Week 67 No Regrets 1/11/16

Hi, Mom. So, again, we don't got a ton of time to write and be here in the Cyber, because my companion Elder Reilly likes to be punctual for our appointments. It's AWESOME! Don't worry, I didn't get my camera stolen or lost. I just keep forgetting to take it with me, and leave it on my desk as we go out the door. I promise that I'm taking plenty of pictures and some videos for everyone to see on the blog. I'm not gonna lie to you, it's a blast being here with Elder Reilly in Balzar, but I can't help but feel... Discouraged. In addition to that, we had to participate in a Funeral Service this morning. It was sad to see all of the family of this nice old lady so full of despair for her parting from this world. I was giving LDS.org a look, and I gave this talk by President Uchtdorf a glance. It's a talk that he gave in 2012 about Regrets and Resolutions. The sub-points were what extremely caught my eye: "I wish I had spent more time with the people I love." "I wish I had lived up to my potential." However, my personal favorite was the last one: "I wish I had let myself be happier." Since I could remember (or at least, since I was 16 years old), I found myself to be  pessimistic, and always looked at my life as "half-empty". I couldn't help but ask myself questions, like "Why me?", and "What did I do to deserve this?" Looking back, I now find myself with the amount of humility that almost brings me to tears to be here. To believe that Jesus Christ had called me to be His respresentative, and preach His gospel makes me feel almost unworthy to do so. Yet, as I kneel down to say my prayers each night, I can't help but give my thanks for giving me such an opportunity to be here as His servant. I pray that I may continue to have the strength that I need to press onward, and hasten His great and marvelous work to the best of my abilities. I may not know which day shall be my last, but I'm going to make the absolute most of this life that He has given me. I can only hope that when the last day of my mission comes, that I won't be asking myself those questions of regret. Instead, I'll be grateful to have spent all the time I could with the people here that I love. I'll be glad that I lived and worked to my fullest potential. Lastly, I'll never feel more happier than I've been to be bidding such a unique country and experience goodbye. Without a doubt, these are two of the best years of my life. I await with anticipation what the future has in store, both during my mission as well as afterwards. I miss you guys, but I know in my heart that the sacrifices that we are both making at this time will be more than worth it. I love you guys so much, and thank you for all of the prayers and support. They're a world of help, and they let me know that even though I'm far, you guys are still close. Until next week, take care!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

Week 66 Oh, The Possiblities 1/4/16

Hi, Mom. So, first things first, I am now working in my very first BRANCH! We had a solid 80 attendance last Sunday (including around 10 visitors), and we are also the Young Men's Organization. That being said, the first counselor gave us the permission and privilege of machete-ing all 3 of our Aaronic Priesthood holders to behave how they should. I felt a little bad, but at the same time, I am the new Young Men's Secretary, after all. I gotta do my job somehow, hahaha! Anyway, so not only are we four missionaries also the Young Men's Organization, but we're also in charge of the Family History, and the Activities Coordinators. As "unorganized" as this branch may sound, I have heard that there have been (and may still are) worse branches. So, I have hope, and not just because I'm here :P Even though it may seem that my companion and I complain a lot about the situation and circumstances here, we've also been discussing potential solutions with each other. I apologize that my entry for this week isn't too long, but I can explain that it's because of all the work and amazing stuff that we've been doing here. I can only hope that we can get this branch up and running how it should be, and perhaps one of those blessings could be a 100 minimum attendance. Until next week, guys, keep praying often, I love you guys a ton, and thanks again for all the love, prayers, and support while I've been here. Take care!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

PS: I apologize again that I wasn't able to send any pictures this week! Please forgive me!

Week 65 Pre-New Year's Transfers WOAH 12/28/15

Hi, Mom! So, if you haven't guessed yet, I got TRANSFERRED!!! I am now serving in the sector and town of Balzar, and in the zone of Vinces. I am a good hour and a half from my old sector of El Empalme, but I am now serving alongside a really good friend of mine, Elder Reilly from Arizona. Funny thing is Elder Reilly and I were in the same district in the Mexico MTC, so we know each other fairly well, we get along well, and I believe we can make some magic happen in the time that we're going to have as a companionship. That being said, Elder Reilly's given me a little background information about the sector here. So, Balzar has four missionaries (Balzar 1, and I am now in Balzar 2), and it is also a branch - not a ward, but a branch. Their latest attendance is about 70, which has climbed from 50 a few months back, according to my companion. Also, what Elder Reilly's told me, we need to be loving, but very direct with these people, so that they know that we're 100% serious, but at the same time, they know that we are here serving in Ecuador, because we love them. Not only that, but we're willing to do just about whatever it takes for them to receive the salvation that they sometimes had no idea they lacked in their lives. 

