Sister Parsons is Safely Home!

What a privilege to have Sister Parsons return home safely yesterday morning!  It is such a joy to have her back in our midst and listen to the profound experiences she had as she served the people of Perth.

Last evening President Kome Purcell honourably released Sister Parsons as a missionary.  It was wonderful to hear Sister Parsons bear testimony of the Atonement of our Saviour Jesus Christ and the blessing of the Restored Gospel.

Less than 40 hours to go . . .

Sister Latulipe and Sister Parsons

Only Three More Days . . .

Not long now until Sister Parsons returns back to Sydney from the Australia Perth Mission.

Her Qantas flight lands at the Sydney Domestic Airport at 6:10am on Wednesday July 31st.

She will be released by President Purcell at Quakers Hill chapel at 6:00pm that evening.

We can't wait to have Sister Parsons home again!

Updated Photos

 Sister Parsons, Elder Ellingson (Canada), Elder Liutai (Sydney)

 

 Sister Parsons, Sister Wyatt, Sister Simon and Elder Ellingson in the background

 



Elder Pula, Sister Parsons, Elder Segi, Sister Simon, Elder Brown

Maylands and Sister Latulipe

My new area is challenging. I knew that staying in Wanneroo was too good to be true! I knew the Lord would challenge me in another way and it is definitely challenging. I am also seeing how we sometimes get the same challenges repeated in different ways to continue to strengthen us and to test us even when we think we have overcome that challenge.

 

 

Last week Sister Latulipe and I were both sick and our work wasn't that great. It hit Sister Latulipe hard as I have a different working style than her previous companion (I am only her second) and she was feeling the pressure a little about needing to be amazing for me. I told her she shouldn't beat herself up over not being as good as she wanted to be as I told I didn't expect her to be perfect.

 

 

I'm feeling a little pressure but in a good way while in this area. President (and the Lord) expect me to do great things and I've recieved some direction in what exactly I am to do. I want to see progress before I leave!

 

Sister Simon and Sister Wyatt the Sister Training Leaders stopped by our flat last week with a muffin each and a little letter they had written to each of us. It made me feel loved. I am having to take responsibility for things and I need to and I do, but the work can be so demanding sometimes! In my note they said they were reading in Mosiah 23:10-11 and thought of me. It made me cry and I am using it as my scripture in the front of my planner.

 

 

It reads:

Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in his hands in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his truth.

Nevertheless, in this I do not glory, for I am unworthy to glory of myself.

24 June 2013: Transfer to Maylands

I went to Chris and Maddie's sealing on Saturday morning and cried my eyes out.  It was my first sealing to see and it was beautiful.  Not many missionaries get to see their convert go through all the ordinances while on their mission.  Afterwards Karen was so good and drove us all the way to Joondalup (40 minute drive) to see Bobkie, Blessing and Malad get baptised.  Malad and Blessing bore their testimonies afterwards and they are STRONG!  They are all truly converted.

 

I've never cried upon leaving an area but I cried when leaving Wanneroo.  We said goodbye to some of the investigators and Malad was crying that I was leaving and it made me cry even more.  I love them all but Malad is my baby brother.  He is special to me.

 

We set a date in Maylands my 2nd night here!  Sieni has known about the gospel from her extended family and we asked her to be baptised on the 27th of July and she said yes!  Her cousins are so excited for her.

 

We are working and biking hard.  Sister Latulipe gave me a beautiful shell necklace from Samoa!

 

The morning of transfers Sister Ensign made me brownies from her mum's recipe and wrote me a letter.  It was really nice.  She is staying in Wannerroo and is a sister trainer leader along with her MTC companion Sister Beckstrand.  I can see that Heavenly Father left her in that area because it would be something to help her grow.  She was so good that I could see it coming that I would only be half training her!  I also realised Wannerroo wouldn't test me enough in my final transfer so I have been sent to Maylands to grow and learn.  Sister Latulipe is so willing to learn and is full of enthusiasm and positivity.  We have good long talks sometimes.

10 June 2013

What a busy week! We have met or exceeded all of our goals!

We set another baptismal date with Bobkie's friend Paul for Saturday 13th July. Paul lives in Dianella Stake so we will be working with the missionaries in his area to pass him over to them with cross-ward fellowship so he doesn't get lost.

On Sunday we had Mee Mee, Angawin, Kathleen, Bobkie, Blessing, Malad, Paul, Sebastian and Kayla come to church! Angawin's 2 younger brothers Carl and Jack also came.

We are working really hard and doing well in getting members to come to our lessons. We really want to make sure that our recent converts won't get lost after being baptised and confirmed as they are all under 18 and are the first members in their families. Sister Ensign had a great idea to make a "FHE roster" for the ward for each recent convert, where 1 family a week has the opportunity to provide transport to and from their house for the recent convert to join them for Family Home Evening. The ward members have reacted positively to this suggestion. We do realise we need to make sure we have permission from the children's parents for this to happen but we are confident it will be ok as the parents are getting to know the members alot.

