Week 7 Delft start of 2nd transfer - What a Wonderful Time to be a Missionary!

Hello Everyone,

Missionary life is always full of adventures! Another fantastic week here in Delft. Tons of things that were going on, finding success and a whole lot more. First week in the land were it hasn't rained once. Yeah you heard me right not once, its a miracle. The weather has been so nice and I am loving it. Here is my week for you all:

Tuesday:

Today was our last district meeting with the original gang. So of course we made it a big deal;) But before I go to the crazy stuff, I just wanted to add that I love the spirit in district meetings. We did some role plays and we all had our senior missionary couples crying like crazy, the spirit was so strong, I love it. Okay back to the other part, so today we lost 3 sisters in our district so we all went out to eat at a super sweet restaurant called Vapianos, so lecker. But get this so this restaurant is in the middle of Den Haag Centrum and right when we finished up eating we walk outside and there are like 5,000 people. Turns out that it was Queen day and the the King, Queen and Princess would be touring the centrum in the golden carriage and we got to see it! That was so cool all these military people everywhere, old school horse riders with guns. Awesome sight. After all the fun and games were done and we made it back to Delft we had a truly amazing lesson with our Investigator Sarab. We had Brother Jansen there with us and that was a blessing to say the least. We taught the first lesson and talked about baptism and she said she wants to become baptized but she doesn't want to set a date yet. Which kind of stunk. But none-the less the spirit during our lesson with her was amazing, I have learned to love teaching so much greatest opportunity ever!

Wednesday:

Today was a whole lot of all kinds of contacting gave out a ton of cards and some Books of Mormon. Funny story though, so we passed a house that had pictures of Christ and stuff on the window so we decide what the heck why not knock it. Turns out that this lady was freaking phsyco and she sat and preached to us for like 20 minutes. Kept on telling us that the Book of Mormon was written by Satan and stuff like that. It really just made me greatful for the Book of Mormon and my testimony of it. I am just glad that no matter what anyone says thats just something that they can't take away from me. Oh and right when we were leaving she said you guys knocked on my door expecting to convert me but turns out I am the one converting you haha we so wanted to throw it down but thats not what we are here for. But it was tempting lol.

Thursday:

We had an awesome time doing service this morning. So this family who is from California moved here and called us up to help them flatten like 500 boxes no joke soooooo many. But they were one of the nicest families ever they have a kid our age preparing for a mission and stuff so we got invited back for a family night! Can't wait. And we also had another dinner appointment with Dan and Emma Pesschier, seriously the perfect role models for member missionaries. Best family ever always the best times with them. Yeah so elder Hulet and I ran a 3k tonight and almost died. I thought I was In shape but I guess not. Biking shape is was different then running shape it turns out lol. :)

Friday:

Funniest morning of my life! So we had corrilation this morning and Brother and Sister Romig were there for the first time, seriously hilarious. They started and just watching them try and figure out what the heck was going on and speaking Dutch and like 10 things going on at the same time was just to good. But they did it. I love them, they are the best senior couples ever. Nicest people. We had a lesson with Brother Monte tonight he was our less active but we have had him at church the last 5 weeks now. But that was awesome we just practiced the restoration lesson with him and that was easily the best Dutch I have ever spoken in my life. It felt so good:) And a bonus, he finally opened up and told us that he wants us to come and teach his friend who we have been asking about for weeks. That's later on today so I hope it goes well! Then we had a lesson with our new investigator Arie, the spirit was so strong. We challenged him to be baptized and he said yes, the date is not finalized yet but still so exciting. We are seeing so much success right now I couldn't be more grateful.

Saturday:

Of course we had our weekly super "stroop waffle" to begin the day off right. I love the Delft market it is so beautiful. Today was just weekly panning and transfer goal setting for the most part nothing to exciting. But I did have the most awkward dinner appointment of my life. Oh it was so bad haha. The things that you run into as a missionary is just great.

Sunday:

First investigator in church!!! So Josh came to church today and that was the greatest feeling ever to finally have an investigator there. He absolutely LOVED church and we lucked out because the three talks today were amazing couldn't have been a better first sacrament meeting. He loved the people and the environment. So golden. We are going to invite him to be baptized this Thursday he has already pretty much said he wanted to so I cant wait! He is keeping all of his commitments and reading the Book of Mormon too. Hulet and I seriously lucked out with him, he calls us his brothers. I am super excited for whats in store with Josh!

