Pictures

From the mission blog--the sisters had an activity for Mothers Day.

And then there was mine...

To all, dear all, and all to come,

I loved receiving everyone´s testimonies this week because this is what edifies me most. I received testimonies from Kade, Mom, and Dad, and you´ll have to wait for mine a bit. It will be the most important to write for this week, but it is best at the end... Last´s the best, right?

 

Tuesday we had an activity with Villa Hermosa, which was boring because the elders only wanted to play sports and there wasn´t anything else planned. The sisters didn´t want to play so they decided they were going to go shopping, and I tagged along (I couldn´t stay with the elders, of course). The shopping was boring as well, to tell the truth, and in the night when Elder Nielson called I told him that. He was surprised because he thought, as he told me, that ´´all women like shopping.´´ Sorpresa! Not so. (why do people think women like shopping?  Hermana Park takes after her mom I guess) After the shopping, all of us sisters (seven of us) went to Burger King to eat, which was my first time there. Imagine that! 

 

Also I spoke to Elder Park this day and discovered that we are related! 

 

This week has been hard but that´s okay because I learned much and worked hard. We had fun experiences this week. For example, Thursday we ate lunch with Hermana Peña and then dinner with Family Oscal. When we were with the Family Oscal the power went out, but we enjoyed the typical Guatemalan dinner of black beans, eggs, fried platano, and tortillas. 

 

Friday we had a zone meeting and at the end played the animal game. I did not have to dance like a chicken, luckily. 

 

We had divisions, and Hermana Flores came to our area and Hermana Gaitan went to el Frutal. 

 

 

Saturday to end the divisions we met in the mall and ate together again. 

 

 

However, we had to hurry back to our area after because the zone leaders were going to accompany us. It was fun working with them there, and during one of the lessons it began to rain hard and we were outside, so we had to enter. The zone leaders were soaked by the end because they didn´t bring umbrellas. Also there were flash floods and large ponds of water. 

 

 

 

Well, other than all this, Sunday was the most special. We didn´t have many of our investigators attending church, but I invited and persuaded a recent convert, the youngest we have had, to share his testimony. I offered to go with him up to the pulpit. After some time, he finally accepted and we went up to the front. Also his little sister came and some thought she was my daughter, but all was explained to those who thought this. It was a spiritually edifying moment because I too was nervous, but knew that I had to be there, even in the most awkward of situations, for this young boy. He shared what he truly believed and was the only one out of all the recent converts of a year and a half that has shared his testimony. I also had the opportunity to share my testimony which I don´t have the opportunity to do much in front of the ward. 

 

Each experience here strengthens my testimony and I can say without doubt that I know that Christ lives now, that he died for us, and has prepared the way for us. The Book of Mormon is true and guides us. The Spirit stays with us when we are worthy and obedient to all of the commandments. Joseph Smith saw God, the Father, and Jesus Christ and they guided him to restore the true church of Christ here on the earth again. This I share with you now, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Con amor, Hermana Destinee Park   

Raindrops are falling on my head...

A Todos and All,
The lizard we found in the pila this past week wasn´t dead. I made sure to check on Tuesday. Then later the elders of Petapa offered to come and take it out of the pila. I gave a bag to one of the Elders and then made a trail of bottles for them to follow to the back. Then we (Hermana Gaitan and I) waited out front and the elders entered and removed the lizard. One of these elders wanted to write his name on the stomach of the lizard, and then he let the lizard loose. That afternoon we played sports in the stake center. While playing basketball everyone kept passing me the ball to make baskets but it didn´t happen. Finally, after the game I made a basket.

Elder Nielson was pushing us at the beginning of this week to find new investigators, and it sounded like he didn´t believe we were working. I called him out on it and he apologized. Then we made a challenge to see which companionship could find the most new investigators this week. The losers have to buy a pizza for the winners, and it was between all three companionships in our district. Today we saw the results and... Elders of La Union and Hermanas of Las Margaritas tied, and the elders of Promison lost. It was a fun challenge but now we have the goal to find 30 new investigators this week as a district.

