The day before......

This letter was written Tuesday, the 15th, the day before Destinee went to Guatemala.

I am writing this really early in the morning because we just sent Hma Stokes off.  I leave tomorrow.  She was the only one going to her mission.  I don't know when I will have P-day but I will let you know when I get there. or I will call from the airport.  Almost everything is packed away again. 

I played the piano Sunday for Sacrament meeting.  I wasn't my best but I think my biggest mistake was not knowing "sweet Hour of Prayer" has a 3rd verse in Spanish.  

As for this past week, there's been some funny things that have happened.  It seems that one of the Elders in our district sleep walks.  He woke up one night, well not really woke up because he was still asleep--and yelled out, "Elder!  What is Hermana Park doing in here?"  His companion told him to go back to sleep.  He had dreamed that I had come into their room to tell them they were late for a service project.  The next night my companion woke up at 2 am and thought she was late getting up.  She turned on her light and realized how early it really was.

I have been playing lots of fun sports here during our gym time.  I play basketball a lot-I can shoot a 3 pointer now but it is nothing compared to Hermana Moeai's half court shot she made yesterday.  THAT was the coolest thing I've ever seen.  I've also played volleyball and foursquare and Frisbee.

I am keeping busy and learning fast.  Our district has covered and learned more Spanish in these last 3 weeks than I thought possible.  I've laughed a lot and finally got to know everyone on an individual level in my district from doing teaching activities with them.

First email from the CCM

Hola! i have fifteen minutes to write to let you know I am doing well. The second plane ride was fine and it was dark by the time we arrived to the airport. I met and talked to Elder Lontine. Me and hma Moeai gave a book of mormon to a lady on the plane and many of us missionaries taught lessons.

The food here at the CCM is good, better than that of the Provo mtc that is. We have more studying time here. Elder Udall acts like a little brother. He´s not in my district but whenever he sees me he makes sure I´m doing well and tells me about the most random things, such as today when he told me about an ant hiding from termites in a bed of soil.

I have a new companion. Her name is Hma Pond. She arrived in Guatemala 12 hours before our group did.  She´s from Bountiful.

There hasn´t been too much rain yet. The first day was difficult because I was tired from getting up early and I felt completely lost. We ate at about 10 and I didnt get to bed until after 11. Now I´m doing better. I can speak some spanish, but everything basically left when i got off the plane. The only thing I can do is bear my testimony in Spanish, and I can hardly understand a word of it. It´s difficult.

Pictures can only be taken on our pday, which I think is wednesday still. Mail will get to the US by someone bringing it to the border. The most reliable mail way is dearelder.com.

Guatemala is an interesting sight. There are strange bird calls in the morning and I haven´t seen too many insects here yet. I sleep on the top bunk again but this time there is no railing so I will have to be extra careful.

We have strange people in our district, which is called Abraham (districts here are by names and not numbers). There are only 2 of us hermanas in our district and 10 elders. There are four n. american districts and the rest are native speakers. We don´t have classes with them.

I can´t think of more to write so I will write later. I love you all and tell kiana to have fun at girls´camp. Love Desty

In flight to Guatemala

Destinee flew out today to Guatemala.  She will be in Guatemala at 8 pm tonight.  I talked to her on the phone just a few minutes ago and she said she got a little sick on the plane. 

I hope her flight from Dallas to Guatemala goes smoother.  She said the group of missionaries she is flying to  the CCM consists of about 27 missionaries, Including her and two other sisters.  The majority of them will be Guatemala missionaries.  She said some of the Elders were already sharing the Gospel on the plane.

Destinee and her companion were both pleased with last night's dinner--it was Kahlua Pork and rice and sweet potato slices.  Both of them liked it because it was something their moms made at home. (remember Destinee's companion is Hawaiian)

More pictures.....

More pictures.....and especially for Elder Epperson's mom

Our district  (L to R) Hma Morris, Herbert, me, Moeai, Stokes, Elders (Texas) Jones, Epperson, Morris, Merrill, Jones, King, Miller

Floor where we have class in the Parley P Pratt building

Our classroom

 

The Temple Grounds (Sunday Night walks)

Provo Temple and leaving Provo for Guatemala

Hermana Moeai

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Received pictures today

 Hermana Moeai, Hermana Park, Hermana Stokes

 

Elders Jones, Epperson, Jones, Merrell, King, Miller

                    Hermanas Moeai, Park, Stokes, Morris, Herbert

Hermana Moeai, Hermana Park (Destinee), Hermana Stokes

Hermana Moeai, Hermana Stokes, Hermana Destinee Park

A bit of sad news for Destinee

Destinee's grandpa passed away last night just before midnight.  We had to call the MTC and have them give her the news. 

