Super Bowl - Round 2

This is the second super bowl that Jordan has been gone for and I'm sure it's one of the hardest.  Elder Parkinson has loved the San Francisco 49ers since he was a little boy and has always wanted to see them in the super bowl.  Since it has been 18 years since they have been to the "big game," Jordan has never had this experience.  We are hoping that an NFC championship hat and some snacks will help.

Stolen Bike

Things are very exciting right now with all of the new missionaries getting their calls and seeing all of these wonderful young women choosing to serve missions.  It is definitely a great time to be a missionary as well as have a missionary out.  Elder Parkinson is still doing well and has one of the best attitudes that I know.  He is an inspiration to us all.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  This week was great and I'm doing great as well.  We did find 2 people that now have baptismal dates for the 24th of February.  I know that if you pray and read the scriptures, you will find an answer to what builder would be the best.  That sounds crazy with the ice storm.  I hope everyone is okay.  I am loving the mission!  That is so cool that Sam and Ali got their mission calls.  Tell them congratulations from me.  Now Sam and I will be able to speak spanish together.  Elder Flake and I are doing great.

Mom:  I am so glad to hear that things are going well and you have found some new investigators.  I will for sure keep praying and reading the scriptures to see if that helps with the decision.  What are your plans today?

Elder Parkinson:  Today we are going to play soccer and football.  I hope that all is good back home.  Also......my bike got stolen out of our garage.

Mom:  What!!!  How did your bike get stolen out of the garage?  Is it gone for good or did you find it?  I definitely want to hear this story.

Elder Parkinson:  Well, the other missionaries that we share a house with left the door open while we were studying and someone came in and stole it.  We have not found it and I don't know what I am going to do.  We filed a police report and I emailed the mission president to see.  I might have to get a new one.

This is the garage where the bike was taken from.  It must have looked exactly like this when the thief made his move.

Mom:  When did this happen?  How are you getting around?  I don't think it sounds too promising that it will return, but maybe a small miracle will occur.  Is there a bike store near you where you could get a new one?

Elder Parkinson:  It happened on Tuesday and I am borrowing someone's bike for now, but it is too small so it hurts my knee.  I might go to a car area, so I am going to see what happens with transfers and then I will get a new one.

Mom:  How long is it until transfers?  I don't want you hurting your knee, so if you need to get a new bike then get one.  Has your mission president talked to you about it yet?  I am sorry that you are having to go through that, but I guess someone needed your bike more than you did :(     Tell me about the investigators that you found.

Elder Parkinson:  Transfers are in 3 weeks.  The mission president will email me back soon and if it starts hurting too bad then I will get a new one.  So the new investigators are Jamie and Lucas.  They live in the same house and they are way cool.  One of them is 15 and the other is around 50.  They are so excited about the gospel.  I love them.  The only bad thing is that if I do get transferred then the baptism will be the week after I leave.

Mom:  I am so happy that you have found Jamie and Lucas.  They are so lucky to have you and Elder Flake!  Please, please get a new bike if your knee starts hurting too bad.  Are you doing okay with everything else?  Are you out of anything or needing anything?  I have dad, Austin and Cooper home today with the flu.

Elder Parkinson:  I feel so bad for you.  I hope that you can take care of them and they all start feeling better.  Could you send me some more bread?  I love you so much.

Mom:  Of course I will get you more bread :)    I love you too and I hope that you have a wonderful week!!!

Elder Parkinson:  You too!  I am going to play ball now.  Oh, I almost forgot, tell Zac to stay away from the girls.  They are only trouble until after you get home from your mission.  I love you.

Fun Times In Palmdale

 Best Companions - Elder's Parkinson and Flake at the LA Temple

 Elder Parkinson with Norman Ovando, an awesome member who lives in Palmdale.

 Great Group of Elders at the LA Temple

I can't believe they chose to lift the "big guy"

 Elder Parkinson and Elder Calder

He was Jordan's first companion and trainer in the field.  JP really loves Elder Calder.

 Who couldn't love this face :)

 This was the first snow Palmdale has had in four years.  Elder Parkinson was SO happy to see some of the white stuff.

 Gotta love missionaries!

