Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Aaron's letters 3-29-10
Elder Clements is from Idaho and he has been out 6 weeks less than me.
Just pray that we can see success in this new area and that my Portuguese holds up!
Yeah the sakura are coming out now and more to come! Apparently my new area of Okazaki is really pretty!
I'm staying very healthy!
Way Cool! I had no idea Amanda played the organ!!
That is so neat!! I can't wait to hear it! and way cool that Rich and Denise were there too!
Good job
Cool. thanks so much for doing all that for me with my classes and schedule!!
So I guess all I need to do now is say that I want to study Japanese, not Portuguese...
you helped a ton!
love you!
Yeah I got a cool camera and have been taking lots of cool pics!!
I sent to memory card a little bit ago, I thought you would have gotten it by now.....
lets wait another week and see what happens...
yeah the work is still way fun and I am excited to get to my new area and beging working with Elder Clements!! I am excited to see many miracles in the next three months before getting on the plane!!
I am so happy for amanda and her friend hearing the gospel! What a great time and experience for them! good luck!
Love the example you all set for me doing missionary work.
I love you tons!
Elder Parks
WEEKLY:
Hey Family!!
Well I am transferring to Okazaki!!! You probably have no idea what or where that is but it is just the next zone over. Right now the zone we are over is the Nagoya Zone. I will be moving only to the Nagoya East Zone, big move : ).
I will now have to polish the Portuguese once again!! Apparently the investigators right now are all Brazillian of something not Japanese! So we will have fun! And I finally have sister missionaries back in my area!! Woo hoo!! Sounds kind of funny to be so excited by they help so much!!
One of the sisters is Koyama shimai, Elder Koyama's sister!! So it will be fun to work with her and be able to keep in touch with the Koyama family since Elder Koyama goes home tomorrow!!
Well, my time in Nagoya went extremely quick but I was able to learn a ton!! I am very much a different missionary now than when i came 6 months ago. It feels like I now am much more aware of everything going on around me and what i could do to work effectively. It would have been nice to feel like this my whole mission but learing takes time...
We weren't able to achieve our goal of 22 souls unto Christ in march but really feel like a lot was accomplished. For me, at least, I learned so much about faith and hope. Recently I have studied about these two things and have pondered a bit more deeply their meaning and affect in my life.
I know that God knows and loves us. Furthermore, through discussing with Him, in prayer, our hopes and desires, He will edify our hearts and minds and let us know His will. From that point we can work towards achieving that goal with our newly formed faith. Our actions bring about the results of that faith turned hope.
I love God so much. I appreciate all He has done for me, for us. The Book of Mormon is such an amazing resource and wealth of knowlege for us. As we read it and ponder its words in our hearts, we may come to know of things like hope, faith, truth, the Spirit in our life, etc.
I know God loves each of you and will bless you all as you turn your hearts to Him and reveal your desire to do His will. We are blessed immensely being members of the true church. Hard times still come, unfortunately : ), but through them we can learn great things of great worth.
I love you all so much!
Elder Parks
Just pray that we can see success in this new area and that my Portuguese holds up!
Yeah the sakura are coming out now and more to come! Apparently my new area of Okazaki is really pretty!
I'm staying very healthy!
Way Cool! I had no idea Amanda played the organ!!
That is so neat!! I can't wait to hear it! and way cool that Rich and Denise were there too!
Good job
Cool. thanks so much for doing all that for me with my classes and schedule!!
So I guess all I need to do now is say that I want to study Japanese, not Portuguese...
you helped a ton!
love you!
Yeah I got a cool camera and have been taking lots of cool pics!!
I sent to memory card a little bit ago, I thought you would have gotten it by now.....
lets wait another week and see what happens...
yeah the work is still way fun and I am excited to get to my new area and beging working with Elder Clements!! I am excited to see many miracles in the next three months before getting on the plane!!
I am so happy for amanda and her friend hearing the gospel! What a great time and experience for them! good luck!
Love the example you all set for me doing missionary work.
I love you tons!
Elder Parks
WEEKLY:
Hey Family!!
Well I am transferring to Okazaki!!! You probably have no idea what or where that is but it is just the next zone over. Right now the zone we are over is the Nagoya Zone. I will be moving only to the Nagoya East Zone, big move : ).
