Week 56!!!

Hi, Mom. Hope everything's going well up there in Idaho, now that it's starting a little colder. I still don't understand how the people here say that they have Invierno (Winter) here, but instead of getting colder, it gets hotter. Instead of it snowing, it rains. My favorite part, however, would probably have to be the Cricket Swarms around "Winter Time", here in my mission. I'm not talking about a hundred or so, either. I'm talking about HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of crickets swarming the streets, and sliding through the cracks in your windows to get inside your house. If there's any insect more annoying to find in your house than cockroaches, it's crickets. They stick to your clothes, jump in your face, and don't even get me started on their so-called singing at night. Anyway, things having been going a little more smooth lately, to my surprise. We've got a few baptismal dates that have shocking followed through with our inviting them to come to Church. My one and only fear is that they fall off afterwards, due to the lack of the 3 Fundamentals, as mentioned by President Gordon B. Hinckley, which are Friends, an Assignment/Calling, and Spiritual Nourishment (through Home/Visiting Teachers and Frequent Complete Attendance). I've noticed that that's been one of the main problems with wards down here is the lack of Home and Visiting Teachers completing their visits. Perhaps, that is why my home ward (Sundance Ward, shoutouts) didn't have any assigned missionaries for a while is from all the quote-unquote "success" in Hastening the Work, and just reaching out to those who need it. That being said, my buddy here in Empalme, Elder Scribner (from Orem, Utah), says that we're going to be "drowning ourselves" this upcoming month of November. The reason he says that is because the both of our sectors, Empalme 1 (his) and Empalme 2 (mine) have a lot of potential baptismal dates already going quite smoothly for November. Even though I'm a fair amount on the realistic side when it comes to the goals we set, I have a fair bit of faith that these souls will indeed come through and receive the salvation they need. Not only that, but I believe that they're starting to see - through us and the personal experiences that we share with them - how they can bless the lives of those around them, in addition to their own lives. With time, we promise them that they will be able to more frequently notice the little miracles and blessings that God has for them through the sincere desires that reside in their hearts to do what's right. It's funny, Elder Wilson and I were listening to a talk by Elder Holland this past week, and in it, he states: "Why can't the only risk in the Mission Field be out of Pneumonia? Just being soaking wet all day and all night in the Baptismal Font?" Well, Elder Holland, the chances of us "getting Pneumonia" here have just got more probable, hahahaha! I can't wait to see how this upcoming month turns out, and I'll be sure to send all you guys reading the blog as many pictures as I can humanly send for you all to see. But until then, keep praying, Choose the Right, remember who you are, and what each of us (as sons and daughters of God, not just Mormons) stand for. I love you guys!!! Take care!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

PS: Before I forget, be sure to let Dad know that their indeed is Western Union down here. Thanks!

Week 55!!!!

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

Hi, Mom. First of all, I can't believe that it's already Autumn/Fall there again! I can still remember sending e-mails while I was in the MTC and while it was Autumn last year. Just looking at the pictures you sent me makes me wish I was there to rake the leaves in the front yard. Wow, I can't believe how long I've been away from home, it just blows my mind! It's so insane to hear about all the stuff that's been going on at home! It's funny, because a lot of us missionaries tend to believe that time will either stop or at least slow down while we're serving. It almost scares me to think how different everything will be when I'll finally be getting back home in about a year. Regardless, that's not going to keep me from saving as many souls as I humanly can before that time eventually comes. Anyway, I was recently asked, "Elder Parke, what would you like to receive in a package?" To be perfectly honest, there are 3 distinct things that pop into my head that answer that question. (3) I could always use more socks. That's right, socks. For some reason that I still cannot seem to explain, my socks have been wearing out unusually quickly. By that, I mean they've been getting shredded from right under my nose (or should I say, my feet). Whether it be from how much walking I've been doing, or any other reason that I'll seem to find, I could REALLY use more socks - specifically, black socks. (2) I would LOVE to get some more ties. I've received a couple of ties from some of my companions, and I've also traded some ties in exchange for some cool ties of other missionaries. My last couple of companions, Elder Wilson and Elder Finch, have shown me that they have nearly 40 TIES that they brought on their missions! I could hardly believe it, considering I only got 10. In other words, I've come to know that a missionary could NEVER have enough ties. (1, but definitely not least) I would give absolutely ANYTHING to open up a package and find staring me straight in the face... A JAR OF PEANUT BUTTER. There's no doubt in the world that I could make the absolute most of the socks and ties that would get sent to me. But, to receive in a package a jar of Jif (or Skippy, but preferrably Jif) Peanut Butter is a missionary's dream come true - ESPECIALLY mine, hahahaha. Thanks so much, though, for all your guys' love and support, and if any of you guys have any questions or anything on the blog, be sure to shoot me an e-mail, at (conner.parke@myldsmail.net). I love you guys so much, keep praying often, and remember: Jesus loves you!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

Week 54!!!

Hi, Mom. It's great to hear that everyone and everything is doing well. I'm extremely glad to hear how Leilani's been progressing both physically and spiritually. I can promise you that all that preparation is going to pay off. I really wish that I had made a ton more preparations, like she's been doing. I have no doubt that she's going to make an exceptional missionary and representative of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. So, this past week, we had a visit from one of the Assistants to the President, Elder Salcedo (from Guatemala). He went on a Temporary Trio with my companion and I, in order to help us make a little more "progress" in our sector here in El Empalme. He helped us extend more invitations for people to be baptized, and a lot of them said yes! The best part was when we went to our final appointment at 8:30 at night, and the mom could already feel the Spirit as we entered her house. We let her know that by being baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ, she'll be able to feel the Spirit more long-lastingly (that's a word, right?) and plentifully in her life. It was really cool to be there and watch as the Spirit testified of us to her.