Awesome week for us here in Delft. So blessed to be having all this success. So one more thing today us and a few other missionaries from Den Haag toured the massive castle things in the Centrum. And might I just say I think that I have the most beautiful mission in the world. Seriously it is so pretty. That building was just mind blowing.

Well I hope that all of you have an amazing week. Thanks for all of the support that you give to us missionaries you have no idea how much we appreciate it! You're all the best. God bless you! The Church is true!

Love Elder Parr

#ReturnWithHonor

The whoop says: Dunking in your own neighborhood?

The whoop says: Dunking in your own neighborhood?

Beautiful City of Delft 

Best District Ever

Eating at Vapianos with the district.

Start of the parade for the King and Queen and Princes touring Delft Centrum

Like real soldiers so cool.

 

The King and Queen in the Gold Carriages and another had the Princess in.

The Green Machine

Biking in the Netherlands

Working on the Golf Swing - at a golf store.

This is for you Allie Oops :)

The Ice Age squirrel - love that movie

Pepper challenge aftermath....?

 Waiting for a bus with the Den Haag Elders

Week 6 Delft - Transfer Week! I get stay in Delft :)

Hello Everyone!

Well I can't believe it, I lasted my first transfer! Time has really flown by out here, days feel like weeks yet weeks feel like days. It seemed like yesterday I was getting dropped off at the MTC and now I am on transfer number two. Crazy. 

This past week has been another amazing week here in Delft for Elder Hulet and I. From days full of service to Elder Ballard Mission conference to good ol'missionary work! Oh and you can't forget the big basketball and Ping pong P-day tournaments. Always a good time.

Monday:

After P-day today we had jofos at the church (youngmen\women type thing) and on our way back from that Elder Hulet and I were making some goals we wanted to accomplish for the week and one of them was more member present lessons. To say the least, we had a little tender mercy and it was so cool. We get off the train and are walking through the Centrum when Dan Perscheir walks by and stops us and talks with us. And one of the first things he said is "Hey is there anytime I could come joint teach with you guys, you need to call me more often I know i'm busy but its worth a shot!"  Like how cool is that, such a cool little miracle if you ask me.

Tuesday:

A nice long morning of contacting this morning. But after some leker contacting The Romigs (senior couple in our area) dropped by to do an apartment check. Mom, Dad, you better be listening to this one. They told us that we had the cleanest apartment that they had seen by far! So we to say the least we were pretty proud of ourselves. :) Tonight we had a lesson with our less active member Tom and we decided to take Bro. Monte with us. Best idea that we ever had. So I think I have already told you this but Tom is not all the way there he has some memory loss and during the lesson Bro. Monte was just throwing it down like a champ on him. Invited him to the Elder Ballard Conference and all, He is such a stud, nicest guy you'll ever meet!

Wednesday:

Ths afternoon we went over to Michas and helped him out in his little garden for a little bit and then talked about the Book Of Mormon. Actally super cool experince. He had a lot of questions and we were able to find the answers to almost all in the scriptures and give back a powerful answer. That was such a testimony builder for me personally just seeing the power behind the Book Of Mormon. A very spiritaual lesson with him. He is finally starting to soften up and listen and try after being an investigator for like 8 months I think. So cool to watch that happen right in front of me. I also finally got to meet our investigator Qian, he is a young Asain kid studying here at TU Delft. Soo so positive and sincere. He is going to be one we try and set a Baptisamal date sometime in the near future. Oh and tonight we made some good old American pigs in a Blanket! Yumm.  

Thursday:

Mission Conference day!!!! So today we had our mission conference with Elder Ballard, Elder Dyches and Elder Halstrom. Definetly a day that I think changed my mission for me and a lot of other people. Definetly one of the most spiritual days of my mission! The power behind the voice of an Apostle of the Lord is absolutely amazing. He taught us so many things on how to become not only better missionaries but better children of God. And said some things that really impacted a lot of missionaries. He also made a big announcement for our mission. So about a 3 months ago a ward mission leader found out a way to use social media to our advantage. The Netherlands is one of the biggest if not the biggest social media countries. And because of the HUGE success this mission saw from that we are now becoming an ipad mission which is pretty cool. I really do think that is going to change how successful this place is after hearing all of the reasoning behing it from Elder Ballard and the others. But tonight we also had another confernce for the stake I am serving in with Elder Ballard. Yet another amazing few hours of listening to these powerful speakers. We had a few people come with us and went out saying that "That man is a servant of God and this is the true gospel." How much more of a miracle could you ask for? So thankful for that experience. It was also super fun getting to know a whole lot of the other missionaries today, we have some pretty amazing people out here. Oh and guess what there are two Elder Parrs!! Just watch we are going to be companions, that would be hilarious:)

Friday:

Today was a rather busy day but a different kind of busy. We had some coralation this morning, best Ward mission leader ever! And then it was a less active members birthday and he invited the Elders in the ward over to celebrate. So nice, its always nice to just have a little time to relax and have fun. And can I say this Surinamer  knew how to have fun and cook. So of course it was a good time!

