Pictures Power of Prayer

Making Cranberry Lemon Shortbread! Yum!

A little fun in the kitchen....

My Packages finally came! Yay!

Can't wait to see what is inside!

Stocking for you and for me!

Extra spoiled by Aunt Pam with lots of goodies and gifts

And another stocking too!

More of what i love..butternut squash soup!

And the stockings were hung...

Sweet girl who I hope will teach my children to play the harp one day!

Exchanges with Sister Sufia from Somoa!

Love this sweetie!

Thank you for my Advent Calendar Emi!

More gifts for under the "trees" :)

Yum!

My life

Making snowflakes since it's 50 degrees outside now!

All ready for Christmas! So pretty!

Power of Prayer

Hello everyone!!!

Wow the week flew by in a blink of an eye! What a wonderful week! It

started off with exchanges with sister Sufia! She is absolutely

amazing and just came out into the mission field from Samoa! She is

doing so well at speaking to people in English and we spent most of

the day contacting! We made two amazing contacts while out tracting, I

learned so much from her! It was so neat to hear about her culture and

to get to know her better!

This was a really busy week with Luis! Since we were on exchanges,

sister Geracitano and sister Plomgren had a lesson on Tuesday morning

that went great!! First of all, it lasted for two and a half hours

because he had so many questions. They read through some of the Book

of Mormon with him and he said he wanted to believe it was true

because it was such a beautiful story. They talked to him about the

Gospel of Jesus Christ and committed him to pray about baptism and he

said that he would!

Then sister Plomgren and I had another meeting with him on Friday

morning. IT WAS AMAZING.  We started off with reading Moroni's Promise

again, and after a long moment of silence he said, "I feel in my heart

that this book is true. I know it is true." Then he started telling us

how he was laying in bed one night and had an impression to read the

Book of Mormon and so he did.... And he felt peace in his soul. We

read through 3 nephi chapter 11 with him and discussed the steps to

come closer to Jesus Christ. (Faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the

Holy Ghost) and he was soaking it all in like a sponge. We then

discussed again in further detail the plan of salvation and the steps

we must take to live with God again. Luis has been prepared by the

lord to learn of this gospel. He told us that 35 years ago in

Guatemala he had the missionaries come knock on his door many many

times and he would always invite them in and listen to their message

but he was never interested. From that first day sister Plomgren

talked with him and he boldly announced "I was born a Catholic, I will

die a Catholic", Luis's heart and softened so much. I definitely have

a testimony of the lords ability to change hearts. We asked Luis again

if he would prepare to be baptized by the proper priesthood authority,

but he told us that he would need to pray about it more. Which was a

little frustrating... Since he knows the Book of Mormon is true. But

we are being patient and helping him strengthen his testimony in

Christ. We committed him to reading some various passages we have

selected in the Book of Mormon and we are meeting with him next

Friday!

On Wednesday we went over to Maddys and had a very fun time talking

with her parents and singing Christmas carols! Her mom is a beautiful

pianist. Everything went well... Her parents are so nice! It's so hard

for me to understand why they won't allow her to be baptized. On

Thursday morning I was really pondering on how to help Maddy continue

to progress and help ease her concern with the relationship between

her parents. I was struggling to know and praying for help. Immediate

answer to prayer.... President called me in the middle of studies and

said I just felt prompted to call and talk to you. We discussed the

situation with Maddy and her parents he said felt the prompting to

have me turn to the bishop of the ward. So I called and had a long

talk with the bishop and we are hopefully going to try and have a

lesson with Maddy this next week and talk about some of these things!

It's just suuuper hard because finals are coming up and Maddy is busy!

However, very exciting News, Maddy was Accepted to BYU-Idaho!

On Saturday, Maddys mom invited us over for lunch and we had a

wonderful time getting to know Sally and Tony better. They invited us

to stay and make some Christmas cookies with them which was so yummy!

