Week 56 Elder Parke Can't Park

Hey,

So this week was a busy one. I mean all weeks are busy, but this one was especially hectic. Transfer weeks seem to always bring some excitement and this one was no exception. 

Elder Liston shipped off early Wednesday morning so it's been Elder Parke and I at the helm for most of the week. Elder Parke is a stud and we get along super well so far! He's a farm boy from Montana and as humble as they come. He's basically the small town version of Josh Newbold... Some of you will get that.  He's been out 14 months and he's 6' 4" so add that to the list of comps I've had that have been out longer than me and are taller than me.  Word throughout the mission is that he can ball so we will see today. I have no doubt. 

This week we spent a lot of time preparing a training for our upcoming zone conferences. It was kind of intimidating to prepare a 90 minute training that everyone will see, but I think our preparation went pretty well! We're going to be talking a lot about better and more effective ways to study the scriptures so I'm excited. It should be good! 

On Saturday we went to a little fiesta for the cultural celebration of the temple. The stake put on a little thing at the church and we were all over it. The celebration was pretty good! You definitely get what you pay for, but you could tell a lot of time and effort went into it so it was cool to see! These saints are so excited for a temple in Pennsylvania! It's been a long time coming! 

Sunday was the actual temple dedication and it was great! We went to all 3 sessions and they were all awesome. President Eyring was there along with Elder Christofferson. All of the talks were amazing and they hit a lot on how this temple is in such a historical location. The Founding Fathers signed sacred documents so close to the temple and it's great to have a temple now in Philly. It was like 'Murica mixed with the Gospel is life and it was just well done. 

Not too much to say for this week. We're on the road starting tomorrow for zone conferences! Should be good! 

Random thoughts 

• Despite Elder Parke's name, he is awful at parking the truck.  
• Ball is still life on P-days. 

Keeping on,

Elder Halls
Picture: Here's a view of the office life