Monday, August 20, 2012

"Faith, Prayers, Hard-work = Success"


(Monday August 20 2012)
Your jewelry stuff sounds cool. Sorry I don't have a lot of time to type today, we really need to try and stick to an hour on the computers today and I had a lot to tell President Lindsay in my email to him.

Have you considered doing the jewelry photos on a "live model"? You can display them on people's arms or around their necks. a lot of people do that on Etsy. That way you can see how they hang etc. just an idea.

I think the colour on the window frames thing is a great idea, except; I don't think you'll find a colour that would look nice. You’ve got a blue roof so that really limits things. And I don't think that blue window frames would look nice. But that's all from my memory and you never know what you'll find unless you look.

We’ve been talking about Costco a lot over here. Well, I have. I was even talking about it last night at a members house.

When I started reading about the paddleboat, I thought dad had gone and bought it. I could see him doing that. I could then see him and India taking it down to Bent's Basin and paddling it around for hours. We should go to Bent's Basin in the summer when I get back and take the blow up boats too :)

My leg is doing better I guess. It still hurts a lot and my scars are going to be pretty ugly. I bought some calendula and some more bandages. Riding my bike has been making it worse some days and some days we have to come home early because I can't ride.

Sisters Myers got her Australian stuff on Wednesday, thank you a lot. Y U SPEND SO MUCH? Sister Myers is an accountant in training remember?! She was very thankful and so surprised that you sent so much. She loves it all and says it is perfect; it was exactly what she was after.

I also got my two packages, thank you. Thank you so much for the photo album full of photos! And thank you for the mini unicorn pillow pet, it is awesome! I got Gabi’s letter, and I just got a letter from Aliyah today! Please tell Gabi not to send my usb with the music until she gets this letter I am sending now. I thought of some more music for her to put on it. I will be trying to write India a letter this week.

HAHA you're going to send Sister Liu panda stuff? I’m sure she'll appreciate it but she likes other stuff other than pandas. When we went to go see kangaroos when we were together and I said I wasn't fussed to see kangaroos she said, "I know how you feel about seeing kangaroos. That’s how I am with pandas." AHAHAHA

The elders you are sending the packages to are Elder Mata and Elder Ballard. I’ve sent a picture of them before. They are in one of the zone photos I’ve sent before. Elder Ballard is from Utah and is white, tall and skinny, with brown eyes and hair and Elder Mata is shorter but stockier, he is poly and is from New Zealand. I asked them ages ago when I last saw them what they wanted and they said anything edible. So I’m sure American candy would go down a treat, especially with Elder Ballard.

I haven't heard from the Trinder’s or Karen since being here, but I wouldn't be too concerned. The Trinder’s are reeeeeeally busy. When I was there, Maddy did mention that you emailed her. So I know she gets them.

We have been blessed to find two new separate investigators this week. We found them through the potentials sheet in our area book from the previous missionaries and had been trying to contact them since we have been in the area, but were never able to meet with them. Through persistence on our part and lots of praying, The Lord has blesses us to not only meet them, but also has softened their hearts, that they are open to the gospel we bring. We will be seeing them this coming week. Their names are Cherie and Amy. Sister Myers has taught me that it doesn't matter if they drop us a million times, if they didn't say no, we keep trying! Some people just don't even know the treasure that we want to share with them.

On Sunday we were able to go up to Collie with Elder Thomson and Elder Daniels to participate in a Sacrament Meeting for the Collie members. There were about 16 people there and the Spirit was beautiful. The Sacrament Meetings are not going to be a regular thing, so we are trying to think of ways to encourage and motivate the members to drive the 40 minutes to church in Bunbury on Sundays. It doesn't seem to be that transport is an issue at all, so we are trying to look at different avenues to help them come to Church.

I am proud of myself that I have been able to memorise a scripture that is one of my favourites. I'm not very good at remembering scriptures. It brings me a lot of comfort:

Doctrine & Covenants 50:40-42

"Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;
And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost."

Love, Sister Parsons



Monday, August 13, 2012

"Bumps, Bruises, Scrapes & Tokyo Drift"


Rainbow Cupcakes from Kate - 25/07/2012

My leg 15 minutes after the accident - 11/08/2012

My Study Wall Collage
I'd like more photos to add, so if friends & family have photos of anything of themselves, 
PLEASE - send them so I can add them to my collection!