Saturday:

A day full of service! This morning all 6 Elders and the 2 sisters all did service for a family here. We pretty much remodeled their house 100% (they sure had a lot of trust in us missionaries) I mean from repainting the whole thing to rearranging bedrooms and cabinets all that good stuff. But it was such a fun time just seeing the smiles on their faces as they saw there house coming together. Always a good feeling. And then later tonight we got inivited by Micha to go over with him to help Mica one of his friends with her alotment garden and then have dinner. He has never invited the missionaries to do something like this before or to feed us so that was cool! So after service Mica made some homemade Italian pizza (Best meal I have had since I have been out here) and just sat and talked with us. So the whole time she was saying she had no interest in religion and then towards the end started asking all of these questions about what we believe in and showing a ton of interest. Like how cool is that? Well then Micha, Elder Hulet and I did another pepper eating challenge, and can I say I am never doing one again. These things were hot for a solid hour. But I am offically the pepper eating champion, last one to eat or drink something. So that was an accomplishment. :p

Sunday:

A day of simple little miracles! After church a lady named Maria came and asked Elder Hulet and I if we would help with some blessings. So of course we said yes. The first three were some of her friends and their kids and a member did that. Then it was her turn, she looked at me and Hulet and asked if we would do the blessing. She asked him to do the anointing and me the sealing and blessing. First thought in my head was I have never given a blessing I don't know if I can do this. But of course I said yes. Well that was probably one of the coolest things that I have ever done, I honestly felt like I was literally being told what to say as I gave this blessing. A very powerful and spiritual experience. Well when we were done she asked if I could take a picture with her because she wanted to remember this memory. Probably the coolest feeling ever seeing that all happen and being able to be a part of it. Just made me want to that much more always be worthy for the priesthood! Then tonight we recieved a referral so and we were going to look him up. Well we went to the wrong address but ended up in an area right by a less active African women named Estella. She let us in and her friend was there. We ended up giving her friend a Book Of Mormon and having a powerful lesson. We were meant to get lost. We walked out the door and this referral called us. We went over to his house and met him. His name is Josh and he is from Gana africa. We gave the entire first lesson and I have never seen someone have so much desire to learn more about the gospel. He told us he has been sad everyday for the past 3 years and then after our lesson was the first time he has been happy in that long. One of the most spiritual moments on my mission. He is a GOLDEN investigator sooo excited to see what happens with him. So yeah to me this was a day full of miracles! and the best way to finish off a good week!

So thats my week for ya. Sorry for the long email just had a lot to say this week. Thank you all for everything you do and all the support! I hope you have a great week! The Chruch Is True!!

Love, Elder Parr

#ReturnWithHonor

   

Week 5 Delft - Hallo Family

Hallo!

Delft, Netherlands

Hello everybody! Another fantastic week here in Delft! Many more memories made, miracles and just good times. The work here is finally starting to get back up and moving, we have all of our investigators back from there like 3 month long vacations. I guess thats common over here in Europe. So yeah, thats exciting news. Transfer calls are already here pretty much, and thats insane I feel like I just barely got here. But I really hope that I stay here in Delft with Elder Hulet, we just get along so well and are doing some good things here. 

Here are some of the things that happened this week.

