Dear Family,
My last zone conference was great. Didn't wanna give my departing
testimony but it was good anyway. We learned a lot about teaching with
power and working with members. Also had a district leader training
meeting after zone conference so I spent 13 hours at the mission
office in 2 days. We had a great lesson about acts 27 and how it
relates to good leadership. Learned a lot of good things.
Our area is picking up! We found a lady this past week who came to
church yesterday. We are trying to meet with her boyfriend too since
he is interested. The challenge though is that she is pregnant and is
due in 3 weeks! She doesn't feel good a majority of the time but she
is going great! While on exchanges too, they found a family of 3. We
have another lesson with them tonight.
Our mission is doing better and better. Our numbers keep on
increasing which is great and a lot of the newer missionaries are
getting more and more motivated.
Thats kinda it. Just sat in a bunch of meetings. Love y'all!
Elder Parks
Sunday, November 24, 2013
November 11, 2013
Dear Family,
Well I still have the same companion. We haven't received a phone
call yet regarding his visa so he is still with me for a little more.
We still have no word on facebook or chapel tours or ipads or
iphones. Hopefully that starts when I'm gone. Just seems like too much
to get used to for me. And no mom I haven't finished eating all the
candy yet!
We have zone conference this week on wednesday, which means its my
last zone conference. I'll have to give my departing testimony this
time which is scary because I remember seeing my trainer do the same
thing and not thinking that it would come this soon. Kinda goes fast.
I hate growing up!
Not too much to report on. We've been doing everything we can,
everything that I know how to do. We're kinda just waiting on the Lord
right now, just still working hard though. Something will come up
though, it always does. President Chambers keeps telling me he has
full confidence in me which is nice.
That's it for now! Just managing the district and all! I'm not
trunky though! I'm not counting down the days so don't worry because
I'm still focused! Love y'all!
Elder Parks
Well I still have the same companion. We haven't received a phone
call yet regarding his visa so he is still with me for a little more.
We still have no word on facebook or chapel tours or ipads or
iphones. Hopefully that starts when I'm gone. Just seems like too much
to get used to for me. And no mom I haven't finished eating all the
candy yet!
We have zone conference this week on wednesday, which means its my
last zone conference. I'll have to give my departing testimony this
time which is scary because I remember seeing my trainer do the same
thing and not thinking that it would come this soon. Kinda goes fast.
I hate growing up!
Not too much to report on. We've been doing everything we can,
everything that I know how to do. We're kinda just waiting on the Lord
right now, just still working hard though. Something will come up
though, it always does. President Chambers keeps telling me he has
full confidence in me which is nice.
That's it for now! Just managing the district and all! I'm not
trunky though! I'm not counting down the days so don't worry because
I'm still focused! Love y'all!
Elder Parks
November 4, 2013
Dear Family,
Another slow week but we're starting to get to know the members. We
spoke to a Navajo family the other day. Still can see very clear on
how they keep practicing the traditions of their parents and aren't
fond of change. Also, we parked outside of someone's house on the road
this past week and went to visit someone down the street. Coming back,
this teenager was taking a picture of our car. When we went to the car
he was shocked and explained that he didn't know it was ours. He
thought it was his sister's boyfriend and was trying to catch her in
the act of cheating! Pretty random thing that day.
Got off the phone with President Chambers yesterday. Pretty much
guaranteed that I'm staying here in the area. Probably nothing will
change by next monday but that's ok. I'm fine with finishing here.
Found a good scripture that I really like. 3 Nephi 9:13-15. I hope I
haven't shared it before but it talks about the healing power of God
and the invitation. It's really good and we're gonna use it while
visiting members this week.
We moved houses this week! We're in a small room now in a spanish
member's basement. It's nice though since I need to stop being spoiled
with nice houses! It's very comfortable though.
My new companion is doing great. He is learning really well and is
picking up quick. Just wish we could teach more to get him more
experience.
First snow fell...my clothes are great though! Didn't have any problems.
That's kinda it for now, maybe I'll take a writing class to learn how
to express more or notice more things...anyways! Love y'all! Thanks
for all the support.
