Monday, November 23, 2009
Amanda at the airport...going to Utah to stay with Angie and her family and then we'll pick her up on our way to Idaho for Thanksgiving...
Amanda's plane moving away from the gate...
Amanda on the plane ready to fly out...she was so excited to go on the plane by herself...and that she didn't have to wear the tag around her neck...good thing it was a straight through flight...
Amanda and Steve at the gate waiting for the boarding call... Great birthday gift...Amanda loves being independent...
New Moon movie...everyone was really excited to see it...Good movie...
Kristy, Amanda, Doris, Holly, Leah, Jenni, Biannca, Keith, Steve and Me
Kristy, Doris, Amanda, Holly, Leah, Keith, SteveWe went to the 10:00am show on Saturday. A few showed up at 8:30 to wait in line. The line was already fairly long...Good thing we got there early...loved the show and everyone had a great time...enjoying this series of books...
Aaron's letter 11-16-09
Wow all Aunt Laura's girls look so different!! Megan looks amazing!! holy cow!
investigators....Junpei kun...22yrs old and needs to get the courage to talk to mom about baptism...
watanabe san...has been sick with intestine problems and needs to get better so he can come to church!
Lots others but for now those two are the closest there are two investigators that the sisters have been teaching that will be getting baptized soon and since the sisters here are getting closed for a transfer we will get to teach them! They are Shan and her husband Lo. chinese .
Normal day...get up, sometime excersize, sometimes run, eat, study, and then we usually leave for some type of appointment and eat lunch later, whether we cook it or eat out at a cool restaurant...return home, plan, talk to the district leaders and assisstants and go to bed!
I have been eating some Hawaiin food lately! My comp lived there for a bit when he was younger so loves to go into the stores here and I am starting to eat it too! Way fun!
Now it is freezing!!! Today got way cold and it is raining!! All four of us missionaries here typing are having the hardest time!!
That is way neat that all those families were sealed!! The temple is such a special place to worship and make covenants that help us forever! I can't wait to go again!
I am doing great!! healthy and everything!!
The Book of Mormon is such a good book! I am so happy that you are doing that challenge! 21 days is fast but you get a totally different feel for it. it will continue to truly bless you forever and Deb too! Tell her congrats from me!
Hey Amanda!!
I am glad you loved the candy! You can get more when you come to pick me up next year!!
Japan is still way fun! It is just getting cold now but thats alright it kind of makes it fuN!!!CONGRATS on getting honor role! I am so proud of you! keep it up!
Love you tons!!
Elder Parks
THE WEEKLY:
Hey Family!!!
Well today we will see how much I can type in my time limit! It got so cold today and my fingers are slowing down!! haha, its the first time of the season I have had to wear a sweater, suit jacket, long sleeves and my over coat!!! crazy, but fun!!
Well it sounds like there are some amazing things going on over there with you all and it makes me so happy!
Elder Alkonis and I are trying hard to do the same and keep our area going towards baptism! We have lots of running around to do but don't like to let our area down at all!! We just had interviews last week and I talked with Sister Traveller about this too. How just because we get busy lives as zone leaders my desire to see baptisms hasn't gone down one bit!! In fact, it has gone up!! I was blessed to see many this year and don't want to stop at all! So Elder Alkonis and I try to see them and get the people to Christ through their first step of baptism!!
This church really is a blessing in our lives and it is so neat to see people come to understand that for themselves. Through our efforts those miracles can happen!!
How amazing!! I know each of you are working hard in various things and hope spreading the gospel and you find the opportunity is one of them.
I love you all so much and wish you the best in each of your areas!!!
Elder Parks
investigators....Junpei kun...22yrs old and needs to get the courage to talk to mom about baptism...
watanabe san...has been sick with intestine problems and needs to get better so he can come to church!
Lots others but for now those two are the closest there are two investigators that the sisters have been teaching that will be getting baptized soon and since the sisters here are getting closed for a transfer we will get to teach them! They are Shan and her husband Lo. chinese .
Normal day...get up, sometime excersize, sometimes run, eat, study, and then we usually leave for some type of appointment and eat lunch later, whether we cook it or eat out at a cool restaurant...return home, plan, talk to the district leaders and assisstants and go to bed!
