December 2 with pictures

Humm so this week has been good! I heard a good phrase about the southern directions, it’s if you get directions with land marks that have not been there for at least 1 year you might be in the south. .... It’s awesome because it’s true because the kissing rock is no longer there or the oak tree or the hardware store, it’s a wonderful laugh!

It was an awesome Sunday we had our stake president here who was the Bishop in my first area and we also had our mission president.

It’s been an awesome busy week I can’t even think of what we did it feels like looking back on a past year that happened in a few moments not a week.

November 18th

So this past week has been good. There were no tornadoes hear in Leitchfeild, however there were many warnings all across the mission. We were wise and used the car rather than the bikes.

Ok I won’t send you the turtle shell without warning maybe the rabbit skin instead ... consider warned ... of both I LOVE YOU. Mom you’re the best!

So I went to a revival that was fun awesome music, when ones music choice is limited on a mission. It was a wonderful different experience that I don’t think I’ll repeat. Maybe later in life kind of like mac and cheese I try it once every few months but I’m still not the biggest fan.

Driving this week made me think about the many many things I have done but don’t really want to do again and the many things I would like to do again. When we look back at what we have done do we really want to go back on that time line? If we go back we would eventually get back to the point where we want to go back again and again. Is that not a circle? That circle is not progressing. It’s traveling without a compass

Many many times we get stressed. It’s part of life that is a time of which often we want to go back them "good ol days".

Yes its gr8 to use past experiences and other points of references but use those points to get the right track and move forward. Don’t go back to them good ol days go forward to the better and the best days. God gave us the vision of what we can become which is the best of the best it’s something to be grateful for.

Also this week I was curious about what the voice on my GPS sounded like because it’s been on mute for the past few months. Michele (the voice name) sounded ok so I listened to the other voices and Pauline and Francis did not sound as good as Michele so I kept it the same and it’s still on mute. Thinking about this I thought what did I just waste that time for? Yeah curiosity did not kill the cat it was defiantly being bored is what I learned.

My other thought was a wonderful one it was to relax and have fun with whatever it is we do when we’re relaxed. We can’t do everything we pray and ask for help we still have to have the faith we will receive that help, and have our priorities straight so we know where to put our energy!

For example our shower in Leitchfield is pretty decent however as soon as the sink or the washer is going it sucks. It rains harder than our shower if any other water is running. However when the water is the only outlet it’s amazing.

It’s the same with life when we have our priorities straight life is pretty good but with even the slightest distractions life can be found as miserably. The way and the only way I know of as an eighteen year old is to put that focus on God and put our trust and faith in him.

Elder Daniel Richard Perry the one that is away

November 25th

So now this week has been awesome we got to drive to Nashville again for the last time.

An interesting thing I learned about my companion is that he sleep talks. So I’m looking for something to throw at him either pennies or a pillow from the couch, I can’t decide lol. He is an awesome guy so I even debate about this, since there is not much he can do about it either.... He has yet to wake me up again for the past few days so my heart is soft.... for now...

This week we also tried making hash brown from taters pearls it was a bad choice.

Now on a more serious note:

What is the worth of an action? This is the question we ask in some form when we do work for someone...right. So then we decide that my actions are worth 100 dollars an hour when I do this or that!

This same question "what is the worth of an action?" can be used in a much much broader sense.... worth can = consequence.

Every action we take or every choice we make opens doors and also leaves some doors open and closes others!

Elder Daniel Richard Perry the one that is away

ps so other thoughts for you to expound if you wish

Vibrant faith. How would you describe it?

When we are thankful we complain less. What do we complain about?

We can’t give others things we don’t have. Do you believe it? (Think about it)

Acts 9 Dorcas. Will you name a child Dorcas? (Good thing she had another name) and she was a good person!

Michele (the GPS voice does not help at all when it (she) is muted). Is the Holy Ghost muted?

This week has been GR8!

This week has been gr8 yes I have indeed been thinking a lot. Sadly I will not be able to receive an air hug from the Higgins because we’re in different zones sorry... 

But today at zone conference I got to see elder clement and since we were waiting for the people we road with. Our assignment was to clean the building. Once we were done I saw him again putting away the vacuum, so I took it to put it away and might of stole credit from him.

