ASL Loaded

Hello everyone!!!

I hope you all had a great week! My week was really good! We spent most of our time meeting members as we were inviting a lot of sisters to watch The Women's Broadcast at one of the 4 homes in the Ward. That was a lot of fun and so sweet to be invited in to chat as well!

So... God is amazing and has allowed me to be in the Broadneck Ward! There are two people who uses ASL for their living. Not only that, but actually teaching at a school! The first women I met in the Ward is Sister Kemper. I love her so much! She's soooo funny! She teaches an ASL class at a public elementary school before school starts! She teaches a younger group one day and an older group another day! We went over to help her find new ways to teach and add on to what she's already teaching. I was amazed at what she has already taught these kids!

The second lady I met this week actually graduated from UVU in deaf studies education! She's now working at the deaf school MSD near by! She works with 6 month old babies to 5 year olds and their parents to help teach them sign language! So basically working with kids pre-kindergarten! To say the least this would be my DREAM job! She gets to travel around with another person to different homes to teach! Then on days she doesn't have anyone to go visit, she is an aid at a local school! So you could imagine, I had a blast asking her question after question. I was having such a fun time, I forgot we needed to leave for our lesson with Marilyn!

I also have had 2 opportunities to meet deaf people in the last 2 weeks! Neither pf them were interested hearing about our message, but it was still neat to be able to be given the opportunity to sign with them!

On Tuesday morning I found a little surprise on my leg.... I had a tick!!! I was able to get it out just fine don't worry! With the help of Sister Routt's support and Elder Blood guiding me through, I was able to be successful! (Elder Bleazard had a tick a few months ago, so they knew what to do.) That afternoon  we went over to Marty's house down the street. While visiting with her, her neighbor Eric came over. He started to preach to us about Christ and it was awesome! Haha. He told us that he would be interested in coming over to Marty's when we come and hear what we have to say! That night we had some AMAZING ribs that the RS president's husband made. They were maple glazed!

Friday was a really good day! We got to meet two of our investigators! We first met with Colleen and our lesson went really well! She asked really deep questions! Both of us came home still thinking her questions!'m going to for sure learn a lot during personal studies trying to find a simple answer to all her questions! That night we had a great lesson with Marilyn with Sister Lopez!  It was so amazing that Marilyn and Sister Lopez had things in common and they clicked super well! Sister Lopez was a rock star and taught most of the lesson! The spirit was so strong. Marilyn is still interested in learning more and wants us to help her garden this week! Yay! Hopefully we will also have Marilyn watch one session of General Conference with us!

So... Funny story about Saturday. While driving to our next appointment... We saw a cop car behind us with their lights on!!! They had been following us for a long time and finally decided to pull us over. So we pulled over and we had no idea why we were. The police officer came up and told us that our bike rack was covering the tags of our car and we needed to remove our bike rack! Luckily it was just a warning, but it seemed ridiculous we would be pulled over by something that is meant to be ON a car. Tomorrow we are going to the mission office to figure out if we can get a key for it because we don't have one...

Best news of all!!!! Jan did get baptized and it went really well! Sister Cosper told me that after Jan got baptized and dressed... One member came up and said Jan had to be re-baptized again because her name was spelled wrong on the baptismal record! Other than that... Everything went very smoothly and a good amount of members came out to support. I got to send a congratulation video for her too, so that was nice!

Saturday night was so fun! We went over to the Brown's house for dinner with the Kemper family. Then Sister Mish and her daughter joined us after dinner to watch the Women's conference! It was a blast!!!! We made homemade cookies and they were to die for! It was a big hit! We got the recipe from Elder Thorpe who has finished his mission, but he makes these cookies for every 1st and last district meeting. They are amazing! Women conference was really good! I really liked that everyone had variety of topics spoken about. I'm looking foreword to re reading them! Pres. Uchtdorf was really good!

That was my week in a nutshell! I'm so excited for conference this week! We have had many invites to watch general conference with people, so we might have 4 different places to watch it at! So that will be fun! I hope you all enjoy your week and enjoy conference!!!

Love you all!

Sister Parke

The time when we were forced to drink Iraqi tea!

Hi everyone who is reading this!

So.... This week was a fun one! I love Sister Routt so much! We had lots of bonding time and TONS of laughing. She has learn quickly that I'm super easy to scare! Haha. So I need to be on my watch now! We also had a meal appointment almost everyday! I love all of the members! They are so awesome and so sweet!

In case you were wondering... My chicken turned out to be a success! The tacos and nachos have been super yummy! I still have a container and 1/4 to finish... So I need to get more creative how to finish the chicken! We got to visit one of our neighbors Monday night. Her name is Marty and she's so funny and sassy! We got to hear many of her stories of what she has been through. It's crazy what some people have to go through in this life. While talking... Marty made a mention that there is a deaf lady in the neighborhood! I jumped right on that and asked where this women lives. I called the ASL elders about it and they told me to go see if she's interested! Sadly she hasn't ever been home when we go by, but I'm going to keep trying until someone answers!

