WEEK 41!!!

Hey howdy hey! How's it going, family and friends? Elder Poderoso Parke, and let me just say right now that the weather here is just about as unpredictible as the weather in Idaho. The reason I say that is because the day that I told my companion that I'm not going to bring my rain jacket with me... IT RAINS! IN THE MIDDLE OF JULY! The even weirder part is that it's been cloudy all this past week, but the only time it truly rained was the day that I didn't have my jacket. Don't you guys just love the little trials that God places in our paths to try our patience such as that? I know I do, hahahahahaha!

So, I recently heard that the person that misses me most (aside from my cute dog Clark) is my younger brother, Auston. If anyone doesn't know yet, that tall, skinny white boy's a fireball both on and off the tennis court. It almost scared me when I saw how tall he's gotten when I video called my family for Mother's Day. When I left for my mission, he was as tall as my sister, Leilani. Now, he's taller than me! I miss that kid more than anything, because he's got a firecracker of a personality. I have faith that Auston can do just about anything that he puts his heart and mind into. One of those things being that he's going to become the next Pete Sampras AKA Tennis superstar. I miss you tons, little brother, but know that you got a special spot in my heart. Not even being down here in Ecuador can I forget finding Auston awake at 6 in the morning, playing Minecraft on the weekends, hahahahahaha!

The work's been a bit slow lately, so an idea that my companion and I got from our Mission President was to try going out in Proselyting Clothes ON P-DAY! It's a little crazy, but at this point, we're willing to do anything and everything we can to find those souls that Heavenly Father has prepared to received the Restored Gospel through us as tools in His hands, and representatives of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The success may not come right away, but both my companion and I know that if we keep giving it our all, the blessings and success that we truly deserve will come. Until next week, I love all you guys, keep praying often, and thanks for all the love, support, and especially the prayers! Take care!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

WEEK 40!!!

Hey, Mom. It's been pretty slow down here, lately, but that's not going to stop my companion and I from continuing to give it all we got. We've been through quite a bit, especially these past couple of weeks. So, there's been a lot of talk lately about transfers and my possibly becoming a trainer. But, honestly, I don't think I can ever become a trainer as "effective" and "efficient" as my companion, Elder Alcantara. I don't think I will ever be able to be as direct about the mistakes that my future trainee will make as he was with me. I don't think I will ever be able to deal out machetes as easily as he was able to. I don't think I will ever be able to (most importantly), help any and all around me as well as he was able to. I honestly couldn't thank my companion enough for all that he's done to help me become the missionary and representative of Jesus Christ that I know so strongly now that I am. 

I'd like to know... Has Leilani read those Scripture Chains that I sent her. The reason I'm asking is because my companion showed me both of those chains. Both of them have really opened up my eyes as far as my capabilities and potential not only as a missionary, but simply as a child of God. But anyway, not too much has happened recently. Our sector and our work has been a bit slow, but we're still inviting as many people as we can to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him and His restored Gospel. Until next week, I love you guys, and keep praying often!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

WEEK 39!!

Hey, Mom. I'm glad you guys got the photo that Sam took. He's actually not from our ward, haha. He's a really good friend of the Padillas, who are my recent converts, and also the family that helped me be able to Skype Call you guys for Mother's Day. Him and his family were visiting the Padillas for Father's Day yesterday, and decided to ask me if he could ask me if he could search me on Facebook. I said sure, why not, and before I knew it, Leilani had accepted his friend request, and he wanted to take a picture to send to you guys, hahahaha. But yeah, he's alright, and I'm not just saying that because his dad's a bishop, haha.

I couldn't be more grateful to say Happy Father's Day to my awesome, supportive dad. The reason I can't help but think about playing Call of Duty alongside him even though I'm down here in Ecuador serving a mission is because... I honestly wouldn't trade those memories for anything. I know I've gotten under his skin, and we've had our father-son fights before, but I can't help but love and miss my dad (and the rest of my family) more than ever. Especially during Father's Day, and seeing all these happy families spending time with each of their dads.

