Merry Christmas!!

A Missionary Christmas (author unknown)

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there. No pictures taken with Santa Claus, my decorating has no flair. His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun. I've bought him all white clothes because... This year I'm giving Christ my son. I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred. I've reread November's Ensign, Felt strength come from His words. Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run. Abraham seems closer because, This year I'm giving Christ my son. I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war? Or how the pioneers chose Zion , their sacrifice was so much more. My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton for two years we will pray for him, I'm giving Christ my son. I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine. He's always hungered for the part of him, that makes his soul divine. The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one. I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year, I'm giving Him my son. Past gifts have lost their glitter; I think I finally understand Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand. It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's> done. My gift has taken years to make, This year... I'm giving Christ my son. I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making. Who knows the gift I willingly give, The toll it will be taking. For He has done it all before Greater love - there could be none. For years ago God gave to me, His only begotten son. The hands I washed, the hands I held, The hands I taught to pray; Now knock on doors to find the ones Who will listen to what he'll say. Because I know Christ needs him, Until all the gathering's done, My gift has taken years to make. This year...I'm giving Christ my son.

Elder Paramore Mission Update to the Coral Canyon 1st ward..

Hello family and friends,I hope this finds you all happy and well and that you all have enjoyed this holiday season as much as we have. We were able to spend 90 minutes on Christmas day chatting with Elder Parmaore via google video, he looked good and it was wonderful to hear his voice and see his face. This is our first full time missionary experience and I must say it has been such a blessing to our family. Elder Paramore just recently got transferred from Yuba City to Oroville California. He is serving in, I believe the only Hmong branch in the mission. Last month he became a district leader and is enjoying that responsibility.

Elder Paramore was overwhelmed at the amount of letters, cards and packages he received from you all this Christmas.

I am so grateful for all your love and support, and mostly your prayers on his behalf. Thank you.


Dear Brother's & Sister's,
I have received so many letters and felt so much love from you all. I’ve never felt anything quite like it. We have a very special ward full of very special people. I just can’t explain the amount of gratitude that fills my heart when I think of my home ward. Thank you for your love and support. I hope everyone here knows how much our Living Father in Heaven loves each and everyone one of us individually. He does, and I testify that as we try our best to grow closer to Him we will begin to understand that more and more with each passing day.


It’s been so great to be able to take the last 10 1/2 months and serve the Lord as a full time missionary. A day doesn’t go by where I don’t learn anything. I’m constantly learning from my companions, from the Hmong people and their culture, from leaders and from studies. There hasn’t been one day that has been easy but everyday provides so much happiness. I never thought that trying to forget about yourself would be the one thing that brings the most happiness. The Lord says “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me.” The thing that helps me to draw near to the Lord IS that selfless service.

My companions have been wonderful. Elder Carter trained me and he spoke Hmong better than the Hmong people! So the first few months were difficult. They spoke casually while I was busy trying to catch a word or two. My first day in the field we gave two blessings and we ate this spicy pepper that to most people is very undesirable. Elder Carter is from the Layton area and was the first boy in his family to serve a mission. We worked hard. He wasn’t a man of many words, and I love getting to know people so it was interesting sometimes. He left for home after he was done training me and at that point I realized just how blessed I was to have a companion like him. He loved being obedient and loved the people. When we love the Lord and do what he wants us to do we will naturally love others and desire their happiness. Elder Ramirez was my next companion. He’s from Chile and after High School he went to Florida to pursue aeronautical engineering. During his first year at school his mother passed away. His dad and mom were split up so his father lives in Japan. His first language is Spanish then English then Japanese then he was called to speak Hmong. None of his family are members of the church. He joined shortly after his mother passed away. He’s 24 now.  He’s very special to me and I’m grateful to have been able to learn from him. He helped me to realize even more so how special it is to be sealed to my family and to have been raised by parents who would ask me every night the question, “Who loves you baby?” To which I would answer, "Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and my family. So from a young age I knew my Heavenly Father, my Savior and my family here on earth loved me very much. I know that my parents know that this work is very real and that Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father live. Elder Ramirez and I had a lot of fun and a lot of success together. Elder Clawson was my next companion. He and I were together for a short time but we enjoyed our time together. When we first got together it was the first time I had been transferred from my original area so it was a bit of an adjustment. He was incredibly nice and always willing to do what was best. When I was with him it started to rain a lot. Brother Kelly taught me to be grateful for the rain, apparently the more it rains on me the prettier my wife will be. Then after about 9 months my MTC companion and I got back together for the Holiday season. He’s taught me a lot. He’s a jack of all  trades. He knows a bit about everything and is always trying to help others. Since I have been out we have been blessed to have found 3 people who were ready to hear and accept the news of the restoration and be baptized. We right now are teaching 5 individuals and a family of 6. Teaching Hmong people has been fun and a bit of an adjustment. Their culture is deep and some ideas or beliefs draw them far from the straight and narrow. Some of their foods draw you far from comfort as well. One of my favorite things to do is bare my testimony. Sometimes it’s hard to get through but I know the things which we teach are true and for them. For those that are prepared or have soft hearts the spirit carries that testimony into their hearts. I’ve seen the Gospel give focus and purpose to those who were lost. I’ve seen the spirit touch and bare testimony of the truthfulness of modern day prophets and apostles who speak on behalf of our Living Savior. I’ve seen miracles. Miracles will not provide faith but rather faith will provide miracles. Elder Reid and I love to work hard and be as obedient as we can so we can secure blessings from Heaven. I love this work! I wouldn’t change anything!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak to my family. They are very special to me. I know the priesthood is real and I know that through that power we are sealed forever. I could not ask for more. My mission has been great. And I know it’ll continue to be that way as I continue to do what the Lord wants me to do.

In closing I just want everyone to know that I love you. I’m again grateful for you. I hope all are happy and well. Pray for missionary opportunities the Lord will provide them. In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn that all victory and glory is brought to pass through our diligence, faithfulness and prayers of faith. No greater joy can we have then to share the thing that is of most significance. When we share the gospel with others our sins are forgiven us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

12/12/10

I've been so lucky to have found 3 people who were very prepared for the message of the restoration. They were baptized. Mai Tong is a girl we're teaching now. She's 21 and such a sweet spirited person. She has seemingly real desires to know the truth. We are being blessed very much. We're working hard. We found a family last week that is interested in learning and we've taught one lesson and have a return appointment. It was in all Hmong. It was neat. Especially because Elder Reid and I were MTC companions. It's pretty cool.

