LOVING THE MTC

Another sim card arrived from Jordan today.  He looks great and the hair part is 

even growing on me.  He says he loves the MTC and I don't think he could be much happier.

 What a great district

 Companions and Friends

Elder Parkinson and Elder Hudson

 Tough Guys  (Or Guy)

 Doing the Lebron in Front of the Temple with Snow

Elders Parkinson and Lisbonee

The King

Another friend made. 

 This is the picture where the part is actually looking good :)

A Kind Heart

I was a little worried that I wasn't going to hear from Jordan today.  He was about 3 hours later than normal with his email.  Thankfully, I was still available to email back and forth with him when he was on.  He is such a great young man and I wish somehow I could just give him one BIG hug!!!

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom, I'm on.  Sorry it took so long, the internet was down.

Mom:  It is so good to hear from you.  You were killing me smalls :)

Elder Parkinson:  Haha.  I'm sorry, there is nothing I could do.  Um, we got to leave campus for a little while on Tuesday.

Mom:  You did?  What for?  How was it?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, my companion needed glasses and it felt weird but nice at the same time to see the world for a little bit.  I can't believe that I am that missionary on the side of the road.  I am so happy for this opportunity to serve.  You know that tie that you got me that was a Donald Trump?

Mom:  Yes, you are that amazing missionary!!!!!  Have you worn your glasses yet?  Was the Donald Trump tie the blue and white striped?

Elder Parkinson:  No I haven't worn my glasses yet.  Yes, it was that tie.  Where did you buy it?  For Facebook will you look up these names:  Chase ______ and Zachary _______.

Mom:  I bought the tie at Ross.  I will for sure try those names.

Elder Parkinson:  One of the kids in my district wants a tie like that and he doesn't get much mail.  Would u send me another one of those for him?

Mom:  Yes, I will try and find one just like it.  Is there anything else you can think of that you or others need?  Did you get the crabby patties?

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, me and my companion love those crabby patties haha.  I cannot think of anything else that is needed.  That bball hoop was a good idea and we are going to cut down the net the night before we leave, haha.  Um, I hope that everything is good back home.  I don't really have anything new besides the trip to the eye doctor.

Mom:  I just love you!!!!  Everything is good here.  Bountiful won the region.  They beat Highland on Tuesday 31-29.  Brock made the last second tip in shot for the win.  They start state on Monday against Timpview.

Elder Parkinson:  That is very good, haha.  I need some hair product for my part.  Um, I would like the axe hair: sleek and shiny.  It has blue letters on it.  That way I don't have to use my companions.  For that tie, any Trump would do.  His name is Miles ______.  Everything else is the same as mine.

Mom:  I will get you some hair product.  That sounds kinda funny :)

I loved the picture of the hair part!  Oh, and you definitely need to take a picture of you cutting down the net before you leave :)  I am also supposed to see if you got a package from Grandma Parkinson.

Elder Parkinson:  No, I haven't gotten a package from her yet and I will take a picture for you.  How are my Duke Bluedevils doing?

Mom:  They are doing good, ranked #5.  North Carolina is #7.

Little Bing just got accepted to medical school in Granada yesterday.  That is in the Caribbean.  They are very excited.

Elder Parkinson:  That is way cool.  Are you going to send me a bracket for March Madness?  Um, I am so  mad that the Bountiful girls lost.

Mom:  Of course I will send you a bracket :)

Richard sounds like he is doing well.  We got a letter from him and he said he is a little homesick, but he will be just fine.  David also seems to be doing well.  Do you see many other kids from BHS?

Elder Parkinson:  Um no, not anymore, but oh well.  Will u send me Dave's and Richie's emails?

Mom:  Yes, I will print them off and send them.  Oh, and you need to fold your letters a little flatter.  The last couple have had a postage due of 20 cents.  I don't care about the 20 cents, I just don't want it to make it so we don't get your letters.

Elder Parkinson:  Ok,  I will.  I love you guys, but I have to go.  I love you.  I will talk to u next week.

Mom:  Te amo mucho!

Parting of the Hair

Here are the newest photos fresh from the MTC.

 Biking in the Snow

 Fish Face

 Best Buds- Elders Parkinson and Gautavai

 Hermano Stewart - our friend from Iowa who is now

one of Elder Parkinson's spanish teachers

Trying out the hair part - I think I like the old look better :)

Newbies No More

Another Thursday and another successful day of emailing with Jordan.
 He sounds great!!!  The popcorn balls were received, so nobody needs to
worry about him being a poor elder craving popcorn balls (thank you Abbey).
 His basketball is off a little, but his spirit seems to be a slam dunk.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom, how is it going?  We just had one of the funniest things happen to us.

