Week 8 Photo dump

Week 8

K so just as I was done posting this week I got this from Sarah:

This week was.....different for sure!

It started off great Sister Runia was no longer sick and we are going strong! We got three new investigators who are all great! One of them is very strong in the light of Christ. She is similar to a "medium" I guess. We went over twice to answer some of her questions and she has been so prepared! The second time that we were over, the Spirit was very strong and she accepted our invitation to be baptized!! I am so excited to get her ready for baptism! 

I received some very hard news this week and that definitely left me in a rough spot. Although, I am feeling very down, I have never felt so blessed and supported before in my life. The Lord definetely does not with hold blessings if we let him. I have been so blessed to be studying the Plan of Salvation more in depth which has helped me tremendously! This week to come will have lots in store I can just feel it! 

I  have learned more about the Spirit this week. It is amazing to see how the Holy Ghost works with Sister Runia and I as we teach together. My investigator on date for baptism made a very good point this week. Heavenly Father will create many paths for others as he guides you on your path to righteousness. 

Please find someone to serve this upcoming week. Take every chance that you can get to lift someone up even if it is small. Little things make a big impact. I love you all, the mission field is great, it really is. I am learning and growing so much. I hope that I can make half the impact on others that they have on me. Sorry that this week's email is not very long but remember that God always answers prayers! 

Loves and a hug from Kansas

Sister Parry

Sad News

K so this week Sarah received some very sad news. One of her very best friends Chris Vass killed himself. They were very close friends for many years. Thus many of you haven't gotten any personal emails from her and she has no main letter to post this week as she comes to terms with the news.

That being said I know that many of us family members and close friends are concerned for her and want to know how she is doing. It sounds like she still needs some time to fully process and she said she will make some kind of letter/statement, but in the meantime the following is an excerpt from a letter that she sent to Mom & Dad this week:

"So this week has been....different. You already know about the bad news about Chris Vass. That has made this week very hard. it is so sad and I am torn. Although this week has been one of the worst of my life, I have never felt so blessed. After I got off the phone with Dad, I got in the shower to soak in the news. When I got out, the zone leaders where standing in the doorway in their pj's and slippers ready to give me a blessing. They also felt prompted to sing "Nearer My God to Thee" It was speacial. Elder Stratton had a companion a few months back whose best friend committed suicide. He gave me words of comfort as well. Since then, I have gotten endless phone calls from missionaries and Sister Bell. The ward has also been very helpful as well. Out of everyone, Sister Runia has been my biggest blessing. It would be all too easy to busy ourselfs to the point that I could never think about Chris until right before bedtime. But she knows that that is not what I need. She is making sure that I let myself heal. I think that it will always hurt a little no matter what. But I am okay, sad, but okay.

The Lord does not with hold his blessings from me. I have never felt so blessed in all my life. We got 3 new investigators this week and one of them has committed to be baptized(it's the one that I told Dad about on the phone) She bore her testimony to us and knows that this is where her answers are. She has been so prepared I cant believe it! I cannot wait to work with her to get her ready for baptism. All in all, this week was the hardest week of my life. But I know that this is where I need to be. Kansas while serving the Lord and his children is just what I need to get through this trial in my life. I love you and miss you. I have also written actual letters but I have not had the chance to go to the post office yet so sorry!

I love you so much!

remember that God always answers prayers!

Sister Parry"

Those of you who would like more information please call or email me directly. Obviously, I am not posting all of the information here out of respect for Chris's family and Sarah.  

On a different but related note,

Sarah has requested that any packages and mail be sent to this address:

2096 S Woodward Rd

Salina, KS 67402

This is the zone leader's address. (So it will change from time to time) But it is the only reliable address that is currently safe to send mail to that she can get fairly quickly. They are being especially mindful of Sarah right now and will get her mail. She very much appreciates knowing that we all are thinking of her. Again this is a very difficult time for her right now. 

She also sent me a whole batch of pictures from the last few weeks, but I am going to wait a few days before posting those again out of respect. Thanks!  

Week 7

Hello friends!

This week has been all over the place! Let's start from the top shall we?

Last Monday night, we had exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders, which means that we trade companions for 24 hours. It was pretty funny because, I stayed in Salina with Sister Smith who doen't know the area at all and I barely know the area! We went to a dinner appointment, and then to FHE at a family's house that I am really familiar with. We taught a lesson and the cousin who is living with them told me that he was going to come to church(he has not been active in years) And he did! That was the 2nd week in a row! I am so proud of him! The next day, we went to visit a member's house who has a lot of physical and emotional issues. We were planning on teaching her about access to the priesthood even when it is not in your home. While we were there, she got really bad news and I had to call the elders so that she could recieve a blessing. It's pretty amazing how the priesthood and the spirit work together! The rest of transfers went smoothly, I found out that I know the area better than what I realize and I learned that not only is Kansas filled with Pizza Hut Buffets but also to appreciate Sister Runia! I really missed her!