They are such wonderful people and I have grown to love them! We have

a good friendship it's just hard to know sometimes how to implement

the gospel without feeling as if I am pressuring. Maddy is considering

pushing her baptism back to compromise with her parents in order to

let her go to BYU-I. Which doesn't really make sense to me.? But I

just have to remind myself that Heavenly Father has a time table for

each individual and it is important to maintain strong relationships

with families. It is so hard for Maddy right now because she is facing

a lot of torment from her friends and also from her family. However,

it amazes me how strong she is in her faith and she remains steadfast

in her testimony of the church.

Diane has really opened up to us and is frequently inviting us over to

her home. On Friday evening we went over and talked with her for about

an hour about how the lord is so aware of each and everyone of his

children and blesses their lives. We are really working on

establishing trust and a relationship with Diane. This morning we went

over and helped her out while we did laundry! She invited us over on

Tuesday to come and help her set up Christmas and decorate her tree

since all of her children are off at school. It truly is a miracle

that she is being so open to us. Her daughter Isabella just submitted

her mission papers last night and Diane is devastated about her

decision to serve a mission.

Ahh what a busy week....On Friday we got together with the RS

president again and discussed how to help women in the ward.... And

then on Saturday evening we had the ward Christmas party that was SO

MUCH FUN! We went to feed my starving children and came together as a

ward to serve! It was such a good bonding experience! Sunday evening

we went over to a members home and watched the Christmas devotional.

If you haven't had the opportunity to watch yet, please do! The first

presidency did such s wonderful job! I am worried about President

Monson... Keep him in your prayers! Speaking of prayer...

Something that has been on my mind a lot this week is prayer. Each day

as missionaries we encourage people to pray. Pray to know if the Book

of Mormon is true, or pray to receive answers, or pray for peace and

comfort.. Etc. Sometimes I feel as if I underestimate the power of

prayer and take for granted the supernal gifts that Heavenly Father

wants to bless all of his children with.  What does it truly mean to

pray? With a sincere heart? And real intent? I have recognized the

need to help my investigators understand the importance of prayer and

how critical it is not only to attain a testimony of the truth, but

also to maintain and help strengthen their testimonies. We not only

work with investigators, but ward members as well. Here in BG 1 ward

more than half the members are less active and not attending. Sister

Plomgren and I discussed how so many people could have fallen away

when they once had the truth. And we found that no matter the

situation, the answer always came back to they stopped doing the small

and simple things... Such as prayer. Prayer is so important because it

reminds us of our loving Heavenly Father who cares for each and

everyone of his children. It also reminds us to be humble and to turn

to him for strength and guidance. I have always had a belief in prayer

and growing up I would say my daily prayers, but it wasn't until my

mission that I fully understood and appreciated the commandment of

"pray always."

