Week 12 Delft - We got to go to the Temple :) The Hague

Hello Everyone,

I don't even know where to begin, this week has been so good. We got to go the the Temple and do it all in Dutch, had a near death experience, hilarious challenges and the best food ever. Such a solid week for Elder Lee and I. 

The weather is starting to get nice and cold, people are pulling out the gloves and scarfs. But its weird here because one hour it will be FREEZING cold and then the next its sunny then right back to rainy. You got to love it though. So here is my week for you. And before I begin I am sorry for the spelling errors trying to type as fast as I can always doesn't work out the best I guess haha.

Monday:

Not a whole lot today, beside the 6 Elders in our ward played the craziest game of indoor soccer in the church. Get this, instead of basketball hoops like the US in the Netherlands the churches have indoor soccer. So much fun though. Also I let Elder Lee cut my hair tonight.....One of these times a companion is gonna mess up but for now I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Tuesday:

Today was a good solid day. Started off the day with knocking doors for a good hour in POURING rain. Yeah we were hoping people would let us in, but that didn't work unfortunately. But we had an amazing lesson with Josh this afternoon, we went through the restoration again and cleared it up a little. We didn't think he quite understood it fully. And can I say best idea ever. He totally gets it now. Strongest spirit ever. Well tonight we had a dinner appointment with the Prosman's. But this time Elder Lee and I cooked. They bought the stuff and we did the cooking. They said that was the first time missionaries have ever cooked for them and they have had them over the last 24 years! Yeah they love us:) and thought that we cooked the best meal ever. A orange chicken, rice, chow mein and that kind of stuff type of meal. Also might I add thanks to Elder Lee I know how to cook some pretty legit meals. So dad game on when I get home;) And we also did the coolest spiritual thought for them. Made two big 24 piece puzzles of Christ and did a game. They had to answer questions to get a puzzle piece and whichever team finished first one. They loved it. Getting brownie points because they said we are invited whenever for dinner! Tonight we had a couple of Elders stay in out apartment for temple conference on Wednesday.  So much fun!

Wednesday:

Best day ever!!! So this morning we got to go to the Temple, coolest experience ever! Seriously one of the most spiritual moments of my mission without a doubt. And doing it in another language was incredible. I love the temple and the spirit that's there. It really is a house of God and so amazing! The things that you can learn there and so cool. I loved every single second of the Temple and am so glad that we got to go! After the temple we had conference and it was also so good. Super fun being with everyone again and seeing the Old MTC buddies. We had a lesson tonight with two young college students that we found and they were both pretty cool. Super nice guys and were very sincere as well. They said if they receive the answer we promised them as they read the Book of Mormon this is something that they would love to do. Excited to see how everything goes with those two. Today was just a solid day!

Thursday:

Today was one of the funniest days of my life! So the ZL's came to Delft today for splits and it was great. Elder Bitter and I and Elder Lee and Moomey. Thursday is a total contacting day in Delft every week so with four of us here we were doing work! We found 8 good potentials and gave out soooooo many cards. It was super funny actually so we all met up in the Centrum square and said we had 20 minutes to give out as many cards and book of Mormons as we could and whoever won didn't have to cook tonight. Me and Elder Bitter destroyed it! We passed out all 38 of our cards in 15 minutes and a Book of Mormon. You should of seen us stopping literally every person. So funny! 

Now for the near death experience.....so Elder Bitter and I were cycling back from Bell ups and just going along the bike path when we came to an intersection were normally the cars have to stop for the bikes. Well we look and saw it was a bus thinking okay it has to stop just like the cars so we kept on riding. Yeah the bus didn't stop and it literally hit the bags on the back of my bike it got so close! The scariest moment of my life. We are definitely being watched out for!

Friday:

Today we had a Language lesson with Josh. He want us to help teach him Dutch so we said we would. Seriously the greatest thing ever. I freaking love josh he is so funny and the nicest guy ever. But the best part of the less was what followed the Joseph Smith Restoration video. So before we started it we promised him that he would feel the Holy Ghost. When the video came to an end Elder Lee was talking for about 5 minutes then looked at me. Well I had the strongest impression to tell him that he just got an answer. I asked him what he felt and he told me. Then the words just flowed out of my mouth telling him that that was the answer he had been waiting for. That Heavenly Father was proud of him and wants him to do this, that he is there for him and very aware of him. I haven't had such a powerful testimony. Josh teared up and said thanks and told us he knows this is true and wants to do it. Seriously the coolest moment ever!