Speaking of people here from back home in my last area I forgot to tell you I met a sister missionary from Pendleton she knew nola and went to BMCC small world.

So this past week I got to go on an exchange with a black person it was a blast we got a turtle out of the shell. I almost made turtle soup but some time when you bless food in a prayer it still does not protect you from stupidity, a 3 week old dead turtle did not seem wise. This made me think a lot about how amazing god’s creatures are so many parts all working together to provide a way of life I’ll send a cool photo of it later maybe 

Also maybe I’ll send a package to someone with the photo and the shell after I preserve it its super cool.

So in the south the drives are beautiful and the roads are gr8 when we drive over the rolling hills at night sometimes the lights don’t hit the road till your right there. And its pitch black till you get there. Faith and life are the same way we don’t really know till we get there we don’t know the car will turn on till we get there for some people that come into the gospel they don’t know it’s right until there in the water till there a member for some time but we will know if we keep progressing forward 

Also this week I gave like a 20ish min talk in church with a 10 min prep lol forgetting stuff is wonderful and communication is gr8. 

I have heard we learn English to communicate from a person I consider a friend ... I should probably learn English better. And I might need to learn southern English ... also maybe Leitchfeild English... 

 At zone conference today we heard from Elder Pino who is a member of the 70 

I still have a 3 and half hour drive back to Leitchfeild today from here in Clarksville... It’s so "wonderful" I love the sticks! 

 Elder D Perry 

We need to not forget to relax have the faith to keep moving forward and trust god.  We need to not forget Christ was all of the Christ like attributes and follow his example he turned his will to the Father shouldn’t we?

 

True Genius = Book of Mormon

Ummm so this week has been fun elder S is going home tomorrow but I got to see him at our stake conference. And say good bye it’s interesting to see him go needless to say it seems so bitter sweet it’s odd. Also this week at stake conference it was amazing to see people that I help teach be there and have a stronger and stronger testimony and see their life improve dramatically it seems. 

In the scriptures when Ammon is rejoicing after seeing his brothers who were at one time the vilest of sinners  he rejoiced with them seeing and hearing of the strong faith that has last over time. When we see our friends and family have stronger faith or their life improve it’s a reason to rejoice, it is a wonderful cause to rejoice 

I think someday when we meet god again in person, we will see him, rejoice as he sees our success and our stronger and stronger faith. 

So here in Leitchfield we spend a lot of time driving walking and well time to just talk and time to think. On one such time I got to thinking about my personal progression and improvement...

Each week as missionaries we get to hear from our companion our strengths and our weaknesses. I was thinking about all these strengths and the weaknesses that I have been told about and have worked on. It was amazing how every so often a once weakness that I was told about a while ago, is now something that is a strength. It’s amazing to me how when we are informed of a weakness it can become a strength. As we work on it, but when the weakness is gossiped about or not addressed it can become worse and destroy a person. With sincere prayer we can always do the very best and have the best thoughts and best language ever. 

Leitchfield is awesome I love the people here just as my past areas! 

Elder Daniel Richard Perry 

ps some thoughts 

The brain named it self. 

Beverly Hill Billy’s is not a documentary...

An ellipsis is placed when part of the statement is missing 

My last thought is a mind blowing one: 

True genius is the ability to explain a very complicated thing so simply anyone can understand it.  Therefore the book of Mormon I believe is true genius, and the most true genius thing ever. It must come from god because if the very personal aspect of it and how it is so universal.

October 28 - Left in Hopkinsville

This week has been crazy and I want to share it with you. So to try to keep it somewhat simple I’ll share with you to start how we got left in Hopkinsville! Well it was no big deal I got a salad and it made my week! We also ended up having to get a ride from other missionaries to get back. Over all it was super interesting. 

More about my week in a sec! 

First how is n8 and Sam doing? are they doing ok with their cold? I know being sick sucks so I hope they are ok. Let them know to get healthy eat well and all will be well!

Also I found out I will need to get a different bag =(

My bag does not have a waste strap why they must be this way I do not know. But God rewards obedience. I know that we get the missionary rules to help us with our daily lives for the rest of our life and that they come from prophets and apostles. But sometimes I really want to kick and scream about it.

