Thursday, January 8, 2009
Amanda and her cousins at Aunt Verla's viewing
Jeffrey, Amanda, Katherine, Tyler, Cordell, Brad, and John
Color Guard getting ready to post the colors
These young men are the Gilles brothers. They are each 15 years old and they were our color guard for the posting of the colors and the pledge.
Patriotic Program set up 11-8-08
We had two nine feet grand pianos donated for our program. They had such a wonderful sound. The entry way into the hall on some really nice displays.
Amanda and Kennedee helped pass out the programs.
The Presidents Quilt
This quilt took 3 years to make. It has all the Presidents of the United States down to George Bush Sr. It was so beautiful...
Every Flag that has been made for the United States of America
Bro. Smith found every flag that has been made for the USA. He had them set up for display and wrote something about each one. It really added to the evening...
Amanda's first temple trip Novemeber 5, 2008
Amanda went to the temple for the first time and did Baptism for the Dead. She was so excited. She went with our old ward and then a few weeks later Amanda went with our Paradise Hills Ward. Steve and I also went with her. We had a great time and both mentioned that "Life is Good and Doesn't get any better"...
Happy 12th birthday to Amanda...November 4, 2008
Amanda had so much fun for her birthday...The girls had a blast. It took me 4 1/2 hours to clean the kitchen up and it took Steve 2 hours to clean the back yard and patio up. Some of the girls have called and asked if we can do it again. It was a blast, but once is enough....
The Secret Ingredient is...."ONIONS"
Steve and I were trying so hard to figure out something fun to do for Amanda's 12th birthday party. Steve came up with "The Iron Chef". It was so fun getting everything ready. Steve took Amanda out that morning after we voted so I could get the kitchen all ready. Every pot, pan, dish, spoon, anything you would need was put out so the girls could use them.
The girls were put into groups and had to create, one appetizer, one salad, one main dish and the secret ingredient was....."ONIONS". Steve is so good coming up with things. Anyways...the girls had a blast. They had one hour to creat these items and have them ready for judging and to eat. There were 18 girls invited and they had a blast...
Then the girls all explained their dishes, what they used in them and we all sampled. They really did a fabulous job...
Amanda and her pumpkins and decorations in the tree
We always set time aside to carve the pumpkins for Family Home Evening. This year they came up with some fun faces. We set the pumpkins out in front of our porch area and light them every night. They looked soooo cool. Amanda also put some skeletons and ghost in the front tree that glowed in the dark.
Paradise Hills Ward Trunk or Treat Party and Dinner 10-28-08
We had so much fun at our ward party. They did the Trunk or Treat before we ate. When we heard this we thought how boring, but we loved it. You could see all the costumes and all the decorations and the kids had a blast along with the adults. Then we went inside when it was dark and had a fun chili, corn bread, rolls, veggies, etc. dinner. It was so fun. The decorations were fabulous...
Thursday, December 18, 2008
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
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
Monday, December 15, 2008
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
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
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