Hola! Hola!  I realized I didn't answer any of the questions I was asked last week, so I'll do my best. The weather- beautiful every single day all year long. When I got here, they asked me if I remembered to bring my umbrella.  I said yes and they said, "Good, because you are going to use it exactly one time on your whole mission. Sooo ya, I do not need a jacket or boots.  I don't know why they are on the call packet.

And you asked what I wanted for my birthday.  I guess it's too late, because you already sent the package, but I would like one of this year's Box Elder football shirts. I'm sure Gunter would be glad to give you a deal on one.  

 

On Friday night, we rode our bikes past the local high school and saw the football game going on. Elder Trujillo wouldn't let me stop and watch it, of course, but I was going crazy.  I definitely miss football.  I read the article the other day in the September Ensign about how important it is to have good role models, but more importantly worthy priesthood holders as role models, and I couldn't help but think about all my coaches that I've had over the years, what a big impact they played on my up- bringing.  Box Elder is lucky enough to have coaches that not only train good athletes, but train young men how to be men. Every week in football, we had an area of focus or an attribute that we were going to learn about that week. This focus always was something that applied both on and off the field.  I don't know, words can't describe how grateful I am to Gunter.  Obviously because of sports, I know that I can do anything, and nothing is ever going to be too hard or impossible to acheive.  Even more than being a role model, Coach Gunter could teach us about these attributes, because he lived them.  He cared about us beyond the field, and wanted us to have success our whole lives, not just on Friday nights. ....keep me updated on the team :)

  

Another thing I was wondering!  I'm not sure the exact date when I get to go to the temple, but if Grandma and Taina could just so happen go to the temple at the same time... that would be really cool.  I'm not sure if that's allowed, but I can find out, and if they could, that'd be sweet.

 

This week was good.  Our numbers are improving, but we can still do better.  Our investigator Araceli who had a baptismal date for Oct. 12, called us and told us that she has received her confirmation that these things are indeed true, but she doesn't want to be baptized anymore.  She has kind of fallen off the map for a bit, and we can't seem to get a hold of her. That is disappointing, but we are still going to do our best to find out what happened and help her. She is an amazing lady and we want nothing more than to see her receive the blessings that this church brings.

Last week, we found a lady that seemed interested named Sandra.  She gave us her address and told us we could stop by. When we went to her house to see her, it turns out that she really wasn't that interested, but her friend, Carmen who was there said "Hey, you can talk to me!"  We had a great lesson with her, and left her with a Book of Mormon.  She was really excited to read it and learn more. We have high hopes for her, and it was interesting to see how the Lord used Sandra as his vessel for us to be able to see Carmen, who otherwise we never would have met.

 

We also found another potential investigator that looks promising, named Marisol. She used to live in Mexico, and said that she attended church with her friend in Mexico, but since she moved here, she has lost contact and hasn't known about the church here. So we have a scheduled appointment with her this week that we are excited for.

Lorena is a lady that we have had a few lessons with, and all of them were with members present. She attended church yesterday, and we are planning to set her with a baptismal date this week.

I am really excited for this week, and I think we are going to see some really cool things happen. Our focus this week is going to be on having members present in our lessons, and of course invite everyone to General Conference.




The words of the prophet and apostles are so powerful.  It is going to be an incredible chance for them to feel the Spirit.  And to top it all off, Conference this Saturday is on my birthday! I can't get a better birthday present than that. I can't wait!

Sincerely,

Elder Parrish

Santa Barbara Independent article from September 26, 2013

Elders Robison, Parrish, Trujillo, and Pentz (from left) pause on their rounds downtown while serving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on their traditional two-year missions. “My favorite part [of S.B.] is the diversity; it’s cool to see so many different people, different beliefs, and find things in common with them,” said Robison, who took time off from college in Utah to serve. “I like how everyone here is spiritual; they might not believe in god, but they are spiritual,” said Elder Pentz.

View from the top of the Santa Barbara Courthouse

We taught a lot of lessons this week, and things are looking more and more positive each day.  The Spanish is still obviously a struggle, but it is slowly coming along, and I find myself being able to understand and say a little more everyday. But all is well.

We found some new people this week, and we have really good feelings about a couple of them. A lot of our existing investigators have somewhat stopped progressing. They have had all the lessons, and want to be baptized, but there are just one or two little things holding them back.  One, Sister Roman has the desire, but she is an 80 year old woman, and has been living with a 70 year old man for 50 years now.  She cannot be baptized until they are married, and he doesn't want to.  Gabriella is in the same situation.  She knows everything, but is living with her boyfriend, who doesn't want to get married. A girl named Alma accepted baptism, but there's nothing we can do about it until she either moves out from her boyfriend or they get married. Araceli's husband is holding her back from coming to church as well.  