So any way this week I have gotten to see a lot of crazies but it’s awesome I still love them and I know the gospel will help them more than anything because it has helped me. 

I love you mom and all of you have an awesome day!
Elder Daniel Richard Perry the one that is away  

October 21st - Feed the missionaries healthy stuff

So this week has been interesting, I have done a lot of walking and biking.

KENTUCKY is awesome when I came up to Leitchfield I thought I was going to be in an area with a full time car. Only to find out that we use pretty much all the miles we have just to go to meetings, lol so that’s so so ... fun I guess. lol 

It’s good to hear you’re in Oklahoma safe. 

My new companion is elder Shiner from California he is awesome and bikes at a good speed.

This upcoming week will be interesting because today I’m spending p day in Hopkinsville. And will also be here Tuesday for elder Shiner to go to Green Hills for a meeting and I get to stay here. Then Wednesday I’ll go back up to Leitchfield whoo hoo. 

Feed the missionaries healthy stuff they will love it it’s something we don’t get too much and leave out dessert. 

I’m doing good you are in my prayers and I love you until pigs can fly lol I like your mud one.

October 14th - On the move again...

Well I’m moving again on Tuesday. Which makes me look back on my time here in Winchester

While here in Winchester it’s been ... well interesting... [He had 3 companions in 8 and a half weeks, and several other missionaries left and came back into the area]

It will be exciting to hear from people here about the growth again and maybe come back to find a stake in Winchester 

Looking back I have had a lot of fun with all my companions and I got to see Hogwarts and learn a ton...

In your email you said I was not telling you everything well I haven't and well I couldn't there would be just too much to tell. 

Well you are always in my prayers and I got the Medifast thank you so much my companion and everyone that tried a bite loved it. 

Thank you for not sending me any junk food that is a blessing because I’m able to do more. 

[He met a great family there that has helped him out, and he’s being Daniel and being positive even when times are hard!]

There is still lots more I don’t tell you but I love God and love the Lord and do love the place here and that is my focus.

Having a positive attitude focus is the most powerful I believe!  

Know that I’m doing all I can do and I do indeed love you. 

Elder Daniel Richard Perry the one that is away  

October 7th - Direction in the South

October 7, 2013

So I’m sorry about last week I was running out of time so it was a little short. So it sounds like your having an awesome time and are where you need to be.

General Conference well it truly was amazing, I don’t know if I have ever learned so much, so fast. It was wonderful and I had the same thought that we were watching the same meeting. I then turned to another missionary and told him this is the closest thing you will get for 2 years to watching a movie with your girlfriend. It was a little mean I had to apologize to him which was no good, we had a good laugh! I don’t even know what to say about General Conference because it was so good. 

Before General Conference I got some real Tennessee directions, we were on splits and my companion had my GPS (o yeah I have a GPS now btw) so the directions were so funny: 

You go down the road and turn left and go through the holler then the road turns left DONT GO LEFT  then you turn right at the top of the hill BUT NOT QUITE THE TOP OF THE HILL then its on a paved road BUT NOT PAVED VERY WELL SO YOU CANT SEE IT TO WELL.... 
My thoughts were what’s a holler? 

Is the road paved or unpaved? 

Why are you telling me all the places not to go? 

I guess it’s worse even farther south in some areas the example I was given was, I guess they say turn right at the old oak tree well where the old oak tree used to be. 

Gotta love the southern directions! 

Answer some of your questions everything is ok.

We have been contacting a lot of the fare referrals and we had the car so we got a lot done this week we are back on bikes and walking whoo hoo! 

Also we are teaching a lot. 

Things improve all the time with everyone 

I guess a bunch of mail(a letter) for me has been delayed a week I should get it today whoo hoo maybe…

There is a lot to learn every day 

I love hearing you are doing good. 

Elder Daniel Richard Perry the one that is away 

 

The last two weeks! One in Hopkinsville Kentucky One in Winchester TN!

