Happy New Year

Elder Parkinson is doing awesome!!!  We got to skype with him on Christmas Day which was the best surprise ever!!!  He told us that he had known he was allowed to skype ever since he got a new Mission President in July, but wanted to keep it a secret from us.  It was so great to be able to see his face and watch him smile and laugh.  He looks better than ever and happier than ever.  We are so proud of this amazing young man.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey, I am doing great.  I was up at 5:30am again playing ball.  I am getting good.  I love the people here.  They are so nice and friendly.  I am doing great.  Um, the day after Christmas was hard just because nobody was home.  We went by 30 people and none of them were there, so it was tough, but the next day we set a date for the end of January.  It is way cool.  I loved the opportunity to Skype.  I hope that everyone back home is doing great.  I did get the water bottle and the pants.  They fit great.  I love you guys so much.  I was blessed to have parents like you who raised me into who I am.

Mom:  I can't believe you are up playing basketball at 5:30!  That is awesome!!!  Are you going to play some more today?  How has the weather been?  Do you do anything special for New Year's Day?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, we are going to play ball most of the day and we work all day on New Year's Day.  Today we can't go out because there will be a lot of drunk people, so yeah.

Mom:  Yeah, stay away from the drunk people ;)  Is next week transfers?  Have you heard anything about what is going to happen?

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, transfer meeting is next week.  I think that me and Flake are staying together for one more transfer.

Mom:  I hope you get to stay with Flake for at least one more transfer.  That would make all of us happy.  Who do you play basketball with?

Elder Parkinson:  We play with other missionaries, members and some of the member's nonmember friends.

Mom:  Are you one of the better players there?  Tell me about the person that you have a commitment date for in January.

Elder Parkinson:  Um, yes, I am one of the best ones.  Her name is Abigail and we have been teaching her for a month.  She is always very busy and has her 2 grandkids that live with her and give her trouble.  She said that ever since we have been coming over, she has felt a change in her life.  She was definitely prepared for us, we are just bringing the message.  It is amazing how God works.

Mom:  That brings tears of joy to my eyes.  It is so amazing what you can do as an instrument in the Lord's hands.  Is everything else going well?  Are you needing anything?

Elder Parkinson:  Everything is okay here.  I do need more bread though.  Also, the address for Norman is --------.  I love you guys so much.  It did snow 2 days ago here.

Mom:  Okay, I will send out some bread and thank you for that address.  I bet you loved seeing snow!!!  Was it a lot, or just some flurries?  How did that sweater fit?  I love you too!!!  You are amazing!!!

Elder Parkinson:  Just some flurries, but yes the sweater fit well.  I have to go now so someone else can email, but I love you so much.  Will you ask Hannah if she has written me back yet?  I love you so much.

Feliz Navidad

Elder Parkinson still had his Pday today, but his message was short and sweet.  I'm okay with that since we get to talk with him tomorrow!!!!! It will be the best Christmas gift ever!!!! We haven't spoken with Jordan since May 13, so we are very excited around here.  Luckily, Elder Parkinson did send a sim card last week so there are some fun pictures to post.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  This will be short, but I love you so much.  I am doing great!  The 25 days of Christmas is going great and we really like doing it.  Elder _____ loves the glasses!  I am loving it out here and I will call you tomorrow morning.

 Elder Parkinson reading the instructions for the "25 days of Christmas" package

 Elder Parkinson with the zone leaders waiting for Elder Flake to arrive as his new companion.

 Decorating their real Christmas tree

(Yes, I do think the other Elder is wearing footie pajamas)

 The finished work of art.

 These four Elders all share the same house in Palmdale.

 Elder Thacker and Elder Parkinson reunited shortly

 Elder's Flake and Parkinson giving their cheesiest grins.  You can see why they get along so well.

 The four amigos making their Christmas card

Look Ma, No Hands!!!

Missionary Christmas Card

I was SO excited to receive this card in the mail.  It is definitely my favorite.  What a fun group of missionaries!

A Giving Heart

Elder Parkinson is still LOVING his mission and being companion's with a good friend.  They are working well together and enjoying every day.  Jordan has such a kind and giving heart and we know he is where he is supposed to be right now.  We have been missing him this Christmas season, but we know that there is no better gift that he can be sharing.

Elder Parkinson:  The week was good.  I do have a cool story for you.  We were knocking on Saturday and I invited this guy to come to church the next morning and he came.  He is so legit.  I loved the Christmas book that you sent out.  It was good to hear your recorded voices and I promise that I won't open my gifts until Christmas.  That is good to hear that the house is still moving along.  It will be exciting for you to see the old houses get knocked down.  I was so sad to hear about what happened in Connecticut and all of the deaths.  I was so mad.  Why would a man do that?  I always keep Austin in my prayers and I hope his shoulder gets feeling better and is okay.  I am doing so great!  Um, I want to get Elder ........   some Oakley's for Christmas and Elder .........  some new basketball shoes.  So how could we do that?

Mom:  That is an awesome story!!!  You were definitely being led by the spirit to that door.  As far as the presents go, do you have time to go shopping for those items or do you need me to do it?  If you have time, I could put some $ in your account, but if not I would just need to know what to buy.  Have you found out anything about your Christmas phone call?  Do you think this new mission president will let you Skype?  I was just wondering what time you think it would be.