Sister Ensign has been a great help and companion to me. She is humble and willing to learn. She also teaches me alot. It is amazing how 6 weeks has already flown by with her! We are so busy that I feel like we don't have enough time!

We had exchanges on Saturday and Sister Bailey came to Wanneroo with me and Sister Terripaia and Sister Ensign were in Balcatta. Sister Bailey is a bright positive missionary that I love being around. I learnt to try and follow her example more in always being composed and dignified, even when we get stressed out or bad things may happen. And to always tell people you love them.

 

This Saturday is Kayla's baptism and everything is running smoothly in preparation for the day. Saturday is going to be a busy day. In the morning we are going to the temple for Chris and Maddy, Kayla's baptism is in the early afternoon and then we have appointments for the rest of the day!

 

Sebastian is a referral from our Bishop (another one!). His wife Maria is a member. They live in the Elders' area but Bishop wants Sisters to work with them after they had a bad experience with Elders previously. Sebastian and Maria are very open and welcoming and we had a great first lesson with Sebastian on Thursday night. He said he had read the Book of Mormon quite a bit over the past but kept saying he didn't have alot of faith. We felt inspired to ask him if he had ever prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was true. He paused for a while thinking then said: "No." We were thrilled to then read some of the Introduction to the Book of Mormon with him and explain about gaining faith by actions. That he had to read, ponder and pray. He seemed to think quite seriously about it and committed to ask God that night if the Book of Mormon was true. We also explained briefly about faith being a seed from Alma 32. He came to church on Sunday and asked if he was allowed to go to the classes even though he isn't a member :)

 

We are trying our hardest to stay on top of the work and in particular to keep our 4 baptismal dates for the 22nd June going strong. Blessing asked Elder Gurney to baptise her and Malad asked Eldric, a recently returned missionary to baptise him. Bobkie is still deciding.

20 May 2013 - Eleven New Investigators

We gained 11 new investigators this week!

Sister Ensign and I worked hard this week. It was a challenge for me because I felt a little daunted by the commitment I had made in our large weekly goals and I saw how overwhelming it could be. I also wanted to be the best I could for Sister Ensign and so tried my best not to appear overwhelmed. I told her one morning early in the week I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the goals we had set and so we talked about how we could over come that. We achieved most of the goals!

Doing proper nightly planning really helped. We set our daily goals based on the weekly goals and needs first then filled in the plans for the day. I found that by doing that aswell, it broke the weekly goals down into smaller numbers that were more achievable and weren't so overwhelming and so I could see that I could do it and that I didn't feel like I had failed before I had even begun.

A lot of times I feel daunted and inadequate around Sister Ensign. She is so good! I wonder why I am her trainer. She doesn't need one, she came prepared haha!

More good news! My Recent Convert (of just over a year ago) Chris is getting sealed to his wife in the Perth Temple on Saturday 22nd June!!!! They just notified me. They asked if I could make it and I said I would do my best. It is at the start of the next transfer so I am hoping that if I am moved, I won't be too far from the temple to attend.



Book of Mormon reading favourite scripture of the day: 1 Nephi 21:4-5
Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.

And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb that I should be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.

I love the footnote that goes with it: Isaiah 55:2
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Isaiah 55:2 tells me that even though I feel like my labour is in vain, my soul will "delight itself in fatness". I loved finding a connection between those two scriptures!

13 May 2013 - Training in Waneroo

[Sister Parsons started training Sister Ensign in Waneroo over the last week]

 

We had a tough few first days in Waneroo, it was disorganised and we had no map and a few other things so we had to try and organise while doing some work. We had some cool experiences talking with everyone and got alot of referrals in the first few days.

 

We also picked up two new investigators. One is a young girl called Kathleen who lives at the same house as an investigator we were trying to meet. The other is a lady called Felicia. We were leaving church and as we drove out of the church driveway, Sister Ensign felt impressed to stop in the shop parking right next to the church so we could get out and talk to a man who was walking towards the shops. We we started to talk to him but he brushed us off and kept walking, as we turned back to the car we saw Felicia coming out of her house across the street and walking towards the shops. So we talked to her. We even prayed with her on the footpath. She was really touched by the prayer and I think we definitely provided her with some comfort. We invited her to church next Sunday and she said yes. We have an appointment with her at her house an hour before church.

 

We have set high goals for the coming week and I know that there are some missionaries who are surprised at our goals. We have set them in faith with alot of prayer. We have names to support our numbers and we have told Heavenly Father that we are going to do all we can to achieve the goals.