August 12th Letter:

It has been a gr8 week!  Yesterday on Sunday we had another baptism, as well as one next. Amazingly in the past 12 weeks we have been able to teach and baptize 8 wonderful people and one more next week after I leave and who knows how many more after that. The gospel is so true and has such a positive effect on so many people.  Its truly just lovely o and I got to go to the temple and do baptisms with the Hansen and be a temple worker it was awesome and   very uplifting

 

Susan Reynolds is super nice she went all out with that sack lunch and we were so stuffed!

 

Awesome I guess it’s time to write Aaron t a letter mtc  is so ...uhhh... "fun".... yeah that's a decent word. Any way that’s so cool. He is going be an amazing missionary.   I hope he does not get shot in Mississippi i hear its a few years behind with the race and Mormon thing.

Elder Steineckert goes home in about 3 months maybe you could go visit him (it would be funny)

hummm anything i need from home.... uhhh I don’t know I need to mail stuff home I got an awesome thing John and Nola might like and if they don’t Jacob will love it so I got to work that out mailing it away I been just a little busy I’ll get to it sometime soon. Really I’m good I can’t think of anything I really need..... I don’t have a good pocket knife and there are no good knifes  in any apartment i hear and its starting to brother me not having a good multi tool around or a cheap multi tool around for that matter. If you want to find a decent cheap multi Leatherman like knife thing and send that it would be gr8.

 

                                                                                                                                                                          

 

 August 26th Letter 

So this week has been gr8 i am in Winchester TN in a branch that meets in a funeral home. It’s wonderful. Most of the members here are recent converts and there are 4 or 5 sets of missionaries here in this town. ... If you loon

If you look on the map you will see just how small of a town this is, and just how amazing it is.

There is lots happening here and I don’t even know what to share.

Johns wedding look like a lot of fun. His hat looked funny I like it.

 Sorry for being short were at a library and i have a lot less time again. So that’s wonderful...

 I hope you have an amazing time N8 and Sam look huge. Make good choices love you all lots

 

Love Elder Perry

 

 

So this week has been amazing and people to teach are falling out of the sky like rain.We had 10 new investigators this week and we have had people stop us in parking lots to give us there name and address like Andrew .

Andrew is a convert of 3 years and has not gone to church since he got married 2 years ago he was just kind of staring at us when we parked we got out and he asked how many miles we had (were given 1000 a month) he also then asked us if we wanted to come over and teach him the plane of salvation. hahaha Then we got to ask how long have you been meeting with missionaries he said “well I’m a convert and was best friends with the missionaries” The story does not end there. Then we went and  his wife answered and when we asked if Andrew was there she said he was not but we were there to teach her .... crazy stuff we were able to meet with them twice and she is now praying for baptism along with her mom and brother

We had about 4 or 5 times when we got stopped by less active members and people that want to know which is great because well were busy

I painted a window seal and door this week and i got to apply what i learned from Bro Hazleton about prep for painting then i did not get any paint on me at all you should be amazed

This is the last week of the transfer so i get to find out Saturday if i get to stay in hop town or if I’m moving on.

The 2 pink ones are its now

And the turtle died on accident when it tried to go under the fence.

KY is an interesting place

June 17

well this week has been great interestingly we made a guy pig into a ''it'' today it was interesting because the other pigs ate it after we cut them off so gross. there is something to tell nola pigs eat anything.

also have I told you about the almish here very interesting pple

dave and amber are doing well and amazing. mike another new convert is having a hard time his family drove all the way from texas to stop him I guess they followed him to the church then after his batisim a cousion punched him in the face after pulling him over. its amazing what the goesple is. and just how it can make people feel. im so blessed to not have to go through that.

 

when I was tired at camp the best thing to do is find something positive focous on it then say a prayer and then keep doing your best.

