I FOUND HER!!!!

On Tuesday we met up with Lev, Stan, and now a new friend from India to teach English. We started into traveling and vacation terms, now that summer’s in full swing. I begin listing vocab on the board….."ticket,” “itinerary,” “portal,” “TSA,” and then “flight attendant.”

They looked a bit puzzled when I put that last one up, so I began explaining…..”a person who works on an airplane, helps passengers, brings you snacks, etc…..also called a stewardess…..”

Lev then leans back with a smile, “Ooooooohhhhh……YES. I understand.”

Perfect. So I run the drill: “How would you put that word in a sentence?”

Without hesitating, he starts, “A flight attendant…is also called a stewardess, and is VERY beautiful, and young, and attractive, and usually has long beautiful hair, and brings you everything you need.” He then goes on with a wink, “Maybe you work as our flight attendant after you’re a missionary??”

Ummmmmmmmmm……..NO.      Ain’t that type...

MOVING. ON.

“’Pilot’…..next word is ‘PILOT’……” hahaha! Gotta love it. There’s never a dull moment when teaching two 60-year olds English as a second language:) lol

Thursday, we went to Feed My Starving Children as a Zone and ……OH MY GOSH……funnest service project e.v.e.r.!!! We TORE up that place (between hearing Mumford and Sons sing “I will wait, I will wait for you!” over the boombox speakers with an accompanying elder of the group shouting,

“Oh, NO SHE WON’T!”

Couldn’t. Stop. Laughing!   lol!   Girls….he’s got a point:) Anyways……by the end, we’d packed over 40 boxes of meals at ONE station, and in total packaged enough meals to feed over 115 kids for a YEAR!!!   Woop woop!!!   


#TeamBuffaloGroveZone      #repthehood     #ldsswag

Wednesday, we showed up to district meeting, and after we were finished, headed to the baptism closet to find a jumpsuit for Bethany’s baptism (!!!!!). We opened the closed only to find that the O.N.L.Y. sizes available were XX-XXXX Large (yea, didn’t even know they made suits that big….things you learn as a missionary;) or a Youth Medium.

That’s not gonna cut it for a slim 5 foot 8 young woman wanting to get baptized.

So we keep scouring the closet, digging through pile after pile of white clothing and eventually recruiting the help of the elders. EHHHH….not the smartest move.

Convo that followed:

Elder P--, pulling out a white XXX jump suit: “WAY too big. It looks like something you’d wear to clean a porter potty.”

Elder G--, lifting up a white dress, trying to figure out the wide collar:  “Oh! It’s a scarf! Oh, she’ll love that!”

Elder P--, finding another dress with an oversized scoop drape collar, and mistaking it for a hood:

“Whoa….that’s like KKK status.”

Me, holding up a thin, lacey, and slightly yellowed dress: “That looks like something your grandma would die in.”

Sister Bishop, finding a Youth Large, and holding it up to herself: “It could just ride right below her knee. That’s not too weird, right?”

F.A.I.L.

After 30 minutes of no luck, we finally decided to take what we had (Shrek-sized jumpsuits, and century-old nightgowns) to give Bethany “options” (riiiiiiiight). Our wardrobe unveiling that night at her house was C.L.A.S.S.Y. ……like red carpet status.

Luckily, we have b.o.m.b. Zone Leaders who were champs and found us an adult small jumpsuit at their chapel in Gurnee, and it fit PERFECTLY.

Saved by grace, after all we could do;) lol

Annnnnnddddd…..speaking of BAPTISMS……BETHANY  IS OFFICALLY  A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!     AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

It was one of the most beautiful and happy days of my mission!!! I’ve loved every minute I’ve had to spend teaching Bethany (though we really didn’t teach her much…she kinda knew it all already since she’s been studying up on it for over a year)!!! I’ve grown SO close to that girl, I love her! I’ve made a new bestie, and it’s i.n.c.r.e.d.i.b.l.e. knowing that I got to play a small part in her conversion!!!