Jordan's grandma found this snow in a can and we sent it out to him.  It looks like he got a little shoveling in.

Just Recovering

We have now officially moved into the second year of the mission and Elder Parkinson is still doing great.  He and his companion are working really hard in the Palmdale area and trying to turn things around.  He has the right attitude and I know what his work ethic is like, so I'm sure it will all be great!!!

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom, we are doing good.  This week was a little better, still slow, but better.  I did the get the pizza and cupcakes delivered on Friday for my year mark and everyone in the house loved it.  Thank you so much for supporting me like you do.  I love you so much.  I am sorry to hear about the leak in your roof, but at least you have somewhere to sleep.  There are a lot of people out here that don't have anywhere to sleep.  Um, the LA temple is a lot different scenery than Temple Square in December that is for sure, but it is still way nice.  Norman leaves today, so that is going to be sad, but it's okay.  I am happy for him.  I am also very happy for Cooper that he grabbed the rim.  You should send me that picture through email.  I am doing great and I hope that Dave hears back soon because it is so fun to be in the field.  I am stoked that the 49ers are going to the Super Bowl.  I LOVE the niners!!!  It is hard not to be able to watch their games, but it is okay I guess, I can wait, haha.  We found a couple of people and we are just trying to recover from everything that has gone on in this area.  I have not been chosen to give a talk yet, but I am ready at any time.  I just want you to know that everything is good and I don't need anything right now.  

Mom:  I am so happy to hear that this week was a little better.  What does it mean when you say that you are trying to recover from everything that has gone on in that area?

Elder Parkinson:  Um, just that all of the investigators have stopped progressing.  It is just hard and they have had some bad missionaries in this ward for a while until we came.

Mom:  Well I am glad that you are there to turn things around :)  I also know that it is very important to always stay positive and remember all of the blessings that we have, just like having a place to sleep.  Austin wanted to know if the cake pops were as good as the ones we had in Arizona?  I am sending the picture of Cooper over right now.  

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, the cake pops were just as good.  I am so excited to see this picture of Cooper. I am doing great and love the people here.  I was talking to Elder Thacker and he only has 4 months left.  That is scary.

Cooper grabbing the rim

Mom:  That is crazy that Elder Thacker only has four months.  Time sure does go by fast on a mission, so don't waste it :)  I am also very excited for Norman.  Do you get to see him before he leaves?  Let me know if that picture comes through.

Elder Parkinson:  I did get the photo and that is SO crazy!!!  I love Elder Thacker.  I told him that our house is his house.  Norman is going to play bball for a little with us today, so I will get to tell him goodbye.  I'm not sure what all of our plans are for today, but I have to get going.  I love you so much and hope that you have a great week.  Tell Ali and Sam Tooley congratulations on the mission calls.

1 YEAR!!!!!!

I can't believe it has officially been 1 year since we said goodbye to Jordan and he became Elder Parkinson.  This year has had it's ups and downs and we miss him like crazy, but we know there is no better place for him to be.  We are definitely looking forward to the downhill now.

HAPPY HUMP DAY ELDER PARKINSON

Tough Week

We all have bad days and weeks and I guess missionaries aren't immune from them either.  Elder Parkinson said that this was the toughest week of his mission so far.  The thing that I like, however, is his positive attitude about it.  He says that even though it was tough, he will just push forward and keep working hard.  This is a lesson we can all apply to our lives. 

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  Yes, Norman did give me a hug from you, haha.  I will write that letter that you asked me to tonight and I will also write my thing for the newsletter.  That is so crazy that they cancelled school for snow.  That never happens.  Just think if you would have had a truck how much better it would have been, haha.  Yes, I did get that "snow in a can" and made it.  It worked very well.  I am sending home a sim card today, so you will be able to see all of that.  I am so happy that the 49ers won.  I am doing great out here.  That is so crazy that Ali is going on a mission.  I think it's awesome for all these young women who are going now.  So how is David doing?  I hope that he is doing good. The baptism for the 27th fell through, but we are working hard trying to find others.  We are trying our hardest to keep our heads up.  This last week was the hardest on my mission, but it is okay.  I know that the Lord is preparing someone for us.