It rained a lot this week. One night we slept well because it was colder from the rain. Another night it rained while we were in the house of a recent convert and when we left for our house we had to pass by the church. The street by the church was flooded. We waded in the water, which was midcalf deep. Last night it rained hard and I got a little soaked... and a little ill as well. I woke up this morning and my lungs hurt. We walked much yesterday, traveling all of our area on foot, so we both slept well and woke up sore. I love the missionary work.

Sorry there isn´t too much more to write. Each day appears the same in some ways and at other times it is really different, like if we have baptisms for example. Oh, and Saturday we had a ward activity with games, a message, paches, and fellowshipping. One of our investigators who came made balloon pumpkins for all the children. The members were very supportive. It was fantastic. 

Something important I learned this week is that when we humble ourselves God humbles others. I know that humility is one of the key factors of success. We will not see much success until we can truly humble ourselves and show our Heavenly Father that we are willing to accept His timing and His will.

I testify that Jesus Christ, after 2000 years, still lives and loves us. 

We are guided by our Heavenly Father by a prophet that receives revelation and speaks directly with God. Joseph Smith was the first prophet of this last dispensation and spoke with our Father and Jesus Christ to receive the instruction that he needed to restore the church of Christ on the earth once more. With the power and permission of God, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon so that we can read it now and can know of its truth. I know without any doubt that The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and can guide us and give us peace. Like 3 Nephi contains, Jesus Christ truly came after his resurrection to the Nephite people and taught them. He invited them from the place where I now am to come unto him, in the same manner in which he invites us to come and follow him.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of Jesus Christ. I invite all who have not done so to read from the Book of Mormon, and pray and ask God, the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ if the Book of Mormon is true, and I know that the spirit will testify of the truth of it. These things I leave with you, in the name of Jesus Christ, my leader, amen.

Enjoy your week everyone, keep going forward.

Love Hermana Destinee Park

Happy One Year Anniversary!!

Was it really a year ago that we dropped Hermana Park and Elder Park off at the MTC????

I am now in the Spirit world... Fancy that. We still work hard in the Spirit world

About changes and coming up on her year mark:  I´m sad and in shock, and basically just normal about it. I am asked that question all the time: how much time do you have in the mission? I sure have learned a lot this past year. Doesn´t seem like a year, though. Changes... did not affect me. We stay together and in the same area, but we have a different District leader. 

About the title:  I told her about the preacher who predicted the end of the world...... 

Familia,

Well, Monday I brought a white tie that I had bought from the temple and everyone in the zone signed it, then we gave it to Elder Musick as a goodbye gift. Maybe you´ll receive the photo.  (yahoo, the pictures went through this week!  The rest are at the bottom.  Welcome home Elder Musick!)

Elder Musick

Tuesday we didn´t do much.

The members of our ward are beginning to work more with the missionary work. 

Wednesday, We found out who is our new district leader. His name is Elder Nielsen. He´s from PG and graduated in 2009, but I doubt he knows Kade. The first night, wednesday, he called and I answered. When he found out my name he began speaking in English, but I didn´t speak in English so again he changed to Spanish. We´ll get used to it, I know, but we already miss Elder Musick. I´m sure he´s enjoying his house and everything.... 

Our District

We have a ward activity that we´ve began. I called it the ´Elder Clarke challenge´. It is with the Book of Mormon, which the members have to loan it to a family and try to persuade them to read the Book of Mormon. We have 2 families that could be baptized in June, but one isn´t married and doesn´t want to yet the other has only the husband who is not a member and wants to wait until he has a desire to pray. Hermana Gaitan doesn´t like contacting much, but when she does it she does it well. I am becoming accustomed to contacting. 

Compa Hermana Elvir

(One day) we were talking to the brother of the mission leader, Josue, and a man came up to us and said, ´´good day, my lady.´´ Josue said, ´´Shut up.´´ The man then asked, ´´Is there a problem here, my lady?´´ Josue again said ´´Shut up´´. All this was in English so it was funny.

We haven´t found any investigators this week. (I bought a cd tuesday to bring home to you, mom. It is in Spanish, but the type of Spanish music I think you´ll like.) Something I do not like about the cds here is that although I like the music in spanish better here but all the cds are pirated. Ick. Anyway, that´s my week. I will write more next week and now I am going to try to send photos. Love you all.

