Week 22!! MY SHOWER HAS HOT WATER NOW

Hey Mom, Dad, Leilani, Auston, and Nika.

I'm really sorry that I forgot to write to you guys last week. It was SUPER hectic last week, because my companion Elder Correa got a call from the offices last week, telling him that he's most likely leaving that week because news came that the issues with his passport and him returning to Spain finally got resolved. So, we had to get his stuff ready, we had to say goodbye to some families in another part of Guayaquil that he used to know and teach, and we were just all over the place doing all sorts of stuff last week. Other than that and a couple of other changes, nothing really happened. 

I'm absolutely fine, I'm not sick, and I'm now serving in another sector in our zone in Guayaquil (called Las Americas) with my new companion and good friend Elder Alfaro. He was training another elder from Idaho, Elder Brown from Rexburg, but he had some pre-mission knee issues that ended up getting the best of him, so he had to go back home early (real shame too, because he only had 2.5 months in his mission, as opposed to my 5). So, because my companion left to go home, and Elder Alfaro's companion left to go home, we're now companions. But it's fine, because Elder Alfaro (he's from Costa Rica, by the way) is SUPER awesome, he has 20 months in his mission (about a year in Peru and about a year here, due to visa issues), and while I'm helping him learn English, we talk about Halo (hahahaha, thinking about Auston). 

It's a little hard not to think about home and stuff like that that's just waiting back at home, because not only is the airport in our sector, but the strip where the planes take off is literally behind our house. In other words, about every hour while we're still in our house, we get the fantastic privilege to hear the gigantic twin-turbine engines of a commercial airplane barely taking off. However, my favorite part of my new sector is the fact that IT HAS HOT WATER!!! I was SO happy when Elder Alfaro let me know about that, but it now makes it so hard not to take shorter than 10 minutes in the bathroom, hahaha! 

I wish I could send you guys all of the awesome pictures that I've taken, but I still need a cord that's compatible with my camera. It's a Canon SX160 IS PowerShot with 16X Zoom Lens, Serial Number 492020000802. I think the Model Number is PC1816, but I'm not sure. Still, I've been taking TONS of pictures, and I really wish I could send them to you guys, but I don't have the means to. Sorry :/

Effective next Tuesday, I have 5 months in my mission! Only 19 months (or 580 days for those technical people out there) until my service as a full-time missionary comes to an end. However, in the words of Jeffrey R. Holland, once a missionary always a missionary. Others may not be as willing to accept this calling as others, but what I know for sure is, even though this calling has come with trials without number already, I can't say that I haven't learned from the trials and tribulations that I've had. Through each and every trial, I've become more humble, more teachable, more educated, and overall, I feel that I become more and more of a tool in the hands of God with each trial that comes my way. My favorite video from the Church that I've found concerning trials and tribulations is called The Refiner's Fire:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DIIgm6xABQ

I'm so grateful for the blessings that I have been given, but surprisingly, I'm also grateful for the trials and tribulations that my Heavenly Father gives me, because like it says in Ether 12:6, it's not until the trial of our faith that we officially are able to gain a testimony. I know that it's been hard, and it'll only get harder, but I couldn't be happier to be here, serving on this mission. I love you guys so much, and I can't wait to write to you guys next week. Till then, take care, and may the Spirit of God be with you through each of the trials that come your way.

Con Sinceridad,

Elder Conner Duane Parke

Week 20!!!!

Hi, Mom <3. 

Things have been crazy lately, and crazy in a crazy way, at that, haha! But, through it all, I've been given more than enough signs that Heavenly Father's been with me every step of the way to help me through it all. Nobody said that a mission, in addition to being a Representative of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was EVER going to be easy, especially when it was NEVER easy for Him. I couldn't be more grateful for how, even though it's been slow, even though it's been quite the bumpy road up to this point, and it will undoubtedly continue to be bumpy, I now have an ever-growing testimony of how my Heavenly Father hears and answers each and every one of my prayers. It may not come in my timetable, or the timetable that I remotely expect it to come, but Heavenly Father will never, ever let down any of His children, especially if they are willing to come closer to Him and His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ in any and all ways that they can.

