Mardi Gras season is here!

waiting for a Mardi Gras parade

Hi Friends and Family!  I miss everyone so much.  It has been a pretty good week.  It has been raining like crazy lately. Louisiana has some awesome thunder and lightning storms. On Tuesday and Wednesday we went on splits with the members so that we could teach more lessons. We have such a big area and it makes it tough for us to be able to hit a lot of houses during the week.  It was good to be back with Sister Faulk after it was all over! You just miss your companion when you are away from them for awhile.

 

I had an embarrassing moment on Wednesday. We went out to Sunset to visit one of the members. She is a really sweet elderly lady. So we were sitting at the kitchen table and the three of us were just having a nice spiritual conversation. Then I looked over at the fridge and I saw a grasshopper on it. I absolutely hate grasshoppers more than any other bug in the entire world! They scare me so bad. I tried to just ignore it but as she was talking I kept following the grasshopper with my eyes. Sister Faulk noticed what I was doing and she was trying not to laugh. We did not have the spirit with us anymore because we were so focused on the grasshopper. It disappeared for a while but I was still so nervous the entire time.  Then I saw it again and it started hopping everywhere! It was bouncing off the ceiling and tripping out all over the place. As soon as it started doing that I freaked out and jumped out of my chair and hid in the corner. The poor lady was trying to kill it and Sister Faulk was laughing so hard I thought she was going to die. It would jump towards me and then I had to go run to the other side of that tight cramped room. I pushed the dog out of my way and everything trying to get away from it.  The poor elderly lady was running all around the kitchen trying to kill it and I was freaking out. Finally she killed it! I felt bad though because I let a little thing like that drive the spirit away... but I just do NOT like grasshoppers! Luckily we were able to get back on topic and everything was okay again! 

 

Friday was a good day. We had district meeting and then our district went to Raising Cane's for lunch.  Later that evening we had a dinner appointment with the ward mission leader, Brother Freebairn and his family.  We had some time between district meeting and the dinner appointment so we decided to go knock on a door.  For a little back story, a few weeks ago we were in their neighborhood and I saw a house that I really felt like we needed to knock on! I had no idea why but I didn't listen to the prompting at the time.  I just dismissed it as me really wanting to go tracting since I had never been yet.  So I finally told Sister Faulk about the feeling I had and asked her if we could knock on their door. She said yes and we headed over there. I was a little nervous since I had never done that before but we were determined! We knocked and a very nice man answered. We talked to him for a few minutes and got to know him a little and then told him our purpose. He asked us if we wanted to come in and talk; but since his wife wasn't home yet, we couldn't. He told us to come back at five because then his wife and kids would be home. It was a cool experience because the first and only door we knocked was feeling like a success.

 

After our conversation with the man, we went over to Freebairn's for dinner and missionary coordination to discuss the needs of the branch.  We had the coordination meeting first so between that and dinner, we walked over to his house again. Well, the car was gone and no one was home. THEY BAILED. We left a note on their door and we plan to go back. Sister Faulk and I are very persistent. We don't know yet why we were prompted to knock on that door but we will continue to try because there is definitely a reason!

 

Saturday we went to the Carencro Mardi Gras Parade! They start the partying and parades early because they want to get it all out of their system before Lent. I'm doing Lent by the way. I started yesterday though. For 40 days I am fasting from 10 things that are holding me back from being the best missionary that I can be. We are allowed to go to Mardi Gras parades as long as we are with other church members. Those parades are crazy! Everyone is drunk. They chuck beads at your face. They are all dancing and falling over. All of the floats have a portable restroom just in case they have to throw up. It was just a mess! Everyone drinks and drives too! On the actual day of Mardi Gras we have to be on lock down starting in the evening. We also have to stay inside to exercise the next morning just in case people are still drinking and driving or hung over. It was a really fun experience! But the whole time I was kind of sad for them that they thought they were having fun. I know that I am having way more fun being a missionary and I want everyone to experience it. This is seriously the most fun I have had in my life. It's better than Disneyland and anything else that I used to love. I'm almost halfway finished and I am really sad because I'll never get to have THIS much fun ever again.

 

Mardi Gras parade

 

 

Saturday was a great day because the office elders brought us a washer and dryer! Now we don't have to schedule times when the elders are gone to use theirs. I have never been so happy. We have a really nice washer and dryer.

