SIMPLY.FAITH.

Hello Everyone!

What a wonderful week! I thought Utah weather was crazy until I came

here to Chicago. We had a blizzard on Tuesday... And 65 degree weather

three days later. Excellent for contacting! I don't even know where to

start with this week... It is so much to remember! Going back to last

Monday, sooo many miracles. Just as we were about to leave for

Carleens lesson, we accidentally locked our keys in the apartment. Oh

no! There usually is a huge lock out fee and it takes a lot of time

for someone to come with the keys. Sister Patterson and I were really

worried about being late and missing our appointment. We said a silent

prayer and knew it would all work out. The first phone call we made,

the maintenance man was only 10 min away and was willing to come

unlock the door for us for FREE. What a kind spirit... And such a

miracle... Especially since it was after hours! So, thankfully we were

able to make it to our appointment on time and didn't have to cancel!

Heavenly Father is so aware of his missionaries and is always willing

to help them out even when they make silly mistakes like locking keys

in their apartment! (; anyways... We had an AMAZING lesson with

Carleen in the mission home with President and Sister Woodbury!! We

discussed the first half of the plan of salvation up to the Atonement

of Jesus Christ. We talked a lot about repentance and what it truly

means to repent and be baptized. It was so cool to have president

there to help teach her. The spirit just abides in the mission home,

especially with both president and sister Woodbury there. Carleen was

very receptive to the message and is progressing well. She is very

interested to learn learn learn! Also very committed. Her concerns are

with her family, not too sure how they will react with her decision to

join the church. We are continuing to meet with her and have another

lesson scheduled tonight at the mission home with president and sister

Woodbury!

Tuesday, we met with Brianna again for the second time and taught her

about the plan of Salvation. She is very interested in learning about

how the bible and the Book of Mormon support one another. She is not

willing to come to church yet, but is willing to learn more and has a

lot of questions. Brianna has so much faith in the Lord and reads the

bible diligently everyday! Pray that her heart may be softened and

opened to receiving the Book of Mormon!

On Thursday..  We had an Awesome lesson with Brie (don't get confused

between her and Brianna) she is progressing well. During the lesson

she told us that since learning more about the LDS faith she has had

more of the desire to be s better person and draw closer to Christ!

Yay! She also told us that she will randomly just feel like she needs

to read from the Book of Mormon and she doesn't know why. We are very

excited for her... She committed to coming to church, but didn't end

up coming on Sunday. But that's okay! We know she will get there next

time! Looking forward to her next lesson!

Friday, we had Sisters conference and it was one of my favorite days

on the mission so far! Maddy came and it made my whole life having her

be there! The whole conference was about how the future is as bright

as our faith, and how we as sisters need to remember who we truly are

and the responsibilities the lord has for us and also who we can

become. We reviewed the talk Plea to My Sisters and emphasized the

importance of doing the small things and He'll help us with the rest.

President talked alot about joy and being happy and how Happiness is a

present emotion. He promised that when your course is in line with God

will you feel the happiness! Which was really cool, because I was able

to have an interview with president right after the conference for my

endorsement for BYU... And I was just so HAPPY. It was a neat

experience to know that I am happy and I am doing the will of the Lord

and there isn't anywhere else he needs me to be. Speaking of

happiness....

Saturday... We had such an AMAZING lesson with Morgan on Saturday. Ahh

it was sooo great! We taught him the second half of the plan of

salvation. It was so awesome to teach him about the RESURRECTION and

the role of Jesus Christ in our lives.. especially around Easter time.

Morgan's understanding and faith of the savior is increasing each and

everyday. He is definitely on the path towards baptism. Morgan is

pretty much the best! This is the happiest part... Morgan and his

girlfriend Cecilia came to church on Sunday and had such a spiritual

experience! It was awesome. We had a special musical number during

sacrament and Morgan was tearing up.. The spirit was so strong. I just

love Morgan and Cecilia! They are so great! Ahhh that reminds me...

Sunday was a crazy day..

So on Saturday late afternoon we found out that the speaker for

sacrament meeting was sick and we were asked if we would speak. Of

course, we said yes. However we didn't have time to start planning out

our talks until 10 o clock at night. Eeep! Thankfully the Lord helps

and the spirit was able to guide me as to what he would have me speak

on. The topic I felt prompted to talk about in sacrament meeting was

the importance of becoming spiritually unified for the welfare of our

brothers and sisters who may have gone astray or who have not yet had

the opportunity to hear of the gospel. I focused in on this quote....

"We must remember that our salvation is intertwined with the salvation

of others. We must care more for those who seem to care less for their

faith”

I then studied Alma chapter 31... When alma recognized the worth of

the souls of the Zoramite people who turned away from God because they

lost the faith. What really stood out to me is that he PRAYED to the

lord for power and wisdom to bring them back to the Lord. As a

missionary it is sometimes hard to have the faith and hope that when

someone has fallen away from the church that they will ever regain

that desire to return. Alma exemplified great faith, knowing that all

people are of great worth.... And went to the lord in mighty prayer

for the welfare of the zoramites. There is a good quote by Elder

Carlos E. Asay that reminded me about the importance of seeking out

those who may be lost.  “The souls of our brothers and sisters who may

seem to be more feeble and less honorable are precious. The Church has

need of them. We should make every attempt to know them and to help

them  claim the full blessings and joys of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our prayers should be as Alma’s: ‘Give unto us, O Lord, power and

wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.’ (See

Alma 31:35.)

This verse of scripture really stood out to me because I'm constantly

trying to figure out what the lord would have me do to help his work

in this area. Specifically working with the YSA and the SA branch and

there being so many people who are either unknown... Or not coming to

church for one reason or another. At times it can seem overwhelming...

And not seem possible. But the Lord knows EACH AND EVERYONE of his

children... And each soul is precious to him. This is what keeps me

going... And helps me to overcome discouragement... Knowing that HE

KNOWS we (missionaries and members) cannot do it alone. This is HIS

WORK thus we are entitled to HIS BLESSINGS. I know that as we are

obedient and righteous and exercise faith he leads us along in this

work. Now is the time to place our trust in the Lord.. And exercise

our faith. I know that The Lords greatest desire is to bless his

children. I testify that as we pray for others and have the desire to

bring them into Christ... He will help us and bless us.

There is so much happiness that comes from testifying of the

Savior!!!!! This gospel is for all of us! We are all in this journey

together. I love that it matters less who we are, and who we are

becoming. I love you all! Thank you for your prayers and support!

Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Parke