WOW WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN??
First, I´m so sorry I didnt call in Atlanta, there were literally no phones and I wanted to cry!!
So, after 20 plus hours of flying, I made it to Fortaleza! I wasn´t sent to the Brazil MTC because they didn´t have a companion for me there, so I went straight to my mission! I met up with Elder Quintanilla who I knew from the Provo MTC in the Atlanta airport, and we were able to fly together all the way to Fortaleza. Once we got there, we had 3 days of training which was super nice except for the fact that everything was in Portuguese. Lol no they actually had a translator (an American missionary) for us most of the time. When they didn´t, I tried to understand but some people talk so fast my brain starts to hurt from translating. I can usually pick out words and sort of put together what they´re trying to say. Our AP´s led most of the training, and one was American so he was easy to understand but the other was from some Spanish country and he had a thick accent and talked super fast so I had no clue what he was saying. Also it was so cool because all the Americans who translated for us literally could not think of some of the words in English and I was like, I want to be like that one day!!!!
So, my companion is Sister Santos. She´s super nice and is from Sao Paulo. She does not know English so that´s fun! We live with 2 other sisters who also don´t know English! I´m going to be real with you guys, this is so hard. The people here also talk FAST so I CANNOT understand them when they talk fast, or when they mumble, or when they get quiet at the end of sentences, you know? Also if there´s other noises around like motorcycles (it´s literally like The Bourne Legacy - there are legit that many motorcycles and more) or music or other people talking I can´t understand what people are saying. The saddest part is when I can´t understand kids lol
At church we bore our testimonies (I WAS SO NERVOUS) so I did and it probably wasn´t all right but afterwards people were so nice! They all said I speak very well and almost everyone (not just at church) say my accent is very good and I already sound like a Brazilian!! (#thankstexasandspanishclass) after sacrament 3 girls came up to me and were telling me my hair was pretty and then they kept talking and I legit had no idea what they were saying lol omg then the cutest little boy came up to me and smiled. So I asked him how he was, he said he was good then asked me what my name was haha so I told him then he told me his then he stood there and I just kinda looked at him lol then he smiled and shook my hand and left lolol then after church he came up to me two times and said bye hahaha
Anyways, sorry this so jumbled I feel so rushed!! Also, we´ll probably usually email earlier than this so send your emails Sunday night so that I have everyone's when I get on in the morning!
So! Brazil! I love it! If we excuse the fact that I can´t understand a lot and it´s really hard not being able to say what I want to say, it´s great! I think because I´ve had so much time to prepare for Brazil, I don´t have any culture shock. I still look at things and think, wow this is different from America or wow this is poor, or wow this is different, but I´m not like freaking out haha. The weather is huuuuuuumid. No AC (except in the chapel at church), just fans. We can´t drink the water even with a filtered water bottle so thanks for nothing filtered water bottle! We can only drink mineral water so we have to buy those huge jugs they have at like offices, you know? And that´s our water. We ask people at houses for water usually though. They love their Fanta here and their famous soda Guarana (idk if i spelled that right) a loooot. We have lunch with members which has been good so far! Rice and beans for every meal is so true though. We´ll go grocery shopping today so I hope I can find food lolol. Breakfast is usually bread and cheese or eggs or just normal cereal. We usually go without dinner too which is strange haha; I get hungry but I push it aside and just wait till we get home. Package ideas: american snacks!! and President told us to eat like 3 bananas a day. He also said we can´t wear normal flats because the roads are so uneven so I'm glad I have my chacos! My feet and legs still ache by the end of the day though.
Missionary work here is so different! And they work hard! The mision goal is 4 people on date for baptism EVERY DAY. I was like.... WHAT?! So crazy but he says it´s possible! The ward here is great; we had 90 people there last Sunday which was awesome!! The people here are so so nice. They help me out and listen when I speak and say they understand and that I speak very well (probably not true haha but they´re too nice to say otherwise).
MY ADDRESS:
Sister Hannah Marguerite Parks
Brazil Fortaleza Leste Mission
Rua Republica da Armenia, 765 Agua Fria
60821-760 Fortaleza-CE
Brazil
Yes, put my whole name. Never write on the customs that what's inside is more than 30 dollars even if it is. I´ll be taxed a lot if you do. Put religious stickers on the outside too haha; that helps people not touch or open them.
I love you all so much and I miss yáll a TON!!!! This is hard, but I´ll get the hang of it, I know! Please keep me in your prayers this week!
EU AMO VOCÊS!!!!!
- Sister Parks
Monday, July 27, 2015
Monday, July 13, 2015
Roosevelt, UT - Last week in the USA!!
Hellooooooo!! So here's what I know about me traveling next week: NOTHING! JK I know a little bit. We called the mission office to see if they had my itinerary and they said that they have been emailing every week but they still are waiting to hear back from Brazil MTC and that I'll either be traveling the 20th or the 21st so I'm just like ugh please let us know asap!! I know they're working their hardest though so I will be patient. I'm thinking I'll probably get it Friday or Saturday like how they did the weekend before I went into the MTC.
This week we've had some crazy rain storms but Heavenly Father has really been looking out for us; every time we're about to head out, it stops raining! And it's been like intense rain! One of the trees outside lost a limb! Also people here water all the time, and it drives me crazy!! I guess Texas isn't in the drought it used to be in though with all the floods. Are there still water restrictions?
Also, I realized I have yet to tell y'all about the lady we live with!! Her name is Sister Taylor. She's 75 and she's a great grandma and she is the funniest, feistiest, sassiest and cutest little thing you ever saw!!! haha but omg I love her so much she's the funniest thing!
Who's ready for the most shocking news ever? This is probably more shocking than me getting my visa.........I like salads!!!! YOU HEARD ME! No, actually, I love them! I get EXCITED when I see we're having salad at our dinner appointments!! Who am I, right?! What has happened to me?! I am just as shocked as you are. One family we had dinner with this week we made our own CALZONESSSSS!!! (Parks and Rec shout out!!) I was probably as excited as Ben is when he makes them (lolol who remembers the episode where he made the 1 second clay-mation movie and thought it was really good?? Lolol) SO we made calzones and then we had a salad (!!!!) and it was so. good. And then I got the best news ever...... it was from a bag!!!!!!! So I'm buying ten today. Okay, fine, 5. But I'm stoked. Okay, salad love rant over!