Tuesday:

Exchanges with Elder Yocom round two! So today was district meeting for us and lucky me got put in charge of teaching the Christlike attribute for the week! That was fun, and a good experience. But after that Elder Yocom and I headed off to Delf. Yup no Elder Hulet, I was the man in charge of Delft for the day. That was a little frightening at first because I had only been here for a couple weeks and still not sure where most things are. But by some miracle we didn't get lost. We had a cool little miracle though, so after our lookups we had nothing else to do so we were going to contact of course. We walk out the door and the mailman is there and stops us as we are riding off and tells us that he wants to meet with us, gave us his information and an appointment for next sunday so thats exciting. And one more, we were just about to head home because it was getting late, but we decide to know 4 more doors. And the 3rd door that we knocked we got ourselves a 17 year old investigator named Miguel. This kid is sooo positive and really love the Elders and he made an appointment with us on the spot the next day. Such a stud. That was really cool miracle. We then had a nice dinner appointment on the other end of Delft were i have never been so we were bound to get lost, But just our luck a member who lived in the area pulled up on his bike and showed us the way. Like how lucky can we get. I just love seeing all of the little tender mercies from the Lord in my everyday life. Even the small ones are big!

Wednesday:

Well this afternoon Mich came over to our appartment(permission of course) and helped us make a garden on our Balcony! Yeah, how cool is that? I mean its nothing fancy but hey we got ourselves a garden. After that we went and taught Miguel the first lesson. That was such a cool experience and the spirit was so strong. Half the time I had no idea what i was saying but yet he understood me. The gift of tounges is real! But Miguel is really positive and we are hoping to set a baptism date with him next lesson. So thats exciting! We also got Brother Monte to come to Elder Ballard thing with us thurday night so thats exciting.

Thursdaÿ:
A whole lot of doors and not even one potential. Long morning, but hey thats sometimes how it goes I guess. But luckily for us after a long morning we got our first referal so that was awesome. Went and looked him up, he was really busy at the moment but said we could come back so lets hope that goes somewhere. We had a lesson with Gek-a- Tom tonight, an old man with memory loss, less active member. He is so funny though always a good laugh with him.

Friday:

When service calls we come running! Haha, so bright and early this morning we got a call saying that a member had to be moved out of his house by 3 today. So of course we got the misionaries in the area and took off. And can I say I have never seen a house come apart so fast in my life. And get this didn't even break anything, look at us go haha.

Saturday:

The tradition "SUPER STROOPWAFFEL SATURDAY" I seriously love that part about saturdays, always a good start of the day. But today we had Choir practice with the ward for Elder Ballard and that was probably the most progress we have made, by some miracle a not so skilled choir pulled off and 8 part song. So cool. We met with one of our asain investigators who is back from vacationi Qian and he is still super positive and wants to get baptized so we are going to try and set a date with him some time soon too:) I am loving this.

Sunday:

Packed church for the Netherlands standards. So there was a mission farewell today and holy cow i have never seen so many people in such a small chapel. It was easily the size of my home ward. That was super cool to see so many members come from all over Netherlands to support this Sister. It was a good day at church today. And guess what, once again I let elder Hulet cut my hair. Call me crazy but I did. Although this time I got my revenge and got to cut his. But somehow we both turned out alright. Good times. I love Elder Hulet.

Well thats about all. I hope all of you have a wonderful week. And thanks for all that you do for us missionaries and all of the the lessons that you have taught us to prepare us for not only our mission but life. Love you all!

Love Elder Parr

#ReturnWithHonor

The Windmills are everywhere it is so awesome.

One of the many cheese stores here in Delft

The canal's between the cobblestone sidewalks.

The buildings and houses are so antique looking.

Our puzzle that one of the members gave us.

My turn...haha smile Elder Hulet

Looks Yummy!

Week 4 - Delft - "Hallo"

Hello Everybody,

 

I Hope all is going well for all of you back at home. This week has been another really good and crazy week. I got to go on a couple fun exchanges and meet some new people which was awesome. Had a couple of things thrown at us very last minute but hey we are missionaries that's what we are here for right? However I have continued to learn a lot this week both spiritually and as well with the language. It just gets better and better.

Tuesday:

I had exchanges in Zoetemeer again but this time with Elder Frisby a two year convert to the church who is almost exactly 6 years older than me. Crazy right? It's cool our group that came out was the very first group of 2014 graduates so I am not only the baby of the mission field but also one of the youngest. So in Zoetemeer as we were contacting doors we were about an hour in and an Arabic member there saw us and invited us in. He was super cool and fed us probably the weirdest "cookie" I have ever had. It was like a cresant thingy with who know what in the inside. He said it was an arabic cookie, so doing what missionaries do I ate the whole thing, even though the whole time I though that I was going to die.  But hey I didn't . :) We also had an appointment with a less active family in that area and got to teach them. As we taught them the spirit was so strong and I guess he had opened up more then he has ever in the past.  He said that this time there was a different feeling than normal, a good one. For the first time in a while he said that he finally felt peace, from the answers that us two young boys had given him about some things that were troubling him. That was a miracle. There is no way that that was me and Elder Frisbee who made him have a change of heart ,we were not there alone, I know that. This work truly is so amazing, and you learn and grow so much from such simple little things.

