March Madness

Today is transfer day for the San Fernando mission and Elder Parkinson is staying where he's at for now.  We have been thinking about him a lot this past week, not only because he had a birthday, but because the NCAA basketball tournament is his favorite time of the year.  He is such an outstanding young man and we are so honored that he is our son.

Elder Parkinson:  Hello.  My week was great!  For my birthday, Elder Thacker came up and was my companion.  That was cool.  I did get your package and I love the socks!  So for transfers, I am staying with my comp, so you can still send stuff to that same address.  That is crazy about the March Madness tourney.  I do miss watching it, but I know it will be so much better when I get home.  I am doing so well out here.  I am happy to hear that the house is moving forward and that Austin and Cooper are doing good in their sports.  So yes, the rule about emailing friends has been changed, but the Mission Presidents were slow to tell us about it.  I think it is so nice that we can email friends now.  I just wanted to let you low that I am so happy that you guys are supporting me as much as you do.  I love you guys so much.

These are the socks that we sent Jordan for his birthday.

Mom:  I am so happy that you got to spend your birthday with Elder Thacker!  That makes me smile :)  Did the cupcakes arrive in one piece?  We thought you would like those Cali socks.  Now everyone in your mission is going to need a pair.  Are your investigators still doing well?

Elder Parkinson:  Haha, the cupcakes were somewhat together.  Yeah, everyone loves the socks.  The investigators are doing great, just slowly but surely with them.  I love the people here.  They are so down to earth.  Also, Elder Thacker goes home in 6 weeks and he said he wants to visit you guys, so I am going to give him your number.

Mom:  I would love to meet Elder Thacker!  I would also like to go to his homecoming talk, so will you ask him to give you those details when he finds out the date and time?  I forgot to tell you that we are getting a new stake presidency next month because both President Dester and Murdock were called as mission presidents.

Elder Parkinson:  That is so cool.  Do they know where they are going?  I will make sure to get the info from Elder Thacker for you.

Mom:  President Dester is going to Honduras and Murdock is going to Denver, Colorado.  Also, the Bells (J Bell's family) are moving.  They bought a house over in Eaglewood somewhere.

Elder Parkinson:  That is way cool.  Well, I love you guys so much and I hope that you have a great week.  I have got to go.  I love you!!!

Mom:  Love you too!

Birthday Boy

Happy 20th Birthday Elder Parkinson!!!!

We Love You SO Much and Hope Lake Los Angeles Treats You Well Today!!!

Happy Birthday Week Elder Parkinson

Today marks exactly 14 months that Jordan has been out on his mission.  I am not going to lie, I have felt each and every one of those days.  The good thing though is that the time is flying by for him and he is loving his mission.  He will be celebrating his last birthday in the mission field this Friday - the big 20.  Happy Birthday Elder Parkinson!!!

Elder Barker (Jordan's current companion) at their house in Lake LA

Elder Parkinson:  Hello.  Well this week was better.  The bike is fixed and the weather is starting to get hot.  The Elder's that live with us are great, I love them.  It is a fun time in the house.  That is nice that the snow is melting in Bountiful and I'm glad that you got to go to St. George for Cooper's baseball.  I miss St. George, but it okay because I love it here.  I hope that Cooper had a good time at his tournament.  Tell him that I will definitely still be stronger than him when I come home, haha.  I'm sure everything will work out with Austin's basketball team and he will figure it out.  I can't believe that it is already March Madness and that I will be home for next years.  It is hard to miss because I love that tourney, but it is okay.  I hope that all is well back home and I am excited to email with you.

Mom:  I am so happy to hear that you are doing well.  Have you had any luck finding someone to teach?

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, we actually found 4 people this week - a family and 2 teenagers.  It is way cool and they are way legit.  We have a lesson with the family tonight and I am so happy to teach them and let them know about the gospel.

Mom:  That is so exciting to hear.  I am so happy that the Lord has lead you to them.  What are your plans for today?  Did you get the package with the pants?  Did they fit okay?

Elder Parkinson:  For today I am going to get my hair cut because we have interviews tomorrow.  I did the package and the pants fit just fine.  I really like them.  Thank you so much!  So, about college, I think I have received an answer.  I think I am going to go to Dixie for 1 semester and then talk with Utah State when I get home and tell them I would love to come up in the fall of the following season or if they wanted in the spring of the following season.  I do think that I am just going to go down to Dixie for the spring that I get back.