Kirra got baptized this week!!!!!!!! I will send pictures! She was sooooo nervous and HATED the jumpsuit and was so embarrassed to be seen in it but she did wonderfully! I spoke on the Holy Ghost which was also great except I had to keep clearing my throat but it wasn't enough so my voice sounded weird lolol but the message still got across! But they started taking the lessons from the courage of a home teacher who asked if they wanted to take the lessons and now look to where it's led! Don't be afraid to do missionary work! And do your home/visiting teaching! The home teacher's relationship with the kids is the cutest thing! He even confirmed her a member and choked up in the middle of it and I was just like I love Brother Slaugh!!!!!
One of our investigators George is getting baptized this week!! He will be my first baptism that I saw through from start to finish! Pretty exciting!
So we talked again in a sacrament meeting yesterday, and we were speaking before the high counselor who's over the missionary work so we know him really well and he's the bomb and right before I'm about to go up he leans over and tells me I should bear my testimony in Portuguese! And so I'm like AH what?? So I get to the end of my talk and I tell the congregation he suggested it and also to bear with me because I suck now (not actual words haha) and I totally butcher my testimony!! And I'm just thinking, I'm positive someone here has served in Brazil so I was even more embarrassed and then lo and behold, a guy comes up after sacrament and said he served in Brazil and I just apologized for my horrible testimony haha but he was very nice but ahh it just made me super grateful I'll be going to the Brazil MTC for a few weeks to refresh and get back into speaking it. I really miss it! My accent was complimented though so at least I still have that.
So I've been reading in the New Testament and have been learning a lot about Christ and His service that He did while He was here on earth and His compassion and His charity and His love and respect for Heavenly Father. One verse I came across this past week was in Mark 10:27 which says "with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" and I just love that verse because I've always heard that saying but I never knew where it came from, and I'm sure there's other verses too that say it similar to this one, but I was happy to have come across this one. What Jesus says here is true, we can't do things just by ourselves. Everything is possible only through Him and Heavenly Father. We can accomplish anything we set our minds too if we rely on the Lord to help us through it. We can get through the toughest times if we turn to Him in our trials. He is only one able to comfort and lift us. And that is all because of the Atonement. Because of His suffering for us in the garden of Gethsemane when He took upon Him all our pains and sins and feelings, He KNOWS exactly what we're going through at all times because He has felt it too. We are never alone in our trails and if we turn to Him, we can feel His comfort and His love. He is able to bear our burdens for us when we cannot bear them anymore. I know these things are true because I have experienced it myself, and I have seen Him do for those that I have met. He is always there for us. Turn to Him! :)
These past few weeks I just kept saying I wish I could stay here longer!! Which I literally never thought I would ever say here in Provo! But I truly love it here. I love this mission! I love all the missionaries, all the people I've taught, all the love we receive, everything! It was a super hard first transfer [her first six weeks in the field] but then, I just threw myself into the work and I started to love my area, love the people, and love the mission! I'm going to be so sad when I leave! I know I'll love Brazil, though! Just hard to leave here because I love it now!
Hope you all have a wonderful week! I love and miss you all so much!!!!!!!!
Eu amo vocês!!
- Sister Parks
Marching in the 4th of July parade and seeing Sister Diuguid
The zone with the new mission president and wife
Kirra's baptism
Monday, July 6, 2015
Roosevelt, UT - Oi familia!!
Hi family!!! I loved hearing about y'all's 4th of July!! It was fun to be able to spend one as a missionary in the U.S. We'll see how next year's will be in Brazil haha!
I've been a little sick this week and still am getting over it. My throat is what's bugging me currently so I'm just trying to drink more water and taking cough drops, etc.And one of my favorite ward mission leader's wife cared for me when we went over for dinner. They're literally the sweetest people with the purest hearts. I kinda think of them as my mom and dad here haha.
One cute thing that happened yesterday during sacrament meeting was this adorable little boy went up to bear his testimony and he started to say a prayer and then went wide-eyed and shook his head lolol then he started again kinda the same and he just said that he knows Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet and closed and walked off but it was the cutest thing and so heartfelt! A lady went up after and thanked him for his sweet testimony and then his dad went up and was getting teary eyed about his son's testimony and it was just adorable!!
This week we met our new president and his wife!! They are so cute and I'm sad I'll only be with them for 2 more weeks. But they're adorable and they had a son who went to Brazil! We had interviews with President and it was do funny because he was like, "Where's the concentration of Portuguese missionaries here?" And I was like "I don't know....I'm going to Brazil!" And he was like "Oh you are??" And I was like "haha yeah I'm a visa waiter!!" He had no idea it was so funny!
Soooo the part you've all been waiting for: my 4th of July!
So we caravan-ed down to Provo the night before. We rode with the zone leaders down and slept with the STL's in Provo. (They have a whole house for themselves!)
The next day we got up early to meet at the chapel to carpool to the parade. When we got to the starting point, we waited for a while and chatted with those we hadn't seen in a while. Both missions were there so I got to see Sister Diuguid and other sister missionaries I became close with at the temple!! So that was fun. Then we walked for about 2 hours though it only felt like one. But it was just so crazy to see all the people on both sides of the street waving and smiling and telling us they loved us! It felt so weird walking and waving to them haha missionaries are legit celebrities here! And I saw Emma and her family again! Hahaha I love how often I've seen them!
Then we finished at a chapel and all had lunch there. Then we had brief introductions to both new mission presidents and then we sang some patriotic hymns and said the pledge of allegiance. Then we took pictures with our mission, zone, and district. Needless to say, it took a while. So we finished mingling (I said goodbye to a lot of people for a long time :( ) and then we all headed back to Roosevelt. So we got back at around 4:35 and made quick trips to our place to grab things we needed for the lock-down and quickly grabbed food for the elders who were hungry again (okay fine I got curly fries too - I could never turn those down..) and then headed for the church building to be in lock-down at 5. So we all changed into comfy clothes and set up the TV and chairs and watched How to Train Your Dragon 2 which was kinda a flop.. But it's okay because we had a super fun rest of the night!
First, one of the Spanish elders, Elder Ugas, surprised us all by knowing all these awesome card magic tricks!!! Elder Hernandez and I were freaking out lolol but we were literally all circled around him just entranced hahaha
Then we played this super funny card game called The Game is Mouse. So it's played like UNO but with normal cards. But it's a silent game! And whenever a person wins, they come up with a rule but they don't tell anyone. If someone breaks the rule, they get 2 cards. So you have to observe the game closely to figure out what the rule is so you don't break it! Haha. But it's so funny because we have to be silent and it's so funny when someone breaks a rule and gets 2 cards and they have no idea why so we're all just laughing trying not to make noise or say anything hahaha it was so fun!