Mom:  Hi sweetheart!  Tell me what was so funny.

Elder Parkinson:  We were on our way back from the temple and Elder L got something with seafood in it and didn't know it.  So on the way back he was like, I don't feel good, and just barfed like 8 times.  I guess his body doesn't like seafood, unlike me.  Did you get my last letter?

Mom:  Yes, I loved it.  I also liked the story that you shared, thank you.  How are you doing this week?

Elder Parkinson:  I am doing good.  My shot is off a little in gym, but that is okay because I am becoming good with the language.  I can also tell that I have a blessing of seeing what people need in their lives, which really helps with the investigators.

Mom:  That is so great!  You are amazing!  Did your district change this week?

Elder Parkinson:  No, we just got a new district yesterday though.  Haha, to see the look in their eyes.  I got the popcorn balls :)  They are so good haha.  She asked me questions in spanish and said that I have to answer in spanish.

Mom:  Haha, I love it!  Just like you made me figure out what corbatas are :)  Is there some kind of game with the ties?

Elder Parkinson:  Haha, no not at all, haha.  Um I love that tie that you sent me.  Everyone wants to trade for it but I say no because it is the coolest one I have!  I love the spirit here.  I got a letter from Hannah and she sent a picture because everyone in the district wanted to see it haha.  Oh, pictures are always nice and that charger is just what I was looking for.  That way I don't have to plug my shuffle into a computer.

Mom:  Oh good.  I will look for some more crazy ties for you :)  Did you get the sugar cookies and valentine's bag?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, I love the cookies and the spongebob thing.  My comp loves the crabby patties so that is one thing that u could send for him.  Will you add all of my district as friends on Facebook?

Mom:  Yes, I will add them.  How are you and your companion doing?

Elder Parkinson:  Very well haha.  He has a good sense of humor which is what I love.  We also work very well together in lessons and we love sports.  He is great.  Oh, I am starting to part my hair for a little bit.

Mom:  Part your hair???  Haha!!!  I need a picture of that :)  Which elders are going to San Fernando?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, I know.  The elders going to San Fernando are me, my companion, Elder Davis, Elder Mcfee, Elder Flake and Elder Lisonbee.

Mom:  Oh fun!  Is there anything else that you are running out of or need?  I love you lots honey.

Elder Parkinson:  Um no, I am good for now.  Um haha, well I have a lot of letters to write so I will just leave you with a week summary:  

On Friday we taught a lesson and it went well.  Then on Saturday it was a long day because we have two classes that day, but I love my teachers.  I got a pic with Hermano Stewart.  He is way cool!  On Sunday me and my companion were asked to give the lesson in district meeting.  It was on repentance.  It was such a good lesson and the spirit was so strong there.  My companion and I work so well off of each other and have strong testimonies.  Our branch president told us that it was one of the best lessons that he has ever seen taught.  He loved it.  Then that night we had that talk about opening up to others like Christ does.  On Monday we do service and I love doing service.  It is so fun.  I love it.  Then on Tuesday we had a talk about love and not to worry about your families because they will be okay.  There is a scripture somewhere in the 50's of D&C that is good.  Then yesterday we got the new district which is nice not being the newbies anymore.  I love all the letters that I get!  Well, I love you so much.  I hope that there are more blessing coming from me serving.  Love u.  Till next week, Elder Parkinson.

Happy Mom

Thank you to Michelle Layton for telling me about these.
  I am so excited to wear them!

Surprise Valentine's Letter

Dear Mom,

Happy Valentine's Day.  I love you and hope you have a great one.  All is the same here just study, study, teach, pray, read, sleep, eat and then start all over.  We had a great devotional on Sunday night about bringing people to the church.  Did you know 6 years from now 60% of the missionaries here won't be active in the church?  I also learned that the person that should become the most converted over the next 2 years is myself.

It's crazy that Rich is leaving and I will be the one left in here, but it is moving by so fast.  I can't believe that It is almost 4 weeks.  Gym is still the same.  I have been shooting from like 10 feet back from the 3-point line and still can't miss!  How is home?  Any new news for me?  I hope the boys are doing well.  Tell Lares to write me about bball.

I am so happy to be here and I know my time here is the Lord's time, so I have been trying not to waste it.

