Mission Call

*NOTE: This first post was written by me (Mom) as I was creating Parker's blog. I chose to write as if Parker, himself, was telling his story. From December 3rd, 2014, until he returns from serving, all other posts will be written by Parker - from the mission field, and posted by me. Enjoy!

The history of the CALL!

I received my mission call in March of 2014. I have been preparing my whole life for the time when I would be able to serve the Lord. I submitted my mission paperwork early this year and finally my time had come. My call was waiting in the mail for me when I returned home from our family vacation in Hawaii.

Before we returned home from Hawaii, my uncles thought it would be cool to trick me, so they played a little prank on me. They invited some of our friends over, created a fake mission call, and sent us a video of them opening my "call." The video showed my uncle reading my "call" to the Tennessee Nashville mission!!! (Remember, the call was a total fake!) He said that I would report to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, Utah on July 9, 2014. Needless to say, I was totally bummed and couldn't understand why they would open my call - after all, it was MY call! It took me a few minutes to realize that it was a joke and that they had not really opened it. They are total pranksters and love to have fun. When we got home, we planned a day when I could invite my friends over to open my REAL mission call.

Video of my FAKE mission call to the 

Tennessee Nashville Mission 

Courtesy of my crazy uncles!

Here is the video of me opening my original mission call. 

It was assigned on March 11, 2014.

I was so excited. It was my turn to serve the Lord and I was ready. We got all of the paperwork done and all of my immunizations taken care of as soon as we possibly could. We got my passport and then waited until 30 days before I was to report to the MTC in Provo to apply for my visa. As it turned out, we ran into some hiccups when applying for my visa and my mission was put on hold - postponed until we could get everything straightened out.

We waited and waited and waited some more for everything to get straightened out. Through this waiting period, I learned a lot about myself. I learned about the power of prayer. I learned how to be more patient. I learned that I have so many people who love and support me. I felt the power of the Atonement at work. I got to feel of my Savior's love more than ever. The poem "Footprints" really is true.

My Father in Heaven would never forsake me. He would never forget me. I knew that all I needed to do was pray and my prayers would be answered. I know that my timing and my Heavenly Father's timing are very different. I didn't know when my prayers would be answered, just that they would be answered. I have a strong testimony of prayer and knew that through prayer and faith I would be able to serve my Lord on a full-time mission. I know that I was carried through this trial and that I am loved by Him who created me.

In early October, we got a call from Salt Lake (Church Headquarters). They told me that my mission was no longer postponed, and that I would be issued a new mission call. It was issued on October 15, 2014; 7 months and 4 days after my original call was issued.  I received my new call in the mail. I am so blessed to be able to serve a mission. I intend to make the most of my next two years. I am eternally grateful for all the love and support I have received.

Before I actually received my reassignment call (the actual paperwork) my dad received and email from Salt Lake (this time, church travel) detailing my travel to the MTC. That email was an error, it was not supposed to be sent out when it was! My dad knew where I was being reassigned. He wouldn't tell any of us where I was going. We knew the actual paperwork would arrive in the mail, so we all decided to wait to hear the verdict. Dad would keep the secret until the paperwork came in the mail. It did not come the next day or the day after that.

By this time, I was getting very antsy - I wanted to know where I was going! My dad gave me a few options. 1. He could just tell me where I was going. 2. We could wait until my call arrived. 3. He could announce it in church for EVERYONE to find out at the same time or 4. He could recreate a normal mission call, using the original paperwork (the stuff from Costa Rica) and I could read it for family. After thinking about it for a while, I chose option #4. My dad retyped the whole mission call, inserting all the new information. I was able to do the big REVEAL in front of my family. That is what is in the video above. When I finally got my paperwork in the mail, the 2nd letter below is what was inside. It was simple - "you've been reassigned!" I love it. I cannot wait to serve the people of Puerto Rico for two years.

My original Mission call

My re-assigned mission call