SPIRITUAL Hunters

Hello Everybody!

Things are going well here in the heights! The time is passing by so

quickly and the weeks are turning into days it feels like! Missionary

work is fun! So many miracles this week! We found a family to teach!

We are very excited! They are the sweetest people on earth, they are

from Africa and have the most adorable children! On Friday we were

able to go and teach them the restoration! It was so cool to be

teaching a family! It's been awhile since I have been serving in a YSA

ward. They were very receptive to the message and want to come to

church! The father told us that he and a question that his little girl

asked him, "where do we go after we die?" He said that it stumbled him

because he knew we go to heaven... But what does that mean? Will we be

with our families? Who will be there? It was such a powerful

experience as we were able to teach and testify that FAMILIES ARE

FOREVER and that there is life after death and we will be able to be

reunited with those we love. The little girl had the biggest smile

beaming across her face. I know that the Akinola family will one day

join the church! They are planning on attending the Halloween party

for the ward so we are looking forward to that.

Another miracle this week, a less active in our ward was up visiting

the city and missionaries contacted him. He said he may be interested

in getting back into church so he gave them his contact information.

Long story short, we got his info and tried calling him. Turns out he

just showed up to church randomly and wants to change his life around

and take the missionary lessons! We had our first lesson with him this

week. It was a really neat experience. We taught him all about the

atonement and repentance, the spirit was definitely there and was

powerful. I love being a missionary and having the opportunity to

testify and promise blessings! There is no greater feeling!

Saturday was Deborah's baptism!! What a very special day. One of the

most memorable experiences of my mission. Everything was perfect...

Her family was there..the whole ward came and was so supportive. I

accompanied a woman in the ward as she sang a beautiful arrangement of

"I know that my redeemer lives." The spirit was so strong... Everyone

in the room was crying! (Including bishop) Deborah bore her

testimony... - hearing someone you have taught the gospel bear their

testimony is one of the greatest experiences one can have in this

life!- it was so incredibly powerful, so pure and genuine. Deborah

will be very influential in bringing many to the church. She already

has been sharing the gospel with everyone around her. Heavenly Father

has a work for her to do! I love Deborah and have learned so much from

her. The faith that she has amazes me... It was quite the journey. I

consider Deborah one of the biggest miracles on my mission. Teaching

her about the restored gospel has been such a sweet experience. I am

thankful for the opportunity to be a missionary here in Chicago

heights ward. The perspective of missionary work of the ward members

is COMPLETELY CHANGING. Members are getting excited about this work

and are feeling the joy that comes from bringing others into the

gospel. Deborah was so perfect for this ward because she is a friend

with EVERYONE. The ward is kinda like one big family! It is crazy to

me how different the wards can be. I really love Chicago Heights

ward... The best way to describe it... Is like family! We truly are

all brothers and sisters of God. When we remember that.. It makes

sharing the gospel so much easier.. But also so much more fun!

Often times it is easy to get caught up in the day to day routine of

missionary work... But missionaries who have that sense of urgency..

That love of God and for his children develop a passion for this work.

I'm so far from perfect, But I know there have been times on my

mission where I feel that intense joy and I just want to SHARE with

everyone! I experienced that joy this week at Deborah's baptism.

Missionary work is hard, and I'm not going to pretend that I have that

intense desire to share the gospel all day everyday. However, I know

that this gospel is true, and the joy and the happiness that comes to

those who are PREPARED to receive this gospel in indescribable. Our

goal is to find someone to teach and baptize before the end of next

transfer. It is possible. The Lord has children who are just WAITING

to receive the gospel..  We are the spiritual hunters! ... “and after

will I [the Lord] send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from

every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the

rocks” (Jer 16:16). This week we are going hunting.. Each and

everyday! We are going to FIND those who are prepared!!

Have a great week! Thanks for your love and support!

Love,

Sister Parke

Deborah's Baptism Day with her family!

Such a special day! I love Deborah!

Fall is definitely here and always enjoy an nice hot pizza in Chicago!