Rough week.

The Zusters had a rough week, Sister Parker did not feel like writing this week so she send some pictures from last week.

(Sister Parker got robbed, but a good Samaritan saw it happen, chased the robber down in a cab and brought Zuster Parker her purse back.)

Went to Trinidad with Sister Paul.

Joined the Monkey Club!

This is the monkey that I held.

Joined the Parrot Club!

First week in Balona!

          I am in a new branch, new comp, and new area, and it is great!! Saying goodbye to some of the people was not fun, kinda sad, but hopefully I will see them around. Brother Simon the old man that I have talked about (You will see photos of him), well I told him I was leaving and in the closing prayer when he was blessing me he said "me is sawwy to see zister leave, and then he paused and his next words you could hear he was crying a little bit! He said how I walk with God and how he is sad to see me go and he will miss me...I got teary eyed, the sweetest prayer anyone could give me, and it is also because it came from him. I love him so much!!
           Now I am here in Balona with zuster Wood! Balona is struggling with progression, but me and zuster wood are super pumped and motivated. We want to make this area ten thousands times better than it is by the end of this transfer. We want it to be the area every sister wants to be in rather than the one they dread to be in.  it is going to require a lot of work, but we can do it. I am excited to work with her because she is a great missionary and she will help me become a way better teacher! I am already learning so much and it is only the first week!
          Found out I am going to Trinidad for a couple of days for the Suriname visa things (don't worry mom they have it all under control, this is normal here). Maybe I will be able to have district meeting there! That would be super cool! Also, apparently all the sister in the mission think Suriname sisters are legends!! Haha, which is way cool! They all want to come to Suriname. Pretty funny right!?          
          Looking back on how much I have changed, it is only because of my will to change, that I am here on my mission, and through the savior. I am so grateful for everything He has done for me. I have been studying the atonement everyday in personal study this month and I had this experience whith this Muslim who we met while riding our bikes on one of the streets. I asked him if he needed help (he was doing some yard work outside his house). He said no but he was super nice and we started talking to him. He later invited us inside and he has a wife and a cute dog and a nice house. Well long story short, he is Muslim and read a verse from the bijbel that the JWs gave him. it was John 14:6. and he said that Jesus sounded arrogant, ik, ik, ik. In the Koran it never says ik, it always says we. He was talking bad about Jesus, and it hurt. But not how it used to before my mission. It hurt like some one picking on your younger sister and you just want to defend them, that is when I knew how much of a stronger relationship I have with Him, and I am so grateful for that. I know it is because I have come out here on my mission.

I love the savior and all he has done for us so we can reach our full potential. love each and everyone of you!!
Lobie zuster parker

 

Brother Simon

I love this man!

The world's smallest pineapple

Me and Zuster Ashcraft

 

Me and Dmatilla (The Brazilian Babe I love) 

We tripled for our last meeting together

Our district last transfer

Transfers!!!!

          I have been here in this gebied for two transfers (3 months), and I have had two companions while being here. I have had a total of 6, (2 in my first transfer at the MTC), and then one ever transfer after that. So will my streak end? Me and z. Ashcraft did not think so. We were pretty sure that we would stay the same. Well we got the call...and looks like it is not ending! Starting next week I have another new companion. Not only that, but going to a new area. BUT WAIT there is more! I am killing her too! It is her last transfer. That means the next transfer not only will I be getting another new companion (keeping the streak going strong) but I will be leading out the area. Just what I have been doing my whole mission. I will be on my half way mark and have had 8 companions, a new comp every transfer, and in an area for 2 transfers and leading out one every other transfer! Woa! haha! But I am excited. I am used to changing all the time. The only thing is that I had to say goodbye to all the people I love here in this area! In the church though, because it is small I will see them pretty often. I will be in the Tamanga branch and in the Balona area. It will be fun to get to know that branch because I do not know them that well. I am really sad to leave the people we are teaching! But that is what mission life is all about right?
          This week was z. Ashcrafts birthday, and we took some great photos of the day. You will see them. But man we ate tooo many sweets! But it is ok it is her birthday right?
          It was a good week! in my personal studies one time this week I read something that really stood out to me, it helps and applies to everyone. It is a talk from Elder Holland. He was talking about the atonement and missionary work. He said,"I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience." Jesus Christ's atonement is not something to be taken lightly! He goes on to say, "Why would we believe, why would we think, that it would be easy for us when it was never easy for Him?" What He went through is something we all could never imagine. and being on a mission, you think about how hard it is here. why aren't people accepting the gospel why am I not having success, why does no one even want to listen to us. Well, Jesus Christ went through the same experience, but his was more intense. He had people who would not listen, who would not accept him, who would put Him down, who would rather eliminate Him rather than listen to what he had to say. Being a missionary we get just the slightest taste of His mission on earth. I am not saying that I AM JESUS CHRIST! I'm saying I am a disciple of Him, doing the same work He has done on His time here on earth, and it is what every member should be doing as well. Remember that you are all disciples of Jesus Christ and that you have a mission as well, which is, to help others come closer to Jesus Christ. You do not have to be a missionary to do that!
           I love all of you and the continuous support you give me! As from the words of my comps grandma Hiatt, "love you bunches!"

Zuster Ashcraft's mom send her mustaches to make planning meeting more fun

The ZHV (Relief Society)

 

Cutest old lady!

We found out we were teaching her son. Shs is a member and her son is the one who took us to the restaurant last week and left us with all the food  hahah

Our birthday lunch for the birthday girl



Cute little market we pass on our way to church every Sunday