12/26/11

Howdy:) 

Yeah things are wonderful here! We had a great Christmas day. We had an investigator who has never come before show up. She was picked up by a recent convert:) Missionary mind is a healthy one. There were also 6 less actives that we're working with that came. It was great! I love seeing people at church. It's kind of like the rest of the week you're striving to be obedient so that you can know how to help, then you do your best, then Sunday is game time ha. Sometimes people show their desire/faith and show up and sometimes they don't but Elder Talbot and I have so much fun just loving them. I too enjoyed seeing you all. I can't believe how tough you are.  Those Little's are so darn cute. I can't believe how well they speak English:) I really enjoyed my time with Landon. My goodness is he a survivor. He just never quits. He's such a powerful influence. I hope he knows that. Thanks for sharing your experience about cleaning the church every Sat.. I know that it's in those small moments of decision that change us and mold us into who we need to be. Those Little's are never going to forget how dedicated their mom is. My wife is going to be top notch like yourself mother.  Thanks. Living in St. George is kinda like reading and praying about the Book of Mormon, it changes the way you think and your whole perspective when you come to know it's true, so yeah we can be hopeful the Salley's will come back:) Jk. But seriously. Thank you again for that book of testimonies and thanks for covering each one with a plastic cover. I really do have some of the greatest friends and family. Each one of them makes me want to be better and I can tell that they too are striving to remember the Lord in all things. Life's good. The rest of the day I studied from the Book of Mormon. I lost in a game called Settlers of Catan. I'm miserable at games, then we went to Xia's and ate with some of her family. It was a great day. This upcoming week will be busy busy. We have 3 exchanges to go on and there's a lot of people to teach and find. Thanks for the email. I love hearing from you all. I hope all continues to go well and I hope you know how much I love ya. Let's just keep being tired for the Lord:) It really is the best. If there's anything I can do for you let me know. Please hug and kiss those Little's for me and don't forget to give my dad a huge hug and kiss!  K love ya. 

Love Elder Paramore 

12/05/11

Hi!
  How are you all? I really got teary eyed and I'm holding back! I understand Bishop has to move to wherever he needs to but my goodness am I going to miss him. He has definitely been an instrument in the Lords hand where our family is concerned. I hope he knows how much he means to us and how truly grateful we are to him. I know wherever he goes he'll help other young men show faith and become who Heavenly Father needs them and wants them to be. I'll be excited to meet the new bishop when I return. Yeah last week I was a bit under the weather with a headache and I just felt really weak. It's the first time I've slept in past 6:30 in I can't remember how long. I feel a bit better now. Still a bit weak but it's all good. I enjoy challenges:) The apartment wasn't too messy. It was good. We set up a Christmas tree Xia let us borrow and Sister Chilson surprised us with some lights for it. It's nice. All is well here though. We're working hard and having fun. I didn't anticipate how challenging it'd be to get used to a new area. Even though I know a lot of people and love them it's still different. It's been a neat experience to really try and be that much more obedient. When I'm not sure how to think or what to do I just be obedient. When a lot of worries or other things cloud my thoughts it's hard for me to know what's best. I love the work. I love how every effort to do good bears fruit. 

     Right now we're teaching a few people. We're very hopeful that they'll just humble themselves and be sensitive to the spirit so they might change. I love being prepared to help them repent. I enjoy studying each morning then with my companion. He's a good Elder. His family situation is rough but he understands that the more obedient he is and the harder he works the more it'll bless his family. We have a lot of fun together. He makes sound effects for everything he does ha. It cracks me up. He and Elder Sandall were MTC companions and like Elder Sandall he's very very good at Hmong already. He's 6'4 and weighs 205. He played football in High School and enjoys tough things, they get him excited:) He's great. 

     I love dad so much:) I think of y'all often and how hard you always work for us. I know you love us very much. Thank you for all you do and for all the prayers you and dad and the Little's say for me and for the work. I can feel them and I can feel your love every single day. Mom and Dad I love being a missionary, with all my heart. I love every part of it. I mean it. Mom I love you. You're quite the woman and I know we needed YOUR love to become who Heavenly Father wants and needs us to become. I feel blessed to be apart of such a family. Our ancestors too worked very hard for us and I know our posterity will feel every single effort we put forth to love and follow the Savior. I miss you all. I hope you know that I pray for you as well. Thanks for being so great. Please keep hugging and kissing those Little's for me ha. I hope Landon gets well soon. He's tough.  Xia is awesome. I am so grateful to  her thank you for all she does. She's too good to us and she works hard for the Lord. Also Nancy. They help us a lot. 

     Tell Brooks that I'll get back to him:) That'd be so exciting. I was just thinking yesterday or a couple days ago how neat it'd be to be able to serve with him or any of our other friends. That'll be neat. I think that's all I got for ya this week.  Oh and please keep remembering the Savior in all you do, the Spirit of Christ is contagious.

Love Elder Paramore

11/22/11

My goodness Mom, I sure do love you and I can't believe how much love I feel from you. Your words always mean so much to me and I am truly jealous that you get to hang out with my dad:) I want to go on a date with him ha. He's the best dad and I hope he knows that every single one of us feel the effects from his love in each moment in our lives. Thank you for the words to come come ye saints. I love that hymn and sometimes I just need to read the words and feel the power within. I love being a missionary. It really is the best. I'm staying in Chico again for the 8th transfer in a row and it doesn't get old. I love the members and I love all the people we work with. I feel fortunate to be here. I was a bit surprised to find out:) Elder Sandall and I are very anxious and ready to work hard. We've set some good goals to improve this transfer.

 

We had a good week. On Friday we had a big dinner with the Hmong that come to our ESL class. Members came as well. I love people and I enjoy learning from them. Nblia's husband who is old culture came to the class the day after. He's really opening up. We had a rough time getting into the homes of all our investigators and even Less actives this week but we accomplished much good and have seen fruits from our labors. Elder Sandall is an awesome Elder and impresses me how hard he works and willing he is. Yesterday we had Stake Conference and the messages were perfect. 

 

Thanks for all the updates on everyone:) I love hearing how everyone is doing. I took a lot of pictures for you to see but I won't be able to send them till Thursday or maybe next Monday. Sorry! I wish I had more time to write so much more, sorry again ha. Life is good and I can feel your prayers. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you. I love ya. Please hug and kiss the Little's for me and let them know that I love them.

 

Love Elder Paramore

11/14/11

Mom,

You must have truly been inspired to stop and ask me the questions you did. Thank you:) Even though the work is going great right now and we're laboring diligently and striving to be exactly obedient so we can do what we need  to do and become who we need to become I feel beat up. I'm tired. I'm in tears... I love being a missionary so much. I would've quit a long time ago if I didn't know this was all true. There is no choice but to push forward with my GREATEST efforts. There's a very deep feeling inside me that reminds me continually at how it felt to not have faith in the atonement. It's so real. I FEEL the fruits of our Saviors love and dedication to doing the Fathers will every single day. I'm doing good. I'm just tired. I sometimes hang my head, to quickly realize that I'm in this for the long haul. I want to literally spend my life away in the service of my God. There really is nothing better or no greater feeling when one knows they've done what they're suppose to or when they've followed the promptings of the spirit. Thank you for following with your email. I try not to think about the fact that I come home 3 months from today but it's hard, I've never been home sick but I've always been family sick. I love you all so much. I hope you feel how hard I'm working through the blessings you're receiving. What's even better is I know that our families exact obedience and dedication to the gospel isn't dependant on outcomes. We do it because we HAVE FELT our Savior in a very literal way put His hand on us and say "your forgiven." Because of that I know we all work hard each day at becoming more like him. I push myself to stay effective and prayerful every second of everyday. I've come to understand that becoming like the Savior isn't for sissy's, it's only for those who are willing to stretch and struggle to BECOME over and over again. It's the best. It really is fun but my goodness it is hard, well for me. I'm probably weaker then most so this carnal man is hard to overcome but I hate him and he will be overcome. Your boy is good:) Your boy is happy. Your boy is grateful to feel like your right next to him and he can just talk to you. My strength is weak but my spirit is strong. My testimony is undying, I promise I will never quit loving the Lord. My attitude is great as well. I love all that I'm asked to do and understand that anything and everything that comes my way can be for my benefit. I hope ya know I love you too mom, so much. I hope dad knows just how much I love him as well. Please keep hugging and kissing those Little's. They really are mighty spirits and you've been trusted with them:) Holy cow! Mom you're quite the woman and we all know it. Thanks for being you. 

 

I couldn't believe it either that Shenise was turning 22! Ha I'm sure it was one tasty burrito:) How is she doing? 