Destinee got to email us this evening.  Here is her email:

Hey Family. We heard about Grandpa this morning. Hope all of you are doing well and aren't too sad. I know things have been difficult lately with all the many deaths, but I know that everyone is on the other side of the veil working hard. The district president who told us the news shared with us a scripture: DyC 138:57-58, and told us maybe grandpa is on the other side of the veil serving his mission. In a way it is kind of a comfort because that means not only will he be free from pain, but also that Kade and I have another angel on the other side watching over us as we serve our missions. It is a blessing to be part of a church that knows that we will be together with our families after this life. It's interesting, but the lesson we are focused on teaching right now is the Plan of Salvation. No matter what happens in our futures, know that those things that happen on Earth around us- the missionary work and service- they are mirrored in the Spirit world. I hope those stories I left with you will give you comfort as you ponder on Grandpa's life. I know there weren't many I wrote down, but hopefully the small amount helps. It was only today when I heard about Grandpa's death that I remembered the computer picture I made. I never gave him a copy of it after Grandma's death, but now I can make the image whole when I return home in 18 months so that both grandma and grandpa will be accepted into the arms of Christ. Grandma's probably very happy right now. Make sure dad has the comfort he needs because I know that Grandpa's death will be hard for him. I love you all.

 

Love Hermana Destinee Park

Today's Email

Hello Family

So next week I leave for Guatemala. We got our flight schedules. I will be stopping in Texas for 5 hours and then head down to Guatemala. There are 7 people in our group: I think the 2 of us hermanas and then 5 elders. 

There's been some sad things going on this past week. Elder Morris was too good at speaking spanish for a basic level class so he had to test out of it. He's no longer in our district. They would have had me test too (Hermana Forsyth and Hermano Scheide our teachers) but since I am leaving next week they didn't see a reason too. I like having the extra practice and reviewing though. Also, [another Elder] came into our class two nights ago and said he was leaving for clinical stuff so he's now gone too. That leaves us 10 missionaries in our district: 5 hermanas and 5 elders. 3 of us hermanas will leave next week. 

This past week I memorized JSH 1:16-17 in spanish, as well as the first verse of Para Siempre Dios éste con Vos. It is also known as God be with you till we Meet again. Testimony meeting was awesome. I felt the spirit strongly. It was freezing so I was shaking but I wanted to bear my testimony, especially after those from my district who hardly know any spanish got up and bore their testimonies. Right after the meeting one of the elders in our district, Elder (Texas) Jones said that when he heard I was cold he was going to offer me his suit jacket, but then realized that everyone would probably disapprove and it wouldn't be accepted. Also, the people in my district didn't ask me at all if I was nervous, luckily I wasn't or that would be worse. They asked me if I was cold (which I was) and one of the elders said he thought I was "shaking with the spirit".  My district loves me!! Also, the elders here are nice. They always insist that the sisters go ahead of them for meals and the elders take our trays back occasionally too. We are kind of spoiled here.

I learned that the more spirit a person possesses, the more that person can look into another person and understand them. That's probably why our district has so much love for each other- We have spiritual people. The spirit really can make a difference in our lives. 

Elder Hales came last night, Tuesday, to speak to us. He and his wife spoke to us about our purpose as missionaries, the importance of being obedient and the temple, and the impact we can have on others. Elder Hales said that as missionaries we are "going to wander in the vineyard" and that there will be people who will know who we are. When he said this, I thought about my missionary scripture, Jacob 5:71-72. 

We have been contacting a lot around the MTC and it is awesome. We even talked to an older couple. We've had some lessons on how to teach better at the TE (Teaching... something). The last teacher that spoke with us is from Orem. His name is Brother Marlowe and he lives [by us and goes to the] ward that goes to the same building as you. Well, I don't have long left so I'll leave you with what I memorized.

Para Siempre Dios éste con Vos

Para siempre Dios éste con Vos, 

Con su voz él os sostenga,

Con su pueblo os mantenga, 

Para siempre Dios éste con Vos.

Hasta ver, hasta ver, hasta vernos con el Rey,

Hasta ver, hasta ver, para siempre Dios éste con Vos.

JSH

Vi una columna de luz, más brillante que el sol, directamente arriba de mi cabeza. Y esta luz gradualmente descendió hasta descansar sobre mi. Al reposar sobre mi esta luz, vi en el aire arriba de mi a dos personajes cuyo fulgor y gloria no admiten descripción... Uno de ellos me habló, llamandome por mi nombre y dijo, señalando al otro, Éste es mi hijo amado, Escuchalo!