Before I go, I just want to say how stressful it can be down here as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The reason I say that is how much work it is. But, I know with a surety in my soul and in my heart that what I'm doing is right, even though it can be hard sometimes. If I didn't mention in my last e-mail, last week marked the 4 month-aversary of the companionship between my Peruvian companion, Elder Alcantara, and myself. That's the longest time that the two of us have ever had a companion in either of our missions. Even though we've argued a lot, we've also been there for each other through the good times, as well as the not-so-good. I just want to extend a quick message of gratitude for having such an awesome companion as mine that has helped me learn so much.

Take care, everyone, and thank you so much for the love, support, and prayers!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

WEEK 38!!!!

What is going on, my wonderful, amazing family and friends!? Hope everything's been going fine, but as for me, even though it's been slow lately, I'm just cruisin' along and trying to enjoy the time I got as a representative of Jesus Christ, as my companion tells me. So, recently, I've been thinking about my younger sister, Leilani, and how she's going to be a missionary after me. Based on my knowledge, I believe that she most likely will become an Enfermera AKA Mission Medic, once she's out in the field. The reason I say that is because my sister has more than enough knowledge of human well-being, and I also think that she will be an extremely huge asset not just to her mission, but to the missionaries that she will be serving alongside, as well.

Before I forget, I would like to wish a happy anniversary to my loving, fantastic parents for 21 years of being together and for being super supportive of my serving down here in Ecuador. I would also like to wish a happy 11th birthday to my youngest sister Nika, one of the most spoiled rotten ballerinas that I know, hahaha. On another note, I want to extend an apology to any and all that have been sending me letters, packages, and any other forms of mail, because not only does it take a good 2-3 months to get to me, but it sometimes has to pass through Customs, and it sometimes ends up sitting there without my knowing, and I'm really sorry for the fact that I haven't been able to receive mail from you guys as often as you are sending it to me. Despite that issue, I'm so very grateful for the love and support from each and everyone - friends, family, and friends of my family alike. Until next week, keep praying often, and God Be With You Till We Meet Again the following Monday!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

PS: Here are some Scriptures that I want Leilani to look up and study. The order that it's in does matter, and I also want her to consider this a kind of a "blessing" from me to her (with a little help from my companion).

Part 1: Doctrine & Covenants 11: 15-17, 8-11, 5-7, 12-14, 21-30 (in verse 23, Replace "Hyrum" with "Leilani", and "Son" with "Daughter")

Part 2: D&C 84: 87-94; Mateo 16: 24-27; James 2:14,17-18; D&C 18: 11-16; D&C 31: 11-13

WEEK 37!!!!!

Hi, Mom. It's SO crazy to think that in a couple of weeks, not only will I probably be training, but I'll have 9 months total in my mission! It's insane how fast the time goes by, especially when we're losing ourselves in the Work. I can't lie, it's extremely hard not to get discouraged and depressed here, but I honestly love it here, more than anything. However, I can honestly do without everyone, including my companion, to stop treating me like I'm some kind of rare creature, just because I'm a non-white gringo. The attention I'm okay with, but the way they're giving it to me makes me feel a little... Uncomfortable. Obviously, I don't know how to speak Spanish 100%, but I know enough to teach, preach, and express my own thoughts, as opposed to the people here speaking to me through my companion (which, to me, makes zero sense, considering he's from Peru, and knows hardly any English. But, whatever, I guess. Beggars can't be choosers, as they always say. I haven't received any mail for a while, but it's not your guys' nor my fault. The mail system here is pretty unorganized. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I end up receiving a truckload of mail that'll end up being sent back to our house after I finish my mission, hahaha! My companion is asking me if I can ask you guys to send me a quadruplet (Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price) as a gift. I told him that I could try, but I also told him that I highly doubt that it's going to arrive here without having to wait a minimum of 3 months. Just another trial to add to the collection that I already got. But, as the Scriptures dictate, there is Opposition in all things. The reason I say that is because we contacted this family last week in a neighborhood, called "The Forgotten Neighborhood", which consists of a really nice couple... And their 8 children. We gave them "The Family: Proclamation for the World", came back, and the guy proposed (before, they were only an unmarried couple, but now are engaged)!!! It just goes to show that when we give it all we've got, and just a little bit more, the Lord paves the way. He prepares those who, at this time, are ready to receive the Gospel in their lives, in order to bless those around them - especially their families. The best part is that the mom and half her kids attended Church last Sunday! They said they really liked it, and plan to attend next week, too! Hopefully next time, with her (soon-to-be) husband, who unfortunately had to work last time. I can't wait to help this family get baptized, and enjoy the blessings that I know God has in store for each and every one of them. I also can't wait to find out who else at this time is just waiting for us to come and knock on their door, and share the blessings that come from the Gospel with them. But, I shouldn't get too impatient, because after all, these two years of my mission aren't my time. They're the Lord's time. I love you guys so much, I miss you guys, but I can't wait to come home in 15 more months with tons of awesome stories and memories to share with you guys and everyone else. Till next week, take care, pray often, and may God be with you!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