Elder Parks
Another slow week but we're starting to get to know the members. We
spoke to a Navajo family the other day. Still can see very clear on
how they keep practicing the traditions of their parents and aren't
fond of change. Also, we parked outside of someone's house on the road
this past week and went to visit someone down the street. Coming back,
this teenager was taking a picture of our car. When we went to the car
he was shocked and explained that he didn't know it was ours. He
thought it was his sister's boyfriend and was trying to catch her in
the act of cheating! Pretty random thing that day.
Got off the phone with President Chambers yesterday. Pretty much
guaranteed that I'm staying here in the area. Probably nothing will
change by next monday but that's ok. I'm fine with finishing here.
Found a good scripture that I really like. 3 Nephi 9:13-15. I hope I
haven't shared it before but it talks about the healing power of God
and the invitation. It's really good and we're gonna use it while
visiting members this week.
We moved houses this week! We're in a small room now in a spanish
member's basement. It's nice though since I need to stop being spoiled
with nice houses! It's very comfortable though.
My new companion is doing great. He is learning really well and is
picking up quick. Just wish we could teach more to get him more
experience.
First snow fell...my clothes are great though! Didn't have any problems.
That's kinda it for now, maybe I'll take a writing class to learn how
to express more or notice more things...anyways! Love y'all! Thanks
for all the support.
Elder Parks
October 28, 2013
Dear Family,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HILARY!!! I know its a day late but I thought about
it a lot yesterday. And yes mom the cookie cake arrived intact.
Had a really hard week again. Nobody came to church on sunday so
we're kinda starting over from square one again. I also got a brand
new visa waiter today, Elder Figueroa, straight from the MTC. He is
from Maryvale, Arizona. Gotta start training him now too! Might just
have him till next week since transfers are next wednesday.
Being here in this area has helped me see how strong my testimony
has become and how I can answer questions or doubts more effectively.
Just this past week, Juan brought up a question about the Book of
Mormon, how the Bible doesn't testify of it. I opened up to Ezekiel 37
and shared that with him (all in spanish!!!) and after explaining it
to him and sharing powerful testimony, Juan starred at me, then looked
down at the Book of Mormon and said "Well I guess I have to read it."
I just wish he would come to church!
So mom to answer your questions! We haven't done any outdoors stuff
lately. No hikes or anything but we mainly play sports in chapels
which is where we do emailing too (Family history computers). Today
were gonna play volleyball. We're still living in a members upstairs
apartment with 2 other missionaries. They're looking for a house for
us and we should be moving this week. I haven't tried the pomegranates
but I'm a little to try them. Halloween, we are doing a temple session
as a mission again which will be fun.
Alright well thats all for now. Love y'all!
Elder Parks
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HILARY!!! I know its a day late but I thought about
it a lot yesterday. And yes mom the cookie cake arrived intact.
Had a really hard week again. Nobody came to church on sunday so
we're kinda starting over from square one again. I also got a brand
new visa waiter today, Elder Figueroa, straight from the MTC. He is
from Maryvale, Arizona. Gotta start training him now too! Might just
have him till next week since transfers are next wednesday.
Being here in this area has helped me see how strong my testimony
has become and how I can answer questions or doubts more effectively.
Just this past week, Juan brought up a question about the Book of
Mormon, how the Bible doesn't testify of it. I opened up to Ezekiel 37
and shared that with him (all in spanish!!!) and after explaining it
to him and sharing powerful testimony, Juan starred at me, then looked
down at the Book of Mormon and said "Well I guess I have to read it."
I just wish he would come to church!
So mom to answer your questions! We haven't done any outdoors stuff
lately. No hikes or anything but we mainly play sports in chapels
which is where we do emailing too (Family history computers). Today
were gonna play volleyball. We're still living in a members upstairs
apartment with 2 other missionaries. They're looking for a house for
us and we should be moving this week. I haven't tried the pomegranates
but I'm a little to try them. Halloween, we are doing a temple session
as a mission again which will be fun.
Alright well thats all for now. Love y'all!
Elder Parks
October 21, 2013
Dear Family,
I'm glad to hear that our stake back home is doing amazing! Which
ward is it that was dry for a long time but is now doing amazing?
Thanks for all the packages! I got one from Mom and Dad, the bag
from Taylor and Matt, and the box from Hilary and Hannah! Now I have
more candy than ever before, which is nice. I actually refrained from
opening them until my birthday which made it nice. The cookie cake
arrived in tact as well and is really good!
