El Regreso

Family,

As you all know I have finally returned from my mission to Guatemala City Central. I am grateful for the experiences I have had and I am grateful to be back. I would never trade my mission experiences for anything because it was one of the best things I have been able to do in my lifetime. I have learned much and know that the mission experiences have prepared me for life even more. Well, this past week on Wednesday we had a testimony meeting as the leaving group. The next day we had to arise really early so that we could be at the airport at 6 although our flight did not leave until 8:55 AM. We had started out as 5 sisters and 5 elders leaving, but 3 of the elders were from Guatemala and didn't have to travel by plane; one elder flew to Honduras and another flew to Panama. Hermana Benavides, one of the sisters stayed with her family who had come to pick her up, one sister left by bus to El Salvador, and one flew to Ecuador. Hermana Moeai and I flew to Dallas, Texas, but we were accompanied by six elders from the south mission. At Dallas, Hermana Moeai left to another plane and I continued on alone. I felt strange without a companion and without knowing really where to go. I tried waiting to see if the five elders who were continuing on to Utah would come, but I couldn't see them anywhere, so I prayed for guidance and was led to where I needed to go to wait for the plane. While I was waiting the elders came up and left their bags with me, I telling them that I was willing to watch the bags but if they were stolen it wasn't my fault. I was a little confused because my watch still had the time of Guatemala and I had forgotten that the states have Daylight savings time. However, I was fine and I finally arrived to the Salt Lake Valley, where the climate was much colder than what I am use to. I am thankful for the amazing journey I had these 18 and a half months. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church of Christ that He had established on the earth while He walked in His ministry. We have a prophet to guide us today and we are guided by our Heavenly Father. I love you all. I definitely recommend serving a mission. It will change your life!

Love Hermana Destinee L Park (now a released missionary) 

 

 

Destinee's last email was all in Spanish because she said that is what she knows best. I loaded it into google translate, and read the translation. She said I could use someone else to translate and to "please not use google translate, because it lies". Oh well. :)

She talked about how this past Sunday people gathered all over Guatemala in Stake Centers to witness the dedication of the Temple in Quetzaltenango Guatemala by President Ucthdorf. She said, "To be there in a secluded part of the temple on Sunday was something I will never forget." She also said that 36 years or so ago, the people of Guatemala didn't think there would ever be a Temple in Guatemala.

She also said, "We can not have a complete testimony if you have not read the Book of Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church is complete and true, guided by a prophet of God"

My Last 30 days

Dear Family,

So now I am into my last 30 days of the mission. For these last 30 days I have some high goals that I want to achieve because I will not have the chance to do it again. First, I want to reach 210 contacts. I want to find 40 new investigators in a week. I want to put a baptismal date with a family because I will not be seeing the baptism of one. I plan to cast fire to the area and then to my old clothes, finishing it all with a huge fire (no worries because it isn`t literal. Others always say that I am casting fire). I love my mission with all I have because it is a time when I can serve my Heavenly Father, when I can be free from the worries of the world, and where I can change. 

 

As for this, I will tell you about my week because it was interesting. One of the days in the morning my companion was washing something outside. I was cooking breakfast, part of it included rice. I went outside to wash the rice and as I was by the pila (note that my companion was still outside) the door shut on us. I panicked a little because I left the stove on and we did not have the keys with us. The only thing we thought to do was to break the glass so that we could reach in and open the door, but as I reached for the broom by a larger window, I realized that we could lift up one of the slips of glass (the window was put together with several horizontal panes of glass) and stick our hand through it. So I began to do this instead. I was able to get my hand through and open the door, but in the process I broke a bit of the glass and cut myself on it. It wasn`t too bad but I was bleeding. It was a crazy experience. 

 

Thursday we had a super Christmas activity with President Brough and family, and the zones of Esquintla and our zone Villa Hermosa. It was fun because we played basketball, a soccer game that was like crocket, and a human bowling game with soccer balls. Later at night we watched a movie called ´´17 miracles´´ which I would highly suggest seeing. Part of what touched me most was that at the end of the movie the narrator stated how he felt many times like giving up while pulling his handcart, but each time he reached the ´´giving up´´ point he felt the cart pushing him. He said that he knew then that the angels of God were there helping him. My first few weeks in the mission field I received a letter from mom that had that quote on it. That is what has helped me to keep pressing forward each day of my mission. I have laminated that letter with tape and have posted it by my desk so that I can read it each day and remember again that the angels of God are with me and that I can do hard things. 

 

The next morning we had to wake up at 3, be at the stake center at 4, and we left at 4:30 AM for the temple. It was a fantastic experience because other missionaries always finish their mission going to the temple, but they always go alone. I had the blessing of going with all of my zone and with President and Sister Brough. We had a couple of experiences this week of contacting and after an hour or so of contacting we finally contact a door, even at the very end of the night, that opens to us. I have had a difficult week, but a week that was full of many blessings. I know that Heavenly Father watches over us and guides us, and that the angels of God surround us to help us keep going.