 

Yesterday Holly was given a calling! She is now a Sunday school teacher for the teenagers. She will do so good. There were three ladies who came to visit our branch yesterday. I went over to introduce myself to them and we chatted for a few minutes. They were from the Shreveport area. They came down for the Mardi Gras parade and decided to stay through the weekend. Well, it turns out that one of them actually served at Temple Square awhile back! She was awesome and it was so cool being able to talk to her. She helped me to gain a better testimony of the Temple Square Mission. She has been home for about ten years but she still has the missionary glow like Aunt Jamie does.  Missions definitely make a difference in people's lives. She says that she thinks about her mission every single day and that Temple Square is the best. She served her outbound in Minnesota. That really made my day. Here is a picture of the two of us.

 

OK! So I have tried most Louisiana food now. I ate Boudin & Cracklins for the first time the other day when I was on splits with Sister V. She is VERY Cajun and told me that I had to try it. Boudin is everything inside of a pig mixed together and its shaped into a link. Cracklins are pig skin and fat. As I was eating the Boudin, Sister V decided to tell me that I was eating liver, intestines, all that good stuff. I was trying so hard not to gag. I finished it to say that I did but I really was not a fan at all. I did like Cracklins though. They were good but I only had two because that's all I can handle.   Apparently they eat that stuff in Texas so maybe Travis and Elizabeth like it. We went to a famous place called Ray's Boudin & Cracklins. 

 

I have been learning so much. I have learned a lot about people and also about myself. On my first day here in Louisiana President Wall promised me that I would be able to really learn to recognize and feel the spirit. He was right! Finally, I feel like I am progressing as a missionary! I've been doing a lot of studying on the spirit, nature of God, and also spiritual gifts. I just know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and that every person is important and unique in his eyes.  We have each been blessed with spiritual gifts that were given to us so that we could help ourselves and others to progress. We must develop these spiritual gifts and use them so that they are not wasted! 

 

Study the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Repent daily. Listen to the spirit. Sometimes I like to just lay down and close my eyes and do my best to escape from everything in the world. I have found that when I do that I receive the most revelation. Remember to really seek it! Ask and you shall receive.  Heavenly Father knows what you need. Be faithful to your covenants and you will be blessed. Go the extra mile!  Do all you can do for your families, friends, and neighbors.  You will feel happiness as you serve others.

 

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith and that because of the strong faith of the early pioneers we are able to practice religion freely and grow. I have been trying to read my patriarchal blessing every night. Mom, you need to do that. Everyone should!    

 

Here is a scripture I would like the family to read and study:  

 

Helaman 5:12

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

 

It is so important that we build our foundation upon our Savior! If we involve him in everything that we do, Heavenly Father will continue to bless us! This is such a good scripture for families to have in mind. It's a team effort! 

 

I love you all. I think about each of you daily. You're always in my prayers.  Have a great week!

 

Sister Park

 

p.s. I love all of the letters I have been receiving! Thanks to Kendall, Andrea, Grandma for the wonderful letters. You guys made my week. Mom thanks for the package! I love when you send me pistachios.

Divine Guidance

Hi! How is everything going back home? I miss you guys! I really miss the twins! I want to see them!

This last week has been pretty good! It kind of feels like a blur! So much happened but our numbers were really low so that was a little discouraging. It's all good though! We did some crazy weekly planning the other day and we are planning to step up the game and take missionary work to the next level! Sister Faulk and I really got down to business and broke everything down. We wrote all of the members, less actives, investigators, potentials, and recent converts names down on our white board. We figured out who we are going to see this week and prayed about what they need. We are so excited to get to work! It's a little crazy but we planned to have 59 lessons this week! We are doing it too. We are going on splits with some of the members a couple days this week which will really help because we can split up and hit different areas. Our area boundaries are huge and it is difficult to see everyone so we think that going on splits with the members more often will really help. We are also planning to help the sisters in relief society with their visiting teaching.  I will go with a set of sisters and Sister Faulk will do the same and we will just keep going until we have gone with everyone.  It was just an idea we had this morning because visiting teaching and home teaching are so important when it comes to fellowshipping and strengthening members!



