Tenacity

Hello Family and Friends! 

This week has been a test of faith but the Lord has been blessing us in so many ways. Sister Webber and I worked very hard and did a whole bunch of contacting good ole missionary work! It's officially summer here in Chicago!! Suuuuper HOT AND HUMID. But it means that so many more people are outside which makes missionary work fun! We have been spending quite a bit of time on the "EL TRAIN" this week, which is Spanish for "THE TRAIN" here in Chi town. (; Haha Chicago is such a beautiful place, I love it with all of my heart!! 

Nothing too exciting to report on this week, we had zone conference with President Woodbury. It was so bittersweet! It was his last zone conference with us so we all got a little teary eyed! However, the mission is ready for some change and we are very excited for president Bingham and his family to join us! Things will be a little different since he has 16 yr old twin daughters coming to stay at the mission home and also his son who just got off a mission from El Salvador. I'm looking forward to getting to know them, I already know they are amazing!! 

Update on investigators this week! Jess is progressing as well as ever. We had a great lesson with her on Monday evening about tithing which then morphed into a discussion all about personal testimony and developing a testimony. After fasting on Sunday she received an answer to one of her personal questions that made her feel more prepared to be baptized. She told us that she wants to make sure she is ready and prepared for baptism and wants to complete the Book of Mormon (which won't be hard because she reads about 5 chapters a day) before she gets baptized. She did say that since her question has been answered she feels closer to being baptized and that she wants it to be before Brandt (member) moves to Utah. So we are thinking more towards the end of the summer! President. Jess is SO incredible. Every time I get out of a lesson with her I just say a prayer of gratitude to God for allowing me to just have the opportunity to see her grow her testimony of the gospel. She is very powerful and I know she will do many great and wonderful things. 

Couple other miracles to add in this week! We had a new member recently move here from Nigeria a few weeks ago. We spent some time last week helping her move, and she introduced is to her roommate. Turns out, her roommate (Amina) is sincerely interested about learning about the Book of Mormon! we met with her this week and had a great lesson on the restoration! She has definitely been prepared by God to receive the gospel! I already love her so much! 

New investigator Cara, I mentioned her last letter. She is also absolutely incredible. She came to a BBQ we had with the branch this week and LOVED it. She bonded very well with a lot of the members, and it was so good to get to know her better. The more she shared with us about her life the more I can just feel that the gospel is just what she is seeking!! She came to church this Sunday and loved it. She asked questions about the sacrament. We have an appointment with her this week at one of our members homes. We are looking forward to it! 

We also met with Diamond this week. We finished up teaching her the restoration, and she was very receptive to the message. She has been reading from the Book of Mormon, and is praying to know if it is true. Her heart has truly been softened by the Lord. When we introduced her to the doctrine of modern prophets she said "I don't know if that is true right now, but I'm going to pray about it!" What more could you ask for? She is wonderful! 

Michael has also been so prepared by God. We met again with him last night and read through some of the Book of Mormon with him. We are getting to know him better and how he gained faith in Jesus Christ. He is from Mumbai and left his country a couple years ago for religious freedom to believe in Christ. Ever since then he has been searching for the truth! How cool is that? We invited him to be baptized and he said he wanted to read the Book of Mormon first to know if it is true, and also come to church! I know God has definitely led us to him at this time of his life. 

I have been studying about enduring to the end and came across the talk "continually Holding Fast" by Kevin Hamilton and this particular passage stood out to me and I would like to share...

"As a lesson to those of our day who might be tempted to choose a different path, the Book of Mormon prophet Lehi shared a vision with his family where he “saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which [he] stood.

"And … they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.

“And … there arose a mist of darkness; … insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.”

Lehi then saw a second group that was “pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.” Unfortunately, “after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed” because of those in “a great and spacious building” that “were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come … and were partaking of the fruit.” These people then “fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.” They were unable, or perhaps unwilling, to endure to the end.

There was, however, a third group that was not only successful in reaching the tree of life, but they afterward did not fall away. Of these, the scriptures say that they pressed “forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.” The rod of iron represented for this group of people the only safety and security that they could find, and they held fast continually; they refused to let go."

After studying this article, I read through the talk in june 2016 ensign all about Tenacity and I have been pondering on the correlation between the two. In this story, the third group that did not fall away.., and endured to the end! The people were very "tenacious". Tenacity means to have persistence, perseverance, and stubborn determination. It also states, “Tenacity is the quality displayed by someone who just won’t quit--who keeps trying until they reach their goal.” Something that I am continually learning on my mission is the attribute of patience... Which requires tenacity. I have learned that patience is not just enduring, but enduring it well! All of us are faced at some point of our lives with a challenge or a trial. We have to have persistence. We have to understand that God is expecting us not to give up! He is there to help us along the way. So my family and friends, let us be TENACIOUS about the gospel. Keep on trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. And NEVER GIVE UP and HOLD FAST TO THE ROD. I know this gospel is true with all of my heart. I know that the priesthood power and authority has been restored to the Earth today. I am so grateful for the power and strength that I receive through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I testify that God knows and loves each of his children! 