Thursday was a fun day! We went to the church to do weekly planing and brought plenty of snacks to keep us entertained! Then we went to Marilyn's house to invite her to Why I Believe. We ended up talking for a long time and getting to hear more of her crazy sailing stories. Then we went outside to water her plants on the side of her house. While doing that... Her neighbors across the street came over. They are refugees from Iraq. The family consisted of a Mom, a Dad, and a little girl. The girl was soooo cute! Only the dad knew English. We chatted with him for a little bit then he invited us and Marilyn to come to his house across the street. So we went overt there and chatted some more. The dad then asks, "Do you like tea?" Marilyn replies, "Oh, I love tea!" And he turns to us and I say, "Sorry, we don't drink tea." So he asks, "Orange or tea?" So we say orange, but then his wife brings the tea out and hands us a cup! Then the man keeps telling us to drink the tea and asks if we like it. We told him that we were waiting for the tea to cool. Luckily they gave us a tiny cup, so we decided to drink it out of courtesy. It tasted like cough syrup! Haha 

On Friday we went to check up on a potential investigator we have been trying to find since we got here! No one has ever answered the door. When we called earlier this week the lady on the phone told us we had the wrong number. So... We went back to this man's house once again. We were 1/2 expecting no one would answer the door since there has never been a car there. So we knock and waited in silence.... Then all of the sudden we hear "HEY....HEY!" It scared us 1/2 to death! We answered and told him who we were looking for... Sadly the guy we were looking for didn't live there.

Saturday was the Day of Service! It was so much fun! We first help set up the Ward's free garage sale at the church! It was really neat to see all the things people donated for free... Especially the kids and baby clothes! Then we went to a graveyard to help clean up the grounds and the head stones from the dirt and grass. The graveyard was for African American people who had died at the hospital down the road. That was a neat experience  to be apart of! After doing service, we headed home and Sister Routt wasn't feeling good. She woke up with a bad headache and it was getting worse. We called it a day so she could rest. I had fun getting everything she needed! I even had a system down putting a wet rag in the freezer while she had a frozen rag on her head and swap them out periodically. It was so funny to see the rag be frozen stiff and she would have to wait a sec to bend it to put it on her head! 

Sunday! It was good to finally be in church and see everyone who is in the Ward! I even got to shake Coach Niumatalolo hand after church! Yep! He's in my ward! They just dropped their youngest son at the MTC last week. I forgot where he is going.... But that was fun to officially meet him! 

That night was also fun! We went to a single sister's house. She is soooo sweet and very inspirational. She told us story after story, one of which was how she conquered cancer! It was quite the story! It was amazing to hear how she mentioned that God blessed her and she hardly had pain through the whole experience! She had stage 3 cancer!!! 

This morning we went to Einstein's Bagels  for breakfast! That was very yummy! I accidentally got a spicy one, but it was still good! Next time I want to try the pumpkin bagel or the French toast one! Then we went to Kohl's! That's a fun store! Tonight we are eating dinner with the Bishop's family! It should be lots of fun and hopefully we can come up with a game plan on how to move the work foreword! 

I hope you all are doing great and are happy! Enjoy the Fall weather!

Much Love,

Sister Parker

The time when we made instant friends in the Broadneck Ward!

So... I want to share some EXCITING NEWS!!!

I called Sister Cosper this morning to ask a few questions. Then... She informed me that Jan has a baptism date for Sept 24th!!!! Apparently Sister Ram and Cosper went over on Saturday and Jan told them that she read Sister Ellsworth's good bye note to her. In the note Sister Ellsworth simply stated that she knew the church was true. When she read that... She felt the spirit really strong and knew that Sister Ellsworth wouldn't lie. So... Sister Cosper and Ram asked Jan to exercise her faith and set a baptismal date. She accepted and now is planing to be baptized on Sept 24th!!! Yesterday they showed Jan where she would be baptized and Jan felt the spirit again that this was something she needs to do. She is nervous for having the baptismal date so soon (originally it was the first weekend in Oct, but they had to move it up to the last weekend in Sept!) but... She keeps saying WHEN I get baptize, what is expected of me/ what do I need to do before I get baptize? This is a HUGE miracle! This isn't the Jan I met back in July. Her heart is totally softened and now wants to join the church!

Sadly I won't be able to go to the baptism because it isn't in my area`anymore, but I much rather Jan be baptize without me there than not get baptized at all! I'm sooooo happy and excited!

Sister Routt and I!!!