On Tuesday we had a district meeting and it was a lot of fun! We made cookie valentines for some of the members in the branch.   After the meeting we went on a 30 hour exchange with the sister training leaders. I joined Sister Maxfield in a beautiful town called New Iberia.  It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. I could not believe the trees. They looked like Grandmother Willow from Pocahontas. I met a lot of great people while I was down there but the best part was that I met like 10 Asians. I thought I would never see another Asian until I went back to Temple Square. I missed my peeps. I taught a three year old little Asian boy how to pray and he was so cute! He said everything in the cutest way. I just couldn't handle it!!!! It was a really good exchange but I was happy to go back to Opelousas. When I got back I was informed that one of our investigators decided he doesn't want to learn anymore and it was really hard for Sister Faulk and I. It is comforting to know that Heavenly Father never gives a person just one chance to accept the gospel.

 

On Saturday us four Opelousas missionaries did a service project! One of the older men in our branch needed some help cleaning up his house so we spent several hours working on that! Sister Faulk and I worked really hard on the kitchen. It took me about an hour and a half to get the pantry neat and organized and I am so proud of it now.  This man is very sick and in a wheelchair and we had a big job in front of us but we were on the Lord's errand and He makes all things possible. 

 

After we finished with that we went over to the hospital in Lafayette to visit one of the members. We walked into the elevator and then all of a sudden we heard a small clonking sound. I dropped the phone down the elevator shaft! It was not my fault though because it was in my purse and somehow it fell out!  I am convinced that someone or something took it and threw it or made it fall down there because it was situated in my purse pretty good. Poor Sister Faulk. I probably stress her out because this kind of stuff always happens to me. I wasn't worried though and she just kept laughing. It was really funny. We walked around for a few minutes to find help and ran into a security guard.  We explained our dilemma to him and he laughed!  He called maintenance and a couple of minutes later a cute little old maintenance man showed up and retrieved our phone for us.  I couldn't believe it but it wasn't broken or anything.  I was so happy to get the phone back and in one piece that I forgot I was a missionary for a second and gave the man a big hug so I feel bad about that but it happened and what can I do about it now?  Then we talked to him for a few minutes and asked what we could do for him in return.  Well, he leaned in and got really close to my face... I am a big goofball so I thought maybe he was going to kiss me since I hugged him.  I was very stressed out!  But then he said, "Pray for me."  And then he walked away.  I thought about that and it reminded me that we never know what people are going through on the inside. It made me so sad. It also made me realize how important it is to always be nice to others around you even if you feel they don't deserve it. I'm not exactly sure why we had that experience but I'm glad we did because I was reminded of a valuable lesson that day.

 

Yesterday was awesome! Our investigator Holly got baptized!  I have had baptisms in my mission but this was the first time where I was actually physically there from the beginning all the way to the baptism! It was such a wonderful experience. She is such a wonderful person! Her faith strengthens me! I just know that God has some BIG plans for her and she is going to be such a great blessing to the Opelousas branch. I gave the talk on Baptism but I didn't really prepare as well as I should have so I was disappointed in how it turned out. It just shows how important preparation is! Going by the spirit is great but being prepared combined with the spirit is even better! The elders baptized and confirmed her and Sister Cathy gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. Now that was a good talk. Cathy always makes people cry when she speaks. Even me and I don't cry! Hi Cathy! I know you're reading this... :)

 

On this mission I have learned that we need to expect Heavenly Father to give us what we need to be able to fulfill callings or whatever task we are about to take on. He expects us to expect Him to help us. That is faith. We just need to get rid of our doubts and remember that He is our father and if it is His will, He will give us what we need!

 

Sometimes we are scared to make a move or to allow a big change to happen in our lives.  But if the desires we have are righteous then we need to put our faith and trust in our Heavenly Father and expect Him to help us make it all work out.   Sometimes Heavenly Father leaves it up to us to make a decision and sometimes He wants us to do everything we can do to make something happen and just depend on Him throughout life and whatever happens will be according to His will. I have really been trying to work on my faith lately. I will have faith with things like getting the phone back in one piece but when it comes to believing in myself that is where I struggle. It is impossible to fail if we completely put our faith in Heavenly Father! We are all given different callings, tasks, opportunities, and gifts and it is so important that we take advantage of His help! That is something I have really come to learn since I have been out here.  Going on a mission and asking complete strangers to listen to a message about the gospel is out of my comfort zone but I trust that if I just get up each morning and go to work, He will help me succeed.

