This last week has seemed to fly by so quickly I cant believe it is already Monday. Things have been really interesting here in Chile lately. With all of the random rain storms in Northern Chile and the erruption of the Volcano in Southern Chile many people have been asking us if know why so many natural disasters have been happening. Many think that God is angry, others think the world is ending...its been interesting to see the reaction of the people here.
On Wednesday I was able to have a mini-cambio with one of the Hermana Leaders. I learned so much from her and during our time together she was able to give me such valuable advice about finishing off the training of my companion. It was truly a tener mercy of the Lord because everything that Hermana told me helped me feel so much better about things. I will confess it hasnt been the easiest thing in the world training a missionary, but I have never learned so much about how to develop Christ like attributes, the importance of service, and reling on the enabling power of Christs atonoment to help carry me through difficult times. It has been a very humbling opportunity to realize that without God and the guidance of his spirit I truly am nothing.
This weekend we had our Stake Conference. Elder Urra from the seventy spoke along with our mission President, President Arrignton. Many things impressed me very deeply. Elder Urra spoke about how we must leave the conference a differnet person then when we came or else it was just a small time away from our regular schedule. It is so true that after such spiritual experiences we should take the time to write down our thoughts and feelings then apply what we learned so that we can continue progressing.
President Arrignton spoke about the importance of continually nourishing our spiritual crops. How if we are not continually nourished spiritually that our crops will die and we will forget the testimony we once had. He shared a very sad story about some people in his home ward who were very strong members but have recently joined an anti mormon group. He expressed his concern to us all about the importance of daily spiritually nourishment and also the strength we receive as we faithfully asist our Church meetings each Sunday. I want to testify of the great differnece I have seen in my life as I have been faithfully nourishing my spirit every day. I am stronger and can more easily feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost in my life.
I would like to end with my testimony that I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church in this world that has the prietshood authority to perform the ordanances of Salvation and that as we strive each day to strenthen ourselves spiritually the spirit can testify to us the truthfulness of this glorious gospel.
I hope you all have a wonderful week! Thank you for your continual prayers, support, and constant love. I want you all to know that it honestly makes my day when I receive an email or letter from you. Although I do not have time to respond to each of you individually I do receive your messages and I appreciate every one of them. Thank you!
Con harto amor,
Hermana Parkin
I LOVE YOU!
Sister Katelyn Parkin
4/27/15
To: Shawn Parkin, Vonnie
Mom and dad,
Thank you both for your emails today. WOW Chris is so tall and skinny! I think it is going to be such a shock when I go home and see how much he and Cameron have changed. I have been in Talcahuano for more than 6 months now and next monday I will know if I am going to be transferred or stay. The odds are that I will go and although I love my ward here I think im okay with that. I think its time for a change. I honeslty feel exhausted!! haha its not easy training because I have to carry most of the resposability, but like I said in my email I have learned and grown so much. Like you said dad I am being shaped and poslished a little more each day. Now that I can speak and understand better and also know how to teach more clearly and with more experience in the mission I have noticed that I am able to be a better instrument in Gods hands. I am so grateful for my descion to serve a mission.
One more fun fact. I dont think I have every sung so much in all my life than in the mission! We sing every day and I have had the opportuinity to sing in a lot of chiors and sometimes even solos. For stake conference I got to sing with 3 other missionaries and two members. It was really pretty. I never thought I would be asked to sing for stake conference! haha
Well my time is up but I hope you know how much I love you and how much I pray for you always. Have a wonderful week!!!! And tell everyone hi for me.