First MTC Pictures :)

Jordan sent us his sim card in the mail today.  After looking through all of the photos, we can see that he is very happy and also needs a little work with the camera.  His district looks like they work hard but also enjoy themselves and one another. 

This one makes us smile.  It is so JP

Other Elders in His District

So Happy He Found His Roomie From Dixie

Elder Hudson, His Companion

I'm Online If You Are

Jordan had asked in his letter if I would try to be online when he was during his p-day.  I wasn't sure if I would like that, or if it would make it harder.  He said he just really wanted to know that I was there talking to him.  I thought it went pretty well.  Here is the conversation:

Elder Parkinson: Hey I am online if you are there


Mom:  How are you my sweetheart?


Elder Parkinson:  I'm good, just got back from the Temple


Mom:  I have so many questions for you.  How are you sleeping?  Are you eating?  What is your schedule like?


Elder Parkinson:  Yeah I am sleeping great.  I would like some more food and the next letter will have my sim card in it.  My schedule is packed.  I wake up go to breakfast then go to study then teach a lesson then study then language study.


Mom:  That's great.  What kind of food would you like?


Elder Parkinson:  Um just more snacks and also will u send me a spanish hymn book and more pics.


Mom:  What kind of pictures?  Do you need more ties?


Elder Parkinson:  Just some pics of the fam and friends and some more ties would be great.


Mom:  Do you use the blanket we sent?


Elder Parkinson:  Yeah I had to wash it because it was getting red stuff all over my shirts and will u send more shampoo?


Mom:  Yes, I will send shampoo.  How are the showers?


Elder Parkinson:  It depends what ones u get i always get the good ones


Mom:  Of course you do :)  Are you happy?


Elder Parkinson:  Yeah.  I miss u guys but I know that u are in good hands.  I read a scripture that helped me and all of those things that are happening since I left are crazy.  The Lord does bless us.


Mom:  I just want you to know how much we love you and think about you every day.  You are such an amazing person and we couldn't have asked for a better son.  I smile every time I think about you and the amazing things that you are doing.  I will send more snacks, shampoo, ties, pictures and some other things. I love you soooooo much.  Can't wait until next Thursday.  I want to leave you a little time to just write your feelings.


Elder Parkinson:  Do you have to go?


Mom:  No, but I want you to write your feelings so I can have something to hold on to until next Thursday.


Elder Parkinson:  I feel so close to God and that the spirit is just so strong here.  I just love it.  The temple today gave me that peaceful feeling that just keeps me going.  I also know that the Spanish will come.  I am starting to get it.  I love my district u will see a pic of everyone of them and their name tags.  Are you still there?


Mom:  Make sure you get a picture with Dave in front of the map, pointing to where you guys are going.  How is the laundry?


Elder Parkinson:  It's hard to find Dave, but the laundry was fine.  I am going to iron my shirts today and I can't wear anything but suit pants so those others are just sitting in my closet.  My weight is 230 still and I am eating a ton.


Mom:  Did you get the donuts?  Have you seen Richard yet?


Elder Parkinson:  Yeah they are way good and yeah I've seen Rich like 10 times.


Mom:  How does Rich seem?


Elder Parkinson:  Um he is good since he is english speaking.


Mom:  Tell me about your companion.


Elder Parkinson:  He is from Draper.  He is going to San Fernando.  He is funny and a very good person.  We are good friends now.  I love my district.


Mom:  Do you have any questions for me?


Elder Parkinson:  Yeah.  So is the car sold and how is coop doing with bball.  How is Austin's therapy?  Tell Austin and Coop I am writing them a letter today.


Mom:  The car sold yesterday.  I will write you the details.  Banana man is safe in my care until the next time I see Kilpack.  Coop is doing well.  He has a pretty shot and I think his confidence is growing.  Austin's therapy is coming along, but it is slow.  He is ready to start playing basketball again.


Elder Parkinson:  Sounds good.  Also tell llama that he will be getting a letter too hahaha.  If u see Abby, tell her I'm still waiting for those popcorn balls :)


Mom:  Well, I love you lots.  I know your time is almost up.  It was nice being able to chat with you and get a feel for how you are doing.


