Millions shall know Brother Joseph again

This week has been pretty good. It's one of those weeks where you keep chugging along. I want to share some funny and spiritual stories from this week and one from weeks past. 

If you know me... I'm kinda of a clutz. When I went to DC for the first time we went to the Library of Congress. When we pass through security I was standing too close to a sister missionary. As she was putting on her tag, she punched me in the face! She hit me so hard, my glasses flew off. It didn't hurt that bad. Haha. Afterwards we went down the steps,I felt prompted to check if I had my hearing aids. It's weird because I'm so use to wearing hearing aids that I never feel them. So I check and my right one was missing! So, we quickly went back to security and it was there! I'm so glad that I followed that prompting to check! 

On Saturday we finally got to watch the Joseph Smith movie with C. We went to the visitor center to watch it. Before the movie started, I got to bear testimony on why I know this church is true. I mentioned also the fact that with much opposition the early saints faced it proves this church HAS to be true. I also expressed my appreciation towards the saints for enduring through the tough trails to remain faithful to the church. 

While watching the movie, there were several things that stood out to me. One of Joseph 1st question he asked was "how can I be saved?" There are so many people who ask this question! It's important to know so you know how to live this life so you can be saved! I loved how Joseph's brother, Alvin, answered to this question. He said he couldn't imagine God only wanting to save a few of His children. I can testify that this is so true! He wants ALL of His children back! He can only allow us back in His presence if we live worthily to do so. We must make and keep our covenants with Him. 

I loved how the movie showed Joseph Smith only receiving revelation how to set up the church by asking God what was to be done. The most powerful question was answered of what happened to his brother, Alvin, who had passed away before this church was fully restored. The answer is a happy one! For all those who have passed away without the knowledge of this gospel, but would have received it in this earth life, will be able to live in God's presence again!  So, Alvin was able to accept the gospel on the other side:). 

Yesterday I got to attend a baptism for S. The elders taught him. It's cool because his first Sunday going to church was my 1st Sunday in the ward. He was so excited to get baptized. He was soooo happy!!! It was a really nice baptism. 

So...Whiteford doesn't like hugs. Before leaving for lunch today we were kneeling to pray. We were giving each other high fives and Whiteford wouldn't high five us. So Luna Chico yelled "Lets hug her!" Whiteford did her high pitch scream as we gave her a group hug! Then Luna Chico yells " Let's kiss her!!" Whiteford yells, "Heck no!" Then she looks at me as I'm laughing and says, " Don't you dare Parker!" 

I hope you all are doing well! Have an amazing week for me!

-Sister Parker

Here is some pictures of our Cafe Rio Trip that we took on our p-day with my companion and our roommates

Michelle asked Marissa some questions about her mission and this is what she said:

1) What do you like most about your companion? 

When tells me funny stories from her mission or from back home. One of my favorites is the time with her last companion (Everton) was driving down the road and all these animals went crazy. They saw a bird knock a dead animal out of another bird's mouth! They saw other animals too, but I can't remember! Haha 

2) In what ways do you feel like you have been changed?

I feel like I haven't really change yet. I am still thinking " I'm I really doing this right now? I'm I really a missionary??? I feel like my normal self, but I get to concentrate in bearing my testimony all the time! It's so great! I know that I need to work on being more patient. I want to go go go, but Whiteford has more relax approach. But, I love how she makes every single contact a meaningful one. She makes it a point to make it meaningful because what's the point of just handing a card out if you aren't going to talk to them first?

3) What's the hardest thing on your mission?

Having appointments fall through and you don't know who to go see instead. 

4) What life lessons/ spiritual lessons are YOU learning?

Reading the last general conference has been so great for me! There are lots of talks about the Atonement. It has been amazing for me to read the talks and get different kinds of insights on the Atonement. You should read both Uchdorf's talks and Elder Holland's! 

5) Would you like handwritten letters plus emails?

I love written mail! Though I get it at random times of the week, so I don't know when you will get a letter back because I'm only allow to write and email on Mondays. So, friends are the best option for me to get handwritten mail. I want to make sure you hear from me constantly! :):):) 

6) What has been your favorite act of service you have performed? 

Helping the autistic kids ride on the horses. Also I loved pushing the ponies down to the field and  helping paint a fence white. All done on the farm! We go every Wednesday!

