Mexico Pachuca - Week 37 - July 28, 2014

Excerpts from his email)

I’m doing good. I’m in an area called Xicotepec. I thought i was in the boonies before now I’m seriously in the boonies. We left the state of Hidalgo and are now in the state of Puebla. It’s the area that connects the mission Mexico Pachuca with the mission Mexico Puebla. We had to take two busses and took like 3 hours to get out here. Its way hotter here than in Pachuca. It’s a lot like home actually. Humid and jungly. There’s lehua trees, macadamia nuts, the loads of banana trees, its very similar to home but at the same time not even close. The work is ok here I’m excited for my time here and hope to kind of revive the area a bit. There’s a lot of work for us to do. 

M: Wow, son, boonie land for you for a little while. So how's the housing, hot water? So are you in the district that just has one companionship. How's your companion, tell us a little about him. Did you get more responsibilities? At least you can still email!





EP: Housing is ok. Starting the week was bad. I got here and the elders paid the electricity late so they cut our power. They didn’t buy gas so we didn’t have hot water for the first couple days but we got everything fixed and right now things are good. No I’m not in that district but the rest of our district is in like the neighboring town an hour away. Every Wednesday we have to take like an hour bus ride to get to district class. My companion is from Poza Rica like an hour from here haha. We take the bus from Pachuca that goes to his house we just get off before we get out there. He’s a great guy he’s working really hard and trying really hard right now. I am senior companion so yes a little bit but not too different. 



M: So you guys stopped at his house before you got to the area that you are assigned? What is your companion's name; I will add that picture from the mission blog. How long has he been out? How is it that he is serving so close to home? That's pretty interesting. Are you in the same ward as his family, probably in the same stake?

EP: No the bus we take goes to his house but we get off in our area a little before we actually get to his house. His name is Elder De La Cruz. He’s been out for a little over a year. There’s a bunch of people that are serving in this mission and it’s the mission right next to where they live its weird. They can take a bus home after the mission or they could actually visit home on p-day. No were not in the same stake this is the last ward in this stake, once you go farther it changes stakes and missions. 

M: Are you teaching anyone in your new area? What do you guys do fro P-day since you are so far from others?

EP: We are teaching some people right now the one that’s closest is Isidro. He’s 18 and knows everything the problem is his family doesn’t want him to get baptized so we will see what happens. Today we played soccer with some young men in the ward it was good but super hot. 

M: What are his family’s objections to the gospel, are they catholic?

 How is the ward, just like home? Is it a ward or branch?

EP: Ya they just don’t want him to change religions. 

It’s a ward but its super small. The sacrament room has like foldable chairs that they have to set up every week. And this week only like 70 people came to church. It’s a small small ward. 

M: Then you must teach the family together I guess! The Lord will guide you and him as you do His will and practice perfect obedience. That is a very small ward, but like you said, plenty of work to do. 
How big is the area, are you still walking a lot, hills? or more flat. Are you emailing from the chapel again? I was kind of worried you might not have internet.

EP: Haha no i don’t think so. The family is like so against it they almost burned his Book of Mormon and apparently wants to beat us up. Ya he’s gonna get baptized sooner or later he knows everything he needs to but it’s something really hard. Its not an easy situation. 

Its big, but not as hilly as where i was but there are hills. nah we have internet here its like a town but its just really far from Pachuca. It’s a pretty touristy town its one of a few towns that are called pueblos magicos. its like magic towns or something haha 

M: Please be careful and listen to the spirit to keep you safe and to turn hearts.

So now you have to explain the Pueblo Magico, why are they called magic towns?

EP: Ya we’ll be fine mom don’t worry about it. 

Like all the towns that are more touristy and have something special are called pueblo magicos which means like magic town. i don’t know what this town has but its a pueblo magico. 

M: So if I googled your area I might learn a little more is what you are telling me. I'm sure Mexico has a rich history of stories and tales, I just didn't realize that there were towns that had to do with magic, very interesting.


