Week 6 Einhoven- Mensen 8, Transfers, service and the rain!

Hello Hello,

Holy cow this has been a fun week! So much has happened and it's just gone by so stinking fast. But it has been a great one nonetheless. I have really come to realize that on a mission. That you choose whether or not you have an amazing week. It all comes down to your attitude. You can be down and sad because you aren't seeing the success you feel you deserve. Or you can go around always with a smile on your face being grateful for all that you have been given! And no matter the circumstances still serve with you heart. Attitude is a little change that makes a big difference. I love it.

Well this week we had the opportunity to work with a the singing elders in our mission and that has been pretty great. They are putting on a big fireside here the end of this coming month and so they were here sharing about that this week with our investigators, members and Less actives. It has been super fun working with them. I think that they are going to help give the work a little boost here by sharing that talent they have.

This past Friday we were able to have an amazing lesson. I was here on exchanges with Elder Roberts and we were going to teach a former investigator named Jennifer. She used to meet with the missionaries about five years ago. But she said she wasn't prepared at the time to accept what they had to offer. Well about 4 weeks ago she had an experience in her life and she came to know and see heavenly Father as a father figure in her life. Then randomly after how ever many years we the missionaries randomly show up on her door again. She began to tell us how she feels she has been prepared to accept our message that she couldn't accept years ago. We had an amazing lesson with her and the spirit was so amazing. Then we had these elders come and sing I am a child of God to end. The spirit filled the room and touched her heart. She was very open and accepting to what we had to share. It was great to see the way the spirit can work through us but also through music. It was an inspiring appointment.

We were also able to get our hands a little bit dirty this past week and do some service. That's always fun to do. Especially when you really see how grateful the people you serve are. The spirit of service is something special.

Well last night we got our phone calls for transfers. President called us and told me that I will be staying In Eindhoven but switching companions to Elder Da Silva and becoming a Zone leader. I am super excited to see what kind of lessons and opportunities this is going to bring me. I feel sometimes I am not really qualified, but I know that with the the help of the Lord it will all work out.

Thank you all for the love, prayers and support. It means the world. I'm sorry I wasn't able to get back to all of you. I will try to next week. But just know I am thankful for your email. I hope you all have an amazing week and remember the church is true! LOVES!

Love, Elder Parr
#ReturnWithHonor

Elder Gleave and I in our natural habitat:)

Week 5 Einhoven - D & C 4:4

Hoi hoi!!

What a week it has been. Man I just love the Netherlands so much. I just got to say I know 100% that this is where The Lord needed me and I am supposed to be. Missions are just so amazing. The lessons that you learn, the relationships that you build, the testimony that you develop and so much more. And that's just scratching the surface. There truly is nothing else in the world that is quite like serving a mission. What a blessing it has been to have this time to serve my Heavenly Father and how great it is to have even more time to serve.

This week we were on the bikes a lot and even took some buses for the first time in ages haha. But I am dang grateful for bikes. they are keeping me whooped in shape. Because the members here feed us so much and it's pretty much every single day. More then any other season. So if it wasn't for my handy dandy steed (bike), I'd probably be looking a little different haha.

So this week was pretty cool Elder Gleave and I were just biking and were actually not planning on going to look up a lady named Jennifer. But as we were biking I just felt that that's the person that we needed to look up so we headed that way. We knocked on her door and the next thing you see is a big smiling face. She was so happy to see us there. We were able to talk a little bit and get to know each other. She is pregnant and is just totally in the right time in her life to listen to us. We were able to schedule and appointment with her for this week. I am excited to see how she excepts the Gospel.


We were also biking around and were passing by a building that had a less active member we wanted to look up. And Elder Gleave say's hey lets stop and go look this lady up. So we headed over and rang her bell and she picked up excited to hear from us as well. We made an appointment with her as well. So there are a couple of things we got going to us. We are going to leave this place better off then we found that's for sure.

There we also a lot of other cool tender mercies that happened throughout the week. It really just helps me realize and recognize how much our Father in Heaven loves us. He is so aware of His children and wants nothing but the best for us. It's amazing.


This Sunday we had the singing Elder group in sacrament. They are going to be here working with us this coming week so that is going to be great. Really feel that that will be able to give the work the boost that it needs.

Oh yeah, last Monday we had to say goodbye to the beloved Bulters. Due to some health conditions they decided that is was probably better that the be home. That was so sad. They were some of the funniest people in the world. Such good examples to us all. It's been different with out them here. But the short time that we had together sure made an impact on me so I am very grateful to them.

Thank you all for the prayers, support and emails. You are all amazing. The church is true, God lives and loves you. Never forget that.

Love,
Elder Parr

#ReturnwithHonor

Best Group Ever!

Week 4 Eindhoven - What a week!!

Dames en Heren hello hello,

I know this week was an amazing week but holy cow I am having one of those memory failing mornings if you know what i'm talking about. Don't you just love those days when you wake up and feel like you have slept for a year. That has been today. And on top of that I forgot my journal and stuff to give me a refresher. That's what a companion is for I guess. Love Elder Gleave he's a great son! But I'll do my best to throw some highlights out there.