 

I'm glad to hear that you had such a good weekend! You have such a good attitude all the time. You really are amazing mother. Will they let a young man come to the sisters luncheon? It sounds so nice. Ha  Thanks for sharing all that. I feel bogged down sometimes with my responsibilities and I can't imagine how dad must feel. What a blessing it is to have him. 

 

Next week is transfers. If I stay one more then I will have been here for every month this year and every holiday. We'll see what happens. We had just 1 non-member at church yesterday. It was a good sabbath though. I enjoyed it. I'm grateful for the commandment to take the sacrament and to observe the sabbath day. We saw an older lady last night and we taught her about the restoration of the gospel and she prayed right there to know if what we teach is true and if the priesthood was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. It was really fun:) She'll pray each day this week and remember to ask that. We'll see her again tomorrow. Our ESL Class is going very well. People are becoming more and more confident in their English speaking abilities. Elder Sandall and I still run hard each morning. This morning we ran 3 miles and my first mile was 6:30. His was even faster. It's fun to try and keep up:) I'm grateful for my body and all it can do. Taking care of it is so fun and quite the learning experience each day. 

 

Yeah the New Year is basically a fair/huge celebration, yep. Yes we just had a booth and people would walk by and we teach them about the gospel. The sister you wrote is doing well. She came to church yesterday and is staying strong:) Thanks for writing her. Thanks mom and yeah I'll take more pictures ha. Sorry. I think the only thing you all can do for me is keep loving the Lord and striving to become more like Him each and every day. I love you all so much. Thanks for all you do and for all your prayers and love. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you all. 

 

Love Elder Paramore

11/7/11

Mom,

 

     Let me just start by saying that I'm full. I'm so grateful for your love and dedication to the gospel. I see a lot of sad families out here and my heart hurts for them and for their beautiful children. The other day in Sacrament meeting I received a bag of muddy buddies from a family in the ward that knew I liked them. I asked them one day if the container of food on their fridge was muddy buddies to find out it was only dog food. Hmm... Anyway they made some and gave them too me. Maybe I told you that already, it's the same family where their husband shoots squirrels for our people:) So I was sitting in sacrament meeting next to one of Nblia's little boys (this was last week not yesterday and yes Nblia came again and brought 4 kids this time) and I remembered that I'd been given the muddy buddies so I cracked open the bag and we shared them during the meeting. I remember feeling the spirit very strongly then looking at this little boy and his cute smile and thinking that I have no idea what it'd take to get him on a mission in 15 years. He's so cute and so innocent and he'll be the product of the faith his parents show. His mom, Nblia, is so faithful but is held back by a deep culture. We're just blessed and it makes me so happy to see that my very own family recognizes the hand of the Lord in their lives. Thanks for loving the Savior and thanks for loving me. I know dad loves me. I feel it everyday. I've driven through Orland a couple times lately and every time I think to myself that my dad could be here. My heart seems to jump onto the top of the car and search for my dad. He's the best. You're one lucky woman! We had countless miracles happen this week... 4 non-members came to church yesterday. One of them is a recent converts husband who just got out of prison and his brother, the other was Nblia and then an older man. My companion and I were so grateful they came, it was exciting for us and it was exciting for the ward to see as well. We're so excited to work hard this week and know that as we're truly dedicating ourselves to the work then whatever fruits are born will be tasty. We had a good week. We went to the Yuba City Hmong new year on Saturday. It was good to see the 4 other Hmong elders in the mission and to talk to people about the gospel. One man was brought over by the church from Thailand, he lived in Salt Lake for two years and then moved to CA about 30 years ago. Another man was hovering around our booth so we went up to him and just started talking about what he believed and he really opened up and when they open up it's so much fun to testify because you know they're eating what you say. Another Elder was standing with me as we taught him about the Book Of Mormon. He was my MTC companion so it was a lot of fun to do that with him. He's a good Elder.

 

I think it's so cool that you all got to go to the temple visitors center! Those Little's are so darn cute:) My goodness do I love them. I hope they know that. I think about them often and how faithful they are and how much of a blessing they are to our family. Tell P Wang to keep being a good example to all the other Little's, to give them hugs and tell then he loves them and to always help them and you when y'all need it. I can't believe how big Haizlee is! She couldn't even grow hair when I left and you were scared it might never grow ha. I love you all very much. Chandis let me know about the car situations:) That's great! I think we should just get horses personally:) I don't think dad would object. Anyway... I love you all. I hope you know that. Life is too good so I hope you have your smiles on this week:) Thanks for all you do and thank you thank you for the pictures. Elder Clawson is the man. If you get to talk to him let him know that I'm grateful for him and all he's done for me and to have lots of kids right when he gets married:) oh and no skydiving and call him a dirty dog:)

 

Love Elder Paramore

PS I already know who my wife is, Chandis found me one:) Haha

 

10/31/11

Hey!

  That was perfect! Thank you mom.  Yeah we got your cookies and I think they were the best batch ever. My companion commented that they were addicting then another treat that was made for us this weekend was muddy buddies!  Needless to say I became a bit weak and ate some of the sugary goodness that was given to me this weekend. Man o man those Little's are so precious. They looked good! Peights picture in the bushes was intense. He's quite the soldier:) If you would please thank Peight for his testimony again. He's a powerful soldier for Heavenly Father as well. So what were the good candy's he gave up? That's be hard! They are some faithful kids. Dad looks great! Hey mom could ya do me a huge favor and give dad a huge hug for me and a big kiss and just tell him that I love him then tell him that he's hugging you for me:) One way that I feel Heavenly Fathers love each day is through the mom and dad I have. Thanks for being so great.

 

All is well here. We had a great week full of so many miracles. Our ESL class went really well both days. The rest of the week we tracted and tried to find those that have desires to come unto Christ. So Nblia Chang is one woman that we tried to teach when Elder Clawson was here. We found her in the phonebook. Then after a few visits she didn't seem to want to do much. She was very nice. Well then after about a month is when we decided that starting an ESL class would be good for the work and the community so we made fliers and hung them up in Hmong markets and laundromats all over town. We got a call one day from a woman who wanted to learn English and it was Nblia. So she began coming and has been for the past 4 months. When we've taught about principals of the gospel she's asked great questions and she started praying the day we taught about prayer. When we taught about fasting she did that as well. Her husband won't let her come to church. Maybe I've explained this before but the men still buy their wives so the women "have" to do what their husbands say. Last week we went to her house and while we were visiting she had to leave to go pick up kids from school so that left us there with her husband. He's very nice. We politely asked that if Nblia wanted to come to church would he allow it and he said yes. We were so excited! So Sunday came around and Nblia was a bit nervous but she came! She had a great time and one of her six children came and enjoyed primary. The Hmong members were very excited to see her there. Some members told us that they shooting squirrels in their backyard due to them burying nuts everywhere (Same members that gave us muddy buddies). The Hmong people love eating squirrel. During a few months of the year it's legal to kill them so we called the Ze Lor family and asked if they would want the squirrels he shot to eat and they were excited about it so we take the squirrels he shoots to them. I'm really sorry for my grammar. I feel like my vocab is very elementary.  I hope that all makes sense. This member was doing it just to keep them from burying all kinds of stuff and now he's excited to have more reason to kill them. 

 

All is well here:) I love being a missionary! I really do. The work is always great and there will always be fruit if your truly trying your best to live worthy of receiving revelation then being diligent in following it. Elder Sandall and I are having a great time together. He's one good Elder. Thanks for all you do for me and please let me know if there's anything I can do for you all. I love you all very much. Please hug and kiss the Little's for me:) 

 

Love Elder Paramore 

10/24/11

Hi!

     Thank you mom for taking the time to write:) I am always so excited and feel so grateful to read about what happened in your lives. Landon's quite the man. I hope he and dad are ready to play 21 at the elementary when I get back. Man we're getting old! Landon will almost be 27 when I get back. He's probably better then me by now, I hope he takes it easy on me:) Oh my goodness! The primary program was this weekend for us too! There's nothing quite like hearing those children sing. I always think of Peight and Haiz first when I think of any little children. I really love them so much. Thanks mom and dad for loving all of us and thanks for having at least two more unplanned children before you tied the chances of anymore! Ha just kidding, but seriously. I am so happy Jenna came over. Her and Carlos Sr. are too awesome. I can't imagine a more awesome couple and holy cow I bet their baby is the cutest little guy! Thanks for saying hi to my friends for me and thanks for calling sister Hamblin she called me right afterwards and let me know. She's a neat woman. I don't need anything but those bags sound great! Thank you. 

