Christmas Contacting

Well this has been a fun weekend! We had a contact activity on Saturday in the city, It reminded me of when I was working at the visitor center in Mesa because I was standing outside the church and inviting people to hear our message and passing out Book of Mormons. We did it for quite a while and I felt so good! We contacted so many people!, my voice kind of hurt at the end because I was talking so much, it was fun! 

Later that day one of my past investigators got baptized and I got to go to that! I almost cried because I love her so much and I was just so happy to see her take this step; finally, coming closer to Jesus Christ. She has a special place in my heart! 

After the baptism we went to the Crawfords (the senior couple) to go to the christmas party. it was so fun! We had dinner and everything was all decorated and then we had a live nativity scene. Me and zr. Vernes were supposed to sing a duet! I was so nervous! We sang Stars Were Gleaming and it did not sound to bad. I wish I got it on video but I was so nervous I completely forgot! 

The next morning we had church, got to say "vrolijk kerst" to everyone since it was christmas. We got to skype the families and had a classic Suriname dinner. It was a good time! 

Now we are looking forward to this weekend with all the fireworks. Hopefully we can get some sleep. They go crazy here for new years. 

I love being out here on my mission. I feel like every day I am working harder and harder, well trying to, and I am becoming a better person. Yes, I am not perfect but I am trying, and I am trying to do my best and have God help me, because He is the one who will help me change and see any sort of success in my life! 

I love you all so much and I am grateful for this gospel and I am grateful for Jesus Christ! 

Have an amazing last week of the year! 

Lobi,

Zuster Parker

Mini Transfer call

So there were 2 zusters who went home a week early so they could be with their families for Christmas, and so me and zr. Vernes were split up to be with their companions. So for this week, and maybe next transfer maybe not.  I am companions with zr. Baker. She is awesome! Pumped to work, super fun and an awesome girl! She is from Mesa Arizona! Where I served for my Visa waiting! So that is awesome! I already love her. I am also in the other branch now. In Tamenge and in another area;  Kwatta. Apparently in a week we will be moving out of this apartment to a different one because this one is located where it is is not the safest area. So I am living out of a suitcase. Cool experience. 

Me and zr. Vernes were contacting one night and we looked up and saw only 1 star in the whole sky and it was so bright! We immediately thought of the new star for Jesus Christ. It was a sweet moment. 

Another night we were out  contacting and we decided to go caroling. Well people here in Suriname do not know what caroling is; they all rejected our singing... super sad. We did not sound that bad. 

We were at lesson with zr. Salik. and we were talking about the first vision. I could feel the spirit so strong. We were talking about how grateful we were for the question Joseph had, and zr. Salik bore her testimony about it and about how she is now with her husband forever. Because of him; Jospeh Smith. and there was a moment when I was testifying I could feel the spirit so strong, another clarification of how true this church is. I am truly grateful for Joseph Smith and his desire to act and his faith to receive an answer. Now we all have the opportunity to ask if the church, the Book of Mormon, and the prophet are true. I am truly so grateful to be here on a mission I love it and I know this will not only help me in my life but others as well. 

I love you all so much, I am excited for a new year and I am excited to be here during Christmas, and I invite you all to find ways on how to be the light of the world, and share the light to the world! 

Have an amazing christmas! 

Lobi!

Zuster Parker

This rich guy has these out by his house everyone comes to them, the prettiest lights!

Playing with lights!

Sorry, niet zo veel....

Well.. not so much happened this week to be honest. We have an investigator that me and zr. Ashcraft and Zeegelaar found when we were together in April that we are teaching and we have her set to be baptized on the 24th! I am so happy because it is cool to be able to have the chance to teach her almost the whole time from the beginning of her experience and see the change. 

We also have another investigator on date for the 28th of January. He is progressing so well! He is in the end of alma!! He received the Book of Mormon not even a month ago! Crazy cool! He loves the Book of Mormon. He said that it is always drawing him in and calling him. He knows that it is more than just a book. Super cool! 

We found the hugest snail in the world!!! it was about the size of my palm! Zo groot!!! Gek! Maar ja!

I am sorry I do not have a lot to write. We have cool fun plans for Christmas but I will tell more about those next week or when they actually happen. 

I love it here with zr. Vernes and I love this branch. 

There has been a lot of rain...the usual Suriname. I just hope it doesn't rain on Christmas or Christmas eve. 

I love you all and invite you all to draw closer to Jesus Christ this month. Remember to light the world!!! 

Lobi

Zuster Parker

Zuster Vernes and the Giant Snail

Investigator of ours who is almost done with the book of mormon! In less than a month!

This week just flew by! We did something we would never have thought we could in suriname....WE GOT TO SPEAK IN PAPIAMENTU!!!! And they understood us! They are brazilians. Turns out brazilians can understand papiamentu. We were so excited that day! We got to use it twice in a row. We were contacting and came across a brazilian lady, and then right after that another one! We contacted them in papiamentu. They only could speak portuguese and understood us! Really fun! We have been contacting more here,(not as much as in curacao).
The most embarrassing thing/funniest thing happened to me and zr. Vernes. Ok, so it is a new rule for us to wear these neon yellow vests when we are biking at night......I am not the happiest camper about this but you know, obedience. So we get to an appointment and we have our vests and helmets on and we stop at his driveway, say a prayer, and then kloop in and while we are waiting me and sister Vernes are making up christmas songs, the words and the tunes, and we were getting really into it. Well sister Vernes was going and then it was my turn, and I am singing and getting really into it, and I throw my hands out to the sides of me and I am at the high peak of the song and just giving it my all when.....all of a sudden we hear softly "jullie kunnen mooi zingen". and I still have my arms out to the sides and I slowly look behind me at the next door neighbors and a guy was watching the whole thing!!!! He heard us and saw us!!!! We broke out in laughter! Oh man...so embarrassing. Of course we tried to contract him but he was not interested in the message,  more in us...so we did not give him our number but a pamphlet.
I love Suriname! I really do! I have never felt so at one with nature before. In a lesson yesterday night we were sitting and all of a sudden I felt something land on my hand, it was cold and slimy. I instantly thought oh man a bird pooped on me! Then brother Parabeircing started freaking out and I looked it was a cute little gecko! I was not even freaked out or scared I was like oh! Cute! Then br. Parabeircing was shewing him off me, and we all continued with the lesson like nothing. Kinda funny when I look back on it.
A couple days ago we contacted a lady and she totally rejected us. Then yesterday we passed by her house and we waved and she waved and signaled for us to come to her so we did and she apologized for being so rude and how she was not feeling too great at that time but was praying that we would pass by again so she could meet with us! super awesome! It is cool to see how the lord works! I love you all! I hope you are all getting ready for the christmas season!!!!
Lobi!

This is how we have to bike now at night!!