The first thing that comes to mind is an awesome door we knocked this week. Elder Gleave and I have been looking up a lot of less actives and formers and working in their areas after. Well this week we went and knocked on a door and a lady from syria and her son answer the door and said that the lady we were looking for didn't live her here anymore. Then she's like come in. And we are like okay sure. And we sit down and she's like do want something to drink? We got some water. Five seconds later, do you guys want some ice cream. And she continued to serve us two huge bowls of ice creams. We were being treated like kings! Those are always the best doors if i'd say so my self haha. But the door slam is also necessary, those ones really help you grow and come to know what kind of missionary and person you are. Are you going to quit or work even harder? But anyways we continued to have a cool little lesson with them and will actually be seeing them tonight. Great little miracle.

the next day elder hills and I knocked on a door and this lady gave us all of these crackers and juice boxes and was just so nice to us. unfortunately she wasn't interested in our message but she sure knew what it meant to love your neighbors. Great example to me.

Other then that this week consisted of a lot of finding and look ups. Which is keeping us pretty busy. We are praying that it will pay off and we'll be blessed with people to work with. And fulfill our purpose of helping people come unto Christ.

We also had a day of messing with bikes. Man I don't know what the people over here were thinking. they bike more then any country yet make it harder to fix a bike then a car. But we were able to get our bikes working. Harry actually got a flat tire so he left his bike at our house. We had to fix it and then I got to Ghost bike it for 4.5 kilometers back to his house. that was an adventure.

Well thanks for all of the love and support you all give to us missionaries. I love you all!! Have an amazing week and remember, the church is true and God loves you!

Love,
Elder Parr
#ReturnWithHonor

Week 3 Eindhoven - Late nights, herring round 3 and A'dam

Hallo Iedereen!

Goede Morgen! Or Afternoon or night, whatever time it might be were you are at haha. But oh what a week it has been this past week! One full of adventures that's for sure. Elder Gleave and I were all over the place this past week. But that's always a nice feeling when you walk into the apartment at night hit the bed and are out cold within seconds. Then you got the beautiful sounding alarm that screams at you at 6:30 the next morning saying time to go and do it all again. But oh how I love being a missionary. It's something that has changed my life and opened my eyes. There truly is nothing else in the world like being a missionary. And on top of that I get the best mission on the planet!

This week were able to go on a couple of exchanges with some of the elders in the district and it was great. On Thursday I was down in a place called Heerlen working with Elder Perry. We had a blast together. But what's cool is we found out that he went and played rugby with SC when they went to New Zealand so he knew all of the boys back home. We had a good little laugh. But we saw some awesome miracles happen while we were there, taught a less-active they hadn't taught for a long time and ended up getting two referrals from her and teaching her friend who was there. Wow, that was just so cool to see her open up and start referring her friends. Super cool experience.

This week we had some pretty crazy adventures. So here is the first, Elder Gleave and I were biking to an appointment about 7 kilometers from our house and about 1 kilometer aways I hear a wreck behind me and look back and Gleave is laying on the ground. It looked a lot more dramatic then it actually was. But his chain snapped and just got a couple cuts on his hands. Not to bad. But the adventure was bringing the bike back home so they didn't get stolen. So elder Butler drove us to the bikes at about10:15 to go and pick them up. Well Elder Gleave put his bike in the car and I got to ride mine home. So I pretty much just pedaled my little heart out for a solid 7 kilometers on a one speed bike to keep up with the car. We were flying haha. But we made it home safe and sound.

And on top of that Saturday I got to go to Amsterdam. IVETTES BAPTISM WENT THROUGH! I was so happy that I got to go up and see that. It was a great service. I was able to talk with Ivette afterwards and she was super excited that she finally made the decision to be baptized. I asked her how she felt and she said she super good, the words can't describe it. There was such a sweet feeling that was there. Every time I see a child of God take that step of faith I just can't help but get overwhelmed by the spirit. I know with all my heart that this work is Gods work. And this church, is true. It's such a blessing to be a member of this church and to be in the Lords army right now. I also got to see Elder Bringhurst and that was great. I've missed that kid. My boy is growing up haha.

But here is a quick funny story, So the first Monday of every month there are big alarms that go off to make sure they work. They are used to tell everyone that the dikes have broken. Well we were just sitting here emailing and Elder Gleave looks over at me and goes, what's that noise. I look over to elder Da Silva and say "oh crap man that's the dike alarm!!" We both jump out of our seats and go sprinting down and grab Steinbeck we grab all of our stuff and start running to the car. We all just played it so good and poor Elder Gleave bit super hard. Then we get out and are about to get in the car and he's like wait a minute, it's the first Monday of the month.....and just dies. He's such a trooper, love that kid! But we were all dying afterwards too good!