Elder Parkinson:  I love you so much!  I am going to get off so I can write letters.  Tell everyone that letters are like the best thing in here so send them.  I will talk to you next Thursday.  Love you.

Surprise Saturday E-Mail

January 21, 2012

Thanks for the donuts they are very good and the cold one hit the spot!!! (Coke Zero) I am doing well. I hope that you are getting my letters. My normal p days are on Thursday. I don’t know when I will be on, but it will be after 11:30 I think because we go to the temple on that day.  Um it is great here. I still get a little home sick but all my district is very nice. Whenever we start getting home sick we just start to tell stories.

I haven’t seen Landon yet. Maybe you could ask his mom what time he has his meals at because I want to see him before he leaves. Thanks for all the letters, they really pick me up when I am down. Had my first gym session yesterday. There aren’t that many athletes in my gym haha so they think that I am the king of bball even though I wasn’t even trying. Dave, Andy and one of the football players from dixe have gym right after me so I see them then. They all look good. I am going to weigh my self today to see if I lost any weight. The food is ok, it isn’t the best but until u sent me some food I was starving at night but now I am fine.... but how is the b-town? How is Lares doing?  Tell him I love him and to write me.

Well my time is about up. Just remember to check your email on Thursdays so we can chat. I don’t have much more to say but I can feel the Lord starting to take over and help me in my everyday activities. The language is not that bad. I can’t believe how much I have learned in two days. It does feel like I have been in here for a long time though haha. I have lost count of how many times I have almost reached in my pocket to text u or call u I just miss you guys. I now know how close we were as a family. I know some elders that hate their family but that is not the case with me. Love you.

Elder Parkinson

The First Letter!!!!!

I told Jordan that he had to write as soon as possible so that we could know how he was doing.  I'm not sure if that was such a good idea, because it got me crying all over again.

January 18, 2012


Dear Family,


I can't believe that I am in the MTC.  The drop off was too quick for me.  I love my companion.  His name is Elder Hudson. He is from Draper.  The classes were all in Spanish and I got to help teach 3 people today.  It was great!  I probably won't get this letter to you until Saturday, but I love you guys and hope the best.  I still reach into my pocket to call you when I start to think about home :(
Haha, Dave was late.  He walked in right behind me.  He is doing good and we had lunch together.  I do agree with Dave that I want to get out into the field.  Write me back as soon as possible because that is what I will live on and keep me going.  Love you guys.  Want to see your faces.


Love,
Elder Parkinson

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

What an emotional day!  Jordan wanted to have his last family meal at Smash Burger in Provo.  I'm not sure if this was for him or mom (it's mom favorite place).  After eating, we walked the grounds of the Provo Temple and took some pictures.  Then, the awful part came.  We were directed into the drop-off zone at the MTC.  We took spot 13 and before you knew it, Jordan's luggage was out of the car and he was walking away with his host missionary.  The whole process was less than 5 minutes.  The only good part of the whole thing was seeing Jordan's smiling face and knowing that he is so happy to be serving a mission.  Mom cried a lot, but we all know this will be an amazing 2 years for everyone.

Goodbye Friends

We are going to miss all of these boys.  What a great group of young men.

A Meat Night With The 3 Amigos

Jordan, Dave and Rich decided to have one last all you can eat meat night at Tucano's.  Jordan ended up gaining 8 lbs for the night and David 10 lbs.  Their server's name was even JP :)

Farewell Sunday

Jordan had his farewell on Sunday, January 15, 2012.  His farewell was combined with his best friend, David Coffman.  They each gave amazing talks and Ali Lloyd played a beautiful piano piece entitled "Missionary Medley."  After church, food was served at Jordan's house across the street.  We had many great friends and family who came and helped.  It was an awesome day for everyone.

One Last Family Trip

 

 

 

For Christmas, my family gave me a trip to the Insight Bowl in Phoenix to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes.  It was a great trip and we had a lot of fun even though Iowa lost to Oklahoma.  We got to enjoy nice weather and some great family time before I head to the MTC.