 

We have seen blessings coming through already, we recieved more investigator records from other missionaries yesterday after church as we have gained a suburb from another area and this morning we recieved a phone call from some missionaries with another "golden" investigator's phone number who had just moved into our area from Bunbury!

 

Tonight we have dinner at a member family home and will be teaching and committing Keanu to baptism. He lives with the family we will be eating with and regularly attends church.

6 May 2013

Simon and Sarah's family with Sister Parsons and Sister Simon

This past week we had the YSA activity that went down really well. We baked rainbow cupcakes beforehand then it was a boys vs girls decorating competition. The girls won of course. We also played blind volleyball.

On Sunday we went to the Berryman's house in Madeley Ward and had lunch with them to celebrate Aunty's (Sister Berryman) birthday and also farewell Elder Cowley who flies home today. Jen Salanoa was there too so we got to catch up with her. Then afterwards we went to a bbq at Deb's house (also Madeley Ward) to celebrate Deb being a member of the Church for 2 years as well as saying goodbye to Elder Robinson and myself. Deb is so nice.
 

We were told last night we are not getting transfer calls today but tomorrow at zone meeting. So we don't know where we are going yet. We have 17 missionaries coming in!
 

We are still teaching Georgia. She reminds me so much of India. She and her sisters want to come to Sydney for Supanova so I told her she can come meet India then and stay at our house and we'll all go to Supanova together haha. She also told us she wants to serve a mission. She has it all planned out. If her dad doesn't give her permission to be baptised, she will get baptised on her 18th birthday then serve her mission exactly when she turns 19 :)

Sister Jennifer Salanoa, ex-Perth missionary from Doonside Ward, visiting Sister Parsons in Perth

We had some lost investigators on the road on sunday morning looking for Church. We tried to help them but they insisted they knew their own way there. Suffice to say, they didn't come to Church (see below photo).

Feed My Sheep

 

 Sister Parsons, Sister Simon, Deb, Elder Cowley and Elder Robinson

 

Sister Simon, Elder Cowley, Elder Segi, Sister Parsons

President and Sister Lindsay visit Sydney Temple

[An experience from the parents of Sister Parsons]

Last Friday, May 3rd, Jenni and Matthew Parsons attended the Sydney Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where they were blessed to meet President and Sister Lindsay who currently preside over Australia Perth Mission.  They were in Sydney attending a Mission President seminar.

What a thrill to meet Sister Parsons' Mission President and wife!  President Lindsay said that Sister Parsons was one of the most successful missionaries in Perth Mission.  They love her passionate testimony and her voice.

29 April 2013

We had exchanges again on Friday/Saturday and I went to Wembley with Sister Liu. It was good. I think Sister Liu really needed the exchange. I hope I helped. I loved going with her again. She is such an amazing missionary. I'm so proud of how far she has come. She finishes the transfer after me. She asked me if I planned on going to the convention at the end of the year because she plans on going. I told her I didn't think so but maybe.
 

We got told that all the American sisters have had their visas approved so we are getting a large intake next week. There is no guarantee I will train an American but President said in last interviews that I would definitely be going to Waneroo this coming transfer either with a half trained sister or a completely untrained sister. Things could change any time.
 

Pretty uneventful week. This Wednesday night we are having a YSA activity in Greenmount. It is a bake off, boys v girls and you have to make a cake from scratch. It will be fun.

22 April 2013

So what has been happening this week? I don't know how exciting things are but I have definitely been recognising some blessings that Heavenly Father is giving me that will affect my life forever.

 

People ask why I decided to serve a mission? In short: God told me to. Simple as that. It has always been a part of my "spiritual DNA" that I had to serve a mission.What awakened me that it was so vital to serve a mission? Who knows? But I am starting to see now. It just goes to show you don't see or know everything but God does. He knows what is best for you and what is in store if we follow His guidance and then later we see the benefits and blessings for ourselves.
 

We had Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Bishop Gerald Causse and President F. Michael Watson and their wives come and speak to us on Friday. It was really cool. I got alot out of it.
 

Tomorrow we give service at King's Park and are cleaning the memorial plaques with toothbrushes and then having zone meeting afterwards.
 

Today we are having a zone pday at Whiteman Park and having a bbq. It's been raining during the night and it's cloudy so we are hoping the weather holds out.
 

Tonight we go to teach Janina in Midland area. She is the girlfriend of a member and she is eager to learn and ask questions so she can decide for herself if this is the true Church of Christ. We plan on inviting her to be baptised tonight.

Sister Parsons and Sister Simon with cookie moustaches

15 April 2013

Sister Liu, Latulipe, Donaldson, Terry, Simon, Parsons

 

 

Last night we had a cottage evening. I was asked to sing "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" and I sang it to "Come Thou Fount". I sang acapella. I was rather good if I can say that without being prideful. I always sing the best when I sing for the Lord.

