The work is moving along for us. In general, with only working with members now, the number of total lessons has taken a hit- which was to be expected but we had more member present lessons this month of December than any other month since the creation of the zone. The percentage of member-present lessons to total number of lessons was over 40%, so we are on a steady incline. We have finally got a list of ALL the members in all of our areas, so now we can get to work on visiting everyone and really uniting the ward in la obra misional and keep track of it in the district. 

A few Mission Leadership Conferences ago with Brother Garmin, we were told that, "We are all going to be Primary Teachers someday... so we'd better start today."  That’s what it’s like teaching our investigator, L-- right now. We go slow, but he hangs on to every word. He's really fun to teach. He came to church again and is really on fire right now.

It was great to be with Elder Griffin for our 2nd Christmas in the mission!! He's a great example to me and has a burning testimony of Jesus Christ.  I opened all my presents a few days before Christmas... so I didn’t get to open squat on Christmas morning.  Everyone in the apartment made fun of me, and just thought it was the funniest thing.

Talking with you all on Christmas didn’t make me trunky or homesick, because this is precisely the place I need to be. I know this, because it is the refiner's fire and that is exactly what I need.  It has shaped me and is continually shaping me every single day.  I love my mission.  I have truly come to know the author and finisher of my faith.  I am trying to be more like Jesus Christ, and though I fail over and over and over and over again, I know he is with me every step of the way and it is all part of the great plan and part of my eternal progression on the quest to exaltation.  I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Doing service for Foodshare every week is awesome, and it’s even better when Elder Smoot is there sorting cans right next to you!  It is quite the party sorting cans and shooting the breeze, while all the other missionaries just think we are crazy hicks from little ole Brigham City!  It is incredible to be serving together in the same mission!  I have seen a huge change in him and it’s so cool.  I hope he sees the same change in me as well.

Love,

Elder Parrish

Mission Christmas Eve Activity