Also if you ever want to actually eat the food you own, fast. How many times have we gone to the pantry or the fridge and have said there's nothing to eat or there's nothing I want. Well, after you fast, everything looks good!!! So there's your tip for the week. You're welcome.
Still no itinerary for Brazil but I'll keep y'all updated!!
Eu amo vocês!!
- Sister Parks
I've been a little sick this week and still am getting over it. My throat is what's bugging me currently so I'm just trying to drink more water and taking cough drops, etc.And one of my favorite ward mission leader's wife cared for me when we went over for dinner. They're literally the sweetest people with the purest hearts. I kinda think of them as my mom and dad here haha.
One cute thing that happened yesterday during sacrament meeting was this adorable little boy went up to bear his testimony and he started to say a prayer and then went wide-eyed and shook his head lolol then he started again kinda the same and he just said that he knows Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet and closed and walked off but it was the cutest thing and so heartfelt! A lady went up after and thanked him for his sweet testimony and then his dad went up and was getting teary eyed about his son's testimony and it was just adorable!!
This week we met our new president and his wife!! They are so cute and I'm sad I'll only be with them for 2 more weeks. But they're adorable and they had a son who went to Brazil! We had interviews with President and it was do funny because he was like, "Where's the concentration of Portuguese missionaries here?" And I was like "I don't know....I'm going to Brazil!" And he was like "Oh you are??" And I was like "haha yeah I'm a visa waiter!!" He had no idea it was so funny!
Soooo the part you've all been waiting for: my 4th of July!
So we caravan-ed down to Provo the night before. We rode with the zone leaders down and slept with the STL's in Provo. (They have a whole house for themselves!)
The next day we got up early to meet at the chapel to carpool to the parade. When we got to the starting point, we waited for a while and chatted with those we hadn't seen in a while. Both missions were there so I got to see Sister Diuguid and other sister missionaries I became close with at the temple!! So that was fun. Then we walked for about 2 hours though it only felt like one. But it was just so crazy to see all the people on both sides of the street waving and smiling and telling us they loved us! It felt so weird walking and waving to them haha missionaries are legit celebrities here! And I saw Emma and her family again! Hahaha I love how often I've seen them!
Then we finished at a chapel and all had lunch there. Then we had brief introductions to both new mission presidents and then we sang some patriotic hymns and said the pledge of allegiance. Then we took pictures with our mission, zone, and district. Needless to say, it took a while. So we finished mingling (I said goodbye to a lot of people for a long time :( ) and then we all headed back to Roosevelt. So we got back at around 4:35 and made quick trips to our place to grab things we needed for the lock-down and quickly grabbed food for the elders who were hungry again (okay fine I got curly fries too - I could never turn those down..) and then headed for the church building to be in lock-down at 5. So we all changed into comfy clothes and set up the TV and chairs and watched How to Train Your Dragon 2 which was kinda a flop.. But it's okay because we had a super fun rest of the night!
First, one of the Spanish elders, Elder Ugas, surprised us all by knowing all these awesome card magic tricks!!! Elder Hernandez and I were freaking out lolol but we were literally all circled around him just entranced hahaha
Then we played this super funny card game called The Game is Mouse. So it's played like UNO but with normal cards. But it's a silent game! And whenever a person wins, they come up with a rule but they don't tell anyone. If someone breaks the rule, they get 2 cards. So you have to observe the game closely to figure out what the rule is so you don't break it! Haha. But it's so funny because we have to be silent and it's so funny when someone breaks a rule and gets 2 cards and they have no idea why so we're all just laughing trying not to make noise or say anything hahaha it was so fun!
Also if you ever want to actually eat the food you own, fast. How many times have we gone to the pantry or the fridge and have said there's nothing to eat or there's nothing I want. Well, after you fast, everything looks good!!! So there's your tip for the week. You're welcome.
Still no itinerary for Brazil but I'll keep y'all updated!!
Eu amo vocês!!
- Sister Parks
Made a new friend this week
Monday, June 29, 2015
Roosevelt, UT - Oi familia!!!!
It has been hot as Hades over here!! I just keep thinking how nice it is to have a car, then I'm reminded of Brazil and the heat and all the walking I'll be doing AND the whole no A/C thing.......I'M GONNA DIE! No itinerary yet but I think they'll send it to you guys too. (Also Sister a Frost says air con and it's the cutest/funniest thing lolol)
Sooo this week we carpooled with our zone to Provo for our last meeting with President and Sister McCune. He talked a lot about priesthood keys, the culture of our mission, and about how we need to live in Christ and always be testifying of Him. At the end we had a big line and we all got a second to shake his hand and say goodbye. It was pretty sad for some of the people who've had him for a long time. He told me, "Well you'll probably have 3 mission presidents" and I was like, "Actually I'll have 4!" Haha but he told me it was so great to have me in the mission and he wished me the best of luck in Brazil!
Then we all walked to the Provo temple and took a picture as the new Provo mission one last time. As of 10 am this morning, he is no longer our mission president, and President Hodgman is now taking over! So I'll have him for about 3 weeks then I'll be off to my next mission president in Brazil! Haha!
This week we got 2 new investigators and one is on date for baptism! His name is George, and his wife is a member. He's been going to church for weeks, reading and praying every day - he basically knows everything already! He's on date to be baptized July 18th so right before I leave! We're so excited for him! The other one is a woman who has 4 kids and is a single mother and has been going to church for the past few weeks. We met with her this week and taught her the Restoration and invited her to be baptized when she learns more and comes to know that it's true. She was a little hesitant and said maybe, but she still wants to meet with us. Her background is that she grew up with her grandparents who were members but not really doing the right things so that messed her up for a bit, so we've been trying to remind her that we're a perfect church with imperfect people. She's so sweet though and she has twin baby boys and they're soooo cute!!!!
We also met this awesome family who are members and the dad is a convert and he shared us his story and omg I was dying! 1. He was golden. 2. When he finally agreed to meet with the missionaries, they were less than effective and just didn't really help him at all. But eventually he was taught the lessons by some elders who he just loved and he got baptized. The son was recently baptized (before I got here) so we had gone over to check on them. But they're going through lots of problems which is super sad. The dad had a job in Texas actually for oil and piping and such so the family was really distraught about that because they didn't want him to leave for so long so we were praying for them and they were praying and then a miracle happened and he was offered a job here so he gets to stay!!!!! Prayers are truly answered!!