We had zone conference on Wednesday and that was pretty amazing, the AP's taught a training which really got me thinking. So, I am reaching out to all of you to ask you what your thoughts and impressions are about meekness? I have come to find out that I don't know very much about it at all! I want you to write me this week and tell me what you think about it! Challenge accepted?

This week, my whole zone and companion got the flu. You know it's bad when Elder Holbrook starts passing around disinfecting wipes like candy. The Lord is merciful and I did not get the flu but my companion had it for 3 days! So, I got a good amount of study time this week! We eventually realized, that we did not have any food that she could hold down, so we called the elders while they were at the grocery store and asked them to pick up something. We were expecting a sandwich or a can of soup or something like that. They showed up with 3 bags of groceries! They then gave her a priesthood blessing so that was great! Funny story though: While she was recovering, we went to a dinner appointment where they usually feed us pasta so we were not too worried. When we got there, we had fish tacos. In case you didn't know, fish tacos and the flu do not fly well together LOL. We also had another fun dinner appointment at an investigator's house. Her husband is from Nepal and it was a holiday, so they had all of us missionaries over and taught us how to make Mo-mos! It was a mo-mo missionary assembly line! While we were leaving, the husband gave me a hug which would have been fine if I were not a missionary, I laughed and told Sister Runia about it as we were getting in the car, and she said,  "that's okay, because I got kissed on the cheek by another man there!" I think that she won the awkward contest for the week...

The next day, the investigator came to church with her daughter! She is getting so close to really progressing! Church was ward conference, so we got to hear from the stake. Let me tell you that the Spirit was so strong!

Whoever says that missionaries can't have fun has not served a mission. We went to the Smith's house for lunch on Sunday; after they let me practice teaching a lesson to them, Sister Runia and I took advantage of the 70 degree weather and joined the kids playing outside! If you want a challenge, try poko-sticking in a pencil skirt and tell me how it goes!

We went to the Smith's for dinner and I got to hear how to do an auctioneer's voice! Don't worry, I'll practice until next June so you all can hear ;) I was telling them about my phobia of people on stilts and the grandson ran out and walked back in on stilts. OF COURSE. I walked myself into that one! They taught me how, and I sort of got it! I think that I am the road to recovering of this fear! Well, I was until Sister Runia started chasing me around the house on them! I was half terrified and half entertained.

Overall this week was filled with the Spirit, I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve Heavenly Father. I see miracles every day and meet the most amazing people. I hope that I can have 1/2 of the influence on them as they have influenced me! The Lord really is hastenting his work and I challenge you to join in! Don't forget to write me about your thoughts about meekness! Remember that God answers prayers!


Loves and a hug(from a Nepal man)

Sister Parry

Week 6

So this week has been an eventful one for sure! 

Basically our entire week has been getting Alexia ready for baptism, we have had a few really great lessons with her. By the time the baptism day was here, Sister Runia was beside herself! This has been something that she has worked for since October! She was so giddy with excitement and nerves that she did not stop talking once that entire day :) The baptism was the most spiritual one that I remember going to! First of all, it was PACKED! Alexia cried so much, she said, "I can't stop crying but I'm not sad!" SUCCESS. That day I cried like 3 times arrrrrrg! I hate crying! 

Anyways,

We also went to visit a less-active in the hospital but I doubt she'll even remember that, as we were leaving we saw the prettiest sunset! Kansas is full of these! We went to a member's house to teach, and they had puppies! Oh my goodness, I was in heaven! The next day we volunteered at the food bank and let's just say that I am a professional box holder. Yep. The elder's stacked like 5 boxes and I couldn't move. :/

That night was Alexia's baptism interview so we played a good game of chair soccer, and let me tell you that is quite the challenge when you are in a skirt! 

Because I am rambling now, I will tell a spiritual story to make up for it. So Friday came along and we had district meeting. At the end of it, Elder Allen asked if anyone wanted a priesthood blessing. I had not planned on getting one, but the Spirit told me to get one. Oh my goodness, it was one of the best blessings that I have ever received! It was a direct answer to several of my prayers! I started crying. 

A prank war has erupted in the Zone. We got a call one evening from a creepy guy that told us that we gave him a pass-along card. We started freaking out when he told us where we live, and what sort of care we drive..uh.....it was the elders!! Last night, we pranked some other elders by telling them that Sister Runia was getting transferred tomorrow! The totally believed it! We are now always looking over our shoulder's constantly! 

This week, I learned that I need to be patient with myself. I am excited because we are going on exchanges tonight and then zone conference is this week too, so lots of things will be going on! I wish that I could tell every story that I have but there is work to be done! I love you all and I love the Lord and this great work! Remember that God answers prayers! 

