Week 27 In Fort Lauderdale....

Sorry Dad, I haven't seen ANY gators, other than investi-GATORS. The animals I deal with on an every day are worse, much worse. They have a close association with the devil in his efforts to thwart salvation and the spirit. They are the creatures much worse, they roam free here, their names are many mutt, Chihuahua, and more. They come from NO where and then there they are trying to bite your tires! Chasing you multiple blocks, barking every time you begin to pray and man! I am beginning to really not like dogs. Like Mom always says "I love them I just don't like them right now". (I haven't ever said that about dogs, just kids! hehehe!) Another animal I have already talked about that is a real problem in my life at 5:30 in the morning, every morning is THE STUPID CHICKENS! They laid eggs in our yard this week... They rotted before my companion could collect them and he cracked one outside to make sure there wasn't a chicken inside... It exploded on him! It was awful, my companion doesn't always think things through, jajaja. (Really?!? His companion? That comment could totally be said about the Elder Park that I know!) AND FROGS They are in the weirdest places and they get in the way and never move. Last week we were walking and not looking down and I STEPPED on one! (Ewwww!) They are all over the road!

Well it is a disappointment that *** & ***are going through this, but something that you said Mom, struck me. "The medical advancements give more and better opportunities than before." How amazing is that? I have recently in my studies been coming across repeatedly how amazing it is that by "small and simple things" great things can come to pass. This might be a delay or a bump in the road, and even when it comes to little things. Great things are coming to pass every day according to our individual and simple actions. I know that what ever the reason is that these difficulties are in our path, is for our betterment and improvement. I know that the Lord is there and is listening to our prayers! I can witness to The Refiners Fire, God puts difficulties in our life to burn out the imperfections to purify and strengthen us. Everyday we should strive to become more and with each hill in our road we should be strengthened and up lifted.

That has been my motto this week that the Lord is preparing me. We have experienced this week some success and some trials. At the beginning of the week we received a media referral, someone that gave their information on Mormon.org or some other method. This referral wanted a Book of Mormon. On our way to visit this person, we Opened Our Mouths and spoke to some ladies on the street. They invited us to say a prayer at their home after they had finished their walk. They gave us their address, it is right across the street from the Media Referral. So off we went to the Referral, they said they we searching for the truth and had heard from a relative that was getting baptized about this "new scripture" and how it changed lives and they wanted a copy to study and read. WHAT A MIRACLE! That doesn't happen very often! So we gladly got them a copy and started teaching them. After that appointment we went over to the 3 ladies across the street and said a prayer with them and their whole family, all 10 of them, all with those cool fun names like Shantefana and Latisha. And they all wanted specific and different things. That was a difficult one. But after we said the prayer we invited them to be baptized and the kid in the corner just said, "I am ready, I been in da skareet for to long." and sat down... All I could think was "Yes you have, yes you have, let's get you baptized." And these miracles were so exciting and we went in there for the return appointments ready to help all these people receive salvation.... And we have not been able to contact any of them since! WHAT A BUMMER!! BAH!!! Often we can tell they are home, but just aren't answering the stinking door! In those moments when steam fills your ears, your knuckles are numb and disappointment begins to have a taste (metallic with a hint of garlic and Windex) is when you realize that God is testing you and making you stronger. And what must you do? STAY STRONG and PUSH ON! As a missionary I have begun to feel the pain I imagine my parents (and all parents) felt when I didn't listen to them or follow their council. When you knock for 4 hours and repeatedly hear, I'm catholic, not right now, I am cooking, the babies in the bath, DO YOU KNOW THE NAME OF GOD?, and many other replies repeated and doors shut. Or when an investigator doesn't come to church, read or pray, there is a sadness and a disappointment. But that can't be what we focus on. We must focus on the joy of seeing them in white, entering the water's of baptism. The joy that's felt as you watch them make those covenants with our Father in Heaven and they are confirmed. The peace that enters the room, those are the really important parts.

We had some amazing and inspiring miracles as we continued to work with recent converts and new investigators we were able to establish strong member friends and lasting relationships, the members provide such a strength as they help these individuals understand the culture of being a member. Which is something I imagine to be frightening. New members don't understand; to always pray before meals, what a testimony meeting is, or even what a talk is. Member's with more experience can help them feel comfortable at church and answer their questions. I re-read a lot of talks from last conference and it was expressed repeatedly that members can help people enter and come back to the church and actually they said it was their duty. The members here are beginning to really step up to this call as the Temple draws nearer.

Anyway wish I could say more bye!\
STAY STRONG, PUSH ON!
Elder Park