It's all about choice!

Sister B and I took a drive to find Ensign Peak so I could show
her the view of the city.  But instead we got lost and decided
 to get out a take a quick picture of us being lost
in the middle of nowhere!

Hello Family!  I love Utah summers because they are perfect! We have been very busy with Russian tours lately.  Russians are stubborn but so many of them have been open to our lessons.  We had one Russian couple tell us to send local missionaries just this morning.  We are also teaching the people who come here from Poland.  There have been several Polish visitors lately which is totally random because usually Polish people never come to the Square. Yesterday we met the nicest Polish couple visiting from NYC and taught them the Restoration. They are in Utah looking for places to live. They love how family oriented it is here and that the city is so clean and friendly! We invited them to learn more and they said they would love to and even took a Book of Mormon! The main thing that draws them to our church is the family values we have.

Craziest thing of the week. Sister Bryuzgina and I forgot to bring our dinner to the square a couple of days ago so we decided to walk across the street and eat frozen yogurt.  On the way to Farr's we met three very nice people- a couple and a single man. Sister B talked to the couple and I chatted with the single man. He looked at my badge and said, "I am on a mission too." And I rolled my eyes in my head because I thought I knew what was coming.  Anyway, it turns out he was on a mission for some religion that practices polygamy and he was also a polygamist. He spent ten minutes trying to convert me so I shared my testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and of our prophet, President Monson.  I told him that I know that President Monson is leading this church according to God's will.  Bearing testimony is one of the most powerful things we can do.  The man just looked at me and had nothing to say.  Like we are promised when we allow the spirit to speak through us, his tongue was confounded. He just stared at me blankly for a few seconds and then said "Ok enjoy your ice cream." And I did enjoy my ice cream!

This morning we watched a video of an MTC devotional with Elder Holland. So good. Preach my Gospel is so amazing. He spoke on the previous missionary program and how missionaries had to memorize the lessons. That way of teaching didn't get to the missionaries hearts, or in other words it did not convert a lot of the missionaries; so after many of them returned home they became inactive. Preach My Gospel is a million times better for the investigator and the missionary. It truly helps you to understand the doctrine of Christ. I know that reading Preach My Gospel was a big part of my own conversion. Elder Ballard invited every single member to have a copy of Preach My Gospel in their home and I second that. I think centering Family Home Evening around Preach My Gospel is such a good idea.  The Book of Mormon and the principles taught in Preach my Gospel are so essential to our own conversion... not just investigator's. Read it and you'll feel closer to the Savior!

 

Being a Temple Square missionary, we get to see lots of familiar faces!  It made me so happy to see Papa Rick and Grandma Laurie.  They are so sweet!  I also got to see Sister Pulsipher and her kids.  Visitors are the best!

David Archuleta came to Temple Square the other day. He was teaching a few people near the New Testament paintings in the North Visitor's Center. We walked over there so Sister Bryuzgina could see him. She has never heard of him! 

 

Marie Osmond is here today. I should ask her about Jenny Craig in case I want to try it!

 

Love Y'all!

 

Sister Park