Serving In A Trio

Today was such a good email day with Elder Parkinson.  I have been a little worried about his stress level these past few weeks, but in emailing with him today, he is doing great!  I always love to feel and hear of his positive attitude and work ethic.  He is such a gem and I am so proud of my amazing son.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  I hope that the emailing works well again this week.  My area is doing good.  One of the elders in my district got sick and had to go home, so we are in a trio with an elder named Elder Monzon.  He is way cool and he is helping a lot with my comp.  I did get the cologne that you sent and I love it.  Thank you.  That is good to hear that Austin got to play varsity and also I am so proud of him and Cooper and the work that they are putting in.  I love them so much.  I would love to go down and watch his basketball tourney in Vegas if I get home in time.  So what have they said about my release date?  Don't worry, it won't distract me, because I work hard no matter what.  That is all I know how to do, haha.

Mom:  I am so glad to hear that things are going well.  Where is the other elder from that is in your trio?  Do you still ride bikes?  I think they are trying to get you home on the 17th, but we won't know for sure until next week.  Did you hear about the missionary that was killed last week while riding his bike?  He was in the California, Arcadia mission.  Please be careful when you are riding.

Elder Parkinson:  The other elder is from Salt Lake and they gave us a car to drive since there are three of us.  That is nice because I can get super fat.  So will you let me know next week if I am coming home on the 17th or the 19th?

Mom:  That is nice that you have a car, especially with the weather getting a little colder.  Now you will just have to run or something to exercise, haha.  Yes, I will let you know on Monday if I hear anything about your release date, but don't stress about it.  How is the work going?  Do the members feed you very often?

Elder Parkinson:  Yes, it is great to have a car.  I will try to do some type of exercise, haha.  Yes, the members do feed us very well.  So what are your plans for the day?

Mom:  Well today I am doing the normal Monday stuff of laundry, grocery shopping and cleaning.  I am also meeting with our designer to pick out exterior colors for the house.  What are your plans?

Elder Parkinson:  Well, we are going to play soccer, haha.  Yeah, so kill me now :)  What colors are you doing for the house?

Mom:  Soccer?????  You are going to LOVE it ;)  For the colors, we are trying to decide between a bluish/grey or a greenish/brown.  Decisions, decisions.  Do you have any investigators you are teaching right now?

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, we have a lot of investigators.  We are covering both areas, so we have like 40 investigators so there is a ton of work to do.  So yeah, I am doing great!

Mom:  That is amazing!!!  I am soo happy for you and so excited for all of the lives you are touching.  You are providing the best gift possible.  What an example and inspiration you are to all of us back home.  We love you so much.  So, do I have a sim card coming this week?

Elder Parkinson:  Thanks, I love you guys too.  I will send you a sim card soon.  This week is going to go by really fast.

Mom:  Is it going fast because of all your investigators?  I hope you enjoy soccer today and have a great week.

Elder Parkinson:  Yeah, it will go fast because of the investigators and also I have to do a lot of district leader stuff.  I have to get going now.  I love you so much and I will talk to you next week.

Finish Stronger Than You Start

I love Missionary Monday's.  It makes my entire week when I see an email come through from Elder Parkinson.  This week we were actually able to email back and forth a little bit which was so nice.  Jordan is still doing great and is such an example to us with his amazing attitude and perspective.  The best news about today was that he got his official release date of December 19!!!  That means we are down to 10 weeks!!!  

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom.  I'm sorry to hear that the email is not working too well, but hopefully we will get lucky today.  I loved conference so much and how much they talked about families and how important they are.  I liked the idea that you guys went up in the mountains for the Sunday afternoon session.  We will have to do that next conference when I am home.  The week was great.  My comp and I are about the same, but it is all good.  I haven't gotten the cologne that you sent yet, but when did you send it?  I am doing really well and I am thinking about just waiting to get a new suit when I get home because I know I will probably lose some weight.  I will be fine with the ones that I have until then.  So it is official that I will be home on December 19 and Elder Flake will be home a week later.  That is great that Austin and Cooper won their game last week and it is crazy that you had snow on the ground.  I can't wait for snow and to see the lot.  I will try and get some pics to you this week.  So yeah, the work is about the same.  Just working hard and hoping to finish strong.  I want people to remember me as someone who finished stronger than they started.