 

All is well here:) One of my most favorite things to do is to Remember the Savior in all that I do. Lately I've been more tired and more beat up then usual. I love it though. I won't get into specifics I just hope ya know that I really am trying my hardest to do what the Lord wants me to do. I don't try and please anyone else, I never put on a show or justify a little disobedience to convenience me or too fit in with others. I'm happiest when I'm doing those things that invite the spirit and it's fun to strive to do all the small things. Obedience brings a peace of mind that nothing else can. When I do this I feel and know that I'm also doing what's best for all those around me. If we know true principals we should do our best to apply them. We can show those around us how much we love them through obedience to God and through always trying to repent and become more like the Savior. Life is too good. Repentance is fun ha. We've had a slow week full of great effort and many prayers. We don't have a lot of people to teach right now but the ones that we are teaching are doing well. There is a woman who we just taught about fasting on the 14th and she's been praying already for the nerve to ask her husband if she can go to church. In their culture the man still buys the woman so it's up to him completely. When we taught her about fasting she was excited and just last Friday we followed up with her at our ESL class and she said that she had fasted and prayed. When people are willing to follow and show faith miracles always happen. They happen for us everyday. We'll finish up a list today of about 300 Hmong people in Chico that we've organized from our area book. We're anxious to knock on doors and really just love them. The work is great. I feel blessed to have the companion I have and have had in the past. I've been here since 1 Feb 2011 so come 21 Nov 2011 we'll see if I'll stay again. This area has gone up and down with those who have desires to change and we always feel confident we'll find them as we're obedient willingly and prayerful in remembering the source of our potential. 

 

I hope you know I love y'all and if there's anything I can do for ya let me know. Please hug and kiss the Little's for me. 

 

Love Elder Paramore

 

PS. I look forward to the Chili Verde and the package thank you:) Yay! for righteousness:) 

10/10/11

Hi!

 Hello mom and dad:) All is well and thank you so much for the email. It sounds too me that our family has turned into some hikers. That's great! Apparently you all are learning a lot of lessons out of it too. Nothing makes me happier then to see someone overcoming weaknesses and temptations. I don't think Landon realizes how far reaching his faith will be. I sure do love him and we're lucky he's a part of our family. Yeah I got two wonderful emails from my beautiful sisters and they seem to be doing well:) Transfers were today actually and I'm staying in Chico. I really do love it here. Elder Sandall is still such a great companion and is always just willingly obedient and strives to change through the atonement each day. We have a lot of fun together and work hard. Lately we've enjoyed memorizing things so we'll keep doing that. Mom and Dad I love the Atonement. I love change. Sometimes I'm tired, sometimes I don't even know how to think or feel but I enjoy pushing through and remembering our family both those that came before us and the faith they've shown and my family in the future. I enjoy thinking of the Savior when I recognize another weakness then change it with a prayerful smile. Being tired for the Lord is the best tired. We have a beautiful family:) I know that Lord needs us to continue being so faithful. There's always work for us to do and growth to be had and it's wonderful:) We didn't get to see Steven this week. We have great plans for this week and transfer though and we're excited to do all we can to dedicate ourselves in all the small ways to see if we can't find the elect:) Life is indeed good. Mom and dad I love you more then language can explain.

 

There is only one thing you can do for me and that's to continue to love the Lord in all things 1st. After that I don't need much. Right now I live with Elder Scott and Elder Adams then my companion. Elder Adams just got transferred though and Elder Garner is coming here:) We email at the Family History Center. Love ya and please let me know if there's anything I can do for you. Love ya.

 

Love Elder Paramore

10/3/11

Hey!

     Thank you thank you! I love you all very much. I'm excited to hang out with Landon as well and hope we'll get to spend good time with one another. I sure do love him. It sounds like you all had a great week! I especially liked the experience P had with climbing the hill. He's too awesome. I can never choose a favorite talk either but I will say that I loved when the Children sang families can be together forever. I think of Peighton and Haizlee whenever I hear children then I also think of my own children and how much I love them. I loved Sister Daltons talk on fathers. During times of weakness I think of my father, I think of my wife, I think of you and  all and our ancestors. We've been blessed with such an incredible family and I draw so much strength from you all and the faith you show. 

     We too had a great week. It was a week full of unknown but diligent preparation. I don't always know what to do but I do know that if I'm prayerful and have a willing heart to be exactly obedient, even in all the small things, then everything will be alright. And it was! We didn't go to the Hmong New Year:( Maybe we'll get a chance to go to Yuba City's or Oroville's. The leadership meeting went smooth. Our district meetings always go well and ESL was very successful. We're teaching one lady that has great desires to be apart of the gospel and church but she can't because her husband is old culture and will not give her permission to join. Some buy their wives:(  Hmong women are so sweet, strong and so hard working. I learned a lot about myself these past couple weeks. I love the atonement. I love change to become more Christlike. Life is too good. My companion is doing great! He's still willing as ever and works hard. He sets good goals and reaches them. We had a neat experience while walking in downtown Chico the other day...We ran into a group of homeless hippies and as we were talking with them the ones who weren't too interested kind of filtered out so eventually we were talking with a man named Steven. He expressed his love for truth and continued by letting us know that the streets call him wise and refer to him as an Elder. We bore testimony of a loving Heavenly Father and felt it'd be best after promising blessings to check his desires and dedication by setting up a return appointment to the same bench on the corner of 3rd and main. So after the morning session we walked back to that bench and found him there. After a few radical ideas we were able to steer the conversation to heart changing truths by talking about the Book of Mormon and they way it came forth. I recited the first vision and after only doing it in Hmong for the last little while it was tough but my companion was praying for me and it came out fine. He then described what he felt. He said the feeling was as if the one you love most, gently brushed their fingers down your spine. His heart was open! We invited him to ride his bike the 30 minutes to join us for the last session of General Conference and he did. We'll meet with him again at that same bench tomorrow. There really are so many people out there that if they will just open their hearts and show faith their lives can be changed.  They can go from no hope to everlasting hope and happines. We never know what's going to happen with people like Steven but we do know that if we're prayerful and strive for exact obedience then we'll be taught what to do. We can only pray he'll have and nourish that desire to know and do more. We just keep looking for people. We have great plans and are excited to work hard this upcoming week. 

     Our running is going well. He runs hard and I try to keep up. There really is something so attractive about someone who works hard at living the word of wisdom. I know there are real hidden treasures of knowledge that lie within the word of wisdom.  I'm grateful for revelation and the guidance it is for us. I enjoy not worrying, but just doing my best in being obedient willingly trusting that promised blessing will come. I love you all very much. Please hug and kiss the littles for me. Tell Peight I sent out his rings so people all over know his testimony and wear that CTR ring. He doesn't remember Anna but she was so grateful to receive it and she too knows that the church is true and the Heavenly Father lives and loves us very much. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you all. 

Love Elder Paramore

9/25/11

Hi Hi Hi!

 

     Oh goodness! Life really is too good:) so this week is packed:) It seems as if everybody planned everything for this week. We'll have a district meeting a leadership meeting, we'll teach English as a Second Language, we'll get to go to conference and we've set up two Hmong dinners:) Oh yeahhhh ha. Oh and it's Hmong New Year here in Chico this Saturday and Sunday... Life really is good mom and dad! I've been here in Chico for 8 months now and i've seen  women have there children and those children are almost walking. The babies that were around a year have grown so so much. It just reminds me of the littles and how much I love them. I think it's awesome that you go to the school! I'm sure Peighton just loves it!  You, Landon and Dad are too cool. Keep going strong, there really are hidden treasures of knowledge in living the word of wisdom to the best of our abilities:) It takes a lot of faith too. Tell dad i'm excited to find trails to hike with him:) I remember Holloween two years ago... It was on a Saturday and that was the day Bishop sent my papers to the Stake President. We had a ward party under the pavillion and we ate chili:) P was spiderman. Do the littles have any idea of what they want to be this year? 

 

     Oh man when I read about the wallet incident I thought it was so cool that everything worked out the way it did. I hope that lady is ok too. I wonder what caused her to make the decision to steal it and then after getting caught I wonder if her desires changed at all??? I sure hope so. Chandis should have born testimony of the power of the Atonement and promised her that she could change and be happy ha:) for real. The only way to set our desires right are through the atonement. 

 

     This week was good for us, Elder Sandall is getting a little more confident in every aspect:) He's great. Running is tough! So right after I emailed you I change my goal. So instead of running 3 miles in under 20 i'm shooting for a 5:30 mile. We run 3 miles on most days and the other days are different running workouts and one long day which is on preparation day. It feels so nice to take care of your body and eat right. You really begin to understand more of the blessing your body is to you and the love our Heavenly Father has for us. We were able to go to the Relief Society Broadcast as well! We had 3 non-members go and a few less actives. It was so neat. I've never been but I sure did enjoy being surrounded by righteous women! I thought about my wife and how she was watching it somewhere. She left with a greater desire to become more converted to loving our Savior first in all things:) I just know it! She also probably left saying I want 10-12 kids and my first sons name will be Zebedee:) Crazy! Jk. All is well. I still love it here and hope I can stay a few more weeks:) The members here are the best. I sure do love you all. Thank you for all your faith. I know that Sister Williamson will be alright:) Thank you for your prayers. Please keep showing your faith:) Tell Landon I love him. Give him a 3 minute hug for me. I know you never forget but please hug and kiss the littles for me and let them know that I really love them. Thanks for all you do and let me know if there' anything I can do for you all. 