The family I talked about last week who have 2 kids on date went to church yesterday!!!! It was awesome!!! We hope we can get them ready for baptism on the 11th though they need to continue to go to church and keep the commitments that we ask so that they might be able to!
This week is 4th of July!!!!! Which means yesterday we sang all the patriotic hymns in church... it was the best. Especially singing them next to Sister Frost (a New Zealander) lolol. So Friday we'll carpool again down to Provo, stay the night, then walk in the parade in the morning!! So for anyone who's in Provo, come!!! I may see you! Then we'll drive back to Roosevelt and be in lock down! We're not supposed to go out just for safety reasons so we'll be in a church building with our district playing games and watching How to Train Your Dragon 2. Not super excited about the movie, but I'll probably just be playing games with Sister Frost and whoever else wants to play. And our awesome high councilor who's over missionary work is so sweet and is buying us food and goodies for our lock down :) should be fun!!
Sister Frost continues to terrorize me by scaring me after I come out of the bathroom and locking me in the pantry lolol and ALWAYS taking video lol so I'll send those. She said it's only because she loves me though ;)
Good week overall here in Roosevelt! The people here are awesome and sometimes super country haha they make me laugh. All the missionaries here are so awesome and I love them so that makes life pretty swell too!
Pray for me as I continue to study my Portuguese alone that I may be able to be as prepared as possible for Brazil!
Thanks for all your emails and love and support and prayers!!! I wish I could thank you all each individually!!!! But just know that it means the world to me!!
EU AMO VOCÊS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ATÉ LOGO!!!!
- Sister Parks
Sooo this week we carpooled with our zone to Provo for our last meeting with President and Sister McCune. He talked a lot about priesthood keys, the culture of our mission, and about how we need to live in Christ and always be testifying of Him. At the end we had a big line and we all got a second to shake his hand and say goodbye. It was pretty sad for some of the people who've had him for a long time. He told me, "Well you'll probably have 3 mission presidents" and I was like, "Actually I'll have 4!" Haha but he told me it was so great to have me in the mission and he wished me the best of luck in Brazil!
Then we all walked to the Provo temple and took a picture as the new Provo mission one last time. As of 10 am this morning, he is no longer our mission president, and President Hodgman is now taking over! So I'll have him for about 3 weeks then I'll be off to my next mission president in Brazil! Haha!
This week we got 2 new investigators and one is on date for baptism! His name is George, and his wife is a member. He's been going to church for weeks, reading and praying every day - he basically knows everything already! He's on date to be baptized July 18th so right before I leave! We're so excited for him! The other one is a woman who has 4 kids and is a single mother and has been going to church for the past few weeks. We met with her this week and taught her the Restoration and invited her to be baptized when she learns more and comes to know that it's true. She was a little hesitant and said maybe, but she still wants to meet with us. Her background is that she grew up with her grandparents who were members but not really doing the right things so that messed her up for a bit, so we've been trying to remind her that we're a perfect church with imperfect people. She's so sweet though and she has twin baby boys and they're soooo cute!!!!
We also met this awesome family who are members and the dad is a convert and he shared us his story and omg I was dying! 1. He was golden. 2. When he finally agreed to meet with the missionaries, they were less than effective and just didn't really help him at all. But eventually he was taught the lessons by some elders who he just loved and he got baptized. The son was recently baptized (before I got here) so we had gone over to check on them. But they're going through lots of problems which is super sad. The dad had a job in Texas actually for oil and piping and such so the family was really distraught about that because they didn't want him to leave for so long so we were praying for them and they were praying and then a miracle happened and he was offered a job here so he gets to stay!!!!! Prayers are truly answered!!
The family I talked about last week who have 2 kids on date went to church yesterday!!!! It was awesome!!! We hope we can get them ready for baptism on the 11th though they need to continue to go to church and keep the commitments that we ask so that they might be able to!
This week is 4th of July!!!!! Which means yesterday we sang all the patriotic hymns in church... it was the best. Especially singing them next to Sister Frost (a New Zealander) lolol. So Friday we'll carpool again down to Provo, stay the night, then walk in the parade in the morning!! So for anyone who's in Provo, come!!! I may see you! Then we'll drive back to Roosevelt and be in lock down! We're not supposed to go out just for safety reasons so we'll be in a church building with our district playing games and watching How to Train Your Dragon 2. Not super excited about the movie, but I'll probably just be playing games with Sister Frost and whoever else wants to play. And our awesome high councilor who's over missionary work is so sweet and is buying us food and goodies for our lock down :) should be fun!!
Sister Frost continues to terrorize me by scaring me after I come out of the bathroom and locking me in the pantry lolol and ALWAYS taking video lol so I'll send those. She said it's only because she loves me though ;)
Good week overall here in Roosevelt! The people here are awesome and sometimes super country haha they make me laugh. All the missionaries here are so awesome and I love them so that makes life pretty swell too!
Pray for me as I continue to study my Portuguese alone that I may be able to be as prepared as possible for Brazil!
Thanks for all your emails and love and support and prayers!!! I wish I could thank you all each individually!!!! But just know that it means the world to me!!
EU AMO VOCÊS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ATÉ LOGO!!!!
- Sister Parks
A new little friend! Such a goodge!
This family we teach pulled out these massive ice pops for us!! Haha
The cutest little kitty ever!! Kitties don't have the allergy on them
yet so I was safe to hold the whittle baby :)
Locking me in the pantry
They love scaring me lol
Monday, June 22, 2015
Roosevelt, UT - Happy Father's Day dad!!!!
This week we went to the Vernal temple with the district which was fun. The temple is very small and was once a tabernacle so it's not your typical temple. Then we had lunch after with the Elders at this adorable diner. One of my zone leaders, Elder Hernandez, is from Texas (near the border) and went to UT! So we bonded over Austin which is awesome!
One night all of our evening lessons cancelled so we went by this Chinese buffet restaurant. We taught and baptized a woman who owns the place and we forgot to get her signature on her baptismal forms, so we went to get that. I noticed this guy when we walked in who was wearing biking clothes and looked exhausted and was just eating and laying back. Finally he was like, "Are y'all LDS missionaries?" And we were like yes we are! So we started talking and got to know him a bit and he told us he and this girl he's with are biking across America!! They didn't bring any money and are just relying on working for people to earn money for food and stuff! They started in California and are headed east! So we ended up talking a lot about our beliefs, and he said he was very Christian and reads from his tiny Bible every night and has just been so shocked by the friendliness and love he's seen from being in Utah. He said right as they entered Utah that an LDS woman took them in, fed them, let them shower and sleep over. They usually sleep in their tents in ditches or fields! So crazy, right?? We offered him a Book of Mormon but he was like I'll pray about it. Plus it was a little big for him to carry and he was honest he was like, "I probably won't read it till I get home". So after we chatted for over an hour and we had to head home they asked us if we knew of any fields that they could sleep in lolol so we were like uhhhh how about a house?? So we called one of our ward mission leaders and his wife and asked if they could possibly house them and they were like of course!! So they came and picked them up and their bikes and took them in for the night and gave them food and fed them breakfast then they were off! But yeah, he was super funny and a very nice guy!
We put this adorable girl Kirra on date for baptism! She's 10 and her family is so cute. She looks like Hailee Steinfeld too, no joke. We also have this family who put their 2 kids on date who are older than 8 so we're trying to prepare them for baptism and we taught a lesson on Saturday about CPR (church, prayer, reading) and emphasized what they could do tonight to prepare for church the next day and how they need to go if they want to be baptized, but they ended up not coming! So sad :(
Also Sister Frost is my favorite person lolol she's so funny. I've learned lots of New Zealand sayings. When they say snitch it means like how's you get caught? How'd you get snitched? Another is gap. Like let's gap! Which means let's head out or let's go! Or you can say, gappit eah which means go away! If you're annoyed with someone haha. She's also never had macaroni!! So I made some the other day and I took a video of her taking her first bite hahaha. She's so funny. We're always laughing!
Roosevelt is going good! The people here are so sweet and I love them all! It's a little sad because I love some of them so much I don't want to leave them and now I actually know I'll be leaving! Sad. Our ward mission leaders are just the greatest and I'm so grateful for them and all the help they give us. This week we're headed to Provo for our last meeting with President McCune! It's a 2-hour drive to Provo so that should be fun! Love road trips haha. And we'll be in the 4th of July parade in Provo with the Orem mission so I'll get to see Sister Diuguid and others one last time!! Then we get to watch a movie!!!! WOOOOOOH!!!!!
Anywaysssssss life is swell. Can't believe how fast this transfer is going. Nervous for Brazil!! I'll probably get my flight plans this week!
Eu amo vocês!!!!
- Sister Parks
One night all of our evening lessons cancelled so we went by this Chinese buffet restaurant. We taught and baptized a woman who owns the place and we forgot to get her signature on her baptismal forms, so we went to get that. I noticed this guy when we walked in who was wearing biking clothes and looked exhausted and was just eating and laying back. Finally he was like, "Are y'all LDS missionaries?" And we were like yes we are! So we started talking and got to know him a bit and he told us he and this girl he's with are biking across America!! They didn't bring any money and are just relying on working for people to earn money for food and stuff! They started in California and are headed east! So we ended up talking a lot about our beliefs, and he said he was very Christian and reads from his tiny Bible every night and has just been so shocked by the friendliness and love he's seen from being in Utah. He said right as they entered Utah that an LDS woman took them in, fed them, let them shower and sleep over. They usually sleep in their tents in ditches or fields! So crazy, right?? We offered him a Book of Mormon but he was like I'll pray about it. Plus it was a little big for him to carry and he was honest he was like, "I probably won't read it till I get home". So after we chatted for over an hour and we had to head home they asked us if we knew of any fields that they could sleep in lolol so we were like uhhhh how about a house?? So we called one of our ward mission leaders and his wife and asked if they could possibly house them and they were like of course!! So they came and picked them up and their bikes and took them in for the night and gave them food and fed them breakfast then they were off! But yeah, he was super funny and a very nice guy!
We put this adorable girl Kirra on date for baptism! She's 10 and her family is so cute. She looks like Hailee Steinfeld too, no joke. We also have this family who put their 2 kids on date who are older than 8 so we're trying to prepare them for baptism and we taught a lesson on Saturday about CPR (church, prayer, reading) and emphasized what they could do tonight to prepare for church the next day and how they need to go if they want to be baptized, but they ended up not coming! So sad :(
Also Sister Frost is my favorite person lolol she's so funny. I've learned lots of New Zealand sayings. When they say snitch it means like how's you get caught? How'd you get snitched? Another is gap. Like let's gap! Which means let's head out or let's go! Or you can say, gappit eah which means go away! If you're annoyed with someone haha. She's also never had macaroni!! So I made some the other day and I took a video of her taking her first bite hahaha. She's so funny. We're always laughing!
Roosevelt is going good! The people here are so sweet and I love them all! It's a little sad because I love some of them so much I don't want to leave them and now I actually know I'll be leaving! Sad. Our ward mission leaders are just the greatest and I'm so grateful for them and all the help they give us. This week we're headed to Provo for our last meeting with President McCune! It's a 2-hour drive to Provo so that should be fun! Love road trips haha. And we'll be in the 4th of July parade in Provo with the Orem mission so I'll get to see Sister Diuguid and others one last time!! Then we get to watch a movie!!!! WOOOOOOH!!!!!
Anywaysssssss life is swell. Can't believe how fast this transfer is going. Nervous for Brazil!! I'll probably get my flight plans this week!
Eu amo vocês!!!!
- Sister Parks
How Sister Frost opens cans
Sister Frost scaring Hannah
Sister Frost tasting macaroni for the first time
Sunset - Came out of a lesson one night and BAM! There it was!
At the Vernal Temple with the district!
Monday, June 15, 2015
Roosevelt, UT - Exciting changes!!
Hello family!
Shout out to my awesome parents for making it 30 years of marriage!!!!!!!!!!! Y'all are the greatest parents ever, and you're pretty lucky too because you had a perfect kid. Me. LOVE Y'ALL!!!
First, to dispel the rumors, I am not at BYU! The picture you received of me, that Sister, and Hailey were at BYU, yes [see my Facebook page for the picture]. However! Me and those sisters are not companions - none of us are. We were all tracting on BYU campus for just an hour while all of our companions were in a trainers' meeting before transfers. Make sense?