Saturday:

There was a baptism at the church today which was super great. Always a good time of course! Had a great lesson with Estella getting here ready for the temple this coming Thursday! So excited cant wait for that, gonna be something I will never forget! Not a whole lot today because of weekly planning but still just a good fun day:)

Sunday:

Such a good Sunday! We have Josh and 4 less actives in church today! So that was great for us. On of the less actives we had hadn't been to church in the last 7+ years and now he said he wants to start coming every Sunday! I love seeing people change and coming back to church. The best feeling ever. We met up with some of the potential that we found on Thursday and they all become new investigator! We got 5 this week! I am loving it. But tonight we had a lesson with a couple John and Maria and the are HILARIOUS. Maria is from the Philippians and John is Dutch and they are the funniest and nicest people ever. I am hoping that we can make something happen with them!

Well thanks everyone for the love and support that you give us missionaries! You are all the best. Have and amazing week and remember The Church is true!

Love,

Elder Parr

#ReturnWithHonor

Elder Lee and I 

My new European suit :)  

I have such a handsome missionary.  Love mom :)

Week 11 Delft - Its official everyone I am a true Dutchy!

Hello Everyone,

I don't even know where to begin this week has been so crazy. Rain storms, missed trains, new companion, Chinese and so much more! I just love my mission more and more everyday. The Netherlands is where I am meant to be. The people are hilarious, the weather is unpredictable and the gospel is spreading! Love it. Here is my week for you all...

Monday:

Today was my last P-day with Elder Hulet which was kinda sad to be honest. We sure grew close to each other and made some good Memories. Noting to crazy happened today but tonight at Gezins Avond one of the Jofo's tried to teach us all a dance and it was the greatest thing ever. Just picture 8 missionaries and a bunch of young adults trying to do some high school musical type dance, we all looked so uncoordinated it was great!

Tuesday:

Today was a day to remember that's for sure. So it was my last District meeting with Elder Yocom and it was sooo good but the best part is what followed. For about the past 3 weeks I have been trying to get the District to eat haring and have been messing with Elder and Sister Roming and jokingly said today is the day after district meeting....well yeah it actually happened. It was probably the most disgusting thing that I have eaten and of course since I was the one who made everyone do it they all made sure that I ate the entire fish. I will attach the video so you all can see for yourself...enjoy :) But non the less it was worth it for the memory and the picture! And I officially became a true Dutchy!  (This is common for people to eat in Netherlands) Tonight we were just saying goodbye to people for Hulet and then we ran by Josh's and he ended up being home. So we got in and he made us some African soup....really interesting as well but it was so good. The spirit was right so we decided to shoot for a baptismal date and we got one! December 20th a while away but non the less it was amazing. Love that man!  Today was my last night with Hulet so we stayed up nice and late sharing stories and memories and such, I sure did get blessed with a great trainer. Sad to see him go but Elder Lee is great too.

Wednesday:

This morning I sent Hulet off to Hangalo and picked up Elder Lee. Not a whole lot happened after that because he had to get all his stuff settled in and such. But hey guess what I can officially speak some Chinese already. He taught me how to stop someone on the street in Mandarin  and also how to say the churches name. I still remember it so Its official I am part Chinese :p

Thursday:

First full day with Elder Lee was fantastic. But hey mom guess what we ran 4 miles this morning and we averaged a 5:35 second mile. I thought you would be proud that I am still exercising every day:) But today we did a lot of contacting and I never noticed how many Asians were in Delft Until Lee came. I love it. We got so many great potentials today it was great. Met the nicest African Lady ever and had a little miracle too. So we were biking to an appointment and were stopped at a light with a guy next to us. Decided to say hey and it turns out it was one of Josh's best friends who came with him form Ghana and said we could come and teach him. So cool right? The Lord sure works in mysterious ways!

Friday:

95% of today was spent in Den Haag, which was fun. We had correlation and then did some contacting here because Elder Lee had Chinese lessons to give later. And I decide that I would jump in and learn some Chinese. Its great so funny though. Tom when we get home I'll be speaking to you in Chinese just you wait haha. But tonight there was a birthday party for some less actives and Elder Lee and I cooked and it turned out so good! Everyone loved it. And we played some werewolf because everyone here absolutely loves that game. Its actually super fun though I love it!

