Well its been another wonderful week here in Talcauahno, Chile. I thought it was getting colder but this week the weather was still really warm. It seems strange that I have already been training for 4 weeks. My companion is doing great and adjusting well to the mission life. I am so grateful for her dilligence and have learned a lot from her. Yesterday we began to contact someone and he starting speaking English. It took me by suprise because I am hardly ever speaking English out in the street. I tried to talk back to him and it was SO difficult. I dont know how to explain how confused my head felt. I learned how to contact in Spanish and honestly had such a hard time finding the right words in English. I think the man we were talking to spoke better English than me. Afterwards I just starred at my companion in shock. I told her, ¨Hermana! I´ve forogtten how to speak in my own language!¨It was a very strange experience.
Anyway on a more spiritual note this week has been very special. I have noticed a great change in my life as I have tried to focus on my purpose as a missionary and how I can teach with the spirit to the needs of the people. I have been stiving to have more patience, and have been praying every day that I can feel the spirit and receive revelation to know the best way to help those I am teaching.
Each night before my companion and I plan, we read Alma 31:33-35. It has helped me focus on why I am here in the mission field and has really invited the spirit in our planning sessions. During training this week, we were watching videos about how we can help our recent converts. The night before I called Janson (who was baptized in December) to remind him to read his chapter in the Book of Mormon and to kneel and pray with his wife before they went to bed.
While watching these videos, I was thinking a lot about him and how we could help him maybe certain members who would be good to for him to meet and invite for a Family home Evening, when suddenly we received a phone call. We paused the video and when I looked at the phone I couldnt beleive it, Janson was calling us! (I dont remember ever receiving a call from him) I answered and he said, ¨Hermana Parkin? Are you busy?¨I told him no and asked what we could do for him. He said, Ï just wanted to call you and let you know that yesterday was rough and that you called in a moment when we needed it. My wife and I read the book of mormon together and before we went to bed knelt in prayer. Thank you for your phone call.¨
Tears immeditely filled my eyes. I felt the spirit so strongly and something inside me helped me know that they too felt the spirit that night.
This experience truly was a miracle for me that I will never forget. I know that God answers prayers and that as we all strive to be in tune with the spirit and follow the promptings given to us that we can be a blessing in the lives of others. God can use us as instruments in his hands.
I know that my Savior lives and I can feel his love and see his mighty hand every day in my life. He truly was the perfect example and through his atonement, sacrifice, or gift of love, we can become perfected in him every day and change into the people God expects us to become.
I finished The Book of Mormon from front to back yesterday and have never studied it in such dept in all my life. It is TRUE and changes lives. I tesitfy that it has changed mine. I hope and pray that you are all studying from its pages daily and applying its beautiful teachings into your daily life.
I have a testimony of prayer and know that we have a direct connection to our Heavenly Father all the time. He hears and answers always we just need to take the time to listen.
My heart is full and I am so thankful for this incredible experience my Heavenly Father has blessed me with to serve as a representative of His Son Jesus Christ.
Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers. I feel your strength daily and am grateful for your examples. Have a wonderful week and know I am praying for you all!
Con MUCHO amor,
Hermana Parkin