EP: Ya you can probably find it haha. no i don’t think they have anything to do with magic its just what they call all these towns. 

M: Is there a big statue of some virgin? That's the picture that is coming up on the google search.

EP: haha ya, a giant one! love you guys, thank you for everything. 

Love, 
Elder Park

Mexico Pachuca - Week 36 - July 21, 2014

(Excerpts from his email)

Hey mom how’s everything going. Hope everything’s good in Vegas. Just some things i want to share. i was reading Lehi’s dream in 1 Nephi 8 and verse 12 says after he tried the fruit he was filled with joy and wanted his whole family to partake of the fruit as well. I was thinking about my patriarchal blessing and what dad said about being family of Nephi and Lehi and how i am teaching family here. It was cool haha. I do have changes tomorrow so i will be some where else after tomorrow. 

M: Yes, I remember that from your blessing, I wondered if it meant you would be teaching our ancestors or if it's more figuratively and it's because you are from the same lineage. But, whatever it may be, it's still family in some way and I know you have caught the feelings and desires Lehi had where he wanted so badly for his family to partake. It is pretty cool.

So how's about a mission story! What are you taking away from this area since you will be transferring?

EP: I am taking away a lot of amazing memories. I feel like in this area I was able to help a lot of people make a lot of changes. Mainly in Jorge and Amaya our last two baptisms. They are amazing. We continue to talk to Hermana Martha the wife of Jorge and the way he has changed his life is amazing. remind me to tell you guys about it when i get home cause its a kind of long story but its amazing sad and a little weird but amazing. Amaya also has changed a lot. She has some kind of mental problems so she kind of struggles a little bit but she has changed alot. Yesterday in church she got up in front of the gospel doctrine class and shared her ideas with the class i was like wow. When we first met her she barely talked to us and she would always get so nervous. She would shake when we asked her to read a verse of the book of Mormon but she is amazing. She goes to church on her own and loves it. a couple weeks ago on fast Sunday we visited her after and she was like wow it was super cool today i would like to go up there and share my testimony too one day. I was like wow the gospel really does and will change our lives when we let it. 

M: That's great son. It is good that you see the changes in the people you teach and know for sure that you were sent there for these two in particular. I'm sure each one will hold special memories for you and a special place in your heart. So are you excited about changes, I'm anxious to know where and what comes with it.

EP: idk kinda and kinda no. changes kinda suck haha. New place, new ward, new companion everything is new you gotta start all over again but its ok. 

M: Yes new things can be hard. Well son, you sound good. That's always a good thing for me. I think I am really beginning to understand that things out there are not easy, but so worth it when you see people truly change and find happiness. Please know how much we love you and pray for you always. No matter what comes, The Lord knows what's best for us so we go with faith.

EP: haha yes definitely not easy but awesome. Thank you for everything you guys do for me too. I also realize how amazing you guys have always been for me. Other missionaries have it so much harder than i do. Thank you for everything you do and always have done for me. I love you guys. 

Love, 
Elder Park

Mexico Pachuca - Week 35 - July 14, 2014

Mexico Pachuca Letter #35 – July 14, 2014
(Excerpts from his email)

Hey mom again a little early cause we're gonna play futbol haha. Ya i knew that scripture because i really like that scripture before the mission and it was cool to see that part in my blessing. I finally studied it this week with the stuff from Aunty Anna and i could really see the things and amazing promises that the Lord has for me. Ya we had interviews with president this week. We have them like once every 3 months. No nothing major really. Ya i bought another sweater because i was freezing haha but its ok. 

 Elder Ortega and Elder Park have a house in Pachuca Centro that is perfect. The house is great with no leaks and it’s relatively newer in construction. This is a keeper. With all the recent rain on a daily basis we are having many issues with leaking roofs/ceilings. The missionaries through out the mission are being troopers...


 M: How is America, Jorge and the young lady?