Nothing out of the ordinary to report here. Had a random come up to us at the shops the other day while taking a break and he said "You're Mormons aren't you? Most Mormons are good people."

We biked in the rain for a few days. Yay! It makes me feel like a real missionary. Plus we got a few more raindrops on our badges. Funny missionary stories say that the more raindrops a sister gets on her missionary badge, the more handsome her husband will be. QUICK! GET ME SOME RAIN! ahahaha.

Last monday we went to Harbourtown, this small outlet store place. I was preparing to have to control myself when we went to typo but to my surprise i didn't buy a single thing that day! Are you proud of me? :D

Had fun on exchanges with Sister Terry, biked everywhere and my butt got really sore again. I still ride my bike, but not as often as I used to. My knee kept hurting as I went up hills.

Sister Simon and Sister Parsons

Did I ever tell you that I got a new bike? When Sister Uhi went home a few transfers ago I asked her if I could have her bike and she gave it to me for free! It was a huge blessing as my bike from home was dead. it would change gears on me while riding on flat ground and 2 weeks before I got Sister Uhi's bike, I lost 7 gears. The Lord will always provide for his servants!

Conference was awesome. I loved Elder Bednar's talk on chastity. It was so forward and direct. ahaha.
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/we-believe-in-being-chaste?lang=eng

and Elder Holland's talk was great:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=eng

I also liked Elder Falabella's talk. I hope to have a relationship and family like this someday soon:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-home-the-school-of-life?lang=eng

8 April 2013 - Another Baptism

We had a baptism on Saturday! Allison in Midland area. Allison has been investigating the Church for 4 years and finally was baptised on Saturday 6th April. She is a scientist and her conversion is strong. Her 2 oldest girls Brooke and Gemma (twins) are already baptised and now her youngest daughter Georgia wants to be baptized! Only thing holding her back is she needs her dad's permission and he's not too keen on the Church.

We set another baptismal date last night! Josh, Maryam (also with a baptismal date) and Saeed's (recent convert) son wants to be baptised "just like Jesus". We set his and his mum's date for the 11th of May. I'm pretty sure something else is happening on that day too...

I met Jay at Church a few weeks ago! I knew Jay from YSA in Sydney almost from the start of my time in YSA. He was in Newcastle Stake. His family had us over for dinner last week and I walked past him in the corridor and I was like "what are you doing here?!" And he said "I live here! What are you doing here?!" To which I replied: "I'm serving a mission!" It was cool to catch up.

 

 

I include the photo of the traumatising event Sister Donaldson inflicted upon me a few weeks ago. Don't be too upset, Archie is ok, I got him down and saved him.

Sister Simon and I have been covering both Alexander Heights and Midland areas but living in the Alexander Heights flat. On Saturday night we were told to move in to the Midland flat and in a way, I was told "you are technically not even in your zone, Alexander Heights doesn't matter as much, as you're both being doubled out of it soon and Sister Simon needs to have a good running area to bring her new missionary into." ...I was upset at the inclination that the work in "my area" wasn't as important. I cried when I said the closing prayer after nightly planning when I said "please bless Mariam and Sarah" because I felt like I was abandoning them and that they weren't going to get much attention.

I talked with Elder Segi later that night and he was kind. He understood how I felt and he said "don't worry, Heavenly Father will take care of them". I know that's true but I kind of feel like I've been saying my whole mission "I'm sorry Heavenly Father, I'll do better next time" as we always do when we repent but that that chance to do better has been taken from me. It just goes to show, don't procrastinate the day of your repentance! (Alma 13:27)

Sisters exchanges tonight until Wednesday morning. I'm going to Maylands to be with Sister Terry (yes! British!).

Zone conference this Thursday (all Aussies have been asked to sing the national anthem), then we have a special meeting with some autorities next Thursday and I have been asked to sing with the 7 other missionaries the "As sisters in zion/Army of Helaman" medley. Yay!

25 March 2013: Training in Waneroo

GUESS WHO'S BACK WITH A POST-MODERN RAP, I PACK SO MUCH FLAVOUR THAT I MAKE YOUR TONGUE SNAP:

I'M TRAINING!!!
Sorry, had to get that little mc lars rhyme out of my system.

Transfer calls this morning. Sister Donaldson and I are both training. Sister Donaldson is staying here in Alexander Heights and I am going to Waneroo in North Coast Zone.

This past week was really tiring. We had another baptism! Sarah, Mariam's mum was baptised on Saturday. After her baptism we taught a lesson to Majid and Maryam, (investigators from Iran who speak Persian) and committed them to baptism and they said yes! we set their baptismal date for Saturday 27th April.