So, there's probably a lot of you guys (friends, family, friends of family, family of friends, etcetera) that are reading the blog, and have been asking, "Elder Parke, what is it that you do each day to get ready to work?" Well, I always wake up at 6:30, start the day of with a Personal Prayer, and then a prayer with my companion. After that, we do a little bit of exercise to help us wake up. Then, we decide which of us is going to take a shower first. Usually while I'm waiting, I make some breakfast and iron my shirt. For breakfast, I typically fry up and have a couple of EGGS (*gasp!* Elder Parke? Eating eggs?!?!?). Then, after eating, taking a shower, and getting dressed, we study personally from 8 to 9, and then study as a companionship from 9 to 10. We try to focus both our studies on how we can improve our teaching methods, and the investigators whom we have appointments to visit for the day. At 1 in the afternoon we have Lunch with a Member Family for an hour, and then we leave to proselyte until 9 at night. After that, we get home, have a little something to eat, plan for our following day, prepare to go to bed, and get some (hopefully) well-deserved rest at 10:30. We sleep for 8 hours, and then the cycle starts over again the next day. Nothing extremely special, but each day builds my testimony more and more, especially being able to testify with all of my heart how this Church and this Restored Gospel can come to help people notice the miracles and blessings in their lives more often and more easily. I'm especially grateful for the blessing to testify of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and how much it has benefitted my personal life. For that reason, I believe is why I left to serve a mission. More than anything, I wanted others to come to know how great and wonderful a blessing it's been to have this Church and its teachings throughout my life. I really wanted to share with as many people as I could how happy and joyful they could potentially be from coming to accept the Church of Jesus Christ in their lives and in their hearts. I honestly wouldn't have such a burning desire, however, if it weren't for all of the prayers, fasts, and other love and support from each and every one of you guys. So, thank you so much, all of you, for helping me becoming the missionary that I've come to be right now. Until next week, just remember: JESUS LOVES YOU!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Week 53!!!

Hi, Mom. We didn't have a lot of "Work" this past week, because of our Zones Conference on Monday and Tuesday, as well as General Conference on Saturday and Sunday. However, the Conference Talks (despite how we were kinda forced to watch them in Spanish instead of English) got me really fired up to give it 110% this coming week. I have to admit, it's feels extremely different not seeing President Packer, Elder Perry, and Elder Scott on the stand. It's hard to believe that President Packer had served alongside President Monson for nearly 50 years. I believe that he indeed both sanctified and fulfilled his calling as an Apostle and a servant of the Lord. To have had the blessing and privilege of shaking the hand oh such a remarkable man (even though it's a little hard to remember, me being so young when it happened) is something that has blessed my life. I look forward to hearing the talks of the three new Apostles throughout the years to come as they sanctify their callings as Divine Seers and Revelators, as President Packer, Elder Perry, and Elder Scott have done before they passed on. I especially love how these men all had such powerful, touching testimonies of the infinite and eternal atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Many don't know this, but before my mission, I had a very small testimony. I used to feel almost ashamed, especially being surrounded by all these missionaries with all these amazing stories of how they had obtained the testimonies that they have now. So, I spent hours each morning studying, meditating, and pondering the significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the purpose that it had of my life, personally. Up until now, I cannot say that I do not feel worthy enough to testify of the Atonement. The reason I say that is because I have come to know and feel the cleansing power of the Atonement, and how it has been able to help me see how my Lord and my God has called me as His respesentative and His messenger for two years. To sacrifice two measly years of my life here on Earth in exchange to be a representative of Jesus Christ during that time is something that I don't believe I will ever forget. Looking back at some of the talks, I remember hearing a talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks about the Atonement. Broken down, the Atonement says "At-One-Ment", which defined by the Latin Roots means, "The process of being 'at one' with". Some believe that the reason that Jesus bled from every pore in the Garden of Gethsemane is because He took upon Him our sins, imperfections, and infermities all at once. This isn't true. Jesus Christ bled from every pore, because ONE BY ONE He took upon Him EACH of our sins, imperfections, and infermities. Through analyzation, our Savior made this sacrifice for (what I have found to be) three reasons: (1) To complete the Law of Moses AKA the Law of Sacrifice, and make it so we, as His disciples, no longer have to offer physical "blood" sacrifices, but rather spiritual sacrifices of a broken heart, a contrite spirit, and sincere desires to Come Unto Him. (2) To overcome Spiritual Death, and allow us to have the privilege to repent of our sins, and be forgiven, as opposed to simply believing that "if I have faith that Christ will save me, that He will save me". (3, which I find to be the most important) To fulfill His role that He had accepted before coming to this Earth as our SAVIOR, and our REDEEMER. Through this sacrifice, He showed His Father and each and every one of us that HE KNOWS US. He knows our hopes, our dreams, our fears, and through the Atonement, our sins and imperfections. He loves us, and He sacrificed His life here on Earth for us, so that we, as His brothers and sisters, His followers, and His "children" may be able to return to live with Him someday, and be able to return to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. As I have come to realize this, it's become hard not to cry from how merciful and how loving my Savior and Redeemer is for me, personally. Despite the sins that I have committed, despite my limitations, my imperfections, and my weaknesses, He still loves me, and He still believes that I am able to sanctify the calling that He has given me at this time, as a representative and messenger of His Restored Church. I'm so very grateful for the extremely strong testimony that He has blessed me with, and I'm grateful for how much He trusts me to hasten His Great and Marvelous Work. I love you guys so much, and I'm so thankful for all of your guys' prayers and help throughout this past year that I've been in Ecuador. I have plans to buy an SD Card Reader-Adaptor in a couple of weeks, so be sure to look forward to some awesome pictures!!! Thanks so much guys, I love you a ton, and keep waxing strong in the Gospel!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke