Dear Family,
August!!!!!!!!!!! It goes by too quick! When does hilary go home? Is it really in 2 days or next week? Taylor! We went to Oquirrh Temple last tuesday and I think that one is my favorite out of the 3 we have in our mission. Also, if y'all haven't been to a temple lately, I suggest y'all go and do an endowment session (not a live one). There is something new.
We had a miracle this past week! This lady that was visiting family in our branch called us up and wanted to get baptized before she went back home to mexico. So we baptized her on Saturday and confirmed her on sunday! It was my first time doing a confirmation in spanish too! She's awesome.
We are also working with 2 other families. One family, each spouse needs to get divorced from their former spouses before we can marry them and baptize them. They are progressing really well though. Another couple we are teaching, the wife is less-active and the husband is non-member. They are preparing to get married on the 24th and then baptized on the 30th! Both couples are moving along very well. They accept and live the commitments we extend. My only fear is that I won't be in the area to finish the work with them. Transfers are next wednesday and since I've been here 6 months I may be heading out. The rugby kid we are teaching is going ok. We haven't spoken with him lately due to him being out of town. However, we learned from his friend that he is working hard to live all the commandments and read the scriptures. He is currently attempting to find an answer for himself, which is exactly where we want him.
That's really the big things that happened this past week. Not too much else happened. But these were big things!!! I'll write more next week!
Love,
Elder Parks
Sunday, August 11, 2013
July 29, 2013
Dear Family,
Y'all went there for the Parks fling???? I love that place! Oh I also brought my camera today so I'll attach some pictures.
Not much is changing right now in regards to new proselyting methods. The only change is that we walk all day now because our car is out of miles for the month haha
We did survive the storms mom! The good thing about Utah is that normally the storms here rain for a little (not pouring) and then pass on. I have yet to be caught in a really bad down pour for more than 15
minutes.
Thanks for the compliment mom! My sewing is good, just not really. I just put the needle through the shirt enough times to make it hold. So far my shirt pockets have held with the stitching so they're looking good. I did finally manage to get the shirts back to target but I just took them for a gift card. Target is too far for us to go back but the store also didn't have any white button up shirts due to remodeling. It's fine though, I have enough white shirts to last.
We didn't do anything special for pioneer day. Just worked as usual. Of course, to me though pioneer day still isn't a huge deal.
Taylor, my favorite temple is downtown. I've heard Oquirrh Mtn is good but I still haven't been there. South Jordan is the same as Provo in my opinion and Draper is pretty nice. We should be going to Oquirrh
Temple sometime in the next few weeks though.
At temple square, we do tours and the sisters there help us teach. We go to specific areas depending on the need of the investigators. For messages on the restoration we always go downstairs to talk about Prophets. For families, and how the gospel blesses them, we always go upstairs to the Christ statue and the family video they have near there. It's a great place for them to feel the spirit. Plus the visual aids help them learn quicker and understand things better.
The activity we had on Friday was great! We made it like a science fair almost. Each organization had it's own booth and the group of about 60 people that showed up all went as a group to each station and received a presentation. I was the tour guide which was fun! We had many members show up and the families we were teaching. The activity solidified the investigators we had so it was a huge help and it was a
lot of fun too!
The area has been picking up a lot recently. We teach more and more people start coming into the area and we teach them. Some days are hard still but everything goes a lot smoother than it use to. I'll
send some pictures in another email.
Love y'all!
Elder Parks
Y'all went there for the Parks fling???? I love that place! Oh I also brought my camera today so I'll attach some pictures.
Not much is changing right now in regards to new proselyting methods. The only change is that we walk all day now because our car is out of miles for the month haha
We did survive the storms mom! The good thing about Utah is that normally the storms here rain for a little (not pouring) and then pass on. I have yet to be caught in a really bad down pour for more than 15
minutes.