2nd written letter from the MTC

(written in pink) This pink letter is the second one I am writing.  Let's see.....what haven't I written about yet?  I forgot to tell you but Mi Campanero Hma Moeai (Mo-Aye-EE) wasn't set apart so the 2nd or 3rd day we were here, me and Hma Stokes got to be there for Hma Moeai's setting apart as a missionary.  Of our district, 2 of us are going to Guatemala city, 1 to Spain (us 3 leave on June 16), and the other 9 all go to Chile.  We took pictures at the Provo Temple as a district Sunday (I asked the Elders if they would be okay with that) because every Sunday we get to walk on the Temple grounds.  When I send home the card I'll write down who everyone is so you will know.

Thank you for all your letters.  I can't believe I have been a week already.  time has gone by so fast.  We have been busy, schedules filled with personal & companion study, Gym, devotionals, classes, District & Zone meetings, language, MDT (missionary directed time) and of course meals.

I haven't met any of the Elders who added me on facebook.  The first night was rough, but I have gotten a few nights of good sleep.

Received two letters today!! Letter #1

From Destinee:

 I don't have a lot of time here.  Most of the time is filled with classes and studying.  The grounds here are beautiful.  There are interesting flowers here--one that looks like a Bird of Paradise; there are also large purple flowers that act as ivy and wrap around the poles.  I can see the mountains well.

My Spanish is returning and getting better and my English is slightly fading.  I guess that happens to a lot of missionaries.  I [saw] someone from high school.  I stopped and talked to him in Spanish.  He understood a little but not much because he is going to Hungary.  He couldn't speak English so the conversation was short.

I have two companions.  Hma Moaei is from Hawaii. [She] is going to my mission.  Hma Stokes is going to Spain.  I haven't met any more people going to my mission.  My district is awesome.  We have 12 people in it, which includes 7 Elders:  Elder miller is our DL and his companion is Elder King; Elder Merrill and Elder Jones; Elder Morris, Elder Jones (a different one) and Elder Jepperson.  Then we have 5 Hermanas:  Hma Morris and Hma Herbert, and then me, and mis companions.  We all (our district) eat together, and get along with each other.

All of us are set at a fast pace by our teachers, sister Forsythe and Brother Sheid. One of our tareas? (homework) is to share the gospel message with other missionaries on campus as well as bearing our testimonies, all in Spanish of course. 

1st email from the MTC

From Destinee:  All is awesome! I will leave to Guatemala on June 16. Sorry I haven't written yet. Our PDay is on Wednesday, so since we arrived Wednesday, this is our first Preparation Day. I went to the Provo Temple and it is Beautiful!!! Our entire zone went. My Spanish is getting better and sometimes my companions tell me that I am a walking spanish-english dictionary. My district is pretty cool. I'll be sending more information about them through snail mail. Food's not the best here and I miss your cooking, but I can still find stuff to eat (I've been eating salad for the majority of my meals).

Destinee sent the major portion of her email to her little sister.  Here are a few neat things she had to say:

Yesterday I had the chance to teach the first lesson: The Restoration, to a volunteer- in English of course. It was awesome. At first I had to speak in Spanish to greet and the first hombre we contacted spoke only in Spanish. I could understand him and could reply to what he said. He told me my spanish was frighteningly good for being in the MTC for only 6 days. My companions are like my best friends. We get along well and everyone has something they bring to the companionship. Hermana Moeai is from Hawaii and is very kind to everyone. She lets others go before her or will try to grab the door to hold it open for us to go through. She's coming with me to Guatemala City in 2 weeks. She's the only other hermana I know of that is going there. Hermana Stokes, my other companion, is hilarious. She makes everyone in our district laugh and is never more than who she really is. I feel I have grown more confident as I continue to work hard and practicing teaching the gospel. Sometimes things are hard because my memory is just the same as ever so I forget things or I don't understand what others are saying (in English) but at the same time, I can feel the Spirit and know that everything will be fine. I have only seen Kade 3 times. I saw him the first night (Wednesday night) in the Cafeteria and he hit me in the shoulder. Then I saw him in passing once, where he didn't notice me and then again in the bookstore where he didn't hear me. I wish I could tell you much more because every day is an adventure but I only have 10 minutes left. Let everyone know I'm doing well and loving this time in the MTC.

Destinee then shared her testimony in Spanish:  Yo se que somos hijos de Dios y que nos ama. Él envió su  hijo, Jesucristo, para dar su vida para que podemos vivir con Dios otra vez. Yo se que el Libro de Mormon es la palabra de Dios y el profeta José Smith lo trandució por el poder de Dios. Somos una parte de la iglesia verdadera de Dios, La Iglesia de Jesucristo de Los Santos de Los Ultimos Dias. Yo se tambien que la familia es importante y a traves Jesucristo podemos vivir como familias siempre.