So I dont even believe that its happening, but after two years my time as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is over... I had NO CLUE what I was getting myself into..
So just to start off I wanted to tell everyone a little bit about what I thought a mission would be.. I came on a mission so I could serve people.. I wanted to do a lot of service and just help everyone that I came across.. I still want to do that.. But I learned so much more about service than I ever thought I would.
To let you all know... The Parker that left home two years ago was a lot different than the one that is coming back. I am still me for sure, but now I am stronger.. In the gospel and in basically every single aspect..
I have learned so much, I dont even know where to start.
I started off in the Washington Vancouver Mission. A place that I thought I would stay until the end of my mission. At the beginning it was a great test of faith.. Having to stay in a place where I knew that I was just there to wait, but as soon as I got there and people would say "Oh you are just a VISA waiter huh... coool" I knew that I had to do something in that mission to make a difference in at least something.. SO I WENT TO WORK.
Hard work is one of the things that was most strengthened for me on my mission. There were times on my mission where I started at 11:00am and didnt stop to think about anything until about 10:20 that night when I was about to lay down to go to bed. I love to work.. I know its important.. And as I have learned there is no substitute for Hard work in life...
But One of the most important things that I learned was the True Love the Savior and our Heavenly Father have for us.. I passed a lot of hard times on my mission, but I know that everything that I passed helped me become more like the person that God wanted me to be.. I feel that super strongly as I think back to all the things that happened on my mission.. It is crazy.
Including all the time in the US and in Brazil. I passed in 9 areas with a total of 13 companions. And I learned something specific from every single area, and every single companion.. I would tell you right now, but I dont have time, and Then I wouldnt have any stories to tell you about when I get home.
I also learned that God gives us miracles when we least expect it. Whenever the biggest miracles happened it was when I was using a lot of patience and not waiting for something big. The most important moments of my mission happened when I wasnt expecting it.
That shows me how much we are being tested daily.
I Know NOW that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and because of him... I am a different person, and I can also become even better. I also know that this is the place where we will find the most happiness. Where families can be together forever. WHERE WE CAN GROW.
Faith is super important. Love is super important.. THE GOSPEL IS ESSENCIAL IN OUR LIVES. I would be nothing without it.
The scriptures are literally a guide for us.. I cant go a day without reading them. I know by personal experience that they guide us and help us to get answers from our Loving Heavenly Father.. It is the best. SO READ THEM.
I know that we have a Prophet that guides us to do exacly what God wants us to do. Without that we would be lost. So we need to heed to the words of the prophet without a doubt.
Obedience is super important as well.. We need to be exactly obedient. The greatest blessings come from obedience to the commandments..
WE also need to always be willing to serve.. WHEN AND WHERE the Lord wants us to.
I LOVE my mission.
I cant believe that it is over now.. I have no clue what I am going to do. But I hope that I made at least a little difference here in BRasil.. .I know that I will miss this Country.. and the people.. But Its time to do what the Lord has in store for me next..
So just to start off I wanted to tell everyone a little bit about what I thought a mission would be.. I came on a mission so I could serve people.. I wanted to do a lot of service and just help everyone that I came across.. I still want to do that.. But I learned so much more about service than I ever thought I would.
To let you all know... The Parker that left home two years ago was a lot different than the one that is coming back. I am still me for sure, but now I am stronger.. In the gospel and in basically every single aspect..
I have learned so much, I dont even know where to start.
I started off in the Washington Vancouver Mission. A place that I thought I would stay until the end of my mission. At the beginning it was a great test of faith.. Having to stay in a place where I knew that I was just there to wait, but as soon as I got there and people would say "Oh you are just a VISA waiter huh... coool" I knew that I had to do something in that mission to make a difference in at least something.. SO I WENT TO WORK.
Hard work is one of the things that was most strengthened for me on my mission. There were times on my mission where I started at 11:00am and didnt stop to think about anything until about 10:20 that night when I was about to lay down to go to bed. I love to work.. I know its important.. And as I have learned there is no substitute for Hard work in life...
But One of the most important things that I learned was the True Love the Savior and our Heavenly Father have for us.. I passed a lot of hard times on my mission, but I know that everything that I passed helped me become more like the person that God wanted me to be.. I feel that super strongly as I think back to all the things that happened on my mission.. It is crazy.
Including all the time in the US and in Brazil. I passed in 9 areas with a total of 13 companions. And I learned something specific from every single area, and every single companion.. I would tell you right now, but I dont have time, and Then I wouldnt have any stories to tell you about when I get home.
I also learned that God gives us miracles when we least expect it. Whenever the biggest miracles happened it was when I was using a lot of patience and not waiting for something big. The most important moments of my mission happened when I wasnt expecting it.
That shows me how much we are being tested daily.
I Know NOW that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and because of him... I am a different person, and I can also become even better. I also know that this is the place where we will find the most happiness. Where families can be together forever. WHERE WE CAN GROW.
Faith is super important. Love is super important.. THE GOSPEL IS ESSENCIAL IN OUR LIVES. I would be nothing without it.
The scriptures are literally a guide for us.. I cant go a day without reading them. I know by personal experience that they guide us and help us to get answers from our Loving Heavenly Father.. It is the best. SO READ THEM.
I know that we have a Prophet that guides us to do exacly what God wants us to do. Without that we would be lost. So we need to heed to the words of the prophet without a doubt.
Obedience is super important as well.. We need to be exactly obedient. The greatest blessings come from obedience to the commandments..
WE also need to always be willing to serve.. WHEN AND WHERE the Lord wants us to.
I LOVE my mission.
I cant believe that it is over now.. I have no clue what I am going to do. But I hope that I made at least a little difference here in BRasil.. .I know that I will miss this Country.. and the people.. But Its time to do what the Lord has in store for me next..
I
am
Coming
home.
LOVE YOU AND SEE YOU SOON
am
Coming
home.
LOVE YOU AND SEE YOU SOON
-Élder Parker Hamrick
Missão Brasil Fortaleza Leste
Brazil Fortaleza East Mission
Missão Brasil Fortaleza Leste
Brazil Fortaleza East Mission
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