7) What has been your favorite meal you have eaten/ made?

A few members have made super super good pizza! A senior couple made a great meal with lasagna and bread. Then dessert was apple pie. 

8) Where is the most exotic country someone was from who you have met? 

I have met people from all over Africa. Some countries are Congo, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast. I have not written them down :( I will need to work on that for you! Do missionaries count??? I feel like I know where missionaries are from more than anything! 

9) This is a serious question: Have you been gaining any muscles? (Missionaries are required to exercise in the morning before leaving to do their visits)   

You can't tell, but there is a great storm brewing inside of my legs and arms! I work out 4-5 days a week! We have this great workout book that I use for exercising!

Oh how Singing Brings the Spirit!

Hello everyone!! How is everyone doing???

I am doing good myself! This week has been so fast and chill! We worked hard to get a lesson with C, but things kept falling through between us, C, and the church member we're trying to have it with! This week we should finally get together without a problem!

This week I have realized how many people grow their own food! So awesome! The ward members love to trade their veggies with each other. My companion and I got some tomatoes and squash this
week! Now, I just need some ideas what I should do with it!

On Wednesday we got to go to the temple! We went earlier this transfer because the temple will be closing in a few weeks until middle of September. The next time we go is when we get to see C do baptisms for the dead on Aug 1st!!! I am excited to see her do baptisms! She is so ready and excited to go! Going to the temple was nice! There was a great peace and happiness that came over me towards the end of the session. I felt happy and loved.

That evening we went to a rehab center for two ladies from the ward. The first lady we saw broke her wrist. She was so sweet and happy to see us! The next lady had a heart attack and was recuperating from that. Before we left, we sang her favorite hymn "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today". She cried because she was so happy:) It was a tender moment. On Friday we did exchanges. I went down south to capital west. It was a lot of fun! My companion was Sister Everton. I hope we get to be companions in the future.

Cool story! So, Sister Everton and I went to go see an investigator. I put in the address a few times because it wasn't working. Even when I knew I put it in right, I felt like it was wrong still. But, I didn't change it. So, it lead us to a different place and Sister Everton was like, this isn't it. So, I checked again and it had a completely new address plugged in! Everton and I decided to stay because it would have taken another 15 minutes to get to the real place. So we went tracking! On the way back to the car we saw an orange car go down the hill. I joked/half serious that we should go follow the car home. So we did! Just as we got there he got out of his car. We had a nice visit with him to get to know him. He first was hesitant to learn more, but we kept talking with him. By the time we left, we got an appointment with him for tomorrow! I'll have to ask Sister Everton how it went!

Sunday was the "Why I believe". It was a good one! The temple president and his wife spoke. One of the best part was the slide show with pictures of all who have been baptized recently. Our picture was the 1st one to be shown! The temple president and his wife did a great job in explaining how they have the motivation to keep believing in this gospel and church.

Today was the sister run/walk. Man, it was so hot and muggy!!! I saw the Capital Building, Washington Monument, Abraham Lincoln Memorial, AND the White House!

It was a lot of fun to see and talk with other Sister missionaries! The sisters on the left at the Washington monument are actually all from different countries! We got Haiti, a Dutch speaking country by Brazil, Mexico, and me!

I'm excited to keep going back to D.C. to check out the museums and such. Any recommendations???

Well, I hope you all have great weeks!

 Love you all!
- Sister Parker

Pony wrestling and Candice's Baptism!

This week feels like 2 weeks but in a rapid pace! A lot of this week was spent getting ready for C's baptism. It was crazy/nerve wracking on Thursday because after C's interview, we went to look at the jumpsuits for C. All the jumpsuits there would either fit me or a 7 foot male. (Aka a Karl Williams! Haha) luckily we went to the stake center and they had plenty of sizes to choose from!

So funny story! After C's interview on Thursday, she asked for a blessing. Our district leader was explaining how a priesthood blessing works. He said, "we then put our hands on our heads to give you a blessing." Without skipping a beat he corrects himself and moves on. Only C noticed what he said and kept laughing until she told us after the blessing. We had a good laugh over that! 