So, as I promised to my parents, I'll be taking a lot more pictures (of my companions, of my apartment, of the food I eat, of the people I visit, etc.), so all of you awesome people reading the blog each week can see just how awesome it is to be serving in a place like Ecuador, jaja! Sadly, I won't be able to send any pictures today, because I am still in the process of unpacking all of my stuff in my new apartment. However, I will be absolutely sure to send lots of amazing pictures (maybe a video or two if I can). I have to admit that I've found it surprisingly hard to find the time and the place to take any photos, especially with the Work taking up all of my time and attention. I do apologize in advance for the lack of photos on the blog, knowing just how badly you guys want to see how awesome this place is, in addition to reading about it. It brings me more happiness than anything to hear about how well everyone's doing back home, and to hear about how many blessings my family's been able to have, because of the sacrifice and dilligence of both of our parts. It almost scares to me to think and admit that I now have 15 months in my mission. The time here passes by so quickly, especially when we, as missionaries, are losing ourselves in the Work. I love you guys a ton, I wish you guys a wonderful happy New Year's, and can't wait to see just about crazy awesome surprises this new year is going to bring. Until next week, take care guys!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

Christmas DayVideo Call 12/25/15

Hi, Mom!!! So, the three of us will try to be calling our families at around3:30. So if I'm right, that's more or less around 1 for you guys. I'll probably try to use Facebook to call (because I lost the password to my Skype and all). Can't wait to hear and see you guys in a little bit!!!

Love,

Elder Parke (Conner)

Week 64 Feliz Navidad! 12/21/15

Hi, Mom. So, we haven't had our Christmas party yet, because I think we're going to be travelling to Guayaquil tomorrow, as opposed to today, like we thought. But not to worry, because we will be having it some time this week. Also, I'm just as excited as all of you guys are to Skype call this Christmas Day. I still haven't got the other package, but it should be coming extremely soon (if it isn't just here already, waiting for me). This Christmas has actually got me thinking a lot about how many people, myself included, forget the true meaning of Christmas. Not only that, but many of us believe that the best gift of Christmas is, for example, a massage chair. As awesome as a massage chair would be for a Christmas present, I still personally think that the best gift that we have ever been given on Christmas wasn't one that was wrapped, didn't cost a dime, and was given to us by a very loving Father. This Christmas, just as I explained about our Christmas Initiative, our goal as missionaries has been to help others grasp that God loves us enough to send His Only Begotten Son to the Earth to become our Savior. Without Jesus Christ and His Condescension, we never would have had a way to overcome Spiritual Death nor Physical Death. Because of the Atonement, we can now Repent, and we now know that we can Resurrect. Before that, as it says in Ecclesiastes, we would (more or less) cease to exist after we would die here on Earth. Just think about it... Jesus Christ was a God, like His Father. He didn't have to condescend, nor bleed from every pore for us. But He did. As too simple as it sounds, Jesus Christ already paid the toll for us and our sinful lives. I apologize in advance if I sound very direct about this subject, but the Atonement occupies an extremely large part of my testimony. If it weren't for Jesus Christ's Birth, Ministry, and Atoning Sacrifice, I truly don't know where I'd be, or what I would be doing in my life right now. Yet, right now, I'm a missionary, and I am here, in Ecuador (specifically El Empalme) to help others with the difficulties that they're going through, and to let them know that there is at least one who understands their pains, their afflictions, their, sins, their sadness, and can take it all away... If we let Him, if we follow Him, if we love Him, and if we accept Him for who He is, and for what He's done for each and every one of us. I love you guys so much, and I can't wait to see and hear from you guys this coming Christmas!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