Loves and a hug from Kansas, 

Sister Parry

                                                         

25 Random Facts

Random facts about my experience in the Kansas Wichita mission so far: 

1. In Kansas, bottled water is the only way to go. No one trusts the water here! 

2. Frost-covered wheat is gorgeous! 

3. I live in a cute, tiny, cold cottage

4. P-day=chair soccer

5. Christmas=more candy than physically possible to consume!

6. We sleep with a chair under the doorknob!

7. "mini temple square" and "blow-up house"

8. There is a member who cuts our hair for free! 

9. The barber shop, Subway, the post office and my companion all love country music as much as I do

10. It snowed 13 inches my first week here 

11. President and Sister Bell spoil missionaries to death!

12. I still hate role playing in the field just as much as I did in the MTC

13. The member here are so inspiring and have the most amazing stories

14.There is a Mexican restaurant that has gotten us almost 5 investigators! 

15. Kansas doesn't believe in snow plows

16. My companion is from Draper, Utah and graduated from Alta 2 years before I did

17. Our car is named Miles and has yet to get us stuck in snow

18. Missionary work is hard here because most people already have a religion.

19. There is a lot to memorize in the first 12 weeks

20. Kansas is really windy from all different directions

21. We had spring rolls which turned out to be hot dogs and unidentified meat which we stuffed down my companion's boots! 

22. Braum's milk is beyond amazing!

23. My ward has both the district leader and zone leaders and I see the zone leaders daily.

24. I have acquired 11 bottles of hand sanitizer....so far. 

25. There was a drug bust/arrest right outside my house on New Years Eve

Week 5

Hi hi! 

I can't believe that it has been a month already, 17 months seems so small! This is a week full of fun and craziness! Has anyone heard of the temperatures over here?! Because I don't know about the weather until it happens! hahaha it's mighty chilly out here but we are bundling up! This upcoming week is supposed to be in the negatives, so I have fallen in love with my heated blanket! 

Sister Runia and I have been keeping our self's busy with getting Alexia ready for baptism. Satan is really going at her, but she is powering through! It amazes me how much people are willing to give up for the truth of the gospel, she has a great future ahead of her! 

We have been hit with cold season over here! Sister Runia made me take a nap and I felt like a stubborn 2 year old because the last thing that I wanted to do was nap! There is nothing more frustrating for this missionary who has committed herself to work, and then being too sick to work! 

The best day this week was Saturday. We were driving around when our less-active texted us asking for scriptures to use for a funeral. Haha don't tell Mormon missionaries that most of your family isn't LDS because we spent the better part of an hour finding the perfect scriptures that would ensure many baptisms to follow! Sister Runia is teaching me how be the best stalker! Apparently, when you knock on a door for the 1st time, look in the windows and look for movement, if you see movement, smile and wave so they are more likely to open the door! I sure am learning lots! 

We then stumbled upon a less-active family that no one has been able to find. They are a really nice couple in their 50's and the wife is legit German. They have a tiny dog that was jumping all over my companion, so my job was to take care of that! They also have over 250 statues of Santa that won't come down until Febuary! They want to feed us a real German meal soon so I have mixed emotions! I'm excited for the food, but terrified of the decorations! hahaha

After we left, we ran over to the store with just a few minutes until a baptism. Someone came and paid for us! Apparently, he is in the ward! I just love people! At the baptism, we got to see the mission president and his wife, I seriously love them! They are the best! Alexia got to be there to see the baptism and started to cry! I love the Spirit! 

I feel so looked after, last night, I was sort of discouraged because of the amount of things that I need to memorize and pass off and feel like I don't know what I am doing yet. I was upset, so I took a hot shower to pout for a while. This morning, we woke up and our pipes were frozen! The only water that came out was brown! So I thought that I was pouting, and Heavenly Father was really making sure that I got a shower in! I thought it was hilarious! The pipes will defrost, and I will learn the lessons soon enough! I learn that although I don't know how to be a perfect missionary, the spirit does! I also came to realize, that as I watch people take the sacrament for the 1st time in years, I need it just as much as they do. I am loving the work! This Saturday is Alexia's baptism so it will be a crazy week for sure! Remember that God answers prayers! 

Loves and a hug from Kansas,

Sister Parry

so....I am super duper bad at taking pictures!! Whoops! I will try harder I promise! 

This is the unidentifiable meat that we stuffed down Sister Runia's boots!  

this one is Elder Olsen, Elder Allen(district leader) Sister Runia(companion) and I on Christmas Day

My district leader Elder Allen got a hold of a bunch of eggs so we told him that I wanted five, just five. So this is how he delivered them to me.

Loving my eggs!

meeting my trainer sister Runia! And taking the last Ash tray on the first night!