The Phone Call(s)

In one of Parker's e-mails he mentioned that he might be able to call us from the airport on Tuesday, January 3, but wouldn't be able to talk very long, if at all AND that they would be getting to the SLC airport at 4:00 a.m.!! So, being the mother that I am, I was excited to hear his voice and thought surely he would make every effort to call us so I kept waking up checking the time on the clock to make sure we didn't miss his call. I may be exaggerating but I think I woke up at least every half hour!! But yet, no call! Both Tony and I had to work that day so by 6:00 a.m. we got ready to head out and still no call. So I gave up thinking that he would even call and headed off to work. I explained to Parker in one of my e-mails that if he could not reach us at home before 7:00 a.m. then he was to call MY cell phone (no one else's!!) so I could at least talk with him for a few minutes.

About 10:00 a.m. while I was sitting at my desk working away, my cell phone rang and when I noticed it was an unfamiliar number I knew it must be him! I answered and he said that he was in the Dallas airport, at a pay phone and had a few minutes to talk.....$10 worth of minutes to be exact! He was waiting for his flight that was at 1:00 p.m. so we had a good 10-15 minute conversation about all sorts of stuff (mainly what we did for Christmas and how everyone was at home.) He sounded great and happy but he did say that he and the other 8 elders on his flight were a little nervous and were trying to use the 'skills' they learned from the MTC about pass-along cards but were just saying, "Would you like one of these?" and leaving it at that.

THEN, after I returned home from work the phone rang and rang and it was a long distance ring so since I was in the middle of a conversation with Jameson I didn't bother to answer it until Casey came downstairs and said, "It's Parker.....it says LDS MISSION......" I jumped up and grabbed the phone before the answering machine clicked in and Casey was right!! Parker called from the mission home to let us know he arrived safely and that he was staying there overnight  and would be heading west in the morning to his new destination..........CHIPLEY, FLORIDA!!! He was excited and was loving it so far but was very tired because they had to get up at 2:30 a.m. that morning to get to the airport in time. He wanted to tell us his new address for us to send mail to and also gave us a cell phone number to call in case of emergencies!! First time for that!! I have it right in front of me but, NO, I will not use it!! TEMPTING though!!!

I looked Chipley up on Google maps and it looks like a pretty small town but it does have a WalMart, Wendy's, Sonic, Burger King AND a Skins & Bubbas BBQ!! I read some reviews for the bbq place and warned him NOT to go there already! I know he will love that little town and will be there for his first 12 weeks while learning the ropes:) Can't wait to hear all about it!