Saturday was such a good and fast pace day! It started with waking up at 5:30 to go to a ward coordination meeting at 7. We then went to the farm in Poolesvill. Last time we went was at transfers to help autistic kids ride horses. This time.... We wrestled ponies! Oh, well... the elders were the ones who pinned the ponies against the wall while another person put a harness over their head to drag them out of the stall. Then we had to help push from behind to help get the pony into the field so they could run around. There was about 5 ponies in all. Some of them have never been touched before so they were a bit unhappy to be tugged around. They had some crazy eyes going on! I wished I snapped a picture! We also did some weeding and painting a fence. Before we knew it we had to rush home to get ready for the baptism.

Once we got to the church we were running around to get things set up. Time flew right on by. We filled the font once before last month without any problems. But this time, the water wouldn't heat up!!! We were laughing because one of the last times we met with C, she said she wanted cold water to be baptized in. When she got in the water, she looks at us and mouthed, "It is so cold!!!" We then said that's what you asked for! Haha. She was a good sport and pulled through! We had a few people from the ward there! I was touched because C only came to church twice in our ward and the first time was at her friend/coworker's ward. Her friend/coworker, Cathy, brought a surprise for C! When C went to Cathy's ward she met one of Cathy's friend there too. Well, when Cathy told her friend that C was getting baptized, her friend came home early from vacation just so she could see C be baptized!! That really touched my heart! 

The best part of the night was when C texted us and thanked us for teaching her. It never felt like we did anything to teach her. She asked questions and we answered them. She knew her stuff because she was finding it out on her own. I never in my life met someone so hungry to learn! It has been so wonderful!

 We recently got a new mission leader, Brother Martin. He is a such an amazing and organized man! After all, he is a lawyer! He also quite funny in a straight face tone. You wouldn't know he was cracking a joke unless you were paying attention. One of the funniest things he said was yesterday in Sunday School. He said, "If you are too busy keeping up with Kim Kardashian, then you are too busy keeping up with the Lord." It is so great to have someone to hold us accountable to go see the people we plan to see. This week we are working on getting to know ward members a little bit better. It should be a lot of fun!

At Relief Society, Sister Whiteford and I taught the lesson on temples. It was funny to me how intimidating it was to be in front of the Relief Society! It surprised me, but I was glad to be teaching with Sister Whietford. It made it way less scary. The best/most spiritual part was when a young mom said a comment. She shared with us how her mom passed away when she was 19 and she didn't want her mom to be sad seeing her not having a mother anymore. Then this young mom was comforted that her mom was plenty busy on the other side doing missionary work. So, going to the temple is a way for this lady to feel like she is working with her mom. Her mom does the teaching and she does the saving ordinances for them. For some reason I never thought about this concept. I couldn't help but think about Grandpa and others who have passed on and how we are ALL working together to preach the gospel in this life and the next.

Well, I hope you all have great weeks!!

With love,

Sister Parker

4th of July Shenanigans

Shout out to Kimmy and Kam for getting married this week!!! Also to those who got recently engaged/married. Also congrats to Cerci and Brittany on your new babies. Cerci your baby looks so adorable!! Mary Margaret thank you for your letter!

I had a really fun 4th of July! I went with other Sister Missionaries to Great Falls to "hike". It was just a boardwalk but it was really fun! It was amazing to see the Potomac river. It's huge! We saw kayakers flying down the river! 

We also went biking for an hour or so. That was super fun!! One of the sisters didn't want to bike so she ran with us. That was very impressive!

Later that night we went out to eat to 5 guys and went to a chocolate bar for desert. I got a hazelnut milkshake. I was so stuffed! Then we went home to watch the fireworks on the rooftop of our apartment building. Just before we went to bed, the long waited phone call came to say who was staying and who was leaving! Not surprisingly, my companion and I are staying!! Both of my roommates are training so one of them is leaving. I'm sad to see her go, but excited to get a newbie like me as a roommate!
 

The most exciting news is we moved up C's baptism to this Saturday!!! We just finished the lessons yesterday! Be thinking of us when it's 4 pm on Pacific coast (So 7 pm here). She is so stoked to get baptized. She only has her mom and at least one co worker coming. So, hopefully we will get as much of the ward there as possible. I'm glad we moved the baptismal to Saturday so that she can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost the next day instead of having to wait a week. I'm so happy for her and excited to see the continual progress she will make. C is on top of my list to go back and visit, she one of the most happiest person I have ever met!

I hope you all have great week!

Love always,

Sister Parker