11/29/10

I'm glad thanksgiving went well. I feel your love and prayers. I'm very grateful for that as well. I love Val and Caroline very much. I can't believe how big P is getting and Haizlee is growing like a weed! She is getting so so so big! They are so cute! Thanks for the pictures. Our Thanksgiving was great. We woke up and played football for 3 hours. I was pretty sore but it was all good:) Then we were invited to the Papa's and we hung out there from 3ish to 6. It was fun. They are such a neat family. All their kids are grown up and moved out. I enjoyed the spirit of their home. Oh they will also be in St. George in December and they wanted our address so they might pay you a visit. You'll be busy:) I hope they get to meet you all. Oh before that we were at the Saykhu's just emailing and they had just finished preparing their feast. So we ate there too. After the Papas we had one last dinner at Brother Yang's. He's the 2nd counselor in the Branch Presidency. It was all good. We then came home and planned and went to bed. We were very blessed to be able to be with all these families. I thought a lot about how grateful I was and am for you all. I really love you so much. We're doing great ha.  The devil is so cunning that he tricks us with such silly things that make us think we're happy but true and lasting happiness comes only through faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel. I love ya mom. Would ya tell the other I love them too. I really do. It'd be nice to be able to talk to Shenise on Christmas but I'm sure she's going to have a ton of fun in Florida.


I'm glad you read the talk. I haven't read the whole thing yet. I just want to bare testimony real quick of the power of the Book of Mormon. I know it's true. Forget all things that pull us away from our Heavenly Father and read this Book that has been prepared by the Lord through Prophets of God. I know it was written for us today. I have felt a very real feeling overcome me while reading The Book of Mormon that I know no other Book could give. It's real, it's true and if one would do as the introduction/Moroni directs and reads with real intent and a sincere desire to know of it's truthfulness that they too will come to know and understand of it's divinity. If they do this, they will know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration and that Jesus is the Christ and that that Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints is the Lords Church again established on the earth preparatory to the second coming of the messiah. When one shows faith that one knows the the Book of Mormon is true this will lead them back to our Heavenly Father. I hope we can all become comfortable talking about this book and sharing it with everyone. It is the tool given to us today to build the Lords kingdom on earth. I love you all I'm grateful for you all  and all you do for me.

Love, Elder Paramore

11/21/10

Do this one thing for me... Look up the conference talk "When our Children go Astray" on LDS.org. It is very comforting. We don't understand a lot. The real sealing power in the temple is far more powerful then we think. Please read. Don't procrastinate it. I love you very much. Keep doing your best. We're on our way back but we still have work to do:)

11/16/10

Hey! I sure do love ya. My companion is Elder Reid, the same Elder Reid from the MTC! It's pretty cool to see him after 7 and a half months. He's awesome and he's just so much fun to be around. It felt really good to get back with him. Oh no way! I'm excited for Peight! He's going to have a great time at the Esplins. Tell P to tell the kids I say hi:) Carlos and Jenna are too nice:)


I had quite the experience yesterday... Yesterday we had a half mission conference. So half the missionaries gathered and there was a member of the seventy there to instruct us. President Pendleton called on Sunday night, the day before the conference and said that Elder Malm, he spoke in the last General Conference, wanted to meet with a district leader a zone leader and a trainer before the conference. I'm not sure why President Pendleton thought of me but he did. So he called Sunday evening and asked me if I wanted to do that. Of course I said yes. So before the meeting I had a one-on-one interview with Elder Malm. It was special and I felt very blessed to have that opportunity. We started with a prayer and then he asked me some questions. I told him about our family and then I asked him a few questions about him. It was neat. The conference was too good. That's why our preparation day is today and not yesterday:) Sorry I forgot to tell you last week. This last week has been great.

 I hope everything works out for you to be able to go to that Christmas Devotional. Tell Peight that I love him and tell him that he needs to treat Haizlee with a lot of love. She's precious. Tell the girls that I love them a lot as well. I'm getting excited for the holiday season. We have a few festive elders in our house so it's cool. Mom I cannot think anymore. My brain is fried. I feel like i'm learning so much that I don't know what to think about. I often confuse myself. It's great! Anyway... All is well out here and i'm very excited to be here with Elder Reid.

We are still teaching Mai Tong Vang. She's doing well. She's learning from the Jehovah's Witnesses as well right now but is still very diligent in learning for herself that the church is true. She's great. We're also teaching John and Maria Vang. They are a brother and sister who have two older Sisters that were baptized a while back. The older siblings are over 18 and that's why they were able to do so. The younger ones that we're teaching now don't have their parents consent. It's sad but they are remaining active in all the activities. It's pretty neat to see. They read from the Book of Mormon and John is gaining a solid testimony of it. Elder Reid and I just organized a bunch of Area Books so that should helps us be more efficient with our time. We're working on the Parents of these 3. Hopefully their hearts will become softened.

Well I don't think I have anything else. Truth is truth. It always has been and always will be. I'm so grateful I know the truth. I don't know a lot, at all, but I do know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know it. You're too great mom. Please tell dad that I love him and i'm very grateful for him as well. Please keep being great and hug and kiss the littles for me. Could you give Shenise and Chandis an Elder Paramore hug for me. Tell that that I love them, because I really do. A whole lot.. Love ya.

Love Elder Paramore

PS I don't know much about being a district leader, but I'll learn:)

11/08/10

I am always so happy to read all your letters.  Thanks for writing it means so much.. All is well here. Thank you for your prayers. We are doing great but need all the help we can get. Ha I don't know if i'm as cool as Elder Menke and Elder Vernoy but I try to have fun with the kids. The kids here are so so so cute! I think every single kid is cute. I can't believe how big the Little's are getting. They won't be Little's pretty soon. Ha tell Peight that before he becomes a cop, cowboy, martial artist or anything else he's got to be a missionary:) I think he's already planning on that and so is Haizlee apparently. Thanks for not letting them forget me ha. I know that sounds a bit silly but I love them so much.  Everyone just looks so happy and that makes me happy. We're very blessed. The Chicken was good. Every part. Next week he wants to kill a pig with us so that'll be good. Oh I forgot to bring my journal! I had a couple experiences this past week that testified to me of the happiness the gospel brings to us if we're willing to live it. I'll do my best to remember... So we were at the church and my companion started talking to some member sisters and there was a very homely looking man who was also outside. He wasn't sober, at all. I'm not sure what was causing his intoxication  but it made me sad to even talk to him. He was very sporadic and spoke of a lot of visions. So the first thing he said to me was I want a Book of Mormon! So I smiled at that statement and told him to follow me. As we were walking to the car he turned around out of no where and started yelling at Elder Clawson about the Fall of Babylon. It was scary. So I motioned to Elder Clawson to just ignore and I got his attention back and we went to the car to get him a Book. He told me to write his name in it ha while I was writing his name he told me my pen was nice then asked to keep it. I said sure you can have it when I'm done. Wait.... Let me describe his physical attributes. He was about my height, long black-gray greasy hair, he had pizza sauce in his mustache (because he crashed a scout activity in the building), he had no teeth, wore pink water socks for shoes and his fingers where dark dark orange almost to appear black on the ends and had long fingernails. K so when I finished writing his name he told me to date it too. I said OK. Then he began talking... He spoke of his being kicked out of other churches because they say he's a sinner ( aren't we all) and he said the real reason was because the pastors wife loved him. He sincerely believed at one point that I was Alexander the Great and he told me I was perfect with conviction. Then he prophesied that I'd get married one day. Throughout all this I testified to him that he too can repent and become very very happy. I told him that I'm a sinner too but through Jesus Christ I'm able to be forgiven of my sins and be happy. He kept going back to the other churches and people that had no hope in him. It broke my heart. He also wasn't very receptive due to being intoxicated. Then he told me of s few visions... On was of a person named Jesse who came to him and asked him for a sandwich and a cup of milk and in the vision he told him yeah you can have a sandwich and a cup of milk and you can keep the cup. That was it. He didn't say anymore about that vision. He told of another one that he feels really guilty for. He was just sad. He didn't know who he was. But I knew who he was, A son of God.  He was talking to me at the end and in mid sentence he stopped talking, turned around and walked away... then after about 20 steps he turned around and told me he loved me. So I told him that I loved him too, and I really do.. I Couldn't believe how lost and sad he was. It helped me to realize even more that we really are preparing to meet and live with our Heavenly Father one day. It will happen. The Atonement is too great.