Sooooo where am I?? I have been transferred to Roosevelt! A small little town about 45 minutes from the Colorado border! Lol it's a little weird being in a small town, but I already love everyone we've met and I'm excited to live in a small town for a little bit! AND I'm in a trio!! It's me, Sister Frost and Sister Henderson. Me and Sister Frost are new to the area and my trainer, Sister Henderson, has been here for 6 months and this is her last transfer. And get this, this is her first time training! She almost went her whole mission without training haha. So Sister Frost is a Polynesian who's from New Zealand so she has an awesome accent! She's pretty soft spoken but is funny and loves to laugh! She's been out for 10 months. Sister Henderson is from a military family so she left from South Korea but her parents just moved to Guam!! She's a little quirky haha but she's cute.
Roosevelt is pretty cute. It's very desert-y out here. The sunsets are awesome! I'll include a picture from the other night. The best part about Roosevelt - NO MOUNTAINS!! Hahaha there's just plateaus in the distance so it's nice to be able to look out and see the horizon! But yeah, it's mainly an oil field town and here's something super cool - they just made a 7 pm sacrament meeting for all the oil field workers that can't make it to early morning church!! It is for all 3 Roosevelt stakes. It's awesome!! It's just for like 45 minutes and it's just there so the oil field workers can take the sacrament! All the workers were so excited!! We'll be speaking there next week!
So we came here last Wednesday and then that Saturday we had 3 baptisms! Haha it was funny because we (Sister Frost and I) didn't know who they even were so it was super cool to see my first baptism(s) on the mission! I'm really sad I won't be able to go to Marie's. She was going to be my first baptism! But what some missionaries do that get transferred away is Skype in so I may do that.
We also had to give a talk in one of the wards yesterday! Haha so I gave a short little talk about the priesthood, then Sister Henderson talked more about the priesthood, then Sister Frost ended with keeping the Sabbath day holy.
Alsooooooooooooooo I maybe might have possibly kinda.....
GOT MY VISA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHH I KNOW!!!! I got it Friday night!! We had just gotten home and I went to check my email as I always do and I had an email with the subject "Sister Parks - Visa Received" and I opened it and was like :o and my companions were like ?? And then I was like I GOT MY VISA!!! It was awesome!! I
immediately called Sister Diuguid to tell her! Sooo I'll be leaving July 21!!!! Haha since I just missed the transfers I'll be here in Roosevelt for the intended 6 weeks! [[Hannah's mission in Forteleza only takes in new missionaries every six weeks, so they'll time Hannah's entrance to the country with that six week schedule]] And I'll be going to the Brazil MTC! Because I've been in the states longer than one transfer, they'll send me to the Brazil MTC for 2 weeks as a refresher course before heading out to Fortaleza!! I'm super excited but don't worry it's not distracting me or anything!! I don't really think about it much actually! I just think about what I have to do and get before I go! I think I'm pretty much set. Sister Kirkendall and I finally got good information for Brazil this last transfer and two people told us - ONLY COTTON CLOTHES! We'll die in anything else! Which I don't quite understand, but I'll trust them!
Well not sure what else to say!!! Except that I hope everyone has a great week!!!
Eu amo vocês!!
- Sister Parks
Shout out to my awesome parents for making it 30 years of marriage!!!!!!!!!!! Y'all are the greatest parents ever, and you're pretty lucky too because you had a perfect kid. Me. LOVE Y'ALL!!!
First, to dispel the rumors, I am not at BYU! The picture you received of me, that Sister, and Hailey were at BYU, yes [see my Facebook page for the picture]. However! Me and those sisters are not companions - none of us are. We were all tracting on BYU campus for just an hour while all of our companions were in a trainers' meeting before transfers. Make sense?
Sooooo where am I?? I have been transferred to Roosevelt! A small little town about 45 minutes from the Colorado border! Lol it's a little weird being in a small town, but I already love everyone we've met and I'm excited to live in a small town for a little bit! AND I'm in a trio!! It's me, Sister Frost and Sister Henderson. Me and Sister Frost are new to the area and my trainer, Sister Henderson, has been here for 6 months and this is her last transfer. And get this, this is her first time training! She almost went her whole mission without training haha. So Sister Frost is a Polynesian who's from New Zealand so she has an awesome accent! She's pretty soft spoken but is funny and loves to laugh! She's been out for 10 months. Sister Henderson is from a military family so she left from South Korea but her parents just moved to Guam!! She's a little quirky haha but she's cute.
Roosevelt is pretty cute. It's very desert-y out here. The sunsets are awesome! I'll include a picture from the other night. The best part about Roosevelt - NO MOUNTAINS!! Hahaha there's just plateaus in the distance so it's nice to be able to look out and see the horizon! But yeah, it's mainly an oil field town and here's something super cool - they just made a 7 pm sacrament meeting for all the oil field workers that can't make it to early morning church!! It is for all 3 Roosevelt stakes. It's awesome!! It's just for like 45 minutes and it's just there so the oil field workers can take the sacrament! All the workers were so excited!! We'll be speaking there next week!
So we came here last Wednesday and then that Saturday we had 3 baptisms! Haha it was funny because we (Sister Frost and I) didn't know who they even were so it was super cool to see my first baptism(s) on the mission! I'm really sad I won't be able to go to Marie's. She was going to be my first baptism! But what some missionaries do that get transferred away is Skype in so I may do that.
We also had to give a talk in one of the wards yesterday! Haha so I gave a short little talk about the priesthood, then Sister Henderson talked more about the priesthood, then Sister Frost ended with keeping the Sabbath day holy.
Alsooooooooooooooo I maybe might have possibly kinda.....
GOT MY VISA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHH I KNOW!!!! I got it Friday night!! We had just gotten home and I went to check my email as I always do and I had an email with the subject "Sister Parks - Visa Received" and I opened it and was like :o and my companions were like ?? And then I was like I GOT MY VISA!!! It was awesome!! I
immediately called Sister Diuguid to tell her! Sooo I'll be leaving July 21!!!! Haha since I just missed the transfers I'll be here in Roosevelt for the intended 6 weeks! [[Hannah's mission in Forteleza only takes in new missionaries every six weeks, so they'll time Hannah's entrance to the country with that six week schedule]] And I'll be going to the Brazil MTC! Because I've been in the states longer than one transfer, they'll send me to the Brazil MTC for 2 weeks as a refresher course before heading out to Fortaleza!! I'm super excited but don't worry it's not distracting me or anything!! I don't really think about it much actually! I just think about what I have to do and get before I go! I think I'm pretty much set. Sister Kirkendall and I finally got good information for Brazil this last transfer and two people told us - ONLY COTTON CLOTHES! We'll die in anything else! Which I don't quite understand, but I'll trust them!