 

Love Elder Paramore

9/19/11

Hi!


My goodness did I love and enjoy that email:) Thank you. I hope Peighton knows how much I look up to him as well. I could only imagine what his face looked like after all that happened. I'm glad he's able to laugh about it now. And Landon is the man. I sure do love him. I'm glad to hear about the cardiology appointment. He's running off of blessings! Tell him i'm excited to study the scriptures with him when I get back. What a man!

I think i've told you this before but I gain so much strength from your and dads faith. I always have to get teary eyed during an emailing session. Thank you for pleading with our Heavenly Father on my behalf. I feel those prayers being answered. We had a good week. We taught a ton and had fun. We've been fasting and being as prayerful, obedient, diligent and faithful as we can to find new people to teach. It's been great. We haven't found many but it doesn't get us down. During a lesson we had last week we were teaching and I stopped so my companion could take over and as I did that it was silent for a bit, which is fine, but then after a minute I looked at him and he was stuffing his face with ice cream cake hahaha. Oh my goodness it was so funny. When he realized that we were teaching he felt really bad and said sorry a few times and then was able to carry on. See junk food is distracting spiritually! He must have been pretty hungry for sweets:) Good thing the lesson was with an active member:) He's such a good Elder. He's only been out 3 weeks and is exactly obedient and willing. We have great studies and each day is so much fun because we can focus on what's important rather then silly selfish things. Maybe I just can't explain how great life is so I attempt through talking about certain experiences that don't really describe anything that goes on. I just hope ya know that I love the Lord with all my heart. I really do. I try my best to follow the spirit and do what he would want me to do and because of that I can feel confident, peaceful and full of joy.

We've gotten a running routine. Last week I ran 3 miles and averaged a 6:57 mile. We run 3 miles each day but I haven't been trying to get faster just been trying to get a good cardio workout. His ankle is fine now and we run hard each morning. We've set goals to reach by the time next transfer ends so a 9 week duration. By the end I want to be able to run 3 miles in under 20 minutes. This morning we ran a 4 mile at 7:40 pace and tomorrow we'll have a .5 mile warm up then sprint a mile and try to do that in under 6 then have a .5 mile cool down then Wednesday will be a good run at around 7:30 for 3 miles and Thursday will be .5 warm up 2 mile sprint at 6:30 then a .5 cool down then Friday and Saturday will be 3 mile run at a good strong pace. Then next week it'll be a bit different. We ran this morning in Bidwell Park. It's a huge park here that is pretty much just forest and wildlife. We saw a deer this morning on our run. I'm very grateful for my body. They really are such a blessing to us and we each as individuals can take care of ouselves. By doing so we learn so much. There really are hidden treasures of knowledge in living the word of wisdom. Oh and my companion runs quite a bit faster then me ha i'm usually way behind. 

All is well here. I love being a missionary. I hope the ward knows how much I love them back there. Please don't forget to hug and kiss the littles for me. I love you mom. Thanks for everything. Please let me know if I can do anything for you all. Love ya.

Love Elder Paramore

9/13/11

Hey!

 

     Holy cow life is so so so so so good! I love being a missionary:) I really really do. It makes me so happy to pray then to act then receive guidance and follow it. It's the best feeling. I'm grateful for the week we've had. My companion is great! He's willing and he just enjoys baring testimony and working hard. We've really just tried our very best to be exactly obedient. It's changes a person if they can truly dedicate themselves in all the small ways:) I know it's true! We're still just doing our best to find people to teach. We've had success in our efforts and we love love love just contacting people we see in public. It's so much fun to walk up to them and really just listen to the spirit as they talk. The Lords promises are real. We had an experience just this morning as we were taking some clothing to a Hmong family and a man was walking by, we said he and he walked over to us. We were able to listen to him and the spirit told us everything we needed to say. He broke down and cried as we bore testimony of how much our Heavenly Father loves him. Moments like these are more rewarding than most and it warms my heart. As I looked into his eyes and told him these things I knew he was in that moment lifted up a bit from his state of unhappiness and stress. He said a prayer right there with us and he wants us to come over on Friday. It's so important for us to be ready at all times and in all places. My companion actually rolled is ankle last preparation day so he hasn't been able to run and it's killing him ha. He's taking it pretty well. He's tough. English class was wonderful on both Friday and Saturday of last week! We taught and drew out the connection between the spirit world and temples. Hmong culture worships their ancestors so we taught how Gods culture helps their ancestors then the next day we drew it out again and taught about the celestial kingdom and bore testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is the only way. After we finished a women asked if we'd teach her how to pray so she can begin to ask Heavenly Father if these things are true:) Life's good. When we can't see the small miracles in our lives it means we aren't looking. They're there and they are so so so fruitful. The conference we had yesterday was great! We heard from Elder Kearon of the seventy and we talked a lot about the spirit. Sometimes it seems I have to labor so hard for spiritual things to come. It was great. There was also a music video we watched were there was a picture of the Savior holding a young girl and she looked liked Shenise. I just love her so much. She's so precious. Elder and Sister Kearon had a boy die at 3 weeks in open heart surgery and the moment they told us that the spirit was so strong. I don't think Landon can even begin to comprehend how important he is in this great plan. I hope he knows that and I hope he knows that we're so lucky to be apart of his life the way we are. I love him. I'm glad to hear that all is well.   Life is good. I love you all. Please don't forget to hug and kiss the Little's for me. Mom and dad I don't know if I've told you this before but I sure am grateful for all your love and faith. I can cry at any moment if I think about how much I love you and and how much you've always loved me. I also love my wife and children so so so much! I don't know exactly who they are but I know we're preparing together to raise beautiful children. If there's anything I can do for you all please let me know. Ha ya there are a ton of little birdies out here:) 

 

Love Elder Paramore

8/22/11

Hi Family!

Well I don't know what to say! Even when it seems like things are quite around there they're always loud to hear about. I love you all very much and miss you as well. The work is so much fun! Each day is so filling. I wish I could explain more but it just wouldn't suffice. The Lor family is doing well. We are constantly praying for ways to help them physically and spiritually. They come each Friday and Saturday to an ESL class that we teach (English as a Second Language). We just barely got some good material to teach last week. An ESL Teacher at Butte College gave us some of her older text and workbooks. They are diligent learners. Mai Houa, their daughter that was baptized in March and the 2nd oldest son will be attending seminary. Though they don't know English they have faith it will help. Chio Saelee is still going through a divorce and she's also looking to move out of her current house. She's sick right now:( She picks up odd jobs here and there and most the time it's harvesting some kind of nut, fruit or vegetables. I think she overdid herself the last couple days. My companion, Elder Jones went home on Friday. It was a bit early so they sent me a missionary for 11 days til the end of the transfer. That means I get the opportunity to teach English then translate for meetings and a couple hours during church:) He's from Samoa and learned English to come on a mission. He doesn't talk a whole lot but he's very nice. I'm anxious to see what happens at transfers end:) So all is well here. We started teaching a new family last week as well. We were in a drought for finding new investigators. This family is neat. Their young and have 3 kids. They have a desire to learn how to read and write Hmong. Alot of them can speak not many can do it all. So we've been able to implement the Gospel while we help them. It's been fun.

So just real quick. I hope ya know that disobedience is something that I cannot stand. I know that if we're just willing to experiment upon the teachings of our Savior then our hearts will begin to change. There is a direct correlation between obedience and growth. We have to be doing something, and I feel that we all know and understand the things we should be doing, so why don't we get uncomfortable and grow a little?! When missionary's are purposely disobedient it just makes me so sad! I don't get it. No matter how hard it may seem to an individual he or she can always find comfort in doing what's right, it may not be easy but it promotes growth and builds testimony. When trying our hardest to be obedient it's so important to be prayerful.

Yeah, just tell dad that I love him and thanks for working so hard. I cannot wait to be at the temple with him and with all of you. That day will come! Mom I don't think there's a single thing you can do for me outside of all that you already do. I had something deep to say about how much you love me and how that effects me today and each day i'm out here but I can't think of the way to say it anymore so I gave up. You do way too much and i'm grateful. Thanks mom. No we actually only eat at the Guymons maybe twice a month. They're such a neat family.