I have been eating some Hawaiin food lately! My comp lived there for a bit when he was younger so loves to go into the stores here and I am starting to eat it too! Way fun!
Now it is freezing!!! Today got way cold and it is raining!! All four of us missionaries here typing are having the hardest time!!
That is way neat that all those families were sealed!! The temple is such a special place to worship and make covenants that help us forever! I can't wait to go again!
I am doing great!! healthy and everything!!
The Book of Mormon is such a good book! I am so happy that you are doing that challenge! 21 days is fast but you get a totally different feel for it. it will continue to truly bless you forever and Deb too! Tell her congrats from me!
Hey Amanda!!
I am glad you loved the candy! You can get more when you come to pick me up next year!!
Japan is still way fun! It is just getting cold now but thats alright it kind of makes it fuN!!!CONGRATS on getting honor role! I am so proud of you! keep it up!
Love you tons!!
Elder Parks
THE WEEKLY:
Hey Family!!!
Well today we will see how much I can type in my time limit! It got so cold today and my fingers are slowing down!! haha, its the first time of the season I have had to wear a sweater, suit jacket, long sleeves and my over coat!!! crazy, but fun!!
Well it sounds like there are some amazing things going on over there with you all and it makes me so happy!
Elder Alkonis and I are trying hard to do the same and keep our area going towards baptism! We have lots of running around to do but don't like to let our area down at all!! We just had interviews last week and I talked with Sister Traveller about this too. How just because we get busy lives as zone leaders my desire to see baptisms hasn't gone down one bit!! In fact, it has gone up!! I was blessed to see many this year and don't want to stop at all! So Elder Alkonis and I try to see them and get the people to Christ through their first step of baptism!!
This church really is a blessing in our lives and it is so neat to see people come to understand that for themselves. Through our efforts those miracles can happen!!
How amazing!! I know each of you are working hard in various things and hope spreading the gospel and you find the opportunity is one of them.
I love you all so much and wish you the best in each of your areas!!!
Elder Parks
The letter the Sister Missionaries wrote to Donny Osmand...
Deb went to a fireside in California when she was 14 years old...she was very impressed with what she heard...her friend that attended the same fireside joined the church...Deb has been investigating and looking since that time...now she has found the truth and is loving every minute of it...Deb's life along with ours will never be the same...Thanks for sharing this journey with you...
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sis. Lamb is getting transferred to Aztec, NM...The Sisters stopped by to have Sis Lamb say good-bye to us and Deb...
Me with Deb at the get together after her baptism...
Sis. Lamb and Deb
Evelyn, Deb and Maggie...
Mary Ann and Sis. Lamb...the sisters have been teaching Mary Ann getting her ready to receive her endowments in December at the temple...Friday, November 20, 2009
Happy Birthday Pat and Happy Anniversary Glen and Pat...
Meet two wonderful people in my life...two of the most giving, loving, fun, supportive people you'll ever meet...Glen and Pat have raised a fabulous family and we all have been taught to love God, to serve others and to take care of each other...Happy Birthday Pat...
Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom...52 years of adventure...
love you tons...
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Aaron's letter to Amanda on 11-9-09
Hey Amanda!
Japan is still awesome!!!
Congratulations on being 13 years old!!!! Sounds like you got some way cool presents too!
I am way excited to hear you play the piano!
So how was the Sister Debs baptism?? That is so cool you got to see that!
Well I love you tons!!
Elder Parks
Japan is still awesome!!!
Congratulations on being 13 years old!!!! Sounds like you got some way cool presents too!
I am way excited to hear you play the piano!
So how was the Sister Debs baptism?? That is so cool you got to see that!
Well I love you tons!!
Elder Parks
Aaron's letter 11-8-09
Oh, man that is so awesome!!! I get so happy just hearing about all of this fun and spiritual stuff!!for sure tell her CONGRATS from Elder Parks out here in Japan! Way to go!!!! That is the neatest thing ever! I can't wait to see her when I get home!
Hey family!
Well this past week once again has flown by and lots of new fun missionary stories in the memory storage!
