Dear Family,
Well.....it's coming fast! Not too much to say this time either.
Just I'm not sure about the sheets I have for my bed. Should they be
burned or preserved? They haven't been washed in maybe 18 months. I'll
just let mom decide when I see her! So I won't be able to see anyone
on Tuesday and Wednesday but I would only like to visit one recent
convert before leaving for home. Other than that I don't have many
plans. Hopefully mom got all the info about picking me up on thursday
between 7 and 8 am. Bright and early! I started to throw some stuff
away this morning so I'm preparing. Final interview with President
Chambers is tomorrow so after the interview in the evening it will be
VERY HARD to work. hahaha oh well. Well not much more than that! See
everyone THIS WEEK!!!!!
Love,
Elder Parks
Sunday, February 2, 2014
January 20, 2014
Dear Family,
Thanks for the book that you emailed Hilary! haha
Well this last week kinda exploded in our faces. Our baptism fell
through because them sleeping in separate rooms wasn't good enough.
Plus we just found out that the dad is kinda against us and doesn't
want us to visit much anymore. There is more to it but that's where
we're at right now with Vicente. Kinda frustrating but whatever.
Can we buy a suit when mom picks me up? Maybe we could skip Temple
Square....I don't know. Should be getting my departing schedule today
so we'll see what happens. Can't really think of much else to say
since its only 9 days till the end of transfers! Then the next day I
see mom!
Fun stuff. Love y'all!
Elder Parks
Thanks for the book that you emailed Hilary! haha
Well this last week kinda exploded in our faces. Our baptism fell
through because them sleeping in separate rooms wasn't good enough.
Plus we just found out that the dad is kinda against us and doesn't
want us to visit much anymore. There is more to it but that's where
we're at right now with Vicente. Kinda frustrating but whatever.
Can we buy a suit when mom picks me up? Maybe we could skip Temple
Square....I don't know. Should be getting my departing schedule today
so we'll see what happens. Can't really think of much else to say
since its only 9 days till the end of transfers! Then the next day I
see mom!
Fun stuff. Love y'all!
Elder Parks
January 13, 2014
Dear Family,
Not really much to say....the end is coming so fast!!!!!!!
We went to temple square with Vicente, the 17 year old and his
girlfriend came with us. It was a good lesson except the sister
missionaries didn't speak spanish too much which was a problem. But
they still just gave their testimonies and the spirit was really
strong. He is looking good for the 18th. Just need to review stuff
with him now. We've kinda lost contact with some of our investigators
though. The week didn't go quite like we wanted it too but it was
still good. We spent a lot of time in some houses which made us late
to a lot of appointments but we are working on punctuality.
The temple was great. Whenever we go we do endowments. The Jordan
River Temple was actually the first temple I went to in my mission.
It's also the one that I've been in the most. It's a huge temple. I
like going there.
I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to visit previous areas for my
last few days. Which its ok though since I'll be back in a few months.
I still haven't received a schedule for the last few days. But if I
don't get to say goodbye to people, I would like the say goodbye to
josh, the one in daybreak that got disowned by his family. Plus I
thought of some other restaurants that I want to show y'all to! A good
burger joint, and 2 really good mexican restraurants! Can't eat at all
of the them but I can point them out.
Yeah can't really think of anything else to write. I think the
feelings are starting to set in though, that I'm actually leaving. I'm
still really nervous about coming home.
Thanks for all the support. See y'all in a few weeks.
Love,
Elder Parks
Not really much to say....the end is coming so fast!!!!!!!
We went to temple square with Vicente, the 17 year old and his
girlfriend came with us. It was a good lesson except the sister
missionaries didn't speak spanish too much which was a problem. But
they still just gave their testimonies and the spirit was really
strong. He is looking good for the 18th. Just need to review stuff
with him now. We've kinda lost contact with some of our investigators
though. The week didn't go quite like we wanted it too but it was
still good. We spent a lot of time in some houses which made us late
to a lot of appointments but we are working on punctuality.
The temple was great. Whenever we go we do endowments. The Jordan
River Temple was actually the first temple I went to in my mission.
It's also the one that I've been in the most. It's a huge temple. I
like going there.
I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to visit previous areas for my
last few days. Which its ok though since I'll be back in a few months.
I still haven't received a schedule for the last few days. But if I
don't get to say goodbye to people, I would like the say goodbye to
josh, the one in daybreak that got disowned by his family. Plus I
thought of some other restaurants that I want to show y'all to! A good
burger joint, and 2 really good mexican restraurants! Can't eat at all
of the them but I can point them out.