Mom:  Why was this the hardest week of your mission?  Is everything okay?  The Stake President sends David's stuff in today.  Keep praying for him that whatever is best in the Lord's eyes will happen.

Elder Parkinson:  Oh, just a lot of our appointments weren't home and the work was just really slow, but it's okay, we are working through it.

Mom:  I think when things get tough, the Lord is testing your faith and where you will turn for strength.  I know you will be okay and it is happening for a reason.  Just know that there is somebody waiting for you and this amazing message.  Are you playing ball again today?  Did you get the bread and the Blitz?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, my faith has grown so much since serving a mission.  I did get the bread and the Blitz.  It is so nice.  Thank you for doing so much for me.

Mom:  You are so welcome.  I am here to help in any way that I can.  Please know how much we love you and are praying for you and use that strength too.  Hannah said that she did write to you.  Did you get her letter?  Are you playing basketball today?

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, I did her letter.  We are playing ball today.  Actually, I am about to leave so I can go ball some people up.  Please send me the pic of the snow.  I love you so much and I hope that you have a great week.

Mom:  I love you too!!! 

Staying Put

Today was transfer day for the San Fernando mission and Elder Parkinson is staying in Palmdale with his good friend, Elder Flake, as his companion.  He loves this area and was very happy to continue with the work there.  As usual, he sounds very happy and is loving this time in his life.

Staying in the desert a little longer

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  Everything is great here.  Elder Flake and I are staying together.  It is going to be way fun I hope, haha.  My day is going good.  On New Year's Eve we stayed in and had a bbq and then on New Year's Day we found 3 new people to teach.  I will still be at the same address so you can send the bread out.  That is funny about Cooper still wearing shorts and a t-shirt when it is that cold.  He is just like me.  I am happy to hear that the lot is getting cleared and the house is coming along.  It is going to be great for us.  Well, I am still praying about where I should go to college when I get back.  I am praying not just about where to play, but what will give me the best future.  I am praying really hard.  Tell Coach J thank you for all that he does for me and that if he would talk to the people he knows and see what they say that would be great.  I am so happy to hear about Jensen.  The mission will change his life, I know it.  Well, I can't wait to talk to you.

Mom:  I am so excited that you get to stay with Elder Flake!  Is anyone in your house changing?  Has it been cold there?  I know that you will figure out what is best for your future if you just keep praying and follow the spirit.

Elder Parkinson:  Elder Bates is leaving and other than that we are staying the same.  It is starting to warm up a little bit here and I am just loving it out here.  So what is new in football?

Mom:  I am going to have to have Cooper give you an update on football when he writes this week because I'm not really sure what is new.  I do know that the Seahawks beats the Redskins last night and San Fran is still in the playoffs.  I guess I have been slacking a little when it comes to football :)  Did Norman find out if he's going back out yet?  David is supposed to be sending in his letter to the mission department this Thursday and then he should hear back in about a week.  He said that talking to you on Christmas was really good for him.

Elder Parkinson:  Okay, that sounds great to me.  Norman will find out today if he goes back out.  I am so excited for David.  He will be a great missionary when he goes back out.  I love it out here in Cali, but I will want to return home in a year.

Mom:  I can't believe that it has already been a year and I am so excited that we are on the downhill now, but I do know that there is still work for you to do in Cali.  Are you needing anything besides bread?  How are your contacts and vitamins?  Do you need any extra shirts?  What time do you have church on Sunday's now?  What are your plans for today?

Elder Parkinson:  I am doing great.  Church is at 9.  It is hard to get people to church, but we are trying very hard.  Some more blitz would be nice.  One for me, one for Bates who is leaving and one for Elder Calder.  Also one more protein.  Send 2 of the blitz's to our house and the other and a protein to the mission office to Elder Bates.

Mom:  So you don't need a protein?  Are you playing ball again today?  Our church time has changed to 1:00 and I'm not sure I love that time, but it will be okay.  When did you say your next baptism was?

Elder Parkinson:  No, we still have some protein at the house.  Yes, we are playing ball all day.  I love playing ball.  I think 11 is the best church time.  Our next baptism will be on January 27th.  Well, I love you so much and hope that you have a great week, but I have to go.  Tell everyone hi for me and tell Hannah to write me.  I love you.