Week 100: Last E-mail Home!!

Dear Mom and Dad,

I can't believe it's finally here! I don't really know what to say either. I'm kind of beside myself honestly, as there's part of me that's in denial and thinks nah I'm still gonna be a missionary in a week. Then there's the rational part that goes ok it's time to be done. So I have no idea what I feel right now I'm a complete mess. As far as things you need to be aware of... Honestly not really I'm the only one coming home from this mission so there won't be too many people there I don't think. At least for my mission. Just hoping their scales read the same as my cheap walmart one hahaha. I don't really care haha they can wear me out all they want they need their big brother! And yes mom I will be more than happy to just sit and talk with you :) Also do you want me to bring bedding home? It's kinda nasty and I was gonna just leave it for space sake, but IDK where you're gonna put me haha. Anyway let me know I'll be back on this afternoon I'm only doing a quick check in before I go to lunch with President Cleveland. Love you see ya tomorrow!

Love, Braken

Hey bud - so don't bring home any nasty bedding.  We've got you covered.  Sell your bike unless you feel you really need it.  Or just leave it for another missionary to use.   Anything else?

Let me know.  

See you, 

Love mom

Nope haha I just gave it to Elder Walker it isn't worth anything. Also I could use a card refill just to make sure in case one of my suitcases is overweight.  Braken


Yes, I will put $ in your account.  I just haven't had time, but I will get to it don't worry.  Anything else??  
--Mom

Week 99: My Last Week in the Field!

Dear Mom and Dad,

First off about the LifeEz I haven't got yours so don't worry about sending more. Will you put some money on my card so I can just order one bottle to last me until I get home? I did it about a week ago and got it in about 3 days. I have enough to last me until about saturday. So let me know when you've done that because I need to do it today thanks!! Well this is it... The finally week.... I was thinking for a long time I wouldn't be ready for it when it came, but after this week I am so done hahaha. Everything we had fell through this week. Wendy, half our dinners, and to top it all off she didn't even make it to church. I can't wait for next week! Anyway the temple open house is going on, our only real part in it is we drive the sisters over there so they can do tours and then we desperately try to get non members to go so we can go. No luck yet. Oh well what can we do? We have a bunch of service planned this week so it'll go fast. Did you get the email sister cleveland sent with my itinerary?

Anyway I'm trunky... life goes on... and see you all in a week!!! Love you!!!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Dear Dad,

Haha don't worry Dad we have lot's of service planned as well as a few lessons. I may be trunky but I'm still a missionary :) And of course they'll be some door knocking. I haven't come this far to quit the last week. I'm picturing the obscenities that flew out as you got cold and wet and I'd be trying not to laugh too hahaha. 
Love ya Dad see ya in a week!

Week 98: Another Awesome Week - Pray for a Baptism!

Dear Mom and Dad,

This week was super sweet!!! Had an awesome lesson with Wendy and her kids, found them a solid friend in the ward, and to top it off, they all came to church this week!!!! We are going to put her on a baptismal date this thursday so pray for us! That's pretty much everything that happened this week honestly. Hahaha sorry about the package all that's in it is some clothes and old planners and letters and misc. junk. I didn't want you to open it so it doesn't get lost before I get home is all. If you really want to look inside I don't care I just don't want anything lost hahaha I just sent it home to free up space. I haven't got any LifeEz but if I get it today I will come back to the library and let you know. normally it takes about 2-4 days I bought one saturday because I'm struggling this week. I have been struggling with Elder Walker a lot and the loss of the supplements have just made it worse. No fights yet but oh my gosh the kid irritates me. Anytime you say anything he has to spout off this 20 minute dissertation on how much more about it he knows than you. I don't completely blame him he suffers from autism pretty badly, but still it drives me up the wall sometimes. I really need to get back on the supplements before I blow up at the kid. He had the gall to tell me I was stupid for playing magic last night. Well he didn't single me out, but he just said anyone who played games like that was either dumb or had no life. I just stared at the districts numbers I was collecting and was ready to blow up. He just really needs to learn to think before he says things. But anyway I'm making it only two more weeks. Well really only one more because I'll be spending the last week going around the ward saying goodbye to people. I'm gonna see if I can make it back up to Crawfordsville and say goodbye to some people up there. There'll probably be one or 2 more packages coming in the next couple weeks.  I think that was all. I love you guys! See you in 2 weeks!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 97: Awesome Week - Indianapolis Temple VIP Tour

Dear Mom and Dad,

First off Mom I am officially out of LifeEz, so please send some ASAP! This week was super awesome!!! We had a VIP tour of the temple yesterday that was for missionaries and investigators, and we were able to get Wendy and her kids there with us! She felt the spirit sooo strong she is totally on fire!! We are set to meet with her this thursday and she has no more plans to go anywhere this summer! We got her cornered now! But in answer to your other questions, Yes I am trunky. If you define trunky as thinking about home a lot then yes. However I will still continue to do my job here. Fishers is just making it really hard to focus because it's so hard to get anything done here. But with the Temple Open House starting we are seeing a lot of interest come up even here! So the temple is proving to be a huge blessing in more ways than one. You should be in some of the conversations we have with members here they are soooo excited to have this opening here! On average people are bringing about 20 people a piece to the open house! I'm so happy I get to finish my mission during the open house here! So in answer to your questions about Familysearch. If there are suspected duplicates then they will not allow you to reserve ordinances. Most of those I have had to work through many duplicates in order to reserve the ordinances. Also the church has given a new policy that makes it so you can only have ordinances reserved for 2 years, and they released all the ordinances that were reserved longer than that, freeing up a lot of ordinances. So I will look into it, but I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of them came back as still needing ordinances. As far as classes go, my thoughts are keep it pretty medium. Don't load me up so bad I'm gonna collapse under all the work, but still enough to keep me busy. Really??! You have a countdown?!? You are a terrible person!!! Gosh dang as if I wasn't already trunky enough. Haha but anyway I think that's about it, thanks for everything I love you guys!!