[OK…if you just skipped over that last paragraph…..start reading HERE:]

REWIND……

Story time:

So 2 days before I opened my mission call (yea, as it was sitting on the kitchen counter…..longest. two. days. of. MY. L.I.F.E.), I was praying late one night……stressing over the mission, wondering what my companions would be like, how many people I'd be able to teach, what my mission president would be like, if I'd love my areas, see people get baptized, have fun, be free of hardships.....ya know, the uge that pre-mi’s worry about....and then....

I had to STOP.

I paused and realized how selfish I was being. My prayers were all about ME......MY wants, MY desires, MY life, MY fears, ME...ME...ME. In that moment when I stopped, took a step back, and re-evaluated what I was saying, the spirit spoke clearly to my mind,

"Anna......someone TONIGHT  is praying that YOU will bring them the gospel!"

I bawled. Straight up, knelt there and cried for over a half hour. I was completely struck by the power of those words, and their accompanying meaning. 

This mission isn't about ME. None of it. I realized in that moment that I wasn't going out here for ME. I wasn't sacrificing for ME, leaving home for ME, or giving up all I loved for ME. It was for that person...that ONE that needed ME. 

Well guess what???

I FOUND HER!!!!!!!!!!!!

One year ago, Bethany was praying for sister missionaries to come. She knew that she wanted the gospel in her life, and even wanted to meet with the missionaries, but she wanted--needed--SISTERS. 

One year ago, I was praying for me.......but was told......ANOTHER was praying for me....to come. 

All along our way, teaching Bethany, I wondered if she was the one that had been praying for me to come. I wasn't sure, though it seemed possible. In fact, I didn't know for sure until, standing at the top of those font steps, I watched as Bethany came up out of that water, smiling and literally glowing! It hit me so hard,

"SISTER PARKER, YOU FOUND HER!!! YOU FOUND HER!!!"

 There is NOTHING like that feeling in the ENTIRE world!!!!! To know that you—through God’s help—did it! You found the one who needed you, who prayed for you to come!!! I couldn’t contain my happiness!!!! I’ve never felt happier in MY LIFE!!!!  

That night, we went over to Bethany’s to visit her and to practice for a choir number we and the young women were invited to sing in Sacrament Meeting the following day. The three of us sat there together, basking in the joy and happiness of the day as we began singing “Come Unto Christ.”

[BTW, if you don’t know this song…..go listen to it HERE….it’s b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.]

We sat around that table, as rain came down softly outside and sang, “Come unto Christ, come unto Him. And by His grace be made, holy again. He’s calling your name. He’s waiting for you, with arms open wide. Come unto Christ!”

I wouldn’t have traded that moment--singing those words and looking into Bethany’s eyes--for the WORLD!!! I’ve never felt the spirit stronger! I broke down when we were finished with the song and told Bethany about my experience praying before the mission. All I could say to her at the end was,

“YOU make it ALL WORTH IT!!!!”

The heartache, the homesickness, the fatigue, the failure, the rejection, the sacrifice, the bitterness, the pain, the loneliness, the hardship……it is ALL WORTH IT!!!

Missions are worth it. They’re hard, but they. are. worth. it!!!! There are “one’s” that are out there waiting for you to reach out to them, to find them, to help them, and to bless their lives eternally. Whether you’re a full-time missionary or a member missionary…..they are out there! They’re waiting for YOU!!!

And you’re perhaps the ONLY one who can find and help them! Don’t wait! They need you NOW!!!!

IT IS ALL WORTH IT!!!!

Onward and Upward,

Sister Anna Parker

towel #6!!!

#besties:)

couldn't be happier!!!

All Rad, No Bad

Planning day rolls around......on the very day that the weather is b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l....... 

And rather than stay cooped up in our apartment for four hours.....we grabbed blankets and sunglasses and hit the back lawn. 
 
#funinthesun 
 
We've been going at it for about an hour, when two neighbor guys come around the corner on bikes and "stop to chat".....about the BoM obviously..... 


No, for reals.....we sat them right down and started teaching the Restoration. Turns out, one of them is the brother of our whipped-cream-game friend from last P-day. It's a sign.......;)


Eventually, another guy from the block comes swaggering over and......restoration discussion #2 takes off.

10 minutes later.....another guy....and another guy....and another.....and they just keep coming. No joke...Sister B and I taught 5 restoration lessons in an hour, took multiple trips back and forth from our car to get more Book of Mormons and mormon.org cards.


