Well I survived my first week training! My new companion is named Hermana Càceres and is from Uruguay. She is so sweet and very timid, but every day she gains more confidence and I think she is adjusting well to the mission. I feel so blessed to be given the opportuinity to train. It is a great responsibilty and I have learned so much this past week. I dont think I have ever been more obedient, worked so dilligently, been so attentive to the spirit, or given all of my heart and desires to the Lord and his work. I have realized that the best way I can teach my new companion is through my example. We have enjoyed our first week together. Its fun helping her adjust to mission life and talk about Uruguay. It sounds like an interesting and beatuiful little country.
Yesterday we had a really special experience with some of our investigators and I thought I would share it with you. We are teaching two people named E....... and his girlfriend P..... They have a baby but arent married. Yesterday we taught them the Plan of Salvation and at the end of the lesson Paula looked at me and said, I have a question to ask you. Do you honestly feel like this gospel and being part of this church makes you happy or do you just feel obligated? She wanted to hear a personal experience from Hermano Feliciano who was with us, me, and my companion. As I was thinking about what I could share a very personal experience came to my mind that I dont share with everyone, but felt very stongly that they needed to hear it.
I told them about when I received the news that my mom had cancer how difficult it was, but when I called her on the phone her words brought me peace. She told me, as I waited outside the doctor office the thought came to my mind, if you have cancer, you wont do it alone.
I then expressed my testimony about our Savior`s atonement and love for us. How he can literally carry us through the times when we feel we cant go on. I explained that after this moment, I knelt in prayer and asked for the strength to make it through, and how afterwards it was so easy for me to see the bigger picture and remember that God has a plan. I testified that his plan is perfect and that I felt that all I needed to do was trust in my Father in Heaven, fulfill my responsibility as a missionary, focusing all I have on my sacred called and that he would bless my family.
With all of the conviction in my heart I testified that I have never felt so happy in all of my life. That The Book of Mormon is the word of God and brings me strength and joy every day. That my family is the most important this I have in this life, and that the knowledge that we can be together forever is the most wonderful hope. It was such a special moment and we could all feel the spirit so strongly.
I am so grateful for the miracles I am experiencing every day. For the opportunity to share my testimony with everyone, and dedicated every bit of strength I have to building God`s kingdom.
Thank you for all of your support, love, and prayers. I am praying for you all. Have a wonderful week!
Con todo mi amor,
Hermana Parkin