Love, Elder Braken Park

P.S, Please don't forget about the LifeEz

Week 96: Fill in the Gaps with Service!

Dear Mom and Dad,

First off I need more LifeEz this week! :) So this week we are officially getting into Temple mode. The Indianapolis Temple open house starts in 2 weeks so we were given these invitations that we are spreading far and wide in Fishers. We are super excited about the opportunities that will bring! We have been really trying to get Wendy to go but she is still in Michigan...... Also been trying to do a lot of service. It fills our big holes of empty time that are starting to look more and more daunting every day. I can see why I'm with Elder Walker right now. He is willing to go with the flow enough to not irritate me, but still wants to work hard enough to keep me motivated. I'll tell you what finishing your mission in the hardest area of the mission is not easy, but we are making it happen. Haha Dad your story reminds me of countless days spent at PG pool with you teaching me how to do things haha. Some things never change. And some things do! Garret with a drivers license.... There's a scary thought! It'll be crazy having 4 drivers in the family! I guess I'm gonna have to go try and find a car somewhere so we aren't stepping on each others toes all the time! Haha I keep thinking things are gonna be pretty similar when I get home but there's also gonna be a lot of change. As to the weather situation, we lucked out super hard this summer we only had one week that was really bad with like 90s and 100% humidity. But we still constantly have the rediculous humidity which means anything over 75 you are sweating bullets especially walking around in missionary clothes hahaha. Definitely something I will not miss. Anyway thanks for all you guys do I love you all! 

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 95: Last Transfer of the Mission!!

Dear Mom and Dad,

So this week has been a lot of service, which I am always happy for. Service is a great way to get to know the people in any given area. We helped one lady paint her house so she could move out, and also helped one of the High Councilman clean up this sports complex he owns. Wendy is still out of town until the 4th so I will have a further update on her next week after she gets back. So our transfer calls came and I will be dying (Going home) in Fishers with Elder Walker! I'm pretty excited about that because me and him have really been hitting a groove and doing solid. That's awesome Peyton got baptised! I emailed him about that. That's crazy Nick is home.... I remember when all of us were just getting our calls and we all left within 3 months of each other.... Now I am the last to come home... I got my flight Itinerary today. I get home 10:19 August 4th. I'm not sure quite what to think going into this last transfer. I'm very excited to be home don't get me wrong, but I will be sad to go at the same time. I do have a list for when I get home haha. The first week I am home I am going to spend one day and lock myself in some room and just be alone..... Having someone attached at the hip for 2 years gets old. Also video games with the boys. And date Girls haha. That's basically all my plans for when I get home oh and a job too haha. I'm sorry I haven't been the best at emailing all you guys. Monday is super stressful trying to make sure everyone gets written and I always end up talking to all my mission friends too. So I am sorry about that, I will try and do better this last transfer. I promise I will hold no details back when I get home! Now Dad don't worry about me checking out. I've had too many experiences cleaning up after some Elder who's trunky as all get out and he makes a mess of the area. So I will be doing my darndest to not check out. Don't worry I won't forget my purpose here. I'm sad to see Bishop Brockbank go he was by far my all time favorite bishop. I guess I'll just have to learn to love the new guy! Well I think that's it I love you all! Talk to you next week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 94: Great Week!

Dear Mom and Dad,

This week went super well! So Wendy came back in town this week only for a couple days, but it was long enough for us to talk to her and her other 2 daughters. She is still reading and doing her best to get involved with it! She actually showed her kids Meet the Mormons! She is taking so much initiative in this it makes our lives soooo nice! We are still doing well though Elder Walker has been starting to grate on me a little. He has a lot of Greenie pride and is painfully awkward. I love the kid but he just hasn't had much in the way of human interaction in his life. So I find myself talking more and more, which I'm not super happy about because when I was with Elder Williams I could let him talk and learn how to do things because it wasn't going to trainwreck. With walker.... I feel like everytime he opens his face stupid just comes flying out of it and he just can't help it. I mean sneddon was awkward, but with him it was kind of endearing, here I spend most of my time around members resisting the urge to face palm... But he really is a great kid he just needs some more experience under his belt. Sounds like you guys are having a great summer! Hey I was wondering if you could see if they had a topic in mind for my homecoming talk. Just wanted to be ready for it because I don't think I'll have a lot of time to do it that week. Thanks! Haha speaking of immodesty you aught to see out here! its so hot and humid all the time you should see what the girls out here go jogging in. I don't think I've seen one pair of shorts that goes past mid thigh. It's so rediculous haha. Well I think that is honestly all for this week thanks for all you guys do! Love you!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 93: Braken is doing Well...

Dear Mom and Dad,

It's not that we don't lock our doors, we just forgot on the one day it mattered! Haha I think President was just as surprised as we were. We just explained what happened and he was like well just make sure you lock your doors from now on.... then he laughed and was like it's never a dull moment. Wendy is due to be back in town this week so we are crossing our fingers that she is still on board. Many many prayers have been had in her behalf so I really appreciate the extra ones you are sending. Me and Elder Walker are doing really well, he is just green enough to keep my trunky butt moving ;) You did WHAT?????!! You know how much I was looking forward to coming home and going to the lake!?!?!?!? ..... I feel betrayed.... Whatever I guess I'll just have to talk him into buying another one ;) That's sweet about Garret wanting to get a job there. Tell him if he gets on there to put in a good word for me haha. Sounds like you guys are having a pretty fun summer. This week went pretty well we had lots of service opportunities. That keeps us busy and productive which is super nice. Other than that, that's kind of it. Love you all and thanks for sending me the LifeEz! I'll talk to you more next week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 92: "A Stranger Among Us!"