I will now have to polish the Portuguese once again!! Apparently the investigators right now are all Brazillian of something not Japanese! So we will have fun! And I finally have sister missionaries back in my area!! Woo hoo!! Sounds kind of funny to be so excited by they help so much!!
One of the sisters is Koyama shimai, Elder Koyama's sister!! So it will be fun to work with her and be able to keep in touch with the Koyama family since Elder Koyama goes home tomorrow!!
Well, my time in Nagoya went extremely quick but I was able to learn a ton!! I am very much a different missionary now than when i came 6 months ago. It feels like I now am much more aware of everything going on around me and what i could do to work effectively. It would have been nice to feel like this my whole mission but learing takes time...
We weren't able to achieve our goal of 22 souls unto Christ in march but really feel like a lot was accomplished. For me, at least, I learned so much about faith and hope. Recently I have studied about these two things and have pondered a bit more deeply their meaning and affect in my life.
I know that God knows and loves us. Furthermore, through discussing with Him, in prayer, our hopes and desires, He will edify our hearts and minds and let us know His will. From that point we can work towards achieving that goal with our newly formed faith. Our actions bring about the results of that faith turned hope.
I love God so much. I appreciate all He has done for me, for us. The Book of Mormon is such an amazing resource and wealth of knowlege for us. As we read it and ponder its words in our hearts, we may come to know of things like hope, faith, truth, the Spirit in our life, etc.
I know God loves each of you and will bless you all as you turn your hearts to Him and reveal your desire to do His will. We are blessed immensely being members of the true church. Hard times still come, unfortunately : ), but through them we can learn great things of great worth.
I love you all so much!
Elder Parks
Aaron's letters 3-9-10 TO 3-22-10
WEEKLY 3-9-10
Hey family!
Well sorry but this weeks weekly will be very short because my comp and Ionly have 5 min left to email!!!
Haha, but it sounds like tons has happened with you all lately and I am so happy for you all!
Today is a very rainy day, like it has been lately, but the work moves on! My companion and I have been seeing tons of revelations of the Lord's hand in our lives lately and I hope each of you have been able to feel a portion of that in your lives as well!
I know God is our Eternal Father and loves each of us dearly!
Good luck this week and remember "men are that they might have joy"!
Love Elder Parks
3-15-10
Cool! I know how much dad has been working on this Woodbadge for the past while! Congrats!
WEEKLY
Hey Family!!
Well there went another week and time just flies by! This past week we have had some fun times as well as some "rethinker" times.
The fun times include us going to downtown Nagoya to this open basketball court and playing basketball with lots of new friends and finding tons of people! So my body has experienced a whole new type of pain and getting used to lately!!
We also had interviews last Thursday and I found out I will be transferring, no big shocker, in two weeks at transfers for probably my last area! This week's Thursday we have a special zone conference with Elder Aoyagi of the 70 so that will be really good as well!
The "rethinker" stuff was me and Elder Cooley rethinking our sacrifices for March Madness...the cold showers, standing on the bike, and 5:30 wake up just became bothersome and the real meaning of the sacrifices left. So we thought about what we could do to start really meaningful sacrifices...We concluded on waking up at 6 and studying the Book of Mormon specifically for Kaoru, our investigator who needs the desire to get baptized. Then each night while one elder is doing phone calls the other will spend 10 min in the Area book updating records and what not.
These sacrifices have been much better and let us focus more on the investigator and less on how cold the water coming out of the shower is!
Also lately I have been reading the homework assignment for zone conference, which was all of 1 Ne, 2 Ne, and Mosiah, as well as 4 chapters from PMG!, anyway, as i have been reading the Book of Mormon part i have found tons of great scriptures relating to our missionary work and the situation Nagoya mission is in.
At the beginning of this March Madness program we all got really excited and everyone began their sacrifices and what not. But then Satan showed his power as well and trials came: missionaries got sick, investigators dropped, and areas just seemed to fall. However, because of the great experience I had last year during March Madness, i knew we could do this again. So Elder Cooley and I refocued our sacrifice and I have felt more positive as well as optimistic about this month's outcome.
Then as I have read the Book of Mormon i have found tons of places about faith in the Lord and trusting in His promises. It has been awesome to see how much the Book of Mormon contains one more time and reboost myself for March Madness.