 

I love it here so much! Even though it is humid today and I am being eaten alive by bugs! I have bug bites EVERYWHERE! Even on my face and it looks like I have zits so its not fair because everyone probably thinks I have acne and I don't! OH MY GOSH! We went biking along the bayou the other morning and we saw an alligator!! It was so cool! I should have taken a picture!  Mom! You need to come here with me after my mission. I know you'll love it. It is a different world that what you are used to. I can't wait to show you around.  Tonight we are going over to the Nations' for Family Home Evening. We are planning an awesome lesson.  I love that family!

 

Family and friends, I love you all so so so so much. Have a great week!

 

Sister Macy Park

By small and simple things

Hi! Sorry but I hardly remember what happened this week! There have just been a lot of sad things happening in Opelousas!  There have been a lot of happy things too but lately for some reason sad things keep on happening. It is so hard for me and Sister Faulk because one thing after another comes up. On Monday someone that the elder's have been teaching was in a terrible car accident so we all went over to the hospital to see him and so that the elders could give him a blessing. He is doing better now but it was very surprising that he made it. Priesthood blessings and prayer definitely work!

Then on Tuesday our branch president's mother-in-law was tripped by her cat and fell and broke her femur! It was so sad. She is the cutest, upbeat, most energetic little 90 year old woman there is! I just love her. She is doing well now though. She is very tough! We have spent a lot of time in the hospital the last couple of weeks. It has been crazy.

On Thursday there was a funeral service for Brother Prescott.  He served in the military and was given a military funeral. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen. They did a 21 gun salute and it was amazing because it was freezing cold outside and hailing but the soldiers stayed out there the whole time and were so respectful. I want my military grandpas to have a military funeral because it was so beautiful. It really brought the spirit in as well. I felt so much love for my country and the men who have served!  The funeral was very reverent... until the gun shots went off.  The elders seriously jumped about 10 feet because it scared them. I was trying really hard not to laugh!

On Friday we had our interviews with President Wall. Wow, that man is a spiritual giant! I swear he reads minds. Its a little freaky. There has just been a lot going on this week and things have been weighing on me so I went into the meeting feeling stressed and inadequate. We talked for a few minutes about what had been going on in the branch.  We also talked about following the spirit because when I first arrived in Louisiana he asked me what I was hoping to learn while here.  I told him I wanted to learn to rely on the spirit better.  At Temple Square we follow a very rigid schedule with little to no downtime.  Our days are pretty much planned out minute to minute from the time we wake up until we leave the Square each night.  We follow the spirit but we don't always feel like we need to rely on it as much because we usually know what is going to happen next.  In the mission field, relying on the spirit is necessary because there are many days where appointments cancel or the day doesn't go as planned and we need to really know what it is that Heavenly Father wants us to accomplish that day.  It has been an amazing thing to learn!  So President Wall asked me again in this meeting what I am hoping to learn while out here and this time I told him that since I have come here I have realized that I have more weaknesses than I thought and that I really need to work on them.  I have been thinking a lot about the scripture Ether 12: 27: "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."  I want my weaknesses to become strong things unto me! President Wall is just amazing and he gave me excellent counsel.  He also said that he wants to be my friend forever and asked if I would be his PPFL (pen pal for life).  I said of course so he told me that I better write to him when I return to Temple Square and even after my mission!

Two attributes I am really striving to work on improving in my life are charity and faith. I have really been working on those two things but lately I have been discouraged because I feel like I am not developing those attributes as quickly as I would like!  President Wall told me to go read in Alma 37 where Alma the Younger is talking to his son Helaman.  In Alma 37: 6-7 it says:

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."

 

Just because I have been praying for more charity and faith doesn't mean that I am going to get it right away.  Heavenly Father wants to teach us and he wants us to experience things in the way that will help us grow the most.  Most of the time he teaches us by showing us things a little at a time.  Sometimes we think we need to have what we ask for right away; but Heavenly Father doesn't work that way.  He has a purpose for everything and we just need to trust in his timing!

 

I love President Wall!  He has been such a great influence on me and I am so thankful for him and Sister Wall. 

 

We had stake conference this week and it was awesome!  Right after conference yesterday, Holly had her baptismal interview and she is ready to be baptized.  She has so much faith! I seriously look up to that girl so much!  She just wants to do whatever God wants her to do.

