September 2nd 2013

(To Dad)

Well, this week was very difficult. Finding qualified contacts is pretty easy, but sitting with them is the hard part. This week I got a new companion because my old companion; elder Hall, is now training to be an office elder. My new companion is elder Martins. He is capo verdian. Since my Portuguese still needs a lot of work, it is very hard to understand him. But it is good practice having a native speaker. This week we worked hard on finding people to teach. But we haven't taught a lesson. We mark around 8 lessons a day, but they just keep falling. For this last fast Sunday, I did a special fast for us to get lessons. I know that the Lord will help us. One experience I did have this week was amazing. My companion and I were doing contacting and we noticed a house having a party and we felt prompted to go talk to some of them. An old man that lived there let us teach him. No one else wanted to listen to us. The guy kept on saying that he was Catholic, so usually we would leave, but I felt prompted to give him a book of Mormon. I really don't know why I did that. We would never give someone a book of Mormon unless they are a progressing investigator. Out of the blue I had this inspiration from the spirit. The man accepted the book but he didn't really want to listen to us. I don't know why I gave him the book, but the Lord works in mysterious ways. This week was still a great week, even though we didn't have that much success, we did do our best. As long as we are doing our best, the Lord will provide. I am really good at doing street contacting now. My Portuguese is improving so much through the Lord's help. I love sharing the gospel and I am excited to work hard this week. I also have been working out everyday, so watch out. Haha. Anyways, I love you a lot. I miss you and the family so much. Save some s'mores for me.

Love - Elder Parham 

August 26th 2013

(To Amber)

I can tell from your pictures that you are having fun. Remember, don't have too much fun until I get back. Haha. Well, this week was great. My companion's surgery went great and now we are working hard. My companion had a foot problem.  We had a little bit of struggles with contacting this week, but its all good. Today, we ate with one of the investigators of another dupla that is in the same house as us. Here's a picture of me and the two kids. Anyways, this week was great.  All is good. Hope your doing great! I love the pictures a lot. 

Love - Elder Parham 

August 19th 2013

(To Amber) 
I got to my new area last Monday  I am in Matola 2. And my new companion is Elder Hall. He is tall and skinny and also pretty funny. I love it here. The only problem is that we couldn't go out working this week because my new companion has a foot problem and he can't walk on it until tomorrow (hopefully, we go to the doctors tomorrow to check out his foot). It is also going to be fun once we go start working because we will be white washing our area. So, it will be pretty fun. But this week, we did go do a service project. that was fun. These pics are of the service project and one of them is of my new companion. Elder Hall. 

Anyways, thanks for your support. Keep up the pictures and the emails. I miss you so much! By the way, Elder Hall is the one with the glasses in the first picture. Just so you know. Anyways, have fun this week. I got lots of work to do to and I still have a lot of learning to do. 

Love - Elder Parham 

August 12th 2013

Hello family and friends!

Well, this week was kind of crazy. On Monday I came to Maputo because of transfers and helping new missionaries. I found out my transfer today. My next area is Matola 2A! My new companion is going to be Elder Hall. I have seen him before, but he wont come till tonight. For the first part of this week, I helped the office elders with work. New missionaries arrived throughout the week. A lot came. There is around 20 new missionaries here! Holy Cow! Anyways, I helped pick people up at the airport and helped get some things done in the office (temporary office elder). No, I did not drive. I don't have my license. The only people that get to drive are the APs and the Office Elders. One big surprise this week was seeing a buddy from the MTC arrive. His visa got delayed so he got transferred to Texas, Houston for a transfer. Funny thing is, is that his last name is Houston. Haha. Well, it was very fun seeing so many new missionaries arrive. On Thursday night, I went to my new area. President Kretly told some people before hand about where they are going so that they can go to their areas fast. I was temporary companions with a cape verdian. Elder Brandao. He is pretty awesome, except, he spake no English. So, I had to speak bad Portuguese with him. It was a fun experience. Well, this week, I did get some contacts in, but the main focus this week was helping the new missionaries. This is the most that ever arrived on a transfer. So that's pretty crazy. I am excited for my new area and my new companion. I already miss my first companion. Hope everyone is alright.

Love - Elder Parham