If you haven't guessed yet, the gigantic, main reason that I say that is the absolutely mind-blowing fact that I got my camera back. When I visited the Offices because my companion was having some financial issues for still being on his mission, I was told that a package was waiting for me, and it was addressed from the CCM of Mexico City. When we got home, I couldn't be more curious and bewildered as to what could be waiting for me in the package. The $40 that I still haven't received in the mail? Anything that, by chance, I left at the CCM? Sure enough, when I opened up the package, what was waiting for me inside was none other than my camera case with the camera inside. Obviously, all the pictures that used to be in it were gone, and the menus and stuff had been changed to Spanish, but other than that, it still completely works, and I've been able to take some awesome pictures with it. The bad news, however, is that I gave away my camera cord to my friend from the CCM, Hermana Neilson, because (1) I thought I'd never get my camera back, and (2) she didn't have a camera cord that she could use for her camera at all. So, I felt kinda bad that I had a cord, but no camera, and she had a camera, but no cord. Still, I got my camera back, and I couldn't be absolutely happier that Heavenly Father gave me such a grand blessing at this time.

I forgot to mention, I did get your guys' package with the shoes in it two weeks ago, and let me just say that I absolutely LOVE them. They're EXTREMELY comfortable, and they look AMAZING. Also, I've been sharing the Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish with my roommates, so that's been awesome, too. Overall, I would like to say that this week has been a pretty good week, despite some irritating trials (no sleep, headaches, and the Work being a bit slow). I love you guys so much, and if I had some more time, I would share more, but I just wanted to take the time to share that with story and testimony with you guys while I could.  Because He hears me, He answers my prayers, and I know that through Him, as well as through Jesus Christ, everything is going to be okay. May the Spirit of God be with each of you guys, and take care, until next week! I love you guys so much!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane Parke

week 19!!!

 Elder "Poderoso" Parke with yet another mission blog update. Week 12 is underway, and until my shiny new trainee comes, I have a "temporary" companion by the name of Elder Correa. Not only is he a good friend that I've already made, but he is also from Peru, but he is going back to his family in Spain after he finishes his mission (if I translated that correctly). If I'm right, Elder Correa's been having some technical difficulties with traveling back to his family - concerning his visa and other travel/mission documents - so he's been with more than enough companions temporarily, due to him having to wait until he can safely end his mission and travel safely back "home". From what I've heard, the only "issue" that others have had while serving with Elder Correa is the fact that he snores louder than a family of grizzly bears when sleeping at night. For the record, I'm going to try and see if I can get away with sleeping downstairs in the hammock we have... Just so I can try to get some actual sleep while I have Elder Correa as my companion, hahaha.

I couldn't feel more blessed to be here, and more blessed to know that not only have I been serving a mission for 4 months, but also because my Heavenly Father and His Spirit have been with me every step of the way to comfort me, to guide me, and to give me the strength, love, and faith that I need, in order to continue to bless the lives of others while I'm in this specific sector in Guayaquil. I may not have a trainer anymore, but what I see in that is that... Things are moving forward. I'm moving forward in my mission, and things are moving forward outside of my mission, too. Obviously, I didn't expect time to stop, and for everything to be waiting for me exactly the way it was when I left. But I also didn't expect for time and everything else to be passing by as quickly as it is. It won't be too long before I'm already halfway done with my mission, and soon after, I'll be packing my bags and getting ready to say goodbye to the unique, special country of Ecuador. I'm so grateful for the opportunity that I have to write these things this week, and I can't to see what else that I'll be able to write about next week. I love you guys so much, and take care!!!!

Con Sinceridad,

Elder Conner Duane Parke

Week 18!!!

What is up, family and friends? Week 11 is now underway, and it's been CRAZY this past week! I finally got a "haircut" (I've got a TON to explain about that), I've had the chance now to walk in rainstorms, thunderstorms, and cricket-storms (yes, I said cricket-storms), and I've even got some more super exciting, crazy stories!

Let me first start with explaining how I "finally" got a "haircut". So, for the past 2 months, I haven't yet had the pleasure of asking for a haircut in Spanish, nor while I've been here in Ecuador. I've honestly felt a bit scared to, because I was afraid that I might end up with a bald head, or mohawk, or something, haha! In other words, this morning was the very first time that I got the chance to ask for a haircut here in Ecuador, and in Spanish. Normally, when I go to cut my hair, I ask for number 2 on the sides and back, and short enough for me to still be able to comb it on the top. Well, I kinda messed up my instructions for the hairdresser, and ended up still asking for number 2... For my entire HEAD. >.< According to my companion and fellow missionaries, it looks great, but to me, it's INSANELY short, especially after not getting a haircut for 2 months like I didn't mean to do, but did. For the record, it feels surprisingly cool, but at the same time, my head feels almost as naked as if I would've accidentally asked for my head to be COMPLETELY shaved, hahahahaha! I'm WAY too embarrassed to send any pictures (sorry!), but at least now I'm able to feel the breeze flow through my hair... Or at least, what's left of it, hahahahahahaha!

