(This is Connor, Parker’s older brother.  I will be updating his blog for him for the next two years with letters and pictures that he sends home, so that friends and family can stay updated.)

We sent Parker off to Brazil yesterday morning.  His connecting flight to Dallas was cancelled at the last minute,  so we had to scramble to get him on another flight so he could catch a later flight (and the only other one of the day) to Sao Paulo.  We had to call the missionary travel office to notify them of the two hour delay in his arrival, but it seemed to not phase them (as this is probably a semi-frequent occurence).

So, now we’ll wait to hear from him on how his first few days are going.  As he sends letters, emails, and photos, I will update this blog with portions he wants to release for public consumption so that everybody can stay up to date.

I have exactly a month until I report to the MTC in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It sounds awesome, but  at the same time it freaks me out.. I have been spending TONS of money on suitcases, suits, shirts, and every single thing I will need when I leave. Imagine leaving all your stuff behind and moving to the opposite side of the equator.. pretty crazy! I have been sending letters to all of my friends who are already out, mostly because I know how much I would appreciate it. I am so excited to leave and have been hearing so many great things! I have a feeling July 23rd is going to come FAST. This is the new Curitiba temple that was dedicated June 1st. It is the second coolest temple ever (San Diego is #1). I can’t wait to go visit it! If you would like to come to my farewell it will be at 11:00 a.m. On July 20, 2008. I leave from San Diego airport on the 22nd!If you need any addresses or anything check my facebook group. If you don’t have a facebook then email me or my parents. Thanks!! 

On Thursday I received my mission call to serve in Curitiba, Brazil. I am very excited to go, but I still have 4 months :/ I am going to learn to speak portuguese, which is pretty crazy.
For some reason Brazil was not one of my guesses. I don’t know why because many people go there, but it just never crossed my mind as a place I would go. I have started to read articles and stories about Curitiba and have realized how it is the perfect place for me.
There are a couple things I am especially excited about: #1 the sport EVERYone plays is soccer, which I enjoy very much. I hate basketball so I didn’t want to go somewhere where thats all they play. #2 There is a city in my mission boundary called Banana, I really want to go visit it #3 I wanted to have the experience of teaching the gospel in a foreign country, and my wish came true!!

          Well yesterday was a pretty big day for me.. I finally turned in my papers! It took me longer than expected, but I am excited to be done. I will wait about two weeks until I get my call, I will keep you all posted. I have been very busy ever since I cam home, pulling 40+ hour weeks at work. I got my job back at my local Albertons in the Meat Dept. It’s really fun!          If you would like to guess where I am going (be serious please..) then leave a comment. The winner gets 20 bucks!! hey thats a pretty good deal.. but it has to be the exact country… no africa or southern hemisphere junk. MY guess is South Africa.  My best friend Ryan Thompson got called to Fortaleza Brazil yesterday, and one of my other friends Dan Holiday got called to the Ecuador/Galapagos Islands mission! Pretty sweet…