K I better go but if there's anything I can do for you please let me know. I love ya. Please don't forget to hug and kiss those littles. Tell P that I gave his CTR rings and testimony to other missionary's to give out too. He's such a good missionary. Thank him for sharing his testimony and let him know that Heavenly Father is so happy when we do. Love ya:)

Love Elder Paramore

8/15/11

                                                   
Dear Family,


Thank you so much again for the birthday wishes! Yeah I'm doing my best to get outta that debt:) It's fun. I'm glad you all had a good week and that everyone had a good birthday! It was also Steven Kriz's and Brother Dye's birthday yesterday and today is Brother Dye's youngest daughter Sammy's birthday along with Kaylyns. Holy cow what a busy couple days. I'm so grateful for all your love mom and dad. I was studying the other day and thought of you dad, and Grandpa Paramore and Peighton. It's in Alma 48: 17-19. It was 2 years ago already the Bar 10 had the party at the Dixie pool and this weekend marks two years from when me and some dear friends traveled North to visit temples and to see Zebedee's grave. Last year around this time I was in Yuba City and life was just as good as it is now.... Last week was good here as well. Sometimes I can't always see the small successes that occur but I'm grateful when I finally hear of them. We've been finding all week and it's been great. Maybe I mentioned this before but never at any point on my mission has it been quite like this. I love learning and struggling to learn some more. We've seen some success with part-member families and referrals from members. We work daily on little things that help us become more powerful. For example...You'll never see an Apostle with his hands in his pockets,  we're taught not to do it in the MTC or while teaching a lesson and we're trying not to cross our legs or fold our arms ha I know it sounds silly and it kind of is but it helps when all the attention is on our eyes and our name tag unless your as handsome as Elder Jones then it's tough for anyone to focus. I love obedience and order:) I love Chico. I love hippies, I love ward counsels, I love preparing to be a husband and father through the small things I do that change my heart and I most certainly love, loving people. I love ironed white shirts and getting letters from good friends and loved ones, I love thinking about the littles and grand littles and their faith and good examples. I just hope we never forget but REMEMBER continually of the atonement of Jesus Christ and the real healing power within. Our family is so blessed, the Lord has a lot of work for us to do. I really hate it when I get tired and look for a break. At that point I have a decision to make... I can push through and give my desires to the Lord and learn the things I'm supposed to or I can do what I want to do and maybe learn a bit here and there but it's when I don't look for those breaks and love the Lord that I learn the most. All is well here. My companion goes home this Friday. I'm grateful he's strong and still works very hard. I don't have much else to report on. Thank you so much for all you do, you do way to much already. No worries. If you just keep having those littles say prayers for me and the people here then that should be enough:) Please let them know I love them and don't forget to hug and kiss them. I love ya mom and dad and if there's anything I can do for ya let me know.

Love Elder Paramore

8/8/11

Holy Cow! You're too perfect mom. I sure do love ya a whole lot. Thank you for that email. It really does sound busy around there. You're irreplaceable in my heart. I think about you and dad often, especially when I struggle a bit. Most recently it's been kind of tough. We have 1 investigator. She's awesome. She's going through a divorce and trying to move out of her boyfriends house. She comes to church every week and has been for 6 months or so. After that we got no one. It's been a change of pace. It's been good. I've learned a lot and no matter what is allotted unto us we can show faith and be happy in knowing we're doing our best. Revelation is so important. I'd be so lost without the spirit in my life and in this work. We have had a lot of unforeseen success this past week but it didn't come from not showing faith. Elder Jones works hard. We have fun together. So this upcoming week is going to be guided and eventful. The other night just after planning the 3 Elders I live with and I all got together and talked about our dads. What a special relationship that is. I never know what to say because no matter what I tell them they won't understand. It's hard for me to share a lot about how much I really do love you and dad or the family. So I just work hard. Thank you for teaching me the things I know. I love your love. I am now in letter debt. 22 letters came my way this past week and I'm grateful but up to my ears in debt ha. I love writing letters and hearing from family and friends. It's hard to catch up because we only have Mondays to write and we still do our studies and then email, shopping, and solidifying plans. But one week at a time I'll get to thank everyone. Our ward is great. Our ward here is great too. I love it here in Chico. If ya ever talk to Sister Guymon just tell her how great I think her family is. I really do love them. If you ever talk to anyone out here tell them I love them:) So everyone's birthday is this weekend. Will ya tell them all Happy Birthday for me. Tell Haizlee that I love her and just ask her what I'm doing out here. Also tell her again that the Tinkerbell cake was perfect. I heard Peighton has quite the testimony! He's a better missionary then I am. My resources are limited, sorry! Maybe from me to them...As a family have a mini testimony meeting then sing Hymn 300 while you think about the Atonement and love we've received from our Heavenly Father. Then could you and dad hug the littles and grand littles and tell them I love them. Ha k sorry! I think I could type instructions on how to show those littles how much I love them forever. I'm sorry. Mom and dad thanks for being my parents and for always loving me. I feel it every single day of my life and in each moment. I can't wait to love my wife the way you two love each other and love my kids the way you've loved us. I know we always have a lot of work to do and I'm grateful to be working alongside you. If there's anything I can do for ya please just let me know. Oh yeahhhh.... Life is indeed good. Keep smiling:)


Love Elder Paramore

HaPpY BiRtHdAy ElDeR!!

Family-


Hi! How are you?! Holy cow life is too good! Thank you for the email. Ok, I wear 15 1/2 neck and the sleeve is 32-33, slim fit Enro Brand:) Or whatever you want will be fine ha. Sorry. Recently on preparation days my companion and I with a young man in our ward and some other missionaries have been playing Risk. I'm very bad but I remember that dad enjoys it. Y'all play a lot of games! It'll be great to come home and get dominated by y'all.

Thank you so much for the birthday gift! I loved Peightons idea to bare his testimony and make copies with CTR rings so I could pass them out. Yeah tell him that he has such a strong testimony and everyone needs to hear it so maybe he could send a couple more. That'd be wonderful. Tell Kaylyn thank you so much too. Wow they are strong littles! Oh and tell Haizlee that my favorite cake is indeed Tinkerbell so she must be in tune. Good choice! Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes.

So this last week seemed to be slower then most. I went on 3 exchanges so I was only in my area 4 of the 7 days and two were preparation day and the sabbath. One of the days I was with an Elder who is "shotgunning" his area which means the Elders that were previously there were taken out altogether and the two new have to start fresh. They don't know anyone in the ward the area nothing. So we tracted for 5 1/2 hours and met a lot of people. It was a great exchange. I love every part of the work. Meanwhile Elder Jones and I have been looking for people to teach as well. We have good plans this week and look forward to getting to work. Our district did better then ever and a 22 year old named Laruen was baptized. The service was so good. A lot of investigators came as well.

So yesterday during 3rd hour everyone gathered together and we had a lesson on addiction recovery. Immediately I felt the spirit and then was reminded a little bit more of the healing power of the atonement. I just love you and dad so much. I don't know what I'd do without all the love you've always shown me. I'm grateful for your testimonies and strength. I can't believe how awesome the littles are and how solid their testimonies are already. There is nothing that makes me happier then to see them and our family love our Savior. Ha I know if I were home you'd get teary eyed while telling me what you wrote that 24 years ago today I was very pregnant with a little boy. I'm so grateful for our lives and for all the opportunities we've been given to learn and grow. I sure do love ya. We just gotta remember who loves us and how good life really is all the time. Hug and kiss the littles and grand littles for me.Let them know that I know Heavenly Father loves them and tell them I look up to them so please keep being good examples. Hug and kiss my dad for me. Thanks for working so hard mom and dad. We've got a strong home....Oh yeahhhh ha. Smile:) Let me know if there's anything I can do for ya.

Love Elder Paramore

PS For my birthday I want Shenise to go to all three hours of church next week.

PPS Hi Sister Guymon:) and Anna Elizabeth:)

7/25/11

Hey! Yeah Happy Pioneer day yesterday. Thanks for writing. Sounds like things are busy busy around there. Even though you say it's uneventful each week I think to myself how you all hang around each other all the time. That's pretty eventful to me. I really love you all so much. Thank you for the emails each week.


Ummm...Don't worry about shirts, it's not to far away. Mine are still white white and clean so I'll be just fine. Thanks. I have no requests. Just as long as you send love I'm good. No mate, cookies would be great. I think it'd be awesome if you had the littles and the grand littles write their testimonies down for me. I'd love that.

We've had a great week. Transfers were last week so it was a little busy. We had a lot of success. Last Monday we played volleyball with Hmong men around our age and they dominated us. I couldn't believe how skilled they were and how unified. Every one of them. I played for 4 and half hours so I felt that for the rest of the week. We'll play again today. They are all non members except one who's less active. So getting them into the church asking them to watch their mouths and having a prayer is much more fruitful then you'd imagine. We had a lesson late last night with two of them and it was sooo goood. He said the closing prayer and had never before offered a prayer. He enjoyed everything we talked about. We had a bit of success with two less active families this week who are part member families so if anything happens I'll explain more. We see the hand of the Lord everyday in this work and we don't like to talk about, we just get to work and say our prayers. It's such a neat experience doing this work. Thanks for having me and for always showing me so much love. Randy and Cindy Paramore,, oh baby their great parents! Tell dad I learned this week that I can bench press 216. Oh and when standing up I can bend down and grab the bottom of my feet. No matter how hard or much I run or how healthy I eat or whatever I will always have the Paramore pudge. I've embraced it.