By the end, we were all sitting around a rickety old picnic table.....two white chicks and a slew of guys.....talking about ancient americans, prophets, and heavenly visitations. 


It doesn't get better than that....we made 5 new friends and found a family to teach outta that party.......I call that a good day:) 


On Friday, we stopped-by Yung's house and OMG........I. love. her.!!! She waves us in, saying, "I not see you.....long time......GIRL! GIRL! Come here! [handing me her address book and a pen] write name...address.....telephone number...I call you. You come. You my friend....I miss you....last week, you no come.....I cry, cry, cry!"

 HEARTBREAK 

When we dropped by last week, we knocked, but no one came to the door, so we got to work in her rose garden, and missed seeing her. Turns out......she missed seeing US.......more than we realized:) soooooooooo......we've decided to adopt her as our grandma.

#asianpersuasion                      #sisterversion 

Before we left, we sang her "Nearer My God To Thee" and the whole while she clapped her hands and rocked back and forth.....letting out the occasional Yung-special ......giggles.....while we sang....GOTTA LOVE HER. 



Feed My Starving Children was another party we hit up this week.......and this time, we brought James' brother, Prem, with us! We had a B.L.A.S.T.!!!  It's an amazing experience having an investigator come and do service with you.......filling up bags with rice and vitamins somehow makes the spirit 10x stronger;) lol 



With transfers happening this week, Sis B and I found out we're still hanging for another 6 and the elders of the ward............are getting...........WHITEWASHED. Meaning......both old elders left...and two nubes came in. 

And they're a.m.a.z.i.n.g.!!!! Love em! In less than a week of being here, they found multiple people to teach and are setting the previously bone-dry area ablaze. Whhhhhaaaaat?!?! We're stoked for this coming transfer, working alongside them. It's gonna be epic;) 

We've been busy with the uge......cloud making;) 

We show up to help out and the decorating director (the member of our ward) introduces us to a new best friend.....SPRAY ADHESIVE. Yea............ Like the aerosol oh-so-much-easier-to-use-than-hot-glue-guns, and in-a-spray-can version of glue. Applying quilting batting to chicken wire has never been easier.......we can now mass-produce. 

Watch for us on SHARK TANK.........cloud-making = millions 



After finishing the clouds....we got to drop them off at an old high-school where everything is being stored before being moved to the main high school for senior's night.

This decrepit old building put the CREEP in CREEPY.   

And yes.....I  l.o.v.e.d.  it.......felt like we were in a movie.....creeping through dark hallways with ceiling plaster all over the floor, peeling wallpaper, broken glass, rats running through the walls, and lightbulbs hanging from their sockets...... 

JEEPERS

word

Kinda bummed it's getting torn down. It would have made for the perfect Alfred Hitchcock film set .......   #mysteryluvr     #4lyf 



On Saturday morning, we headed out bright and early to go visit a new investigator, Greg, who we met at the library one day (be in the right places at the right time.....and things happen;). He stopped us, asked what we did as missionaries, and agreed to a visit and a copy of the book of mormon. 

Cool beans. 

We met with him, and taught him the restoration.....he's accepting of what we teach, but not really commital. Y 'know....the old "I can accept the Book of Mormon as true, but that doesn't mean I have to become Mormon" deal.              Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaa, bout that......... 

Oh well. 

 On to better things....... 

BIGGEST OF BIG NEWS: Bethany's on date for baptism!!!!!! We're so pumped!!!! She's decided on June 28th for her big day and we couldn't be HAPPIER!!! We can't wait for her to receive all these blessings and the happiness coming her way!   

(Annnnnnnnnnd.......we've also planned a reunion road trip for when we all get back to Utah.......and when she's my roommate at BYU......and dating some cute RM;).....#partyinprovo



Lastly....my favorite line from this week: 

7 year-old boy in the ward: "Yea, I know someone I can share the gospel with." 
Me: "That's awesome! Who's that?" 
Boy: "My friend A---......we talk about church sometimes" 
Me: "You do! That's great! What have you told him?" 
 Boy: "Well...we talk about the gospel.....the Book of Mormon.....and a lot about conspiracy theories." 


