September 10, 2016

Dear Family,

I'm happy to be able to write to you today and be able to read your letters. This will be my last time writing to you as a missionary. My heart is full of joy and is moved through the spirit to know that I have done everything I could have possibly done. This week the tender mercies of the Lord have caught my attention to notice small things and to be blessed with great love and power. I have a perfect image of the Master in my heart and mind. I know who he is, how he acts, and what he asks of me. I will truly miss this sacred calling to serve others and bring them unto repentance.

Yesterday we had our last inventory with the offices and it was awesome. Yesterday finally hit me that I was going home and my heart was so moved that I started crying. I couldn’t hold it in much longer and I thanked each of the missionaries for their help. I told them that I had learned a lot from them and that they are great. I have a gained such a firm testimony that any missionary can change through the atonement of Jesus Christ. This week me and Elder Landero were in the car together, we talked about many things that I had seen differently in him since he started his mission. Me and him are really good friends who have worked together several times in the mission. Since he started his mission he has changed for the bad with a lot of pride in him. During our conversation his heart was moved, he was able to admit that he was in error and that he had to change. He finally understood he had to help his companion and ask for forgiveness. I told him that his companion was scared of him and that his companion told me. He was surprised and said that the majority of his companions were scared of him. I made him reflect upon “why” and made him know what President Godfrey had told us about Elder Landero...."He is the most prideful zone leader I’ve seen so far". I went on to explain, that President put him in the offices so he can learn humility and to be virtuoso. This opened his heart and he started to listen. We talked about many other things and then I left on my work visit. The next day when Brother Ortega came to pick me up he told me that Elder Landero had changed, he now loved and respected his companion. He was actually trying to gain his confidence and even Elder Manuyama, Elder Landeros companion, said: "WHAT DID YOU GUYS DO TO ELDER LANDERO". This made me feel really pleased, to see the drastic change in him. Yesterday in the inventory we had he said "I’m not quite sure why the Lord keeps putting me with you Elder Parra in same zones but you are more than just a friend to me. Thank you for your example and for understanding me. I’m going to start my purification process and go back to how I started the mission. I’ve never seen Elder Landero cry before and I knew that this was a true sign of sincerity. My heart is so full of joy to have helped so many missionaries and change their eternity. I know that they will be blessed and more fully change to be able to become like Christ.

I have been having more faith and hope for good things to come. The Lord has tested me quite a few times this last change. I have gone through some trials of faith but I have been firm in the decisions I know are correct. While putting the goals for my 1 year, 5 years, and 10-year goals, I have really reflected upon my mission to see what I have been able to accomplish. This has led me to the conclusion of asking my Father in heaven if he is happy with my offering of my service of 2 years and if I have served an honorable mission. I have had the opportunity of asking him these couple days and I got an answer.....I’m really great full to know that God answers our prayers and hears us when we need him most. There is a scripture I would like to share that is in Enos 1: 12 "And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith." I know that this can come true when we are in harmony with Gods will. I Thank the Lord opportunity I have gotten to work here in the mission. I will never forget the inspiration and the spirit that I have felt in this last change. I have learned many things from President Godfrey and he has been a ministration angel. I will be talking to you in 2 days. Hasta muy, muy pronto.

Elder Parra

M.P.L.N.

La mejor misión del mundo