I love Chico. The members here are just awesome and it feels like a home ward to me now. Oh this week while I was on exchanges in another missionaries area we built an entire shed. My face is more tan then it has been my whole mission. I'm very white. Well I don't have anything else don't think. It was a great week. I love you all so much. Thanks for being so loving all the time. Please hug and kiss the littles for me oh and the grand littles. I hope Peights following through on his commitments. Tell him to write me back once in awhile. I'd love to hear from the grand littles as well. Thank dad for always working so hard for us and maybe give him another 5 minute hug and this time think about how happy we are and why. I'd hug my companion for 5 minutes but he might not like it. Elder Clawson would've loved it.

Love, Elder Paramore
Ps. Hi sister Guymon! Give your husband a hug and tell him I love him:) Thank you both for being so awesome

7/18/11

I'm staying in Chico! So that's pretty exciting. I really do love it here and I was thrilled that I would be staying again. This is my 5th transfer here and my companion goes home after this one so maybe 6 or 7 for me. I'd love it. This area is saturated with prepared hearts and willing members. Mom and dad, I love loving the Lord. I have so many experiences each day that fill my heart with gratitude and propel me forward in this work. I'm so grateful that I came out with the testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. My companion and I ran another 100 miles last transfer for our morning exercise and we're really trying our best to be exactly obedient. The pursuit of exact obedience doesn't get old. I had a couple of tender experiences this past week. A man named Mike Goodrich passed away not to long ago and his service was last week at the church (I'll tell you my relationship to him when I get home). As I was sitting there watching people weep over the loss of their dear friend and relative I was blessed with so much comfort and peace. I thought about how much faith it would take to be on your death bed and still be unshaken. I'm sure it's a growing experience in itself. I listened to the speakers speak and a lot of them mentioned how he only wanted to be forgiven and how he'd done this and that and that he knew he wasn't perfect and had maybe hurt a lot of feelings in his days but he loved everyone and that's what he would want to tell them if he were there. I thought that if it was my funeral service I would want people to know just a few things. That I know Jesus is the Christ and I would want them to know that because of the way I treated them. That's it. It was a very real pondering experience for me and I know the day will come. I'm excited to love and serve everyone for the rest of my life. Life really is too good. We're excited for this transfers. We've been blessed with a 100% increase of Melchizedek Priesthood holders who are Hmong in our ward last transfer. It went from 1 to 2. the one that moved served a mission 15 years ago and he's solid. His family is pretty big in the church down in Sacramento so he'll add a lot to our work here. His name is Ntaj Neeb Xyooj which means spirit sword in Hmong. Xyooj is his last name. Elder Jones and I are almost done with the Book of Mormon and it's blessed us so much reading it together. I love talking about it and listening to his thoughts as we read. I've also been reading Our Heritage. I think if we all would just stop and Remember our pioneer ancestors then we'd recognize even more so how blessed we are today. K sorry I'm just going on and on but I just hope ya know that I know this work is real.


I can't wait to hang out with Landon when I get home. I also can't wait to embrace all those littles! They are so cute! What a little army of righteousness. Could ya give all of them a "hard hug" for me. Peighton will know what I'm talking about. So is aunt Kathy staying there as well? You got a lot of work to do mom. Thank you so much for your testimony mom. Your faith blesses me so much every day. I don't really get too down but when I do I can think of you and dad and it always strengthens me. I was reading in Our Heritage this morning and it talked of the time when The Prophet Joseph watched his father get baptized and how great his joy was. I have no doubt that that joy reaches to the eternities and it goes back to the pre existence. We're sealed and I'm grateful for the strength you give me each day because of the way you live. Oh and as a family will you try and finish the Book of Mormon together before I get home so we can start fresh when I get there?That'd be awesome! Thanks for hugging dad for 5 minutes! I love him too.

You've got the best attitude mom. I know that you were called to your position because of who you are and they way you've utilized the atonement. You'll be such a strength. K I love ya. I hope all goes well this week! Thanks for all you do and please know that I love and pray for you all as well. If there's anything I can do for ya let me know.

Love Elder Paramore

7/11/11

Dear Family,


What an uplifting email. Thank you for telling me all these things. I was overcome with happiness and gratitude when you had told me you were called to the  RS Presidency. Mom, why did I get so lucky to have a mom like you? I really don't get it???? You are just too neat and I wonder if you just have an unlimited supply of love or what? It overwhelms me how your role as a mother is so powerful in my life and I know your role as the secretary will bless so many lives as well:) The Lord makes no mistakes. Be prayerful then be still and know that all is well. When I looked at the Picture of our family at the reunion I could just feel the sincere joy in everyone's smile. You and dad are a couple to look up to. You love each other so much and your so focused on helping us become who we need to become. I think about those  littles a lot, they are such special children. They are going to be powerful influences in the Lords work. I saw Landon in those pictures as well. He just needs to come back to church. His life won't change overnight but his desire to change can propel a great change in the future and a lasting change for the grand littles. His activity in the church reaches far beyond himself, it has potential to change thousands of his posterity. So he's just staying with you all? I would love it if he stayed. I love him so much and even though he doesn't think so, he's got a special calling in this life.  Heavenly Father knew that it'd take a lot of faith to be who he is but He knew that He could do it. He was put here to learn and to help us learn from who he is. I just love him. I'm glad to hear the family is healthy and happy:) You're doing great mom and dad ha. I think if we just keep smiling and always REMEMBER then we'll always know that life really is tooooooo gooooood:) Oh and by the way... you and dad look great!

So when you said that the Stuckis moved to Vegas I actually got a bit teary. That's silly! I just love our ward and wish everyone could stay forever:) We already lost the Algers:( Who's next!!!!???

I'm glad you got Elder Jones' letter. He's quite the Elder. I'm grateful to be serving with him. All is well over here in our part of the vineyard:) We just love talking with people, bearing our testimonies and loving everyone. It's really quite the blessing to live the way we do. the Chico 1st ward is too great. I love all them and it's so much fun. They are so so so willing. Mom if you want your relief society sisters to be healthy and happy and active get the to do missionary work! That's what it's all about:) So I don't know if this is legal or not, haha but I SOMEtimes ponder about how much I love my wife, our kids and our future. I feel so blessed to come from the ancestors I did and feel full of gratitude for the family we have. I know that if my wife and I are always missionary minded then we'll be as happy and healthy as can be and so will our children. I'm going to be one lucky guy:) So this is the last week of the transfer, there's a good chance I'm going, but it's not for sure. I want to stay, but am fine with whatever. If I stay then I'll stay for 2 more transfers because Elder Jones leaves to go home after next. So we'll see what happens. Mom if ya could just hug and kiss those littles for me, let them know that I love them and miss them that'd be great. Tell them that I'm grateful for and can feel their prayers. They are special and they need to know that all the time:) This world will tell them otherwise and the devil will not take a break:) He's rude:( I love ya. If my dad doesn't know that he's special either, let him know ha. give him a 5 minute hug for me. While you're hugging think about how much we, your kids, love you both. Hoorah for Israel can at any moment really stop and cry/laugh that's how great life is:) It sounds bad but it's not, it's good. If you still post these up that's great:) Hi friends:) Love ya. K sorry I'll go. I love you family and hope you know that.

Elder Paramore

7/4/11

Hey! Thank you for writing at the beginning of your monopoly game! I'm sure that was an all nighter and I'm sure dad won:) Wow it sounds like you all had a lot of fun. Next year will be a lot of fun. How are Aunt Andy and Uncle Devon doing? I cannot believe there were close to 700 people there! That's pretty neat. How did they all fit?! If I remember right that chapel is just tiny. Holy cow! Jenna and Carlos had a baby! That is so awesome! I'm sure he is the cutest little baby and he's got some mighty fine parents:) If you ever get the chance tell them congratulations for me. So Ian and Kaitlyn are doing good. I'm glad to hear it, That's great.