Mmmmmmmmmkkkkkkkkkkkk.      hahaha!


 L.O.V.E. that kid!!!!



We're going strong, loving the spirit, having fun, and remembering to SMILE...... 


I'm learning more and more the longer I'm out here just how aware God is of me. He loves each of His children more than I can even comprehend, and as a missionary, we get to feel that love SO powerfully both for those we meet and for ourselves. 

I've never felt so loved and able to love so strongly in my life!!!  It makes me wanna go out and share that love with others more......so here goes;)



Onward and Upward,



Sister Anna Parker

Should I Serve A Mission???

A little while ago, a family member who is soon to submit mission papers wrote me and asked, "Tell me everything there is to LOVE about a mission. I've heard enough about the hard.....tell me what makes it all worth it."

I responded, and now, a few weeks later, I figured I'd upload my letter for all of you who feel the same way....



"So....you asked me some really good questions--good in a number of ways: good for you to know, as well as good for me to answer. To preface, though, I gotta say, I'm totally having de-ja-vu to back before my mission.....the whole "enough of hard! what about the good?"


"So, lemme just say, I wish I'd heard more about the good before I came out. The questions you asked made me reflect on both the the hard and the joy of mission life. I realized there is much of mission life that I take for granted, which made me realize that there is even more joy to be found in this lifestyle than I sometimes realize.  Sooooo......take this letter--which is focused on the joys and blessings of missionary life--not as the 24/7-life-is-always-easy norm, but also remember to find joy in the small things, then that makes the work joyous.


"Ok....'nuff said. Rambling.....trashed. Here's really what you want to know! 



1st question: What makes me crazy happy? People. Love the people and you'll love your mission. Whether it's having someone accept the invitation to meet with you, be baptized, or report to you that they prayed for the first time ever....that is when I'm CRAZY HAPPY! Like get-back-into-the-car-and-just-scream-at-the-top-of-your-lungs happy!!! Because it's about them!!! It's sometimes hard or unnatural to love, but invest your heart in e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e. you meet and talk to.....and love (and happiness:) follows!

2nd question: What is fun about a mission? Being weird. Being crazy. Getting teased. Having adventures. Little kids loving you as "their missi-mary." Eating new foods. Pranking friends. Comp selfies. District lunches. Zone activities. Sightseeing. Transfer giddiness. Laughing at old church films (Legacy.....easy cheesy! lol). Teasing companions. Meeting strange people. Getting called funny names. Mission jokes. Taking pictures. Running back to the apartment at 8:55 p.m.. Life bloopers. A lot of things, really. But a lot of times, you have to make the fun! Get creative and learn to laugh at yourself;)

3rd question: What is rewarding about missionary life? SO MUCH. period. The Lord rewards His full-time missionaries in SO many ways! I see His tender mercies around me all. the. time.! It's rewarding in ways you also don't expect, though. After a long hard day, going to bed tired? Rewarding. An opportunity to do a random act of service? Rewarding. A prayer from an investigator thanking God for sending YOU to them? Rewarding. A lesson so fulled with the spirit that you have no idea what you said, but it worked? Rewarding. The first time an investigator walks through the doors of the chapel in jeans and a t-shirt? Rewarding. Helping a new young missionary find the power of their testimony? Rewarding. There is SO much reward in store for full-time representatives of the Lord! Like I said in a past email, there is NO way this is not the Lord's work, because NO such satisfaction and joy could come from work so hard! It truly is SO rewarding.

4th question: What is the power of being a missionary like? GAH!!! I L.O.V.E. it!!!! There is nothing like it!!  It's like being superhuman, really;) Like, ya put on the tag and suddenly, there's no bars held--you can talk to anyone and everyone, people respect and admire you instantly, inviting yourself in and over to people's houses isn't weird at all, you open your mouth and no matter how stupid or incoherent you sound, your words somehow make it to their hearts.....and the list goes on! There's also unseen power from God which leaves you standing there in awe of HIS power. Check out Jacob 5:72. Nuff said. He's in this work WITH US!! What more power could you ask for?? The power is unmatched but....you also have to work for it, look for it, love it, and appreciate it! Then IT COMES!!! Those are the days when you can't help but shout, "I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!"

