Week 20 - February 20, 2017: Rough Week

At Zone Conference with President and Sister Li

This week was pretty cool we didn’t really have to work in the morning which is cool because basically we go out and do nothing so that was cool? We helped someone sand paper a wall for service. That was pretty fun but it was just us three. The other guys had their own service. 

This week was real rough. I got sick like Wednesday or Thursday and I’ve just kind of been in a rut - like we do the same thing every day. It’s hard to explain but I don’t know - I was homesick and just wanted something different. The same people - even P-day is the same thing. There are so many rules we can’t really do much. I’ve had headaches like all this week so that sucked. 

I think it might just be my outlook honestly. Like, I’ve had fun but it’s hard when you only look at the bad. Like with you saying that Liv has had the time of her life. I don’t know, like I have had a lot of fun and met great people but its hard Mom. I work every day, we don’t have down time, we eat lunch and go and work. I’m just starting so I don’t know. I can’t have the mindset of leaving my mission. I think I need to enjoy the experience and not wait for the end but it’s hard, especially when you work so hard and nothing happens.

But I’ve had some cool spiritual experiences. Even when I didn’t want to go out and work I did because I knew I needed to. We had 0 investigators at church. We had 5 say they were gonna come so I don’t know what happened. Honestly we gotta just figure something out. 

I feel like my Spanish is growing but it’s just a time thing. I was pretty trunky this week too - I just can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel really. But that’s the thing - its gone by super fast and I think it’s just because I’m in the same area with the same comp. We get along great but it is just like I have things I could say but it’s not worth it. I’m doing good I just gotta work what Dad told me in his letter was that when things are tough just don’t think about yourself go out and work and I think that’s what I need to do. I think I’ve just been selfish out here and maybe not cared about the people like I should have, I don’t know. I’m doing great the members here are awesome they help me a ton. I just gotta look for the blessings this week - I know they are out there. 

That’s crazy that Bishop Cooper is gonna get released. It’s been awhile though. I’m good now health wise so don’t worry. I haven’t got the package but they go to Iquitos the start of March so we will see.

I love you tons!

Parker

Week 19 - February 13 2017: Twins and Dirt Floors

This week was awesome. We had two baptisms for twins - me and Doloriert baptized one and one. We have an investigator, Natalie who is like 26 year old single mom. And she went to church so that was really cool! The week was slow at first then really quick we really don’t have investigators is our problem. We have to find people, but the people we do have, have dates and we got paper for marriage so it’s lit.

I’m still in Rioja and with the same people lol. Nobody got a call so everything is normal here. Me and Jackson are still killin it. Doloriert is still great just sometimes its hard lol but he’s awesome and teaching me a ton. The changes are today and honestly I’m ready. We will find out tonight at 9 and we’re gonna go to our pensionista’s house and wait with some members. We have made really good ties with them. The foods a lot better. Hermana Carmela is the best I love their family so much.

The Jazz games are super fun to go to - you’ll have to take me when I get back. The investigator that was baptized is surprisingly strong like he’s changed so much. He always has questions and is really interested and just wants to know more. That will be fun when Alex comes up but the baby might be a challenge. Me and Jackson did splits this week so 2 gringos together and it was super fun. We could teach and understand for the most part it was pretty cool. My Spanish is growing it’s so awesome to see. I’m doing great but I’m ready for a change I think I could do one more change here but that’s it. We see the same doors every day we know if they are gonna answer or not, but the members are awesome. I’m doing great though. Helped build a house this week - that was cool. My shoes got wrecked - let me tell you! I’ll send a pic. I had to like clean my shoes in the sink and dry them out with the fan lol. They are fine now. They don’t weigh anything so when I pulled my feet out of the water it pulled them into the water lol. We did the floors and here they just break up the ground spread it around and even it out so we were packing down dirt and a couple of the rooms were flooded it was super fun.

I think just my testimony is growing in the fact that just I keep pushing, because there will always be doubts. I know what I’ve felt and just have to keep working. There was an RM that just came back here and they caught him drinking and stuff and all this and you just see how the ward really cares and wants to do everything they can. I don’t even want to know what the family thinks I just don’t want that to happen so I’ve got to work to be converted and stay strong. I’m doing great. I think I’m fine with the girls honestly it’s just a thing that you have to not think about and just keep going like you said head down and keep walking and keep asking for help just never act and try to avoid those thoughts - I’m not too worried. 

The package will be so great. Hey stupid question there is a lot of dust here and my ties get super dirty so I’m just gonna wear crap ties but if I dry cleaned those ties would they be fine? 

I’m doing great! Love you tons!