Mauriii

May 22, 2016

Dear Family and Friends:

Quick two second email.... All is well! We went fishing and caught like 150 fish in an hour. I've never seen so many fish in my life. The work is going wayyyy well. I haven't been able to chat that much but we have picked up like 15 new investigators in the past three weeks (lots from tracting) We have also had three baptisms in the past two weeks and we should have like three more coming up in the next few weeks. We have had some miracles with investigators and have been having a good time.

Yesterday we hired a car and had a sacrament meeting/ mini general conference. It was a pretty cool experience and it was awesome to lead and speak to 70 members in one spot. We have bikes and everything that we need here and I'm doing great. I'm  so happy here and I continue to be shocked at how fast the time is going. I wish I could tell you guys every story but I want it to be interesting when I get home! I'm having so many experiences and I'm learning and growing. It sounds like all is well. I'll write to you guys next week. I love you guys!

Elder Parrish 

Quick Update!

May 8, 2016

Hey fammmm,

Quick update. I have no time because the biggest bootaki of the year for my village is today and we are going to be busy there as guests all day. The bootaki is for the mwaneaba in our village because it is the village's birthday. It should be pretty tight with some legit dancing, way good food and some other stuff. It will be sick because this will be like the biggest party I've gone to so far. I wish you guys were here hahaha. It's so nuts. We are DEAD tired thoughhhh. We got up at 4:45 A.M. to go to the mwaneaba to eat breakfast and at 5:30 yesterday. We have to go every day for breakfast and lunch before and after the BIG day (which is today). Last week, everyone just moved all their stuff to the Mwaneaba and they are living and sleeping in there (cupboards, pots, pans etc.) Our stick house is right next to it and we have been having people breathe down our necks, but it's been interesting. We also are giving a Family Home Evening spiritual thought to the entire village tomorrow in front of the protestant minister and the catholic missionary so I'll let you guys know how that goes hahaha. 

Work will be tough a little this week because of the parties, but other than that all is well. We should have three baptisms in the next two weeks, which will be a nice little pay off. We have been really productive as we hit 30 lessons this week for my first time on Maiana. We have a decent amount of investigators, but because we haven't gotten referrals we are starting to find investigators other ways (tracting etc.) Although most people say yes to lessons, it's really hard because a lot of people will listen but not be interested or they will straight lie to your face for weeks before you even figure it out. I'm hoping we can be blessed to find some genuine investigators who have some mental power so they can understand our message and the importance of gaining a testimony for themselves and truly doing the things that it takes. Elder Hoskins and I are working hard and get along well so all is well! 

I hope that gives you all a quick update! Quick thought.

This week as we taught a lesson to a soon-to-be minister and then listened to lessons taught by the protestant missionary in the mwaneaba, I was constantly reminded of Isaiah 29:13-14. This protestant missionary gave a prayer and a lesson that was waaay smooth and so thought-out and the way she speaks in Kiribati is so beautiful. As she sat down after her lesson and lit her cigarette, I couldn't help from smiling and feeling peace. I'm thankful for the commandments that the Lord has blessed us with. And later, the guy we taught a lesson to had the bible memorized and tried to explain why the Godhead was one person (the trinity). I'm not trying to lie and say I know more about the bible than these people, but I had a sweet peace as I bore testimony to that man that the Godhead IS three people. I'm grateful for the vision of a 14 year-old boy and I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary.

I hope everyone has a GREAT week :')

Elder Parrish

May 1, 2016

May 1, 2016

Dear Family:

Thanks for the email!  My package got to Maiana so thanks a lot! It had some good stuff and I was super excited to get it.  People here love CTR rings!

The work is going well. The biggest problem is that Elder Hoskins’ bike broke again yesterday and there still aren’t any parts available to fix it in this whole country. We could be walking ‘till the end of my time on Maiana. It’s going to absolutely destroy the work. I’ve been pretty depressed about it.

This past week, the work went well. We were able to get a baptism along with 25 lessons. We teach five families. We had 83 in attendance at church yesterday for the second week in a row. It proved to me that this last Sunday wasn’t a coincidence. Since Maiana isn’t yet a branch and there is no local leadership, there are a lot of saints that we’re responsible for. Being in charge and having to take care of everything for that many members and investigators is a big job. Sundays are definitely the most stressful and tiring day of the week. 

All is going well. Just praying we can get our bikes fixed.

Love,

Elder Parrish

New Companion!

April 24, 2016

Dear Family:

It's been a crazy week but i'm super duper happy right now and everything is going well. I seriously don't think I've been like happier or more excited about the work than I am right now. It's been super surprising but I'll explain what I can. 

We were told last Wednesday that Elder Vaai would be leaving the first week in May. We were shocked when we got a text on Friday saying that Elder Vaai was leaving the following day by boat and that President Weir was coming to Maiana. Elder Vaai rushed and said goodbye to everyone and then we scrambled and got ready for President Weir.  But we didn't know why he was coming. We were scared that he was coming to set up a branch even though this place isn't prepared. The guy who would make a good branch president is leaving to pick fruit in Australia for six months and he leaves next month.

Anyway, when it was all said and done President Weir came and left. He was on land for like five minutes and didn't set up a branch or anything. I was really happy that I got to see him before he finishes his time July 1. My new companion is Elder Hoskins. He is a 20 year old from Georgia. I'm the senior companion because I've been out six weeks longer. He's a pretty cool kid and I don't think I should have a problem getting along with him. He likes B-ball and stuff. Not a problem here! It's nice also being the senior comp.

Also, the work is going WAY well. Right now we are teaching like five families and have tons of investigators. We had 12 investigators at church yesterday and should have a baptism this week. This is the best work that I've had in my mission and I've never been happier. I just want to teach and help these people grow!

it sounds like all is going well at home! My package got to Tarawa last week and should be sent out to us here this week. I'm super excited to get it! I love you and I hope all is going well. It's a time of challenges and growing, but I'm ready to take it head on. Love you.

Elder Parrish