July 11, 2016

Dear Family,

The Peru Lima North Mission was pretty rough this month that past. The mission only reached 85 baptisms and well we were one of the highest zones in the mission to baptize. We were happy with the zones effort in bringing souls unto Christ. I still cant believe that we are in July and that I have 22 months in the mission. I feel so old and my time is running out.

This week we have done interviews with every missionary in the zone to see how they are doing. We gave them a talk that has helped me so much in the mission. Its called "Jesus the perfect leader". This talk has inspired me to become a better leader in the mission and it is what has carried me for so long as a zone leader. I officially have 10 months being a zone leader which means I had to turn in results 10 times here to president and to the lord for our work. I have found so much joy in serving the missionaries and for teaching he principles that have made me more attentive to the spirit, but also the promptings i receive. I have learned a lot from my companions and all the missionaries I have worked with. There is a scripture in Alma 13 which says

3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, arecalled with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.

4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren.

We as missionaries chose to be missionaries and have power of God here on earth before the world was. We were being prepared because of our exceeding faith and good works. In the second verse it says that many rejected this calling which the Lord wanted them to have. It says that it would have been a privileged for them to have chosen to be true soldiers of God.

This week I have been meditating a lot in my mind and reflecting about the things I have accomplished in my mission. I have had a very grateful heart and have been moved many times from the spirit that If i continue to work hard that I will feel peace in my heart and know that I have done everything I can to serve my master Jesus Christ. Give him my tithing of what my life has to give. Their is another scripture I would like to share that has made me think how I want to end these weeks...Its in Alma 48

11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;

12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.

This has made me think that I must have this heart which Moroni had full of thanks for the many privileges and blessings I have received. I have implored to the Lord in many fervent prayers to thank him and prayed so that he could bless me with more. After 6 months of many missionaries being in this area and not baptizing. We have a baptism this Saturday and the next one we have another one. We are really blessed from on high and we are working with all diligence for the Lord. Thanks for all your support and we will keep you informed.

Elder Parra