Sorry I just went on for some time... We are teaching a few people right now but mostly just looking. Tracting is so much fun... We get to talk to so many people. One man told us he knew the Book of Mormon wasn't true so we asked him hmmm... Have you read it? Of course he said no. It's sad to see how pride will hold people back from eternal blessings. They'll except it one day, I hope. Read 2 Nephi 28 and 29. They're really good. Transfers were today and Elder Clawson and I only spent one transfer together. He's going to Chico to be with his MTC companion and my MTC Companion is coming here with me. It's pretty exciting to be able to serve with Elder Reid again.  I just became a District Leader in this area which is going to be pretty neat. I don't know what my responsibilities are but I'm sure I'll learn a lot.
That's it. I'm very grateful for you all and your examples to me. Love ya.

Love Elder Paramore

Hey! I don't have a lot of time! I've been trying to figure out my usb all morning! It's all good. I wanted to send you some pictures. Thai Yang got baptized! Since I got transferred I'm not in that area anymore but he wanted me down to it so we were able to be there. He's in the picture with me wearing my gray suit. The other pictures are of us killing the chicken and such.  I am glad to hear all is well! I cannot believe it's November! Holy Cow! 7 weeks and I'll be calling. I'm sure Shenise will like being in Florida. I'll miss speaking with her but hey that's alright. . Those pictures were great! Thanks mom. Those kids are so cute! I can't get enough. I absolutely love our family. With all my heart. We're having fun and working hard. We don't have a lot of work right now. Since I got here 5 weeks ago we've been working hard on finding people to teach. It's great! Church is fun. We translate from Hmong into English usually because it's in Hmong but they have English members that serve in the branch to make sure everything is ran correctly. It's neat. We teach two times a month. It's going well. Since I got here I've learned a lot of Hmong. The people are wonderful. Oh thank you so much for the package and thank P for his letter! I can't believe how smart he is!!!! Holy cow! Good job Peight! The branch uses us whenever they can. It's great. I've had tough times this week but I've also had many prayers answered. When we aren't teaching much it really makes it tough. I really just wanna help and teach people that don't know. So finding them  isn't always the easiest but it's so much fun. Knocking on doors or doing unplanned service is great! I'm kind of rambling. We're doing well! Just looking for more people to teach right now. There are indeed hearts being prepared here. Hey guess what?! There are hearts being prepared there too!  It's a pretty neat experience teaching people about the gospel. I hope you like these pictures. Those two Little's are great and I'm glad we are a big happy family! I love you all so so so much.  Thanks again for the packages. I am grateful for your testimonies. Look for opportunities to serve, ask the Lord, He'll give 'em to ya. :)


Elder Paramore

Hey! I don't have a lot of time! I've been trying to figure out my usb all morning! It's all good. I wanted to send you some pictures. Thai Yang got baptized! Since I got transferred I'm not in that area anymore but he wanted me down to it so we were able to be there. He's in the picture with me wearing my gray suit. The other pictures are of us killing the chicken and such.  I am glad to hear all is well! I cannot believe it's November! Holy Cow! 7 weeks and I'll be calling. I'm sure Shenise will like being in Florida. I'll miss speaking with her but hey that's alright.  Those pictures were great! Thanks mom. Those kids are so cute! I can't get enough. I absolutely love our family. With all my heart. We're having fun and working hard. We don't have a lot of work right now. Since I got here 5 weeks ago we've been working hard on finding people to teach. It's great! Church is fun. We translate from Hmong into English usually because it's in Hmong but they have English members that serve in the branch to make sure everything is ran correctly. It's neat. We teach two times a month. It's going well. Since I got here I've learned a lot of Hmong. The people are wonderful. Oh thank you so much for the package and thank P for his letter! I can't believe how smart he is!!!! Holy cow! Good job Peight! The branch uses us whenever they can. It's great. I've had tough times this week but I've also had many prayers answered. When we aren't teaching much it really makes it tough. I really just wanna help and teach people that don't know. So finding isn't always the easiest but it's so much fun. Knocking on doors or doing unplanned service is great! I'm kind of rambling. We're doing well! Just looking for more people to teach right now. There are indeed hearts being prepared here. Hey guess what?! There are hearts being prepared there too! You can help out the missionaries/The Lord by helping them find people to teach whenever you can. You should offer to go with them if they ever need your help, they may not but it's a pretty neat experience teaching people about the gospel. I hope you like these pictures.  Those two Little's are great and I'm glad we are a big happy family! I love you all so so so much.  Thanks again for the packages. I am grateful for your testimonies. Look for opportunities to serve, ask the Lord, He'll give 'em to ya. :)

Elder Paramore

10/10/10

We're staying busy. I'm doing great. I got transferred for the first time since leaving the MTC so it has been a bit different. Oh maybe I already told you that. We don't have a lot going on but being in a branch is pretty cool. We're working hard and remain prayerful. We need all the blessing we can get right now, well we always do, but now especially. I got here and there's 1 15 yr old boy named John Vang who's sincere about learning. My companion is Elder Clawson. He's great. He's full of humility and always willing to do what's right. It's so much more fun out here when you and your companion have the same purpose. Yeah it's OK to send things straight to our house. It's 57 Evanswood Circle, Oroville CA, 95965. I'm not worried about security or anything. I'll let you know when it's not a good time to send anything due to transfers. In our Apartment there are 4 of us. Elder Clawson and I then Elder Shelton and Elder Squires. All 4 of us are from Utah. They are really neat, fun loving and hard working. It's really easy to get along with them. 