On Saturday night we had permission to take Mariam to North Coast Stake to attend a ward's "drama night". Karen Parish drove us all there. She also turned up at our flat with roast pork and fried rice from the Chinese restaurant we would buy food from when we used to eat at her house. She's the best! Anyway, the drama night was fun and Mariam really enjoyed herself. There were pieces performed from Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice, Fawlty Towers and Annie.

Brother Baker asked for your emails yesterday at Church. He is the brother who asked me about my "gospel heritage" and called me a blue blood.

We're low on ks - less than 150ks for a whole week! And we have transfers this week too :-|

This past week my companion and I have gained a unique twist on our companionship. We had an interesting companionship inventory in weekly planning on Thursday. She teased me so much about something and called the Elders to tell them that I jumped her and we wrestled. Ahahaha. It was so funny. It was full on too. And she bit me on my finger. SHE TOOK A CHUNK OUT OF MY FINGER AND MADE ME BLEED!!! She also bit me on the scalp.

Mariam's Baptism

How many Konomanyis can fit on Sister Parsons?  Josh, Satu, Rachel and Rama

 

Sister Donaldson, Elder Segi, Elder Walters and Sister Parsons

 

WE HAD A BAPTISM! First one in this area for over 2 years! First one for me in 10 months! Yes! Broke the drought! Mariam is the African girl we have been teaching with her mum Sarah. Sarah was supposed to be baptised on Saturday too but at the last minute she said no. Ahe's still confused about a few things. After her daughter was baptised though, she said "I understand now, I want to be baptised". Yay! So we are going to keep teaching her and baptise her soon.

Sister Donaldson, Mariam and Sister Parsons at Mariam's Baptism 16 March 2013

 

Had exchanges this past week, went with Sister Simon but stayed in my area. We had a great 2 days filled with ups and downs. Sister Simon and I are very alike and it was great to experience a different companion. We set 2 baptismal dates our first night together with Annie and Hannah the sisters we had previously been teaching but dropped. They contacted us and so we went and visited them and committed them both to baptism for the 23rd March. We also had Elizabeth getting ready for baptism on the 23rd March. All 3 girls had to come to church yesterday or they couldn't be baptised. They needed to show their commitment to attend Church. So what happened?

None of them came to Church. So the 3 baptisms planned for this coming saturday aren't happening. Sarah wasn't baptised on saturday with her daughter Mariam. Argh! So 4 out of 5 baptisms aren't happening in March. But I'm still so glad Mariam was baptised. She is such a special girl. She is so smart - she was teaching us about Joseph Smith having to go to the Hill Cumorah for 4 years to be taught by the angel Moroni before he could get the gold plates! WHAT NON-MEMBER 12 YEAR OLD KNOWS STUFF LIKE THAT? The Konomanyis sang and participated in the program for Mariam's baptism too. I was so proud of them!

We had a youth fireside last night and it was themed "Called to Serve". Elders Mata, Ford, Joseph and Pula along with Sisters Terry, Bailey, Donaldson and myself sang "Sisters in Zion/Army of Helaman" medley and it was amazing! I loved it. I wish I could have recorded it. Especially when the Elders sang in their parts and then when we all came together in parts at the end.

Sister Simon, Rachel, Rama and Sister Parsons 13 March 2013

 

I'm giving a talk in sacrament next Sunday. yessssss. I love giving talks. I'm giving a talk on the Atonement.

Sisters Exchange!  Sisters Simon, Allalelua, Peivi, Donaldson and Parsons

 

 

 

5 March 2013

This week has been busy and trying. I got sick and was so sick on Saturday that I had to stay home, only problem was we had 5 appointments that day! So I stayed at our WML's house and his wife Kin and his mum Angie were there all day and Sister Donaldson went out with Sister Allaelua (from Sydney). Sister Allaelua is in a 3 way so it was convenient. I felt really left out but I think it was because  was sick and tired so I got more easily upset.

My district leader is an elder called Elder Segi (Sang-ee). He is from Samoa. We served in Rockingham district together. He is awesome. On Sunday he pulled me aside and checked to see that I was ok and told me he wanted to really try hard to be a good leader and to help me. He said he even talked frequently with President and Sister Lindsay on the phone to get advice.

This coming week we have Sister's specialised training on Friday and Sister Lindsay has asked me to sing a hymn. On march 17th we have a missionary run youth fireside and Sister Donaldson and I are going to be part of a musical item and to help run some workshops.

Sister Parsons and Sister Myers at the Sisters Specialised Training.  Sister Myers was a previous companion of Sister Parsons.

 

25 February 2013

Sister Donaldson with Karen Parish

So this week was good. Got my new companion Sister Donaldson on
Wednesday, then went straight to an appointment with Elizabeth at 2pm
and came out with a baptismal date! Elizabeth agreed to work towards
baptism on the 23rd of March. she came to Church yesterday too!