Yes my clothes are holding up well and with the extra supply of
socks I'm good there. The food we are getting is great as well and we
are being taken care of very well.
My birthday went well, just went out and worked as always. We found
a new investigator though! He was kinda anti at first but strong
testimonies silenced the doubts and he accepted to read and pray about
the Book of Mormon and to work towards the 16 of November for baptism.
It was an exciting lesson.
Really not much else to say. The temple was great but that day was
rushed because of everything else we had to do but it was nice. I hope
y'all have a good week! Love y'all!
Elder Parks
I'm glad to hear that our stake back home is doing amazing! Which
ward is it that was dry for a long time but is now doing amazing?
Thanks for all the packages! I got one from Mom and Dad, the bag
from Taylor and Matt, and the box from Hilary and Hannah! Now I have
more candy than ever before, which is nice. I actually refrained from
opening them until my birthday which made it nice. The cookie cake
arrived in tact as well and is really good!
Yes my clothes are holding up well and with the extra supply of
socks I'm good there. The food we are getting is great as well and we
are being taken care of very well.
My birthday went well, just went out and worked as always. We found
a new investigator though! He was kinda anti at first but strong
testimonies silenced the doubts and he accepted to read and pray about
the Book of Mormon and to work towards the 16 of November for baptism.
It was an exciting lesson.
Really not much else to say. The temple was great but that day was
rushed because of everything else we had to do but it was nice. I hope
y'all have a good week! Love y'all!
Elder Parks
October 17, 2013
Dear Family,
Another week gone by! Really more than a week but oh well. And I
have some pictures! One of the baptism in Daybreak(I don't think I
sent it) and some of the houses here around Halloween are getting
pretty intense. They go all out here. Too bad I'm not in Daybreak, one
house there apparently makes national news for its decorations. It's
been a little rough lately with the work. We keep trying to do things
on our own which is hard and not really effective so we really need to
change and follow the counsel of the Prophet and start working with
the members. We have been doing that this week and we'll continue
going on with that as the transfer goes on. I'll probably finish in
this area so that still leaves a ton of time to get to know the
members.
Well Dad for your non-member worker, I'd say you have the right idea
right now. Maybe finding out if he has a Book of Mormon and giving him
one would be good. And look over Elder Ballard's talk online. I don't
remember all too much off the top of my head but maybe something in
there will help. Hilary is right, he gave a really good talk.
So my new companion now is Elder Roberts. He is from Draper and is
waiting for his visa to Argentina too which stinks because both of
these visa waiters have been really good companions. He'll probably
head out at the end of the month.
That's kinda it right now. We're just pumped to go to the temple! Oh
I did get the shoes! They are SO AWESOME. I really can't think I can
wear them until my last day in the mission. Too scared to take them
out of the box. Thank you very much for getting those. We may stop by
the mission office today and pick up the box Hilary and Hannah left.
Looking forward to it. Thanks for the birthday wishes. I feel the
support from home constantly and am very grateful for it. Love y'all!
Elder Parks
Another week gone by! Really more than a week but oh well. And I
have some pictures! One of the baptism in Daybreak(I don't think I
sent it) and some of the houses here around Halloween are getting
pretty intense. They go all out here. Too bad I'm not in Daybreak, one
house there apparently makes national news for its decorations. It's
been a little rough lately with the work. We keep trying to do things
on our own which is hard and not really effective so we really need to
change and follow the counsel of the Prophet and start working with
the members. We have been doing that this week and we'll continue
going on with that as the transfer goes on. I'll probably finish in
this area so that still leaves a ton of time to get to know the
members.
Well Dad for your non-member worker, I'd say you have the right idea
right now. Maybe finding out if he has a Book of Mormon and giving him
one would be good. And look over Elder Ballard's talk online. I don't
remember all too much off the top of my head but maybe something in
there will help. Hilary is right, he gave a really good talk.
So my new companion now is Elder Roberts. He is from Draper and is
waiting for his visa to Argentina too which stinks because both of
these visa waiters have been really good companions. He'll probably
head out at the end of the month.