Yeah can't really think of anything else to write. I think the
feelings are starting to set in though, that I'm actually leaving. I'm
still really nervous about coming home.
Thanks for all the support. See y'all in a few weeks.
Love,
Elder Parks
January 7, 2014
Dear Family,
Sorry for writing on tuesday! We were told on saturday that we would
be having our temple day today and therefore P-Day would be the same
day so...next week I promise it'll be on monday! We're heading to the
Jordan River Temple today which will be fun.
I did receive the package from home, along with the grey shirt. And
yes mom, I've had so much candy! Aside from boxes from home, the wards
here made bags for the entire mission and the stock pile just built
up! I'm still trying the finish the candy that I got for my birthday!
Hochheim must have been fun! I was telling a family about how we
celebrated each new years at Hochheim and they thought that it was the
coolest thing ever. Which it really is! Can't wait to go back there.
Did y'all shoot any boar while you were there?
The work continues here. The 17 year old girl got dropped. She
wasn't keeping commitments nor was she getting help from her mom who
was baptized a few months ago. It also doesn't help that her aunt is
an anti and has been taking her to other churches instead of ours. We
left her with the invitation to read and pray about our message and
call us when she was ready. Oh well. On the plus side the 17 year old
boy that we are teaching is going great. His girlfriend is living with
him and they were sleeping in the same room so we taught the law of
chastity and he accepted it! He is now sleeping on the coach in the
living room! Haha. He is preparing for the 18th of January. The other
family we found last week is out of town and we should be meeting with
them today.
The Bishop made a new ward mission plan this year. It's an ok plan
but I'm still willing the do it. There isn't a goal set which
hopefully change. What we're gonna do is start visiting all the
members on the ward roster. Going by every single house, we'll ask for
referrals. All the members were instructed a few weeks ago to have
names ready for us and that no family was going to escape the
missionaries. Hopefully that'll show fruit for the future
missionaries. It sounds like a slow process but you never know.
So yeah that district meeting about goal setting was fun. We did
personal, companion, and district goals. Some of my goals were
directed towards reading the scriptures in spanish and finishing the
old testament in english. I love the scriptures! It's so fun learning
from them! Another goal of mine was to run a 48.2 second 400 m. I
really wanna make the BYU track team. Some of the companion and
district goals pertained to being better teachers and being more
obedient. Haha I forget what they all are which doesn't help me in
reaching them! Haha but it's all written on paper on my desk at home.
It was a fun week! We spent new years just visiting some families.
Not too much about it.
Hope y'all have a great week! Thanks for all the support.
Love,
Elder Parks
Sorry for writing on tuesday! We were told on saturday that we would
be having our temple day today and therefore P-Day would be the same
day so...next week I promise it'll be on monday! We're heading to the
Jordan River Temple today which will be fun.
I did receive the package from home, along with the grey shirt. And
yes mom, I've had so much candy! Aside from boxes from home, the wards
here made bags for the entire mission and the stock pile just built
up! I'm still trying the finish the candy that I got for my birthday!
Hochheim must have been fun! I was telling a family about how we
celebrated each new years at Hochheim and they thought that it was the
coolest thing ever. Which it really is! Can't wait to go back there.
Did y'all shoot any boar while you were there?
The work continues here. The 17 year old girl got dropped. She
wasn't keeping commitments nor was she getting help from her mom who
was baptized a few months ago. It also doesn't help that her aunt is
an anti and has been taking her to other churches instead of ours. We
left her with the invitation to read and pray about our message and
call us when she was ready. Oh well. On the plus side the 17 year old
boy that we are teaching is going great. His girlfriend is living with
him and they were sleeping in the same room so we taught the law of
chastity and he accepted it! He is now sleeping on the coach in the
living room! Haha. He is preparing for the 18th of January. The other
family we found last week is out of town and we should be meeting with
them today.
The Bishop made a new ward mission plan this year. It's an ok plan
but I'm still willing the do it. There isn't a goal set which
hopefully change. What we're gonna do is start visiting all the
members on the ward roster. Going by every single house, we'll ask for
referrals. All the members were instructed a few weeks ago to have
names ready for us and that no family was going to escape the
missionaries. Hopefully that'll show fruit for the future
missionaries. It sounds like a slow process but you never know.