Hermana Destinee Park

Temple

Food I´ve made (it has mango, pache, fried platano, eggs), sometimes my breakfasts are eggs, fried yucca, mango, and frijoles. Other times they are more normal like oatmeal. Good thing I learned how to eat oatmeal before the mission. It helps.

Other food, with ketchup, made by our cook. (yum?  wow, creative cook)

lizards we´ve found in our house

Our zone

Elder Vallecillos (with candy)

bday of my comp.

´´We have been taught and we understand that we must do as the Lord commands´´

I forgot to write everything down in a notebook of the things that had happened this past week so I will do my best to remember. Tuesday we went to the temple, all of us sisters and it was awesome. I told you about most of it on the phone so I will send photos of the temple. I couldn´t take a good photo, but at least I have one. 

Well, this week we had divisions Wednesday and I went to el Frutal. It is a beautiful area and the members are helpful. The cook of the other sisters of the Frutal made us a lunch that included all of the food groups. In the night we bought pizza. It was fun. However, the next day I began to feel ill. I have felt ill to the stomach since thursday so I haven´t eaten too much. I have eaten mainly a little bit of pasta, mango, white bread, crackers, and a lot of water. This weekend I also ate bananas and yucca. Mostly I drink a lot of water.

Last night we visited the bishop and his wife because my companion said that she still doesn´t know him. It was fun to talk to them. They are a couple that are maybe in their early thirties and are really respectful to each other. Other families or close friends use the term ´´vos´´ but they only used ´´tú´´ to each other.

Friday we had a zone meeting and saw some magic tricks because the zone leaders brought in a RM that does magic shows for his work. He showed us some cool card tricks. I still can´t figure out how to do them.

We will find out about the changes tonight. My companion wishes to leave the area , but I don´t want to leave. We´ll see if we have changes.

The week has been a little difficult in the work, but has been good also. Sunday we had a family that attended church. They said that they still had to earn between 300 and 500 quetzals to pay the rent of their house, which money they earn by selling candy on the buses. However, they left their work and got dressed in proper attire, and came to church. 

We had another investigator come to church who is the son of a recent convert, and he is 13 years old. He also came dressed up in a collared shirt and tie and said he enjoyed church. Earlier as we were teaching him he told us that we wanted to be baptized, but he also told us that he hangs out with mareros (gang members). He said he has never done anything with them but said that once when he tried to stop hanging out with them they came looking for him and threatened to kill him. This, therefore, could prove a big problem for him. For him it would mean that if he chooses to change his life and be baptized he could lose his life. If he isn´t baptized and doesn´t change anything he will be fine, perhaps, and keep his life but will not receive the eternal blessings. It opens my eyes to understand better the scripture that ´´he that keeps his life shall lose it, and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it´´. I´ve seen the sacrifices of many investigators and members to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe experiences like these will stay in my life forever. 

Now I have questions for you all.
What is the most testimony-edifying experience you have had this past week?
What is something you expect me to do or want me to do, specifically, this week to come?
If you could choose one thing to change this past week what would you change?

I don´t have too much more to write this week but I will leave my testimony with you that I know our Heavenly Father loves us and guides us through his prophets. He never has and never will leave us alone. We will always have His help. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and can provide guidance and peace when we have difficulties or problems. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ´s church that has been restored in the earth through a prophet called of God.
I love you all. Love Destinee

The Mother's Day Call

After waiting all day, and late into the night, and worrying that she wouldn't be able to call, the call finally came.  However, it was a horrible connection and for most of the call we could hear a garbled echo of everything we said.  Luckily, Destinee did not hear that, but the sound kept cutting out for her.  The last 15 minutes or so were clear!

Destinee will be returning home between the 13th and 16th of December.  I am guessing that her homecoming talk will be the 18th of December since the next Sunday after that is Christmas, but I will not be sure until at least December.

She had a slight accent and could not remember a lot of English words.  