Mom:  I LOVE your attitude.  You have always been such a hard worker and it shows.  I sent the cologne on Tuesday, but since it is considered flammable, it had to be sent a slower way through the post office.  Hopefully you get it this week.  So do you have your flight plans yet and if so, when does your flight arrive on the 19th?  Are you needing anything?

Elder Parkinson:  I am trying to be hard worker.  It is kind of hard because the last 6 transfers I have been with a new missionary, so I have had to do everything.  I have not received my flight plans yet.  They will come about a month before the 19th of December.  I hope that I get the cologne this week and thank you for sending it.  There is nothing else that I really need except prayers that I can get along with my companion.

Mom:  The reason they put you with the new missionaries is because you do such a good job training them for the rest of their missions.  Just be patient and know that you are with them for a reason.  I will continue to pray for you.  Are you still playing basketball on Monday's?

Elder Parkinson:  It switches up every Monday.  It is either basketball or volleyball or soccer.  I am so glad that the email is finally working out this week.  I really liked the quote that said if you are tempted to give up, stay a little longer.

Mom:  You are definitely not one to give up!  Do you stay in Rancho Vista for Pday?  How is the bike riding going?  Is the weather still pretty warm?  

Elder Parkinson:  We come into Palmdale on Pdays and the bike riding is great!  It is starting to get a little colder now.

Mom:  How far away is Palmdale?  Do you have to take a bus to get there?

Elder Parkinson:  Palmdale is pretty close and we get a ride from some of the other missionaries.  I have to get going now because there are other missionaries waiting to use the computer.  Please know that I love you and I hope that you have a great week.

Starting The Last October In The Field

The emailing back and forth with Elder Parkinson has definitely taken a turn for the worse these last few weeks.  I couldn't really figure out why Elder Parkinson and I were not getting each other's emails and I was even ready to go out and buy a new computer to make it better.  I finally found out that the server that the missionaries use is having problems and I am pretty sure it has to due with the thousands of missionaries emailing every Monday.  I am so grateful that I get at least one email from Jordan every Monday.  I've realized that all I really need to know is that he is doing well and is safe and then my heart can be at peace for another week.

Elder Parkinson:  Hey mom, sorry about last week.  It was crazy because it was the first week of the transfer, but now everything has slowed down a little.  So to start answering all the questions that you asked in your email, my new area is good.  There are not a lot of Latinos so that is hard, but I like it a little better than my last area.  I am in a house and that address that Thacker gave you was the right one.  Thank you so much for sending the bread, it is great.  The only thing that I need is some more cologne and I am also thinking about getting a new suit.  I was wondering what your opinion on that would be. We don't share the house with any other missionaries and my companion's name is Elder Sawyer.  He is from Vermont and he is on his second transfer in the mission.  I think I have been around new missionaries too long, haha.  We are trying to work things out, we are just total opposite people so it is kind-of hard.  Being district leader is good and I am riding a bike now so I am getting into shape.  I had to stop doing the insanity workouts because they banned them from the mission.  I don't know why they did, but I just listen to what they say.  That is not good news at all that Woods Cross beat Bountiful again.  We cannot let them start their own streak!  At least Austin and Cooper won so that is good.  I am so happy to hear that Thacker sold that Dodge, haha.  I am so excited for General Conference.  It is great because you get to learn so much.  I hope that I will enjoy it just as much when I get home.  I hope that you are able to email me back, but I am doing good and working hard.  I can't believe that I come home in 11 weeks!!!!

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.