Saying Goodbye to 506 S 1200 E

A lot has been going on while Jordan has been away on his mission.  We bought a lot just around the corner from where we are living now and are going to build a home.  In the meantime, our current house sold way quicker than we expected, so we are having to move into a rental for at least the next year.  We are moving this week.  It is a little sad that Elder Parkinson didn't get to have an official goodbye with this house, but good memories will be awaiting him when he returns.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey, that is sad to hear about the house.  I am going to miss that house, but I guess it is time for a change.  Yes, I still love my new area.  We have fun, but work hard too.  We had to drop our baptism dates for September 30 because they didn't come to church, but it's okay.  That is good to hear that Austin and Cooper are doing well.  I am so happy to hear from you every week.

Mom:  How did your week go?  Are you still knocking doors like crazy?

Elder Parkinson:  The week went great and yes, that is all we do is knock doors.

Mom:  So how is the weather is Palmdale?  Do you ride your bike everywhere?

Elder Parkinson:  The weather is getting better and yes we ride about 20 miles a day.  I am getting bigger legs than before, but I hope that I can stay fast for football.

Mom:  Big legs are always good for football players and I'm sure you'll stay fast.  I forgot to tell you that Coach Campbell said to tell you hi from the team.  How are things with your companion?  Do you get to see your mission president very often.

Elder Parkinson:  That is good to hear from coach, haha.  Um, things with my comp are great.  We get along very well.  I don't see my mission president ever.  So how is the rental house?

Mom:  I am so happy that you and your companion get along.  We haven't officially moved into the rental house yet, that will take place on Thursday.  It should be okay though.  I will take a picture of it and send it to you.  It is up by Dylan Salazar's.  It is weird to leave this house, but it will be exciting to build.  Do you have any other requests for the new house besides a drinking fountain :)

Elder Parkinson:  Um, I woud like a nice big bath and shower in my bathroom with speakers wired in.  Well, other missionaries are waiting to email so I love you so much and hope all is well.

Mom:  I love you too cutie!  Have a wonderful week!

The New Digs in Palmdale

The New Area Is Nice And Ready To Be Harvested

Jordan has always been a man of few words.  He doesn't enjoy writing long novels with lots of details, he just covers the basics and gets right to the point.  I have a feeling that his emails are going to remain very short from now on.  It is nice to know that he is focused on the work and we'll just have to trust that we'll get all the great stories when he returns home.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey, all is good here in Palmdale.  The new area is great - just nice and ready to be harvested.  My new comp is about to go home in 9 weeks, so it is a little hard to get him to work all the time, but we get along really well.  So when I said that he was a native speaker, I meant that he was born in Mexico.  I love it here so much.  With opening a new area, it means that we start from scratch and just knock doors all day and try to find people.  There were a lot of new missionaries that came in, so President had to open a new area.  Also, yes we still do have a home ward.  Palmdale is different than Van Nuys just because the town is a little more laid back and relaxed which is just what I want.  My companion was born in Mexico, but he comes from Chicago.  He is super cool and I love him.  He knows how to work and is a good example.  Palmdale actually is a lot like St. George but without the red dirt.

Mom:  I am glad to hear that things are going well and you are happy.  Are you still getting fed a lot?

Elder Parkinson:  Um, yes we get fed a lot.  Also, did you make sure and tell everyone my new address?

Mom:  Yes, I made sure I let everyone know that you have a different address.  I also put it on your blog.   So you have 3 baptismal dates for September 30?  That is awesome!  Tell me about them.  Everything still fitting okay?  What was the charge on your debit card at the bike shop before you left Van Nuys?

Elder Parkinson:  They are old investigators that we are working with.  One is a lady in her 40's and there are 2 kids in their teens.  Um, yes, everything is fitting fine.  Oh, the charge was that  I got a bike tune up so that it was running nice when I came up here.  I have to go right now, sorry.  We are loving life here and doing well.  Also, tell Anne to give that girl from Utah State my address so I can get to know her.

This is Elder Parkinson's new companion.  I told him that I need a better picture, preferably one where he is not brushing his teeth :)

Welcome To Palmdale

Elder Parkinson has finally left Van Nuys, after being there since March 21.  He is now in Palmdale, California which is about 35 miles to the north and east.  He said that it is a little more rural and he absolutely loves that.  I had a feeling that this is where he was because I saw a charge on his debit card at the Palmdale Walmart on Saturday.  He was a little surprised that I already knew where he was at before he could tell me.  The emailing did not go well today at all and I'm wondering if that is how it's going to be in this new area.  There was quite a delay with the email and I don't think he even received the ones I was sending.  No worries though, we still got to hear from him and know that all is well and he is as happy as ever.