Thanks for the compliment mom! My sewing is good, just not really. I just put the needle through the shirt enough times to make it hold. So far my shirt pockets have held with the stitching so they're looking good. I did finally manage to get the shirts back to target but I just took them for a gift card. Target is too far for us to go back but the store also didn't have any white button up shirts due to remodeling. It's fine though, I have enough white shirts to last.
We didn't do anything special for pioneer day. Just worked as usual. Of course, to me though pioneer day still isn't a huge deal.
Taylor, my favorite temple is downtown. I've heard Oquirrh Mtn is good but I still haven't been there. South Jordan is the same as Provo in my opinion and Draper is pretty nice. We should be going to Oquirrh
Temple sometime in the next few weeks though.
At temple square, we do tours and the sisters there help us teach. We go to specific areas depending on the need of the investigators. For messages on the restoration we always go downstairs to talk about Prophets. For families, and how the gospel blesses them, we always go upstairs to the Christ statue and the family video they have near there. It's a great place for them to feel the spirit. Plus the visual aids help them learn quicker and understand things better.
The activity we had on Friday was great! We made it like a science fair almost. Each organization had it's own booth and the group of about 60 people that showed up all went as a group to each station and received a presentation. I was the tour guide which was fun! We had many members show up and the families we were teaching. The activity solidified the investigators we had so it was a huge help and it was a
lot of fun too!
The area has been picking up a lot recently. We teach more and more people start coming into the area and we teach them. Some days are hard still but everything goes a lot smoother than it use to. I'll
send some pictures in another email.
Love y'all!
Elder Parks
July 22, 2013
Dear Family,
So Jesus taught that we should forgive 7x70 times. With that in mind, I forgot my camera! I'll try again next week.
I'm glad that the Parks fling was fun! That jeopardy game looked intense. I think I couldn't only get a few of them. Where was it at? I saw mention of a beach, Port Aransas perhaps??? I love that place!
The work here is going good. Church kinda self destructed on us yesterday as neither of the families we are teaching came to church (we found another family, rather re-found them as we haven't taught them in a while). However, things turned around as our Temple Square appointment held up that evening with one of the families. We took them and had a lesson about families and that with faith all things are possible. It was good for them because each spouse needs to get divorced and then get married. They had a great time and really enjoyed it. It was all good except when some stupid guys tried flirting with our Sister missionaries that took us on the tour. In the middle of the lesson they started it, my comp was about to smash them (he had a scholarship to play football at utah state so he's a beast). Fortunately they left so its all good.
We attended PEC yesterday morning as well. Us and the Ward mission leader kinda work hand in hand. The meetings go OK here. Branch council is finally gonna happen twice a month which will help out a
lot. We also have a missionary activity this friday! Each quorum/organization will have a billboard in the gym and people will come in and watch the displays and such. It should help out our branch and get them motivated!
Oh yeah mom! My white shirt pocket are tearing at the seams, HOWEVER I am fixing them with the sewing kit you made for me!!! I know, I know its amazing. Just thought I would let you know, you'd be so proud of me!
Thats all I got for now! Thanks for taking care of my expenses and all the other support! The side bag should get in today and I printed off the conversion story. Thanks for everything.
Love,
Elder Parks
So Jesus taught that we should forgive 7x70 times. With that in mind, I forgot my camera! I'll try again next week.
I'm glad that the Parks fling was fun! That jeopardy game looked intense. I think I couldn't only get a few of them. Where was it at? I saw mention of a beach, Port Aransas perhaps??? I love that place!
The work here is going good. Church kinda self destructed on us yesterday as neither of the families we are teaching came to church (we found another family, rather re-found them as we haven't taught them in a while). However, things turned around as our Temple Square appointment held up that evening with one of the families. We took them and had a lesson about families and that with faith all things are possible. It was good for them because each spouse needs to get divorced and then get married. They had a great time and really enjoyed it. It was all good except when some stupid guys tried flirting with our Sister missionaries that took us on the tour. In the middle of the lesson they started it, my comp was about to smash them (he had a scholarship to play football at utah state so he's a beast). Fortunately they left so its all good.