So before I go any further I just wanted you to know that I'm very grateful for your testimony. I'm sorry I don't ever thank you for the scriptures you share with me and the testimony you bare. Thank you.
Oh I love St. George around this time of year. So so much
.
The branch is different. You can see that they need help running things still.  Last weekend was Hmong new year. It's like a traveling fair. It's a big deal to Hmong people so unfortunately a lot of our member went there instead of church...disappointing. So in the branch instead of translating the English into Hmong we often translate from Hmong into English for the English people serving in our branch. It's tough.  Sometimes I can I feel like you or someone  just said a prayer for me. It's wonderful. Thank you all for your support. Conference was great. I had a terrible headache from Saturday morning until Sunday night. Can you believe that? It was like the ones when I just sleep and I don't do much. I love 'em. We've been exercising a lot. Another thing I'm grateful for...

Well it's been 8 months and it still proves to be tough. I'm pretty sure it won't get easy. I guess it wouldn't be fun  or worth it if it wasn't tough.

Love Elder Paramore

10/04/10

Hey! Sorry again I have no time! I got transferred to Oroville this last week and I moved into an apartment that hadn't been deep cleaned in a long long time. So we had the opportunity to clean all day today. I was very grateful we were able to. Same with our car. All is well. This is the one area of the three that has a branch. If I'm diligent I'll learn a lot of Hmong. I also enjoyed conference. I wish I could say more.  Well this last week I ate squirrel. Tasted great! You all make me happy. I love you very much.


Love Elder Paramore

Happy belated birthday Elder Pob Tsuas.

I recently had the pleasure of being found on facebook by a  dear sister in Elder Paramore`s first area.
Sister Xia Vang posted this video for me and  I wanted to share it with you all. It`s not very long or entertaining but if your a parent or just love someone as much as I love my boy you`ll understand how just this glimpse of my son brought  smile and happy tears.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1694267796094

Paramore family mission statement..

The Paramore family has come a long way individually and as a family.
I just wanted to share a little glimpse of our life today.

RANDY S. & CYNTHIA PARAMORE FAMILY


Our Family Mission Statement

In our FAMILY

We worship and we OBEY our loving Heavenly Father. We share, we serve, we love, we help, we PRAY, we REPENT, we FORGIVE.

We are grateful for the sacrifice of our elder brother,Our Savior Jesus Christ and his atonement that paves the way for our eternal happiness.
We strive to understand the atonement and how it pertains to each of us personally.
We strive to understand our value and individual worth as sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father.

We believe that those who went before are expecting us to be valiant and are cheering for our successes. We recognize we each are part of this family team.
One no more or less important than another.

We help each other always especially in matters of our salvation.
We find gratitude in ALL things.
We will stick together in times of adversity.
We will pray, play and grow together.
We will make our family relationships priority throughout our lives.
We believe today's trial is tomorrows testimony.
In times of difficulty we cry together.
In times of happiness we celebrate together.
At all times we LOVE each other.

We desire to live our lives
In accordance with our Heavenly Father's plan.
This will not be easy. Life's tests can be challenging. We pray.

We are grateful for tribulation and difficult experiences which will help us gain eternal life.
We desire to return as an eternal family a COMPLETE eternal family no less will be accepted.
We will live with him someday.
We will return with honor.

For in our FAMILY
WE BELIEVE.

I can easily say... "Having been born of goodly parents", and I am most grateful for their examples, love and support in this life and the honorable name they bestowed upon me.

All is well..

Hi  friends and family!

Elder Paramore is well. I didn`t get an e-mail from him this week because he was busy packing for his first transfer since leaving the MTC. He is headed about 30 miles North of Yuba City to the city of Oroville. It is one of the only areas in the mission that has a Hmong Branch. The transfer of course is bitter sweet. He has met wonderful people and made great friends and has been teaching some very special people. He will also miss his companion Elder Ramirez. He is excited though to go to a new area and the challenges and blessings that will bring.

In preparation for General Conference all the General authorities come from their respective cities and countries to Salt Lake City. On his way Elder Pratt of the seventy stopped in Yuba city to have lunch with Elders Ramirez and Paramore. Elder Pratt is a friend of Elder Ramirez. It was a very special experience for Elder Paramore to break bread so to speak with a law of consecration living, full time servant of the Lord.

I can`t think, hear, or speak of things pertaining to the spirit, Heavenly Father, or our Savior with out tearing up and am reminded sometimes on a moment to moment basis of the AWESOME blessing it is to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. To have the knowledge of the plan of salvation and to be able to hear the instruction, counsel, and guidance of living prophets.  May you all have a wonderful conference weekend.

Sister Cynthia Paramore
MM to Elder Braedon Paramore
California Roseville mission.
02/10-02/12

Softening of hearts..

 I see, like I have said many times before, so many little kids that are so cute out here and my goodness it just makes me want to hug and kiss P man and Haizlee. Our family is wonderful and i'm glad we're doing good. In the Book of Mormon it seems that people begin to become bad the moment they forget where the blessings come from. We have to always acknowledge the hand of Lord in our lives and strive every moment to do what He'd have us do.

So yesterday we stayed after church for a bit and when we got home we were getting our stuff out of the car then getting ready to go eat some lunch. All the sudden we heard a scream come from across the street. We kind of looked at each other and assumed someone was just messing around. It was kind of an erie feeling. Then this scream was persistant. We didn't hear anything else though. It was just a lady screaming help! someone help! No one else was screaming, no dogs barking nothing. It seems like stuff like this happens all the time and 9 times out of 10 someones just messing around. Well we got the feeling that we needed to run across the street to see what the cries were all about. We made it over there and poked our heads over the fence because the cries were coming from the backyard. We saw a lady with blood on her just crying and in a panic. She was staring at something and yelling at us to run through the front door into the back, so we did. As I ran  to the back I managed to grab a shovel that was leaning against the house on the way in because I had no idea what we were getting into. As we ran into the back yard two of this womens dogs were trying to kill each other. I was very releived when I realized it was only two dogs and not a dog attacking a person. It was a pit bull and a boxer (People here have like 8 dogs and it's kind of out of control) and needless to say they were malling one another. My companion ran over to them and tried kicking them. He threw a chair at them. I was very nervous for him but in my head I was thinking that i'd rather let these two animals kill each other then to put my life or anyone elses life in danger. So the whole time, which felt like forever but was only about 5 minutes, I stood with my shovel while they tried seperating them. I was ready to pummel a dog if they decided to turn on the lady or my companion. It was really scary. These dogs are powerful and ruthless. Mind you there were 6 other dogs running around the backyard in a panic while these other two were eating one another. So my senses were everywhere. The women yelled at me to grab all the other dogs and get them in the house and I pretty much decided that that wasn`t smart because I didn't want to be away from the two dogs just in case they turned on my companion or the lady. I didn't know these people and I certainly didn't know these dogs and what they were capable of. So finally my companion finds some Raid, yes bug killer, and goes to spray but stops because if anything were to happen to the dogs from spraying them he didn't know if the people would sue us or something. So the panicking lady grabs it from him and sprays them and they seperated. It was rather intense and after it was all said and done, both dogs lived no one was seriously injured and I still had my shovel. So I didn't do anything really, my companion kicked one dog once and through a chair at them. The Raid saved the day. Right before we got there the lady had just given up. She was diabetic and was about to faint and she feard that if she would have fallen over and fainted outside that they'd turn on here while she's passed out so when she saw us she yelled furiously to get back there. The coolest part was not that the dogs were safe but that these people softened their hearts to us as missionaries because we helped out and they couldn't stop thanking us. We went back over last night and just made sure all was well. We were able to able to talk to them about the  Church and about why we come to serve missions and we were laughing about all the things that had happened.  They told us to stop by whenever and that they were very grateful we followed the cry for help. I don't know if they would have softened their hearts otherwise. We'll see what happens.

Love, Elder Paramore

Study and pray..

Remember to pray always. In the Bible Dictionary it tells us that when we pray and ask for things like guidance or help we're only securing blessing that Heavenly Father is already willing to give us so be specific in your prayers and really wrestle. We wrestle each day and night in our prayers. There is so much we want to get done and there is always so much more to do after that so we have to remain prayerful or we'd never have the strength to do anything. 


My goodness it seems like I should just never come home ha. You all are doing so so so good and I can feel your love and excitement about the Gospel in every email and letter. It makes me so happy. I know our Heavenly Father loves each and everyone of us and he wants all of us to be happy. The Church is Jesus Christs Church. It's pretty neat. I really do love going out everyday and testifying about this message. The times when it's scary are the times where I didn't prepare myself. Everyday scripture study, prayer and companion study is essential. Same thing with families. He gives us ways to be happy and successful and ways to live above the evils of the world but we have to be willing to obey. Everyday lately I've been trying to think about how I can show our Heavenly Father how much I love him through my obedience. To even the small things. Someone once asked me the question " How much do you love the Savior?" I thought about it for a minute then said sincerely "a whole lot." Everyday I find out how much more he loves me through blessings and really just growing closer to him, by continually seeking the spirit and trying all the time to organize myself according to His will. After I answered that question they said to me " we'll see." Everyday and in each moment we can show our love and gratitude through our obedience. "If we love him we'll keep his commandments."

I don't know for sure how many Hmong people live in this area but it's quite a few. We don't have a branch here and some are citizens and some aren't. Sorry ha I wish I had better answers.

No TV what?! That's so neat! I bet you really do enjoy it though. I love not being able to watch TV or not being able to listen to the radio and all that. It really does help me listen to the spirit and obey the promptings. Ha this is probably a bold statement but I think there's a direct correlation between willingness to obey the promptings of the spirit and limiting distractions. Keep it up.

Well I love you all very very much and I hope you know that.


Love Elder Paramore

6 month mark...

Well  the reports are great! All is well in sunny California. That really is a miracle. I'm glad little Chloe Stucki is doing well and I have no doubts that there were Angels surrounding her. Bishop Salley is so in tune. I really miss the leadership of our ward. I have never received such love on a birthday. I couldn't believe it. I probably received 12-15 birthday cards. Hannah sent me one that sings the Friends theme song. It was funny. My companion covered his ears. He was kidding. I was made 4 birthday cakes and since not everyone can sign up for dinner on the same day there are still people that have plans to celebrate. It's wonderful. I think I'd like to just never stop being a missionary. The Mckinty's, who are a family that I really enjoy and love, made me home made ice cream that proves that I'm very carnal and have weaknesses of all kinds. I knew it was in the freezer and I could not stay away from it. In fact I had no choice. My agency was actually taken away from me. It was tough.l  He's the ward mission leader. He served Spanish speaking back east somewhere. I forget. He shares our desires of spreading the Gospel. They're wonderful. My mission President is so full of love. He doesn't have to do a lot for me to know that he's inspired and loves each and every missionary. He's too kind and I'm very grateful for his love, dedication and example. I still can't believe how much bad there is in this world. It's almost overwhelming. I want to hug everyone and tell them that I love them. I really do. So I've learned that obedience seems to be the toughest thing for missionaries. We know that there are laws and laws hold blessings and blessing are predicated upon obedience to those laws. So even the little ones like bed at 10:30 and arise at 6:30 or backing your companion up when he's backing up the car or other silly little things that don't seem to matter hold a blessing. I'm guilty. I try and try and try and I know I'll never be perfect but I sincerely do my best, even at the little things. It's the toughest when you're dealing with an attitude that doesn't seem to care and justifies. I'm glad I have a companion that likes to work hard and follow the rules. Elder Ramirez loves the Lord and I know he does because not only is he here but he works very hard. I cry a lot mom. There really is nothing like this work. At the end of each day I'm beat. I feel like a rubber band that had the word Saviors Love written on it and I was first wrapped around just a few sticks. Which caused some stretching and some growing and learning to be able to handle being stretched to love those few sticks and to show them that they're loved. Now I'm stretching even more and I'm wrapped around so many sticks I can't count them all nor can I see them all. I'm not afraid of breaking I'm just afraid that during those times of weakness and during moments that show my own imperfections that I won't be able to show every stick that needs to know of our saviors love that they're loved. No doubt that there are sticks in the middle that feel lost and confused and feel like no one loves them. I'm so grateful that a mission is tough. I'm so grateful that I'm stretched then stretched again. Ha man I'm just a little rubber band. With the Saviors love and this gospel I know I'll never break and that somehow I'm going to be able to do what I'm supposed to and somehow the Lord will prepare many hearts for me.  I have a picture of you and Dad and a big picture of the Savior right above my desk. Right below the picture of the savior and right above you all I printed a little paper that says Be Still... In Section 101:14-16 it talks about being still and trusting in God. I love looking at those pictures. You and Dad make me so happy. I love Dads I don't really wanna smile look slash I don't like pictures but I know my daughter(Shenise) is going to take a million so I better get used to it  and smile. Then you're so pretty and you two sib haum. Which means fit together. I love you both very very much. I, of course, love looking at the Savior. Even though it's only a picture, it demands so much respect and reverence. His eyes are piercing and you can feel his love and his wisdom. I'm very lucky in every way.  Please hug and kiss the Little's for me and don't stop reading every night with them. Or saying prayers. Even Adults have the biggest problem forgetting to say prayers and read. If everyone could remember these two simple things it would save a lot of heart ache.
 Love ya.


Elder Paramore

Elder Pramore must have been in a jovial mood he stated this in last weeks e-mail.

Miracles happen! I have grown two inches and have to shave every other day! Chew on that!!

Hello!