Dear Mom and Dad,

First off... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!! LOVE YOU!!!! :) This week has been a strange one.... Oh first off before I do anything else I need more LifeEz! If you could just send another 4 pack I would really appreciate that I'm on my last bottle and that'll only last another week thanks! That should last me pretty much till I go home. Ok so I have quite the story to tell about this week! So one morning alarm goes off, me and Elder Walker wake up. He heads to the bathroom and I start saying my prayers. When I'm done I stand up and Elder Walker is standing there with a look like he is trying to figure a puzzle out. He then tells me how there is a man passed out on our couch. I look at him like he's crazy and am like no there's no way there's a guy on our couch! I then go out into the living room, and there is a guy, still completely dressed, lying on our couch..... I then look at Elder Walker and we proceed to try and wake the guy up. No luck. So we start calling people. President, our Zone Leaders, our Ward Mission Leader, no one answers. So finally our WML texts us back and we let him know what's going on. He comes over and helps us wake the guy up. Luckily our WML speaks spanish because he didn't speak English, He gets up, looks around the house really confused looking, and then walks out. Our WML comes back with the cops like a half hour later, they get our info make sure we don't want to press charges and then take off. So then like another 15 minutes later President calls and makes my quote book,"Elder Park, What the heck is going on?" He then proceeded to council us to make sure our doors are locked from now on. Haha the cops said he probably just came home drunk, and since all the apartments in the complex look the same, he accidentally walked into ours. So that's the interesting story for the week! So tell Peyton we didn't get broken into we just had an unexpected visitor. But other than that it's been a pretty uneventful week. Lot's of cancellations this week. But we were able to do a lot of service, so that made up for the lack of teaching. Me and Elder Walker are doing really well we get along pretty well. I'm kinda hoping I'll get to finish with him.  Tell Christy I've been using a Chromeapp called Hope Chest and I've been doing all descendancy work with it. I've still got 30 names sitting in there waiting for their ordinances to be requested. It's a simple program but massively effective. My thoughts on High Adventure.... I would say that I look back on those times kinda like I view my time with Elder Bruckman. I grew a lot and we had some fun, but it was definitely one of the hardest things I've done. I probably wouldn't choose to do it again, but I am glad I got to do it. Other than that I can't think of much else to say. I love you all! Have an Awesome week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 91: Flashbacks of Elder Sneddon! :)

Dear Mom and Dad, 

#1? I'm your only missionary! Haha but anyway this week has been actually really good! We finally heard back from Wendy, she is currently working in Michigan, and will not be back to church until June 22 (a week before transfers...), but she is staying strong and is still on fire! We actually were able to meet her daughters this week when we stopped by. Starting at the oldest their names are London, Sawyer, and Alex I already told you about. They were actually quite excited to see us which means that Wendy has been talking about it a lot! Keep them in your prayers! (also that I don't get transferred so I get to be here to teach her!). Me and Elder Walker have been doing really great! He actually reminds me a lot of Elder Sneddon, and you know all about that bromance hahaha :) We are doing pretty well, his greenness still shows just a little but I guess that's what the Follow-up trainer is for haha. He's a good kid and a solid missionary. I really think we will enjoy this transfer! Haha I kinda miss normal sabbath activities. For us sunday is just another day, nothing different except that we go to church. I look forward to that aspect of being home haha. It sounds like you have come up with a pretty good sunday regime! I look forward to participating in it with you. Ugh I'm getting so trunky... It's not that I don't love it, it's just that this area is so hard to feel productive in it's really starting to wear on me. This is really a terrible place to finish my mission.... I love the ward and everything, but man people are soo prideful here. but anyway that was my 2 sentances of my teardrops hahaha. Thanks for all you guys do to support me! Love you!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 90: New Companion, But Staying in Fishers.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Transfers went really well! Elder Williams is actually training a new missionary (making me a mission grandpa) the picture of our posterity is on drive. I have a new companion, Elder Walker. He actually reminds me a little of Elder Steab. He's super fresh though I'm actually his 2nd companion. I'm thinking he might be my last one but I'm not entirely sure. He's from Texas, but has lived all over due to his dad being in the Air Force. He and I have pretty similar interests, so I'm pretty happy right now he is a welcome changed from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. I just don't even want to think about last transfer at all haha. As far as the week goes it went super well until sunday when wendy missed church, and has stopped answering our texts. We found out from the member that referred her that her daughters have been really struggling. We are currently sending out a mass call for prayers both from missionaries and members alike. PLEASE! keep her in your prayers. She needs them really bad right now. She is getting slammed by the adversary soo hard right now. But other than that I can't believe it actually happened! I didn't think that kid was ever gonna grow up! and certainly not when I was on my mission! I feel so old and out of touch right now.... Good on him though! Sounds like a pretty good date to me! We'll have to do some doubles when I get home! Yea don't worry tell Emily I'll be up there a year after I get home. I already have a roommate picked out! Haha me and Sneddon talk about it all the time. I'm pretty excited for that! Well I think that's about everything, love you guys!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 89: Transfer Time . . . . Should I Be So Happy?