One of the most important things I have learned on my mission is the

power of prayer. There is no greater way to strengthen your

relationship with Heavenly Father than talking with him. This is why I

feel as missionaries we are able to draw nearer to him, because

missionary work is directed through faithful prayers and guidance of

the spirit. A mission requires everything of you, and submitting to

gods will in all things. This can be incredibly difficult, especially

the first few weeks. I remember I REALLY struggled in the MTC, but I

had an experience with prayer I will never forget. Physically,

spiritually, mentally, and emotionally I was exhausted... I was

struggling with homesickness and other selfish desires. I remember

sitting in the corner in one of the classrooms in the MTC, thinking

that a mission just wasn't for me, I felt as if I had made a horrible

mistake choosing to serve a mission. Obviously I wasn't very good at

hiding my feelings, and My teacher came over and talked with me for a

minute and told me to go into another room and pray. I thought to

myself? Pray??? You want me to pray and this will all go away? I feel

ashamed to admit this but I was frustrated and angry. I distinctly

remember I went into the other dark room and just sat and cried for

nearly a half hour. Even though I really didn't feel like praying, and

I felt alone and afraid, I got down on my knees and I poured my heart

out to God. I told him everything. I needed his reassurance and

strength to know why I was serving a mission. Most of all I needed

comfort. I will never forget, seconds after I ended the prayer, i felt

this warm rush of peace and comfort rush over my whole body. I had a

Book of Mormon in front of me that was turned to 3 nephi 11 and I read

about when Christ came to the Americas. The spirit was incredibly

strong, and I KNEW without a doubt in my mind, I was exactly where I

needed to be, and that God had a work for me to do. I am so grateful

for that immediate answer to prayer, and gods patience with me in

helping to be where I need to be. There have been hard and trying

times, but ever since that day I have learned to turn to the Lord in

all things. The power of Prayer is supernal. There is no other way to

describe it. I testify that God does hear and answer every prayer, in

the way and in the time that is best for YOU.  My favorite primary

hymn is "a child's prayer"

                                                       Heavenly

Father, are you really there?

And do you hear and answer ev’ry child’s prayer?

Some say that heaven is far away,

But I feel it close around me as I pray.

Heavenly Father, I remember now

Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:

“Suffer the children to come to me.”

        Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee.

       Pray, he is there;

       Speak, he is list’ning.

       You are his child;

His love now surrounds you.

He hears your prayer;

He loves the children.

Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav’n.

The passport to peace is the power of prayer!!! -president Monson

Side note. Answer to my prayers,.... The weather this week is supposed

to be in the 50s!!!!!!! In the middle of December??? When does that

ever happen?? Heavenly Father is sure helping us missionaries as we go

out to find people! Thank goodness for the warmer weather!

I hope you all have a wonderful week and enjoy this holiday season!

Remember to keep the Christ in Chirstmas, and that true joy is found

through serving others! I love you all!

Love,

Sister Parke

Pictures Unwearied Diligence

Thanksgiving day spent with lots of friends at the Kappleman's :)

Our host and chef Mama Kappleman! 

Finally got my snow boots...now that the snow is gone! I'm sure it will be back and at least my toes are warm!!

The strange boil on my forehead. Yikes! 

Postcards Sister Plomgren and I made to pass out to inactive families.

A sweet member gave us another tree to love! I Love Christmas!

Waking up to this was not a fun experience! Ugh!

Brunch out with Maddy and Connor!

Unwearied Diligence

Hello family and friends!

Hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving!! This week was full of fun

memories and many miracle moments! What a great time of year to be a

missionary. We had our lesson with Luis on Wednesday! Well, first of

all, we actually bumped into him on Monday! We were walking through

the mall because I needed some winter boots so we went shopping and lo

and behold, there was Luis, just sitting there in the mall! We chat

for a few minutes and get on our merry way. Anyways, on Wednesday we

meet him at McDonald's (it's the place to be!) and we have an hour and

a half lesson on just random things from the Book of Mormon to tithing

to the pride cycle to chapels and the list goes on and on. We taught

him the restoration again and gave him a Spanish Book of Mormon so

that he could read it easier. At the end, we read Moroni's promise

(Moroni 10: 3-5) and asked him that if he read the Book of Mormon,

prayed about it, and found that it was true, would he get baptized?

And he was like, "YES!" How cool was that? We are meeting with him on

the 1st and it's going to be awesome!

So Thanksgiving morning I woke up with a huge bump on my forehead....

Literally it looked like a goose egg.. and I thought oh my lanta today

is just NOT my day. It's large and swollen and very red and very

noticeable. Wouldn't be that big of a problem because most of the

people that we talk to we will never see again so no biggie (also it's

a conversation starter, as you will read in the next paragraph),

except we were going to a Thanksgiving party where at least half the

ward will be. S.O.S. So I ice it and cover it up with a lot of makeup.

We get to the party early to help clean and set up and help cook.

Sister Plomgren was laughing at me... I tried just kind of shook it

off... Except for it hurt sooo bad. That night i tried EVERYTHING.

Heat/cold, aspirin, zit cream... Nothing was helping and it seemed to

be getting WORSE. It was awful. So we had a family doctor look at it

and he says it was some type of boil? Or infection? Cellulitis of the

skin?! Whhhhaaaaatt? So sister Kappelman gave me some melelukia?