(Monday August 13 2012)

Sounds like everything is coming to life while I’m not home! I don't recall us having much of a relationship with any of our neighbours, except Dennis and Melissa and Tommy, I guess. You should all take this opportunity to fellowship new neighbours and introduce the gospel to them.

You can download for free "preach my gospel" from lds.org and is a great resource for everyone, not just missionaries.


On page 155 is a great section about how we can find people to teach. Did you know that it is actually the members’ responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach? Our job is to teach.  On page 162 there is a box called "ideas for helping members" which might also be useful.

These are a few ideas that we use for finding through members (btw, member referred investigators have the highest rate of baptism).

1.     Show a temple pass along card and ask members what they think of when they think of the temple. (happy feelings, eternal marriage etc)

Read Isaiah 2:2 -

Elaborate and explain, tie card and scripture together.
Ask members whom they want to see inside the temple with them, who they want to see participating in those "happy feelings" they just mentioned.
Effective at least in making members think in a new way.

This is what we call doing 12minute BOMs, because we do it in 12 min or less :)

2.     Get a Book of Mormon.

Read D&C 29:6 –

Pray in unity (as a family) asking Heavenly Father to inspire you with a name of someone who you can share the Book of Mormon with. In this way, you are "putting the responsibility" of "finding" someone to share the gospel with, in Heavenly Father's hands. You can also be assured that when you receive a spiritual prompting you don't need to doubt. Because God knows who is ready. If God wants you to do something, he will provide a way! (1 Nephi 17:50-51.  I like this scripture even more than 1 Nephi 3:7). The prayer may not be answered immediately but it will soon! I have had member experience relate this to me that it truly works!

Write testimony/message/favourite scripture/scripture that can relate to person.
Give Book of Mormon to that person! p.s Heavenly Father will also provide situations for you to give the Book of Mormon away. Keep your eyes open for these opportunities and follow the spirit's promptings!

In the spirit of being a missionary I extend a few commitments to my family. Are you listening? Ok!

Will you do a 12min BOM amongst our family?
Will you have the missionaries around for dinner at least once a month?
Will you be supportive and offer to help the missionaries wherever possible?
Will you encourage more member help in our ward?
Will you invite people to church activities - even to church?

A few things to remember:

We can be so busy already, but the Lord's work is the most important thing. And if we try, God will make it possible to strengthen us (Ether 12:27)
When you turn down a missionary - YOU'RE TURNING DOWN JESUS.
  
Yesterday before church Sister Myers caught a big spider in a Pringles can. We named him Beezy. Short for Beelzebub. :]

So, when I was in Ellenbrook, not once did I fall off my bike. I came close to it, but never had an actual accident. On Saturday afternoon, 11th august, I had an accident AGAIN. I was riding on the footpath then went off the footpath on the road to go around a couple walking on the footpath, then went to go up on to the footpath again but didn't go over the curb properly and came off my bike. The side of my chest underneath my arm on the right side is reeeeally sore and my right leg is pretty yucky. My knee and down my shin has really bad grazes and part of my knee pretty much had all the skin taken off. It really hurts and the bandages keep sticking to it so when I go to change them, it just opens the wound up again. I’m going to get a priesthood blessing from the elders today. I included a photo of my leg :) luckily it happened a 10-minute walk from home.

Yesterday I gave my talk at church and it went really well! I had to sit on the stand with my companion and as bishop stood up and announced me as the last speaker he said "our last speaker will be Sister Parsons, a full time missionary in our ward" then he turned and looked at me strangely then continued, "you could sing it if you want. You have a beautiful voice. I was sitting there and I could hear you singing. It was amazing!"
HOW EMBARRASSING. But nice, at the same time.

So anyway, the talk went really well. I spoke about using the Atonement in our lives everyday and recognising it in our lives and how we need it. 

I spoke about the 4 powers of the atonement:

1. Healing
2. Strengthening
3. Redeeming
4. Resurrection.

I used a few personal experiences about how I used the Atonement in my life including being sick and being healed by the power of prayer (happened when I was going to sing for the musical fireside last month in Ballajura), and also the power of healing and strengthening using the Atonement in hard times in our life.  I spoke briefly about Aunty Kerry's death and the effect it had on me etc. I also spoke about using the Atonement in forgiveness and when we are lonely. Two things that everybody will experience at some point in their life.

