Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Aaron's letter 12-14-09
Wow it sounds like a continuous busy ABQ life!! That is so cool you got to do all that fun stuff! i would have loved to do the messiah. Way neat!The work here still is way busy but way fun!!
Hey Amanda!
Thanks for the email! Good job with the great concert! That kind of stuff is way fun huh!? I hope you continue to have lots of fun and get good grades! And I can't wait to say hi to you next week!
Love you!
Elder Parks
Hey Dad,
Thanks for the message! It's always nice to have the little dad messages come in! Sorry about the length, I will make it better this week!
THE WEEKLY:
Hey Family!
Just a quickie this week...So the christmas season has quickly come! And now it's a great time for us all to ponder the meaning of that and how we can better ourselves through it. My companion and I have had a great time teaching of Christ each day and can really tell my testimony is getting stronger as well! I hope each of you can do the same and feel the love of God each day in your lives!!
I love you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Elder Parks
Hey Amanda!
Thanks for the email! Good job with the great concert! That kind of stuff is way fun huh!? I hope you continue to have lots of fun and get good grades! And I can't wait to say hi to you next week!
Love you!
Elder Parks
Hey Dad,
Thanks for the message! It's always nice to have the little dad messages come in! Sorry about the length, I will make it better this week!
THE WEEKLY:
Hey Family!
Just a quickie this week...So the christmas season has quickly come! And now it's a great time for us all to ponder the meaning of that and how we can better ourselves through it. My companion and I have had a great time teaching of Christ each day and can really tell my testimony is getting stronger as well! I hope each of you can do the same and feel the love of God each day in your lives!!
I love you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Elder Parks
Aaron's letter 11-29-09
THE WEEKLY:
Hey family!
Well this week we are here early because of zone leader council tomorrow. So, like last time, not many emails meaning I have the time to write! This past week was, as usual, busy! We ran around to some other areas again to help in Portuguese and go on splits with those elders.
Then we were able to visit some of our awesome investigators as well! We have two Chinese investigators getting baptized December 20th, on his birthday, and then their two friends will hopefully follow suit and do likewise. That is our current goal and hopefully those miracles will be seen! The first couple getting baptized in Shan (wife) and Lo (husband) and their friends are Mo (wife) and Fu (husband). All four came to church yesterday as well as another way cool lady named Yumi Tominaga.
The story with her is actually way funny. Elder Alkonis and I were eating at an Indian curry place close by and she and her friend were doing likewise. Well those two were a little bit louder than the usual Japanese ladies are so they said sorry and we quickly said, "no worries, we're american and just as loud!" Then as we left we hand them an English class flyer, because the one, yumi, spoke quite well. Well, the next week to English class came Yumi!! Surprised us all! Long story short she also came to church the following week, completely out of personal volition if I may add, and is now reading the Book of Mormon! Cool huh!?
So as elder alkonis and I scurry around the zone to help others we are still able to see the miracles in our own area of Gokiso as well!
I also had a special experience yesterday that Id like to share as well. Before sacrament meeting began I had been feeling a little distracted from things important and was getting frustrated at myself. I was sitting there and thinking about the cause and what it was as well as how to fix it. I came to the conclusion to use the sacrament as its true meaning and cleanse myself from all past wrong doings. As I prayed for this special relief and listened to the following talks, which I swear were directed at me!, I felt one of the strongest feelings I have ever felt towards the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I truly felt God's forgiveness and quickly thereafter thought of the Atonement making it possible. It was a special feeling I will never forget.
I know that God loves me and is watching over me as I carry forth His work. It is the perfect time now for this message to have been made clearly manifest to me as well seeing as how Christmas is around the corner already!! Jesus Christ is the source of all our strength. Through the Atonement which he made possible we may all feel this power and cleansing of sin. I can truly tesitfy of this and how each of you will come to feel likewise this Christmas season of 2009.
I love you tons and wish you the best of luck in all you endeavors of life!
Elder Parks
Hey family!
Well this week we are here early because of zone leader council tomorrow. So, like last time, not many emails meaning I have the time to write! This past week was, as usual, busy! We ran around to some other areas again to help in Portuguese and go on splits with those elders.
Then we were able to visit some of our awesome investigators as well! We have two Chinese investigators getting baptized December 20th, on his birthday, and then their two friends will hopefully follow suit and do likewise. That is our current goal and hopefully those miracles will be seen! The first couple getting baptized in Shan (wife) and Lo (husband) and their friends are Mo (wife) and Fu (husband). All four came to church yesterday as well as another way cool lady named Yumi Tominaga.
The story with her is actually way funny. Elder Alkonis and I were eating at an Indian curry place close by and she and her friend were doing likewise. Well those two were a little bit louder than the usual Japanese ladies are so they said sorry and we quickly said, "no worries, we're american and just as loud!" Then as we left we hand them an English class flyer, because the one, yumi, spoke quite well. Well, the next week to English class came Yumi!! Surprised us all! Long story short she also came to church the following week, completely out of personal volition if I may add, and is now reading the Book of Mormon! Cool huh!?
So as elder alkonis and I scurry around the zone to help others we are still able to see the miracles in our own area of Gokiso as well!