So now we have a date with Sarah, Miriam and Elizabeth.

Another investigator called Lee came to church too! He's slowly
getting there with learning about the gospel and I'm still trying to
figure out exactly why he listens to us. I've asked him what made him
talk to the missionaries etc and he often gives "I don't know" kind of
answers. But he is progressing slowly.

Brother Voncent was released as our WML on Sunday and Brother Pappas
was called straightaway as our new WML. I'm sad that Brother Vincent
has been released but super excited at the same time as Brother Pappas
is amazing! He is so full of fun., enthusiasm and love that I know
it's going to be great to serve with him.

We had Rachel and Rama Konomanyis' baptisms yesterday afternoon. It
was so beautiful. I love that family so much. On Saturday night we
went to their house to see how everyone was going ready for the next
day and while there, Sister Konomanyi told us about her strong
testimony and her strong love for her children. She told us about the
unbelievably hard trials she endure in Africa with the wars and
continues to experience here in Australia. I cried. That family will
always be in my heart.

We had a cool experience on Saturday/Sunday. Karen Parish was awesome
(as always) and drove us around pretty much the whole day. We were
driving along, Sister Donaldson said hi to an African lady out the
window then told us to stop because she had to talk to her. She
contacted her and got all her details. She doesn't live in our area so
we passed her on as a referral. The Sisters called us Sunday afternoon
to tell us they had just contacted and taught her and she had said yes
to baptism!

Sister Donaldson is very positive and happy and always talks with
everyone. I feel like a new missionary again! We acted pretty much
like we had been doubled in to our area and she has a great passion
for re-activating less-actives so that is what we are focusing on.

18 February 2013 - The Gift of Faith

Just got transfer calls. I'm staying in Alexander Heights and my new companion will be Sister Donaldson. She is from Victoria. Sister Fowler is leaving to Thornlie in Southern River zone and she will be going with Sister Myers. Elder Patuaka is going to Waneroo, Elder Tracy will stay in Ellenbrook with Elder Peiffer, Elder Walters is staying with Elder Segi our new DL (this means war!!!! ahahahaha!) in Girawheen and Elder Jenkins is leaving and Elder Robinson is coming to be our zone leader with Elder Dalton. Elder Sovral is going to Kalgoorlie. haha. We were all joking he would go there and now he is.

This last week has been different but good. We got a referral to go see who wanted to meet missionaries, got to his door and he said he only gave his address to the missionaries so he could have us come to him so he could tell us we were demons and going to the pit of hell with mormon who is a demon aswell, where we belong. then we contacted another man on his front lawn who called us anti-christs AHAHAHAHAHAHA. I've been called many things in my life but this was the first time for anti-christ and demon. People make me laugh.

I also had a life changing experience on Friday with someone who I  hadn't seen in 3 months and he said I seemed different. I told him of my experience with Elder Pearson's visit and how I have prayed for over a year on my mission for help from Heavenly Father to gain that desire and to not feel despair constantly or regret or that I'm not good enough. I have studied so much, cried and fasted and prayed more than I ever have in my life and still recieved nothing but a little over a year later I think Heavenly Father has given me the gift of faith. I then told my friend how now I just wished I hadn't wasted a year of my mission to find this out. He then told me the story of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Joseph Smith stood in a meeting and publicly humiliated and berated Brigham Young for something he hadn't even done. Brigham could have turned around and bit back but he took it all then said: "Joseph, what would you have me do?" Joseph burst into tears and came and hugged Brigham Young and simply said "you passed". My friend asked me if I thought I had passed?  Of course I thought I could have done better in the year but he said he thought it sounded like I had passed. Heavenly Father wanted to test me with all these feelings and challenges all on top of one another to see if I would still do his work even if I felt alone.

It has taken 22 years, 3 months and 1 day, but I finally have the gift of faith. I know it in my heart. "I cannot deny it", as Joseph Smith said. I have felt God's love and there's no looking back.

I know some would say "you had faith before" etc but really I didn't. It was only a desire. A particle of faith. Now it is real.

We also set 2 baptismal dates this week with our African investigators Sarah and her daughter Miriam. We are preparing them for the 16th of March.

I found out a few weeks ago I am serving with another relative! Sister (Adele) Bailey is related to Uncle Tony. I think he is her uncle too.

“[To have Faith in Christ] means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.”
- C.S. Lewis

11 February 2013 - Blueblood

This last week we gained 2 new investigators. One is Fabiola, the partner of Ibby (Winston's friend). We have a family home evening planned with them tomorrow night. The other is an old lady we met in the park. She was sitting on the ground and she told us she was resting because she was tired. She was recieving dialysis because of kidney problems. She then proceeded to lift her shirt and show us on her chest where she was hooked up to the machine. Yup, got flashed again. This time by an old lady.