Well not sure what else to say!!! Except that I hope everyone has a great week!!!
Eu amo vocês!!
- Sister Parks
Sister Diuguid
Ben
Marsha
Cindy
Marie
New companions!
Sister Frost
Sister Henderson
Roosevelt sunset
Monday, June 8, 2015
North Orem, UT - There can be miracles!!
Hi family!!!
First I'll share what I just found out today: I'm being transferred!!!!!!! I won't find out till Wednesday but I'll be in a new area with a new companion!! AH! I thought I'd be staying here since I've only been here one transfer (six weeks)!! Literally this week I just really fell in love with this area and the people. I kept saying I don't want to leave this person or that person!! And now I have to say bye to all of them!!!! I'm so sad!! Also I could be put with a Spanish sister in a Spanish area like Sister Kirkendall! AH! So pray for me on Wednesday! I also don't know till then if I'll be in the Provo or Orem mission!! Oh yeah, I keep forgetting to tell y'all! Provo is splitting! Orem is going to be its own mission! It won't go into effect till July 1st though. So if I get put somewhere else in the Orem mission I'll have 3 missions!! And our mission president will be released too so there will be a new mission president for Provo and obviously the first new one for Orem, so I'll have 4 mission presidents over the course of my mission! So crazy, right?!
But wow this week has been the best!! We had 26 lessons this week! The mission standard of excellence is 25, and we usually average 12-15! But we had 26 this week! It DID seem busy but it was fun running around kept my mind off other things and I just got to focus on the work!
So the best part of this week was Marie! She's 53 and grew up Catholic. Her mom is less active because of back problems. We actually got a referral for her like a week ago and we went and she was like "No thanks, I'm Catholic" and closed the door. Then we got a call from another pair of sisters telling us about her saying she was interested and was in our area so we contacted her again via the phone and she was like "yes can we meet tonight??" And we were like "sure!!" Then she was like "we can't meet at my apartment though because my mom's dog bites people!" So we were like "okay no problem!!" Then we kinda panicked because we had to find a member that would be a good match for her and wasn't busy that night to have the lesson in their home! So we're calling people, leaving messages, and no one's getting back to us so we're like well we can probably have it at the church? So we go to her church building and I look around at the houses next to the church and LIGHT BULB (quick what movie??)!! I saw one of the houses we had had dinner at with a couple in their 50s/60s who are awesome and super fun and I was like what about them?? Totally from Heavenly Father!! We didn't see their cars but then a second later their son (who also lives there with his wife) pulls up from work!!! So we run over and ask if they're possibly free and they were!!!!!!!! So that night we went over and Marie came with 2 of her friends who are members and her mom who is supporting her and we taught the Restoration and I committed to her to baptism and she didn't even hesitate to accept!! She's on date for July 11th and now I'm so sad because if I stay in the Provo mission I won't be able to go to her baptism!!!! She's literally golden! So what prompted this dramatic change in her you may ask? She had a dream on Monday and she saw her dad in her dream who has passed away and he told her she needed to join the Mormon church!! How incredible is that?! So then she contacted her friends who searched for her missionaries and went through like 3 sets to find missionaries in Marie's area and finally found us and we met that night! So fast forward, we met there again the next night and taught the plan of salvation, then had a church tour the next day and she really felt the Spirit and she says, "I'm not resisting now. I know this is my path, this is where my life is supposed to go." She's so awesome, I'm so sad to leave her so soon!! But the most perfect part about the Soane family (whose house we have the lessons in) is Brother Soane also grew up Catholic and I had no idea when that impression came to my mind so he's been awesome in comparing things in our church to how they do things in the Catholic Church! He's been so great! Then she went to church yesterday for all 3 hours and we're meeting again with her tonight!!
We also got a referral for a guy named AJ who's 21 and engaged to a girl who's becoming pretty active and really wants to be married in the temple and at first we thought he was doing it for her but last time we met he had done the commitment we had extended to him the first time and he told us he really wants to gain more faith. I'm sad to be leaving him too!!
AND THEN! We teach this awesome dad Brother Reynolds who's in his 40s I'd say and reminds me a lot of my dad! He has pictures of John Wayne up in his house and the first time I went over I was like I like your picture! And he was like, you know who that is?? And I was like heck yes! My dad taught me well! Haha so he likes me for that. But Brother Reynolds is great! He's been trying to quit smoking and at our last lesson his wife joined us for the first time!!!!! She smokes too so we're trying to get them both to help each other with quitting and doing things like praying together too! I'm so sad to leave them!! I love Brother Reynolds! And I was so excited to teach him and his wife!!
The girl we committed to baptism we haven't been able to see again so she's not on date or anything yet. Her family is not very active so she may take longer so get baptized but we hope to see her again soon!
But yeah, this week has been so good! Miracles have been happening everywhere! I'm so sad to be leaving everyone!!!!!! Seriously all week I was like I don't want to leave this person!! Heavenly Father definitely has a sense of humor!
Yesterday was the last time I saw Sister Kirkendall till I go to Brazil! She left this morning! I'm sad she's gone but I'm so excited for her! I got pictures from my MTC district of them all together at the airport! So cute!
It has been pretty warm here!! I already have an awesome hair tie tan line and a shoe tan line! My toes are like white and the rest of my foot is tan hahaha
Little spiritual thought for y'all: I was reading Ether 12:27 again and it's so great. It talks about how Heavenly Father gives man weakness so that we can become humble, and when we become humble, He turns our weakness into strength. And I have definitely seen that in this first transfer of mine. It was super hard at first being here and having to be in this waiting period where I don't know when I could just up and leave, but I've truly humbled myself and learned to be where I am and to serve and love everyone and I honestly don't want to leave anyone here because I love them that much!! I wish I could take them all with me and teach them my whole mission!! He's turned my weaknesses into strengths and I'm so much happier because of that! Because of Him! Last Monday was really hard but He blessed me because I was learning to be where I am and love the people, and He blessed us with 3 new investigators! I'm sad to leave them, but I know they'll do just fine! I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and I finished it last week and I can tell you, it is true! It gives us guidance, comfort, and peace. It is truly from Heavenly Father. It is a gift to us from Him. It is ANOTHER testament of Jesus Christ and we can learn more of Him and grow closer to Him through reading and praying about it. I love this gospel, and I'm grateful to be here and to be a missionary!!
