Week 59 'Cause I'm the Best There Is

Hi, Mom. So, here we are, just cruising and sitting mighty pretty, the four of us here in El Empalme, especially because of the fact that we will be having baptismal services for each and every week for this month of November. The chances are extremely high that we will also be having more up until Christmas, where I'll make one of the big "cash-ins" of all this hard work, and be able to talk to you guys again, woohoo! I've been meaning to let you guys know, my e-mail address that you guys posted on my mission blog (I couldn't help myself, and took a peek at it) has a typo - it's missing the period between my first name and my last name. Perhaps after that, I'll be able to receive a few more e-mails from anyone that has a ton of questions for me. Anyway, not too much has happened since last week. What did happen is we basically drowned our house in disinfectant and bleach, and gave it a deep cleanse, because we will be having House Inspections soon by President Riggins and Sister Riggins. I can still remember the last inspections we had, while I was still serving in Guayaquil, and we won the Cleanest House "Award", haha! I find it hilarious, because my companionElder Wilson used to always say to me while I would either be cleaning or cooking in our house: "Wow, your wife will really love you." And the only response that I would give him is, "I know, right?" hahahahaha! But in all seriousness, the mission's taught me a bazillion things that I really needed to work on, and one of them was my Selfsufficiency, or Autosufficiency, or whatever most people like to call it. In order to better myself in that department, I decided to do more exercise (I weigh around 160-170 now, if you guys or anyone else is curious), more cleaning, and more cooking. I just find myself more content while I'm doing something like that, especially in the service of my companion. I just find it easier to feel the Spirit, and have a clearer mind, which I really like. That being said, while I was writing this post, I was thinking of this quote from this old cartoon, Kids Next Door, where one of the characters, Numbuh 274, says: "You may have managed to beat my friends, but you won't be me so easily... Because I'm the best there is." As long as we're keeping the commandments and doing anything and everything we can to be worthy to have the Spirit of God to be with us each day, not even something like a Bad Hair Day, for example, could keep us down, because we would just find ourselves automatically happy, if that makes any sense. I love you guys a ton, and I can't wait to get the next package that you guys have sent me! I'm a little bummed that I couldn't get any of the stuff that Kelly and Sherri planned to send me, but it happens. Until next week, stay strong, stay true, and remember that "men are, that they might have joy {here on Earth}." Take care!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Week 58 Happy Birthday, Leilani

Hi, Mom. So, this past week, I had my first baptism here in Empalme! But, get this: Her name is Nicol, her older sister's a Returned Missionary, AND... She's 8 years old. It's pretty funny, especially considering that she was a "referral" from the Ward. The Ward/Bishopric "recommended" that we go and teach this 8-year-old little girl, so she can be baptized. Now, I know what you're thinking. "Why would the Bishop have you teach an 8-year-old girl?" "Isn't she supposed to be getting baptized with her family, so then it's a Ward Baptism?" Well, you're right... IF her parents were members. Because Nicol's parents aren't members of the Church (neither are they married, so yeah, haha), she had to receive our teachings, and be baptized through us. Regardless, it was a really great baptism, because she got to be baptized by her cousin, who's also a Returned Missionary, and he just so happens to be Ward Secretary. Apparently, her mom wanted her to wait just a little longer (in other words, another week), perhaps receive a little more teachings from us. But the thing is, with Nicol, both my companion Elder Wilson and I knew that Nicol knew what she needed to know, which was all that mattered. However, because Nicol was a little stubborn and timid at the same time, we decided to schedule a Baptismal Interview with our Zone Leader (Elder Monson, he's not related to the Prophet) just to make absolutely sure that she was indeed ready. That being said, Nicol, up to this point, is the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the El Empalme Ward. So, before I forget like a derp like I usually do here in the Mission, Leilani's birthday is this Wednesday! So mind-blowing to believe that my sister's finally 19, WOAH! I'm actually kind of glad that she's thinking about waiting until I come back home, because I'll be perfectly honest, I would feel totally left out if I wasn't there to send her off on her mission. I'd miss her Farewell Talk, and I wouldn't even have the privilege to say goodbye in the airport. Anyway, even though we've had our fair share of brother-sister fights, I'm still really proud to see how Leilani's grown, both physically and especially spiritually. She'll make an exceptional missionary and representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. I can only hope that she doesn't end up getting TOO many baptisms while she's out serving, hahahahaha! If it's possible, send me a picture of the cake, because you guys all know how I'm a sucker for a good slice of birthday cake, haha! Before I go, I just want you guys to know that I can basically eat whatever food down here, and to my surprise (as well as yours), I STILL don't gain any weight. My companion and I chalked it up to all the walking we do, but just to show you guys that I'm not starving myself or anything down here, I'll send you a picture of one of the "masterpieces" that I eat down here sometimes. Until next week, keep praying often, Choose The Right, and remember who we are, and what we stand for as "Mormons." I love you guys, take care, and can't wait to Skype Call this Christmas!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

Week 57 Happy Belated Halloween :P

Hi, Mom. Hope you guys got the pictures that I managed to send you guys last week, one of them being my so-called "Halloween costume" that I came up with, along with some help from my buddies here in Empalme (if you didn't see it, I dressed up as a ninjanary, which is a ninja missionary). Anyway, I was a little bummed that I wasn't able to spend Halloween with you guys this year, but at the same time, I'm pretty okay, because I got your guys' package you sent me :D I absolutely LOVE what was in it, especially the Camera Cable, which means I don't have to go Computer Hunting for a Cyber that would accept my camera's SD Card. Thanks a ton for the photos of you guys that you sent me, too. I'll be sure to send a ton more photos of me and all the other crazy stuff to see here. Anyway, today was a little slow, because of the whole "Day of the Dead" thing they got going on here, so almost all of the stores and cybers are closed due to holiday. I don't quite understand it, but I suppose it has a great connection with the Latin-American culture, because everyone - Mormons, Catholics, Evangelists, virtually everyone - has been going to the cemeteries in Quevedo and here in El Empalme to visit their dead loved ones. But, sadly, they don't do any stuff, like let their kids go around, knocking on people's doors and ask for candy, which is understandable here, being a fair amount more different than the neighborhoods in the States. I'd honestly feel a little sketchy about taking my kid out to go trick-or-treating here, too, just saying. Still, there are kids (and some others) that like to dress up and have a little fun here with it, which was kind of cool to see. But yeah, glad to hear that you guys are all doing okay, and hope that you guys have an awesome first week of November! I also hoped Leilani liked the picture I sent her of the adorable turtle that one of our members here has for a pet. As a matter of fact, they're even willing to part with him, so if Leilani is, by chance, interested in fulfilling her wildest dreams of owning a pet baby turtle, that cute little guy is looking for another home, hahahaha! I love you guys a ton, and keep being awesome! Take care, guys!!!

Con sinceridad y amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke