Memorial Day 2013

We have had such a great missionary week.  Elder Thacker, one of Jordan's good friends from the San Fernando mission, had his homecoming on Sunday.  Cooper and I were able to make the trip to Vernal to attend and meet Elder Thacker and his family.  It was such a great experience to be able to meet someone who has just recently been with your son.  Elder Thacker and his family are amazing people and we definitely know why Elder Parkinson loves him so much.  I am so thankful that Heavenly Father puts such great examples and influences in our lives and allows our paths to cross.  

Another exciting thing was being able to email with Elder Parkinson for quite a while today.  We were headed to Pocatello to pick up our boat and I was worried that I wouldn't have any connection to email back and forth.  Fortunately everything worked out wonderfully and the trip flew by emailing back and forth with Jordan.  He was so excited that we were getting the boat out for the summer because that is his baby.  He is at home on "Blue Devil."  The icing on the cake was being able to take some photos of the boat and send to him.  Just think, next summer he will be joining us :)

Elder Thacker with Cooper and mom.  Justin and Austin were at a basketball tournament in Dallas for the weekend and Elder Thacker was a little bummed that he didn't get to meet the infamous "Dr. P" that  Jordan talks so much about.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  I am so happy that you were able to meet Ryker Thacker.  I love that kid!  He was a great example to me.  The story he told you about cleaning dirty ties is very true, haha.  I am a pro at that.  I was so happy when he came to Van Nuys and when he first came he looked like he was going to be serious and not want to have any fun, but it turned out that he was way chill.  I hope that all goes well with picking up the boat and that everything works on it this summer because I still only want a Malibu, haha.  Also, the boat will look really good going to Pocatello, but then not so much on the way back to Bountiful because the King Ranch is taking it to Pocatello and then it has to have a Sequoia pull it to Bountiful, haha.  I am glad that Austin is doing better and that they did good during their tourney.  I can't believe that this will be the last summer before I get home.  I am glad to hear that dad is staying busy and that everyone is doing well.  I did get an email from Dave and he sounds really good.  Well, I love you and hope that all is well and that we will be able to email back and forth.

Mom:  I don't know what you are talking about, I think the boat will look better with the Sequoia pulling it ;)  Ryker is a great kid and I can see why you two get along.  I think he misses you just like you miss him.  How was your week?  How are your investigators doing?

Elder Parkinson:  Haha, No Way and it will take you double the time to get home ;)  I can't wait to talk to him when I get home and we do get along well.  The investigators are doing great.  We are still planning on the 2 baptisms.  Our spanish side is a little down, so I am going to fast this week to get more spanish people to teach.  I can still speak Spanish though, so don't worry.  Where are you at?

Mom:  We are almost to Tremonton right now.  I am glad to hear that you still have the 2 baptisms scheduled and that your spanish is still good.  Thacker told me that he took the spanish test when he got home and got credit for all 4 years of Spanish, so make sure you keep using it.  I would love to fast with you.  When are you fasting?  Did you get the package that we sent?

Elder Parkinson:  Um, there is a rule that we can't ask people to join us in fasts back home, but if you would like to I am going to fast everyday until dinner and then start over the next day.  I can't wait for the baptisms.  Our investigators are so great.  I hope that I will be able to do as well on the spanish test when I get home.

Mom:  I would love to join you in the fast, as long as it's okay.  Did you get the ties and water bottle?  What are you doing today?

Elder Parkinson:  I did get the ties and the water bottle and I love them both.  The water bottle does work very well at staying cold and not having condensation all over it.  I gave the other tie to my kid (his companion).  I do have a tie request from an elder.  His name is Elder _____ and he would really like a pink paisley Donald Trump tie.  He lives in the house that I used to live in, so could you send it there?

Mom:  Okay, I will get right on that pink paisley trump tie and send it to the house with the Lancaster address.  Is he the one from Mexico?  What are you doing today?  How is your comp doing?  Could you believe how many missionaries there were going out on that clipping I sent you?

Elder Parkinson:  No, he is from Columbia.  He is way cool and he doesn't have much so he wears a lot of the same stuff and his shoes are also falling apart.  My comp is fine and we are we are working hard.

