Episode 51: One Year of Faithful Service!

Hey everybody,

Things are going really great here in Colombia. I seriously can't believe that it has already been a year. It has felt a lot shorter. I feel a little sad but still glad that so much time remains.

This week really hasn't been too exciting. Everything that we do here is a little repetitive, not nearly as dynamic as a mission in the United States. We have been looking for new people to teach but still haven't had much luck with their progress. Robinson is still doing very well. He attended church again this week and really enjoyed it. We also are teaching another man named Blas (I don't know where these names come from) and he is very excited too. He is living with a less active woman and they have three childen who are members of the church but the oldest daughter is also less active. The whole family is attending church and are very excited so that's good.

Everything is going really great here. Thank you so much for all of your help.

Elder Parker

After playing soccer

with Elder Araya

Episode 50: Super, Great Investigator!

Hey everybody,

How is everyone doing? This week has been pretty uninteresting, just a lot of contacting in the streets. It's been interesting because we have been getting rejected a lot and it's sad to have that happen but we just continue talking and eventually we are able to find the people prepared to receive the gospel.

So this week we were able to find this super great investigator named Robinson. He was investigating the church a while back but the missionaries stopped visiting him for some reason. But we had a great lesson a few days ago and yesterday, he attended church!!! It was so great to see him there and he is super excited, but needs to get married before he can be baptized.

So I was able to take a few photos of the house today. It's not much, but it does have air conditioning in the bedroom. I am really enjoying the area and the people here. 

I hope everything is great at home. Talk to you more next week.

See you guys soon,

Elder Parker

PS the photos are not working with this computer so I will try to send them next week, sorry

Episode 49: Meeting Elder Renlund!

Hey everybody,

How are y'all doing?

This week has been really great. First off we got to meet Elder Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve. It was great to hear the council that he had for all of the missionaries. 

This week we have also been trying to meet a lot more of the people in this area which has been interesting, because there are several members, even recent converts, that have left the church completely. One man is named Roberto and it was a little sad talking with him because he has completely lost his testimony but I really want to help him because he is a great guy, just a little confused with all of the problems in his life.

I love you guys so much and am so thankful for all of the support that you show me. I know that this mission will change my life and a lot of others. I know that this church is true.

Thanks for everything,

Elder Parker

Episode 48: New Companion!

Hey everybody! How is everyone? So this past week we had transfers and me and Elder Pérez were both transferred. He went to Cartegena and I went to... Las Moras. I am still in the same ward, but am now working in the other side. To be honest, I'm a little bummed but I know that this transfer is going to be really great. My new companion is named Elder Araya, a missionary from Northern Chile, in the same mission as where Steven Boyack is serving. He's super funny and has a year and a half in the mission so he really knows a lot about how things work here.

This week has been really uneventful, mainly getting to know all of the members here in the ward. It has been interesting getting to know a lot of the people that I have been hearing about in ward council and from the other missionaries. One of the investigators here is named Heileen, I was able to talk with her before the transfers at church but now I am teaching her and getting her ready for baptism. She is very excited but can't attend church as often as she wants because of her work. But we are trying to get her ready for the 21st of August!

Thank you so much for all of the support that I have had since I got here almost a year ago. I have been able to learn so much from the experiences that I am having and am enjoying it a lot. I hope everyone is doing well and I will try to share a little bit more next week.

Elder Daniel Parker

Episode 47: Crazy days!

Hey everybody,

How is everyone doing? Things are going really well here. It's been a little crazy these last few days getting ready for transfers but we are really excited. We still don't know what is going to happen but are very excited to find out later tonight.

This week has been going well. We haven't been making a lot of progress with investigators but we have a less active sister who is working on returning to the church. Her name is Andrea and she is living with another less active member and his father, but she is the only one who currently has the desire to come back.

The weather has not been that bad here. We are feeling good and are excited for these next few weeks in this next transfer.

I hope everyone is doing well and I will talk to you guys next week.

Elder Parker

Things are going great in Soledad!