So, because this is the month of January/Enero, it's also rainy season here in Ecuador. Recently, in addition to getting adequately soaked in both sweat and rain, I've also had the wonderful opportunity of, at night, the streets and streetlamps SWARMING (literally, I kid you not) with Crickets. These little buggers, when they're up and about at night, swarm the streets in search of food (tiny insects), light (streetlamps, the fronts of pharmacies and stores), and even a dark, snug place to call either temporary or permanent home (cracks, holes, and yes, this does include the cracks and other spots in our home, especially because we have lights... Obviously). Last night, I had the opportunity to find easily a dozen crickets in our house, and even a few more the very next morning that have slipped through the cracks under our doors and window screens. Now, obviously these little guys don't bite or hurt anyone, but they're still insects, vermin, and are not welcome... Especially because they LOVE to hide in spots like your shoes and keep you company in bed at night. EW.

So, when we're not proselyting, or contacting, or looking for opportunities to serve others, the four of us (Elder Tingey, Elder Martinez, Elder Pagoada and Yours Truly) have some VERY unique ways of spending our free time with each other in the mornings and on our P-Days. We crack some jokes, mess with each other, and my personal favorite, locking each other in our bathrooms while we're either taking a shower, or anything else that has our bathroom doors closed. So, what we do is take some rope that we have lying around, tie that around the doorknob, tie the rest of it to a wooden rod that we also have lying around, and with a little know-how, they're locked in until they ask pretty please with a cherry on top if they can come out, hahahahaha! This was actually something we did a few days ago to both Elder Tingey and Elder Pagoada, because they were both taking far too long in the showers one morning. So Elder Martinez and I thought we'd have a little fun with them for about 20 minutes. Did I feel bad about it? A little, but I also ended up laughing hysterically until my chest hurt and I hasped for breath, haha! But in the end, we're all friends, and exchange man-hugs and share a good laugh afterwards.

Before I go, I would extremely like to give a shout-out to my family, and for the limitless love and support that they have for me and my serving on my mission. Without a doubt, if it wasn't for them and for how much they've helped me learn and grow, and with time, decide whether or not I truly wish to serve a mission, then I wouldn't be here, bringing others closer to Christ, and having the absolute toughest, hardworking, challenging, greatest time of my life for the next 20 months.

May the Spirit of God be with all of you to provide you with the comfort, strength, and love that some of you, if not, all of you might be in need of (more or less) at this time. Until next week, thank you all for the love and support and the presence of the Spirit that I'm able to feel while I'm serving, thanks to so many of you guys! I love you all, and take care!

Con Sinceridad,

Elder Conner Duane Parke

Week 17!!!!!

Hola, mis miembros de mi familia y mis amigos! Elder "Poderoso" (that means powerful, by the way) Parke here, and we are now entering DEFCON aka Week 10. I'm extremely tired, but for all those returned missionaries out there, they know about that good kind of tired you feel after working back-to-back each day, and wanting to just come "home", get some sleep, and do it all again the very next day, hahaha! Despite some of the bumps along the way, I couldn't be happier to be here, serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

First things first, I'm kinda recovering from some stomach pains that I've had for a few days now, but no worries! I'm perfectly fine, according to the Enfermeras Misionales (Mission Medics), and as of yesterday, I've been feeling well enough to continue persevering in hastening the work :)  Obviously, I need to be careful with what it is I put in my body (which I already have, so no worries there), and make sure that I'm getting a 100% balanced diet, even though I'm here in Ecuador. In other words, I was sick, but I feel fine enough to continue working, and preaching the Gospel.

Things have been a bit slow recently (even before I got sick), but that's not going to stop my companion/trainer and me from getting out there and finding those that we know are here, and have been specially prepared to hear what we have to say to them, concerning the Restored and True Gospel of Jesus Christ. We've been having some slight issues recently, especially with our Investigators "wanting" to come to Church, but "can't." Not only that, but this has been an issue with the Less Active Members in our area, as well. However, I believe in my heart (and I am sure that my companion Elder Pagoada feels the same way about this) that we were transferred here and he became my 2nd trainer AKA my "stepfather" for the reason and fact that these people NEED us. They may not want us, sometimes, but that isn't going to stop us from helping those who are looking for the truth, but haven't had the pleasure of finding it yet.