However ya spell it... And now I am just walking around with a huge

tomato on my forehead. The doctor said to give it a couple of days and

if it doesn't get better to go see a dermatologist for some medicine.

Ahhh. Talk about face problems. So that's been the adventure of my

week.  I've been putting hot packs on it and the swelling has gone

down quite a bit, but there is a little patch on it that is the shape

of Australia. My companion thinks that there is a unicorn horn that is

going to sprout, but I'm not convinced.

Thanksgiving was awesome aside from me turning into a unicorn. Sister

Kappelman made yummy sweet potato rolls... And a WHOLE bowl of

butternut squash just for me!! YUM. I ate butternut squash for 5 meals

in a row. I'm not even joking. It was the best... Pretty much I was in

heaven. It was so fun to spend the evening with the families in the

ward! There were over 80 people there and it was crazy! But so fun. It

reminded me of our brimley family parties.., so I felt right at home.

It's been a busy week!

On Saturday, we were out tracting and no one wanted to hear the

message that we were sharing about the good news of Jesus Christ. We

knock on this one door, and a man comes to the door. We ask him if he

wants to hear our message, and he says, "Sure, how long is it?" We

assure him that it's not long and start with a short summary of the

restoration. In the middle of us talking, he says, "What's that on

your head? Is it some sort of ritual for your church?" We were like,

"Ummmm, no?" He then asks, "So, are you nuns? Or nuns in training?" We

tell him that we were only out for 18 months and that our message was

really important. We ask again if he has any interest in it and he

says, "No, we're Lutheran, if you know what I mean". So we have no

idea what he means but if we find out I'll let you know!

So we had been tracting all day and we were freezing and tired..We

left the neighborhood and go to a nearby McDonald's to email an

investigator. We were in there and we were drawing a spiritual blank.

I gets up and orders a parfait (and I knew that something awesome was

going to happen soon because first, we were in the spiritual valley

approaching the spiritual mountain, and second, miracles always happen

when I eat sugar) and we both say a prayer. We had an hour until we

had to be at our next appointment and we were like, "Well, we have to

use this time somehow" so we decide to go tracting in this one

neighborhood that we had seen a couple weeks ago. We go to this

neighborhood and pull in to park. We both looked at each other and

said, "This is not the place". Sister Plomgren looked at the GPS and

decide on the next street over. We get out of the car and start

knocking out the doors (haha). We were reaching the end of the street

and the end of our hope when we see a woman raking some stuff in her

front yard. Sister Plomgren strikes up a conversation and she said

that she had quite a bit of raking to do. We offer to help and she

accepts! When does that ever happen? So We raked apples in a skirt.

Not Apple leaves, but apples. She had three apple trees and she said

that she had a harvest of about 1,000 apples and a lot of them had

fallen off the trees and gone rotten. We talked to her while doing it

and she is part of a church in South Barrington, but she believes in

modern-day prophets (just like us!) and would love us to serve her

some other time! She called us "her Angels"! And offered to take us to

dinner! Sadly we had another appointment and couldn't go... But we are

going to meet up with her sometime soon! Tracting in low thirty degree

weather brings miracles!

This week I've been studying a lot about being fully converted to the

lord and what it means to be "converted to the Lord." Reflecting back

to my personal conversion and why I decided to serve a mission. I want

to be a fully converted missionary to the Lord. Not only as

missionaries... But also as members.. Conversion requires all of our

heart, all of our might, and all of our mind and strength. This week I

pondered and studied the Parable of the Ten Virgins. As members of the

church we can be compared to the women whom were waiting for the

bridegroom. The lamps with oil are compared to our personal testimony

or personal conversion to the Lord. How important it is that we keep

our oil lamps filled to make sure we are prepared for the Savior, but

also that we help those around us fill their lamps so that they too

may be prepared. This has been a very helpful parable since We have

been working a lot with members in helping them strengthen their own

testimonies so that they will feel confident in sharing the gospel

with those they love because of the happiness and joy it brings, and

also to reach out and rescue those who may be struggling.

