Parker is serving a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He has been out about a year now. Here is his weekly letter from July 4, 2022.
Happy 4th of July everyone. The 4th is one of my favorite holidays. I've been able to do things like go to the lake, shoot fireworks, hang out with friends and family, eat, and celebrate the USA with people I love. This year is a little different. I still get to eat but instead of it being burgers I get fufu. I still get to be with my new family and friends but in a much different environment. And the best part is I still get to celebrate independence with people I love!
I've always been pretty patriotic I get chills every time we sing the national anthem is played before a game! But now after being in Ghana for the last year I feel it has brought a whole new meaning to Independence. And a whole new understanding on how lucky we are to live in such a great nation. I feel it's easy to talk down on something when you only see half of it. When you only know life in America you begin to only see the bad and the corruption. But when you get to live with people from the outside who are living a much different life you start to see the blessings we receive.
Talk to anyone one in West Africa and ask them if they want to get to America, they would do about anything to make it happen. Lots of the time they wonder and ask me why I would come live here when I could be in America. Of course, I would love to be in America especially today to go and swim and eat burgers with my family. But today I get to experience life from the other side. Where the 4th of July is just like the 2nd of July. But don't worry, I'm still celebrating the 4th with people I've come to meet from all over Africa, America, and 1 from Brazil shout out elder Alves!
God has made America a great land from the beginning, and we are so lucky to be a part of this great nation.
Alma 46: 12-13
12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.
13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land.
Happy Independence Day
Elder Gwilliam
Essiam, Robertson, Gee, mutombo, me, hoopes
Elder hoopes will do anything for the angles
A Nigerian wanted a picture
Gee, Essiam, me, Robertson
The group for the week
The roomates
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