 

Finally, this morning as we left the house there was hardly anyone in the street but I said if I see someone in the street I am going to contact them. Well, out of who-knows-where a woman began walking toward us. Therefore, I contacted her and we placed an appointment with her. Sometimes we have to make promises before we receive, and God will not give us what we aren`t willing to keep. 

 

Well, that is probably it for this week. I know the gospel is what we need in our lives to be truly happy. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only completely true church although other churches have a little bit of truth. But this church is the true church of Christ. Our Heavenly Father answers our prayers even if it is not at the moment that we want because often we must prove ourselves first to show that we really want the answer. 

 

I love you all. Have a fantastic week. Don`t be baggy, and be happy. Take the ugly things and make them beautiful. And for ever and always, be True and have Faith. 

Love Hermana Destinee Leuana Park

Dear family,

Well, for a brief look on the week, not much happened but at the same time much happened. Last week our pday was on Thursday instead of Tuesday and we had it with all of our zone and President and Sister Brough. We first ate a thanksgiving meal of turkey, potatoes, and vegetables, and after lunch played some silly circle games. We all (like 34 of us) put chairs in a big circle and the first game was called "zip zap zop". In this game one person started saying zip, and pointed at another. The person to whom the first pointed pointed at another and said zap, and then that person pointed to another saying zop. This continued until someone messed up saying the incorrect word or taking too much time answering. This would be added to the list of ways the mission is like Harry Potter: finger Wands. 

 

The second game maybe dad would like. We had to make car revving noises or brake noises, moving it in a circle. We couldn't show our teeth or we were out. I couldn't stay in long because the noises were getting to me and I burst out laughing. It was fun. We also played red light, green light.

 

Friday and Saturday we had divisions and I returned to Las Margaritas, which I guess is a good thing because today I found out we cannot return to an old area anymore. I found that one of the people that was baptized when I was there hadn't attended much, had gotten frustrated with the missionaries, and had had some problems. We couldn't find him Friday night, but Saturday we did find him and could talk to him. The sister that was with me hadn't even met him. However, hopefully all is well now. I was a bit frustrated because our letters of support were in a pile on the desk and never had been given to the recent converts. 

 

We had some funny experiences because we didn't have much success. For example, I thought last week was the fastest reject when someone shook their head after we introduced ourselves in contacting, but Saturday we knocked the door of someone and a woman came to the window, opened the curtain, closed the curtain and walked away. We waited five minutes but no one returned. I told those people, without them hearing, that we would return every chance possible to knock their door until they open it. 

 

We had a pretty tough week, but it's probably for our good. There are worse things that happen. 

 

I know the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true and that we have a prophet to guides us today. The Book of Mormon is just as much the word of God as the Bible, and it is amazing to see how the Bible truly testifies of the Book of Mormon and the truthfulness of the church. The best goal we can achieve is the temple because the temple binds us and those who have gone on to the spirit world together.

Love you all. Until next week.

Love Hermana Destinee Park

Family and Friends,

This week was boring but with a lot of funny experiences.

Sunday was stake conference and we got to hear from Elder Uchtorf, Elder Holland, Elder Clarke, and Sister Cook. Elder Holland started out in Spanish, and we were watching it in English so it was translated. We changed the channel to Spanish, and then he changed to English, so we changed back to English. It was awesome.

Last week we found 12 new investigators but all were women and children. We also found a 14-year old gay guy. He is awesome because his family is Catholic but he doesn`t agree with the Catholics.

Well, other than that... not much happened. The funny experiences I will have to look up and tell you all later because I cannot remember and I am running out of time. I had to take time last night by instruction of President Brough to meditate and look back on my mission and see how I have grown. It was a cool experience. Anyway, love you all. I will write more next week. Have an awesome week. Love, Hermana Destinee Park

Additional information: Thanksgiving Thursday will be spent as a zone and with the President. Villa Hermosa was the most successful zone and so I will be part of the thanksgiving feast.

The area is quiet, really calm, and most of the people speak English. I call it mini California. It is a residence, well actually two residences and a small area outside. But nothing happens here other than the harry potter stuff like I said last time. I like it although it is a little different. There is a lot of work to do. There are a lot of mini-stores and businesses. Nothing interesting.

We ARE

Dear Family and others,

First for the studies. This week I read a little from Helaman 10 and 11 and here it talks about Nephi and how he worked hard to help the people know more about Christ. He unfortunately did not have success and the people rejected his words. There is no greater example of diligence and patience in the scriptures because he worked nearly three years before he had success. 

Also, the Jews placed upon themselves a curse, of which we read in Matthew 27:25. They claimed the responsibility for the death of Christ. 

Well, I found another reason about why the mission is like Harry Potter. There is a little of witchcraft and wizardry, which I will have to explain more later. Just know that I am a little freaked out by this part. 

