Parkinson's at Navajo Nation: Best of the Rez Week 9

Best of the Rez Week 9

I have been looking for a descriptive of week 9 and all that comes to mind is ‘Missionary Week.’ Sister Marilyn Anderson who just returned from the Czech Republic said it best, “You never experience such highs and then follow them with such lows.” Being on a mission is a roller-coaster of emotions as you experience the good and the bad. So pay your ticket and come along as we ride ‘Week 9.’

1) It was Spring Break this week and most people were gone. Piano lessons went down to 10 and there were a lot of missed appointments. It didn’t damage our spirits too much as we hope things will return to normal this week.

2) Tuesday we went to Tuba City with the Rogers for a seminary meeting. It was a great trip and a new part of the Rez to see. WOW! Oh and the meeting was very good also. For seminary graduation here, you do it in Sacrament Meeting. The students will be the speakers and everyone—regardless of year or achievement will be awarded a certificate.

3) Tuba City and the garden project made the March Ensign (page 61). The garden behind the church is unreal. It instilled the bug in Elder Parkinson and he spent the next two days on the rotor-tiller. After our last blog, one follower (Biddly) wrote and asked if it wasn’t the Indians that taught the Pilgrims how to raise maize? Yes, things have changed and Many Farms takes the cake on that change. Regardless of the name, there isn’t a farm with miles and miles. Yes, there once was, and from what I understand it was started and run by Mormon Missionary couples. Ever hear of Rex Furness?

4) On the way home, we went through Hopi land. It is very different from the Navajo. We went up to what they call First Mesa where homes are over 1000 years old. Yes, one thousand years old. They do not allow camera’s up there unless you are invited into someone’s home and they allow it. I guess if we would have had the time, people will come out selling things. We must get back there as it was an amazing sight and even spending just 3 minutes there really was exciting. In Hopi land, we only have one place/ward with missionaries in Polacca. The missionary couple is the Page’s and they are a riot. She is very Southern with quite the accent. You must all meet them.

5) I think you can call it a ‘Golden Investigator’ when they come to you. We are teaching a little girl and re-activating her mother and they were worried about missing an appointment so they drove in to us. It was rather funny because we were on the phone trying to call them. Fun lesson and we played a little Wii afterward.

6) How many times will we get asked for money? That is one part of being a missionary that I do not enjoy. Everyone looks at us as a money purse. We are told not to carry money or give because the line will never end. Still, I get a sick feeling every time it happens.

7) Friday we showed Mobster’s and Mormon’s at the church. We had a pretty good crowd and all seemed to enjoy the movie and popcorn.

8) Saturday was a huge day. We started with Piano/Basketball. I taught 5 lessons while Elder Parkinson organized Basketball in the gym. He really complains on these people not respecting his age and treating him like a teenager on the court. Since he still gets his share of wins; all is well.

9) After the basketball we got things ready to take the youth on a hike. We thought we might get 4 youth, but instead we had the entire Benally (Bishop) family – 9 of them and 5 of their cousins, and 4 of the Curley family. Since it was blowing we changed our hike to going down into Canyon De Chilly where they also have 1000 old ruins—only no one lives in these. The wind really blew, but it was a great hike. It is just beautiful and you must all come do it. Great experience!

10) As we were driving out of the Canyon, our phone rang and it was our daughter-in-law, Angella telling us she was 15 miles from Many Farms. She actually beat us home. She had the three girls: Brooklyn-6,Kaiya-4 & Sarah-2. We unloaded them and headed to the gym where we had hot dogs, beans, potato salad, chips and pop for everyone that went on the hike. It was a lot of fun and great food.

11) As Angella walked into our trailer she said, “Wow, the pictures make it look bigger.” Yes, we were cramped but we had a ball with the little ones that night. Grandma got her hair done—after washing out about a pound of sand, we all watched a movie, and then Grandpa played his harmonica to put them all to sleep. Long, FUN day.

12) Okay, so Sunday was a massive roller-coaster. In Sacrament Meeting, all 4 songs were accompanied by 4 different youth. The Sacrament song was played by a 10 year old primary boy, Jacob Benally. (Next week another story) It was just a thrill to see and hear them. Oh, and a funny—Sarah was running back and forth with the only other white lady in our ward, and somehow knocked off the lady’s glasses and the lens fell out. The lens is still to be discovered after several searches so if any of you find it, I would be most happy.

13) After Sacrament meeting, Angella and the girls left. So sad—but the youth at church all gave me hugs to be my pretend grandkids. Cute. Then a calm Sunday afternoon until the roller coaster went into the slump. No need for details, but all is not well with a ward member and the missionaries and my stomach will be in knots until this is resolved.

Another week ends. How ------------ they fly. Someday I will find the adjective to put there. Till then, know that we love hearing from you. Our prayers are with you—sometimes our tears as well. We couldn’t do this without your support and the knowledge that our Heavenly Father wants us here. May we all be an instrument in His hands.

The Church is True,

Go BYU,

Our love and prayers always,

Elder and Sister Parkinson