Saturday:

First off the Super stroop waffel Saturday tradition lives on! Always the best way to start of the day. Can't beat a nice stoop waffel that's cooked right in front of you in the streets of Delf, to good! We had a lesson with Alice, the super nice African lady we met, and it was so funny. This women is like 58 years old and is the most lively person in the world. Had the funniest laugh that I have ever heard and the best sense of humor! We walk in and there was food for us, right after we just ate lunch haha, but it was good. Then we had a super powerful restoration lesson with her. Its amazing how without fail the spirit always comes when we bear testimony of the truthfulness of the restoration, its a testimony builder to me every time! Then we had a lesson with a Less active named Grace. She is from the Philippians and is also super nice and hilarious. Oh and guess what she made a ton of food for us too. How we finished all this food today I have no idea, some miracle I guess. Because every bite I took I thought i was going to die and the second my plate was clear she just put more on. Luckily it was good! Then we had to HAUL to Joshes to make it to a lesson with him that was amazing as well. He is such a good investigator love him. Then tonight there was another baptism for Americo the father of the girl who got baptized last week. That was super good as well of course. Its so great seeing people make that step and the the light that just fills them when they finally do! The gospel is so true!

Sunday:

Really good day today. Josh came to church again and that was great. I love it, he just stands at the door with us and greets all the members as they walk in like we do. He is making so many friends its great! He loved church again and is just golden! Tonight we had dinner with the bishop and his family and that was fun as always. But later we got home a little early before our appointment so we decided to look up one of our investigators Qian and he usually doesn't let us in because he is so busy then Elder Lee went all Chinese on him and I tried to go all Chinese on him (I am sure you know how that went) and he let us right in! We were able to have a solid lesson with him and he invited us back again. Its cool he is now making time for us. Really exciting. After Qian we had a lesson with Estella and that was so great! So we reactivated Estella and now have a date set for October 23rd to go through the temple with her and get her endowments out!!!!!! I seriously can not wait to go, I am so glad she made the step finally I already know its going to be an amazing experience.

Well there is my week for you all in a nut shell. I am loving my mission so much. And its crazy there were a couple days this week that were just one of those days you know not the best. But then we just went out and got to work and before I knew it I was having the time of my life. Really just made me think of President Hickelys quote "Lose yourself and go to work" its amazing how true that statement is. I never saw it before my mission but now I have a solid testimony of it! Love you all and thanks for the love and the support! You are all the best. Have an amazing week and remember The Church is True!

Westvest 77

2611 AZ Delft, Netherlands

Love, Elder Parr

#ReturnWithHonor 

 

Week 10 Delft - Expect the Unexpected

Hello Everyone,

This week has been crazy, from spiritual highs to unexpected news, to days full of knocking doors to only lessons, from sunshine to pouring rain and from plently of trains to none. That probably says a little about my week. This week has truly been another fantastic one non the less. So happy that I can be a part of Gods army in the GREATEST mission in the world. Sorry everyone but you just can't beat the Netherlands;) Well here is my week for you.

Tuesday:

Probably one of the funnest days of the mission. So since last Monday was interview with President we took our P-day today. And it was amazing. Elder Hulet, Elder Lee, Elder Denpai, Elder and Sister Romig and I all went to a place called Madurodom. It's a minit of all of the huge sight seeing places all over the country. We got to see everything in miniature form. This place was so incredibly detailed we were all blown away and probably took like 5,000 pictures. So I am going to have one happy mom:) But after our adventure through the mini city we all ate at a KFC, that's right good ol' American food! It was amazing to say the least. Then tonight we had a lesson with Sarab which was actually more of a review but went super well! She was super open to us and we could see the want she had to believe what we were telling her. She just said it's hard to let go of everything she has been born and raised with. Which obviously makes sense. But she is getting to were she can finally make that step to let it go and believe. That was amazing for me to see. It's amazing how two young men with the spirit can change someones whole life because of this wonderful Gospel and His beautiful plan. Really cool to see happen. Funny story, we were out on the street contacting and ran into two BYU professors on the streets of Delft. It was awesome talking to them two awesome men!

Wednesday:

First day of October baby!! Its crazy how fast time is going out here, already love it! Funny story so Broeder De Jonge called us and the Den Haag elders today and asked if we could help him move some stuff. So we go over in our missionary clothes thinking its not gonna be anything to big. Well we show up and there are ten 150 Kilo stone squares that he needed move. Holy cow they were so heavy to say the least. But it was funny when we all got done all of our white shirts were just covered in black dust and sand. We looked like true misisonaries. super funny. Then we had to go straight to the scherfs for dinner with them and the Romigs. They just made fun of us and our black white shirts haha. I love the Scherfs they are great!