My shoes are finally beginning to wear out. One pair is definitely worn out, and the other is on its way. I believe all of this is from the rain there in the coast, which should have worn them down a bit. My clothes are still good, but I have decided for the clothes that are more worn out by the end of this change, and that no one would want, I will burn. It would be a great death day also, for which I could stand behind the burning pile and it would appear that I am burning. All missionaries always do things like that for their death day. But I am not sure about that still because we would have to be able to find the things that would make all of this safe, and also we´d need the help of a member, so maybe it won´t be brought to pass. However, the idea was cool. 

Sunday was crazy. I had to play the piano, but there were a series of events. We went to talk to the bishop before the meetings and I told him that I was playing the piano and I had chosen hymns to play, but he said that they were choosing the hymns. It just so happened that three of the 4 I hadn´t played before, which was bad news for me because I hadn´t practiced much for at least three months. We entered in the sacrament hall and someone was playing the piano, so I was relieved, but when I went to show him the hymns he said he couldn´t play them and said it was better that I play them. I did a lot of praying, and somehow during the meeting I played each one just fine. Later in the night we went with a big group (we were 11) to visit recent converts, but the way is narrow and dangerous. We didn´t have any problems but it was scary in returning because it was already dark and we only had our flashlights. By the end of Sunday night we had found 10 new investigators and finished up 200 contacts for the week. I saw some miracles this week, for which I am grateful because it always helps us know that God has not abandoned us.

As always, I am grateful to be serving here and to be on the mission because it is a fantastic experience. I have learned from many experiences and challenges. Love you all.

Until next week, Hermana Destinee Park

I`m in the bubble of the world

Dear Family and friends, or whoever reads this,

Right now I am writing while listening to evangelical music in the background because that is what is playing right now in this internet place. Well, I guess I should take all of this step by step right? Monday night, this is the conversation when the district leader called us (translated to English):

``Buenas.``

``Que tal, hermana? I have the changes.``

``Ok``

``In Siquinalah, Elder Taylor leaves. Elder Jimenez stays and has an interview. In Ceiba Amelia... What do you think?``

``You two stay together.``

``Right. Well, that`s all then. Is there anything else we can do for you?``

``No. All is good.``

``Fine. We`ll talk to you tomorrow then.``

``Ok.``

``Hermana, wait. In your area... You leave. Hermana Manzanares stays.``

``What? Are you serious, elder?``

``Hermana, would I lie to you?``

I thought about it. Elder Toledo does not joke or lie.

 

So, Tuesday I packed a little, we went and learned how to make hammocks, played volleyball with waterballoons with the youth, and I bid farewell to those I could, and we had a lesson. 

 

Wednesday we met at the change meeting. Nearly all the sisters had changes. I am now in Riveras del Rio of Villa Hermosa (it`s like where else could I have gone? I`ve been nearly every where else and the mountains are too far to finish the mission in) with Hermana Johansen. She told me that before the mission she had read my blog and so the first time she saw me she told her companion that she knew who I was. She`s awesome. She`s from Morgan, Utah and has 7 months in the mission. 

 

The area is really calm and is like my subject, a bubble. It is boring after my other areas. I met all the rest of the district this tuesday. Now I have a bunch of elders bothering me about when I return home. There is nothing worse than that. 

 

The change of the food bothered my stomach for a few days. In the coast I wasn`t eating much and not of the same substance, so here when they give me a lot of food it is too much. I have trouble eating full meals. The time is running too fast here. It is as if we wake up, contact and teach, and then suddenly it`s nighttime, and then as I hit the pillow to sleep it is time to arise. I have no idea where the time is going but I am doing what I can to use every minute wisely. 

 

Sunday I tried fiambre. It is a big salad of meats, cheese, and vegetables like radish, green olives, onions, brussel sprouts, and other things. It is interesting, but maybe not the best thing I have tried. 

 

Tuesday this week we played football as a district. It was fun although I fumbled many times, but luckily between me and the district leader we made a goal, hurting one of our teammates in the way. There are 8 missionaries in the district, of which I will write maybe later because I want to try sending photos also. 

 

Well, until next week then. I love you all. I am doing well although the adjusting to a new area is difficult. I will keep going. Hasta luego. 

Love Hermana Destinee Park

 

Licuados

My last Tuesday in La Gomera, with the youth of the branch.

My last Tuesday in La Gomera, with the youth of the branch.

I and Hermana Manzanares (one of the youth, Victor, took this photo)

 

Like a dream

Dear Family,

I felt so strange this week with all that has happened. I really don`t have much to say about all that has happened. However, I will explain some things though maybe not in order. 

 

Destinee's District (don't ask me why they are in front of a Christmas tree already--lol)

 

 

We played volleyball tuesday with two of the youth, and tomorrow we plan to do it again for pday but with water balloons. 

 

We found one night a tarantula in our house and as you probably remember, I do not like to kill things, neither do I like dead things. I pondered about what to do with the tarantula and as I was thinking I remembered all that Satan has before put in our path to harm us. I thought about something from the CcM that the animals are our enemies on the mission, so I came up with the determination to kill the tarantula. I grabbed Raid, and my companion said that if that didn`t kill it she`d stab it with her umbrella. I sprayed, and sprayed and sprayed the tarantula, it freaked out and ran out of the corner until it paused facing us. My companion stabbed it with her umbrella, and like in a movie the spider shattered into several pieces as if made of glass. Guess who cleaned it up? me. 