More than ever before.... There is such an importance of a personal

testimony. On Sunday sister Plomgren and I were asked an hour before

church to teach Sunday school because the teacher was sick. However it

was a blessing because the lesson was on spiritual self reliance...

And guess what we had been studying together all week? The importance

of a PERSONAL testimony. I know that we go through trials in this life

to test our "testimony" and conversion to the Lord. A mission is

definitely a "test" of faith and is strengthening my conversion to the

Lord, but doesn't come without sacrifice. It requires unwearied

diligence... Just as in the scripture "And they are striving with

unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their

brethren to the knowledge of the truth” (Helaman 15:5–6). For me,

being diligent in my faith is not always easy especially as I face

hardship and trial. But, if there is one thing I have learned on my

mission is to turn it over to the Lord and ask for his help. I testify

that the Lord strengthens us and gives us comfort amidst our personal

challenges and trials. The Lord is requiring everything of me.. And

sometimes is hurts and I just want to quit... But I know that as I

give my will to the Lord, he will take all of my efforts and mold me

into the missionary he needs me to become.

This past week I have struggled a little bit with my area, I have a

desire to find people to teach... And try to discern follow the

promptings of the spirit to find them... However sometimes I feel as

if my prayers go unanswered. I know this is foolish because God

answers every prayer, but sometimes it is difficult for me to always

remember that. I know the lord is teaching me patience right now! I

was studying in D&C 34 about preaching the gospel and prophesying and

received personal revelation. I sometimes feel discouraged and because

of my own inadequacies as a missionary. I have such a strong desire to

teach people about the gospel... Yet I become frustrated with my own

weaknesses. However, the longer I am a missionary, the more I realize

the need for these weaknesses... Because through my weaknesses I

become closer to the savior Jesus Christ as I draw nearer to him and

rely on him in all things. (Ether 12:27) this work is so much greater

than I can comprehend and sometimes I feel as if it all depends on

me... And if I am not bringing someone to the waters of baptism every

day I am failing as a missionary. I really tend to become discouraged

by the numbers at the end of the day... Knowing that I have given my

best and yet it still seems as if I have done nothing. However, I know

this is a terrible mindset and these feelings are coming from Satan to

try and discourage me and prevent me from continuing. The lord expects

me to work hard and do all I can, but also to recognize that he knows

his children and has his own timetable.   I know I am so much happier

as a missionary when I remember the reason I am out here and the joy

that I feel. I am here to help bring others closer to the savior and

help them to find the happiness that comes through the gospel! There

is a wonderful talk I found in the October 1974 ensign by president

Kimball called "When the World Will be Converted". If you haven't read

it yet, it is a good one! There is a quote that really stood out to

me, "If we do all we can, and I accept my own part of that

responsibility, I am sure the Lord will bring more discoveries to our

use. He will bring a change of heart into kings and magistrates and

emperors, or he will divert rivers or open seas or find ways to touch

hearts. He will open the gates and make possible the proselyting. Of

that, I have great faith." I have a testimony of this.I know that with

God nothing is impossible. He is with me every step of the way, all he

requires of me is a faithful and willing heart. I know that I have

witnessed, and will continue to witness miracles as I continue to go

about Gods work.

“To walk with God, no strength is lost.

Walk on.

To talk with God, no breath is lost.

Talk on.

To wait on God, no time is lost.

Wait on.”

Walk on. Talk on. And Wait on.  I know This Lord is directing this

work... Because it is HIS work.

The new Christmas video came out yesterday!! A SAVIOR IS BORN. A

challenge each of you to watch it and share it with a friend!! Have a

wonderful week!! Thank you for all of your prayers and support! Sorry

for such a long email!

Love,

Sister Parke

Pictures Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello Chicago. The snow is here!

Most snow in 100 year history for November!

Since we couldn't go out and drive we made the most of the snow day with hot cocoa! Yum!

yep that's 18 inches in one night!

We did a little holiday decorating instead!

All ready for the cold..sort of..I don't know if I can ever put on enough layers to stay warm in this wind!

I do love the snow though!

P-day of service!

