WEEK 19 Mo's, Meads, And Miracles!

Hey y'all! You're probably wondering why the heck I'm sending an email on a Thursday...today we were lucky enough to go to the Medford temple with our zone! Our pday got switched but just for the week:)! Boy oh boy this week was a good one! Pretty busy but full of amazing experiences! (Kinda a long email, skip to the pictures If you don't like to read;))

Monday: Wow oh wow! Monday was the most memorable P day I've had! We were able to go to Florence with Paul and Judy! We got the spectacular Mo's clam chowder (if you know me you know this made my entire week), went to the largest Sea Lion Caves, and met with our DL to get Paul's baptismal interview done. Paul and Judy insisted they treat us to everything and even got us souvenirs and ice cream, we politely protested but they insisted, then Paul set the matter to rest when he said, quietly, "well, you showed me the way" we were so touched by his humility and solemn testimony of the sacred opportunities baptism has opened up for him. We are so excited for him to start and continue on his journey on the covenant path. Later that night I surprised Phyllis with a cup of clam chowder and boy oh boy was she excited!!

Tuesday: All I can say is man I'm blessed! Tuesday was 68° and sunny! What more could I ask for in Oregon? We soaked up the sun as much as we could. We did all of our finding, meals, and lessons outside. We wanted to be in the sun so desperately that we made a picnic in our parking lot...yep you heard it, right in the parking lot. We only got a couple weird looks. We spent quite a few hours at the beach studying, having lessons and finding. It was absolutely beautiful. I may or may not have a cute little farmers tan now;) We ended the night with my favorite dinner at the Dennings! A mini miracle occured! Their son, Todd, is inactive and as long as I have been here (almost 5 months) I have only met him once. We always try to get him to have dinner with us but he usually won't come out of his room until this Tuesday! We got him for the whole night!

Wednesday: We spent quite a few hours at Walmart! Five of our friends work there and introduced us to their friends! Pamela, our Walmart miracle from a few weeks ago, asked us to come and visit her. We shared a little spiritual thought with Pamela about God's love. A lady in the dressing room overheard our conversation and loved that we were so open about talking about Christ! She is interested in learning more! There are miracles all around EVERY SINGLE DAY! While being there we had to go scare Paul! He cracks me up...I kinda feel like he's my grandpa out here in Coos. Him and Judy seriously treat me like their own! I feel so lucky! Later at night we knocked on some less active doors and invited them to the potluck. We didn't have much success and were feeling a little down about it. We decided to knock one last door and then head to our next appointment. When the family opened the door we knew it wasn't the 65+ man we were looking for, but they welcomed us in and visited with us for a long time. I had never been invited into a home until then! They were the sweetest family and had just moved here from Fiji! We got to talk about our beliefs with them and they shared theirs as well. He's a pastor for another church but is super open to hearing more about our church! They were the nicest strangers I had ever met and had the sweetest little girls! We are praying we will have more opportunities to share the gospel with them!

Thursday: We had exchanges! I went to North Bend with Sister Walker! Man oh man she's awesome! We have quite a few similarities and had so much fun together! We headed to the beach to do some Facebook finding and in person contacting! While in the beach parking lot we asked a lady how she was doing. She said "great! Actually not great, my car won't start." We offered to give her a jump start and she just couldn't believe that two young girls knew how to do that, while helping her a scary homeless person came over and grabbed the jumper cables....had a pretty sketchy interaction with him. While we were backing out he bowed down to us and started praising us! Hah! Anyways we had a really great talk with her and she ended up telling us she used to be a member over 40 years ago! She gave us her number and address and insisted that we come over! God always puts people in the right places at the right time. Viva was definitely placed in our path!

Saturday: Saturday was Paul's big day!!! And we were out of this world excited for it! We tried filling the font (we got there almost 3hrs early and it still was so stressful) and it did not go well...kinda! The water was horribly cold, and contaminated because the city has a leak and it left the water pretty yucky (luckily Paul's no wuss)! I was determined to make the water warm! I had promised Paul the water would be warm...I had an idea! Not the brightest idea but an idea! We started boiling huge pots of water! Seriously like crazy! I had 8 pots on the burner running them back and forth from the kitchen. I felt like a chicken with my head cutt off! We scrambled around doing some final touches for Paul and it all turned out amazing! The ordinance itself was beautiful and when Paul came up out of the water the first thing he said was "did it!" he was so happy and we are so proud of him! After we passed around cards for the people who came to write something for Paul which was pretty great. Paul shared his testimony. It was pure and touching, we are so blessed to know him! To make the day even better Paul and I had a competition to see how many grapes we could fit in our mouths....I won't tell you know won;)

SPIRITUAL:

This week while studying I came across a few things that struck me. All week I have been feeling prompted to share this with each of you. Two things I came across:

“Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more."

2 Nephi 2:2 "...He shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain."

This made me think about the trials I have personally gone through. I wondered "Why has the Lord given me the trials I go through?", "How do they strengthen me?" and "Do I see my trials as growing opportunities?" I came to the realization that the Lord "consecrates affilictions for our gain." We are given trials suited for us to grow and become more like the Savior. When times of sorrow occur it's not always easy to turn to the Lord. Sometimes we wonder if we are ever going to catch a break! I know that the Lord is helping you grow through your trials. He loves you and He sees the end. No matter what you are going through I know that He will lift you from the pain, adversity and sorrow that you face as long as you put every ounce of faith in Him. Whatever trial you may be going through I challenge you to ask the Lord "how will this help strength me and what do I need need learn?" THE LORD FEELS YOU ARE READY TO GROW MORE! He is there every step of the way. He loves you and knows you perfectly.

I love all of you beautiful people with all my heart! Have a wonderful week! As always reach out if you need to talk or some prayers.

☆When you can't see God's hand look for His fingerprints☆

♡ Sister Parry

- finding shells on the beach

- some scary pottery face a recent convert gave me...also while helping her clean I found her deceased father's dentures...

-My adopted grandparents at Mo's

- Paul's joy:)

- More time at the beach!

- Pots on pots to fill the chilly font

- enjoying the sun!

- I'll never get over the beach...I'm obsessed!

-MO'S and a little cup of chowder for Phyllis