 

We found another man named Carlos, who is an alcoholic. We went to visit him and he was drunk. We started talking about his addiction, and he just broke down crying, because he knows he needs to change and wants to set a good example for his children, but just doesn't think he can stop.  We shared with him our simple testimonies that we know this gospel is the pathway that he needs to be on to help his family and also himself, and he just kept crying and said that that is what he wants.  We set a return appointment for Tuesday. He's such a nice man, and I want nothing more than to see him change his life for the better and receive the blessings that only the gospel can give.  

 

We also had a 30 minute talk with a homeless man that obviously hadn't eaten in days, so I bought him a piece of chicken for a dollar and it was like he'd just gotten a million dollars. It was cool to see.  Haha.

 

The members have been great, and we have been going out teaching lessons with one, Felipe Perez. He's great, always willing to help and be bold, sharing his testimony. We love him.

 

Elder Trujillo is continuing to set a great example for me, and throwing me right in the mix of this great work. 

Elder Trujillo and I have started a small money laundering and printing business in our apartment on the side. (haha)
I'll be rich in no time. 

 

First week in California

So, I sent a letter in the mail, but I don't know if you've gotten it yet.  The first night here, I spent the night at a member's home in Ventura.  It was huge! It was the nicest house I've ever been in, and it overlooked the ocean.  Anyway, so then on Tuesday, we went back and received our companions and assignments.
 

 

My companion is Elder Trujillo.  He is from Ecuador, and is fluent in Spanish, but he moved to Canada by himself when he was 16 and lived there for 8 years on his own.  He is 24. but he looks 18.  He has graduated from college, and is a certified fitness trainer, which I find a little odd, because he doesn't ever want to exercise.  But  he is a great example to me, and is working us hard. I do feel a little bad for him, because my Spanish is still far from adequate, so he ends up carrying most of the weight in our lessons, because I do not understand most of what the conversing is about.    

We live in a small apartment, but its clean and not too shabby. We are serving in Santa Barbara in the LOS OLIVOS area.  So basically, I went from the nicest part of rich Ventura to the poorest part of Santa Barbara, and the difference is crazy. People here have nothing, and they all live in either tiny apartments or most of them in trailer parks. I got a bike, and I love riding it.  I ride wheelies all over Santa Barbara.  It cost about 400 dollars for the bike, helmet, front and back lights, kickstand, and a lock. 

 

Our area is like 5 minutes from the beach, and we can go look at it, but not go near it... It just so happens that this is one of the most strict missions in the world. Haha... perfect for me.

 

The members here are amazing and so nice.  They all try to help me with my Spanish, and always insist on giving us something to eat, as well.  They feed us a ton!  A lot of the members are always looking for opportunities to come serve with us, and participate in lessons with us.

 

Cali is a lot different than Utah, that's for sure.  The other day, we taught a lesson at the library literally 10 ft away from some 12-13 year olds smoking pot.  It was like watching Marshall do drugs.  It was so weird. 

 

Anyway, we have had a lot of lessons this week, and have seen some miracles already! One man, Roberto was baptized years ago, but never went back to church, because he only got baptized in hopes that his ex wife would take him back.  Now, he has many problems including an addiction to alcohol, and recently got kicked out of his apartment, because he doesn't have a job and has no money. We talked with him several times this week, one of which he had been drinking.  But he is truly looking for a change in his life, and is really trying to understand everything we teach. He attended church yesterday, and he said that he could really feel the Spirit, and knows that this is what he needs to be doing for his life to change.

 

The second miracle was with a lady named Araceli.  On Saturday, she called us, and said that she believes everything about the Church, but that she doesn't want to be baptized because she feels satisfied with a life of glory in the terrestrial kingdom after she dies.  We felt really bad, and didn't know what to do, but Elder Trujillo just said we need to go see her. We went to her house and she expressed to us her concerns.  We ended up having a really great lesson on her porch, and explained that God loves her and that these feelings of doubt can only come from one place, and it is not from God.  She committed to pray and ask Heavenly Father if these things are true, and committed to us that if she receives an answer, she will be baptized on October 12th!  So that was a miracle. She really does already know that the gospel is true, but I think her husband is just holding her back.  It would be great if he could understand and give her some support. We talked to him a little on Saturday, as well, and he is a nice guy.  He just doesn't seem to have very much interest in the Church.

 

All in all, it has been a great week, and we are looking to have even better this week. I want the Spanish to be better than it is, but I guess it is slowly coming along...  Line upon line, precept upon precept, right?  

 

We only get an hour for emails (We had 2 hours in the MTC) and 30 minutes of it is designated for us to email President Castro, so really I only have 30 minutes... so that might be hard.