 

Today we are supposed to play dodge ball with our zone but I am going to try my best to talk everyone into playing volleyball instead!  Then tonight we are going to the Freebairn's for Family Home Evening.  I love spending time with Sister Freebairn because she reminds me of Aunt Jamie- she gives great advice, she is very funny, she has two little boys, and she served a mission I the Washington, Everett mission just like Jamie.

 

Tomorrow I am going on exchanges with one of the Sister Training leaders in New Iberia area. Google image it. It is beautiful. 

 

We are going to teach Sister Carrell this week.  She and her husband are awesome.  Brother Carrell is a member of the church.  He told me he can tell I follow Christ which really meant a lot to me though I'm not sure it's true.  I try though!  They think I'm special because they have a dog named Hooker who doesn't like anyone but she loves me and I am the only person that she will let hold her. I don't even know why because I didn't used to be a dog person but I am learning to love them now that I am here.
 

Aunt Andrea!  Thanks so much for the letter.  You are the best ever.  I hope you are doing well.  You have to find Kylie in Oregon and then tell everyone her secrets! Haha!

 

Grandma Slade!  Thanks so much for the card and money.  I just love you so much and I look up to you.  Give Grandpa Wellman a hard time for me.

 

Grandma Laurie and Papa Rick!  Thanks so much for the letter and Cade's wedding invite.  I wish I could make it but I will be there in spirit!  Woooo! Go Cade!

 

Mom, thanks for your letter.  I just barely got one that you sent three weeks ago so thanks for that one too.  Sometimes the mail is delayed- maybe because of the bad weather we have been having.

 

Dad an Keli!  Thanks so much for the Valentine's Day card and money!  I love you guys!

 

Sorry everyone, I thought I would have time to write last p-day but we ended up getting called to the hospital!  I am working on it though!

 

I love you all!  Don't forget to recognize Heavenly Father in the day to day details of your lives- he is there!  Remember, "by small and simple things great things come to pass."

 

Sister Macy Park

 

 

 

   

 

A ride in the back seat of a police car

Hi Family! This week has been an interesting one. It has been long. I feel like everything that has happened was so long ago so I might forget some stuff.  Sister Faulk and I have been stressed and overwhelmed. Oh! I know people who know people who may know Rulon. Sister V has a friend in Searcy. He is a member and he likes going with the missionaries so I bet he knows him! Congrats to Searcy for becoming a stake or something like that! Wooo! Go Elder Udall!

It has been very cold here in Louisiana- very unusual! On Tuesday it snowed and the roads were closed so we were instructed to not drive our vehicles. It wasn't smart to ride our bikes either because of the ice and also people are not very experienced at driving in the snow here so they would probably hit us. So Sister Faulk and I have very similar personalities when it comes to our missionary work. We like to work and can't handle being confined with nothing to do!  You know how I am... I pace back and forth because I just can't handle being in one place for a long time. So we decided that we were going to walk over to Sister Prescott's house so we could take her trash out and help her a little because Brother Prescott was in the hospital.  Then we were going to visit some other people in Carencro. So we walked from Lafayette to Carencro which is probably about four miles. It was freezing cold and we could barely talk so it was a long and quiet walk! We should have dressed warmer but I thought since I could handle Utah that Louisiana wouldn't be that bad. Well, it was worse with the humidity just like I told you last week! We got to Sister Prescott's house but the door was locked so we left to go somewhere else and then a cop pulled up next to us and asked, "What do you think you're doing?"  We told him that we were missionaries and we needed to visit some people. He told us to get in his car so he could take us home. He chewed us out the WHOLE. WAY. BACK!He said "you girls should not be walking out here! It is dangerous and cold."  He was technically nice because he just wanted us to be safe but man he was crazy! When he took us to our apartment he waited outside and watched us the whole way up there to make sure we really went in and that we got in safely.  The whole thing was worth it and really cool because I never thought that I would ride in the back of a police car in my whole life, let alone while I am serving a mission for the church! 

 

We were quarantined inside due to bad weather for a day and a half.   We hated not working so we decided to teach Temple Square style and called like 18 people and taught lessons over the phone. It kept us busy which was good. We talked to a less active member who hasn't been to church in years.  He told us he has been real busy working with his cows so I told him that we are coming over to help him with his cows and he thought it was funny so he is going to have us over. We need to drop by
his place this week but I don't really know how to help with cows!!