So yeah that district meeting about goal setting was fun. We did
personal, companion, and district goals. Some of my goals were
directed towards reading the scriptures in spanish and finishing the
old testament in english. I love the scriptures! It's so fun learning
from them! Another goal of mine was to run a 48.2 second 400 m. I
really wanna make the BYU track team. Some of the companion and
district goals pertained to being better teachers and being more
obedient. Haha I forget what they all are which doesn't help me in
reaching them! Haha but it's all written on paper on my desk at home.
It was a fun week! We spent new years just visiting some families.
Not too much about it.
Hope y'all have a great week! Thanks for all the support.
Love,
Elder Parks
December 31, 2013
Dear Family,
It was great talking to y'all on Christmas. Thanks again for all the support.
Christmas was good. We visited and sung christmas songs to some
members. The rest of the week was normal although the area is picking
up! We got a referral from the Bishop yesterday and we went to go
visit the family and the dad is on date for January 25! We are also
teaching a 16 year old and he is on date fore January 18. The youth
girl fell off date but she'll be back on soon. We've had trouble
getting in contact with her.
Next week P-Day will be on a monday so its back to normal.
Not too many plans today. We only will work from 6-8pm and then we
head in. We're gonna go hand out some cards to the members today after
we teach Vicente, the 16 year old boy. Tomorrow we're gonna have 2
district meetings. The first will be a normal one and the next one at
1 will be about goal setting for the new year. Should be fun. Can't
believe the new year is here.
Have fun with the family! And Happy New Years!
Love,
Elder Parks
It was great talking to y'all on Christmas. Thanks again for all the support.
Christmas was good. We visited and sung christmas songs to some
members. The rest of the week was normal although the area is picking
up! We got a referral from the Bishop yesterday and we went to go
visit the family and the dad is on date for January 25! We are also
teaching a 16 year old and he is on date fore January 18. The youth
girl fell off date but she'll be back on soon. We've had trouble
getting in contact with her.
Next week P-Day will be on a monday so its back to normal.
Not too many plans today. We only will work from 6-8pm and then we
head in. We're gonna go hand out some cards to the members today after
we teach Vicente, the 16 year old boy. Tomorrow we're gonna have 2
district meetings. The first will be a normal one and the next one at
1 will be about goal setting for the new year. Should be fun. Can't
believe the new year is here.
Have fun with the family! And Happy New Years!
Love,
Elder Parks
Decemer 16, 2013
Dear Family,
So really quick, for the next two weeks our P-Day's will be on
Tuesday. So on the 24th and the 31st is when I'll email.
So far right now, I think I'll call home on Christmas around 3 or
after. We're having district meeting on Christmas which will be fun!
Plus we'll probably attend some baptisms in the zone or district. I'll
do my best to find a place to skype. Since transfers are this week, I
may move. What I'll do first is call home to get the name and
everything. I've forgotten how to skype so we'll just learn then!
The girl that was on date got moved back. Some things came up with
the mom. She had surgery and now its hard to meet with them. The girl
also told us that she wants to learn more before getting baptized. The
teaching environment is also challenging because another family lives
there and they don't want to listen. In fact they just keep on playing
their xbox! At least I would play in another room and not play while
visitors were over! ahhh just one of those things. We're looking for
another place to teach her right now, so thats the situation with her.
More items for Christmas? I can't think of anything right now.
Mainly in my mind its just kind of a waiting game till later on. I
feel that I can hold out with what I have till I end.
We had a ward Christmas party this week and I took some pictures but
I forgot my camera!!! Sorry...
Thats really all I got this week. I may be moved, I may not. We'll
find out next week!
Again thanks for all the support!
Love,
Elder Parks
So really quick, for the next two weeks our P-Day's will be on
Tuesday. So on the 24th and the 31st is when I'll email.
So far right now, I think I'll call home on Christmas around 3 or
after. We're having district meeting on Christmas which will be fun!
Plus we'll probably attend some baptisms in the zone or district. I'll
do my best to find a place to skype. Since transfers are this week, I
may move. What I'll do first is call home to get the name and
everything. I've forgotten how to skype so we'll just learn then!
The girl that was on date got moved back. Some things came up with
the mom. She had surgery and now its hard to meet with them. The girl
also told us that she wants to learn more before getting baptized. The
teaching environment is also challenging because another family lives
there and they don't want to listen. In fact they just keep on playing
their xbox! At least I would play in another room and not play while
visitors were over! ahhh just one of those things. We're looking for
another place to teach her right now, so thats the situation with her.
More items for Christmas? I can't think of anything right now.
Mainly in my mind its just kind of a waiting game till later on. I
feel that I can hold out with what I have till I end.