I feel like it has been 2 weeks since last time I wrote! It must have been because of changing areas and getting a new companion. But... Boy! Since I moved areas the days are just ripping by! I am now serving in the Broadneck Ward in Annapolis, Maryland! My new companion and I have been keeping ourselves busy which is a tender mercy because we are white washing the area. My new companion is Sister Routt! She is from Orem, UT and is planing to go to UVU after her mission! We were in the Silver Spring Zone for the same amount of time! She has been on her mission for 5 months now and has only served in White Oak before being with me. ALL of her 3 companions are home from their mission. She keeps getting companions on their last transfer! It looks like I too will be finishing my mission with her too! I'm so excited! We are having a blast so far!

Last Monday we had a fun goodbye party for Sister Ellsworth! We played poor man cranium.... Look it up! It's so fun! All you need is a pen, paper, and a bag of some sort!

On Tuesday we made a TON of errands! It was really fun doing last minute things for Sister Ellsworth's last day in the mission. Sister Cosper was called to be the new Sister Training Leader with Sister Ram! So... They had to leave early to pick up the new missionaries!

Wednesday was a crazy morning! We all were running around getting packed up and getting ready to say our goodbyes to Sister Ellsworth. It was so sad saying goodbye! We lingered in the parking lot until we were the last ones to leave! Sister Johnson had to pull Sister Ellsworth away from us! Once she was gone, Sister Routt and I headed on our way to our new area! 

Transfer Day!

Thursday was a fun day! Sister Routt and I decided to make some cookies for some members and investigators to say hi. That worked out really well! Haha. Fun fact... You can buy everything you need to make cookies at Dollar Tree! They even had eggs! The cookies let us meet some awesome people in the area! One of which was the bishop's family! They have the cutest kids ever! I'm looking foreword to working with them more. The bishop's wife even invited us to go to her son's baptism last Saturday! We of course had to go to 5 Below and pick up a little something for him to say congrats. The baptism was so fun! I got to meet a lady afterwards that knows ASL and wants us to come over so she can polish her skills more! She was telling me funny stories about when she taught her oldest son how to sign when he was a baby. He would make up excuses of not going to sleep. He would sign that the tree was scary (he didn't even have a window in his room!) or the wall was scary. Haha. I'm looking forward to teaching ASL with my kids one day! The lady's husband did a fantastic job speaking on baptism. He's in the Army and related his talk on baptism to joining the Army. It was quite interesting to see the similarities between the two. Then he gave the little boy an Army hat with his last name on it! It was so cute!

Friday was a big day! We went to meet Marilyn who is a potential investigator. She is a self referral who wants to learn more about the church because her daughter became a member a little bit ago. When she opened her door, we asked if we could do anything for her. She said,"Yes! There is something I need help with!" Marilyn got in a car accident a few weeks ago that should have killed her! She is now in a neck brace for a few more weeks. Because of the brace, she hasn't been able to sleep very well. So Sister Routt and I helped move her furniture around up stairs to put a recliner in her room to sleep in! That was a fun adventure! I was proud that we were able to accomplish the task! We then got to talk with Marilyn for awhile and she told us all about these crazy sailing experiences she has had. The following day we went back to do a little shopping for her since she is without a car. When we got back, we met Marilyn's friend that goes to the same church as her! They are both sweet ladies! We got to teach the 1st half of the lesson with Marilyn and I'm looking foreword in meeting with her this week!

Saying goodbye to Sister Ellsworth!

Dinner on Saturday was really fun! We got to visit the cutest family that night! For the spiritual thought we played Simone says to teach about prophets. When it was the little boy's turn... He kept saying Simone says and than said a command! Haha! One time he said, "Simone says to hug Mia!" (His oldest sister) So we all went over and hugged Mia except the Dad! The little boy asks why his dad didn't hug Mia!!! We all laughed and kept playing. The little boy then says "Simone says to hug Dad!" Haha. We had to tell him no more hugging. Haha. Afterwards Sister Routt and I had to head off the Stake Conference! 

Stake Conference was a really good! Robert C. Gay came to speak with us as well. He did a fantastic job! He told amazing stories on Saturday night and Sunday morning. My favorite story was on Saturday night about his family! When he and his wife got a call to serve as mission president in Ghana, majority of his kids weren't on the right path. He tried to tell the Leaders that they had the wrong man since his children were struggling or had struggled with the gospel. He and his wife were then promised in a blessing being set apart that their family would be blessed if they did all they could as mission president. So they served to the best of their abilities. While gone, 5 out of the 6 kids got married in the temple! The oldest son still had his heart harden to the church, but brought his nonmember girlfriend to Ghana to meet his parents. Elder Gay took the opportunity and invited the APs to their family home evening. The missionaries then extended every invitation in all the lessons you could give! His son was not happy with his dad! Well... A few months`after Elder Gay and his wife got home from their mission, he gets a call from his son. He asked if his girlfriend could be taught the lessons! Elder Gay asked to clarify what he meant and his son explained,"The missionaries gave her the stupid Book of Mormon and started reading it! She now wants to be baptized!" So... Short time later, his son came back to the church and got married to his now wife! 

