Week 51: Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

So, right now, I am sitting in a kid-size chair, using a kid-size keyboard, and a kid-size mouse at the library, so forgive me for any typos! 

First thing: WE ALL SURVIVED TRANSFERS!!!! Sister Bringhurst and I get another transfer together in Dodge City! Plus, I get to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas here. I am in a dream. By the end of this transfer, I will have been in Dodge for 6 months! Woah!! A whole third of my entire mission. I just sat down, and realized that my entire scale of thinking has been completely focused on the Lira's baptism and transfers this week! But now both are over. :) 

So the baptism was easily, one of the most powerful baptism services that I have ever been to. It was standing room only, Gonzalo prayed, the entire thing was focused on the temple and the family, the Spirit was so strong, and the whole room was filled with love and support for this dear family. My favorite part was right before they went into the font, I suggested that we all say a prayer together. I have rarely felt the Spirit this strongly as I did in a tiny bathroom in Dodge City Kansas. Beatriz said that even though there was a lot of people there, all she could see was her family. 

Because it's Thanksgiving week, I wanted you to know just a portion of what I am grateful for:

The Atonement

My family that supports me

Kansas, that has given me an opportunity to change my entire life

The Book of Mormon that gives me strength every single day

Alright, so the library computer is kicking me off now! I love you all! Remember that God answers prayers! 

Sister Parry

The Dodge City District

Sisters: Bringhurst, Parry, Hymas, Judy

Elders: Cole, Maisey, Grow, Banderez

Little Maleigh will only give us handshakes whenever we leave

Sister Starks is like having a grandma right here in Dodge. She always has cookies and soda for us to eat, and gives us a hug that will make your eyeballs fall out!

Just chillin

The day of the baptism, we "decorated" the Lira's car :)

A dream come true!

Jasmine was nervous out of her mind! 

The Lira's Christmas tree. The top is the first pass-along card that we gave them, and all of the pictures that we have given them over time. They have the Temple, Jesus, their baptism photos, the scriptures, etc. It's the best Christmas tree that I have ever seen!

Week 50:

Happy Monday everyone!

We had another whirlwind weeks so hold on tight while I tell you about it! 

First things first: we were able to meet Elder Schwitzer of the 70! He is so down-to Earth, and took the time to shake hands and talk to each one of us. We had a meeting with him that lasted for 5-6 hours but I swear, it only felt like 1 hour! When all was said and done, I walked away feeling like the Spirit was telling me to truly LOVE the Gospel, the Book of Mormon, investigators, my companion and the Savior ALWAYS. 

So my dear Lira Family is now MARRIED!!!!!!! It's actually a pretty funny story how that happened. We were an hour and a half away from Dodge City in the meeting with Elder Schwitzer and we booked it home so we could make it to the wedding on time. We ran up to the courthouse to find that they locked the doors 7 minutes before we got there!!! Sad. It was even more sad to find out that they tried to wait for us.

Precious moments with them:

 We went over the baptism interview questions with Jasmine, and the very last question asks if you feel ready to make the commitment? Jasmine then fist pumps the air and yells, "YES I AM!!" I love the enthusiasm. 

We sit down for a lesson and Erik who is 4 walks up to us and gives us his school pictures :') it is now decorating my scriptures. 

Their Christmas tree is decorated with the pass-along cards that we first gave them.

So, I just realized that I only have like 2 more minutes to email so everything else is going to be short but here we go!

So, maybe my companion got all 4 Dodge Sisters sick this week! haha we had to make an extra run to the store just to buy all of the sick people stuff. Oh man, being sick on a mission STINKS!!! 

IT SNOWED!!! It is a whooping 7 degrees right now. Love it. 

Favorite quote of the week:

To his kids: "Will you all just please run away?" 

Love you all!! Remember that God answers prayers!! 

I love the winter!

Then it snowed again

Week 49: Hello!

Hello!

I can't decide if this week feels like a year long or just a few hours? Is anyone else having a time-warp issue?

This morning I was trying to make a handy-dandy list of things to talk to you all about and Sister Bringhurst and I hardly came up with anything! Sorry about that. I know that we had a great week, I just barely remember much that happened...it's my life and It all seems so normal to me but not to anyone else! :) 

The wonderful Lira's are doing splendid! We taught them about keeping the Sabbath day holy and they already decided that week that they are not going to use their cell phones all day on Sundays and proceeded to give us their house phone number?! We were starting to get worried when they were not reading in the Book of Mormon every day, and when we talked about it again with them, they took it so seriously! Now, they are 9 chapters in, and when Jasmine went to Wichita for the weekend, her parents had her write down the chapters that she needs to read to keep up because they want to finish the Book of Mormon before Gonzolo is baptized. 