 

A goose that lives in our backyard

 

We suffered a lot of tiredness and poor luck this week, as well as muscle pains and illnesses. By Sunday we both felt a bit discouraged, but our Heavenly Father gave us a bit of hope to show that He had not forgotten us. He blessed us in finding a family who is positive, and while teaching a group of youth, they all expressed the desire to attend church Sunday and be baptised also. From these two appointments our spirits were lifted in happiness. 

 

I truly am grateful for all I learned this week and that God never abandons us. Well, maybe for sending photos now.

 

Love you all,

Love Hermana Destinee Park

 

 

 

And:  I already received my flight schedule. That scared me a little, but I was prepared for it because like always, I had a dream about it beforehand. About four nights ago I had a dream about planes and in the dream I had a bit of fear, but I am still not baggy.  (what?  Why didn't she tell me what they were?)

 

 

And thus

Dear Family,

Again there isn`t much much to write this week because the week honestly flew and I cannot remember too much of what has happened. I hardly can remember what day it is. However, last week we had a zone conference and Elder Martino spoke to us. It was great. Later in the week I was studying about Lehi`s dream and thought about the parable of the seeds. It is interesting to compare 1 Nephi 8 with Luke 8:6-15. 

 

Well, I learned how to make a food called Frito, but I already wrote to mom about that one so she can tell you how it is made. We were running nearly all week long, the rain has stopped for a while, I am tired, but at the same time I can still keep going. It is as if the flesh is weak, but the spirit is strong.

 

My companion and I gave talks Sunday and I thought through the week about how I always share talks about missionary work themes, but never I have shared a talk about my own missionary work. So I talked about this and shared about some of my experiences. I began by reading part of my call letter, translated to spanish, and then I talked about 6 things I have learned from the mission, which are 

 

1) Stand in Holy Places. I shared DyC 87:8 

 

2) Smile and Laugh. I talked about how everyone runs inside here in Guatemala when it rains, and how us missionaries are outside although we do not necessarily like the rain. We cannot allow the tests that fall down on us to impede us from doing what we need to do. We need to face them and laugh.

 

3) 1 Nephi 3:7. If we are obedient God provides the way and protects us. I shared about how in Villa Nueva it is dangerous and we had to obey the rules because everything bad happened after 9 PM when we had to be in the house. 

 

4) Have hunger. I read from Enos 1:4 about how we too should hunger for the spiritual.

 

5) Hold to the rod. I shared about one of my bus experiences and related it to the scriptures and how if we hold onto the scriptures that we will not fly to the dangers of the world. 

 

6) That Jesus Christ came to America. 

 

This is only a summary of my talk because I may use some of these things in a future talk so I will let you know more about that later. I love all of you and testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church of Christ that he organized while on the earth and that if we keep the commandments of God and have faith in Him we will one day receive eternal life.

Love Hermana Destinee Park

 

About the flooding last week:

There was a bunch of flooding in La Gomera and Sipacate. Many families moved because their houses were flooded, and others had to weather the storm until it was over and dry all that they had because everything was wet. As for our house, not much happened in it. We are in a higher place of La Gomera I guess. Everyone tells us that the river here overflooded.  We had a little bit of water under our beds because the water leaked from the window, but everything on our beds was dry. Our area is extremely attacked by mosquitoes right now. There are more and they are biting hard. My legs are covered with bites and even worse are my feet. I know I shouldn`t scratch but my feet are bothering me.

Well, Family, I don`t have to much to write this week because the week flew by so fast that I forgot nearly everything that happened. It has been raining so much that each day we are soaked and our clothes and our shoes are not drying for days. Basically we have nearly wet everything. However, luckily our beds are still dry.

We have two weeks left of the change and we just found out that our district leader will probably be taken out and they will be closing an area. It is funny because I have never had a district leader as district leader for more than 2 changes. I guess the pattern follows.

Other than this, I left out for the mission with a scripture theme of Jacob 5:71-72, but as the mission has continued I have changed this scripture to 1Nephi 3:7, ``I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare the way for them that they may accomplish the things which he commandeth them.`` I have found this to be true and I have had to put more faith in our Heavenly Father as time has gone on. It is not that I haven`t put faith in Him but as the time goes on and I change, the enemy is putting forth more effort and so I have to put even more trust in the Lord.

This coming Sunday we are doing something a little different to help more less active members and investigators attend church. I was reading not too long ago about Moroni and the title of liberty and thought about how each member of the church can be like Moroni. With the standard of truth Moroni gathered all those who were willing to fight against the enemy. Now we are given a call through all parts of the world and once again the title of liberty has been erected. We have a different name in our branch here for this but in all lands it is under the title of liberty. They spoke about it in General Conference and will continue to talk about it. ``... but the truth of God shall go forth until it has swept every clime... and sounded in every ear...``. Our mission president told us last week that we are at war. I also read something from our Heritage this past week that says ``when the saints rejoice, the devil is angry``. I love to say it but ``Let`s go out and kick Satan in the pants!`` Who`s with me?