I love these sisters!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Wow I can't believe it is that time of year! I am

loving it here in Chicago and I am so GRATEFUL for the opportunity to

be serving a mission! So many things to be grateful for! I WILL NOT BE

GETTING TRANSFERRED!!!! Hallelujah! Staying in BG for thanksgiving and

Christmas!! Annnnnd most importantly.... MADDYS BAPTISM!!! This is

without a doubt going to be the best transfer yet!! We are beginning

to prepare little things for her baptism because we want it to be so

special! She asked me to speak at her baptism about the Holy Ghost..,

and brother obrien will be talking about baptism! Maddy is progressing

VERY well despite her parents lack on support. Ever since she told her

parents she is getting baptized on the 23rd of December things have

gotten better and she has been less concerned. I know this is because

Heavenly Father is strengthening her and providing peace and comfort

as she prepares to be baptized. We had a wonderful lesson with Maddy

on Monday night at the kappelmans about the commandments. We discussed

each of the commandments and went into further detail on each of them.

Maddy is absolutely amazing and agreed to all of them however she

struggled to understand the 5th commandment... "Honor thy father and

thy mother". Thankfully the missionaries aren't teachers... (; the

spirit is, and we were able to help Maddy understand that her Heavenly

Father loves her and wants her to have a good relationship with her

parents and will bless her for her righteousness. (My farewell talk

was conveniently on this topic! *thanks bishop Hancock!) We drew it

all back to the fact that this gospel is a gospel of love and how God

knows and understands each of us individually and desires our

commitment to follow him. Maddy's faith is so strong and she is such

an example to me for standing up for what she knows to be right! It

has been one of the most rewarding experiences to help her develop

greater faith and a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ahhh this week was a very busy one, we taught seminary... And had to

wake up at 4:30.. I have so much respect for the youth that have early

morning seminary!! Definitely took it for granted as a class period in

high school! We also were asked to teach Relief society last minute!

Which was... Not going to lie..a little stressful.. But sister

Plomgren and I prepared the best we could and allowed the spirit to

teach! It was wonderful!!  Alright. So remember Luis? the guy from

McDonald's a couple weeks ago? Can't remember if I mentioned him or

not. So when Sister Plomgren first met him, he was sitting alone in

McDonald's. She sat next to him, he sees her name tag and says "Tell

me something about Jesus". He tells her that he is from Guatemala and

that he ran into the missionaries 35 years ago down there. He says

that one of the missionaries that he talked to was from California and

she asked, "Who?" because what are the odds she would know him?. He

says, "Elder Gilliland" who is her uncle who served a mission in

Guatemala 35 years ago! She asked him, "Would you be interested in

learning more about our church?" He firmly responds "I was born a

Catholic, I will die a Catholic!" So didn't think much of it. Fast

forward to Friday, when we have an appointment with Ruth, one of our

new investigators, at that same McDonald's. We arrive a little early

and we are sitting in our booth. I get up to go to the bathroom, and I

come back and then I see a man sitting in the corner and have the

prompting to go talk to him. So follow every prompting right? I walked

up to him and asked if I could throw his garbage away. He says, "no,

no, I can do it". I go and sit back with sister Plomgren and this man

follows me and says, "Hello! Do you remember me?" It was Luis! So he

sits in on our lesson with Ruth on the Plan of Salvation. He was

really engaged and asking lots of questions and after Ruth left, Luis

says, "So what is that Book?"pointing to the Book of Mormon on the

table. So we teach the whole Restoration to him. We finish, and he

says "Can I have one of those books? And I want to discuss it with

you! When can we meet?" This is the man who said that he would die a

Catholic! God works in mysterious ways and softens people's hearts! We

are meeting with him again on Wednesday!

