03/21/11

Hi all!
Regarding the temple and what we talked about in the email. I know that there is no better place to be than in the temple. Whatever is holding him back from going is of the devil. The atonement is such a beautiful thing, in fact so wonderful that it wasn't just enough to pay for your sins or my sins but the sins and pains and worries of all mankind. It's eternal. Our  garments can be  washed clean through the blood of the Son of God. God knows each of us individually and only wants us to follow Him. There are blessings to be had and guidance to be given within the walls of the House of the Lord. We must prepare ourselves and get there.
Thank you for the pictures. The Little's just keep getting bigger and bigger and cuter and cuter. I love them so much. Thank you for the package as well! It was perfect! I loved the tape! Holy Cow Haizlee is talking so much! I couldn't believe it. Peighton just sounds like he's getting smarter and smarter too.

We've had a good week. It was a little slower but it's all good. We worked hard. We, one day, were going to meet a potential investigator who answered but wasn't available. As we were walking back to our car we saw a man playing with his children so we asked who was winning and we started a conversation. Turns out that this man has been a member his whole life but had a problem that he thought he took care of back on the east coast. It had to do with jail and such. He said he repented through the bishop there and everything. Well when he got here he met with the local bishop when he was in need and they couldn't find his records. He had been excommunicated. This hurt this man very much. He says he's always been so giving and he loves the missionaries. Well at one point we just felt like telling him we loved him. (We love everyone) Then we asked the question how often do you think about this? He answered, everyday. Instead of focusing on things that were out of our hands (the situation) we focused on the things he knew to be true. So we asked him, Do you believe Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. He said yes. Do you believe there's a prophet of God today who leads and guides us and acts as a mouth piece for Him. He said yes. We said you need to come back to church. Whatever happened to you, whether it be just of unjust, doesn't change the fact that the church is indeed true and through the atonement all things are possible. He has 3 young kids and a wife that was learning until he got upset. We saw them again yesterday and read with them The Family Proclamation to the World. We've notified the bishop who plans to visit him. It was just such a miracle to run into him. I'm so grateful my companion and I work hard. We're obedient. We're unified and mold-able. We were lead, by the spirit, to this man and we were confident in the things we asked and promised. When we remember the Savior through our obedience and dedication to the Gospel we have His promise that the Spirit will be with us. Mai Houa also went to the temple on Saturday. Some members in the Branch in Oroville were sealed. Though Mai Houa couldn't be in there nor did she have a recommend at all she wanted to be there in the waiting room to feel the spirit. She said that she could feel it so strong and she watched member after member walk in to perform ordinances and she couldn't handle it so she had to go wait in the car ha. She loves it and wants to be apart of everything the Gospel has to offer. She's very special.

All is well. I'm doing well. The work is great. I have got a great companion who just loves to do his best. Mom, Family & friends, I know God lives. I really do. Please keep being great and know that I love you. Til next week, family adeiu.

Love Elder Paramore