I know the church is true and that our Heavenly Father always provides the way. I love you all. Keep going this week, forward and not backward, and on, on to the victory (DyC 128). I will write to you all next week. If anyone has any questions for me, feel free to ask. Whatever the question is I will try to answer, :).

Love Hermana Destinee Park

Sorry about the short letter

Mosiah 27: 13-4

Nevertheless he cried again, saying: Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord hath said: ^aThis is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall ^boverthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people.

 14 And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath ^aheard the prayers of his people, and also the ^bprayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has ^cprayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the ^dknowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to ^econvince thee of the power and authority of God, that the ^fprayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.

Dear Family,

Last week we put a crazy goal to find 35 new investigators. The goal for each companionship of our zone is to find 13 new investigators, but I really had wanted to try finding many several times before, so I talked my companion into it, and we put ourselves to work. Happily enough, we achieved this goal by finding 3 new investigators between monday and thursday, 7 new investigators Friday, 15 new investigators Saturday, and 10 Sunday. How happy I was to reach that goal. I feel as Ammon did when he told his brothers in Alma 26:12, ``yea, I know I am weak. As to my strength I am nothing. Therefore I will not boast of myself but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things.`` 

 

We had a baptism Sunday, and I will have to send photos later. It was an awesome week. I believe that Lucifer knew that we were about to do great things because of the experience that happened to us the week before. Also, by the end of this week, our health began declining a little, so we are having a little difficulty now, but still we are pressing forward. Sunday I was fasting, but by the end of the day at 6 PM I had a little pain in my stomach so I stopped my fast. 

 

Then Monday night I felt a little nauseated, and Tuesday I became sick to the stomach for the first time in the mission and have been quite weakened by this. Last night I could not sleep well. 

 

We had a conference Monday during which President Brough told us that we are at war. He said that our standards and our goals have been raised here in Guatemala Mission Central and that Satan will now be working harder against us. It is like Joseph Smith said about how the enemy must have known early that Joseph would be a great instrument in the hands of God to fight against evil. It is with us as well. Our enemy knows what we are capable of doing and will try to work harder against us. I have raised my standards and my goals, and I have reached those standards, and now Satan will have power to raise up even more against me, but I am willing to take what he throws in my way because I know that he cannot have power over me and that he will not win in the end.

 

I may be weak, but I have no fear. Now, this may mean that he can work against my family as well, but I know without doubt that God will help us. He will take care of all of you there at home. Remember that whatever happens is for our good and that it will not last. 

 

I love you all, and testify that we can do all things in the strength of Him who loves us. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only completely true church of Christ in all the world. I know without doubt that it is the only church that has the authority of God to act in His name here on the earth because the Spirit has testified of this to me. The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ and can give us the answers that we seek because it contains the words of Christ and of His prophets. We live in one of the greatest periods of time that the world has ever seen because the greater the opposition, the greater the light. I love my mission and I love serving the people here. It is one of the greatest blessings I have had in my life. I have learned even beyond what I thought I would learn, and not only of things temporally but of things spiritually also. I know that if I turn around now or lack in what I can do, that I would be denying all that I know to be true. 

Love Hermana Destinee L Park 

I did hear conference and in Spanish this time because there aren`t other sisters in the zone, but it was a great experience. I heard that about the tabernacle but did not fully understand about having another temple in Provo. Is that because the Provo temple is the most busy temple?

My hair is staying the same, not changing color, maybe growing longer. My skin is getting darker. 

 

I didn`t know Hermana Manzanares before but she is awesome. She has a positive attitude about everything, is almost always happy, and has the desire to work. One can see how she loves to be a missionary. 

My feet haven`t hurt from my shoes, just from walking. I have tried the inserts and they`re in my shoes right now.

 

Here we have 2 types of weather: really rainy, and we don`t stay dry, or really hot, like being in a Sauna. 

 

I did not hear the RS conference, only general conference, but thank you for sending part to me.

 

This is something I wrote in my journal:

``I can see all that I`ve experienced in my mission and it`s interesting to know that I have learned from my experiences and have grown. I feel that my testimony is stronger because I know now that Heavenly Father truly watches over us and protects us. 

`Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent...`. ``

General conference was really uplifting and I learned much, but there isn`t much time to write all I learned. I watched general conference in Spanish, and it helped me to depend more on the Spirit to teach me rather than the words of the prophet and apostles only. 

Finally, Sunday night, I ate... Iguana. When I first saw it I did not want to eat it but the investigators told us that we could not leave until we ate the iguana, so I did. It actually tasted really good, just doesn`t look pretty. Well, love you all. Hasta la proxima semana,

Love Hermana Destinee Park

 A note about last week's earthquake: "Last monday we did indeed feel the quakes as we were writing home. However, when we do feel them they aren`t strong, although supposedly the center of the earthquake is close by. The missionary moms have nothing to worry about. I know that our Heavenly Father watches over each of us obedient missionaries and protects us. If He didn`t, I would probably be in pretty bad shape for some of the things I have passed through in the mission, and I know there are many other missionaries that have passed through bad things as well. However, all of us are still well and working hard."