Sister Parsons and the twins Rachael and Rama

I had my second exchange on my mission on Thursday and Friday. Sister Chou Lee came to Alexander Heights to be with me while Sister Fowler went with Sister Bailey in Maylands. Our proselyting time was limited as Sister Chou Lee had a dental appointment on Thursday and Friday but we still managed. Sister Chou Lee is from Liverpool Stake in Sydney. So we took an I SYDNEY photo for the Church board haha.

Sister Parsons and Sister Chou Lee

Sister Fowler sliced the back of her ankle on the screen door on Tuesday so that was a challenge that we laughed at. Then on Thursday, I cut the back of my ankle on the screen door too! Mine isn't as bad as Sister Fowler's but it was funny.

Just now as I type my email, a young guy named Lee came up to us. We have met him at his house a few times but he has never really wanted to learn so we told him to let us know when he was interested. He saw us in the library and said hi quickly then went looking in the books. 10 minutes later, he comes up to us and wants to know what time Church starts this Sunday! We told him this Sunday is stake conference and he said he wil be there! HUZZAH!

At church a few weeks ago I met a brother who asked if I was related to Charles and Anne Parsons. I said yes and we talked. I mentioned granny Marie and how she would write letters to her friends as they moved with the Church. He said I was a blueblood because of my family in the Church.

21 January 2013

Sister Ensign comes at the end of March in a large intake. At last count there are 19 missionaries coming in the March intake and 15 of them are Sisters! President said that some Sisters who are training will have to double train!

That's so sad about President Smibert! I miss them terribly. I wanted to see them again and thought it would be wonderful to have President Smibert seal me when I get married. [Note: President Smibert passed away subsequent to this message, on March 13th]

The ward I am currently in is Madeley ward and Bishop Snow got released a few weeks ago. Our new Bishop is a man named Hamish Holder. He told me on Sunday that he was Uncle Steve's first companion on his mission :) How cool is that? The Holders are awesome. Dallin and Geralee Holder are in Ellenbrook ward and are wonderful. They are amazing fellowshippers and love helping out the missionaries as do all the Holders.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:85
"Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man."

We also teach a LA family called the Konomanyis. They are African and we love them! On Saturday afternoon their cousin Tim from South of Perth came to visit them and sat and had a really interesting talk with us about the Bible. We were able to introduce the Book of Mormon to him and he asked questions that were deep, but had to do with the Plan of Salvation. We gave him a pamphlet and told him this would answer more of the questions he had about the meaning of life etc. and he asked in amazement: "Are you mind readers or something?" We told him how we pray to have the spirit (of discernment) with us every day for when we come across people like him. He's not in our area but he is golden! He is willing to meet with the Elders in his area and learn.

We also talked with a man in his front yard and he said he had given up on religion because it was contradictory when it came to things like the bible, and the people were hypocrites. He said alot of things that reminded me of Joseph Smith and we shared how we are the church of God, not a church of man and he asked for something to read so we gave him a Restoration pamphlet and he promised he would read it and ring us.

After contacting people, we were walking back towards our car when a lady called to us and asked us for one of the pamphlets we were carrying. She told us she used to be visited by the missionaries but lost contact with them and wanted to see them again so she was eager to get our number so she could call us.

 

Sister Fowler and Sister Parsons

These experiences have left me feeling happier in my spirit and I pray that I will be able to keep that.

14 January 2013

On Friday at district meeting I received a letter from a girl in Bountiful Utah. I opened the letter and to my surprise it was from a girl who had received her mission call last halloween to serve in the Australia Perth Mission! she had found my blog online and loves reading it so wrote to ask some questions and get to know me. I wrote back and am posting my letter today. Her name is Sister Ensign :)

I was naughty and looking for her online in the news (200 "pre sister missionaries" got together in front of the Salt Lake Temple and took a photo for the first preisdency - they made the news) and found she has made a blog of her own:
http://sisterdiondraensign.blogspot.com.au/

We were blessed to find 3 new investigators. Elizabeth is a teenage African girl (sister Fowler's and my specialty) with a great love for Jesus and an open mind to see if the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith are true and an Indian couple with a young daughter who are interested in eternal families.

D&C 136:31-33
"My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.

"Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear;

"For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly."

GO HARD THEN GO HOME:

Christmas Day 2012

On Christmas Day 2012 Sister Parsons was able to Skype our family from Perth to Sydney.  It was awesome.

When Sister Parsons called via Skype we were about to begin our Christmas lunch . . . great timing, so Sister Parsons was able to bless the food at our family Christmas meal.

We were able to see and talk to Sister Parsons for around 40 minutes; it was wonderful to hear her talk about the wonderful experiences of mission life.  We met her companion and some of the Elders who were there at the time as well.