EP: America is good she went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead like last week. Jorge is awesome he just got the Aaronic priesthood and Amaya is doing good hopefully her family can get baptized soon. . Ya I’m good. Doing good mom. I gotta go were gonna play soccer again haha. But i will talk to you guys next week. Love you 

 Love, 
Elder Park

Mexico Pachuca - Week 34 - July 7, 2014

(Excerpts from his email)

 D: Are your soccer skills getting better?

EP: my soccer skills are amazing now haha. Just kidding but I’m not that bad i know what I’m doing and can kick the ball. Some others are horrible. 

 M: Is it still cold in Mexico? In all the pictures on the mission blog you are usually wearing a sweater and your companion is always wearing a jacket.

Any new investigators?

 EP: yea its super cold haha.

 Um this week Nicole and her daughters came to church and Karla and her daughter. They both have baptismal dates for July 19 so we will see what happens. They are both awesome and hopefully they get baptized the 19th because that’s probably gonna be my last week here. 

 M: How come it's cold? Is it the rain? It is incredibly hot here and I hear Vegas is even worst!

 EP: i don’t know but its like super cold. i always leave with a sweater and i think I’m gonna buy more cause its cold haha. When it rains its worse but i think it’s just the altitude and the wind. 

 M: You sound good son, in a good place.

 EP: Ya I’m good things are going good right now. And were gonna go play soccer soon which is exciting haha. 

M: You sound good, you look happy in all the pictures we see, the true happy smile that we love to see. If you ever have a chance to look at the smiles in the Provo temple pictures and then look at the smiles now, there is true happiness coming through and let me tell you that warms my heart. I also can tell when things are not as good and I tell myself like I tell you it's for your growth and learning.

So why is soccer so exciting? I know after that first season you played a long time ago, you never wanted to paly again. Who are you playing with?

EP: Ya I really am happy here. its not easy but its something that really does make you happy. Were playing with the zone but I gotta go talk to you guys in a week. love you 

Love, 
Elder Park

Mexico Pachuca - Week 33 - June 30, 2014

(excerpts from his email)

This week was awesome. We had two great baptisms and the changes that I could see in their lives are amazing. One of our investigators that got baptized is Jorge. He has changed so much it is awesome. His wife has been a member for a while and he was never interested and never wanted to listen to the missionaries until about 2 months ago. Since then he hasn't missed a Sunday and has been awesome. We were talking to his wife this week and she was like "wow I cant believe how my husband has changed completely." She was telling us how he tells her to get up in the afternoons so they can read the Book of Mormon, how he wakes her up Sunday mornings to get to church on time, he washes the dishes, and just is a completely different man. I was like wow that is awesome Hermana. She was super happy and bore an amazing testimony in the baptism. The icing on the cake was he got to church early Sunday morning in a suit and tie ready to be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was a great experience and a great thing to be a part of.

M: Wow, son, what an amazing story and a confirmation that the gospel can bring changes and happiness to families.  I am excited for him and for you and hope that the change is a permanent one.  I hope that the young lady finds just as much joy and peace in her baptism and that she will find comfort in the gospel.  Sounds like you are doing work and it sounds like the Lord has prepared the way for you to be a part of the lives of your two new converts.  Happy for you all.
What else is going on with you?
 
D: Don’t forget to recognize the changes in your life as you grow in the gospel. They may not be as quick (two months) but they are there. Try to think about that this week in your study. That’s why it’s a blessing for me to do these talks. Whether as a high council or yesterday. I get to reflect on these topics. How I have grown from thinking things were coincidences to how I know they are blessings from heavenly father.

EP: Nothing much pretty normal. gotta find more people to teach now. 

yes i am definitely thinking about that more now too, how coincidences aren't really coincidences. how a lot of times things just work out and its really an answer to a prayer.

D: Maybe I was a little slow, hesitant learner. I went through a few sets of missionary lessons. But it probably all paid off in the end. And I know now all the blessings that are there for us as a family.

EP: haha i think about that all the time. what the missionaries must have said after they left the house now that Iʻm a missionary and have left a bunch of houses over and over again! haha thinking nothings really happening but it is. 

