Hola Rancho Vista

We have been waiting on the edge of our seats for the past week to see where Elder Parkinson was transferred to.  I had been checking his debit card activity everyday last week, but for some reason this was the first week of his mission that he chose not to use his debit card.  Go figure :)  After all the waiting, we heard from Elder P around 1:30 today and now know he is serving in Rancho Vista, California.  His email was very short today and the emails weren't going through, so we weren't able to email back and forth, but he seems to be doing well.  He also forgot to let us know his new address, so we got a little help from our trusted friend, Ryker Thacker.  I don't know how Thacker found the address so quickly, but we are grateful that he has magic powers!!!

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  Well I got transferred to a place called Rancho Vista.  It is on the west side of Palmdale.  My new companion and I don't really have a lot in common and are having a hard time finding anything to relate to, but we will make it work.  The area is super good and I didn't have time last week to write a letter with my new address.  I don't have a lot of time today to email either, but I want to say thank you for all that you do for me and I love you.

The new address:

Elder Jordan Parkinson

39323 Jacob Dr.

Palmdale, CA 93551

 Image of the area from the web

 Go Eagles!

I put Elder Parkinson's address into Google Earth and it looks like these are his new digs.

Goodbye Lake Los Angeles

This week is transfer week in the Bakersfield mission and Elder Parkinson is finally leaving Lake Los Angeles.  He has been serving in this area since February and has loved every minute of it, but is excited for a change and some new scenery.  He hasn't found out where he will be going yet, but this will most likely be where he finishes out his mission before his return in December.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  I am doing great.  I will be leaving Lake LA and going somewhere else, but I won't know where until tomorrow.  I will stay district leader in my new area and I will finish training another missionary.  That is so good to hear that there hasn't been any football injuries yet.  I am happy that Austin and Cooper are doing good and that is so cool that Austin got to play in his first varsity game last Friday.  I remember when I played varsity for the first time and it was so exciting even though I only played for just a little bit.  Austin is a little better than I was though, so that is why he got in early in the season.  I can't wait to hear from you.  I love you.

Mom:  I am so excited for you to have a new adventure in another area.  Will you be moving tomorrow?  Is your companion staying?

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, I will be moving tomorrow and yes, my comp will be staying.  I will be going to  a bike area too, so hopefully I will get back into shape, haha.

Mom:  That's good that you'll be able to use your bike again before you come home.  You crack me up saying that Austin is better than you at football since you are now a college football player.  Were you excited that the US beat Mexico in that soccer game last week?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, well I am not a college football player right now, haha.  I was so happy that the USA showed Mexico how to play soccer.  USA, USA, USA, USA!!!!

Mom:  You are so funny!  Were there a lot of people in your area cheering for Mexico?  Are you still going to Lancaster today to play ball?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, everyone was cheering for Mexico, but we showed them, haha.  Yes, we are going to play ball today in Lancaster.

Mom:  I hope you have a great time playing ball.  Are you doing okay?  Are you needing anything?

Elder Parkinson:  I am doing great!  The only thing that I need is some bread, but wait until you know my new address before you send it.

Mom:  You are so awesome!  Will you send me a letter with your new address or should I just wait until next Pday?

Elder Parkinson:  I will send you a letter so that you can let everyone else know.

Mom:  Okay, that sounds great!  I hope you have a fabulous last day in Lake LA.  I think the people there are really going to miss you.

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, I think so too.  I know that I will miss them.  I hope that you have a great day and know how much I love you.

These scriptures are on their way to a new area in the Bakersfield Mission.  Goodbye Lake LA.

USA, USA, USA!!!

For some reason the email connection between Elder Parkinson and myself did not work very well today.  His emails took about 30 minutes to come through and I think mine were doing the same to him.    As a result, we weren't able to communicate back and forth a lot, but I do know that he is doing well and is happy.  He is getting excited to cheer on the United States when they play Mexico in the World Cup Soccer qualifier tomorrow.  Many of the people in his area are cheering for Mexico, so he said he is going to represent the good ol US of A.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  Well this week was a little slow because just about everyone got sick.  We did teach that family and it went very well.  We did not find anyone new to teach this week though.    My companion and I are doing great.  I'm glad that you liked that video that I sent for your birthday even though most of it was me recording my companion trying to learn our phone number and address in Spanish.  It was so funny because he could never say the number right, haha.  Oh well, he finally got it.  I am glad that you got to go to dinner for your birthday and I am really glad that you got your fountain Coke!  I bet dad misses coaching a little.  He is a great coach and an even better dad.  I love him so much!  That is good to hear that Austin and Cooper won their football game.  I'm sad that varsity lost but I'm sure coach Wall and Coach J will get them into shape.  I am happy to hear that the house is coming along.  I hope that it moves fast.  I love you so much and I am so happy to hear that you are still going to the temple once a week.  I love the temple and we are so blessed to have one in Bountiful.  It is my favorite temple that I have been to so far.  Well, I can't wait to hear back from you.

