when I got the impression to go to the other side of the
street. Teenage boy answered and said, "Everyone is out back, go
there." So we walked to the back and guess who it was?! It was a
member of the church who had just moved back and hadn't been to church
in years!

4. Had 2 meetings in Helena so we were there, Wednesday and Thursday.
The Helena 2nd Ward fed, housed, and had people to teach for 20
missionaries!

5. A youngman, who hasn't met with the missionaries for about 5 months,

started meeting with us. We unexpectedly met him previously in
the week and he shared how anytime something bad happens or things
aren't going well, the missionaries would always show up. He said the
day we just showed up was probably one of his worst days ever. What
he didn't know was we had NO IDEA why we stopped at where he was at,
until we met him!

6. A family who moved away shortly after I left just moved back and
found out their daughter we had been teaching got baptized in
Washington and that her dad said that he would like to meet with us.

7. A family who hasn't been to church recently much at all, we visited
and he wants to baptize his daughter and son next month and is willing
to do what he needs to do to become worthy again!

8. Got a call from Bishop yesterday after church who said 2 young
gals ran up to him after church and asked, "We want to be baptized!
What do we need to do?" That desire came after their sunday school
class, that was on baptism. Primary teachers, NEVER give up! You make
a difference in each child's life :)

9. I've made it as long as I have ;) Jk! hahaha

I could go on and on but this week has truly been such a blessing!
It's taught me that as we believe in Christ and are choosing the right
that we should expect to see miracles in our lives and around us, that
we truly are instruments in His hands to lift, inspire and help those
around us! I know I'm back in Hamilton for a reason and each day a get
a little glimpse of why :) I love this work! I love y'all!

-Elder Parr

To any and all who wonder why I do what I do, I tell you it's because
I have come to an understanding that this is the Church of Jesus
Christ. That He leads me in all I do. He invites each of us to "come
follow me." An invitation that is so simple. I would invite each of
you to take the opportunity to learn about what has brought me so much
happiness :)    mormon.org

Home

To answer some of your questions, here you go...

   -I did get my release date. It's October 25, 2013.

   -My new address is 248 1/2 Main St. Hamilton, Montana  59840. We live right on main street in an appartment; which is a blast! haha

    

This week has got to be the best week I've had on my mission :) Welcoming in all the new missionaries for the last time for me was such a blast, especially knowing that one of them was going to be mine. I told President that we were both in tune with the spirit because 2 weeks previous, as I was looking at their pictures, I told Elder Steinicke, "I'm going to train Elder Thawley, watch!" And as each of them opened their assignments, I got Elder Thawley!! It was such a blast to bring them all in, especially with President Mecham, and seeing how 2 mission presidents did the whole thing. It was a sad goodbye as I left Billings but super exciting as I left for Hamilton with 4 new missionaries in our truck! haha Dropped a few off along the way and finished the rest off in Missoula where a family feeds all the new missionaries their first meal. So it was a party for sure! :) haha Eventually, got down to Hamilton Wednesday evening and got to work! Met with the ward mission leader right off the bat and then saw the Shepherd's, my first baptisms on my mission! Brother Shepherd busted down the door practically and picked me off the ground and was just as stoked as I was!  :)

 

I must say the reunion I've had these past few days with so many people here has been incredible. I believe every missionary wonders if they've made an impact or a difference in the areas they served in but really never fully know if they did. I have been SO blessed to return to Hamilton and work with so many people I came to love so many months ago. It's hard not to talk or write about it without tearin' up or smilin' so big :D Church just topped it all off for me yesterday :) I just LOVE the people here in Hamilton and LOVE that I'm with Elder Thawley!

 

It feels so great to be a "real missionary" again and not have so many responsibilities, and merely be able to focus on the work and training. Been ridin' bikes, hittin' up main street and talkin' to everyone :) It's everything I hoped it would be! Excited for what this next week entails :) I love y'all so much and think about y'all often!

 

-Elder Parr

 

p.s. You're probably freakin' out that I said my release date was in 2013. Probably thought I just typed it wrong or something, but I did it on purpose ;) hehe Only have so much longer I can do that. It's October 25, 2012 this year! ;) You should be gettin' a letter soon with my flight plans and things like that shortly.

TRANSFERS!!