WEEK 36!!!!

Hey, mom. Hope everyone's doing okay this week. I'm not gonna lie, I was expecting an e-mail from you guys, I miss you guys a TON. So, before I forget, it would seem that I am the missionary with the longest duration of time in my zone of Kennedy, according to my companion, our companionship won't be lasting for too much longer. I'm taking his word, but I also have my appropriate doubts, because (I don't mean to brag, but) we are SUPPOSEDLY the most successful companionship in our zone. But again, if we get transfers, we get transfers. It's part of the mission, I say, and I'm not one to question the Will of God, either, haha. Nothing too special has happened this past week, except we have another scheduled Baptismal Date. His name's Franklin Barrezueta, he's 75, and the challenge we have with him is he also has joint pains, which make it difficult for him to attend church consistently. But, he has a LOT of faith in the Lord and Savior, and is willing to do whatever he can to Come Unto Christ, and "be perfected in Him." We gave him a Blessing, but like we told him, "we're just vessels of the Lord's work. If he wishes to be healed, it's up to him and his faith." Honestly, I have no doubt whatsoever that he's going to be healed with the faith he has. He's a good guy, but he's suffered a good amount, especially because of the cancer he has. There's only so much we can do for our investigators, but I know that so long as I'm doing anything and everything I can, these people will come to know and understand that we are messengers of the truth, and representatives of Jesus Christ, here to help them come closer to Christ, and be able to bless their families, as well as any and all those around them. For now, that's all for me this week, I love you guys a TON, and every day, I'm thinking about you guys. Take care, pray often, and may God be with you "till we meet again" AKA next week. Love you guys!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

WEEK 35!!!

Hey, Mom. Glad to see and hear that everyone's doing okay. I can't believe that Leilani's already graduated! Where has the time gone?!? Also, Nika looks EXACTLY like you in all her pictures, wow! She's not that little pest I used to know... Hahaha, just kidding. But seriously, I can't believe how rapidly the time is going by. Let all those guys know that I miss them all up there!

In a couple of weeks, our mission gets a bunch of new missionaries!!! I’m excited for this to happen!

It's in my opinion been some of the hardest days that it's been specifically this past week, because I miss you guys more than absolutely anything in the universe. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thinking about all you guys, and honestly wishing that I could've been more of an asset than a burden. I especially wish I could've been a better example for the kids than I was. I couldn't feel more sorry for them, and for not being there for them sooner. But also, I wouldn't trade the experiences that I've had so far in my mission for anything. Even though it's been ridiculously hard, I've gained more humility, more love, and more respect for any and all those around me, and especially for my Lord and Savior, and for all that He has been SO kind to give me. It's hard not to cry from how hard it is and has been, but it's also hard not to cry out of joy from simply having the opportunity to be here. I love you guys so much, I miss you all, and keep pressing on! As long as I can, I know you guys can, too! I love you!!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor, 

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke