WEEK 46!!!!!

Hey, Mom. So, I got the gigantic letter from Leilani, and it's really surprising to hear that so much has happened recently. Here's a picture of my Gringo companion, Elder Finch. He's from Utah, but grew up in Alaska! He's really cool, and it's so far been a lot of fun helping him get to know my sector, and all that it has to offer (good and bad, hahahahaha). He's a really great missionary, and has even helped me been able to help some of our investigators that were progressing at a snail's pace to have Baptismal Dates set, to be committed to attend Church, and even find new people to teach! I miss you guys a lot, but I'm so glad to hear a lot of good news! I just want to take a little time to apologize, and say that I could've been a better person and example for those around me... Especially the kids. You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that the kids are doing great, and are ready to go back to school again. I have faith that Nika's going to do great in her first year of school (whoa!!!) and Leilani will do wonders in her first year of college. (Double whoa!!!) Here, I'm just doing anything and everything I can to help Elder Finch come to know everything as I've come to know. It's been a bit tricky for him, because before coming here, he served 8 months in El Truinfo, which is basically the opposite of here (rural, not urban; fields, not buildings, etc. etc). He's not as accustomed as I've become to waking to the sonic booms from the turbines of airplanes every 5 minutes early in the mornings, hahahahaha!!! It's even funnier, because I still sleep like a rock through them, but wake up to his alarm clock going off O_o Anyway, it's been awesome, because he's the very first American companion that I have had the grand blessing of having in my mission. But, he prefers to speak in Spanish, because after all, we are teaching and preaching in the country of Ecuador :P I love the e-mails that you guys have sent me this week, because it really motivated me to continue to give it my all while I'm still here. I love you guys so much, keep praying (because I can't work as hard as I've been without your guys's prayers and support), and say hi to that adorable little girl Jordyn Taylor for me!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

WEEK 45!!!!

Hi, Mom. First of all, something really hit me recently, and it was something that Dad told me before I left. "You're only happy in the mission if you want to be." I've noticed that I've been doing an unusual amount of complaining - in my journal, with my companions, with some of our members... And I just realized that I don't like it. Because if I truly wanted to enjoy my mission (like both Elder Alcantara and Elder Finch have told me), then why complain? Why not just smile, and move on? Finally, I told Elder Finch that he's absolutely right. Because to be perfectly honest, I really don't want to be one of those missionaries that look back at their Mission Journals, and pictures, and stuff, and based on what they wrote and kept, they think: "Wow, my mission sucked." I'd much rather do anything and everything I can possible right now to enjoy the 2 measly years (almost only one) that I've been given to invite as much people as I humanly can to Come Unto Christ by receiving His Restored Gospel. It's going to be hard, I won't doubt it. But I'd rather end the day here, soaked in sweat, feet hurting, and extremely exhausted from working, than not do anything. I love my mission, I love my companions, and I couldn't be happier just to be here. I know that I'm only going to be with Elder Finch for a short time before I get transferred to (considering that I now have 7 whole months in this sector alone), but I'm going to do my hardest to make the absolute most of it, no matter what! I love you guys so much, and always remember (this is especially for Nika. Starting school, and all)... If and when times get hard, just think of a small and simple way to turn it positive. For example, even though this has been the hardest year of my life, I'm just happy to even be able to be here. And more importantly, that God and Jesus Christ called me to be here. Stay positive, keep praying often, and never forget that I love each of you guys!!! Say hi to the Taylors, the Lindbergs, and the Hunts for me!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

WEEK44!!!

Hi, Mom. I can't lie, it's been pretty hard, especially this past week. So, what happened is for whatsoever reason, the stepdad of the family that would let us use their washing machine for our clothes not only let us not wash there anymore, but he took away the keys that they had given us. And, just when it couldn't get any more tougher, we received the Magic Phone Call that same Sunday night last night from the Assistants to the President, saying that my companion Elder Alcantara had been transferred to El Triunfo (outside of Guayaquil). He couldn't fit a bunch of his stuff back into his bags, so he gave me some of his stuff... Including a Chess Set that he had been given as a gift that we would always play against each other with.

It's been ferociously stressful lately, with a ton of changes, a ton of stuff going on, and all because my companion and I had interviews with President Riggins. If you guys haven't been counting, I've been in my sector and ward of Las Americas for nearly 7 months now, and just now they're transferring (and basically separating) my companion and I. I can now understand a little more clearer why it's not such an extremely good idea to have companions or be in the same sector for more than 5 months in the mission. It's was honestly moderately hard to finally say farewell to my companion Elder Alcantara, and to thank him for any and all that he's done to help me become the better missionary that I now am. Let me just now say that thanks to Elder Alcantara, it's now a habit of mine to eat 2 hard-boiled eggs for breakfast, I can talk more easily to people (members and strangers alike), and my faith and testimony has grown a TON. I'm now with Elder Finch (a gringo from Alaska who has 5 months more than me in the Mission), but according to President Riggins, I'll only be with him in this sector for maybe 1 more month. After that, I'll most likely be taking my leave from Good Ol' Las Americas, as well. I gave it all I could to help the members, investigators, and less active members try to come to know that Jesus and Heavenly Father love them enough to send us here, and not only invite them, but help them through any and all means necessary to Come Unto Christ by accepting His restored Gospel, and His restored Church. In the end, I feel kinda bummed that even though I tried everything (praying, fasting, reading the Scriptures, seeking guidance from our DL, ZL, and even APs and President), it still wasn't quite enough. Regardless, I'll still make an effort to come back some day, and visit anyone and everyone that I possibly could. I love this sector (and the people and members in it) more than anything, even though the Work's been a bit slow lately. Before I conclude, I obviously can't forget to give a shout-out to my awesome uncle Wayne for his birthday, and I couldn't thank him and his wife Sherri for all their love and support that they've been able to give me as I continue to serve dilligently and faithfully on my mission here in Ecuador. I love you guys so much, and thank you so much for the love, support, and prayers that I've been given. Until next week, keep praying often, and NEVER stop pressing onward!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

WEEK 43!!!!

