return with honor

Another dedicatory post. 

One of my very best friends, Robert Durham Parkin, is leaving on his mission tomorrow. He's going to Hong Kong, China, and will return in the summer of 2013....weird. He gave a farewell talk on Sunday, and it was beautiful. It was fluid, and painted a picture of a mother's teachings using the gospel and its principles. He is going to be able to communicate the same things to the people of Hong Kong. I got to say goodbye to Rob today, and he was telling me about his mission. There's a British province and a...something province...and they're about the size of the Salt Lake Valley. However, everyone lives on the outskirts of the land, and in the middle, there is a jungle. So, pack your machette, Rob! I am excited to hear his stories and maybe learn a little Chinese...probs not. Rob was telling me that he was worried about learning the language because he has not base for the language, and he has a buttload of characters to learn. But, I know he'll do a great job because, like me, he is a visual learner and a fantastic memorizer. 

Rob and I have had a...weird friendship. We've always clicked. We're basically the same person, and we can talk about ANYTHING. We can finish each other's sentences, and we know what the other means when they can't finish their sentences. However, I was kind of an idiot. Rob and I dated for about...3 weeks, and then I just couldn't do it. For some reason, it didn't feel right. But, our friendship remained strong, and he helped me through some tough times. Then I turned into an idiot again, and we didn't talk for awhile. I was scared of talking to him, even though I shouldn't have been because we can talk about anything. But my brain forgot that for a while. We really started talking again last week. It was like nothing was ever wrong. What a great kid.

I'm so excited for Rob, and I know he'll do SUCH a great job and help so many people find the light of the one true church on earth! Thank you, Rob, for putting up with my emotional crap and being a great friend and example. 

See you in two!!