Birthday Elder

November 22, 2022

A big happy 20th birthday to our Parker Bryce!  He is spending his 2nd birthday in Ghana as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He is happy, confidant, working hard, growing, serving and very missed.  I love you my boy!

And his Christmas package arrived just in time!  I'm glad it came on his birthday week so he could enjoy some of it early.  We included some of his favorite treats, a few requests and some surprises for the kiddos in Ghana.  We also new he might have a native companion who didn't have much by way of Christmas so we sent quite a few items and treats for his companion. 

Park's requests were really random this time, but a few things I remember are a specific razor, some acne treatment gel, teeth whitener (I teased him about that one!), and some exercise bands.  I also made him a Shutterfly family photo calendar.  It is really weird to think by the time he turns to the month of August, he'll be home.

Before he left, when Parker found out how expensive it was to ship to Ghana, he said, "Let's make a deal.  Just put into savings what you would have spent on sending me packages and give me the cash when I get home."  You can buy what you need in Ghana and some/many of the things you might want...but they will be pricey.  

Well, the first year we did pretty well.  Here is a post for the package we sent him last year that shows the cost and what we sent etc. 

Unfortunately, that company we used a couple of times last year isn't shipping to his mission right now.  So, this year I found a company called LDSXpress that takes packages to Ghana.  And for history's sake, I want to include the cost here.  I think it weighed 8 lbs, and fit into a small sized moving box (14x14x12).  To put it in perspective, it cost us $12 to send it through UPS to the company in Arizona.  However, to fly it from Arizona to Ghana it was $430.  I was definitely regretting all the random junk food and especially dollar store junk toys I sent, but seeing his big smile and knowing he would have some gifts to open made it worth it.

Check out their pizza order in the car.  I'm guessing it was for a zone conference or maybe a mission wide Thanksgiving celebration.  I can't remember.   He's been in the office serving as an office elder for 6 months now.  He is doing a great job.  (I've heard from some senior missionaries...but I knew it anyway.)  He is excited to move back into the field soon, probably this next transfer.

Ziggy Ansah, an NFL football player from Ghana, showed up at church one Sunday when he was back in the country visiting.  Parker was stoked.  

Happy Birthday Elder Gwilliam.  We love you!