Hey, Mom. Let me just start off with how I finally got the package with the new socks and wallet! I was so freaking happy, and everyone in my zone can agree, hahahahaha. However, I still haven't gotten any of the other packages, letters, or stuff from Kelly and Sherri. But, according to my good friend (who is also the Materials Secretary) Elder Moreno, it should be coming any week now if it isn't waiting in Customs already. That being said, I'm still waiting with anticipation for it, and I'm going to share whatever it is that they sent me with everyone, if possible.

I'm really glad to hear that everyone's doing awesome. Tell Leilani for me that the best parts that she can look forward to after getting her wisdom teeth and tonsils out are endless bowls of ice cream and milkshakes, hahahahaha! Jokes aside, that's really cool to hear how she's doing everything she possibly can to get ready for her mission. Let me know how she's doing with the spiritual part about getting ready to serve, too. You know, reading and studying the Book of Mormon, Preach My Gospel, and when she gets her Patriarchal Blessing. By far, my favorite part when I was getting ready to serve was when I got my Patriarchal Blessing.

Normally, like a ton of other missionaries, I wasn't expecting time around me to be going by as smoothly and quickly as it's been. The kids are growing so much (both physically and spiritually), and I had to take a sec or two to re-read the super awesome news about dad and his new job. That's pretty mind-blowing, if you ask me, hahaha. As for me, I'm just cruising on by, trying to enjoy any and all the little miracles that are around me, which includes the blessing of writing and hearing from you guys each week. Even though the mission can sometimes be admittedly discouraging, I can't forget (especially because it holds a place in my heart) that I'm not just a missionary right now. I'm a representative of Jesus Christ. Alongside my companion, it's up to me to do anything and everything I can to help and invite those whom the Lord has prepared at this time to come unto Him. It's going to be hard, but it was hard even for Jesus. My companion helped me see that in the Scriptures that, even though we will be hated by man, we will be rewarded for our perseverance, diligence, and our efforts to Hasten The Work.

I don't think that I'll be able to write the Taylors a hand-written letter, because like I said, the mail system here is pretty klunky. If you guys can do me a gigantic favor, let them know that I miss them (especially those cute little kids) a lot, and I miss the blessing of visiting them with Brother Hunt. Let me know too how that cute lil girl Jordyn is doing too. I'm kinda surprised that I still remember how often that tiny little loved to smile, haha. Let Caleb and Cameron know that I miss talking about Football, Movies, The Office, and other crazy things with those boys. It was an absolute blast and a great privilege to get to know each of those guys before I left, so without a doubt they need to know how I'm doing here, too. Thanks a ton, and I'll talk to you guys next week! I love you guys so much, and don't forget to keep praying often, and look out for each and every one of the little miracles that God places in your life to lift you up :) Take care!!!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

WEEK 42!!!!

Hey, guys. Let me just start off with how even though my mission's been going by in a flash, it feels as if I'm just running into a brick wall over and over again. I mean, I'm honestly not sure if this is meant to happen, or this is a demonstration of what I deserve, or something. We had 5 baptisms in our first 2 months as a companionship, but now... I'm really not sure what's going on...

Even though our companionship has never been better than it is right now, the baptisms... Stopped. We've prayed, we've fasted, we've offered service every single day, we've asked all of our members for references, we've asked all of the friends of our members for references, and most importantly, we've knocked on EVERY door in our sector... TWICE. I'm fairly certain that we've tried everything we could to find new investigators / new families to teach. But, nothing seems to work.

However, I'm not going to give up. Not now, and most certainly not for another 14 months. I've worked too long and (in my personal opinion) too hard to give up now. It may be slow now, but things can only get better, I believe. It's for this reason that I couldn't be more grateful for the love and support that I've been able to feel and receive through each of your guys' prayers. It may be painfully hard now, but I look extremely forward to the day, when I can look in the eyes of my Mission President literally (and when I can look in the eyes of my Heavenly Father figuratively), and give thanks for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and be able to bring people closer to Christ, and receive His restored Gospel. Until next time, take care everyone, and keep praying often! Oh, and I'm really sorry if I haven't received any of the mail that everyone's been sending to me. The mail system here is beyond sketchy, and I'm still looking forward to about 5 packages, hahaha!

Con Sinceridad y Amor,

Elder Conner Duane "Poderoso" Parke

PS: (To My Family) If you guys can, can you PLEASE send me a copy of my Patriarchal Blessing for me to read and study? I can't seem to find the copy that I took with me on the mission. Thanks!!! Love you guys!!!

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