Obviously, my trainer isn't the most perfect of trainers. Obviously, I'm not the most perfect of trainees, either. But, even though it can sometimes be difficult for the both of us to be here (more specifically, with each other), I feel that, overall, I'm blessed to be here, and blessed to have him as a companion and my trainer at this time. Trials and tribulations, I learned from my studying, come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. But if we can see past the fact that they're trials and tribulations and see how they're placed in our lives for our benefit (one way or another), then it can make overcoming those trials and tribulations ten times easier, and later on, having the wonderful chance to receive and enjoy the blessings that our Heavenly Father has in store for each and every one of us. My calling as a missionary isn't the easiest of callings, but in my eyes, it's one of the greatest callings one can ever receive in this lifetime, and it's one of the greatest privileges to be able to share this Gospel with those who can benefit from its teachings at this time, and in this dispensation.

 I love you all, and have a fantastic week! May God's Love and His Spirit be with you!!!

Con Sinceridad,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

Week 16

I'm so tired... Can someone send me a package that contains some extra time for me to sleep? I'd be more than grateful for it... However, I don't think it'll be small enough to send in any boxes, so I'll just have to settle for the usual hugs and kisses in the cards, letters, and packages that I'm more than grateful to receive from everyone. But anyway, what's going on? This is my first blog post of the fantastic year of 2015, filled with tons of new opportunities to have an  of new adventures here in blazing, beautiful Ecuador!

I testify that it is through the limitless amount of love that our Savior has for all of us that we can overcome each and every one of the trials and tribulations that are placed before us. I know that this Church is true, and we have the blessing of receiving indirect revelation from God through His living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I know that this Everlasting Gospel is one that is meant to specifically bless families, because it is through our families that we can learn to understand why it is we are here, why the things in our lives happen, and best of all, just how much our Father in Heaven loves us. I love you all, and can’t wait to see what this fantastic year has in store that I’ll be able to share!

Con Sinceridad,

Elder Conner Duane

Week 15 - Happy Heat-filled Holidays

Dear Mom,

First of all, you have NO idea how relieving and a blessing it was to see you guys last Thursday. That was by far the greatest blessing that I have received so far on my mission was that one video call. I feel a little bad that my next video call won't be for another 150 days, but I still look forward to it, as well the opportunity that I get to write to you guys each week. This past week was literally like cashing in all of my trials and hardships that I have had so far, in exchange for the fantastic blessings that came with last week. ESPECIALLY the chance I got to actually see and talk to all of you guys since 3 months ago. :D

Happy Heat-filled Holidays from the center of the Earth itself, hahaha! This week literally blew by like a snowstorm (metaphorical of course, being in Ecuador), but here we are, the last blog entry of the year. This week's come with a TON of blessings that I couldn't have been happier to receive, including some FANTASTIC Christmas food, and a Video Call to my family. I know that it's only going to get tougher from now on, but I think I got what it takes to buckle down and enjoy the extremely bumpy ride.

So, this past week, I was able to Christmas Caroling with the other members of my zone (by the name of Kennedy) here in Guayaquil, and boy was it HOT! There is a really legitimate reason why normal people don't try to go knocking on people's doors, singing, in the middle of the blistering heat of Summer in the States, because WOW, was it baking down here! On top of that, I can't tell how far or how long we walked, but my dogs were barking after that (The Office quote... How I miss that show, hahaha). I guess it was worth it, to see the smiling faces of the people we sang to, in addition to the fantastically amazing Video Call that I was able to have with my family afterwards.

A couple days before Christmas, we had a Mission Field Reunion, which may I remind you consists of around 260 missionaries, all coming together from any and all parts of our Mission Field to our Stake Center here in Guayaquil. Surprisingly, they still had enough food for me to have 3 plates full of Mashed Potatoes, Turkey, Stuffing, and Peas&Carrots... Not to mention dessert!! I have to say, this mission may come with a long-haul truckload of trials and hardships, but in exchange for the opportunity to teach people about the Everlasting Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as experience fantastic occasions like this, it's more than worth it to be here, and to go through anything and everything that gets thrown in my way, and in my face. I believe that my personal testimony of this Gospel has grown TENFOLD since I first started my mission, and I owe it all to these very special past three months. I love all of you so much, and I can't wait to write to you all again in 2015! Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!!!

Con Sinceridad,

Elder Conner Duane Parke