I had a great birthday! Some members and some Elders and I went bowling today and they brought me a birthday cake. It happens to be Brother Giles's Birthday as well. He was  one of the members that came bowling with his family. I bowled a 189 and a 171. I get really lucky at everything as a missionary. We also played basketball and my team didn't lose(Elder Mears was on my team and he's 6'8). It has been a good day. Tonight we'll go to some awesome members for dinner as well. All is well here. Before I forget... How's the Stucki's daughter? I have prayed for her and  I hope she's doing alright. If you get a chance and see any of my friends tell them I love them.  I  love telling my companion how great of friends I have. It's pointless because everyone thinks they have the best friends in the world but they clearly haven't met mine. I love them all very much and hope all is well with them. We're teaching a few people right now. Up until last week we were teaching a girl who's 21 that decided to drop us because of cultural pressures. It broke our hearts. She texts our phone in the   night because we're her only real/close friends. She came to church probably 13 times or more. She really wanted it but she couldn't find the faith to go against her parents wishes and be baptized. Their culture is strange and it's deep and it really holds them back. I can't explain efficiently through an email but we're still hopeful and we'll always pray for her. We can't and don`t text back so whenever we get stuff like that (which it's always really dramatic and really sad) we call a member named Van. She's a recent convert and she is such a neat person. She claims to be perfect. She'll call and make sure everything is going alright then we'll call later and make sure.  . Ok so about this miracle... I really haven't grown, thanks for the faith. 2nd.... I really do have to shave every other day, thanks again! I can't believe how big the Little's are getting. It drives me crazy to see babies younger then Haizlee. She's getting big and she's so smart! Thank you for the whole package. Ha the Ammon figure was sweet. They should have put some arms down by his feet. That rhyme was an accident but is sounded neat;) All is  well my dear mother. Tell my Dad that I love him. So much.  I don't know what else to tell you. I can't believe it's been 3 months since I called on Mothers day. Every day is so so so so fast. Every morning my companion like to sleep in an extra half hour ha so he said how about we go to bed a half hour early so I can wake up on time so we have time to exercise in the morning. I told him we should probably just go to bed on time and wake up on time. ha . I'm very lucky to have him as a companion. He's great and he enjoys working hard.  I love you all  With all my heart. Everyday my perspective becomes a bit more eternal. I love thinking about and knowing families can be together forever. Keep up the good work and "never do the good or better thing, do the best thing." Our potential is endless and I know that's true. Love ya.
Elder Paramore

Hello,
 I hope your week was great! You asked about the children, they`re great. I love the little kids that I get to meet out here but I can't really play with them or anything. Oh and not being able to hold the babies is tough! They are so cute.

Peighton is the man. I love him so much. I get excited to see him and the type of boy he is becoming because he has the best parents. Thank you for loving all of us so much. My new companion Elder Ramirez is 24 and he was baptized only 3 years ago. He grew up in Chili and his mom died his freshman year of college. His dad lives in Japan now. He's great, we get long very well and he also like talking to people so that's really good because I do too! WE teach well together and always have fun. I love him. The lady that smashes bugs is Niam Bee Hawj which means the wife of Bee Hawj. That's what we call her ha. It's kinda different. Elder Ramirez doesn't know Hmong as well as Elder Carter did so we both are speaking a lot of Hmong which is great for me and for him.. I've learned a lot in the past week.

Sometimes at the end of the day or even in the middle of the day i'll relax for a second and i'll be thinking about a billion things then I'll find myself looking down at my name tag and I can't help but to start to tear up. I am very grateful to be here. I'm very grateful to have the body that I have, to have been given talents and abilities. I'm seflish a lot probably but I know that when I'm working my hardest and understanding who I am and my place in life I feel the most joy. I don't speak Hmong all that well yet, I don't know all the doctrine of the Church and I certainly don't have all the answers but I know that I need to continually and diligently testify and proclaim that the Gospel has been restored. That Jesus is that Christ and the Savior of all mankind and through him we can earn everything. It's so much fun getting up and getting ready everyday then going out and finding people to teach. Everyday is far from easy. I miss home, people don't keep appointments or commitments, it's hott, and I'm humbled daily but I love it all none the less and I can't help but smile whenever the slightest bit of trouble or disappointment comes my way. Why?, becuase it's all true.The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true! Life is always good. Jesus paid the price and like you said repentance is at the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The work really is great and I'm learning so much.

Love,

Elder Paramore

Hi!  My companion is flying out tomorrow to go home so he left and I'm with two other Elders. They're really good Elders as well. I'll be with them until my new companion comes from another area. His name is Elder Ramirez and he was just companions with my old companion from the MTC. It's pretty cool. He's coming my way so I will have to share a lot about who we're teaching and where everyone lives and about the members and all that. Luckily he's been here earlier in his mission so he'll know some people.. It's kind of exciting right now. I'm going to miss Elder Carter. He was a great missionary and he's a great friend. He taught me a lot. Elder Shirk is here with me,  I get to spend a lot of time with him and his Companion Elder Dowling. They're our Zone Leaders. Elder Shirks from Texas and Elder Dowling is from Boston.

I love hearing about Peighton and Haizlee. They are such cute little kids. My goodness has Haizlee gotten big! I couldn't believe it when I saw those pictures or her. She is adorable. Peighton looks good with a shaved head. He's quite the faithful little guy. He's a good example to us missionaries. I was listening to a talk on Saturday and I think it was Elder Bednar was speaking and he said to bare testimony frequently to our little kids. I doesn't have to be "i'd like to bare my testimony" just say "I know that when you do this you'll get this or when your obedient you'll be blessed."  Oh, I think about them so often. A lot of missionaries get a kick out of some of the stories I tell them about P and the ones I get from  you. 
                                                     
We`re  teaching a lady, that same lady who kills cochroaches with her bare hands. She's a neat lady. A miracle that happened this weak. There's a member named Mang, he's Hmong and he was baptized a bit over a year ago. He weighs 590 lbs and when I first got here we'd visit him once every two weeks or so. He was never motivated to do anything. He has the softest, kindest voice and he's one of the nicest people i've met. So the Elder that I told you about a bit ago, Elder Dowling and Elder Shirk, are teaching a man named Shane who weighs 480 lbs or so. By man I mean 20-25 years old. On Saturday we decided it'd be a good idea to invite Mang to an appointment of Shane's so we went over there and told Mang how perfect it would be for him to come along. He did and he loved it. We're trying to go on walks with them both each day while reading or talking about Gospel things. As we came out of the lesson we thanked Mang for coming and he couldn't stop smiling and he said "this was an answer to my prayers." It melted my heart. Inside that big body is the purest, kindest, strongest spirit but his physical health is holding him back. He came to church for the first time in over a year this past Sunday and so did his new friend Shane who has a baptismal date for early August.

On Sunday the Vangs and other had a going away pot luck gathering for Elder Carter. We had to be in by 6 pm on the 4th. It was very nice. I love the people. This work is the best. I really wouldn't rather be any other place. It's not always easy but oh  it's worth it ha.  Thank you for all your love prayers and support.

