Pumpkin Carving in Palmdale, CA

Elder Parkinson sent us these photos of the pumpkin that he carved this year.  I think he is trying to send a subtle message that he would love to have a "King Ranch" truck when he comes home.  It is always nice to dream, isn't it :)

Learning Why The Lord Put Me Where I Am

I learned some new missionary language this week and Elder Parkinson refers to it in some of his emails.  Just so you know, this is some of the lingo: Expecting a child is when you find out you are going to be a trainer. The trainer becomes that new missionaries Dad. Any other missionaries that "Dad" trains are brothers to the new missionary. A companion to an Elder who finishes his mission "kills" the leaving elder. They count how many people they "kill" and how many "children" they have.  I thought this was kind-of funny and I guess a good way to all understand each other in their own way. I wanted to share this so that you didn't think Elder Parkinson was really wanting to "kill" someone.  I love his attitude and his positive way of thinking.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom, sorry about the emailing last week.  I only got one of your emails.  Yes, I did get the letter from Christeen (Jordan's Aunt), so you can tell her that she is sending it to the right address.  As far as gift cards go, if anyone asks you what kind to send, just tell them that food places are always good.  I did get all of the packages and the blanket is perfect, so thank you!  The baptism last week went well.  I did the baptism and I filled out the paper work and I guess I did it wrong, so my comp is all grumpy about that.  I just feel like he is judging me at all times and I am ready to "kill" him and get someone new.  He is hard to work with, but I am pushing through it and hoping that I can just learn why the Lord put me with him.  I am glad that all the snow melted, so hopefully you will still be able to get the foundation poured this year.  Tell Cooper to not be discouraged about basketball and to just keep working hard.  Tell him about my junior high and sophomore experience with not playing much and then I became the 6th man for varsity my junior and senior year.  That is so cool that Austin's seminary teacher thinks that he is a really spiritual kid.  I am so happy for him and I am happy for everyone.  I hope you get this soon.

Mom:  That is too bad about your comp, but you have the perfect attitude about it.  There are always people in our lives that we just don't quite click with, but if we learn to accept them for who they are and make the best of it we are blessed.  I'm glad that you got the packages and that the blanket is what you were looking for.  Are there any specific food places that you would prefer gift cards for?  How are your other investigators doing?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, but it is okay, we are still trying to work hard.  As far as gift cards, BK and Carl's Jr. would be good.

Mom:  Sounds good.  How was your BBQ last Pday?  What are your plans today?  You said that you have started working out with 2 other elders, what do you do?  Where do you work out at?  I just love you SO much!!!!

Elder Parkinson:  The BBQ was great.  We had some good food.  Today we are just going to play sports.  When we work out, we just do all kinds of different stuff, but we do it at our house.  I love you too.  Tell Abbey Smith thanks for writing and I will be writing back shortly.  Will you also ask Hannah is she has replied to my letter?

Mom:  Yes, I will thank Abbey and ask Hannah.  How are your investigators?  Any new baptisms coming up?  Are you liking Palmdale?  Keep smiling and know that we all love you.  Oh, and some new pictures would be nice, hahaha.

Elder Parkinson:  The pictures are on their way.  We are going to set up some more baptismal dates this week.  Well, I have to get going so I love you SO much and will talk to you next week.

Halloween 2012

Happy Halloween Elder Parkinson!!!

I Love You So Much

I waited to post Elder Parkinson's email today, because I was hoping that more came through like last week.  I was not so lucky.  I am, however, very grateful that I received his first and last emails today.  I don't think he saw any of my responses, but that is okay.  He sounds happy and that is what matters the most.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  Our investigators are doing great.  I love all of them so much.  Our next baptism is this week.  The district is great and working hard.  I hope that it stays warm enough for you guys to be able to get the foundation poured before winter.  That would be too bad if you had to wait until spring.  The weather in Palmdale is probably about the same as you have in Bountiful and yes I have all that I need as far as clothing.  That is good to hear that Austin will be getting back into sports.  That makes me happy.  I am not surprised that Cooper's football team is doing well this year.  Dad is a very good coach.  That would be so cool if his team got the #1 seed for playoffs and then won it all.  I am crossing my fingers for B-town and hope that do good in playoffs.  Thank you for sending that message on Facebook for me, I really appreciate you doing those things.  I did get the popcorn balls and the gift cards.  Thank you SO much.  Oh, and will you send me Richie's address?  I want you to know that all is well out here.

