Senior Companion

Elder Parkinson's emails sounded great today.  I think he is very excited to get a new companion and get to work.  Watch out Palmdale!!!  I am so blessed that he is such a hardworking, obedient young man.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  Thanksgiving was good.  We did play a Turkey Bowl (football game) and I did get the pumpkin pie you sent.  It was so good.  We had turkey and ham at a member's house and it was really good.  Yes, it is transfer day here.  Nothing big is changing.  I mean my comp is going home, but I am not training this time because we didn't get any new spanish speaking elders.  I am glad that you had a great Thanksgiving and I am so glad to hear about Austin and Cooper and how good they are doing.  I love you and I hope you get this email quick.

Mom:  I am glad to hear that your Thanksgiving was good.  Who is your new companion?  Where is he from?  How long has he been out?

Elder Parkinson:  I won't get my new comp until tomorrow, but I am going to be senior comp.  President said I am going to have to work hard.

Mom:  So who are you with today?  Why did he say that you are going to have to work hard?  Are you at the same address?  Do you have any fun plans for today?  Is there anything that you are needing?  I love you SO much!!!

Elder Parkinson:  I am with the zone leaders today.  President said that because he said that I am one of the best missionaries so he is going to give me someone who needs a little help.  Um, yes, we are still at the same address.  We are going to play football again today, so that will be fun.  I don't think I need anything, I am good.

Mom:  You make me such a proud mama :)  Thank you for always working hard, putting your best foot forward and following the Savior's example.  You are going to get a package either today or tomorrow for the 25 days of Christmas.  Try to let me know that is has arrived safely when you write your letter home and take lots of pics.  How many elders play football with you?  Are you still working out?

Elder Parkinson:  Um, like 16 elders play and yes I still do work out, haha.  So how is the house looking?

Mom:  The house progress has slowed a little.  Our builder came back to us with a very high bid, so we are going to be getting some other bids to compare.  I'm hoping it will all work out for the best.  That is a lot of elders to play football with.  Are they all in Palmdale?  Are they all spanish speaking?  How is the work going?  Any new leads?  Are you still enjoying the ward?

Elder Parkinson:  I'm sorry to hear that about the builder.  Yes, all the elders are in Palmdale that we play football with, but no they are english and spanish speaking.  The work is going to explode this week!!!!  I sill love the ward.  How is Double B doing?

Mom:  With you in charge, of course it's going to explode :)  Double B is doing great.  He asks about you all the time and says what a wonderful young man you are.  He just got a new counselor because Brother Jensen is moving.  Dan Lilinquist was made the second counselor yesterday.

Elder Parkinson:  That is great.  Tell Double B to send me a letter, haha.  Well, I am going to go play some ball.  I love you so much.

Mom:  I love you too!!! Have a great week.

First Thanksgiving in the Field

Sending Peaceful Wishes For Thanksgiving

The holiday season is upon us and this is the first time we have not had Elder Parkinson with us.  I'm sure it will be a growing experience for us all and Jordan will be well cared for in Palmdale.  He sounds great and, from his recent pictures, he looks great too.  

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom, I am doing good.  Yes, this is my last week with Elder Garnica.  Um, we don't have any new baptism dates yet, but we have a lot of potentials.  We had stake conference over the weekend and it was great.  It was almost all on missionary work.  I am kinda sad to hear that you are not going to start building until spring, but I guess it will all work out.  I just want you to know that I am doing great.  I pray for Austin every night that he can stay healthy.  That is so good to hear about Cooper's game on Thursday.  I'm glad he's knocking down the 3's and doing well.  Tell Rylito congrats for me and to enjoy the moment.  It is the best time ever.  We haven't really seen a huge number of new missionaries with the age change yet, but we are expecting a lot.  I love you.  This computer is really slow, so you probably won't get this email in time to reply.  I think I am going to buy a new football so we can play a turkey bowl.  I gave the football that you sent me to a member kid that needed it.  Yes, we will be eating at a members house for Thanksgiving.  I hope that you can make it to Idaho to celebrate Thanksgiving.  I love you so much and hope that you are doing great.

Mom:  I am SO glad to hear that you are doing well.  Do you think that you will be staying in Palmdale for the next transfer?  I love you sweetheart.

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, I will be staying in Palmdale.  I had my interview with president and he said I was.  I am happy about that.  I am so sorry, but I have to go.  There are some sister missionaries waiting to email.  I love you so much and I will email longer next week.  The computer took 1 hour to load.  Thank you for all that you do for me.

P-Day Hike

 Elder Parkinson looking good and keeping hydrated

 Striking a pose before the start of the hike.  Love those beautiful mountains in the background.  Ahh, November in California.

 Keeping up the legacy of "planking"

 Elder Parkinson and Elder Whitley

Elder Parkinson in Devil's Punch Bowl.  Love this kid!!!

Day 300

Tomorrow Elder Parkinson hits 300 days since he has been out on his mission.  Some days have gone fast, while others have seemed like forever.  At this time of the year, however, I realize how thankful I am that Jordan is a part of our family and is out serving his Heavenly Father.  Jordan is an amazing young man with a heart of gold, a great positive attitude, a friendly smile and a ferocious work ethic.  I am so grateful that he is willing to give up two years of his life to share this wonderful gospel message with the people of the San Fernando mission.  What an example he is to us all.  We love you Elder P.