We attended PEC yesterday morning as well. Us and the Ward mission leader kinda work hand in hand. The meetings go OK here. Branch council is finally gonna happen twice a month which will help out a
lot. We also have a missionary activity this friday! Each quorum/organization will have a billboard in the gym and people will come in and watch the displays and such. It should help out our branch and get them motivated!
Oh yeah mom! My white shirt pocket are tearing at the seams, HOWEVER I am fixing them with the sewing kit you made for me!!! I know, I know its amazing. Just thought I would let you know, you'd be so proud of me!
Thats all I got for now! Thanks for taking care of my expenses and all the other support! The side bag should get in today and I printed off the conversion story. Thanks for everything.
Love,
Elder Parks
July 15, 2013
Dear Family,
Thanks for sending the sideback. I don't know why they took out backpacks. They probably make us look like students, or even terrorists for that matter I guess, or more enticing to rob...if that makes any sense.
I'm sorry, but I forgot my camera again. I'll send the mustang pictures next week.
We had our first interviews with our new mission president this past week! He is great! I really like him. He is really focused on following the Spirit. In our interview, he said that he felt impressed to share with me that my mission (thusfar) was more than acceptable to the Lord. That was very nice to hear, especially with being in this area for so long. It's been really, really hard.
Speaking of the area, this past week was really hard but Sunday made up for it all! Our Ward Mission Leader spoke for us at Priesthood executive meeting and got the branch more involved in the work, we got a missionary fireside planned for the branch, we spoke with the Stake President and got him on our side (He wasn't focused on missionary work but now he is all for it), and our family we found showed up to church! We then had a lesson later and put 3 of them on date! Later that day we found another lady who is visiting her member family and set up a return appointment for tonight! And also the branch council that was cancelled got rescheduled for tomorrow! It was an exciting day and it finally feels that the area is picking up and the members seem excited and want to help us.
That's whats been going on in my neck of the woods! Thanks for all the support as always!
Love,
Elder Parks
Thanks for sending the sideback. I don't know why they took out backpacks. They probably make us look like students, or even terrorists for that matter I guess, or more enticing to rob...if that makes any sense.
I'm sorry, but I forgot my camera again. I'll send the mustang pictures next week.
We had our first interviews with our new mission president this past week! He is great! I really like him. He is really focused on following the Spirit. In our interview, he said that he felt impressed to share with me that my mission (thusfar) was more than acceptable to the Lord. That was very nice to hear, especially with being in this area for so long. It's been really, really hard.
Speaking of the area, this past week was really hard but Sunday made up for it all! Our Ward Mission Leader spoke for us at Priesthood executive meeting and got the branch more involved in the work, we got a missionary fireside planned for the branch, we spoke with the Stake President and got him on our side (He wasn't focused on missionary work but now he is all for it), and our family we found showed up to church! We then had a lesson later and put 3 of them on date! Later that day we found another lady who is visiting her member family and set up a return appointment for tonight! And also the branch council that was cancelled got rescheduled for tomorrow! It was an exciting day and it finally feels that the area is picking up and the members seem excited and want to help us.
That's whats been going on in my neck of the woods! Thanks for all the support as always!
Love,
Elder Parks
July 8, 2013
Dear Family,
Well, those pictures sure look sad. No more fires in the house, I guess we'll have to adapt and do something interesting, like a fire pit in the middle of the playroom. Nice job cleaning up though, and the picture must have been the funniest thing ever with the 'cannon' sticking out of the door.
I forgot my camera today but I found a member family this past week that owned a MUSTANG and the allowed me to sit in it with the car turned ON!!! Talk about trust! Place it was a manual anyway so I couldn't drive it, BUT I will have pictures next week. I was so happy.