I know God loves us and wants all His children to hear the good news of the restored Gospel.
I love you all tons and wish you the best!!
Elder Parks
3-22-10
yep I am staying healthy!!
the weather lately has been getting better but it is cloudy often and iffy to tell if it will rain or not...
I can't wait for that to stop and just be sunny!
and it is slowly getting warmer too
WEEKLY
Hey Family!
Well the time is flying out the window and I've officially got only 3 months and 1 day left to do so much!
March Madness has hit its last week now and we are all way excited to see the miracles required to reach the goal. Currently ten people have been baptized thus far, leaving 12 more to success. I know we can do it with the Lord's help along the way!
One thing I have felt this whole time is as we have committed to serve the Lord and work for miracles, He has truly blessed our efforts. The love of God has been witnessed to me yet again.
Often I get little thoughts and ideas of new viewpoints on missionary work and what not.
Well, lately that thought and feeling has been a stronger realization of the family relationship every person on earth has. As we were talking with one of our investigators, Akira, he asked why we do what we do. Naturally we told him because we want to share these blessing with everyone. However, this time as I spoke about all of us being brothers and sisters and us, as missionaries, wanting to help our family out, I felt a witness that that really is why I am here. I really do want to share this with my brothers and sisters.
I have said those words before as part of a lesson but not until now have I really felt the truth of what it means. God is the Father of us all. Meaning, we are all brothers and sisters. It's very simple. I want to teach my family of the great joy I posses and let them partake of it as well.
This viewpoint is kind of Elder Parks' new stance on why he is a missionary right now.
I am excited to use these last 3 months to share the gospel with as many of my brothers and sisters as i can.
Naturally some of them will not accept the message. Some are not yet prepared. But, through sharing what i have with them true joy is found.
You all can do the same. The neat thing about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that not only missionaries share the gospel, members do as well. It gives you a chance everyday to share the joy you posses with someone who yet knows of it.
Give it a try. Keep an eye out for that person who needs a little something else in their life. Share with them what you know and how you have felt God's love in your life. I know you can and will see success in your labors. I love you all tons! Good luck!
Elder Parks
Hey family!
Well sorry but this weeks weekly will be very short because my comp and Ionly have 5 min left to email!!!
Haha, but it sounds like tons has happened with you all lately and I am so happy for you all!
Today is a very rainy day, like it has been lately, but the work moves on! My companion and I have been seeing tons of revelations of the Lord's hand in our lives lately and I hope each of you have been able to feel a portion of that in your lives as well!
I know God is our Eternal Father and loves each of us dearly!
Good luck this week and remember "men are that they might have joy"!
Love Elder Parks
3-15-10
Cool! I know how much dad has been working on this Woodbadge for the past while! Congrats!
WEEKLY
Hey Family!!
Well there went another week and time just flies by! This past week we have had some fun times as well as some "rethinker" times.
The fun times include us going to downtown Nagoya to this open basketball court and playing basketball with lots of new friends and finding tons of people! So my body has experienced a whole new type of pain and getting used to lately!!
We also had interviews last Thursday and I found out I will be transferring, no big shocker, in two weeks at transfers for probably my last area! This week's Thursday we have a special zone conference with Elder Aoyagi of the 70 so that will be really good as well!
The "rethinker" stuff was me and Elder Cooley rethinking our sacrifices for March Madness...the cold showers, standing on the bike, and 5:30 wake up just became bothersome and the real meaning of the sacrifices left. So we thought about what we could do to start really meaningful sacrifices...We concluded on waking up at 6 and studying the Book of Mormon specifically for Kaoru, our investigator who needs the desire to get baptized. Then each night while one elder is doing phone calls the other will spend 10 min in the Area book updating records and what not.
These sacrifices have been much better and let us focus more on the investigator and less on how cold the water coming out of the shower is!
Also lately I have been reading the homework assignment for zone conference, which was all of 1 Ne, 2 Ne, and Mosiah, as well as 4 chapters from PMG!, anyway, as i have been reading the Book of Mormon part i have found tons of great scriptures relating to our missionary work and the situation Nagoya mission is in.
At the beginning of this March Madness program we all got really excited and everyone began their sacrifices and what not. But then Satan showed his power as well and trials came: missionaries got sick, investigators dropped, and areas just seemed to fall. However, because of the great experience I had last year during March Madness, i knew we could do this again. So Elder Cooley and I refocued our sacrifice and I have felt more positive as well as optimistic about this month's outcome.