Elder Parkinson:  Um, for the sunglasses could you get them?  He would like a teal/turquoise color.  For the shoes, I think I will go today to get them.  For the phone call I will call in the morning to set everything up on Christmas Day.

Mom:  So do the sunglasses need to be Oakley's?  I will probably order them online and have them shipped to your address.  So you are going to call on Christmas morning to let us know about the phone call?  Will you still have P-day next Monday?  Are you going anywhere for Christmas?

Elder Parkinson:  Um, I think Oakley's would be the best and ordering them to be shipped here would be perfect.  Yes, I will call you Christmas morning to set things up.  We will still have P-day next Monday and for Christmas we are going to members houses all day just to say hi and celebrate.

Mom:  That sounds great!  Is there anything you are still needing?  Are your shoes and clothes still holding up?  Did you ever get the package from Hannah with the peanut brittle and treats?  What are your plans for today?

Elder Parkinson:  Well, my pants are kind of falling apart, but other than that everything is going well.  Yes, I did get the package from Hannah.  Has she gotten my letter back?  We are going to go do some Christmas shopping today, so will you put a little money in my account?  I love you and I am going to play ball now so I will talk to you next week.  I love you so much.

Mom:  I love you too!

I also got this bonus email and photo today from Elder Flake, Jordan's companion.  It is so comforting to know that they are enjoying each other and working well together.

Dear Parkinson Family,

This is Elder Flake!!!!!!!!!!!  I just want to tell you how great your son is and how awesome we are doing.  I also want to say Thank You for everything you have done for me!

-Elder Flake

Elder Parkinson and Elder Flake dressed in their Bountiful High basketball gear with their money shirts from their 25 Days of Christmas.

Loving Being Together

Elder Parkinson is working hard and loving his mission.  He is SO happy to be companions with Elder Flake and they are taking Palmdale by storm.  Today was short and sweet, but I am so happy for him.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  The week was great.  We set a date with a boy named Junior for December 30.  He is 16 and he is so cool.  Other than that, we are just working hard and loving being together.  It is so weird because we know the same people.  It is funny to hear different views of people.  Um, yes we go the Christmas ties and also the 25 days of Christmas is great.  What was the package from Hannah?  What was in it?  Um, no it hasn't snowed yet.  It is a little cold, but now too bad.  I love it here during Christmas.  I am glad that all is going great.  I am doing so well and I don't know about the Christmas phone call yet.  Do you remember the date that I went through the temple?

Mom:  I am so glad to hear that things are going well and you are loving it there.  Hannah told me that her and her grandma made some candy and treats for you.  Hopefully you will get it soon.  Who are some of the same people that you and Elder Flake know?

Elder Parkinson:  Um, he knows David, Colton and Richard and then I know all the Davis guys that he knows.  So, what was the day that I went through the temple?

Mom:  You went through the temple on November 26, 2011.  I am supposed to tell you that David remembers wrestling Elder Flake in 9th grade.  How is your spanish going?  Are you speaking pretty fluently?  Any fun plans for today?  Did you guys get a real Christmas tree.

Elder Parkinson:  That is good that David remembers Elder Flake.  My spanish is doing well.  For today we are just going to play bball most of the day and yes we did get a real Christmas tree.  I am doing so well, but I have got to go.  Thanks for all that you do and tell everyone back home hello and thanks.

Mom:  Have a great week.  Love you.

MTC Friends Reunited

I was so excited to email with Jordan today and find out who his new companion was.  He had been having a rough couple of months with a companion who was ready to go home.  The news of the new companion was such a comfort and blessing to me.  Elder Parkinson is very happy and that in turn makes me a happy mom.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  You are not going to believe who my comp is.  It is Elder Flake from Kaysville that was in the MTC with me and came out to San Fernando at the same time as me.  We get along really well and we have been working really hard and it has been great!  Yes, all the stuff for the 25 days of Christmas got here except there isn't a day 24 or 25.  We love it!  We are just about to buy a real Christmas tree also because we have a house, so we are going to do that haha.  The work is so good.  We are going to extend 3 baptismal dates this week to hopefully take place in 4 weeks, so that will be great.  I am so happy to hear that Austin and Cooper are doing well.  I love you.

Not the best picture, but this is Elder Parkinson and Elder Flake enjoying St. Patrick's Day together in the MTC.

Mom:  That is sooo exciting!!! You love Elder Flake!!!  Has the work picked up then?  Where did Elder Flake transfer from?  Is there anything you are needing?  Any thoughts on what you want for Christmas?

Elder Parkinson:  Um, yes, the work has picked up a ton!  I am so happy!  Elder Flake came from the valley.  This is his first time in the desert so I am helping him out.  No, there aren't many things that I need, but for Christmas, I am not sure yet.  I need some new g's and some ties for sure and idk what else but make it fun.  I love the mission president!  He told me that Elder Flake and I are two of the best missionaries in the mission.

Mom:  That is awesome!!!! You are awesome!!!!  Now you guys get to show them how Davis county boys work :)   I am so happy for you and for the people of Palmdale that you are going to teach.  Are you still on bikes?  Has is gotten cold yet?  Any preferences for tie colors?

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, I am happy that Davis county gets to be together.  Yes, we are still on bikes and having a good time.  It is a little cold out here, but not too bad.  For the ties, just a lot of variety would be good.  Send some out for Flake too.  I am going to play ball so I will talk to you next week.  I love you.

Mom:  I love you too cutie!  Hugs.