Mom:  I am glad that you have felt inspiration because I have not known what would be best for you.  I will talk to coach J again to tell him.  I think he was kind of wanting you to try Weber, haha.  When are your next transfers?  Is there anything special that you want for your birthday?

Elder Parkinson:  Well tell coach J that I am willing to talk with them also, but that is my plan.  The next transfers are next Tuesday.  For my birthday, there is nothing that I really want so just surprise me. I am doing great out here and I love the mission.  I can't believe that I am at 14 months today.  I am getting too old for this, haha.  

Mom:  You are getting old!!!  The big 20!!!  Any idea what will happen with transfers?

Elder Parkinson:  I can't believe that I am not a teenager anymore, haha.  As far as transfers go, I have no idea what is going to happen.

Mom:  What I can't believe is that you left us as a teenager and are coming home to us as a man :)  I am so happy for you and I hope you have a great birthday!!!  Are you still riding your bike a lot?  How do you get the packages that we send?  Do you have to carry them on your bike from the post office?

Elder Parkinson:  I am riding like 30 miles a day.  The packages come right to our door so I don't have to try to carry them on the bike.  Well, I have to go.  I love you so much and I will talk with you next week.

Broken Bike

Today was another quick email from Jordan because he had to hurry and catch a bus again.  Part of me is a little sad that I didn't get to email with him, but most of me is so full of joy that he is doing well, staying busy and enjoying this whole experience.

*As a side note - The San Fernando mission where Elder Parkinson is serving is going to be split on July 1, 2013.  Those Elders who are serving in the northern part of the current San Fernando mission as of July 1 will be in the new California, Bakersfield mission.  If Jordan stays where he is at now, he will be a part of the new Bakersfield mission.  These are definitely exciting times.

Elder Parkinson:  Well today is going to be quick because my bike broke a little, so I have to take the bus down to get the new part to fix it.  This week was slow.  Our only investigator dropped us, so that was hard, but we are still working hard.  Sushi was great last week.  I can't remember what the place was called, but it was great.  I love sushi!  To answer your questions, we do our shopping in Lancaster at the Walmart there.  That is nice that the house building is going to start soon.  Also, tell Austin and Cooper that no matter what they do, I will always be stronger than them.  I sent that jacket home because I don't want it to get ruined out here.  I want it to stay nice along with the other stuff that I sent home.  I will make sure to try and get a sim card sent home this week so you can see who my new companion is.  Okay, about the mission split, I think it is crazy that I could possibly serve in 2 different missions with 3 different mission presidents.  That is weird, but I am okay with it.  I do need some more pants, but my shirts are great so don't worry about those.

Mom:  I am sorry to hear about your bike.  Hopefully you can fix it.  What color of pants do you need? Keep working hard and things will work out the way they are supposed to.  I love you so much.

Elder Parkinson:  Just whatever colors you think would look good.  I am just trying to stay positive, haha.  The whole town of Lake Los Angeles is ours now and we are still on bike.  It is tough.  Well, I have to go but I love you and I am so sorry that it was so short again.  I just don't have time these days, haha.  I love you!!!

This was the jacket that Jordan sent home last week.  It was nice to get something that reminded us of him.  The best part was being able to smell it and even better was that it smelled GREAT!!!  Now I know for sure that he is doing his laundry and showering regularly ;)

Sushi Craving

Today's email was very short and sweet.  Even though I am a little sad that I didn't get to email back and forth with Elder Parkinson today, seeing this email lets me know just how happy and anxiously engaged he is.  I love being a missionary mom!

Elder Parkinson:  Okay, well first, this is going to be short because we are going to catch a bus to go get sushi today at 10:50 so this email is going to be quick.  The area is good.  We found a kid named Alijando.  He is really cool and loves meeting with us.  My comp and I are doing great as well.  I am sad to hear that Austin and BHS lost, but at least they made Sports Center, haha!  I love the basketball state tournament.  I am doing great out here and I did get the packages, so thank you.  About school when I get back, I am still not completely sure where I want to go so I will keep praying about it so hopefully I can get an answer.  I am loving it out here and am running short on time, so I just want you to know that I love you so much.  I am sorry that this has to be so short.  Next week I promise it will be very long.  I love you so much and hope you have a great week.

Austin and the Bountiful Braves during the semifinal game of the state high school basketball tournament.  They ended up getting beat by a half court shot at the buzzer.  It was such a lucky shot, but it did make the ESPN Sports Center's #2 play that day.