 

Wednesday:

Today I had my first Zone Conference, so much fun. I got to meet a whole lot of missionaries and become friends with them which was awesome. President and Sister Robinson taught most of the time. Can I just say that they are so meant for this mission and are so inspired. It's incredible the spirit that can come to a room full of Missionaries learning how to become better. Not only are they awesome spiritually but they sure have a sense of humor! Love them. Later that evening after Conference Elder Hulet and I had an appointment with two less active members. It was fun sharing with them the sacredness and blessings of the temple, and they want to get their recomends so they can go again, so if they do Elder Hulet and I can go with them! So I am crossing my fingers because that would be so cool!

 

Thursday:

Today I went on exchanges with Elder Moomey one of our Zone Leaders. So I got to live the ZL life for a day. And lets just say its crazy and you never know what is going to happen. We were on our way to an appointment when the Almeria Elders called and said they had locked themselves out. So of course its the ZL's responsibility so off we went on a 1 1\2 road trip both ways. That kind of was different because we weren't able to get a whole lot of actual mission work in but it was a good experience to see what the ZL's do.  BI got to know Elder Moomey so much better and that was cool. I really love that kid, great example. But Luckily we were able to make it back in time to contact at least a little bit and make it to our dinner appointment. We ate with  a young couple,  Jouplin and Rachell and their little boy Noah. They are so awesome. It was fun talking to Rachell because she was born and lived in Arizona most here life and went to St.George alot so that was cool to talk to her. Awesome nice family.

 

Friday:

Finally a day back in Delft! Well at least for the most part. So this morning me and Elder Hulet took our nice 45 minute journey to Den Haag for corilation and then found out it was canceled right when we got there. So we decided to go and eat with the Den Haag elders which ended up being super fun. We probably looked like idiots trying to Achterroep on the bikes the whole way there. But we got a good laugh out of it :)  The rest of the day consisted of a whole lot of bell ups door knocking and street contacting. But we did have another dinner appointed with the Perschier family Jr. and I was asked to do the Spiritual desert. So earlier that day I had found the scripture that I wanted to share but when the time came I felt prompted to switch it to one that was hanging on my wall Mathew 11: 28-30. That was a cool cool ecperience for me it turned out that was exactly what they needed to hear and they both got emotional as they told us the reason on why that was what they needed. Yet again another simple little thing that can be so powerful and such a strong testimony builder. Oh and we found a 600 piece puzzle of the nice Utah red rocks so we bought it and our building it in our apartment, so much fun!

 

Saturday:

One frustrating morning...so this morning we had choir practice for all of the tenors in the ward choir for Elder Ballard. And it got heated, four people where all trying to tell eachother what to do and be the boss. And obviously that never works out. So after that i was pretty frustrated and such so luckily it was "Super Stroop Waffle Saturday". We went down to the market and got our lecker stroop waffels and all was better, those things work miracles. :p So we met a family from Srilanka today and got to teach them (English finally so I could understand everything!) But that was a really cool lesson and they love the idea of this gospel and have invited us back so looks like we got ourselves a new investigator. :) All of the missionaries (in our district of course)  ate together at the church tonight which was fun. Elder Lee made some Chinese Kurie (if thats how you spell it) so that was interesting I have never had that before but it was good. Then we went to look up someone who seemed really positive well ended up he gave us a false address...that wasn't fun.

 

Sunday:

Woke up this morning got to church to find out that Elder Hulet and I were going to be teaching a lesson to the 16-18 year old class about missions. So that was a shock to us but of course we said yes and did it. This was actually a huge confidence booster for me because we had to teach a 45 minute lesson in Dutch and guess what? At the end the kids said that they actually understood everything that I said. I didn't even realize it at the time but I understood them the whole time as well. It's crazy how much the Lord blesses his missionaries, because there is no way I could be to where I am with the Language without him. The Gift Of Tounges is REAL!

 

Well that is all for this week. I look forward to talking to you all agian in the week to come. I hope you all have a fantastic week and keep the Lord in your hearts. I love you all, you really are all great and I thank you for the friends, leader and examples that you have been to me. Thank for the support and everything that you all do. Till next time.