Dear Mom and Dad, 

This week was pretty awesome we saw so many miracles this week! Wendy actually just showed up to church and she absolutely loved it! She is super excited to have her kids all come and see it next week! So that was awesome! Also Bruckman is out this transfer and all I can say is nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey goodbye! I shouldn't be so happy about that... But I don't care anymore haha. Yes I got your package thanks so much! I very much enjoyed the salsa. I celebrated by making nachos that night haha. We went out to this restaraunt but other than that nothing really just the same old same old. Getting more trunky by the minute haha if that's anything to talk about. I'm really hoping my next companion is someone I can just finish strong with. But I don't know, I don't think I will get that. But anyway that's really all I can think of kinda stressed out today. I have to take another missionary's companion which by the looks of it means I get to babysit 2 missionaries until transfers. So there's that. Thanks for all your support I love you!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 88: Happy Mother's Day!

We were able to skype with Braken yesterday for Mother's Day.  That's the best present ever!  Anyway, I had asked Braken about how big Fishers was and this was his reply.....

Um Fishers is a lot like PG in the fact that its kind of a tumor off of Indianapolis like PG is to Provo. There's no real separation between the two just somewhere Indy ends and Fishers begins. Thanks for the support I really appreciate it! I loved talking to you guys too. The only problem is now I'm super trunky!! Thanks also for praying for Wendy! It's Wendy Osmun definitely keep her in your prayers! Love you guys talk to you next week!

Love, Elder Park

(Wendy is one of his newest investigators.  She has 3 daughters too.)

Week 87: ..."and The Holy Ghost will tell you all things that ye should do..."

Dear Mom and Dad,

Things are doing much better. Well nothing's really changed except that I gave a training in District meeting on becoming more fully converted (with some visual aid from Elder Bednar) and how we can, like the people of ammon, give up the "weapons of our rebellion" and "fight no more against our God." So I had everyone write on pieces of paper what their "weapons of rebellion" were. Mine was my crappy attitude about my companion. So I buried it in the earth, AKA the Fishers trash service. Since then I have been really praying hard for the gift of charity, and in "Act in Doctrine" Elder Bednar talks about praying to see things as they really are. It's not something to be casual about at all, because the Holy Ghost will tell you exactly how it is. It will rebuke you for things you aren't doing right, but it will also praise you for what you are doing right. I decided to undertake that with my fast this sunday, and it was a much needed experience. I felt immense peace about how I was doing with the work, and parts of how I was dealing with my companion. I also got rebuked about a couple things I need to work on. So it was a very painful experience and also a very wonderful one. So that could be something to consider. Other than that it's been a slow week here in fishers. Lots of walking around. Me and Elder Bruckman got pretty sunburned saturday. We took one of our lunch breaks and went fishing in the pond behind our apartment and caught some pretty nice fish, (see pics on drive). Us and the other fishers Elders are trying our hardest to find as much service as possible so we can stay busy because our finding isn't working. So that's lot's of fun. So my 20th birthday... My thoughts are honestly I'd almost prefer to wait for that because I'll be home in 3 months and I'll want a phone.... I honestly can't think of anything I really want right now just because it'll be more stuff to carry around or have to pack home. I'm already putting together a package of clothes and miscellaneous crap I don't really need out here. So that's my thoughts, but we do get to skype on Sunday so we can talk in more detail then. Dad is making me trunky for the dunes.... I miss Hal!!!! But it's ok I'll see him in 3 months :) Um that's really all I can think of so I guess I'll talk to you next week! Love you guys!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 86: Wow! Wisdom Beyond His Young Missionary Years.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm holding up all right. No I haven't killed him yet haha just a lot of prayer and service going on to keep that from happening haha. I can definitely feel heaven's help in dealing with this... interesting trial I've been given. Thanks so much for the vitamins!! They literally came on the perfect day! That morning I woke up and took my last dose that was in the bottle and went "Oh crap I'm in trouble" Then they came that afternoon! So I really appreciate that! Those should last me about a transfer. No I didn't get your letter, but I'm sure it'll come today or tomorrow. So good news! I talked to president, and I will be going home August 4th. Plenty of time to get ready for the orientation and get prepped for college. So I have some advice straight from David A. Bednar. 2 Nephi 33:1 And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men. Please note where it says "Unto" not "Into".

We can only teach them so much, then they have to open their hearts and act in order to learn things for themselves. My answer to serve a mission came only after I acted and prayed about whether or not to serve. It didn't come in seminary or any of the classes I was in, as good as those things are. And even saying that, had I not had the intention to act on the prompting I got, I wouldn't have got an answer either. To quote Increase in Learning, we are meant to be learners who are agents who act, not objects to be acted upon. So my recommendation is to try a new tactic, and teach with that in mind. People need to go through the process of learning what's right for themselves, rather than just being told it. Teaching them what's right is definitely important, but it's never enough. If others never learn for themselves, then as soon as they leave the home, they fall away. So my invitation to you, is to re-evaluate how you are teaching, and try a new pattern. Try to leave them something to do. Something that they are going to need to do, that will have them act for theirselves to learn something, and then be sure to follow up.  The drive has got to come from them and there's only so much we can do to help. That works the same for anything else.  Um back onto the week not much is going on. Working here is really hard, because pretty much this whole area is HOA, who really don't like people knocking on doors, to the point missionaries have had the cops called on them.There's been a few times I've been like "Crikey, it's the Indianan Rozzers!" Techinically there's not anything we are doing wrong, but President Cleveland has asked that we not tract here.  So we pretty much can't tract in this area. So we are limited to our area and the help of the members. So we will definitely learn how to work with the members in this ward!! As far as the week goes that's about it. Thanks for all you guys do for me! Love you and we will talk next week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

In my letter this week, I had asked Braken for advice in how to reach those who need our help.  This was his response.

Week 85: Tough Transfer Already

Dear Mom and Dad,

Speaking of people being the death of others..... My new companion will probably be the death of me so at least we can go to the spirit world together! I have never been so frustrated my whole mission. 