Thanks for the love and support. The church is true!!:)
#ReturnWithHonor

Ivette, Elder Bringhurst and I:)

Week 2 Eindhoven - Accidents, conferences, BBQ's and Biking

Hello Hello,

Man this week has been full of crazy adventures, crazy days, funny stories and hit the bed dead tired! I was just barely here on the computer typing up my email last week.

But oh how I got a good story for you. So about 45 minutes after I send my email last week we were on our way to go to the centrum to hang out there for a little bit. We were driving the car and having a good time, just talking at a red light then all of the sudden BAM! We all shot forward and looked back and we go rear ended by a van trying to pull a mini cat. Luckily non of us were hurt and it wasn't to bad. The car took a little beating but nothing that can't be fixed. The Lord is watching out for us!

This week we had a great zone conference with Elder Timothy J. Dyches. I learned a lot just listening to him. It was totally different then any other conference I have been to. But it was a good one. I was definitely re-motivated to work even harder then I am. There is always something that we can improve on to become better. And I am exciting to keep on trying to make those changes to become the best person that I can become while I am out here on my mission.

Guess who I got to see this week!!!!!! So there was a big stake BBQ for the Antwerpen stake so we got to go. Well we get there and we start walking to the place and right when I get there I see three little girls running up to me. And I was just SO happy! It was Laticha and all of her little sisters! Broeder Knoops was also there as well as the Peters and a couple other members from Genk. It was easily one of the best reunions ever! I can't even begin to tell you how much Laticha has changed since I met her. She said that she has read through the Book of Mormon twice since her baptism and Is planning on serving a mini mission for a couple weeks here in the Netherlands and eventually wants to serve a full time mission. This Gospel is true. It changes people! I love this Gospel!!!

Well this week we did a lot of biking look ups and contacting. But we did see a couple of pretty cool miracles. Elder Gleave is killing it with his dutch and for only being out here a week. He is such a stud of a companion. And Harry, oh were to begin with him. I just love him to death!:) Best trio out there that's for sure. But we received a HQ referral this week and we went and looked him up and it was a family and the dad had been to the temple in Hawaii. They were so positive and really open. They just had a baby so we are going to meet with him in a couple of weeks. But I am so excited to see what happens with them. We were also knocking doors and we ran into a super cool family who has been going from to church to church to try and find one that is family oriented. And we just told them and testified that it was no coincidence that we ran into them. We were led there by a loving Heavenly Father. They were very receptive and are willing to listen to us and come to the church. It is going to be neat and great opportunity teaching a family. I am excited to see there response to Our Heavenly Father's message. Because I know it will change their lives if they allow it to. Being a missionary is an incredible blessing.

Thank you all for the love and support! Have an amazing week!

Love Elder Parr
#Returnwithhonor

The original MTC Gang is back again :)

Week 1 Eindhoven - New Area, New Companion, District Leader = will be the best transfer!

Hello hello,

What a week it has been! So much has happened but I am sitting here with so little desire to actually write it all down. But Mom, because I love you I will do my best to write some down.

Well this week began with my last couple of days serving with Elder Bringhurst and Oh how we had a blast with each other. I loved every single minute of serving with that kid. And we sure made some memories to last a lifetime. Monday we were able to Go the the Zaanse Schaans and it was absolutely beautiful. If it didn't take years to upload pictures then I would show you. But It was probably one of the most beautiful places I have visited. Saying goodbye to Bringhurst stunk but, I know I am going were the lord needs me to be and that he will keep the work rolling in Amsterdam. He actually called me and told me that Ivetta one of the investigators we were working with said she wanted to be baptized this coming Saturday! I was freaking out! I will probably be able to go up and see it too:) I can't wait. This is Gods work.

Well when Wednesday morning finally rolled around I hopped on the train and headed to the Golden Tulip to pick up my new companion. His name is Elder Gleave. He is from South Jordan Utah and Is a stud. I can't wait to get to know him better and see some miracles with him. It is going to be a good experience I can already tell.

We are serving in a city called Eindhoven with two other elders. Elder Steenblik and Elder Da Silva. It has been so much fun being with Steinbeck again! Love that kid so much. So we are in for a treat this transfer.

We also have a personal 85 year old GPS named Harry. He has got to be one of the funniest, coolest, craziest people I have ever met. He works with us everyday and has our work set out. Which has actually been pretty nice because we are reopening part of Eindhoven and he's been a huge help!

We are working our hardest to find some new people to work with as well as get back in contact with all of the old investigators.

Funny story, So on Sunday we went and had a great appointment with a less active and then we walk out to hop on our bikes and head back home. Well it was pouring rain and we kinda forgot our rain jackets because when we left it was beautiful weather! So we biked 8 kilometers is the pouring rain and came home dripping head to toe. It was quite the bonding experience!

Thank you all so much for the love and support! I hope you have another amazing week. This church is true, don't forget it!! God loves you and is there for you all! I love this Gospel and this work!

Love,
Elder Parr
#RetrunWithHonor

Sweet Ride haha

Our GPS Elder we love him.

Elder Gleave and Elder Parr after the pouring rain.  Welcome to the "Netherlands Elder Gleave.