Can't think of anything else but I'm doing great! Pray I'll love my new area and companion! Can't believe I'm already being transferred! Crazy!!
EU AMO VOCÊS!!
- Sister Parks
First I'll share what I just found out today: I'm being transferred!!!!!!! I won't find out till Wednesday but I'll be in a new area with a new companion!! AH! I thought I'd be staying here since I've only been here one transfer (six weeks)!! Literally this week I just really fell in love with this area and the people. I kept saying I don't want to leave this person or that person!! And now I have to say bye to all of them!!!! I'm so sad!! Also I could be put with a Spanish sister in a Spanish area like Sister Kirkendall! AH! So pray for me on Wednesday! I also don't know till then if I'll be in the Provo or Orem mission!! Oh yeah, I keep forgetting to tell y'all! Provo is splitting! Orem is going to be its own mission! It won't go into effect till July 1st though. So if I get put somewhere else in the Orem mission I'll have 3 missions!! And our mission president will be released too so there will be a new mission president for Provo and obviously the first new one for Orem, so I'll have 4 mission presidents over the course of my mission! So crazy, right?!
But wow this week has been the best!! We had 26 lessons this week! The mission standard of excellence is 25, and we usually average 12-15! But we had 26 this week! It DID seem busy but it was fun running around kept my mind off other things and I just got to focus on the work!
So the best part of this week was Marie! She's 53 and grew up Catholic. Her mom is less active because of back problems. We actually got a referral for her like a week ago and we went and she was like "No thanks, I'm Catholic" and closed the door. Then we got a call from another pair of sisters telling us about her saying she was interested and was in our area so we contacted her again via the phone and she was like "yes can we meet tonight??" And we were like "sure!!" Then she was like "we can't meet at my apartment though because my mom's dog bites people!" So we were like "okay no problem!!" Then we kinda panicked because we had to find a member that would be a good match for her and wasn't busy that night to have the lesson in their home! So we're calling people, leaving messages, and no one's getting back to us so we're like well we can probably have it at the church? So we go to her church building and I look around at the houses next to the church and LIGHT BULB (quick what movie??)!! I saw one of the houses we had had dinner at with a couple in their 50s/60s who are awesome and super fun and I was like what about them?? Totally from Heavenly Father!! We didn't see their cars but then a second later their son (who also lives there with his wife) pulls up from work!!! So we run over and ask if they're possibly free and they were!!!!!!!! So that night we went over and Marie came with 2 of her friends who are members and her mom who is supporting her and we taught the Restoration and I committed to her to baptism and she didn't even hesitate to accept!! She's on date for July 11th and now I'm so sad because if I stay in the Provo mission I won't be able to go to her baptism!!!! She's literally golden! So what prompted this dramatic change in her you may ask? She had a dream on Monday and she saw her dad in her dream who has passed away and he told her she needed to join the Mormon church!! How incredible is that?! So then she contacted her friends who searched for her missionaries and went through like 3 sets to find missionaries in Marie's area and finally found us and we met that night! So fast forward, we met there again the next night and taught the plan of salvation, then had a church tour the next day and she really felt the Spirit and she says, "I'm not resisting now. I know this is my path, this is where my life is supposed to go." She's so awesome, I'm so sad to leave her so soon!! But the most perfect part about the Soane family (whose house we have the lessons in) is Brother Soane also grew up Catholic and I had no idea when that impression came to my mind so he's been awesome in comparing things in our church to how they do things in the Catholic Church! He's been so great! Then she went to church yesterday for all 3 hours and we're meeting again with her tonight!!
We also got a referral for a guy named AJ who's 21 and engaged to a girl who's becoming pretty active and really wants to be married in the temple and at first we thought he was doing it for her but last time we met he had done the commitment we had extended to him the first time and he told us he really wants to gain more faith. I'm sad to be leaving him too!!
AND THEN! We teach this awesome dad Brother Reynolds who's in his 40s I'd say and reminds me a lot of my dad! He has pictures of John Wayne up in his house and the first time I went over I was like I like your picture! And he was like, you know who that is?? And I was like heck yes! My dad taught me well! Haha so he likes me for that. But Brother Reynolds is great! He's been trying to quit smoking and at our last lesson his wife joined us for the first time!!!!! She smokes too so we're trying to get them both to help each other with quitting and doing things like praying together too! I'm so sad to leave them!! I love Brother Reynolds! And I was so excited to teach him and his wife!!
The girl we committed to baptism we haven't been able to see again so she's not on date or anything yet. Her family is not very active so she may take longer so get baptized but we hope to see her again soon!
But yeah, this week has been so good! Miracles have been happening everywhere! I'm so sad to be leaving everyone!!!!!! Seriously all week I was like I don't want to leave this person!! Heavenly Father definitely has a sense of humor!
Yesterday was the last time I saw Sister Kirkendall till I go to Brazil! She left this morning! I'm sad she's gone but I'm so excited for her! I got pictures from my MTC district of them all together at the airport! So cute!
It has been pretty warm here!! I already have an awesome hair tie tan line and a shoe tan line! My toes are like white and the rest of my foot is tan hahaha
Little spiritual thought for y'all: I was reading Ether 12:27 again and it's so great. It talks about how Heavenly Father gives man weakness so that we can become humble, and when we become humble, He turns our weakness into strength. And I have definitely seen that in this first transfer of mine. It was super hard at first being here and having to be in this waiting period where I don't know when I could just up and leave, but I've truly humbled myself and learned to be where I am and to serve and love everyone and I honestly don't want to leave anyone here because I love them that much!! I wish I could take them all with me and teach them my whole mission!! He's turned my weaknesses into strengths and I'm so much happier because of that! Because of Him! Last Monday was really hard but He blessed me because I was learning to be where I am and love the people, and He blessed us with 3 new investigators! I'm sad to leave them, but I know they'll do just fine! I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and I finished it last week and I can tell you, it is true! It gives us guidance, comfort, and peace. It is truly from Heavenly Father. It is a gift to us from Him. It is ANOTHER testament of Jesus Christ and we can learn more of Him and grow closer to Him through reading and praying about it. I love this gospel, and I'm grateful to be here and to be a missionary!!
Can't think of anything else but I'm doing great! Pray I'll love my new area and companion! Can't believe I'm already being transferred! Crazy!!
EU AMO VOCÊS!!
- Sister Parks
Look how fancy?!1?!?!?
District selfie after bubble balls!
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