Mom:  I am so glad to hear that everything is going well.  Tell me about your baptism this week.  I want you to know what an example you are to us all.  Thank you for working so hard and sharing this amazing gospel with the people of San Fernando.

Mom:  Jordan, are you still there?

Elder Parkinson:  I guess it is slow again.  Today is going to be a fun P-day.  We are playing bball this morning and then we are going to grill and play football later today.  It is going to be so fun.  I hope that you get these emails soon.  I love you so much and could you send out a bigger blanket and some protein for 3 because I am working out with 2 other missionaries.  I love you so much, but I have to go.  I am so sorry that it didn't work this week, but I love you so much and hope you have a great day.  

Another Transfer Down

Popcorn Balls and Contacts are on their way!

Today was transfer day in the San Fernando mission and Elder Parkinson is staying right where he is at.  He will be Elder Garnica's last companion in the field, as Elder Garnica goes home at the end of this transfer.  He sounds great from the little emailing I had with him today, just a little sympathetic for his Bountiful Braves.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  Today is transfer day and everything is staying the same here except that Elder Shaur is leaving.  You have got to be kidding me about Bountiful losing to Woods Cross.  This better not be a joke because that would make me mad about Bountiful and all that.  I am glad to hear that Cooper is doing well with football and Austin getting up to go the temple on Tuesday mornings is really cool.  I did get the carmel apples and the post card from Hawaii.  It was nice to get that.  Where is Dallin Butters going on his mission again?  That is crazy that he leaves next week.

Mom:  I wish it were a joke, but I'm sad to say it's not.  The streak is over, but in reality it was just another game.  Who is Elder Shaur?  Dallin is going to Boston, Massachusetts.  How was your week?  What do you do on P days in Palmdale?

Elder Parkinson:  That's horrible, but oh well, Bountiful will always be my team.  Elder Shaur is just a cool kid that is in my district.  That is so crazy with Dallin.  Tell him bye for me okay.  The week was good, hahaha.  Um, what else, on P days we play bball and soccer and that is it.  I am getting back into shape again though.  So how was Hawaii?

Mom:  I am glad to hear that you are getting back into shape.  Dixie will need you :)  Hawaii was warm and beautiful.  It was nice to relax after the move, but I wish I could have taken my whole family with me.  How are things going with your 15 year old investigator?  Any other new investigators that you have found?  How is your ward?  Are you liking Palmdale?  How is the weather there?

Mom:  Hello?

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom, sorry I have to get going.  Could you send me some gift cards?  I love you so much.  Oh, and some new shaver heads because I ran out.  I love you so much and thank you for all that you do for me.  I hope you have a great week.

This email came through around 3:30pm.  It must have got lost in space somewhere and was the answer to the last email I had sent him.  He must have thought I was crazy saying Hello? to him!

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, I can't wait to get back and play football.  The fifteen year old boy is looking good.  I love this work so much.  Palmdale is great and the weather reminds me of back home, kind of cold right now.  The ward is still getting to know us and yes, we have like 6 more dates coming up soon. 

All Is Well

I have been worried about Jordan since last week when he told me that his district was not getting along.  One of the hardest things for Elder Parkinson is somebody questioning his work ethic, because that is something he prides himself in.  I was so happy to hear that all is well in Palmdale once again.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom, yeah everything is better with our district now and we are getting along.  I talked with my district leader and he has changed.  I am happy to hear that the house is going well, haha.  I am so happy that Austin and Cooper are doing well cause I love them with all of my heart.  I am very sad to hear about Grandpa Baugh passing away.  He was a very good man and is going to be missed by everyone.  Um, what else, I haven't received the carmel apples yet and I would like to make a request to get some popcorn balls.  The next transfer isn't this week, but next and then my comp only has 6 weeks left of his mission.  The baptism got pushed back.