Mom:  Should I send him more than one tie? 

Elder Parkinson:  You could.  Also, do you think you could send out some dress shoes for an 11 foot size.  His shoes have big holes in them.

Mom:  Yes, I would love to!  Are you sure he's a size 11?  You haven't told me what your plans are for today.

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, he is a size 11, haha.  For today we are going out and riding on a sand rail which is kind of like a dune buggy, then a member is taking us to sushi.

Mom:  Sounds like a perfect day for you!  Make sure you take some pictures for us!

Elder Parkinson:  I will for sure.  It is all you can eat sushi so we will see how much I can eat.  Will you please send me a picture of the boat behind the King Ranch and then one of it behind the Sequoia?  I love that boat so much and I also really like that truck!  I want you to know that I love you so much and I hope you drive home safely.

 This is the boat behind Jordan's grandpa's King Ranch.  This picture is just like Heaven to him.

We weren't quite ready to hook the boat up to the Sequoia, so this is the picture Elder Parkinson got.  He likes to make fun of my Sequoia because he thinks it is SOOOO inferior to a Ford truck.

A Good Week

Elder Parkinson is now training a new missionary who comes from Las Vegas, Nevada.  His name is Elder Zobrist and he is straight from the MTC and awaiting a Visa for Argentina.  He is also 6'6" like Jordan, so I'm sure they make a pretty intimidating pair.  They have moved into a different house, but are still serving the Lake Los Angeles area.  Currently they are covering both English and Spanish.  Elder Parkinson is doing really well and loving serving the Lord.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom, all is well.  My comp and I are getting along fine, he just thinks that he knows it all and that he can do whatever he wants during the day, but he is good and we are getting things figured out.  His name is Elder Zobrist.  I got that letter from my Mission President also.  It is good to see that the Lord trusts me.  About the football thing, what do you think Weber would say?  I did get a phone call from Carlos on Saturday. (He had called my cell phone looking for "Elder Jordan" and luckily I had Jordan's mission phone # from the mother's day phone call.)  He was someone that I was teaching and he is way funny.  He is the one that I broke his bed when I sat down on it when I was in Van Nuys.  He sounds like he has changed a lot.  I can't believe that Ali is getting ready to leave on her mission.  That is crazy, but I guess it is her time to go.  Tell Austin that he is not missing much with Gunner leaving and tell Cooper that I'm sure he did the best he could on the high jump.  Rain is horrible to play passing football in, that is why the I formation is the best.  I am so happy to hear that Austin is doing well and he is healing.  When you go to Thacker's homecoming this Sunday, be sure to take him my love and my sense of humor.  He has been emailing me and I will try to send you the pics that he has been sending me.  I love you so much and I want you to know that I am happy.  The week went very well.  We have 2 baptism dates and a new one with an African American woman whose name is Evett.  She is going to be baptized the same day as Gabriel.  Also, we had 4 people at church with us, so it was a good week.

Mom:  I am glad things are going better with your comp.  I do believe that The Lord put you as his trainer for a reason.  I am not sure about Weber because Coach J said that they are in transition with coaches right now.  I think you need to go where you feel is the best for you.  I just think you would like being a little closer to home so you can watch your brother's play their high school sports while you still play yours.  I am good with whatever you decide though.  I am so SO excited to hear about your investigators!!!  That is so awesome that you have found people who are ready and willing to accept this amazing gospel.  This will make their lives so much happier and I am grateful that you get to share that with them.  So do you have your new address yet?

Elder Parkinson:  I sent my new address on the envelope with the sim card, but I do not have it on me right now.  I have no idea where I want to go play anymore.  I will have to pray again.  I am so happy that the people we are teaching finally accepted the challenge of reading The Book of Mormon and all of that.  They are way cool.

Mom:  On the envelope it said the city was Palmdale.  Is that right?  Just keep praying about college and I know you will receive an answer and feel at peace.  Going to Dixie for a semester wouldn't be bad either, but I know you will be prompted as to what is best.  What are the plans today?

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, that is the right address.  I will pray and see where I need to go.  I am so happy to be serving a mission.  For today we are going to play bball and have some fun.  I hope that you are doing well.  I love you so much.

