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!!
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
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