This week was a little tough to
catch people that were willing to listen to us with the holidays and
everything, but we still managed to have some really great lessons. On Christmas day, we stopped by our
investigator, R---’s house. She came out
, set up some chairs, and was so excited to see us and wish us a merry Christmas. Almost immediately, she started talking about
her sick brother who wasn’t able to make it over for their big family gathering
earlier that day and then that led to her venting about her parents that have
passed away, and she really expressed a lot of concerns about death, fear that
she has about the next life, the loneliness she feels for her mom, and all
of the uncertainty she has about what happens when we die. Instantly, Elder Griffin just started bearing
testimony of the resurrection and eternal families. We just very simply testified, without even
teaching. She was so comforted and
thanked us sooo much. She invited us to
come back this week and teach her the whole plan of salvation.
We had 2 lessons with J--- in the
church building this week, and he wants to be baptized on the 11th
of January. It is amazing to see how
just a few weeks ago he was saying that he feels it is too late for him and he’s
already too far gone and only here to try to make a difference for his
grandkids. Then, this week he was asking
us what all he needs to do to be ready, because he wants to be baptized on the
second Saturday in January! I love it!
We also had a lesson with J-- on
the gospel of Jesus Christ in the church building that went super good, as
well. He says that out of all of the
different churches he has investigated and knows about we stand out from all of
them, because of how dedicated we are to really living the way our Heavenly
Father wants. He went on to admit how
he has had a hard time forgiving others. He committed
to pray every night, and to report and repent of his doings to Heavenly Father
every night. It was his first time being
in the church building and he said it was “beautiful and amazing.”
Another man showed up to church
yesterday, who we had never met before, but he was bearing his testimony of how
he prayed to know Joseph Smith was a prophet and the very strong answer he
received. We just figured he was a
member…. Then, after the meeting,
Hermana Linford and Hermana Wright were talking to him, and found out that it
was just two days ago that he prayed and got an answer, and that he was here at
church, because he wants to be baptized!
It was good to talk to and hear from
all of you on Christmas. It was kind of weird to be able
to understand all of Mitch’s Spanish. I
realize that I’m already ahead Spanish-wise than a lot of missionaries that have
been out much longer than me, but I’m trying not to get comfortable and lazy
with my Spanish studies. It sounds like
everything is good there. Don’t worry
about me. I hear a lot of missionaries
go into depression mode after talking to the family for Christmas. I don’t know why. I know that there is absolutely nothing at
home that could be better than what I’m doing right now. It’s just illogical to worry about home. I’m learning and growing so much. Just the thought of the big picture and how
my relationship has grown with my Savior trumps all hints of homesickness that
might try to sneak up.
Love,
Elder Parrish