On the road to Antigua

Dear Family,

Well, this past week there were changes. I stayed in La Gomera, and I believe I will finish here, and Hermana Marin left. I received Hermana Manzanares. She is from the coast of Nicaragua. Many this change returned home. 

I was studying from Moroni 7:45 this week and discovered some interesting things about charity. A person that has charity endures, and even after years feels the original love toward someone else; he or she builds up others to help them know that they are children of God, is not jealous neither prideful, is not easily angered, does not seek his or her own desires or wants, is righteous, and has faith.

Friday night we were waiting for a meeting, and I played soccer with some kids there at the church as Goalie. I did well and it was fun. Well, now for a journal entry: 

Sunday, September 25, 2011

It`s the end of the day and I`m tired, and the adversary is throwing fire. He`s been working real hard today putting obstacles in every way. My feet have ached while walking, we`ve been exhorting and talking, and now that the day is over, I am glad it`s finally done.

 

We did not have to give talks as planned today because the presidency of the mission was in the branch meetings and they instead gave talks. From the two areas 6 investigators attended church, and the attendance was well, but many still disappointed us for not arriving to church. The day felt long and hot, and we had little success with everything. I look forward to another week with another beginning.

It isn`t a depressing journal entry, just a tired one. This past week was hard. So I also found out something interesting. Some of the people here eat an animal called a Takuacin. Well, this week I had the chance to see one that someone had as a pet. To my astonishment it is... get this... an opposum! Wow... interesting. Well, love you all. Enjoy the week, and I will write to you next week. 

Love Hermana Destinee Park

Monday's email

Dear Family,

This week it rained a lot so several nights we were walking home wet, or during the day we were in places that became flooded and walked through deep water. It was fun. Bad thing is that my companion lost her umbrella in the bus. 

Tuesday we went to Antigua and it was really cold there, perhaps because I am use to the heat now, because before Antigua wasn`t that cold. We shopped a little and ate in a place called Mono Loco`s. On the way back to the coast from Antigua we were stuck in traffic because there had been an accident farther up the road. However, we finally left and returned home in time.

The week has been full of problems and difficulties of all sorts but I am fine. There are changes this Wednesday but we still don`t know if we will have them until later tonight. 

We would have had a baptism this weekend but our investigator said she didn`t feel ready and didn`t want to be baptized yet.

Sunday was fun because church was good with fantastic results of church attendance and with cool lessons later. We met one of the families of the branch, the Family *****. We already had met them but didn`t know who everyone was because there are 6 kids, and hadn`t spoken much with them. The hermano has a brother there in Utah that married with a return missionary. 

I also gave a talk on service.

In the form that I wrote it, here it is:

Mosiah 2:17

There is a story that I like that Elder Uchtdorf shared in General conference about 2 brothers named Zimri and Abram... (To read that you`ll have to find the talk. I believe it is one of the General Conferences from last year.  (http://lds.org/ensign/2010/05/you-are-my-hands?lang=eng)

Service is one of the most important things that we as members fo the church can do. We are only human beings and do not have the power to do much but we can affect the lives of others through service. 

President Monson said, ´´My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by people that need our attention, our esteem, support, comfort, and kindness, whether they be family, friends, acquaintances or strangers. We are the hands of the Lord here on the earth, with the command to loan service and build up His children. He depends on each one of us.`` 

Who should we serve?

We are all familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35).

All of us are brothers and sisters and should serve everyone. If we serve others we will have more peace and happiness in our lives. Service will one day return to us. 

Where I am from there is a lot of snow during the winter. Each time it snows my dad cleans the walkways of the neighbors. I have learned much from his example. One day it had snowed and our neighbor left to clean the walkway of another neighbor. When the other neighbor saw that his walkway was clean, he, thinking that my dad had loaned the service, cleaned the snow from our walkway. By the end of the day all of us were blessed by the service of someone else. I know service will bless our lives and will bless the lives of others.

I would like to finish with reading from Hymn 16 (29) and the 7th verse, which says... (and again you`ll have to look this one up: A poor Wayfaring man of Grief´´.)

When we serve others we serve our Savior Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

This is more or less the talk because I was giving it in Spanish and have to translate it here.

Anyway, that is all for now. Love you all,

Love Hermana Destinee Park

Pictures of the ocean that didn't go through last week

Dear Family,

This past Tuesday for Pday we had plans to play basketball between 2 and 4 pm with the youth of the ward, but we had some misfortunate events. Nearly all the youth had arrived, but we did not have a ball to play with. All of us were waiting for the person to arrive that had the basketball, and as we were waiting and talking to each other, two of the youth that had been waiting outside ran inside of the church gates and tried closing them. We thought they were playing but then I looked a little farther and saw a drunk, well someone that always appears drunk and who bothers my companion, coming in our direction. One of the youth called out, "llaves!" or "keys". I grabbed the keys, raced to the door and locked it before the guy arrived. So... all of us, locked inside church grounds, with a semi-drunk guy outside, and without a basketball. How fun that was. However, finally the guy left, the ball arrived, and we played for 15 minutes. 

I played with chickens this week because I had to catch one chicken that was on a member`s property and take it to its own property next door, and two chicks tried resting on my lap and on my feet so I played with them. 

We had some crazy experiences also. For example, the bus schedule Wednesday wasn`t normal and we ended up being stuck in Sipacate without a way out. To walk to La Gomera it is about an hour and a half`s walk. However, we were blessed because the Family Telon found us and rescued us. 

Saturday, we brought a cake for an investigator`s birthday and when we lit the candle, it would not blow out. All of us had a laughing fit with that. Turns out that the candle was one of those magic candles. For those that had never seen it before it was even more funny. 

Sunday was election day. All of Gomera was in the streets. We spent most of the day in La Catalina. Well, that`s all for now.

Love you.

Love Destinee

This week's email

Look below this weeks post to see last week's email

Dear Family,

This past thursday and friday we had divisions. Hermana Winder came to my area and Hermana Marin went to Escuintla. On the ride back after the divisions we talked to a lot of people in the bus. It was fun. Other than this the past week, I will share with you a bit of my studies.

 

Alma 39 is what I call, after reading it this week, ``The interview with the mission president``. Like Corianton, sometimes the missionary boasts (verse 2) and forsakes the mission for a few minutes to go after the lusts of his or her eyes (verse 3). The `she` that these verses talk about refer to the harlot, but the harlot does not have to be a person. For example, these ``harlots`` include sleeping in late, watching television, listening to music, or being disobedient to mission rules. 

 

Alma counsels his son, or we could say that the mission president (and prophet in this case), ``Go no more after the lusts of your eyes... Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; Suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked ``harlots``(Alma 39:9-11).`` 

 

It is fantastic to apply the scriptures and makes reading the scriptures more interesting as well. 

 

Well, sorry for the short email, and for last week. I was a little frustrated with the last email because not all of it saved either so I can`t remember all that I wrote. But for next week you will all be able to see the photos and receive more of my experiences. 

 

Whatever trial and experience we have in life is for our good. I know that just as the early pioneers came to know God through their suffering, we too can come to know him through our trials and pains. I know that Christ lives and that we are guided by a prophet of God. I love you all.

Love Hermana Destinee Park

Last week's email

Last week's email did not go through.  Sadly, Destinee loaded pictures to send also, and they disappeared.  She finished up what she could remember (the email stopped mid sentence in her draft box) and sent it this week.  She said, "We are on a timed computer, not one that shuts off at the hour, but I still want to be obedient. Even if I could get away with it, it`s best to follow the rules and set a better example. But this week I will be able to send it. ".  Here it is:

Family,

Tuesday I finally saw the ocean. The beach was beautiful and we had fun. The elders were in normal clothes all the time so they appeared like ``puro chavalos``. 

 

On wednesday one of our appointments fell and my companion asked if I wanted to go the next appointment early or pass by the business of a member family. I felt like we should do the second option. While there we found one of the young men, *****, and he accompanied us. He is bien pilas. After the appointment we all went to the church for meetings. 

 

I discovered this week that we have an assigned mission leader. It is not a calling because he already has a calling, but here are some interesting facts:

 First mission leader was named Estuardo. In my second area the mission leader was named Eddy Emanuel. In the third area our mission leader was Eduardo. And here our mission leader is Estuardo. Funny right? 

 

Friday we had interviews with the president and I received my package. 

 

Saturday we had a Noche de Hermanamiento in the church and outside we found a horse spider. Hermana Marin killed it but she had to beat it with the broom 3 or 4 times to kill it. A couple of the young men that night were giving me ``recetas`` or recipes, but recipes that are hogwash or as one of the presidents call them, ``locuras``. It made me laugh though.

 

 Well, sorry there aren`t photos here to send to you. I had a lot to send but I guess last week they didn`t save when I tried sending the email and this week I didn`t bring the camera to upload photos. I guess you`ll have to wait until the next week to see the beach and our adventures. Well, that is all for the last week. Love you.

Love Hermana Destinee Park

"La Cucaracha, La Cucaracha, na na na na na na na".

I think Hermana Park ran out of time this week.  Here are a few short things she did say:

Toads do not make a lot of noise, cockroaches are giant here in the coast. A normal cockroach is like the size of the top part of your thumb... or well, my thumb. And the cockroaches here are like the size of all of my thumb. Yikes! Never thought I would see them so big.

Oh and here is a photo I stole off her companions blog:

Some information from my (mom) personal email:  

My foot still has problems with aching but I have learned to endure it more or less. We have to travel much by foot because our area is large and we have to walk fast, which causes it to be bothered a bit, but it`s not too bad. 

The people here in the coast are really receptive. There are some that are set in their religions but many more that accept us. 