She lives in a gated community, but calls it a residence.  They can't proselyte in the community without permission and have not sought it yet.  Her neighbor on one side is an Evangelist and has meetings at his house all the time, and she said they hear them yelling "Booyah".  I am not sure if the word they actually use is that one, or if that is the English word she recalls for a shout out.  She said her house is filled with mosquitoes and they have to really cover up at night to avoid millions of bites.  She has not bought mosquito netting yet.  she also said her house ahs a lot of spiders, but they are good because they eat the other bugs.

Her "residence", or neighborhood, is quiet.  The houses are Terracotta  and her house is yellow.  The area is better than other parts of the city and doesn't have too much violence.

Destinee said that she sleeps good some nights, and some nights not so good.  She is still getting used tot he heat, after so many months in the mountains.

As far as investigators, they have two husbands of members who have accepted Baptism, but need just a bit more time.  They have two minors who need guardians permission to get baptized or come to Church, but have not received it.  They also have a young family who are very promising.

She got to go to the Temple Tuesday for a Hermana's activity with Sister Baldwin.  President Baldwin and a Senior couple also went with them.  Afterwards they went to Wendy's for lunch.

She sounds happy, and it was good to hear her voice. 

What´s coming up on next week´s episode?

 Well, to tell the truth, the changes.

Dear Family,
Tuesday was the birthday of my companion. I called the elders of Petapa early and they brought a cake as a surprise for my companion. It wasn´t a surprise for me, but for her it was awesome. I took pictures. I couldn´t leave my companion so had to depend on the elders to do the work.

Wednesday we had our Super pday at  Las Colinas, Chimaltenango. It was cold. The air was like the mountains of Utah in October or November, or Yellowstone. I played volleyball and soccer, and had to run downhill after the ball twice into a mini valley.- It gave me much exercise. The second time I ran down, I couldn´t see the ball, so I knelt to pray. One of the sisters waiting wasn´t reverent and yelled down, ´´way to go Hermana Park. Pray!´´  I found where the ball was hiding. After lunch I played relay games. In one of these games each of 6 people on a team has a number. The number called from both teams runs to th e middle to grab a bottle and carry it back to his or her team before the other team´s number tags them. One of the times I was called I ran to tag the other person (so their team wouldn´t receive a point) and was running too fast that I couldn´t stop. I crashed into the wall.

Thursday we contacted in the morning a family and I asked them if they´d like to be together as a family forever. The man answered and said, ´´Ahorita no. Estamos apurados.´´ (´´Not right now. We are a little in a rush.´´) I didn´t know what to say. What a strange answer.

Friday my companion felt really ill so we were in the  house all afternoon. It was a little boring.
Saturday and Sunday were normal. This week on Tuesday we will have an activity with Hermana Baldwin and all the sisters of the mission. We are going to ´´breakfast´´ and then after to lunch. Wednesday we are going to have divisions so I will have to tell you about these events next week.  

The climate has been hotter here lately. I am glad I am not in the coast. Here there are men that are beginning to call out rude things to me, like they did in Comalapa. I didn´t have any problem in my first change here, but now I am. It makes me angry when the men here call out, spanish and english ´´Canchita bonita´´, ´´Hey baby, I love you´´, and things like that. Last night as we were entering the residence, there were a few men leaving. Some of them had been drinking and smoking and one of them almost hugged Hermana Gaitan. I snapped at the man and said ´´Dejala´´, or ´´Leave her´´. He didn´t do anything in the end. It makes the work harder for me because I lose trust in the people. When I lose trust in the people I don´t have the desire to contact. Maybe there is something I have to learn from all of this, but whatever it is I haven´t found out yet. I don´t know what it would be.

Well, I have been feeling ill  lately, more physically than spiritually. I have a cold and my throat hurts. I have been taking medicine but it doesn´t help much. My body some days feels weak and sore. Instead of exercising, most days I stretch only. This morning I did do exercises. Spiritually I am happy and can see positive results in the missionary work, although they aren´t the results I would like. Nevertheless, I know that someday I will see the results. I am happy.