So we went to have our follow-up appointment with Jennifer, a woman

that we met while tracting. We knocked on her door and no one was

home. So we tried back with Ynellie, the other person that we had met

while tracting, since they lived in the same neighborhood. No one was

home at Ynellie's either. Cool. So we were walking back to Jennifer's

to try again, and I said to sister Plomgren, "Let's knock on that

door!" So we go and knock and the 90+ man, Bob, invites us inside. We

sit down and come to find out that he is Roman Catholic. And very

strong in his Roman Catholic faith. He's very strong about a lot of

his beliefs like divorce and homosexuality. We said, "We are members

of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" and he said, "Well

the Mormons are close to Roman Catholic belief, but [this this and

this] are wrong" so we felt the spirit of contention and knew it was

time to leave. We were walking back and see Jennifer pull her car into

it's space and we go to see her. She's totally into the Book of

Mormon, however, she is very busy until after the holidays. When we

were talking to her, we see  Bob walking around. But, if it wasn't for

talking to him, we would have given up and gone to the next

appointment. 

One of the most important aspects of missionary work is building and

establishing trust with the members. This week we were over at a

members house eating dinner and pretty much everyone in the ward knows

that I LOOOVE vegetables, so there was a big bowl of broccoli at the

dinner table. As everyone dished their plates the nine year old boy

started complaining about how he really didn't want to eat it... After

this went on for quite some time I said, "hey Andrew..., I'll eat your

broccoli." He then smiled with a huge grin on his face.. "That's my

kind of sister!" My unique way of bonding and establishing trust with

the members. Eating their vegetables.

Well... As you can see from the pictures.. THE SNOW IS HERE!! On

Saturday we had one of the biggest snowstorms in the history of

Chicago! The sky decided to dump 18 inches inches of snow in one

night! Annnnd if you think I am exaggerating... I promise I'm not! We

had a missionary snow day! We decided we would be diligent so despite

the ICE AGE blizzard we went out and braved the storm and headed to

our first appointment! Scraping off the car was an adventure.. But so

much fun! This was sister plomgrens first experience with snow! So of

course I volunteered to drive... And probably a was a little too cocky

about my skills to drive in the snow. Anyways we pulled out... And

then got stuck in the parking lot.... Luckily we managed to get out

onto the road. By this time I started to feel the prompting not to

drive in these conditions.. I kinda brushed it off because I was being

stubborn and prideful because I wanted to make it to our appointment,

and I had just got done telling sister Plomgren I could drive in the

snow! As I drove on the feeling was stronger and stronger...the car

was sliding and we almost got stuck in the middle of the intersection.

Sister Plomgren and I were so scared, I was a little shook up... It is

almost as a voice so clear said to me. "GO HOME." Sister Plomgren and

I both recognized immediately the prompting and knew was NOT safe.

I've driven in bad driving conditions before... However this was the

worst it has ever been, especially without 4x4 drive. The roads were

TERRIBLE. People swerving off the road and getting stuck, SUVS sliding

all over the road. So we called our zone leaders and safely made it

back to the apartment. I felt guilty about ignoring the first

prompting to stay off the roads, but I learned an important lesson...

ALWAYS LISTEN to the spiritual promptings the FIRST time. I am

grateful that the Lord protected us and we were able to be safe! I

have no idea what would have happened if we had stayed out driving,

and I am so glad that we didn't have to find out. So,we went back, had

a cocoa party, defrosted our hands and feet, and did other productive

things.

This time of year is such a wonderful time to reflect upon what we are

grateful for. Sister Plomgren and I have started reading Luke in the

bible and have decided to read a chapter a day! There is so much to be

grateful for... As a missionary I am able to see things from a

completely different perspective and it makes me appreciate the savior

and his atonement so much more! God loves each and every one of us so

much that he gave his only begotten son. How powerful that message to

the world is. A SAVIOR IS BORN. And because of him we are able to live

again and be with the people we love for eternity. <3 I love you all!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Chicago! Eat some turkey for me... Orr...

Butternut squash. (; Have a great week and fun time setting up

Christmas! If you need any snow... Chicago has a whoooole bunch.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

Love,

Sister Parke ❤️

Pictures Feed My Sheep

P-day spent helping with baby Benjamin!

Isn't he adorable!?!

Exchanges with Sister G! :)

Such a "sweet" day visiting!