June 13, 2016

Dear Family,

What a great time to write to you guys and let you know how the work here in Lima Peru is going forth. This week we had the opportunity to shake the hand of an apostle of the Lord. Elder Rasband came to 3 of the missions here in Peru and announced that this was the biggest time to be here in Peru where their is a huge harvesting among the Peruvians. He said that because of the baptisms we've had over these years the Lord has spoken and said that their should be a new temple in Lima, Peru. He said that "this is the way the Lord shows his love for this people by building temples of the Lord"...He said that the Lord is really pleased with our work and that he knows that their is a bright future for this people. He later then talked about how the apostles themselves choose missionaries to go to different missions. He said that they put the missionaries on big screens and pretend if he were their in the room with him. The apostle say hey Elder Parra how are you this morning. He reads the information from his bishop and stake president and then the spirit tells him where he should go. Its really a magnificent thing. He said that when he prays he says " Lord help us to place these missionaries in the perfect place thou wannest them to be" That really shows the faith that they can do the lords work perfectly.

When we shook his hand he said he was looking at our eyes if we were smiling and if we sparkled that means that if we smiled with our eyes. That really impressed me when he said that. Ive noticed that I have changed a lot in the mission and one thing I learned that day is that I am truly happy, truly happy....Even my eyes smile when i teach the Lords Gospel. He went on to congratulate us for sparkling and smiling. He said we were honored missionaries and had that power to bring many unto Christ. I could feel that he was sincere. His talk made me know that this is my mission and the Lord wants me here no where else. Also that I have learned so many things from this mission that I wouldnt have learned any where else. Also he said that their are many reasons why the Lord sends missionaries to a certain place. We just have to find the resons why and change. He said that he was one of the only persons on this earth that was able to say that when he looked at us he knew that this was our mission and this was our time. I was really stunned with that comment and was really moved by the many things he said.

He said that a week ago he shook President Monson's hand and now he has shook ours. We are one hand away from the President of the church. He said that if president Monson would be here he would say two things. 1 He would say thank you....thank you for your service, thank you for the time you have put to the Lord....This is his work and you will be blessed for the rest of your lives. 2 We love you....This really touched me and you could feel the spirit strongly in the room. 

I know that their is a prophet of the Lord and I am eternally grateful that I have been born from goodly parents who love me. Where much is given much is required....This has help to give everything i have in my mission and I can say my body is getting tired really tired but my spirit is renewed day by day i serve my savior. I love this work and I know that Jesus Christ is the son of God, the beloved of the Father, and Admirable is his name. 

Just to share a scripture to end. its in 3 Nefi 17 

7 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf,or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.

 8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.

I know that his compassion and love for us is infinite and that he is filled with mercy if we have faith he will be able to heal us. I know that he lives and has called prophets and apostles in these last days. I will let you guys know how this week will go but after this week I only have 12 weeks left have to make them count. 

Till next week my beloved family love you guys. 

Elder Parra