WOWEEEEEEKAZOWEEEE! So transfers just happened this week and I found
out that I will be transferred back to good ole' HAMILTON!!! I'm
totally bummed to leave Billings but at the same time STOKED to go
back to Hamilton and serve with all the wonderful people there. (If
you forgot, Hamilton was my first area) I was also informed that I
will be training a new missionary so it will be kind of crazy to be
training in the SAME place that I was trained! I will be heading out
Wednesday morning in a truck with 4 new missionaries where I will
drop off 3 on the way and keep one. EXCITING!

This week has been consumed with planning and taking care of all the
logistics for this transfer because we had some pretty big moves and
President wants to do a lot of things differently. I found many people
don't like change and when change comes they go berserk! I'm
beginning to like change for some reason, which doesn't bother me too
much. It presents new challenges and obstacles that need to be met and
overcome and I just LOVE it :)

Well I think about y'all often and love y'all so much!

-Elder Parr

p.s. that package y'all sent with all the ping pong balls was AWESOME!!
It was so fun to open and y'all totally got me! Everyone was bustin' up
in the office! Y'all will see the video soon enough :) After y'all got
me we put them all in a box to get the other elders when they got
here and put it on top of their door, but JUST before they came in
the box fell and we pranked ourselves!! haha

Cool Experiences

What an awesome week it has been! I feel I say that every week but
it's so true :)

Really cool experience this week! Testimony to me of how important it
is to have the Spirit with you at all times. So Another Elder and
myself were out knockin' doors about 5 weeks ago. A lady we met was
going through some really rough times. She expressed how she lost her
son 4 years ago in a house fire who was 21 and how she was in so much
pain physically and emotionally. She didn't look happy at all and was
filled with sorrow and sadness. We didn't leave until she was smiling
and was content with her life and knew there was hope. Interesting,
because she shared a story how shortly after her sons passing she was
in the kitchen washing dishes and began to say out loud, "There is no
God!" Just a few seconds later, DING DONG! Her doorbell went off and
there stood the missionaries, who brought her comfort and talked with
her for 3 hours. Very memorable for her! Anyways, back to the story. I
felt to call her up to see how she was doing and it was actually her
50th birthday and she was all by herself and had nobody to be with :/
So we told her we would bring her some ice cream and celebrate and
have a lesson afterwards! It's a moment I don't think I'll EVER
forget. I know it wasn't a coincidence I felt to call her when I did.
Really cool!

The rest of the week has been crazy as we're getting ready for
transfers this next week and getting all the logistics down :)

I'm so excited with
everything everyone is up to and accomplishing :) Summer is flyin' by
so y'all better live it up with the rest you have!

Here are some fun pictures from this morning :)
as well as one from Saturday! It was Brother Popp's baptism and he
asked me to baptize him which has got to be one of the coolest
experiences EVER! I taught him when I was in the West Park Ward for a
long time!

SURE LOVE Y'ALL!!!

-Elder Parr

A Note From the New Mission President's Wife

Brother & Sister Parr:

 

We love Elder Parr.  He is a wonderful assistant to the President and leading and guiding us these first few weeks in the mission.  He always seems upbeat, happy, gracious, and willing to help.  We feel very blessed to have him in our lives.  What a fine missionary and fine young man.  He tells us there are wedding plans ahead.  Congratulations!  Attached is a photo of Elder Parr and President Mecham and myself taken on the mission tour just after we arrived.  Thank you for sharing him with the great people of Montana!

 

Sister Mecham

 

 

SMILE :)

Hello!!

First off...that's ridiculous that Mattie is engaged! If I were there
Mattie and you told me that I would tell you to "SHUT YOUR FACE!" Haha!
At first thought I don't like it one bit, but second thought, I think
it will be fun. Now I will have someone I can really wrestle and throw
around ;) jk

This week has been a super wild one! In the past 4 weeks, Elder
Steinicke and I have driven 3,400 miles! Talk about a major road trip!!
:) We've had a blast attending the various training meetings with all
the missionaries and driving all over the state. I must say that
Montana is one of the prettiest places I've been thus far in my life!

I have some pretty awesome news! As y'all know, I'm not much of a reader
at all, like literally...not at all. Well, this week I finished the
complete Book of Mormon which was totally awesome! :) I would encourage
each of you, if you haven't yet, to read the Book of Mormon each day
until you finish it! It will give you the desire to become more
Christlike and will strengthen your testimony in the restoration of
the gospel of Jesus Christ :) It will change your life, I know, because it
sure has changed mine!