Well, we have a nice HOT exciting week coming up! So crazy to think that we are two weeks away from the end of the transfer.. The month of June is just flying right past! 

I hope you have a wonderful week! Thank you for your love and support!

Love, 

Sister Rachel Parke 

Pictures Catch the Vision

Last Mission Council with President and Sister Woodbury

Annette- she just moved here from Nigeria

Flowers delivered from "Grandma"

Catch the Vision

Hello Everyone!

It's JUNE!! I can't believe it. This has been the week of meeting

after meeting after meeting! Sister Webber and I have been witnessing

so many miracles! Highlights this week... God blessed us with some

solid new investigators that we are very excited about. My grandma has

been with me the whole week and has sent so many angels to watch out

for me. I even unexpectedly received a beautiful flower arrangement

that was delivered late to our apartment one evening. I know my

grandma is watching out for me. I have never felt so much peace fill

my heart! Needless to say, I have had a great week!

We attended institute with Jess on Thursday evening and it was so

incredible! It was all about standing as a witness of the Savior Jesus

Christ and what it means to bear testimony of him. The best part of my

whole week, is when the whole class (all five of us) bore our

testimonies to one another. Jess was last to bear her testimony... And

it was SO POWERFUL. The spirit was very strong. Jess has made so many

changes in her life and is so much happier!! She has righteous

desires... And strives to do good and to be good. I love her so much!

It is so crazy to think that I only met her less than two months ago

and she has learned and progressed so much! The gospel truly does

change lives.

On Friday, We had our Last mission council with president Woodbury. I

am going to miss him so much! The whole mission leadership was Tearing

up as we talked about turning our hearts over to the new mission

president! It is so bittersweet! Change is so hard! I feel as if I am

going to be separated from my parents all over again! Despite the

sadness, I am looking forward to president Bingham and all the

excitement and new perspective he will bring!

We met with our new investigator Hannah this week. She is the most

sweetest girl! We contacted her a couple weeks ago on our way to one

of our appointments. We finally were able to meet up with her and give

her a church tour! We were also able teach her about the restoration

and the Book of Mormon! She loved it! She is so prepared and I know

the lord has placed her in our path for a reason. I love sharing the

light and the knowledge of the Book of Mormon! It provides so much

clarity to the life of Jesus Christ!

Sunday was a day full of many miracles!! As a mission, and as a stake,

we prayed and fasted for member and missionaries to work together..

And that the missionaries would find people to teach. I have the a

strong testimony of fasting and I know when we exercise faith and take

it to the Lord he blesses us! Our prayers were immediately answered.

During our first session of church we received a text from a random

number saying that he was in town visiting and had run into a woman

who was interested in the gospel. So, he looked up the nearest church

building and brought her to church! We were able to teach her (cara)

the restoration and introduce her to the book or Mormon. She is

genuinely interested and said that this is exactly what she needs at

this time! So happy! The Lord has people who are prepared to receive

the gospel... We just have to have faith enough to find them!

If that didn't make Sunday the best day ever... We had dinner and a

lesson at the bishops house with one of my favorite people ever...

Jess! I feel like all of my emails are explaining how incredible she

is... But it's just so true! She amazes me! She is progressing SO Well

and the transformation and change I have seen in her is so inspiring.

We also fasted with her this Sunday to help her strengthen her

testimony. We had two less actives that we have been working with come

to church! Not to mention, they both bore their testimonies! It was

the best feeling to witness them feeling the spirit once again in

their lives and how much happier it makes them! Also on Sunday, the

Branch presidents wife gave us a solid referral for YSA branch. I am

telling you, God answers prayers!!

So, remember the guy named Michael who we contacted last Sunday

evening? This is pretty cool story, we met with him again tonight and

he has been reading from the Book of Mormon. We asked him why he

wanted to learn more.. And he said.. Because I have seen you before...

YOU-pointing to me- gave me a card about Jesus on Easter. He then

pulled out of his backpack the passalong card he was given on

Easter... Sure enough with my handwriting on it! So, he said when we

contacted him a second time, he knew he needed to learn more. Awesome!

So we taught him the restoration and he was pretty receptive to the

things we were teaching him. He is seeking truth and is very devoted

to God.

I am so grateful for he opportunity I have to be a missionary. The

Lord teaches me so much each and every day! I know the gospel is true!