 

Elder Josh Parr

#ReturnWithHonor

We decided to math today haha :) Love these two Elders.

It won't be long until I sleep on the trains too!  It's all still a new adventure to me :)

Warrior Strong

Got a light rain coat for those times when it's blue skies and then decides to down pour.

Exchanges with Elder Denpai.  Love him he is so cool!

Loved this video - these two eating these hot peppers from their plant a member gave them.
Way to be tough Elders!

Week 3 Delft - Goede Dag iedereen!

Hello hello:)

 

Wow what a week! Time is flying by here in Delft, I cant believe I am already half way done with the first transfer of my mission. It seems like I just barely left. But I am loving every second of it and am learning and growing so much each day its incredible. This short two months that I have been gone I have changed so much for the better. It really is amazing how just putting more time and effort into this gospel how big of a change you can have. This really is the true gospel and I know it. Well this week has been super good, got a lot accomplished and had fun doing it.

 

       Cool opportunity for us Elders and Sister in our district this week. The Den Haag ward and Zoetemeer ward (both in our district) are the two biggest in the Netherlands. And so in September we have Elder Ballard coming and giving us a mission conference, super exciting. But he is also speaking in our stake. So we were all asked to be in a special choir for Elder Ballard. (singing in dutch of course and one English song:) which is so much fun. I have gotten to know so many of the ward members that much better and just grown to love this ward. So I am super excited about that, It'll be such a fun experience.

 

 Elder Hulet and I did a TON of contacting a few days this week, but it was so much fun. We talked to so many people. So we made a goal to try and share our testimony with every single person that we talk to. That has been so cool and spritiual for me. Well we actually didnt find any single solid Investigator this week but we found a few potentials. Eventhough we didn't find anyone it was still awesome just at least being able to bare our testimonies to them. Cause No one can take away what I know to be true!

 

Belgium! So this week I got to go down to Belgium with all of the MTC buddies again to get our visa there. That was a long but fun trip. It took pretty much all day but it was good. Imagine this.....8 Missionaries in a nice big van all rocking out to MOTAB for a solid 3 hour drive. Yeah fun right? lol. No It was a good time and fun to see everyone again. But might I add I am glad I am not in Belgium right now because... FLAMS is hard to understand! They sound so weird. So to say the least I lucked out. :)

 

 We had a few good lessons this week as well. But nothing to crazy, just the 1st lesson and they seemed to think it was interesting so crossing my fingers. But one man Micha who has been an investigator for like 8 months now and such who just really loves the missionaries and his relationship with them finally is going to let us start teaching him full lessons again and not just stop by and say Hi type of thing. That was a true miracle because he has had no interest in the lessons for a while. I'm excited to see how it goes! I know that this gospel can make him that much better so this will be a good experience.

 

Well the super stroop waffles are still amazing and the people are still crazy, but i love them. The work is still hard and there are still times that aren't fun. But the good weighs out the bad 10000x. This work has changed me already, and I couldn't be anymore grateful for it. This gospel is true, and a blessing for each of us, the power of prayer is real, our Heavenly Father And Jesus Christ love us very much and are ALWAYS there for us. That's amazing to me. And We are blessed to know that for ourselves, and cherish that.

 

Well I love you all and I hope all is going well back at home. Thank you for the letters\emails and all of the love and support. Hope you guys all have an another amazing week. Your the best. The church is true!!!!

 

Love Elder Parr 

#ReturnWithHonor

Double Rainbow in Delft

Week 2 -Heel goede week en ook dag 54 op mijn zending!

The Hague Temple in the Netherlands and one good looking Elder Parr.

Check out my sweet ride.

Hallo eidereen,

 

First things first you are all great and thanks for the emails I love them! It's crazy how much you look forward to emails and letter out here. Oh and guess what here in the wonderful land of Europe people are CRAZY! 1st: there is NO FREE WATER and No Ice! Yes that is terrible but it's okay thats what the sink is for right? 2nd: we all decided that the weather here hates us, one the wind always in in our face no matter which way we go, so we decided it blew straight down! and also the only times it rains is when we are outside. The second we get to the homes and such it stops. Fantastic right? 4th: The biking city....its so funny we always see super old couples on dates riding Mopeds tgether and stuff its great! and also the kids are like "ya I'll bike over and pick ya up you can sit on the back"I love it, it's hilarious. 5th: People here have parties in the Centrum like everyday! There are hundreds of people from ages 12-80 its great. They all jam out to music and drink. Fun right? You should see the looks we get when we have to walk though there.  Welcome to the Netherlands I guess. Oh and Mom and Dad guess what there hasn't been a dish in our sink since I have gotten here! Thought you would be proud. :) 

Here are some of the highlights of my week.

