Spelunking - Cave exploring

Ranger Lee, Steve, Kennedee and Amanda going into the bat caves/lava tubes. There were 20 people and two rangers that went exploring.

They had a great time. The girls did a fabulous job with the hike in and out. They went down 100 feet down. It was 40 degrees in the cave. Everyone was exhausted when they came out, but had a fun time.

Zuni Parade

There are 19 pueblos in the state of New Mexico. The Zuni Pueblo is the largest in the state. Each family is made up as a clan. The mother's clan is the big clan. The father's clan is the small clan. It's a matriarchal society. We love going to Zuni and enjoy their bread and pies.

Woodbadge for Steve

Steve and his troop. This is something Steve has wanted to do for a long time. He has to do two campouts with his troop.

First day of school

Amanda taking a tour with her dad the first day of school to make sure she has her schedule down.

Mom and Amanda ready for their first day of school


Megan, Savannah, Amanda and Michelle

Megan, Michelle, Mr. Martinez (principal) and Amanda

Aaron's address in Japan

Elder David Aaron Parks
Japan, Nagoya Mission
1-304 Itakadai
Meito-Ku, Nagoya-Shi
Aichi 465-0028
Japan

Aaron's first area - Toyama, Japan

Toyama Castle

Toyama, Japan and the Sea of Japan coastal area

Satellite shot of Toyama, Japan area

Toyama, Japan is located right off the Sea of Japan. Beautiful area that has high mountains and all seasons of weather. It will be really cold there in the winter.

Aaron's in Japan

August 25, 2008

Well, 　everyone, I am in Japan!!!We got in Wednesday night to the home around nine and then got a few things out of our bags for the overnight stay, had some food, and went to bed. The next day, we had some　training and then all the trainers and us had lunch and went on our way!
It took like 4 hours to get up here to Toyama so we made it back around 10:15! Long day and i was pooped. Then the next day later on my luggage came from the misison home (honbu) and so i unpacked. That day we just went and did a little shopping and so not much dendoing (proselyting) was done.
But that night, Friday, we taught a lesson to Takahatta shimai and that was pretty awesome. She hasn’t been taught for a while so we did lesson 1 and it was sweet!Saturday we housed for a while and then that night we had a ward natsu matsuri (summer festival). It was so awesome!!

Our ward is so great. 62 came to sacrament meeting this week and just everyone is awesome!!! Our ward dendoo shunin assistant (assistant mission leader) speaks English Japanese and Mexican. He is like our best friend here! Church was an adventure, let me tell you what! I understood a good deal but still, my first one in Japanese!

Then a nice lady who speaks great English because she lived in Hawaii said she has a bike i could have! Its an older mamachari (Japanese style bike) but should be good until i get mine from the states. So i hope that works out so we can do some real dendo!!!
My companions name is Elder Todd and he is from New Castle, Australia. I am his first bean, greeny, and he is doing really well!

Our apartment is a little thing with two rooms, one tatami bedroom and the other our study room, a kitchen, toilet room, shower room and laundry room(which is really off of the shower room). I took pix of it all and so you will see them soonish.

My old companion from the mtc is actually in my district! His companion is the district leader and the four of us make up the whole district! It’s pretty fun. Ok well time is about up, but i will get back on in a few minutes at the other place where there is no 30min time limit.
We are just at a library right now.I love you soooooo much and the church is true!!!!
Ai,
Paakusu Chooroo

My helpers for getting the Japanese dinner ready...

Abrianna and Amanda were so good to help out. I would put the food on one plate and they filled the other plates to match. Then, I set one place setting and they helped set the table. They were so awesome and stayed right with us. Steve was incredible to help out. Between the four of us, we had a delicious meal. Each person had 20 dishes plus 2 pots per couple and a few dishes that were shared per couple. Abrianna and Amanda set their table on the patio while the adults ate in the family room. We had so much fun. Steve helped clean the pots and everything that went with them and I did the dishes with his help. The clean up went really fast this evening. Steve is so good to help out. The girls also helped clear things. We just totally enjoyed our evening.

RS Presidency and husbands eating Japanese dinner

Our Japanese table with all the food before we started eating. I had to add a few things that I forgot to put on the table after we started, but it all turned out great.

Steve, Carl, Keith, Dana

Annie, Doris and Alan, and I'm taking the picture

We had so much fun visiting and eating. Everyone did really well using their chop sticks and tasting everything. A fabulous evening...

Amanda has a job every Saturday morning...

Amanda went with Steve this morning to ride horses. Steve and Amanda got up early, pulled weeds in the front and back yard, and picked up all the dog droppings. Then, Steve made arrangements for Amanda to ride horses this morning. While she was in her heaven, they offered her a job to help out on Saturday mornings cleaning out stalls, brushing the horses and riding them. They usually have 6-40 horses they board at this place. Amanda can hardly wait for next Saturday.