5th question: What makes the mission amazing? Well, I guess the answer to that is just a summary of the last 4 questions;). It's amazing in many ways (probably most of which, I won't even fully appreciate or recognize until it's all past). One thing, I gotta say that is amazing about being a missionary is the incredible support system that you have access to. I'm constantly surrounded by people--the mission president, his wife, district leaders, zone leaders, the bishop, ward members, senior couple missionaries, fellow missionaries, etc.--who are my biggest fans and most constant supporters just because I wear the badge!! It's truly amazing being surrounded by incredibly young peple all the time, who are going through the exact same things you are. It's kinda like EFY on steroids;) hahaha!


Every now and then, I have those mind-blowing moments where I all of the sudden realize, "This is sick!" and I also have to realize how hard it will eventually be to have to resign from the ranks and go back to "normal life" (yea, whatever that is;).


6th Question: Why is a mission both amazing and hard? Yea, you hear about the hard, because it IS hard. But it's an experience that teaches you so much! You will NEVER regret serving! The longer I'm out here, the more I realize, "Dang, idk how I would have every gotten marries, had kids, raised a family, accepted church callings, etc. if I'd never served a mission!" You will learn SO much about yourself, other people, the world, the church, gospel doctrine, and most importantly, about the love of Christ and His atonement as you serve--more than you could learn anywhere else in so short a time!


You will develop incredible relationships, meet amazing people, make best friends out of companions, and see and do things you'd never dreamed of! haha! It's an a.d.v.e.n.t.u.r.e.! Take on the challenge! (And don't worry...you'll get used to people staring awkwardly at your chest until you remember that's where your tag is at;) 


Sometimes you'll feel like your badge is really a 10 foot pole with a sign tacked to the end "keep your distance and avoid eye contact at all costs otherwise, I'll be really friendly and try to convert you!" hahaha! and again, at other times, your tag is what prompts showers of praise, questions, compliments, and requests for help and a listening ear......its b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.! There are so. many. blessings. that come with the tag--protection, comfort, strength, discernment, power, etc.!


Ok so to wrap up......I was thinking about those emotions some of us feel.....specifically, not wanting to go. My word of advice would be to make a list of the "why's"--why you're going. Rack your brains if you have to:)! As you go along, and throughout your mission, review it and add to it. It often brings things back into perspective for me when the going gets tough.


And just remember, a mission isn't meant to be easy all the time. But all the time, it's worth it! Go out and have a blast! Turn your heart and will over to the Lord and watch and see what amazing miracles He will work through and for you!  The work is hastening this last time! This is the lat time He will send for His laborers to find the elect! The urgency is there!    Don't let this incredible opportunity pass you by!    Join the ranks! "We are as the armies of Heleman...in these latter days!"


You'll find (and re-find) the fire of missionary work! It WILL come, just wait and see! It doesn't come all at once and sometimes not as fast as you'd like, but it does come! Hold out and hold fast! Sacrifice truly does bring forth the blessing of heaven!


Keep walking--you're moving in the right direction and the Lord knows and understands how frightening and even painful that step into the darkness can be. Just think, even before the most important step in the history of mankind--the Atonement--Jesus Christ himself pled,  



"If it be thy will, let this cup pass from me."

 He knows what that's like! He knows exactly what you're feeling!

"Never-the-less (think about the meaning of that word!) glory be to the Father, and I partook!" (DC 19:9)  Your mission is a "never-the-less"! 



The blessings and miracles brought about both to you and to others will far out-weigh any sacrifice you make! I love you! Your faith and willingness to obey will be an inspiration to many!



Onward and upward!



Sister Anna Parker

Up High

What. A. Week.
  

And somehow and flies and crawls by....all at the same time. #missionlife

Monday morning, we call our dinner appointment--a member who always takes us out to eat for dinner--and come to find, he's planned the perfect missionary rendezvu...

A SPORTS BAR
   

okkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk.....and yes, I got the weirdest looks of my life there
   

......might as well have been nun at a Jay-Z concert.  

  

After leaving our dinner appointment, we rushed off to teach James just as a MEGA lightning storm hit complete with torrential rain. I was in h.e.a.v.e.n.;) I love love love lightning and thunder and rain storms....the whole enchilada. 