´´The rains may fall hard,
the sun so burning shines,
but following the Lord and His love,
I really am doing fine.´´
(another poem I just barely wrote)

I testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ´s true Church. He has prepared the way for us to find relief. The only thing he requires of us is that we turn to him. The Book of Mormon guides us and like the Bible testifies of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This record of scriptures was translated by the power of God through Joseph Smith, the prophet called to begin this last dispensation. We do not worship Joseph Smith; he was only a prophet, a tool of the Lord, but a man who knew his purpose. The Father has a great work to bring to pass here in this earth and we are the tools to do it, not only the missionaries but every member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If we find our purpose, we will find joy. I share all of this, as well as the testimony demonstrated by all that I am doing here in Guatemala, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.  

Destinee will be calling for Mother's Day today.

I knew that Sunday was Mother´s day, but I don´t know how to do the call. There is a number that I have to dial first, and also we had fixed appointments to find new families Sunday, but I will call Tuesday. Tuesday is Mother´s day here. 

Mom, that´s weird about what happened to Kade because Thursday night I was praying before bed and I prayed that Kade would be protected and just as I said those words an image of several men holding a coffin came into my head. Ever since that night I have been worrying about Kade and what had happened to him because I felt like something bad had happened. It made me cry a bit and then I became anxious, looking forward to today to find out what you had to say about him. How glad I am that it wasn´t anything worse. (Hermana Park's brother, Elder Park, was hit by a truck last week while on his bike.  Luckily, he walked away with minor scrapes and bruising)

Sorry about your ankle. That´s no fun.(Yep, mom sprained her ankle)

About the mother´s day call I still don´t know. Mother´s day here is the 10 of May but if I don´t call that day I will call probably the 30 with my companion. More likely the 10th. I will have to let you know next week maybe.(???  I have no idea.  However Mothers Day is the 10th in Guatemala)

Nope. Didn´t get a bunch of emails but that´s okay. Dad said he´ll send dearelders. 

Well, there isn´t much that happened this week. We didn´t have success and things went by really fast. We had placed a fecha with an investigator for May 14 but I don´t think it will happen so soon. This investigator,  is the father of a member. Last Sunday he told us of something he has done that will take some time for him to be baptized. 

When Elder Musick told me of all of this by phone, I wanted to cry. (It isn´t Elder Musick´s fault so we can´t blame him) I say this because some parents would say ´´You made my daughter cry, you horrible person.´´ Just kidding. I am just a bit goofy at times and don´t have much to write so why not write some jokes? They aren´t that funny, sorry.(they make ME smile.....)

Well, other than this the changes are in 2 weeks. A short time, a few missionaries leaving (Elder Musick one of them), so we will have a new district leader for sure, but who knows what else will happen. 

Tomorrow is the birthday of my companion. 

Um... don´t know what else to write. Here are some new facts:
a) Before the mission my favorite day of the week was Sunday and the least favorite day Monday
b) Here on the mission my favorite day is monday and my least favorite day Sunday.

Sundays are so difficult. 

Well, love you much and hope all is well. I know that our Heavenly father loves us and that we as missionaries have angels watching us every day. If not... well, I would have gotten hurt by now. The church is truly the church of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Also, the Bible testifies much of the Book of Mormon and the restoration but the people do not understand it. Until next week.
Adios, Love Hermana Destinee Park

Here is a picture from the Mission blog:

The color purple is the the color of Easter in Guatemala..
it signifies the royal blood of Christ... purple flags drape all
the buildings in Antigua.

Not much this week.......

For Easter I made little baskets an put kinder eggs inside. I also made potato salad and deviled eggs. My companion liked the deviled eggs.

 Friday here was interesting because hardly anyone was in the street and there weren´t any buses running. We had a zone conference and had to ride with the elders of Petapa and a member from their ward. It was rainy and kind of dark and throughout the day I was looking at my watch and remembering the hours in which Jesus Christ was brought to be judged, when he was nailed to the cross, and when he died. It was strange to think of everything in that way.

Last Tuesday we played sports with zone Villa Hermosa at the stake center.  Thursday I did much praying and received much revelation from things such as a little game to how to help an investigator. It was fantastic. The weekend was quiet. Friday we had a zone conference. Sorry, I don´t have a lot to write this week. We didn´t have a successful week. Hopefully this next week. I love you and testify that the church is true. Stick to it and it´ll stick to you. Love Hermana Destinee Park