For the 4th of July, we had another lockdown mission conference. The new dress standards were introduced from the lds.org/missionary website, and with shocking news that we can't have backpacks anymore!!! They want us to use side bags, which I feel weird in cuz it looks like a purse....and no dad purses are NOT my style! If y'all could send me one it would be nice. There are pictures of some appropriate ones on the church website that can give you some ideas. Personally if it could be black or dark grey that would be cool. ugh I'll pay y'all back for the expenses...I feel like I just eat money.
At the mission conference, we also got the option to watch a movie and we watched TOY STORY 3!!! Sure I've seen it before but it was nice to sit down and enjoy a funny movie. Even spanish buzz mode!!! I understood just about every word that he spoke! Seeing the movie was funnier then than it ever has been! Oh what the mission does..
The area is still cruising along. We realized that we need the branch presidents help because he holds the keys to the branch. We'll be involving him more so this week since we have branch council tomorrow. It's rough right now, we had another hard week. Both the people we are teaching fell off date because they didn't come to church. But we keep working hard. We got by the spirit a lot, and since we don't do much tracting anymore, we fill in our planning with names of people that we know that are members, less-actives, or non-members. We're here to help everyone so we are trying to visit EVERYONE! Its a lot of work but a lot of fun too.
Thanks for preparing the letter. It'll help a lot and I'm really looking forward to it.
Also the package you sent was great! You're right mom, we couldn't use the sparklers so I gave the fireworks to our landlords who gave them to their grand kids. They enjoyed it. Everything else in the box came in tact though so no worries there.
Thanks for the continual support. I hope my work pays off by bringing blessings back home.
Love y'all a lot!
Elder Parks
Well, those pictures sure look sad. No more fires in the house, I guess we'll have to adapt and do something interesting, like a fire pit in the middle of the playroom. Nice job cleaning up though, and the picture must have been the funniest thing ever with the 'cannon' sticking out of the door.
I forgot my camera today but I found a member family this past week that owned a MUSTANG and the allowed me to sit in it with the car turned ON!!! Talk about trust! Place it was a manual anyway so I couldn't drive it, BUT I will have pictures next week. I was so happy.
For the 4th of July, we had another lockdown mission conference. The new dress standards were introduced from the lds.org/missionary website, and with shocking news that we can't have backpacks anymore!!! They want us to use side bags, which I feel weird in cuz it looks like a purse....and no dad purses are NOT my style! If y'all could send me one it would be nice. There are pictures of some appropriate ones on the church website that can give you some ideas. Personally if it could be black or dark grey that would be cool. ugh I'll pay y'all back for the expenses...I feel like I just eat money.
At the mission conference, we also got the option to watch a movie and we watched TOY STORY 3!!! Sure I've seen it before but it was nice to sit down and enjoy a funny movie. Even spanish buzz mode!!! I understood just about every word that he spoke! Seeing the movie was funnier then than it ever has been! Oh what the mission does..
The area is still cruising along. We realized that we need the branch presidents help because he holds the keys to the branch. We'll be involving him more so this week since we have branch council tomorrow. It's rough right now, we had another hard week. Both the people we are teaching fell off date because they didn't come to church. But we keep working hard. We got by the spirit a lot, and since we don't do much tracting anymore, we fill in our planning with names of people that we know that are members, less-actives, or non-members. We're here to help everyone so we are trying to visit EVERYONE! Its a lot of work but a lot of fun too.
Thanks for preparing the letter. It'll help a lot and I'm really looking forward to it.
Also the package you sent was great! You're right mom, we couldn't use the sparklers so I gave the fireworks to our landlords who gave them to their grand kids. They enjoyed it. Everything else in the box came in tact though so no worries there.
Thanks for the continual support. I hope my work pays off by bringing blessings back home.
Love y'all a lot!
Elder Parks
July 1, 2013
Dear Family,
JULY!!!! Where does the time go???? Hey dad, sorry for not being there and helping out with the chimney! Seriously, I love doing service now! Even mowing someone's lawn was like a highlight. Mowing grass has never been so much fun!
The work here still goes on. It's a bit different now since we aren't supposed to tract anymore. Planning is hard during the day! The hours 12-4 are usually hard because nobody in our branch is home. Still trying what is effective to do during that time.