I hope you have a wonderful week! Thank you for your love and support.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Love,

Sister Parke

My favorite quote this week:

"Don't think you are just minding the shop waiting for the Saviour to

come...the spirit of this work is urgency, and we must imbue our

missionaries with the spirit of now. N-O-W. We are not just waiting

for natural slow growth. We must move more rapidly. We must take

things up a notch. If we have to call down miracles or angels, then

call them down. The drama is unfolding and we must do whatever it

takes to ratchet up the work...I feel an incredible sense of urgency.

I feel such a sense of urgency in my chest that I can hardly breathe.

Every dispensation begins with a vision. We must have a vision. We are

the church that dreams dreams. We are the church that has visions. We

must believe in miracles. We are going to putter along, be

average-until we wind up to the level when our heart is up in our

throat and if we opened our eyes, we would expect to see angels...if

this is God's work, and if He still lives, then miracles and angels

are still there. We must live up to our potential. God will bless us

with whatever we need. God wants us to see just what He sees and know

what He knows. He wants us to ratchet up the vision. God is easy to

please and hard to satisfy... This is not convenient, easy work. We

have got to take things to the edge. We have to move into the realm of

the miraculous. We have to live in such a way that we cannot do it

alone anymore-where we will resort to the Lord-where we will cry,

"without thy help, I will fall," "help me fly." Go to the edge where

miracles happen. Move in to the realm of the miraculous. Have full

faith. Believe in angels. With the power of the priesthood, push the

envelope. Welcome to the apostalic work." -Elder Holland

Pictures Eternal Families

Learning how to Knit!

Zone conference temple Day!

I love the temple!

New Eternal Family the Kapplemans!

Such a wonderful day!

Loved my package mom...just what I needed!

Love this Family!

Friday night as a missionary. Whoo-hoo!!

Special Memorial Day Lunch and Knitting class! Just what I needed that day!

Eternal Families

Hello Everyone!

This week has been a good one!! I don't even know where to start! On

Wednesday we had the wonderful opportunity to attend the temple as a

zone with president and sister Woodbury. We were able to participate

in an endowment session and then following we went and did a sealing

session, and each of the missionaries were able to act In proxy for

the children. Originally, I wanted to save my first sealing experience

for when I get married... However, I could not pass up the incredible

opportunity to participate in a sealing session with my mission

president! It was very special to witness and participate in sealings

for the first time and hear of the sacred promises. I am so grateful

for the power of the priesthood and the authority that is given to

bind and seal families here on earth for all time and eternity. True

JOY comes within families! Families truly are the MOST important!

Thursday we had a lesson with one of our new investigators Diamond

that we met in the bus a few weeks ago. We were able to teach her

about the restoration and the power of the Book of Mormon. It was so

great she accepted it all and said she felt like this was an answer to

her prayers and God sent us to her. What was sooo cool is that we had

one of our recent converts come with us and she did such an amazing

job teaching and testifying about the restoration. It was theeee best!

When I first got to the area she was having a hard time getting to

church... We have been working with her a lot meeting with her once a

week and she has been coming to church! She also just received her

temple recommend and her patriarchal blessing. Ah, I love her so much

and I am SO happy for her! I am also very excited for Diamond, I know

the gospel will help provide peace in her life.

On Saturday we had the opportunity to witness a sealing of a family in

my old area. The kappelmans sealing was one of sweetest experiences on

my mission. It was my very first live sealing. The spirit was so

strong... Seeing their whole family there.. Dressed in white! It was

almost as if they were glowing. True joy. TRUE JOY. Is found in the

gospel of Jesus Christ! I am so grateful for the power of the

priesthood and that we have the opportunity to be sealed to those that

we love for all of eternity! Families are forever! Our ultimate goal

is to be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father with our

families! It was so wonderful to see all the people I love from my old

area! It was honestly like going back home to family. Such a tender

experience! All of these relationships I will forever cherish! I feel

so blessed.

Sunday was a day full miracles. For starters. Jess came to church,

always a good day. I can't even get over how amazing she is. Also,

three less actives we have been working with CAME TO CHURCH! It was so

great! Later Sunday evening we had a fireside for all of the new

members and recent converts. We felt prompted to invite Jess to come..

It was PERFECT for her. All of the testimonies given strengthened her

own testimony and answered many of her questions. As a closing hymn we

sang "I am a child of God." She had never heard it before, and as we

sang the spirit was so strong. By the fourth verse she couldn't sing

any longer--tears streamed down her face-- she felt Gods love for her

and knew that she is a child of God. It was such a tender experience.

Jess is very special and I love her so much! Sunday evening after the

fireside we had about an hour until curfew. Sister Webber and I prayed

and felt like we needed to head to the lake to do some contacting. God

led us to a man named Michael. When we walked up to him and introduced

ourselves he said that he had just been praying to God. He told us he

already had a Book of Mormon and wanted to learn more. #miracle. Later

that night we received a referral from some other missionaries for a

solid investigator. God truly does answer prayers. Sister Webber and I

have been working hard and praying to expand our teaching pool. I know

the Lord is blessing us In so many ways. This truly is his work!