After church on Sunday we met another awesome family (we have been so blessed to be fed every night so far)! The mom ended up giving us a lot of food to take home with us! Including a almost 7 pound chicken that we will be making tonight to make chicken tacos! Wish us luck! Then we went to check up on members and potential investigators! I have found another favorite family! They are the Boyce's. They are so funny and sweet! We had a really fun visit with them. The Boyce's have grown children now and enjoying the grandparent life! I'm so excited to visit with them again!

Today has been a relaxing P day! Tonight we will check up on 2 of our neighbors who might be interested in learning about the gospel! Wish us luck! Oh... Fun fact... I'm living in an actual house right now! It's so cute and small! We even live in an neighborhood! It's so funny that I really do miss living in a neighborhood! It has been a fun change from living in an apartment for the last 15 months!

I hope you all are doing swell and happy! I'm doing great and look foreword to what this week brings!

Love,

Sister Parker

The chicken is in. Repeat... The chicken is in!

The time we got to do honey tasting!

WOW! 

My District! 

This week has been a crazy, fun, wild, and emotional ride! A lot of this week was going around saying good bye to people for Sister Ellsworth. It was really touching to see all these people expressing gratitude and sadness to see Sister Ellsworth leave. I'm not looking forward to this part of my mission when I leave for home! But I know with technology... I can stay connected with all the people I built strong friendships with! It's not real to anyone that Sister Ellsworth is actually leaving! This girl has been in the ASL branch her WHOLE mission! I admire her for being able to endure to the end. I know it wasn't easy, but she sure did make an impact on those she has served!


Wednesday was a really emotional day! We first went to see Jackie and had a great lesson with her! She's doing so awesome! She can look at the pictures and tell us what she thinks is happening in the picture, then we will sign to explain what it says underneath. It was neat to see her doing this and being more involved in the discussion! When we told her that Sister Ellsworth was leaving... Jackie started to cry! It was the most tender thing ever! Sister Ellsworth was the one who started teaching her and has always been able to explain in a way that Jackie can understand. At that moment I realize that even if a person isn't able to completely understand the gospel... You can still make a HUGE difference in their lives and allow them to feel the spirit! I can't wait until after this life and meet Jackie again when she can fully understand what we've been trying to teach her along!

Then we got to see Sister Gibbs! I've never met her before this week, but man... I love her sooooo much! She reminded me a lot of Sister Nutter from the Gaithersburg Ward. Sister Gibbs was sooo funny and very sincere. Her breath was taken away when we told her that Sister Ellsworth was leaving for home. We had a really good time with with Sister Gibbs! She can tell you one story after another without a pause! Very fun lady!

Brother Schmoltz's Honey Collection!

Friday was a really fun day! We went to see Ann and had a blast! After eating lunch together, we took her out on a walk! It was a beautiful day outside! She made a mention about the deaf and blind pedestrian sign that was nearby. We wanted to take a picture with her with the sign. She happily agreed! She's the sweetest lady ever!

After language meeting we took Sister Ellsworth's death photo. It was very sweet and sad! That night we went to go see Gwen! We forgot the phone that we normally text her on at home, but luckily we had another phone! Well... We got to her door and she wasn't replying back or answering her door! So... We did the same thing with Charo and did everything we could do to get her attention! After 10 min she finally answered the door! Yay!

We had an amazing lesson with Jan on Saturday! It was really cool. Beforehand she got carried away telling us story after story. It was a little hard to start the lesson and feel focused. But... Once we shared a scripture about prayer... the atmosphere felt different! We all were able to focus and have a great discussion about prayer! And... Jan said a beautiful closing prayer! The next day... Jan had to drive herself to church by herself for the first time! We were all nervous... Especially Jan because she gets lost easily. We all said prayers that she would be able to make it ok. Well.. Jan beat us to church and didn't even get lost once! 

That Saturday night we went to the Schmoltz for dinner. Brother Schmoltz is the really good cook that likes to have us over every month. He also has a HUGE honey collection and we got to try some of them. It was fun, but we all were so stuffed by the end of the night!

We all got our call outs on Sunday night.... And I'm officially leaving the Deaf Branch! It looks like I'm finishing up my mission in English! I'm really excited to have a new area and give it my all! Wish me luck! Tonight (Monday night) I'll find out where I'm going and who I'll be with!

Love you all and enjoy your week!

Sister Parker

Enjoy this time lapse video of what it takes for Sister Missionaries to get ready in the mornings!