4/11/11

This past week flew by and it was a great one. Elder Clawson and I are having so much fun. We were finishing up some planning last night at our desks and we were just thinking about how being busy at the beginning of the mission is quite the adjustment. You don't really know how to schedule and plan a day and how to stay busy almost seems impossible. I had the best trainer in Elder Carter who taught me what it takes to work hard and set meaningful goals and reach them. I think we're busier then ever and it's only fun. I've learned so much. I've utilized the Atonement everyday and it has indeed been line upon line. We have a member here in Chico who has a lot of extra land and he tilled it up and is willing to let the Lor family who's learning about the gospel use it to farm. It was so nice of him. We're excited too because we'll be able to help out about an hour a week and they will teach us some very valuable skills:) This land will provide them with the food necessary to sustain themselves as they're adapting to life in America. The women in that family are so strong. Mai Houa is the one who was baptized and she consistently studies on her own. Her prayers are wonderful. She's such a faithful example to her family and friends. We're teaching Chio who is still working on a divorce. She has real intent and has felt the love from the ward. We don't have to do much, the ward gives her rides places and takes her to things so we don't get to involved. It's great when that happens. It helps solidify her activity in the church for the future:) We had quite the miracle last Saturday... We were driving on our way somewhere when we saw a large man about 450 lbs. with a beard and long hair sitting at a bus stop alone. I looked him in the eyes and it left an impression on me for the following 10-15 seconds that I couldn't explain. He looked so sad, humble, unloved and clearly unaware of his eternal significance. I didn't immediately say anything to Elder Clawson who was driving, then I had to.  I said we gotta go talk to that man so he turned around and we parked so we could sit by him as he waited for the bus. We were worried the bus would come before we could get contact info but we managed to give him our phone number, because he couldn't remember his nor his address, and we told him he had to call us that night so we could get him a ride to church. During our meetings Sunday morning he called twice leaving us his address the first time so after our meeting we found someone to go pick him up. When he called he called from a restricted number so we couldn't call him back. We got to his house and knocked on the door and he answered. We told him we're here to get you to church, let's go. We saw others inside and invited them as well. One was a less active member of the ward  and another a friend. All three came and loved it. The less active said it felt like coming home and the big man said that he couldn't describe his feelings. He even cried a couple times from just being there. I really do love them. There's something about the big man we saw at the bus stop that just melts my heart. I love him. I love being a missionary. We've been going to the hospital because our Ward Mission Leader is an anesthesiologist and he told us there was a Hmong family there. We've been welcomed and we're always happy to hear people ask for a blessing. Some aren't down to join but they sure feel the real comfort and truth that comes from the lips of a worthy priesthood holder. So all is well here. We're having much success and we just keep loving people. I do my best to sincerely love everyone. It gets easier and easier. Even those who are sometimes hostile towards me. I struggle, but my goodness is it great ha.


We've got another very good week ahead and we're looking forward to it. This is week 5 so two weeks from today is transfers. FYI. Well I love ya. I hope you all know that I love the Savior. I love His work and I love doing it His way. There is no other way. Keep smiling and I'll do the same. Life is too good and the moment you think it's not, fix it because it really is:)

Love Elder Paramore