 

Then on Wednesday night we went with the elders to a former investigator's house. She invited us over for dinner because her niece is a member of the church and she was visiting from California. The investigator's name is Chenazo- super cool name- and she is from Nigeria!  She is a single mom with three cute little kids. A seven year old boy, 5 year old boy, and a 1 year old baby girl. They were so adorable and funny!  They fed us Nigerian food and it was really good. I liked it because it was spicy. In Nigeria they eat with their fingers and not forks so us missionaries decided we wanted to try it. It was fun eating without utensils!
 

 Here is a picture of my Nigerian food

Those kids were so funny! They loved us!  They kept playing with us and one of them kept wanting to hold elder Bracken's hand. We were all sitting and talking in the family room and the five year old boy looked over at me and asked, "Do you speak Nigerian?" and I said, "No, just English!" and then he asked, "Why? Cause your not brown?" We all laughed so hard. I just wanted to grab him and pinch his cheeks and hug him so tight! I couldn't even handle it. We had a lot of fun with that family!

 

We made a lot of visits to the hospital this week. Brother Prescott just wasn't doing so well so we needed to be over there for his family. I didn't know him for very long but I really loved him! He was so helpful and just hilarious.  He became ill recently and on Saturday afternoon he returned home to Heavenly Father.  It was weird because we were just with him a couple of days before he went into the hospital. He was a sweet man with the biggest heart!  He always drove us missionaries around when we needed him to. My second night in Opelousas they invited us over for dinner and we were sitting at the table and he just looked at me and said, "I don't eat chicken" and then just kept proceeding with what he was doing. He hates chicken! His wife jokes that he is telling St. Peter that he hates chicken right now. He had a dry sense of humor and I loved it. We were able to be in the room with him and his family when he passed away.  It was also a very spiritual experience.  It was an overcast day but right after he passed away, the sun came out.  It was a neat experience because it was like he was still with us but at the same time we could feel him leaving. Being in the room with Brother Prescott strengthened my testimony that we have a loving Father in heaven who wants us to return home to him.  I am so thankful for the Plan of Salvation; I am thankful for the knowledge that life is eternal and that we will all be reunited again one day.

 

This is a picture of Brother Prescott.  I took this picture

during my first week in Opelousas when we had dinner

at the Prescott's house. 

 

We went to Subway that afternoon in honor of him because he LOVED subway!  I know I already sent this picture, but here we are at Subway with his family.
 

H, our 19 year old investigator that moved here from Texas is getting baptized on the 16th! We are all so excited. She has got so much faith! She wants to help her family find the truth as well so I gave her a Book of Mormon that she could write her testimony in and give to her mom. Her mom is excited to read it!  Her family will be attending her baptism which is going to be on Sunday right after church.

 

I love this branch and the people here. Seriously, everyone, the best people are in Louisiana!  I am so thankful that I was sent to Opelousas to be with all these sweet and funny Cajun people! It has been wonderful so far and I am thankful for all of the awesome experiences that lie ahead!

 

We went to H&R Block the other night because Sister Prescott works there.  We were in the waiting room and there was a group of cute African Americans having a conversation.  They are my favorite people since I have been serving down here and I love talking to them so Sister Faulk and I invited ourselves into their conversation. We talked a lot about crawfish and gumbo. They were telling me all the places I need to eat since I am new here. Then we brought up what we do as missionaries and talked about the Book of Mormon. One of them really wants to know more and will be taking the lessons! This is crazy! We are still trying to figure out why Heavenly Father is blessing us with so many good people to teach. He is definitely hastening His work.

 

I love everyone so much. I hope you all have a good day and remember that Heavenly Father loves you so much- even Ryan and Kendall!  I know you all hear that Heavenly Father loves you all the time but they are not just empty feel-good words.  It is the truth!  We are all his children and he cares about each of us.

 

Grams and Mac, thank you so much for the letter!  I owe you a letter and I am hoping to write tonight!

 

Grandma and Grandpa Wellman, thanks so much for the letter.  I also owe you a letter.  I'm not playing dodge ball tonight so I'm hoping to get to it!

 

Christie, thanks for your letter!  Your baby boy is so cute, I love him already!

 

Love and hugs,

 

Sister Park