M:  I just wanted you to know that we love you and that we are proud of you.  Continue to do the work and know that every time you say something to someone you plant a seed and who knows when that seed will grow. 

EP:  love you guys

Love,

Elder Park

Pictures from the Mission:

Pachuca Centro Zone

Mexico Pachuca - Week 32 - June 23, 2014

(excerpts from his email)

EP:hey I’m doing really good.this Saturday if everything goes as planned we have 2 more baptisms. 

 M: That's great son. We are speaking in Waianae Ward this Sunday on prayer, want to give me a story about prayer to share?

 EP: Ya i would say my mission story is about prayer. Ok so i always knew i wanted to go on a mission but i just had a lot of questions. I wasn’t sure of my self. I was scared i didn’t think i knew enough to teach people i just doubted myself a lot. I was also thinking a lot about everything i would be leaving but i knew it was something i had to do. So one night i got on my knees for probably the first time in my life and just poured out everything. I just remember getting everything out, all my doubts all my everything and my head was just all over the place thinking about everything and then i don’t remember what happened but i was just filled with peace. My mind just went blank and i just went from a million things in my head to nothing. I finished the prayer and just slept like a baby. I just felt totally calm and knew the Lord was telling me to go.

 M: Same for me, the night you came and asked me to tell you what to do. I poured out my heart to the Lord with dad at my side and then slept so soundly and peacefully like i never do. Then the next day when I talked to Gma she pointed out a scripture found in D&C 6: 22-23 and it says "Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart that you might know concerning these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?" The Lord does answer prayers.
So who are you baptizing?

 EP: the girl we went to visit that had the ¨spirit¨ and Jorge. His wife is a member but he never wanted to listen until now. 

M: So the father and daughter? How is the girl doing? Better? Smiling?

 EP: no Jorge isn’t her dad. Its two totally separate people. Amaya is doing good. She has a problem where sometimes she has panic attacks but she’s doing good. 

 PAPA: hey guy, howzit going this is papa, how's soccer fever in Mexico? Weather must be crazy, hot and humid.

 EP: Soccer fever is crazy. Everyone is like oh come over and watch the game and we are like oh stop we can’t, don’t tempt us haha. Ya it’s been humid these past couple days but its going good.gotta go i will talk to you guys next week love you. 

 Love, 
 Elder Park

Mexico Pachuca - Week #31 - June 16, 2014

(Excerpts from his email)

 Hey ok so first of all my new companion is elder Ortega. He’s from Columbia and he has 18 months in the mission. Things are going pretty good.

 

 Elder Park and Elder Ortega

America’s baptism was great. We taught her everything this week and she was able to get baptized this Saturday and i did the baptism. It was actually really cool because she was like my first baptism that i was there for her whole conversion process. From the very first time she got to church till her baptism and confirmation. 

Elder Park, America and Elder Ortega

M: That's very cool son, is she your one and only?

D: That sounds so great. We are so happy for you and America. Hopefully you were good with the words. I still get teased for not remembering all of Tyler’s name when I ordained him a deacon.

 EP: haha i was actually super nervous when i did it like o man i hope i do everything good so i don’t have to do it again. Yes she (America) will be my only baptism of the mission, she asked me to do it so i said ok. if someone else asks i have to explain that i can’t and why and all that it kinda sucks. there’s exceptions for like little kids that ask and maybe won’t understand but ya. 

 Um stories. Ok so we also went and gave service this Saturday. We helped a member put a cement water tank on his roof it was super hard. The worst part was we had to carry cement blocks up to the roof to make a base for the tank so i was standing on the ladder with my back towards the ladder and facing out. A member passed me a block from the bottom and i passed it up to the roof. One time i lost my balance and i swear i almost died. i started like falling off the ladder so i was just like o man holding the block with one hand and trying to reach the ladder with the other. Luckily i was able to regain my balance and didn’t fall.

Mis Cuates (My Friends) Three past companions at transfers

Soccer mania even in Mexico!

And Mexican Chinese food too! Looks just like at home.

Love,
Elder Park