Thursday:

A good solid morning we were able to give out two Book of Mormons so that was exciting. And tonight we brought Josh to institute and he LOVED It. I love working with Josh he is seriously the coolest guy! It was cool having him there and watching him meet so many members and build friendships with them. Super important as I am sure you all know, member missionaries helps us missionaries out in the field have great success.

Friday:

Today I was on exchanges with Elder Ames for Idaho. It was awesome. A entire day of all sorts of contacting and pretty dang successfull. Gave out three book Of Mormons and tons of cards. Got some good potentials, which was awesome! Had two 40 minute lessons in the street. Never had that happen before, so that was really fun actually! Oh and also today marked day 100!! crazy:) I love my mission so much, sure lucked out on the greatest place. Learning and growing more then I ever thought I would. Ever so grateful for this oppurtuntiy to serve with all of my other Brothers all around the world!

Saturday:

The day of many emotions! Today started off amazing we picked up our investigator Josh and took him to a Baptism. Illyza one of the ZL's investigators got baptized today and that was soo so cool. It was amazing seeing people make that step. And when the ordinance actually happened there was one of the strongest spirits ever, it was undeniable. Josh loved it so much and wants to eventually make that same step! I am excited to help him eventually do just that. After the baptism came the unexpected news...So in our mission the office elders transfer is 3 weeks into the transfer. Well due to that our whole district changed. Elder Yocom my old district leader is now an office elder. Elder Hulet my comp. and the best trainer ever is heading to Hangalo on Wednesday. I am sure going to miss him he was such a great guy and we have had some amazing times!  I am excited at the same time Elder Lee the chinnese Elder in Den Haag is now coming to Delft to serve with me! The change is crazy but I know that its what is supposed to happen. So of course I'm gonna do my best to make the best out of it. Excited to see all the miracle and blessing that come with it. Tonight we all watched conference. It was different here. We got to watch Saturday night live here at 6 p.m.that's all we watched on Saturday. Also Elder Hulet and I became the first missionaries ever to eat at the Scherf's house two times in one day. They just love us I guess;)

Sunday:

Full day of General Conference:) This morning was the priesthood session at 11 and before all the Brothers of the ward had a big breakfast at the church which was awesome! The priesthood session was absolutely incredible I thought. It was definitely different not being with my dad and my Grandpas and Uncles. But also being a missionary, everything said has a different meaning to me now I am on my mission. Alot of things that I thought were really meant for me. Loved it. Then after that we watched the Saturday Afternoon session which was also amazing. And then the Sunday morning session at 6 pm here. Both of those sessions where so so good. I loved the themes of this conference, Love on another, Prophets and the sacrament. At least those are the ones I got. All of the talks were amazing but there was one part that was spiritually the most powerful to me. I think it was in elder Eyrings talk, when he told us the story about our Prophet Thomas S. Monson and when he truly walked as Jesus did. When He gave away the suits and clothes that he had with him and then it says even the shoes that were on his feet. Can't you just picture this and then President Monson walking through the airport in slippers. He loves us so much, he is an example to me, He is the living Prophet of God. No doubt about it. Really loved conference as I am sure all of you did as well!

Thats the week for yeah. Thank you all for your love and support! The Church is True, President Monson is our Prophet  Jesus Christ is our loving Savior and Redeemer, don't ever forget it:) Isn't the Gospel such a happy thing? Love it and love you all! Have an amazing week!

Love,

Elder Parr

#RetrunWithHonor

This picture is for you mom <3 you

Elder Hulet, Elder Lee (my new companion) and me making dumplings.  

Week 8 Delft - D & C 6:36 "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

Goede Dag iederen!!

This week has been so good to me, full of a variety of things and just a good solid time. It was PERFECT weather for an entire week. Yes a whole 7 days. That never happens, so that alone was fantastic hah. Had a couple cool miracles happen in the district and the mission is just on a high right now. I just feel so blessed being able to serve the Lord at this time. Couldn't be any better. Toured the beautiful city of Delft with all of the other Elders and Sisters in the area. Got to ball it up with all the members and all that good stuff. Here's some of the week:

Monday:

Just one quick little funny story to start off, so when all the district came to Delft and the time came to go home, the Den Haag elders relized they were going to be way late. So trying to be good friends we Acter roeped(Someone just sits on the back of your bike on the little rack thing)  them all the way to the other side of the centrum. So elder Hulet and I take elder Lee and Denpai and I have Denpai on the back of my bike a little suriname Elder. And just as we are going to the street to get to the station he goes "Hey lets try and ride a wheelie"and me being myself am like okay why not? Well not thinking that I have a lot more weight on the back I go for it anyway, I bet you can guess what happened. The bike flies out from under us and there lay the two Mormons laughing their heads of in the middle of the street while everyone else is laughing at us. To funny!