We had a ward Christmas party this week and I took some pictures but
I forgot my camera!!! Sorry...
Thats really all I got this week. I may be moved, I may not. We'll
find out next week!
Again thanks for all the support!
Love,
Elder Parks
December 9, 2013
Dear Family,
So yes it has been freezing but we've been doing ok! With me being
the only member of the district having a car, my companion and I have
been walking as much as we can. Just trying to lead by example and
work along side them. Hopefully it inspires them that I'm out there in
the cold with them.
We didn't see the Christmas devotional last night because God
decided to bless us with a miracle! So there was this recent convert
who has been attending church for months. She has a daughter who is a
non-member and just said yesterday in Young womens that she wants to
get baptized! We spent the evening trying to contact her and when we
taught her, the spirit was very strong. She accepted to be baptized
this coming sunday! Her desire is super strong now all we have to do
is meeting with her and fill in the gaps she doesn't know. Miracle for
sure!
Don't know our plans yet for Christmas. Not too sure about skype. I
would need to find a place to do it. I'll see what I can do and get
back next week. As far as I know I'm doing good with the things I
have. My scarf, gloves, coat, boots, and cap are all in good
condition. The only things that come to mind are that CD, new
scriptures but I would like those after my mission. And a laptop for
when I get home too :D. Just that CD will do for right now though.
I was reviewing my goal list that I set at the beginning at the
year, and I've found out that I've met a lot of them! So far I only
missed on doing one (writing in journal at least once a week), but
with the books I wanted to read and the spanish I wanted to know, I've
accomplished a lot of them! Lots of green checks on the list.
Oh and I got the package from y'all! Thanks for the fun things.
Thanks for all the help! Know that God is taking care of me. I'm in His hands.
Love,
Elder Parks
So yes it has been freezing but we've been doing ok! With me being
the only member of the district having a car, my companion and I have
been walking as much as we can. Just trying to lead by example and
work along side them. Hopefully it inspires them that I'm out there in
the cold with them.
We didn't see the Christmas devotional last night because God
decided to bless us with a miracle! So there was this recent convert
who has been attending church for months. She has a daughter who is a
non-member and just said yesterday in Young womens that she wants to
get baptized! We spent the evening trying to contact her and when we
taught her, the spirit was very strong. She accepted to be baptized
this coming sunday! Her desire is super strong now all we have to do
is meeting with her and fill in the gaps she doesn't know. Miracle for
sure!
Don't know our plans yet for Christmas. Not too sure about skype. I
would need to find a place to do it. I'll see what I can do and get
back next week. As far as I know I'm doing good with the things I
have. My scarf, gloves, coat, boots, and cap are all in good
condition. The only things that come to mind are that CD, new
scriptures but I would like those after my mission. And a laptop for
when I get home too :D. Just that CD will do for right now though.
I was reviewing my goal list that I set at the beginning at the
year, and I've found out that I've met a lot of them! So far I only
missed on doing one (writing in journal at least once a week), but
with the books I wanted to read and the spanish I wanted to know, I've
accomplished a lot of them! Lots of green checks on the list.
Oh and I got the package from y'all! Thanks for the fun things.
Thanks for all the help! Know that God is taking care of me. I'm in His hands.
Love,
Elder Parks
December 2, 2013
Dear Family,
Thanksgiving was good. We did service by raking up tons of leaves.
Literally like 12 bags. We only had 2 dinners planned but ended up
eating at 4 houses but I sparred my companion and helped avoid the
HUGE meals. It was a good day though. We did the service, ate, and
spent time with the members.
The week went a little slow due to the holiday. However with this
one lady Meybel, she is the one that has been reading but we haven't
been able to meet her boyfriend. We found out this week that he is
semi-interested in the message. He also found out that his divorce is
coming through and will be done in January! Hopefully if I stay here
we can have a marriage and a baptism that month. The other family
hasn't been looking very promising. Only their 16 year old son has
been working towards living the gospel. The mom of the family however
is taking english lessons from the service missionaries so at least
the support is there from the ward.
The district is doing well. A bit slower due to thanksgiving but one
companionship had 2 baptisms which was good! They were miracle
baptisms because the mom out of the blue just wanted to come back to
church with her unbaptized teenagers. We're going to improve though.
So my district is me and my companion, a companionship of sisters,
another companionship of english missionaries and one more of spanish
missionaries. 8 missionaries total and every single companionship is
training missionaries on their first or second transfers.
