Aaron's letter 12-16-08

We have a meal this Sunday for sure and after that are not sure but we are recieving a cake from an awesome little member named Saito Shimai! She is way cool and told us she is giving us a cake next Tuesday!

We had the Uutau Senkyoushi which was a group of five performing missionaries
that went around to each zone and put on an awesome show. I hope to be in it
next year. So we'll see.

Hey All!!!
Well lots of fun this week and the reason I am on today and not Monday is because it is transfer week!! The transfer news is.....(drum roll)...Elder Koyama and I are staying together another transfer!!!!!! WOOT!!! It will be loads of fun and at the end of which, in February, I will have been in Toyama 6 months! Wow...crazy how time flies!!
Another sweet thing is that before Christmas, so maybe at our zone Christmas party this Friday, all Nagoya missionaries (well companionships) are getting cell phones!! Its a new thing they are doing to adapt to the changing times. We will probably also get to text investigators as well and what not. It will be such a good thing to be able to keep in better touch with them in a way that they frequently use!! So, how cool is that!!
This week has been loads of fun and good times...a few more fasts and lots of good insights from personal and comp study!
I just love missionary work!! Yeah, it's not always the most progressive work (in Japan), but something good is always happening, whether its personal growth or some other way!!
I have also learned so much from my Japanese comp as well...he is a stud and just learning about the culture through him helps a lot!! haha, just funny things too like when he gets in the shower he ( and I actually do it too now ) says, *shawa ni hairimasu* which just means I am geting in the shower but its kind of for my approval as well...just a little culture thing that made me laugh at first!
Another thing our mission has started from last week is from 8-8:30 in the morning at the beginning of study we take whatever time we need to pray in special need of us reaching our goal of 150 baptisms this year. We have a list of all those with dates and pray that everything will go well with them as well as those we are focusing on to get dates!! It has been a great time drawing closer to Heavenly Father and feeling of his support on our shoulders! He really does know our needs and help us al the time. Another thing I saw Elder Koyama do that I now do is start the prayer session by opening my scriptures...I just open randomly to a page and read the first thing that pops! It has actually been quite insightful!! Monday's was Doctrine and Covenants 10:70. (please look up)
It refers to Christ and it toally made that prayer session all the more meaningful!!
There is just so much I could talk about with the gospel blessings!!
We are always feeling of the Lords love and help in our life! I completely know with all my heart that we can be eternal families and that God has made it all possible through Jesus Christ, who is our loving older brother, Savior and Redeemer. The Book of Mormon IS the word of God and by reading and studying from its pages we can so fully draw closer to our Heavenly Father and feel of His love. That is one thing I have started trying to do when housing. I am trying to testify at each door about the Book of Mormon and get them to accept reading from it...its such a blessing having a Book of Answers to life and we can all benefit from its love and knowledge!
Well hey I love you all and wish you the best time ever at Christmas!! As well as can't wait to talk to many of you on that day as well! And remember, its CHRISTmas, so have fun drawing closer to Him!
The church is true!!
Elder Parks

Aaron's letter 12-7-08 with some more info

Hey!
We get to eat at members a couple of times a week if we set up appointments. Last night we ate at the Nakamura:s and had sukiyaki! Holy cow it was great!! A great way to end a fast and begin another one! Haha...if we tell members we want to meet with them and have a family home evening or something they always do too! So it's just a matter of scheduling! You guys are so great to the missionaries. Now as one myself, I totally realize that. Strong members are so good to have and a great help to the missionaries!
It officially has gotten cold! It snowed like all Saturday and so dendo was a site! The roads were pretty slick so I had to be careful and we had to go pretty slow. I am going to check the price on mountain tires today and see what they are like. it's a thought...
But thankfully no wrecks or anything lately! haha....
Well hey love ya!
Write Back


Hey Everybody!!
Well another cold and snowy week gone by and I can't believe it!! And I have officially past the 6 month mark! Woot!
Well this week was full of great insights from zone conference and companion relations through fasting and prayer. Today is our third fast since Thursday and we are really trying to get this area into shape investigator wise! Lots of help has come and this morning actually my amazing senior comp had the impression to call an old investigor we put back on the board and she finally answered. We found out she has been in the hospital and not able to call or get calls. What a miracle Koyama choro followed an impression. God truly knows us and always watches out for us. Kenta, however, might have moved...we put brownies on his door Friday and last night they were still there...We haven't been able to get ahold of him or anything lately and have visited everyday...so as of now we just want to know where he is!!
but nonetheless, God continues to know our needs and desires and helps us in achieving what needs to be done!!
My testimony is also continuing to grow everyday from experiences like this and my love of the gospel is becoming massive!!
It just amazes me what we have in store for us as members and also just children of a loving Heavenly Father!
One thing I found this morning in personal study was from this month's Liahona. It is Elder Maxwells address from Apr 2002 called Consecrate thy Performance... in the section *Acknowledge Gods Hand* it talks about stepping stones...meaning us doing things that may be outside of our comfort zone in order to become evermore like Christ. As a missionary of Christ I am finding these kinds of experiences all the time!! It is an amazing growing experience and I love being able to see what happens when we dedicate and consecrate ourselves fully to the Lord. Again, He knows us SO well and always wants to help us become better and improve. What a marvelous amazing principle or truth! I love it!
As we all continue in this process I hope and pray we are finding these stepping stone experiences of our own to become evermore Christlike and showing the *Christ* spirit, which is the real meaning or *Christmas* sprit. And always remember, no matter what, God loves you and knows you!
Well, thats about it for this week...thanks again for all your continued support and love. it is truly felt and needed!
and no, no accidents happened this week! haha, we are safe and loving life!!
I love you all so much!
The church is without a doubt TRUE!
Elder Parks