Monday:

First P-day went awesome! Had a fun district sleep over (with the elder) at the Den Haag apartment. But we played soccer bright and early with a bunch of the members here in our ward. And can I say they are soooo GOOD! They make all of us look like idiots, it's not fair. This place is like known for soccer! Fields in every neighborhood. But one play I was sprinting to catch up to this guy Nathan and couldn't stop and totally ran him over... Everyone was dying and said "Hey elder..Wron Futbul man" Yea I got crap the rest of the day. Love those guys. And also shopping here is so different Nothing looks the same and I cant read it so Half the time I don't even know what we get.

 

Tuesday:

What a day..this was probably one of the hardest days since I have been out to be honest. But before I go there I had my first district meeting and that was awesome. Elder Yocum Is our DL and he's from Kaysville and is an absolute stud. But after that we have language lesson from this old dutch women. Yeah she got mad at me for not standing when I said my prayer and that it wasn't in perfect grammar. That kind of put a damper on my day to say the least. Then contacting we got plenty of doors slammed in our faces. Yeah there are some mean people in the world. We were getting pretty down and sad after knocking forever and not getting anyone so we decided to say a quick prayer. And like no joke 30 seconds after one of the guys who slammed the door but took our card like 5 minutes earlier came running out saying he looked up the website and wanted to know more! That was a true Miracle to me! We got his number and stuff so lets hope that goes somewhere!

 

Wednesday:

Awesome day! So last night Eder Hulet and I were praying for a street to contact this morning and we came up with one. This morning the very first door that we knocked let us in and and we taught him about the restoration and he is now an investigator!! We are going back to teach him this week, so cool. And every door but one or two on that street at least gave us the time of day and talked to us so that was amazing. True miracle...the power of prayer and having faith is seriously the greatest thing ever, keeps me going! We also had a dinner appointment with the Perschier family.  A young couple in the ward and awesome family. The Husband Dan is a returned missionary and he goes on splits with us a lot so thats fantastic! Oh and today one of our investigators called us to come over and he gave us a bunch of pepper plants. He's the nicest guy ever, excited to see his future.

Thursday:

Today we did "real"missionary work all day. Had zero appointments so we did doors, street contacting and look up's all day long. But we did find 3 potentials so thats exciting:)

 

Friday:

Exchanges! Well today i was in Zoetemeer with Elder Yocum. We got to teach an investigator the second lesson and then he let me invite her to be baptized! At first she said no not yet I  am not ready and was really unsure. So he Yocum leaned over and said Testify. So thats exactly what I did and told her why we need to be baptized and the blessing that come from it. Such a powerful spirit...well she did say she would! But not the date they wanted...still that was probably one of the most powerful moments so so cool. I love this work just being out here trying my best to help people, its incredible. This gospel truly is amazing and such a blessing. We are all so lucky be apart...Live it, Love it and share it!

 

Saturday:

Elder Hulet and I  Made some amazing homemade Pizza and Banana bread. Yeah you can call us Master Chefs alright! Oh Wait we did find a new investigator tonight as well and that was incredible.  2 in the last 3 days we are on a role:)

Sunday:

Well second day of Dutch church. And it was packed today! There was a Homecoming in the ward so there were a good 150 people ther. Felt like I was in Utah again except  I could still only understand half of the meeting. So church was a wholel lot better this week which was good. And tonight me and Elder Hulet totally remodeled all of our apartment its looking great.

Nice and clean remodeled apartment

Monday:

Spent pretty much the whole day in Leiden doing visa stuff so no p-day. And then we played some soccer with ward members and people who were already at the park. First off I get schooled by like 10 year olds and then a bunch of like 60 year olds. It's just not fair everyone is just so good at soccer in this country!

 

This week has been absolutely amazing. Loving it. Learning more and more each day and coming closer to my Savior. This gospel is so true and I can not deny it, I'm so thankful O am able to be out here in Delft gathering the lost sheep. I love you all and thanks for everything. I hope all is going great back at home. Have a good week!

 

#ReturnWithHonor

 Love Elder Joshua Parr