It has been quite a week! Sister Bryuzgina and I are doing great and we are seeing so many miracles. I feel like I am serving my mission in Russia. There are so many Russians that come to Temple Square! I am picking up on Russian better than Chinese but it is so hard. I have had two companions that speak the two hardest languages ever. Well, Mongolian is probably the hardest because they have to sound like Donald Duck when they speak.
Sister Bryuzgina is so funny. The other day we went and talked to this nice old man. Right in the middle of the conversation she started busting up laughing! I was thinking 'what is wrong with her'...So we looked over and she said, "You look like Santa Claus!" It was so embarrassing! I was trying not to laugh and the poor man didn't know what to do. I have to control the girl sometimes. But we have a blast! I never thought that I could be so close to someone who lives all the way in Russia. I think we will be friends forever.
We have been teaching a lot of Russian people here on Temple Square and you won't even believe it but they are actually referring! Several of them! Usually these people don't care about what we have to say and they are very stubborn but God must be preparing them. We also take the Ukrainians on tours and lets just say that it gets rough sometimes when they see that Sister B is from Russia. Apparently Ukrainians don't like Putin or Russia. I didn't even know any of that was happening until Sister Bryuzgina told me. It just shows that I have been out of the world for quite some time. A lot of the Ukrainians are not really happy around us at first. But Sister Bryuzgina takes it all in stride and just says "I'm not Putin so don't get mad at me."
Yesterday was amazing. I'll never ever forget it. We were on our way to go call our investigators when some sisters stopped us and asked us if we would give a tour to a couple and their daughter. We said yes and went over to meet them. They were so nice. They are a hispanic family from Los Angeles, California. We took them on a tour and told them about our basic beliefs. We teach a lesson in every tour and people may not even realize it. The spirit was there but they were Catholic and happy with their lives.
When we talked about temples and eternal families you could see the light in the mother's and daughter's eyes. As we were talking I just saw all three of them wearing white in the temple getting sealed. I know it would make them happy! Then we got to the subject of the Book of Mormon and prayer. They wanted to see how Mormon's pray so we went into a corner and taught them how to pray. Sister Bryuzgina said the prayer and it was great. We ended up talking with them for an hour an a half! Usually our tours last about 30 minutes. We asked if they wanted to learn more and the father thought about it but said no. But the mother seemed very reluctant to go. We walked them out and then made our way back to the square and found a Russian family sitting on a bench so we went and talked to them for a few minutes. Then I saw the mother from the Hispanic family from the corner of my eye. She ran into the South Gates and rushed over to us. Her family was waiting in the car but she ran up to us and said, "Sisters! I changed my mind! I want a Book of Mormon and I want to learn more about the church!" We told the Russian family we would be right back and we walked her into the South Visitors Center and gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon. She also wanted a copy for her daughter. She was so happy! She gave us her information and gave us each a big hug. It was one of the best experiences I have had on my mission. We are going to call them and teach them this week and send some local missionaries to teach them in California.
The day before that we had two miracles! We took around a gay couple who liked everything they heard about our church and wanted to learn more. They loved Temple Square! They think the Temple is amazing and love the purpose of temples. They also asked for a Book of Mormon and for the lessons. It will be interesting to teach them but it will be great and I am looking forward to it!
The day before that we had two miracles! We took around a gay couple who liked everything they heard about our church and wanted to learn more. They loved Temple Square! They think the Temple is amazing and love the purpose of temples. They also asked for a Book of Mormon and for the lessons. It will be interesting to teach them but it will be great and I am looking forward to it!
Shortly after that we decided we needed a break. We had been on our feet non-stop and just wanted some ice cream! We went to Farr's for dinner and had the best ice cream ever. As we were walking out we heard a couple speaking Russian! So Sister Bryuzgina said "Bon Appetite" in Russian and they were so happy to meet a Russian missionary! They were actually from Ukraine but they have lived in New Jersey for 17 years and speak perfect English. They invited us to sit down and talk with them. They are here on vacation and actually took a tour at Temple Square the night before from some other sisters. They had a lot of questions about the church. We taught them the Restoration right there over ice cream. Felix is the husband and he is so interested! Olga, his wife is a bit skeptical but very nice. Felix gave us his information and asked us to send the local missionaries. He wants them to bring him a Book of Mormon. We are going to start teaching them on the phone this week too! It was such an amazing weekend.
Everyone etting ready to serve a mission- All I have to say is I am so happy to be a missionary. I am happy I came out on my mission the time that I did. The people I have met and taught have made me a better person. When you serve a mission you see life a different way than you ever did before. People say that when you are on a mission "you are out of the world". Sometimes people don't want to serve because they want to "experience the world". Well, I believe that missionaries see much more of the world than anyone else and see it in a deeper more meaningful way. And that is why we continue to do what we do. Things are getting so bad in this world and time is so short. I am so happy that I can experience the world this way!
Everyone etting ready to serve a mission- All I have to say is I am so happy to be a missionary. I am happy I came out on my mission the time that I did. The people I have met and taught have made me a better person. When you serve a mission you see life a different way than you ever did before. People say that when you are on a mission "you are out of the world". Sometimes people don't want to serve because they want to "experience the world". Well, I believe that missionaries see much more of the world than anyone else and see it in a deeper more meaningful way. And that is why we continue to do what we do. Things are getting so bad in this world and time is so short. I am so happy that I can experience the world this way!
I went to the temple this morning and it was the best experience I have ever had. I invite all of you to go to the temple with a specific question. It is the best place to receive personal revelation.
I love you, family!
Sister Park
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