     

Even better, sitting inside teaching James with the spirit SO strong, all the while the storm is howling and thrashing outside.....felt amazing......it was a life lesson: the gospel really does create that safe haven amidst all the storms of life and gives us the shelter and protection so needed in today's world.
  

Ok, now off the soap box:)..... 
   

With the downpour came missionary miracles too: S.E.R.V.I.C.E;)    By the next morning we were over at member's homes helping with flood damage, clean-up, and take-out. I can now add hauling wet carpet and shop vac-ing to my list of mission-accquired skills.         #gifted

Between basement water parties, we got to help out in other unique ways as well......like making clouds for HS senior parties out of chicken wire, hot glue guns, batting, pillow fluff, and LED lights.  
     

Creative much??   Hit me up if you wanna learn how to make a cloud.....made me so excited to get to heaven one day...#missionarynerd

 And the (service) party don't stop till 5am tonight.......or....in the case of sister missionaries .....till 9pm at night.    For reals....you think I'm joking...
 

We showed up at an investigator's house on Saturday to do a number on her yard and that turned into a number of hours on us. Lezzzzz see.....6 to be exact. Holy guacamole. And we LOVED it.

Two of those hours were spent trying to pull, tug, lasso, yank, and swing on a huge tree branch that was broken and hanging from one of the oaks in their backyard. They were afraid it could eventually fall and hurt someone, so, of course....missionaries to the rescue. 

Took us an e.t.e.r.n.i.t.y. to finally get it down, after multiple failed attempts (the bugger was jammed between branches and trunks), until finally the neighbor came out, climbed on top of the nearby woodshed and then climbed a 40 foot ladder (on top of the woodshed).....with a chain saw......to lean out around the trunk for a one-handed buzz-cut to the branch.

Guys and their thinking.......

     

Welp....at least it worked....surprisingly;) and the elders then had a party using chain saws to hack it apart for fire wood. Turns out, the neighboor who came out after seeing our epic fails, is a non-member who's married to a less-active. He's apparently very anti-mormon and especially towards their service.....BUT, after spending that time serving along side us, he stayed for dinner, gave us his card and phone number, and t.o.t.a.l.l.y. warmed right up to us.     #score

It's amazing what service and the spirit can do to soften people's hearts!

Moments of the week:

We set off the fire alarm trying to make chips out of tortillas,

were asked to attend PEC....#girlstatus,

heard Jesus Christ be compared with Kevin Costner, and the Jdubs compared with the Start Trek Borg,

taught my first skype lesson in sign language!!!

helped organize soccer tournament ref schedules for member service,

had an a.m.a.z.i.n.g. convo with a fellow library computer-user who now wants a Book of Mormon and a visit so "we can sit down and chat,"

and woofed a bag of freeze-dried strawberries only to find there was only 130 calories in the whole bag....#traderjoesisnowmyfriend   #winnerstatus

   

the BEST moment of the week though......was JAMES' BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!! Here it goes again:

 AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

       

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO    HAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPY!!!!!! Every time, it floors me, seeing how God fills His missionary with SO much love for these people we get to meet and teach!!! It's absolutely incredible!!!

I think we get more of a high out of their baptisms than they do:)

   

James had quite the fan club show up too....I've never seen so many people crammed into a baptismal room before! It was a.m.a.z.i.n.g.!!!!! The spirit was SO strong and I was GIDDY with happiness!!!! This gospel truly does bring happiness, joy, and peace beyond anything else!!!

That's the message we as missionaries get to share with people. That's the blessing we get to extend to them. And that's their potential if they accept! 

Missions are incredible. You come to understand the gospel in such a profound way, and not only that, but you get to see it actively at work in the hearts and lives of others. You get the priviledge of being that person to bring them a message that will change their lives forever!

Seeing James turn his life around and in doing so, come to find SO much lasting happiness and purpose....Ah! It's priceless!!! PRICELESS!!!! It's an experience I wouldn't trade for the world:)




Onward and upward!

Sister Anna Parker

AH!! baptisms!!!!

towel #6:)

graduated to weed wacker status

zone activity....love em<3