 

keep up the good work

June 10th letter from Daniel

well Dave and amber are now members of the church... great things are happening all over our mission. the vision of the south is our vision... if you get time to look up a vision of the south by president Spencer w kimball and elder Vaughn j featherstone. its so real. so much has happened in the past week ... we hit a skunk with our car and ummm it was pretty bad. but that was the day after i got to skin a rabbit and got blood on my cloths ... dont worry i washed it out .... it was pretty cool if i do say so myself... also we started a scripture study class and were able to lead it it was great we had 2 investigators their and 3 less activities... this week we hope to create a fhe group in crofeton a town 45 min away in a direction. there are so many people here ready to hear the goesple. and there are even more that are nice and willing to listen and allow a seed to be planted in there heart. and with nourishment from god they grow into the goseple .

i think ill attache president McKee weekly report about our whole mission because it truely is amazing everything that is happening.

as for the temple we are hoping to be able to go with Dave and amber on the 23 to do baptisms but we have to receive permission first.

Well so much I want to share with y'all. hummm I guess the best thing to let you know right away is that I'm in Hopkinsville KN  and on the flight here we had a lot of turbulence and diverted our flight all the way into Kansas to avoid the tornado. Then at the airport we had to wait for some other elders for 2 and a half hours on a different flight so I was able to share the gospel with 3 people and teach the first lesson. Then one person gave his name number and address to me so I was able to give it to the mission president. Then at the mission home I did not get to sleep till 1 because of so many meetings and the next day went off to transfers, then off to 5 guys burgers, then to Hopkinsville. Hopkinsville  Kn is an amazing place with so much love and support. I have only been here for a week but it feels like a year, yet it also feels like I got here a few hours ago. it is the weirdest feeling ever.

I'm being spoiled on my mission so you have no need to worry the only thing I'm missing is healthy food and John's cooking. I  did not even think I would miss it. 

here in hopkinsville we have a full time car(most say its the only time it will ever happen on my mission)

I guess we also have thee nicest apartment here (its like the size of aaron and amanda's house and super open and all that) 

I also guess its amazing weather right now and super dry for some reason. (I guess I bring good weather  where ever I go)

and the members do so much to help 

All of the members are amazing and super kind even while out and about I have yet to be rejected or have a door shut to us. everyone has such a strong faith in Jesus Christ and loves to pray. Its so easy to build them up into the kingdom of God. all have some part of the gospel and with that part of the gospel were able to help them see the rest 

We also been able to mow a law in our white shirts and we were able to weed and put together a lamp (and I have stayed clean (with help from God))

we are also working a lot with less active trying to help them see the love god has and how through jesus christ atonement they can be forgiven and to take advantage of it they need to go to church.

also funny thing fell asleep in the middle of a role play with my trainer it was a little funny. but great. 

I told you about the last bit at the mtc and how I got sick so no need to tell you about that delightful chunky throw up after not eating anything for 2 meals (I would of thought it would of been digested more) I did not eat much there after that it was interesting 

ok now .... 

My first day I almost had to do spilts with out yet spending any time training. but the bishop could not make it so it turned out well also the same thing happened again. I guess I'll see if it will happen a third time tonight. I dont know 

Know of my love for you all and know of my thanks that aaron and amanda and there friends are ok in OK. also know how thankful I am of the love and support you show to me and the things you do for me. let neil know how thankful I am for the shirts and example he is and the example my family is from Robby to Jacob from Taylor to Ryan and from James and Lisa to Mike and Amy and all the wonderful examples and teachers in my life I know you and dad have lead our family with the help of God through prayer and that is so amazing and something I share. 

Daniels first email!

Sent Friday  May 10th. 

THIS PLACE IS AMAZING I LOVE IT the past 48 hours I have learned so much and have been able to go to the temple. It gave me so much peace when we went.... My comp. is from Cananda its so fun we get along great. I feel loved and at home. I hope that everthing is going well at home.... when I got here with Nicole we pulled up shook hands and then 3 or 5 min later I was in class with my books and my luggaged droped off in my room and studying preach my gospel. Its so fun. I look forword to being able to start practice teaching here. We just got our profile of Dave and I think we will be able to relate a lot and im starting to understand what it feels like to feel someones elses needs its a little streessful but dont worry I can hadle it with Gods help.

you have found daniel's blog with nothing on it yet.

this will be the place to go if you want to hear about daniel on his mission. follow if you like each week when he writes home ill post the few words i get from him to everone so you to can hear about what he is up to.

if you would like to email daniel let me know ill get you his email.

if you would like to write him a letter  DO IT postage is not that bad.
his address will be updated from time to time here as well