Well, off for the day but hope y'all are all doing well and  remember
that I sure love y'all :)

-Elder Parr

Get up and GO!

Where do I start?! This week feels like it's been one of the fastest,
but one of the longest, because what I did last Monday feels like so
long ago! haha

We had dinner with a family this week who are awesome! They have 3 little
boys and I have to say they are 3 of my favorite kids! They just run
around the house with their shirts off and are just the coolest boys!
Haha I mean they all have 8 packs and they are all under 9 years old!
While eating dinner their mother shared a story with us about them
earlier that day! She said the boys thought the little prairie dogs
were going to eat them so after they chased it into the hole they
filled it with dirt and wet on it! Haha I was laughing so hard I
almost spit all my water out!

We had the opportunity to help out at our 4th of July pancake
breakfast here in Billings which was super fun! Lots of good food but
no sweet game of ultimate frisbee after :/ We spent the rest of the
day visiting people who didn't have family or who were just all alone.
Such a good feeling to bring company and sunshine to people who are
just down and discouraged and put a smile on their face :) I LOVE what
I do! The evening was spent out in Laurel, Montana where they have a
HUGE firework show! That event in itself, helped me realize that I'm

not missing out on too much in the world ;) haha Awesome firework show

though!

We began our travels around the south and east part of our mission the

following day, which is beginning to grow on me :) It's definitely

some beautiful country.
Wyoming was our first stop! Great group of
missionaries down there! I hope to be able to see some of the pioneer
sites there next time! The building we met in is the 2nd largest
stake center...supposedly! It was HUGE! Met a fellow Texan in their
small little grocery store too, which was great! Also made our way out
to Glendive, Montana! Drove 406 miles that day including a 6 hour
meeting! Fun stuff if you ask me :)

 

I would say the greatest moment this week by far was the experience we
had with this man named G! G is in his early 50's and is just in
a super rough spot in his life. He has been in and out of the hospital
for the past 15 months with various medical issues and most recently,
his wife left him and a week ago, came through the house and trashed
the whole place with paper work and such EVERYWHERE! He was at the end
of his rope for sure and was so overwhelmed :/ We offered to help and
he graciously accepted! We spent 2 and a half hours sticking paper into
boxes and stacking them up for him. It was so hot since there was
little AC and it was a hot day, but SOOO much fun! I can't tell you
how many people are out there that need us! Remember the words of
Christ, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." I'm a firm
believer that we should seek out opportunities to serve and help
others and not merely just wait for someone to come to us! I pray each
of you will find someone in need and share the strength and support
you have to offer with them :) Sure love y'all!

-elder parr

Never underestimate...

Yeahhhhhh buddy! It's been one of the greatest weeks of my mission yet :) When I look back on each day this past week I can't help but smile and be happy!

I had the opportunity to go on team-ups with the Elders from Cody, Wyoming here in Billings which is a blast! I got to be with Elder Sharp who has become one of my favorite missionaries. He is a real cowboy and we just had a blast meeting and talking to people. Met one lady who really helped me understand the importance of being where you need to be at the right time. She shared an experience of how 5 years ago her son was burned in a house fire that she had to watch burn down. It was devastating to her. She said that one day right after she was in her kitchen and said out loud, "There is no God!" Just as the words left her mouth, "DING DONG!" The doorbell went off and there stood 2 missionaries. She said they sat and talked with her for 3 hours and when they left she knew there was a God. I tell this story because just last week one of her neighbors home burned down and a 21 year old boy in the home was killed and many of her memories and feelings were beginning to come back and we were there just at the right moment.

Never under estimate being somewhere you feel you need to be!

Well, majority of the first of the week was spent packin' up President Gardner and getting ready for the whole transition and what not. Weird feeling for sure. Knowing your leader, and pretty much grandpa, is leaving and never comin' back and someone else will be takin' his place just isn't an every day occurrence; that's for sure! haha I will be forever grateful for the many things he taught me and the great example he was to me! So now we have a new mission president, President Mecham! He is just as amazing as President Gardner was! The first thing he wanted to do was to go out and teach with us which was quite the best experience ever! 