But the ward is super awesome. They would give us the shirts off their backs if we needed it. As far as the week goes, it's been a lot of walking, biking, and actually not a lot of knocking on doors, as Fishers has a city ordinance that prohibits soliciting meaning we aren't allowed to tract. So we are limited to stopping by people in our area book and talking to people on the street. So that's another stress on top of it. But through all of it I've really learned how to deal with people you really don't like. How to keep a level head when you really would like to blow up on somebody. The LifeEz has made an amazing difference. I'm seriously impressed. So I would definitely recommend them to Dad :) I'm really sorry to hear about Jay... That just doesn't seem right we were all kids together and so to hear one of us like that... It's tough. Let me know if there's anything I can do. It seems like every week there's some kind of something going through the house haha. Oh don't worry I know all about that miralax powerade life haha. Sorry bud hopefully he gets better! Well that's pretty much all I've got this week. Sorry for ranting I feel so trapped right now. But I love you guys I'll talk to you more next week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Braken's childhood friend and neighbor, J. Michael, got into a bad accident over spring break.  He is on life support and not doing well.  That is what Braken is talking about.

Week 84: Down and Out :(

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well this week has been.... Interesting. If you remember Plainfield I'm in an Area very similar to that. I'm in Fishers. Very affluent, Very wealthy, and there is a city ordinance that prohibits tracting. The only difference is the ward is actually supportive this time. Sorry to sound pessimistic but I'm really burned out with getting sent to these wards where I show up and some stupid missionaries have screwed things up and I have to fix it so I have no investigators, and the members don't trust us. It's happened in every ward since I left Eagle Creek. I'm SOO over it. For once I'd like to go to an area and have at least 1 Freaking investigator. I had hoped for my last 3 transfers I'd get to go somewhere where I could actually do some work, but no. Oh well Sorry I'm not doing very well right now. My new companion is named Elder Bruckman. He is from Layton. He's alright we don't mesh super well but he's willing to work which is good. I'm going to need a lot of support this transfer. I've got another set of Zone Leaders who are gonna breathe down my neck about numbers, and I'm really close to president, so I'm sure I'll get it from him too. I did talk to him about the orientation so we will see what he says there. Um other than that I just need the vitamins. Thanks guys.... Sorry I just kinda needed to vent. I do love you guys and appreciate all you do for me.

Thanks! Talk to you next week

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 83: Leaving Niles, Michigan

Lame Mom and Dad forgot to write emails this week because we were out of town on Spring Break. So, I hurried and got on the email to see if I could "catch" him.  He was there and we talked back and forth for a while - so there is not a formal letter to post.

Braken is very sad to leave Niles, he has been here for a couple of transfers and has loved it here. He said he has worked his butt off in this area, that he was told wasn't a very good area, nonetheless he has seen good things happen while here and is sad to go.  The people are great!

Week 82: Same 'ol Same 'ol in the Mission Field.....

Dear Mom and Dad,

So this week's been a little bit slower, Lots of door knocking this week, so that was fun, put some hair on our chests haha. I'm doing really good actually, been working on adjusting my attitude, and I've been seeing some real progress, especially with the help of Bednar, but I'll talk about that later :) Me and Elder Steab are doing really well, just trying to keep our heads up! This week is looking promising so we have a lot to look forward to! It's been... Fun and stressful at the same time, as I love my district, but dealing with the Zone Leaders is a lot like taking a cheese grater across my forehead sometimes. But my district is super supportive so it's been really good! I am over me and my companion, and then the Elders and Sisters of the nearby Mishawaka Ward. The Elders are Elder Kent, who is from California and is a stout observer of the 2nd ammendment, and Elder Lords, who is currently being trained by Elder Kent. He is from Idaho. The Sisters are Sister Odermott, who is from Idaho, and Sister Carpenter, also from Idaho. As far as investigators we found out Abby is moving to Texas.... So that sucks. But it's ok we will find someone else! Denise wasn't able to meet this week as her daughter was visiting. So as far as they go no new progress to report. Haha I would sincerely question what you did with my real mom if you weren't on top of me for that stuff when I get home! I totally expect to have doctrinal discussions when I get home haha. Speaking of that Dad mentioned teaching the boys and solving the why. Elder Bednar talks about the differences between Doctrines and Applications, and how a lot of time in the church we very much overfocus on application. The what we are doing. He talks about if theres a home teaching problem, then we all want to come up with these inovative things to get people to home teach. But he said he would rather just teach them the doctrine of why we home teach, and then when they understand that and let the Holy Ghost teach them to do it, then they will do it no matter what. Because now they know why they need to do it. The same can be applied to any gospel teaching. "Teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves" (Joseph Smith). So that is my 2 sense on the doctrine of the kingdom hahaha. Yes I know what Parkour is hahaha I so called him getting into that haha. He has way too much energy to not get into that haha. Yes I would definitely recommend Dad taking them. But it's not going to be a fast process. You have to take them regularly for about a month before you start noticing a difference. But like I said they clear your head with little to no side effects! The secret is they are all natural, so nothing nasty is getting put in your system. Yes I emailed Jaime this week sorry I get caught up in talking to a lot of people. Um that's pretty much everything I can think of so I guess I will talk to you next week! Love you all!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 81: Much Ado About Service! :)

