The Carpinteria area is awesome. It is so beautiful.  There are really just pro surfers and old retired people.  But we have literally zero work, zero people to teach.  Zero.  In the past two weeks, we contacted every single person in the area book and nothing.  We separated the wheat from the tares, but all we were left with were tares.  The ward is cool, but they haven't had a convert baptism in years.  They are sure to tell you that, and don't have much faith in the work here. But they are super nice (and super rich).  We are in a car share area, which means we car and bike every other day.

 

We did have an awesome lesson with a less active member named L----.  She adapted a baby like 15 years ago, and when she was 2 she had a seizure that lasted for an hour and 45 minutes and caused severe brain damage.  So taking care of her teenage daughter is a 24 hour job, and the main reason that she is off and on in going to church.  In teaching her, though, it was obvious to my companion and I that she definitely has a testimony of this Gospel.  She has a friend in the Santa Barbara ward that goes and visits her quite often and helps her out a lot.  She was VERY meticulous in inspecting our clothing for creases and any hint of wrinkles... haha.  She straight up ripped into Elder Henriod for not having a visible crease in his pants, and then I felt pretty good when she was pleased with my pant crease...but upon further inspection, she was sure to let me know that there was no crease in my shirt sleeve and that it was unacceptable.  She told us that when we come see her, our clothing better be in tip-top shape, ironed and starched with visible creases.  She did attend church yesterday and seemed very content.  She said she wants to learn the lessons again, and that we can stop by and teach her once a week. 

 

We were invited to Ward Council meeting yesterday, and from what I understand that is the first time the missionaries have been present in a very long time, so that was great.  The members all seemed very willing to help us out, and a few even took the initiative to say that they and their families are going to make personal visits to some of the investigators in the area, which from what I understand is a pretty big change from how it has been in the past.  I'm pumped to make somethin' out of nothin' and start to build up the area.  I am determined to turn it around, but if we can't, then I guess there's only one hope for this area... sister missionaries. (haha)  They're pretty much the best.

Love,

Elder Parrish

 

oops!

Millions of book reports later, and the day finally comes...haha.

 

Elder Parrish and Elder Henriod



My new district.

 

This is the awesome house I live in in Carpenteria. We live with a 94 year old WWII vet and he is amazing. He gets around the house up and down the stairs like a champ, and tells us war stories every night. He was a waist gunner in a B24 bomber and has some pretty sweet stories. The house is huge, and we live in the upstairs. It has spiral staircases and is all decked out with American flags and eagles all over the house. It's the most patriotic place ever.  I love it!  It is like a hundred yards from the beach that we run to every morning. We can look, but can't touch. :)

 

 

Well, my last week in Santa Barbara was a good one.  We had some great lessons with a couple that has been inactive for the better half of 20 years.  They left the Church, because they got offended for something, and haven't been back since.  But we finally got in (after knocking the door 30 times the past 4 months) and had a good lesson on eternal families that really touched their hearts.  They went to a branch party at the church and also last night they came to watch "The Testaments" with some of our other investigators.  I'm really excited to see them start to return and see them rekindle those friendships they had in the branch 20 years ago.  The husband is probably one of the most interesting men on the planet.  He is from Argentina, but speaks perfect English, is super smart, works on cancer and radiation equipment.  He never gives a specific answer to anything and always answers in the most peculiar analogies.  He is the kind of guy I just want to sit down with and keep talking to for hours and hours.  We are going to try to stop by his house tonight before I leave, so maybe I can get a picture. 

On Saturday, J--- was baptized.  We had to run to Goleta to give a sister missionary a blessing, and our ward mission leader flaked on us, so we had a quick little panic making sure there was sufficient water in the font that got us started a little late.  We had missionaries running all over the place with 5 gallon jugs dumping cold sink water into the font to try to get enough water... but the Spirit instantly filled the room after the first little talk and as Hermana Linford and Hermana Wright played "I Stand All Amazed" on the violin and flute with a piano accompaniment.  I'm so grateful to be the one that he chose to baptize him.  We went down into the water and I couldn't believe it- the water was super warm!  It was a tender mercy of the Lord.  It was shallow, but warm, and everything went smoothly as I pushed him waaay down and all the way back up again with my back, just like my first baptism.  The whole service was great.  Three of his friends showed up that were nonmembers, and he was so excited that they were able to make it.  It was such a blessing to see him join the church, even though last week, we weren't sure if he was going to be ready, but after fasting and much prayer we felt impressed by the Spirit that this was the right time for him.  Now, his biggest desire is for his grandkids to attend church with him and be baptized as well.  When the Branch President confirmed him yesterday, he mentioned something in the blessing about him being a future missionary to his family and grandkids that was really neat. 

I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity I have had to serve with Elder Griffin the last two transfers.  He's definitely taught me so much and we have learned and grown so much from each other and seen many miracles here in the Los Olivos branch.  We're pretty much best friends now.

My testimony has definitely been strengthened as I see that as long as we are doing everything we can and leaving it all out there every single day, despite all of our many shortcomings, the Lord makes up the rest and blesses us beyond measure.  Tomorrow, I head to CARPINTERIA with my new companion, Elder Henriod.  It is only like 20 minutes away, but it is zebra work... which means 90% English and 10% Spanish, so hopefully I can keep up with my Espanol.

Love,
Elder Parrish

Elder Griffin's bike was out of commission due to a messed up pedal and crank, so we did some walking for a couple days, and talked with a lot of people. No one really solid or interested, but we are going to keep going, because we know the Lord has someone for us who is. 

J---- attended Church and we had a lesson with him on Thursday.  Afterward, we weren’t quite sure if it would be a good idea to baptize him on the 11th of January or not, so we did a lot of fasting and praying to know what to do. Sunday after church, we sat down and talked about everything to discuss what to do.  We went over the baptismal interview questions and discussed each one. Afterward, we felt like indeed it is the right thing to do for him to get baptized this Saturday. He's changed so much in the months that we have been teaching him and hasn’t ever missed a Sunday. He said he finally has learned all of the things that he had no knowledge of growing up.  Obviously he still has a whole lot more to learn, but he has really come so far and is a completely new person. I’m excited to see him come up out of the water even "newer" :)

We had a Spanish training in Solvang.  It was great and exactly what I needed.  Plus, we got to drive through the mountains. I saw 2 deer, does.  They were only #2 and #3 that I have seen my entire mission.  I can’t believe how stupid I am for getting excited over seeing a doe. (haha.)  The Spanish training just focused on making study plans and striving for the gifts of the Spirit.  I was trying to avoid the point of hitting a plateau and being content, so it was really good.  Elder Griffin and I have been speaking Spanish as much as we can ever since, and it’s nice to realize that we actually can get along without speaking English. 

I was asked on the spot to give a priesthood blessing to an investigator for a nasty sore that she has had on her leg for years and that doctors can’t fix.  I was nervous and just had the John Tanner movie miracle playing in my head, but I gave the blessing and I guess it went well. Yesterday, we were asked to give a cancer patient in pretty bad shape a blessing too.  Also, I gave R--- one for his addiction.... My patriarchal blessing was in my mind. It says I will bless lives by placing my hands on many heads.