That's kinda it right now. We're just pumped to go to the temple! Oh
I did get the shoes! They are SO AWESOME. I really can't think I can
wear them until my last day in the mission. Too scared to take them
out of the box. Thank you very much for getting those. We may stop by
the mission office today and pick up the box Hilary and Hannah left.
Looking forward to it. Thanks for the birthday wishes. I feel the
support from home constantly and am very grateful for it. Love y'all!
Elder Parks
October 7, 2013
Dear Family,
So next week, we'll be having our temple day on thursday which means
our P-day will be that same day as well. So y'all won't get an email
until monday. It's the new schedule thing that we do with going to the
temple.
This past week my companion actually got his visa! He is heading out
this wednesday to Argentina. I have no clue who my next comp will be
so we'll wait on that.
Gahhh I haven't been taking pictures I'm sorry. I'll do that more
this week. The area is pretty fun. We saw a guy with a shirt the other
day that said "holla at my PEEPS!" and it had the candy peeps on it
and it was the funniest thing ever!
Yes dad, had I gone out on a mission now, even to salt lake, I would
have gone to the MTC in mexico. I'm actually kinda jealous that I
didn't get to go. Learning spanish there would be fun.
Hope y'all are doing well. Happy Birthday mom!
Love,
Elder Parks
So next week, we'll be having our temple day on thursday which means
our P-day will be that same day as well. So y'all won't get an email
until monday. It's the new schedule thing that we do with going to the
temple.
This past week my companion actually got his visa! He is heading out
this wednesday to Argentina. I have no clue who my next comp will be
so we'll wait on that.
Gahhh I haven't been taking pictures I'm sorry. I'll do that more
this week. The area is pretty fun. We saw a guy with a shirt the other
day that said "holla at my PEEPS!" and it had the candy peeps on it
and it was the funniest thing ever!
Yes dad, had I gone out on a mission now, even to salt lake, I would
have gone to the MTC in mexico. I'm actually kinda jealous that I
didn't get to go. Learning spanish there would be fun.
Hope y'all are doing well. Happy Birthday mom!
Love,
Elder Parks
September 30, 2013
Dear Family,
Well I was only in Daybreak for one transfer! My comp got
transferred to leadership in sandy I got made a district leader again!
Not too excited about it though. My wish is to just finish as a normal
missionary. No worries about other missionaries, just preaching the
gospel and helping other families. But the Lord needs me right now, so
I'll step up.
I'm in Kearns. Close to my first area but not the same area. I'm
covering half a spanish ward now and we have a lot of potential in the
area. There are a lot of spanish speakers. I'm white washing the area
with my new comp, Elder Yandle. He is a visa waiter going to
Argentina.
I didn't get tickets to go to conference, but I'm fine with it.
We'll just watch it with some members or something. I've gone twice on
my mission and other missionaries still haven't gone to it's fine.
Still no news on facebook! Nor iPhones nor iPads. We're still kinda
just going along with what we have always done. I don't know if I'll
see any of it. The time goes so fast!
Dad I'm sorry but I haven't gone on my bike for a while! All my
areas have been big and with the cold weather coming....I don't know.
I need to get my bike to this area though.
With being a district leader, I don't have much time to myself so I
can't write in my journal as much as I want. But I'm trying my best to
keep some things in mind. We'll just have to have a LONG talk when I
get home because I can't get it all into emails, at least not the
amount and detail that I want to communicate.
I would like some nice shoes for my birthday. Shoes that can go to
meetings and also be good for working.
I love y'all a lot!
Elder Parks
Well I was only in Daybreak for one transfer! My comp got
transferred to leadership in sandy I got made a district leader again!
Not too excited about it though. My wish is to just finish as a normal
missionary. No worries about other missionaries, just preaching the
gospel and helping other families. But the Lord needs me right now, so
I'll step up.
I'm in Kearns. Close to my first area but not the same area. I'm
covering half a spanish ward now and we have a lot of potential in the
area. There are a lot of spanish speakers. I'm white washing the area
with my new comp, Elder Yandle. He is a visa waiter going to
Argentina.
I didn't get tickets to go to conference, but I'm fine with it.
We'll just watch it with some members or something. I've gone twice on
my mission and other missionaries still haven't gone to it's fine.
Still no news on facebook! Nor iPhones nor iPads. We're still kinda
just going along with what we have always done. I don't know if I'll
see any of it. The time goes so fast!