Time isn't too long now so I want to share my key item from last week's learning....my testimony. Last week around Friday I noticed something. I noticed that once I get started testifying about the Book of Mormon I feel empowered and ustoppable. All this time in my mission has given me tons of experiences that have built this reservour. The Book of Mormon really is our source of strength as members of the true church, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As experienced by the family down in ABQ, New Mexico, miracles happen as we share with our friends these things and testify like no one's business. It makes me so happy to hear about baptisms all over the world and see the joy in everyone's life.
I know that as each of you commit on reading the Book of Mormon each day, returned missionaries will especially understand that one, and true personal prayer to Heavenly Father often, you will come to feel the same way.
Then once you open your mouth to talk to that friend you have been thinking about lately you will have this undescribable strength behind you to back you up! That is why this church is so cool. That is why this church is true.
I love you all tons and wish you the best!
Love elder parks
Hey family!
Well this past week once again has flown by and lots of new fun missionary stories in the memory storage!
Time isn't too long now so I want to share my key item from last week's learning....my testimony. Last week around Friday I noticed something. I noticed that once I get started testifying about the Book of Mormon I feel empowered and ustoppable. All this time in my mission has given me tons of experiences that have built this reservour. The Book of Mormon really is our source of strength as members of the true church, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As experienced by the family down in ABQ, New Mexico, miracles happen as we share with our friends these things and testify like no one's business. It makes me so happy to hear about baptisms all over the world and see the joy in everyone's life.
I know that as each of you commit on reading the Book of Mormon each day, returned missionaries will especially understand that one, and true personal prayer to Heavenly Father often, you will come to feel the same way.
Then once you open your mouth to talk to that friend you have been thinking about lately you will have this undescribable strength behind you to back you up! That is why this church is so cool. That is why this church is true.
I love you all tons and wish you the best!
Love elder parks
Aaron's letter 11-1-09
Hey Family!
Well I just wrote an awesome weekly full of good things and then it erased!!!!So here we go time number 2!
The reason I am on today is because of zone conference tomorrow. This past week has been a truly crazy one. With the biggest zone in the mission come the most problems. We spent a lot of time on the phone as well as going to other areas. But thankfully we have some great missionaries who help out a ton! In the middle of all this my comanion and I have come to see some things.
A main topic of tomorrow's conference is the Book of Mormon. Elder Alkonis and I, this morning in comp study, talked a lot about how the Book of Mormon is the source of all things here as a missionary. The Book of Mormon is the source of conversion. The Book of Mormon is the source of answers to the questions of life. Through the Book of Mormon we can truly find the peace we need each day. Elder Alkonis and i had a great conversation about the need missionaries everywhere have of getting to the point that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Without the Book of Mormon we are just another Christian church with missionaries. We must each find within ourselves the testimony we posses of the Book of Mormon and strengthen it. I love the Book of Mormon. I know it has the power to change lives, enlighten minds, and direct us for good. I know that as soon as we get into the mindset of "I'm ready to learn" and then change our lives accordinglly, God will give countless blessings, and those blessings will come, in large amount, from the Book of Mormon.
I hope each of you feel of this power in your lives each day. It is something worth sacrificing for. It is something worth stopping those habits not in line with the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed to the propeht Joseph Smith. I know we can all do the things necessary to return to Heavenly Father's presence.
Let's do it!
I love you tons!Thanks a ton for the support you have given and the supoort and prayers that continue to come.
Elder Parks
Well I just wrote an awesome weekly full of good things and then it erased!!!!So here we go time number 2!
The reason I am on today is because of zone conference tomorrow. This past week has been a truly crazy one. With the biggest zone in the mission come the most problems. We spent a lot of time on the phone as well as going to other areas. But thankfully we have some great missionaries who help out a ton! In the middle of all this my comanion and I have come to see some things.
A main topic of tomorrow's conference is the Book of Mormon. Elder Alkonis and I, this morning in comp study, talked a lot about how the Book of Mormon is the source of all things here as a missionary. The Book of Mormon is the source of conversion. The Book of Mormon is the source of answers to the questions of life. Through the Book of Mormon we can truly find the peace we need each day. Elder Alkonis and i had a great conversation about the need missionaries everywhere have of getting to the point that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Without the Book of Mormon we are just another Christian church with missionaries. We must each find within ourselves the testimony we posses of the Book of Mormon and strengthen it. I love the Book of Mormon. I know it has the power to change lives, enlighten minds, and direct us for good. I know that as soon as we get into the mindset of "I'm ready to learn" and then change our lives accordinglly, God will give countless blessings, and those blessings will come, in large amount, from the Book of Mormon.