Elder Parkinson:  Okay, so yes I am in Palmdale and it is great!  I am opening up a new area with my companion that doesn't know the area either, so yeah it is fun.  We are just knocking doors trying to find people.  My new companion is Elder Garnica.  He is a native speaker.  He only has 11 weeks left on his mission, so he is really good and experienced.  Elder Thacker went to be the zone leader up in Ridgecrest.  It is at the top of our mission.  I love Palmdale because it is away from everything and it feels like I am more in the country, which I love!  That is good to hear that Bountiful got a win and I am so happy that Dixie beat their opponents!  Tell Austin that I am sorry about his injury, but football is a memory that he will never forget and he will always be so happy that he made the decision to keep playing.

Mom:  I am so glad that you are happy!!!!  I want to know all about your area and your new companion.  Where is he from?  Did you get settled in okay?

Elder Parkinson:  Well mom I am doing great.  I guess everything with the computers is slow, but I love you and I hope that you get these emails.  We are loving life here.  I would like to make one small request for some more bread so that I can make some sandwiches.  I am going to play basketball now, but I love you and the fam.  I am very grateful for all that you do for me and all the support that I get from you.  Could you please let both Abbey's and Hannah know my new address?  I have to go now because other missionaries need to email.  Love you.

Mom:  I love you too.  Hugs :)

This is the new address:

Elder Jordan Parkinson

2918 Fairfield Ave.

Palmdale, CA 93550

A Photo of a Joshua Tree at Sunset in Palmdale

Leaving Van Nuys - Destination Unknown

Final Photo From Van Nuys, California

I was so excited for today's email to hear what was going on with the transfers and see if Elder Parkinson was staying or going.  The only thing that I found out was that he will be leaving Van Nuys, but he doesn't know where he will end up yet.  He still sounds so happy and is loving life in Cali.

Elder Parkinson:  Okay, well they switched transfers up this time and I know that I am leaving, but I don't know where or with who until Thursday.  I know that I am going to be on a bike again and that is all that I know.  That is good to hear about football and that Austin and Cooper played well.  Missing football is one of the hardest things for me, but I am fighting through it.  I LOVE that sport!  That is too bad that Dixie lost, but they will start to pick it up.  I am so happy to be serving the Lord.  The Walmart gift card that you sent did get to me and I am doing so good out here.

Mom:  I am so excited to hear where you end up.  Are you excited you'll be on a bike again?  Things going well?

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, I am glad I am staying on a bike because then I can stay in shape, haha.  Um, yes, all is well.  I am doing great.  So how was boating?

Mom:  I didn't go boating because Austin had football practice at 1:30.  I think that everyone who went had fun though and the boat didn't even have problems this time, haha.  Are you going to be able to take everything with you when you transfer?  What about the fry daddy?

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, everything is packed, even the fry daddy, haha.  I will have to make my new companion some fries and stuff.

Mom:  Yay!!!  Fry up some twinkies for him :)  Is today your P-day or was that yesterday?

Elder Parkinson:  It was yesterday.  I went to the mall and helped Elder Christensen pick out a new suit because his year mark is in 2 weeks.  It was a great time.

Mom:  Oh fun.  Are you going to get a new suit when you hit your year mark?  Aren't you supposed to burn a shirt or something too?

Elder Parkinson:  Haha, no.  The two suits that I have are good and burning a shirt is against the rules, so I am not going to do that, haha.  I don't know what I am going to do for my year mark.  It is awhile away, so I am not going to worry about that.

Mom:  Good idea :)  Are Gomm and Thacker transferring too?  I just love you SO much!!!!  You make me smile.

Elder Parkinson:  Haha, I love you too.  Thacker is transferring, but Gomm is not.  I hope that Thacker and I stay close to each other.

Mom:  I hope you guys stay close too!  Will you be a trainer yet?  How is the spanish going?  How do you transfer all of your stuff?

Elder Parkinson:  No, I will not be a trainer yet.  My spanish is good and the way we move all our stuff is by the members giving us a ride.  I love you so much and I have to leave now.  I hope you have a great week and I will write a letter when I know where I am going and who I am with.

Mom:  Love you too!!!!

Elder Parkinson tied to a chair with string!  Oh how he will miss Van Nuys.