Aaron's letter 9-14-09

Wow busy busy busy!!! You are all just going like crazy and sounds like having tons of fun too!

Wow everything looks was fun and you all look so good!!! I can't wait to get there to help you with all that cool stuff!!! Oh man! That looks so good!!!! Save me a portion in the freezer onegai!!!
(We sent pictures to Aaron of our Idaho trip and all the treasures from the Grandma and Uncle Garth's garden along with some canning items, freezer items, etc.)

The Weekly:
Hey My Best Coolest Family Ever!!!!!!
So this week has been quite the week!! First off, my companion is the bomb! He is way good at the piano and this past sunday i sang `Jesus the Very Thought of You` to his amazing accompaniment. You will have to hear this version when i get home, way awesome!

In terms of investigators, we have two getting baptized on Ocotber 4th! Rie and Sayuri...Rie owns the restaurant Da Vinci Rie and Sayuri is her sister. They are true miracles prepared of God. I wish I could just photo copy my journal into the computer for you all to see on email....

Long story short...Elder Brox and I were led to this restaurant one day, thats where it began. From that point Rie openly accepted everything and soon got Sayuri into it too! All the lessons were taught in practically one week. The baptism commitment was given and accepted.

Just yesterday the first doubts came up and now our prayers and faith are needed. Specifically for Rie the problem is about the Law of Chastity in understanding why and then having the courage to follow it.

Sayuri's problem is just smoking and coffee but she has good will power to stop. So those are the two miracle women here in Takayama! ( Rie is 33 and Sayuri 44) President and Sister Traveller are coming to the baptism as well as one of our other investigators.

So everything is progressing amazingly...they just need to now get to church their two times and overcome fear. But seriously, these past few weeks have been full of Elder Mulder and I just amazed at the Hand of the Lord each night after teaching Rie and Sayuri.

Each time we teach them the Spirit (which both of them have come to recognize and understand) comes in with all his power and testifying conviction. It is so awesome! And then watching the two of them personally get amazed at the power of the Spirit is another huge blessing!

The fact that we are members of the true church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been testified to me and strengthened in my heart countless times. When Rie starts asking all her questions about the Law of Chastity and why why why,Ii realize that my upbringing and experiences up to now in the mission has prepared me for her answer.

All though I cannot say exactly the little reasons to some things, I can say that I KNOW IT IS TRUE. I know that all the things we teach as missionaries are true and through living and abiding to their counsel we can have the pure guidance of God through the Holy Ghost and feel His true love. How awesome!

As Elder Mulder and I have talked about Rie and Sayuri we know that they can and need to be baptized on the 4th. There are many little things that can come up. But most important of all are the help, guidance, and blessings that will come from purely receiving baptism.
This is the true church of God, of Jesus Christ. Missionary work is the best thing in the world!
I love you!
Elder Parks