Week 6

Yes, I did get the shoe stuff. Thank you for the candy too. Those bonbons were GOOD! and yes, I have enough meds to get me through to the mission.

Sorry to hear about Harvey. I'm glad you guys took care of him though before he died. I'm sure he died happily. I'd still like a picture of him. Also, tell the Sis. Tukuafu that I can't receive pics by e-mail so they have to send them by mail. By the way, I could also use some more stamps. I used up all the ones you gave me, and I bought ten more.

I read all the info the mission pres sent the first day I got it. I signed all the stuff and I'm going to mail the rest of it today. I wonder why they didn’t send it before now? As for the parting my hair, I have no problem doing that…the problem is getting my hair to STAY that way. I tried it out here, and it just reverted back to normal-you know my hair as well as I do. :)

This week was pretty good but I've been sick. I think it's bronchitis. Whatever it is, I now know how you feel with the dry coughs Mom. Also, my nose has been stuffed, so it's been hard for me to sleep. Other than that, every thing's been going well. Snow is still here & we can't throw snowballs.

Spanish is going great too. I can teach and have conversation in Spanish. It’s quite amazing how much I’ve learned.

I love you. Take care of yourselves please.
Elder Parker

P.S. I'm going to call from the airport. I'll let you know the details when I get them.

Week 7

Mi querida familia,

Sounds like you had one heck of a week. Mine flew by pretty fast. I don't think my brothers were lying when they said that the mission would fly by. It seems like yesterday that you saw me off at the airport, and now here I am, getting ready to fly off to Vegas in two weeks.

Jury duty sounded like fun, Mom. I don't think I would've thought differently than you did if I heard the evidence. I'm still working on inheriting your thinking skills. :)

So my companion's mom sent us both stockings with goodies. I'll take a picture of it and send it home. I don't know if you'll get the SD card anytime soon. There hasn't been much to take pictures of recently. I'm doing my best though.

The temple closed today, so we won't be going anymore. We did get to clean inside today though. Lemme tell ya, they take cleaning seriously. Of course they should, since it is the Lord's house. I think you would've enjoyed working there. In fact, you might want to think about working in the Temple if you guys get the chance. I think that would be fantastic.

Christmas isn't going to be the same, but I know that I will cherish this one nonetheless. In fact, I'm actually kind of looking forward to it. I know that I'll be far from home, but at the same time, we'll be very close. Thank you so much for the package. I didn't think you'd send that much stuff. I'm really sorry I didn't think about getting you anything though...... that's me for ya; not thinking about the Mother and Father who raised and loved me, regardless of what I did. I love you dearly. Take care, and Merry Christmas.

Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Parker

P.S. The e-mails should get longer once I get out in the field.

Gonna Have a White Christmas??

IT'S SNOWING!!! I took some pics of the snow, and also my VERY FIRST SNOWBALL!! The snow is pretty slippery too. I woke up yesterday morning, got ready, and BAM! the ground was COVERED in snow. There's about 1/2 a foot right now.

I like the Tongans. I have a really cool Tongan friend here named Sister Tuifua. They are fun to play volleyball with (even though they hog the ball at times). I just have to count my fingers every time I block their spikes to make sure I have all ten. lol

Yes I do walk to the Temple. It's not that far, maybe a 7 to 10 minute walk. I enjoyed it today especially since there was a lot of snow. People can tell I'm from Alabama...I'm all excited, and they're all like "ugh.....snow"

Re:Christmas, if you guys want to send candy, that'll be fine. If I don't eat it all I'll just put it in the "Free Box" before I leave (that's were the missionaries in our floor put all their extra stuff they can't pack, like candy or toys)

I saw the Christmas Devotional too. Pres. Monson's talk was great, but the story was even better. It touched me when he told it. I wonder what happened to the Soldier. I hope that that wasn't his Last Christmas.

That's about all for now. Take care.

Elder Parker.

P.S. I won't be able to call on Christmas. I'll let you know when I can though.