 

Adios!

Elder Parrish

 

 

 

Arriving in Ventura

This was the snail mail letter that McKay wrote when he arrived.  We received it today, the 16th, the same day as his first email:


Dear Family, 

Today is Tuesday Sep. 10.  I got to Ventura Yesterday, and we met the mission president and his wife, Sister Castro.  I like President Castro a lot.  In our interview last night, he told me how President Eyring blessed him with the gift of discernment when he was set apart.  Then, he continued to tell me he could see that I was going to do great things and said a ton of things that were crazy specific for me. 

Last night, I stayed at a member's home with another elder from Tooele.  They lived in Ventura and I think it was the nicest house I've ever been in!  It was huge and way fancy, and they all drive Priuses.  Out the back door was a big hill overlooking the ocean right from their house.  We stayed in a separate house right next to them that was on top of their garage.  It was full of Oreos and milk that they told us better not be there in the morning, so that was sweet. 

In the airport, as soon as we got to L.A., Elder Banks and I went straight to Carl's Jr. and ordered Western Bacon Cheeseburgers.  Then, we had a 30 min. flight to Santa Barbara in the tiniest plane that only held like 20 people.  In total, there are 32 new missionaries that got here yesterday and like 7 of us Spanish speakers.

This morning, we are filling out a bunch of paperwork, and then we will receive our assignments and trainer companions and get to work. 

Last week in a Santa Barbara Stake Conference, President Eyring said this was the most obedient mission in the world...So I'm going to have to work really hard!  We have 5 guidelines that I am excited to live by.  We in the Great California Ventura Mission: 1) We are Preach My Gospel Missionaries.  2) We baptize.  3) We obey with exactness.  4) We seek to be trusted more than loved.  5) We teach with power and authority. 

I can't wait to get started!

McKay

Last night in the MTC

Hey! 

We just got set up for our flights, and everything is good to go.  I leave here in the morning at 5 a.m. and my flight leaves at 9:15 a.m.  I have a little bit of laundry to finish up tonight and finish packing, and then I'll be ready to go.  It's crazy to think that by this time tomorrow I could be teaching a real person in real Spanish for real.

We just got out of an awesome devotional from Elder Holland that he gave to the Provo MTC back in January, and it got Elder Mecham and I pretty pumped to go out and get to finally work. Seriously, if it weren't for Elder Mecham being in my district the past 6 weeks, I would have either gone crazy or killed someone.  So I think there was definitely a reason why he and I ended up together.  I was so lucky to have him set an amazing example for me in my MTC experience. 

Anyway, I gotta go take pictures with our district and teachers and then go pack.  Rasten and Alec are coming over to our casa tonight to say goodbyes.  It is like the day before I left all over again. 

Adios!

Semana cinco

¡Hola! 

 

We just got back from the temple, ate lunch, and now we're emailing.  They havent told us anything about being able to call home from the airport, but I do get to email Sunday night before I leave Monday.  The temple today was alot easier than last time. I could understand a lot more and it was tons easier, but they still show the old movie here and everyone wants to see the new one.  Elder Banks and I did those names you sent with Alec, and I'll send them back when I get to California. It took me like 20 minutes talking to the desk trying to get the name cards back. They were trying to keep them.

 

Ugh!  There are so many dove here just chilling on the lawns at the MTC, and I just want to kill one, so I can cook it and eat it.  Maddie´s boots are lookin a little big for her.  (haha.)  [I'm sure this is in response to pictures Mont sent of dove hunting with Maddie and Marshall.]

 

We all can't wait to get out of the MTC and get into the field. The last week just drags, and you dont really learn anything new.  Everyone is ready to go, but yesterday all the hermanas in our district just started bawling, because they don't think they're ready, so we didn't even have class, just so they could all cry and get their feelings out.  I don't know why, because Elder Mecham, Elder Banks, and I  are all stoked to go to work for real.

 

Oh yeah, thanks for the package you sent with Alec.  I got it on Wednesday night.  The umbrella was muchly needed.  When I get to California, I'm going to have to get some new running shoes... mine are completely shredded from playing soccer.

 

I got a haircut last week from a Mexican lady.  They dont mess around.

 

Elder Mecham has been teaching me a thing or two about basketball, as well. It's funny, because we come here and it seems like all the kids from Utah are by far the best athletes. We school everyone in basically every sport. No se, pero esta bien.

 

I've scored some pretty sweet ties in the tie trades we have with other districts.

 

I don't sleep really at all, but its all good.

 

I will send an email Sunday night, i guess, and then the next time you hear from me I will be in California! First thing that Elder Banks and I are going to do is hit an In-n-Out Burger.