What a great blessing to have a daughter diligently serve the Lord on a mission!

Madaley Ward, Dianella Stake - December 2012

 Elder Walters, Sister Parsons, Elder Sovral and Sister Fowler in the foreground on the way to crashing the Ellenbrook Ward Christmas party

I am thoroughly enjoying myself in Alexander Heights and with my new companion, Sister Fowler.

We work hard and Sister Fowler is not held back. She helps me become more confident.

In the few days I have been in my new area I have seen miracles in my missionary work. I have always struggled with inspired questions and with talking with everyone but both have been coming with ease! I am amazed at the questions I have been asking! I also realize and have been told that I am quite bold so I have been using that to my advantage.

I am still getting used to my area but am so thankful we have a car - although Sister Fowler doesn't want to use it everyday. So I will still have to deal with biking in the heat. And the hills are back for biking over...

I have met our investigator Annie who we have a baptismal date with but only once, although we set appointments with her everyday. We are confident she will be baptized but maybe not on December 15th as planned. This week will determine what will happen.

This past week Sister Fowler and I contacted over 100 people. More than I have ever done! I am proud that I am improving. On Saturday we contacted 59 people! It has made me realize though that out of all the people contacted, we only got 2 potentials. These Australian people sure do have hard hearts! I think soon enough we will have tried to talk with everyone in our areas.

We cover part of Ballajura, Alexander Heights, Mirabooka and Koondoola.

Our ward is nice but haven't seen or heard from our Ward Mission Leader yet.

Our District is awesome. We had an amazing District Meeting last Friday with Elder Sovral's training and being able to model with Pedro an investigator of Elder Sovral's and Elder Walter's. The Zone Leaders were super hyped as were the rest of us because of the great modelling experience that Sister Fowler and I had with Pedro as we modeled the Book of Mormon using inspired questions. Elder Ford was excited at the choice of questions asked exclaiming: "I'd never thought to say that before!" Pedro said it was so good we didn't need to improve! Sister Fowler and I are going to improve by trying to think of more inspired questions. Pedro offered some excellent advice to us all: "Just be like Jesus was, just be my friend."

It has been intensely hot over here. with clear blue sky and a beating sun. Transfer day was super windy and rainy! the bikes lined up in the car park were blown over!

26 November 2012

 Sister Parsons and Sister Uhi in Rockingham Ward.
 

Cumorah with Sister Parsons and Sister Uhi

Rockingham's Got Talent - November 2012

 Sister Parsons' Missionary Portal

Sister Uhi climbing a lemon tree in a members yard.

 Sister Uhi, Sister Parsons and Elder Poole after a Zone activity playing volleyball.

Sister Parsons and Sister Uhi after attending a Ward activity "Rockingham's Got Talent".

5 November 2012

 Elder Wright, Sister Parsons, Sister Uhi and Elder Cowley.

 Elder Guerney, Sister Parsons and Elder Askeroth.

Sister Parsons and Elder Kennach

Rockingham East

Sister Parsons and Sister Uhi in Rockingham East, October 2012

 

 

Sister Parsons, Elder Key and Sister Uhi

 

Sister Parsons taught the CTR 7&8 Primary class about Lehi and his family and their journey through the wilderness.

To celebrate Sister Parsons birthday on 27th October 2012 she and Sister Uhi were taken out for dinner and this delicious dessert!

 

22 October 2012 - Half Way - Rockingham East

In October 2012 Sister Parsons was transferred to Rockingham East and her new companion is Sister Uhi from Tonga.

 

One day the missionaries went into Perth city to contact people.  There are pianos located through out the city with signs on them which say "Play Me".  So Elder Gardiner played the paino and Sister Parsons sang Church hymns and songs.

 

This photo shows Sister Parsons singing with Elder Gardiner playing the piano.  You can see people listening and even taking photos as they perform in the centre of Perth.

This was an innovative and creative way to spread the Gospel message to the people of Perth.

October was the nine month mark of Sister Parsons mission, the half way mark.  One evening Sister Parsons and Sister Uhi had a meal with the Ward Mission Leader and his family.  His two year old son, Noah, bit Sister Parsons on the ankle!

24 September 2012

Sister Parsons with Sister Liu, whom she trained prior to being with her current companion (in September 2012) Sister Myers.

Update Coming Soon!

Sister Parsons is still on her Mission and thoroughly enjoying serving the Lord.  We have been negligent however in updating her blog and will get it up to date over coming days.

Please write to Sister Parsons with your ongoing words of encouragement and support.  Her address is Australia Perth Mission, PO Box 185 Tuart Hill  WA 6939.

This photo shows Sister Parsons flanked by two Elders and her companion in the foreground taking the photo.

 

Thank you for supporting Sister Parsons.