Mom:  I am happy to hear that you are still teaching that family, but sad that everyone is getting sick.  How are you feeling?  Did you get that picture I sent of Austin and Cooper?  How is your ward?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, I am doing good.  I did get that pic that you sent and it is a good one.  Thank you for sending that.  Our ward is doing good and I really love them.  Tomorrow the USA will play Mexico so there has been a lot of smack talk going around.  I have got to represent America, haha.

Mom:  What does the US play Mexico in tomorrow?  Are your transfers next week?  Are you needing anything?

Elder Parkinson:  They play in soccer.  It is a World Cup qualifying game.  USA, USA, USA!!!!  Transfers are next Tuesday and I don't think I'm needing anything.

Mom:  I'm sure you'll be cheering loud.  Just know that we love you and are here for you.  Keep working hard and finish strong.

Elder Parkinson:  Well, I have to go.  I love you so much and I am so sorry that I haven't been able to email with you that much.  I love you and hope you have a great week.  I think we are about 15 weeks from me coming home!

Austin and Cooper after their win last Thursday against Logan

Tentative Release Date

Since today was Labor Day, I wasn't sure whether we would get an email from Elder Parkinson or not. It was such a great surprise when his email came through.  He is doing great, as usual, and continuing to work hard and find those people who are ready to hear the wonderful message he has to share.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom, how are you?  I love you.  So what are your plans for this holiday?  I am doing good.  We found two new investigators so that is exciting.  I am just tired.  New missionaries take it out of you, haha.  I am so happy that Austin and Cooper got to play together and enjoy some football.  Did you get my letter?  I wanted to tell you Happy Birthday and I hope that you are enjoying it.  So how is dad doing?  I am so happy to email with you.

This isn't the best picture, but it shows Austin #5 and Cooper #31 warming up together before their game on Thursday.  I have never had two boys be able to play on the same team together, so this was such a treat.  What makes it even better is that Austin is the quarterback and Cooper is a receiver, so they get to make plays together.

Mom:  That is so great that you found two new investigators!!!  How did you find them?  Are transfers coming up soon?  We don't really have any big plans for the holiday because the boys have football practice this afternoon.  Dad is doing well and staying busy.  He is on call this weekend and had 3 emergency cases that he had to do this morning, which is really unusual.  We haven't gotten a letter yet, but I will definitely be looking for it.  You are giving me the best birthday present anyway by being able to email with you today :)

Elder Parkinson:  Our investigators came from a referral from one of our members.  The family is so cool and we are hoping to teach them this week sometime.  Oh yeah, good old football practice, haha.  That is good to hear that dad is staying busy.  I sent the letter on Thursday, so you will probably get it tomorrow because I forgot that today was a holiday.  Are you going to get something good to eat for your birthday?

Mom:  So is it a whole family that you are going to try and teach?  That is the best!  How was zone conference last week?  I'm not sure where we are going to eat for my birthday, but I'm sure it will be somewhere good.  All I really want is a fountain Coke with pebble ice, haha!

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, it is the whole family that we taught yesterday and will continue teaching.  Zone conference was good, just very long.  I am sure that you will eat somewhere great and I knew that a Coke is all you wanted, haha.  So today we are going to play bball and shop.  I don't really know what else, but transfers are in two weeks.

Mom:  Hopefully you will be able to make this family an eternal one.  What are you shopping for today?  How long are you playing basketball?

Elder Parkinson:  I hope that we will be able to make them an eternal family.  That would be awesome. We are just shopping for a little bit of food, so not too much.  I think we are going to play ball for about 4 hours.

Mom:  4 hours is a lot of basketball!  I'm glad that you get to do something that you enjoy though.  What if you had to play soccer every Pday, haha!  How is your exercise routine going?  Are you going to come home in football shape?  Do you know your release date yet?

Elder Parkinson:  I don't know if I am going to be in football shape, but I hope so.  That would be horrible if I had to play soccer every Pday, haha!  I think my release date in the 19th of December, but I am not completely sure.  All is well here and we are doing great.

Mom:  I am SO happy that you are doing well!  You bring a smile to my face every time I think about you.  I am not too worried about what happens when you get home because I know that everything will work out the way it is supposed to.  Do you have any ideas what will happen with transfers?  Do you want to stay in Lake LA?

Elder Parkinson:  I have no idea what is going to happen, but I think I would like to experience another area.

Mom:  That's understandable since you have been there since March.  I hope you know how much we love you and are praying for you every single day.

Elder Parkinson:  Thank you.  I'm sorry that I don't have much time to email today, but I love you so much and I hope you have a great birthday.