Mom:  I love you more than you will ever know.  Don't stress about college right now, just concentrate on your mission and it will all work out.  Enjoy your Pday and relax and have a little fun.  I will tell Thacker hello for you on Sunday.

Elder Parkinson:  Okay, I love you.  Have a great week and I hope that all is well back home.

 Elder Parkinson putting his new watch to work.

 Elder's Parkinson and Thacker during a game of bball.  They became very close friends on the mission and now Elder Thacker is home and waiting for Elder Parkinson's return.

 Jordan's still got it!!!

 This is a picture of Elder Parkinson with his new companion, Elder Zobrist (left) whom he is now training.  In the middle is Jordan's first trainer, Elder Calder.  The tradition continues.

Elder's Parkinson and Thacker on transfer day and the day that Elder Thacker went home.

Last Call Home

Sunday was Mother's Day which has an extra special meaning when you have a child serving a mission.  Missionaries are only allowed to call home on Christmas and Mother's Day.  It is the best thing ever!!!  Since Elder Parkinson will most likely be coming home right before Christmas this year, this Mother's Day was our last opportunity to Skype with him and talk to him over the phone.  It was so wonderful to be able to see his smiling face and hear him laugh.  He looked SO good and seemed SO happy which makes all of us happy.  It was nice to see that he is still the same JP that we all know and love, only better if that's possible.  I also got to email with him a little today, which was the cherry on top of a great weekend.

This was the best Mother's Day gift that I could have asked for - having all 3 of my boys together and smiling.  I am truly blessed.

Elder Parkinson:  It was great to talk to you yesterday.  I am so happy that Austin posted that about wanting to serve a mission.  I hope he will love his mission just how I love mine.  I do know Kaden Argyle because we played football together.  That is cool that he is coming to the same mission as me.  My comp is doing good for his first week out.  I am working hard with him.  Tell Cooper that he will do fine at his track meet and that he has always been an athlete.  I hope to hear from you soon.

Mom:  I will make sure and tell Cooper that.  I'm sure that will make him happy.  Austin is lucky to have an example like you.  How is your day going so far?  I forgot to ask you yesterday how everything is holding up.  Are your shirts, pants, socks, shoes okay?  How about your contacts?  Let me know when you hear back from Coach Campbell.  

Elder Parkinson:  Okay.  I am doing good on everything right now.  My plan is to leave just about everything behind when I come home.  I hope Austin is doing well and his injuries are starting to heal.  How are you holding up after yesterday?

Mom:  I just want to make sure that you bring your shoes home, so I can see them :)  I am doing good.  Seeing you smile and laugh and just practically glow makes me know you are exactly where you need to be right now.  I miss you, but I know that I get to spend forever with you, so this time is the Lord's time for you.  Did you get any other emails today?

Elder Parkinson:  I got a lot of emails.  Kilpack emailed me and grandma.  Remember the other Elder Parkinson from the MTC?  We email back and forth.  I also heard from Jensen and Rich and some other people.  I would like to hear from Dave, but nothing yet.

Mom:  That is great that you get to hear from so many.  How is Rich doing?  How about Jensen?  I will try and find Dave's email for you.

Elder Parkinson:  Jensen is doing great and Rich said that he is going through some hard times right now, but the Lord is helping him through.

Mom:  It is amazing to watch all of you grow so much.  Are you going to see your new investigator today?  When do you leave for Lancaster?  Do you do your shopping in Lancaster too?

Elder Parkinson:  Well, we don't know for sure if we are going to get to see our investigator today or not.  We are going to leave for Lancaster soon and yes we do our shopping there.  I am doing great.

Mom:  You are awesome!!!  I love you SO much and am so grateful for you.  Keep working hard and being obedient and you will be taken care of.  I will make sure to send some pics of Cooper's track meet today.

Elder Parkinson:  Okay.  I love you and hope you have a great day.