Tuesday:

This afternoon Hulet and I met a new LA named Brother Rombley the funniest old man on the planet. We walk in and he is just shirtless but doesn't care so that was great. Told us all about this invention of his, seriously the funnest appointment ever, but it wasn't all just fun and games no worries. We got him to really open up to us and really had the spirit there super strong. He now wants to start coming to church which is so cool. We also had another lesson with Sarah. We taught her the Plan of Salvation, a solid lesson. But a super hard lesson to teach at the same time. But luckily we had good ol'Boeder Jansen with us because he sure knows his stuff and has the Dutch down to explain it a lot better than us. But she absolutely loved the lesson, hoping to set a date for her this coming week.

Wednesday:

This was my first zone training since I have been out and it was soo good. I don't really want to ramble on and preach to you all about what was taught but just thought I would say It was amazing. The Lord loves us all and is always there for us! I know that. After zone training walking home guess what I found a weed package, like what the! Only in the Netherlands I am telling ya. It's terrible everyone here smokes.

Thursday:

This morning was great, Micha Invited us over to a place where he volunteers. And invited us to make a bunch of Pinatas for little kids. I made a good looking bird I'll be sure to put a picture of it on there. But that was a fun time. Tonight at my dinner appointment I ate some pretty weird thingsI don't know what they are called and have never seen anything like them but boy was that sure and adventure.

Friday:

Nothing to cool today, I had my last trip down to Brussels, Belgium to get my visa card which took up most of the day. But mom and dad, listen up because you are not going to believe this. Tonight at a dinner appointment guess what I ate, a bunch of chopped up sardines and veggies rolled up in a pancake. Yes I ate fish, I am overcoming my fears. Or it could be that since I am a missionary God is helping me hold down food that I would normally never eat. After that meal I got a testimony of that lol. :) Tonight we had a lesson with Arie and Estella. We just read alma 32 with him and he loved it, loves this gospel, but doesn't want to make the comittment to come to church. You see that alot here that people always say It's further then the church I go to now so i think I''ll stay at mine. Which kinda sucks. But a cool thing, Estella, a LA had a interview with the bishop and has her recommend to go and get her Endowment out now. We have got her reactivated and now its sooo cool to see her make that step. I CAN"T wait to go with her to the temple that's going to be something to remember I can already tell.

Saturday:

This morning we got to go over and be at the party thing were all of our pinatas were so that was cool to see them being used. We taught Josh the 2nd lesson and it went really well. he had a lot of questions but seems to have no trouble believing it, which is a miracle, we lucked out with him! Then tonight the ward had a huge ward party, BBQ and activities and all us missionaries were invited too. I love my ward so much they are so cool, I really lucked out with a good first ward thats for sure. Got showed up by all the Europeans in soccer again or should I say futbol, but hey they are teaching me the ways, so all you soccer players back home better watch out;)

Sunday:

Just another good fast sunday nothing to exciting happened for the most part today. Except my stomach would not stop grawling all meeting long, it was fantastic lol. I made my first phone call today were I understood everything and had a conversation that actually made sense. It was a miracle. That really built not only my confidence but my faith in the promise of the gift of tounges, I have been constaltly praying and fasting for the gift of tounges and studying the language and doing my part. And what do you know, the lord Always always keeps his promise's. So that was really cool for me to see. On last thing. so tonight walking back to our apartment after some contacting get this, Elder Hulet and I got egged, yup you heard me right egged. We were both dying though, I mean we easily could of gotten mad but instead just laughed about it. Thats one thing I have learned out here is that Attitude is everything. There is no need to let yourself down because you can always find somethings to be happy about. Just like the song "Count Your Many Blessings" the blessings are there, we just have to realize them and be happy!

Well thank you all for the letters and the emails this week. I couldn't do this without all of you so thanks you! I love you all and hope you have an amazing week. The church Is true!

Love, Elder Parr

#ReturnWithHonor