This
week was great, really tough but great. I will start off with the best part, we
had two baptisms. Their names are Adrianna and Darwin. Darwin is a young joven who has been a golden investigator. We found him my third day and he has been
keeping commitments and inviting his friends to seminary. Five of them came to
his baptism. Unfortunately none of them live in our area, but it is awesome to
see him progress. He also told us that he wants to serve a mission which is great. At first I was feeling a little weird at the baptismal
service because everyone says it is the best/happiest part of your mission but I wasn't feeling anything. And then they got in the water. What a glorious
feeling it was to see them making the amazing covenant of baptism. I couldn't
stop smiling. Later we were able to talk to Darwin while he was waiting to
change and he was smiling and had tears in his eyes. I gave him a hug, and was
so happy for him. I was able to confirm him a member of the Church. I was way
nervous because it was in Spanish. I can barely do it in English. But the Lord
helped me a lot, and I felt the spirit so much. I know the Lord has great
things in store for him, he has great things in store for all of us.
It is amazing that baptism is the first covenant we make, and yet I am just barely beginning to understand its full significance. It is the only way we can enter the kingdom of God and the Holy Ghost guides our lives in so many ways, it testifies of happiness and allows us to bring our lives in line with our Heavenly Father and all He wants for us is to return to Him.
Adrianna
is also amazing. She bore her testimony in sacrament meeting and it was
so powerful. She said she knew the gospel changed her life and listed how she
knew it was true. She is a queen. The Lord is always ready to help us change if
we are willing.
Some
interesting culture things:
The
Elders love Fusa. I know everyone says that but they really do. The APs came
and they were so excited to be here. They were walking around saying {{where
can we go}} and one of them shouted in the streets "Fusa Papi". It was so
fantastic.
Everyone
thinks gringos have money and everyone asks for money. One day me and my
companion were in a store helping a member move her stuff, when a guy walked
past us, saw us, and yelled "Gringos! perfecto, I need your help". He then
walked into the store, proceeded to tell us that he wanted us to give money.
Another time we were by the church and a random guy wanted us to give him money
to travel to Bogotá. We said we couldn't, it isn't our money to give. Then he
wanted to ask the Bishop. Then the President of our mission came and he told us
to ask him. When we said we wouldn't, he told us we lacked faith. That was
definitely interesting but I love it here. It has been fantastic.
Also,
everything here comes in bags. Juice, milk, water, it is way weird. We buy milk
in these tiny bags and then carry it to our apartment to eat. It is kinda
weird. I miss good old white milk that comes in gallons.
Anyway,
i just wanted to say thank you to all of you. You guys are so amazing. I feel
your prayers everyday. I know your examples have helped prepare me to find
people here and hopefully teach them what the gospel can do for their lives,
because it has changed mine. I know that this gospel, through the Holy Ghost
works miracles. It has in my life, and it can for yours.
I love you guys so
much.
Hasta semana,
Elder
Parson
Also,
thank you to those angel mothers who sent the "sunshine" package. You guys are
truly amazing. And also to my angel mother, my amazing mother, thank you for
all you do. You are amazing, and I love you with all my heart.