Love you, 

Elder Parkinson

P.S.  Send me some new corbatas.

I think this is the translation :)

Having A Good Time

We got another sim card from Jordan in the mail today (what a good boy!)  This round of photos had us falling on the floor laughing.  We picked out a few of the best to post.  These photos that he sends help us to see how happy he is.  We love Elder Parkinson!

Best Friends - Elder Parkinson and Elder Coffman

 The scarf around the head is from a 

Polynesian elder that he befriended.

 Classic

He must have a budding artist in the district!  We

love how Elder P is not only the tallest, but also

the biggest elder :)

A Song To Remember

This is a link to a song Jordan told us to listen to that reminds him of our family and that we are always with each other, even when apart.

"I'm Already There" by Lonestar

Popcorn Ball Craving

I was able to email back and forth again today with Jordan.  He sent me a letter this week and said that emailing back and forth is his favorite part of the week, so that is what we are going to do.  He seems to be doing well and I think the time is going by a lot faster for him than for me.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom, I just got done with the temple and it was great.  I can't believe that I am on my 4th week.


Mom:  Hey cutie.  I'm glad the temple was good.  I went yesterday and there were 2 missionaries in my session.  They were there with 3 hispanic ladies.  I think it was Heavenly Father's way of letting me know how you look and how happy you are.  They both couldn't stop smiling.


Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, it is so good here.  Can you believe that Dave leaves to the field tomorrow?


Mom:  I know.  Pretty soon it will be your turn.  Did you get the calendar?  Also, did Brandon Stewart give you a hug from me?


Elder Parkinson:  Haha yeah I got it.  The calendar is so nice.  Also Richie's aunt gave me a package full of bagels and donuts.  They are great!  Yes, Brandon gave me a hug from you, he is so funny.  So you know how I have sent the sim card home?  My companion did the same thing and someone stole it.


Mom:  I wonder who would have stolen it?  That is not good.  We may need to go buy you a couple more sim cards to keep passing back and forth because WE LOVE THE PHOTOS!  So anything exciting happen this week?


Elder Parkinson:  I don't know who stole it, maybe one of the postal workers.  But um, we have taught a lot of lessons and we also have a new district coming in this Wednesday so that is good.  Um, other than that not really.


Mom:  Did you get the cinnamon rolls from llama's grandma?  Are many people writing you?


Elder Parkinson:  No cinnamon rolls yet.  The people that write are u, dad, Austin, Cooper, Hannah, Grandma Parkinson and Grandma James, llama, zac and some other people.  I am still waiting on the popcorn balls.  As for food, I am set for a little so I will let u know when I need more.  The letters are the things that keep me going.


Mom:  Okay, can you think of anything else?  Do both of your suits and your white shirts still fit?


Elder Parkinson:  Um, not that I can think of and yes they fit great.  I'm sending one off to get dry cleaned today.


Mom:  Oh good!  Is the laundry going okay?  Are you sleeping well?  Eating well?


Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, laundry is good.  I get up at 5:00 am on Pdays to go do it so I have more free time.  I am sleeping really well and yes I get full all the time and then I have all the food back at the room.


Mom:  So what is your favorite part of the MTC?


Elder Parkinson:  Um, haha, idk.  The letters, gym and then teaching the lessons and spreading the happiness to others.  Haha, if you see Abbey tell her that she has high expectations on the popcorn balls if she ever makes them.  All my district wants them.


Mom:  Okay :)  How is the language coming?


Elder Parkinson:  Very well!  I talked to Adam Pett who has been here for 8 weeks and he said that my spanish sounds like I am on week 7.


Mom:  That's Awesome!!!!
I sent some sugar cookies today, so you will have to let me know if they get there.  I think the mail room might be taking treats and throwing them away because Anne told me that her mom sent the cinnamon rolls last week.  Maybe Abbey has sent the popcorn balls and they were taken too?


Elder Parkinson:  Um, idk.  Could you ask her for me because I want them so bad.
The MTC is great and I love every second here.  It is going by so fast.  I love you guys so much and I love church music a lot.  If you want to listen to a song that will remind u that I am there, listen to "I"m Already There" by Lonestar.  I love it.  I will talk to u next week.  Love u so much.  I am so close to God and the Spirit.  I know I am going to San Fernando for a reason.  I have a peace with me now knowing that u guys are being blessed.  Love you, talk to you next week.  Elder Parkinson

Homemade Sugar Cookies

One thing that Elder Parkinson and Elder Gautavai asked for before they left was for me to send some homemade sugar cookies to them in the MTC.  Since Richard is leaving soon, I thought today would be a good day to send them.  I also like the heart shape.  Hopefully they will feel some love from home as they enjoy their cookies.