I hope each of you feel of this power in your lives each day. It is something worth sacrificing for. It is something worth stopping those habits not in line with the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed to the propeht Joseph Smith. I know we can all do the things necessary to return to Heavenly Father's presence.
Let's do it!
I love you tons!Thanks a ton for the support you have given and the supoort and prayers that continue to come.
Elder Parks
The get together after the baptism took place at our home...we had 63 come and play...
Steve made a chocolate cake...baked and seasoned the pulled pork...
I made all the salads: Macaroni, Pasta, Potato, Several Bean, Frito Lay, along with veggie trays, pickle and olive trays and cheese and cracker trays. We had chips and ice water and several kinds of soda...
The three of us had a great time getting our home ready to great our guest...
It was so fun to have the mingling continue after the baptism...no one was in a hurry and everyone just relaxed and had fun...
Amanda making Lemon Bars for the get together after the baptism...she did a fabulous job and everyone enjoyed...
This was the first time Amanda made Lemon Bars. She had so much fun...Amanda was fabulous help getting everything ready. She also made Rice Crispy treats and helped clean the house for everything to just be perfect...
Our dear friend, Deb was baptized on November 7, 2009...What an incredible journey we have traveled together for the past few weeks...
This has been such an incredible journey we have traveled together. Deb has been visiting with me for over a year about religion. During my prep it was not unusually for us to be visiting in the office about various religious topics...One day we were visiting and I asked Deb if she would be willing to visit with the sister missionaries. I told her they had 6 or so lessons and they would be able to help her answer all her questions if she would be willing to listen. She told me she would like that.
The discussions began on Sunday, Oct. 11 and were held in our home. What a wonderful blessing this has been for our family. We have totally loved being a part of this with Deb...Thank you for blessing our family and our lives...
and to confirm the next day, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 at the Ventana Ward Chapel...
Sisters Waters, Lamb and Brown and Deb...These sisters are the missionaries that taught Deb her discussions...
The sisters, Jonny, Deb's son and Deb
Eva, Deb, JonnyDavid, Jon, Cathy and Linda....
Deb's son and her brother, his wife and son and her two sisters...
Jonny and Deb
Deb with her daughter, Shelby and Shelby's friend, Mark...
Melissa played the harp for prelude and for Deb's favorite hymn at the baptism...There were 101 people that attended Deb's baptism. The pictures that follow are people that were so excited to be apart of this great evening...
Sharon Lovin, Deb's Relief Society Pres. came to all the missionary discussions with Deb in our home. She is a great strength for Deb. Her daughters were also there to celebrate this great adventure...they also sang with the other activity girls as part of the program...
The Moody's ...Christine Moody has worked at our school on and off for several years...she was so thrilled to be able to come and enjoy this evening...
Bishop Fuller and his family...This is Deb's bishop in the Ventana Ward...
This sister lead the music for the baptism...
Caron is one of Deb's visiting teachers...Megan and Aliece are in my class at school...
These kids were so excited to be there...
Deb asked Avalie Sego to give a talk on Baptism at her baptism. They are good friends. Avi is in the office area several times a day visiting the nurse's office checking her blood. Avi is diabetic and so she and Ms. Debra are very close. Avi did a fabulous job...
More of the kids and families at the baptism...
Evan and Nancy Farrow...Nancy has been in and out of our school doing IEP's...she also taught Deb tolle painting several years ago in Utah...Very small world...
Evelyn is one of my students from school. She was so happy to be at Ms. Deb's baptism. All the Activity Day Girls sang at the baptism. They were so excited to do this...
Sarah is in our Chorus Club and so happy the Ms. Deb would be attending her ward...
Todd McCrackin is the Ventana Ward Mission Leader and has been so wonderful to work with and get everything ready for Deb.
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