Dad I'm sorry but I haven't gone on my bike for a while! All my
areas have been big and with the cold weather coming....I don't know.
I need to get my bike to this area though.
With being a district leader, I don't have much time to myself so I
can't write in my journal as much as I want. But I'm trying my best to
keep some things in mind. We'll just have to have a LONG talk when I
get home because I can't get it all into emails, at least not the
amount and detail that I want to communicate.
I would like some nice shoes for my birthday. Shoes that can go to
meetings and also be good for working.
I love y'all a lot!
Elder Parks
September 23, 2013
Dear Family,
We found a new investigator this past week! So we've been teaching a
less active family, the husband just got the priesthood and passed the
sacrament yesterday, he is getting married to his fiance, and his 14
year old daughter loves the church, knows its true, and wants to get
baptized! She's on date for October 19.
We're getting transfer calls tonight. I'll probably stay here. I
hope my comp does too, we get along great.
Sorry these past few letters have been dull. Not much has been going
on. Well its not so much that nothing has happened its just that I
can't remember the things that have happened! I'll do better this
week, with writing things down.
My studies are going well. I enjoy reading the scriptures and
finding new things. I'm getting really familiar with the Book of
Mormon. Bible is still tough to understand at times but it's a fun
read as well. One of the cool things about serving here is that we get
taught a ton. For example, one of the guys in our stake, (we are
teaching his less-active son) he is a man who has been called on by
the Prophet at times to write books in defense of the Church and
beliefs and practices and such. His less-active son knows a lot too
and its always fun to go over to their place and teach and get taught.
We've been working hard as usual, just still haven't caught some
families at home. We gonna start branching out, visiting the same
people over and over again is insanity. Perhaps there is more work in
the spanish ward....
Hope all is going well! I'm doing great so don't worry about me!
Love,
Elder Parks
We found a new investigator this past week! So we've been teaching a
less active family, the husband just got the priesthood and passed the
sacrament yesterday, he is getting married to his fiance, and his 14
year old daughter loves the church, knows its true, and wants to get
baptized! She's on date for October 19.
We're getting transfer calls tonight. I'll probably stay here. I
hope my comp does too, we get along great.
Sorry these past few letters have been dull. Not much has been going
on. Well its not so much that nothing has happened its just that I
can't remember the things that have happened! I'll do better this
week, with writing things down.
My studies are going well. I enjoy reading the scriptures and
finding new things. I'm getting really familiar with the Book of
Mormon. Bible is still tough to understand at times but it's a fun
read as well. One of the cool things about serving here is that we get
taught a ton. For example, one of the guys in our stake, (we are
teaching his less-active son) he is a man who has been called on by
the Prophet at times to write books in defense of the Church and
beliefs and practices and such. His less-active son knows a lot too
and its always fun to go over to their place and teach and get taught.
We've been working hard as usual, just still haven't caught some
families at home. We gonna start branching out, visiting the same
people over and over again is insanity. Perhaps there is more work in
the spanish ward....
Hope all is going well! I'm doing great so don't worry about me!
Love,
Elder Parks
September 16, 2013
Dear Family,
We had stake conference this past week. It was a broadcast from
downtown and it was alright but all the babies in the rooms made it
chaos. Non of our investigators showed up which was a bummer.
HOWEVER!!!!! The 18 year-old we baptized just got his patriarchal
blessing and it talked about him serving a mission!!! He talked to us
and asked us a lot of questions last night and we have another lesson
tonight. He is so awesome.
Dad, in my last area they did involve us in that last sheep project
thing. We visited a few of the families and all of them had moved
away. Being in the spanish unit we only had a few names though.
We had some lessons this past week and some of the less actives are
going well and some of the non-members too. The stake is getting
pumped and wanting to do missionary work. We're helping the members
set goals on when to invite their friends and stuff like that so
things should really start picking up here soon!
Thats it for now. Keep the faith! Follow the prophet! Some prophecy
has been made that will happen within the next 10 years, have no clue
what it is, but it should be something huge about our country. But as
long as we stay close to the Lord we'll be more than fine. Stay
faithful! Love y'all!
Elder Parks
We had stake conference this past week. It was a broadcast from
downtown and it was alright but all the babies in the rooms made it
chaos. Non of our investigators showed up which was a bummer.
