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