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm doing well, yes Dad I see the question marks :) We actually ended up doing a lot of service this last week. I had mentioned to the Ward council if they ever needed anything done they should call us, and they definitely took it to heart haha. We helped with a pinewood derby, worked at our local library, and helped get an older lady packed for a senior mission! In addition to that we weren't able to meet with anyone this week, We found out Abby may be moving so we weren't able to meet with her, and Meri the minister wasn't able to meet either, so we've just been working with a few less actives. One of them, Mike Petras, was actually supposed to speak this sunday, but he has tuberculosis, and ended up in the hospital with that, so I ended up speaking for him. Our companionship is doing great! I love Elder Steab! He's a really goofy guy, he enjoys a lot of the same things as me (video games, star wars, geek stuff in general). He actually reminds me of Garret a little bit. In personality and mannerisms anyway. He LOVES Jurassic Park! Speaking of college we visited the Notre Dame campus last week on monday. I'll send you the pictures. Also saw Lake Michigan this week! (Part of it touches our ward boundary). Can I just laugh for a minute? I said Christmas I would like to do exactly that for college to stay out of debt. But you said I needed to go to USU because I was already signed up hahaha. So the answer is yes I would love to do that haha. So the website is called Personal Agenda for the pills. Our winter has been cold, snowy, and VERY long. Winter time makes missionary work hard so it seems to drag on forever. It was super nice this week, then started snowing today and I was very disappointed... I thought it was finally over!! DANGIT! oh well it's supposed to get nicer later in the week. Yes I did get your letter thanks for that! :) Well I think that's everything. Love you guys talk to you next week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

March 11, 2015: Braken Trying a Lime for the First Time! Ha Ha

I received this in an e-mail from Lisa about Braken trying a lime for the first time.  I thought it was cute.   Hahaha.   --Shelly

Elder Park tried a lime tonight for the first time!  We sure love him!

-Lisa Anderson

(Ward Member in Niles Michigan)

Week 80: 2 New Investigators! Answer to Prayers!

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well your prayers paid off! We found 2 new investigators this week! One of them, whose name is Denise, is a former minister from another church. She isn't super interested but said she would hear us out. The other has a little story behind her. First off it starts when we had interviews this last week, and President pulled me aside after our interview, and told me I looked burned out. I said yea and that the lack of success in Niles was really taking it's toll. He said that I just needed to change my attitude, and that we needed to fast to find a family. He also said I really need to do this if I'm gonna be leading a District. He said it in a little more gruff tones than that, but the message got through. So me and Elder Steab set a goal to change our attitudes, and no sooner did we do that then we got a text from a number niether of us recognised, Come to find out it was a Media referral who we had talked to about a week before. She got our number from one of the ward members, who she worked with about 3 years before, Penny Sobolewski. (try saying that 5 times fast!). She set an appointment to meet with us in that members home, and is very interested in hearing about the Book of Mormon. So we met with her and she is genuinely interested in learning more! She comes with a fellowshipper too! Her name is Abby Hansen. It gave us SUCH a needed boost! I do have bad news. I did talk to President about going home for school. He says to give him the day school starts, and he will send me home 2 weeks before that. So I don't think I'll be there for Peyton's baptism sorry. I can see where he's coming from he just doesn't want people shortchanging their missions. So I do need the 1st day of school so I can tell him, and we can get it worked out. So you need props for a primary lesson huh? You should tell them the story how we found Aro! Me and Elder Dodd couldn't get crap done, then we decided to fast to find someone who would get baptised, and then we met Aro who let us right in! You should have the pictures I sent you on drive. You can tell them preaching the gospel is great because you get to see them come into the fold and change their lives. You get to see them feel the saviors love blossom in them, and see them embrace it. That's the true joy of being a missionary! The name of the supplement is LifeEz. I'm sure it's safe I actually felt a prompting when Sister Carrigan showed it to me to take it. I'll send you the info on it. I had her send it to me so I could send it to you. Haha it's ok about the lack of mail. You really only have contact with me 1 day of the week so it's pretty easy to have it slip your mind. That being said it would be nice to get some :) but no rush I know you guys love and support me :) Well I think that's all for this week love you guys!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 79: Had a Hard Week :(

Dear Mom and Dad,

This week has been a real struggle. Knocked on (now this is an exact number) 1,000,000 doors, and got no results. So that's pretty much the update on the work this week. Still just trying to find a foothold. Being a District Leader is.... Stressful to say the least. I am basically the liason between the zone leaders and my district. The zone leaders want me to basically tell my district they suck if they don't get high enough numbers. I refuse to be that kind of leader. Rebuking is not how i will lift my district. I will love them support them and then the numbers will take care of themselves. If they know they are loved, they will want to do better. The problem is we have 2 struggling areas in the district so the ZL's see that and are like,"Oh I guess they suck and aren't doing work." So that's fun. Van Sickle was a good missionary, he just left a lot of... Awkward feelings with the sisters in the district. He said some things that really shouldn't have been said until he was home, and it made things super awkward. Sorry I'll get off my soapbox now. I'm just really struggling with maintaining a christlike outlook. So I've been Studying Act in Doctrine! The second of the Bednar series! It's super good! It's all about turning from self to savior, so something I really need right now. Also I got on this new vitamin a member showed me. It's called LifeEz. It's an all organic multivitamin that regulates all your body's systems. She gave me one free bottle and since I've been on it... It's more effective than any of the ADHD medication I was ever on. I focus more, I sleep better, I feel better all around. I was truly amazed! So if you could send me some more of that. I'm sure you could find it online. I know that's part of the reason I'm in this area. That stuff has changed my life. Seriously. I completely plan on taking it from now on. The amount of stress I'm under would have destroyed me before. Now I feel like it's bearable finally! So that's what could really help me right now. Thanks for all you guys do I really do appreciate that. I love you all have a great week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 78: New Companion, New Apartment, New Car!

