Well after being in Collao for 6 months I recieved a phone call this morning from our district leader that I am going to be moved to Tomé. I have a lot of mixed feelings because Collao is like my home and there are so many people I cant even bare the thought of leaving behind. I love my sector, I love my ward, I love my companion, and I love all the memories I have had here, but I know that there are many exciting things that await me in my new area. I am going to continue being an Hermana Leader and the missionary who I trained is going to be in my group so it will be so fun to see her more frequently. I am going to be companions with Hermana Kinkade. She is also from Utah and we left together for the CCM in Mexico. I already know her pretty well and am excited to work with her. I have always dreamed of an area close to the ocean and it looks like for the last little big of my mission I will get to be there. It will be fun because summer is coming up and I have heard Tomè has beautiful beaches.
This last week Hermana Lance and I worked as hard as we possibly could. We have a new investigator named Claudio who is 26 years old and has already come to church twice. He has a baptism date for November 7th and is progressing so quickly. As we taught him The plan of Salvation he looked at us and said, Ï know this is true. God is so merciful and I know he has made this perfect plan.¨ The spirit was so strong and I can not explain the happiness I felt to see his eyes lighten as he learned about the hope the atonement brings to each of us to correct the errors we have made and return to our fathers prescense in the Celestial kindgom. What a joy it is to see the lives of people changing.
On Saturday we were able to witness a very special event; the groundbreaking of the Concepción Temple. We watched the broadcast in the stake center and there was such a special spirit present in the chapel. The members have been waiting for such a long time for this moment and in about 3 years will have a beautiful Temple in their city. Gerald, our recent convert was able to go and loved it. His testimony is strengthening so much and the members have been so kind to him.
It is not easy work to be a missionary. I´d said it is by far the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life because each day I come home completely drained phsyically, but I love what I do and I know that I couldnt continue on if it wasnt for Christ and his atonement. He carries me every day and the holy ghost helps me to know how I can be a more affective instrument each day. I feel privelaged to be serving as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and would like to testify that I know this church is true. I have felt time and time again the wonderful peace that comes to my heart as I read The Book of Mormon and as I testify of Jesus Christ and his restored gospel and I know those feelings come from the holy ghost, the one who testifies of all good and all truth. I know that the way we can all strengthen our relationships with our Heavenly Father is through earnest prayer, obedience, continual scripture study, keeping our covenants, and serving one another.
I would like to thank each of you for your love and constant prayers. Like I say always I can feel the strength given to me from them so thank you. I hope you all have a wonderful week and always remember I am praying for you too.
Con harto amor,
Hermana Parkin