Sorry I may not make sense when I type to you. Thank you for all the updates and it makes me happy to hear that all went well and you were able to see some of your siblings and loved ones. I've had an interesting last couple days... Saturday evening I started to feel a little different but all was pretty well then I went to bed and woke up at two and my lower back hurt(my kidneys, it wasn't muscle related), I was hot and had a pretty bad headache. So I went out on the couch and tried to get comfy. Couldn't really but it was better then bed. As I laid there I had a lot going through my mind. First... I absolutely love being a missionary and was grateful I felt a bit ill. I love just smiling. I then thought a bit about love...I haven't felt this ill since I've been a missionary. I had this great desire to call for mom:) I'm just so grateful for your love. I just smiled at all the love I've always felt from you and dad whenever I didn't feel well. I remember thinking to myself when I was younger that I didn't understand how you and dad got sick at home without your moms. As a little kid a lot didn't make sense but that sticks out to me. I was ill all day Sunday and just laid down and took it easy. I don't have an appetite and just feel very weak:) All is well though ha I know I'm not making it seem as if it is but it really is. We had a great week. We started teaching English a couple weeks ago and it's going well. We'll get a radio announcement and we'll put out fliers at laundromats and Asian stores. It's going to be successful just getting people into the church building. At the beginning of each class we sing a hymn (me and my companion:)) then have an opening prayer then we teach one gospel word like repentance...Hloov Siab Lees Txim which translates to change heart admit punishment. Then we go into teaching. We have a member of our ward who is a principal so she taught English as a second language before. She'll be there every time. It's every Friday and Saturday from 5-7 pm. Then we try and invite good freindshippers to help out as well. So it'll be good:) I'm not too smart but I have a great companion and we love the people. We also met a lady at the Farmers Market on Thursday who told us as soon as we were done talking with the Hmong people we were talking to she has some questions for us so when we got finished she asked us if we believed the we'll have a planet of our own after we die....? So we answered by saying we believe that we can live with our Heavenly Father again if we do those things that he wants us to do. Then she asked if the Book of Mormon replaces the Bible... So we answered that. She knows a lot and has great desires to find the true church. She has guardianship over her grand daughter and wants to get her into the best church at a young age so this past Sunday she and her grand daughter came:) We had a good week. These members are just awesome. We got to eat with the Guymons this week. I am so grateful for them. Will you make sure to thank sister Guymon for always being so nice and just let them know that I really do love their family. Our new Mission President got here on Wednesday I think and we'll get to meet him this Friday. It's exciting. All is too well here. I hope you know that I love ya. Thank you for being willing to get that address for me. Is there anything I can do for you all? Did the littles have fun up there in Schofield? Time is flying let's keep taking advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow. I look forward to the day we get to hug and chat but I know it'll be even sweeter if we keep loving the Lord first in all we do. Life is too good mom and dad. Thanks for being my parents and for loving me and my siblings. I hope you know that we love you all so much. Talk to you next week.

Love Elder Paramore

6/26/11

Yeah our new mission President will be here this week. President and Sister Weston:) I'm excited. He'll bring his four kids as well. Hoorah for Israel! Missionary meetings are very neat.


We had a great week! I'll tell ya one thing that was pretty special. We were at the hospital visiting a very sick man and on our way out we ran into a Chinese man from Hong Kong. He's been in the states for 7 years. He just graduated from school with his masters degree in aerospace engineering. He's 28. He saw us and started talking to us, and he remembered missionaries stopping him in Hong Kong and was amazed that we dressed the same. He also had a friend in grad school who was Mormon and served a mission. This friend didn't talk to much about the church but he was a good example. Well after talking with him for a bit he asked if he could just come hang out with us so we said sure! He's only up from LA visiting a friend who got in an accident on I-5 on her way from Oregon to here somewhere. So he drove up. He didn't have anything to do so he was pretty bored. Well since last Wednesday when we first met him he has come running with us 3 of the mornings and hung out with us while we did our normal thing for 3 full days. We have been teaching him about the gospel and he,  throughout these past 5 days has just had so many questions! He's very very smart. We answered them and tried to stay simple. He loved it all and knows why it's so important to know the Book of Mormon is true for himself. He wants to be baptized. So that he doesn't have to pay for a motel we asked a Sister  if she'd let him stay with her.  So now he's there and may stay for a bit. He's such a kind man. We'll see what happens. His desires are there so wherever he goes he knows what he's felt and he'll do great. It's been fun and will continue to be. Ha he even comes to our dinner appointments with members:)

Mom and Dad I love you. I really do. I can't explain how much, remember it's not possible in the English language. So I'll just keep working hard knowing you're doing the same:) Please hug and kiss the littles for me. Thanks for praying for me and for teaching the littles about prayer. I loved when Peighton said he sometimes just stops what he's doing and prays for me. He's a very special little boy. Please hug Shenise and Chand for me too. 1 minute each when you see them and tell them how much ya love them and then tell them that I think about them and love them very much. If there's anything I can do for ya just let me know. Love ya.

Elder Paramore

6/20/11

Well my goodness it just doesn't get better than this:) Every week I hear from you all I just get so full. Thank you for taking the time to write me and thank you for loving me:) Oh I'm glad you get to go to Andy and Devon's for the 4th! That'll be so much fun. I love being up there and spending time with the family. Ha I never know what to say in these emails! First... All is well...Elder Jones and I are working hard and I think about how much you all love me often. This work is truly a growing experience. I love having problems and working them out through prayer and work. I have learned so much and realized that I still don't know much but I've learned to love the Lord even more. I love doing this work. Second... I'm glad you got a hold of Elder Ramirez, he's quite the person. I loved serving with him:) Thanks for doing that. I am so so so excited the missionaries are going over to Landon's on Tuesday! Everything's going to be alright:) Sister Burner is quite the person, her whole family is really neat. I'm glad she was email you. I love Chico. It's such a neat place. Hey do we have a farmers market down in St. George?  I don't remember having one but if we do that'd be sweet:) It's where all the local farmers bring there crops to sale. They close down a road  here and the all set up booths.


My goodness that movie sounds awesome! I can't wait to watch stuff like that. I don't know why I feel the way I do a lot of times and I don't know what genes of who I received but I feel so blessed to be who I am and have the testimony I have. I think Peighton and Haizlee are pretty lucky to have been born to a mom and dad like you all. I just think you and dad are so darn awesome. Thanks for filling me in on your dates:) I think we've got a healthy family. How are your family home evenings, scripture study and prayers? Thanks mom.

Dad I hope you had a happy fathers day:) HAPPY FATHERS DAY! I sure do love you and I hope you know that you are one successful dad. To a boy a dad should be a goal of what to be and to a girl he should be a hope of things to come. I think you've taught us how to love with such a selfless pure love. Thank you for always working so so hard for us. I'm so grateful things worked out so you could raise me and be the single most influential man in my life. I don't know if I can comprehend the significance of a fathers call but you are a goal of what I want to be. Thanks for always being there and for teaching me how to be a man. (As man as a man can get without facial hair) I look forward to going to the temple with you and talking on probably the shortest truck ride of my life because I won't want it to end. I love ya and I think of you often everyday. It helps me be who I'm supposed to be when I think of you. I imagine you with a small group of men including the man who raised you and the man who raised my mom and so on watching me, cheering me on, lifting me when I'm weak and reminding me that I bare the priesthood of God. What a blessing it is to literally be apart of each one of you and to be apart of this great work. I feel privileged. I love this work dad and I wouldn't be here if you and mom wouldn't have taught me the things you did. I hope you and I and the family can just keep looking forward knowing that we'll be together forever. The Lord has a lot of work for our immediate family to do. Thanks for being there always and for, most importantly, loving the Lord. He most certainly loves you.

Well family I love ya. Peighton and Haizlee I think you two are awesome thank you for always saying your prayers and for being nice to your friends. I know that it makes mom, dad, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ so happy:) I can't wait to play with you two:) Guess who my best friends are in the whole wide world?!?!?! Peighton and Haizlee! Thanks for loving me. Have a good week family and know that I love ya and pray for ya:)

6/13/11

  

Flowers in Chico, CA.

Hey!


Hi! Let me just start by letting you know that I know this church is true. I know that if it wasn't for the Gospel we wouldn't be happy today. Thank you for your examples and your faith:) I sure do love y'all and I hope you know that. You know I was thinking and you might not think it's a good idea and maybe you already do it but at random down times during the middle of the day you can pray for me with the littles. Pray for me to be able to help others be happy through the gospel.