Temple square is available to us but really only for tours with the
sister missionaries there. However we just set up tours starting at 4
and just stick around and look at the lights. Haha. We can also get
tickets to the spanish performances (Luz de las naciones) but we won't
be going since our investigator can't get time off but it's alright.
Thanks for all the support from home. Just know that I'm doing well
and I'm now accustomed to the cold weather! Love y'all alot!
Elder Parks
Thanksgiving was good. We did service by raking up tons of leaves.
Literally like 12 bags. We only had 2 dinners planned but ended up
eating at 4 houses but I sparred my companion and helped avoid the
HUGE meals. It was a good day though. We did the service, ate, and
spent time with the members.
The week went a little slow due to the holiday. However with this
one lady Meybel, she is the one that has been reading but we haven't
been able to meet her boyfriend. We found out this week that he is
semi-interested in the message. He also found out that his divorce is
coming through and will be done in January! Hopefully if I stay here
we can have a marriage and a baptism that month. The other family
hasn't been looking very promising. Only their 16 year old son has
been working towards living the gospel. The mom of the family however
is taking english lessons from the service missionaries so at least
the support is there from the ward.
The district is doing well. A bit slower due to thanksgiving but one
companionship had 2 baptisms which was good! They were miracle
baptisms because the mom out of the blue just wanted to come back to
church with her unbaptized teenagers. We're going to improve though.
So my district is me and my companion, a companionship of sisters,
another companionship of english missionaries and one more of spanish
missionaries. 8 missionaries total and every single companionship is
training missionaries on their first or second transfers.
Temple square is available to us but really only for tours with the
sister missionaries there. However we just set up tours starting at 4
and just stick around and look at the lights. Haha. We can also get
tickets to the spanish performances (Luz de las naciones) but we won't
be going since our investigator can't get time off but it's alright.
Thanks for all the support from home. Just know that I'm doing well
and I'm now accustomed to the cold weather! Love y'all alot!
Elder Parks
November 25, 2013
Dear Family,
I wish you could keep the squirrels around long enough for me to
come home. Bring in the artillery with the 12-guage! Ok not really but
think of the cross fire we could get them into!
Funny experience this past week! We were walking down a street and
started talking to some of the english missionaries in our area. As we
were talking, a guy in a sports car pulls out of his drive way
blasting music, and drives past us, then proceeds to u-turn and drives
back and parks in his drive way and gets out and just stares at his
car. It was pretty funny. Just driving around for 10 seconds showing
off his ride and music.
Our investigator came to church again yesterday! We had a lesson
with her this past week and she told us that she wants to get
baptized! It's great but we still need to work on a divorce then get
her married to her boyfriend who we still have yet to meet. We taught
more lessons this week with that family of 3 from last week but
they're moving really slow right now. They want to keep learning
before they accept a baptismal date.
Thanksgiving is looking ok so far. We have a dinner at 5 and another
one at 6 which will be rough...I don't want my stomach to explode.
Gotta show otherwise we offend people...
We have more trainings this week! Since Elder Figueroa is a visa
waiter, we have a training tomorrow for him and then specialized
SPANISH training on wednesday which those are always fun. Pretty long
though, we won't get much working time.
Pray that I survive Thanksgiving! Haha love y'all and appreciate all
the support!
Elder Parks
I wish you could keep the squirrels around long enough for me to
come home. Bring in the artillery with the 12-guage! Ok not really but
think of the cross fire we could get them into!
Funny experience this past week! We were walking down a street and
started talking to some of the english missionaries in our area. As we
were talking, a guy in a sports car pulls out of his drive way
blasting music, and drives past us, then proceeds to u-turn and drives
back and parks in his drive way and gets out and just stares at his
car. It was pretty funny. Just driving around for 10 seconds showing
off his ride and music.
Our investigator came to church again yesterday! We had a lesson
with her this past week and she told us that she wants to get
baptized! It's great but we still need to work on a divorce then get
her married to her boyfriend who we still have yet to meet. We taught
more lessons this week with that family of 3 from last week but
they're moving really slow right now. They want to keep learning
before they accept a baptismal date.
Thanksgiving is looking ok so far. We have a dinner at 5 and another
one at 6 which will be rough...I don't want my stomach to explode.
Gotta show otherwise we offend people...
We have more trainings this week! Since Elder Figueroa is a visa
waiter, we have a training tomorrow for him and then specialized
SPANISH training on wednesday which those are always fun. Pretty long
though, we won't get much working time.
Pray that I survive Thanksgiving! Haha love y'all and appreciate all
the support!
Elder Parks
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