The MTC Life

We got another letter and sim card from Elder Parkinson today.  The highlights of the letter were:  the language is going well, he loves the Gospel, he has a better testimony of Christ than ever before, the MTC isn't as bad as everyone says it is and he is up to 240 lbs.  We laughed that he said he is trying to keep his weight in mostly muscle :)  We loved the pictures, especially of him and his companion.  

 The San Fernando, Spanish Speaking Boys.  Watch out Cali! 

 MTC Companions - Hudson and Parkinson

 We Think This is the Elder Parkinson Duo

Bountiful High Elders - Parkinson, Rushton and Salazar

Hey I'm On, What's Up?

I got to email back and forth again today with Jordan.  He sounds great and just like the same Jordan that we all know, only even better (if that's possible).  I was not sure that I liked emailing back and forth, but as you will see from his last email, it is what he likes.  I'm not sure if it's because he doesn't have to write as much :) or it's just easier, but I guess I will be checking my email every Thursday so I am available when he is.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey I'm on, what's up?

Mom:  You're early today.  Did you not go to the temple?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah we went to the 7:40 session and then ate.  The temple was great.  Guess who I have as one of my teachers.

Mom:  Who?

Elder Parkinson:  Do you remember Bishop Stewart from Iowa?

Mom:  Yes!!!  Love him!  Do they not live in Iowa anymore?

Elder Parkinson:  It is his son that just got back from his mission.  He is going to BYU.

Mom:  Oh yeah, Brandon Stewart.  He is a great kid.  Does he remember you?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, haha.  There is another Elder Parkinson in my zone.

Mom:  That's crazy!  Where is the other Elder Parkinson going? Is your whole district going to San Fernando?

Elder Parkinson:  The other Elder Parkinson is going to Anaheim.  6 people in my district are going to San Fernando, 2 are going to New York, 1 is going to Salt Lake and 1 is going to Detroit.

Mom:  How fun.  How is everything going?  Are you happy?  How is the language?

Elder Parkinson:  It is great and the language is going just fine.  I am so happy!!!  I can't believe that I am on week 3.

Mom:  I know!  Have you had any cool experiences?

Elder Parkinson:  Well, when I get into lessons I can feel that gift of tongues that was promised to me.

Mom:  That's awesome!  Cooper is really wondering about your gym time :)

Elder Parkinson:  Well, me and Elder Parkinson have the same gym time.  We usually just play 21 teams and me and him go on a team and dominate.  People always get mad at us because we are so good.  I don't know what it is about here, but I can't miss!  I have been hitting 3's left and right.

Mom:  Haha, that makes me smile.  I'll have to let Gary know :)

I just want you to know that I love you sooo very much.  I think about you everyday and know you are doing the right thing.  We have seen so many blessings come already because of your service.  

I'm not sure I really like the e-mail to e-mail thing because I  don't really get a feeling for how you are doing and what has been going on in your week.  As hard as it may be for me, I may just have to have you write an e-mail so I have a better feeling of how things are going.

How are your suits holding up?  Do you need anything else at all?  Did you get the Krispy Kreme's?

Jordan, I am so amazed by you.  You give me strength.  Thank you so much for being the great man that you are.

Elder Parkinson:  Well, I like this back and forth.  My suits are great, I love them.  The donuts are almost gone.  I would like a calendar and 1 more pair of sweats would be nice.  It is a little cold here.  I love it here.  I love the atmosphere and how everyone here is just in a good mood.  I love seeing all the new missionaries faces because they look so lost.  I can't believe I was one of them.  I also can't believe that Dillon leaves on Monday and Dave leaves on the 13th.  I am here for the long haul.  Do you know if anyone else is coming in that I would know?  How is life back home?  Any news from anyone?  I love how all of the teachers are so good at teaching Spanish and deal with us everyday.  I also love how 19 year old boys can go out and do this.  I love the spirit here.  I have never been this close to God in my life.  Me and my district have been talking about Lake Powell a lot.  I am going to miss it, but at least I will be in Cali.  Well, until next week.  I love you.

Super Bowl Package

I am getting ready to send a "Super Bowl" package to the boys.  I have one for Elder Parkinson, one for Elder Coffman and one for Elder Gautavai.  Even though they will not be able to watch the game, hopefully they can have a little fun with their companions :)