Love, Elder Paramore

                                                                    Elders Paramore & Carter @ a church ball game.

Elder Paramore & Elder Carter.

Study spot.

Not sure of the crop?

A Rainbow in Yuba City..

I've been so so so  good lately and I'm very grateful for it. Prayer is real. Hmong is coming along. It's still tough but I feel like I'm beginning to understand the people a bit more. I love the people. So you know how I went to a Hmong party well we went to a even bigger party and pig was once again served, It really is good. Just still kind of strange to see a whole pig on the dinner table. I wonder if  I'm different than any  missionaries, because  it has taken time to get used to everything and I didn't think it would. I'm learning a lot and everyday is much fun and a blessing. When I lay my head on my pillow at night  I just want to  get back outta bed and do so much more because there is so much work to be done and I can't handle people not knowing or understanding about the Gospel. We are so lucky, some would cry very hard at some of the  thing I have seen. There's bad , evil, and poverty everywhere but some places are better then others and I've never experienced so much. We've been blessed with the opportunity to live in good places. The work is good. We're teaching a lot of people which is fun and kind of hard. You can see the Lords hand in the progress of our our investigators and other times you can see the temptations of the adversary pulling them back. It's a real war and I'm grateful to be apart of it on the Lords side. So there's a Hmong family we're teaching and in there house are cockroaches everywhere that just climb on the wall and on the ground and everyone knows they're there but they don't do much about it,  whenever  the mother sees one she moves like molasses and slams her hand down in a very slow and most of the time unsuccessful attempt to kill them. It cracks me up. We were given about 40 pounds of food this week but Hmong people. They love us. Staying with the Spanish Elders last week was fun. I slept on the couch then the floor ha but no worries it wasn't too bad. Chandis would be proud, I've been running about 2.5 miles consistently for the past 6 weeks or so and I do a little lifting afterward. Alls well :) It has been way hott here. It's crazy. Probably not as hott as you there but oh baby a good dip in the Colorado river would sure be refreshing. Haha  Thank you for taking the time to write me Mom. Please give my love to Dad and everyone. Last year for your anniversary we went to the Bar 10! Neat huh?! Time flies. Happy Anniversary!  Well I love you a whole lot. Read Mosiah 20ish through Alma beginning ish and notice the trend. I`m  there right now. I love the Book of Mormon and could read it all day. Bare testimony whenever you get the opportunity. To everyone! Children, spouses, friends. neighbors, even strangers , this news is too good not to share! Kuv hlub koj nrog kuv lub siab tag nrho. I love you with my heart complete or in other words with my whole heart.


Elder Paramore

Elder Carter and I are working hard. He goes home in 2 weeks and has done his very best to not talk about it. So many missionaries get so distracted with how long they've been out, and when every ones going home and it's kinda sad because it just makes you miss home a whole lot more. One thing Brooks mentioned to me before I left was concerning getting a companion that was going home. Ha my first one. Kinda neat though because he's been a great example. He really has. Hmong is still hard. Very hard. I translated in sacrament meeting yesterday for a bit. Though I don't translate very well the practice is good. Sometimes I have to just say what I want, as long as it`s along the same lines I`m good.  Elder Carter told me yesterday when I was struggling to just tell them a story. It's fun, and when we sing hymns to them I'm sure they just love that.haha  We're teaching a lot of people. Maybe 15. We try our best to get to all of them but they don't often keep appointments. The ones that are more serious always keep commitments and it's so much fun to teach them. I've learned that, for me, whenever I'm down and my heart hurts for some reason( I think I'm more homesick then I lead on) then I gotta bare my testimony. I love doing it. I have become addicted. Do you think they have a 12 step for that? I don't know. Sorry,  I really am  being serious... It really is so important to me to bare my testimony because I know I'm far from perfect and I know that whenever I do, Angels in Heaven record it and one day when I'm standing at the judgment bar of God I want my savior to have my back.


We were at a Hmong dinner party  the other day and Elder Carter was asked to share a spiritual thought in front of 50 or so Hmong people. It was really cool for a couple reasons 1. There was a man there who was Hmong who served a mission for our Church then decided for some reason after he got back that he'd be a minister for a Methodist church so he got to here us bare testimony 2. There were a lot of non members there oh and 3. Elder Carter turned to me and said in Hmong now my companion would like to share a few thoughts ha. So I said a word that kind of means like uh oh in Hmong and everyone laughed. I then continued by thanking everyone and telling them that they have a great family and I love my family and it turned out alright:)  Oh and when we finally lined up to eat (they always make us Elders get in the front of the line) we saw the table and there was a full dead cooked pig on the table, yep his head, his feet and all of him. It was a bit different. It tasted pretty good though. They really treat us very well. I feel blessed to be among these people.

Well, I gotta go. I love you a whole lot and thank you for your prayers. Thanks for the updates, stories, and letters, they mean so much.

Love,
Elder Paramore

Hi,

Littles! I'm sure they are growing like weeds. There's a family we go visit that has 3 little kids ages 5, 4 and 3. They don't have a car, they don't have any phones, much food, or money to buy food, nor do they have money for  clothes for the 5 yr old boy. You'd think they'd be depressed or ornery all the time or just feel like maybe our Father doesn't like them.  I look forward to going over there though because the moment you walk in there 500 sq ft house you feel the spirit. They have so much love for there their kids and for each other. Their kids are all close to Peightons age and I tell them about him all the time. They run outside when they see us come and it melts my heart. The church is now aware of their needs and they're helping them with clothes and food. They may even start walking to church because their ride isn't very consistent. It's neat to know them.

There is this other couple that we're just starting to teach. I can't tell you there names because most of the time I can't understand them. They're probably close to 45 yrs old and they have 8 kids who were taken from them because  they can't take care of them. They are very sad but working hard to get them back. They both have slight handicaps (mentally). The wife more so than the husband. My companion and I first saw them on the side of the road. He has a bike with three wheels and on the back is a basket made of wood and everyday his wife gets in the back and he peddles the bike around town while she enjoys the weather. We saw them a few times and didn't stop because we were always on our way to an appointment but finally last week we saw them and both knew we couldn't do it again so we went and talked to them. It was even a bit tough for my Companion to understand their Hmong. Their great though.

We have a lot of things still going on. We're still trying to get people married and help motivate people to get ordained to the higher priesthood or take out endowments if possible. We're also teaching a lot of investigators. We were knocking on doors last Thursday I think and knocked on one that just happened to have an entire Hmong family looking for a church to go to. That includes cousins, aunts and uncles and all. They hold their own church in their backyard. I don't know for sure but I think there are close to 30 of them. We haven't been able to talk to the man in charge yet but we're hopeful that we'll know the right things to say when we finally get the opportunity. Sorry it's hard for me to tell you the stories in detail and events that led up to everything happening because I don't seem to have the time, but just know that everything that happens is truly a miracle and we are led by the Spirit. I'm very grateful that the Spirit can guide us because I'd be lost most all the time without it. So please know that.