Thanks for the jewellry ideas. Send me photos then I can recommend stuff and pick and choose. Might be easier. I got the notebook package on Friday. Thank you! And thank you to India for giving me her notebook :)

Hopefully today we will get our other packages; the postman usually comes around 10am but hadn't come when we left for emails this morning.

I found a 15min, 5 ingredients cook book in our house so I am going to try eating healthier, using some recipes out of it. So I’ll go shopping for ingredients today.

Sister Myers really wants a pedicure today.  So depending on the price, I might get one. I might also get my eyebrows waxed.

I really need to buy some more bandages and ointment today. I hope I can ride my bike again soon otherwise we have no way of getting around our area. Sister Hurrell, a nice lady in our ward with a daughter serving in France at the moment, offered to take me to the doctors yesterday so I know I can ask if I need immediate help :)

We met a man in our ward called Robert Evans who had just come back from visiting his adopted family the Rouses in Mackay. He said he talked to his friend there after meeting me and told him to tell Nanna that I am in his ward :) His short, but humble testimony of gratitude for the gospel is heartwarming. It keeps me going even when you are getting doors slammed in your face 24/7.

Sounds like dad and India are having lots of fun. Aw! Drifting! I hope I get to go when I come back. Well, if it's any consolation for myself, Sister Liu's nickname was Tokyo Drift :) ah aha.

Love Sister Parsons.

Monday, August 6, 2012

"Charity Never Faileth"


(Monday August 6 2012)

We’ve had rain lately and on Wednesday 1st Aug. I finally had a "proper" bike accident. I gave better details in the letter I just wrote and posted to Gabi but basically I got bruises all up my right leg, my right knee got swollen and my left knee is grazed. Then the next few days after my muscles all on the left side of my body and across my shoulders feel like I’ve done some massive exercises. It felt like someone stomped on the left of my chest. But I’m feeling a lot better now. My bike's left handlebar is a little higher than the right after hitting the ground but it's still usable thank goodness. I keep praying asking Heavenly Father that my bike will last me for my whole mission. I do not want to only have 3 months left and I need a new bike!

We have no one to teach in our area. We go tracting ALOT. Nobody is interested. We got an sms from President Lindsay to all the missionaries asking that we all join him in a mission wide prayer each night this month at 10pm to ask Heavenly Father, in faith, to help us find more people to teach.

We’ve had some interesting times this past week. I pray a lot for charity and patience and I know it's possible because I prayed for charity with an elder a few months ago and it happened. He’s now an awesome elder to me! ha-ha. My patience has improved and I’m still working on my charity but it's hard. So I’m also praying that I will not feel so lonely as often. 

I’m sending a package to Aliyah today. it has a letter (novel) in it for her too. I really do miss my friends and family. It’s hard not having "friends" on my mission. It really makes me rely on the Lord a lot more.

Good news - I got my reading mojo back and I’ve got 3 chapters of Jesus The Christ left to read. Almost 700 pages done in a month :D

I also got asked a few nights ago to give a 20 minute talk on The Atonement this coming Sunday at church. argh! It’s not the talking part I’m a little worried about, it's just the "oh anything about The Atonement will do" topic assignment. It’s The Atonement. You can't just give me free reign on that - it's huge! 

I do have more money in my account now thank you. I also have more msf money too. I’m sorry I ran out of money. I got sick last month and had to use a lot of my msf for medicine and bandages. And I swear if you have a little bit of money left in your account towards the end of the month it disappears! The elders whose flat we went into, were delightful and left us nothing to eat but a little rotten food. So we had NO food so I kind of had to buy everything but because I didn't have any money Sister Myers was kind enough to cover me for a day or two then I paid her back.

Yes in WA everything is expensive. I don't even get haircuts because they're so expensive. And I don't get my eyebrows done or a pedicure because they are expensive too. But today Sister Myers and I are going to see how expensive pedicures are here in Bunbury and we might get one done. It’ll be my first since being on my mission!

I did get to say goodbye to Maddy and Chris and Sister Dale. We had dinner with them the night before we left. Maddy is pretty busy lately setting up her store. It’s not a scrap-booking store. Its address is: www.daisybugz.com.au if you want to check it out. The owl beanie - she's going to make one for Sister Liu and I and send it to us :D

I sent Gabi a letter asking her for a favour but I told her if she doesn't want to do it then to tell dad and/or India.

Well what's been happening on your end? I need something from home to distract me. I just got a letter from Courtney this morning. I’ll be writing to her soon!

Love Sister Parsons