Dear Mom and Dad,

First off, Happy Birthday Dad!! So from my mass email, you found out my new companion is Elder Steab. I will miss certain things about Elder Van Sickle. I found some things out after he left that I'm very irritated about. I have been asked to be a District Leader and since that I found out a couple things that went on in the district that I'm gonna have to clean up. But he was a good guy just some interesting quirks. The new apartment is awesome! We went from 2 bedroom to 1 bedroom but ended up gaining a lot of space! We have a walk in closet you could put a bed in, and another that could hold both our clothes and still be fine! We are about 5 miles away from our old apartment and we are actually in town now. We are no longer sharing a car we have our own and it's actually a Jeep. I guess because of the winter they think we needed it haha. Sergio has been difficult to get in contact with because his phone is shut off and he lives almost 40 miles away, one way. So getting out there is difficult. But we will definitely keep trying. We were able to get out and hit some doors later on in the week and get some appointments set up for this week. So this week should be good. Anyway I think that's about everything, I love you guys! Talk to you next week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 77: Food Poisoning! Yuck!

Dear Mom and Dad,

This week's been pretty boring just been moving most of the week. Not too energetic today I managed to get food poisoning last night. Made a fool of myself at a members house at dinner last night. As soon as we got there I sat down for about 5 minutes and immediately had to run to the bathroom and puke my guts out. Not too fun. But it's ok we met a messainic jew this week with a very hard heart whose daughter is going on a mission. So she wants us to tell her basically what her daughter is getting into. She has problems with women and the priesthood and knows the bible like the back of her hand... So all of my... absolute... favorite... things... to deal with. Oh well transfers is here and Van Sickle is out and I'm staying. We haven't been able to meet with sergio as his phone is shut off and we don't want to blow 30 miles to go and see him and have him not be there. So we need to find a member to go with us. Um that's pretty much it for me... Sorry today is not a good day still recovering from the food poisoning. Love you guys have a great week!

Elder Braken Park

Week 76: "Found a Sweet New Investigator!"

Dear Mom and Dad,

This week has been all right, we have gotten a place but transfers calls are this week on saturday, so I don't know if I'll be around to see it. Most of the time I can vibe transfers and have some idea of what's going on, but I have nothing this time. So anything could happen! Anyway found a sweet new Investigator this week! His name is Sergio, and he's read the Book of Mormon quite a few times! He struggles with his reading comprehension though so we aren't sure he has understood much of what he's read. So I've been using a lot of what I've read in Increase in Learning to try and figure out how to help him! It's an amazing book thanks so much for sending it I've learned a lot from it. I'm sorry that this whole thing has blown up so bad. It seems a silly thing but what's silly to one person can be earth shattering for another person. That's something we run into a lot out here. People who have really silly concerns like the fact Joseph Smith was once a freemason or something, which really doesn't mean anything in the long run, but to them it's just a complete wall that they just can't get over. People will be people I guess. Garret I would have to say the Desert Eagle is probably my favorite gun. Dad I am grateful for your support every day. My mission has been amazing and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's made me the person I am today and I am very excited by that. I know the Lord is going to bless you for allowing me this opportunity. Don't worry mom I have plenty of regrets from pre-mission so I won't be adding any on during my mission. Well that's all I've got this week you guys take care, I'll talk to you next week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 75: Apartment Shopping

Dear Mom and Dad,

Sorry if my last email didn't sound good I was just trying to relate. I do probably make it sound worse than it really is. I am doing better we went apartment shopping this week, as we've needed to move for a long time. We've found an apartment in Niles, so once we move the work will pick up immensely. Just a lot of trials right now. But it's ok we are working through. It was actually really interesting I went on an Exchange with Elder Dodd this week and we actually had a really good time and he actually apologised for a lot of the crap that went on when we were companions. So I was given the opportunity to forgive and I definitely took it. It actually brought a lot of peace to me knowing that it was all taken care of. Dad I would love to go do baptisms together when I get home! I would really enjoy that it'll be a good spiritual uplift after the mantle is gone.... That's what scares me about going home. Once that mantle's gone the lack of the spirit is gonna feel terrible. But I'll have to get over it so we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Yes on money I am sorry I have gotten a little bit careless. Elder Van Sickle comes from a pretty poor family so I have been buying most of the food and groceries and things. Also with all the stress sometimes I'll just buy stuff because it looks good... we end up with more candy that way. So I will try and do better I do apologise for that. I'm glad my package got there I didn't think it'd get there till tuesday haha. Well I love you guys! Have a great week we will talk next week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 74: "Bear with Patience Your Afflictions"

Dear Mom and Dad,

This week has been kinda back to a struggle. We are running into a problem where we live 5 miles outside of town and on the weeks when we don't have the car we are having to find member rides everywhere and we can't always do it. So that's been the real frustration of this week. But life goes on we have the car now after we just got a huge snowstorm that's why I wasn't on yesterday. Dad I would have something more to say to you. I can understand what you mean. When people screw with you just to do it, it sucks. I have recently been going through some emotional struggles with the leadership of the mission. Basically the mission has turned into a sweatshop. In that I mean that the people asked to be in leadership have stopped focusing on us as missionaries, and started just caring about the numbers, and have completely forgotten that the purpose of numbers is the people behind them. And when me and Van Sickle get stuck 5 miles outside our area, they want to harp on us because we don't teach a whole lot of lessons in a week. And to top it off Elder Dodd is now my zone leader, which if you remember anything about my companionship with him, it didn't go well at all. I was made fun of on a daily basis by him and the rest of our district. But that is one thing I've learned on my mission that got me through that specific transfer especially and am now relying on, is that it doesn't matter what anyone else says. I know that's super cheesy, but for a long time I just had to learn to sit down and not say anything, and ignore what was being said. Because I know that as long as I will just ignore it and do my job, Heavenly Father is going to be the most happy with me. And because of that transfer I have been in basically only hard areas, but I know I'm where the Lord knows he can put me. Because he knows I'm not going to care how much my zone leaders whine about how I don't teach enough lessons and how I'm not a good enough missionary. I'm just going to go out every day and do my job. And if I please my zone leaders great, if not I don't care. because I know I'm doing what I'm supposed to. So the moral of that story is to bear with patience your afflictions. Patience is the worst christlike attribute to gain, in the fact that it's the hardest and most tiring, but it is by far the most worthwhile. Sorry I didn't want to get on a soap-box, but that's honestly what it's been like out here. A lot of patience learning. I'm not really a high-baptising missionary, but I go to places with not a lot going on, and I pick them up and get them ready for others to come and reap fruit. So dad, I know it's hard but learning to cope with others mocking you is a real blessing. I know it's gonna definitely help me when I get home. Sorry that was a long speal but I hope it helped some way. I don't mean to worry you guys it really is great out here, but there is a lot of the human aspect of missionaries you have to deal with. Anyway I love you guys and appreciate your support through all this time. I'll talk to you next week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 73: Aaron the Investigator! Yay!