We're busy. We're working hard. We're having fun. Family I love you. I better wrap this up but here are some pictures... Tell dad I love him very much and  can't imagine the love he must have for our family. I hope everyone in our family shows him that love in return. We're lucky. The luckiest.

That's all for this week. Love ya a lot.

Tub Txib Pob Tsuas




                                     .

Elder Carter at the BBQ.

Cooking with the bishops wife Sister Takahashi.

Dinner?

They have to do dishes in the bathroom.

Elder Paramore`s study chair.

An older couple that help him with the language.

Well Thing here are great. We're teaching a lot of people. We're making a push to get some people married civilly, to get people ordained to the higher priesthood, to get those who haven't been through the temple through. We're overall just trying to get everyone back and motivated. The ones that are active, we work with them a lot. It's nice. They are so willing. We're teaching  7 people right now. That's a lot. We have a lot going on here. My companion made me speak yesterday and he acted as if he didn't know Hmong so I taught an old lady about the importance of church. Then I invited her to church, she said she couldn't because of very ill health, so I asked her if she wanted us to give her a blessing. It was a very neat experience.  Everyday exciting things happen. I am soo tired every night, a good tired. You all are in my heart and in my prayers.


Tub Txib Pob Tsuas

Mothers Day phone call..

Hello everyone, I heard from Elder Paramore today. He began our phone call by singing me a Mothers Day song that he has sang to me nearly every single year since he was in the 2nd grade. It is such a special tradition for me. He reports that he is doing well. He is living in a fairly small, rural town. He said it`s only about 90 feet above sea level and there are no mountains to be seen anywhere. There are a lot of investigators and out of them all only one is not Hmong. One of the first challenges they have is committing them to marriage.  Much of the time the Hmong are only culturally married, so civil marriage is the first order of business. They are keeping very busy teaching discussions, helping members get ready to go to the temple and meeting with those who are recently baptised. He and his companion run and exercise every morning before he enjoys a breakfast of Grape Nuts and Raisin Bran. A member in the stake owns a bowling Alley and lets the missionaries bowl for free so after prayer, study, washing the car they drive, laundry,shopping for supplies at Walmart  and whatever else is necessary to take care of on preparation  day, they spend some time bowling. He bowled a 187 last Monday, not bad Elder ;)
He admits the language is tough but he is doing his very best. He expressed his gratitude for your love, support, and prayers.  He said to say hello to everyone, he loves and  misses you all.

Homesick..

This post is a little choppy because I had to edit it so much because it was quite personal.
My feeling as a mom is that Elder Paramore is a little homesick, I`m told that this is very common in the beginning and in a few months I may not hear much from him sometimes :)

I`ve said it before and I'll say it again. I think the only real hard part about the mission and I don't think it'll ever stop is the fact that I miss you all. I got to translate most of fast and testimony meeting yesterday. All I can do is my best. My abilities aren't up to par but i'm ok with that right now because i'm trying.


I don't live with Hmong people, we live with a white couple in the late 50's. Brother and Sister Chilson. They're remodeling their house right now so there's no carpet, not really an operating kitchen, we wash the dishes in the bathroom. It's humbling but it`s ok. The work is going well. We have a lot of people to teach and to help progress toward sacred covenants. It's exciting!

We're pretty lucky. Our ward we go to is good but our ward in St. George is just undescribable. I feel so much love the`re so much hard work and interest, selflessness and charity. Our ward here is growing and I hope I get to know some people a lot better.

Hug and kiss the littles for me and make sure to tell the ward hello for me. I love and miss them all. Especially Brothers Stucki, Turman, Duckworth, just everyone. Tell my friends the same, I love and miss them as well.  I'll let you go now. I love you a lot. Sorry if I didn't answer all your questions. So i'll call around 4 your time this Sunday. Can't wait!

With a full heart,
Elder Paramore

Mail..

Elder Paramore can receive mail at:

8583 Watt Avenue
Antelope, CA 95843-9117

We recomend that you send all packages through the US Postal Service using first class or priority mail. This mail can be easily and promptly forwarded.
Packages delivered by UPS, FedEx, or similiar carriers cannot be forwarded.

Thank you so much, President and Sister Pendleton

Pob Tsuas..

Things are going very well here. I've taught a number of lessons. IT's very fun. We eat at a members house every night then we'll leave by sharing a brief message. I'm still learning a lot. Hmong is tough but I understand a little more every day. I could cry and how badly I just want to be my best. It's soo great what the Lord will do for us if we will just try our hardest. Yesterday was my first Sunday here. I got to translate the sacrament prayer for the Hmong people in the congregation. I have a headset that goes to all the headsets in the congregation when I speak. That one was a lot less tough then the closing prayer because I was just able to read it but the closing prayer was a running translation. It was good though. I received my Hmong name yesterday. Pob Tsuas which means cliff like mountain they say it is a very powerful name, kind of like rock solid. The man who named me came from Asia in the early 80's. He's very wise and humble. His name is Pob Zeb which means rock. There clan name is Vaaj. We pronounce it Vang. They take it seriously too. I'm actually their family. If I were to go anywhere the Vaaj would take me in. It's neat. These people are great. I love them very much. They speak really really fast. In the MTC I learned white Hmong which is the most common but now i'm in a ward that speaks a lot of green Hmong so i'm trying to distinguish the subtle differences.

We live in Olivehurst with a member. Our area is called Yuba City. If you ever have mail to send to me just send it to the mission office. The one that's in Antelope. We drive everywhere which is good and bad. No exercise. I do my best to eat healthy but they just wanna feed us:) It's ok though, I don't mind. The Hmong food is wonderful. My companion is great. He's getting ready to go home in early June but he's still motivated and wanting to work hard which makes me happy. He's from Kaysville UT.

I hope everything around there is going well. Tell my friends I love them.And thank everyone for the love, support, and prayers I feel. The work is the best. Thank you for that scripture too. Look up 2 Nephi 1:5-6 it'll talk a little about how the Hmong people got here. It's neat.

Love, Elder Paramore

California Roseville mission..

President and Sister Pendleton.(Draper, Utah)

Elder Paramore arrived safely in California. He has met his mission president and his wife and is ready to "go to work!"

http://californiarosevillemission.blogspot.com/

Going to California...

Hey it makes me so happy to hear from my mom/family each week. I`ll be flying to California on the 20th of April so it`s becoming quite exciting. The MTC has been great. In fact I can`t imagine what we`d do without it. The Lord has blessed us as missionaries with this wonderful place to learn and grow but more importantly to become more efficient tools in his hands to spread this gospel to all the world. I love you all and real quick to my friends..... thank you for your examples. Hey maybe if you`re feeling extra good this week see if you can`t find someone you think or know may be a bit down and see what you can do to help them out. Thanks.

Love ya, God speed :)