I have a testimony in Jesus Christ and in Heavenly Father. I know that they love me so much they established a plan that allows me to return to live with them. I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon and of Joseph Smith, I know Heavenly Father restored the gospel through him. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and his love for me. I have a testimony of Thomas S. Monson. I know he is a living prophet and through him we receive guidance from our Father in Heaven. I know going on my mission is the right thing to do, I want to become a tool in the hands of the Lord. I know that Fort Lauderdale is the place I am supposed to go and the Lord will help me on my path. I know families can be together forever, that I will be able to see my grandmother and other relatives that have passed on when I too leave this world and return to Him.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Park

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Week 14 In Fort Lauderdale....

In the Blue Lagoon area, we had to arrange a marriage. It was incredibly stressful,  because they needed to get married and they needed to get licences (of the driving kind) to get a license (of the marriage kind), and then they had to get the ceremony actually preformed, but the Bishop was out of town, the Stake President and the Bishop of the neighboring ward wasn't going to be available either.

The couple had to go and get there license on Friday and they didn't have transportation, and of course we found out that the court closes in 2 hours, so we frantically start trying to call the leaders in our ward to give us suggestions on who to call to get help. We called EVERYONE we could think of, Ward mission leader, Bishop, Elders Quorum President, the works and everybody was either out of town, sick or working. And I was beginning to feel stressed and couldn't see it working out. That's when Elder P****** (we were on exchange) said, "lets send a call to God." and as soon as he said that I felt an incredible peace come over me. And so we said a prayer, as crisply as if you were talking to me, O*** came to both of our minds, O*** was the guy that Elder P****** and Elder U******** had baptized the Sunday before and was getting confirmed that Sunday. We called him, he dropped everything and came and helped the family out, it was incredible.
I just wanted you know we did baptized the S******* family! So we had to find someone to perform the marriage last minute, all of this happened Friday and Saturday. Luckily the Ward Mission Leader found a member of the Ward that is a Notary, and she was able to perform the marriage during third hour of church. Then we baptized them after church. It was really amazing and the best part was that when we went to visit them last night. When we got there, they had friends over to celebrate their marriage. They then proceeded to tell us that it was no problem they would love to still meet with us. So, we talked with them for about 15 minutes and then they said that we ought to teach their friends! And that was that!  We shifted the focus and they helped us teach their friends, testifying and clarifying like champions. It was amazing to see the change that had taken place, going from people that had no desire to be baptized or married for that matter, to members. The craziest part was the feeling in the home when we came back it had totally changed! It felt like a members home, full of love and the spirit it was one of the most satisfying feelings ever. (How amazing is that?!?!)

Also, my thumb drive was returned, Elder B**** didn't write the address correctly, so I will add a few more and send it again!

Also we, as an apartment, have started to get sick and I refuse. So, if you have any ideas on how to fight it off that would be great, I was going to buy some EmergenC but that stuffs expensive. So I bought some Vitamin C but there isn't very much in the bottle and that was expensive too! I also don't know if I should be taking some kind of other vitamins too, and if I should what type?

What is kind Garret buying? (Garret is getting a new Bow)

And Leah should know that learning to play the piano is a useful tool for when she serves her mission, and that girls that can shoot a gun are cool. scary... but cool! (Leah just started taking piano lessons and is going to take Hunter Safety.)

Anyway I want you to know that it's all going good and what not! and I love the people, and the weather... speaking of that... I might be turning into a flower... I FROZE last night, I was shivering and I had to get up and look all over the house to find an extra sheet! So what I am saying is that last night it was so cold that I needed 2 cotton sheets on me, boy was that terrible! (Suck it up, Buttercup! Delicate little flower!)

O*** willingness to help out at the last minute taught me some things. 1- it strengthened my testimony of prayer 2- it helped me really see what being Christlike really means. I decided that I want to be like O***, he was willing to drop everything he was doing on his day off to help a friend in need. He wanted to help that family get baptized and that's what my resolution for the year is going to be, I am going to always be willing to help, no more thought at what it will cost me, no more hesitations. I am a tool of the Lord and I will let him use me however he needs.

LOVE YOU ALL TONS!!!

Elder Park
This was an incredible week, full of incredible things.



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