August 19, 2013

Dear Family,

  Well, I did end up being transferred last Tuesday. I left my old area in good hands with a few families being taught and preparing for baptism.
  I am now serving in Daybreak. Before I begin to talk about it, I want it to be clear that no one in our family should move here. Although it contains Oquirrh Temple in it's neighborhood, this place is like Dr. Suess land! All the houses are different colors like bright yellow, dark blue, purple, bright red, everywhere. Plus this place was built on top of a landfill, they buried it. Now the ground has arsenic or something in it, the same stuff they use in rat poison so people can't plant vegetable gardens. Other than that, it's a very happy place, almost unnaturally happy. It's one of the highest, if not the highest activity rate stakes in the world and there are TONS of members here. As a result of so many members, they give us Spanish missionaries here the english stake so now I cover a total of 8 wards! 1 Spanish and 7 English wards. We were at church from 8 AM TO 4 PM!!!!! Went to 3 meetings then almost 2 complete 3 hour blocks of church. Sundays are no longer a day of rest. It's nice to have a ton of member support though. But again, you may look at pictures at his place online but please don't move here! It's the perfect society yet at the same time it's not........
  This past week was really attempting to get to know the area. The neighborhood is hard to learn due to many things looking alike. We have a lot of potential and one 18 year old that is getting baptized this coming Saturday.
  Mom, I am horrible at keeping a clean car. Mainly because it's so hot and dry that I have to drink so many water bottles and the empty ones I have I just throw into the back seat. Haha I would enjoy the car light but I don't think our mission president would enjoy it too much. Haha I'll try it out after though. I will say the best car I have driven is the Ford Fusion. Hands down the best car in the mission. The Malibu cars here on the other hand are hated universally. Those cars just always have problems.
  How was it with Hilary home? What time did she get in? Did others come to welcome her home? Hope all is going well! Have a good week!

Love,
Elder Parks