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