Today's the Day!

Today is the day that Elder James Parry Harrison flies to Chile to begin the heart of his mission. We are anxiously awaiting a phone call from him at the Salt Lake International Airport.
In the meantime, here is the last official e-mail he sent to his family last Thursday:

"Well here I am. Off to the great big world... Today I got my shots and haircut, so I'm pretty much ready to go. I'm scared that I'm not ready to speak the language, but we'll see... :) This week, we had a wonderful devotional on Tuesday by Tad R. Callister of the presidency of the 70. It was very powerful and interesting. He talked about the Great Apostasy and Well here I am. Off to the great big world... Today I got my shots and haircut, so I'm pretty much ready to go. I'm scared that I'm not ready to speak the language, but we'll see... :) This week, we had a wonderful devotional on Tuesday by Tad R. Callister of the presidency of the 70. It was very powerful and interesting. He talked about the Great Apostasy and the the 10 evidences of it: 1. The Apostles were all Killed 2. Scritures testify 3. The Bible ends 4. Miracles gone 5. Teachings of Christ's church perverted 6. Ordinances changed 7. Simple manner of prayer changed(Satan breaking the communication with God) 8. Scriptures removed from common folk 9. None of the churches bore the name of Christ 10. The priesthood was lost. He used tons of quotes from world recognized authorities and from the leaders of the churches and movements themselves. It's cool too because he's the uncle of my favorite high school history teacher - Ms. Callister.  I have to say one of the things I've love the absolute most here in the MTC is the musical numbers at the devotionals and firesides. They are so powerful and the people are amazingly talented. This week I read through the sunday school version of the church history from 1850 to 2000. It was a ton of reading, something like 18 chapters, but it was so interesting to learn about how the church was forming and settling into its traditions. And, how the Church delt with the challenges. It's on lds.org. Just search "chapter thirty" and it pops up. Also, we watched a talk given by Elder Holland, on Sunday night, that he gave in 2006. It was really powerful.

A great poem he told,

"Come to the edge he said, no I said, I'll fall

Come to the edge he said, no I'll fall

Come to the edge he said, I came, he pushed me, and I flew"

God helps us, and we can only do somethings when pushed to the edge of our strength and testimony

Well, I'm ready to go out.... I know this is the Lord's work. That he's personally directing the church. That Joseph Smith restored this Church and all the power through revelation and the power of God. I bear testimony that prayers are answered, and that God micromanages this work(we hear that in almost every talk:) I love you all, and am so greatful for the support, news, love, and testimony I've gotten from you. I'll see you on the bottom side of the world....

Con Amor

Parry"