May 25, 2009

Dear Family,

Hello, hello. Today is Memorial Day! I hope that all y'all have amazing plans today because that means no work and all fun, at least, I hope so for you. I, on the other hand, do not like holidays as a missionary because that means I get no mail. :( Sad day. Oh well, it's still P-day nonetheless.

This past week was fun. Tuesday was Elder Hansen's 6 month mark so we burned a tie for him. It was fun and brought back good memories of when I burned my tie 4 months ago. I hit my 10th month mark on Saturday so in 2 months, I get to burn a white shirt. I plan on burning a shirt I will buy at a thrift store because the ones I have are too good.

Wednesday, I went to Ash Flat with Elder Bond to do a baptismal interview for Aspen Lane, the 9 year old girl that is getting baptized on Wednesday. She almost didn't show up for the interview and Elder Bond came all the way from Jonesboro which is about 2 hours away and he needed to make an appointment. It was really stressful because we almost left until she showed up at the last minute. It wasn't her fault at all, it was her real dad's fault. Her family situation is really confusing but she has to stay at her real dad's house on certain days and the dad was late on purpose because I think he knew we were there. Oh well, she passed the interview and asked me to baptize her. I am scared because I have never baptized someone before so hopefully everything will go smoothly on Wednesday, May 27.

Thursday, Bot and Betty (some members) and Sister Winegar took us out to lunch in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas. It was that place that has the underground spring. It was a lot of fun and we had a great time.

Saturday, the Witt's (a senior couple that served in Jacksonville with me) came up from Jacksonville and they came to Ash Flat with us to an appointment and then we went up to Hardy and went around all the shops with them. It was really fun to see them again. We had a good time. They are going home in July and they said they are really excited to go home. Good for them.

Sunday, we had an investigator, Joy, come to church. It actually surprised me because she never comes, so good for her.

So, as you can see, we had a great week and we are fixin' to have another good week due to a baptism so I am excited. Thank you for all of the love, support and prayers on my behalf. May the Lord Bless Y'all!

Love,

Elder Parker

Pictures Include: (1) Us at Mammoth Springs with Bot, Betty and Sister Winegar (2) The Witt's and I.