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