Dear Mom and Dad,

This week went much better than last. We were able to get out and do a lot of finding this week, which resulted in us finding a new investigator! His name is Aaron, and he isn't the most solid ever, but he's somebody to teach (finally). He is Seventh Day Adventist, which is very prevalent around here. He seems interested enough. Other than that we did a little missionary activity after church this week. We had some of the members come up and do role plays and coach them on sharing the gospel simply in whatever place it may happen. So it's been a fun week! Me and Van Sickle are doing fine. When I shot that video we were having a rough day so it wasn't a wonder he wasn't interested haha. Ugh I'm so jealous I love Bdubs haha. Anyway about you visiting.... Yes I would love it, but at the same time I see two problems, 1 I don't think president would go for it. An old young men's leader is one thing, but with you guys it's a little different. 2 I'm getting close to being done. 5 months left at that point. That would make me uber trunky if you guys were to come visit. So I'll leave it up to you what you want to do but those are my thoughts on it. I did get over my cold and it's a funny story about that too! So we had dinner with Sandy Carrigan (who sent you a friend request on facebook) and she saw the state I was in, which was pitiful to say the least. Anyway she offered me apple cider vinegar, which she said was a miracle cure. So I ended up taking some. Now if you've ever had it, you know it's probably the nastiest tasting stuff on the planet. So that is what made me feel better! The next day I was pretty much cured! haha anyway I'll talk to you guys next week Love ya!

Love, Elder Braken Park 

Week 72: Sacrament Meeting Prep for President Cleveland

Dear Mom and Dad,

This week has been pretty stressful, as President Cleveland came to our ward to speak on Sunday, and we were prepping a lot for that. We both were assigned to speak as well as him, and He did a 3rd hour lesson on sharing the gospel through Family History work. It was a really great lesson especially for us as Family History is supposed to start playing a bigger part of our missionary work. So that was pretty much our week. Had a couple of appointments but it's all fallen through. It's crazy to think Emily is home! She left just before I did! But it makes sense as I have 6 months left. I heard about the championship games I was pretty disappointed in the colts myself. I promise I'm not getting trunky I'm just in a place where we just can't get crap done and so it's really starting to wear on me. I just would like 1 lesson with a nonmember. We haven't been able to get it at all though. Oh well hopefully we can get something done this week. Ugh sorry I'm not more peppy just been a rough few days. But it is looking up so hopefully we can see some success here. It's good to hear Garret is gonna get a car soon! Hopefully this'll get him to go on some dates! ;) Anyway thanks for your guys' support! I love you, Have a great week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 71: Yuck, I've got a cold :(

Dear Mom and Dad,

So this week kinda blows. We got snowed in monday and lost the car to the other Elders, so really haven't been able to get a lot done... Also feeling a little under the weather today. I think I got a cold and it's killing me. Bought some meds so hopefully that'll help. But things are looking up. We got transfer calls this week and we are both staying here for another transfer! Also a lot of people in the zone who were causing a lot of headaches are leaving too so next transfer will be a lot less stressful. The mission is just like high school sometimes and it's disgusting. But we have good things ahead. I have been praying and thinking about when to come home and I think I'm gonna try to come home with sneddon's group. They get home June 30th and that is the first transfer before mine. I talked to president and he says that it's doable and he will talk more in detail about it in the spring. So that's the plan so far. Sorry don't have a lot of details this week.... I feel like 2 dumps. Anyway I still love you all and I'll talk to you next week!

Love, Elder Braken Park

Week 70: Christmas Pictures

Merry Christmas

May "The Force" Be With You.

Week 70: Slow Week and Very Cold . . . . Brrrr!

Dear Mom and Dad,

This week has been pretty difficult, as Holidays are kinda hard. As far as weather goes, it's now starting to get ridiculously cold. It was 1 degree this morning when we went and unburied the car. We got hit with a lot of snow this week. On missionary work we are still in finding mode trying to find people. We are still trying to meet with the people we had built up before the holidays. Now that the holidays are out of the way it should pick up around here. So I've been talking to president. He says it's totally doable to go home a little early for school. I have been thinking and praying about it and that's what I'm thinking I need to do. Other than that, we're dealing with a lot of drama in the district. There's an Elder who goes home in a week and is making life terrible for the rest of us because of how trunky he is. Also thanks for the nerf darts and marshmellow guns! On new years we made a giant mess of our apartment with those stupid things! But it was fun haha. Other than that I really don't have anything else. Oh dad will appreciate this one. I got sent a butt-ton of money for christmas so I bought a pair of Gascans, by Oakley. I sent you a picture. My first pair of really nice sunglasses! Anyway love you guys! talk to you later!

Love, Elder Braken Park