Mom:  I am so happy to hear that everything is going better.  I was worried about you!  I was also worried that you wouldn't be able to email today because it is Columbus Day.  Where do you email from?  What kind of popcorn balls would you like me to send?  So what are your thoughts about the new missionary age?

Elder Parkinson:  For the popcorn balls, I would like Abbey's kind please.  I think that the new mission age is a great thing because then the boys won't have to worry about college and everything else.  So how is life?

Mom:  Okay, I will work on getting those popcorn balls sent.  I agree about the mission age.  It is a really big change for the young women too.  Life is good.  I am just busy doing the normal stuff in addition to trying to figure out everything for the new house.  It has been tough to watch Austin having to be the water boy on the sidelines this year for football, but I am excited to see how the basketball season goes. Cooper is also doing great and it is fun to see him growing up so much.  So any exciting things happen this week?  Why did the baptism get pushed back?  What do you guys do on P days in Palmdale?  Are all of your clothes still fitting okay?

Elder Parkinson:  Um, the baptism got pushed back because he didn't come to church, but he is a very good kid and it will be fine.  I hope that it all works out with the new house.  I have to go now because other missionaries are waiting, but I love you so much and hope that all is great back home.  Also, will you send out some new contacts?

Mom:  Will do.  Love you to infinity and beyond.  Have a great week!

A Little Piece of Palmdale

 This is the new address. 

 Elder Parkinson is now staying in this cute little house in Palmdale.

 Sunset over Palmdale

 Map of the Area

The New Companion, Elder Garnica

A Small Road Bump

I just love this Elder and look forward to each and every Monday that I get to hear from him.  He is an inspiration and example to our whole family.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  I didn't send a letter this week because I didn't write down the new address to the rental.  So, yeah, we are living in a house, not an apartment.  It is very nice.  I still love Palmdale and we find new investigators every week.  We have a date for a baptism in 3 weeks and it is very solid.  I love it.  I am so happy that all is great back home.  Here in the mission, our district is starting to fall apart because our leader thinks that we are not obedient.  He went and told the mission president that and now he is thinking that we don't work and are bad missionaries.  So yeah, I am a little mad at our leader because he doesn't even know how hard we work or anything.

Mom:  So tell me about the investigator that you have a date for in 3 weeks.  That is too bad to hear about your district.  Why does your leader think that you are bad missionaries?  

Elder Parkinson:  Our investigator is 15 years old and we are doing great with him.  He is a golden investigator.  Ou district leader just thinks that we are not obedient and that we don't work.  All he cares about is the numbers, not the missionaries.

Mom:  So he thinks you are not working because you are not baptizing a lot?  Are you going to talk to your mission president?  Do you feel like you are giving your best effort, because if you do then that is all that matters.  Did you get the letters from dad and the boys this week?  I sent the one from Austin and Cooper on Thursday, so it may not be there yet.

Elder Parkinson:  I am going to talk to the president here soon and I always give my all.  I was taught well.  I got the letter from dad, but not the boys yet.  Did you tell Anne to tell that girl from Utah State to write me?

Mom:  Yes, I told Anne.  She is sending her your address.  Do you get along with the other elders in your district?  I'm sure that you are doing great.  Just remember to always do your best and follow the spirit.  100% obedience brings the biggest blessings.  Is there anything that you are needing?  Where do you get to watch General Conference at?

Elder Parkinson:  Okay, that is good to hear that Anne is taking care of that.  I am trying my best with all we do.  We are watching conference at the stake center.  I get along with all but 2 elders in my district.  I kind of miss Van Nuys a little because I got along with all of them there, but I am good.  I love you and I have to go.

Mom:  I love you SO much.  Just remember what an AMAZING young man you are!