Spiritual Gifts

Hello everyone!!!

Sister Plomgren and I have seen many miracles this week! Katy is

getting baptized on November 7th.. This upcoming Saturday! Her parents

finally decided to let her be baptized! So that was very exciting and

an answer to many prayers. Looking forward to this weekend!! This week

has been an adventure... on Tuesday we got a call from the mission

office saying that the sisters for BG2 would be living with us until

they found an apartment for them. At first it was a little stressful

but Turned out to be an has an answer to many many prayers and

fasting. I testify that this is the Lords work and he is the one in

charge. The new sister training leader, sister Geracitano, is AMAZING.

She is 33 years old and is from Australia. She goes home in less than

3 months... But she is on FIRE so many good ideas and helpful insights

from all of her experience. Honestly, I had been fasting and praying

for an answer and for someone to help me to know how to help the work

progress in this difficult area... And on Tuesday night the answer to

my prayers was sent to our area!! I absolutely LOVE sister Geracitano.

The Lord knew exactly what i needed and sent her to help lead and

guide.  I know I say this many times but the Lord hears and answers

prayers!!  I have so much to learn from sister Getacitano and i am

soaking it all in!

On Thursday I was able to have a personal interview with President, oh

how I love that man, he literally represents the gentle loving savior

and provides encouragement and comfort. President Woodbury told me

that God has called me specifically to this area for my unique talents

and spiritual gifts. He encouraged me Just be myself and rely on the

Lord for help in strengthening these talents and allowing him to guide

me in how he would like me to use them. What is so powerful is that

this work is so vast and great yet God knows each missionary as an

individual, and the Lord would has given them specific gifts for each

to use in His service. Many of these gifts are spiritual gifts.

President told me that some talents the lord has blessed me with as a

missionary In this area is the Natural ability to make people feel

comfortable, Acknowledgement of others, and Reaching out to others and

making them feel loved. I definitely rely on the Lord and strive each

day to use the talents he has blessed me with to help share the gospel

to others. The hardest part as a missionary is learning how to be

gentle but bold while sharing the truth with others. I love president

eyrings quote about being as bold as a lion.  "The Lord will give His

righteous servants opportunities to be bold as lions when they speak

in His name and as witnesses in His priesthood." What a great personal

reminder that I need to be bold when using the talents the lord has

blessed me with.

After this week I feel spiritually reinvigorated to go out there and

find people to teach.

Every missionary is different and has a different contribution to

make. No one is destined to fail!! I know The lord hears the prayers

and feelings of my heart. As I always remember him...My love for

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will be demonstrated through my

thoughts and actions. The gospel of Jesus Christ is about becoming a

better person and helping those around you. I love the simplicity of

the gospel, yet at the same time it is so complex. I have so much to

learn, but what amazes me is the mysteries of God are limitless, so

the learning will be infinite. I love the quote, "Learn everything

about something, and something about everything". How true that is,

each day is a new opportunity to learn something new and grow from it!

Speaking of learning... Rereading the Book of Mormon on my mission my

eyes have been opened to a completely different perspective.

I have been studying this week in the chapters of third Nephi and

seeking further understanding of the Savior Jesus Christ. I testify

that the Lord knows and cares for each individual; he watches

carefully over the seemingly smallest things. I see the evidence of

this each and every day on the mission. I have gained a greater love

and understanding of the scriptures; especially the Book of Mormon. I

know without a doubt in my mind the Book of Mormon is the word of God.

How critically important it is that we STUDY and ponder the scriptures

each day! The Book of Mormon is the way that the Lord has provided so

that we may share the knowledge of the gospel to many people! The

power within the book is incredible and the testimony of the Savior

provides peace and comfort. The Book of Mormon proves to the world

that the scriptures are true and that God does inspire men and call

them to his holy work.  I have come to gain the understanding that it

is truly a gift from God, and after I was able to have that mindset

while studying the book, the spirit overwhelms me with the love of God

and the concern he has for ALL of his children.

We were blessed with the opportunity to go to the temple on Friday

night to be there when brother Kappelman received his endowments. So

Many people from the ward were there to support and the endowment room

was so full they had to bring in more chairs! It was one of the most

powerful, amazing, spiritual, unforgettable experiences I will never

forget. Prior to the session sister Kappelman and I were talking in

the dressing room, she kept telling me... I can't believe we are here,

I have only dreamed of this day. After the session we were in the

celestial room and she hugged me and said.... Now the reality of my

family being sealed together forever doesn't seem so far away. The

spirit in temple that night was so strong and I received many answers

to personal questions. I know without a doubt that temples are the

house of the lord and we can receive revelation from God.

Sister Plomgren and I have really been striving to FIND people to

teach! It is difficult because everyone around here seems to be well

off and feels as if they dont need God in their lives. The pride cycle

is real I tell you. Real. Anyways. Miracle moment. We were contacting

in Walmart and after being rejected several times we began to be

discouraged. I wanted to head back and try somewhere else.. But sister

Plomgren insisted we stayed for a little while longer. I wish I could

say I put on my happy chipper face a walked up to the next person and

talked to them about the gospel. However, I needed help. I prayed to

know, "Heavenly Father, why do you want me here... Right now? I need

help to know you are there." I stood there in the laundry soap isle...

Seconds later a women behind me complimented me on my skirt... (At

this point I knew God sent her to me because... Well let's be honest

here, sister missionary skirts aren't the most attractive.) We began

talking to her and told her about our church and what we do as

missionaries. Oddly enough she said... Oh! My niece has been looking

into that church! Turns out.... This woman is MADDY'S AUNT whom she

hasn't talked to in over a year! Instant connection. It was an

immediate answer to prayers. Coincidence? I think not! There are so

many tender mercies that show God is involved in this work and aware

of not only his missionaries but the people they are teaching!

Maddy is progressing VERY WELL and the opposition of her friends and

family is strengthening her testimony. Last week I felt prompted to

write Maddys mom a letter. Explaining to her why I decided to serve a

mission. The crazy thing is, brother Austin (Connors dad) also felt

prompted to write them a letter... AND Maddy wrote them a powerful

letter. She had a long discussion with her parents on Sunday night and

they have agreed to start learning about the gospel and asked for a

Book of Mormon, and Maddy is NOW ON DATE FOR December

23rd.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Diligence is the secret to missionary work. No, diligence is the

secret to life! Not becoming discouraged and remembering the purpose

of why we are here!  Rely on the Lord in all things and never give up!

Use the gifts he has blessed you with to help and bless others and I

promise you.... YOU WILL FIND HAPPINESS.

I love and miss you all! Thank you for your love and support!! Have a

wonderful week!!!

Love,

Sister Parke