Staying To Train

It is transfer time again in the California, San Fernando mission and Elder Parkinson is going to stay in Lake Los Angeles to be a trainer.  He is very excited about this opportunity and is ready to get to work.  I hope his new "son" is ready for him and has a good work ethic.  We are so excited to be able to Skype with Jordan this Sunday for Mother's Day.  What a great day that will be.  This will be our last time that we get to talk with Jordan in person before he comes home in December.  It is exciting to think about that because we know the time is getting closer until we get to hold him in our arms again.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  So my comp will be leaving to a car area, but it is for the better.  I am staying and I don't know who I am getting yet.  With the car, it is still kind of slow because it was the 5 de mayo weekend and all the Latinos were drunk, haha.  I do like driving though and since I am in the middle of nowhere, I don't have to drive in traffic.  I get to see Thacker today and tomorrow, which is good.  I did get my watch and I love it!  About going to the airport to see Thacker when he gets home, I think you should do whatever you want to do.  I know Thacker wouldn't care because he wants to meet you and Dr. P.  For Mother's Day, we have church until 2 and then we eat at a member's house so it will probably be around 5 here that I call and yes I can skype.  I don't know if anyone here has a Mac to do FaceTime, so I might have to set up a skype account.  Maybe you could do that for me?  I will call in the morning on Sunday to get the info.  I am so happy to hear that Cooper is turning into an athlete and that he is enjoying sports.  Tell Austin to keep pushing through the injuries and he will be fine.  That is crazy that BHS is going to the spread.  I don't believe it!  I have talked with my d end coach ad I think that they are still on board, but I will email today and see if he emails me back.  I love you and I can't wait to hear from you.

Mom:  I was going to ask you how Cinco de Mayo was.  Did any of the members have a party?  I am so glad that you like the watch.  I will for sure set up a skype account and give you that information.  I am SO excited to talk to you!!!  Are you happy that you are staying in the same area?  When do you find out who your new companion will be?

Elder Parkinson:  Haha, no none of the members had a party but the city did and it was huge and people were just drunk everywhere.  I am so excited to talk with you too.  It is going to be so cool.  I will find out tomorrow about who my new comp is and I am happy that I am staying here.  It is going to be way fun.  I hope that all is well and if the members have FaceTime, I will do that because it will be way easy.

Mom:  Sounds like Cinco de Mayo is pretty big there.  We just ate some chips and salsa and called it good ;)  Where do you get to see Thacker at?  Are you going to Lancaster again today?  Do you ride your bike at all anymore?  How is everything going with your investigators?

Elder Parkinson:  Well, chips and salsa sounds like a good day to me, haha.  We are going into Lancaster to play ball.  The investigators are doing good.  They work a lot so it is way hard to find them when they are home, but it is going well.  I am happy to get a new comp.  We ride every once in awhile, but not very often though.

Mom:  I am so glad that you are happy.  I saw Kilpack last week and gave him a hard time for not emailing you, so I hope you got one from him this week.  Have you had any more luck with your marine guy?  Is is starting to get hot there?  Are you needing anything?

Elder Parkinson:  I did not get an email from Kilpack, haha.  No luck with the marine guy, but we are trying to get in contact with him.  It is getting into the 100's, so I would say that is pretty hot.  I think I am good with everything.  Were you able to get ahold of Abbey yet?

Mom:  I am going to have to give Kilpack some grief!  I left a message with her mom, but I haven't heard back.  I will try calling again today.  I think she should be home from college fairly soon.  It seems like all the colleges are finishing up right now.  The Bell's officially moved out of the ward this past week.  JBell's older sister and her husband are the ones who are moving into the house.  David's family also moved into a new rental down by the Bountiful library.  Do you email with Dave?  Does he sound good?  Richard's aunt is going to tell Rich to email you.

Elder Parkinson:  Um yeah, give him some grief for me, haha.  Thank you for trying to contact her.  That is sad that the Bell's moved out.  Well, I do not email with Dave, but I hope that he is doing good. I just got a call from President and I am going to be a trainer!

Mom:  That is so exciting!!!  You are getting a son ;)  How do you feel about that?  Make sure to take some pictures with you and your new companion together.  Also, we haven't gotten any with you and Thacker one last time.

Elder Parkinson:  I am happy and ready to get to work.  I will take some pics today with Thacker and tomorrow with my new comp.  I have to get going.  I love you so much and I will talk to you on Sunday over Skype.