I wish that I could describe to you in writing how awesome they are! I feel so incredibly blessed to have met some of my best friends! I have learned so much about myself, the Gospel, and missionary work from this family. I don't think that they will ever truly know that they literally changed my whole mission. This is what the Gospel does, it brings families together! I get to watch a family change their lives around, come closer to God, to each other, and prepare to become an eternal family, how did I get so lucky?!?! Every night, I thank my Heavenly Father for letting me get to know them, and how much they have done for me. 

This week, we were able to receive so much revelation!! First, it was at Zone Conference. They had us all get down on our knees and choose one thing that is holding us back from giving our "all' to the Lord and give it up. It was so powerful. 

We listened to a talk again, and the Spirit hit me so strong. It is "Feed My Sheep" from Elder Holland. At the end, he talks about when the Lord found the apostles fishing again after the Savior had left. I realized then, that a mission is truly meant to change you. This is a calling for life, not just 18 months. When the Lord asked Peter, "Do you love me?" he really was asking him if he really was going to follow him and do everything that he asked him to with all diligence. 

I just have to say, that the dinner appointments that we have here in Dodge are stellar! Just this week, we were in a house with at least 18 cats and music from "Cats" the musical was in the background just to make the effect perfect. Sister Bringhurst loathes cats with a passion so it is even better. The next day, we ate at the bishop's house when him and his wife pulled out their accordions, played them for us, and told us how they fell in love through the accordion. All I know is that I am definitely in Kansas!! 

I love and miss you all! Keep going strong! Remember that God answers prayers!

Sister Parry

My comp is so talented

So, maybe I have a special place in my heart for sunsets

Kansas sunsets

:)

Our sunset spot

Have I mentioned that I love Kansas??

Week 48: Do you believe in miracles?

Whoa. I can't believe that another week has already flown by! 

It probably went by so fast because we were having a party every day! Sharing the Gospel is the funnest thing that I've ever done. 

I was definitely spoiled rotten on my birthday! Mom will be so disappointed when I don't get humbled on my mission! haha We were having dinner at a member's house and they pulled out a cake! I was like "What?! Why did you do that??" then they pulled out the candles and even a present! Sister Bringhurst surprised me by making me a sign for the apartment and everywhere we went, someone gave us cake. So spoiled.

Did any of you dress up for Halloween? Because we totally did. All week long, I themed my outfits after Disney characters and at the ward trunk or treat, we came dressed up as The Book of Mormon and The Bible. We also decorated our trunk and handed out pass-along cards with candy taped to them, the ward loved it! Shout out to Sisters Savage, Runia, and Hymas for the ideas! 

On Halloween, President and Sister Bell came through Dodge and we had a photo shoot with them at the Dodge City sign for their Christmas card. They adore Dodge as much as I do. Later on we needed to be off the streets and everyone was trick-or-treating so we spent the evening decorating for Christmas! The apartment is so magical, and it is the best thing to wake up to. Every day feels like Christmas. 

Earlier in the day, we were decorating the Lira's door with post-it notes when Sister Bringhurst says, "Their driving up.....RUN!!!!" So, we booked it around the corner. Then we hear Gonzolo yell "Happy Halloween sisters!!" Yep, they totally saw us. Oh well. 

The ward is LOVING the Lira family! Every time that we bring someone new to meet them they always compliment about how sincere they are. Jasmine told us this week how excited she is to be baptized and that she wants to go to seminary!! They also fed us dinner last night! How did I get so lucky?? I am serving the Lord in the best place on Earth:Dodge City Kansas, and teaching one of the best families that I have ever met. Every day, I thank Heavenly Father for this wonderful opportunity to learn, grow, stretch, go out of my comfort zone, appreciate the Gospel, make lasting friendships, and learn to truly rely and trust him. 

A small miracle happened yesterday. We went to the park to go talk to people. As we were leaving we smiled and waved to a lady but didn't talk to her. When we were almost to the car, Sister Bringhurst turns to me, and says, "I think that we need to go back and talk to that lady." I say back, "I know, I feel the same way" We go back and Sister Bringhurst says to her, "haha Hi again, we really feel like we need to come talk to you!" We explain who we were and we have an appointment with her on Wednesday! I love the promptings of the Holy Ghost and a companion who is braver than me to follow those promptings!

One of my favorite moments happened yesterday morning. I was just about to shower when Sister Bringhurst noticed that it was only 5:30!! SCORE!! Another hour of sleep. Totally a miracle because I'm a little sick and haven't gotten much sleep at all this week. The only sad part about Daylight Savings is that it gets dark at 6:00, and no one wants to answer their door after it's dark! 

Oh well, The Lord will provide. 

I hope that you all have a fantastic week! I miss you and I love you all! Remember that God answers prayers! 

Sister Parry

Halloween week day 1: Cinderella

Halloween week day 3: The Bible!! 

Happy trunk-or-treat!

The beloved Lira family!

Halloween week day 2: Snow White

#dodgecity

It's the party life in Dodge City. 

Precious moments! 

Happy Halloween Dodge City!