Sunshine from Chile

Hey :)

First off, last week I neglected to mention that we had the opportunity to listen to Elder Bednar in a training last week, joined by the East Mission.  He talked about teaching by the spirit and learning by faith.  It was very impactful and enlightening.  Some notables:

• We are called by prophecy - the Prophet acts as such every day

• Foolish traditions of our fathers  applies to the false traditions in the Church.  (That which is not simple doctrine or general authority approved practices.)

• Joseph Smith asked to act.  He prayed to know which Church to JOIN.  

• Faith is the principal of action and power.

• Goals of what type of disciple you want to become

• Goals give the illusion of control;  In the things that matter, we are not in control, we have never been, and shouldn`t want to be.

• If we have enough faith anything will happen, but only if God wants it.

• Not because of us but in spite of us

Me Update:

I have been stuck in a slump the last several months;  with a lack of engagement, investment, and energy.  While I soldiered on, my heart wasn`t in it.  Thankfully, and miraculously, the rain has lifted and I can see clearly now.  I`m fully involved and happy in the work of the vineyard.

Thoughts from the week

Last Sunday a young girl from the ward, named Patricia, got baptized.  It caused me to reflect back on my own baptism and the positive memories I have of the experience.

In gospel principles I had the surprise to find that the photo for Chapter 41 - The Spirit World is of the family of my uncle Leif that passed away around 8 years ago.  I bore my testimony to the class of the comforting power of the knowledge of the plan of salvation, and how his family has reacted because of their faith.

Last night we got to teach a wonderful Muslim man from Pakistan.  He`s lived in Chile 2 years and already speaks Spanish very well.  He was extremely friendly.  I was very grateful for my knowledge and appreciation of cultures and other faiths as it makes my life richer and made it easier to relate to him.

We must testify and preach of Christ more, we sometimes get caught up in doctrinal or useless intricacies of the gospel and forget of who we teach.

Miracles are real, and happen in today`s world, but if we can not see them, it is because of a lack of faith:

Mormon 9:7-25

Ether 12:12,16

Moroni 7:27,29,37

Mucho Amor y Gracias por todo su apoyo 

Elder Parry Harrison

P.S.

Two wonderful talks that are must reads:

http://speeches.byu.edu/index.php?act=viewitem&id=1864

http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=923

I`m not sure if I already attached this link

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/y9g6l16lrlx00jd/suXtqWmOLv

Speed E-Mail

Hey :)

Speed thought burst:

Changes - 

• New companion, Mexican, Elder Licea, Hidalgo, 3 Months in mission.
• My old companion went to train in the sector where I started my mission.
• I`m District leader over the ward group of us and 2 other companionships of sister missionaries.
• I stay.

Some of the Converts - 

• Roberto (almost 2 months as member), Super sad and teary to see Elder Garcia go, but positive, went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead for the first time, commented that it was extremely beautiful, starting to date a single sister from "MAS" Mayor Aldulto Solteros (Single Adults)! :D
• Bruno (3 months, family are less active, excepting his older sister), teachers quorum president, always preparing and passing the sacrament, got baptized in behalf of his grandfather on saturday.  Gave an emotional and touching testimony of the experience.

Some of the Investigators -

• Daniel, 28, significant problems but a strong desire to change and be baptized, date for the 11th.
• Jorge and Hijo, reference from friend, they have date for the 4th, amazing and sì o sì are going to get baptized.

I`m sorry but this week is short because of time.  Spiritual thought:  We are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  While the various themes that we discuss in church are important, our talks, classes, and focus should be centered around the Savior.  In the beginning of this dispensation the church was called the Church of Christ.  That simplicity and focus needs to permeate our church life.

Lots of love

Elder Parry Harrison

Good Times

Hey :)

This week has gone wonderfully.  We`ve been able to help four people accept baptismal dates, and have found 10 new people to teach.  It was a very successful week and I was grateful for for the opportunity to finish up the change with Elder Garcia on such a high note.  I`ve learned a lot from him.  He`s patient, positive, and works hard.  I hope I can apply his example in my future opportunities to serve in the mission.  I`m fully invested, and in love with my mission.  I`m positive about my involvement and my influence.

Trivia:

From a Sister Taggart in our ward.  Her father is in the Stake Presidency and sent her the news that the missionary department had 479 missionary applications last week and as of this Friday have 1750 for hermanas  and 1780 for elderes.  The army of the Lord is receiving so many recruits.

Description of the photos attatched:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8vcva4fyzy1g5cl/eUxgz62AgP

I made some amazing spaghetti the other day.  

My companion played a prank and put my chair on the ceiling.  

Me in my long trench coat that Elder Garcia gifted me (I`m pimp I know :)   

I accidentally left a pen in my white wash and severely stained one shirt and slightly several others including one of my companion`s :P

The sector is full of really cool grafiti.  Some of the best in Chile

Some photos from the futbol game from this morning.  We played in a nearby ward with another companionship.

Mucho Amor

Tu missionero

Elder Parry Harrison

Conference and Other Thoughts

Hey :)

Response to questions:  My companion is great.  He`s from Juarez, Mexico.  Shorter than me, which is a blessing.  And, he`s a great, real person, which makes him an enjoyable companion.  I feel like the mission has inextricably changed me.  I have a true testimony, changed world-view and perspective of the gospel, and have grown loads as a person. The Chileans talk really bad.  They use a lot of modismos and eat their words- saying things like catchay and sipo.  But I enjoy it and it makes it super easy to understand anyone with another type of accent.  I loved General Conference especially, as always, the talk by Elder Holland.  I love several things about Chileans: their openness and friendliness, their work ethic, their disposition to believe in the divine, and their character.  My mission president is wonderful.  He`s a former estate lawyer, and has 6 children.  His wife is wonderfully happy and energetic.  He`s taught me how to be a missionary of a surety, how to repent of heart, and how to become like unto Christ.  

Conference

This time, because of problems in other sectors with other missionaries, we got to watch it all in Spanish, but I got along fine and understood it all without any difficulty.  Though that wasn`t the case with the greenies. :)  Notably was the great experience of listening to the Latinos and Elder Scott speak naturally in Spanish.  To me the theme was Service, Come Back, Missionary Work, and Christ.

I`m adding a link to a wonderful talk that Elder Holland based his powerful talk from this Conference on.  To listen to even more inspired words from the servants of the Lord.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/y9g6l16lrlx00jd/suXtqWmOLv

Next week will be full of more reflections...

Mucho Amor y Bendiciones

Elder Parry Harrison

Cliff Notes from Chile!

Hey :)

Its not about grand acts, Its about little acts, with love

Who doesn`t live to serve, doesn`t serve to live

The mission here is wonderful because it gives us the opportunity to see baptisms very frequently.  This week we got to see a baptism in this ward (of the hermanas) and visit another ward to see a convert of Elder Garcia get baptized.  They were beautiful events.  Attatched are some photos of the 18 celebration and a Zone Sport day.

Something amazing was that Roberto got to bless the Sacrement and baptize Angela.  He`s progessing a lot.  And is an amazing example and testimony to me.

This last P-day was great.  We got to go to La Vega, where the farmers bring in their goods to sell out to businesses and other people from the feria.  Also we went to Patronato and I got 12 ties for 24 bucks.  They look great and are only so cheap because they come direct from China.  Also I picked up a couple more souvenirs for the Boys.

I`m sorry for the cortness but next week will be a novel, I promise ;)

Tu Missionero

Elder Parry Harrison

Weekly happenings:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0m6enbvfyrm3k1b/_V88f9Hmkc