Elder Parkinson:  Hi mom.  Everything is going great.  We didn't have the best week, but we are trying to get better this week.  I am just pushing through these last 2 weeks before my comp goes home.  I know how not to act when I am almost done with my mission now, so that is a good thing that has come out of it.  That is crazy about the snow storm that you got.  I guess you probably won't be able to get the foundation laid this fall, but oh well.  I am sad to hear about Cooper's championship game.  It is hard to lose, especially when you know that you played better than the other team.  I hope that Cooper is still happy that they made it to the championships though.  That is funny that Coach Maxwell calls Austin "chubby."  I do kind of miss basketball, but not as much as football, haha.  I am doing great and love you guys and the example that you have set for me.

Mom:  I am glad to hear that you are pushing through.  It will be a good learning experience, if nothing else.  How was your hike last week?  Any fun plans for today?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, it is a good learning experience.  The hike was great.  We went for a little adventure and we are just going to play ball today.  We are doing great here.  That pic with me and the other white missionary on the bench is Elder Whitley.  He is such a stud.

Mom:  What picture? Did you send a sim card?  It is so nice to hear that you are making some great friends out there.  That makes me smile.  I am supposed to tell you that Zac is going to carry on the legacy of your winning dunk at the meet the team night on Thursday.  He said he is going to do the "show your abs" dunk.  Do you have any new baptismal dates?  Does it ever snow in Palmdale?

Elder Parkinson:  Haha, um, yes I did send a sim card.  It should get there today.  I am so happy to have friends out here on the mission.  It really helps me to keep going.  Tell Larry that the "abs" dunk is my dunk and no one can steal it from me, haha.  Just kidding, I think it would be funny if he did it.  We don't have any new baptismal dates yet and they say that it snows here but it hasn't yet.  Well I am going to go play some ball, so I will talk to you next week.  I love you.

Devil's Punch Bowl

As usual, Elder Parkinson sounds great.  I found out that his Halloween included being in by 6pm and doing a deep clean on their house.  That probably qualified as a pretty scary event :)

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  All is good here.  We are working hard and on Halloween, we had to be in by 6pm.  We just cleaned the house.  We don't have any new baptisms yet, but we are working on it.  My companion has 3 weeks left.  He is SO ready to go home, but we are getting along just fine.  That is sad to hear that you may not get the foundation poured until spring.  I was so excited for you to get it laid and get the house started.  I am also sad that there was no candy sorting and trading going on at the house this year.  Austin is just a teenager now, haha, and doesn't want anything to do with that little kid stuff.  I heard that him and Hannah's sister have been hanging out.  I am so happy that Cooper is finally having a winning football season and having fun with it.  Dad is a very good coach and I'm sure he will find a way to get them the W for the championship.  I hope that Austin does well in basketball.  Tell him that hard work always pays off in the end.  It's not the most fun while you're doing it, but after it will pay off.  That is not good to hear that btown lost, but they will come back strong again next year.  I hope that all is well back home.  I am doing great.  We are going on a hike today so that will be fun.  I would really like if you could send some more bread and will you send 2 extra loafs for one of the missionaries out here.  He is like my "Thacker" here in Palmdale.

Mom:  Yes, it is kinda sad that all my kids are growing up.  I guess I'll just have to wait for grandkids ;)

I am glad to hear that things are going well.  Where are you hiking today?  Make sure to take some pictures and include yourself in some of them too.  I am also excited for Cooper and his football team.  I'm glad that Dad and him have had this experience together.  Yes, Austin does hang out with Hannah's sister sometimes.  She is part of their big group of friends.  I will make sure to tell Austin to work hard!!!  What is the Elder's name that I am sending bread to?

Elder Parkinson:  Um, well I don't know how quick you are going to have grandkids, haha.  I will make sure to take some good pics for you.  The Elder's name is Elder Whitley.  He is from Ogden.  He is so cool and I love him so much.

Mom:  Haha!!! I can wait several years for grandkids!!!  I am so glad that you have found another Elder that you get along with and have fun with.  I'm sure it makes things even better.  I just love you so much and am grateful everyday that I get to be your mom.  How is the work going?

Elder Parkinson:  The work is a little slow because my comp is going home, but I think that I might train a new missionary next transfer, so the work will pick up then.

Mom:  That's awesome that you might get to train next transfer.  Are you ready for that?  So where is it that you are hiking today?  Are you near an Air Force base?

Elder Parkinson:  I think that I am ready, I guess I will find out.  The place is called Devil's Punch Bowl and yes we are close to an Air Force base.

Mom:  I'll have to look up Devil's Punch Bowl on google earth and see if I can find where you're going.  I think you will be an amazing trainer!!! Just remember all of the things that you have liked about your own trainers.  Is the weather still pretty mild there?  How is your ward?  Do you get to go to the temple again anytime soon?

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, I am so happy to go hiking.  The weather is getting a little cold.  The ward is really good and I think we are going to the temple again around Christmas time.  I have to go.  I love you so much and can't wait to email again with you next week.

Mom:  I love you too cutie.  Have a great week!