HOWEVER!!!!! The 18 year-old we baptized just got his patriarchal
blessing and it talked about him serving a mission!!! He talked to us
and asked us a lot of questions last night and we have another lesson
tonight. He is so awesome.
Dad, in my last area they did involve us in that last sheep project
thing. We visited a few of the families and all of them had moved
away. Being in the spanish unit we only had a few names though.
We had some lessons this past week and some of the less actives are
going well and some of the non-members too. The stake is getting
pumped and wanting to do missionary work. We're helping the members
set goals on when to invite their friends and stuff like that so
things should really start picking up here soon!
Thats it for now. Keep the faith! Follow the prophet! Some prophecy
has been made that will happen within the next 10 years, have no clue
what it is, but it should be something huge about our country. But as
long as we stay close to the Lord we'll be more than fine. Stay
faithful! Love y'all!
Elder Parks
September 9, 2013
Dear Family,
This past week was pretty uneventful. A lot of lessons fell through
however, we had a number of non-members attend church this past week!
We counted 8 non-members and 3 less active families. This week we're
going to focus on teaching them and setting up consistent
appointments.
I did receive the package with the treats and socks and other items!
Thanks very much for those. The new socks are so good!!!
How was school for Hilary and Hannah? Classes going ok?
One thing I hate, is walking past the Oquirrh Temple and seeing a
wedding. Then somebody at the wedding calling out, "you can't escape
it for too long elders!" People these days.
Speaking of temples, josh, the teenager who got baptized a few weeks
ago, went to the temple and we got to do baptisms with him in the
temple! It was a great experience.
Hey Matt, was there ever a time in your mission when you felt like
30 years older than you really were? When you get off the mission do
you get to feeling young again?
One of the massive problems we have to deal with here is divorces,
especially where one of the couple goes apostate. It's a huge problem.
Mom and Dad, DON'T EVER LEAVE EACH OTHER! I'm so tired of seeing all
these great, great people and having them tell us that their
wife/husband just left them and its just depressing.
We've been hearing lately that a lot has been happening to
missionaries throughout the world like bad accidents and stuff. Just
please be sure and trust me when I say that I'm following the spirit
and doing my best to stay safe. And if anything does happen, just know
that God is still the one in control and does everything for a
purpose.
I'm grateful for this time that I've had to serve so far. It has
been a huge learning experience and time for growth both as a person
and in spirit. There are so many blessings with this gospel, its
simply true. The atonement is real and has power and was given to us
by Christ.
Hope all is well! Take care!
Love,
Elder Parks
This past week was pretty uneventful. A lot of lessons fell through
however, we had a number of non-members attend church this past week!
We counted 8 non-members and 3 less active families. This week we're
going to focus on teaching them and setting up consistent
appointments.
I did receive the package with the treats and socks and other items!
Thanks very much for those. The new socks are so good!!!
How was school for Hilary and Hannah? Classes going ok?
One thing I hate, is walking past the Oquirrh Temple and seeing a
wedding. Then somebody at the wedding calling out, "you can't escape
it for too long elders!" People these days.
Speaking of temples, josh, the teenager who got baptized a few weeks
ago, went to the temple and we got to do baptisms with him in the
temple! It was a great experience.
Hey Matt, was there ever a time in your mission when you felt like
30 years older than you really were? When you get off the mission do
you get to feeling young again?
One of the massive problems we have to deal with here is divorces,
especially where one of the couple goes apostate. It's a huge problem.
Mom and Dad, DON'T EVER LEAVE EACH OTHER! I'm so tired of seeing all
these great, great people and having them tell us that their
wife/husband just left them and its just depressing.
We've been hearing lately that a lot has been happening to
missionaries throughout the world like bad accidents and stuff. Just
please be sure and trust me when I say that I'm following the spirit
and doing my best to stay safe. And if anything does happen, just know
that God is still the one in control and does everything for a
purpose.
I'm grateful for this time that I've had to serve so far. It has
been a huge learning experience and time for growth both as a person
and in spirit. There are so many blessings with this gospel, its
simply true. The atonement is real and has power and was given to us
by Christ.
Hope all is well! Take care!
Love,
Elder Parks
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