September 3, 2016

Dear Family,

We have had great experiences serving here in the mission and we are excited to keep working in our area. We have talked to many people this week that have been hard of heart. We have prayed for them and desire to bring them unto the Lord. Here in my last area they are really poor but they still don’t want to repent. There is a lot of bad things that happen in our area and just as Mosiah said “he trampleth under his feet the commandments of God; " The people don’t appreciate the commandments of God and put them under their feet, they don’t value them or know them. They are stuck with their traditions of their fathers which is really sad.

We have talked to a lot of people and are searching for the people that want to repent or change. We have worked hard and have found some families that can progress. A really awesome experience that happened this week was that one of my converts was called to be a mini missionary. My convert Adrian Cuevas got the opportunity of serving for 2 weeks with one of my old companions Elder Guerrero. This was such a blessing for me to see him be a missionary and to serve at the same time I’m serving. He is a great young man and he will be missed. I probably won’t see him again in my life which is sad but I know that he will be the successful missionary.

I know that this gospel is true and that it can change someone’s heart. Jesus Christ has changed my heart and I don’t desire the same things I’ve desired before. I’m so happy to feel his spirit and to feel clean to know that I’m ready to live in his presence. I know that the only way to be redeemed from the fall is being in God’s presence again. I know one day I will see him face to face and know that he is the great “I am”. I’m making personal covenants with him so that my spiritual level can stay high and I can become more like Christ. I know that he is the creator of all things. There is a scripture that Ammon said " And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning." I’m so happy to have been able to receive a true image of the master. I know who he is and what he did. Now I can reach my goal and become like him. The Mission Council is this week and it will be my last meeting, I pray for the spirit to guide me and enlighten me. I know that my Master and Friend Jesus Christ lives and loves us. I’m giving him all I’ve got and just as Lehi said “But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.” I have felt his loving arms and I'm eternally grateful for him.

Thanks for all your support and we will be talking in 10 days or less haha.

Love you guys…
Elder Parra
M.P.L.N.