I also had a special experience yesterday that Id like to share as well. Before sacrament meeting began I had been feeling a little distracted from things important and was getting frustrated at myself. I was sitting there and thinking about the cause and what it was as well as how to fix it. I came to the conclusion to use the sacrament as its true meaning and cleanse myself from all past wrong doings. As I prayed for this special relief and listened to the following talks, which I swear were directed at me!, I felt one of the strongest feelings I have ever felt towards the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I truly felt God's forgiveness and quickly thereafter thought of the Atonement making it possible. It was a special feeling I will never forget.
I know that God loves me and is watching over me as I carry forth His work. It is the perfect time now for this message to have been made clearly manifest to me as well seeing as how Christmas is around the corner already!! Jesus Christ is the source of all our strength. Through the Atonement which he made possible we may all feel this power and cleansing of sin. I can truly tesitfy of this and how each of you will come to feel likewise this Christmas season of 2009.
I love you tons and wish you the best of luck in all you endeavors of life!
Elder Parks
Aaron's letter 11-23-09
That is awesome!! The Abq Mission is on fire!! It will be fun to come back and see all the miracles! And how fun for Sis Lamb to get a bean. It is so fun training! I am so happy that you are all having a great time doing the work and being a part of it!
Nettie,
What a great email! Thanks a ton for sharing that with me! I am so happy you have come to once again have that strong burning feeling about the Book of Mormon in your lives! It really is the best book. There is something in there for everyone! Then, as we implicate the things we learn in our lives we will be ever more blessed!! Way to go!
THE WEEKLY:
Hey Family!!
Well it has officially gotten chilly here and stayed that way pretty regularly. Yesterday was transfers and our zone got cut down 6 people...two elders and four sisters. Since the numbers in the mission are going down significantly our zone, being the biggest, took a big hit. But hopefully next transfer when another sister enters the mission the sisters in this area will come back!
We just got their investigators and so got about double the work! We are pretty excited to have more peope to teach. And then on December 20th we have two people getting baptized, Shan and Lo. They are Chinese and so cool!! She is 24 and he is 27. Then hopefully their friends, who came to church on sunday, Mo and Fu (great names huh?), will get baptized too! We are really hoping it all work perfect!!
The work is so fun and I just love teaching. I wish it worked out somehow so we had secretary who set up a ton of appointments for us and we just went from one to the next teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thankfully some days work out that way, but on the flip side, some naturally don't.
But seriously, being missionaries of Jesus Christ for the true church is so fun! Naturally little problems come up here and there but when we just focus on why we are here and the joy we possess, BOOM! it all works out!
My comp and I came to realize this a couple of days ago when we talked about some of our differences. But the cool thing is, because both of us want to see miracles and both realize neither of us are perfect (although sometimes we like to thing), those little problems get outdone by the great good things! its way fuN!
I joy so much when I hear about the miracles you are all seeing in your own lives as well! There is a great scripture in 3 Nephi 11:39. It speaks of building apon the rock of Christ. As we do so we have such an amazing strength and can live life much more to the fullest potential. I hope each of you is doing your best to be built upon this rock and setting aside the meaningless differences and humanly natural problems of others to see the better side and bigger picture. I can promise that as you do so you will find yourself happier and more ready to take on the challenges of every day!
I love you tons and wish you the best!
Elder Parks
Nettie,
What a great email! Thanks a ton for sharing that with me! I am so happy you have come to once again have that strong burning feeling about the Book of Mormon in your lives! It really is the best book. There is something in there for everyone! Then, as we implicate the things we learn in our lives we will be ever more blessed!! Way to go!
THE WEEKLY:
Hey Family!!
Well it has officially gotten chilly here and stayed that way pretty regularly. Yesterday was transfers and our zone got cut down 6 people...two elders and four sisters. Since the numbers in the mission are going down significantly our zone, being the biggest, took a big hit. But hopefully next transfer when another sister enters the mission the sisters in this area will come back!
We just got their investigators and so got about double the work! We are pretty excited to have more peope to teach. And then on December 20th we have two people getting baptized, Shan and Lo. They are Chinese and so cool!! She is 24 and he is 27. Then hopefully their friends, who came to church on sunday, Mo and Fu (great names huh?), will get baptized too! We are really hoping it all work perfect!!
The work is so fun and I just love teaching. I wish it worked out somehow so we had secretary who set up a ton of appointments for us and we just went from one to the next teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thankfully some days work out that way, but on the flip side, some naturally don't.
But seriously, being missionaries of Jesus Christ for the true church is so fun! Naturally little problems come up here and there but when we just focus on why we are here and the joy we possess, BOOM! it all works out!
My comp and I came to realize this a couple of days ago when we talked about some of our differences. But the cool thing is, because both of us want to see miracles and both realize neither of us are perfect (although sometimes we like to thing), those little problems get outdone by the great good things! its way fuN!
I joy so much when I hear about the miracles you are all seeing in your own lives as well! There is a great scripture in 3 Nephi 11:39. It speaks of building apon the rock of Christ. As we do so we have such an amazing strength and can live life much more to the fullest potential. I hope each of you is doing your best to be built upon this rock and setting aside the meaningless differences and humanly natural problems of others to see the better side and bigger picture. I can promise that as you do so you will find yourself happier and more ready to take on the challenges of every day!
I love you tons and wish you the best!
Elder Parks
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...
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