All is well! Elder Jones is a fire ball! This is my first time with him and we're having so much fun. This is his 3rd time in this area. Yeah I've been here for awhile and I really enjoy the members. It was sister Robinson that called you I think. She's such a sweet lady. She just asked for your number one day:) Elder Jones and I have a lot of work to do. He and Elder Clawson go home in 11 weeks. I love these two. They're great Elders and so much fun to serve with. It really has been like serving in my home ward with a couple of my best friends. It's too much fun. We have no choice but to work work work:) The family that has 8 kids is doing pretty good. The first time we saw him we taught about prayer and just tried to get him to know how important it was. He was out of work and it was really dragging him down. We saw him days later while we were walking around just talking to people and he was working. When we talked with him he said it was because God had helped him:) Missionary work is so sweet! Couldn't you cry over a simple experience like this?!  We have things like this happen daily and we are just continually thanking our Father in Heaven. Elder Clawson and Elder Jones were MTC companions and have served 36 weeks of their missions together. So Elder Clawson is pretty jealous we're together. Ha not really but we all just really love one another. Elder Ramirez went home to Florida with no family to welcome him home. He's such a courageous individual. His home ward there was there to greet him but  I would imagine it's not the same. He's the only member in his family. I am so grateful for you love and support. .I love you mom and dad. Thanks for being missionaries to us kids. I promise that you're doing exactly what the Lord needs you to do by showing us so much love all the time. Please just let those littles know that I know the Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father loves them:) Hug and kiss them for me and next time you have the sisters over feed them Fruits and Vegetables maybe some kind of smoothie. Ask for recipe if you need one. Ha help them eat healthy:) I would love to go to our house for dinner as a missionary I bet Peight and Haiz love it. K love ya: If there's anything I can do for ya just let me know.

Love Elder Paramore

6/6/11

Flowers in Chico.

Elder Paramore and Elder Clawson finishing up some very successful time together.

I'm so grateful for you all! Everyone looks so happy and healthy! What a family:) I'm glad you all had a good week. Elder Clawson and I had one of the best weeks of our missions. A lot of good things happened for us and we're just grateful to be here and to be working together. He'd never tell ya but man he is one good Elder and it's been such a blessing to work with him. We had a goal to run 100 miles last transfer and finished on Saturday:) Elvis got baptized Saturday and was confirmed yesterday to end the transfer. We wanted to finish the book of Mormon together and we only have 14 pages left so we'll finish today before he leaves. He's been transferred to Oroville. We also taught 30 lessons which is more then I've ever taught in a week last week and we found a new investigator that has a family of 8. I wouldn't just tell you this to tell you:) I say it all because there's so much potential I think for all of us. Lately we've just focused on practicing and applying true principals such as prayer, Christ like attributes, living the word of wisdom, being virtuous and really just loving people. Elder Clawson is really good at just being so tender and caring. When we can become submissive enough just to do these things a real change is brought about and we change and become a "new creature" in Christ. It's all about faith. The miracle of prayer is remembering your prayer. We've been working hard and we've learned a lot. It paid off. Hopefully all the inviting we've done will help others to allow the snowball of a change to work within them. Bishops have got to love baptisms in their wards. Everyone's mind turns to missionary work and how they were converted and when a ward is doing missionary work a ward is healthy when they aren't they aren't healthy. We got a lot of people involved in the baptism and had a huge turn out. I love this work with all my heart. I love the Lord and know he has faith in us as we have faith in him. Sorry if this all bores you ha. I don't think I can possibly explain how exciting and fun this work is but I try... Sorry. REMEMBER REMEMBER:) Please REMEMBER. We were asked to teach the High Priests two weeks ago and the Relief Society asked us to teach them yesterday. I've never been to Relief Society. When they started singing the opening hymn instead of singing Elder Clawson and I just stayed quiet and listened. I love women, they are all so precious and holy cow where would I be if I never felt the love that I felt from you mom. It was so spiritual for us. This ward is too great. I get to stay here and Elder Jones is coming here to be my companion. He and Elder Clawson were MTC companions. He's really neat and very dedicated. Hmong is coming along... Always tough but each day provides a bit of learning after a bit of struggling:)

It was so cool to see dad cliff jumping! Holy cow I couldn't believe it! When you said he jumped I though to myself that there's no way I could see him doing that:) It looks like you all are just so happy! Thanks for being so loving. Yeah I know your praying for me and it indeed helps me so much. I love you. I love our dad so much too. I hope he knows that he's just the best. That's kinda crazy he was Orland. That's really close. He should have come to the baptism. Well anyway...I hope all is well and I hope you all know that I love ya. Yeeeehaaaaa!!!!!!!

Love Elder Paramore

PS When you talk to anyone from this Chico 1st ward tell them how grateful I am to be serving here and feel so much love and support.

5/23/11

It sounds like you all had a great week! I'm glad you'll get to see Kathy and others real soon. I hope everything works out with them:) I really do.  Elvis our new investigator said he was trying to fix his life and be happy without God in it and realized that he couldn't. I may have told you this already but to see him change is teaching Elder Clawson and I. He's grateful for everything. He is continually thanking our Father in Heaven. He'll be baptized on the 4th. Chandis tells me one of her friends got baptized this past weekend! Oh baby life is too good. I'm just grateful Heavenly Father gave us things like the Sabbath Day, Baptism, Confirmation, prayer, study, other ordinances and service in order to become more submissive, meek humble, long-suffering, diligent and charitable. I think when we just do these things a change comes over us and we really do become a new creature in Christ. Sometimes it takes a lot to humble people enough to begin doing these things, or start up again but I'm confident most of us will remember our Father in Heaven and all He's done for us and eventually do these things in order to experience such pure joy.


The littles are so cute. My goodness. I hope they survive when I get home because I might just hold on to them for a few days before I let go. I love them and I know they love me. Thank them for saying prayers for me and tell them that I can feel Heavenly Father help me when they ask Him to. Thank you for the pictures. Mom I love ya, dad I love ya:) You're right about the quote "People will forget what you said, they'll forget what you did but they will NEVER forget how you made them feel"....All I remember, aside from a few memories, from when I was younger is how much love I always felt from you two. I knew you loved me, I knew you two loved our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for that love.

We had a good week. We stayed very busy. We taught more lessons then we ever have and had a lot of success. Elder Clawson is just too great. I hope he knows it. Sometimes when I'm bored I just watch him and he makes me smile & laugh. It's great to know him and get to serve with him. I don't have much else. I'm happy and healthy:) Thanks for your prayers and your love. I feel it in a very real way. Hug and kiss the littles and please tell my dad that he's too great and thanks for working so hard. Have a good week:)

Love Elder Paramore

5/16/11

Hey!


Family Hi! I love you all very very much:) Wow what a week it has been here. I'll tell ya what... I love being a missionary. Everything about it. EVERYTHING. Some people are saying yeah right, there's no way he loves everything...I don't know what anyone else's mission experience was like but mine is very surreal. I sometimes just step back and am overcome with gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and for the real healing power it offers. I feel very blessed to be here and to have the testimony I have.

There were a few exciting things that happened this week...Even though we didn't get to see a lot of our investigators and our lessons were down by a couple we talked to a whole lot of people:) This week we also got the chance to meet Elder Christofferson. He came to our mission. I introduced myself and all he had to say was St. George is a great place!! ha so it must REALLY be that great. He didn't say anything about me just the blessed city I come from:) Jk. It was quite the experience. I took notes and I wish I had time to share everything but I don't:( Then on Sunday we had Stake Conference and Elder Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy was presiding. He had a lot of wonderful things to say. One of the many things I enjoyed was the importance of making sure people know that they are loved. There was also a thought that came to me as the conference was beginning. I thought of the significance of a virtuous woman. I can't get enough of how sacred they are and just how much our Heavenly Father loves them. There are so many things I really do want to share! Sorry!

I love serving with Elder Clawson. Right now we live with Elder Kober from Payson UT and Elder Adams from Albuquerque. They are great Elders and we have a great time. All is well. We have a clean house a clean room a clean car and we're obedient, prayerful and diligent. Yeah you're right mother I can't believe how fast time goes. Yesterday marks the anniversary for the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood:) I'm glad to hear that our ward back home is doing well:) Do the missionaries know about the lunch groups you have? I'm sure they'd love to invite their investigators to something like that. You can tell all the brethren that I played ball with that I'm no good anymore. At all. I wasn't ever really too good but I've gotten worse:( It's ok. I've improved at other things. I can touch both toes and keep my legs straight. Sorry everyone has been so sick. I hope you all get feeling better. Thank you for taking the time to email me. I know you must get so busy. You really are too great mom and dad. How's my dad doing? I say it often and I'll say it again... Thank you for loving me. You love me so much because you serve me. Ha maybe or maybe you just deal with me?! I don't know. I hope you know that in a very literal way I feel your love here in California. I do.Thank you.

Please always remind the Little's what I'm doing and why I'm here. They are so precious. Thanks for having them:) Please hug and kiss them for me and please hug and kiss my dad as well. I'm glad he continually travels safely. When you get the chance to wrap Shenise and Chandis in your arms, do, and tell them I love them too, so much :) Tell them also that there's a Chipotle here in Chico:) I love you mom and dad. I'll talk to you next week. Let me know if there's anything I can do for ya.

Love Elder Paramore

4/30/11

Elder Paramore teaching in Hmong..
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=219050451438677&subj=566317136