Our 17-year old rugby player is going very good. He is the door into his family! His parents told him that if he wants to be baptized then he can, so he is moving right along. The other families are moving along as well. Didn't do a lot of teaching this past week but the lessons we had were of very good quality.
We actually found out a good way that works for this area. When we visit the members of the branch and help strengthen them, more people come out of nowhere that we can start teaching! I don't know how it works but we're doing that now! Plus, with the training last week, our ward mission leader is on fire and is helping us get things moving.
Nothing new quite yet with the new mission president. We had our min zone conference in getting to meet him and he seems like a really nice guy. He told us very kindly that he had a lot of respect for President Miller and he wasn't going to attempt to fill in his shoes. However, he asked us for permission to begin working in his own new shoes rather than filling in President Millers. Of course, we all agreed. He is going to do great work! For the 4th of July, he may be doing the same thing that President Miller did. We have a mission conference scheduled that day from 6-10 and we may have an apostle come! Keep those fingers crossed!
Mom and Dad, I have a favor to ask of you. I want to hear our conversion story. I know some things but not most of it, I feel. Like, what kind of opposition came in when you started learning about the church? From what source was the opposition coming from? Was there a certain moment when you felt the spirit say that this is without doubt the truth? How do you feel it has blessed you individually and as a couple? To be quite honest, I want to here it because your example has helped me a lot with some of the families we have been teaching. What always gets people is that I can never remember a time when y'all were straight up yelling at one another (and to be honest I can't). So if y'all could do that for me, I would really appreciate it! Of course, whatever y'all feel like sharing would be nice.
Hannah, how is work going? You getting excited for school? Are mom and dad happy that the house will soon be empty? Haha
I love y'all a lot!
Love,
Elder Parks
JULY!!!! Where does the time go???? Hey dad, sorry for not being there and helping out with the chimney! Seriously, I love doing service now! Even mowing someone's lawn was like a highlight. Mowing grass has never been so much fun!
The work here still goes on. It's a bit different now since we aren't supposed to tract anymore. Planning is hard during the day! The hours 12-4 are usually hard because nobody in our branch is home. Still trying what is effective to do during that time.
Our 17-year old rugby player is going very good. He is the door into his family! His parents told him that if he wants to be baptized then he can, so he is moving right along. The other families are moving along as well. Didn't do a lot of teaching this past week but the lessons we had were of very good quality.
We actually found out a good way that works for this area. When we visit the members of the branch and help strengthen them, more people come out of nowhere that we can start teaching! I don't know how it works but we're doing that now! Plus, with the training last week, our ward mission leader is on fire and is helping us get things moving.
Nothing new quite yet with the new mission president. We had our min zone conference in getting to meet him and he seems like a really nice guy. He told us very kindly that he had a lot of respect for President Miller and he wasn't going to attempt to fill in his shoes. However, he asked us for permission to begin working in his own new shoes rather than filling in President Millers. Of course, we all agreed. He is going to do great work! For the 4th of July, he may be doing the same thing that President Miller did. We have a mission conference scheduled that day from 6-10 and we may have an apostle come! Keep those fingers crossed!
Mom and Dad, I have a favor to ask of you. I want to hear our conversion story. I know some things but not most of it, I feel. Like, what kind of opposition came in when you started learning about the church? From what source was the opposition coming from? Was there a certain moment when you felt the spirit say that this is without doubt the truth? How do you feel it has blessed you individually and as a couple? To be quite honest, I want to here it because your example has helped me a lot with some of the families we have been teaching. What always gets people is that I can never remember a time when y'all were straight up yelling at one another (and to be honest I can't). So if y'all could do that for me, I would really appreciate it! Of course, whatever y'all feel like sharing would be nice.
Hannah, how is work going? You getting excited for school? Are mom and dad happy that the house will soon be empty? Haha
I love y'all a lot!
Love,
Elder Parks
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