It's Getting Real

It's been a little CrAzY trying to wrap up Parker's mission needs and packing for our Vore family Domican Republic trip.  (We also threw a going away party and two temple trips into the mix over the past 8 days just to add to the fun.)  Park and Brian actually have to fly home two days early from our vacation because his mission date was moved!  Which in and of itself is just so random and unusual.  I guess when you add Covid into the mix, and you just have to be flexible.

Picts by Grandpa, of course!

Luckily Parker has taken everything like a champ.  He just calmly and slightly purses his lips and nods his head at each change.  (Brinley would have been a HOT mess if this was her call.  Last year she kept saying, "I am so glad I know I get to go right to my mission."  Any foreign called missionaries were temporarily assigned for part or all of their mission.  Wallowing in the unknown of Covid and all of the random, daily changes was not her happy place.)  Park is good to go with the flow.

But I digress....  Parker's initial call said he would be going to the Ghana MTC on July 15th.  About two weeks later, he received and email that stated it would be at home MTC.  Then there was an announcement on May 24th that the Ghana, Provo and New Zealand MTCs would be opening with a few missionaries attending in person.  As we read more, it mentioned only English language speakers and natives to the country would be selected to attend so we knew Parker would be staying home for the MTC.

Then on June 15th his stake president, which is also his uncle/my brother, called me to let me know Parker's start date had been moved two days earlier.  What the heck? Crazy!

Then, 10 days later, Parker received an email inviting him to do home MTC the first week and then the Provo MTC for the second and third week.  Seriously, so crazy!!

President Vore, aka Uncle Chris, called the missionary department to see what Parker's options were since he would be in the DR on family vacation.  He could 1. Join remotely from the DR on Monday and try to join remotely from the airports on Tuesday as we flew home or 2. Delay his mission six weeks.   

Park didn't even consider delaying six weeks. I loved Parker's third suggestion.  After thinking about it for a few hours, he quietly asked me if he could fly home early from vacation.  He wanted to be able to start his mission calmly and focused.  

So we paid an extra $500 to change ticket times and fly he and Brian home two days earlier than planned.  

Today is Sunday.  Yesterday we were at the temple most of the day.  Tomorrow we leave for our nine day Dominican Trip.  Yesterday we received additional documents from his actual mission with helpful suggestions. They would have been REALLY helpful about a month ago.  (Buy shirts with collars a half size bigger, bring twice as many shoes as you think you will need, no need to bring power adapters--they will be in the apartments, buy your mission bag in Ghana etc...) It's been a busy few hours scrambling with last minute purchases to get this kid prepared and on his way!  So grateful for online shopping...especially Amazon!

David & Laurel King, Bishop Matthew & Melanie Ormsby, Angelique & Chris Vore, Gram & Grandpa Vore, Bri (aka Dad), Parker & Erin (aka Mom/me), Shari & John Martin, Britney & Adam Bird

Only 16 people were allowed due to Covid restrictions.  We had these amazing friends and family memebers plus one other sister we didn't know in the session.  It was pretty special.

Packing away most of his stuff for two years.  Brian told me he did not like this room...the kids just move out of it.  It turns into the hang out room as well though.  I have spent a lot of time in this room visiting with Park while he packs up.  Aub and some of Parker's friends have visited as well.  

The tie spread he plans to bring.

Flexing his cash.  He has earned some through washing cars.  He has  also had very generous grad and mission gifts from friends and family the past two months.

He's a Ghana!