These past few days we have been with the entire mission which has been so much fun! We had the east half and Wyoming together here in Billings on Friday and we were in Helena with the rest of the mission on Saturday! President Mecham really wanted to meet all of the missionaries right off the bat and I'm sure glad because we've already started out on a great note! Each meeting had a time for testimonies, instruction from President and his wife, a question and answer section to get to know them and then a time we got to tell them what our mission is known for, followed by an amazing meal :) We all thoroughly loved it! They are such great people! :) 

Elder Steinicke and I got to go on our first road trip together which was a blast! He is the best! Sent you a funny picture of both of us ;)





 Sure hope all is well at home! Love y'all so much!

-Elder Parr

What are you doing?

You're curious about what I will be doing? I know if I didn't tell you anything that would just drive you crazy so I guess I can tell a little ;) I have my new companion, Elder Steinicke! He is the BEST! The first day I met him, back when I served in the Missoula zone, I said to myself, "I really like this kid! I bet I will serve with him sometime." I never expected it to really happen or in this way! President Gardner leaves Thursday afternoon after he has lunch and spends about an hour with President Mecham. After that, I really don't know what I will be doing. I do know we will have half the mission together here in Billings on Friday and then Saturday we will be in Helena with the other half of our mission. Then zone trainings following the next 2 weeks, so it's about that time to travel again. Rode trips are a piece of cake now for me! Ha! We just pack some bags and jump in the car and off we go, driving between 1-9 hours at a time! I will NEVER be a truck driver though; that's for sure!

Anything I can do for y'all?! Who have you been talkin' to about the church lately?

LOVE Y'ALL!!!!

-Elder Parr

See the need, Do the deed!

FAMILIA!!!!

WHAT AN AWESOME WEEK IT HAS BEEN!!!

Tuesday we welcomed in 13 new Elders and 1 Sister! Sister Vaka is from Tonga and it is her first time being in America. She is probably the funniest person I ever met! She was tellin' me in Tonga that they all want to come to America on their mission because when they do, they tell their family they are going to the promised land! haha Plus she has the BEST laugh ever :) They were a wonderful group filled with excitement and enthusiasm. I took one of them out tracting with me, one that was very shy and quite. Learned a very valuable lesson from that experience! The first door we knocked on this huge dog came runnin' to the door barkin' and what not and he said, "That's a big dog!" I replied, "Sure is! We call them the Montana doorbell because everyone has one." After sayin' that I realized that he was shakin' in his shoes...literally. Went to the next few doors and the same thing happened. Fear in his eyes and shakin' everytime he would see the dog run to the door. After about 5 doors I said, "Elder, don't worry about these dogs. If ANY dog comes out of these doors and tries to get you I'll punch him right in the nose for you! I won't let 'em get you!" He said, "Thanks" and never shaked after that. Funny, simple experience but helped me learn a lot! Many people around us need the assurance that we care about them and are there whatever the circumstance may be. Make sure you let those around you know that you love and care about them :)

 

Well Tuesday was filled with lots of excitement but not so sure if it was more than on Wednesday. Wednesday we spent the day with 20 Elders and Sisters who were going home. One of them being Elder Miller! We had a great day with them and had a western departing meal all out of dutch ovens! Elder Robison who is one of our senior missionaries, along with his wife, cooked a wonderful meal :) Check out the picture of all the dutch ovens stacked up! Such a sweet way to cook :) Sad as each of them shared their last words and testimony. Probably the first group I've been closest to that have gone home. 

 

The rest of the week was filled with tons of wonderful stories and experiences, one I want to share with y'all. One of the people we have been trying to see from the church for the longest time, we finally got a hold of. He told us that his family has been strugglin' lately and they have just kept to themselves. His brother was beat to death, and the same day he was buried his aunt passed away. Many others have passed away recently and it has just taken a toll on him and his family. He said while we were sittin' outside, "The sun is shining so bright, but I'm filled with darkness. I'm not myself and I just want to be happy again!" We had a tender experience with him but felt so good to bring peace and comfort to him at this time and see a smile on his face and have him laughing before we left :) I know that the only peace and comfort that can heal a wounded heart comes from our Savior Jesus Christ and what he has done for each of us :) I'm so grateful for that truth I have come to know and the opportunities I have to share it with others :)

 

Well, President Gardner leaves this week and President Mecham will be here Thursday. Just saddlin' up and gettin' ready for the transition :)

I LOVE Y'ALL SO MUCH!

-Elder Parr