West Campus Story

Entering the MTC is like going into the under water world of Naboo. Your mind tells you you're still on the same planet, but your surroundings tell you otherwise. Saying goodbye to family on the curb rips your heart out. All I wanted to do was drop my bags and run back home.

But no, I'm swept away by a complete stranger and herded like a sheep through a long hallway, all while my body and mind seem to be totally numb. Pretty soon I find myself walking up to a elderly missionary with a small envelope that somehow made it into my hands, and she opens it and gives me my name tag and then....wait, let me say that again....

I GOT A NAMETAG!!!

Yes, yes, yes! It was the best feeling I've  e.v.e.r  had! I'm a missionary! Yep, it hits you right there, right then. "This is for real. I'm a MISSIONARY!"

Then, to make everything even more ecstatic, I read where I'm assigned to learn.Yep, you guessed it, I'm training on West Campus!!! What does that mean, you ask? I'm living at Wyview and studying at Raintree! Crazy....crazy crazy crazy! I love it though! I'm so happy to be here; it's more open and airy, everyone is happy and friendly, the classrooms are bright, the residence halls are clean and new, and the walk back and from halls to class is always a plus! Love. It. Here!

In all honesty, the rest of the day was a blur. I went to class, met my district, met my companion, was assigned a room, etc. etc. etc.  Going through the motions, taking it all in, I'm sure we looked like deer in headlights, but our teachers got us into the scriptures, PMG, the District movies, and more more more! Honestly, you're so busy, there's no time to think!

I didn't cry at all. In fact, at devotional that night, I couldn't wipe a smile off my face. It was so bad the MTC presidency kept staring at me to make sure I hadn't lost my marbles. I was overjoyed! My heart was overflowing with happiness! The spirit was so strong and every bit of me was filled with the love of my Savior. 

The first time I cried was five days later, but it wasn't over homesickness, it wasn't over the workload, or the rigorous schedule, or the lack of electronics, or the difficulty of learning....no, I cried for the first time in the MTC when, in a role play with my companion, as I taught the first discussion, I began Joseph Smith's words, "I saw a pillar of light, exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. When the light rested upon me I saw two personages, who's brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other, "This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him!" I lost it. I cried tears of joy, tears of faith, tears of testimony, tears of conviction that this gospel is true. I knew it, I know it, and I love it! 

This Gospel is TRUE! 

My faith and testimony has never been stronger. My love of this gospel has never been greater. My pride of being a Mormon missionary has never been brighter. The MTC is an incredible place! I love it! It's not easy, it's hard work! Our schedule is all go go go! But, I LOVE IT! 

Best moments of the week:

Elder Christensen, like the Elder Christensen from the District movies was our teacher one night!! WHAT?! It was so cool! #mormoncelebrity  #ishookhishand!

Our District is amazing! All of them! We are so close, they've really become my family! Our teacher told us that in all her years of being a missionary and then a teacher at the MTC, she's never met a district with more potential and power as ours! Mom, you should be proud. 

My companion is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! We're basically the same person! 

#meanttobe

Her name is Sister Butler, she's from Idaho and honestly, I couldn't think of a better companion for me! We love each other sooooo much and have a blast! We actually connected on FB before coming out here...again #meanttobe:)

We are teaching two "investigators" and I've been amazed at how the Spirit is able to work through me as we teach! It's incredible! My most spiritual moments here have been when teaching. I love it! For all you future missionaries, a word of advice: memorize your scripture masteries (they come in handy, all the time!), know the points of doctrine for each PMG lesson, and finally, role play, role play, role play!! I've totally gained a testimony of it's usefulness!! Just do it! 

I'm learning so much here, it'll be exciting but also hard to leave. We fly out to Chi Town this coming Monday at 4:30 a.m.!! 

We're on the countdown!!!

The gospel is true, Christ is the One, the Spirit is real, the MTC is amazing, and MISSIONARIES ARE THE BEST! Keep them letters coming! They mean the world to us! 

Onward and upward,

Sister Parker

District 136-D!!

#dorkdot #ldsmissionary

Wyview dorm! #maincampusshouldbejealous

Provo flash flood! The huge dumpsters were floating in it! CRAZY!

MTC main campus devotional! #photobombingelders

Hereby Called To Serve

"There is no place I could get called to that I'd be disappointed, only terrified." In short, ever since I decided to serve a mission clear back in October of 2012, I'd been hoping and crossing my fingers that I'd go stateside. The unknown of serving foreign seemed overwhelmingly daunting and difficult. I was perfectly content with anywhere in the US--anywhere where I could still have some ground under my feet as a new missionary. English speaking?

Yes, please.

However, I knew well that the Lord knew best where I was meant to serve. Answering "yes" to the missionary interview question, "Are you willing to serve wherever and in whatever capacity you are asked to serve in?" confirmed this in my mind. I would go wherever I was needed, despite my very real fears.

Knowing that you can be called to anywhere in the world is, in my mind, terrifying. Honestly, for months my mind raced.....Canada? Mexico City? Africa? London? California? Where, oh, where? And then, after all is said and done--interviews finished, appointments attended, shots given, forms filled, money saved, documents signed, papers submitted--all you're left to do is...

 WAIT.

Wait for ten long days for a white envelope with the clearly-typed words "From the Office of the First Presidency, To Sister Anna Parker" to show up in the mailbox. Then, of course, comes the waiting for all immediate family to be gathered (3 days counting) before opening it.

Those three days were some of the longest of my life. Constantly seeing that white envelope, wondering (and panicking) over the when, where, what, and how's of what it contains.

Basically, the next 2 years of your life has been decided for you and is sitting in nothing more than a paper envelope, and you have to exercise the self-control not to open it. 

When yesterday came (the day before the grand opening), the anxiety began to set in. Beginning to realize what was actually coming, was indeed ALARMING. Eventually, it all came to fruition in those couple seconds before mustering up enough courage to begin reading the actual call. My heart has never pounded so hard or my hands shaken so uncontrollably than they did as I pulled out that letter and read,

"Dear Sister Parker,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Illinois Chicago Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, September 4, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language."

In a wave of emotions, all I could do was cover my face and cry. I was so overcome with gratitude and joy! The Spirit filled my whole heart and the warmth that I felt was unmatched by anything I've ever experienced. Seeing my name printed alongside His with the declaration, "You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel," I realized, is one of the greatest blessings I could ever ask for. He wants me--ME--to represent Him! My gratitude for this opportunity and honor is overwhelming! In that moment, I felt such a deepness of His love for me and of my love for Him. I know that this is where I'm supposed to serve. I know that there are people in Illinois who are waiting to hear the message that I'll be blessed to bring to them. This is truly an honor! I know my Savior is aware of me and needs me to help Him further His work and bring souls back into His fold. I'm grateful for my call to serve and for His goodness in sending me! I know this Gospel is true and am anxious to bring the light and peace of that message to the people of Illinois! Onward and upward!

"Youth of the Church, the world is in need of your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save. The harvest truly is great. Let there be no mistake about it; the missionary opportunity of a lifetime is yours. The blessings of eternity await you. Yours is the privilege to be, not spectators, but participants on the stage of service to others."President Thomas S. Monson"That All May Hear," New Era, May 1996, 4