Week 63 And Then There Were Three... 12/14/15

Hi, Mom. So, to start things off, we had Transfers this morning, and I would just like to get it out of the way now that... I did not go anywhere, haha! However, my extremely awesome friend Elder Scribner was transferred. He is now a Zone Leader in Ventanas. Until the week after Christmas, we are officially a temporary trio here in El Empalme. In order to make sure that the Missionary Work doesn't completely plow itself into the ground like it will if we're not careful, we'll have to plan divisions between the three of us and some of the Priesthood Holders in our ward. Even though this is only going to be for two weeks, a lot can happen in two weeks, if there's anything that I've learned while out here in the field. On the other hand, I can be a very optimistic person, and a wise man once said: "If no one thinks your goals are crazy or impossible, then they're probably not high enough." Don't get me wrong. I know my limits. But at the same time, if we set our goals for as high as we can reach, then we'll never progress. In the words of President Riggins, "If you do what you've always done, then you'll get what you've always got." It's been a personal goal of mine to progress physically as well as spiritually while I serve my mission. I've lost weight, I've gained muscle, and I now honestly find it hard to bear my testimony without either crying (or freezing like a popsicle while standing at the Sacrament Meeting pulpit). I'm so grateful for the new-found testimony that God has given me about how essential this Gospel has been for my life. It gives me a little bit of shame that I'd be nothing without this Gospel, but it also gives me a much stronger desire to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Luckily, He's given me two years to have just a taste of the experience. 

                              

We've been preparing three guys for Baptism recently. Their names are Virgilio Cañarte, Simón Sain, and Alejandro Luna. All three of them are around 60, and their takes on the Gospel as well as our messages are so distinct and different that it just goes to show when they train us about the subject that is Teach People, Not Lessons. It's been quite the challenge to teach each of these guys, especially with the specific challenges and obstacles that each has. I've also learned that, even though it should be, the Gospel's just not for everyone. What I mean when I say this is one of the most heartbreaking facts that I have come to know as a missionary: We can't save everyone. If we're not careful, then we can go from doing everything that is in our power to help someone to wasting not only our time, but the Lord's time, in helping someone that doesn't want your help. I pray every morning and every night that God will prepare a way for us to find those whom He has prepared, and that in His time, we'll find these people and be recognized as missionaries sent from God. In addition, I thank him each and every occasion I get for giving me the blessing of simply being here in Ecuador as a messenger of God and a representive of Jesus Christ and His true Church.

We'll be having our Christmas Party next week, when all of us in the Mission (Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission) will get together in Guayaquil and have one of the most amazing banquets and talent shows that I personally have seen. Last year was so awesome that I can't wait to see just what this year has in store. We've been preparing a musical number as a zone (Zone Quevedo Sur/South), which is the Spanish Version of Little Drummer Boy. Because we weren't necessarily expecting Transfers, we'll be allowed to sing and perform with the Elders and Sisters that were in our zone prior to Transfers this morning. After that, when we'll be getting back here to El Empalme, Elder Wilson and I will be looking for a way to Skype call. We might have to simply call in a public cyber, but I'd like to see if, by any chance, we can find a member whom will help us. Regardless, I'll be more than grateful to video call again, and (spoiler alert) I might cry, to be perfectly honest. 

More than anything, praying has been one of the most important and essential tools for me during my mission. I always knew deep in my heart that God hears and answers our prayers. I will admit that my faith has wavered, but I can now bearing living witness and testimony that God lives, He loves us, and He does indeed hear and answer our prayers. It gives me a great amount of relief to know that He knows us, and He especially knows that this is anything but easy, to be here, and to leave our friends, our families, and our possessions. People cuss at us, people even throw things at us (I kid you not, a kid passed us and really threw bread at me last week. I was speechless), and it can be one the most difficult, discouraging things to be here. But, I've survived over half, I can surely survive the rest. I can only wait in anticipation for what the future has in store. I'd just like you all to know that I've been praying like nuts about Chloe. I love that little boxer dog more than just about anything, and it's been killing me that I can't be at home right now. I know in my heart that what I'm doing is right, and there are blessings in store for the sacrifices we make in life. Until next week, I love you guys so much, keep praying often, and have a Happy Holidays!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

PS: I got my Peanut Butter package last week, and I literally had to contain my happiness from making me uncontrollably scream of joy. Also, I got a huge kick out the AWESOME pink socks that I get the feeling Leilani sent me. Okay bye!