I have eaten a couple of new things like yellow coconut and icaco, of which I will tell you more about in a later email. The meals we eat are always different. The only thing I have eaten twice is a hamburger but that`s because there wasn`t anything else. There is something we drink called Licuados. They are good. They are basically like milkshakes or smoothies but come in huge glasses. I will take a picture and send it to you.  

I love basically everything here. The weather is hot but the air makes things easier, and also there is a lot of rain when it rains. Our area doesn`t see a lot of rain, but when it does rain we get soaked.

What I do not like is that the cockroaches are huge! They are like the size of a mouse. Also many times I am jumpy because there are always frogs on the ground outside or geckos running along the walls.  The iguanas enter our house because we have open windows. They can climb in. The one I saw was pretty cool.

Dear Family,

I forgot to tell you last week about my district and zone. In the district there are 3 companionships, four elders and us sisters, which includes Me and Hermana Marin, Elder Taylor and Elder Jimenez, and the DL, Elder Toledo, and his comp (It is a bit different so I still haven`t learned the name). In the zone there are about 16 or 18 missionaries, and we are the only sisters of the zone. Also, our zone is the smallest of the mission, I believe. Half of the zone will finish their missions in 6 months or less. 

 

Of the things I have tried this week are coconuts, fresh coconuts, which has a water that is tangy. It is like a natural soda drink. Our neighbor, and owner of the house, cut them down for us. I also tried Icaco, which is like a prune but green outside, and inside is like a wet flavorless cotton. There are always geckos on the walls here and frogs, or rather toads, on the ground. Also, nearer by the water there are cranes. 

 

 

 

I have been applicating the scriptures more. I read from Alma 17 about King Lamoni and Ammon. The missionaries are Ammon, the leaders of the church are the servants, the members are the flocks, and the negative influences are like the bad guys. Now read that chapter and put all of these into the story, and you`ll be able to understand better how I saw it this week. I really am grateful to be here and to experience all that I am experiencing. It is a little hard, I must admit, but I am enjoying it. 

 

Tomorrow we will be going to the ocean so I will have to tell you more about that the next Monday. 

 

Sorry because I thought that this would be a longer email, but I ran out of things to write about and time as well is short. I love you all.

 

Love Hermana Destinee Park

(We haven't seen Jorge for awhile!)

Aloha Oi, Aloha Oi

Dear Family,

WOW! So I had changes, but before I tell you about that, last Tuesday we got together one last time as a zone and the elders played soccer. I would have played if they had said anything about it, but they didn`t so I just focused on writing in the baggys of other missionaries and having them write in mine.

 

Well, the changes were exactly how I thought they would be. I had changes to the Coast! I am now in La Gomera, which is the hottest area of the mission, but it isn`t too hot. It is like Utah during the summer right now but with humidity. It feels nice sometimes and other times it feels too hot, but I am adapting. 

 

 

It is so beautiful here. It is like I am in paradaise because it is pure tropics. Grandma would love it here. There are coconut trees and other trees of strange fruits I have never heard about. I have also seen starfruit trees. 

 

 

The coast is about 3 and a half to 4 hours away from the capital. In our area there are frogs, bats, lizards, geckos (occasionally in our bathroom), and I have even seen an owl. Also there are iguanas. They sometimes enter the house. I have heard that the people eat them but we have never been served iguana yet. 

 

 

We have two areas, which are La Gomera and Sipacate. One can see the ocean from Sipacate, or rather it is by the ocean. I still haven`t seen it but I have heard it. Hopefully I will see the ocean Tuesday. 

 

My companion is Hermana Marin from Washington. She`s awesome. She has 10 months in the mission and doesn`t speak Spanish (fluently), but she always talks to the people and that`s what is important. It`s weird also because we are the only companionship of sister missionaries that have two ``Gringas``, or missionaries from the states.

 

Something interesting about the coast is that Santa Lucia, the zone, does not have a stake, but rather it has a district. Just about every area has branches. There is a possibility to have wards but there are a lot of inactive members. 

 

It doesn`t rain often here, but it`s been raining somewhat since I have arrived and so the weather has been a little cooler. Saturday night we were caught in a huge storm while walking to our house. The streets had rivers that were in some places knee-deep. The lightning was very strong and made huge flashes. We were completely soaked when we arrived home, bu I have never had such a fun experience. 

 

 

I love it here. I know that at first I always said that I never wanted to go to the coast because it was too hot, but while in Villa Nueva I felt ready to go. Now I am so glad that I could come here. There is no place more beautiful of our mission that I have seen and I feel fantastic about the area. I sometimes wonder why couldn`t I have come earlier? Funny right? Really I am so happy. We are always placed where we are needed and when we are needed, and also when we can definitely handle our circumstances. If I had come here at the beginning of the year I would have died of heat and would haven`t felt ready.

 

I still know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints is the church of Christ, the true church. It has the proper authority and the proper prophet. I know that Jesus Christ lives and guides us, and that the Book of Mormon and Bible testify of Him. I love you all.

Love Hermana Destinee Park

 

 

photo of our shower (so cool because it is just a faucet. We shower much faster, and it has cold water only)