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)