This week I have been studying and pondering a lot about covenants.

God must have known because sister Webber and I were asked last minute

to teach Sunday school on "The Lords Covenant People". I have learned

so much and have gained a greater understanding of the new and

everlasting covenant. The promises that we make with God are so

important and as we obey and keep our promise... We are blessed beyond

measure. True happiness comes from obeying and honoring the

commandments of God.  One of my favorite scriptures this week is, "I,

the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I

say, ye have no promise” (D&C 82:10). The lord is BOUND; there is such

an incredible power in that statement. As we are faithful, and put God

first in our lives we will find joy and happiness, safety and

protection, and peace and comfort. I know this is true. I have

witnessed and felt of the happiness that comes from making and keeping

sacred covenants with Heavenly Father.

I have received so much peace and comfort through the gospel. I know

families are forever and that I will have the opportunity to see

grandma again! I can already feel her here with me.. I know she is

happy, and wants us to be too. Stay strong.. And find peace and

comfort through Jesus Christ. I am praying for you. I love you!

Love,

Sister Rachel Parke

Pictures Mormon Missionary

Missionary work is the best!

Temple trip with Carleen!

I still love to bake!

Mormon Missionary

Hello Family and Friends!

This week was absolutely incredible. SO many miracles. On Monday

evening, We had a very nice dinner with President and Sister Woodbury

in the mission home with our investigator Tim. We were able to have a

really great discussion about following the Savior and how we desire

to follow him and strive to become like him. Tim has made SO much

progress, and he has such a desire to do good and to be good! The only

thing holding him back is the commandments.. So we are working with

him on that!

After our appointment with Tim, we rushed off to our lesson with Jess.

Hands down, one of my most favorite lessons of my mission and I don't

even have words to describe it! We taught Jess about the word of

wisdom, but really it morphed into a lesson all about obedience and

the blessings we receive from our willingness to obey. Jess has

completely given up alcohol and coffee cold turkey... Even before we

taught her the lesson! She is incredible. We then talked about fasting

and the power of fasting. I received such a strong witness that God

truly does bless those who obey and honor his commandments.

On Wednesday, We met with a man who is an ultra marathon runner.. And

when I say ultra marathon runner I'm saying he runs a marathon at

least twice a week. It's craaaazy. Anyways when he was in SLC running

a marathon he took a tour around temple square and referred himself to

the missionaries. We were able to teach him more and answer many of

his questions as we gave him a tour around the church building!

We have been meeting with a girl who just moved here from Nigeria two

weeks ago. She is incredible! We have been helping her to find a job

and also housing. She is such a sweet girl and I already love her so

much!

On Friday evening we had the opportunity to attend the temple with

Carleen for her first time to do baptisms. Wow, I feel so blessed to

have been part of such a sacred experience. There is just something so

different going to the temple as a missionary... Especially with those

you have taught and love so much. Being in the temple with Carleen

tonight was such a sweet experience.... The happiness and spirit that

is felt is so strong. Carleen said she felt so much peace... And how

different she felt in the temple compared to the outside world. She is

so incredible and I know the lord has SO many things in store for her.

When we were talking afterwards Carleen said, "I can't wait til I can

go through the temple." Wow. It was in that moment that I realized....

This is the GOAL the whole purpose of Gods plan.. For ALL of his

children to make these important and sacred covenants with him. We are

all on the same path.. The path leading to eternal life! I am SO HAPPY

for Carleen... She is making the right decisions to draw her closer to

Christ. Ahhh I love her so much!!

The best feeling as a missionary is complete exhaustion! Saturday was

definitely one of the busiest days of my mission!  We had 5 lessons

and back to back. We met with two of our investigators... Two less

actives and one of our recent converts! Talk about busy day! We were

downtown allll day which meant ALOT of walking. I tracked it on my

Fitbit and sister Webber and I walked 10 miles! It was an absolutely

beautiful day everyone just seemed happier.. I know I was! We got to

have a lesson on the beach! Who doesn't love that? I love being a

missionary even MORE when it's warm outside. So we were on the bus

home and started talking to two ladies.. We started explaining that we

were missionaries for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,

and one of them said "MORMONS?? The Mormon missionaries!?" Sister

Webber and I were a little shocked.. Ha we nodded our heads a little

nervous. She threw her hands up in the air and said, "I LOVE THE

MORMONS! My son is a mormon!" She then whipped out her phone and took

a picture of us and said "I can't believe I came across THE Mormon

missionaries." We exchanged information and she wants to meet up

sometime! The Lord is so good. If I could only record all of the

blessings and miracles we witness!

Very busy week, and looking forward to the next! There is always

something to find joy in! I love and pray for each one of you! Hope

you have a wonderful week!!

Love,

Sister Parke