Then as I have read the Book of Mormon i have found tons of places about faith in the Lord and trusting in His promises. It has been awesome to see how much the Book of Mormon contains one more time and reboost myself for March Madness.
I know God loves us and wants all His children to hear the good news of the restored Gospel.
I love you all tons and wish you the best!!
Elder Parks
3-22-10
yep I am staying healthy!!
the weather lately has been getting better but it is cloudy often and iffy to tell if it will rain or not...
I can't wait for that to stop and just be sunny!
and it is slowly getting warmer too
WEEKLY
Hey Family!
Well the time is flying out the window and I've officially got only 3 months and 1 day left to do so much!
March Madness has hit its last week now and we are all way excited to see the miracles required to reach the goal. Currently ten people have been baptized thus far, leaving 12 more to success. I know we can do it with the Lord's help along the way!
One thing I have felt this whole time is as we have committed to serve the Lord and work for miracles, He has truly blessed our efforts. The love of God has been witnessed to me yet again.
Often I get little thoughts and ideas of new viewpoints on missionary work and what not.
Well, lately that thought and feeling has been a stronger realization of the family relationship every person on earth has. As we were talking with one of our investigators, Akira, he asked why we do what we do. Naturally we told him because we want to share these blessing with everyone. However, this time as I spoke about all of us being brothers and sisters and us, as missionaries, wanting to help our family out, I felt a witness that that really is why I am here. I really do want to share this with my brothers and sisters.
I have said those words before as part of a lesson but not until now have I really felt the truth of what it means. God is the Father of us all. Meaning, we are all brothers and sisters. It's very simple. I want to teach my family of the great joy I posses and let them partake of it as well.
This viewpoint is kind of Elder Parks' new stance on why he is a missionary right now.
I am excited to use these last 3 months to share the gospel with as many of my brothers and sisters as i can.
Naturally some of them will not accept the message. Some are not yet prepared. But, through sharing what i have with them true joy is found.
You all can do the same. The neat thing about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that not only missionaries share the gospel, members do as well. It gives you a chance everyday to share the joy you posses with someone who yet knows of it.
Give it a try. Keep an eye out for that person who needs a little something else in their life. Share with them what you know and how you have felt God's love in your life. I know you can and will see success in your labors. I love you all tons! Good luck!
Elder Parks
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Grandma and Amanda worked on Amanda's project...it turned really cold this afternoon, but they still planted all of Amanda's flowers...
Steve moved all the items to the back patio so Mom and Amanda could have some fun planting all of Amanda's flowers...Pat is wearing a hoody, which she never does and my coat to stay warm while having fun with Amanda...
Amanda loves gardening especially if it is with Grandma...even if it is windy and cold outside...Pat's various projects while she came to play for spring break...
We have a good start on Mom's projects...3 major ones almost done...4 more on the agenda for their next visit...We moved the furniture around in the living room so we could use the dining table for cutting and set the quilting frames up...
The family room had the tables set up for sewing and coping the Dad's family history book...
So...enjoyed our time being together...
Steve earns his Woodbadge...he received his beads the same night that Brandon received his Eagle...March 23, 2010
Brandon is Steve's hometeaching partner...it was so nice for Steve to join Brandon on the same evening he received his Eagle...
I'm so proud of Steve...he worked so hard to earn his Woodbadge...
It was nice that Pat and Glen could be here for Steve's beading ceremony
Amanda was such a big help to her dad while he was doing his 5 tickets...
Glen and Pat
Before the ceremony started...we appreciated members from Steve's patrol that attended his ceremony...
Bishop Balmer is the one that asked Steve to go to Woodbage and was a great support to him along with his patrol leader, Gary...
The group that came to support Steve...the guy standing next to Steve will have his bead ceremony in a month...Scott received his earlier this year...Steve and his group are the "Bobwhites"
The Woodbage Ceremony is now open...
Steve getting his beads...
Steve getting his Woodbadge neckerchief...
Steve getting his slide...
Bishop Balmer giving Steve his certificate...He now is offical...He has earned his "Woodbadge"
The group sang the Woodbadge song....
The group sang the Woodbadge song....
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